Outplayed

This book was like landing in the alternate reality of romance, where I rarely take a stroll. But it was an amazing experience with so many, fun, loving and sweet moments, so I lost myself in this enjoyable double bi-awakening story. I won't retell the plot, leaving the pleasure of that exploration to the readers. But I have to say that I loved Aspen. Thanks to his upbringing and supportive family environment, he still looks at the world with pure, enthusiastic wonder as an open field where he is free to explore and conquer in search of the right place for himself and the way he wants his life to be. Cooper is complete opposite - repressed and confined within the strict boundaries of his parents' expectations, he is taught that his life must fit into certain societal norms if he is to succeed. When he meets Aspen, his whole life does a 180. Cooper can't even grasp the idea of absolute freedom, of being the person he wants to be in the first place and everything else as a second priority. Aspen is the much-needed wake-up call for Cooper. And I'm glad they met. Another excellent, heart-warming story with a different flavour than the usual in Courtney's writing palette.