REVIEW: OUT OF PLAY by JOLENE PERRY and NYRAE DAWN

Category/Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: 8/6/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 320
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn't have a drug problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.　

Hockey player Penny Jones can't imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who'll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door.

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

 

So, I've read almost all of Nyrae Dawn's books, and have truly enjoyed them. She's one of the authors I always make time for. However, this is the first of Jolene Perry's books I've read (though I own several) and I have to say that I really enjoy her writing as well. Out of Play also happens to be the first book I've read written by more than one author. This is what really had me curious. The story blended together so well that I would have never realized otherwise.

Well, I say it blended, but there was one way Out of Play most certainly did not blend and that is in the characters' voice. Because one character is a male teen rock star and the other is a female teen hockey player, obviously this is a good thing. Dawn wrote Bishop Riley, and as always, her knack for writing the male point-of-view amazes me. Bishop is a guy with some heavy issues, but he never felt like a cliche, to me. He was troubled, but still had a lot of humor. I love the emotional and physical journey Bishop undergoes on his way to becoming a better, stronger man.

Out of Play's heroine, Penny Jones, was a pleasant surprise. Penny was an independent, tough, brave young woman. I mean, she's a hockey player! Penny's world revolves around her team, and her family. I absolutely adored the way the team was written as a good bunch of guys who respect Penny. Penny is a force. Her strength, determination and heart makes her a stand out character.

Out of Play is not only about an emerging relationship, but also deals with substance abuse. I appreciate that this was handled so responsibly, with a strong focus on accountability and proper treatment. But honestly, I could basically say the same for the rest of the book. Whether dealing with family issues, friend issues, or love, Dawn and Perry handled each issue with care, and I loved that.

Out of Play is a very strong Young Adult story. It has humor, a love story, and depicts two young people at a crossroads. And though Bishop and Penny seem meant to be together, they must ultimately choose their paths and hope they once again converge. And that makes Out of Play a responsible and beautiful story.



Favorite Quote:

    Are all Alaskans this nosey? The only thing I know about the state is it's cold, full of trees, and Sarah Palin can see Russia from here.   ~eARC, 20%
 

  "There's more to you. And once I decide I need to know, I'll figure you out."
  Whatever hint of a smile he used to have is gone. "I don't doubt it."
  I spin and move back toward the exit, feeling a bit like we've talked a step too deep on both ends, and I don't think that's what either of us wants today.
  "But Penny?"
  When I turn to face him, he actually looks vulnerable. I stop and suck in a breath, afraid to speak. "Don't dig, okay? Not yet."   ~eARC, 35%


  So this is why people say they "melt together." I've always wondered. Like melting candle wax, and blending colors -- the more we're together and kissing, the less I can tell where I stop and he starts.  ~eARC, 70%

Purchase Out of Play

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble


 

About the authors

Jolene Perry
I wear juvenile T-shirts, worn-out chucks, and eat too much chocolate. I write. A lot. I make up words, drink Shirley Temples, and suffocate a little without my iPod.

Website  |  Blog  |  Tumblr  |  Facebook  |  Twitter


Nyrae Dawn
I am a compulsive · and writer who loves YA fiction.

I love nothing more than writing about young adults. There is something so fresh and fun about it. You can pretty much always find me with a book in my hand or open document in front of me.


I live in Southern California with my husband and two children.

Connect with Nyrae:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  GoodReads


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