I’ve discovered I’m a big fan of Keira Andrews books narrated by Greg Boudreaux and this one was included in my Audible membership so I figured I’d check it out. The story was new to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was engaging, emotional, and full of realistic baseball, all woven into a sweet and spicy romance. The narration was fantastic, Greg Boudreaux brought Jake and Nico to life so well. I laughed, I even cried a little, and I swooned. I’m kind of sad it’s over but I can see myself returning to it again in the future.
Veteran catcher, Jake Fitzgerald, may not be on a contending team but at this point in his career, he just wants to finish out the rest of his contract and then retire. But then he’s told he’s being traded to a young team looking for a veteran presence behind the plate to help develop their rookie pitcher. Jake’s surprised to learn the pitcher is none other than Nico Agresta, the younger brother of one of his former teammates. Nico was just a kid the last time Jake saw him but he’s all man now and still harbors the crush he’s had on Jake ever since he was a teen.
The pressure to be the best, and follow in his father and brother’s footsteps, is a huge weight on Nico’s shoulders and he has a hard time handling it when things don’t go well on the mound. Jake immediately takes Nico under his wing and does everything he can think of to help him control his temper. But when Jake’s lessons spill over to the bedroom, they find themselves playing an entirely different game.
The dynamic between Jake and Nico was so good. I loved the age gap and that Nico had a crush on Jake for years and finally got to live out all his fantasies. The light D/s play was perfect and fit so well in their overall dynamic. Nico needed someone to take control from him so he could escape the pressure and Jake was just the guy to do it. It was very hot but also tender and loving. It really worked for me.
There was a lot at stake for Nico with his performance on the field but also with him finally deciding to live his truth. He had some very homophobic family members and dealt with a lot of internalized homophobia. It hurt my heart to see the way he kept that side of him hidden for so long but I loved seeing him finally embrace it. There were a few scenes that brought tears to my eyes as he navigated all of that. I’m glad he had someone as great as Jake by his side through it all.
The Book Boyfriend Addict 