Official Synposis: Jeff Russo, a somewhat surly full-time mall custodian and hobbyist storm chaser, feels fated to a life without intimacy, the wall cloud of past trauma poised to wreck every romantic relationship he tries to pursue. But when Jeff meets the constantly corny, very nerdy, and hopelessly endearing Gary Graham of radio station WKBR, he is helpless to fight his burgeoning feelings.
Gary Graham, part-time calculus professor, part-time radio personality, and full-time self-proclaimed weirdo, has packed his schedule to the brim so that he might stave off loneliness. Afraid of losing people, Gary tends to latch on too tightly in his romantic relationships, which has only ever resulted in heartbreak.
Jeff and Gary’s fast friendship threatens to turn into too much too soon, and their romantic intimacy seems to only forecast catastrophe. Forced out of his storm shelter, Jeff will have to face his trauma and learn how to be vulnerable, or chance losing the only man with whom he has ever felt truly safe. And Gary will have to let Jeff take the lead, or risk hurting the broody-yet-sweet man he is starting to love.
Navigating intimacy in the middle of a metaphorical tornado isn’t easy, but Gary and Jeff are willing to try. Because true love is worth weathering the storm for.
This book is incredibly well written and I found that the prose kept me in. Jeff and Gary are both complicated characters in their own way, having their own struggles and worries that they need to work around together, and apart. Jeff definitely struggles with asking for help and the implication that has on their relationship is definitely a big moment for them. I think having these two learn to trust each other, and just exist together, is a really big part of their healing.
There are also a lot of subplots within the story, with Gary struggling with family issues that cause a rift between him and his mother, plus him working himself to the bone to avoid the loneliness that he is experiencing. There is also the backdrop of having this story take place in the 1980s, which definitely gives an extra worry to both Gary and Jeff as they navigate their relationship in a small Ohio town.
Now, being 'the weather writer' you probably want to know about the meteorology aspect of the book. Overall, I thought proper research was done by the author to make sure the weather parts were right, and accurate, for the time period the book takes place. I didn't find myself getting too tripped up thinking about how it could be better. I do wish there was more storm chasing prominently featured in the book, but I can get how that would be hard as a non-meteorologist or storm chaser. I think Jeff's connection with the weather makes a lot of sense, and the having those emotions tied with the weather is a big thing for a lot of meteorologists.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am excited to follow the author to see what else they write in the future!
4 out of 5 stars from me!
Out of the Storm is scheduled to come out November 14, 2024!
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