A cute YA LGBTQIA romance. The beginning felt a bit 'educational' and I honestly think we are a bit past that. I also kept breaking out into Disney Little Mermaid songs which made it quite a fun read. I don't think Crest was a particularly likeable character but I did like Sean. Just okay for me.

I think it took me so long to get to this because I found the author's debut novel to be just a little bit lack lustre, despite the raves around it at the time.

But, I also couldn't resist the pull of a non-binary mermaid, so here I am.

And I really liked this book! I liked it a whole lot better than the last one. The formulation of the escalating plot points around the fake dating trope showed a huge leap in the maturity of writing from this author.

Sean has just been broken up with by his boyfriend Dominic when we meet him. He's heartbroken at the same time as trying to formulate a plan for how he can get Dominic to realise the error of his ways and get back together with him.

Meanwhile, our non-binary mermaid is about to go on a Journey out of the sea where they've grown up and into the human world for one month which is basically the coming of age activity for their kind.

When these two individuals meet, sparks fly and its kinda annoyed sparks if I'm being honest. Ross (mer name: Crest) is not happy at being forced to be there in order to help a human before being allowed home again. But the fact that he *does* have to help someone, and Sean is the first person he meets, gives them a good and fairly unique meet cute.

If we have an asshole character in this book, it's definitely best friend, Kavya. Unfortunately, she is also the reason for much of the plot managing to move forward. Less unfortunately, she is believably repentant when she's fucked up, which leaves the resolution of the novel on a better note.

Out of the Blue: A Review

Jason June's 'Out of the Blue' is a captivating young adult novel that tackles the complexities of grief, family, and self-discovery with sensitivity and depth. The story follows Finn, a teenager struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of his father. While navigating the emotional turmoil of loss, Finn also grapples with his burgeoning feelings for his best friend, Max, and the pressure to live up to his father's legacy.

June's writing is both poignant and relatable, capturing the raw emotions of grief with authenticity. Finn's journey is one that resonates deeply, as he navigates the conflicting feelings of anger, sadness, and guilt. The author doesn't shy away from the messy reality of loss, allowing Finn's vulnerability and moments of despair to shine through.

The exploration of Finn's sexuality and his relationship with Max is handled with care and nuance. June avoids clichés and stereotypes, portraying their connection as a natural progression of their friendship, filled with both joy and uncertainty. The story offers a hopeful and realistic portrayal of coming out, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and finding support in unexpected places.

'Out of the Blue' also delves into the complexities of family dynamics. Finn's relationship with his mother, strained by grief and unspoken emotions, adds another layer to the story. The author skillfully portrays the challenges of communication and understanding within a family grappling with loss, highlighting the importance of forgiveness and healing.

While the story is ultimately hopeful, it doesn't shy away from the difficult realities of grief and loss. June's writing is a testament to the power of vulnerability, showing how even in the darkest of times, hope and love can find a way to bloom.

**Overall, 'Out of the Blue' is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers of all ages. It is a powerful exploration of grief, self-discovery, and the enduring strength of human connection.**

**I highly recommend 'Out of the Blue' to anyone looking for a compelling and emotionally resonant read.**

This was so cute! I was so excited to recieve this, solely based on how adorable the cover is. But luckily, Jason June completely delivered on the premise of the book. I loved this from start to finish.

I really liked the premise of this book, but I thought that the writing style was pretty weak for me.

Was not a fan of the writing style of this one, did not finish. Liked the premise of the story though.

I loved this book and we will be stocking and selling it! Jason June is one of my favourite LGBT Authors (apologies for this review being so late!). We are waiting for enough paperbacks to be available for us because we are turning it into a book box :)

Jason June books are just the cutest. I always feel warm and fuzzy afterwards. This book was no exception. It was an absolute delight.

I absolutely loved this novel.
Such a great story with defined characters and a great plot.
What drew me in the most was how fleshed out the characters were
The writing style was fluid and relateable.
The cover was fascinating as well.
A reviting read overall
Definitely recommend adding this to your TBR!

This laugh out loud, sex positive romance is the perfect mix of teenage angst and self-discovery. A must read for summer!

A sweet young adult LGBTQIA romance. I honestly believe we are passed the 'educational' stage. I also kept singing Disney Little Mermaid tunes, which made it an enjoyable read. Crest was not a really pleasant character, but I did enjoy Sean. Just fine for me.

Jason June definitely knows how to write cute, inclusive LGBT+ stories. I thought the characters in this book were more likable than in Jay's Gay Agenda. Nothing groundbreaking, but very sweet and entertaining.

When I first started reading this story I worried it wasn’t going to be for me. Sean felt like a cliched gay teen in love moping at his first heartbreak and Crest felt rude and difficult. I thought oh no how am I supposed to be on their side. I persevered through a few more chapters and slowly started to get into it. My jadedness got swept up in this rather sweet “different worlds” romance. Both Sean & Crest/Ross grew substantially as characters and I ended up really rooting for their love. Ross’s clueless tourist persona was suitably charming and Sean’s love of film and scenic eye made things interesting. I was so pleasantly surprised at the ending and it felt so refreshing that the author didn’t force Ross to stay on land with Sean and undoubtedly become unfaithful to his personality and history. The trick bait ending I loved as well when Sean had the opportunity to become Mer himself but also turned the chance down. I thought “ooooh here we go. It’s going to be cliche” but no! Too marks for that!
Overall it was sweet. More layered that I imagined and just all round charming. I would definitely try another book by the author to compare

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

This book was an alright quick read, but it won't be sticking with me. I feel like there was a lot that could have been developed (climate change, pollution, lgbt spaces, etc.) that was skimmed over. I don't think the plot or characters were very well developed, but it was a fluffy read. I liked the pacing and thought this was a fun, quick read overall.

Ahhhh the classic story of boy is dealing with a breakup and finds himself falling for a nonbinary merperson. A tale as old as time.

Jason June writes delightful characters who you can’t help but fall in love with and root for. Crest and Sean immediately have chemistry and you just want them to be their happiest. Yes of course you know that using this merperson to make an exboyfriend jealous and regret the breakup is a bad idea. But you don’t care. At least I didn’t.

I love that these teenagers talk and act like teenagers! Messy, awkward, all of it.

The story fell for me in the last 20% which bummed me out but I’m still glad I read it. Can’t wait for the next Jason June book.

4 stars

This was a super cute romance between a boy and a mermaid (merman?). It gave wonderful summer vibes and is perfect for a good beach read or just a good read anytime you want a little sunshine in your life!

I love when fake dating leads to real feelings. This was a sweet coming of age queer rom com, and I really enjoyed the NB and plus size rep.

I really enjoy reading books by Jason June and this one did not disappoint either!

I loved the relationship between Ross and Sean, I loved seeing how it developed between the two of them. I really enjoyed the growth.

A perfect summer ready, i LOVED the mermaid aspect of this, Mermaids are a favourite of mine, so I liked how the Jason created the back story and helps change the views of mermaids.

Jason June's Out of the Blue is a gay romance that at first glance had a lot of promise. But this one fell short for me. I liked the premise, but not the delivery.