Sweet and geeky NA romance. For me it was a little too sweet and I found it difficult to relate to the characters. Of course, I may just be getting too old for these types of books.
I enjoyed the cosplay scenes and I liked how a game could play such an important part in people's lives. The secondary characters were also fun but may have lacked some depth.

This book was incredible and I am so glad I got approved! This story follows Jasper and Milo while they embark on a quest to find some ultra rare cards. Milo and Jasper were friends in middle school but due to some unfortunate choices made by Milo and kind of a crappy world their friendship was broken for almost 10 years. This story was incredibly sweet, heartbreaking and wholly engaging. I felt for both boys as they tried to navigate the pieces of their broken friendship and the new connection they were forming. I also loved the cosplay element and I loved that it was used as so heavily here as a way for hijinks and intimacy to occur. The bond that these boys formed was incredible and fully based on open communication. Honestly read it, you won't regret it. I was lucky enough to be approved for both the audiobook and the ebook so I got to read and listen to it at the same time, which is my preferred method of consuming books. I loved that there were two narrators as it helped really distinguish Jasper and Milo. At first I didn't love Milo's narrator because the Italian-American accent felt unnatural but after a while it integrated itself with the story. This is the second book in the series and I cannot wait to pick up book number 1!

This new adult series by Annabeth Albert is a great way to break into the mm romance world for new to the genre readers. They are sweet and adorable, but also a little bit smexy.

This second book introduces us to Milo, a former best friend of recurring character, Jasper. They were inseparable as young boys, that is until Milo discovered the popular sporty crowd, basically abandoned Jasper, and worse, stood by and watched as his new friends bullied and mocked geeky, awkward Jasper. We hear about these incidences from Jasper's flashback observations which explains why when Milo comes desperate for help, Jasper is disinclined to help.

There's a lot to dislike about teenage Milo.

In the course of their 'cute (re)meet', we see that Milo is struggling with many part of his life. Luckily Jasper remains his true generous self, and once he negotiates a deal from Milo, their quest to to help Milo is a lot of fun and very sweet.

We get both viewpoints, and we can see Milo's regrets, and Jasper's dismay at still being attracted to his ex-best friend. There's lots about the computer gaming and cos playing world, and Japser's little sister steals the scene whenever she appears.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, and found this one just as charming and romantic. Can't wait for the third. Thanks to publisher and Netgalley for advanced copy. It's out today.

Stevie‘s review of Out of Character (True Colors, Book 2) by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary Gay Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 06 Jul 21

I’ve never been big into collectable card games, although a bunch of my friends played Magic: The Gathering back in the 1990s, but I am fascinated by the fictional Odyssey game that Annabeth Albert’s True Colors series revolves around. This time the focus is less on the group that hang around with ‘Gamer Grandpa’, so much as on one member of the group and his other friends. On the one hand, I’d like to see more of the whole main group from the first book, but on the other hand, this new friendship group is all about cosplay, which is an interest that gels with me more.


Jasper works in a gaming store, plays Odyssey as part of the ‘Gamer Grandpa’ group, and also cosplays a popular character from the game to cheer up young fans who are hospitalised due to long-term conditions or chronic illnesses. His sister has a rare immunological condition, which was the reason Jasper had to drop out of the previous book’s road trip partway through, but she is also an enthusiastic cosplayer. When Jasper’s best friend from early childhood drops in on him at the gaming store, wanting a favour, Jasper is at first hostile and suspicious, since Milo later became part of the group of jocks that bullied Jasper after he came out as gay. However, Jasper’s cosplay group is in desperate need of a replacement for one of their characters, and Milo fits the bill perfectly. So the two make a deal: Milo will join the cosplay group, albeit temporarily, and Jasper will help Milo track down the set of ultra-rare Odyssey cards that Milo gambled away before Milo’s big brother – the cards’ actual owner – comes home for a visit.

The obvious plan, buying a new set, is out because the resale price of even one card is way beyond the finances of either hero. Jasper lives in student accommodation and Milo is in a shared house with a bunch of the guys who also bullied Jasper in the past, but worries that he won’t be able to afford anything better. So they hunt down competitions that offer one or other of the cards as a prize. Along the way, the pair learn a lot about themselves and each other, and Milo finds the courage to come out himself, first to Jasper and then to his family and friends. Several characters from the previous book do put in appearances, though not the one I most want to see again, and the new characters of Jasper’s cosplay group are also well developed.

I enjoyed the challenges that the guys took up in their quest and found their relationship believable, although a little too angsty at times. I’d like to read more books set in this world and find out more about the fandoms around the Odyssey game. Obviously, I’d especially like to see Peyton again and find out who they might form a connection with.

Grade: B

Fun, geeky, and surprisingly sexy, Out of Character was the gamer book I was hoping to get from Annabeth Albert.

Honestly, I was a little wary to read Out of Character because I didn't love Conventionally Yours, but this book worked better for me and ticked a few more of my boxes.

Yes, I know I have a bit of a hang-up with first time sexual experiences, but I love me a first kiss, first everything. Right off the bat, Annabeth Albert hooked me. You devious author, you.

Friends-to-enemies-to-lovers can sometimes work, sometimes go the wrong way, but I think the author did a nice job here. I love some grovel porn, and though we get a good amount of groveling, I think it could have used even been a *tiny bit* more. Still, pretty satisfying.

I liked the detail of Milo's probable learning disability. As a parent of kids who are neurodiverse with learning disabilities, I always feel very connected to a character who struggles academically. It helped me connect to Milo, who really grew on me over time.

I'm not a gamer at all, and card games are mysterious and non-sensical to me, but I enjoyed the gamer details in this book more than the first in the series. I liked how it was framed like a quest, and it made it feel exciting and not draggy.

Also, the book was a bit sexier than I was expecting. For some reason, I expected this book to be completely fade-to-black, and I was pleased that we got a little heat and a taste of the hot writing that I know Annabeth Albert is capable of.

While Out of Character doesn't rank amongst my favorites from Annabeth Albert, it was a very fun, easy contemporary read for new adult romance lovers.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Jasper and Milo were best friends as kids. But in high school, they went their separate ways—Milo joining up with the jocks, and Jasper with the gamers. Now, as seniors in college, Milo needs Jasper's help. He lost his brother's trading cards in a bet, having no idea how valuable they were. He needs to get replacements before his brother returns from his deployment.

Jasper's still angry over how their friendship ended, but he's willing to help if Milo does him a favor in return. As they spend time together, they reconnect—first as friends, then as lovers. But can Jasper ever truly trust Milo again?

This is a sweet friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, jock/geek romance. Both characters have wounds from their past that drive their choices in the present. Milo is tired of living in the closet but afraid of how his family and friends will react if he comes out. It's satisfying to see how Jasper helps him become the man he wants to be.

This is a lower-steam read. The intimate scenes are open-door but not detailed.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Out of character follows two ex-best friends Jasper and Milo. Milo did something stupid and that’s the reason why they see each other again after a long time. He is so desperate that he needs Jasper's help. Can the two boys put the past behind and team-up to correct Milo’s mistake?

This book is the first arc I ever received. And I can tell you I was very honored and surprised by this book. Out of character is all about friendship, love and trust. I enjoyed reading this and see Milo and Jasper grow as characters. The setting is original and something different than usual. A lot of chapters contain cosplay and gaming. The chapters aren’t too long and they are easy to read I would like to see a fan art from Jasper and Milo in their cosplay outfits ♥

3,5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Jasper is in his last semester of college, working at a gaming store, when Milo walks in with a desperate request. Milo bet away his brother's prized cards, and only Jasper can help him. To do so, Jasper has to face a lot of old feelings from their friendship's fallout at the start of high school. Jasper is trying not to get too involved, but it's going to take a lot for him to not get sucked in...

I didn't finish this one. It wasn't bad, but it felt like it was just going to be "okay," and nothing more. It felt predictable, and I was bored. However, if you want a potentially predictable M/M romance, this could be a great contender! I know that sometimes a predictable romance can be great and exactly what you need, but this one wasn't it for me.

This book had such a cute premise & I was a tad-bit disappointed.

I'll first mention the things that I loved! I particularly loved the incorporation of the hospital visits. It was an extremely heart-warming element & showed a lot about what Jasper is like as a person, I wished it got more page-time. It was probably my favourite part of the book. Jasper's personality really stood out during his interactions with his fellow gamers, his confidence when he games made him feel a lot more animated than normal, so I really appreciated the cosplay/gamer aspect of this book. Milo also goes through an inspiring arc throughout this book & I did feel for him. Seeing him come out of the closet wasn't an easy process but I felt proud of his growth throughout the book, going from a self-deprecating closeted gay boy to being more confident & outspoken. In that way, the relationship was great as Jasper truly rubbed off on Milo in all the best ways. There was also a very present plot-line which is something I absolutely appreciate in romance novels like this. I can see gamers & cosplayers loving this book very much!

The biggest problem for me was the lack of chemistry between the two love interests. I did not feel the emotional connection & their attraction was weighed down by a lot of past baggage that were never really resolved but simply pushed away because they loved each other. Their lack of chemistry made their relationship feel a little forced & empty. Consequently, I wasn't very invested in the romance aspect at all & caused the book to feel extremely dragged out. Perhaps 100 pages could be taken out & the story would remain the same. The reason I couldn't get into the story was also partly due to the writing. The writing felt very much like teen fiction which should not be the case as the characters are 22 years old. The explicit scenes also felt out of place & I was caught off-guard. I did not expect that since the writing was very teenage-like, & I was expecting YA. So this really took away from the depth & maturity of the characters, giving them an almost cartoonish-like feel. Another point that I disliked was how Milo & Jasper sometimes are so similar they mirror each other. Their style of speech & their delivery of jokes/lines were often indistinguishable from each other. If I were to switch their lines, I feel like it wouldn't make that much of a difference. I felt like I was being told Milo was like this & Jasper was like that but when it came to actually showing that, both characters weren't very distinctive & had very similar voices.

Overall, I think if this book falls in the hands of the correct reader it could be a delightful read but sadly that was not the case for me. I still would recommend this book to readers who are also gamers/cosplayers & are into the former-bully-turned-lover trope.

Out of Character was a sweet, entertaining second chance, childhood friends to enemies to friendly to lovers romance. I liked both Jasper and Milo and it made me sad thinking of the years they lost as friends. Milo's screw up was a blessing in disguise, as it led these two back together.

While Milo had a lot to answer for, due to his past misdeeds, I liked how he owned up to them. And once he came clean to Jasper about a lot of things in his life, it made more sense why he did the things he did. Even if it didn't make things right, I understood why. Jasper was understandably leery at getting mixed up with Milo again, but I appreciated how open he was and how willing he was to help. I liked seeing these two work together to right Milo's wrongs. And I really enjoyed watching them get to know each other again, and seeing their feelings grow.

The story did start to drag a bit in the middle for me, but I liked how everything worked out and wrapped up in the end.
Even though I'm not a gamer I've enjoyed both books in this series. While the gaming world definitely plays a big role in the books, I like that the romances and friendships are really the focus.

I read and reviewed the first book in the True Colours series last year. Conventionally Yours was pretty fun. But in some ways, Out of Character appealed to me a little more. I’m glad I picked this up to read but in some ways… It wasn’t quite what I expected.

Jasper Quigley wants to be the hero in someone’s life. He cosplays as his favorite Odyssey character to visit sick kids in the hospital and works part-time in a game shop. When his ex-best friend Milo Lionetti comes to him to ask for help? Jasper doesn’t want to say yes, but he’s never been able to resist Milo. So they make a deal, Milo will help Jasper at the hospital, and Jasper will track down the rare Odyssey cards that Milo lost.

This book was more about cosplay than it was the card game. But in a way, it wasn’t? Technically if you dress up in a costume, you’re cosplaying. But knowing the amount of work that goes into cosplay, it seemed a little weak to me that they were only wearing the costumes to play cards with kids. They weren’t even really acting in character when they did so. The costumes were just clothes. And I know the designer wasn’t one of the protagonists, but it was just a little disappointing.

I did find that I liked Jasper and Milo more than Conrad and Alden. I did like their relationship. Maybe it’s because they reminded me of a former OTP of mine, but I liked it. And I appreciated that a break-up was never really part of the storyline. Was it all smooth sailing? No. There was drama. But it was nice to see a romance that didn’t feature a break-up or cheating as the main drama.

Milo was probably my favorite. He wasn’t the best guy in high school, but he wasn’t a bully himself. Not really. He was confused and trying to protect himself. His home life wasn’t great, and yeah. I felt for him, and often I don’t feel for the characters who behave like that. So Albert did a good job.

For a new adult book, there was a strange lack of swearing. Like, heck was used a lot. Even by jocks. And I know they were working, but that doesn’t stop most people. It pulled me out a little, as it felt so unrealistic. Too clean in some ways, I guess.

There were some definite improvements from the first book. We got more nerdy references! Milo likes superhero films and there were Star Wars and DC cosplayers at the party. It felt so much more realistic to see these characters talking about these things, even if one of them wasn’t so openly a nerd. It just made more sense, and I’m glad to see that improvement.

But on the other side… it didn’t feel like I saw much about Odyssey or cosplay. I wanted to play the game last time, but this time there just wasn’t much. I didn’t feel an urge to cosplay or play card games. And that was a disappointment.

Though I feel like I did like this book more than the first one, it did get a lower score.

Annabeth Albert’s Out of Character, the follow up to last year’s Conventionally Yours, features two guys who were firm friends until high-school, when expectations and peer pressure ended their friendship. It’s a cute, (former) friends-to-lovers romance featuring two likeable characters who have a lot to learn – and re-learn – about each other as they reconnect through a quest to track down some rare Odyssey game cards.

We met Jasper Quigley in the previous book, in which he was due to accompany his friends and fellow gamers Alden and Conrad to Odyssey Con West, a massive fan convention in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Jasper had to pull out at the last minute because his younger sister April – who suffers from a rare immune system disorder – became seriously ill and he had to return home. Several months later finds Jasper, who is in his final year of college, still working at a local game shop, making regular appearances on the Gamer Grandpa vlog, and also spending time volunteering in the children’s ward at the local hospital, where he and a group of friends cosplay various Odyssey characters and play games with some of the kids there. When the book opens though, he’s down a prince for the next visit – Prince Neptune to be specific – one of the most popular (if not the most popular) characters in the game and with the kids, and he’s running out of time to come up with a suitable replacement.

Fortunately, however, Jasper’s prince does, indeed, come. Unfortunately, it’s in the form of someone he’d hoped never to have to have much to do with again, his former best friend, Milo Lionetti. Milo’s Italianate good looks make him a perfect prince – on paper at least, because his long ago behaviour towards Jasper wasn’t at all princely.

Jasper and Milo grew up together and were practically inseparable, but that changed when they went to high school and Milo got picked for the soccer team. Wanting a place at the cool kids’ table – and not wanting to be singled out for his choice of a nerdy gay boy as his best friend – Milo turned his back on Jasper and watched from the sidelines, saying nothing as the Jock crowd dished out insults to Jasper and anyone else who dared to be smart, nerdy or anything other than a vapid clone. Jasper made new friends and moved on, although he hasn’t forgotten what Milo did, or forgiven him for it. So Milo is the last person Jasper expects to be coming to him for help.

A few nights earlier, Milo had a bit too much to drink and ended up losing four of his older brother Bruno’s Odyssey cards, four cards which happen to be incredibly rare and worth thousands of dollars. Bruno is in the military and is currently stationed overseas; Milo can’t bear to have to own up to yet another screw up – he’s already caused his mother and brother enough worry over the last few years – and wants to replace the cards before Bruno’s next leave, which is a matter of weeks away. Jasper doesn’t have a great deal of sympathy for him and at first, he wonders if he’s being pranked, but he soon realises that Milo is serious, and that his distress is real. So he offers Milo a deal. In return for Jasper’s help in tracking down the cards, Milo has to be Prince Neptune on their next cosplay session at the hospital. With absolutely no other option open to him, Milo agrees.

That’s the set up for what opens out into a charming and heart-warming story of two young men whose lives went in different directions finding their way back to each other. After the cosplay session, Jasper starts looking for the cards Milo needs, and the two of them end up searching various sites and online markets, solving puzzles, doing a treasure hunt and going to an Odyssey tournament together. To his surprise, Milo starts to enjoy the cosplaying and the visits to the hospital as well, and all the time he and Jasper spend together give them the opportunity to talk about what happened to their friendship and to get to know each other as the people they are now.

Jasper is an absolute sweetheart; intelligent, up-beat and generous of spirit, he loves helping people and is always on hand to crack a joke or offer support. But he chafes a bit at being the ‘sidekick’ – the dependable one who isn’t ‘the best’ at anything, and longs to be someone’s hero. Milo has had a tough few years; he went off the rails a bit after his father died and now sees himself as a screw-up who can do nothing right and is going nowhere. But although Jasper is initially suspicious of Milo’s motives, he quickly realises that Milo wants to change and do better, and I loved how his support and belief in Milo spur him on and help him to see that he’s capable of more than he’d believed. Milo grows an awful lot throughout the novel, and his redemption as a character and as a friend is very well done. I liked the neat bit of role-reversal here, too, with Jasper being the confident, outgoing one and Milo the quiet, artistic one who has, despite being a member of the ‘in-crowd’ been more alone than Jasper ever has.

The chemistry that hums between them is palpable, and their romance is sweet and full of genuine affection as Jasper helps Milo navigate his way through the newness of a relationship (with a lovely, subtle emphasis on consent) and there’s a real sense of give and take as they talk and listen and work through their issues together – and Jasper becomes Milo’s hero and Milo embraces his true self and learns to forgive himself.

As I said in my review of the previous book, I know nothing about gaming and it’s not something that has ever really interested me, but Annabeth Albert writes about it here with such affection and authority that she made me care about it because the characters care about it so much.

Milo and Jasper are well-rounded characters, and Milo, in particular, undergoes a tremendous amount of well-written and organic personal growth throughout the story. Out of Character is a low-angst, feel-good romance about second chances, being brave and being true to yourself and others, and I’m happy to recommend it.

Grade: B / 4 stars

500/5⭐️

TW: Homophobia, loss of a parent, financial struggles, alcoholic parent, bullying, anxiety.

Huge thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced audio copy of this book!

Ugh I keep trying to come up with the perfect words for this book but honestly, I just loved it and if you are in need of a new NA romance look no further. I’ve read Annabeths books for years now so I already going into this one expecting to love it and boy was I not wrong. I adored Milo and Jesper, I love friends to lovers but this story is a bit different it’s friends to enemies to lovers and ugh it was great! I found this dynamic to be so compelling. We have all the elements you love about friends to lovers, two people who already no and are familiar with each other but are now having to relearn the other person after growing apart and being angry at the other person. The journey we follow with these two, as a couple and individuals just was so great. I felt really connected to Milo and could really relate to his struggles. I also found the plot to be so much fun! This scavenger hunt to find these super rare cards was just such a great backdrop to a romance.

Honestly if you are a long time Annabeth fan or looking to start with a new one I highly recommend picking this one up. I know I’ll be revisiting Milo and Jesper again and again!

This is a cute geeky M/M romcom, a nerd guy and a jock fall in love. I know nothing about board games, but I really enjoyed it as the background.

The story begins with Milo losing his brother's rare cards by a bet and seeking for help in some way to retrieve them and coming to ask his former best friend Jasper. Through the journey of the search, they rebound their friendship and step into something more.

"Rather, I was ready to listen, really listen with my whole heart, and open my eyes and see him. Only then could I hope to actually help."

All my kudos go to Jasper (sorry Milo and others) who has a kind nature, always trying to support others. Jasper and Milo go through a lot of things and I like how they deal with them differently. I mean I like the characters not in a stereotype nerd/jock as Jasper is more confident one, while Milo is more artistic and doubting himself.
I'm not a smut fan, but how Jasper guids Milo through and learns together is cute. The storyline is pretty solid and I love the character development.
I had a great time reading this enemies-to-lovers romance!
I marked this book 4.5 stars out of 5.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

If childhood friends to enemies to lovers + a redemption story is your jam, I recommend Annabeth Albert’s Out of Character.

Jasper & Milo were best friends until high school, when Milo had a chance to turn popular jock & believed that necessitated leaving his best friend Jasper, a gamer who had recently attended a Rainbow Alliance meeting, behind.

Throughout high school Milo’s new jock best friends harassed Jasper & Milo said & did nothing.

Years later, when Jasper is in college & Milo is a college drop-out with a series of bad decisions behind him, they come back into each other’s orbit.

This story is sweet & thoughtful, not unlike the main characters themselves. I love seeing how they mature individually, especially Milo, who has a lot to reflect on & who wants to put actions toward becoming the person he hopes to be, & how their personal efforts make them better partners & vice versa.

The redemption story works for me, especially how Milo & Jasper have to reckon with his past behavior & figure out a productive & loving path forward, something made more difficult by the continued presence of Milo’s high school best friends—bullies—in his life & the fact that Milo hasn’t come out yet.

The characterization of Jasper as someone who constantly wants to be heroic is a little heavy-handed for me but the warm fuzzies this book constantly gave me—the lack of a present-day huge crisis between them (excepting their weighty high school past)—,the loveliness of Milo’s desire to change his life & his behavior—won me over time & time again.

4.5 ⭐️. Release date: 07/06.

𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝗪⁣
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Annabeth Albert⁣
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: June 6th, 2021⁣
⁣
𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: Swipe right to read⁣
⁣
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:⁣
𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵: Annabeth Albert succeeded in creating a gripping plot mixing early 20s concerns, the geek world and a queer romance. My favorite part was how well balanced all those elements were and how seriously it took early adulthood anxieties, such as the fear of how we are perceived, bullying and being independent. Add to it an enemies-to-lovers story and you're in for a great read!⁣
𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨: The dialogues were very realistic and I it made the characters very likeable. If there was one thing I wish the author had written a bit differently, is how fast the mutual dislike became a romance - I would have liked a bit more of bickering.⁣
𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴: All the characters were quite likeable. The main characters, Jasper and Milo had a good development, Jasper was my favorite, being such a good soul! I was a bit afraid of Milo breaking his heart, but I ended up trusting both in the end!⁣
𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵: Lovely and fast read for a weekend!⁣
⁣
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: " I just wish that I'd valued being understood more than being popular (...)''⁣
𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤: Stay With Me, by Sam Smith ⁣
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐬𝐨: Red, White & Royal Blue⁣
⁣
Thank you @netgalley @annabeth_albert and @sourcebookscasa for this eARC in exchange of an honest review.

*Netgalley sent me a free e-copy of the book, this in no way affected this review*

HOW CUTE WAS THIS BOOK

It was actually really refreshing to read about characters being in their early twenties instead of them always being teens. As I turn older, I find teens to be less and less relatable, so this really was a nice change.

We follow both Milo and Jasper as they both navigate a difficult situation Milo has put himself in and also how they’re feeling about each other now after their rocky relationship when they were kids.

I think I liked Milo’s perspective more seeing as he was doing a lot of self discovery and was really trying to become a better person as in contrast to Jasper, who I feel was sometimes just there to react to certain things that happened to Milo.

I also feel like the ending and the over all book went a bit too smoothly, but that’s on me for wanting angst and drama all the time in a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A charming and enjoyable read filled with old childhood friends, a hunt for some rare gaming cards, forgiveness, and acceptance.

I really enjoyed this book as the story and overall plot was entertaining and well written. There were some amazing tropes used as well including, the friends to enemies to lovers, opposite attracts and the one bed.

The main characters, Jasper and Milo both had some really great character development and personal growth. Their journeys with self acceptance was well executed and really heartwarming.

Their romance was really cute and well developed. Their past history made their connection feel all that more natural and special. All the communication and understanding between them was amazing as well.

The pacing of the story was a bit slow at times but nonetheless enjoyable. The ending did feel a bit rushed especially regarding the hunt for the rare gaming cards. After it being such a big storyline it just seemed not that big of an issue at the end.

Overall, just a really cute and delightful read with great representation and storyline.

I loved Conventionally Yours, so my hopes were high going into this one. Happy to report I wasn’t let down. In fact, dare I say it, I think I loved Out of Character more. GASP. I know.

Both books have the same strengths. The characters and the conflict. Both of these absolutely shine in Out of Character. Jasper was already lovable, but Milo absolutely stole my heart. He carries his fears, his grief, and his regrets with him throughout the story in a way that’s terribly realistic and painfully relatable.

Note: I always describe Conventionally Yours as a lighthearted read, and Out of Character is decidedly not for me. It hit home. It hit home hard.

Without giving too much away, Milo’s journey of self-doubt paired with Jasper’s unwavering support made for a story with a lot of heart. I’m always happy to have books that feel like the characters could walk off the page and out in the world. There is no hyperbole and there is no wild circumstance. There’s just two friends that have come a hell of a long way.

Oh, and a lot of nerd heaven.
Which is always fun

I started this book without realising it was a sequel, so the first things to say are that this book can 100% be read as a standalone, and that I need to read 'Conventionally Yours'.
This book was really engaging, with interesting characters and a creative plot. Milo's character development was really well done, and whilst Jasper's could have done with more depth, what he did have was positive.
Overall, I really liked this book, and would definitely recommend it.