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Out in College #4

Out in the Field

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Max Maldonado loves baseball. He knows playing first base at a private college probably won't get him to the big leagues, but he doesn't mind. He loves the game and his teammates. If he has to stay in the closet until he graduates, that's okay. Baseball comes first. Relationships are complicated anyway. And after his recent messy breakup, Max prefers to keep things simple.

Phoenix Bell is a fabulous theater geek. He's excited about his recent transfer to a new school with an elite liberal arts program. Life has been on hold for a while, but this opportunity feels like the fresh start he was hoping for when he moved to California. And the chance reunion with the hot closeted jock is an unexpected surprise. The two men have nothing in common and their timing couldn't be worse. However, when their unconventional alliance blossoms into friendship and perhaps something more, it may be time to make some hard decisions. And perhaps risk it all...out in the field.

190 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2019

195 people are currently reading
508 people want to read

About the author

Lane Hayes

102 books1,707 followers
Lane Hayes loves a good romance! She’s the bestselling author of the Out in College, Starting From, Better Than, A Kind Of, Right and Wrong, and Leaning Into Series! Lane loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). All things she can find in sunny SoCal where she lives with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.

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5 stars
365 (31%)
4 stars
487 (42%)
3 stars
258 (22%)
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44 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
Profile Image for Judith.
724 reviews2,932 followers
July 12, 2019





I'm becoming quite a fan of this Author.This is a delightful college romance with two hugely likeable MCs.




When I requested this I didn't realize it was actually book four but it definitely stands on its own.Characters from the previous book are very well introduced and while I believe Max and Phoenix featured in that book I didn't feel as though I missed anything here.





It might be a typical theme in gay romance...the guy deep in the closest and the guy who's out and proud but this one seemed to stand out for me because Max and Phoenix were just so adorable in totally different ways and watching them fall in love was so endearing.





Max is a popular/successful baseball player.He loves his sport and his team and has no intention of coming out any time soon.That is until a force of nature in the form of Theatre geek,Phoenix rocks into his world and makes Max realize that despite his sport/his team, his friends and his family he's lonely.




These two had a great connection from the start.Things might have started off just with sex but they kind of became friends without even realizing it and it was pretty special to read.





Opposites attract and different worlds collided in the absolute best way!


Would definitely recommend...

Review copy provided by IndiGo Marketing & Design
Profile Image for ~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~.
3,536 reviews1,077 followers
July 14, 2019
~4.5~

How cute is this story, you guys?

It's so fucking cute, I can't even.

Let's summarize:

Masc baseball player who loves eyeliner on his hot not-boyfriend but only talks about video games and baseball because otherwise it's feelings and nope.

Insert completely necessary and not at all gratuitous pic of baseball's finest ASSets here:



Femme drama major/actor who isn't afraid to be all out, including lip gloss and fairy dancing (to be fair, he was channeling Puck).

Max and Phoenix have an arrangement wherein they fuck each other's brains out as often as possible but in secret because REASONS.

Not a spoiler: Max can't (won't) be out, and Phoenix is done with athletes who break his heart.

The MCs absolutely love spending time together, but they're not IN love. Of course not. Because that would complicate things.



The only gripe I have about this opposites-attract, sweet & spicy story is the somewhat incestuous nature of Max's exes. Max is best friends with Christian (who's now with Rory) whom he was with for years. He also just broke up with Sky (a former player on the team), who shows up toward the end of the book wanting to stir up trouble.

(I think Sky is getting his own story. I just know that behind the arsehole facade hides a tortured soul).

A big shout-out to Max's mom and dad for being the BEST. PARENTS. EVER. I also really liked Phoenix's sister, Sunny, and wish we could have seen the two interact more. I missed not having Phoenix's POV.

Out in the Field is a HOMERUN (pun intended; come on, I'm clever like that): a super steamy story with very likable MCs, just a touch of angst, and an awesome HEA. What's not to love?
Profile Image for Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus.
1,120 reviews1,053 followers
December 13, 2019
4 stars for the story and the Audiobook

This was the best in the series.

Opposites attracts. Max the closeted popular Baseball player and Phoenix the out and proud theatre nerd who wears eyeliner, nail polish and lipstick.

These two are so likable and fun. I felt their chemistry from the beginning. Their banter was so cool had me laughing all the way through.

I loved Max parents and Sunny - Phoenix's sister, they were amazing supporting characters.

Overall, it was cute, adorable and hot.
Profile Image for .Lili. .
1,275 reviews275 followers
July 11, 2019


Lane Hayes is one of my go-to authors. Her relationship development is some of the best I've read, and Out in the Field was no exception.

In this fourth installment of the Out in College series, we have an out and proud theater student, Phoenix, and a closeted college baseball player, Max. The two had met months prior, but nothing came of it because Max was in a relationship, but neither forgot about the other. There was a feeling of kismet, and when they ran into each other again, Max seized the opportunity. But Phoenix agreed under one condition: Booty Call Buddies only. He's done the closeted athlete before, and he's not interested. What ensued is an adorable and sensual romance.

Highlights:

-Opposites attract
-Outstanding relationship development
-OFY
-Off the charts chemistry
-Awesome main characters. I loved them both and was rooting for them all the way.
-It was great to catch up with Christian and Rory
-And the end was uber sweet.

AND this book has me jonesing for stories for Sky, Braden, and Micah.

I NEED MORE, LANE!

All in all, an excellent addition to the series- in fact, this is my favorite.

Profile Image for Cadiva.
3,968 reviews436 followers
July 9, 2019
Very definitely my favourite in a series of quite excellent new adult sports romances.

Max is a study in contrasts, he's kick ass on the baseball diamond but so vulnerable in his own life because of his fears over coming out.

Phoenix is the perfect foil for him, out but still not secure in his ability to find someone who truly wants him for himself and not just as a side attraction.

The sparks flew when they met in the previous book, but I loved how this friends to lovers romance coupled with a friends with benefits element rolled gently into love almost by accident.

I loved Max's family as well, they were supportive of his baseball career but also cared deeply for him as their son, just as it should be but sadly isn't always.

Christian and Rory are also on hand to dispense some good advice and a few home truths and the narrative takes no ridiculous dramedy moments or overly angsty directions.

It's exactly the right mix of spicey, steamy and sweet too. Another great addition to the series.

#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Profile Image for haletostilinski.
1,509 reviews637 followers
July 12, 2019
I really, really enjoyed this one. Loved it.

Max is the best friend and ex-boyfriend of Christian from the last book in this series. Remember Max, who had that dysfunctional relationship with his boyfriend, Sky? They had a lot of sex but they didn't have much else to their relationship. That's Max. For Max, it's been three months since he met Phoenix, who he met at the night club where Christian and Rory get it on in a supply closet (if I'm remembering right) and who he made out with.

He and Sky were still together, but they had a deal where they could make out with other guys as long as they told each other about it (but only make out) so it wasn't cheating - because all Max did was make out with Phoenix.

But anyway, three months later he runs into Phoenix at the private school he goes to, because Phoenix has transferred there and is in theater. Max is as drawn to him as he was that night three months ago - only now he can do something about it because he and Sky broke up.

I really enjoyed these two together a lot. They just had such great chemistry, in and out of bed, and I loved reading their conversations as much as I loved reading their sex scenes. These two were just really amazing together, I loved them.

The drama wasn't too bad at the end, and so I thought the reactions and time period until it was dealt with wasn't bad either, I thought it was appropriate to what had happened. The main drama was that Max wasn't out and Phoenix totally is - and it was fine at first because they were just fuck buddies, basically, but then they both started to fall for each other - of course ;) - and things changed.

I was happy with the ending, and thankfully Sky wasn't too big of an obstacle, although I totally got the vibe that the next book will be about him, and I wonder how Hayes will get us to like him. From other POV's he's just seem like a real asshole. But, I've read books where characters felt like assholes in another MC's book (Nick, for example) and then loved them once I read their book, so who knows, maybe getting Sky's POV and seeing him fall for someone of his own will change my feelings about him. (Unless a book won't be about him, then nevermind.)

Overall a great addition to this series, I loved it and highly recommend it :D

***Review Copy generously provided by the Alpha Book Club in exchange for an honest review***
Profile Image for Adam.
611 reviews372 followers
August 28, 2019
I thought this audiobook would be perfect for a road trip. I had to stop listening pretty early on.

Why? Because ‘Out in the Field’ is just too hot to listen to while packed in tight quarters with other people! Luckily I didn’t have a neighbour on the plane ride back 😉

The audiobook narration by Michael Pauley was excellent. Like the previous audiobook in this series, he really nailed the execution.

Max and Phoenix fit some of the stereotypical characteristics - the closeted athele with internalized machismo and the out and proud flamboyant. The same theme has been done many times over in the MM genre, but ‘Out in the Field’ felt fresh and new.

The two men are complete opposites, yet were drawn to each other the first time they met on a dance floor.

When they unexpectedly reunite at the college they’re both attending, Phoenix and Max feel that undeniable pull to each other again.

It really doesn’t take them long at all to get down and dirty. Like kiss-me-silly-and-take-me-rough kinda down and dirty. I approve!

description

But it’s more than just the sex. The two might have agreed to some repeated naughty times on the downlow, but pretty soon they’re doing a lot more decidedly non-sex things. Like reading lines to prepare for Phoenix’s audition, and going to a batting cage.

It was all absolutely adorable. This is one of those books where readers truly see the MCs falling for each other. I swooned often!

The drama is fairly predictable - the pressure of being a closeted athelete isn’t exactly condusive to a happy and healthy relationship. Plus, Max had some internalized views about masculinity that he needed to work on.

But no need to worry, because Max got his head out of his ass pretty quickly! Also, extra brownie points to Max’s parents and teammates (most of them, anyway), and Pheonix’s sister, for being rockstars.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable and easy listen, with lots of hot sex and sweet romance. Phoenix and Max’s happy ever after gave me all the fuzzy feels.



Profile Image for Jennifer☠Pher☠.
2,970 reviews270 followers
July 8, 2019
This book just didn’t hit it out of the park for me.
It took me a minute to get into and I felt like I was so focused on trying to remember the bits of Max from Christian’s book. Once I got myself sorted I just started over and then I was invested.

So, once it was going I was into it. I loved Phoenix. I mean, loved him. I just needed more of him. I needed more background on him, what he remembered from the initial meeting etc. I needed more Max. More belief to believe him. I think had we gotten Phoenix’s POV and not just Max’s it would have worked out better.

Really, mostly nothing much happened. Don’t get me wrong, I loved watching them become inseparable and fall in love but you knew exactly what was going to happen the entire time so I just felt like I was waiting for the ball to drop.

Then Sky. What a fucked up guy. Ridiculous and worse, that scene should have gotten Max to step up. How he let him talk like that is beyond me.

And then the sister. I hate a beard. I have not had any luck with books like that and even though this wasn’t really like that, it was enough, plus SISTER.

So, not a favorite of the series but it was easy and it was cute, it was really hot and definitely sweet, especially the end.

**This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.**
Profile Image for Snjez.
1,001 reviews1,001 followers
July 17, 2019
4.5 stars

There are so many things I liked about this story. The plot might not be the most original, but what makes it special to me are the characters and the way it was written.

I loved Max and Phoenix. They are quite opposites, but they clicked so well. The thing they have in common is the determination when doing things they love. I loved that about them.

I loved that they spent a lot of time together. It was lovely to see them slowly falling for each other, although they initially agreed to keep things physical only. They were so adorable. The relationship development was well paced and I think it was done perfectly.

I haven't read any of the previous books and I had no problems getting into this one.
Profile Image for Gabi.
703 reviews112 followers
Read
February 3, 2022
I liked this one. The chemistry was great, it felt natural. Loved the flow, loved relationship progression ("we're just fuck-buddies, but actually dating"). Kind of insta-lovey, but well done.
Even tho I saw the upcoming conflict at the end, somehow it hit differently. I expected to roll my eyes at the last-minute drama, but it was valid.
I don't really remember characters from previous books, but not remembering their stories didn't bother me.
On the other hand, I've so outgrown endearments like "baby". Ugh. -.-
3.5 stars rounded up.
Profile Image for Teri.
1,801 reviews
August 27, 2019
I LOVE Lane Hayes and I like this series a lot, I don't think this was my favorite of the series, but she writes cute characters and sweet moments and steam. What more can you ask for?
Profile Image for Leigh.
1,384 reviews319 followers
July 16, 2019
Out in the Field is book 4 in the Out in College series. I haven't read any books in this series and had no problem following along so it's definitely a stand alone. Although I didn't enjoy my first book by this author I'm so happy that I tried again because I really enjoyed this one. The chemistry between Max and Phoenix was awesome, they were sweet together and their chemistry was fantastic. I look forward to going back and reading the other books in this series and since I already met Christian and Rory I will start with them.
Profile Image for Nadine Bookaholic.
3,723 reviews520 followers
July 11, 2019
I have been looking forward to Max's story, I knew we'd get it and we did! I have to say two things, first this was my favorite of the series so far, and second I love a good second-chance-romance and that is what we have here.

If you have read OUT IN THE OFFENSE, you'll remember Max he was Christian's best friend and also his first everything. He was also in a relationship with Sky (whom I really didn't like) at the time. All three of the men were keeping their sexual preference a secret so no one knows that Max is gay. Max also meets Phoenix in that story as well but once again he was with Sky so even though there was a definite attraction on both sides nothing could really be done about it, there was also the fact that they lived in different parts of California.

In this story Lane Hayes takes us on a journey of Second Chances, what if the guy you had met a few months ago and still thought about happened to bump into you at school one day, a school you knew he didn't attend when you met? Would you take fate by the horns and run with it or would you run away because of your fears?

Phoenix is an openly gay man and he doesn't care who knows about it, he wears eyeliner and lip gloss, he is part of the drama club, oh and he has a thing for athletes even though he doesn't like sports. Max is in the closet, so deep I don't think he can see the little bit of light that comes through the bottom of the door. Max has so many fears about being outed and not being accepted that he has only had two relationships, one with Christian for five years and the other was an open relationship with Sky, his worst fear is that his teammates will find out and won't want him on the team anymore and baseball is his life.

This story was well written and had me at the very first page. I am a big baseball fan, in fact my son plays for his college, so I really enjoyed watching Max show Phoenix the ins and outs of the sport as they got closer. OUT IN THE FIELD is the fourth book in the series but each of these books can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading OUT IN THE OFFENSE first just so you can see how Max and Phoenix met and get a better understanding of Max's relationship with both Christian and Sky.

Happy Reading!!!

**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books**


You can see this and other Reviews I have written along with various cover reveals, excerpts, and giveaways here Nadine's Obsessed with Books
Profile Image for Kaity.
1,942 reviews24 followers
July 12, 2022
3-3.5 stars

this was a short and sweet opposites attract book, the theater geek and the jock.

I don't think there was anything too special about the book to make it stand out. I was surprised to learn that Rory, Christian's bf was Justin's brother from the "Starting From Scratch" series, that was exciting to learn, forgot if Justin had a brother lol.

now on to find the next book haha who knows if it will stay in this series or not.

Profile Image for ~Kristin~.
1,371 reviews141 followers
September 17, 2019
2.5 Stars
Sadly I found this boring and had to force myself to finish.
Profile Image for Wendy.
179 reviews16 followers
January 30, 2022
4.5 Midnight summer dream stars

Once again Hayes's characters were on point. Max and Phoenix had an amazing chemistry and there were emotions flying everywhere.

The plot was simple, basically having a good time together, no strings attached. But I was more than evident that the deal was doomed quickly into the book. The two men had a very distinct background. Phoenix was an out and proud theater student. I loved his originality and how driven he was. Max was a baseball player with a harsher storyline. He recently got out of an unhealthy relationship and feared getting outed. He was a real sweetheart. Phoenix made him braver and it was beautiful seeing them together.

I like sport romances and baseball was well integrated here. However this side of the story actually made me more anxious than anything else. The team made me unsettled and it was clear why. As it wasn't THE focus of the story, it was fine with me. At the end of the day, I just loved Max and Phoenix's couple and, after meeting Christian, I want to read Book 3 too ^^
Profile Image for Lidia.
2,620 reviews29 followers
July 11, 2019
Short,sweet,hot story and the MC are very cute together. That there was little angst was a bonus.
Profile Image for Elsa Bravante.
1,159 reviews195 followers
July 29, 2019
Como sus antecesores, una serie con muy pocas pretensiones sobre unos deportistas en sus años universitarios. Personajes muy propios de cualquier NA, con los conflictos derivados de una sexualidad a veces no aceptada. La verdad, se leen en un suspiro y son muy monos. Este, concrectamente, con el jugador de baseball y el estudiante de teatro, es adorable. Muy recomendables para pasar ratitos agradables. Y en KU.
Profile Image for keren davidi cohen.
213 reviews7 followers
August 20, 2019
4.5 stars
Another delightful college romance.
I loved Max and Phoenix. They are quite opposites, but they clicked so well.
So If you’re looking for closeted athletes guy,
Ad the other who wear makeup and want to read how they become friends with benefits and smoking hot chemistry and an ex with a potential score to settle you’ve got to read this
Profile Image for Rohit.
473 reviews29 followers
July 15, 2019
Boring.

Formulaic.

Cute by using the word cute multiple times doesn't a cute make.

Also, cramped.
Profile Image for Santy.
1,255 reviews74 followers
July 27, 2019
This was a pretty standard NA story with one of the protagonists in the closet BUT the narration alone deserved 6-stars... Michael Pauley is an awesome narrator and I enjoyed every single moment of the story.

The story was as expected; Max cared about baseball more than everything... and he didn't have a good enough reason to do so till he met Phoenix who was such a fun character.

I liked how their "relationship" grew organically. These two guys actually liked each other and their friendship developed despite their initial plans.

I felt a bit uneasy about Phoenix's actions at the end though. i got that he was unhappy and that Max needed a push but I still felt like he indirectly influenced Max to come out. I may be wrong but that's just me.

I needed Sky and Micah to get matching smacks to their faces because they were just despicable. I know there was a hint abut a possible pairing of Sky with someone else but I don't want to read about that ASS. Ugh.

Of course we the got our HEA. So all in all a pretty cool book as I said.


**This audiobook was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review **
Profile Image for Nano Noël.
403 reviews5 followers
November 20, 2024
Décidément, mes lectures Juno de ces dernières semaines m’auront fait passer des moments sacrément réjouissants ! A vrai dire, même si j’aime cette auteurice et cette série, je n’attendais pas grand chose de cette histoire, ayant peur de son caractère redondant et de l’effet de lassitude que cela aurait pu engendrer. Pour rappel, chaque tome porte sur un sportif dans le placard et sa difficulté à s’ouvrir aux autres quand garder sa relation secrète est une seconde nature et que la peur du rejet (autant de la part de la famille que de l’équipe) le paralyse totalement. Mais j’ai adoré ce récit ! Je l’ai même dévoré tant j’ai craqué pour les deux personnages principaux, leur dynamique de couple et la chaleur mâtinée de douceur qui se dégageait d’eux. Un duo touchant et attendrissant, peut être mon couple préféré depuis le début de nos aventures dans cette petite université californienne.
C’est un vrai roman doudou et si je l’avais su, je l’aurais lu bien plus tôt, quand je cherchais justement une lecture réconfortante. Comme quoi, parfois, la chaleur et la douceur se cachent là où on ne les attend pas ! En tout cas, si je me demandais si j’allais poursuivre avec cette série qui, je crois, est très longue, j’ai la réponse ! Ouiii, évidemment ! (Bien que je sente arriver un protagoniste qui ne me plaît guère... il aura fort à faire pour me charmer, celui-là !!)
Profile Image for Axalia.
1,089 reviews104 followers
October 31, 2024
Max et Phoenix avec un Culomètre à 🍑🍆
📣 Livre reçu en service presse.

Vraiment, j'aime beaucoup cette petite série, elle ne fait pas de mal et est rapide à lire, sans prise de tête !

Enfin sorti d'une relation toxique, Max profite de sa dernière année dans l'équipe de base-ball avant de décider de ce qu'il veut. Sauf qu'il va tomber nez à nez sur l'homme avec qui il a passé la nuit quelques mois plutôt et qui est resté dans son cœur. Maintenant, il doit décider s'il sort du placard plus tôt que prévu !

Cette histoire n'est pas révolutionnaire, mais j'aime beaucoup la plume de Lane Hayes, ce qui me permet de juste apprécier ma lecture. On trouve deux protagonistes complètement opposés avec Max, sportif encore dans le placard et Phoenix, acteur dans le groupe de théâtre, qui vit pleinement sa vie sans se cacher. Ce sera un vraiment coup de foudre entre les deux et ils vont démarrer une relation de "sex friends", Phoenix refusant d'aller plus loin que ça, ne voulant pas retourner dans le placard.

Evidemment, vous vous en doutez que tout ne va pas se passer comme prévu, surtout que le fantôme de Sky est toujours présent et il bloque assez Max dans sa vie mais aussi dans sa carrière puisque son ex étaient aussi membre de l'équipe de baseball. Leur romance est dans l'ensemble assez mignonne même si ce n'est pas vraiment poussé en profondeur.

Bref, comme les tomes précédents, j'ai passé un bon moment en compagnie de Max et Phoenix !
Profile Image for Kirstin.
2,011 reviews19 followers
July 7, 2019
First of all, be prepared to LOVE Phoenix. He's sassy and flirty, and he's funny as hell.

Phoenix and Max met a few months ago at a bar when Max was with Sky. It was an open arrangement, so there wasn't cheating, but Max felt the connection and wanted more. So when he sees Phoenix on campus, it's like fate has given him another chance.

Phoenix is a free spirit. With a love of acting, french fries, makeup, and a kink for sporty types, he's open to pretty much anything except being forced into a closet. And that's where things get hinky. Max may want a relationship of sorts, but with only one year left of his baseball career, he's not looking to be outed.

Phoenix was perfection. I loved his sense of humor. I loved when he asked 'what were the numbers?' I could see Max roll his eyes and tell him the score. There were just so many of those adorable little moments in this story that created a bond between me as the reader and the characters.

A relatively angst free read, this was an adorably cute addition to the series and one that I'd recommend.

*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/*
Profile Image for Annie.
1,715 reviews27 followers
July 24, 2019
4.5 stars- An adorable couple with an easy romance

I’m really impressed at this author’s ability to keep things fresh in a series. Out in the Field is the fourth book in the Out in College series and not only is it different from the others in the series, but it’s my favorite one yet.

As usual, Miss Hayes’s casual, welcoming tone and smooth banter made for a relaxing, enjoyable read. This was helped along by the likable characters who were simply adorable together. I loved the contrast of the closeted jock Max and the animated theater junkie Phoenix. While not an unheard of dynamic, Miss Hayes made this pairing all her own with sexy, sweet banter and a secretive friends with benefits arrangement I really wasn’t expecting at the start of this book. Though I definitely enjoyed the heat between Phoenix and Max, it was the easy connection that developed between them that really cemented Out in the Field as my favorite in the series. It seems the books from Out in College just get better and better, so I’m definitely excited for what’s on the horizon.

Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club
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Profile Image for Papie.
860 reviews181 followers
May 12, 2020
So these books are all the same.

Jock in the closet.
Jock meets cute guy, they start a secret relationship.
Something happens and jock must come out. He is scared about his family and teammates reaction.
There is a jealous ex or girl involved.
Cute guy breaks up with jock. I love yous are said.
Jock comes out.
They get back together and live HEA.

That being said, it works. It’s sexy and adorable and I’m going through the series with a book a day.

I loved Max and Phoenix. Super cute couple!

Off to start number 5.
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