Review: OUTstanding coming OUT / coming of age story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 8, 2012
I didn't like some of the things Joe did throughout this story, but it was realistic and for people in similar situations it is probably really relatable and that's what I liked about it. I appreciated the writing even though there were a couple of typo errors scattered throughout.  I hated Joe's dad and men like him should not be allowed to parent and quite frankly should be locked away. I felt bad for the mother, but her lack of defense of Joe made it sort of hard to be extremely sympathetic. Joe's home life and the pressure he is under from his father, sports, and himself makes him a sympathetic character, but really it is Darren who tugs at the heartstrings because Joe was mean and a jerk several times. Yes, it was because he was just a frightened little boy on the inside, but he was an intelligent young man who should have been capable of controlling his words. Luke and Eli should have been more honest about what they were doing with Joe, but I'll let you guys come to your own conclusion because even though I didn't enjoy the "exploring" aspect of the story without them Joe might never have realized what his true feelings were. There is a HEA and although there was an epilogue I would definitely read a sequel. Not as long as some books, but not really a novella either. For $2.99+tax it is definitely worth the price.