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Charleston Condors #2
The Game
Micah Rose is ready for a clean slate. He might’ve messed up his rookie year with the Miami Piranhas, but being traded to the Condors is the best way to put all that behind him.
The Condors are rebuilding, too. New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.
But one rule hasn’t changed: don’t marry your ex-best friend in Vegas.
Beckett West isn't looking forward to seeing Micah again. Back in college, they shared not only a ride-or-die friendship, but a ton of sexual tension they never acted on.
That was before Micah pushed him away.
Still, Beck’s never forgotten their last drunken night together. Not only did they finally confess their feelings, they both promised if the day ever came when they played on the same team again, they wouldn't waste the chance to be together.
But Beck didn’t expect that day to ever be this day.
He certainly didn’t expect to wake up in bed with Micah’s ring on his finger.
Or that he’d never want to take it off.
But it turns out the only man for him is the one man he could never forget. The one man he’s always wanted to make his.
The Condors are rebuilding, too. New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.
But one rule hasn’t changed: don’t marry your ex-best friend in Vegas.
Beckett West isn't looking forward to seeing Micah again. Back in college, they shared not only a ride-or-die friendship, but a ton of sexual tension they never acted on.
That was before Micah pushed him away.
Still, Beck’s never forgotten their last drunken night together. Not only did they finally confess their feelings, they both promised if the day ever came when they played on the same team again, they wouldn't waste the chance to be together.
But Beck didn’t expect that day to ever be this day.
He certainly didn’t expect to wake up in bed with Micah’s ring on his finger.
Or that he’d never want to take it off.
But it turns out the only man for him is the one man he could never forget. The one man he’s always wanted to make his.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2023
306 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
76 books674 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
August 14, 2023
A Vegas wedding trope with a twist
Beth Bolden takes what's a fairly common romance trope - the 'drunken' Vegas wedding - and gives it a whole new spin to great effect.
Coupled with a second chance at first love narrative, this sports romance is a joy from start to finish.
We get most of the angst out of the way in the Prologue which gives the background of how Beckett West and Micah Rose became estranged after the NFL Draft, when their friendship almost turned into something more until Micah's fears overwhelmed him.
The fallout for Micah has been seen in painful detail throughout the previous Piranhas series so it's no surprise when he takes the chance of a fresh start at the troubled Condors.
Anyone expecting a long drawn out drama-filled tortured plot should stop now. This is utterly delightful, as first Beck and Micah reconnect as The Wall on the defensive team and then slowly break down their walls and have an honest conversation.
They go to Vegas for a game, stay for a few days and end up married. And there's where things take a turn.
Seeing these two determined to stay married and work out how to date and be a couple is seriously sweet. Between the sheets they're on fire, making up for lost time as Beck shows Micah everything he could have been enjoying for the previous two years!
With enough humour and American Footie goings on to support the main relationship development, Beth delivers another excellent addition to her continuing sports romance novels.
We get to find out a bit more about the Condors and what it was like under the previous horrendous management and we see the steps the new owner is making to improve things.
Guest appearances from Scott Callaway, defensive coach at the Piranhas and surrogate dad to Micah, just add icing to the cake.
This series is shaping up to be just as great as all Beth's previous American Football romances, and I'm dying to see just what's going on with Carter next!
Beth Bolden takes what's a fairly common romance trope - the 'drunken' Vegas wedding - and gives it a whole new spin to great effect.
Coupled with a second chance at first love narrative, this sports romance is a joy from start to finish.
We get most of the angst out of the way in the Prologue which gives the background of how Beckett West and Micah Rose became estranged after the NFL Draft, when their friendship almost turned into something more until Micah's fears overwhelmed him.
The fallout for Micah has been seen in painful detail throughout the previous Piranhas series so it's no surprise when he takes the chance of a fresh start at the troubled Condors.
Anyone expecting a long drawn out drama-filled tortured plot should stop now. This is utterly delightful, as first Beck and Micah reconnect as The Wall on the defensive team and then slowly break down their walls and have an honest conversation.
They go to Vegas for a game, stay for a few days and end up married. And there's where things take a turn.
Seeing these two determined to stay married and work out how to date and be a couple is seriously sweet. Between the sheets they're on fire, making up for lost time as Beck shows Micah everything he could have been enjoying for the previous two years!
With enough humour and American Footie goings on to support the main relationship development, Beth delivers another excellent addition to her continuing sports romance novels.
We get to find out a bit more about the Condors and what it was like under the previous horrendous management and we see the steps the new owner is making to improve things.
Guest appearances from Scott Callaway, defensive coach at the Piranhas and surrogate dad to Micah, just add icing to the cake.
This series is shaping up to be just as great as all Beth's previous American Football romances, and I'm dying to see just what's going on with Carter next!
August 1, 2023
4.5 stars. This is the second book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it even more than the first one in this series! The tension between Beck and Micah was amazing. I loved seeing their journey from best friends-to-enemies-to-lovers. They had me interested right from the first page!
This is a wake up married in Vegas story but I loved how this one was a bit different. It wasn’t a drunken marriage at the beginning of the book that they have to deal with. I loved how it actually came about for them.
I am definitely looking forward to Carter’s book. He seems like such a fun character with a side of him that needs some help and I’m excited to find out what’s in store for him! This book can definitely be read as a standalone but I feel like I got more out of it from reading book 1 first.
This is a wake up married in Vegas story but I loved how this one was a bit different. It wasn’t a drunken marriage at the beginning of the book that they have to deal with. I loved how it actually came about for them.
I am definitely looking forward to Carter’s book. He seems like such a fun character with a side of him that needs some help and I’m excited to find out what’s in store for him! This book can definitely be read as a standalone but I feel like I got more out of it from reading book 1 first.
August 26, 2024
Started out pretty good, but towards the end it really dragged. This book wasn't long, but by the end it just felt way too long and draggy. So much internal monologues. Kind of annoying to have pages of internal monologue where they think "I really need to talk to him" like, just talk to him instead of thinking about it for eight pages? It seems Micah may have been a big side character in a previous series? Idk maybe this story would have been better if I had a better understanding of the side characters from the last series? I normally love a waking up married book, but this one managed to make it boring and really fell flat.
August 7, 2023
This is the second book in the Condors series and I found it beautiful and full of hope and love.
Micah and Beck were best friends and played together in the defense of their college's football team. They were so good that they got the nickname of "The Wall", but then when they get drafted things go wrong between them, they take their separate ways and don't speak until Micah is transferred to the Condors, where Beck plays. They have many issues to work on, Micah coming out publicly was one of them.
There is so much good stuff in this book that it took me a while to put this review together. Micah broke my heart, I suffered so much reading his struggles. He just wanted to get his best friend back, even though he was in love with Beck he understood that it was impossible for his friend to love him back. And Beck, well since that awful draft night he didn't stop thinking of Micah as something else and not only his best friend.
It was hard at first to see them both struggling to get back to what they were, but they communicated and talked, and I loved seeing them do that. It was a difficult path and Micah hurt so much, but Beck was there for him all along.
I absolutely loved this book. The Vegas wedding was just perfect and I loved that they actually were not drunk when they did it. The love between the MCs was beautiful and they were so sweet with each other. This novel is all about forgiveness and being your true self, it's about friendship and understanding that we all get scared and make mistakes.
I can't wait to read Carter's story because that is going to be a fun one.
Micah and Beck were best friends and played together in the defense of their college's football team. They were so good that they got the nickname of "The Wall", but then when they get drafted things go wrong between them, they take their separate ways and don't speak until Micah is transferred to the Condors, where Beck plays. They have many issues to work on, Micah coming out publicly was one of them.
There is so much good stuff in this book that it took me a while to put this review together. Micah broke my heart, I suffered so much reading his struggles. He just wanted to get his best friend back, even though he was in love with Beck he understood that it was impossible for his friend to love him back. And Beck, well since that awful draft night he didn't stop thinking of Micah as something else and not only his best friend.
It was hard at first to see them both struggling to get back to what they were, but they communicated and talked, and I loved seeing them do that. It was a difficult path and Micah hurt so much, but Beck was there for him all along.
I absolutely loved this book. The Vegas wedding was just perfect and I loved that they actually were not drunk when they did it. The love between the MCs was beautiful and they were so sweet with each other. This novel is all about forgiveness and being your true self, it's about friendship and understanding that we all get scared and make mistakes.
I can't wait to read Carter's story because that is going to be a fun one.
August 5, 2023
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one fell flat for me. Let's start with the positives. The team/friendship dynamics from the first book were still there and we got to see plenty of the other Condors players. There's a good amount of spice and there's some nice angst as well. Micah and Beck were super sweet, and I loved all their little romantic moments.
But this story just seemed to drag. Something about the writing was just not working for me for some reason, but I haven't been able to figure out what exactly was the problem. TBH, there were several times I just wanted to throw in the towel. Ultimately I am glad I finished the story, because Micah and Beck definitely deserved their HEA. I'm still up in the air on if I plan to continue the series or not.
I received an ARC of this book from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest opinion
But this story just seemed to drag. Something about the writing was just not working for me for some reason, but I haven't been able to figure out what exactly was the problem. TBH, there were several times I just wanted to throw in the towel. Ultimately I am glad I finished the story, because Micah and Beck definitely deserved their HEA. I'm still up in the air on if I plan to continue the series or not.
I received an ARC of this book from Neon Rainbow Reviews and this is my honest opinion
October 13, 2023
CUTE AND FINALLY A NON WHITE MC IN SPORTS ROMANCE!!!
August 13, 2023
Tropes: friends to lovers, second chance, found family
Feels: 4.5/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: homophobia, internalized homophobia, unrequited love (in the past)
Beck and Micah were BFFs and football teammates in college. Then the draft happened and they were drafted to different teams. Micah has a homophobic uncle and he was struggling to accept his own sexuality. He low key pined for openly out as gay Beck all through college. Micah accidentally reveals his feelings on draft night. Beck hadn't had sexual or romantic feelings for Micah before but as soon as he knew that something clicked for Beck and he realized of course Micah is the one for him. They had a flirty night. But then Micah saw his uncle and shut down. Michael walked away and refused to talk to Beck after that.
2 years go by and they settle into their careers and Micah has come to terms with his sexuality. And found some found family that he desperately needed. Micah gets traded to Beck's team. The dream team of The Wall is reunited. They pretty quickly mend fences. And next thing you know, they get married in Vegas (they were not drunk). It was impulsive and it didn't really fix all of their problems, so the conflict for the rest of the book is you know can they make things work.
I liked this book. I loved that they got married sober. I loved how epic and true their love was. Even when it was platonic. These guys were it for each other. I liked the supporting characters, the friends and found family and people just CARING about each other. There wasn't a ton of conflict in this book. To some extent it was a little bit boring just because after the wedding there was nothing else that could top that huge dramatic moment but it was an enjoyable journey. The love was fierce.
Some notable moments:
"“I’ll do you one better,” Beck said, Micah’s honesty making him suddenly reckless. “We end up playing for the same team, I’ll fucking marry you. We can do that now, you know, not just two guys legally, but in the NFL. It’s happened before. It could happen again. Spencer Evans married that agent guy, didn’t he? Heath Harris is gonna marry his QB boyfriend. Colin O’Connor’s fucking married. We could get married.”"
The unconditional love here "“So hot,” he murmured. “So fucking hot.” The thing was, Beck was. But it didn’t matter what he looked like in ten years or twenty or forty. If his stomach wasn’t tight anymore, or his thighs weren’t solid with muscle. It wouldn’t matter if his brown hair turned gray, or he lost it entirely. Micah looked up and knew Beck would be looking at him like that for the rest of his life. Awe and affection mingled with an undeniable fondness."
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
Feels: 4.5/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: homophobia, internalized homophobia, unrequited love (in the past)
Beck and Micah were BFFs and football teammates in college. Then the draft happened and they were drafted to different teams. Micah has a homophobic uncle and he was struggling to accept his own sexuality. He low key pined for openly out as gay Beck all through college. Micah accidentally reveals his feelings on draft night. Beck hadn't had sexual or romantic feelings for Micah before but as soon as he knew that something clicked for Beck and he realized of course Micah is the one for him. They had a flirty night. But then Micah saw his uncle and shut down. Michael walked away and refused to talk to Beck after that.
2 years go by and they settle into their careers and Micah has come to terms with his sexuality. And found some found family that he desperately needed. Micah gets traded to Beck's team. The dream team of The Wall is reunited. They pretty quickly mend fences. And next thing you know, they get married in Vegas (they were not drunk). It was impulsive and it didn't really fix all of their problems, so the conflict for the rest of the book is you know can they make things work.
I liked this book. I loved that they got married sober. I loved how epic and true their love was. Even when it was platonic. These guys were it for each other. I liked the supporting characters, the friends and found family and people just CARING about each other. There wasn't a ton of conflict in this book. To some extent it was a little bit boring just because after the wedding there was nothing else that could top that huge dramatic moment but it was an enjoyable journey. The love was fierce.
Some notable moments:
"“I’ll do you one better,” Beck said, Micah’s honesty making him suddenly reckless. “We end up playing for the same team, I’ll fucking marry you. We can do that now, you know, not just two guys legally, but in the NFL. It’s happened before. It could happen again. Spencer Evans married that agent guy, didn’t he? Heath Harris is gonna marry his QB boyfriend. Colin O’Connor’s fucking married. We could get married.”"
The unconditional love here "“So hot,” he murmured. “So fucking hot.” The thing was, Beck was. But it didn’t matter what he looked like in ten years or twenty or forty. If his stomach wasn’t tight anymore, or his thighs weren’t solid with muscle. It wouldn’t matter if his brown hair turned gray, or he lost it entirely. Micah looked up and knew Beck would be looking at him like that for the rest of his life. Awe and affection mingled with an undeniable fondness."
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2023
Since the beginning of this series and the Piranhas books I read, I was sad for Micah and that book was just amazing, just the redemption he needed. Beck and Micah are a perfect duo, the Wall and definitely made for each other, stubborn as hell, cute together, supportive of the other 😍
After 4 years of playing college football together, Beck and Micah are best friends on and off the field, their success led to their unique nickname “the Wall” but now that the draft is over, they will be in different teams and far away. On their crazy last night together, things were said and it didn’t end well. Now almost two years later, they haven’t talked once and they are supposed to play together again. The Wall is finally reunited but not under the best hospice !
Micah is anxious to see Beck again, he had a long journey to accept himself and he knows that he must apologise, finishing the time and the words it’s so difficult for him. While Beck has mixed feeling about this trade, he doesn’t know if he will ever be capable to pardon him, to be on the field with him, he doesn’t know how he should act around him.
I really loved both characters especially how Beck looks so shy and quiet 🤫 never trust apparences 🤣, meanwhile Micah has this thing that makes me want to give him a big hug and tell him that everything will be ok.
Let’s not forget Carter who is one of the best side characters, I cannot wait for his book 😍 also excited for Deacon !!
Now I have to go back to the Piranhas, Landry’s brother is next !!
I received an ARC Copy of this book, this review is from my own thought 😍
After 4 years of playing college football together, Beck and Micah are best friends on and off the field, their success led to their unique nickname “the Wall” but now that the draft is over, they will be in different teams and far away. On their crazy last night together, things were said and it didn’t end well. Now almost two years later, they haven’t talked once and they are supposed to play together again. The Wall is finally reunited but not under the best hospice !
Micah is anxious to see Beck again, he had a long journey to accept himself and he knows that he must apologise, finishing the time and the words it’s so difficult for him. While Beck has mixed feeling about this trade, he doesn’t know if he will ever be capable to pardon him, to be on the field with him, he doesn’t know how he should act around him.
I really loved both characters especially how Beck looks so shy and quiet 🤫 never trust apparences 🤣, meanwhile Micah has this thing that makes me want to give him a big hug and tell him that everything will be ok.
Let’s not forget Carter who is one of the best side characters, I cannot wait for his book 😍 also excited for Deacon !!
Now I have to go back to the Piranhas, Landry’s brother is next !!
I received an ARC Copy of this book, this review is from my own thought 😍
August 14, 2023
A Football Friends-to-complicated-to-lovers where teammates once again fall in love! (without any consequences & all cheering, me included) I was so excited to read this since reading THE STAR. Beck & Micah's situation seemed so interesting! I expected groveling, emotions, fun. I got it, I'm glad.
Beck & Micah were besties in college, then more for 1 night, then no more as Micah panicked, said hurtful things. They remain un-contacted till now, when Micah is traded to Beck's. Can I just say, I'm so glad no one's let off the hook! But ya, B's right, he got rid of him too easily, hm? Not anymore. Them trying to be friends when they wanted more is amusing to see.
These 2 had made a pact & took that proposal to heart with their drunken Vegas wedding, tho still sober enough. They want it, no regrets, but going from no-contact to husbands? That takes adjustment & it was lovely see how they'll cope! I'm glad they didn't ran away from eachother & their feelings again. They're adorable in a relationship. While last book felt slowburn, I think this one was well-paced. I do love a vers couple, tho sadly we didn't get to see the other part of it, just a lil flashback 🙂 (P.s. give me another bonus, Beth be teasing us with Deacon & Mr. G 😩. I like it.)
I love this team! They shined here too, like last book. I spent the whole day reading this & enjoyed them all. Carter's book will be exciting!
Story ratings: (Enjoyed 5/5)
POV: 3rd Person, Dual POV
1) The Characters & world: 4.8/5
2) The feels: 😳😟🥺😆🤭😔😘😍🔥🥰🙃💕🤗
3) Story & relationship: 5/5
4) Sexy/Steamy scenes: 2.75/5
5) Levels: lowish-mild Angst, very Cute, low Dark
6) Writing style: 4.7/5
Beck & Micah were besties in college, then more for 1 night, then no more as Micah panicked, said hurtful things. They remain un-contacted till now, when Micah is traded to Beck's. Can I just say, I'm so glad no one's let off the hook! But ya, B's right, he got rid of him too easily, hm? Not anymore. Them trying to be friends when they wanted more is amusing to see.
These 2 had made a pact & took that proposal to heart with their drunken Vegas wedding, tho still sober enough. They want it, no regrets, but going from no-contact to husbands? That takes adjustment & it was lovely see how they'll cope! I'm glad they didn't ran away from eachother & their feelings again. They're adorable in a relationship. While last book felt slowburn, I think this one was well-paced. I do love a vers couple, tho sadly we didn't get to see the other part of it, just a lil flashback 🙂 (P.s. give me another bonus, Beth be teasing us with Deacon & Mr. G 😩. I like it.)
I love this team! They shined here too, like last book. I spent the whole day reading this & enjoyed them all. Carter's book will be exciting!
Story ratings: (Enjoyed 5/5)
POV: 3rd Person, Dual POV
1) The Characters & world: 4.8/5
2) The feels: 😳😟🥺😆🤭😔😘😍🔥🥰🙃💕🤗
3) Story & relationship: 5/5
4) Sexy/Steamy scenes: 2.75/5
5) Levels: lowish-mild Angst, very Cute, low Dark
6) Writing style: 4.7/5
August 9, 2023
Beautiful Second Chance Romance.
What a heart-rending prologue, poor Micah. Having followed his story throughout the Piranhas series, I was keen to read his background, turns out he's such a broken soul 💔 The emotions are high between him and his love interest Beck, their feelings, raw and unfiltered. They're both looking to feel something other than hurt, scared and, in Beck's case, anger. Micah is dealing with so much baggage, thanks to his family, and it screws up his ability to look at himself, and what he wants out of life, so he loses Beck, as a result. By the time he comes across Beck again, he's learned so much about himself from other people, he's ready for a second chance. Micah has realised what he did wrong in his relationship with Beck, and now he wants Beck, no holds barred. Beth has such a talent for developing and building her characters and their development throughout the story, and this is when she comes into her own. I adored Beck and Micah together, she handles the guys so well. It isn't all plain sailing for Micah, Beck is slow to trust, but they can't stay away from one another. Their relationship is both sweet, hot, and surprisingly light-hearted. As I was reading I had no choice but to root for Beck and Micah, laugh with them, fight with them, and rally them on. Beth really does the guys justice, and I loved the cross over between the Piranhas and the Condor teams. So looking forward to Carter's story.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
What a heart-rending prologue, poor Micah. Having followed his story throughout the Piranhas series, I was keen to read his background, turns out he's such a broken soul 💔 The emotions are high between him and his love interest Beck, their feelings, raw and unfiltered. They're both looking to feel something other than hurt, scared and, in Beck's case, anger. Micah is dealing with so much baggage, thanks to his family, and it screws up his ability to look at himself, and what he wants out of life, so he loses Beck, as a result. By the time he comes across Beck again, he's learned so much about himself from other people, he's ready for a second chance. Micah has realised what he did wrong in his relationship with Beck, and now he wants Beck, no holds barred. Beth has such a talent for developing and building her characters and their development throughout the story, and this is when she comes into her own. I adored Beck and Micah together, she handles the guys so well. It isn't all plain sailing for Micah, Beck is slow to trust, but they can't stay away from one another. Their relationship is both sweet, hot, and surprisingly light-hearted. As I was reading I had no choice but to root for Beck and Micah, laugh with them, fight with them, and rally them on. Beth really does the guys justice, and I loved the cross over between the Piranhas and the Condor teams. So looking forward to Carter's story.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
Read
October 29, 2023* sports
* American Football
* friends to enemies to lovers
* teammates
* wake up married
* nothing sensible happens in Vegas
* coming out
* American Football
* friends to enemies to lovers
* teammates
* wake up married
* nothing sensible happens in Vegas
* coming out
January 8, 2025
I liked it. There is a mix of pining and sweetness from the mix of second chances and friends to lovers that makes this book different and special. Plus Vegas was a fun twist
August 9, 2023
Reunited and it feels so... weird? Micah and Beck both have baggage since they last saw each other and it's interesting to read as they work through it - separately and together... Battling on field and real life chemistry with holding on to past hurt, Beck is finally forced to confront his worries with Micah and it opens up a world of second chances, rekindled emotions and love.
This is a well paced and beautiful second chance romance that forces these two men to put their cards on the table before actually getting together and it was wonderful to read.
This is a well paced and beautiful second chance romance that forces these two men to put their cards on the table before actually getting together and it was wonderful to read.
August 10, 2023
Sweet, but I did get a bit bored in the middle, and there are too many references to the previous series. I might have gone back to read it if I weren’t already sick of hearing about bloody Sebastian.
August 9, 2023
Oh sweet Micah! I am so happy for him to finally live his truth without shame and to get the HEA he wanted so badly it hurt.
If you’ve read Bolden’s parent series ‘Miami Piranhas’ then you have met Micah Rose and are aware of the internal battle he’d been dealing with since we first met him on page. From his first meeting to now, he is a side character who has gone on an emotional journey told through the eyes of his friends/teammates to accept his queerness and be open to love.
What I absolutely loved about this story is that, as previously mentioned, so much of Micah’s journey has taken place across other books and off page, so that ‘The Game’ is purely the beauty of Beck and Micah reconnecting and the birth and progression of their romantic relationship. The prologue, while painful as Micah is not yet ready to accept his reality and therefore breaks both his and Beck’s hearts, really helps the reader understand Micah’s original behaviour in the ‘Miami Piranhas’ series and where he was emotionally. It just gave me more respect for him and how far he’s come in the 18 months between the prologue and where the story starts off in the present day.
This is a low angst, best friends to strangers to teammates to lovers romance with a smidge of second chance thrown in. The cameos from our fave Miami team were great, and Scott as a surrogate father for Micah gave me all the feels. I absolutely adored what this story gave us.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
If you’ve read Bolden’s parent series ‘Miami Piranhas’ then you have met Micah Rose and are aware of the internal battle he’d been dealing with since we first met him on page. From his first meeting to now, he is a side character who has gone on an emotional journey told through the eyes of his friends/teammates to accept his queerness and be open to love.
What I absolutely loved about this story is that, as previously mentioned, so much of Micah’s journey has taken place across other books and off page, so that ‘The Game’ is purely the beauty of Beck and Micah reconnecting and the birth and progression of their romantic relationship. The prologue, while painful as Micah is not yet ready to accept his reality and therefore breaks both his and Beck’s hearts, really helps the reader understand Micah’s original behaviour in the ‘Miami Piranhas’ series and where he was emotionally. It just gave me more respect for him and how far he’s come in the 18 months between the prologue and where the story starts off in the present day.
This is a low angst, best friends to strangers to teammates to lovers romance with a smidge of second chance thrown in. The cameos from our fave Miami team were great, and Scott as a surrogate father for Micah gave me all the feels. I absolutely adored what this story gave us.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
August 15, 2023
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2 in the Charleston Condors, The Star is book one. While I don't think it's strictly necessary that you read that book first, it will probably help you see what Beck was like, before Micah came back into his life. I gave that book 4 stars.
But this one?? I LOVED this book!
We don't get what happened to Beck and Micah a couple of years ago, but you get clues and hints in The Star. And I put those clues and hints together in the wrong way and was way off base.
What DID happen was heartbreaking for Beck, but for Micah too. But it takes time for Micah to tell Beck what happened fully, and it made me cry when he eventually gets it all out.
What I loved the most about this, was how forgiving Beck was, right at the start. Yes, Micah had hurt him and both men were still hurting from that but Beck could see Micah needed a FRIEND more than anything else. And offering Micah that olive branch was the best thing he ever did.
Loved the whole Vegas thing! Granted they were drunk but not so that they didn't know what they were doing. Granted they BOTH thought on waking that they did NOT want to undo what they did. It takes them time to settle into the husband thing but they really do love each other and want to make it work.
I found myself falling out with Beck's mum at one point, but given the outcome of that, she redeemed herself.
I said in my review for the Star that I really linked that there was very little drama. While the history of Beck and Micah is full of drama, once they get back together, there isn't much here either! And I'm loving that.
I also said in The Star that I didn't like the long descriptive passages about the football games. Now, whether it is because I knew they were coming, or not, I don't know, but I found them less difficult to read here. I'm still not a fan, (and will never be!) and I still didn't understand half of those passages, but I didn't find them as many or as difficult.
There were some characters that helped Micah while he and Beck were apart, I'd like to go back and read about Scott and Asa. And Carter (Beck and Micah's team mate) gets the next book. I'm really REALLY looking forward to reading his story. He's a character here, but I have a strong feeling it's all a freaking front and the man is falling apart underneath.
Beck and Micah really are perfect for each other, and I loved their story.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is book 2 in the Charleston Condors, The Star is book one. While I don't think it's strictly necessary that you read that book first, it will probably help you see what Beck was like, before Micah came back into his life. I gave that book 4 stars.
But this one?? I LOVED this book!
We don't get what happened to Beck and Micah a couple of years ago, but you get clues and hints in The Star. And I put those clues and hints together in the wrong way and was way off base.
What DID happen was heartbreaking for Beck, but for Micah too. But it takes time for Micah to tell Beck what happened fully, and it made me cry when he eventually gets it all out.
What I loved the most about this, was how forgiving Beck was, right at the start. Yes, Micah had hurt him and both men were still hurting from that but Beck could see Micah needed a FRIEND more than anything else. And offering Micah that olive branch was the best thing he ever did.
Loved the whole Vegas thing! Granted they were drunk but not so that they didn't know what they were doing. Granted they BOTH thought on waking that they did NOT want to undo what they did. It takes them time to settle into the husband thing but they really do love each other and want to make it work.
I found myself falling out with Beck's mum at one point, but given the outcome of that, she redeemed herself.
I said in my review for the Star that I really linked that there was very little drama. While the history of Beck and Micah is full of drama, once they get back together, there isn't much here either! And I'm loving that.
I also said in The Star that I didn't like the long descriptive passages about the football games. Now, whether it is because I knew they were coming, or not, I don't know, but I found them less difficult to read here. I'm still not a fan, (and will never be!) and I still didn't understand half of those passages, but I didn't find them as many or as difficult.
There were some characters that helped Micah while he and Beck were apart, I'd like to go back and read about Scott and Asa. And Carter (Beck and Micah's team mate) gets the next book. I'm really REALLY looking forward to reading his story. He's a character here, but I have a strong feeling it's all a freaking front and the man is falling apart underneath.
Beck and Micah really are perfect for each other, and I loved their story.
5 full and shiny stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
October 17, 2025
One night changed everything between Micah and Beck. One moment they’re perfect then the next moment Micah is ghosting Beck. After multiple attempts from Beck to get Micah to talk to him Beck finally gives up. A year and a half later Micah wants to apologize for how he acted. Will Beck be able to forgive Micah?
I love that Beck calls Micah “Sweetheart”. Nicknames are everything to me. When Micah got traded to Beck’s team I knew Beck would be hurting. It’s amazing how Micah didn’t want to lie to the coaches and team about who he really is. I felt so bad that Micah wanted to apologize so many times but couldn’t bring himself to do it. It’s heartbreaking how much Beck loves Micah but couldn’t get through to him at all. That ending was absolutely perfect!
Beth Bolden blew this out of the water! I laughed and cried. My emotions were all over the place. I loved every second of this book. Normally I don’t like friends to enemies to lovers but Beth did it perfectly. I can’t wait to keep reading this series.
This book needs more than 5 stars so I’m giving it 6.
I love that Beck calls Micah “Sweetheart”. Nicknames are everything to me. When Micah got traded to Beck’s team I knew Beck would be hurting. It’s amazing how Micah didn’t want to lie to the coaches and team about who he really is. I felt so bad that Micah wanted to apologize so many times but couldn’t bring himself to do it. It’s heartbreaking how much Beck loves Micah but couldn’t get through to him at all. That ending was absolutely perfect!
Beth Bolden blew this out of the water! I laughed and cried. My emotions were all over the place. I loved every second of this book. Normally I don’t like friends to enemies to lovers but Beth did it perfectly. I can’t wait to keep reading this series.
This book needs more than 5 stars so I’m giving it 6.
August 2, 2023
Two books in and it’s clear Beth Bolden isn’t holding back in this new series. Beck & Micah’s story is an emotional, best friends-to-lovers romance that comes with a hefty dose of hurt and anguish but also the hope and possibility of second chances.
The timeline of The Game overlaps with that of The Star; if you’ve read Landry & Riley’s story, some events will be familiar. Each book technically stands alone, but a lot of the lead up to Beck & Micah’s reunion happens in The Star, so I was glad to have that prior knowledge.
Bolden sets it all up in a way that can only be described as absolutely heartbreaking. We get a clear picture of everything Beck & Micah are to each other - their history and their feelings, raw and unfiltered. Being forced back together as teammates seems like it could be the answer they need, if only they can overcome the distance created by time and face the truth of what lies between them.
I’ve been curious about Micah’s story for a while, so finally getting to the bottom of everything is gratifying. The full evolution of his character from the Piranhas to now is absolutely mind blowing. He’s had a tough road, driven in part by his internalized homophobia but devastatingly compounded by his family situation. Is he perfect? Far from it, but no one deserves what he’s endured.
That’s not to say it’s all hurt and sorrow, because there’s lots of hope, love and plenty of shenanigans. (Looking at you, Carter.) While it’s agonizing watching Beck & MIcah want but not take, it’s equally as rewarding to see them figure it out. If that also involves a spontaneous, not-so-drunken Vegas wedding, I’m not complaining. Once they’re in, they’re all in, something that makes it all worthwhile.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
The timeline of The Game overlaps with that of The Star; if you’ve read Landry & Riley’s story, some events will be familiar. Each book technically stands alone, but a lot of the lead up to Beck & Micah’s reunion happens in The Star, so I was glad to have that prior knowledge.
Bolden sets it all up in a way that can only be described as absolutely heartbreaking. We get a clear picture of everything Beck & Micah are to each other - their history and their feelings, raw and unfiltered. Being forced back together as teammates seems like it could be the answer they need, if only they can overcome the distance created by time and face the truth of what lies between them.
I’ve been curious about Micah’s story for a while, so finally getting to the bottom of everything is gratifying. The full evolution of his character from the Piranhas to now is absolutely mind blowing. He’s had a tough road, driven in part by his internalized homophobia but devastatingly compounded by his family situation. Is he perfect? Far from it, but no one deserves what he’s endured.
That’s not to say it’s all hurt and sorrow, because there’s lots of hope, love and plenty of shenanigans. (Looking at you, Carter.) While it’s agonizing watching Beck & MIcah want but not take, it’s equally as rewarding to see them figure it out. If that also involves a spontaneous, not-so-drunken Vegas wedding, I’m not complaining. Once they’re in, they’re all in, something that makes it all worthwhile.
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
August 3, 2023
Micah and Beck were best friends and teammates on the same football team until in the draft they were separated. On their last night together, the attraction between two and Micah's homophobic family separates the two friends for 18 months, even as Beck tries to understand what happened.
18 months later, Micah is traded to play on the same team as Beck, Condors, which doesn't please Beck, who is awaiting an explanation.
I loved this book, just as I loved the first in this new series.
Can’t wait for the next one.
Highly recommended
18 months later, Micah is traded to play on the same team as Beck, Condors, which doesn't please Beck, who is awaiting an explanation.
I loved this book, just as I loved the first in this new series.
Can’t wait for the next one.
Highly recommended
dnf
November 4, 20252 stars
DNF at 59%
I don't know if there's anything more for me here now that they seem to get along fine. It seems that the rest of the book is all about how great a couple they are together, which to me is boring.
Besides, I think there's a bit too much football, that I don't know and understand, but mainly it's the fact that I have an issue with couples that know and love each other from before the book's start point and I hate the feeling that I'm a stranger looking in :(
Personal pet peeves aside, this wasn't bad, just completely out of my interests.
DNF at 59%
I don't know if there's anything more for me here now that they seem to get along fine. It seems that the rest of the book is all about how great a couple they are together, which to me is boring.
Besides, I think there's a bit too much football, that I don't know and understand, but mainly it's the fact that I have an issue with couples that know and love each other from before the book's start point and I hate the feeling that I'm a stranger looking in :(
Personal pet peeves aside, this wasn't bad, just completely out of my interests.
August 11, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
October 24, 2025
Honestly, this had all the hallmarks of making this a new favorite of mine: high-school best friends, accidental marriage, sports...
However, considering that the highlight of the entire novel was the prologue, I'd say this was not a hit for me. I adored Micah and Beck in the prologue, their dynamic, the tension ripe with all the things they weren't saying to each other.
But then everything went downhill from there. The Micah and Beck from the present simply bored me, and their tension just didn't feel as intriguing as before. I was hoping things would pick up after they got married, but I think that particular trope was handled in the most bland possible way.
Overall, a pass for me.
However, considering that the highlight of the entire novel was the prologue, I'd say this was not a hit for me. I adored Micah and Beck in the prologue, their dynamic, the tension ripe with all the things they weren't saying to each other.
But then everything went downhill from there. The Micah and Beck from the present simply bored me, and their tension just didn't feel as intriguing as before. I was hoping things would pick up after they got married, but I think that particular trope was handled in the most bland possible way.
Overall, a pass for me.
August 8, 2023
Thank you to Beth Bolden for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC for exhange for my honest review. The Game is the second book in The Charleston Condors series but we fist meet Micah Rose in the Miami Piranhas series.
The prologue is before the starts of Beck & Micah NFL career and it nearly broke me 💔 The raw feelings demonstrating their history and what wasn't going to happen 😢
Micah and Becks story is an emotional friends to lovers second chance romance with a not so drunken Vegas wedding. The Wall as they were named in college quickly reunites successfully on the field but it takes more with help from their friends to reconnect as friends.
I adored learning more about Micah and his past. And Beck well it is the quiet ones 😜
This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend this reading order
🏈 The Rainbow Clause
🏈 The Riptide series
🏈 Miami Piranhas series
🏈 Charleston Condors series
The prologue is before the starts of Beck & Micah NFL career and it nearly broke me 💔 The raw feelings demonstrating their history and what wasn't going to happen 😢
Micah and Becks story is an emotional friends to lovers second chance romance with a not so drunken Vegas wedding. The Wall as they were named in college quickly reunites successfully on the field but it takes more with help from their friends to reconnect as friends.
I adored learning more about Micah and his past. And Beck well it is the quiet ones 😜
This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend this reading order
🏈 The Rainbow Clause
🏈 The Riptide series
🏈 Miami Piranhas series
🏈 Charleston Condors series
August 10, 2023
Copy received from Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
I am still very new to Beth Bolden, and have only read a few books. This is the second Condors book, and I liked it more than the first.
I am a fan of second chance/friend-to-lovers/frenemies et al tropes, and The Game was a great story.
I have wondered about Micah since the first book (I know he is in other series, but I haven't gotten there - yet). I needed to know more about him, and I was not disappointed.
I love his relationship with Beck, I adored the waking up in Vegas with a weddin ring, I couldn't get enough of them together.
The Wall is back, baby!
Can't wait for more Condors (and to find time to read the Riptide books!)
I am still very new to Beth Bolden, and have only read a few books. This is the second Condors book, and I liked it more than the first.
I am a fan of second chance/friend-to-lovers/frenemies et al tropes, and The Game was a great story.
I have wondered about Micah since the first book (I know he is in other series, but I haven't gotten there - yet). I needed to know more about him, and I was not disappointed.
I love his relationship with Beck, I adored the waking up in Vegas with a weddin ring, I couldn't get enough of them together.
The Wall is back, baby!
Can't wait for more Condors (and to find time to read the Riptide books!)
January 8, 2024
DNF @ 43%
I was over it 1/2 way into the prologue. There is no reason a prologue should be that long. The dialogues were too lengthy. There was no mystery to anything since the author INSISTED on writing AND including everything into the story and you get the fake marriage set up 8 chapters (really 9 considering the prologue was a full blown chapter) in?? Yh, made no sense to me either. There were a myriad of other things wrong but the stand out observation is that this author does not know when to stop. I noticed it in the 1st book of this series as well. She does not know how to end a conversation, a chapter or a story. I didn’t finish the 1st book either. She takes to long to get to the point and then when she does, she drags it out. That was also another problem. Because if the unnecessary dialogues and internal thoughts, the story drags. The first book was the same. I wasted my time and I wish I could get it back honestly 😭
I was over it 1/2 way into the prologue. There is no reason a prologue should be that long. The dialogues were too lengthy. There was no mystery to anything since the author INSISTED on writing AND including everything into the story and you get the fake marriage set up 8 chapters (really 9 considering the prologue was a full blown chapter) in?? Yh, made no sense to me either. There were a myriad of other things wrong but the stand out observation is that this author does not know when to stop. I noticed it in the 1st book of this series as well. She does not know how to end a conversation, a chapter or a story. I didn’t finish the 1st book either. She takes to long to get to the point and then when she does, she drags it out. That was also another problem. Because if the unnecessary dialogues and internal thoughts, the story drags. The first book was the same. I wasted my time and I wish I could get it back honestly 😭
September 25, 2023
I love this author’s books, so it makes me sad to have to give this book only two stars,but I’m afraid I just found it rather boring.
I was dying to hearMicah’s story and I really love the Condors team, and all the characters but Micah’s angsting on and on and on about the past the future, and does Beck really love him when quite obviously he does, and just so much sex and sex and sex! To me this should have been a novella.
Don’t get me wrong , there’s nothing like some really good sex scenes, but these just felt like fillers.
I’m not giving up on the condors stories , but I just hope the stories get back online to what the others have been.
I was dying to hearMicah’s story and I really love the Condors team, and all the characters but Micah’s angsting on and on and on about the past the future, and does Beck really love him when quite obviously he does, and just so much sex and sex and sex! To me this should have been a novella.
Don’t get me wrong , there’s nothing like some really good sex scenes, but these just felt like fillers.
I’m not giving up on the condors stories , but I just hope the stories get back online to what the others have been.
November 20, 2023
dnf at 25% I was really excited for this book because even though the first book was light, cute and fun. I wanted some major drama and angst in this one because of the whole enemies to lovers trope, which was how it was portrayed in the first book but well I didn't feel any such angst, forgiveness earned way too easily. Ugh.
February 15, 2024
I love Beth's football books although sometimes they seem a bit too long and I lose interest. But the romance is good and I always enjoy reading about football.
August 14, 2023
Check out our full post for THE GAME on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆☆
THE GAME is the second book in the Charleston Condors series. I guess it could be read as a standalone, but I have no idea why you would want to do that. It reads so much better if you read in the order the author intended.
Micah Rose and Beckett West were best friends. They became known as 'The Wall' in college. There was nothing they couldn't do together. Until that one night, the night of the NFL draft. They were picked by different teams. They wanted one more night to go out and just be together before the craziness of being in the NFL started. When they ended up at a gay bar, Micah wasn't surprised since Beck never really hid who he was, but Micah was keeping his secret as deep as he could. When drinks lead to an almost kiss, Micah denies everything that happened between them that night. What once was the closest person to him, Micah can't even bring himself to talk to until he ends up being traded from the Piranhas to the Condors. The same team Beck plays for. Will Beck forgive him for throwing their friendship away? Will Micah admit his secrets to Beck? Can they become The Wall again?
I loved Micah from The Piranhas series. I couldn't wait to get his full story. And Bolden did not disappoint! Watching Beck try to let his anger lead him, but his heart has been Micah's for so long he couldn't stop falling deeper in love with the man. Micah was so scared to be who he was and without his family in his corner he had to find his own happiness, thankfully he found his way back to Beck.
I can't ever say which Beth Bolden story is my favorite because each one tops the last! I can't wait to see what's next for this team!
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, but has close links to the Miami Piranhas and other Bolden series too – which as a fan, I really enjoy! I would definitely suggest that you read THE STAR first as this follows on directly. Micah was not happy at all in Miami, and is hoping for a second chance at Charleston, but he will be seeing his one-time college best friend and teammate, Beckett, who he ghosted as they were drafted.
Watching Micah and Beckett cope with the aftermath of their period of radio silence, reacquaint themselves on the football pitch, and determine how they deal with each other off the field, is fascinating. And then they go to play in Vegas and take a few extra days... and yep, what else could happen to these two? Their chemistry is clearly off the charts, whether personally or professionally, but married? That is crazy. Well enjoy the ride as they determine how to navigate the future.
A lovely twist on the inevitable consequence of being in Vegas – Enjoy!
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
August 3, 2023
The Game by Beth Bolden is the second book in her Charleston Condors series. Beckett West and Micah Rose were both defensive football players who met at Northwestern. They quickly became best friends, even though Micah was straight and Beck was not. They were formidable on the field and earned the nickname “The Wall”. They were both drafted in the first round of the NFL draft but to different teams. That night they both realized how much they meant to each other and how much they were going to miss being together and almost did something neither one could believe. Then they had a falling out over it and went their separate ways, Beck being hurt over what happened and Micah lying about it and miserable because he needed to apologize. Beck was playing for the Condors who had a tough season and were now rebuilding. Micah played for the Miami Piranhas and also had a difficult year but he learned a lot as he came to terms with his life, and that he wasn’t straight. He asked for a transfer and miraculously got sent to the Condors where he would be with Beck again. The next section of the book is about their meeting, playing football again together, and coming to terms with what happened to them on the draft night with Micah apologizing and Beck saying they could be friends. But Micah wanted more and when they finally revealed their feelings for each other they were ecstatic and capped it off with staying over in Vegas after a game, and of course the inevitable happened after only being together for a week. Neither one of them wanted to end what they did and they wanted their new relationship to work so the rest of the story is how they made this happen along with more football, good and not so good things happening with their families, and being with their friends who helped show them what they could be together. I really enjoyed this book as I have the other one in this series and the ones in previous series. Beck and Micah were so good together and even though they had their ups and downs their love was always there. Their friends and fellow football players also played a big part in this story as they helped them with their relationship as well as having fun times and being snarky with each other. Their families were also involved as Beck’s was amazing and accepting and Micah’s was not and there was a falling out that had to be rectified, which it was with a lot of angst. If you like stories about men who fall in love with lots of NFL football action thrown in then you will like this book. I highly recommend it and I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
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