Out of Bounds

HAPPY ENDING AND MOSTLY HAPPY STORY! But some stressful moments SCORE TOTAL 90% minus 10% for the stressful parts but overall a fine read for romantic gay males! 👍👍👍👍👍would be great if there was a follow-up book but none so far sadly

For a book that wasn't too long, it packed SO much! Jesse and Nick's story started with trauma and loneliness from outside sources but turned into something so incredibly beautiful once they got to know each other. These men were literally made for each other. Jesse came into Nick's life while Jesse was in a bad place but from the beginning Nick saw something in Jesse that made him want to protect and just be around him and Nick was so amazing and patient and thoughtful. And Jesse never let Nick's past tell him that he wasn't worth it. Jesse believed in Nick and loved him and showed him that he wasn't alone anymore and would always have someone on his side. I seriously didn't want this book to end, but I'm so happy that I found it and that Jesse and Nick found each other

This is one hot, sexy book! This is the first book I’ve read by A.R. Barley (including books also written as Aleah Barley). Jesse was beaten when he mistakenly thought that his straight roommate wanted something more to their relationship; he was left broken and skittish and afraid someone else might hurt him. His new roommate, Nick, is intimidating due to his size; he dwarfs Jesse. Their first meeting is a bit less than pleasant; Nick is asleep and hasn’t been warned that he’s about to get a roommate. Nick hates that Jesse practically cowers whenever they are in their dorm room together. He knows that Jesse has been hurt but he doesn’t know the details. Nick comes up with a plan to try and put Jesse at ease – draw a line down the middle of the room. Each of their sides is out of bounds for the other and a penalty must be paid if the boundary is crossed. The plan works and Jesse gradually becomes more comfortable with Nick but he’s also afraid of the feelings he’s having for Nick, who he is certain is straight. Jesse is afraid that life will repeat what happened to him with his former roommate and he doesn’t know that Nick has been having fantasies about him for some time now and certainly isn’t straight. A. R. Barley’s writing is descriptive and moving; I couldn’t help but feel the pain that Jesse feels and also feel for Nick about his childhood trauma. This book contains lots of strong language and the sexy scenes really sizzle but I like how Jesse and Nick didn’t feel insta love for each other and that their relationship was allowed to develop a bit before they finally did the deed. This book is part of a series but is also a standalone. There is a rich cast of secondary characters and I look forward to reading their stories. *****Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions***** I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.