Review: Uncovering Ray – Edie Danford

Posted 24 April, 2015 by Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 4 Comments

*I received a free copy of Uncovering Ray from Samhain Publisher via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *

Review: Uncovering Ray – Edie DanfordUncovering Ray by Edie Danford
Series: Ellery College #1
Published by Samhain Publisher on 28 April 2015
Genres: Contemporary, LGBT, New Adult
Pages: 309
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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5 Stars

When the right love uncovers the wrong secrets...

Hey, man--you a chick or a dude? Dealing with the same old boring question is a downer for college drop-out Ray Fayette, especially when it's asked by the low-tipping, over-privileged students at the Ellery Diner.

When six-foot-five, muscle-bound straight arrow Wyatt Kelly publicly smacks down a fellow frat bother for caveman behavior, Ray's interest is sparked. Wyatt's not-so-subtle attraction sparks a few other things too.

But getting to know Wyatt proves dangerous. His sexy smiles and smart questions slide under even Ray’s prickliest defenses. Worse, his academic mentor happens to be Ray’s ex-stepfather, the dictatorial jerk who just kicked Ray out of his house. Again.

Wyatt suggests a housing arrangement that has surprising appeal—there’s space available at his frat house—but he’s unaware just how complicated Ray’s “identity issues” are. Ellery College kicked out Ray for a reason—a reason that could deep-six Wyatt’s academic career and Ray’s newly hopeful heart.

Uncovering Ray was a surprising, tender and emotional story, and I will definitely be checking out more titles from this author in the future!

My Uncovering Ray review:

Ray is a very interesting character, struggling with identity on different levels, both when it comes to family and when it comes to gender. Uncovering Ray really does uncover Ray, and the one character to do that is Wyatt. At the beginning of the story, I thought Wyatt was just another jock, playing with Ray by coming by the café to watch, talk and ask questions for his gender studies class. I quickly realized that Wyatt was the real thing, though, curious about sexuality, and pretty open-minded and very smart.

As Uncovering Ray continued, the complexity of the situation sank in fairly quickly. After a car-accident, Ray was still hurt several weeks later, and had trouble working. At the same time, living-situation and general aspects for Ray’s life were very difficult, and soon, Ray had to look for another place to live. In order to make sure I won’t spoil anything I am going to have to be very vague, but let me tell you that Uncovering Ray is a story worth being told, and definitely worth being read!

Dealing with society at large, and how many people are judged by their appearances, Uncovering Ray showed that sometimes, different is definitely good. However, different was also often difficult for Ray. With parents who don’t really seem to care, and an ex-stepfather who is trying hard, but not necessarily in the right way, I was just happy Ray had a step-brother who only saw the love and nothing else. Wyatt was an amazing character, and he really helped Ray to grow, dare going out of that comfort-zone once more and start living again. The journey was quite hard though, especially because some of Wyatt’s housemates gave Ray a very hard time – switching between calling Ray Elvis, or stating that Ray was definitely a girl…

Written in past tense, first person point of view from Ray’s perspective, Uncovering Ray slowly peals the layers off and shows the readers that Ray is just a normal person, hiding behind purple hair and androgynous clothes.

Some of my favorite Uncovering Ray quotes:

Her rough-and-ready cackle made me smile. I wasn’t used to seeing her on the late-night shift and her hair looked lavender under the restaurant’s over-bright track lighting. Did she dye her hair that color? Give it a tint to make the gray look funky? I wanted to ask but I knew from experience she didn’t want to discuss that stuff with me.

The stuff on his table snared my interest. Shiny iPad. A couple of thick paperbacks with econ and finance-type titles. It figured he would be studying money-related things. Ellery was famous for creating future lords of Wall Street, fresh-faced, soul-jaded and eager to screw with the world. I knew this because my dear old dad was an Ellery grad.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.

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4 responses to “Review: Uncovering Ray – Edie Danford

  1. This sounds like an excellent story, Lexxie, and you’ve told me only enough to have me really curious! 😉 I can tell that it affected you and it really touches on tough topics. I am certain that this is a must-read so I placing it atop Mt. TBR. 🙂

    I hope your Monday has been marvelous. I’m trying to catch up on things – new eyes and all. 🙂 **BIG HUGS**

    • I’m glad I was able to say enough to make you curious, even if I had to be very, very vague 😉 I think you’ll enjoy Uncovering Ray, too, Brandee!
      My Monday was great, and my Tuesday has been pretty good so far, too. *BIG HUGS*

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