Lovely twist on the fake boyfriend trope

We first met Evan, Mitch, and many of the characters in this story in book 1 (Out in the Deep), so although it’s not entirely necessary to have read/listened to that first, I think it’s a good idea to get some background on these characters and the timeline as the two stories run concurrently.

I like how Lane Hayes creates her various series with a group of characters and in each subsequent story we find out more about one or two of them. In this series, one or both of the main characters are bisexual and are seniors (aged 23) at college. Here it is Evan who explores his previously suppressed bisexuality as he falls for Mitch.

Out in the End Zone is a twist on the fake boyfriends trope. Evan agrees to take part in Mitch’s YouTube/social media project where viewers have to decide whether or not they are in a real relationship. They pretend to be boyfriends for the camera, but behind the scenes they actually fall for each other. As with Derek and Gabe in book 1, Evan struggles with accepting his sexuality and wants to remain in the closet at first. Of course, Lane never makes it easy for the poor guys. Evan has to deal with a female admirer and a friend who is trying to push them together, which in turn threatens to come between Evan and Mitch. Evan also has to build up the courage to come out to his teammates and also his housemate, Derek.

This is an enjoyable, well-written story with some lovely steamy moments. The inevitable ‘break-up’ scene felt a little contrived and I didn’t fully understand Mitch’s thinking here. Other than that, the main characters are well portrayed and very likeable.

Michael Pauley’s narration is good. He created distinct voices to match the characters’ personalities. It was clear who was speaking throughout. The emotions and passion were expressed well and made the steamy scenes even hotter. The pacing and narrative style made for easy and enjoyable listening. I like that the same narrator is used throughout a series to maintain continuity of character voices.

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Easy low angst sweet read

Out in the End Zone is the second book in the Out in College series and runs parallel to the timeline in Book 1 - although you could read this as a standalone.

Evan shares a house with Derek (from book 1) and is a football player at a local college. Evan is sweet, loyal and easy going with a good sense of humour but due to a catastrophic event during high school, puts an end to professional football and he now tends to stick to the straight and narrow. However, he has started "crushing" on Mitch, fun, flirty, member of Derek's college cheer team and vlogger with a large following. Mitch is also in his final year and pitches his senior project to Evan who surprises him when he agrees to help the "faux or not" relationship on social media - a little fake boyfriend trope.

Again this is not dual POV and is told by Evan. I missed hearing from Mitch - he was the richer character and I needed his input at certain times. Evan falls heavy for Mitch and the senior project videos suddenly become too real, but Evan drags his coming out and this is made even harder when he becomes the focus of the faux videos going viral. Evan then only seems to be able to respond to Mitch when Mitch takes a leaf out of Derek's book and does the "I love you, but I will be a martyr to our relationship and break up with you so I can be happy"again it was *meh*

Another eyeroll for the female character - still trying to understand the "Nicole" role. However, I loved Mitch's Grandma, she was just fun and Evan's parents seemed warm and supportive.

The narrator was again Michael Pauley. He sounded a little more laid back with Evan, giving him an easy going voice and I enjoyed his "Mitch" - warm and vulnerable . The narrator pulled out his "hard" intonations and SHOUTY. LOUD. AND. INTENSE for the smexy time. Here, the ear-bashing, fast, bruising and frenzied couplings matched the scenes so well - even the breathlessness of the narrator against the microphone (however unintentional) made me flustered - in a good way!! There were still the odd occasion where he raced with oxygen vs finished sentence, but by then it was the closing scenes and I could overlook it.

Overall, this was an easy low angst read and Evan's coming out was epic, who could not swoon at that? It ends with an epilogue after graduation (although I would've liked to know what happened with Mitch's senior project) and leaves me with a contented sigh.

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Awesome

This story is so romantic and well written couldn't stop had to keep on listening 4 gours straight

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Wonderful!!

Loved this book, it's better than the first. Very interesting plot and eloquently narrated. Highly recommend!

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Aware

This is book #2 in the Out In College series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader understanding of the series, and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this series in order.

Evan and Mitch have mutual friends. They are often at parties and places together with their friends in common. When Mitch's project gives them reason to be together more often, Evan jumps at the chance.

Mitch is not sure what to think. He is grateful he has found someone open enough to the possibilities that he can finally get the test results for his project to be done. At the same time, he is incredibly attracted to Evan.

This to me, is a wonderful add to the series, as well as this author's finest book yet. I found the characters charming. Their story felt very real. I sure hope this is made into a movie. Would love to see this on the big screen. Narrated by Michael Pauley, it is a joy to listen to. He changes the sounds of the voices and makes it easy to tell whom is speaking. I found this to be a great addition to the Out In College series.

***This copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.

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Loving this series and Michael is fantastic!

Out in the End Zone is the second book in the Out in College series by the fabulous Lane Hayes. I'm a newish fan of Lane's and I'm so happy I discovered her. I've been looking forward to this story since the end of Out in the Deep!
As always, Michael Pauley was fantastic! I love how he uses his voice to show emotion. He brings these characters to life!

Evan is Derek's roommate. He's handsome, a little silly, funny, tells it like it is and better at relationships than he thinks. And he's Italian and I always have a soft spot for my fellow Italians. Mitch is Derek's friend and they don't really know each other too well until one night at a party. There has always been something about Mitch that calls to Evan. Mitch is pretty and fun and out. Evan is bi and not quite forthcoming about his status. But he knows love is love and he's comfortable with who he is. This story takes place at the same time as Derek and Gabe's and I loved how the same thing was going on with Evan and Derek. Mitch needs help with his senior project and Evan is the perfect person. Who would believe the straight, sexy football player is gay? But as Evan and Mitch pretend for the cameras their attraction becomes real. Mitch doesn't want to force Evan to do something he's not comfortable with, Evan needs to do it on his own. They both have painful pasts when it comes to love and trust. Can they put the past behind them and try to move forward together? I loved this story! Evan is just so perfect. He's adorkable, sexy, and actually romantic. I love how open he is with his feelings and how he shows Mitch that he wants him. Mitch is hilarious! I love how free he is. He knows who he is and he doesn’t care what people think. Evan and tall and dark and Mitch is smaller and light. They are opposites who fit perfectly together! Overall, I laughed, teared up, swooned, got hot and bothered and laughed some more. I loved the ending and I can't wait for more on this series!

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Holy sweetness

Another great book by Lane Hayes and narrated by MIchael Dean. Evan shocked Mitch with his take on love, and had a hard time believing him. Based on Mitch’s past, you couldn’t really blame him, though. Evan has to really put some effort into convincing him, too. He had his own demons to slay as well, before he could get there. Evan and Mitch were a lot of fun to read about. This is a stand alone, but the characters from the previous book was in the story, and so are the ones that will be in the next book. Reading them in order will add to the experience, but isn’t required.

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Great coming out story

Lane Hayes always creates such great characters that work their way into your heart. Evan and Mitch did just that. I adore how with this series Lane has brought to light the positive side and the optimism with self discovery and coming out. These books aren't all about the horrors of staying in the closet and the pressures of coming out or else. They're about loving and supporting your friends and allowing them to take the path they need. I adored Evans easy but apprehensive discovery of himself and how patient and understanding Mitch was with him. Love this series and I can't wait for more.

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A sweet opposites attract!💕

This was a sweet opposites attract romance.

Evan and Mitch wete adorable together and I loved listening to their story.

The setting of the story was interesting and the world building was engaging.

I am currently binge listening to this series in order and I'm absolutely loving it.

Michael Pauley as always performed an amazing audio delivery and narration!!

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Loved It!!

So many of my favorite tropes are all in this amazing story. Fake boyfriends, athletes, and coming out. I’m a huge sports fan, football in particular, so I was excited that Mitch’s story would be the next in the Out in College series.

Mitch is a football player, and not totally straight. Admittedly he’s probably “bi”. Evan is a cheerleader and is out and proudly gay. Mitch and Evan have always had the same circle of friends over the years, but haven’t really connected until they get to chatting at a party. Mitch asks Evan to participate in a project for school, essentially being fake boyfriends. As Evan spends more time with Mitch, he realizes he doesn’t want to be fake boyfriends and is decidedly bi. While Evan wants to be with Mitch, he has his own reasons for wanting to wait to come out. Mitch respects the fact that Evan needs to be ready, but he doesn’t want to be Evan’s fake anything.

I got all the feels with this story, I loved it and didn’t want it to end. I've been a huge fan of this series in ebook, and I was ecstatic when it came out in Audio. I can hardly wait until the next in the series is out on Audio - Out in the Offense. This is shaping up to be a go to re-read series for me.

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