Winning with Him (Men of Summer 2) by Lauren Blakely-Review Tour
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 3, 2021
Resisting the shortstop has never been my strong suit. I failed at it during my first spring training. It sure as hell looks like I’m about to fail at it again.
The sport I love playing with my very soul hangs in the balance. But everything my heart craves lies with the guy I’ve got to resist.
A guy who’s asking me to make the toughest choice ever.
But how do I become the man I want to be…with him or without him?
Trouble is, I can’t seem to get Declan out of my head, even if I stand to lose everything I’ve worked for my entire life…
•••••••
REVIEW:WINNING WITH HIM is the second instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult MEN OF SUMMER erotic, LGBTQ, baseball romance series focusing on short stop Declan Steele, and rookie catcher Grant Blackwood. Grant’s story begins in the prequel novella CRUSHING ON HIM but you do not have to have read the novella to understand or follow the current story line WINNING WITH HIM should not be read as a stand alone- I recommend reading SCORING WITH HIM for back story and cohesion as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book one.
NOTE: WINNING WITH HIM focuses on two gay men in professional sports including graphic scenes of same $ex situations. If you have not read book one SCORING WITH HIM there may be spoilers in my review.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Declan and Grant) covering approximately five years, WINNING WITH HIM follows the struggling relationship between short stop Declan Steele, and rookie catcher Grant Blackwood. Grant Blackwood was heart broken when a text, during the off season, from Declan Steele declared he was no longer interested in a long distance relationship. Five years would pass wherein our couple would occasionally meet up for a hand shake or a drink but during those five years neither Grant nor Declan ever forgot about one another. Home for the Christmas holidays found Declan declaring his love for a man he thought may never forgive him, but a man who had stolen his heart, like no one else. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Declan and Grant, as they learn to navigate a world of endless possibilities and a potential long distance relationship.
WINNING WITH HIM covers five years in the life wherein the reader is only given a glimpse into the lives of our story lines heroes. From Declan’s dysfunctional father, and Grant’s success on the field, and desire to help out the LGBTQ youth, the author reveals a little more about our story line couple as they work behind the scenes without one another. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense without the use of over the top , sexually graphic language and text.
The secondary and supporting characters include Grant’s best friend Reese, and her brother River; Declan’s best friends Emma, and her brother, professional hockey player James Fitzgerald; and several members of the San Francisco Cougars: Crosby Cash, Sullivan, Miguel, and Chance Ashfordl Declan’s parents, and Grant’s mother and step-father.
WINNING WITH HIM is a story of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people focusing on their professional careers but therein lies a bit of a problem. A five-year separation meant limited information, information that would have allowed the reader to witness the character’s growth and development, and not just the revelations and quick observations from our story line couple. The premise is entertaining; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are charismatic and colorful.
WINNING WITH HIM ends on a happily ever after for now- the author has plans for at least one more instalment.
Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one SCORING WITH HIM
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter–laurenblakely.com/newsletter
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