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writtenechoes's review
4.0
Alexa, play Delicate by Taylor Swift.
A sweet sports romance with a slow burn friends to lovers story between teammates. Older MC’s, one divorced with a ex wife he stayed friends with, the other MC a recently divorced recovering alcoholic. No big third act break up or drama, lots of good communication, and just a really sweet tender romance that made me smile. Also thankful this one had a bit less baseball, because although I’m a fan, it was overwhelming for me in book one.
A sweet sports romance with a slow burn friends to lovers story between teammates. Older MC’s, one divorced with a ex wife he stayed friends with, the other MC a recently divorced recovering alcoholic. No big third act break up or drama, lots of good communication, and just a really sweet tender romance that made me smile. Also thankful this one had a bit less baseball, because although I’m a fan, it was overwhelming for me in book one.
heyehs's review
2.0
Not a fan of baseball, at all. Or this book. I made it through it. This accomplishment was the most interesting emotion I felt throughout this book.
paulnewman's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
weweresotired's review
5.0
Oh I have not had a book hangover like this in absolutely ages.
For some reason it took me a few starts to actually get into this -- I think that has more to do with me than it does the book -- but once I did, I read almost all of it in one go, including staying up far, far too late to finish it.
Maybe I'm just at a particularly delicate spot in life or something but I cried through big chunks of this book as Reid and Charlie struggle to deal with their feelings, their pasts, the realities of being professional ballplayers in two very different stages of their careers. The pain, uncertainty, hope, fear that they both go through is so palpable.
Even though their attraction to each other is immediate -- come on, this is a romance novel after all -- this is a good, slow burn, with lots of longing on both sides before they get it together, and when they do it's absolutely worth the wait. It's been a long time since I've actually felt a little breathless as I read. Helping someone with their curveball mechanics has never been so hot, or so emotionally fraught.
I was a little confused as to where this takes place in the chronology of this universe, but that's relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things. I still paused more than a few times trying to slot the events of this book in with the events of Unwritten Rules, but that's more of a me problem and didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book.
This is one I desperately wish was available in hard copy. Alas.
For some reason it took me a few starts to actually get into this -- I think that has more to do with me than it does the book -- but once I did, I read almost all of it in one go, including staying up far, far too late to finish it.
Maybe I'm just at a particularly delicate spot in life or something but I cried through big chunks of this book as Reid and Charlie struggle to deal with their feelings, their pasts, the realities of being professional ballplayers in two very different stages of their careers. The pain, uncertainty, hope, fear that they both go through is so palpable.
Even though their attraction to each other is immediate -- come on, this is a romance novel after all -- this is a good, slow burn, with lots of longing on both sides before they get it together, and when they do it's absolutely worth the wait. It's been a long time since I've actually felt a little breathless as I read. Helping someone with their curveball mechanics has never been so hot, or so emotionally fraught.
I was a little confused as to where this takes place in the chronology of this universe, but that's relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things. I still paused more than a few times trying to slot the events of this book in with the events of Unwritten Rules, but that's more of a me problem and didn't take away from my enjoyment of this book.
This is one I desperately wish was available in hard copy. Alas.
sbelasco40's review
5.0
I am not exactly your typical candidate for a sports romance, but this one is very good - quiet and real with honest depictions of an addiction history and a character whose Judaism underscores his perspectives on the world without ever being overexplained. I found myself relieved to be reading a book without some ultra contrived premise, even if the story is about pro ball players, which is not the most conventional kind of life. Also yay for female characters in a gay romance that are interesting and developed.
1943tre's review
5.0
KD Casey is in a league of her own! I literally have no interest in baseball -- Z E R O -- and yet she makes me look at it like its an art form. Her prose is so good, so concise and piercing and quiet, that she could basically take me anywhere. I don't think I know of anyone else in romance who's writing in third person present tense, but I actually love it. It creates this interesting softness to the story that I think feels a bit distant but still immediate, and I think it's the perfect narrative choice for her characters and plots.
The angst factor in Unwritten Rules is higher so I might slightly prefer that one if I am forced to pick, but this is still excellent and had some angst as well. And her steam is impeccable, like seriously so hot and intimate but also character-driven. Can't wait to read more of her work!
The angst factor in Unwritten Rules is higher so I might slightly prefer that one if I am forced to pick, but this is still excellent and had some angst as well. And her steam is impeccable, like seriously so hot and intimate but also character-driven. Can't wait to read more of her work!
wumbachumba's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
justinejustreads's review
4.0
Fire Season is the first novel I've read from KD Casey and I really liked it. It was hard to put down and the third person present narration made me feel very immersed in Reid and Charlie's thoughts. I prefer dual POV so I'm glad this had that. The verb tense probably wouldn't have worked as well for me otherwise.
One of my favourite parts of this was Reid's conversations with this therapist, and the coping strategies he had in place for when he wanted to drink. The Jewish rep was also really interesting to me and I'd like to read more romances with it. The progress Charlie makes in talking about his feelings and accepting his sexuality was emotionally satisfying as a reader. The only thing I would have liked more of is humour. There were so many heavy themes in this book and not very many jokes to offer levity. The tension was heavy as these guys went through a lot, but I was really rooting for them until the very end. 4/5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One of my favourite parts of this was Reid's conversations with this therapist, and the coping strategies he had in place for when he wanted to drink. The Jewish rep was also really interesting to me and I'd like to read more romances with it. The progress Charlie makes in talking about his feelings and accepting his sexuality was emotionally satisfying as a reader. The only thing I would have liked more of is humour. There were so many heavy themes in this book and not very many jokes to offer levity. The tension was heavy as these guys went through a lot, but I was really rooting for them until the very end. 4/5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
henrygravesprince's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is one of the best romances I’ve ever read. The prose is strong, the characters and their development are incredible; it’s one of those books where I feel I can not only tell how much the author loves the story and characters, but the commitment to the craft of storytelling and character building, too. That’s something I’ve had a hard time finding in romance books.
I read this while dealing with my own internal issues around addiction and I think the portrayal of alcoholism is very compassionate and realistic. I really appreciate the compassion woven throughout this book in general.
I read this while dealing with my own internal issues around addiction and I think the portrayal of alcoholism is very compassionate and realistic. I really appreciate the compassion woven throughout this book in general.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction
Moderate: Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Mental illness, Ableism, Biphobia, and Homophobia
Also worth noting that divorce has a prominent part in this story.mere's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5