Genie in a Closet

by Rae Simmons

What’s it like to be the all-American boy?



Jason Coleman should know. He’s the one everyone in town talks about: star of his high school football team, owner of the family business, and on the fast track to marrying his high school sweetheart. Jason’s got it all, so it’s no surprise when he catches the attention of the new mystery man in town, Ryan Walker. Ryan is instantly drawn to Jason’s blue eyes and southern charm. To his surprise (and Jason’s), the feelings are mutual.



Being “different” in a small town isn’t an option. But despite that; despite all the dangers they face, Jason and Ryan just can’t hide their true feelings. No matter how hard they try, once it's out, you can’t put the genie back in the closet…



Even if it kills them.

310 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2022

About the author

“Love is too beautiful to be hidden in the closet.”

Once upon a time, there was a little kid who consistently had their face glued to the pages of a book. With a little faith, trust, and a whole hell of a lot of determination, that little kid went from the person reading books, to the person writing them. And thus, Rae Simmons was born.
With the publication of their debut Hunt You Down in the spring of 2022, this Atlanta native set off on a mission to highlight the hard-hitting issues facing the queer community.
When they’re not writing, Rae can be found curled up on the couch with one of their three dogs with their knitting in hand, watching Grey’s Anatomy for the millionth time—much to their partner’s dismay.

Reviews

[Mandy]

This book is so good! I stayed up to finish it and when sleep is sacrificed, the book is top tier. :) This has your stereotypical Southern small-town all-American boy, was a high school athlete, everyone loves him, and then he starts to have an awakening. Jason (Jay, Genie, Gene) is the epitome of sweetheart jock in this book and he is easy to love. Ryan comes along - new in town - and throws a monkey wrench in Jay's neat life. But it's so delicious! The author does such an amazing job of Jay's exploration of his sexuality and the questions he has and his minor freak outs. It felt so authentic. And Ryan's patience and care for Jay's journey was next level. Like just so sweet. This is a definite slow burn, as their relationship builds before anything physical happens and when it does, the sparks definitely fly! The emotional journey in this book is a whirlwind. It was sweet and loving, protective, and there was also anger at your typical small-town homophobic BS these 2 have to put up with, and it does go to extremes, which was king of enraging. Then the author goes and breaks your damn heart. In the most delicious way!! If 3rd-act breakups aren't your thing, don't read this. Because this one is heartwrenching. But, it's. So. Real. Like this is what really happens, and it's so bittersweet. They do get their HEA in the end, promise! But you go through it before you get there! :) This was my first from Rae Simmons, but I plan to read everything they have published and will continue to do so. This book stuck with me long after I'd finished it. So. Good!!

[Meagan Montemayor]

This novel was such a beautiful story.
Jason’s journey with finding himself after a 9 year relationship were amazing to read. And Ryan is my ABSOLUTE favorite. The way he was so patient with Jason was so heartwarming. And the bull crap he had to deal with Sawyer had me so angry and upset. Jason came in willing to risk it all, when he finally realized who he truly was my heart exploded with love!

Destiny delivered an emotional message with this novel. An eye opening message.

I want it known that if you have no one, you have ME. I Support you, and you are loved by me. If you need someone who will ACCEPT you for JUST YOU. I’m here and you are loved. 💜

[Eszter Ilia-Barabás]

The author provided me an updated version of this book.

I don't usually look for MM novels set in small towns because I rarely find anything unique. You don't have to expect huge plot twists here neither - we get two likable main characters (however, we only see the events from Jason's pow), a best friend as a supporting character, and the obligatory element of small-town MM romances: a homophobic thug who repeatedly beats up poor Ryan.

I really liked the writing style, it's fluent, uses simple terms, and despite the difficulties of small town life, I still found the book to be somehow light and heartwarming. (I got pretty stuck with one of my current reads, but I quickly finished this one. I was hooked from the start.)

The only sore point for me is the shortness of the novel: I felt that these 220 pages were not enough. The ending was a bit rushed, and I just can't believe that the boys haven't been able to pull off a single personal meeting in the five years (!) they've been apart.

The guys' parents are really cute, I liked the parts where they appeared. Charlie surprised me at the end too, so not everything was completely predictable. I just don't understand why she didn't tell Jason, if they've been friends since forever and all, and it's been a long time since Ryan came into the picture... she could have mentioned it. But whatever, there must have been a reason for it.

I really liked this book; despite its brevity, the story is well-rounded and leaves a pleasant feeling. I'm glad I had the chance to read it.

[Katherine Owings]

I received an advanced copy and loved this book from start to finish. It’s now one of my go-to comfort re-reads. The dynamic character arc with Jason as he learns to accept himself and that he can be destined for more than his backwoods southern town has to offer is just fantastic. Ryan is adorable and I was rooting for him since the very first time he’s introduced. I won’t give any specifics away, but the shaping of the timeline their relationship takes is masterfully crafted. The last several chapters stood out to me especially for this; they’re beautifully heart wrenching in the way that only true love can be, Jason gets what he needs instead of what he wants so that he can reach his amazing potential, and finally the story ends in a way that is so joyful and touching and perfect that its stuck with me long after finishing it.

[Frances Everly]

I found this book and it’s characters to be well written and engaging. While not my typical read, it was eye opening about the life of a gay man in a small town. One thing I found hard to believe, however, was that Jay had never found himself to be attracted to another man before. I would think he would have had some inkling of his true sexuality long before Ryan came into his life, even battled it or tried to deny it. But I don’t get the impression he had any. His attraction to Ryan seemed to come out of the blue. I could be wrong, however, as I havent had this kind of battle. Thank you to the author for sending me this book. I really enjoyed it.

[Kyare]

I really enjoyed this book and the depth of the characters. I often see stories where the impact of homophobia is completely washed away as if it isn’t a part of our world. In this book the author really created realistic and relatable characters who go through problems that many LGBTQIA+ people encounter.
It is really about two men truly finding themselves and love in a heteronormative world.
I would definitely recommend reading it!

[Jennah Sobevski]

This book is emotionally gripping, it has you rooting for Jason ‘Genie’ Coleman to get his happy ever after from the opening scene. This book deals with some pretty hard-hitting themes, but it is done in such an authentic way. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I swooned. I felt every emotion. Genie and Ryan are just meant to be. I love this book and cannot recommend it more highly!

[Ashley]

Jason and Ryan are great together. The story deals with Jason's acceptance of the fact that he likes guys as well as small town prejudices LGBTQ members may face. I was right there with those guys as they suffered each hardship. Great steamy MM book.

[A.K. Ritchie]

4.5 stars!
Genie in a Closet is a MM small town romance. There are some heavy scenes and it definitely does not sugar coat reality. This is a super emotional story about two men finding love against all odds.

[Cheyenne Browning]

I absolutely loved this book! The back and forth, the struggles emotionally, and the sheer romantic friction between the characters. (Chefs kiss) A nice MM and such a great story line.

[Mandi Nowak]

I just wanted to wrap myself around Jason! Fell in love with the characters and their personalities

[Megan]

Dnf 37% idk why but it just wasn’t working…I didn’t really feel any connection between the characters and Jason was so underdeveloped right off the bat that I didn’t connect

[Likes2Explore]

Have your tissues ready!
The tears were streaming down my face with this one.
I couldn't put it down!

[Meghan Reads in WA]

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This is the story of Jason and Ryan, two men in a small town who find themselves falling in love in spite of some pretty significant opposition from small-minded neighbors. Part of what makes this book good is its authenticity. No sugarcoating it - not everyone is accepting of their relationship and there is no easy resolution for either the protagonists or the bullies in this book. The reader comes to understand the dread and uncertainty both men feel, even as they revel in falling in love.

What also really worked for me as a reader was that this book is told entirely from Jason's POV. This story is essentially JJ's bi-awakening, and the pacing of his understanding of his sexuality is great. Ryan is also a complex, likeable character with an interesting backstory. The heat and passion between the two men feels earned and palpable. It's not perfect, but it's very believable.