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Out of the Blue
Michael seems like the perfect catch… But he’s also the boss’s son.
When Geoff first moves to a beachfront cottage, he doesn’t mind being single. After all, it’s a small price to pay to focus on his career (even though his overbearing boss seems to hate him). But then young Michael—young, hot, and horny—appears, out of the blue.
Older and tattooed, Geoff is exactly the kind of guy Michael’s dad is going to hate. That makes him hotter, right?
Romance is the last thing on Michael’s mind when he meets the tough-looking, tattooed Geoff one day on the beach. Michael doesn’t bother hoping for anything more than a steamy one-time encounter with this hot DILF—not after everything he’s been through. He may be a survivor, but he knows never to expect good things in his life, or good guys.
Sometimes, the island feels smaller than it is.
Sparks fly when Geoff and Michael meet by chance in their insular island community. They can’t seem to keep away from each other, despite their age gap. But when Geoff realizes that he’s dating his boss’s son, their entire world comes crashing down, and Geoff must choose between his career and his relationship.
You’re the only one who’s made me feel anything good since everything happened...
There is something undeniable between Michael and Geoff, a connection that’s deeper than the mind-blowing sex. Can their bond grow into a life together on the island, or will Michael’s father do anything he can to snuff out the flames of their fire?
When Geoff first moves to a beachfront cottage, he doesn’t mind being single. After all, it’s a small price to pay to focus on his career (even though his overbearing boss seems to hate him). But then young Michael—young, hot, and horny—appears, out of the blue.
Older and tattooed, Geoff is exactly the kind of guy Michael’s dad is going to hate. That makes him hotter, right?
Romance is the last thing on Michael’s mind when he meets the tough-looking, tattooed Geoff one day on the beach. Michael doesn’t bother hoping for anything more than a steamy one-time encounter with this hot DILF—not after everything he’s been through. He may be a survivor, but he knows never to expect good things in his life, or good guys.
Sometimes, the island feels smaller than it is.
Sparks fly when Geoff and Michael meet by chance in their insular island community. They can’t seem to keep away from each other, despite their age gap. But when Geoff realizes that he’s dating his boss’s son, their entire world comes crashing down, and Geoff must choose between his career and his relationship.
You’re the only one who’s made me feel anything good since everything happened...
There is something undeniable between Michael and Geoff, a connection that’s deeper than the mind-blowing sex. Can their bond grow into a life together on the island, or will Michael’s father do anything he can to snuff out the flames of their fire?
437 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2020
39 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 21, 2020
sweet and loving.. this was a lot of fun to read and the writing is superb as always by this author.. very good characters.. interesting age gap and boss' son kinks. haha.. i liked it
April 19, 2020
Geoff and Michael are a little awkward, but very cute when they accidentally meet on the beach. They're obviously attracted to each other, but after a hook-up gone wrong it seems like this is just a chance encounter destined to fade away. Instead, their out-of-the-blue meeting turns into a slow, emotional build-up of feelings as their paths cross again and again.
Geoff and Michael's romance wasn't explosive or insta-love. Their feelings grew out of shared talks, small moments, and a deep emotional connection. I loved the realism of this relationship--nothing about Geoff and Michael was manufactured for drama or part of a stereotypical trope. At its core, this book was about two people opening themselves up to love and dealing with the normal twists and turns of a new relationship. Michael and Geoff both have trauma in their pasts, but it doesn't overshadow the rest of the story. There were definitely times when I felt deeply sad about the things I learned about Michael's past, but I still wouldn't call it an angsty read. If anything, it warmed my heart to see how Geoff was there for Michael to talk to.
As much as I loved the relationship in this book, I wasn't a fan of the situation with David. I felt like it was obvious from the beginning what his reaction was going to be, but then I didn't get any closure when he finally found out. I wish we had gotten to see more of his interactions with Michael so I could understand how they worked everything out.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read that left me feeling warm and fuzzy. I thought the tiny glimpse into Geoff and Michael's future was the perfect way to end their story.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Geoff and Michael's romance wasn't explosive or insta-love. Their feelings grew out of shared talks, small moments, and a deep emotional connection. I loved the realism of this relationship--nothing about Geoff and Michael was manufactured for drama or part of a stereotypical trope. At its core, this book was about two people opening themselves up to love and dealing with the normal twists and turns of a new relationship. Michael and Geoff both have trauma in their pasts, but it doesn't overshadow the rest of the story. There were definitely times when I felt deeply sad about the things I learned about Michael's past, but I still wouldn't call it an angsty read. If anything, it warmed my heart to see how Geoff was there for Michael to talk to.
As much as I loved the relationship in this book, I wasn't a fan of the situation with David. I felt like it was obvious from the beginning what his reaction was going to be, but then I didn't get any closure when he finally found out. I wish we had gotten to see more of his interactions with Michael so I could understand how they worked everything out.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read that left me feeling warm and fuzzy. I thought the tiny glimpse into Geoff and Michael's future was the perfect way to end their story.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 11, 2020
This was kind of like a mix between insta love and slow burn, since after they hooked up the first time and thought they'd never see each other again, it was a growing relationship with talking and getting to know each other, which was nice to read about.
My biggest problem with his book was that I thought it was a bit too long and it had some boring parts that I didn't really felt added to the story, so I felt like it dragged a bit.
I liked the characters just fine, but I never fell in love with them the way you sometimes do. Michael annoyed me a little bit sometimes with his mood swings (But we got to read about his backstory which made his feelings certain times make more sense) and I do wish both of them were better at communicating (some times at least), but I'm pretty used to wishing that when I read MM romance, haha.
The writing was good, no complaints there about the writing style :)
Some people might find it "messy" with the change of POV so often, but I liked it since I like to read about both MC's thoughts during the same event, so that was appreciated.
In the end I was a little bit disappointed because I wanted to like it more but it was still an okay book.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My biggest problem with his book was that I thought it was a bit too long and it had some boring parts that I didn't really felt added to the story, so I felt like it dragged a bit.
I liked the characters just fine, but I never fell in love with them the way you sometimes do. Michael annoyed me a little bit sometimes with his mood swings (But we got to read about his backstory which made his feelings certain times make more sense) and I do wish both of them were better at communicating (some times at least), but I'm pretty used to wishing that when I read MM romance, haha.
The writing was good, no complaints there about the writing style :)
Some people might find it "messy" with the change of POV so often, but I liked it since I like to read about both MC's thoughts during the same event, so that was appreciated.
In the end I was a little bit disappointed because I wanted to like it more but it was still an okay book.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2020
I really enjoyed Out of the Blue by Kay Simone. It was a sweetly frustrating, insta-lust/slow-burn love story. At times it did lag a little, but in the end it all came together to give us a compelling picture of both Michael and Geoff's lives and how things led them to where they are today.
The first meeting between the two was fun and sexy, and I was excited for what was to come. But it quickly became apparent things weren't going to be quite so easy for them.
The early impression I got of Michael was someone who lived in the moment, who knew what he wanted and would just go for it. It was interesting to find, as the story went along, that there was actually much more to Michael than that first impression. A tragedy in his recent past has had a profound impact on his life, causing him to basically have to start his young life all over again. Geoff was a pretty consistent character from start to finish- he has his friends, his job, a life he appeared to be happy and settled in. But after meeting Michael he seemed to really find a happiness that he maybe didn't realize was missing in his life.
While there was quite a bit of back and forth with Michael and Geoff, it was understandable given the fact that Michael's dad was Geoff's boss- someone he did not get a long with at all. But I loved that once they decided they were all-in with each other, that was that-they didn't allow David's place in their lives to interfere with their relationship.
The ending wrapped everything up so nicely, and the epilogue was just perfect!
April 23, 2020
EDIT: There had been an error on the initial draft I received and true epilogue had been omitted. After I read the epilogue it definitely made a much better ending! I give it a solid 4 stars.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
First of all, I have loved every book of Kay Simone’s that I’ve read-this is my first ARC and I was very excited to get ahold of a book earlier than expected.
The writing was good, as usual, but for some reason I didn’t connect to the characters as much as I expected to. I felt like it wasn’t necessary “instalove” despite them falling into bed almost immediately, (which is a good thing) but I found it a bit strange just how wishy washy Geoff was about their whole relationship. He was so against it initially-understandably so, but then it felt like he abruptly changed his mind. Although I don’t care one way or the other about the length of a book, I did feel like there were parts that were extraneous and could’ve been cut without negatively affecting the story at all.
Finally, I thought the Epilogue sort of felt like just another chapter and almost ended the book in a place with a few minor issues unresolved.
But again, despite not rating it as high as I usually rate her books, I still feel like it was worth the time I spent reading it and I will definitely be buying any other books she writes!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
First of all, I have loved every book of Kay Simone’s that I’ve read-this is my first ARC and I was very excited to get ahold of a book earlier than expected.
The writing was good, as usual, but for some reason I didn’t connect to the characters as much as I expected to. I felt like it wasn’t necessary “instalove” despite them falling into bed almost immediately, (which is a good thing) but I found it a bit strange just how wishy washy Geoff was about their whole relationship. He was so against it initially-understandably so, but then it felt like he abruptly changed his mind. Although I don’t care one way or the other about the length of a book, I did feel like there were parts that were extraneous and could’ve been cut without negatively affecting the story at all.
Finally, I thought the Epilogue sort of felt like just another chapter and almost ended the book in a place with a few minor issues unresolved.
But again, despite not rating it as high as I usually rate her books, I still feel like it was worth the time I spent reading it and I will definitely be buying any other books she writes!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2020
Kay Simone is known for long books that are chock-full of emotion, and Out of the Blue no exception. If you're looking for a quick, fluffy read, this is not it. . There's a moderate age gap between Michael and Geoff-with-a-G, and oh, by the way, Michael is Geoff's boss's son. The characters are well developed and easy to like, and Kay is so good at building their world - one in which neither character is comfortable for most of the book - that I was uncomfortable through most of it, too, though not in a DNF kind of way. I think the story would have been stronger if it had been a bit shorter, as it seemed to drag a bit through the middle, but it's still an excellent read.
September 11, 2021
Pleasant enough romance, with strongly drawn Florida setting. But "age-gap"angst is not enough to carry a whole book, and "Gosh, he's got tattoos" is perhaps one of the shallower reasons for falling in love. It's never a good sign if a book only comes to life when the evil boss/daddy shows up.
April 19, 2020
This is a slow burn romance with an age gap. Both main characters come with baggage and need that special someone to help them unload the baggage. The relationship develops slowly over the course of the novel and follows the evolution from strangers to happy ever after. The book is realistic and touching to read. You will love strong and sensitive Geoff and he is balanced with sassy and funny Michael. Throw in some great best friends and co-workers and you have an excellent story that will keep you riveted until the end.
April 19, 2020
I enjoyed Kay Simone’s Out of the Blue a great deal and definitely recommend it for those who like love stories with interesting characters (and side characters) and which transport you to a part of the world you may not have visited — in this case the wilds of Florida. The writing is great with rapid-changing dual point of view (3rd person), so you get insight into the thoughts and emotions of both main characters for most events.
Michael is a young man who has moved back to his home town on one of Florida’s barrier islands after a personal tragedy. He’s sunny-tempered and optimistic, but also a little bit broken and lost. When he comes out of the water and hits on the sexy guy sun-baking on the sand, he’s seizing the moment to feel something good. Geoff meanwhile is a little bit older and finds himself a slave to his corporate middle-management job, which nonetheless pays for his dream home near the beach. He’s smitten by the cute guy who surprisingly hits on him, and is definitely onboard with a little bedroom fun.
I adored this opening to Out of the Blue — the uncomplicated motives and actions of this pair of guys, not to mention the fact it gets pretty steamy. It’s not until they unexpectedly meet again on a group camping trip, discovering they have friends in common, that they have the opportunity to get to know each other. And I adored this part too — I have a soft spot for love on camping trips! Although it takes time for Geoff to reveal much of his past, his caring nature gets Michael to open up and the two forge a deep connection. At first it’s friends with a spark, but once Geoff gets over his fixation on their 13-year age gap and self-esteem issues, things develop rather quickly. (There is some reliance on introspective conflict through second-guessing each other… miscommunication is not my favourite trope.)
There are a number of secondary characters who are well-drawn and distinctive. First and foremost there’s Michael’s father, David, who is also Geoff’s boss. Through Geoff’s eyes, David is the classic a-hole CEO, with no redeeming features. Michael’s relationship with his father is more complex, although by no means easy. From the book blurb I had the impression that ‘Geoff dating the boss’s son’ was going to be the major conflict for most of the book, but that wasn’t actually the case. (The reader knows, however, so it’s a case of wondering and waiting for when they’ll figure it out!) The relationships Michael and Geoff have (separately) with David reach a head at different times and are important accents to this novel. But I would have liked a little more resolution to each in the epilogue.
The other key secondary characters are Geoff’s two best friends, one of whom turns out to be Michael’s boss, plus a couple of Michael’s other work colleagues. I liked the fact these characters were all distinct from each other, with their own unique personalities and hints of individual stories, that really added depth to the novel as a whole.
Overall, I loved Geoff and Michael both individually and together, and believed in the passion and love between them. (There was, however, a bit of an awkward pace change at the point where Geoff discovered he was dating the boss’s son, and the last part of the novel has a different feel to it.) There are only a few intimate scenes, which means there’s a whole lot of story about finding and standing up for yourself, going after what you want, and not being ruled by your career!
(I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Michael is a young man who has moved back to his home town on one of Florida’s barrier islands after a personal tragedy. He’s sunny-tempered and optimistic, but also a little bit broken and lost. When he comes out of the water and hits on the sexy guy sun-baking on the sand, he’s seizing the moment to feel something good. Geoff meanwhile is a little bit older and finds himself a slave to his corporate middle-management job, which nonetheless pays for his dream home near the beach. He’s smitten by the cute guy who surprisingly hits on him, and is definitely onboard with a little bedroom fun.
I adored this opening to Out of the Blue — the uncomplicated motives and actions of this pair of guys, not to mention the fact it gets pretty steamy. It’s not until they unexpectedly meet again on a group camping trip, discovering they have friends in common, that they have the opportunity to get to know each other. And I adored this part too — I have a soft spot for love on camping trips! Although it takes time for Geoff to reveal much of his past, his caring nature gets Michael to open up and the two forge a deep connection. At first it’s friends with a spark, but once Geoff gets over his fixation on their 13-year age gap and self-esteem issues, things develop rather quickly. (There is some reliance on introspective conflict through second-guessing each other… miscommunication is not my favourite trope.)
There are a number of secondary characters who are well-drawn and distinctive. First and foremost there’s Michael’s father, David, who is also Geoff’s boss. Through Geoff’s eyes, David is the classic a-hole CEO, with no redeeming features. Michael’s relationship with his father is more complex, although by no means easy. From the book blurb I had the impression that ‘Geoff dating the boss’s son’ was going to be the major conflict for most of the book, but that wasn’t actually the case. (The reader knows, however, so it’s a case of wondering and waiting for when they’ll figure it out!) The relationships Michael and Geoff have (separately) with David reach a head at different times and are important accents to this novel. But I would have liked a little more resolution to each in the epilogue.
The other key secondary characters are Geoff’s two best friends, one of whom turns out to be Michael’s boss, plus a couple of Michael’s other work colleagues. I liked the fact these characters were all distinct from each other, with their own unique personalities and hints of individual stories, that really added depth to the novel as a whole.
Overall, I loved Geoff and Michael both individually and together, and believed in the passion and love between them. (There was, however, a bit of an awkward pace change at the point where Geoff discovered he was dating the boss’s son, and the last part of the novel has a different feel to it.) There are only a few intimate scenes, which means there’s a whole lot of story about finding and standing up for yourself, going after what you want, and not being ruled by your career!
(I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
March 28, 2025
Kay Simone is one of my favorite authors. Probably top 3. Imagine my delight when going randomly through my hundreds of tbr titles and finding a Kay book lurking in there that I had not read! Out of the Blue isn’t as polished and balanced as my two very favorites of hers, The Aftermath and One Giant Leap, but it is a delightful, joyous and poignant age-gap story between a young man, Michael, who literally walks out of the sea (from paddle boarding, not a merman!) to find his tattooed older fantasy dream guy sitting on the shore, and a jaded, overworked and intricately tattooed tech manager, Geoff, who can’t believe his luck when a god seems to stride from the sea and invite him into his bed and later his heart.
Oh, don’t worry. It’s not THAT easy!
What ensues is a delightful romance in which first times together are interrupted by the last person you’d want, one ends up hiding in the bathroom only to shuffle out and say it’s a sign this won’t work, and then...they’re brought together in a way neither can get out of, where there’s one canoe, one tent, and one heck of a chance to really get to know each other and learn that that initial wildfire chemistry and repartee was real, solid, and something they both want despite some extremely unpromising extenuating circumstances. And then...the real bomb drops. Gasp!
These two are adorable and right together, and while the road to realization of that is uneven—one has a fast turnaround from no way this won’t work to all-in that gave me a bit of whiplash—at least there was no ridiculous angst and frustration from denials that would have added nothing to the narrative. I could let out the breath I was holding and enjoy.
I love a read in which the heroes click through both attraction and interesting conversation and humor, and are so clearly right for each other, especially when it takes them time to accept and admit it, adding great tension, but once they do, there’s no arguing over it. It just is. And this author writes some of the most beautiful scenes of intimacy it’s been my pleasure to read (though again, this book isn’t at the level of my two favorites. Still. Beautiful!).
Obstacles abound...but really, they don’t, because both Michael and Geoff are grownups, younger and older, who eventually truly understand what they really want, and their romance made me so goofy-happy. Florida and gators are a character, camping and quirky small towns are characters, real-life issues with parents and bosses and best friends and past true tragedies are characters...it’s just a great, deceptively complex read that delivers heartache and happiness and a well-earned happy ever after.
I wish we’d seen more of a certain person having to grovel, and more repercussions for what went down at a certain party. That aftermath was glossed over, and would have added even more depth to the read had it been handled on page.
HEA. Strangers to lovers, age-gap, complicated accidental connections. Absolutely no others or cheating or anything like that. One well-meaning secondary character tries to nudge one MC toward someone else, but it’s all good-natured and these two quickly realize it’s a nonstarter anyway, nothing to fret over. Totally safe for me. Highly recommended, as is all of this author’s work.
Oh, don’t worry. It’s not THAT easy!
What ensues is a delightful romance in which first times together are interrupted by the last person you’d want, one ends up hiding in the bathroom only to shuffle out and say it’s a sign this won’t work, and then...they’re brought together in a way neither can get out of, where there’s one canoe, one tent, and one heck of a chance to really get to know each other and learn that that initial wildfire chemistry and repartee was real, solid, and something they both want despite some extremely unpromising extenuating circumstances. And then...the real bomb drops. Gasp!
These two are adorable and right together, and while the road to realization of that is uneven—one has a fast turnaround from no way this won’t work to all-in that gave me a bit of whiplash—at least there was no ridiculous angst and frustration from denials that would have added nothing to the narrative. I could let out the breath I was holding and enjoy.
I love a read in which the heroes click through both attraction and interesting conversation and humor, and are so clearly right for each other, especially when it takes them time to accept and admit it, adding great tension, but once they do, there’s no arguing over it. It just is. And this author writes some of the most beautiful scenes of intimacy it’s been my pleasure to read (though again, this book isn’t at the level of my two favorites. Still. Beautiful!).
Obstacles abound...but really, they don’t, because both Michael and Geoff are grownups, younger and older, who eventually truly understand what they really want, and their romance made me so goofy-happy. Florida and gators are a character, camping and quirky small towns are characters, real-life issues with parents and bosses and best friends and past true tragedies are characters...it’s just a great, deceptively complex read that delivers heartache and happiness and a well-earned happy ever after.
I wish we’d seen more of a certain person having to grovel, and more repercussions for what went down at a certain party. That aftermath was glossed over, and would have added even more depth to the read had it been handled on page.
HEA. Strangers to lovers, age-gap, complicated accidental connections. Absolutely no others or cheating or anything like that. One well-meaning secondary character tries to nudge one MC toward someone else, but it’s all good-natured and these two quickly realize it’s a nonstarter anyway, nothing to fret over. Totally safe for me. Highly recommended, as is all of this author’s work.
April 19, 2020
I was really excited when this book turned up on my kindle, because I cannot even begin to describe my love for this author’s previous work. In fact, One Giant Leap is one of my all time favourite reads!
When I was offered an ARC, I jumped at the chance to read this one. The blurb really interested me and I had faith that this was going to be a great read, and I was certainly not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed Out of the Blue, and everything about it was pretty spot on to the kind of stories I enjoy. The characters, the setting, the way the story progressed and how it showed you both Michael and Geoff’s POV as their feelings progressed and grew into something truly beautiful.
To be honest, this book ticked almost every single box in terms of tropes and things I love in a romance novel. I adore age gap romances, and I love a little bit of angst and hurt/comfort and characters with sad backstories. This one wasn’t particularly angsty, but there were definitely some heavy topics and themes, and I like seeing things like that in the stories I read. I also LOVE books with smoking hot chemistry and great sex, but where there is also lots of sweet and crazy romantic moments too. We have that here for sure, as this story was packed with chemistry but also some lovely tender moments too. Although a large part of the story is set over a short period of time, it also felt like a slowburn romance, another thing I enjoy.
The characters are likeable and interesting. You actually care about them, and from the very start I was glued to their story and desperate to know more. I was hugely invested in their romance, and just couldn’t read fast enough! The whole cast of characters were interesting, too. It wasn’t all about Michael and Geoff. I loved their friends, particularly Jack and Ryan. I’m sort of assuming there is a whole other story there as well in terms of those guys, but maybe I was reading to much into it! I certainly wouldn’t mind that though!
All in all this was a great read, and I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy. I wholeheartedly recommend this!
When I was offered an ARC, I jumped at the chance to read this one. The blurb really interested me and I had faith that this was going to be a great read, and I was certainly not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed Out of the Blue, and everything about it was pretty spot on to the kind of stories I enjoy. The characters, the setting, the way the story progressed and how it showed you both Michael and Geoff’s POV as their feelings progressed and grew into something truly beautiful.
To be honest, this book ticked almost every single box in terms of tropes and things I love in a romance novel. I adore age gap romances, and I love a little bit of angst and hurt/comfort and characters with sad backstories. This one wasn’t particularly angsty, but there were definitely some heavy topics and themes, and I like seeing things like that in the stories I read. I also LOVE books with smoking hot chemistry and great sex, but where there is also lots of sweet and crazy romantic moments too. We have that here for sure, as this story was packed with chemistry but also some lovely tender moments too. Although a large part of the story is set over a short period of time, it also felt like a slowburn romance, another thing I enjoy.
The characters are likeable and interesting. You actually care about them, and from the very start I was glued to their story and desperate to know more. I was hugely invested in their romance, and just couldn’t read fast enough! The whole cast of characters were interesting, too. It wasn’t all about Michael and Geoff. I loved their friends, particularly Jack and Ryan. I’m sort of assuming there is a whole other story there as well in terms of those guys, but maybe I was reading to much into it! I certainly wouldn’t mind that though!
All in all this was a great read, and I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy. I wholeheartedly recommend this!
April 17, 2020
I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an unbiased review.
This was an exceptionally pleasant book. Kay Simone has a great hand for writing awesome, believable relationships and I thought this was one of the more grounded ones.
I loved both characters from the start, especially Michael who's younger and a bit insecure and needy, but never annoying about it. I found him very relatable, actually.
Geoff I had more trouble with. He's a great guy, certainly, grounded, careful, understanding, but when they hooked up the first time I thought he overreacted a lot to the revelation that Michael lives in his dads granny flat. It's such a normal thing to do where I am, it just sounded nearly paranoid, especially since he keeps beating himself up over it as if Michael had been underaged, which is very much not the case.
But after they get thrown together again for a trip, things settle down and even though there's still a lot of angsting and bad communication on both their sides the book gets a lot more enjoyable from there on out.
I really liked how detailed their relationship is build up, from the hook up to an uneasy friendliness, where both wanted more, but where unsure what the other felt to a happy, settled relationship in the end. All the characters are fleshed out well and I loved some of the secondary characters.
I have to say though, I think it could have been shortened a bit. I wasn't bored as such at any part of the book, but I think the story could be tightened up a bit at. Especially the parts after the hook up and near the end when they are together, but Michael's dad doesn't know yet, they do drag on a bit.
This was an exceptionally pleasant book. Kay Simone has a great hand for writing awesome, believable relationships and I thought this was one of the more grounded ones.
I loved both characters from the start, especially Michael who's younger and a bit insecure and needy, but never annoying about it. I found him very relatable, actually.
Geoff I had more trouble with. He's a great guy, certainly, grounded, careful, understanding, but when they hooked up the first time I thought he overreacted a lot to the revelation that Michael lives in his dads granny flat. It's such a normal thing to do where I am, it just sounded nearly paranoid, especially since he keeps beating himself up over it as if Michael had been underaged, which is very much not the case.
But after they get thrown together again for a trip, things settle down and even though there's still a lot of angsting and bad communication on both their sides the book gets a lot more enjoyable from there on out.
I really liked how detailed their relationship is build up, from the hook up to an uneasy friendliness, where both wanted more, but where unsure what the other felt to a happy, settled relationship in the end. All the characters are fleshed out well and I loved some of the secondary characters.
I have to say though, I think it could have been shortened a bit. I wasn't bored as such at any part of the book, but I think the story could be tightened up a bit at. Especially the parts after the hook up and near the end when they are together, but Michael's dad doesn't know yet, they do drag on a bit.
April 19, 2020
I loved both Geoff and Michael, and I cannot say enough about how real, complex, and interesting they are as human beings. Geoff is hot and nice but not unrealistically so, and he has enough flaws to make him human. Michael is sweet, occasionally funny, and so damaged that it hurts the heart, but also in no way, shape, or form a caricature or a “type.” He’s young, but he’s definitely not a kid, he’s been through a lot but he’s self aware enough to identify his own traumas and weaknesses. Their chemistry, especially at the beginning, is epic, and I love how the author manages to so beautifully portray the ways they immediately sync up with each other and also the ways that they manage to misinterpret their own, and each others’, emotional cues.
I also love how Florida plays such a big part in the story: it’s the setting, yes, but it’s more than just a backdrop— it’s part of the romance, and the life experience of both men, in different ways, is bound up in the coast and its culture. I’ve never been to Florida, but I still felt, at times, like I was there.
My one minor complaint is admittedly a bit of an odd one: the epilogue felt a bit over-the-top in terms of everything working out beautifully and everyone getting along. Perhaps it’s a reward well earned based on all the angst the characters endured, but it’s all so sunshine and roses that it feels like the novel loses a bit of the very real, very compelling, balance of sacrifice, struggle, and payoff that existed before the exceedingly happy ending.
Tl;dr: great characters, amazing setting, lots of angst (but in a good way)
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an unbiased review
I also love how Florida plays such a big part in the story: it’s the setting, yes, but it’s more than just a backdrop— it’s part of the romance, and the life experience of both men, in different ways, is bound up in the coast and its culture. I’ve never been to Florida, but I still felt, at times, like I was there.
My one minor complaint is admittedly a bit of an odd one: the epilogue felt a bit over-the-top in terms of everything working out beautifully and everyone getting along. Perhaps it’s a reward well earned based on all the angst the characters endured, but it’s all so sunshine and roses that it feels like the novel loses a bit of the very real, very compelling, balance of sacrifice, struggle, and payoff that existed before the exceedingly happy ending.
Tl;dr: great characters, amazing setting, lots of angst (but in a good way)
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an unbiased review
August 1, 2020
I was set to love the story just based on the premise and how we started with these men. There were complications and depth that were implied, except what happened was it got steamrolled by an over-the-top jerk of a father and a whole lot of repetition of their issues that didn't get adequate page time for the growth. It was a nice story overall, but it really needed streamlining and a bit more balance to find and maintain its stride.
The first steamy scene was crazy hot, there was a lot of chemistry, but it kind of fizzled after that point because there was so much else going on with internal angsting that it never got a chance to get back to that first momentous encounter. The feels were there and I appreciated when there were heartfelt confessions. Those were moments of brightness in an otherwise long story of why they might not keep their affection from being smothered.
But even then there was a whole lot of back and forth with a truly horrendous father that felt exaggerated and like a contrived roadblock to their future and it robbed the story of depth. Both men were interesting at the outset and they kept me interested when I skimmed through quite a few parts. The story sorely needed the epilogue, though I can't say it truly gave the story the settled feeling of a good love story. I wish this book had been to the level of the author's earlier books and on its own it wasn't bad, it just wasn't my favorite.
The first steamy scene was crazy hot, there was a lot of chemistry, but it kind of fizzled after that point because there was so much else going on with internal angsting that it never got a chance to get back to that first momentous encounter. The feels were there and I appreciated when there were heartfelt confessions. Those were moments of brightness in an otherwise long story of why they might not keep their affection from being smothered.
But even then there was a whole lot of back and forth with a truly horrendous father that felt exaggerated and like a contrived roadblock to their future and it robbed the story of depth. Both men were interesting at the outset and they kept me interested when I skimmed through quite a few parts. The story sorely needed the epilogue, though I can't say it truly gave the story the settled feeling of a good love story. I wish this book had been to the level of the author's earlier books and on its own it wasn't bad, it just wasn't my favorite.
April 14, 2020
I have really enjoyed the other Kay Someone books I have read. For this one, I have mixed feelings. I love Geoff- he is supportive, mature, kind, understanding of Michael's issues, funny and loyal to his friends. And, he has tattoos! And piercings! Characters with both of those tend to be portrayed as bad boys with lots of emotional damage. Geoff is wonderful and someone I would actually want as a friend. Michael is more complex and harder to like, at first. The more his backstory is revealed the easier he is to like and empathize with. He has suffered loss and trauma and heals some as the relationship progresses. He grows a great deal in this story. I didn't like how abruptly the story ends. I felt that there needs to be more growth in their relationship, in Michael, and in Michael's relationship with his dad. I hope there will be a second story with Geoff and Michael as the lead romantic interests. There are many issues to be resolved before this will feel like a complete novel to me. I think the epilogue should be the final chapter followed by an actual epilogue. We see the climax but the resolution is weak. Overall, I would recommend this book for the characters and the excellent writing and editing. But be prepared to be startled by the abrupt ending.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2020
👥Geoff and Michael: will David drive a wedge between them?
😊 I found myself really enjoying this building romance set on a Florida barrier island with some angst due to past tragedy and a present dilemma in the form of Geoff's harsh boss who is no stranger to Michael😕. The ending build-up to the confrontational climax was particularly compelling and the epilogue was a lovely, easy end full of positivity and promise. The 🔥sizzle is there from the start, but the story is just as much about their emotional connection. The age gap and Michael's fear of losing another important person in his life provide some bumps in an otherwise pretty smoothly-running romance.
Simone's writing style is good and she includes good though not exhaustive backstory with a sizable but not too overwhelming crew of secondary friends and workmates.
This is the second novel I've read by Kay Simone. The first, Untouchable, co-written with Ruthie Luhnow, was much longer, with oodles more angst. Though I think I preferred Untouchable and its heavily damaged lead characters, Out of the Blue is a good story with leads that would be great to have in your friend group in real life. Tatted Geoff was my favorite, but both guys had their great qualities, including a humble discounting of their own attractiveness and readiness to laugh at themselves.
😊 I found myself really enjoying this building romance set on a Florida barrier island with some angst due to past tragedy and a present dilemma in the form of Geoff's harsh boss who is no stranger to Michael😕. The ending build-up to the confrontational climax was particularly compelling and the epilogue was a lovely, easy end full of positivity and promise. The 🔥sizzle is there from the start, but the story is just as much about their emotional connection. The age gap and Michael's fear of losing another important person in his life provide some bumps in an otherwise pretty smoothly-running romance.
Simone's writing style is good and she includes good though not exhaustive backstory with a sizable but not too overwhelming crew of secondary friends and workmates.
This is the second novel I've read by Kay Simone. The first, Untouchable, co-written with Ruthie Luhnow, was much longer, with oodles more angst. Though I think I preferred Untouchable and its heavily damaged lead characters, Out of the Blue is a good story with leads that would be great to have in your friend group in real life. Tatted Geoff was my favorite, but both guys had their great qualities, including a humble discounting of their own attractiveness and readiness to laugh at themselves.
April 21, 2020
I’m a huge fan of Kay Simone’s writing. Their characters are always complex, rich, and introspective with individuality. Each one has their own beauty and their motivations make sense. The supporting characters are memorable and I even usually root for the “villains” to grow and develop into better humans. Yes, it’s a romance, but Kay’s stories always put human connection first which is why I think their books feel like being wrapped in a fuzzy blanket while eating thai food: exciting experiences wrapped in familiarity.
Out of the Blue was just what I was hoping for. A world to get lost in and explore personal barriers through different eyes. A story about two guys with stubborn ideals and self-perceptions that seem to keep getting in the way of moving forward. This is generally a stress-free book but there are layers of dramatic irony that are sometimes humorously and always brilliantly revealed.
The writing was emotionally rich that, although I finished it in less than two days, it seems like it lasted much longer.
I always go back and re-read Kay’s books and this one will be no different. I look forward to re-indulging in this in the future and discovering more about Michael and Geoff’s motivations. It is the pinnacle of meaningful but light summer (or quarantine) reading.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Out of the Blue was just what I was hoping for. A world to get lost in and explore personal barriers through different eyes. A story about two guys with stubborn ideals and self-perceptions that seem to keep getting in the way of moving forward. This is generally a stress-free book but there are layers of dramatic irony that are sometimes humorously and always brilliantly revealed.
The writing was emotionally rich that, although I finished it in less than two days, it seems like it lasted much longer.
I always go back and re-read Kay’s books and this one will be no different. I look forward to re-indulging in this in the future and discovering more about Michael and Geoff’s motivations. It is the pinnacle of meaningful but light summer (or quarantine) reading.
I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 3, 2020
A Bit Too Long
I love Kay Simone's work in general but like others think that she tends to spend too much time on her MC's inner workings to the point where you really need to slog through the middle in order to get to the end.
Such is the case here with Michael (on the cover), a 26-year-old semi-drifter son of a wealthy and nasty owner of the major business in town, who comes out of the surf one morning and approaches a late 30's tattooed hunk named Geoff, who happens to be one of the chief recipients of employee abuse that Michael's dad hands out at that very same company.
That Michael and Geoff fall into bed instantly without knowing what is likely to happen when that ogre, David, finds out that they not only know each other but...well, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
Point is that we get what the denouement and climax is likely to be when David gets wind of what's up with Michael and Geoff, but we are on a slow boat to China to get there.
There are several nicely developed sub characters and a lot of angst inner thoughts and public doubts that you have to wade through until you get to what turns out to be a truly special last 20% of the book when it all comes together.
And because of that last 20% the stars go from three over a road bump to four.
I love Kay Simone's work in general but like others think that she tends to spend too much time on her MC's inner workings to the point where you really need to slog through the middle in order to get to the end.
Such is the case here with Michael (on the cover), a 26-year-old semi-drifter son of a wealthy and nasty owner of the major business in town, who comes out of the surf one morning and approaches a late 30's tattooed hunk named Geoff, who happens to be one of the chief recipients of employee abuse that Michael's dad hands out at that very same company.
That Michael and Geoff fall into bed instantly without knowing what is likely to happen when that ogre, David, finds out that they not only know each other but...well, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.
Point is that we get what the denouement and climax is likely to be when David gets wind of what's up with Michael and Geoff, but we are on a slow boat to China to get there.
There are several nicely developed sub characters and a lot of angst inner thoughts and public doubts that you have to wade through until you get to what turns out to be a truly special last 20% of the book when it all comes together.
And because of that last 20% the stars go from three over a road bump to four.
April 20, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to get a copy of this book from the author as it had all description of what I love to read about in books. Age gap, falling for the boss's son, tattoos and laughter!
I liked this story about Michael and Geoff (with a G lol) it was a good read and it started well by grabbing my attention.
My only moan is that I was a little disappointed that I didn't love it like some other Kay Simone books. Felt maybe too long in some parts and short in others. Michael's back and forth mood swings was a little frustrating. Also some lack of communication between them both made it seem they were second guessing themselves too much.
HOWEVER (I shout) I did like the instant love and slow burn of the relationship and really enjoyed when they were finally together without all the hiding. They were funny and sweet and it made me want to continue reading their journey together. The background characters also made me laugh and I did like how their friends were supportive of the relationship once they found out about them.
I would recommend this book to other readers and if any of the other characters from this book had their own story I would definitely read those books as well.
I was really excited to get a copy of this book from the author as it had all description of what I love to read about in books. Age gap, falling for the boss's son, tattoos and laughter!
I liked this story about Michael and Geoff (with a G lol) it was a good read and it started well by grabbing my attention.
My only moan is that I was a little disappointed that I didn't love it like some other Kay Simone books. Felt maybe too long in some parts and short in others. Michael's back and forth mood swings was a little frustrating. Also some lack of communication between them both made it seem they were second guessing themselves too much.
HOWEVER (I shout) I did like the instant love and slow burn of the relationship and really enjoyed when they were finally together without all the hiding. They were funny and sweet and it made me want to continue reading their journey together. The background characters also made me laugh and I did like how their friends were supportive of the relationship once they found out about them.
I would recommend this book to other readers and if any of the other characters from this book had their own story I would definitely read those books as well.
April 22, 2020
This book is an age gap romance with the older Geoff discovering that the younger guy he hooked up with his is boss's son. I liked that they took some time to get to know each other after their first initial encounter. It gave the book a great slow burn feel and also allowed the relationship to develop on a more real foundation. I also thought the addition of Michael's backstory and learning what happened to him in his past was handled well and allowed me to connect with him more. However, I still felt it was missing a little something and I didn't feel the depth of the connection between the characters quite as much as I would have hoped. I think this may have been partly due to the length of the book. I have no complaints about longer books generally but there were a few instances here, particularly of internal dialogue, which I felt were not really necessary and actually dulled the relationship and plotline a little. Overall, it was a sweet, feel-good romance and is not what I would call an angsty read.
April 21, 2020
This is a sweet & somewhat emotional slow-burn MM romance with just a touch of an “insta-love” undertone. The plot is well-written & quite interesting. There are good scene descriptions & world building. The characters (Michael & Geoff) are well-developed with a bit of an age-gap between them & are realistically portrayed as somewhat emotional flawed individuals with good chemistry between them but they continue to develop throughout the story-line to become a well-adjusted couple. The secondary characters offer good support.
There is: a young man (Michael) with sad memories, a middle-aged man (Geoff), Michael’s father (David) who happens to be Geoff’s boss, drama, intrigue, some humor, memories, emotional turmoil, attractions, insecurities, manipulations, verbal banter, confrontations, disagreements, frustrations, decisions, love, contentment & a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed reading this book & would recommend it.
There is: a young man (Michael) with sad memories, a middle-aged man (Geoff), Michael’s father (David) who happens to be Geoff’s boss, drama, intrigue, some humor, memories, emotional turmoil, attractions, insecurities, manipulations, verbal banter, confrontations, disagreements, frustrations, decisions, love, contentment & a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed reading this book & would recommend it.
April 29, 2020
I enjoyed this book. It was such a delightful realistic read.
Michael and Geoff have a fun sexy first meeting. They have instant lust. However, the relationship goes to simmer for awhile. They spent time together having talks and simply enjoying each other’s company. They learned a lot about each other during this time. They also learned that it wasn’t going to be an easy relationship with some things they would have to overcome.
Michael had some very traumatic times in his life and was still learning how to live with them. At first he seemed carefree but the deeper the story goes the more you learn of his inner strength. This also showed how caring Geoff is during this time.
This story wrapped up in the best way. You could not have asked for a better ending including the epilogue.
Michael and Geoff have a fun sexy first meeting. They have instant lust. However, the relationship goes to simmer for awhile. They spent time together having talks and simply enjoying each other’s company. They learned a lot about each other during this time. They also learned that it wasn’t going to be an easy relationship with some things they would have to overcome.
Michael had some very traumatic times in his life and was still learning how to live with them. At first he seemed carefree but the deeper the story goes the more you learn of his inner strength. This also showed how caring Geoff is during this time.
This story wrapped up in the best way. You could not have asked for a better ending including the epilogue.
April 18, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was extremely well written, had me laughing out loud in places and hooked me in so much that I felt like I was actually there! From the beginning, I loved the chemistry between Geoff and Michael and felt they were so well suited for one another. Alongside this, I loved the friendship between Geoff, Jack and Ryan- they were just so funny and had such good banter! I was crying with laughter at some points at the start of their trip! Even David, Michael's dad, who was meant to be the stereotypical 'bad' character was actually so much more complex and I couldn't always get a good read on him. It had me on edge all the way through waiting to see what would happen next.
I would happily give this book 4 stars. The reason that I personally wouldn't give it 5 is that, for my personal taste, it was always a bit too nice. Geoff was always so neutral that I was waiting for a tad more drama. I enjoyed the epilogue as I felt it rounded off Michael and Geoff's journey nicely. I would have liked some more hints about what was going on with Ryan though (because I want to see more of him and Jack too!)
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fan of sweet, slow-build MM romance with a bit of angst to overcome as well.
This book was extremely well written, had me laughing out loud in places and hooked me in so much that I felt like I was actually there! From the beginning, I loved the chemistry between Geoff and Michael and felt they were so well suited for one another. Alongside this, I loved the friendship between Geoff, Jack and Ryan- they were just so funny and had such good banter! I was crying with laughter at some points at the start of their trip! Even David, Michael's dad, who was meant to be the stereotypical 'bad' character was actually so much more complex and I couldn't always get a good read on him. It had me on edge all the way through waiting to see what would happen next.
I would happily give this book 4 stars. The reason that I personally wouldn't give it 5 is that, for my personal taste, it was always a bit too nice. Geoff was always so neutral that I was waiting for a tad more drama. I enjoyed the epilogue as I felt it rounded off Michael and Geoff's journey nicely. I would have liked some more hints about what was going on with Ryan though (because I want to see more of him and Jack too!)
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fan of sweet, slow-build MM romance with a bit of angst to overcome as well.
April 15, 2020
Out of the Blue is a cute little beach story about Geoff who falls in love with the boss’s son. Michael is a young sweet guy who is still figuring it all out. He has known loss and is trying to put his life back together. Geoff has everything figured out- his home, friends and job- but finds that he is missing someone special. The chance meeting on the beach changes both of their lives. There is a slight case if instalove but I didn’t mind it. Both Geoff and Michael chose each other repeatedly over circumstances and other people. The story was nicely paced, very enjoyable and had minimal angst.
I recommend this book and all the others by Kay Simone.
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I recommend this book and all the others by Kay Simone.
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2020
There is a lot of this story that I loved, especially the characters, but unfortunately the slow pace and the amount of time the characters spent in their own heads instead of interacting with each other made it just an okay read for me. I also think that this would have been much better if it wasn't so long as the story dragged at times and I would have liked to see more of a resolution between Michael and Geoff and Michael's dad David as there was a lot of focus on him. Overall the storyline is great, I love Michael, Geoff is very sweet, their connection and chemistry is great, there are some interesting secondary characters and I like the ending a lot.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
April 19, 2020
I loved this book. I loved the writing style. I loved the characters. I loved how well everything meshed.
Michael and Geoff with a G are so much fun and oh so real. They want to be together but sometimes life hands them lemons. But they work through it together. There isn’t a lot of oh no.. I can’t do that.
They act like grown men and sort it out and I love it.
This book is funny with emotional moments. You want to hold everyone in your arms as they come to you with their vulnerabilities.
If you ever need a good read with a good story, this is it. Or maybe one of Kay’s other books.
They’re pretty amazing as well.
I received an ARC for my honest review
Michael and Geoff with a G are so much fun and oh so real. They want to be together but sometimes life hands them lemons. But they work through it together. There isn’t a lot of oh no.. I can’t do that.
They act like grown men and sort it out and I love it.
This book is funny with emotional moments. You want to hold everyone in your arms as they come to you with their vulnerabilities.
If you ever need a good read with a good story, this is it. Or maybe one of Kay’s other books.
They’re pretty amazing as well.
I received an ARC for my honest review
April 20, 2020
This is a story has elements of age gap and hurt/comfort themes. Michael is a 25 year old who has moved back home to Nova Beach and is living with his Dad after the suicide of his best friend/roommate and loss of his job. He is trying to figure out who he now is and deal with his grief. Geoff is 38 years old and finally seems to have it all: new house, friends and well paying job but soothing is missing. He and Michael meet and feel an immediate connection but there are road blocks with Michael's dad being one of them. This was a great story about finding yourself at any age and figuring out what is most important to you. I love all this authors books and highly recommend this one
April 22, 2020
Love this story! This is a beautifully written story and I loved it from beginning to end. It has such wonderful world building and likable characters. Though Geoff and Michael's first encounter didn't go exactly as planned, it was just supposed to be a hook-up, the fates brought them together again. It turned out Michael worked for Geoff's friend Jack. And not to spoil anything but really I think it was Michael's Dad's insistence that Michael come home from his vacation that brought Michael and Geoff closer together. Michael and Geoff really are sweet together.
I highly recommend this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.*
I highly recommend this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.*
April 24, 2020
I have not read anything written by Kay Simone in some time. Last time it was The Aftermath which featured an age gap relationship as does Out of the Blue.
Michael is an endearing younger man who drops down on the sand next to Geoff, a man in his late thirties, and out of the blue starts a conversation. Thus starts the beginnings of a relationship with various twists and turns.
Michael has suffered some tragedy in his life and Geoff seems to know the right questions to ask so Michael can move on with his life. The two of them seem made for each other.
Out of the Blue was a beautiful story to read and I warmly recommend it.
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Michael is an endearing younger man who drops down on the sand next to Geoff, a man in his late thirties, and out of the blue starts a conversation. Thus starts the beginnings of a relationship with various twists and turns.
Michael has suffered some tragedy in his life and Geoff seems to know the right questions to ask so Michael can move on with his life. The two of them seem made for each other.
Out of the Blue was a beautiful story to read and I warmly recommend it.
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April 19, 2020
I really enjoy the authors books and this one as well.
This story has an age-gap theme and is a slow burn romance although there is an instant connection between the two MC's. Both characters have flaws but come together as one. I love Geoff ;)
I would categorize this story as a light and easy romance despite the book dealing with grief. It has a HEA ending and a promising Epilogue.
I personally like more angsty and/or dark reads so this one wasn't my favorite but it was damn near good.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story has an age-gap theme and is a slow burn romance although there is an instant connection between the two MC's. Both characters have flaws but come together as one. I love Geoff ;)
I would categorize this story as a light and easy romance despite the book dealing with grief. It has a HEA ending and a promising Epilogue.
I personally like more angsty and/or dark reads so this one wasn't my favorite but it was damn near good.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
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