Book 1,007: Outside Looking In (Browerton University #6) – A.J. Truman

This is probably my least favorite of the series. Nathan is Eamonn’s ex (from Out of this World) and not only is he incredibly spoiled and entitled, he’s just a pain in the ass. Liam is an introverted loaner, recently off a breakup from his ex-girlfriend and best friend hooking up. There was a lot of unnecessary drama about Nathan’s mother that is what drove him to New Zealand, but honestly it just all felt so disconnected from the series that the book would’ve stood better on its own and not part of this series.

It’s been so long since I read it, but for the most part the book was too slow and not engaging. Don’t get me wrong, I love a slowburn where characters don’t even kiss until 2/3 through and then all of a sudden, it’s a whirlwind, but this one felt like it dragged on and on. Some of that I think can be taken from my reading the entire series back-to-back so the things that frustrated me early on, continued to do so and then more piled on. Unfortunately, when that happened with this book there was all the added drama of Nathan’s family ties and his dad randomly flying in and it was just too much for me.

Recommendation: Pass. The series could’ve ended 2-3 books ago, it’s gotten so far removed from Browerton we’re talking friends of friends and on a third continent at this point. There was decent character growth and an arc to the story, but I just couldn’t really get into it. This is really sad because usually when New Zealand is in a novel it’s a character in and of itself, but this time it just wasn’t.

Opening Line: “Nathan liked celebrating his birthday—not for the presents, but because it was one of the few days of the year when he knew he’d see his dad.”

Closing Line: “Liam did as instructed and kissed him under the twinkling lights of their own private, sheep-filled universe.” (Whited out to avoid spoilers, highlight to read.)

Additional Quotes from Outside Looking In
“‘You’re going to get dirty. You’re going to be on your hands and knees today.’
‘You sound like my ex-boyfriend.'” (Loc. 721)

“‘I prefer sunrises,’ Nathan said.
‘It’s like God giving us another chance. No matter what kind of shit we got ourselves into the day before, the sun wipes our slate clean. I was used to seeing them when I stayed up all night.'” (Loc. 2,371)