Outdrawn by Deann Gray⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Remember when I said I was in a reading slump because of Scythe? No ma’am. Not when I’m holding this baby right here.
June is officially back on track because this sapphic romance grabbed me by my wig. 😭 I read 26 chapters in 2 days. TWO DAYS. Baby, this one right here gets 30 stars.
I really didn’t want to fall in love with this book. I went in fully prepared to be normal about it. Instead, now I feel like life is worth living. Hell, maybe I’m gonna fall in love. Jk, jk. 😂
This book follows Noah and Sage, who are art rivals. And listen—I was scared it was going to be one of those “rivals” romances where they mildly dislike each other for five minutes before jumping into bed. But no, no. They were most definitely rivals. And when Chapter 17 finally arrived? The spice was earned.
What really got me was how deep and complex their relationship became. This wasn’t just a rivalry turning into a love affair. Every chapter peeled back another layer of who these characters were. As the big sister who gets it? Girl, I see you. Thank you for writing this for me.
I was a little unsure about the audiobook narration at first because the voice acting felt very breathy. But after listening to more chapters, it really grew on me. I ended up enjoying how the narrator handled the different points of view.
I also loved that both Noah and Sage have real-life problems. They’re both trying to throw themselves into work instead of dealing with everything going on in their lives, and that felt incredibly relatable.
I love this book. As a sensitive butterfly myself, having characters who just get it was so niceeee. And honestly? Why didn’t I read this sooner?!
Finishing a book in 2 days is a new record for me. It took me 3 days to finish The Getaway, and I thought that was fast. But I literally could not put this one down. I had to keep checking in on Noah and Sage.
30 out of 10.
This book actually has me believing in love again.
Girl, read this. Bye.
Reading 'Outdrawn' was a delightful and immersive experience that genuinely rekindled my faith in romance novels, especially within the sapphic genre. The way Deann Gray portrays Noah and Sage as fully fleshed-out characters struggling with personal issues while navigating their rivalry-turned-romance felt incredibly authentic. Their tension isn't just a plot device but a layered relationship with genuine emotional depth. The art rivalry adds a creative and relatable backdrop, with vivid descriptions of their artistic endeavors and how it reflects their personalities and conflicts. It was fascinating to see how their competitive spirits sparked attraction rather than animosity, making the romance feel earned and satisfying. The audiobook experience is worth mentioning too — although the narration has a distinctive breathy style that might initially seem unusual, it actually enhances the intimacy of the storytelling and differentiates the characters’ points of view. After a few chapters, I found this narration style complemented the emotional nuances perfectly. As someone who appreciates stories featuring characters dealing with realistic problems, I really connected with the way Noah and Sage channel their frustrations into work, a coping mechanism many of us can relate to. The slow development from rivalry to love allowed the story to deeply explore their vulnerabilities, making every chapter peel back new layers of their personalities. If you're like me—a sensitive soul craving stories that 'just get it'—then 'Outdrawn' is a perfect choice. Its blend of romance, rivalry, real-life challenges, and palpable chemistry kept me hooked, finishing the book in just two days. This novel not only entertains but also offers a warm reminder that love can be complex, messy, and utterly beautiful, and sometimes it’s found where you least expect it.
