Review - Off The Beaten Path by Katrina Strauss

Off the Beaten Path by Katrina Strauss is an m/m contemporary novella at 129 pages that features hot sex scenes at a 4 on the much-consulted 1 to 5 sex scene scale. It is told in close, third-person viewpoint that alternates scene by scene between the two main characters.

Travis is a carefree college student who is the star player on the lacrosse team. As the good-looking son of a wealthy lawyer, he has a charmed life. Things come easily to him. He is gay, but everyone in his life is fine with it (though he is hiding it from his lacrosse coach). The only thing he lacks is a real lover. He does mess around a little with his straight roommate Dylan, but finds this dissatisfying and unfair to Dylan's girlfriend.

The story begins one night with Travis and Dylan drunkenly standing in fraternity row outside the Omega Beta Pi house. This is the residence of a small group of gay and lesbian students who are environmentalists, and their unofficial name is "Off the Beaten Path." Dylan starts to spray-paint a homophobic slur on the house. However, the residents swarm out and catch Travis as Dylan gets away. Travis takes one look at handsome Kyle who is restraining him, and blurts out, "You're hot!"

The next day Kyle shows up, radiating hostility, at Travis's disciplinary hearing. Two other Path members accompany Kyle, troubled Goth kid Brandon and extroverted lesbian Mac (an outstanding supporting character).

The dean determines that, since spring semester is almost over and summer break is about to start, Travis can atone for his vandalism by joining the three Path members on a "volunteer vacation." They will camp at a national park for several days while helping the rangers repair hiking trails.

Brandon and Mac are fine with this, especially since Travis confesses that he's gay. So the four of them journey to the wilderness where Travis and Kyle must share a tent. Our two heroes immediately recognize that they're attracted to one another. They still aren't getting along because Kyle regards Travis as a spoiled jock and Travis sees Kyle as a self-righteous tree-hugger. But – whoa – that chemistry! Clearly, this is a case of opposites attract.

The boys can't help ogling one another, which leads to each becoming obviously aroused. How can each banish the evidence of his arousal before the other notices? In different ways, depending upon their opposite personalities. Ascetic Kyle wades into an icy stream to quell his erection, and hedonistic Travis "takes matters into his own hands."

Soon the boys can no longer deny their mutual attraction -- to the amusement of Mac and Brandon who quickly catch on. To save face, they decide to keep it casual and be sex-buddies. But their chemistry goes beyond merely physical. Each can recognize that the other isn't so bad – especially when Travis good-naturedly works hard at repairing trails and Kyle relaxes enough to have real conversations that showcase his sensitivity and humor.

Can two guys who are this different in background and outlook succeed in a long-term romantic relationship? Both are wary since they've been burned in the past. But one of them will have to find the courage to admit he wants something more, or they might drift apart after their volunteer vacation is done.

Off the Beaten Path is a terrific story about two extremely appealing characters. Here at Obsidianbookshelf.com, I have only praise and no gripes. The sex scenes are extremely well written and emotionally engaging, and the overall writing is flawless. These are characters that will linger in your mind, and their story is satisfyingly plotted and laced with a lot of humor. What more could we want? Off the Beaten Path is one of my Wildfire Newsletter Recommended Reads. COPYRIGHT: All content copyright © Obsidian Bookshelf, except where noted. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without written permission from Val Kovalin is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Val Kovalin and Obsidianbookshelf.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Click for more information.
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