ALLISONAs Public Relations Manager for the Charleston Thrashers, I’m responsible for protecting the team’s reputation. But after our right fielder gets sent to prison and we lose the World Series, my own reputation takes a huge hit. There’s only one way I can save my job: by revamping Connor Whitman’s tarnished ex-con image. Keeping my eye on the ball isn’t a problem until I discover what’s … what’s underneath his unkempt exterior—a man who’s unexpectedly vulnerable and distractingly sexy. Now, my professionalism is sailing far into foul territory.
CONNOR
I’ve served my time, and now I’m determined to reclaim my spot in the Thrashers’ outfield. Unfortunately, the new General Manager doesn’t want an aging ex-con on the roster, so I have no choice but to go along with Allison’s annoying scheme. Her bossiness drives me crazy—but so do her legs and her hair and her all-too-rare smiles. I can’t afford to fall for anyone when my focus needs to be on baseball, but love is a game I’ve never played before, and for the first time ever, I’m out of my league.
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Sequels aren’t necessarily my thing, and neither is sports; but that being said, I found myself really enjoying this book! As with the preceding Charleston Thrashers story, this one also focuses almost exclusively on relationships among the characters, although in a somewhat different way than I had anticipated.
We first met Connor at the end of Team Player when he finally deigns to meet with his best friend Ty who is having girl troubles. Prior to that, he’d kept himself completely shut off from the outside world and his former life while in prison. Even then he kind of comes across as a jerk, and that impression doesn’t improve much for the first few chapters here. Eventually, however, we get to know the real Connor and along the way start rooting for him.
Allison is another character that we got to know fairly well in the prior book, but she really opens up to us here, showing more of her true self. Instead of the all-business (and rather scary) woman that Connor has always know and the reader has come to expect, she comes across much deeper and more nuanced. The fact that she even hooks up with Connor seems to come as much of a surprise to her as it does to him (and us). I absolutely adored her relationship with Biff and all of their scenes, and I wish there had been more of them.
I was expecting a lot more interaction between Connor and Ty. It seemed rather odd to me that they really only interact for brief moments at the front and end of the book. It was, however, interesting to see how Connor’s relationship with the other players developed.
There was quite a bit of discussion about baseball topics, from positions and training to politics and contracts. But once again, this functions as backdrop and setting for the story, not the overall theme.
Connor and Allison just naturally fall into an easy relationship with one another that is so enjoyable to witness develop. Of course, there is drama and angst that occurs, mostly form outside sources, but also somewhat between these two. Ultimately they do come through for each other when it matters most, and manage to get their happily-ever-after. And it seems pretty likely that — much like Connor’s second chance at baseball — they will truly appreciate it and make the most of it.
First string for me!
I finished Bench Player by Julianna Keyes right before work, pulling out the dry shampoo and skipping breakfast … but couldn’t get the book and characters out of my mind.
I was dubious that this story would work. … and can I say that I couldn’t be happier to tell you that I was dead wrong! This book was a home run for me all the way. I’m a big character reader and this book met my high expectations. … and also ticked the storyline and writing boxes as well.
Bench Player has a strong character line up, starting with Connor and Allison, who both grow during the story. Connor wants to start again so badly he is nearly paralyzed with apprehension. He’s keeping his small circle of friends at bay for fear of letting them down and isn’t interested in adding any others to that mix, which includes Allison. She’s dealing with a overbearing bully of a boss, coming to grips with her grandfather in his last season, and is starting to see Connor as more than just a way to keep her job.
Ty, Biff, Ramirez, even Kimball are terrific supporting characters that make you realize what a terrific writer Ms. Keyes is. Now that I know Ty has his own book, it’s up next for me to read. Biff, Allison’s grandfather, is someone we all wish we had in our lives … irreverent yet wise and willing to give soul-rocking advice when it’s needed. Ramirez is comic relief and I’m hoping to see him in another book of his own … and with Kimball, the author elicited exactly the reactions out of me you’d expect. He’s an a$$ and it really comes through, in a realistic way.
Soooooo, I’ve gone on about the characters, but the other thing that gets me is the writing, especially the dialogues. The dialogue between Connor and Allison will make you sigh at the end … but it starts out with Connor brooding and Allison throwing sass. The chemistry has the field on fire and it grows into something more … so much that at the end of the book, Connor is the guy we all hope to have and we all wish we were Allison.
This book alternates first person with each chapter, and despite being part of a series, is a stand-alone. I was pulled in from the start, despite being dubious of Connor’s ex-con status. The plot moves along at just the right pace, with several questions to be answered … will Connor play again, will Allison keep her job, and a few more. Oh! There is baseball and a player’s obsession with eating all things healthy.
Based on my rating scale (below), this book gets a 5 stars from me for all the reasons I listed above and one more …. I instantly started a re-read of the last 3 chapters. Thank God this is an ebook because I would have already worn down some of the ink had it been print
This is a brief explanation of mine:
5=instant re-read; on my favorites list
4=really good read
3=OK, adequate; minor character / plot flaws
2=didn’t like it for several reasons; major character / plot flaws
1=did not finish, not recommended
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Julianna Keyes
Holy wow….that cover…kiss.
My first by this author and I just have to say….what a read! Loved it. I really wish I could of picked up the first book in the series but it wasn’t offered so as far as I can tell this can be a stand alone. It’s a unique spin on a baseball story that just had me glued to the pages.
What did I like? There is no insta love…. more like a slow burn. Connor is released from prison after two years for insider trading and he is committed to playing ball again. Only the Connor who comes out is not the same as the guy who went in. The author plays up rational fears of what being locked up for two years might have done to the pro ball player. Allison is the teams PR gal, and faced with being fired she is given one last chance. So she pits herself against Connor for a goal that isn’t equally satisfying. She is the first to notice the changes in him and her goal is to help him. This was such a fun read. My first by this author and this will not be my last.
Would I recommend or buy? This was a fun book, great for people with a book hangover because it was engaging and just refreshing. The book has some unusual characteristics since Connor goes to jail, but it’s not over the top. He comes out changed for the better which just makes the book inspirational.
Thoughts for the author? Congratulations on your new release! I’m a little behind on my reviews so this review was a tad bit late but I loved it. Thanks to the publisher for an arc to read and offer my opinion. Five stars!
Allison, as a PR for the Trashers, needs to clean Connor’s image to keep her job. He is been in prison for two years for fraud and now he wants to play again.Can they work together against all odds and reach their goal? A lot of things will get in their way but they will need to fight together and possibly find love too.
Enjoyed it
This is my first book by Julianna Keyes.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Dual POVs
Part of a series: Charleston Thrashers
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from Hidden Gems.
This is the first book I have read by Julianna Keyes but it certainly won’t be the last. Bench Player is book 2 in the Charleston Thrashers Series but it can certainly be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone, I know this because I haven’t read the first in this series although that will change as soon as time permits. If you love sports romances with a few twists and turns you will want to one click this gem.
A bad season for the Charleston Thrashers has the new general manager looking for scapegoats so he tries to fire Allison Whyte the head of PR. Allison is desperate to save her job and the only option she sees is to make Connor Whitman the Star he once was before that fateful season that saw him going to jail for 2 years for insider trading …….what Allison doesn’t realise is whatever she does will not be enough because there is never a chance Connor will get his place back on the team.
Sparks fly as this couple spend time together and the enemies soon become lovers but what will Connor do when he finds out the real reason Allison is trying to help him get his place on the team back, will he walk away or will he fight for the love of his life…….
I’m looking forward to read8ng book 1 and hopefully more books from this very talented author.
After reading Team Player, I didn’t see how Julianna Keyes could top it but I shouldn’t have doubted her. Bench Player is a fundamentally different type of romance with a very different feel yet I loved it even more. The only thing the two books have in common is that they are both love letters to baseball and to the players who step out on that field every season and give their all. The first book was fun and flirty, this book is almost melancholy and reflective. There is some occasional banter, but both Alison and Connor, the main characters, are facing crossroads in their lives. Both have lost their direction and need to figure out what’s really important to them and how to obtain it.
For Connor, it’s all about regaining his career and being able to continue playing the game he loves for the team that he feels is his family, two years after he was convicted of insider trading and sent to prison. He’s taken responsibility for his actions, owned up to his stupidity, and has paid his debt. Now all he wants is to get back on the team. As the team’s PR manager, Alison has given her her life and energy for the last 12 years to the team, but now that the team ownership has changed, she’s been told that her contribution is not valued and she needs to figure out how hard she’s going to fight to save her job. In order to get what they want, they need to work together, but since they are both somewhat difficult and prickly, that’s easier said than done. As for their relationship, no one is more surprised than they are when they are blindsided by a mutual attraction that they just can’t resist. I hope Julianna decides to write more books featuring the team, but if not, I know I love whatever book she decides to write next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 STARS!
I love Julianna Keyes and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book.
When the former left fielder went to jail for insider trading is released from prison, it’s publicist Allison’s job to reform his image and get him back in the game. With all of the things around them not going in their favor, namely Connor is a pain in the butt, the general manager doesn’t want to sign him back on the team, AND Allison is fighting to keep her job in the process, we don’t know if she will be able to succeed in getting this grumpy loner back to doing what he loves.
What these characters don’t expect is to see something in each other that the other had never seen before—that undeniable chemistry that just pulls them together—and oh that sexiness is just so delicious, I could not put this book down. Allison can’t tell Connor that his chance to get back on the team is pretty much zero but watching Connor’s hope and drive to get there coupled with her seeing the genuinely nice guy underneath that toughness just made my heart so happy.
As an aside I loved her relationship with her grandfather and seeing Connor’s teammates felt like seeing old friends. I love this series and can’t wait for more from Keyes.
Even though I have not read the first book in this series, nor am I a baseball fan, I really did love this book. In fact, when I finished reading it, I bought the first – Team Player. Bench Player is a standalone so it is not necessary to read the first. Wonderful characters with both mains having prickly personalities hiding a softer emotional center. Loved the banter between them too! Even the secondary characters were strong and likeable. While there were some sexy times, they seemed almost glossed over as they were not the in depth erotica of some romances. There were some emotional moments that made me have to wipe my eyes. It was wonderful watching the emotional growth of Allison and Tyler. Enjoy!
I received a copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
This is the second book in this series and just as good as the first. So again I encourage you to read it you will get a better understanding of this cast of characters. So we met Allison in the first book, she was the head honcho in PR, known as a tough woman and I am saying that nicely, I liked Allison because she stood by Gwen and even championed her so she won my loyalty after that. We also knew a little about Connor in last book since he was Ty’s best friend, the one in jail. So Connor gets out and his goal is to make it back to the Thrashers but isn’t having an easy time reentering society, then comes his nightmare in the form of Allison. Unfortunately for Allison her new boss is incompetent but he is the owner now since his father passed the reigns to him and he has no clue what he is doing so he fires her however she comes up with a plan to get connor to form proving how good she is and he allows it, not really having any intention of rehiring Connor. While they spend time together, yup you guessed it the sparks are flying and they give in to it, but what happens when Connor finds out the real reason Allison is helping? Grab a copy and find out and Enjoy!
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author…(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions