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Checking Him Out #1.2
Hiding Out
If any adult was going to get the chicken pox, it would be Sean Tierney. That alone would be bad enough, but his illness means friend and colleague, Josh Sandison-Morley, has to step in and face his fears: guest-speaking at a university in Norwich. As Josh gathers his husband and his foster daughter for the trip, he is unaware that their world is about to collide with that of another makeshift family: Noah and Matty’s.
Matty is agonising over his impending dance show. Sure, talent scouts will be in the audience, but there’s an even bigger problem. Noah—Matty’s on-again, off-again boyfriend—has promised to be there too. And Matty’s dance? It has a secret meaning he’s not sure he’s ready to reveal to Noah.
Can Josh and Matty face their fears and perform for their respective crowds? More importantly, will the Sandison-Morleys’ influence be enough to get the young men to express their feelings to each other before it’s too late?
* * * * *
This novella continues the stories of Josh and George from the Hiding Behind the Couch Series and Matty and Noah from the Checking Him Out Series.
Matty is agonising over his impending dance show. Sure, talent scouts will be in the audience, but there’s an even bigger problem. Noah—Matty’s on-again, off-again boyfriend—has promised to be there too. And Matty’s dance? It has a secret meaning he’s not sure he’s ready to reveal to Noah.
Can Josh and Matty face their fears and perform for their respective crowds? More importantly, will the Sandison-Morleys’ influence be enough to get the young men to express their feelings to each other before it’s too late?
* * * * *
This novella continues the stories of Josh and George from the Hiding Behind the Couch Series and Matty and Noah from the Checking Him Out Series.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2015
3 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 11, 2016
This short novella has surpassed its predecessors in terms of emotional strength. I absolutely LOVED this one. Loved Noah and Matty, loved Libby, and enjoyed Josh and George...:-)
April 19, 2015
I was unsure at first how I would get on with 'Hiding Out' since it crosses two established series: 'Checking Him Out' and 'Hiding Behind the Couch', neither of which I'm familiar with. I worried I'd be missing vital plot pieces, or would be unable to relate to the protagonists. As it turned out, however, my reservations proved groundless. From Josh and George and their straight-talking foster daughter Libby, to university students Matty and Noah, the characters drew me into their world from the outset and made me a part of their lives.
Things haven't been the same for Matty since he and Noah broke up. True, they're simply postponing their relationship until after they finish university, but the strain of remaining friends when Matty wants so much more is beginning to tell. On top of this, he's a bundle of nerves over his upcoming dance show. Not only will there be talent scouts in the audience, but Noah has promised to be there, and Matty's solo will put his deepest desires on display for all to see. The question is: are he and Noah ready to face up to them?
Help reveals itself from an unexpected quarter. Fifteen-year-old Libby can hardly believe her luck. After years of being shunted between foster families, she finally has a stable home with Josh and George Sandison-Morley. When Josh is called upon to guest-speak at Norwich University, he takes George and Libby along for the trip. It's here that Libby meets Matty, gorgeous and outgoing, and the more taciturn Noah. Perceptive beyond her years, she soon discerns their feelings for one another. Libby merely hopes she can give them a nudge in the right direction before it's too late.
This is a sweet and gently humorous short story about how confronting your fears can sometimes yield unexpected rewards. Debbie McGowan writes with real warmth and sincerity, and her characters are some of the most believable I've come across in a while. They're so completely normal and down-to-earth, their dialogue so authentic, I could easily imagine bumping into any one of them on the street. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them, and look forward to reading more from this author.
Written for Rainbow Book Reviews and Boys on the Brink
Things haven't been the same for Matty since he and Noah broke up. True, they're simply postponing their relationship until after they finish university, but the strain of remaining friends when Matty wants so much more is beginning to tell. On top of this, he's a bundle of nerves over his upcoming dance show. Not only will there be talent scouts in the audience, but Noah has promised to be there, and Matty's solo will put his deepest desires on display for all to see. The question is: are he and Noah ready to face up to them?
Help reveals itself from an unexpected quarter. Fifteen-year-old Libby can hardly believe her luck. After years of being shunted between foster families, she finally has a stable home with Josh and George Sandison-Morley. When Josh is called upon to guest-speak at Norwich University, he takes George and Libby along for the trip. It's here that Libby meets Matty, gorgeous and outgoing, and the more taciturn Noah. Perceptive beyond her years, she soon discerns their feelings for one another. Libby merely hopes she can give them a nudge in the right direction before it's too late.
This is a sweet and gently humorous short story about how confronting your fears can sometimes yield unexpected rewards. Debbie McGowan writes with real warmth and sincerity, and her characters are some of the most believable I've come across in a while. They're so completely normal and down-to-earth, their dialogue so authentic, I could easily imagine bumping into any one of them on the street. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them, and look forward to reading more from this author.
Written for Rainbow Book Reviews and Boys on the Brink
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July 30, 2015"This is what it's like when worlds collide..."
When somebody says, "I'd love it for my birthday if you wrote..." what can you do but oblige? So if you love this story, thank Raine O'Tierney; if you hate it, blame me! :)
This is a crossover story, featuring Matty and Noah from Checking Him Out and Josh and George from Hiding Behind The Couch. The story centres on Matty for the most part, who readers of Checking Him Out will know is completely head over heels in love with Noah. Noah, possibly, loves Matty too, but he's not very communicative so it's hard to say for sure.
Then Matty meets up with the Sandison-Morleys - specifically their forthright foster daughter (first seen in A Midnight Clear) - and things start to move.
Small-scale espionage, kissy romance and young people who are positive and resilient in spite of their rough start in life, I wrote this with the intention that it would make readers (one in particular) see that the world can be a beautiful place. I think it is.
When somebody says, "I'd love it for my birthday if you wrote..." what can you do but oblige? So if you love this story, thank Raine O'Tierney; if you hate it, blame me! :)
This is a crossover story, featuring Matty and Noah from Checking Him Out and Josh and George from Hiding Behind The Couch. The story centres on Matty for the most part, who readers of Checking Him Out will know is completely head over heels in love with Noah. Noah, possibly, loves Matty too, but he's not very communicative so it's hard to say for sure.
Then Matty meets up with the Sandison-Morleys - specifically their forthright foster daughter (first seen in A Midnight Clear) - and things start to move.
Small-scale espionage, kissy romance and young people who are positive and resilient in spite of their rough start in life, I wrote this with the intention that it would make readers (one in particular) see that the world can be a beautiful place. I think it is.
July 31, 2015
Wait! What?!!! How did I not know this was out?!!! :D hehehe
ETA: The only GR store link that works is Smashwords BUT you can still find it on B&N and Amazon through a search.
****
I FORGOT I BOUGHT THIS!!!
This was the reward I bought and had waiting for when I finished my DRitC story!
ETA: The only GR store link that works is Smashwords BUT you can still find it on B&N and Amazon through a search.
****
I FORGOT I BOUGHT THIS!!!
This was the reward I bought and had waiting for when I finished my DRitC story!
December 11, 2015
First the bad. This was listed as book 3. I had read the previous two plus the holiday extra. It turns out the action takes place PRIOR to book 2, which was not mentioned anywhere that I saw. It's strange to hear about something out of the order in which you read. Also, I had read Hiding Behind The Couch in preparation for this one. I discovered that there are others in the Couch books too, so this book had spoilers for that series if you had only read the first. At least I was somewhat familiar with everyone. I recommend you read this book BEFORE Taking Him On and after you have caught up on the Couch series.
Now the good. As usual, it was full of love and strong emotion, and I liked absolutely all the characters. I got quite choked up at times.
Now the good. As usual, it was full of love and strong emotion, and I liked absolutely all the characters. I got quite choked up at times.
June 2, 2015
FiveStars
This is a short, sweet crossover story between the Hiding Behind the Couch series and the Checking Him Out series. It's not necessary to have read any stories in either world, though it does help provide some character context. There's enough information provided to enjoy the story without it.
There are two converging storylines: One about Josh and his family and one about Matty and Noah. Crossovers are tricky and can end up feeling forced or cliched, but there was none of that here. The interactions are relatively brief and have only minor impact in either world--a lot like real life.
As much as I enjoyed meeting Matty and Noah (I haven't read the other books with them), Josh is just about my favorite character in any series ever, and I could read about him forever. It's his insights which are the backbone of any story in which he appears. His interactions with the other characters are odd, charming, and perceptive, and I enjoy seeing the world through his eyes.
What I find so delightful about the Hiding Behind the Couch series is that it feels very much like a book version of a favorite television serial. Every time I pick one up, it's like tuning in to see what happens next. I love Ms. McGowan's smart, classy style and the way so much of the story emphasizes the psychology of the characters. Even in such a short story, all the strong personalities are evident.
Another well-written, enjoyable tale.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Amy
This is a short, sweet crossover story between the Hiding Behind the Couch series and the Checking Him Out series. It's not necessary to have read any stories in either world, though it does help provide some character context. There's enough information provided to enjoy the story without it.
There are two converging storylines: One about Josh and his family and one about Matty and Noah. Crossovers are tricky and can end up feeling forced or cliched, but there was none of that here. The interactions are relatively brief and have only minor impact in either world--a lot like real life.
As much as I enjoyed meeting Matty and Noah (I haven't read the other books with them), Josh is just about my favorite character in any series ever, and I could read about him forever. It's his insights which are the backbone of any story in which he appears. His interactions with the other characters are odd, charming, and perceptive, and I enjoy seeing the world through his eyes.
What I find so delightful about the Hiding Behind the Couch series is that it feels very much like a book version of a favorite television serial. Every time I pick one up, it's like tuning in to see what happens next. I love Ms. McGowan's smart, classy style and the way so much of the story emphasizes the psychology of the characters. Even in such a short story, all the strong personalities are evident.
Another well-written, enjoyable tale.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Amy
July 13, 2016
This is a short, sweet crossover story between the Hiding Behind the Couch series and the Checking Him Out series. It’s not necessary to have read any stories in either world, though it does help provide some character context. There’s enough information provided to enjoy the story without it.
There are two converging storylines: One about Josh and his family and one about Matty and Noah. Crossovers are tricky and can end up feeling forced or cliched, but there was none of that here. The interactions are relatively brief and have only minor impact in either world–a lot like real life.
As much as I enjoyed meeting Matty and Noah (I haven’t read the other books with them), Josh is just about my favorite character in any series ever, and I could read about him forever. It’s his insights which are the backbone of any story in which he appears. His interactions with the other characters are odd, charming, and perceptive, and I enjoy seeing the world through his eyes.
What I find so delightful about the Hiding Behind the Couch series is that it feels very much like a book version of a favorite television serial. Every time I pick one up, it’s like tuning in to see what happens next. I love Ms. McGowan’s smart, classy style and the way so much of the story emphasizes the psychology of the characters. Even in such a short story, all the strong personalities are evident.
Another well-written, enjoyable tale.
July 4, 2015
3.5
I liked this, even though I haven't read the previous stories. I want to know what happens with Matty, though, PLEASE tell me he goes to the Academy! It's sort of open-ended with Matty and Noah and I'm not positive about them.
I liked this, even though I haven't read the previous stories. I want to know what happens with Matty, though, PLEASE tell me he goes to the Academy! It's sort of open-ended with Matty and Noah and I'm not positive about them.
July 4, 2017
A strange mix of Libby and her Dads visiting the uni where Marty and Noah go. The stories are both interesting and sweet, but a bit bland.
Everyone seems so young, and for Josh being a therapist, he doesn't seem to handle things as well as George when it comes to communicating.
Good short story.
Everyone seems so young, and for Josh being a therapist, he doesn't seem to handle things as well as George when it comes to communicating.
Good short story.
February 19, 2025
3.75 stars
I may have liked this more than Checking In, but that may've been due to all the different things going on at once. Still, good to finally get it off Mount TBR.
I may have liked this more than Checking In, but that may've been due to all the different things going on at once. Still, good to finally get it off Mount TBR.
January 18, 2016
Okay storey. I'm sure it would be better if I had read the Hiding Behind the Couch books. I did like the idea of the storey and it did help set the stage for more of Matty and Noah's storey. Quite a bit of it however was George and Josh which I wasn't familiar with at all. I suppose it actually did its job since now I want to read their storey
July 22, 2017
Another good short story. This one allows you to revisit likeable characters and hope for a relationship. Honestly, it also makes you curious about the other series this short has in common.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews