Out of Sync

Written by Vanessa North

Narrated by Curtis Michael Holland and Logan Stearns

Jacks Williams is Ritchie Ford’s one great love. Their life as the rhythm section of the band Vertical Smile is perfect—only upstaged by the one they share as lovers. Until one night Jacks locks himself in the bathroom and slices his arms open, shattering everything Ritchie knows.

Ten years earlier, Jackson Williams, III appeared to lead a charmed life. In reality, it was hell. Trapped in an abusive home, Jacks acted out small rebellions and dreamed of freedom. Until Ritchie Ford rescued him like a puppy, and everything changed. He would be perfect for Ritchie—it was the least he could do.

Months after Jacks attempted suicide, the two men struggle to navigate their formerly perfect relationship. After ten years of loving their idealized versions of each other, can they make a life together out of the truth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Jun 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094444031

Vanessa North

Vanessa North is a romance novelist, a short fiction geek, and a knitter of strange and wonderful things. Her works have been shortlisted for both the Lambda Literary Award and the RITA© Award, and have garnered praise from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Publisher’s Weekly. She lives in Northwest Georgia with her family: a Viking, twin teenagers, and a very, very large dog.

Reviews for Out of Sync

[Kimi · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The story was quite sweet. The only irritating point was the narrator kept adding a 'd' to the end of many words

[mpsaltiesperia46 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another excellent story full of love and heartache and sweetness. The brilliant narration kept me interested throughout, it was like I was there amongst the friends especially the MCs. The storyline is a hard listen at times but still recommend.

[Brooke Lange · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the story, mostly, though there were some areas that could have used a bit more development, like the all encompassing love that Ritchie and Jax have isn’t really developed, it’s like they meet and talk on the phone and then they’re soul mates. And I know this is something that does actually happen to people, I just wanted to see it more in the book. I enjoy Vanessa North’s stories usually but they all have the same slightly under developed characters and moments of the story that need a bit more.
The thing that really detracts from this book however, is the narration. It’s stiff and clunky and just…no good and needs to be re-recorded by someone else. Which would bump it up a star.

[Cesar Franquiz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I ran into this book by accident. It definitely exceeded my expectations.

[Cynthia Jordan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this book was beautiful as I knew it would be the author just knows how to use her words , I love it 5+ stars

[Chris Maxwell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There was a confusing section as described in other reviews. I wonder if the audio wasn't pieced together correctly and it was missing.

[Angela White · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is so much more than boy meets soulmate. Sadly finding respect and support doesn’t wash away years of emotional neglect and psychological warfare- which is exactly what a controlling abusive parent is. Beyond being removed from harm, living with scars from that abuse doesn’t just go away because you’ve built a life to be proud of.

[Natalie Tice · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It started off really great had a lot of really hot spicy scenes that I loved but I had my doubts as to jaw the book would be pulled together but in the end I really enjoyed the book!

[Sandra Depari · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this story!! Seriously I couldn’t stop listening. Definitely recommend

[Jody Neuman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book sure does give a person all the feels and there truly is no right or wrong way to move past trauma, it's damn hard to navigate especially in a relationship! Loved the happy ending and the changes they made together!!

[catZinca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WELL DONE! Difficult subjects. You need to be addressed more often by lots of authors. I am a retired psychotherapist. This would have been a book I recommended to clients sometimes.

[Tammy Rowe · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked it, but it was way too confusing for me. Like when the heck did he try to commit suicide. I went back 3 times to try to find it. That wasn't the only time I was confused. Maybe I'll listen to it again in a couple of months... Without falling asleep LoL, and it will make more sense to me.

[Amelia · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

(MAJOR SPOILERS) I found myself getting frustrated at Jack’s character and the way he almost seemed to invalidate Ritchie’s feeling and own trauma. The fact that Jack (in part)moved away because Ritchie was struggling to process it all and wasn’t “moving on” was awful to me. But then I had to remember that this book isn’t about making perfect decisions and doing everything right in a relationship. In fact, it highlights the issues and complicated dynamics within a relationship. However, the biggest problem I had with the book is that the relationship development towards the end felt really speed up. There needed to be a bigger conversation at hand about the issues within their relationship. I know it was hinted that they would start making these developments when they would eventually start going to therapy together, but I wish we could see what that conversation looked like. I wish they just didn’t jump into marriage, and honestly the author could’ve left off on a more melancholy note and if would’ve been more fulfilling. Like what tf happened to Ritchie finding himself without Jack?? What a missed opportunity for Richie’s character (and i know he did that music solo but it doesn’t count). Overall it kinda left me unsatisfied but was a great attempt at tackling such a difficult subject. -2.5