One Out, One to Come: Two Quinn Anderson Novels

The Long Way Around by Quinn Anderson: Book is Out Now!

Review by Lauren

Source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Sam Cooper is the definition of an introvert: shy, bookish, and the sort to think a wild Friday night involves ordering takeout. He enjoys his quiet life, but after a bad breakup, he’s been yearning for a change of scenery. Luckily, his best friend and former college roommate has the solution.

Wesley Reed—a jokester and expert Sam-handler—proposes an epic road trip to a wedding across the country. They’re both between jobs and boyfriends. Why not hit the open road and make some memories?

Stuck in close quarters for the first time since their dorm days, they’re both surprised at the heat that springs up between them. As best friends, they’ve shared so much over the years, so why does sharing a hotel room—and occasionally a bed—make them want more? Chemistry this smoldering is hard to ignore, but there are roadblocks to their romance. Wesley’s keeping a secret, and Sam can’t rely on Wesley to drag him out of his comfort zone forever. If they’re not careful, their relationship may take the ultimate wrong turn.

Review: I really love friends-to-lover romances, and that’s what we get here when best friends Sam and Wes go on a road trip together. While I liked this book, I can’t say that I completely loved it. I think the whole “opposites attract” aspect worked well. Sam is more of an introvert, so Wes gets him out and enjoying life, while Sam keeps Wes from going too far off the deep end.

However, there is a secret that Wes is keeping. I think it becomes fairly clear as the book goes on, and it’s not anything relationship related, so no worries about that. I feel like it was handled fairly well, but the end of the book seemed to push things to a “better place” a bit too quick for me. It just didn’t seem entirely realistic. Granted, I did appreciate that both Sam and Wes grew up a lot throughout the book and came to the realizations of what they did and did not want in life, and in love, and I do think the guys were a good match! So in all, not a bad read!

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The Academy by Quinn Anderson: Released on September 17th

Review by Lauren

Source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Nick Steele just wants a normal life, cliché or not. He had one once, back in Chicago. Before his father died and he took a year off from college to grieve. Now, he’s starting fresh at a prestigious—but tiny—Catholic university. Adjusting to small-town life will be a challenge, along with making friends and keeping his scholarship. All he wants to do is blend in, get his diploma, and go back home.

But Sebastian Prinsen—campus heartthrob and a notorious player—has other plans. He notices Nick right away and makes a bet with his two best friends: Who can kiss the new kid first? Nick seems immune to Sebastian’s charms, and yet genuine chemistry sparks between them. Even worse, real feelings do too. Sebastian falls more and more every time Nick blows him off, but if he comes clean about the bet, Nick will hate him forever.

The last thing Nick wants is to fall in love while he’s still grieving, but Sebastian feels like home to him. Nick wants that so badly he may ignore the warning signs and risk his fragile heart once more.

Review: Despite rating both The Long Way Around and The Academy three stars, I will say that I enjoyed The Academy a lot more, so I’d recommend reading that one first if you’re trying to choose! I was a bit worried going into this book that religion would play a big role, since Nick is going to a small Catholic college – and he’s gay. However, it was never much of an issue, as there were plenty of out people on campus. This includes Sebastian Prinsen – who has a lot of gossip surrounding him; mainly that he’ll hook up with anyone and leaves broken hearts in his wake. This isn’t entirely the truth though.

Nick and Sebastian first start their “relationship” when Sebastian places a bet with his two friends on who can kiss the new kid first. Understandably, the friends don’t like the idea, but they can see that Sebastian seems unusually interested in Nick, so they decide to play along, hoping Sebastian will come to his senses…and maybe even get a real relationship out of the whole “bet.”

I really loved both Nick and Sebastian, and while the beginning of the relationship is based on “lies” so to speak, I did root for them. And don’t worry – Nick isn’t as in the dark about some things as you might first think based on the summary. Sebastian’s friends make sure of that – and I really loved both of them too!

I think Nick and Sebastian could really understand each other’s pain and when they were finally willing to be open with each other, it was clear that they could make a good couple if they just tried. While Sebastian seems to have the most issues being in a relationship, Nick has a few things to learn as well, and I appreciated that. Neither of them were perfect. The Academy kept me flipping the pages and wanting more, and sometimes that’s all you can ask for!