Book Spotlight: Out of Frame (In Focus #3) by Megan Erickson

Out of Frame
In Focus #3

By:
Megan Erickson

Published: 
March 15, 2016

Publisher:
Berkley Romance

Source:
eARC from the publisher in exchange for a honest review

Add to
Goodreads

GR's Summary:

Romance trades the open road for the high seas in the latest from the author of Focus on Me and Trust the Focus... 

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... 

In Focus Series:
My Review on Trust the Focus Here
My Review on Focus on Me Here

*Add this Series to Goodreads Here

My Thoughts:

The In Focus Series by Megan Erickson is such a romantic LGBT series.  I love this series, and have grown an attachment to all of these couples.  Each story in this series is diverse, unique, heartwarming, sexy, and will give readers a case of the "feels!"  All of the stories in this series can be read as standalones, but have connections through friendship and family with the other characters in previous books. 

Out of Frame is the story of Quinn Mathers and J.R. Butler.  It is told from their dual perspectives, which made me feel especially close to and able to connect with both of these characters.  Quinn and his best friend, Jess, have saved up to take an epic Caribbean Cruise during spring break their senior year of college.  The cast of the popular reality show, Trip League, will be on board also, and this is something that both Quinn and Jess are very excited about.

Quinn is very fascinated by J.R. Butler, one of the members of the reality show.  He's curious if there is more to J.R. than the show portrays, which is an alpha male with a bad temper.  J.R. is bisexual, but he signed a contract with his agent saying that he would play the part of a heterosexual male for Trip League.  When J.R. was nineteen, he hadn't thought the consequences of this action through, because he wanted to break in to acting.  To top it off J.R.'s brother has sickle cell anemia, and his family needs as much financial help as possible.

When J.R. see's Quinn for the first time, he can't take his eyes off of him.  He finds him attractive, but knows that he must keep his distance from the temptation that Quinn poses.  However, as the cruise gets underway, J.R. and Quinn keep running in to one another, and put in to situations that bring them closer to one another.  Finally J.R. tells Quinn his secret, and these two become enamored with one another.  They must be careful to not get caught being affectionate or intimate with one another or J.R. could lose his job.  What will happen when the cruise comes to an end?  Will J.R. risk his career and earning capacity in order to take a chance on love?

Out of Frame was such a fun story.  I've never been on a cruise before, and felt like I was right alongside Quinn, Jess, J.R. and the cast of Trip League as they drank, danced, gambled, karaoked, and engaged in many fun shenanigans and adventures!  I enjoyed the romance, chemistry, and connection that developed between Quinn and J.R.  They brought out the best in one another, and by the time the trip had come to an end, both characters grew and matured.  Quinn went from being a constant worrier, and depending on his parents to make his decisions, to taking more risks and growing up.  J.R. went from playing a persona that was chosen for him, to being himself.

The epilogue of Out of Frame, gave me a huge case of the warm fuzzes.  I got to be reunited with the main characters from the two previous books in the series.  I had really missed Justin, Landry, Colin, and Riley.  I felt like I was being reunited with long lost friends, as all of these characters came together!  

I already cannot wait to read the next book in the series, Overexposed, which will be Levi Grainger's story, one of the secondary characters that we meet in this book.  Levi was a part of the cast for Trip League, and was the token gay male on the reality show.

My Rating:

I give, Out of Frame, by Megan Erickson, 4 Caribbean Escape, Heartwarming and Heartfelt, Sizzling Connection, Taking Control of Your Life, Filled Stars!    

Book Teasers:

Purchase At:

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About Megan Erickson:

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’5” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf. 

She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction. 

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf.

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