Reviewed by Morgan
Title: OUT!
Author: J.L. Merrow
Narrator: Mark Steadman
Series: The Shamwell Tales #3
Heroes: Mark Nugent/Patrick Owen
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 7 Hours, 51 Minutes
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: October 19, 2017
Available at: Amazon, Audible and iTunes
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: When the costs are added up, will love land in the black?
Mark Nugent has spent his life in the closet—at least, the small part of it he hasn’t spent in the office. Divorced when he could no longer deny his sexuality, he’s sworn off his workaholic ways and moved to Shamwell with his headstrong teen daughter to give her a stable home environment.
His resolve to put his love life on hold is severely tested when he joins a local organization and meets a lively yet intense young man who tempts him closer to the closet threshold.
Patrick Owen is an out-and-proud charity worker with strong principles—and a newly discovered weakness for an older man. One snag: Mark is adamant he’s not coming out to his daughter, and Patrick will be damned if he’s going to start a relationship with a lie.
Between Mark’s old-fashioned attitudes and a camp, flirtatious ex-colleague who wants Mark for himself, Patrick wonders if they’ll ever be on the same romantic page. And when Mark’s former career as a tax advisor clashes with Patrick’s social conscience, it could be the one stumbling block they can’t get past.
Review – Book: I enjoyed the characters in this story quite a bit. Patrick knows Mark is attracted to him and though he’s not usually attracted to someone that much older than him, he can’t help but be charmed by the social ineptitude he sees in Mark.
The two dance around each other for a long, long, long time and then – ironically with the blessing of Mark’s daughter, finally begin a relationship.
This one is very dry, full of humor, light on steam and very British.
I had a hard time getting invested in Mark and Patrick as a couple, however. They don’t really even get involved until near the end and though it is cute and sweet, I can’t really say they’ll be there together – forever. At best it’s a HFN for these guys.
The writing is excellent, as always, and Mark’s self-discovery is probably the most important and well-done aspect of this story, but it didn’t set my heart a-flutter.
So… for me… it was … fun. Nice. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. If you’re in the mood to laugh and smile and watch a man discover himself – this is your book. If you want firey romance and heat and burning declarations of love – not so much.
Impression – Book: 3.5 of 5 stars
Review – Audio: Mark Steadman is fantastic – again. I’m not sure how many superlatives I can use to describe how perfectly he suits this series! It’s such a BRITISH book with so many slang words and the feel is ever so British, having his accent speaking Merrow’s words really helps complete the scene.
Highly recommended as a way to enjoy this book and the series!
Impression – Audio: It was amazing!
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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