Slow burn rookie/veteran romance

I enjoyed this slow-burn, veteran/rookie romance set in the world of minor league baseball - it's my first book by Beth Bolden and I'll probably check out some of her other titles in audio, because I really enjoy listening to Darcy Stark.

I know nothing about baseball so most of that detail went over my head, but the leads have strong chemistry and I liked the fact that this wasn't one of those stories that basically goes "we can't do this" - they do it anyway - "this can never happen again" - and it does - rince, repeat. The story is slow to start and Connor's embracing of his new-found bisexuality is perhaps a little fast, but I appreciated that Jackson's determination to resist him doesn't fall at the first hurdle, and when they do finally start getting physical there's no hand-wringing or woe-is-me angsting about it. The conflict really comes from the fact that Connor is just starting out and likely to hit the big time, while Jackson's career is winding down after years spent bouncing around the minors - and with Jackson's belief that his being gay held him back making him determined to stop the same thing happening to Connor.

I liked both leads. Connor is a cocky little shit to start with, but it quickly becomes clear that it's a cover for his insecurities - he's incredibly talented but he's floundering because no-one quite knows how to handle him - which is where Jackson comes in. The Raleigh Rogues need him to work with Connor, to help calm him down, smooth over the rough edges and help him to reach his full potential as a pitcher. But Connor isn't going to make it easy for him, and I really liked listening to him slowly coming to trust Jackson and waking up to the fact that he really does know what he's doing. Their romance has a real slow-burn vibe to it (despite Connor's sudden bi-awakening) and I liked them as a couple; for the most part, they communicate well and form a believeable emotional connection.

I admit that I picked Hot Streak up mostly because Darcy Stark is the narrator and I really enjoy his work; his vocal characterisations are excellent - Connor's voice has a sulky edge to it at times, which shows his youth and relative inexperience, and Jackson's even-temperedness and good humour comes through strongly. The secondary cast is clearly delineated and the performance is expressive and hits all the right emotional beats.

Hot Streak is billed as a standalone, but the author has several series under her belt and I'll probably check out more of her stuff in audio.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!