M/M Month Review: Out of Bounds by T.A. Chase

Out of Bounds
~T.A. Chase

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 156 KB
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Publish Date: April 22, 2008
ASIN: B001892DIO


From the author's website:
Professional basketball player Kasey Johnson makes a point of keeping his sexual preference under guard and out of the public eye. Empty, off-season flings are all he can look forward to until he retires. He figures his secret is safe—until he meets Ingram Fletcher, a nightclub owner who ignites a passionate inferno in his body.

Gram has lusted after Kasey ever since the long, tall basketball player was traded to Phoenix a year ago. But with Kasey’s twin brother running interference, up until now Gram’s been unsure if it’s safe to make a play. Then some incidental contact in the crowded club leads to a kiss that starts Gram wondering if a relationship is possible—now, and beyond March Madness.

A romantic weekend together answers that question. Now the only one remaining is if Kasey is ready make a fast break out of his comfort zone.

Warning: This title contains explicit sex, graphic language, nekkid man love, creative usage of chocolate, whipped cream and strawberries.

Out of Bounds was a quick, fun read. Kasey Johnson is a professional basketball player, and his twin, Garrett, is a famous Hollywood actor. Both are gay, Garrett is out but Kasey isn't. As the story opens, Kasey is back from an out-of-town game, and Garrett wants him to go out to a local club with him – Garrett has just broken up with his long-term partner and wants to go have fun.

Ingram (Gram) Fletcher owns the Liverpool, the club near Kasey’s home. Gram has had his eye on Kasey forever, but doesn’t know if Kasey is straight or gay so he hasn’t made a move. When Garrett and Kasey get to the club, one of their friends casually mentions to Gram that Kasey’s in the back of the club and hints that Kasey might not rebuff advances from Gram. Then Garrett hints at the same thing. Deciding to take a chance, he heads over to see Kasey, and makes his move…and is rewarded with an enthusiastic response from Kasey.

Kasey and Gram decide to get together again, and begin dating. Since Kasey is “in” and Gram is “out”, it does make things a bit difficult. Kasey can’t afford a hint of of the truth getting out as the sports world is nowhere near as accepting as Hollywood is, and rumors already swirl about Kasey’s sexuality due to his twin being openly gay.

When Kasey and Grant get together for a weekend in New Orleans, things don’t go as planned and Kasey has to take a stand…

My thoughts: First of all, you know I'm a sucker for any book that takes place in part or whole in New Orleans :) I really did enjoy Out of Bounds though. Kasey was a sympathetic character (I seem to always sympathize with the ones in the closet, I guess, lol) and Gram was understanding of his situation. I find in a lot of the M/M stories the partner that is openly gay gets frustrated with the partner that is not; that Gram wasn't pushing Kasey was a refreshing change.

I had a bit of trouble with the opening scene – Kasey is very closeted and when Gram approached him in the club they started making out in public. I found that hard to believe, even if they were in the back of the VIP area. Except for that scene, though, I thought TA Chase did a great job with describing the setting and characters, and I could picture the events unfolding in my mind as I read along. Kasey’s homophobic teammates were hateful and I was glad he also had supportive teammates in the locker room.

I’m looking forward to reading his brother Garrett’s story next – High Line.

My Rating: