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Outcast
Hayden
I’m the fun one. The loud one. The overly opinionated one with no filter.
I’ve been unapologetically me since day one, and it hasn’t been easy.
Kicked out of my home when I was sixteen, I chose to be alone rather than not be my true self.
I found my family now and a job I love. I have everything, and yet . . .
I’m still an outcast in so many ways.
Tristan
I’m not fun. I’m far too quiet. I keep to myself.
I don’t really have a reason for it. I had a loving family who was loud enough for me to fade into the background.
And then, I stumbled into a friendship with the boldest human I’ve ever met.
Beautiful and strong. He confuses me. He challenges me. He makes me want to come out of the shadows and discover who I want to be.
He may have been shunned by his family, but they didn’t deserve him.
Hayden was meant to shine—not to be cast out by anyone. He makes the world brighter, and not even I can resist it.
I’m the fun one. The loud one. The overly opinionated one with no filter.
I’ve been unapologetically me since day one, and it hasn’t been easy.
Kicked out of my home when I was sixteen, I chose to be alone rather than not be my true self.
I found my family now and a job I love. I have everything, and yet . . .
I’m still an outcast in so many ways.
Tristan
I’m not fun. I’m far too quiet. I keep to myself.
I don’t really have a reason for it. I had a loving family who was loud enough for me to fade into the background.
And then, I stumbled into a friendship with the boldest human I’ve ever met.
Beautiful and strong. He confuses me. He challenges me. He makes me want to come out of the shadows and discover who I want to be.
He may have been shunned by his family, but they didn’t deserve him.
Hayden was meant to shine—not to be cast out by anyone. He makes the world brighter, and not even I can resist it.
194 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2022
163 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Dykes
95 books2,530 followersNicole Dykes is a wife and a professional assistant/mom to two gorgeous girls. Currently residing in Kansas, she’s a lover of coffee, Kansas City Chiefs, and all things romance.
She's found her passion in writing M/M romance because love is love is love. Some popular works include Hostile, The Spark of Hope Series, and The Kensley Panthers Series!
Email at nicoledykes_author@yahoo.com
Or visit my website at Www.authornicoledykes.com
She's found her passion in writing M/M romance because love is love is love. Some popular works include Hostile, The Spark of Hope Series, and The Kensley Panthers Series!
Email at nicoledykes_author@yahoo.com
Or visit my website at Www.authornicoledykes.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
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August 9, 2025
|| 2.0 stars ||
Urgh. This was so annoying and so boring.
The beginning of this book was pretty decent and I liked the pining.
However, the very moment Tristan said “I love you” to Hayden, the whole thing went completely downhill. I just got so incredibly frustrated with Hayden’s sudden evasive behaviour. His constant self-doubt got on my damn nerves and my patience with Hayden ran out very quickly. And I know he has had a difficult life, but his whining still became very tiresome. Sorry not sorry.
I was just completely over this relationship in general. Tristan deserved better and Hayden’s behaviour was annoying. The whole thing was also terribly repetitive and I just didn’t like it at all.
In fact, I cared about this book so little, I even started skimming before we got anywhere near the end.
Nicole Dykes books:
Hostile - 4.0 stars
Outcast - 2.0 stars
Keeper - 1.5 stars
Urgh. This was so annoying and so boring.
The beginning of this book was pretty decent and I liked the pining.
However, the very moment Tristan said “I love you” to Hayden, the whole thing went completely downhill. I just got so incredibly frustrated with Hayden’s sudden evasive behaviour. His constant self-doubt got on my damn nerves and my patience with Hayden ran out very quickly. And I know he has had a difficult life, but his whining still became very tiresome. Sorry not sorry.
I was just completely over this relationship in general. Tristan deserved better and Hayden’s behaviour was annoying. The whole thing was also terribly repetitive and I just didn’t like it at all.
In fact, I cared about this book so little, I even started skimming before we got anywhere near the end.
Nicole Dykes books:
Hostile - 4.0 stars
Outcast - 2.0 stars
Keeper - 1.5 stars
September 10, 2022
The author has done it again—another masterpiece. Outcast is an addictive read that will leave you wanting more. I’m two days post reading this book and still live rent-free in my head. It will for a long time to come.
What is there not to love about Hayden? His favorites are Tacos and horror films. I mean, you can't go wrong with these. Hayden is also a gentle soul and witty. Deep down wants somebody to love. But with his past, he is not sure how to love. Let's add the major Crush he has on Tristan, his straight best friend.
Tristan is a hottie boom body. The cop everyone wants to date in town. However, he isn't interested and is forced to go on a few that his sister sets up. He is far from a talker. So you can imagine how the dates go.
I love the buildup of the friendship between these two. Hayden and Tristan form a special bond—each other's best friends. Until one day, Tristan realizes his feeling for Hayden is more. It is not an easy ride, and they find some bumps in the road.
Outcast is equally sweet and spicy with many emotions. It’s a match made in Heaven. If you’re looking for a new MM book that will fill your heart and make your parts tingly Outcast for you.
What is there not to love about Hayden? His favorites are Tacos and horror films. I mean, you can't go wrong with these. Hayden is also a gentle soul and witty. Deep down wants somebody to love. But with his past, he is not sure how to love. Let's add the major Crush he has on Tristan, his straight best friend.
Tristan is a hottie boom body. The cop everyone wants to date in town. However, he isn't interested and is forced to go on a few that his sister sets up. He is far from a talker. So you can imagine how the dates go.
I love the buildup of the friendship between these two. Hayden and Tristan form a special bond—each other's best friends. Until one day, Tristan realizes his feeling for Hayden is more. It is not an easy ride, and they find some bumps in the road.
Outcast is equally sweet and spicy with many emotions. It’s a match made in Heaven. If you’re looking for a new MM book that will fill your heart and make your parts tingly Outcast for you.
September 18, 2022
I wanted to like this. Oh man, did I want to like this. I've now, with this one, read two books of this author's since Hostile, trying to capture the magic of that book, and just haven't been able to. Especially with this book.
It just...this didn't click for me.
I enjoyed Hayden and Tristan at first. There was a spark there. But the writing just made it...fizzle out fairly quickly.
First, we get a prologue showing they're just really become friends, and then it skips ahead 6 months, so we get none of the seeing them get to that 'best friend' place that they're at 6 months later.
Which, for me, was a big detriment to this story and these two and their chemistry. We saw them get to that super close place off page.
Hayden was already heavily crushing on Tristan, basically in love with him already. Tristan was apparently "straight" but it didn't take him long to realize his feelings for Hayden.
It felt pretty rushed, even though a sizable chunk of this story already went by - which, nothing happened plot wise either to make this story any better.
If these two had been amazing together, I wouldn't have cared that there was no plot. But on top of the relationship not really working for me, there was no plot to boost it up at all.
It's just purely about their romance...which I would love if I loved these two as a couple.
But Hayden, primarily, made me not like them.
I actually like Tristan. If there's any reason to give this two stars in stead of one, it's him. He was patient and sweet and such a good person, and so much more forgiving of Hayden's ridiculousness than I would have been.
And I understand where Hayden's coming from. He's had a tough life, he's had people treat him horribly, he's faced horrible homophobia, I get all that, and I was willing to give him some room at first when he didn't handle this all that well.
But then he just...kept doing it. It got so repetitive. "You're amazing, you're perfect, and you're gonna see I'm shit and not worth it and leave me" and "How can you love me? I'm worthless" type of stuff over and over and over again. And Tristan had to keep reassuring him over and over and over again.
Which, again, I get this. It would be unrealistic if he was magically cured of his fears overnight.
I just...the way Hayden handled things, he attitude, the repetitiveness...it just annoyed the fuck out of me. As much as I understood it, I still didn't like it.
Hayden annoyed the crap out of me. And while getting where his attitude stemmed from, just him constantly telling Tristan how he felt or should feel "you're not in love with me" over and over again, and him not being fully in their relationship until the end because one foot was constantly out the door, which led to their connection still not being that great, just...frustrated the fuck out of me. I couldn't get past it.
And the sex, because I wasn't crazy into these two, was pretty lackluster for me. It felt like they were rushed too. No thought or care was really put into make those sex scenes amazing, I felt.
This just...*shrug* there's not much to say because there wasn't really plot besides the romance, which didn't work for me.
This just wasn't a win for me. I'm super bummed because I absolutely LOVED Hostile, and I was so excited for more of this author's works. But so far other books haven't lived up to that first one. Especially this one.
It was just...not that good, at the end of the day. I even skimmed near the very end because I was checked out of this story.
Unfortunate, as I was so looking forward to this. I still want to give this author a chance, because I want to capture that magic of Hostile again, but...I'm not going to be going into more of her books with high expectations, unfortunately.
So disappointing ☹️
It just...this didn't click for me.
I enjoyed Hayden and Tristan at first. There was a spark there. But the writing just made it...fizzle out fairly quickly.
First, we get a prologue showing they're just really become friends, and then it skips ahead 6 months, so we get none of the seeing them get to that 'best friend' place that they're at 6 months later.
Which, for me, was a big detriment to this story and these two and their chemistry. We saw them get to that super close place off page.
Hayden was already heavily crushing on Tristan, basically in love with him already. Tristan was apparently "straight" but it didn't take him long to realize his feelings for Hayden.
It felt pretty rushed, even though a sizable chunk of this story already went by - which, nothing happened plot wise either to make this story any better.
If these two had been amazing together, I wouldn't have cared that there was no plot. But on top of the relationship not really working for me, there was no plot to boost it up at all.
It's just purely about their romance...which I would love if I loved these two as a couple.
But Hayden, primarily, made me not like them.
I actually like Tristan. If there's any reason to give this two stars in stead of one, it's him. He was patient and sweet and such a good person, and so much more forgiving of Hayden's ridiculousness than I would have been.
And I understand where Hayden's coming from. He's had a tough life, he's had people treat him horribly, he's faced horrible homophobia, I get all that, and I was willing to give him some room at first when he didn't handle this all that well.
But then he just...kept doing it. It got so repetitive. "You're amazing, you're perfect, and you're gonna see I'm shit and not worth it and leave me" and "How can you love me? I'm worthless" type of stuff over and over and over again. And Tristan had to keep reassuring him over and over and over again.
Which, again, I get this. It would be unrealistic if he was magically cured of his fears overnight.
I just...the way Hayden handled things, he attitude, the repetitiveness...it just annoyed the fuck out of me. As much as I understood it, I still didn't like it.
Hayden annoyed the crap out of me. And while getting where his attitude stemmed from, just him constantly telling Tristan how he felt or should feel "you're not in love with me" over and over again, and him not being fully in their relationship until the end because one foot was constantly out the door, which led to their connection still not being that great, just...frustrated the fuck out of me. I couldn't get past it.
And the sex, because I wasn't crazy into these two, was pretty lackluster for me. It felt like they were rushed too. No thought or care was really put into make those sex scenes amazing, I felt.
This just...*shrug* there's not much to say because there wasn't really plot besides the romance, which didn't work for me.
This just wasn't a win for me. I'm super bummed because I absolutely LOVED Hostile, and I was so excited for more of this author's works. But so far other books haven't lived up to that first one. Especially this one.
It was just...not that good, at the end of the day. I even skimmed near the very end because I was checked out of this story.
Unfortunate, as I was so looking forward to this. I still want to give this author a chance, because I want to capture that magic of Hostile again, but...I'm not going to be going into more of her books with high expectations, unfortunately.
So disappointing ☹️
September 8, 2022
I have a sneaking suspicion that I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read Backslide, and possibly Runaways, first since this book made it seem as though Hayden played a significant part in both. Maybe then I would have had a better feel for him and his background. Instead it felt like I was thrown into a story already in progress. There was a vague mention of how Hayden and Tristan met but they were already well on their way towards friendship in the prologue and then best friends six months later (after a questionable time jump that left me scratching my head). So maybe those other books filled in some of the gaps?
I thought the relationship between Hayden and Tristan was sweet, but confusing at times. Hayden was kind of wishy washy and while I understood his hang-ups and where they stemmed from, his reactions and repetitive inner monologue annoyed me at times. I loved how patient, supportive and validating Tristan was, but they were basically having the same conversation on a loop and it got old after a while. The last few chapters were where this book really began to shine. Once things were solid between Hayden and Tristan, they were adorable together. Hayden's snarky personality finally got a chance to truly stand out and Tristan was able to rein in the cheesy platitudes and overabundance of ILY's. The epilogue was also super cute. So while I felt like there were some pieces missing in this book, at least for someone approaching it as a standalone, I still enjoyed reading it.
*I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
I thought the relationship between Hayden and Tristan was sweet, but confusing at times. Hayden was kind of wishy washy and while I understood his hang-ups and where they stemmed from, his reactions and repetitive inner monologue annoyed me at times. I loved how patient, supportive and validating Tristan was, but they were basically having the same conversation on a loop and it got old after a while. The last few chapters were where this book really began to shine. Once things were solid between Hayden and Tristan, they were adorable together. Hayden's snarky personality finally got a chance to truly stand out and Tristan was able to rein in the cheesy platitudes and overabundance of ILY's. The epilogue was also super cute. So while I felt like there were some pieces missing in this book, at least for someone approaching it as a standalone, I still enjoyed reading it.
*I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
September 6, 2022
***I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
Outcast is a best friends to lovers romance between Hayden and Tristan. Hayden and Tristan could not be more adorable together. They are best friends who are total opposites. Hayden is energetic and outgoing, while Tristan is more introverted and reserved, so their friendship could not be more surprising, but they just click.
When they both realize their feelings are more than just friends, begins one of the sweetest romances. Tristan is willing to do anything and everything to prove his love and devotion to the hesitant Hayden. Hayden has a lot of negative experiences with letting down his guard with those he trusted, making for such swoony gestures from the ever patient Tristan.
Outcast is a beautiful story about taking chances and believing the best. Hayden and Tristan's story is full of emotional moments, that makes for a perfect HEA.
Outcast is a best friends to lovers romance between Hayden and Tristan. Hayden and Tristan could not be more adorable together. They are best friends who are total opposites. Hayden is energetic and outgoing, while Tristan is more introverted and reserved, so their friendship could not be more surprising, but they just click.
When they both realize their feelings are more than just friends, begins one of the sweetest romances. Tristan is willing to do anything and everything to prove his love and devotion to the hesitant Hayden. Hayden has a lot of negative experiences with letting down his guard with those he trusted, making for such swoony gestures from the ever patient Tristan.
Outcast is a beautiful story about taking chances and believing the best. Hayden and Tristan's story is full of emotional moments, that makes for a perfect HEA.
September 10, 2022
“If you’re an outcast, then so am I. I’ll gladly hang out on the outside with you.”
*sigh* what a sweet book!! Outcast, by Nicole Dykes, completely melted my heart. Nicole’s books just do it for me, and her new release did not disappoint! The fact that this book has my favorite trope of all time, best friends-to-lovers, was just the cherry on top of this delicious story.❤️
Hayden and Tristan were so damn perfect. I loved their love story and journey to their HEA! The found family aspect for this group of characters has been so nice to read and I hope this isn’t the end!❤️
Favorite quote: “It’s horror movies and tacos. Gummy worms and swimming naked in the lake. Getting caught by our friends and forcing s’mores down my throat. It’s drooling and snoring. It’s all this great big picture of love I’ve never dreamed I could have.” 😍😍😍
Overall, fantastic book—definitely recommend to others!❤️❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 21, 2025
Nicole has a lovely and engaging writing style, and it seems to keep getting better. It makes it easy to settle into her books and really enjoy the story.
I love a great opposites attract story. And Hayden and Tristan are both very different. Hayden is outgoing, loud, and flirtatious, where Tristan is a quiet introvert. But somehow that seems to work towards and unlikely but very adorable friendship. Truly, they’re pretty cute.
Until Tristan, who thought he was straight, realizes he feels more for Hayden. His patience will be tested in trying to convince this sweet wounded soul that he’s worth everything.
I love a great opposites attract story. And Hayden and Tristan are both very different. Hayden is outgoing, loud, and flirtatious, where Tristan is a quiet introvert. But somehow that seems to work towards and unlikely but very adorable friendship. Truly, they’re pretty cute.
Until Tristan, who thought he was straight, realizes he feels more for Hayden. His patience will be tested in trying to convince this sweet wounded soul that he’s worth everything.
December 22, 2022
Absolutely freaking loved this book!!
“You’re Hayden. You deserve to be loved,”
He’s important to me, and I can’t have him thinking I see him any differently.
I’m hopelessly, insanely in love with him.
“It was you and me, and it was perfect.”
“Please don’t run from me.”
“…You showed me how good the world can be…”
“You’re everything I could ever want.”
Tristan is such a good man, he’s the perfect book boyfriend and so so sweet to Hayden.
It was so good seeing Hayden learn that he can be loved and deserved it too.
They are the perfect match and I love their story.
*Also they got the perrrrfect epilogue!
-Low angst
-Friends-to-Lovers
-Small town
-STEAMY
-HEA
-Bi-Awakening
“You’re Hayden. You deserve to be loved,”
He’s important to me, and I can’t have him thinking I see him any differently.
I’m hopelessly, insanely in love with him.
“It was you and me, and it was perfect.”
“Please don’t run from me.”
“…You showed me how good the world can be…”
“You’re everything I could ever want.”
Tristan is such a good man, he’s the perfect book boyfriend and so so sweet to Hayden.
It was so good seeing Hayden learn that he can be loved and deserved it too.
They are the perfect match and I love their story.
*Also they got the perrrrfect epilogue!
-Low angst
-Friends-to-Lovers
-Small town
-STEAMY
-HEA
-Bi-Awakening
January 31, 2023
*ARC received from author in exchange for my honest review. *
Being back in this beautiful world that Nicole Dykes has created gave me so many feelings of nostalgia almost as if I was coming home.
First, we got Raelynn & Lawson's story where we originally meet Hayden and then there is Nash & Aiden as they find their journey back to one another. Now, it is Hayden's turn at love and let me tell you the wait was entirely worth it.
I've always heard that love is friendship on fire, and I never really grasped that concept until now. Hayden and Tristan's love started with friendship. Then came the feelings where we see two different people on their journey to falling for the other. For Hayden it was almost instantons while with Tristan it was a slow journey. With every day, every moment that passed Tristan found himself falling more for the last person he ever thought he would. He had never been attracted to a man before but more than that he had never been attracted to anyone the way he was for Hayden. Watching that progression from friendship to more and then to love was glorious.
For Hayden even though he fell hard and fast he hid those feelings, never letting them show. Sure, he made it known how physically attracted he was to Tristan but the deeper feelings he kept to himself until he was confronted in a way, he could have anticipated.
Outcast seriously gave me all the warm feelings of love I don't think I have felt in such a mushy way in a long time. Even though both men had been through their own obstacles in life and at times my eyes got a bit misty it mostly gave me the feeling of "FINALLY" for Hayden. If you are just meeting Hayden or you have fallen for him over the course of a few books like I have this is the perfect book to get you feeling all the ooey gooey marshmallow feels.
Being back in this beautiful world that Nicole Dykes has created gave me so many feelings of nostalgia almost as if I was coming home.
First, we got Raelynn & Lawson's story where we originally meet Hayden and then there is Nash & Aiden as they find their journey back to one another. Now, it is Hayden's turn at love and let me tell you the wait was entirely worth it.
I've always heard that love is friendship on fire, and I never really grasped that concept until now. Hayden and Tristan's love started with friendship. Then came the feelings where we see two different people on their journey to falling for the other. For Hayden it was almost instantons while with Tristan it was a slow journey. With every day, every moment that passed Tristan found himself falling more for the last person he ever thought he would. He had never been attracted to a man before but more than that he had never been attracted to anyone the way he was for Hayden. Watching that progression from friendship to more and then to love was glorious.
For Hayden even though he fell hard and fast he hid those feelings, never letting them show. Sure, he made it known how physically attracted he was to Tristan but the deeper feelings he kept to himself until he was confronted in a way, he could have anticipated.
Outcast seriously gave me all the warm feelings of love I don't think I have felt in such a mushy way in a long time. Even though both men had been through their own obstacles in life and at times my eyes got a bit misty it mostly gave me the feeling of "FINALLY" for Hayden. If you are just meeting Hayden or you have fallen for him over the course of a few books like I have this is the perfect book to get you feeling all the ooey gooey marshmallow feels.
September 7, 2022
“𝑯𝒂𝒚𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒄𝒆-𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒊𝒕.” ∼𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗
“𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒖𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒕— 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕.” ∼𝙷𝚊𝚢𝚍𝚎𝚗
𝑂𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝐼’𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑙𝑦, ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦, 𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑦. 𝐼 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑜 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑔𝑢𝑦. 𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑘𝑎𝑦. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑟...
Outcast, by Nicole Dykes was such a beautiful friends-to-lovers read and I loved everything about it. It was like a gift that keeps on giving! Not only do we get two adorable main characters Hayden and Tristan who are stupidly perfect for eachother. We also get Nash and Adrian from Backslide and brief mentions and returns from Rae and Lawson that we first met in the Runaways book. I'm literally crying with happiness right now but don't worry Outcast is a complete standalone and can be read without reading Backslide and Runaways.
Hayden was such a cutie with serious self-love issues and a lot of bravado. The ultimate show the world what you want them to see type of person. Under his larger than life personality laid some horrible misplaced self hatred. His best friend Tristan with his insane sex appeal and ridiculously cute dog manages to break down his defences.
Outcast made me shockingly giddy and gave me major butterflies because seriously these two were so gone for eachother right from the beginning and my soppy heart was all for it. I also like that there was established characters in Outcast that offered great understanding and character support for Hayden and Tristan.
“𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒖𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒕— 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕.” ∼𝙷𝚊𝚢𝚍𝚎𝚗
𝑂𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝐼’𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑙𝑦, ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦, 𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑦. 𝐼 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑔𝑜 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑔𝑢𝑦. 𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑘𝑎𝑦. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑔 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑟...
Outcast, by Nicole Dykes was such a beautiful friends-to-lovers read and I loved everything about it. It was like a gift that keeps on giving! Not only do we get two adorable main characters Hayden and Tristan who are stupidly perfect for eachother. We also get Nash and Adrian from Backslide and brief mentions and returns from Rae and Lawson that we first met in the Runaways book. I'm literally crying with happiness right now but don't worry Outcast is a complete standalone and can be read without reading Backslide and Runaways.
Hayden was such a cutie with serious self-love issues and a lot of bravado. The ultimate show the world what you want them to see type of person. Under his larger than life personality laid some horrible misplaced self hatred. His best friend Tristan with his insane sex appeal and ridiculously cute dog manages to break down his defences.
Outcast made me shockingly giddy and gave me major butterflies because seriously these two were so gone for eachother right from the beginning and my soppy heart was all for it. I also like that there was established characters in Outcast that offered great understanding and character support for Hayden and Tristan.
September 9, 2022
I received this ARC as part of Nicole's Street Team and am writing this review voluntarily and honestly
I feel like I waited so long to read Hayden, also, since we found out in Backslide that Tristan would be his love interest I've been so excited about them! And I have to say I LOVED everything Nicole Dykes did with their story so I think it was worth the wait.
I think it goes without saying that Hayden has had my heart since Runaways: his bright, kind, funny personality and big heart made him one of my Nicole's favorite characters, but in Outcast we can see how he uses that side of his character to hide the pain, fear and insecurities that the difficulties in his life have caused him, and although he has a family who loves him now, friends he can trust and who support him unconditionally he still believes that he is not enough and that no one is going to love him as it is, something that broke my heart to read, but that I expected from his character. Even so, knowing his story was beautiful, I liked it a lot reading her friendship with Tammy, Nash and with Tristan, besides I loved reading the characters that I already love through Hayden's eyes, I think he sees them as they are, and by reading what he thinks of each of them I realized how much they mean to him and of how much he loves them, and remembering those moments he spent together with Rae & Lawson was as painful as it was beautiful.
On the other hand, Tristan made me love him from the first chapter, he is a serious, reserved police officer who considers himself boring, has few friends and prefers to spend his free time with his pet., until Hayden walks into her life and gives him everything he didn't know he needed. One of the things I liked most about him was how comfortable he is in his own skin: even though everyone thinks he's boring, that he needs a girlfriend or that he should interact more with people, even when he agrees to go to the dates that Amanda plans for him, I think Tristan knows he doesn't need to do any of that to be happy, especially since he feels complete when he's with Hayden & Roxy.
Hayden & Tristan are my new favorite Nicole couple, I love their friendship and how easy it is to both be such good friends when they are completely different, how much they love, support and care about each other, and the way Tristan accepts Hayden as he is, is understanding & patient with him and shows him how much he loves him whenever he can, even when they're just friends. And even though it's not easy for Hayden to let go of his feelings for Tristan, it's obvious that he loves him, that he wants to protect him and make him happy, and I love that they both find in each other the right person to trust their biggest secret fears and insecurities.
🎃Hayden: 5/5
🎃Tristan: 5/5
🎃Plot: 5/5
🎃Love story: 5/5
🎃Secondary characters: 5/5
🎃Universe: 5/5
🎃Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 4/5
🇪🇸
Recibí ésta ARC como parte del Street Team de Nicole y estoy escribiendo ésta reseña voluntaria y honestamente
Siento que espere muchísimo para leer a Hayden, además, desde que en Backslide supimos que Tristan sería su interés amoroso he estado muy emocionada! y tengo que decir que AMÉ todo lo que Nicole Dykes hizo con su historia, así que creo que valió la pena la espera.
Creo que de más está decir que Hayden tiene mi corazón desde Runaways: su personalidad brillante, amable, divertida y gran corazón lo convirtieron en uno de mis personajes favoritos de Nicole, pero en Outcast podemos ver como usa ese lado de su carácter para ocultar el dolor, miedo e inseguridades que las dificultades en su vida le han creado, y aunque ahora tiene una familia que lo ama, amigos en los que puede confiar y que lo apoyan incondicionalmente y es quien es sin importarle la opinión de otras personas, sigue creyendo que no es suficiente y que nadie lo va amar tal y como es, algo que me rompió el corazón leer, pero que esperaba de su personaje. Aún así conocer su historia fue hermoso, leer su amistad con Tammy, con Nash y con Tristan me gustó mucho, además de que me encantó leer a los personajes que ya amo a través de los ojos de Hayden, creo que que él los ve tal y como son, y al leer lo que piensa de cada uno de ellos me di cuenta de lo mucho que significan para él y de cuanto los ama, y recordar esos momentos que pasó junto a Rae & Lawson fue tan doloroso como hermoso.
Por otra parte, Tristan me hizo amarlo desde el primer capitulo, es un oficial de policía serio, poco sociable y que se considera aburrido, tiene pocos amigos y prefiere pasar su tiempo libre con su mascota, hasta que Hayden aparece en su vida y le da todo lo que no sabía que necesitaba. Una de las cosas que más me gustó de él fue lo cómodo que está en su propia piel: a pesar de que todos crean que es aburrido, que necesita una novia o que debe interactuar más con las personas, aún cuando accede a ir a las citas que Amanda planea para él, creo que Tristan sabe que no necesita hacer nada de eso para ser feliz, especialmente porque se siente completo cuando está con Hayden & Roxy.
Hayden & Tristan son mi nueva pareja favorita de Nicole, me encanta su amistad y lo fácil que es pera ambos ser tan buenos amigos cuando son completamente diferentes, lo mucho que se quieren, apoyan y preocupan por el otro, y la manera en la que Tristan acepta a Hayden tal y como es, es comprensivo & paciente con él y le demuestra lo mucho que lo ama siempre que puede, aún cuando solo son amigos. Y aunque para Hayden no es sencillo dejarse llevar por sus sentimientos hacia Tristan, es obvio que lo ama, que quiere protegerlo y hacerlo feliz, y me encanta que ambos encuentren en el otro a la persona indicada para confiar sus más grandes secretos temores e inseguridades.
🎃Hayden: 5/5
🎃Tristan: 5/5
🎃Trama: 5/5
🎃Historia de amo: 5/5
🎃Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🎃Universo: 5/5
🎃Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 4/5
I feel like I waited so long to read Hayden, also, since we found out in Backslide that Tristan would be his love interest I've been so excited about them! And I have to say I LOVED everything Nicole Dykes did with their story so I think it was worth the wait.
I think it goes without saying that Hayden has had my heart since Runaways: his bright, kind, funny personality and big heart made him one of my Nicole's favorite characters, but in Outcast we can see how he uses that side of his character to hide the pain, fear and insecurities that the difficulties in his life have caused him, and although he has a family who loves him now, friends he can trust and who support him unconditionally he still believes that he is not enough and that no one is going to love him as it is, something that broke my heart to read, but that I expected from his character. Even so, knowing his story was beautiful, I liked it a lot reading her friendship with Tammy, Nash and with Tristan, besides I loved reading the characters that I already love through Hayden's eyes, I think he sees them as they are, and by reading what he thinks of each of them I realized how much they mean to him and of how much he loves them, and remembering those moments he spent together with Rae & Lawson was as painful as it was beautiful.
On the other hand, Tristan made me love him from the first chapter, he is a serious, reserved police officer who considers himself boring, has few friends and prefers to spend his free time with his pet., until Hayden walks into her life and gives him everything he didn't know he needed. One of the things I liked most about him was how comfortable he is in his own skin: even though everyone thinks he's boring, that he needs a girlfriend or that he should interact more with people, even when he agrees to go to the dates that Amanda plans for him, I think Tristan knows he doesn't need to do any of that to be happy, especially since he feels complete when he's with Hayden & Roxy.
Hayden & Tristan are my new favorite Nicole couple, I love their friendship and how easy it is to both be such good friends when they are completely different, how much they love, support and care about each other, and the way Tristan accepts Hayden as he is, is understanding & patient with him and shows him how much he loves him whenever he can, even when they're just friends. And even though it's not easy for Hayden to let go of his feelings for Tristan, it's obvious that he loves him, that he wants to protect him and make him happy, and I love that they both find in each other the right person to trust their biggest secret fears and insecurities.
🎃Hayden: 5/5
🎃Tristan: 5/5
🎃Plot: 5/5
🎃Love story: 5/5
🎃Secondary characters: 5/5
🎃Universe: 5/5
🎃Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 4/5
🇪🇸
Recibí ésta ARC como parte del Street Team de Nicole y estoy escribiendo ésta reseña voluntaria y honestamente
Siento que espere muchísimo para leer a Hayden, además, desde que en Backslide supimos que Tristan sería su interés amoroso he estado muy emocionada! y tengo que decir que AMÉ todo lo que Nicole Dykes hizo con su historia, así que creo que valió la pena la espera.
Creo que de más está decir que Hayden tiene mi corazón desde Runaways: su personalidad brillante, amable, divertida y gran corazón lo convirtieron en uno de mis personajes favoritos de Nicole, pero en Outcast podemos ver como usa ese lado de su carácter para ocultar el dolor, miedo e inseguridades que las dificultades en su vida le han creado, y aunque ahora tiene una familia que lo ama, amigos en los que puede confiar y que lo apoyan incondicionalmente y es quien es sin importarle la opinión de otras personas, sigue creyendo que no es suficiente y que nadie lo va amar tal y como es, algo que me rompió el corazón leer, pero que esperaba de su personaje. Aún así conocer su historia fue hermoso, leer su amistad con Tammy, con Nash y con Tristan me gustó mucho, además de que me encantó leer a los personajes que ya amo a través de los ojos de Hayden, creo que que él los ve tal y como son, y al leer lo que piensa de cada uno de ellos me di cuenta de lo mucho que significan para él y de cuanto los ama, y recordar esos momentos que pasó junto a Rae & Lawson fue tan doloroso como hermoso.
Por otra parte, Tristan me hizo amarlo desde el primer capitulo, es un oficial de policía serio, poco sociable y que se considera aburrido, tiene pocos amigos y prefiere pasar su tiempo libre con su mascota, hasta que Hayden aparece en su vida y le da todo lo que no sabía que necesitaba. Una de las cosas que más me gustó de él fue lo cómodo que está en su propia piel: a pesar de que todos crean que es aburrido, que necesita una novia o que debe interactuar más con las personas, aún cuando accede a ir a las citas que Amanda planea para él, creo que Tristan sabe que no necesita hacer nada de eso para ser feliz, especialmente porque se siente completo cuando está con Hayden & Roxy.
Hayden & Tristan son mi nueva pareja favorita de Nicole, me encanta su amistad y lo fácil que es pera ambos ser tan buenos amigos cuando son completamente diferentes, lo mucho que se quieren, apoyan y preocupan por el otro, y la manera en la que Tristan acepta a Hayden tal y como es, es comprensivo & paciente con él y le demuestra lo mucho que lo ama siempre que puede, aún cuando solo son amigos. Y aunque para Hayden no es sencillo dejarse llevar por sus sentimientos hacia Tristan, es obvio que lo ama, que quiere protegerlo y hacerlo feliz, y me encanta que ambos encuentren en el otro a la persona indicada para confiar sus más grandes secretos temores e inseguridades.
🎃Hayden: 5/5
🎃Tristan: 5/5
🎃Trama: 5/5
🎃Historia de amo: 5/5
🎃Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🎃Universo: 5/5
🎃Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 4/5
September 10, 2022
"I was not ready to tell my best friend in the world -- who came out of nowhere and just wiggled his way into my life -- that I think I'm falling for him."
Outcast is a demisexual awakening, best friends to lovers story about Hayden, whom has never known love even from his own family, and Tristen who has never felt the kind of all consuming love for another person, apart from Hayden. I absolutely adored Tristan. The strong silent type, yet he always listens. He may be a tad confused in the beginning due to his blossoming feelings for a man for the first time, but once he comes to terms with it he was all in. There wasn't a moment he wasn't showing or telling Hayden how incredible and loved he was.
Hayden was a harder nut to crack despite the fact that he is an out and proud gay man. He's been conditioned by his awful parents and life to believe he wasn't worthy of love. He doesn't even know if he believes in it, even when he can see it right in front of him with his friends and their loves. It takes most of the book, and a few emotional hurdles, for Tristan to convince Hayden what he realized he's known all along. They are perfect together.
I really loved the last few chapters, which sort of fast foward a few months each, until the actual epilogue 4 years down the road. It was great seeing how happy they were together and how much Hayden has grown as a character. And that epilogue! OMG so sweet and it totally solidified these two as lifelong partners. A satisfying ending indeed.
Outcast is a demisexual awakening, best friends to lovers story about Hayden, whom has never known love even from his own family, and Tristen who has never felt the kind of all consuming love for another person, apart from Hayden. I absolutely adored Tristan. The strong silent type, yet he always listens. He may be a tad confused in the beginning due to his blossoming feelings for a man for the first time, but once he comes to terms with it he was all in. There wasn't a moment he wasn't showing or telling Hayden how incredible and loved he was.
Hayden was a harder nut to crack despite the fact that he is an out and proud gay man. He's been conditioned by his awful parents and life to believe he wasn't worthy of love. He doesn't even know if he believes in it, even when he can see it right in front of him with his friends and their loves. It takes most of the book, and a few emotional hurdles, for Tristan to convince Hayden what he realized he's known all along. They are perfect together.
I really loved the last few chapters, which sort of fast foward a few months each, until the actual epilogue 4 years down the road. It was great seeing how happy they were together and how much Hayden has grown as a character. And that epilogue! OMG so sweet and it totally solidified these two as lifelong partners. A satisfying ending indeed.
September 7, 2022
Opposites attract each other
September 18, 2022
Outcast was everything I've come to expect from Nicky-D. A little sadness, some push and pull, a crap load of sugar and two gorgeous guys fawning over each other! That's my kinda formula for a rainy day😌
I went in expecting to love Hayden, if not for his personality and charm, then on principle! But it was Tristan who stole the show for me. He was patient and sweet and determined to cut through all of Hayden's shit to get to the good stuff!
And Hayden was not an easy one to crack at all! He's a bit of a runner, finding it difficult to believe anyone could and would love him for the guy he truly is. He's had his selfworth beaten to shit by his parents who drilled it into his head that he ruins "good men" because of his pretty face and deviant sexuality, so he tries to keep Tristan at arms length in order to protect him💔
But Tristan did not have it, instead choosing to show Hayden how easy it is to love him! And that's one of the reasons I love Nicole's books. They're low angst bundles of sappy joy without all the unnecessary drama (despite some very dramatic actions and thoughts by some characters here and there😂)💖
Friends to lovers isn't typically my jam, but I loved how it played into Tristan developing feelings for Hayden which then sparked his attraction, eventually leading him to realize that he is demi! That was a nice change from all the gfy (which I love and adore hehe) and insta-lust!!
Really enjoyed meeting all of the new to me but old characters that I definitely need to visit!
I went in expecting to love Hayden, if not for his personality and charm, then on principle! But it was Tristan who stole the show for me. He was patient and sweet and determined to cut through all of Hayden's shit to get to the good stuff!
And Hayden was not an easy one to crack at all! He's a bit of a runner, finding it difficult to believe anyone could and would love him for the guy he truly is. He's had his selfworth beaten to shit by his parents who drilled it into his head that he ruins "good men" because of his pretty face and deviant sexuality, so he tries to keep Tristan at arms length in order to protect him💔
But Tristan did not have it, instead choosing to show Hayden how easy it is to love him! And that's one of the reasons I love Nicole's books. They're low angst bundles of sappy joy without all the unnecessary drama (despite some very dramatic actions and thoughts by some characters here and there😂)💖
Friends to lovers isn't typically my jam, but I loved how it played into Tristan developing feelings for Hayden which then sparked his attraction, eventually leading him to realize that he is demi! That was a nice change from all the gfy (which I love and adore hehe) and insta-lust!!
Really enjoyed meeting all of the new to me but old characters that I definitely need to visit!
November 14, 2022
4 Stars
Ever since I read Backslide I wanted to know more about Hayden and in this book I definitely did. Hayden's and Tristan's story was sweet and, in my opinion, pretty low angst.
I loved how Hayden had to overcome his insecurities to accept Tristan's love. I also loved his personal journey of self-love, acceptance and worth.
Tristan's was such a sweet man who just wanted to love Hayden and show him he deserves it. I just loved them together!
I definitely recommend this book if you like cozy, cabin vibes and sweet love. Toodles!
Ever since I read Backslide I wanted to know more about Hayden and in this book I definitely did. Hayden's and Tristan's story was sweet and, in my opinion, pretty low angst.
I loved how Hayden had to overcome his insecurities to accept Tristan's love. I also loved his personal journey of self-love, acceptance and worth.
Tristan's was such a sweet man who just wanted to love Hayden and show him he deserves it. I just loved them together!
I definitely recommend this book if you like cozy, cabin vibes and sweet love. Toodles!
October 1, 2022
This book really pissed me off with the bi-erasure going on. I rarely get annoyed at books but this was just really triggering. BI PEOPLE EXIST so even if you want your straight MC to be 100% gay maybe build up the background like that. AAARGH!
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk
June 28, 2023
DNF 14%
This was my second book by Nicole Dykes. The first book (Keeper) was a 3-Star read and, while I was able to finish that one, I can’t get in to this one. The writing is just a bit too fast-paced and light.
This was my second book by Nicole Dykes. The first book (Keeper) was a 3-Star read and, while I was able to finish that one, I can’t get in to this one. The writing is just a bit too fast-paced and light.
March 11, 2023
Low stakes, low angst friends to lovers romance after Hayden got out of his own way.
I did not realize there was an order that these probably should have been read in so there were a pile of characters I didn't know but felt like I should have?
I did not realize there was an order that these probably should have been read in so there were a pile of characters I didn't know but felt like I should have?
September 8, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
I’ve been excited to get my hands on Hayden’s book and when it showed up on my Kindle I immediately dove in.
Hayden Fitzpatrick feels like an outcast - he spent years on the street doing whatever needed to be done to keep himself safe and believes it’s his fault when bad things happen to people he’s hooked up with. He doesn’t think he’s worthy of love and thinks he’ll be alone forever even though he’s in love with his straight best friend, Tristan. I felt for Hayden and it was sad to see that so much of his upbeat personality could be hidden by the darkness of his past.
Tristan McKay is a police officer in the little town where Hayden works at the cabins. He used to work in the city but moved back home for a quieter life. His sister attempts to set him up on dates but things never go well and he always finds himself wishing he was hanging out with Hayden instead. I liked that Tristan was unafraid of his feelings even though they were new for him and went out of his way to show Hayden that he was serious about them being together.
These two are best friends first - spending time together, getting to know each other and becoming a daily part of each other’s lives. Hayden loves Tristan but thinks he’s straight and Tristan is confused about the feelings he’s been having for Hayden. They were cute together, but I felt like I was missing something with their relationship…maybe their connection? The switch from friends to lovers being pretty abrupt? The quick rehash of their past? Not sure what it was or if it was a combo of all those things. They were sweet and the epilogue was great, but I wanted more development in their relationship before they got there.
As always, I’m excited to see what Nicole comes up with next - her books are always light, easy reads with sweet characters and Outcast was no different.
I’ve been excited to get my hands on Hayden’s book and when it showed up on my Kindle I immediately dove in.
Hayden Fitzpatrick feels like an outcast - he spent years on the street doing whatever needed to be done to keep himself safe and believes it’s his fault when bad things happen to people he’s hooked up with. He doesn’t think he’s worthy of love and thinks he’ll be alone forever even though he’s in love with his straight best friend, Tristan. I felt for Hayden and it was sad to see that so much of his upbeat personality could be hidden by the darkness of his past.
Tristan McKay is a police officer in the little town where Hayden works at the cabins. He used to work in the city but moved back home for a quieter life. His sister attempts to set him up on dates but things never go well and he always finds himself wishing he was hanging out with Hayden instead. I liked that Tristan was unafraid of his feelings even though they were new for him and went out of his way to show Hayden that he was serious about them being together.
These two are best friends first - spending time together, getting to know each other and becoming a daily part of each other’s lives. Hayden loves Tristan but thinks he’s straight and Tristan is confused about the feelings he’s been having for Hayden. They were cute together, but I felt like I was missing something with their relationship…maybe their connection? The switch from friends to lovers being pretty abrupt? The quick rehash of their past? Not sure what it was or if it was a combo of all those things. They were sweet and the epilogue was great, but I wanted more development in their relationship before they got there.
As always, I’m excited to see what Nicole comes up with next - her books are always light, easy reads with sweet characters and Outcast was no different.
September 9, 2022
"I'd drown for him in an instant."
Star Rating 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV Dual
HEA Yes
Spice Rating 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
"Officer F*cking Tristan McKay in uniform? Yeah, that does it for me."
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
Nicole has done it again! I am absolutely in love with her books and when she announced Hayden and Tristan were in the works, my sanity went out the window. I was over the moon to receive an advance copy and was so emotional the whole way through the book. These two will be the death of me; their friendship and later their relationship was so loving and sweet and wholesome and I just wanted to protect them completely. There was a perfect amount of plot building alongside an abundance of steam, and whilst it was spicy, it didn't deter from the storyline and the overall journey from best friends to lovers. Witnessing how every hurdle was addressed and overcome felt like I was witnessing it firsthand, and the moment where Hayden finally realised that yes, he was capable of love just melted my heart! The epilogue was a perfect tie-up of the story, and overall, once again, Nicole Dykes has delivered a true masterpiece!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Friends-to-Lovers
❣️ Bi-Awakening
❣️ Horror Movies
❣️ Cute AF Dog!
❣️ HEA!
Star Rating 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV Dual
HEA Yes
Spice Rating 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
"Officer F*cking Tristan McKay in uniform? Yeah, that does it for me."
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
Nicole has done it again! I am absolutely in love with her books and when she announced Hayden and Tristan were in the works, my sanity went out the window. I was over the moon to receive an advance copy and was so emotional the whole way through the book. These two will be the death of me; their friendship and later their relationship was so loving and sweet and wholesome and I just wanted to protect them completely. There was a perfect amount of plot building alongside an abundance of steam, and whilst it was spicy, it didn't deter from the storyline and the overall journey from best friends to lovers. Witnessing how every hurdle was addressed and overcome felt like I was witnessing it firsthand, and the moment where Hayden finally realised that yes, he was capable of love just melted my heart! The epilogue was a perfect tie-up of the story, and overall, once again, Nicole Dykes has delivered a true masterpiece!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Friends-to-Lovers
❣️ Bi-Awakening
❣️ Horror Movies
❣️ Cute AF Dog!
❣️ HEA!
November 4, 2022
I was so curios about Hayden from Backslide and I'm so happy we got his story! The cheeky, quite carefree picture was quickly replaced by a slightly darker version once we got his PoV, and I just wanted to wrap him up in a blanket and protect him while reading.
Hayden and Tristan's story was a friends to lovers with a lot of sweetness in it, and I really liked them together! Tristan was just so sweet and patient and I really adored him! It was interesting to read Tristan's perspective when he realised he had feelings for Hayden even if he'd always considering himself to be straight. I just loved seeing how he processed and accepted his attraction to Hayden. I love ace/demi representation and Nicole is great at writing it.
Hayden had quite a few hang-ups and the glimpses of his past were quite heartbreaking. I just wish he'd put a little more trust and faith in Tristan since they knew each other and had been hanging out frequently as friends, I felt like Tristan deserved a little more from Hayden at the beginning of their relationship.
It was an enjoyable and swoony story, I love friends to lovers and Hayden and Tristan's relationship development was so well done. Recommended if you enjoy the tropes and want a sweet and swoony read!
Hayden and Tristan's story was a friends to lovers with a lot of sweetness in it, and I really liked them together! Tristan was just so sweet and patient and I really adored him! It was interesting to read Tristan's perspective when he realised he had feelings for Hayden even if he'd always considering himself to be straight. I just loved seeing how he processed and accepted his attraction to Hayden. I love ace/demi representation and Nicole is great at writing it.
Hayden had quite a few hang-ups and the glimpses of his past were quite heartbreaking. I just wish he'd put a little more trust and faith in Tristan since they knew each other and had been hanging out frequently as friends, I felt like Tristan deserved a little more from Hayden at the beginning of their relationship.
It was an enjoyable and swoony story, I love friends to lovers and Hayden and Tristan's relationship development was so well done. Recommended if you enjoy the tropes and want a sweet and swoony read!
March 27, 2023
Carefree, loving, out-spoken Hayden thought his past would rule his future. Damaged and undeserving of love is what Hayden believed was what he deserves. A family that shunned him for being who he was. A young Hayden doing what he needed to do to become who he is. And now Hayden can't stop thinking about his best friend, like more than just a friend.
Tristan is the epitome of the strong silent type. He is the strong good-looking cop, who's sister is determined to find the woman of his dreams to love. Little does anyone know, including Tristan, that the love of his life is right and front of him.
I recommend Outcast to readers. This story proves that labels are unnecessary when it comes to finding your soulmate. The friendship, the trust, the longing, and the lust between Hayden and Tristan made me fall in love when them as a couple. Kick your feet up and enjoy their journey.
Tristan is the epitome of the strong silent type. He is the strong good-looking cop, who's sister is determined to find the woman of his dreams to love. Little does anyone know, including Tristan, that the love of his life is right and front of him.
I recommend Outcast to readers. This story proves that labels are unnecessary when it comes to finding your soulmate. The friendship, the trust, the longing, and the lust between Hayden and Tristan made me fall in love when them as a couple. Kick your feet up and enjoy their journey.
September 18, 2022
3.5 ⭐️'s
Definitely not one of my favourites by this author, however, in all fairness, I have to say that was probably due to my own high expectations because of how much I liked Hayden in Backslide.
Tristan's going from being attracted to Hayden to instantly falling in love with him felt a little too fast for me.
And even though Hayden repeatedly disputing Tristan's feelings for him became a little too much, I still understood where he was coming from. He had a difficult past and that doesn't just go away.
All-in-all, a sweet, low-angst read. These two were hot together and I liked that they got their HEA...💙💙
Definitely not one of my favourites by this author, however, in all fairness, I have to say that was probably due to my own high expectations because of how much I liked Hayden in Backslide.
Tristan's going from being attracted to Hayden to instantly falling in love with him felt a little too fast for me.
And even though Hayden repeatedly disputing Tristan's feelings for him became a little too much, I still understood where he was coming from. He had a difficult past and that doesn't just go away.
All-in-all, a sweet, low-angst read. These two were hot together and I liked that they got their HEA...💙💙
August 20, 2025
I absolutely loved Hayden's story! I love how Tristan & Hayden's friendship developed & didn't feel rushed or forced.Hayden is so funny, but his back story was so sad.I loved how Tristan discovered & explored his sexuality.This book did not disappoint.
September 14, 2022
Outcast is a pretty low angst story which was a pleasant surprise for me as I thought it would be. Hayden was told to leave at 16 when his dad discovered he was gay. After a hard number of years we slowly learn about, Hayden and the friends he has made, have found their way to the idyllic lakeside town they now live and work in.. Despite being embraced by the town, as well as his found family, Hayden only ever feels like an outcast because he constantly hears his homophobic parents’ voices in his head denigrating him. Tristan is the “straight” hometown hero, a deputy who comes from a loving family within the community. Instantly upon meeting for the first time, they are both drawn to each other and become immediate best friends while Hayden daydreams about more. Slowly Tristan comes to realize his feelings are much deeper than just friendly and goes about trying to romance Hayden. If there’s ever a book character who needs a huge hug and unconditional love, it’s Hayden. He is wonderful but his head is so full of negative self-talk thanks to his upbringing that he’s standing in the way of his own happiness. Tristan is so sweet in the way he supports Hayden and tries to drown out those voices with unconditional love. Outcast is a sweet, steamy, low angst bi-awakening that I would highly recommend. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 17, 2022
Saw a book sister do a review on this book, read her review and pulled it up on my KU right away. Hayden and Tristan grabbed me from the start. Hayden lusting from afar and Tristan just friendly and totally clueless. Tristan was starting his life over in this little area as a police officer, dissolutioned with the big dirty city. Hayden not so sure of himself. Always the boisterous, funny one with good intentions, but beaten down to belief he was not worthy of a good man or capable to really love. Tristan was the quiet reserved one, especially around those that did not interest him. Being total opposites in every way, they struck up a friendship and things just grew from there. Tristan's inability to connect with a woman, left him willing to just be. Neither was more surprised when Tristan realized his feelings for Hayden ... I was rooting all the way. I loved their story and the little angst of it all. Sure there were doubts and worries on both sides, but what blossoming relationship doesn't have that. I was so happy that Tristan just went with the flow and gave it to his feelings, going for them and not hiding from it. Love me a good MM HEA! Ready for more from Nicole.
September 10, 2022
Outcast
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰Hayden and Tristan😍😍😍😍😍
These two were so meant to be. Now this is a story I can read again and again if that's what I wanted. I don't know what it is about reading mm that gets me right in my feels. I loved the epilogue and could read even more of them. Definitely worth checking out if you love mm.
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰Hayden and Tristan😍😍😍😍😍
These two were so meant to be. Now this is a story I can read again and again if that's what I wanted. I don't know what it is about reading mm that gets me right in my feels. I loved the epilogue and could read even more of them. Definitely worth checking out if you love mm.
September 25, 2022
It was a nice read
I liked this book and both the characters a lot.
However I felt the book was rushed in some parts and drawn out in a lot of others.
The last few chapters took me a while to read as I felt they were the perfect ending to a book but then there was another chapter full of the same.
It was a good book though
I liked this book and both the characters a lot.
However I felt the book was rushed in some parts and drawn out in a lot of others.
The last few chapters took me a while to read as I felt they were the perfect ending to a book but then there was another chapter full of the same.
It was a good book though
September 12, 2022
After Runaways and Backslide I was excited about Hayden's story. And I am not disappointed! Tristan is the perfect match for him. It was a wonderful experience, watching Tristan slowly realize that he was falling in love with his best friend and being exactly everything Hayden needed to finally be happy with himself and his past.
September 22, 2022
Sweet read friends to lovers 💕
I've loved all of Nicole's MM books and this one didn't disappoint. I liked both Hayden and Tristan and their friendship, they are just so sweet and bring out the best in each other. 😍
I've loved all of Nicole's MM books and this one didn't disappoint. I liked both Hayden and Tristan and their friendship, they are just so sweet and bring out the best in each other. 😍
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