Out of Frame

In Focus, Book #3

By Meg Erickson

IBSN: 9781101988602

 

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Una

Synopsis:

Perpetually shy, Quinn Mathers is content to remain in the shadow of his brash best friend Jess Hartman. But before their college graduation, he and Jess have planned one last hurrah: a spring break Caribbean cruise.

And it won’t be just any cruise. On board are members of the reality show Trip League, which follows young twenty-somethings on adventures around the world. Since the show’s beginning, Quinn has been fascinated by J. R. Butler, with his amazing body, warm eyes, and killer grin. Unfortunately, he’s straight—or so the world thinks.

At nineteen, J. R. signed a contract to play straight for the show, and there’s no way to get out of it now. Yet with each passing day, Quinn and J. R. find it harder to keep their hands off each other and to keep out of the camera’s frame. But when the lens finally focuses on them, J. R. must decide if he’s willing to risk his career by admitting his bisexuality, and Quinn must determine if he’s bold enough to stand in the spotlight with the man of his dreams…

Review:

Meg Erikson again did not disappoint the reader in Out of Frame. Although I was not sure of the setting which was a spring break Caribbean Cruise I was totally immersed in her character development and the flow of the story.

The story starts with two best friends Quinn a young gay and his best friend Jess having decided to take an adventure with a spring break cruise as payment for all their hard work at school. With the reality show on board both Quinn and Jess are fascinated by the show’s characters and hope that maybe they will be able to meet their favorites. Quinn has been fascinated with J.R Butler who he thinks is straight and Jess is enamored by one of the show’s leading men. Quinn came out when he was 16 and is comfortable with his sexuality however he is reeling from a relationship gone bad when his partner hid their relationship to others. Also, Quinn comes from an overprotective set of parents and he knows that eventually he will have to stand up to them if he wants to succeed and be happy as an adult.

J.R is bisexual but has yet to come out. He also comes from a close family and is doing everything to provide for his brother who has sickle cell anemia and needs a transplant. He took this job so that he could send home money but the stipulation was that the role was for a black straight guy. Admitting his sexuality could literally destroy his career or so he thinks.

All is well until Quinn and J.R meet and the chemistry is apparent. J.R finds he is divulging things to Quinn that he has never told anyone and vice versa. Keeping their feelings in check and away from the camera is a challenge. They both realize that the trip will soon end and life will go on with or without each other. Both Quinn and J.R. will have to make decisions that will affect their futures.

I loved how the author at the end intertwines the characters from the two previous books. You don’t need to have read them but it was nice to be introduced to them again. I for one look forward to other Meg Erikson stories.