A cocky minor league pitcher and a laid-back physical therapist … a dream team or a disaster?
Micah Warner is an asshole. Everyone knows it, hell, he knows it, but he’s focused on getting to the big leagues and earning the kind of paychecks that’ll help him take care of his struggling family. He can’t afford to get outed.
Justin Lamb is a romantic. Everyone loves him but his job with the … Everyone loves him but his job with the Cougars leaves a trail of heartbreak in his wake. Getting involved with a player is risky but he makes an exception for the new hot-shot pitcher.
Their hooking up quickly develops into real feelings but when Micah’s catastrophic shoulder injury threatens their careers and relationship, they have one choice to make.
Love or baseball?
Touch & Go contains a cocky pro-pitcher with a secret soft side, a physical therapist with a man-bun and a talent for dirty talk, meddling friends, and a whole lot of baseball.
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*Spoilers* ahead, for anyone that has not read at least the previous book of the series.
This book fills in the gaps of the previous book, showing us what Micah was up to all this time, and how he came to be involved with his team’s physical therapist. What can I say, I hated Micah in the other books. HATED him. Even though the poor guy was injured, the things he said and did (even from his hospital bed) were unforgivable. Or so I thought. I knew I would come to like him and sympathize at least a little in this one once I could see into his mind- I do love the broken ones- but I didn’t anticipate falling in love with him and Justin almost as much as Brent and Lowell from the previous book. It’s rare for me to change my mind so completely about a character. It’s rare for me to cry, and that happened, too. I love Micah in all his messed up rudeness. My anger at him from previous books melted away seeing how he’d suffered and lashed out to keep everyone at arm’s length. Micah and Justin being more than merely a convenient way “to blow of steam” may not have made sense at first but once the barriers were down they were breathtaking together. Touch & Go is another book in this series that will be going on my “re-read this” shelf. Bring on book four!
Closeted minor league rookie baseball player Micah’s life is so compartmentalized that a relationship is out of the question – the most he has managed in the past have been hookup scenarios that haven’t turned out well. He let his heart get involved, once, and it was a disaster. So why does he think a friends-with-benefits arrangement with Justin, his team’s physical therapist, will work out any better? Especially when his focus needs to be entirely on performing well, staying under the gaydar and making it to the majors. He doesn’t have time for a tricky shoulder, making nice or making friends, and he definitely didn’t plan on catching feelings for Justin. While each of the Midwest stories can stand alone, Micah is well known to readers of the previous books in the series, and for them especially his story will resonate. I loved it for many reasons, but perhaps as an out-for-you redemption arc most of all. The Midwest boys have each gotten under my skin, and Micah was perhaps the most sneaky, since my initial dislike for him was transformed quietly and stealthily, until I was as invested in his chance at a HEA as I wanted him to be. James Edward Jones is the perfect narrator for this series; his voicing of these characters is nuanced and pleasing in every way.
Micah is probably everyone’s least favorite character. Yes, he’s a total … yeah, pretty much any vehemently negative descriptor would be accurate here, but even though I had some seriously unkind thoughts about him in the first two books there was something deeper going on with him than self-hatred and cruel words and actions and knew he’d get his chance to tell his story. Brigham Vaughn is no stranger to writing internal angst and her brand of it can be poignant and honest. I appreciated the way we saw Micah’s internal struggle and the softness that gave me hope he’d pull himself out of his own misery.
And misery there was aplenty. He sank himself so deep into his own bog of awfulness that he could see no way out or around to true freedom. His growing and deepening feelings for Justin felt futile and yet so right. Micah isn’t an easy character to love because the surface of heartlessness and callousness is so thick that most won’t even try to look past it. I was glad for Justin’s patience and willingness to try for him.
But everyone has their limit and I supported Justin’s decision even though I hated his timing. When Micah’s emotional breakthrough came it was met with Justin’s heartfelt yet heartbreaking limit. Left on his own it was finally up to Micah to see exactly what he needed to do to fight for his light. No final decision was easy, but I really enjoyed all he did to create the future he wanted by seeking redemption, forgiveness, and honesty.
Each story so far in the series has characters that grabbed me for different reasons, but I think that Micah is my new current favorite because of his evolution. I believed in him, believed in his changes, and I adored his actions with Ian in the lead-in for Advance & Retreat. I cannot wait to see his cameos in the next story.
Micah’s Redemption
I must say I didn’t know if I would like this book or not. Just from the last one, I didn’t care for Micah. His attitude was awful in that book and it kind of bled over to this one. But the more and more I read, I understood Micah more. He really did have some deep seated issues about his sexuality and image.He lashed out at everybody who was around him and it really was sad. I really didn’t think he would be able to get over it until he met Justin. Thank God Justin came into his life. He was really there for him through his worst time of his life and help him realize what was important to him. His friends were great too and stood by him through it all. Micah really redeemed himself completely to me and I really enjoyed this book. I’m glad the author kept the series going and I can’t wait to read the next chapter with Ricky.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brigham Vaughn is a very talented author. Even when you try not to be, you can easily be drawn into the story, and get lost in it. This is not a casual read series, because you will get invested. So, make sure you clear your schedule or this series will clear it for you!
We first met Micah in book 1. I will be honest; I did not like him. He was a jerk who caused a lot of drama. I get being in the closet is hard, being afraid of anything is HARD. Fear is a HUGE motivator, but there’s a difference between being afraid, and being afraid and letting it make you behave horribly. He was judgmental and homophobic, and HE WAS GAY! He didn’t get any more likable in book 2, until he was injured. Lowell and Brent are better people than I am.
This book is Micah & Justin’s story. They come to a mutually agreed upon, NSA relationship. Justin may just be the kind of person who can get through Micah’s bullsh!t. Micah is all anguish and rough edges, and Justin is kind, patient, and a much more likable human being. Justin has his own demons, though. Watching them try to fight that they feel more than just sexual desire for each other made me want to jump in the book and shake some sense into them!
It’s so easy to get attached to the characters in Brigham Vaughn’s books. (Even when you kind of hate them) I’m a sucker for a good redemption story. Micah is no exception, as he deserves love as much as Nathan, Caleb, Brent, Lowell, and Justin. I was happy to see him shed his hateful persona and become the man he should’ve always been. I can’t wait for the next book!
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***
Always look for the why! Micah is the type of character I always ask, ‘why’? What makes him act the way and say the things he does. This story answers those questions. It explains his motivations behind the relationships. It shows us his life, his responses from his perspective. Justin, physical therapist, out, bi and walking a fine line in a macho male dominated sport. He prides himself on his professionalism. While professionally concerned with Micah’s health, he notices Micah as an attractive man. Micah in his self imposed, closeted lonliness is reluctantly attracted to Justin. Do they act on their secret mutual interests? Can the team handle an out Micah? Can Micah handle an out, Micah? Will Micah’s shoulder improve/survive? Can Micah live without baseball? This is a good story. This is a fulfilling story. We gain insight into the struggle of the LGBTQA player in a sport with homophobic players. We gain insight into the personal struggles and challenges professional athletes face. Brigham does an excellent job representing athletes and their concernes. Well done! I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
I enjoy well written story. The plot is well developed and full of strong emotions. A man wanting to become a pro sportsman but that means he has to hide his sexuality. But, being involved with a sexy man who is ready to help him. Great reality and complex relationships among men. Love, friendship and trust.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Baseball hurts, and Micah is in more pain than ever before.
Micah forced himself in an awful position, deep in the closet, not happy, and his only joy baseball and try to get into the professional paid side of it. He is not in a place to let some steam off and avoids everything that involves dating, relationships or going out, he’s quite alone.
Then he got a chance to be fuck buddies with Justin the beautiful physical therapist of the baseball club. It’s more than he ever hoped for. They get closer and closer until Micah’s shoulder fucked up and he has to make choices… Justin can’t one of them. Letting Justin take care of him while recovering was one thing, but it can never be more, ever. Justin is afraid he’ll be the one with a broken heart.
I loved the research and dedication the author did for this story, it shows professionalism, something I highly appreciate!
I loved it to look around at all the guys interacting with each other. All with their characteristics. It was stunning the way of throwing a ball by a pitcher was described. I saw him standing there, gracefully centering and bam!
I’ll tell you, I adored Justin, professional, always the considerate one, kind, hot and when needed bossy.
Micah’s behavior was kind of exhausting to read about, he made a lot of mistakes. I felt sorry he felt he had to act as he did. Micah was flawed af, sometimes even irritating, at times I even didn’t like him, but mostly I did like him. The process of him growing and learning was wonderful to see.
A beautiful story about sport, injuries, team members, family, and dear honest, uplifting friends. The main was about finding a balanced life with sport and try to keep secrets for the whole world and then come to realize the important part of life is love!
A beautifully written story, at times emotional, at times steamy, always with the right amount of depth, with a lot of hurt and denial.
The story is excellent developed, same with the characters. Elaborated in detail, great job! From the first, till the very last page, I felt connected.
Recommendation worth!
Micah wants to be a professional baseball player badly. He does not see room in his life for the kind of relationship he really wants. Casual and secret seems to be all that he feels he can have. Justin is a physical therapist that travels with the team that Micah plays for. So much travel makes relationship building tough. They strike a bargain to be friends with benefits. But more happens even though fear keeps them from being real with one another about what really begins to be going on with them. I loved this story because it really shows the work they had to do to get there in the end. And anyway, when there is a real connection is casual really possible?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brigham Vaughn – Touch & Go
Surprise! I’m reviewing another sports romance! But hey, this time it’s not hockey, but baseball. Now, I’m not a baseball fan but I can appreciate a great love story involving any type of athlete. Touch & Go is the third book in Brigham Vaughn’s Midwest Series. It features Micah, a pitcher who we know from the previous two books, and Justin, his team physiotherapist. We know a bit of their story from Book 2 but Touch & Go really gives us the details and rounds out the story. I really enjoyed this book and the whole series. If you’ve read the previous two, and I suggest you do so before reading this one, you’ll know Micah is a bit of a jerk, but Justin is so wonderful you can’t help but root for them both to make it! Great read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Really enjoyed this story about Micah and Justin. Packed with emotion, very entertaining story! Best if reading as part of the series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written book with strong characters and an emotional story line. Micah and Justin come together in a casual “blow off steam” relationship which in time grows into so much more. The author brings drama and steam as well as humor and romance. It’s an interesting story,moves at a steady pace and is an enjoyable read even better reading the second time.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
There haven’t really been many characters featured in a previous book in the series where I immensely disliked from the moment they arrived on the page, but Micah was one of them. He was so worried about being outed that he was a jerk to everyone, even the guy he had a casual sexual relationship with. I was hesitant to read this book, but Micah, although still difficult to those around him especially when threatened, but as you get to know him as the book goes on, I found myself rooting for Micah and Justin. They start off with a casual relationship, but as their feelings develop, I love how the book played out. A great read and highly recommended!!
I was pulled in from the very first page. I like how Micah and Justin’s relationship was evolving into something more. They both are wonderful characters. I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The author has written a beautiful, grab-you-by-the-feels, poignant, emotionally charged, smoking hot, lovely, engaging, and totally awesome story. I was pulled in from the very first page, and would definitely recommend getting this gem immediately.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Micah…. I had a love/hate relationship with him. You can tell the anguish on him and I just wanted to give him a big hug. But at the same time slap him because he was also being an a** hole. I love Justin. I was glad that they was able to work it out to be together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Micah and Justin are great characters and I love their interactions. This story is a with benefits theme that turns real. The story has drama, humor, steam and romance…. with a little minor league baseball thrown in.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
I actually listened to the Audio-book but this review pretty much still applies no matter the media.
I went into this book with with low expectations. Though I’d enjoyed the first two books in this series, they both both featured the main character of this tale in a pretty irredeemable way. Micah was depicted as a toxic, closeted loner with a lot of internalized homophobia, an overwhelming desire to realize his dream of becoming a major league picture, and little regard for anyone or anything else.
That’s basically true here as well. Though there are romantic moments in the beginning of this tale, no real redemption begins until his “midnight of the soul” toward the end. There are some explanations made. They do make the character a bit more sympathetic, but the fact is, for the most part Micah is a hard guy to like. Even when you understand his background and his point of view, it’s clear that there’s still a ways to travel before he’s going to be a likable character.
On the other hand, Justin, his main love interest, who we met briefly in book 2 is a pretty likable guy from chapter one. This book actually starts at about the same time as book 2 and just follows different characters ending with a few chapters beyond the ending of the second book. It also introduces us to the characters that book 4 concentrates on.
This book doesn’t actually suffer from the literary flaws that bothered me about book one. I went back and re-listened to book two as part of my process in developing this review. Some of the flaws that I picked up on in my first pass at that material, were not as pronounced upon my second exposure. Though I think book 2 is my favorite in the series so far, book 3 does a better job with rehabilitating it’s main character than I expected. It’s eminently readable and fans of the earlier books should definitely give it (and Micah) a chance.
Though the couple here start as “just sex” it’s clear that the story is more about the “feels” and while the sex is satisfying, it’s not the main focus of the story.
One particular part that I enjoyed here was the shaving scene. When I was in middle school I read the short story Espuma y nada más (Just Lather, That’s All) by Hernando Téllez. Since then I’ve always had a bit of a shaving kink.
As with the other books, this one is narrated by James Edward Jones. He once again does a credible job as narrator. The pacing is good, and the main characters voices are different enough that the dialogue sections are clear with the voice acting adding slight shades of personality to the characters. Though the naughty bits here are less significant than in the predecessor, Mr. Jones does a good job with those sections as well.
***Note: I am voluntarily reviewing this after receiving a complimentary copy ***
I have kinda hated Micah in the first two books and I´m happy that I finally like and understand him!
Justin is just wonderful and amazing. Anyone would love to have a boyfriend like him!
Touch and Go is the third book in the Midwest Series, but it can be read as a standalone. I suggest reading the other two books in the series first because some of the other characters make an appearance. This is also my favorite book out of the series so far. I was so interested in Micah’s story, especially knowing how he’s acted in the previous books, and this book does not disappoint. I found Micah to be an interesting and complex character who had to face some hard truths before he could move on and find happiness. Justin was also a really interesting character and the perfect match for Micah. The audiobook was narrated by James Edward Jones who did a great job. I was instantly pulled into the story and finished the book in one day.