Out of Nowhere (Gigi’s Review)

Title: Out of Nowhere (Middle of Somewhere #2)
Author: Roan Parrish
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 29, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary/Hurt/Healing/Comfort
Page Count: 274
Reviewed by: Gigi
Heat Level: 5 flames out of 5
Rating: 5+ stars out of 5
Blurb:

The only thing in Colin Mulligan’s life that makes sense is taking cars apart and putting them back together. In the auto shop where he works with his father and brothers, he tries to get through the day without having a panic attack or flying into a rage. Drinking helps. So do running and lifting weights until he can hardly stand. But none of it can change the fact that he’s gay, a secret he has kept from everyone.

Rafael Guerrera has found ways to live with the past he’s ashamed of. He’s dedicated his life to social justice work and to helping youth who, like him, had very little growing up. He has no time for love. Hell, he barely has time for himself. Somehow, everything about miserable, self-destructive Colin cries out to him. But down that path lie the troubles Rafe has worked so hard to leave behind. And as their relationship intensifies, Rafe and Colin are forced to dredge up secrets that both men would prefer stay buried.

First, some advice for those reading Out of Nowhere before release day: Re-read In the Middle of Somewhere now, if you can. This book runs parallel to the first book and events overlap. It confused me at first, so I want to make sure you guys aren’t confused. Spoiler below if for those that have already read In the Middle of Somewhere.

Spoiler

Remember the scene in the shed during the funeral in book 1? We see this from Colin’s POV in Out of Nowhere, along with many scenes with Daniel and Rex.

Colin Mulligan’s future looks bleak at best. He is ashamed of his homosexuality and uses his shame to punish himself physically when he has random sexual encounters with men. He drinks too much, works too much and his entire social life revolves around drinking beer and watching TV with his father and brothers. But one day, during a brutal beating by a homophobic asshole, brightness and warmth enter his life in the form of a knight in shining armor. Rafe Guerrera.

Rafe’s life is on the upswing as regretful events of his past quietly fade into the background. He has a fulfilling job working with LGBT youth and a supportive family but no time for a relationship. After meeting Colin at his lowest, he decides his attraction to the man is worth the time and effort it will take to make things right in Colin’s world.

Holy angst folks! This one is jam-packed with it. Colin is an absolute mess, as we saw in book 1, but those that think he has no redeeming qualities need to read this book! We only saw Colin through Danny’s eyes in book 1, but we see what makes him really tick here and there is a lot of good in this miserable man.

And Rafe. RAFE! I have many book boyfriends. Rex from In the Middle of Somewhere. Darian from Glitterland. Shane from Rattlesnake. Matt from Point of No Return. And now I have Rafe. Sweet, flawed, sinfully sexy, loving, dirty-talking Rafe. He is a fabulous character, one of the best I have ever read.

This is an absolute read-this-the-fuck-now book. I loved everything about it. I loved it as much as I loved the first book and cannot WAIT to read it again.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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