Out in the Deep (Audio Review)

Title: Out in the Deep (Out in College #1)
Author: Lane Hayes and Michael Pauley (Narrator)
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: January 17th 2019
Genre(s): Contemporary Sports Romance
Length: 4 hrs and 34 mins
Reviewed by: Belen
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Blurb:

Derek Vaughn is a little too serious. He’s a type A control personality with a penchant for order and a love of water polo. But he’s determined to enjoy his last year of college. The real world with a serious job and big expectations can wait for a few months. He’s going soak up every minute on campus with his friends and teammates before he moves on. The only possible kink in his plan is the new guy on the team… also known as his nemesis.

Gabe Chadwick has big Olympic dreams. His transfer between Southern California universities has nothing to do with scholastics. The degree is his backup plan. He’s not there to party or make friends. And he certainly isn’t going to announce his sexuality. But he can’t deny there’s something special about the uptight team captain. However, when an unwitting friendship and mutual attraction collide, both will have to decide if this is the real thing or if they’re about to lose it all in the deep.

This was surprisingly (at least to me) angsty, and I honestly wasn’t expecting it. Told entirely from Derek’s POV, I would have preferred to have Gabe’s POV as well. There were a couple of elements I don’t personally care for in books, namely Derek’s ex drama, and some miscommunication, and that’s just not my cuppa.

I liked the narration overall, especially as Michael Pauley uses distinct character voices and paces well, but I really think getting Gabe’s POV would have made this a much higher rating for me.

Single POV, sports romance with enemies to lovers, some angst, plenty of heat, and a happy ending.