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Nora Phoenix
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Out to Win Kindle Edition

by Nora Phoenix (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 610 ratings
Some people are worth coming out for, no matter the costs…



Judah has hit rock bottom. He’s broke, he’s homeless, and he’s about to outwear his welcome with his friends. 

Plus, he's shoved so deep into the closet he's one step away from Narnia. His last chance is entering The Right Note TV contest in the hopes of winning. What he doesn’t count on is losing…his heart.



Fellow contestant Denver is sunshine personified, even if his bubbly outside hides the horror he’s survived, and he draws Judah in like a damn magnet. But Judah can’t be out, especially not on national TV. It could cost him everything. 



But when trouble follows Denver, Judah has to choose: Denver…or winning. Coming out…or losing the man he loves.



Out to Win is a steamy stand-alone MM romance with a tough-acting virgin, a bubbly twink with a big heart, a dash of kink, some hot bodyguards in the background, and a sweet HEA. Please note trigger warnings for domestic abuse and sexual assault. This book was previously released as The Time of my Life. It has been reedited and has an extra epilogue.
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  1. Print length
    412 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 9, 2018
  4. File size
    2.0 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The format of the book, hooking it on a reality TV talent show which might, or might not, be a shade in line with The Voice works well for anchoring each stage of their relationship from initial meeting through to the wonderfully ambiguous ending. There was also a good set of secondary characters and I do hope Nora is planning on giving us Tim and Nathan's story because I really NEED to read that!" (Mirrigold)

About the Author

Nora Phoenix has been devouring books ever since she could read. It took her way too long to follow her dream of writing one. Now that she has, she's not stopping anytime soon. Besides reading (MM romances, but also a broad range of non-fiction topics, as well as thrillers) and writing, Nora loves traveling and nature. 

Be sure to click Follow to stay up to date on new releases from Nora or check out noraphoenix.com for more info!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079Q914DH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nora Phoenix (February 9, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 9, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 412 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 610 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Nora Phoenix

Nora Phoenix

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Would you like the long or the short version of my bio?

The short? You got it.

I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.

How was that?

A little more detail? Gotcha.

I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.

My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as they have a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.

Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.

Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norasnook/

Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/

You can also stalk me on Twitter: @NoraPhoenixMM

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/

On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-phoenix

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
610 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this romance book's storyline and characters, with one review highlighting the detailed character development. The book receives positive feedback for its readability and writing quality, with one customer noting the author's skill in balancing the narrative. Customers find the romance engaging, with one review mentioning the passionate connection between the characters. The book features hot sex scenes, and customers appreciate its pacing, with one review noting how it deals with significant emotional content.

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14 customers mention "Story quality"12 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as cute and amazing, with one customer highlighting the detailed character development throughout the narrative.

"I loved this story. Denver and Judah are great characters, with real world problems they have to navigate. And, I enjoyed the premise and setting...." Read more

"...The characters were unique and their development through the book was detailed and palpable. The slight kink was hot and meaningful...." Read more

"Denver and Judah learning to live and love is amazing! Great story-line, i really enjoyed the setting of the musical contest tv show...." Read more

"...As all of Noras books this one is a winner and has everything from romance and steamy sex to suspension and broken souls...." Read more

12 customers mention "Character development"12 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one noting how the author beautifully creates her totally flawed men.

"I loved this story. Denver and Judah are great characters, with real world problems they have to navigate. And, I enjoyed the premise and setting...." Read more

"...The characters were unique and their development through the book was detailed and palpable. The slight kink was hot and meaningful...." Read more

"...Terrific read! i loved the supporting characters from the contestants to Denver's family...." Read more

"...And since Nora always writes awesome supporting characters I want a book with Nathan & Tim!!" Read more

12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book amazing, with one mentioning that Denver and Judah are particularly well-matched as characters.

"...Terrific read! i loved the supporting characters from the contestants to Denver's family...." Read more

"...As all of Noras books this one is a winner and has everything from romance and steamy sex to suspension and broken souls...." Read more

"...While both MCs are flawed, together they are flawless...." Read more

"...In any case, I liked the characters, the steam, and the HEA. The writing was extraordinary, as always." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive2 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting the author's skill in balancing the narrative, while another mentions reading it straight through.

"...This story drew me in and was very satisfying to read. Plus, hot men in tight jeans with guitars and a story to tell are impossible to ignore" Read more

"I gave the book 5 stars because Nora Phoenix writes excellent storylines...." Read more

"...characters (beware of possible emotional triggers), but there are a lot of typos that hiccup story flow...." Read more

"This was a solid story with relatable characters. The author did a good job of balancing not minimizing mental health issues and showing they don’t..." Read more

6 customers mention "Sex scenes"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the sex scenes in the book, finding them hot and sexy, with one customer specifically mentioning the hot men in tight jeans.

"...The slight kink was hot and meaningful. And the love was just wonderful. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...Sexy men, Intense and passionate connection that brings life changing experiences in this story kept me glued to my kindle...." Read more

"...Noras books this one is a winner and has everything from romance and steamy sex to suspension and broken souls...." Read more

"...This story drew me in and was very satisfying to read. Plus, hot men in tight jeans with guitars and a story to tell are impossible to ignore" Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one customer noting its intense and meaningful nature, while another mentions how it deals with significant emotional content.

"...The slight kink was hot and meaningful. And the love was just wonderful. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...Sexy men, Intense and passionate connection that brings life changing experiences in this story kept me glued to my kindle...." Read more

"Hit home on a few levels. Some cheesy spots, but that added to the effect. Definitely note the trigger warning at the beginning." Read more

"...Loved the depth and complexity of both Judah and Denver. I know this is a book I'll be reading. I just wish and hope Nathen and Tim have a book...." Read more

4 customers mention "Romance"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, appreciating the passionate connection between characters, with one customer describing it as wonderful.

"...The slight kink was hot and meaningful. And the love was just wonderful. Highly recommend!" Read more

"...Sexy men, Intense and passionate connection that brings life changing experiences in this story kept me glued to my kindle...." Read more

"...The sex scenes were incredibly hot, & you truly felt their connection. It was also fun to see the behind-the-scenes of the music competition...." Read more

"A sweet, sexy, and thoughtful romance with compelling characters and an engaging premise set within a "The Voice" like reality show...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Terry@BismARk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this story. Denver and Judah are great characters, with real world problems they have to navigate. And, I enjoyed the premise and setting. This is my first book by this author, but won't be my last.
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  • Fanni
    4.0 out of 5 stars Talent show love story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Oh yess! This talent show love story was pretty amazing!

    Out to Win is an MM romance set during the selection and contest phase of a singing talent show. The main characters are amazing singers and contestants in the competition. They both have their hang ups and doubts and the realtionship goes through some rocky paths but at the end love conquers all.

    Denver is a bubbly, happy guy with angelic voice. But he hides a brutal past that makes him afraid of his own future and distrustful towards a relationship. Through the book we get to see how he fights and lets go of this past with the help of Judah and some friends.
    Judah. He is a jewish musician, no longer in contact with his family for horrible reasons. He's in a bad place when he enters the show and his self-confidence is very low, though, it doesn't show. His inexperience in love is cute and mixed with Denver's hang ups and needs we get a sweet yet beautiful romance.

    They both enter the competition to win but on the first day of the auditions their future seems to intertwine.

    I absolutely love this story.
    The storyline was perfectly built and structured with the phases of the show from auditions to finale.
    The characters were unique and their development through the book was detailed and palpable.
    The slight kink was hot and meaningful.
    And the love was just wonderful.

    Highly recommend!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dixiecowgirl060
    5.0 out of 5 stars Denver and Judah learning to live and love is amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Denver and Judah learning to live and love is amazing! Great story-line, i really enjoyed the setting of the musical contest tv show. i am a fan of one of those and it was fun to see some of the similarities written about in this story. The books pacing was good and i found it a fun and engaging read.

    Characters are so well crafted that you can feel them and i laughed, cried and rejoiced with them. Denver and Judah both have things that they are working through and they find strength in each other. Sexy men, Intense and passionate connection that brings life changing experiences in this story kept me glued to my kindle. Terrific read!

    i loved the supporting characters from the contestants to Denver's family. I really am intrigued by Tim and Nathan, the bodyguards and so want their story.. hint, hint!!
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  • AnnElm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nobody puts Denver in a corner
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A innocent hot rocker meets a wounded cute boy with a voice of an angel at an reality show/singing competition. That's Judah and Denver and from the moment they meet it's an instant attraction.

    As all of Noras books this one is a winner and has everything from romance and steamy sex to suspension and broken souls.
    And extra star for the last duett and the nod to one of my favourite movies. And since Nora always writes awesome supporting characters I want a book with Nathan & Tim!!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Joslin K
    3.0 out of 5 stars Cute
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The story is cute and fun with well-developed characters (beware of possible emotional triggers), but there are a lot of typos that hiccup story flow. Most are just completely the wrong words, which seems odd for such a well-published writer.
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  • JD
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Hit home on a few levels. Some cheesy spots, but that added to the effect. Definitely note the trigger warning at the beginning.
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  • R Keebler
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great characters, good storyline
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    What I like about this authors is how she beautifully creates her totally flawed men. They have issues that should make them weak, unable to function in a mature relationship. But they discover their weaknesses don't define them. Their strengths do.

    Judah and Denver are two such men. Judah, buried in the closet of his own making. Denver, trying to recover from a brutal relationship. They have nothing in common except music. The competition brings them together in a way neither imagined was possible.

    This book has a lot going on, keeping the reader engaged with the main characters and the secondary players as well. This story drew me in and was very satisfying to read. Plus, hot men in tight jeans with guitars and a story to tell are impossible to ignore
    One person found this helpful
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  • AMP
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is totally Kradam
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    If you know what Kradam means, then we are kindred spirits. If not, I suggest you watch some episodes of American Idol, season 8. Anyway, the TV show in this book is a rip-off mixture of American Idol and the Voice (maybe tribute is a better description), but it works since the American collective is familiar with the format of both shows.

    I LOVE the references to Strictly Ballroom, because it is one of my favorite movies and Paul Mercurio was hot AF in it. You should watch that too.

    It seems a bit much that Judah and Denver would see his dad and Cody in the same night in NYC, but Phoenix was looking for a breakdown/breakthrough moment, I guess.

    Anyway, I really liked this book and since it felt like the Kradam fan fic I used to read, I had hearts in my eyes and felt right at home.

    ETA - there were some editing issues - incorrect words used, the wrong names used a few times, and some janky sentences. Definitely should have been proofed better before uploading.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • TABellmond
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well grounded sweet romance
    Reviewed in Australia on February 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Nora Phoenix gives us something different in this surprise early release. Denver is such a sweetheart and I found myself falling for him immediately. Judah's story was harder to gauge at first and kept me guessing, but his vulnerabilities played into the story beautifully. Each character had to do a lot of growing throughout this story to reach a point where their relationship could work. Add in the additional obstacles of a high-pressure TV singing contest and an ex who is a thoroughly nasty piece of work and the road to happiness was even more compromised. I have to praise the handling of the TV show concept. The timeline, the behind the scenes events, the legalities, the coaching and a million other details were well-considered throughout the writing to give this romance a realistic grounding. Now I'm hoping that we see more of the story from some of the support characters.
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  • Rhiannon D'Averc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and addictive
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Gorgeous love story with the added extra of the singing competition taking place throughout, as well as both leads overcoming trauma. My only regret is that I can't actually watch their performances. The finale scene was so clear to visualise, loved it!
    Report
  • Love2read
    5.0 out of 5 stars Two young men with new futures and hot too!!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I am a true fan of Nora Phoenix but I some how missed reading this book. It is a standalone book. It follows two contestants of a reality music competition, from when they met until the very end. You have some flaming hot, need a fan sex scenes and sexual awakening. It is a fabulous book that I just can’t believe I missed this one. I just loved the young men in this book and I guarantee you will be rooting for them by then end of the book too! Ah swoon!!
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  • pchoc
    4.0 out of 5 stars Heat and Character Aplenty
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Out to Win is set admist a TV singing show. Opposites feel attraction and navigate a rollercoaster. Throw in cultural differences and dark pasts and you have a steamy soap to enjoy. Be aware that there are rape and abuse elements. One lesser character is not resolved with which leaves a jarring note
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  • Donna
    4.0 out of 5 stars I loved it. I hope you will too.
    Reviewed in Australia on July 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Why oh why did I leave it so long to read this book?! This was one of those stories about finding strength in your other half. About being stronger together for all your faults and finding a way forward. About thinking of someone else first, about thinking of yourself as less but seeing you really can be more. And trust. Its about trust. This book was beautiful. Like taking a breath. Well worth reading.
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