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sophiereadsstories's review
4.0
This was an unexpectedly complex book, with multiple twists and turns and trauma that happens to both characters.
It follows the main characters over more than a decade - from being young, naive, sweet and (fairly) optimistic about their futures (both individually and as a couple) to being older, separate, traumatised by different events, stuck in situations they feel are dead-ends and not feeling that there is a way out of for either of them.
I loved the witty banter between Teddy and Vincent, and also between the men and their respective best friends, Laura, Hazel and Daniel. Teddy is definitely one of my favourite characters of the year - he's witty, funny, kind, generous, independent and know how to show he cares for Vincent.
The first act is by far the funniest, the second the most heartbreaking and trauma-filled and the third gives us the combination of humour and trauma and how these two men find their way back to each other.
Please heed the TW and CW because as light as the first part is - it ends with heaviness that could be terribly upsetting to readers.
It follows the main characters over more than a decade - from being young, naive, sweet and (fairly) optimistic about their futures (both individually and as a couple) to being older, separate, traumatised by different events, stuck in situations they feel are dead-ends and not feeling that there is a way out of for either of them.
I loved the witty banter between Teddy and Vincent, and also between the men and their respective best friends, Laura, Hazel and Daniel. Teddy is definitely one of my favourite characters of the year - he's witty, funny, kind, generous, independent and know how to show he cares for Vincent.
The first act is by far the funniest, the second the most heartbreaking and trauma-filled and the third gives us the combination of humour and trauma and how these two men find their way back to each other.
Please heed the TW and CW because as light as the first part is - it ends with heaviness that could be terribly upsetting to readers.
somehowbrujoreads's review against another edition
5.0
Ho. Ly. Fuck. I laughed. I cried. I experienced emotions. I screamed. Baby, I went through it and I loved every second of it!
Out of Touch showed depth. Character development. Growth. I felt like I really grew with the characters. I mean I guess I did because based on the years I was also around the ages of the characters 🤣
I actually did some research on something that happens and learned more about it. I learned that I also have terrible mental representation of all the different accents 😅
Anyways, all the stars! All the love! All the praise! A top contender for the month and possibly year!
Thank you to Michael Sarais for sending me an eARC for my honest review!
Out of Touch by Michael Sarais releases September 19, 2023!
Out of Touch showed depth. Character development. Growth. I felt like I really grew with the characters. I mean I guess I did because based on the years I was also around the ages of the characters 🤣
I actually did some research on something that happens and learned more about it. I learned that I also have terrible mental representation of all the different accents 😅
Anyways, all the stars! All the love! All the praise! A top contender for the month and possibly year!
Thank you to Michael Sarais for sending me an eARC for my honest review!
Out of Touch by Michael Sarais releases September 19, 2023!
maysreadinglog's review against another edition
5.0
This book…gods, how amazing it was. Michael Sarais’ writing got me right from the beginning and I never wanted to stop reading.
This book made me go through so so many emotions, from bittersweet nostalgia to heart crushing pain. I laughed, smiled like a fool, cried, sobbed, cursed the author when it hurt, and more.
Out of Touch is the story of two boys who met online by chance and connected through their shared exchange year experience. For Vincent it was during his exchange year in Sweden, while for Teddy it was when he returned to his host family in Italy, where he did his exchange the year before.
Two teenage boys with their whole lives ahead of them, meeting online in different countries but still forming a beautiful friendship that also felt like more…what are the odds that they’d meet in real life and would stick together and have their happily ever after?…
All that I’m gonna say is that life (or destiny?) is not always easy, and it isn’t always fair…they go through so much over the years and, despite everything, still manage to be their for each other…
The characters are lovable and have so much to them. It was impossible not to fall in love with the MCs as well as their friends.
I recommend this book with all my heart.
Make sure to check all trigger and content warnings before reading this book.
nikereadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Out Of Touch was an enjoyable read, but left me divided. While I loved the first part of this book and quickly fell in love with the two main characters, I couldn't help but be dissapointed by how part two set up things and felt dragged compared to the first one. There was something about the pacing of the part that was just too slow and many of the characters' interactions didn't make sense. But I am glad that when part three came, the book managed to continue with the nice writing from part one.
Overall, I think this story was fine, but unfortunately didn't work out for me.
Thanks to the author for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I think this story was fine, but unfortunately didn't work out for me.
Thanks to the author for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
10111111111's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Rating: 4 stars (8/10)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: right person wrong time, terminal illness, trauma, LDR
Review:
This was definitely an interesting story, and I didn't at all predict the direction it was taking. The story is split in 3 parts, and we get to see these 3 points in time where Vincent and Teddy's lives cross paths, their love story, and the traumas they experience. I didn't really expect the trauma we got in this book, and I will say it is important to check the trigger warnings, as they are not graphic but they are very much on-page. The first section, set in 2008, was a very innocent a fun story, and I enjoyed watching these two slowly fall in love, and for Vincent to have his sexual awakening, and their meeting in London. The last 2 chapters kind of throw 2 big gut punches at you, and we're left with a broken Vincent in Europe and a distraught Teddy in Australia. We jump to 2014, and I must say I was not happy with the progression of their lives. Vincent is in a situation where he believes he is happy, and maybe he does get happiness out of it, but it's not really what we wanted and he has just gone along with it, while Teddy is stuck in a rut and feeling alone, bitter, and hurting. They meet again in London for a day when Teddy can't take things happening at home and just wants to see Vincent again, and we end the section with Vincent having moved on, and Teddy going home to try and confront his demons and problems. Then we jump to 2020, and I am curious if this is meant to be a 2020 that has COVID, since it was never mentioned, and we're still globe-trotting a little bit and road tripping around Australia. Things have gone from bad to worse for both Teddy and Vincent, and Vincent has had enough of his situation and wants out, while Teddy has finally taken his life back into his hands and is doing what he's always wanted. They meet completely by chance, and it's during this time that Teddy has to rush back to Australia, except finally this time, Vincent is by his side.
I really enjoyed some of the exploration of lives diverging and converging, the struggles from trauma and terminal illnesses, the difficulty of rekindling friendship and broken family ties, the merging and splitting of friend groups, and how sometimes you can't be together, but there is always the chance that your lives will entwine again. The story got a lot heavier and sadder than I was expecting, but I definitely was hooked by the time Teddy and Vincent first met, and I just loved watching them burn so hot for each other. The precious moments they first spent together in London, before their lives blew apart and they were ripped from each other, were so gentle and tender and I really fell in love with them. The pacing of the story is pretty good, and I felt like everything that needed to be addressed was. The only 2 things I wished for were for 2 scenes to be expanded on a little more. The first time that Teddy and Vincent have sex felt like it was really rushed, and I would've liked more time in their heads to really feel their thoughts after having waited so long to finally be together. And also, I would have loved to have a bit of a deeper conversation between Teddy and his older brother Mitchell as they hashed out their traumas and feelings around their broken relationship. I really appreciated seeing them come together and deal with things together, and I think it is important to show them feeling their emotions and being there for each other. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the discussions in the book, especially around Huntington's Disease, and how these things tear apart people and families, and how important it is to educate people and try to raise awareness to help fund research and help people be more compassionate.
Rating: 4 stars (8/10)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: right person wrong time, terminal illness, trauma, LDR
Review:
This was definitely an interesting story, and I didn't at all predict the direction it was taking. The story is split in 3 parts, and we get to see these 3 points in time where Vincent and Teddy's lives cross paths, their love story, and the traumas they experience. I didn't really expect the trauma we got in this book, and I will say it is important to check the trigger warnings, as they are not graphic but they are very much on-page. The first section, set in 2008, was a very innocent a fun story, and I enjoyed watching these two slowly fall in love, and for Vincent to have his sexual awakening, and their meeting in London. The last 2 chapters kind of throw 2 big gut punches at you, and we're left with a broken Vincent in Europe and a distraught Teddy in Australia. We jump to 2014, and I must say I was not happy with the progression of their lives. Vincent is in a situation where he believes he is happy, and maybe he does get happiness out of it, but it's not really what we wanted and he has just gone along with it, while Teddy is stuck in a rut and feeling alone, bitter, and hurting. They meet again in London for a day when Teddy can't take things happening at home and just wants to see Vincent again, and we end the section with Vincent having moved on, and Teddy going home to try and confront his demons and problems. Then we jump to 2020, and I am curious if this is meant to be a 2020 that has COVID, since it was never mentioned, and we're still globe-trotting a little bit and road tripping around Australia. Things have gone from bad to worse for both Teddy and Vincent, and Vincent has had enough of his situation and wants out, while Teddy has finally taken his life back into his hands and is doing what he's always wanted. They meet completely by chance, and it's during this time that Teddy has to rush back to Australia, except finally this time, Vincent is by his side.
I really enjoyed some of the exploration of lives diverging and converging, the struggles from trauma and terminal illnesses, the difficulty of rekindling friendship and broken family ties, the merging and splitting of friend groups, and how sometimes you can't be together, but there is always the chance that your lives will entwine again. The story got a lot heavier and sadder than I was expecting, but I definitely was hooked by the time Teddy and Vincent first met, and I just loved watching them burn so hot for each other. The precious moments they first spent together in London, before their lives blew apart and they were ripped from each other, were so gentle and tender and I really fell in love with them. The pacing of the story is pretty good, and I felt like everything that needed to be addressed was. The only 2 things I wished for were for 2 scenes to be expanded on a little more. The first time that Teddy and Vincent have sex felt like it was really rushed, and I would've liked more time in their heads to really feel their thoughts after having waited so long to finally be together. And also, I would have loved to have a bit of a deeper conversation between Teddy and his older brother Mitchell as they hashed out their traumas and feelings around their broken relationship. I really appreciated seeing them come together and deal with things together, and I think it is important to show them feeling their emotions and being there for each other. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the discussions in the book, especially around Huntington's Disease, and how these things tear apart people and families, and how important it is to educate people and try to raise awareness to help fund research and help people be more compassionate.
jthbooks's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
anniekslibrary's review
4.0
"'Can you hold me for just a bit longer?' I whispered, tears soaking into his shoulder, hugging him tighter and feeling safe in his unique Vincent scent. 'I could hold you forever,' he said, so quiet I wasn't sure I was supposed to hear."
Vincent and Teddy start out as online friends when they connect on Facebook through a shared friend. They're both in different countries, but they talk every day, and get to know each other better and better, and eventually fall in love. But then their circumstances drive them apart, and it takes years for them to see each other again. And even then, a happily ever after isn't yet in the cards for them, as life keeps getting in the way.
This book is divided into three parts, each set years apart, following Vincent and Teddy as teens, in their early twenties, and in their late twenties. It quickly becomes apparent that they're meant to be, but it takes a lot of time for them to get together.
Star-crossed romance is one of my favourite tropes, and I loved it here. The entire book is so intense, and especially part 2 of the book filled me with so many feelings. I found myself internally screaming at the book at times, wanting them to just be together already. Vincent and Teddy both go through really difficult things in life, but the hurt-comfort of how being together eases things for them and makes them feel safe made everything so much better.
I would highly recommend this, but I do urge you to look up the trigger warnings at the back of the book first.
Many thanks to the author for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Vincent and Teddy start out as online friends when they connect on Facebook through a shared friend. They're both in different countries, but they talk every day, and get to know each other better and better, and eventually fall in love. But then their circumstances drive them apart, and it takes years for them to see each other again. And even then, a happily ever after isn't yet in the cards for them, as life keeps getting in the way.
This book is divided into three parts, each set years apart, following Vincent and Teddy as teens, in their early twenties, and in their late twenties. It quickly becomes apparent that they're meant to be, but it takes a lot of time for them to get together.
Star-crossed romance is one of my favourite tropes, and I loved it here. The entire book is so intense, and especially part 2 of the book filled me with so many feelings. I found myself internally screaming at the book at times, wanting them to just be together already. Vincent and Teddy both go through really difficult things in life, but the hurt-comfort of how being together eases things for them and makes them feel safe made everything so much better.
I would highly recommend this, but I do urge you to look up the trigger warnings at the back of the book first.
Many thanks to the author for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
lizzylizzy's review against another edition
2.5
Oops it’s not released yet! Out of Touch is an ARC I received from the author a while back and I’ve been saving it for the challenge! Out of Touch by Michael Sarais tells the story of two boys who meet via Facebook and fall for each other. It takes place during 3 different time periods in the boys lives. We see love, discovery of sexuality, weddings, pregnancy, illness, assault, and death. There’s a foreign exchange aspect and some very good friends.
As someone who has never been a gay man who lives in a foreign country, or even anywhere outside of my home state, there were many experiences in the book I’ve never had. Many aspects were difficult to read. I didn’t agree with a lot of the choices the boys made, but again I’m a lesbian in America so what do I know about being an Australian or European gay man? Overall, I did end up giving it 2.5 ⭐️
Out of Touch by Michael Sarais is out September 19, 2023. Again Michael thank you for giving me a copy of your book to read! It wasn’t my favorite book this month but I have recommended it to so many people and I recommend it to my friends on here to read because I am just one reader and the world is full of other readers with different experiences than mine!
As someone who has never been a gay man who lives in a foreign country, or even anywhere outside of my home state, there were many experiences in the book I’ve never had. Many aspects were difficult to read. I didn’t agree with a lot of the choices the boys made, but again I’m a lesbian in America so what do I know about being an Australian or European gay man? Overall, I did end up giving it 2.5 ⭐️
Out of Touch by Michael Sarais is out September 19, 2023. Again Michael thank you for giving me a copy of your book to read! It wasn’t my favorite book this month but I have recommended it to so many people and I recommend it to my friends on here to read because I am just one reader and the world is full of other readers with different experiences than mine!
jennybuysbooks's review
3.5
This was a bit tricky for me to rate because there were things I really loved about this books and things that just didn’t work for me.
What I loved:
• the pining!
• It was tearing me up every time Teddy and Vincent had to say goodbye to each other over the years. And it all made sense for where they were in their lives. I mean it was heartbreaking.
• the joy of first love compared to the hand you get dealt in life as you grow older
• the friends!
• Teddy and Vincent in general. I really loved them separately and as a couple
• the time jumps. I love romances that are structured this way
What didn’t work for me:
• there was a lot of trauma these two folks had to endure. I felt like the Huntington's and the sexual assault was enough but once we got to the husbands drug abuse (like v hardcore drug abuse) and then the mom paying off the brothers baby mama? It was just a touch too much for me and started to feel a little unreal and took me out of the story. I just don’t think it was needed.
• the lack of safe sex or any discussions on the matter. This will always be an issue for me and will lower a star rating. I want to hear the discussion of prep and clean blood-work if the characters decide to not use condoms. Safe sex is sexy! Especially when both partners have had multiple partners and one was partners with somebody with an intravenous drug problem. It’s two throw away lines in a sex scene but I really need it to keep me from getting the icks.
The first 25% had me convinced that this was a no brained five star read for me, but even though it lost me a little along the way, I still think it’s a good story. I also really want to read more of the authors work.
A big thanks to the author for providing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
What I loved:
• the pining!
• It was tearing me up every time Teddy and Vincent had to say goodbye to each other over the years. And it all made sense for where they were in their lives. I mean it was heartbreaking.
• the joy of first love compared to the hand you get dealt in life as you grow older
• the friends!
• Teddy and Vincent in general. I really loved them separately and as a couple
• the time jumps. I love romances that are structured this way
What didn’t work for me:
• there was a lot of trauma these two folks had to endure.
• the lack of safe sex or any discussions on the matter. This will always be an issue for me and will lower a star rating. I want to hear the discussion of prep and clean blood-work if the characters decide to not use condoms. Safe sex is sexy! Especially when both partners have had multiple partners and one was partners with
The first 25% had me convinced that this was a no brained five star read for me, but even though it lost me a little along the way, I still think it’s a good story. I also really want to read more of the authors work.
A big thanks to the author for providing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.