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gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
I think this was my favourite book in the In Focus series. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting and found it sweet, sexy and wonderfully engrossing. 4 stars
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
A devastating loss. A time to mourn. A chance to heal.
In an attempt to honor his sister’s memory, Levi embarks on the grand hiking adventure they had planned before her death. He’s not sure he can make it, but he’s going to try his damnedest. Not surprisingly, the trek is both more physically and emotionally taxing than he expected. However, he meets a mysterious stranger and eventually, they decide to continue their journey together.
Thad too, is using the extensive Appalachian Trail to possibly regroup, definitely to avoid the many difficult things that have plagued him of late. Despite wanting to be alone initially, he can’t resist Levi’s magnetic personality. Levi makes him feel things he’s never felt before, and he’s enthralled and scared at the same time, not sure what to do. Thad only knows he can’t let Levi go.
These two are combustible. It starts when they first meet, and it carries through their initial sexual tension and then in their hot culmination. They both have to face their demons and figure out what they want in life and with the other. Of course you know the effort’s worth it. Never fear, Erickson continues to deliver with this series, and I definitely look forward to other introduced characters getting their happy ending as well!
A devastating loss. A time to mourn. A chance to heal.
In an attempt to honor his sister’s memory, Levi embarks on the grand hiking adventure they had planned before her death. He’s not sure he can make it, but he’s going to try his damnedest. Not surprisingly, the trek is both more physically and emotionally taxing than he expected. However, he meets a mysterious stranger and eventually, they decide to continue their journey together.
Thad too, is using the extensive Appalachian Trail to possibly regroup, definitely to avoid the many difficult things that have plagued him of late. Despite wanting to be alone initially, he can’t resist Levi’s magnetic personality. Levi makes him feel things he’s never felt before, and he’s enthralled and scared at the same time, not sure what to do. Thad only knows he can’t let Levi go.
These two are combustible. It starts when they first meet, and it carries through their initial sexual tension and then in their hot culmination. They both have to face their demons and figure out what they want in life and with the other. Of course you know the effort’s worth it. Never fear, Erickson continues to deliver with this series, and I definitely look forward to other introduced characters getting their happy ending as well!
always_anxious's review against another edition
4.0
This was so fun to read, I really loved Levi and came to love Thad by the end of this too, even if I don’t like his name
litagentsaritza's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, my heart!
Ever read a book that just squeezes your heart from the get-go and doesn't let you up until the very last word? That's what a Megan Erickson book does to mine every single time. In fact, it happens so much that I know I have to mentally prepare for the onslaught of heart-rending emotions before cracking any of them open.
I have to admit, I was not sure I was going to like Thad much as he remained so distant and curt in the beginning that I wanted to yell at Levi to stay away from him. Then Levi would verbalize my thoughts and I'd continue reading, watchful and wary through the first half of the book.
Then suddenly the inciting moment happens and the idea of these two not ending up together flies right out the window.
Because the book is told completely from Levi's POV we share in his frustration of falling for a man who's not only quiet but reserved. Strong but needy in a way that's a tad creepy at first but truly beautiful as the story unfolds. Erick son's masterful storytelling leads the reader through the stages of grief so perfectly that you don't realize it until you've completed the journey.
"The kids was rainwater and want, and all the words Thad wasn't capable of saying."
Beautiful story you don't want to miss.
Ever read a book that just squeezes your heart from the get-go and doesn't let you up until the very last word? That's what a Megan Erickson book does to mine every single time. In fact, it happens so much that I know I have to mentally prepare for the onslaught of heart-rending emotions before cracking any of them open.
I have to admit, I was not sure I was going to like Thad much as he remained so distant and curt in the beginning that I wanted to yell at Levi to stay away from him. Then Levi would verbalize my thoughts and I'd continue reading, watchful and wary through the first half of the book.
Then suddenly the inciting moment happens and the idea of these two not ending up together flies right out the window.
Because the book is told completely from Levi's POV we share in his frustration of falling for a man who's not only quiet but reserved. Strong but needy in a way that's a tad creepy at first but truly beautiful as the story unfolds. Erick son's masterful storytelling leads the reader through the stages of grief so perfectly that you don't realize it until you've completed the journey.
"The kids was rainwater and want, and all the words Thad wasn't capable of saying."
Beautiful story you don't want to miss.
bookish_notes's review against another edition
5.0
This is the last book in the In Focus books by Megan Erickson, and this book just did me in. This was a stab-me-straight-through-the-heart kind of book because I cannot see myself reading another sad book right after this. It's not even a really sad, sad book? It's just heavy material and add the fact that it's the last of the series...and the epilogue just packs a punch.
SO. Overexposed is told mainly from Levi Grainger's POV. We met Levi briefly in Out of Focus who had been cast as an effeminate gay reality star on a show called Trip League. I loved Levi in the last book since he was so amazing to help out Quinn and Jay and I was looking forward to reading this book.
This book starts out with Levi starting his months-long journey to hike the Appalachian Trail by himself - as sort of a farewell/dedication to his sister. His sister had been deployed overseas where she'd been killed and this was the trip they had planned on taking together. It isn't long before he happens upon Thad, a mysterious man who doesn't seem to say much. Thad holds his secrets close and Levi's okay with that. He's not exactly looking to just have a heart-to-heart with a stranger he met while hiking. They're both looking for something on their journey that will make them feel like it was worth it, but they're not sure what that end result is supposed to be.
We don't really get to see the story from Thad's POV. It does add a bit of mystery only knowing the story from Levi's POV, and that's okay. It's very similar to Focus On Me with Colin and Riley. We get to see glimpses into Thad's thoughts and feelings on Levi through his brief text exchanges with someone named 'M'.
Can I also say that I am not an outdoorsy person? This is really terrible of me, I know, but the most I can deal with being outside is probably shopping around an outlet mall or walking around a theme park with the comfort of an A/C and restrooms within a comfortable walking distance? This book, however, is strangely inspiring and actually makes me want to try hiking and go to the Appalachian Trails and be one with nature. So if I sudden disappear from posting reviews for a while, maybe I've gone hiking. This entire series makes me want to travel the country by car and go out into nature. This entire series has been an very uplifting and inspiring.
So, the romance...there is sexual tension from Levi and Thad from the beginning and they are hot together. But this isn't a light story. There are a few jokes that had me laughing, but there's just this sense of loss that comes and goes in the story as Levi remembers his sister and tries to find some sort of happiness wherever he can. I don't think it burdens the story, but it definitely adds a sort of weight to the story that makes me connect to it more.
I love Levi and Thad. I thought I had Thad all figured out, but I was only half right. Their words and their feelings just really cuts into me emotionally. Maybe I'm writing this review while I'm still feeling a little too raw from the book. I'm just absolutely overwhelmed with all sorts of feelings from having read this series of books back-to-back (in the best possible way, of course). They all work as standalone novels, this was especially so, but I would recommend all the books in the In Focus series by Megan Erickson, because there's so much heart in each of the characters that I would very much love to read there stories again and again.
SO. Overexposed is told mainly from Levi Grainger's POV. We met Levi briefly in Out of Focus who had been cast as an effeminate gay reality star on a show called Trip League. I loved Levi in the last book since he was so amazing to help out Quinn and Jay and I was looking forward to reading this book.
This book starts out with Levi starting his months-long journey to hike the Appalachian Trail by himself - as sort of a farewell/dedication to his sister. His sister had been deployed overseas where she'd been killed and this was the trip they had planned on taking together. It isn't long before he happens upon Thad, a mysterious man who doesn't seem to say much. Thad holds his secrets close and Levi's okay with that. He's not exactly looking to just have a heart-to-heart with a stranger he met while hiking. They're both looking for something on their journey that will make them feel like it was worth it, but they're not sure what that end result is supposed to be.
I didn't know what caused the tension or anger, but I sure could hope I was helping ease it. I just wasn't sure whether I was reversing it, or masking it. I worried it was the latter.
We don't really get to see the story from Thad's POV. It does add a bit of mystery only knowing the story from Levi's POV, and that's okay. It's very similar to Focus On Me with Colin and Riley. We get to see glimpses into Thad's thoughts and feelings on Levi through his brief text exchanges with someone named 'M'.
M: Who are you with??
T: met a guy.
M: Oh how'd you meet?
T: i like his eyes. and we both like the moon.
Can I also say that I am not an outdoorsy person? This is really terrible of me, I know, but the most I can deal with being outside is probably shopping around an outlet mall or walking around a theme park with the comfort of an A/C and restrooms within a comfortable walking distance? This book, however, is strangely inspiring and actually makes me want to try hiking and go to the Appalachian Trails and be one with nature. So if I sudden disappear from posting reviews for a while, maybe I've gone hiking. This entire series makes me want to travel the country by car and go out into nature. This entire series has been an very uplifting and inspiring.
I was staring. I was blatantly staring, and I couldn't stop. My only consolation was if he called me out on it, at least I had shoes on and could run faster.
So, the romance...there is sexual tension from Levi and Thad from the beginning and they are hot together. But this isn't a light story. There are a few jokes that had me laughing, but there's just this sense of loss that comes and goes in the story as Levi remembers his sister and tries to find some sort of happiness wherever he can. I don't think it burdens the story, but it definitely adds a sort of weight to the story that makes me connect to it more.
I love Levi and Thad. I thought I had Thad all figured out, but I was only half right. Their words and their feelings just really cuts into me emotionally. Maybe I'm writing this review while I'm still feeling a little too raw from the book. I'm just absolutely overwhelmed with all sorts of feelings from having read this series of books back-to-back (in the best possible way, of course). They all work as standalone novels, this was especially so, but I would recommend all the books in the In Focus series by Megan Erickson, because there's so much heart in each of the characters that I would very much love to read there stories again and again.
iam's review against another edition
5.0
Weakest start of the whole series for me, but once the 30% mark passed I finished it in almost one go. It got better especially after Thad opened up a bit more - revealing a story completely different from what I expected.
Cons: slow start: the cover is kinda meh, I liked the others in the series more.
Pros: demisexual representation!!! making it clear that penetration isn't the be-all end-all of sex!!!
Cons: slow start: the cover is kinda meh, I liked the others in the series more.
Pros: demisexual representation!!! making it clear that penetration isn't the be-all end-all of sex!!!
missawn's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail ... I found that part of the story interesting and unique to this genre. I actually really liked that part of this story.
However, I had a very hard time connecting to either MC. Then I was surprised when one MC self-identified as demisexual. This is the second book I have read in a relatively short time with a demisexual MC (the other being [b:Empty Net|30368400|Empty Net (Scoring Chances #4)|Avon Gale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466517432s/30368400.jpg|50880651]). Ordinarily, I am thrilled when I see less known sexual/romantic/gender orientations represented within this genre ... in this case I was less thrilled for a number of reasons. The characteristics presented in this book did not necessarily reflect those often exhibited by those on the asexual spectrum (attraction appeared to be fairly instant and did not develop over time as the emotional bond formed) and the unfortunate portrayal of the asexual spectrum MC as "robotic" which is something many in the asexual community take exception to. Because asexuals do not experience sexual attraction the same way others do ... they are often to seen as sub-human (since many consider sexuality is considered to be such a big part of who a person is -- you will often hear the phase that it is what makes us human) and yes, often called robots (a kind of slur). So that was very unfortunate and probably unintentional? This was not helped by the somewhat creepy stalker-ish tendencies the same MC exhibited. Maybe cute in a romantic novel, it is disconcertingly unnerving when it happens in the real life ...
I am seeing more and more asexual spectrum representation in this genre which is fantastic! However, few accurately capture the experience and the risk of perpetuating harmful stereotypes exists. However, I will still commend the author for tackling a complicated sexual orientation and raising awareness ...
That said ... I read books 1 and 2 of this series and liked this book the best so far. The first two suffered from forced angst/tension and this does not have that ...
PS. I listened to this in audiobook format. Sometimes the narration was hard to follow ... particularly when the MCs mumbled or spoke quietly ... because the narrator did the same and it was hard to follow.
However, I had a very hard time connecting to either MC. Then I was surprised when one MC self-identified as demisexual. This is the second book I have read in a relatively short time with a demisexual MC (the other being [b:Empty Net|30368400|Empty Net (Scoring Chances #4)|Avon Gale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466517432s/30368400.jpg|50880651]). Ordinarily, I am thrilled when I see less known sexual/romantic/gender orientations represented within this genre ... in this case I was less thrilled for a number of reasons. The characteristics presented in this book did not necessarily reflect those often exhibited by those on the asexual spectrum (attraction appeared to be fairly instant and did not develop over time as the emotional bond formed) and the unfortunate portrayal of the asexual spectrum MC as "robotic" which is something many in the asexual community take exception to. Because asexuals do not experience sexual attraction the same way others do ... they are often to seen as sub-human (since many consider sexuality is considered to be such a big part of who a person is -- you will often hear the phase that it is what makes us human) and yes, often called robots (a kind of slur). So that was very unfortunate and probably unintentional? This was not helped by the somewhat creepy stalker-ish tendencies the same MC exhibited. Maybe cute in a romantic novel, it is disconcertingly unnerving when it happens in the real life ...
I am seeing more and more asexual spectrum representation in this genre which is fantastic! However, few accurately capture the experience and the risk of perpetuating harmful stereotypes exists. However, I will still commend the author for tackling a complicated sexual orientation and raising awareness ...
That said ... I read books 1 and 2 of this series and liked this book the best so far. The first two suffered from forced angst/tension and this does not have that ...
PS. I listened to this in audiobook format. Sometimes the narration was hard to follow ... particularly when the MCs mumbled or spoke quietly ... because the narrator did the same and it was hard to follow.
enemies2lover's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
papercranestitches's review against another edition
5.0
Note (added 11/03/2018):
In light of recent events, I can no longer recommend this book to my friends (or any reader, for that matter).
However, my Goodreads review space provides me an opportunity to rate and review books, expressing how they made me think, feel, question, or react at a particular moment in time. Sometimes, I use my review space to share stories about my life or comment on the world around me, drawing comparisons between myself and the characters and plot lines that I read about. As such, they are a time capsule of sorts and the historian in me won't let me erase them from the historical record.
So I am going to leave my ratings/reviews intact, but reiterate that I can no longer recommend this book to my friends.
Originally rating and/or review:
Erickson’s stories of emotional journeys and self-discovery are a hit with me every time. This is a special series. Period.
In light of recent events, I can no longer recommend this book to my friends (or any reader, for that matter).
However, my Goodreads review space provides me an opportunity to rate and review books, expressing how they made me think, feel, question, or react at a particular moment in time. Sometimes, I use my review space to share stories about my life or comment on the world around me, drawing comparisons between myself and the characters and plot lines that I read about. As such, they are a time capsule of sorts and the historian in me won't let me erase them from the historical record.
So I am going to leave my ratings/reviews intact, but reiterate that I can no longer recommend this book to my friends.
Originally rating and/or review:
Erickson’s stories of emotional journeys and self-discovery are a hit with me every time. This is a special series. Period.
taleisin's review
3.0
I liked Levi in "Out of Frame" and was happy to see that he got his own book. This story takes a self-proclaimed "high-maintenance" pretty boy, and puts him on the Appalachian trail. The setting added a lot. While there, he meets a man who is the opposite of what you'd think he'd be attracted to, what Levi thinks he is attracted to. It starts as friendship and companionable hiking and goes from there. I appreciated the military aspect to this romance (no more details ... spoilers).
"Trust the Focus" the first book in this series is still, by far, my favourite. Despite having some tropes I could have done without, "Overexposed" has slid into the #2 slot. Rated 3.5 stars.
"Trust the Focus" the first book in this series is still, by far, my favourite. Despite having some tropes I could have done without, "Overexposed" has slid into the #2 slot. Rated 3.5 stars.