Reviews

Out of Focus by A.L. Lester

kjnrose's review

4.0

This was a really great short read, I wish there was more of it. It's well written with a great storyline and wonderful characters. I think the story would have been just a little better if it had been longer with more development of their relationship and characters. I still loved it and would recommend.

bellsb00ksandwritings's review

4.0

Out Of Focus was a nice, quick read. It was written really well and I enjoyed the story. I do think, however, that their chemistry/relationship would have developed in a better, more believable way if the book had been a bit longer. I was rooting for them, but they ended up together so fast that it felt too rushed. Had the book been longer, I'm sure this aspect would have been much better. 3.5 stars

I received an advance review copy for free (thank you!!), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

thefiercecat's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

endemictoearth's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

This was some lovely hurt comfort between tech crew at a theater company. It helped me realize that concussion protocols are catnip to me, lol.

whatselizabethreading's review

3.0

This was fine… it was missing a chapter or two for my taste, the conversation went from “why don’t you like me” to “so we’re boyfriends now” with essentially no explanation. 

notguilty's review

4.0

This is a really neat quick read. A slow-burn romance (as slow as you can get with a short story!) with some great character development.

When Luke ends up caring for Alex the two are finally forced to address the feelings they’ve been harboring for one another. Turns out they aren’t far apart in that department.

I would love to read a full-length novel by this author to see what they do in that space.

< ARC provided by Book Sirens and this is my honest review >

claudia_is_reading's review

4.0

A lovely slow-burn romance, although, as this is a short story, most of the slow part is before the beginning :P

We met Alex and Luke at the moment in which their relationship changes, when they go from being co-workers, boss and employee, to be something more. I like how we can see the defrost happening while Luke takes care of Alex, how they finally address the weirdness between them and find that, surprisingly, they both were quite in the same place when it come to each other. :D

A delightful, fast read that will let you with a smile on your face ♥

moonechika's review

4.0

"that's what i want. i want you."

uhmuhmuhmuhm THIS WAS SO CUTE AND SWEET?!

my only complain is that I NEED MORE OF THEM :")

—I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.—

sreberko's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A.L. Lester has a unique way of writing everyday situations as something important. Every character, every event, every dramatic moment. All of them seem close to readers, like something that could happen to them or their neighbors. You know these MCs, even if you meet them the first time. 
And isn't this a rare gift? 

⭐ Luke and Alex are different, likable, and easy to sympathize with.
⭐ As in every A.L. Lester book, there is no way to feel indifferent towards characters and their (small and big) challenges.
⭐ The plot is pretty easy to follow; it could be almost treated as insta-love, if not the mention of the 2 years-long collaboration. It's perfect for a short story, closes in a couple of days, with a suitable epilogue.
⭐ Writing is a *chef's kiss*. 
🌙  The only thing, that didn't work for me, was the sudden change in the relationship between MCs. I understand where it came from, and let's be honest - short stories have to have that kind of jump to provide HEA. It did break the pace of the book, tho.

I want to read more about Luke. He was a fearless and merciless boss and partner, and I would like to get to know him better. See how he manages to put proper boundaries, sets out the work-life balance, and tames Alex. 
And I would like to understand better Alex - why he behaves in one way, but with Luke... suddenly he is different. What exactly does he see in him? 

But this curiosity doesn't come from the lack of explanation or bad descriptions. Sometimes is just... hard to finish your journey with a book that was nice, cozy, and low-angst. I would like to spend more time in this world, absorbing all the fluff...

I received an ARC of this book from the author, and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

readingvoyage's review

lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 I really liked the premise of this story. Alex, a theatre lighting technician and Luke, the production manager, is his boss. Alex is well known for his one-night stands, while Luke prefers committed relationships. In spite of their differences, they both are harboring crushes on each other. When Alex is injured at work, Like takes care of him. 

 

The summary gives far too much away. I would have preferred some of the information incorporated into the story. Instead, we are left with both of them being curt and a bit annoyed with each other for most of the story. Honestly, I didn’t feel any chemistry between the MCs. 

 

It took me a while to figure out where this story took place. Both Cardiff and Manchester were mentioned, but I assumed it was somewhere in Wales by the names of places. 

 

This story is: 

 

• MM Romance
• Mutual pining
• Squeaky clean
• Work colleagues romance
• Zero angst
• A novella that can be read in one sitting