So I did finish this book in one sitting (like 5 hours). The relationship between William and Dan is cute…BUT a lot of the book is repetitive. Essentially, they do the same 4 or so things throughout the whole book (i.e. cuddling, sleeping, eating, etc). Also, they were VERY formal with each other the the whole time and, now that I think about it, William mentions that his friends ‘pretty much just call him Will’ except they rarely call him that for the following 300 pages.

I like the virgin crush William develops for Daniel and the poor man’s puppy dog vibes at the beginning. However, I think the abuse, drugs, and PTSD angles could have been handled better. I have anxiety and depression but haven’t experienced the other stuff so I can’t say how accurate (or apparently inaccurate, according to a lot of reviews) they’re portrayed here.

Then there’s the coming out angle. I’ve read A LOT of coming out books and, with it being almost insultingly obvious to William and me as a reader that EVERYONE knows William likes Daniel, being dragged through 300+ pages of William just not telling anyone until the very end feels…well, insulting. I support that everyone has their own way of coming out - even fictional characters - but the supporting/minor characters LITERALLY TELL William that Daniel likes him and that they know he likes Daniel BUT WILL DENIES IT EVERY TIME! Once or twice, sure, but we have insight into William’s thoughts and he basically says he obsessed with Daniel numerous times. It just doesn’t make sense why he can’t accept people saying he likes Daniel when he says he likes Daniel, at least not when everyone William cares about says it.

Plus, the age gap. I don’t really think it’s necessary. William and Daniel feel more like they’re the same age. I had to constantly remind myself how much older Daniel is. It just feels unnecessary.

And I guess that’s my hot take on Not Quite Out.