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Browerton University #2
Out on a Limb
Listening Length: 7 hours and 28 minutes.
No looking back.
That’s the motto of college senior Cameron Buckley, whether he’s kicking his latest hookup out of bed or plotting out his future as a hit screenwriter. With only a few weeks until graduation, he’s ready to put Browerton University in his rearview mirror and start the life he’s been dreaming of ever since he was a kid. But a chance meeting with a sexy stranger in a bar throws a wrench into his Hollywood plans.
For Walker Reed, no looking back is hard to do when you work minutes away from your alma mater and share child custody with your college sweetheart. Almost fifteen years after graduating from Browerton, he can’t stop wondering how he got here. He has an ex who can’t stand him, a five-year-old son he can’t connect with, and a dead-end job he can’t escape.
When Cameron and Walker first meet, they know the rules. They know their friendship has an expiration date, yet it begins changing them in ways they never expected. As graduation looms, they both know things can’t go anywhere, but they can’t keep denying the feelings pulling them closer, even as an offer from Hollywood threatens to tear them apart forever.
Contains mature themes.
No looking back.
That’s the motto of college senior Cameron Buckley, whether he’s kicking his latest hookup out of bed or plotting out his future as a hit screenwriter. With only a few weeks until graduation, he’s ready to put Browerton University in his rearview mirror and start the life he’s been dreaming of ever since he was a kid. But a chance meeting with a sexy stranger in a bar throws a wrench into his Hollywood plans.
For Walker Reed, no looking back is hard to do when you work minutes away from your alma mater and share child custody with your college sweetheart. Almost fifteen years after graduating from Browerton, he can’t stop wondering how he got here. He has an ex who can’t stand him, a five-year-old son he can’t connect with, and a dead-end job he can’t escape.
When Cameron and Walker first meet, they know the rules. They know their friendship has an expiration date, yet it begins changing them in ways they never expected. As graduation looms, they both know things can’t go anywhere, but they can’t keep denying the feelings pulling them closer, even as an offer from Hollywood threatens to tear them apart forever.
Contains mature themes.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 15, 2016
179 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Truman
41 books1,116 followersWelcome! I’m a gay male author who writes MM romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. My characters fall into bed and fall in love, usually in that order. Think LOL meets DTF.
I live in central Indiana, surrounded by churches and Olive Gardens, with my husband, kids, and cats. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing around a toddler or sneaking off to a movie.
Make sure to sign up for my newsletter The Outsiders to get the latest updates on my books and to start reading free stories.
http://www.ajtruman.com/outsiders/
I live in central Indiana, surrounded by churches and Olive Gardens, with my husband, kids, and cats. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing around a toddler or sneaking off to a movie.
Make sure to sign up for my newsletter The Outsiders to get the latest updates on my books and to start reading free stories.
http://www.ajtruman.com/outsiders/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
April 3, 2016
Until the 60 percent mark, this book was a solid 4 stars. Cameron is a college senior who dreams of being a screen writer. He doesn't believe in relationships and isn't prepared for the feelings he develops for Walker, a man 14 years his senior.
Walker comes into the Starbucks where Cameron works every morning; it's the highlight of his otherwise dreary day. Walker, a media relations specialist, despises his job. His ex-husband hates him, and his 6-year-old son, Hobie, would rather spend time with his other daddy, who's fun and remembers the presents he wants for his birthday.
Cameron and Walker realize that their relationship has an expiration date (Cameron is graduating and moving to L.A.); they just don't expect it to come so soon.
It takes Walker and Cameron half the book to get together (they are friends first), but I didn't mind the slow burn. What I did mind is that the second half of the book felt completely disconnected from the first.
The first half is thoughtful and sweet. We get glimpses of Cameron bonding with Hobie and Walker finally standing up to his ex.
The second half is frantic and jumpy. As soon as Cameron and Walker come together, they separate. Cameron leaves to pursue a position as an assistant in Hollywood, and the men take turns pushing each other away.
There just wasn't enough relationship building between the MCs to make me believe they could survive such turmoil. The angst felt heavy-handed at times. There was a scene at the end where Walker comes to visit Cameron that I had to read twice just to make sure it wasn't a dream sequence. It felt so random.
The steam factor was disappointingly low, even though this really isn't a NA romance. Cameron is a college senior, but Walker is 36. They went at it a couple times, but the scenes were so brief, I never felt the chemistry. It didn't help that the ending was a somewhat rushed HFN.
I really liked book 1 and expected more from this book, but I was underwhelmed.
Walker comes into the Starbucks where Cameron works every morning; it's the highlight of his otherwise dreary day. Walker, a media relations specialist, despises his job. His ex-husband hates him, and his 6-year-old son, Hobie, would rather spend time with his other daddy, who's fun and remembers the presents he wants for his birthday.
Cameron and Walker realize that their relationship has an expiration date (Cameron is graduating and moving to L.A.); they just don't expect it to come so soon.
It takes Walker and Cameron half the book to get together (they are friends first), but I didn't mind the slow burn. What I did mind is that the second half of the book felt completely disconnected from the first.
The first half is thoughtful and sweet. We get glimpses of Cameron bonding with Hobie and Walker finally standing up to his ex.
The second half is frantic and jumpy. As soon as Cameron and Walker come together, they separate. Cameron leaves to pursue a position as an assistant in Hollywood, and the men take turns pushing each other away.
There just wasn't enough relationship building between the MCs to make me believe they could survive such turmoil. The angst felt heavy-handed at times. There was a scene at the end where Walker comes to visit Cameron that I had to read twice just to make sure it wasn't a dream sequence. It felt so random.
The steam factor was disappointingly low, even though this really isn't a NA romance. Cameron is a college senior, but Walker is 36. They went at it a couple times, but the scenes were so brief, I never felt the chemistry. It didn't help that the ending was a somewhat rushed HFN.
I really liked book 1 and expected more from this book, but I was underwhelmed.
April 8, 2016
I'm generally not the biggest fan of age difference romances, but this one worked pretty well for me as a whole.
At 36, Walker left his life goal of having a creative job behind in favor of staying together with his first love upon college graduation, which landed him in a decidedly non-creative job, where he felt trapped.
However, after his partner of over a decade cheated and left him for another man, Walker's one remaining light was his 6 y.o. son, Hobie, with whom he recently couldn't seem to connect, due in large part to his ex-husband's subtle (to not so subtle) manipulations.
At 22, Cameron had his eyes on the prize, with his main focus on becoming a Hollywood screen writer. Love was for idiots, so he had no desire to fall into that man trap and let anything distract him from his college courses or his career goal.
But as Cameron began spending time with a customer from the Starbucks where he worked part-time and suddenly there was a slight hiccup in his unwavering focus. He not only found himself drawn to Walker, but also enjoyed spending time with the man's young son.
Then we have their extremely slow-burn romance. There wasn't so much as a kiss until 40% into the story, then they ended up actually together, with a 5-month expiration date firmly in place, at around 50% in. Only 5 months abruptly turned into a much shorter 2 weeks in the blink of an eye, when Cameron received a Hollywood job offer out of the blue.
For me, the first half of the book was nicely-paced and every point along their journey felt natural and essential. Some of my favorite parts were actually the scenes with Cameron bonding with Walker's son, Hobie, which also significantly helped bridge the distance between father and son.
My very favorite scene was where the manipulative psychiatrist ex-husband, Doug, was snidely attacking Cameron, then Walker found his voice and told that asshole right the hell off. In front of the rest of Doug's hoity-toity, rich parent friends. I rewound and read that scene at least 4 times. : )
My least favorite parts of the book were those centering on Walker's snooze-fest job. I wouldn't have minded less detail there, with more of it glossed over and abstract. I never want to hear another word about ad placement in my life, seriously. Ever.
The last half of the book focused a lot on regret. Past, present and possible future regrets, they're all there in spades.
Walker finally came to terms with his past regrets of not following his dream career path due to love (and out of fear) when he was fresh out of college.
And Cameron finally realized that his big, shiny visions of Hollywood were much more sparkly in his head than in reality. So when a career decision was all but made for him, he didn't hesitate (well, not much) to jump at a second chance with Walker, which actually did live up to his dreams of happiness.
There were some sexy scenes in the book, but I really wouldn't categorize this one as an overly-sexy read, especially when compared to the first book, which was flat out hot.
But the book was thoughtful and did have several feels in its 400 pages, so this one rates around 3.75 stars for me, but I think the second half of the book could have been condensed down a bit and still retain the same overall impact.
----------------------------------------------
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
April 4, 2016
I'm kind of surprised I liked this one as much as I did. It ticked a lot of my "dislike" buttons.
The MCs aren't together the majority of the book -
Low steam -
The MCs continuing to push each other away -
But dammit if I didn't find myself really rooting for Cameron and Walker. Despite the slow build, despite the back and forth, despite it all...in the end, I wanted it to work out. I wanted them to be together even though it seemed impossible.
They really had everything going against them. They were in completely different places in their lives. Cameron was about to graduate college and chase his dreams in California. Walker was a divorced dad of one, stuck in his college town.
But I liked them together. They worked. Yeah, I wish they had spent more of the book together. Yeah, I wish they had gotten it on more.
There were maybe 2 scenes, and while brief they were hot. But I guess when you spend most of the book "not together" there won't be much happening in the bedroom.
But again, it didn't bother me as much as I expected. My friend Dani's review was pretty spot on...
Dani's Review
...I just think I ended up being okay with how things played out a bit more than she did. But her points are all valid.
While, I didn't enjoy this one as much as book 1, I'm still glad I read it.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
The MCs aren't together the majority of the book -
Low steam -
The MCs continuing to push each other away -
But dammit if I didn't find myself really rooting for Cameron and Walker. Despite the slow build, despite the back and forth, despite it all...in the end, I wanted it to work out. I wanted them to be together even though it seemed impossible.
They really had everything going against them. They were in completely different places in their lives. Cameron was about to graduate college and chase his dreams in California. Walker was a divorced dad of one, stuck in his college town.
But I liked them together. They worked. Yeah, I wish they had spent more of the book together. Yeah, I wish they had gotten it on more.
There were maybe 2 scenes, and while brief they were hot. But I guess when you spend most of the book "not together" there won't be much happening in the bedroom.
But again, it didn't bother me as much as I expected. My friend Dani's review was pretty spot on...
Dani's Review
...I just think I ended up being okay with how things played out a bit more than she did. But her points are all valid.
While, I didn't enjoy this one as much as book 1, I'm still glad I read it.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
March 8, 2023
Cameron - college student, bit of a playboy, wannabe movie screenwriter
Walker - almost middle aged, divorced, single dad, miserable with his career
I could actually see this as a movie. Cute!
Coffee shop meet cute
Charming, clever dialogue
Wish we got a little more time with them as a couple in the end.
Walker - almost middle aged, divorced, single dad, miserable with his career
I could actually see this as a movie. Cute!
Coffee shop meet cute
Charming, clever dialogue
Wish we got a little more time with them as a couple in the end.
October 5, 2016
Se queda finalmente en tres.
Tras una primera parte prometedora donde el tono es juguetón y divertido, pasamos a un "no sé muy bien qué" que mal no está, pero empaña el resto de la lectura.
Truman, creo en tí, a ver el tercero xDDDD
Tras una primera parte prometedora donde el tono es juguetón y divertido, pasamos a un "no sé muy bien qué" que mal no está, pero empaña el resto de la lectura.
Truman, creo en tí, a ver el tercero xDDDD
Read
January 11, 20193.5 Stars
July 31, 2022
I really loved this book. In fact I love A. J. Truman’s writing. Cameron and Walker were great characters,but I have to say that Hobie was my favorite.
April 25, 2023
3.5
I did enjoy this but again there was a lot I didn't like which stopped me rating higher.
The end felt really rushed again, and there was no real clarity of time passing which is always something I hate. Please put 'Four Months Later' etc. Not everyone is good with figuring out numbers or passage of time mentally, I need to see that rather than try to figure it out myself - dyscalculia is always overlooked!!
I disliked Cam's mum, for me she came across as dismissive rather than encouraging, basically telling him that his feelings and what he wanted were incorrect and not 'on plan'. Doug was awful too, I hate parents who weaponize their kids.
My favourite part was the really accurate representation of feeling trapped in a job because you have responsibilities and don't know how to escape the situation. Been there, done that etc. so it was easy to connect to the characters and their emotions through that shared experience.
So far I am enjoying this series, I just prefer a more gradual end I guess.
I did enjoy this but again there was a lot I didn't like which stopped me rating higher.
The end felt really rushed again, and there was no real clarity of time passing which is always something I hate. Please put 'Four Months Later' etc. Not everyone is good with figuring out numbers or passage of time mentally, I need to see that rather than try to figure it out myself - dyscalculia is always overlooked!!
I disliked Cam's mum, for me she came across as dismissive rather than encouraging, basically telling him that his feelings and what he wanted were incorrect and not 'on plan'. Doug was awful too, I hate parents who weaponize their kids.
My favourite part was the really accurate representation of feeling trapped in a job because you have responsibilities and don't know how to escape the situation. Been there, done that etc. so it was easy to connect to the characters and their emotions through that shared experience.
So far I am enjoying this series, I just prefer a more gradual end I guess.
Read
September 25, 2016Clearly an author who knows what he's doing.
Beautifully structured romance with just a hint of a melancholic flair but that is ultimately sweet, sweet, sweet. :)
This is my favorite type of book, where conflict between the characters is clear and filled with tension, and I love the twists in character development as both Cameron and Walker learn more about themselves. These are real people, and I not only appreciated this book, but thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
This is an author to read and watch... natural talent here and I am so frigging excited to read more of A.J. Truman's romances.
On to the next one!!!
Beautifully structured romance with just a hint of a melancholic flair but that is ultimately sweet, sweet, sweet. :)
This is my favorite type of book, where conflict between the characters is clear and filled with tension, and I love the twists in character development as both Cameron and Walker learn more about themselves. These are real people, and I not only appreciated this book, but thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
This is an author to read and watch... natural talent here and I am so frigging excited to read more of A.J. Truman's romances.
On to the next one!!!
July 13, 2016
4.5 stars. I really freakin' liked this book. I totally related to Walker and his professional frustration. He and Cameron were adorable together. I loved that they couldn't stand to be apart from each other. I love that even though we weren't supposed to like Walker's ex, we were still shown a three-dimensional view of why their relationship didn't work. It wasn't "my ex is a supervillain" - we got to see that Walker made mistakes too. I love the symmetry of how Cameron made the exact opposite decision than Walker did at the same age, but they were both mistakes. Because there's no rule for what you're supposed to do - you have to make your own path.
I just really liked these characters and really felt invested in seeing them work things out. And the story outside the romance was something that really struck home for me. I've been struggling a lot lately with my "career" and trying to figure out what I want to do and what happiness looks like. This book was very tailored to me right now.
I just really liked these characters and really felt invested in seeing them work things out. And the story outside the romance was something that really struck home for me. I've been struggling a lot lately with my "career" and trying to figure out what I want to do and what happiness looks like. This book was very tailored to me right now.
November 3, 2018
Such a beautiful story with real life dilemma. <3
Career or love? Love or career?
Plans and priorities can change. You just have to make sure you made a decision that you can live with.
Career or love? Love or career?
Plans and priorities can change. You just have to make sure you made a decision that you can live with.
June 25, 2024
He was sabotage first by his mother, then his new boss. The no writing hack
June 21, 2019
I think I'm done with this series. It's just not doing much for me and I have too many other books on my TBR. Moving on...
June 11, 2018
Another good book by A.J. Truman.
Like the first book in the series, this one is smart, semi-realistic and warm-hearted. No absolute saints or bad guys, and all the characters are distinct. Even a minor character (a professor) is interesting enough for me to want more of her back story.
I’ve started the third book in the series and I’ll read the fourth one too. Solid writing, believable stories and multi-dimensional MCs. Recommended.
Like the first book in the series, this one is smart, semi-realistic and warm-hearted. No absolute saints or bad guys, and all the characters are distinct. Even a minor character (a professor) is interesting enough for me to want more of her back story.
I’ve started the third book in the series and I’ll read the fourth one too. Solid writing, believable stories and multi-dimensional MCs. Recommended.
April 8, 2025
This was good but…
I lost the plot towards the end after the 3rd act break up and it kind of dragged on for a bit and up I was a bit bored but overall it was entertaining!
I lost the plot towards the end after the 3rd act break up and it kind of dragged on for a bit and up I was a bit bored but overall it was entertaining!
July 15, 2016
**Originally Posted on Kiki's Kinky Picks**
The second book in A.J. Truman’s Browerton University series is even better than the first! Out on a Limb shows that you’re never too old to discover something new about yourself.
I love a good May-December romance. Honestly, it’s my favorite trope when done well because I love the dynamic between the characters. With MCs at different stages of their lives, it makes for tantalizing conflict.
Plus, it’s just plain yummy.
Then there was Walker’s son, Hobie, who was so fricken adorable I wanted to hug him and squeeze him. He wasn’t this perfect caricature of a child–which is good because I hate when that happens. He’s a real character with his own development and growth. Two thumbs up!
When the book begins, Walker is in such a terrible place in his life that my heart ached for him. For years, he’s been living his life in a sort of daze. Drifting through work and home without any real connection to anyone or anything. His own son wants little to do with him.
The progression Walker makes through the story was the most drastic and the most satisfying. Meeting–and falling for–Cameron lit a match inside of him. He found purpose and rediscovered himself.
I loved Cameron’s passion and dedication to his goals. He knew what he wanted and he worked his butt off to get it. I just wish he hadn’t had to compromise his dreams in the end, or that we at least got to see more of the new direction his life took.
Out on a Limb by A.J. Truman was a satisfying mix of New Adult and second chance. Walker and Cameron are the kind of couple that encourages each other to be better people. I can’t wait for more in this series.
Copy provided in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The second book in A.J. Truman’s Browerton University series is even better than the first! Out on a Limb shows that you’re never too old to discover something new about yourself.
I love a good May-December romance. Honestly, it’s my favorite trope when done well because I love the dynamic between the characters. With MCs at different stages of their lives, it makes for tantalizing conflict.
Plus, it’s just plain yummy.
Then there was Walker’s son, Hobie, who was so fricken adorable I wanted to hug him and squeeze him. He wasn’t this perfect caricature of a child–which is good because I hate when that happens. He’s a real character with his own development and growth. Two thumbs up!
When the book begins, Walker is in such a terrible place in his life that my heart ached for him. For years, he’s been living his life in a sort of daze. Drifting through work and home without any real connection to anyone or anything. His own son wants little to do with him.
The progression Walker makes through the story was the most drastic and the most satisfying. Meeting–and falling for–Cameron lit a match inside of him. He found purpose and rediscovered himself.
I loved Cameron’s passion and dedication to his goals. He knew what he wanted and he worked his butt off to get it. I just wish he hadn’t had to compromise his dreams in the end, or that we at least got to see more of the new direction his life took.
Out on a Limb by A.J. Truman was a satisfying mix of New Adult and second chance. Walker and Cameron are the kind of couple that encourages each other to be better people. I can’t wait for more in this series.
Copy provided in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Did not finish
April 29, 2023DNF 29%
I usually like this author's books, but this just isn't working for me. Cameron is focused on graduating and moving to Hollywood. Walker hates his job and has a horrible ex. He also has a young son who doesn't want to spend any time with him. I found Walker's situation to be depressing and I didn't enjoy reading about it. I also felt no chemistry between Walker and Cameron. Both of them were too focused on their own lives.
I usually like this author's books, but this just isn't working for me. Cameron is focused on graduating and moving to Hollywood. Walker hates his job and has a horrible ex. He also has a young son who doesn't want to spend any time with him. I found Walker's situation to be depressing and I didn't enjoy reading about it. I also felt no chemistry between Walker and Cameron. Both of them were too focused on their own lives.
July 27, 2016
Out on a Limb is the second novel in the Browerton University series…and completely different from what I expected. Okay, I admit, I did not read the blurb…I didn’t even skim it. I read the first one and really liked it, so I figured surely this would be another college story with lots of sex all over the place. Boy was I wrong!! No, Out on the Limb tells the story of two men in completely different places in their lives: Walker with a job he hates, an ex-husband who hates him, and a son who doesn’t want to be around him. And Cameron, a young man on the verge of graduation getting ready to begin the rest of his life.
I really enjoyed this book. It was refreshing not reading another new adult story with back to back sex scenes and little relationship building like so many others I have read lately. Walker and Cameron have a 15 year age difference between them, and yes, that was a major factor in their relationship, but they were determined to be friends before they ever became lovers. And at that point in their relationship, the age difference wasn’t very important. Plus, there was TONS of sexual tension and near-misses…making it a long time before Walker and Cameron ever “get busy”.
Then there was Hobie, Walker’s son. He was totally adorable and the growth in his and his father’s relationship was sweet and completely believable. I also liked seeing Walker accepting responsibilities and working out some of this longstanding issues he had with his ex-husband.
My only issue with this book is the predictability of it. I’m not going to spoil the plot, but there were no big twists or surprises…just me waiting to get the next expected step in the progression of the story. In the end, I still really liked the HEA.
I also wanted to mention that even though this is the second book in the series, and Greg and Ethan from Out in the Open do make serval appearances, Out on a Limb can still be read as a stand alone in my opinion.
Overall, I really liked this book. In fact, I started reading it first thing one morning and had it finished by lunchtime…I was hooked from the beginning.
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
I really enjoyed this book. It was refreshing not reading another new adult story with back to back sex scenes and little relationship building like so many others I have read lately. Walker and Cameron have a 15 year age difference between them, and yes, that was a major factor in their relationship, but they were determined to be friends before they ever became lovers. And at that point in their relationship, the age difference wasn’t very important. Plus, there was TONS of sexual tension and near-misses…making it a long time before Walker and Cameron ever “get busy”.
Then there was Hobie, Walker’s son. He was totally adorable and the growth in his and his father’s relationship was sweet and completely believable. I also liked seeing Walker accepting responsibilities and working out some of this longstanding issues he had with his ex-husband.
My only issue with this book is the predictability of it. I’m not going to spoil the plot, but there were no big twists or surprises…just me waiting to get the next expected step in the progression of the story. In the end, I still really liked the HEA.
I also wanted to mention that even though this is the second book in the series, and Greg and Ethan from Out in the Open do make serval appearances, Out on a Limb can still be read as a stand alone in my opinion.
Overall, I really liked this book. In fact, I started reading it first thing one morning and had it finished by lunchtime…I was hooked from the beginning.
Reviewed for The Blogger Girls
January 24, 2021
I finished this book because I desperately wanted to see how it would end, but I didn’t really like it. It’s essentially an age-gap romance, which can be tricky to pull off. There were lots of things I didn’t enjoy - the kid, ex drama, the light-speed use of the L word. But ultimately I didn’t like this book because I wasn’t rooting for this couple. I actually agreed with everyone who thought that it was a bad idea for a graduating college kid to get involved with an older, unhappy dad. I’m not sure if it’s my bias or if the relationship was undersold, probably a combination of the two. Either way, didn’t love this one.
April 27, 2016
I don't know what happened with this book. I enjoyed the beginning, but in the second half Cameron and Walker became other people, sadly, other people I didn't like. And I wanted more than the ending we got. It was very HFN, and while that's all well and good, I wanted to see more of them together esp. with Hobie. That kid made this book for me. More sexy times would have been appreciated too.
November 13, 2017
Man, these books are good at getting me emotionally invested. I swear to god every single time Walker's ex spoke I was like biiiiiiiiitch. It so encapsulated the ex-ness of an ex. Someone who knows you well enough to just push every single button you have. Someone that you can't quite hate but that you regularly want to murder.
I also really liked Cameron's immaturity. So many books that include an age gap gloss right over the maturity gap or they patch it up with the younger character being 'very mature for their age' or 'wise beyond their years'. Not Cameron. Cameron is a full-grown adult. He's capable. He's responsible. For a 23-year-old. He's really still at the beginning of his adult life, though, and he lives a very different life with very different responsibilities from Walker, and this book doesn't shy away from that.
There's shell shock and culture shock on both sides the way there really is when you're spending time with someone belonging to the next generation down or up. It's not something that makes you like the person less or want to spend less time with them, but every now and again, you're like, wooooow. You're really fucking young, would you like a sippi cup? Or you're really fucking old, how are you not dead yet?
This is very a 'life happens while you're busy making other plans' kind of book. There's no easy solution for Walker and Cameron and there are plenty of obstacles. Both characters learn and grow along the way. It's just really worth reading.
I also really liked Cameron's immaturity. So many books that include an age gap gloss right over the maturity gap or they patch it up with the younger character being 'very mature for their age' or 'wise beyond their years'. Not Cameron. Cameron is a full-grown adult. He's capable. He's responsible. For a 23-year-old. He's really still at the beginning of his adult life, though, and he lives a very different life with very different responsibilities from Walker, and this book doesn't shy away from that.
There's shell shock and culture shock on both sides the way there really is when you're spending time with someone belonging to the next generation down or up. It's not something that makes you like the person less or want to spend less time with them, but every now and again, you're like, wooooow. You're really fucking young, would you like a sippi cup? Or you're really fucking old, how are you not dead yet?
This is very a 'life happens while you're busy making other plans' kind of book. There's no easy solution for Walker and Cameron and there are plenty of obstacles. Both characters learn and grow along the way. It's just really worth reading.
February 23, 2025
“Out on a Limb” by A.J. Truman is an engaging age-gap, single dad, college MM romance that balances humor, emotion, and plenty of chemistry. The story follows Cameron, a college senior and aspiring screenwriter who avoids relationships in favor of one-night stands, and Walker, a single dad juggling adult responsibilities. What starts as a no-strings-attached fling quickly becomes more profound as Cameron bonds with Walker’s son, and both men question whether their relationship can last beyond graduation.
I enjoyed this book mainly because Cameron’s views on relationships reminded me much of myself. His reluctance to get attached and focus on his future felt real, making his emotional growth even more satisfying. The book switches back and forth between Cameron and Walker’s points of view, which took me a second to adjust to at times, but it ultimately helped deepen both characters. Some parts dragged a little, but the ending had me smiling from ear to ear—it was worth the journey. Overall, “Out on a Limb” is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys a mix of humor, heart, and slow-burn romance with a satisfying conclusion. While it has a few pacing issues, the character development and emotional payoff make it a book worth picking up. -4 Stars!
I enjoyed this book mainly because Cameron’s views on relationships reminded me much of myself. His reluctance to get attached and focus on his future felt real, making his emotional growth even more satisfying. The book switches back and forth between Cameron and Walker’s points of view, which took me a second to adjust to at times, but it ultimately helped deepen both characters. Some parts dragged a little, but the ending had me smiling from ear to ear—it was worth the journey. Overall, “Out on a Limb” is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys a mix of humor, heart, and slow-burn romance with a satisfying conclusion. While it has a few pacing issues, the character development and emotional payoff make it a book worth picking up. -4 Stars!
March 22, 2024
Cameron, a senior in college, is ready to leave everything behind and move to LA to pursue his dream of being a scriptwriter for movies. He is very adamant about not bothering to get close to people beyond friendship, never trying to get to know the guys he hooks up with...
Unfortunately Walker, who is 14 years older than Cameron, wiggles into his life. Walker comes in every morning and orders coffee from Cameron at work and, one night out at a bar the pair run into each other during a trivia contest.
And of course they keep seeing each other. Cameron is wonderful with Walker's son Hobie, helping him craft a silly and engaging story about his Lego sets. Walker and Cameron get closer and closer but are afraid of that pending LA move date.
I loved this. I didn't super LOVE the first book in this series but this one really hit me. I binged 85% of it in one night and only stopped because it was 2am. I really loved these characters. I definitely recommend this one.
Unfortunately Walker, who is 14 years older than Cameron, wiggles into his life. Walker comes in every morning and orders coffee from Cameron at work and, one night out at a bar the pair run into each other during a trivia contest.
And of course they keep seeing each other. Cameron is wonderful with Walker's son Hobie, helping him craft a silly and engaging story about his Lego sets. Walker and Cameron get closer and closer but are afraid of that pending LA move date.
I loved this. I didn't super LOVE the first book in this series but this one really hit me. I binged 85% of it in one night and only stopped because it was 2am. I really loved these characters. I definitely recommend this one.
December 12, 2019
*audiobook*
5 stars for the narrator - Alexander Cendese. I wanted to savor his narration. He does a great job dramatizing the story, has different voices for the characters (including accents). He made the story really enjoyable.
3 stars for the story. I liked both the MCs but didn't believe their connection. The relationship felt forced. It felt like overnight they went from friends to friends +, to you are my whole world and I can't love without you. The progression was abrupt and felt inauthentic.
5 stars for the narrator - Alexander Cendese. I wanted to savor his narration. He does a great job dramatizing the story, has different voices for the characters (including accents). He made the story really enjoyable.
3 stars for the story. I liked both the MCs but didn't believe their connection. The relationship felt forced. It felt like overnight they went from friends to friends +, to you are my whole world and I can't love without you. The progression was abrupt and felt inauthentic.
January 6, 2025
Loved it. This is the rare age-gap tale where the gap feels real, with two people at very different points in their lives, with different expectations and conflicting life styles. Even the dreaded third act breakup felt very earned.
The book has its faults (the sex scenes are not the best) but the book felt real in a way that is rare for the sub-genre.
The book has its faults (the sex scenes are not the best) but the book felt real in a way that is rare for the sub-genre.
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January 23, 2024Not for me
August 29, 2016
Cameron is less than six months from graduation and he can’t wait till those six months are up. Not a big believer in sentimentality, he just wants to get to the next step in his life. Yeah, he’ll miss his friends, but that is just part of life, right? He is also not big on relationships. Especially when he will be moving across country after he is out of school, and there is no reason to start something that has a firm and clear deadline.
Walker is stuck in a job he hates, at odds with an ex-husband that cheated on him, and unsure when his young son started to hate him. Being a grown up sucks, in his opinion, and he can’t help but fondly remember a time when he had dreams and plans and some sense of what to do with his life. But that was years ago and he might as well accept that is not how the real world works, right?
Cameron and Walker could not be at two more different points in their lives, and yet there is something that draws them together, even as they know it can’t ever come to anything. But as their friendship grows they begin to question what they know about how the world works. Or how it should work. Because they may not want to admit it, but sometimes plans change, and dreams come true, just not the ones you ever expected to have.
Out on a Limb is all about taking that next step, about changes and moving on from one point in life to another. But it also is a reminder that that next step may not be in a direction that you’ve ever thought to take. I think this book did a really great job of showing both Cameron and Walker at points in their lives where big changes are about to occur. Granted, Walker has no clue that those changes are coming, but come they must and come they will. Mostly in the form of Cameron. A man much younger than Walker, who is only just starting to enter the adult phase of his life, but who also reminds Walker of what he lost over the years when he learned to settle for enough. These two push and pull each other in ways they never intended, but almost always together–-even when they are trying to push each other further apart.
The age difference is probably what got me interested in this book, since it is something I love, but the way it was handled is what kept me around. Cameron and Walker clearly don’t fit easily in each other’s sphere. Walker sticks out amongst Cameron’s college-age friends, and Cameron doesn’t know what the fuck to do when surrounded by the parents and co-workers that make up Walker’s social life. And yet they seem to settle into something workable, together. Not perfect, and not without a few missteps (like showing up semi-smashed to pick up Walker’s kid), but it is not something that drives them apart. Mostly.
If I were to have one issue with this book, it would be the back and forth they go thru near the end of the story. Mostly I just wanted them to realize they were made for each other a lot sooner, but I came to get why they needed to walk different paths for a bit. It made for a bit of frustration…but I guess I can live with it because it had a purpose.
However, for the most part I really enjoyed this book. Even the kid. Which is a bit of a shocker. The slow build-up made the story all the more fun, and I liked seeing the different viewpoints of the world thru these two MCs. I can only hope that they can find happiness in this new path they have taken together–-even if it is one they never saw coming.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Walker is stuck in a job he hates, at odds with an ex-husband that cheated on him, and unsure when his young son started to hate him. Being a grown up sucks, in his opinion, and he can’t help but fondly remember a time when he had dreams and plans and some sense of what to do with his life. But that was years ago and he might as well accept that is not how the real world works, right?
Cameron and Walker could not be at two more different points in their lives, and yet there is something that draws them together, even as they know it can’t ever come to anything. But as their friendship grows they begin to question what they know about how the world works. Or how it should work. Because they may not want to admit it, but sometimes plans change, and dreams come true, just not the ones you ever expected to have.
Out on a Limb is all about taking that next step, about changes and moving on from one point in life to another. But it also is a reminder that that next step may not be in a direction that you’ve ever thought to take. I think this book did a really great job of showing both Cameron and Walker at points in their lives where big changes are about to occur. Granted, Walker has no clue that those changes are coming, but come they must and come they will. Mostly in the form of Cameron. A man much younger than Walker, who is only just starting to enter the adult phase of his life, but who also reminds Walker of what he lost over the years when he learned to settle for enough. These two push and pull each other in ways they never intended, but almost always together–-even when they are trying to push each other further apart.
The age difference is probably what got me interested in this book, since it is something I love, but the way it was handled is what kept me around. Cameron and Walker clearly don’t fit easily in each other’s sphere. Walker sticks out amongst Cameron’s college-age friends, and Cameron doesn’t know what the fuck to do when surrounded by the parents and co-workers that make up Walker’s social life. And yet they seem to settle into something workable, together. Not perfect, and not without a few missteps (like showing up semi-smashed to pick up Walker’s kid), but it is not something that drives them apart. Mostly.
If I were to have one issue with this book, it would be the back and forth they go thru near the end of the story. Mostly I just wanted them to realize they were made for each other a lot sooner, but I came to get why they needed to walk different paths for a bit. It made for a bit of frustration…but I guess I can live with it because it had a purpose.
However, for the most part I really enjoyed this book. Even the kid. Which is a bit of a shocker. The slow build-up made the story all the more fun, and I liked seeing the different viewpoints of the world thru these two MCs. I can only hope that they can find happiness in this new path they have taken together–-even if it is one they never saw coming.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
September 19, 2016
Another good book in this series of standalone stories.
Out on a Limb is book two in the Browerton University series but it can be read as a standalone; there is no cliffhanger.
Cameron Buckley has his future planned out. He’s going to finish college and become a screenwriter in Hollywood. He has no interest in a long-term relationship, especially because he will be moving soon.
Walker Reed thought his life was all set; until it all fell apart. His husband cheated on him and now they’re divorced and have joint custody of their son.
Cameron is a barista at Walker’s favorite coffee house. While Walker feels an attraction for Cameron he knows that he’s too old for him. Cameron is also attracted to Walker but he has no plans for anything serious and lets Walker know that he’s leaving town in five months when the lease is up on his apartment.
Like book one in this series, Out on a Limb has well developed, complex characters with an interesting storyline that kept me entertained from beginning to end. This is no-insta love story. It’s about two men with complex things going on in their lives and how they manage to overcome their differences.
This story reminded me of some of the best women’s fiction I’ve ever read, albeit with hot guy on guy sex, and I sincerely mean that as a compliment. It’s not often that I’ve read an M/M story that focuses so much more on the characters and their lives instead of on the sex. Don’t get me wrong, there are some pretty hot sexy times found in this story, I’m just saying that it’s not the main focus of the relationship between Cameron and Walker and I found it very refreshing.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Out on a Limb is book two in the Browerton University series but it can be read as a standalone; there is no cliffhanger.
Cameron Buckley has his future planned out. He’s going to finish college and become a screenwriter in Hollywood. He has no interest in a long-term relationship, especially because he will be moving soon.
Walker Reed thought his life was all set; until it all fell apart. His husband cheated on him and now they’re divorced and have joint custody of their son.
Cameron is a barista at Walker’s favorite coffee house. While Walker feels an attraction for Cameron he knows that he’s too old for him. Cameron is also attracted to Walker but he has no plans for anything serious and lets Walker know that he’s leaving town in five months when the lease is up on his apartment.
Like book one in this series, Out on a Limb has well developed, complex characters with an interesting storyline that kept me entertained from beginning to end. This is no-insta love story. It’s about two men with complex things going on in their lives and how they manage to overcome their differences.
This story reminded me of some of the best women’s fiction I’ve ever read, albeit with hot guy on guy sex, and I sincerely mean that as a compliment. It’s not often that I’ve read an M/M story that focuses so much more on the characters and their lives instead of on the sex. Don’t get me wrong, there are some pretty hot sexy times found in this story, I’m just saying that it’s not the main focus of the relationship between Cameron and Walker and I found it very refreshing.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
April 16, 2016
Out on a Limb is the second book of the Browerton University #2 Series by AJ Truman. I thoroughly enjoyed book one, so I requested this one as soon as I saw it listed. In this book, we meet Walker, who feels trapped. His partner left him; his child doesn't want to spend time with him, and somehow he ended working at his old alma mater. Then we have Cameron, who has dreams of moving to LA after graduation. What started off as a friendship grew into more than they bargained.
My highlights:
-Great characters. Thank goodness because they saved this book. <---I'll explain more on that later. I felt connected to them and was rooting for them all the way to get their heads out of their behinds and finally be together.
-Cameron's relationship with Walker's son.
-I loved the relationship growth between Walker and Cameron. Their interactions felt natural, and there's something to be said for a slow burn written right.
-The age gap. This is one of my favorite tropes, and I have to commend Mr. Truman for making it, realistic.
-Lastly, I enjoyed the humor.
That being said there were a couple of niggles along the way....
-Push and pull in books either works for me or they don't, and I have to admit these two were giving me whiplash. It's like they didn't want things to work. Thankfully these characters had snuck into my heart, so I forgave them their pigheadedness.
-The length of the book. There were some aspects of the story I wish had been omitted. *coughs* Like Walker's job *coughs* I don't think they were detrimental, and I think it would've improved the pace of the book.
I wanted the peace of mind that things worked out and their relationship solid.
All in all, I enjoyed it. There was a lot of emotion and relatable characters. I think many people will be able to relate to them and root for their happy ending. A.J Truman is an author to look out for in the future. 4 stars.
ARC was kindly provided by the author to Gay Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
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