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beatha_82's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
"Out of touch" is a journey of self discovery and love, of heartache and loss and trauma.It's a story of two men who met when they were teenagers and fell in love but fate had other plans and kept them apart for years.
The first part of the book is set in 2008 and both Teddy and Vincent are living abroad, in different countries, and meet through Facebook. In 2008 I was also studying in another country, Facebook was just starting to get popular and I was also in a long distance relationship. I really really related to both Teddy and Vincent, I just connected with them immediately. Their story broke my heart, made me cry but also gave me hope and made me smile. I loved them both very much and I was really rooting for them. I wanted them to be together and I wanted them to be happy and fulfill their dreams.
It was a wonderful book and a wonderful journey. I loved following Vincent and Teddy and their happily ever after warmed my heart.
The first part of the book is set in 2008 and both Teddy and Vincent are living abroad, in different countries, and meet through Facebook. In 2008 I was also studying in another country, Facebook was just starting to get popular and I was also in a long distance relationship. I really really related to both Teddy and Vincent, I just connected with them immediately. Their story broke my heart, made me cry but also gave me hope and made me smile. I loved them both very much and I was really rooting for them. I wanted them to be together and I wanted them to be happy and fulfill their dreams.
It was a wonderful book and a wonderful journey. I loved following Vincent and Teddy and their happily ever after warmed my heart.
riseandspine's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Out of Touch is a story that feels like a real life love story. It isn’t always rainbows and unicorns, and throughout a lot of the story you just don’t know how these two boys are going to get through it all. But I think this story goes well beyond love story. This is a story about life, about struggles, about the universe taking swings, and most importantly, it is a story about two people (and those around them) working past all of it to come out the other side.
I was roughly the same age as these characters throughout the story, so I really appreciated the nostalgic look back through time that this book gave me. I think I related to both Teddy and Vincent in so many ways because of our age matching, despite me having very little experience with the places and cultures they lived.
I consider a book to be good or great based on how it makes me feel. If the emotions and the experience come through to me, it is a great book. I don’t think that a book has to be the most poetically written, or that it has to have a perfect plot line and be completely realistic, I just think it has to make me feel the feels. The more feels the better. This one delivered. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Michael Sarais and Pride Book Tours for providing me a copy of this ebook for free.
This book has a lot of difficult and troubling pieces (as does life for most people), so be sure to check out the Content Warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Medical content
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, and Death of parent
georginap92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A huge thank you to @PrideBookTours and @MichaelSarais and for a gifted copy of this lovely eBook to read and review - all thoughts are my own.
Out of Touch is a real coming of age story, set in three different time periods and stages of the two MCs lives; Teddy and Vincent. Both are exchange students experiencing their own traumas and issues in foreign countries, when by pure chance Teddy adds Vincent – a stranger – on Facebook, and they quickly become more than pen pals, this story takes you on an emotional and heartfelt rollercoaster as both males remain just “out of touch”
This was a very engrossing read with quick chapters, and split into three parts; starting with both MCs as young 18y olds embarking on new adventures and heartbreaks, the story continues to alternate between both Teddy and Vincents perspectives, and each part of the book jumps in time, with part two being set around 24/25 for the MCs, and part three when they are 30. Part one for me personally felt slightly rushed in places with both MC’s suddenly going from general chats to having phone sex, especially when Vincent was unsure of his sexuality, I felt a little bit more time could have been spent with Vincent and him understanding/finding himself.
However, parts two and three were wonderful, watching both characters grow and remain a constant in each other's life was lovely, I did spend the entire of the book shipping them and just hoping for a lovely happy ending. The world building was gorgeous, and it felt so realistic flicking between Stockholm, London, Perth, Sydney and Italy, this book just made me want to go on an adventure and experience the sights myself, the London scene with Teddy, Vincent, Hazel and Laura was adorable.
Whilst talking about characters, I will say they were all written so wonderfully that these feel like they were based off real people, Teddy came across as the caring, family first gentleman, and Vincent came across as sweet and strong but with the inability to open up, and those side characters; Laura and Hazel I loved them both and how supportive they were, and I just felt a real sense of comradery when they all came together!
I will say that despite the cover looking stunning and seeming like a happy summer read, this book is quite heavy in places, there are a few triggers in this book such as rape on page, sexually graphic scenes, terminal health condition, drug use/abuse and death. But all these triggering events were written caringly and added to the characters depth and understanding their psyche.
This is a book I was grateful to read, and really does make you believe in serendipity, I just love it when fate is at play!
Out of Touch is a real coming of age story, set in three different time periods and stages of the two MCs lives; Teddy and Vincent. Both are exchange students experiencing their own traumas and issues in foreign countries, when by pure chance Teddy adds Vincent – a stranger – on Facebook, and they quickly become more than pen pals, this story takes you on an emotional and heartfelt rollercoaster as both males remain just “out of touch”
This was a very engrossing read with quick chapters, and split into three parts; starting with both MCs as young 18y olds embarking on new adventures and heartbreaks, the story continues to alternate between both Teddy and Vincents perspectives, and each part of the book jumps in time, with part two being set around 24/25 for the MCs, and part three when they are 30. Part one for me personally felt slightly rushed in places with both MC’s suddenly going from general chats to having phone sex, especially when Vincent was unsure of his sexuality, I felt a little bit more time could have been spent with Vincent and him understanding/finding himself.
However, parts two and three were wonderful, watching both characters grow and remain a constant in each other's life was lovely, I did spend the entire of the book shipping them and just hoping for a lovely happy ending. The world building was gorgeous, and it felt so realistic flicking between Stockholm, London, Perth, Sydney and Italy, this book just made me want to go on an adventure and experience the sights myself, the London scene with Teddy, Vincent, Hazel and Laura was adorable.
Whilst talking about characters, I will say they were all written so wonderfully that these feel like they were based off real people, Teddy came across as the caring, family first gentleman, and Vincent came across as sweet and strong but with the inability to open up, and those side characters; Laura and Hazel I loved them both and how supportive they were, and I just felt a real sense of comradery when they all came together!
I will say that despite the cover looking stunning and seeming like a happy summer read, this book is quite heavy in places, there are a few triggers in this book such as rape on page, sexually graphic scenes, terminal health condition, drug use/abuse and death. But all these triggering events were written caringly and added to the characters depth and understanding their psyche.
This is a book I was grateful to read, and really does make you believe in serendipity, I just love it when fate is at play!
fanboyriot's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
♡ Pen Pals
♡ Angst with a Happy Ending
♡ Foreign Exchange Students
Well, what a roller coaster ride with this book was. There are three parts to this book and each part has a completely different vibe to it. This book was way more hurt than comfort and I just didn’t vibe with that much of the story past part one. There was just too much of an on again off again vibe for me. However, I liked the characters and the plot was good, while it focused way too much on the hurtful moments—and I’m aware books don’t have to be all sunshine and rainbows but I wish there was a bit more balance to it.
Part One
This was by far my favorite part. I loved the characters, the friendships, and the storyline. It was very well written and cute. Teddy and Vincent becoming pen pal friends after finding each other through an exchange program’s Facebook. They have a well developed friendship that slowly builds to more. Also, Hazel was so iconic in this part of the book, she was such a great friend.
Part Two
Oh my god, the end of part one and all of part two were quite depressing. This hit hard into the angst vibes. If I’m being honest I didn’t quite care for this storyline as much. It was so devastating and sad with what happened with both main characters. And I hated reading all of the stuff about Vincent ending up in such a toxic relationship. It was also a bit more detailed than I thought it would be to be honest. It was so uncomfortable to read which from a writer point of view it was actually well written. The PTSD felt so real and devastating. The nurse Teddy met with made me uncomfortable as well. Also I low-key hated Hazel in this part of the book.
My main thought through this part was: Why was the bulk of this so sad, “we can’t be together” but why? Your life sucks already why not just at least be with the person you want??? You have zero losses. You both had lives that fell apart so why are you going back to the bad? “Let’s make it worse” apparently applies.
The fact Vincent even married Kyle made me so mad. Like, your soon to be husband does coke on your wedding day and you still go through with it!!?? What is wrong with you?? You deserve better Vincent.
Part Three
This part was slightly better than part two. When life brings them back together I feel like it was way too glossed over. Like we went through all of the hell of part two and only get a few happy chapters?? It wasn’t as balanced out as I had hoped. Also Mitchell was so damn annoying. I thought he’d get better and having to deal with everything that he did but dude was just so rude. Stop dragging others into your drama at some point, please.
Thank you to the author and PrideBookTours over on Instagram for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧💧💧 (4/5)
POV: Duel, First Person
Release Date: 19, September 2024
Rep: Gay (Main Characters)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
sydverse's review
5.0
Buddy read this with my brother for a book club! This was such a delightful surprise in how much I loved this book and how emotional it was. I don’t typically gravitate towards the right person/wrong time stories (too much angst for me) so had we not decided on this for book club I probably wouldn’t have ever had this book on my radar, but wow this was great! Both humorous which also heart breaking and weaving those two together in a way that allowed this story to tell such a beautiful tale which never feeling too heavy for me. I laughed, I cried a little, I got angry, I just felt so many things!! And whenever a book is able to make me feel so viscerally like that it’s an automatic 5/5. My one complaint was that, at times, the writing style (consisting often of very short sentences that were very simple and to the point) grated me especially at the beginning. The books I’ve read recently have all been very focused on prose and had very whimsical writing styles, so getting used to this book took some time. Once I got a bit into Part 1 I didn’t notice it anymore, and I don’t this the more simple writing hinders the ability of the story to unfold and get across the intended emotions, but I do remember texting my brother a few times saying I was missing commas :,-). Like I said though, I got used to it and it didn’t hurt the actual story, just a personal thing!
Overall a beautiful story about love, grief, and perseverance that will probably stick with me for some time and one I’m very glad I stumbled upon!
netslummer's review
5.0
Teddy Clarke is sick of being stood up by his boyfriend. He came back to Italy to see if they could make the relationship work, after all. After his year abroad in Italy and he returned to Australia, Teddy postponed his life to come back and now the jerk is standing him up. In a rage-filled Facebook moment (that only could happen in 2008) Teddy decides to send a friend request to a random guy who popped up in his "people you may know" section. Enter Vincent Stewart.
Vincent is suffering through his year abroad; his host mother is rude and constantly belittling him. If it wasn't for his best friends Hazel and Daniel, Vincent would risk changing families and having to move elsewhere in Sweden. After some scathing remarks from his host mother, as usual, Vincent runs off to his bedroom and has a good cry...and notices a random friend request from an Australian in Italy named Teddy Clarke. Taking a chance he sends Teddy a message and starts a decade-long connection that will change their lives.
In three parts, starting in 2008 and moving to 2014 and then 2020, Out of Touch tells the story of a deep connection between Teddy and Vincent and how their lives change, they lose touch, and come back together over and over like magnets. If you've read anything by Sarais before it won't come as a surprise that this book is a lot deeper and heavier than you'd expect from the blurb (be sure to check trigger warnings). Sarais made me immediately care deeply about both of the boys and I ended up devouring this in literally one day. I loved watching them grow even if they had to go through some rough times. Hazel and Laura (Teddy's host-sister in Italy) are wonderful and I love that they maintained such a deep connection with the boys long after their time studying abroad. I was a bit bummed that Daniel didn't have a larger part to play in the whole book as he was just as charming a side-character as the two girls. All-in-all I really had a good time with this book and was sad when I realized I was on the last chapter. I would've loved even more of these two circling each other.
Thank you to the author Michael Sarais for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Vincent is suffering through his year abroad; his host mother is rude and constantly belittling him. If it wasn't for his best friends Hazel and Daniel, Vincent would risk changing families and having to move elsewhere in Sweden. After some scathing remarks from his host mother, as usual, Vincent runs off to his bedroom and has a good cry...and notices a random friend request from an Australian in Italy named Teddy Clarke. Taking a chance he sends Teddy a message and starts a decade-long connection that will change their lives.
In three parts, starting in 2008 and moving to 2014 and then 2020, Out of Touch tells the story of a deep connection between Teddy and Vincent and how their lives change, they lose touch, and come back together over and over like magnets. If you've read anything by Sarais before it won't come as a surprise that this book is a lot deeper and heavier than you'd expect from the blurb (be sure to check trigger warnings). Sarais made me immediately care deeply about both of the boys and I ended up devouring this in literally one day. I loved watching them grow even if they had to go through some rough times. Hazel and Laura (Teddy's host-sister in Italy) are wonderful and I love that they maintained such a deep connection with the boys long after their time studying abroad. I was a bit bummed that Daniel didn't have a larger part to play in the whole book as he was just as charming a side-character as the two girls. All-in-all I really had a good time with this book and was sad when I realized I was on the last chapter. I would've loved even more of these two circling each other.
Thank you to the author Michael Sarais for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
rosebudthom's review
4.0
My exact words to my best friend were "this is such an adorable gay lil book until it isn't". That about sums this Out of Touch up, and I truly mean that in the best way! It was equal parts devastating and hilarious, adorable and heartbreaking.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tidbits throughout time, particularly throwbacks to peak Millennial culture when this book starts off in 2008. Every twist and turn is swimming in culture from all over the world, and not just stuff you'd get from a generic Google search, but things I found myself truly connecting with... You know, like drinking goon bags off a clothesline
I thoroughly enjoyed the tidbits throughout time, particularly throwbacks to peak Millennial culture when this book starts off in 2008. Every twist and turn is swimming in culture from all over the world, and not just stuff you'd get from a generic Google search, but things I found myself truly connecting with... You know, like drinking goon bags off a clothesline
danskireads's review
4.0
There’s a full-throated love story at the heart of this book, but don’t be lulled into thinking this is a simple romance. It’s far from it.
This book is not a light read. The trigger warning list is long. This is a book about dealing with trauma, dealing with degenerative disease, and dealing with the impacts of these unfairnesses (and others) on people’s lives. It deals with some very heavy stuff. Please read the trigger warning if you’re likely to be affected by anything.
To the story. It starts with two exchange students who connect online through a mutual friend and fall for each other. It starts out very sweet (evil exchange mother aside) but then the author starts dropping pebbles into the water… and that’s where things really take a turn (or five).
The author has bitten off a lot here, and he’s weaved quite the globetrotting story. It meanders across countries and continents and a dozen years. The scale is huge. So it’s a credit to his skill that he’s achieved so much intimacy in the story told. That’s no easy feat.
It’s also entertaining. There are moments of levity to balance out the dark, there are moments of sweetness and of romance, and there are moments of joy. Teddy and Vincent are very likable and it’s easy to get invested in them and their relationship. I was literally slapping my forehead at various points, as they made terrible decisions that kept them from what their hearts really wanted.
But, make no bones about it, this book will leave you emotionally shattered. At times, it was a bit much for me. That’s not really about the text, that’s about me the reader, but it is why I’m urging you to take the trigger warnings seriously and to go in with your loins girded if need be.
Thank you to the author for generously providing me with an ARC of this book. That’s got to be a nerve-wracking thing and I very much appreciate him trusting a total stranger from Instagram.
This book is not a light read. The trigger warning list is long. This is a book about dealing with trauma, dealing with degenerative disease, and dealing with the impacts of these unfairnesses (and others) on people’s lives. It deals with some very heavy stuff. Please read the trigger warning if you’re likely to be affected by anything.
To the story. It starts with two exchange students who connect online through a mutual friend and fall for each other. It starts out very sweet (evil exchange mother aside) but then the author starts dropping pebbles into the water… and that’s where things really take a turn (or five).
The author has bitten off a lot here, and he’s weaved quite the globetrotting story. It meanders across countries and continents and a dozen years. The scale is huge. So it’s a credit to his skill that he’s achieved so much intimacy in the story told. That’s no easy feat.
It’s also entertaining. There are moments of levity to balance out the dark, there are moments of sweetness and of romance, and there are moments of joy. Teddy and Vincent are very likable and it’s easy to get invested in them and their relationship. I was literally slapping my forehead at various points, as they made terrible decisions that kept them from what their hearts really wanted.
But, make no bones about it, this book will leave you emotionally shattered. At times, it was a bit much for me. That’s not really about the text, that’s about me the reader, but it is why I’m urging you to take the trigger warnings seriously and to go in with your loins girded if need be.
Thank you to the author for generously providing me with an ARC of this book. That’s got to be a nerve-wracking thing and I very much appreciate him trusting a total stranger from Instagram.
loveislovereview's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
The author masterly captured the lives of Teddy and Vincent for over a decade. It isn’t a simple read. It’s heartbreaking, devastating, and hugely enthralling.
We get to meet them first separately, Vincent Stewart is seventeen in 2008 and lives in Sweden with a host family as an exchange student from the UK. Is it nice to live with that family? No! His host mom is constantly throwing him stinging comments. (I wanted to smack her, hard!)
At the same time, eighteen-year-old Teddy Clarke takes a sabbatical for a few months, from Australia all the way to Sardinia, Italy. To be with his boyfriend, before he starts his flight steward course. Said boyfriend... stood him up!
Vincent and Teddy connect through Facebook and start chatting, and soon on a daily basis. The highlight of their days.
They yearn to see each other in real life, the need is getting stronger, and when the occasion turns up, they meet up in London.
‘Vincent,’ he said.
My name a whisper and salvation from his lips.
‘Teddy,’ I breathed.
So far their first meeting in real life, and their promise to meet again and do amazing things.
Sadly, life took a huge turn on them. TW!
‘I have felt so alone,’ I sobbed. ‘And then you came.‘
We make a jump in time. Vincent lives in the UK, and Teddy in Australia. Their friendship is somewhat on hold.
Both are trapped by heavy-loaded circumstances. It was hard devastating and bittersweet. Two guys who love each other, and somehow seem to have to live without each other.
“It's always the case of not being at the right place at the right time”
There’s another jump in time. I have to keep faith, or else I'm gonna scream.
The common thread through the story is where Teddy and Vincent are and how their relationship slash friendship develops, parallel are the stories about their daily lives, separately, my goodness what both had to digest through life. More TW!
It was so awfully real, raw, and so near, the struggles they had to go through, my heart hurt and cried for them.
I don’t want to spoil the details but believe me when I say it’s all meaningful and significant.
It was a beautifully and strongly written story, I read and read, couldn’t sleep because of them, and when I finished I was satisfied. Looking back to all those years, and what they’ve been through, I think I can conclude it was a grand story!
We get to meet them first separately, Vincent Stewart is seventeen in 2008 and lives in Sweden with a host family as an exchange student from the UK. Is it nice to live with that family? No! His host mom is constantly throwing him stinging comments. (I wanted to smack her, hard!)
At the same time, eighteen-year-old Teddy Clarke takes a sabbatical for a few months, from Australia all the way to Sardinia, Italy. To be with his boyfriend, before he starts his flight steward course. Said boyfriend... stood him up!
Vincent and Teddy connect through Facebook and start chatting, and soon on a daily basis. The highlight of their days.
They yearn to see each other in real life, the need is getting stronger, and when the occasion turns up, they meet up in London.
‘Vincent,’ he said.
My name a whisper and salvation from his lips.
‘Teddy,’ I breathed.
So far their first meeting in real life, and their promise to meet again and do amazing things.
Sadly, life took a huge turn on them. TW!
‘I have felt so alone,’ I sobbed. ‘And then you came.‘
We make a jump in time. Vincent lives in the UK, and Teddy in Australia. Their friendship is somewhat on hold.
Both are trapped by heavy-loaded circumstances. It was hard devastating and bittersweet. Two guys who love each other, and somehow seem to have to live without each other.
“It's always the case of not being at the right place at the right time”
There’s another jump in time. I have to keep faith, or else I'm gonna scream.
The common thread through the story is where Teddy and Vincent are and how their relationship slash friendship develops, parallel are the stories about their daily lives, separately, my goodness what both had to digest through life. More TW!
It was so awfully real, raw, and so near, the struggles they had to go through, my heart hurt and cried for them.
I don’t want to spoil the details but believe me when I say it’s all meaningful and significant.
It was a beautifully and strongly written story, I read and read, couldn’t sleep because of them, and when I finished I was satisfied. Looking back to all those years, and what they’ve been through, I think I can conclude it was a grand story!