If only building the foundation for a lasting relationship was as easy as drafting the blueprint.
Jet Black doesn’t date. Even if he wants a man beyond sex, his ever-watchful identical twin scares potential suitors away. Jet lives with his brother, but since Gray fell in love with Kris, Jet feels like a third wheel. Despite their bond, Jet knows he needs to move out and experience life for himself, whether Gray likes it or not.
After his father dies in a boating accident, Ethan Nichols is devastated. As the last survivor of his family, he feels the need to put down roots. He leaves Australia and returns home to San Francisco and his old architectural firm. But there’s more to building a new life than simply moving house.
Jet and Ethan’s first encounter is brash and anonymous, but when Ethan moves across the hall, their lives become irrevocably linked. Jet is quirky and fun loving, while Ethan is rock steady and dependable. There’s no denying the passionate spark between them.
But Ethan is looking for a more solid foundation than Jet is ready to offer. Until Jet learns to spread his wings and trust Ethan with his darkest secrets, building a life together will be impossible.
**This can be read as a standalone, however it is best enjoyed reading the series in order as side characters play a major role.**
**3.5 stars** Jet has almost an unhealthy close bound to his twin, Gray, who is overly protective, and for very good reason. So much that Jet never had any relationship so far. But his new hot neighbour, Ethan (I so love this name !!!), will change all that. And Jet is all in for a change.
Can it be read as a standalone ?? Technically, yes, but I think I would have enjoyed it more had I started the series from the beginning. However, it was still an enjoyable read. A bit OTT sometimes, but the characters are so lovable, including the secondary ones, that I overlooked it. It’s sweet and full of nice feelings. A good surprise.
Jet is 29 years old, a drama teacher by day, bartender by night and is living with his twin brother Gray and Gray’s boyfriend Kris. If you’ve read Black & Bluhe you know all about these three. If not, you need to know that the twins have a very co-dependent relationship stemming from Gray’s guilt over Jet having nearly been beaten to death when they were teenagers. The two know that the relationship is unhealthy and Gray is in counselling, but they also know that they will always be more emotionally dependent on each other than others may understand. Luckily, Kris loves and understands Jet and Gray’s need to be close and he will do anything for them.
As much as Jet loves them, he is finding it more and more uncomfortable living with Gray and Kris, feeling like a third wheel and a bit sad seeing them have a relationship he doesn’t think he ever will. He is ready to move out but knows how Gray will react and realistically he doesn’t think he could live on his own or far from Gray. For now he’s settling for a few nights out at work at the club, picking up someone for a back room quickie when he feels the need, without Gray there to scare the men off. Jet’s never been on a date and doesn’t see a relationship in his future.
Ethan returns home to bury his father, having spent the last three years working as an architect in Australia. Kris and Ethan are old friends as were their fathers and the two reconnect after his father’s funeral. Ethan is ready to stay in California, getting his old job back and looking for a place to live. He’s also ready to get out and doesn’t hesitate when the opportunity for a quick, anonymous hook up with the gorgeous bartender presents itself.
When the apartment Ethan buys turns out to be across the hall from Kris, Ethan gets the shock of his life when he discovers his gorgeous bartender lives there too. It’s too bad that Gray seems to hate him on sight. Ethan wants more with Jet, but Jet doesn’t know how to be with anyone outside of a hookup. These conflicting outlooks lead to nerves, apprehension, confusion and hurt feelings. Ethan is determined to teach Jet how to slow things down and find joy in the intimacy of sharing himself with another both in and out of bed and he can be pretty patient.
I have been wanting to read Jet’s story since I finished Black & Bluhe. Jet is sweet and sexy, with an obvious joy for life (and lacy underwear), but he has a vulnerability about him as well. The ordeal he went through as a teen will always be there between him and his brother and necessarily colors his outlook on things. Ethan is loving and patient and determined to win Jet over. Winning Jet over may be difficult, but not nearly as difficult as winning over Gray will be.
The story is relatively angst-free and I loved seeing Jet learn how to be with someone. The chemistry between him and Ethan is immediate so that’s not the problem. Jet has to learn how to just be with someone, what to do after sex, what to do on a date and how to deal with opening himself up and trusting Ethan enough to share his past. He yearns for the contentment he sees between his brother and Kris, he just doesn’t know how to get there.
The story focuses on Jet and Ethan’s romance, but just as important is the story of Jet and Gray. The brothers have spent all their time together since they were 18 years old, with Gray placing himself in the role of Jet’s protector. Even when Kris became a part of their lives the two were never separated. For Jet to even spend a night across the hall causes Gray extreme duress. Just like in Black & Bluhe, the brothers are a package deal and Ethan has to be able to handle that, but unlike the easy relationship Kris and Jet have, Gray and Ethan do nothing but clash until things literally come to blows.
The story is told in alternating points of view and moves at a good pace. There are appearances from all the couples in the series. This book can stand alone but it is also a continuation of Black & Bluhe and I think reading that first will give the reader a deeper understanding of Grey’s near obsession over his brother and Kris’ role in their lives. Know that either way you’re in for a sweet romance, hot sex, and touching hurt-comfort story with a happy ending for not just Ethan and Jet, but for all the couples in the series.
I have to say I quite enjoyed Blueprint by RJ Jones. Going in I wasn't sure what to expect she's a new to me author, and this being book 4 in a series- I just hoped I wouldn't feel lost in the plot. The blurb is what hooked me, and prompted me to take a chance.
Quirky guy + one-night stand + hurt/comfort/healing + a man looking for love = Count me in!
My highlights:
-Jet. As mentioned in the blurb he's quirky and fun loving. Due to his upbringing and events from his past, he's never been in a serious relationship. He feels out of his element when things with Ethan seem to be heading in that direction.
-Ethan. I loved him. He was a gentle giant and oh so patient with Jet- and his twin, Gray.
-Narration. It was told from a dual POV- always a win in my eyes.
-Angst. I've heard and read that past books in this series were heavy on the angst- this one isn't.
-Relationship development. I loved how their feelings developed. Jet wanted hot and fast, but Ethan showed him there was more than just sex.
-The intimate moments. I think my favorite parts were when they were just hanging out. They were so sweet together.
-The pace. The book read smoothly and quickly.
-And the end. It left me emotionally satisfied.
Niggles:
-Gray. I admit he kind of got on my nerves. On multiple occasions, I had to remind myself of their past and about their twin connection.
Can this be read out of order? Technically, yes. If you do decide to read it out of order, be prepared for past characters to make appearances. It's probably better to read in order, but I didn't think it a big deal that I didn't.
Do I recommend this book? I do. It was a pleasant surprise. After I had finished I went to Amazon and purchased a couple of the authors back list and hope to read them soon. 4 Solid Stars.
It was so good to see Jet get his HEA! Ethan was just perfect for him. I’m sad that this is the end of the series. I loved all these guys and will miss them.
Excellent end to this mm contemporary series. Jet gets his HEA with Ethan, but we get updates from all the other characters in this series. I’m going to miss these sexy firefighters and their partners.
I have been SO looking forward to Jet’s story, he’s my favorite character from this series and I really wanted to see him get his happily ever after. RJ Jones gave me that and so much more with Blueprint, and I’m already wanting to re-read this book. While I suppose you could read this as a standalone, I strongly advise reading the other books in the series first-it will greatly enhance your enjoyment of this book since you get a lot of backstory between Jet and Gray, and get to know the other characters that appear in this story.
Jet has a difficult past, and if you’ve read the other books in this series you already know about it (but if you haven’t I’m not going to spoil it here). Because of what happened, his twin brother Gray is very overprotective of him, and the two of them have an unbreakable, extremely deep bond-deeper than you normally see with twins. This is both heartbreaking and heartwarming to see-heartbreaking because of the reason this bond became so strong, and heartwarming because you know they will both do anything for each other.
Ethan recently lost his father, prompting changes in his life that bring him into Jet’s path. The two have an immediate spark, but Jet’s quick-and-dirty hookup style doesn’t seem to leave room for anything more between them…until Ethan moves across the hall. I absolutely loved Ethan, he is an amazingly well-rounded character and is everything Jet needs.
The development of Ethan and Jet’s relationship is a constant work in progress, particularly due to Jet never having had a lasting relationship in the first place. He is used to everything being fast and not sticking around-until Ethan. Watching as Ethan shows Jet how to slow down and appreciate one another turns into a sensuous dance that is scorchingly hot, romantic and downright sexy. Ethan is incredibly patient with Jet, and gives so much of himself in their relationship to help make Jet see that there’s so much more than sex between them.
We also get to see plenty of Kris and Gray. This story is not just a journey for Jet, but for Gray as well as he learns how to let Jet live his own life. It is hard for him since he’s been Jet’s protector from very early on, and doesn’t want to let go.
This series has become one of my all-time favorites in the M/M romance genre. The storytelling is fantastic, the characters true-to-life with excellent depth, and the stories are emotional and leave you feeling thoroughly satisfied once you’re done. Blueprint ticked every one of my boxes, and was an outstanding, 5-star read for me. This book and series has a permanent place on my Top Recommendations list, and I highly recommend it to any fan of the M/M romance genre. It is intended for readers 18+ due to adult language and M/M sexual content that will leave you breathless. Many thanks to the author for giving Jet the HEA he truly deserves, I can’t wait to do a series re-read again soon!
I’ve read all of the Out of the Blue books and loved them. I enjoy RJ Jones’s style of writing, especially her switch between POVs as the story progresses. In Blueprint we’re finally getting Gray’s twin brother Jet’s story. When they were teenagers, Jet was terribly beaten and Gray has carried a burden of guilt over the fact that he didn’t protect his beloved brother better. Now that they are grown and Gray has found a partner, Jet wants to move out and live on his own. Part of it is the feeling that he is encroaching on Gray and Kris’s privacy but a bigger part is Jet’s feelings of loneliness when he sees them together and realizes he’s alone. Kris’s friend Ethan, an architect, moves home to bury his father and decides to get an apartment. Imagine his surprise when he discovers Kris is right across the hall and one of Kris’s roommates is none other than the bartender Ethan has admired. Jet is also attracted to Ethan but unfortunately his brother Gray dislikes Ethan on sight. It’s up to Ethan to get inside that barrier and also teach Jet how to have a slowly developing relationship that is something more than a hook up. There is not much angst in this sweet love story, other than trying to sever the tight relationship between the twins that causes Gray so much stress when he isn’t in control of Jet. While Gray believes he is behaving in a loving and protective manner he is actually driving Jet away by smothering him. Blueprint is a lovely book and brings in all of the other characters from previous stories in the Out of the Blue series. I’ve enjoyed watching these men grow and find their futures with other men who make them whole. An outstanding conclusion (I think?) to a favorite series.
Ahhhh... Loved this! So heart wrenching & heartwarming at the same time, OMG! Don't know how many times I cried :( I so loved Jet & Ethan <3 Please let there be another book?! ;)
Around 2.5. Somehow this one didn't work for me. I expected more for Jet. I can't even say what exectly, but this story was just too fluffy to give me that more i wanted.
I enjoyed Jet and Ethan story and it's really nice to catch up with the gang. Low angst compared to other books of this series but still fun, sexy and romantic.
First of all, this cover…YES, YES, YES….love it…so much!!!
I really enjoy the whole concept of the “Out of the Blue” series. This whole idea of people not looking for love, not ready for love but no matter what love finds them. It’s such a great concept for a book series and I really love the way R.J. Jones is laying it all out. I also really love the fact that there have been 4 books in the series so far and they have all been distinctively different. Every time I read one I’m always completely consumed by the story. I’ve become quite the fan of RJ Jones.
Jet Black and his twin are survivors from horrendous abuse. It’s taken them quite some time but they have built a new life and Gray has found love. Jet, however likes to keep his hookups sporadic and emotionless. That is until a hookup turns into something more.
Ethan Nichols is recovering from his own grief. Having recently lost his father he is now back in the states and trying to settle into his new life. He’s happy to realize a backroom hookup that he’s having trouble of forgetting is his new neighbor and their attraction has only grown since the last time they were together.
Ethan and Jet are both in different stages of healing but find in each other, kindred spirits. Their attraction and connection burns bright and they fall into a very natural routine.
Miscommunication, codependency and other insecurities are at play in this story but the bond these two men form is strong and unbreakable.
I really enjoyed watching Jet fall in love. He was always a favorite of mine and I really couldn’t wait for his story. It was well worth the wait.
I’ve truly enjoyed this series and I can’t wait for me. Absolutely recommend.
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Jet Black is content to go through life with a random hookup every now and then. He lives with his identical twin brother, Gray, and Gray’s boyfriend Kris. But Jet is starting to feel like a third wheel and is having a difficult time watching how happy Gray and Kris are together.
When Ethan’s father dies, he flies home from Australia where he’s lived for a few years to take care of the funeral and his parents’ house. He soon resumes his position at the architecture firm he left when he moved to Australia and buys a condo that’s close to work.
Jet and Ethan have instant sparks when they meet at the bar where Jet is working and a quick romp in the backroom closet seems to satisfy them both. But neither man can stop thinking about the other.
When Ethan discovers that Jet is living right across the hall from him, he tries to pursue Jet, but Jet has never dated and has no idea how to be anything other than a one night stand. Jet really wants to learn though and the story line that follows is sweet, funny and at times heartbreaking.
I was fascinated by the bond between Gray and Jet. I’ve never known identical twins and I couldn’t help but wonder how much of what I read is a reality amongst twins. I thought the story flowed pretty smoothly. I will say that I haven’t read any of the other books in the series and wish I had as many of the characters played important roles in this book. After I finished Blueprint, I bought the first three books in the series so I could read the whole background leading up to Jet and Ethan’s story.
First off, I love this series. Every story is unique but the excellent writing and storytelling follows along from book to book. Blueprint was no exception, and considering how much I loved Jet from earlier books, it was no surprise how much i loved this one, too.
Ethan is reeling from the recent loss of his beloved father; Jet is reeling and still feeling the lasting results of his vicious attack by his and Gray’s so called father. These two are worlds apart in their upbringing, but their attraction to each other and future is set in stone.
The main focus of this book is twofold: Gray and jet’s understandable but awkward codependency, and Jet learning to date for the first time. Both are major issues, but they are resolved in the best ways. I enjoyed watching Gray and Ethan spar, both metaphorically and physically. Gray was a tough guy to love in previous books, but his reasons are legit and I loved how much he protected his brother, even if it was a little unhealthy.
So basically, this is another great installment in the Out of the Blue series, and I have the feeling it’s the last book, but if that’s the case, then this was a great way to end it. Loved it and highly recommend.
I went from book 1 to book 4 and while I enjoyed this book, I feel like I missed out on part of the story not reading Gray’s book. This seemed like a continuation of book 2 instead of a total stand alone. I was totally prepared for a major sobfest because this had the potential to really tear me apart, but I didn’t really get that. There was several times something in their history or current lives came up that was assumed knowledge that I’m guessing we learned in book 2.
Gray is still healing and dealing with attempting to live a normal life with Kris and Jet. When Jet meets Ethan, we discover that neither he nor Gray is totally ready for Jet’s independence. What happened to Jet and Gray as teens was absolutely tragic and I don’t know if they’ll ever really get over that. From what I see of Ethan, he’s a great guy…close to his family, solid career guy, super sweet to Jet and understanding of his and Gray’s relationship, tall and sexy. Jet is fun loving, flamboyant, beautiful and sexy. They are pretty great together but I would have liked to get more of their relationship. I felt like their story took a back burner to Gray and Jet.
I would like to see maybe a follow up novella to check in with them later. I recommend this book but think book 2 should definitely be read first.
4.5 stars. I think I liked this the best out of the series. I didn't like Jake in book one and Gray totally pissed me off in book two and wasn't doing much better in this one. Yeah, yeah, I know he had a psychological issue because of what happened to Jet but he was still a jerk about it! I was very happy to see Jet finally get his book. Mason and Brandon, Cam and Jake were also a little part of this story too.
Ethan was a great character although he kind of turns up out of the blue (book pun intended). His character ended up pretty well developed by having some shared history with Kris. Ethan was written so well for Jet, since Gray's overprotectiveness had made him so uncertain about relationships. I really liked that he went toe to toe with Grays arrogant ass! It was also clearer than Jet was never the really needy or clingy one.
This was a fairly simple storyline, dealing with little more than the relationship and loosening Grays grip. The speed bumps were pretty realistic, including Ethan's unsuccessful date with Ian. I still kind of wish Gray's approval hadn't been such an ordeal. I would say that with Grant coming to live in Ethan's dad's house, we'll see one more book. I think it would be great to have another couple not directly involved with the firefighters. I also predict more weddings!
from that review: I read Blueprint (Out of the Blue #4) by R.J. Jones as a standalone novel and loved it but upon reading the notes I can only imagine what my rating might have been had I read it as a part of the series as the author had intended. As it was, the characters of Jet, Gray, Kris and Ethan drew me in and connected me deeply to their lives and past history. The twins brutal past history is more than adequately explained here, In fact, its crushing enough in some details, that I can't imagine what prior books must go into.
But oh how these twins climb into your heart. Here its Jet finding love with Ethan, but where there's one, the other is right behind as is his partner. Its a package deal, one we are so grateful for..."
Jet has issues stemming from his traumatic childhood and an incident that nearly cost him his life. As a result, his relationship with his twin, Grey, became unbreakable. A source of refuge and strength, both Grey and Jet have relied on their powerful bond but as both find love and seek life on their own, the bond can be stifling, especially for Jet. Enter Ethan Nichols, architect extraordinaire and bereaved son of his recently-deceased and very beloved father. Jet and Ethan are immediately attracted to each other but forming a friendship and lasting bond outside of the bedroom proves to have some challenges.
Bottom line: I loved this sweet and angsty story. Another must read by R.J. Jones.
As much as I loved this book that's how sad I am that this is the last book of the series! Jet is a favorite of mine and his book was all I hoped it could be. Ethan was perfect for him. But more than that was how Jet and Gray's relationship was also developed and their struggles to still be so close but to let each other have space. Kris is awesome as always. I would love to have a short story about Kris and Gray's wedding!
*2,75 STARS Like in the previous books in this series, I mostly liked the MCs, here more than on the other stories. But for some reason, I just don’t get invested in the stories as much as the rest of the readers do. I must conclude, then, that this writer’s style is just not for me and leave it at that. In any case, this is not a bad story at all. I liked it, but I didn’t think it was anything special. I felt, mostly like nothing much happened. Oh well...
This series is great! We finally get to see Jet set off on his own. I guess I didn't realize how sheltered and disconnected Jet was until some interactions with Ethan laid it all out. So misunderstandings and miscommunications complicate what could have moved easily from an anonymous hook-up to a relationship, and longstanding (and ignored) issues have to be resolved with others before Jet and Ethan can move forward. It was nice to be back with these characters again.
I didn't want this to end, I'm figuring this is the end of the series. Jet and Ethan were great, a little angst, but no brooding which was great. It was nice to have it all tied up in the end from previous characters. I will recommend this series to others who enjoy this genre.
It's hard with all of these fine, hot gentlemen but I think Jet is my favorite in this series! Love his relationship with Ethan and looking forward to reading more of R.J. 's work. Out of the Blue is a great m/m series! :)