Book 829: Out of Character (True Colors #2) – Annabeth Albert

If there’s one thing I don’t like about reading series as they’re released it’s all the small details I forget  between the books! I vaguely remember Jasper from Conventionally Yours, but only just. However, Annabeth Albert is the pinnacle when it comes to MM romances so when the opportunity arose I jumped for a review copy!*

Out of Character is the story of childhood best friends Jasper, nerdy gaymer geek with a heart of gold, and Milo, sporty problem child who hasn’t quite figured his life out yet. They stopped being friends when they were younger when Milo abandoned Jasper for his jock friends and Jasper held on to that hurt until this book. And I think second chance romances might be slowly climbing my trope list because this one was freakin’ adorable.

The impetus of this novel is Milo has lost four very expensive trading cards from the same TCG that features in the first novel of the series. He realizes the only person he knows who could help him is his former best friend, Jasper. And then we follow them through the trials and tribulations of looking for the cards and getting to know each other again as (young) adults.

I’d waited for this. For him. Even if I hadn’t quite known why, I’d waited. I’d denied myself this because deep down I didn’t think I deserved it, but when Jasper kissed me like this, I felt . . . worthy. Like this whole trying-to-be-a-better-person thing mattered and like it might truly be possible. Because anything that felt this good had to mean that I was doing something right. (Chapter 20)

Albert does a wonderful job of writing the tension between the characters and the edginess/caution of Jasper and nervousness/resignation of Milo. You really feel the emotions constantly between the two and the dual narrative really helps to get this through, even if it just drives me nuts they won’t talk to each other.

I love that Jasper is a cosplayer and that’s how he gets his payment for helping Milo find the cards, by really putting Milo well outside of his comfort zone. The gala scene is by far the best scene of the novel, because it’s when Jasper understands that Milo really is going to do what he can to be better for them as a couple. And reading it from both their perspectives was awwww inducing and pearl clutching swoon-worthy.

I toed my shoes off, leaving them next to his by the door. I liked how they looked lined up together. (Chapter 20)

I’m writing this a little further away than I would usually want to write it, but from what I recall the sex scenes were well written and not too quick or too drawn out (Albert’s one of the best). And ALL of the minor characters from Jasper’s sister (who suffers from an immunodeficiency) to the big bad guy, who I’m guessing might be the protagonist in book three are really well written. Add in Jasper’s family and how overprotective they are of Jasper’s heart when it comes to Milo and the rockiness Milo’s coming out and overall problems causes with his brother (and to a lesser extent his mother) and it’s a great book!

Recommendation: What can I say? Albert has delivered another wonderful book. I’m really enjoying the younger characters and the opportunity for a new range of emotions that I don’t recall having read too often in her works. There are just enough “OMG yes” moments and Albert brings her wonderfully nerdy humor and hobbies to the series. I have everything crossed there will be more books in this series!

*I received a copy of Out of Character from the publisher via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.

Opening Line: “We’ve got to find a new prince.”

Closing Line: “I’d gotten my prince, exactly the one I needed, and now I wasn’t ever going to let him go.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)

Additional Quotes from Out of Character
“I was older now and I was my own damn hero. Maybe others didn’t always see me that way, but I’d grown way past old times’ sake sentiments.” (Chapter 1)

“‘Of course. Picked out a couple. One’s that chocolate-chocolate you used to love.’
He’d remembered that little tidbit, too, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from beaming. It was a doughnut, not an engagement ring, and going out of his way to get them probably only meant he’d been hungry. ‘Thanks. You didn’t have to do that, but I’m not going to turn down chocolate-chocolate.'” (Chapter 9)

“Two weeks ago, I would have laughed at the idea of finding card shuffling sexy, but watching Jasper get set for his first match made this weird mix of pride and awareness gather in my insides, mingling with that energy to bounce on my feet the way Jasper was always doing. He was simply so quietly competent at what he did , arranging his space and cards with practiced fingers. As kids, Jasper had always been the messiest kid in his family, far less ordered than me, and had enjoyed sorting his Legos into little bins—but as a gamer, Jasper was methodical, everything evenly spaced and squared with the table. His play mat featured the same Frog Wizard he’d cosplayed as.” (Chapter 10)