This hot-headed rookie needs discipline—on and off the field.Pitcher Nico Agresta is desperate to live up to his family’s baseball legacy. Since he was a teenager crushing on his big brother’s teammate, he’s known he can’t act on his desires. His father’s made it clear there should be no queers on the field, but if Nico can win Rookie of the Year like his dad and brother did, maybe he can prove … brother did, maybe he can prove he’s worthy after all.
At 34, veteran catcher Jake Fitzgerald just wants to finish out his contract and retire. His team doesn’t have a prayer of making the playoffs, but who needs the stress? Jake lost his passion for the game—and life—after driving away the man he loved, and he swore he’d never risk his heart again.
Then he’s traded to a team that wants a vet behind the plate to tame their new star pitcher. Jake is shocked to find the gangly kid he once knew has grown into a gorgeous young man. But tightly wound Nico’s having trouble controlling his temper in his quest for perfection, and Jake needs to teach him patience and restraint on the mound.
When their push and pull explodes into the bedroom, Nico and Jake will both learn how much they’ll risk for love.
This gay sports romance from Keira Andrews features men who have been repressing their feelings far too long, light BDSM, an age difference, sweaty locker rooms, and of course a happy ending.
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Another hit (an audio review)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I love Keira Andrews. Her stories are unique, and the topics vary widely. And whatever she tackles – from historical to deserted island to a beach in Australia to Amish, I know she’ll do a great job.
This book didn’t disappoint.
I’m not a huge sports fan but I’m easily drawn in by a compelling romance and this book hit the sweet spot. Jake is Canadian (yay!). He grew up in Midland, Ontario and instead of being hockey-obsessed, he fell in love with baseball. It happens. Not all athletic Canucks are destined to spend their lives on the hockey rink. And Jake grew up in the shadows of the Toronto Blue Jays, so playing in Canada was a distant possibility. In recent years he’s been biding his time in San Fran, waiting for retirement. The game has lost some lustre since he lost his best friend to a stupid argument. Now he’s playing, but his heart isn’t in it.
Until he suddenly gets traded to the Ottawa Capitols.
And I’m like, sweet, Canada has two baseball teams again! (Because I do actually remember the Montreal Expos). I grew up in Ottawa so the whole vibe felt real to me. And we’ve got toonies and Crispy Crunch and if you’ve never had one of those, you are so missing out.
But back to the story. Ottawa has a rookie pitcher with a storied baseball family legacy, a phenomenal arm, and a bit of an attitude problem. The reality is Nico’s older brother and father both played and Nico puts tremendous pressure on himself to perform and when things start to go sideways, he often loses focus and then games.
The Capitols are in contention for a wild card spot, but Nico needs help to perform at his best. Enter Jake. The veteran catcher is like a pitcher whisperer and quickly the men are making beautiful strikes.
But it’s not all easy going and one day Nico throws a temper tantrum. Jake is there to discipline him and suddenly things are looking very different. Nico’s had a crush on Jake since he was a young teenager and Jake’s always seen Nico as a teammate’s younger brother. Now, in an instant, the world looks very different.
I love romances that have such high stakes. A playoff spot is on the line and the two men firmly in the closet. Because there are no gay players in the major leagues. Or at least out players. The dilemma is clear and I was on the edge of my recliner waiting to see what would happen.
And…yeah, I was happy. A great ending to a lovely book. And I learned a ton about baseball although since Vancouver is never going to have a major league team, it’s unlikely I’ll see a game live. Although I might go down to Seattle next year…
Finally, Greg Boudreaux. He does a wonderful job when narrating Keira’s books. Just magic. Can’t wait to see what’ll be up next.
Loved this book and that it’s an actual sports romance, not just a book where the MCs are jocks. We get lots of actual baseball action and descriptions of the game’s in and outs which serve to greatly enhance the storyline.
The MCs are Nico, a rookie pitcher with some control issue and huge emotional baggage who is “so deep in the closet he can see Narnia” and Jake, a veteran player with his own emotional baggage, also mostly closeted, who gets traded to Nico’s team with the hopes he can exert a calming influence on all the young players, especially Nico.
I really enjoyed the way the story and relationship build. The team dynamics and the family dynamics, especially poor Nico dealing with the ghost of his dead mother, his very tough and homophobic father and his ultra religious Italian Catholic grandmother. As a reader my stomach was curling at the stress and tension this poor kid was dealing with…now that’s good writing!
The resolutions of thorny emotional issues before the big crisis moment was well done and served to enhance navigating that crisis. The ending was sweet and not all puppy dogs and rainbows so therefore more realistic. I am looking forward to reading more of Andrews’ sports books.