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heabooknerd's review
3.0
OUT OF NOWHERE jumps right in from where EDGE OF NOWHERE left off and it took me a minute to reorient myself in this world. But once I did, I liked learning more about Aidan and the Runners Union. He's used to working under the radar because his status in the public eye has made him a target, but this time he needs the media's attention to take down Quint. I liked Aidan but I really enjoyed Caleb who has a bit of a softer side.
Caleb and Aidan have been friends forever and while Aidan has crushed on Caleb for many years, Caleb has always been straight. Or has he? This was where things got interesting as Caleb explored this new part of his identity. As a bonus, OUT OF NOWHERE includes a fake relationship, which I didn't know going in and was really excited to see, and it was fun watching Aiden and Caleb squirm over playing a loving couple in public.
I do wish this had included more science fiction elements since that's what I loved about the previous book. Most of the story takes place on Earth as Caleb and Aidan work to take down Quint and there isn't as much about the Nowhere. But overall, I liked this one and I'll be curious to see what comes next.
ARC provided by the author for honest review
Content Warning: References to hero's imprisonment and torture
Caleb and Aidan have been friends forever and while Aidan has crushed on Caleb for many years, Caleb has always been straight. Or has he? This was where things got interesting as Caleb explored this new part of his identity. As a bonus, OUT OF NOWHERE includes a fake relationship, which I didn't know going in and was really excited to see, and it was fun watching Aiden and Caleb squirm over playing a loving couple in public.
I do wish this had included more science fiction elements since that's what I loved about the previous book. Most of the story takes place on Earth as Caleb and Aidan work to take down Quint and there isn't as much about the Nowhere. But overall, I liked this one and I'll be curious to see what comes next.
ARC provided by the author for honest review
Content Warning: References to hero's imprisonment and torture
nolemdaer's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Huh . . . this book felt like a whole lot of nothing. The plot mostly consisted of going on talk shows, and the main relationship felt devoid of tension or drive when it should've been deep and intense. Quick to read, but I'm left wondering if anything actually "happened" of emotional note.
princessleopard's review against another edition
3.0
Preface: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The blurb I received on the review site didn't make it entirely clear that this was a sequel, so it took me a little while to get used to the cast and figure out what had happened in the previous installment, but once I did, it was interesting enough. I will definitely say that there is little to no real "story" here - the "plot" exists solely to further the romance, and everything else is just window dressing. The circumstances behind the fake dating stuff make no sense, the whole concept of a multiverse is barely dwelt upon, and the romance itself is pretty quick to get off the ground - Caleb goes from questioning his sexuality to, well, bottoming reaaaally quick, like maybe 2-3 days all told.
That being said, the characters are nice enough, there's lots of representation, there's nothing icky about the romance (aside from the fact that he wakes up to his sexuality via smooching his double, which...why?), and things tie up neatly. Just don't expect any real thought or reasoning behind the fluff.
The blurb I received on the review site didn't make it entirely clear that this was a sequel, so it took me a little while to get used to the cast and figure out what had happened in the previous installment, but once I did, it was interesting enough. I will definitely say that there is little to no real "story" here - the "plot" exists solely to further the romance, and everything else is just window dressing. The circumstances behind the fake dating stuff make no sense, the whole concept of a multiverse is barely dwelt upon, and the romance itself is pretty quick to get off the ground - Caleb goes from questioning his sexuality to, well, bottoming reaaaally quick, like maybe 2-3 days all told.
That being said, the characters are nice enough, there's lots of representation, there's nothing icky about the romance (aside from the fact that he wakes up to his sexuality via smooching his double, which...why?), and things tie up neatly. Just don't expect any real thought or reasoning behind the fluff.
madscientistcat's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, and Sexual content
redhairedashreads's review
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
This book picks up right after the previous one ends. Aiden Blackwood has survived being experimented on by Quint Services but is now determined to bring down Oswin Quint for his actions. Aiden is the leader of the Runners Union and I enjoyed getting to learn more about him, the union, and why he does what he does. Aiden was an interesting character. I enjoyed seeing him open up some and learn to let himself be loved.
Caleb was a sweet man who risked his life to rescue Aiden. Caleb and Aiden have been friends since they were children and Caleb continues to look out for Aiden as an adult. He is the one person Aiden knows he can trust. Aiden has had a crush on Caleb for years, but it wasn’t until after Caleb rescued Aiden that he realized he felt more than friendship. I enjoyed seeing Caleb explore his sexuality and accept the fact he is bisexual. Also, I really enjoyed that this started as a fake relationship because it's one of my favorite tropes and I wasn’t expecting it. It was great seeing these two fight their feelings while trying to play a fake couple.
The plot to bring Quint down wasn’t what I expected. They end up getting help from other realms and it was a very interesting concept. I was a bit disappointed that most of this story focused on Earth and taking down Quint. I was expecting more about the Nowhere and the rift that was created. Overall, I enjoyed this one and look forward to seeing what happens next in Nowhere.
Trigger Warnings: references to imprisonment and torture
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement and Torture
jlen's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
First, I should start by saying I did not read the first book in this series. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I felt like some of the character connections would have been deeper if I had read the first book. Even with that, I did enjoy this book. It had a fun story line, spicy romance, and twists and turns I did not expect. At times it moved a bit too slowly for me and I lost interest and put it down, but it always picked back up. I am on the fence about reading the first book, and any more that may come, but probably will eventually.
First, I should start by saying I did not read the first book in this series. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I felt like some of the character connections would have been deeper if I had read the first book. Even with that, I did enjoy this book. It had a fun story line, spicy romance, and twists and turns I did not expect. At times it moved a bit too slowly for me and I lost interest and put it down, but it always picked back up. I am on the fence about reading the first book, and any more that may come, but probably will eventually.
poplora's review
4.0
3.5
Some bits were weird and didn't make sense but I'm enjoying the series and world too
Some bits were weird and didn't make sense but I'm enjoying the series and world too
wordnerdy's review
3.0
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2021/08/2021-book-166.html
So this one was a little less awesome, because I wasn’t as into the characters, minor characters from the first book—the teleporter who's trying to start a union (cool) and his best friend since childhood (Jewish), who is maybe not as straight as they both thought. The plot here is also egregiously silly—they want to kidnap a guy from an alternate reality who is the double of the bad guy in /their/ reality, and make him confess to the bad guy's bad doings. And everyone just goes along with it!! Plotting is definitely the weak element here, but the end was pretty cute. I don’t think I’ll read the third one in this series; I was hoping it’d be about some of the local lesbians, but it’s about two of the stoic dude scientists I don’t care about. The author has a fantasy series I might check out instead. B.
So this one was a little less awesome, because I wasn’t as into the characters, minor characters from the first book—the teleporter who's trying to start a union (cool) and his best friend since childhood (Jewish), who is maybe not as straight as they both thought. The plot here is also egregiously silly—they want to kidnap a guy from an alternate reality who is the double of the bad guy in /their/ reality, and make him confess to the bad guy's bad doings. And everyone just goes along with it!! Plotting is definitely the weak element here, but the end was pretty cute. I don’t think I’ll read the third one in this series; I was hoping it’d be about some of the local lesbians, but it’s about two of the stoic dude scientists I don’t care about. The author has a fantasy series I might check out instead. B.
terriaminute's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I thought for awhile that the author didn't start this with the clearest idea of the main characters. But at the first plot twist, I blinked twice, genuinely surprised. So.
It is not a fast read, it builds on the first book and there are a lot of complications, some of which Aiden causes. But I really, really enjoyed those last several chapters, and I will be reading book 3. Congrats, author, on making book 2 this strong. Notably, there are very few typos, a sign of a very good editor/copy editor. Bravo.
It is not a fast read, it builds on the first book and there are a lot of complications, some of which Aiden causes. But I really, really enjoyed those last several chapters, and I will be reading book 3. Congrats, author, on making book 2 this strong. Notably, there are very few typos, a sign of a very good editor/copy editor. Bravo.