Outside the Lines (Jake's Bar Book 3) by AG Meiers

Damon Stryker is trouble, and bar waiter Sheldon knows it, but he can't seem to resist helping his boss's former friend and ex. Damon plans to be back on the road once he clears his record, but the vivacious Sheldon has him questioning all his motives. Damon wants to help, but falling for Sheldon was not part of the plan.

From the blurb for Outside the Lines:

Forever needs more than Love at First Sight

Damon Stryker spent years trying to outrun guilt and regrets. Now, he has stumbled into danger and is forced to face his past. But once he’s settled the score, he’ll be back on the road. Getting tangled up with a sassy, reckless bartender? Not part of his plan.

Sheldon Baker is on a mission to find true love, but fairy tale romance continues to escape him. No more! Any man, who isn’t looking for happily-ever-after, isn’t worth Sheldon’s time. Getting tangled up with a troubled, morally gray biker? Not part of his plan.

A dangerous murder investigation proves that Sheldon and Damon have more in common than they thought. Together they might be able to protect everyone they hold dear, but can Damon be trusted, or will Sheldon crash and burn again?

But none of that matters if they become the killer’s next victims…

Outside the Lines, Book 3 in the award-winning Jake’s Bar series, is a spicy, M/M romantic suspense featuring a rainbow-colored bar full of quirky characters, and all the romance you can handle. So, download today, and get ready to fall in love with Jake’s Bar.

SNik's Review:

Third in series (Jake’s Bar), best if read in order. Grumpy/sunshine. Ticking clock. Dual POV. 

Sheldon is looking for his HEA, he deserves it after his crappy childhood and all his awful past hookups, and falling for his boss’s ex who arrives bloodied and injured is definitely not a good plan. 

Damon’s return is complicated, his plan to help his ex is hampered by the loyal group of friends that work at Jake’s Bar, and especially the beautiful elfin Sheldon, who more than captures Damon’s attention. 

Danger follows Damon, he can’t be trusted, and even Sheldon knows Damon’s not telling the truth about why he’s returned, but the attraction goes both ways and they find themselves confiding about their pasts while growing closer. 

Sheldon is a fabulous character that has inner strength no matter how many times he’s knocked down, and Damon is committed to reforming, running from his past is even harder when he thinks about leaving Sheldon. 

This story has some action, some steam, some supportive secondary characters, and quite a bit of emotional interactions between Damon and Sheldon. 

AG Meiers has some terrific characters in this series, as well as the overarching plotline that involves intrigue and danger has me impatiently awaiting the next book.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reedkaye's Review:

I’ve read all the previous books in this series and this story is another great example of why I love this series. The author deals with broken characters, gives great background explaining what broke them and what it takes to help them face the future.

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This story centers on Sheldon, an employee at Jake’s bar and Damon, a character from Jake’s past.

Sheldon is a lot quirky, with a horrible past. No one seems to stick around him and he is getting desperate for a permanent relationship and home.  

Damon, who was Jake’s bff growing up, has a past with Jake, and all of a sudden shows up at Jake’s bar. His returning shakes up everyone and causes a ripple in Jake and Con’s relationship.  

This is a heart-wrenching story when you have both main characters who break your heart. I love seeing the softer side of Damon and the fierce side of Sheldon.  

There is a bit of a mystery going on, but it doesn’t get resolved. That is the one part I hate about a continuing series where questions are lurking but unanswered. Now it’s just waiting for the next book and hopefully getting more answers.

Rating: 5 Stars

Outside the Lines is available to buy in Kindle format.