Out of Bounds by Lauren Blakely

 A Review by Wendy

4.5 Making It Work So Good Stars
* * * *

So when I think of the next book to read... I ask myself... What Do I Want...and if there is a new Lauren Blakely out there... I will more than likely jump at the chance to consume it immediately. There is no doubt, for me...I will be totally entertained, totally wanting all the action to be happening to me personally, and loving all the heart, care and humor that goes with it. It is a done deal.

Out of Bounds is a perfect example of this theory.... it is so Blakely. ...great guy, smart gal and uber sexy! It is a novella full of content. It gives everything you could want within this format. It brought these two characters together; instantaneously establishing the rhythm of banter, smarts, respect for each person...and the understanding of what the scenario was...

We have Drew Erickson, up and coming star in the professional football league... he is taking a timeout of being on...enjoying the beach and trying his hand at surfing. He is built (duh... he is the quarterback), staggeringly handsome... and totally committed to mastering these waves on a long board. The Venice Beach has all sorts doing their thing in the ocean and unfortunately for Drew...a surfer does the unthinkable for surfing etiquette...drops into Drew's wave and then his board goes flying in the direction of Drew's head...

Now Dani Paige has been tracking this fine Specimen of Man...yes, she has been enjoying the display of his athletic ability and limbs...his way of never giving up when smacked down by the waves and when he is in the surfing groove... riding a winner... it is a thing of beauty...

So when she sees the lunkhead cut into her ManVision...and the idiot's board is heading for her Eye Candy...this guy new to surfing. Dani yells out Heads Up in hopes to alert him of what is aiming his way...but the orange board hits its target and Drew's head gets smacked hard.

Dani paddles from her spot to where the Big Fella went under...and as he pops up...even after this whack, he is something to behold. Dani approaches him and asks if he is alright and this is the start. Both of them exchange this extremely witty banter... she first seeing sincerely if he is ok... and him becoming intrigued with this wonder-surfer angel...smart, quick and who was nice enough to care and try to alert him of the board. Her also being in a bikini, looking amazing and most importantly... comfortable in her own skin, doesn't hurt either.

There is one other thing he is noticing big time...She has NO IDEA of who he is...He is just a guy to her...and that has been so rare for him...So when the introductions are made...He gives her his full first name Andrew...as all know him as Drew in the Sports world.

What Drew doesn't know is Dani is involved in his world big time. She is one of the Los Angeles Knights team lawyers. She also has been weaned on football since she was a baby; her father, a high school football coach, shared his love for the sport with his daughter freely...He would encourage her to talk of plays, to understand why things happened as they did and when she thought he needed to make some changes on the field...he listened.

Football was part of Dani and she was thrilled to be in a position to work with the Knights. When she realizes Drew wants to keep his identity a secret, she goes with it. She has a bit of understanding how it could be hard to live in the public eye 24/7. This allows the two of them to just be... she does not reveal she works for the Knights and he doesn't say he is the up and coming Quarterback for the Anaheim Devil Sharks.

These two experience an afternoon of perfection. Dani checks to see if his head is actually fine from the hit...old Lifeguard reflexes....and Drew is taken with her not knowing anything about him and still trying to help him out. They go for a drink...flirt/banter some more and Dani has decided she would be open to having a night with his amazing fella...

It looks good for the both of them... a kiss at Dani's door leads to an intensity which demands more...and then Drew's phone goes off. Numbers are punched into phones and both hope to hear from each other.

Of Course, Neither Receives a Text or Call....
Both are disappointed...

Which leads to Dani and Drew meeting under different circumstances...and we are off to a fantastic read...

We get POV's from both Drew and Dani. We have the dance of figuring out how to have it all... because there are obstacles to overcome... but there is an undeniable passion and appreciation for the person they each met on the beach. Both of these people are ripe to give this relationship a try...yet there are legit reasons not to...and that is the quandary.

This novella had all the substance you could want in a quick read... not too short but was fully formed and enough. I will not give anything away...but will share Drew and Dani had a very unique way of passing time on the freeway during a Los Angeles traffic jam...

Very Hands On....

We had secondary characters of a manager and sister who add flavor and counter balance. We also have Drew's teammates who could be a possible next tale...

Overall I would say... this was low in angst, high in sexy banter, actions and fun with just the right amount of heart. TOUCHDOWN!

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

About Lauren Blakely

Since self-publishing her debut romance novel CAUGHT UP IN US three years ago, Lauren Blakely has sold more than 1 million books. She is known for her sexy contemporary romance style that's full of heat, heart and humor. A devout fan of cake and canines, Lauren has plotted entire novels while walking her four-legged friends. She lives in California with her family. With eleven New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than sixty times. Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire as well as standalone hit romantic comedies like BIG ROCK, MISTER O and WELL HUNG, which were all instant New York Times Bestsellers. In the fall she'll release THE SEXY ONE, a standalone romance.