Today, I'm thrilled to be a part of the TIME OUT by Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, Carlyn Greenwald, and Simon & Schuster's Virtual Book Tour sponsored by Turn the Page Tours. Check out my review below!
My Review:
I give TIME OUT ⭐⭐⭐1/2!
Barclay Elliot lost his grandfather in a tragic car accident and that makes him wonder how much time he has left. He could die any day, unexpectantly just like his grandfather. So he decides he's going to stop living a lie and come out to his entire small Georgia town that he's gay. After all, they all love him, he's the star basketball player, captain, and very popular surrounded by the support of his coach, team, school, and town. Then at a pep rally, he says, "I'm gay," and the entire gym is rigidly quiet. This is how it goes throughout the book. Barclay finds out that coming out still isn't as accepted as he thought and discovers his true friends and family.
I loved the first chapter, how it's set up, and ends with the announcement. As a parent, I kept thinking, no don't do it, honey, it won't end up the way you think. The reaction from his teammates, coaches, and town is exactly how I thought would happen. Throughout the book, you have some horrible jokes played at his expense, and the phrase, "I always knew you were gay." I'm sure that gets old.
This book is very good and I feel all young men and women who are struggling with coming out should read this so they know that they're not alone and help them decide on the right scenario or place to deliver this life-changing news. The book also has a nice romance subplot, with a boy he'd probably not give a second glance if he wasn't struggling with his teammates, school, and town.
The only thing about this book I didn't really care for was the predictable outcomes. Maybe it's because I'm old and lived a little but most of the story felt overdone and unoriginal. Otherwise, great read and I think you'll like it too.
Title: Time Out
Author: Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner, Carlyn Greenwald
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: May 30, 2023
Genre(s): YA Contemporary
Buy Link: https://amzn.to/45BATcI
SYNOPSIS:
In his small Georgia town, Barclay Elliot is basically a legend. Here basketball is all that matters, and no one has a bigger spotlight than Barclay. Until he decides to use the biggest pep rally in the town’s history to come out to his school. And things change. Quickly.
Barclay is faced with hostility he never expected. Suddenly he is at odds with his own team, and he doesn’t even have his grandfather to turn to the way he used to. But who is Barclay if he doesn’t have basketball?
His best friend, Amy, thinks she knows. She drags him to her voting rights group, believing Barclay can find a bigger purpose. And he does, but he also finds Christopher. Aggravating, fearless, undeniably handsome Christopher. He and Barclay have never been each other’s biggest fans, but as Barclay starts to explore parts of himself he’s been hiding away, they find they might have much more in common than they originally thought.
As sparks turn into something more, though, Barclay has to decide if he’s ready to confront the privilege and popularity that have shielded him his entire life. Can he take a real shot at the love he was fighting for in the first place?
Author Info
Sean Hayes is an Emmy Award–winning actor, best known for his role as Jack McFarland on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace. He is also a writer, comedian, and producer. In addition to his credits in television and film, he has also found success on Broadway. He lives with his husband, Scott Icenogle, in Los Angeles. Sean is the author of picture book Plum and young adult novel Time Out.
“We wrote this book because we grew up at a time when coming out felt very dangerous. And while the world has changed a lot since then, people of all ages still struggle with that decision. Hopefully, people will read this book and laugh, cry a little, and maybe see a bit of themselves in the story,” Hayes and Milliner told The Hollywood
Reporter.
Todd Milliner is an Emmy Award–winning producer and writer who cofounded Hazy Mills Productions with Sean Hayes in 2004. He has produced over 400 episodes of television, including hit NBC drama Grimm and the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland. He lives with his husband, Michael Matthews, in Los Angeles.
“We feel optimistic that the country is growing closer to the acceptance of all kinds of people, but we still have a long way to go. We all want to be accepted, especially when we're growing up. We hope this story helps in moving the needle towards acceptance for all. TIME OUT deals with these themes, and we’re excited to contribute to the storytelling of all young adults.”
Carlyn Greenwald writes romantic and thrilling page-turners for teens and adults. A film school graduate and former Hollywood lackey, she now works in publishing. She resides in Los Angeles, mourning the loss of ArcLight Cinemas and soaking in the sun with her dogs. Find her online on Twitter @CarlynGreenwald and Instagram @Carlyn_Gee.
“I loved working with Sean and Todd,” added Greenwald. “It was so fun expanding Barclay and the cast of
characters’ interior lives. There was a real collaborative effort. The book really shaped up so well—a mix of all our
strengths to create a fantastic story. I hope teens have fun with the book and feel seen in Barclay’s struggles with identity, grief, and trying to love a place that doesn’t always welcome you with open arms. Plus, it’s hard not to root for Barclay and Christopher’s love story. I’ve always loved romances that center on characters who are going through it; their happy endings feel especially hopeful and special. TIME OUT is a really beautiful, well-rounded book, and I hope readers experience all types of feelings reading it”