REVIEW: Outlier by Susie Tate

Outlier by Susie Tate: Vicky is used to being called aloof and cold, the ice princess of the family, but what everyone fails to understand is that she just feels things a bit differently to them. Which is exactly why she has chosen to live her life alone and without expectation… that is until she meets Mike. There is just something about Mike that calls to a part of her that she had forever assumed would be alone… to bad Mike isn’t as enamoured by Vicky as she is him.

For Mike, Vicky could not be more opposite to his normal type, but when fate pushes them into each other’s paths, the walls they’ve built start to crumble and truths they have kept buried for too long begin to surface. What started as a clash of stubborn prides soon morphs into something so much more… a love fierce enough to face both of their dark pasts, traumas and fears, but most importantly strong enough to heal all scars.

Well this was a lot deeper and more emotionally charged than I had expected. Outlier was a beautiful written story of love and embracing ones differences. Tate definitely did not shy away from the big emotional moments, which is exactly what made this such a beautiful read. There was something raw and real about the connection between Vicky and Mike, and I liked that they were not the normal romance couple, but two people dealing with the life that they had been dealt.

Vicky was such a standout for me. She was guarded, had sharp edges but beneath that she’s vulnerable and deeply yearning to be understood and loved. I really liked how her autism was portrayed with care, showing both her strength and the struggles she had to face in a world that too often mislabels her. Then we got out gruff and stubborn hero Mike. I will say at first I wasn’t to sure how I was going to feel about him, I mean he wasn’t the nicest to Vicky, but he did redeem himself as the book progressed and we got to know him a bit better. We really get to see him slowly bring down his walls and opening up his heart to Vicky, I liked that this wasn’t rushed and while he was a bit mean at first we got to understand why.

While things between Vicky and Mike started out a bit rocky, I did really like the build up and how their relationship naturally progressed. There was definitely no lack of bickering between these two but once things shifted to more playful banter, well that is when their story got interesting. We got to see them stop throwing barbs at each other but instead lowering their walls and allowing each other to be more vunerable. The thing I liked the most about these two was the fact that their story was not an insta love, insta perfect love story but one that was built on patience and courage to truly see each other.

If you are looking for a cute, easy romcom then this is not the book for you, but if you want to read something that has heart, touches on real raw emotions and will leave you feeling hopeful then Outlier is a book you should read.

Book Info:

Publication: August 12, 2025 | Sett Publishing | Daydreamer #3

Vicky is an outlier. An outlier in society, an outlier in the business world; she’s even an outlier in her own family. She knows that people find her weird and annoying, and she’s resigned to her loneliness until she sees him. Having never been attracted to any man before, her new obsession with burly, rough and ready Mike and the fact she can’t breathe when he’s close comes as a shock.

Unfortunately, Vicky’s cold beauty doesn’t appeal to Mike. The woman they call the Ice Princess is the opposite of his type, and her obvious crush irritates him. How many times does he have to make it clear he’s not interested before she gets the message?

But there are things about Vicky Mike doesn’t know. Reasons she behaves the way she does. Loneliness, vulnerability and kindness, that she keeps hidden. And information her family should have shared with him. So when the fireworks start, and she screams, he acts on instinct, pulling her body into his. And when she buries into his chest, shaking in fear, for some reason he’s not so annoyed by her anymore…