Sandy S.
SCORING WITH HIM is the first full-length instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult MEN OF SUMMER erotic, MM, LGBTQ romance series. This is the continuing story of twenty six year old, short stop Declan Steele, and twenty-two year old, 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. NOTE: SCORING WITH HIM focuses on two gay men in professional sports including graphic scenes of same $ex situations. Told from dual first person perspectives (Declan and Grant) SCORING WITH HIM follows the forbidden relationship between San Francisco Cougars’ twenty six year old, short stop Declan Steele, and twenty-two year old, rookie catcher Grant Blackwood. Both Declan Steele, and Grant Blackwood are open about their sexual orientation but when Grant is called up to the majors, on the same team as his idol Declan Steele, all bets are off when Declan begins to flirt with the team’s newest rookie. Hoping to avoid any unwanted publicity, Declan and Grant keep their relationship a secret, a relationship with a timeline as Declan teaches the ‘rookie’ about more than just baseball and the major leagues. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Declan and Grant, and the fall-out as Grant’s place on the team isn’t guaranteed, and Declan declares their relationship over. Grant Blackwood is a rookie in more ways than one having never had a same sex relationship until meeting Declan Steele. Nothing only does Grant idolize his teammate but Grant has crushed on the guy for as long as he can remember. Pre-season sees Grant struggling to make the team but Declan’s about to reveal that more than Grant could have imagined. The relationship between Grant and Declan is a M/M relationship ; a forbidden relationship in as far as both men work and play for the same team. Author Lauren Blakely’s series of same-$ex stories does not focus on homophobia or hate but on a world where being gay and lesbian is always accepted. As Declan and Grant begin their relationship behind closed doors, Declan learns that his time with Grant has come to an end. The $ex scenes are descriptive, passionate, detailed and erotic. We are introduced to 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 Ashford. SCORING WITH HIM is a story of first loves, first relationships, friendships and sport. A story of anxious moments, trepidation, uncertainty and love. The premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is spicy and hot; the characters are energetic, real and lost. SCORING WITH HIM ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.
Rochelle West
Book 1 in the new series Men of Summer by Lauren Blakely. Loved this M/M sports romance by the very talented Ms. Blakely. Declan and Grant were a great couple. Their story gripped me from page one. Loved watching them move from teammates on the field to teammates in love. The chemistry between them was explosive. Their whole relationship was wonderful to watch grow and I can’t wait to finish their story. August 6th can’t get here soon enough.
Nadine Walters
Scoring With Him (Men of Summer Book 1) leaves you wanting more. A cliffhanger having you asking when is part 2. Grant and Declan are just made for each other; but there seems to be so many obstacles to overcome. They chemistry jumps off the page. “Say yes to me. Say yes to all of this. You and me. Me and you.” I can not wait for the next book. Blurb: Falling for the rookie wasn't part of the plan. As a pro athlete, I have one unbreakable rule when it comes to men -- Don't date another baseball player. Good thing I haven't been tempted once in four years in the majors. Until the day a rising star walks into my locker room. Outgoing, affable, and sexy-as-sin, Grant has confidence and talent for miles. He seems to get me too, maybe because we each have our fair share of secrets and scars -- ones we'll both fight to protect. But, I've got far too much trouble in my past to want to bring any into my present. All the more reason to resist the kind of dirty deeds his lips and eyes promise. Even after I plant a scorching, hot kiss on the rookie one night after a game. Even after he sends me the world's sexiest selfie. But when Grant reveals his biggest secret, I'm so damn ready to rip up the rulebook. Turns out he's a virgin and he wants me to help him get around all the bases. The only rule? Don't fall in love with him as we go.