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Sunday, August 18, 2013

REVIEW: OUT OF PLAY by JOLENE PERRY and NYRAE DAWN

Out of PlayCategory/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

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


Photobucket6z

18 comments:

  1. LOL!!!!! I love the 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%

    That's all I really know about Alaska too.... :)

    This sounds interesting! A female hockey player! I always wanted to play hockey (well, I really wanted to be a figure skater or a hockey player) and my dad was like, "no, that's for boys! you're too delicate" Geez, dad... :P

    Loved your review! I have to read this!

    Liza @ Book Crook Liza

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  2. If I do get the opportunity to see Alaska, I will try and scope Russia, see if there's any truth to that LOL.

    I now gravitate towards MYA, the stories are more realistic and I'm tired of all the love triangles most authors do. I must check this one out.

    Braine

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  3. I wish I had enjoyed this more than I did. It was just okay for me. I really liked Penny though, but I think I would've liked more interactions bt the two characters. Great review!

    Vi
    Confessions of a Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

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  4. Great review Andrea! I have this one to read also and I hope to start it this next week. I haven't read a book by either author, though I have a couple of Dawn's waiting for me. This one sounds cool because of how different the two MC's seem! I can't wait to check this one out.

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  5. I've read and enjoyed a few of Jolene Perry's books in the past, but none of Nyrae Dawn's. Although the premise here doesn't entirely appeal to me, I think I could still appreciate this one. Great review, Andrea! :)

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  6. So agree! I love Nyrae writing male POV! She really rocks it and I loved Penny's voice too. The blend between the two was great. Perfect for two authors to write such different voices.

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  7. I'm the opposite. I haven't read any of nayraes books but I love Jolene perry so I'm excited for this one.

    Great review!

    Michelle @ book briefs

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  8. I haven't read any of Dawn's books although I own quite a few. I think I maybe have read on of Perry's...but this sounds like a great one. I love how you said they handled things like drugs, friends issues, etc., so well. I think it's important for YAs reading books to see how things they have to deal with can be handled well. And it's a great way for adults to learn a few ways in which we can help our YAs. :) Thanks for an awesome review, Andrea!

    p.s. Can I just mention how you always makes me feel better when you say things about owning books that you haven't read...so nice to know I'm not the only one. ;)

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  9. This sounds really good. I have a bunch of both of these authors book, but haven't read any. It's awesome that they can write so well together also. Fantastic review babe!!

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  10. I have this one up for review and I can't wait to get to it soon. It sounds like you really enjoyed it.
    I just read my first book written by 2 authors as well and it was a lot of fun. I was surprised by how the story flowed.
    I love the sound of Penny and I'm glad that this isn't just a romance and has the team playing a role too.
    Great review, Andrea!

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  11. I love both Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry! Their writing and characters are amazing! I’ve read another co-written book by Jolene Perry and Stephanie Campbell (My Heart For Yours) and the writing was so seamless that I would have never guessed it was written by 2 authors.
    I loved Bishop (of course I did, Nyrae wrote him) and Penny was such a great character too! I loved that she wasn’t the typical girl. Such a great story!
    My only issue was that I felt this book wanted to be an NA but they YA-fied it for Entangled which ended up being this weird in between NA/YA thing.

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  12. I haven't had a chance to read Nyrae Dawn or Jolene Perry's work, but this seems like a good place to start. I have heard great things about it and your review only reinforces that claim. The characters and the writing in this sounds fabulous. I'm glad that despite there being two authors the whole story was well-balanced and enjoyable. The romance sounds fun too! I can't wait to read this. Glad you enjoyed this! Great review, Andrea! :D

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 

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  13. I've read Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry separately and together and have enjoyed both ways. Nyrae does have a talent with the male voice and Jolene seems to write strong and likable female characters well. I like the thought of a female hockey player! I'll have to check this story out. Wonderful review, Andrea! :)

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  14. I really do want to read this one at some point. Great review, babe!

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  15. Great review! I love Nyrae's work but I'm not familiar with Perry.

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  16. I am so glad you liked this one. I just loved Bishop. They need to change the cover to make him look like a rock star though. Great review!!

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  17. Excellent Review! I really enjoyed this one too! I loved Bishop (he was so sexy) and how penny was such a strong character. I love the quotes you picked, especially the last one :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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