Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Tai and Ollie met as kids and bonded over the Hawaiian surf. They became the best of friends and were always together. Now in their early 20s, they are family. They live together in a run-down house seconds away from the ocean in a pulled together family that includes two other friends and Ollie’s younger brother. While they all have jobs, they are always concerned about rent and bills, but the waves will always call to them. In fact, the waves are everything. Ollie always dreamed of making a career as a professional surfer until a minor injury set him back and he pushed that dream aside. Now, he not only has a second chance at surfing, but a chance to make Tai more than his friend.
Tai came out in his teens and his easy nature affords him plenty of hookups. He knows Ollie is beautiful, but Tai has completely shut down any feelings he has for Ollie as their family comes first. Ollie had never thought of Tai that way, he’s actually never thought of anyone that way, but Tai grounds him and then arouses him like no one else. When Tai accompanies Ollie on a surfing world tour, their close proximity has them crossing over the lines of friendship. But neither can speak their truth as their entire life becomes carefully balanced as their relationship shifts. If Tai and Ollie can risk it all and say the words, all of their long held dreams may finally come true.
Into the Blue is the debut book from author Pene Henson so it was a good fit for this week’s New-to-Me Author Challenge. It’s also published by Interlude Press and their books have rarely let me down. I also chose this book as it’s based in Hawaii and the allure of a slower paced and scenic book was calling to me. Henson excelled not only in creating a well written debut book, but also in showcasing the characters’ love for their island home.
When we meet Tai and Ollie, they are already intertwined. It’s interesting here in that there are minimal flashbacks to their early friendship, yet their bond is strongly felt. Tai is the outgoing one and everyone knows him or wants to know him. He’s the central point in his friends’ lives, the friends who are his family and are everything to Tai. Ollie is way more reserved than Tai. He has few friends by choice and he doesn’t do well in crowds. He also has never had a romantic relationship. It’s presented as something that has almost never occurred to him as he’s just not comfortable with most people. He’s comfortable with Tai and when it’s just the two of them many miles from home, Ollie starts to see Tai differently.
Tai has been in love with Ollie for a long time, except he hasn’t admitted it even to himself. Their friendship is everything and Tai would never risk that so he keeps the thought of a romantic relationship with Ollie locked down tight. The guys know each other so well to the point that while surfing they can move around each other without thinking as they are each extensions of the other. It’s only on rare instances that Tai will let himself acknowledge how amazingly beautiful he thinks Ollie is until Ollie asks for more and Tai wants all of Ollie. Tai and Ollie are at once older than their years, but simultaneously in over their heads as they try to navigate the change in their relationship, but there is a certain beauty in the way they discover each other.
There were just a few areas where I was looking for more. While there are small details offered regarding Ollie’s sexuality, he mostly deals with it within his own head and then arrives at a conclusion. It all feels natural for him and the tone of his character is in keeping with the rhythm of the book, but I would have liked if the author had included the reader just a bit more on the finer details. The book is also told in third person and for me, in certain cases, this style keeps some of the emotion at a distance. I also really could have used a scene or two more with Tai and Ollie at the end as from my perspective it would have balanced out all that had transpired between them.
The book is set to island time and it’s poetic with a gauzy feeling at times. The pace of the book is also slower and quieter, much like the setting itself. The landscape is vivid as the scenes of surfing show the passion the characters have for it and by extension each other. Into the Blue is a sweet and soft story that beautifully captures Tai and Ollie and their journey from friends to lovers.
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for New-to-Me Author Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win a fabulous prize from Interlude Press. One lucky winner will receive a selection of signed print books, as well as a variety of ebooks by authors new to Interlude Press this year. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press (a loaded Kindle fire filled with DSP books!). You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on New-to-Me Author Week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
Oh! I almost picked this one as my challenge book this week. From your review, I wish I had since I am a bit disappointed in the one I did pick (for which I had high expectations).
Thanks for the review!
The week isn’t over-there’s still time!
I loved this book. It’s hard to make such a careful level detail interesting, but I thought Ms. Henson aced it.
Agreed!
This sounds very lovely, with a strong sense of mood!
It is all of those.
I remember seeing this one when the author did the blog tour for the release. It looks good. Thanks for the review. I’ve added to my wishlist.
Thanks Lisa.
This isn’t one I’d heard about before, so I’m glad you chose it, Michelle. I was just reading a book that was second chances, 15 years later, and I was thinking about how much I’d wished there’d been some flashbacks because I really needed to see how they interacted then and what caused all the problems. So, I like that you mentioned how well this one gives the reader such a good sense of their relationship with current day and the minimal flashbacks (I know some people don’t like them, but I do). I think that’s important when you’re not just seeing the start of a relationship. This definitely feels like the kind of story I’m in the mood for right now, so I appreciate the heads up about it!
These guys are in their early 20s so they don’t have as many years and their bond was naturally worked in. I don’t have an issue with flashbacks either when needed because I always want to know all the things about the characters. Thanks Carolyn.
I’m not sure why I’ve never shopped at Interlude Press but this one sounds so good. I’ve always loved
“friends to lovers” when it’s done well. Thanks for the review. 🙂
Interlude is a smaller publisher and I’ve managed to read a great variety of their books. One of my favorite friends to lovers is from them. Thanks for the comment, Barbra.
This does sound appealing, so thanks for the review, Michelle. And what a peaceful cover; It looks so calming.
The cover definitely fits the feel of the book.
This sounds compelling!! And that cover just gives me calmness. Maybe I will give it a try. Thanks so much for the review, Michelle.
You’re welcome, Ami. Interlude often has great covers!
I remember this one from the blog tour. I thought it sounded interesting even more so now. Thank you for the review.
You’re welcome.
Thank you for the excellent review, Michelle! You make the book sound really appealing. Pene Henson is also a new author for me, and it was one of my choices when I was considering which book to read for this week’s challenge, but I decided I wanted something with more action (thus, Shiver). But I’m definitely going to read Into the Blue soon.
Thanks, Susana! This has almost the opposite feel of Shiver-two very different books. I have the sequel for Shiver waiting for me-can’t wait. When you are looking for something softer and quieter, Into the Blue would be a good choice.
A great review. This book sounds so intriguing to me, the setting and the pace. I should read this one.
Thanks, Cyntia. Enjoy it if you have a chance to get to it.
This sounds like a sweet story! I’ll have to add it to my list. Thanks for the review!
It is sweet and easy to read.
Great review. I just finished Into the Blue. I really enjoyed it as well. I didnt want the book to end. I hope Pene writes another book soon.
I could have used another scene or two as well. I will definitely read something else by this author. Thank you!
This sounds lovely. Thanks for the review!
You’re welcome.
I love a good friends To Lovers book and this one sounds perfect for a lazy afternoon. Thank you for the review 🙂
It’s a good choice for a relaxing day.
I like the cover, and the story looks interesting too. Thanks for the review! I’m going to check this one out.