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Hot Streak
Young phenom pitcher Connor Clark doesn't want or need help anyone's help making it to the majors.
He's got a hot arm, and an even hotter temper.
So when his minor league team brings in seasoned catcher Jackson Evans to "handle" him, the two clash instantly.
But as the two battle for power, anger gives way to lust, and an awakening Connor didn't see coming.
If Jackson wants to be 'hands on,' they might as well enjoy it. But once again, the man makes Connor work for it. Just like he does on the field.
Only this time, the reward is so much sweeter. When Connor gives in to Jackson's coaching, and Jackson gives in to his attraction, they're instantly on a hot streak—on the field and in bed.
So hot that Connor finally gets that call to the majors he's always wanted.
But what's a pitcher to do without the catcher who owns his heart? Now all Connor needs is to convince Jackson they belong to each other forever, not just on a baseball diamond.
He's got a hot arm, and an even hotter temper.
So when his minor league team brings in seasoned catcher Jackson Evans to "handle" him, the two clash instantly.
But as the two battle for power, anger gives way to lust, and an awakening Connor didn't see coming.
If Jackson wants to be 'hands on,' they might as well enjoy it. But once again, the man makes Connor work for it. Just like he does on the field.
Only this time, the reward is so much sweeter. When Connor gives in to Jackson's coaching, and Jackson gives in to his attraction, they're instantly on a hot streak—on the field and in bed.
So hot that Connor finally gets that call to the majors he's always wanted.
But what's a pitcher to do without the catcher who owns his heart? Now all Connor needs is to convince Jackson they belong to each other forever, not just on a baseball diamond.
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First published May 2, 2024
269 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
76 books677 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 149 reviews
May 2, 2024
More sports romance from Beth
I don't know anything about baseball so some of the more sport focused elements went over my head.
But that didn't stop me from enjoying the relationship development between Jackson and Connor or wanting to see them succeed in both love and career.
It's definitely a lot more slow burn than some of Beth's other books, and it works all the better for it.
Not quite an enemies to lovers romance, it still has difficulties to overcome as Connor resents Jackson's involvement in helping him get his pitching more consistent.
Jackson's on his way out at the end of a reasonably long but low success career spent mainly in the minors.
He's got a whole load of internal fears and a bit of his own toxic masculinity given he believes his sexuality was what meant he never made it.
There's lots of fratching and plenty of arguments before Connor wakes up to his attraction and Jackson finally stops fighting his.
With a guest appearance from a certain Piranhas wide receiver, this was a great addition to Beth's sporting universe.
I don't know anything about baseball so some of the more sport focused elements went over my head.
But that didn't stop me from enjoying the relationship development between Jackson and Connor or wanting to see them succeed in both love and career.
It's definitely a lot more slow burn than some of Beth's other books, and it works all the better for it.
Not quite an enemies to lovers romance, it still has difficulties to overcome as Connor resents Jackson's involvement in helping him get his pitching more consistent.
Jackson's on his way out at the end of a reasonably long but low success career spent mainly in the minors.
He's got a whole load of internal fears and a bit of his own toxic masculinity given he believes his sexuality was what meant he never made it.
There's lots of fratching and plenty of arguments before Connor wakes up to his attraction and Jackson finally stops fighting his.
With a guest appearance from a certain Piranhas wide receiver, this was a great addition to Beth's sporting universe.
May 4, 2024
I'm a little disappointed by this one because I absolutely love Beth Bolden's other books and series but this just felt off-kilter.
I do like how Connor was friends with Tristan from the Piranhas series and utilised his advice to come to terms with his sexuality, but that kind of fizzled out and felt a bit like a loose end because Tristan just disappears.
The whole relationship between Jackson and Connor felt a bit clunky and the switch from 'nothing will ever happen' to 'omg I need you naked' seemed to just happen, like blink and you missed where they made that decision. I did really like the tension between them before that point but it felt forced when they finally got together. I also couldn't figure out the timeline of the book so it felt like both a slow burn but also instalove at the same time. I know when baseball season starts and ends, and also when NFL starts and ends but the events of this book were confusing because time passes so strangely, and for someone with dyscalculia it is very jarring when time makes no real sense in what I'm reading. It always throws me out of the book because my brain is too busy focusing on that instead of the story.
I also would have liked to see more of what happened after they were officially together and out because there was so much fear and build up for that, and then we didn't really get to see the outcome. It felt like a lot of build up to nothing.
The overall story idea was one I'm definitely interested in, it just felt disjointed in comparison to Beth Bolden's other books, and that was disappointing.
I do like how Connor was friends with Tristan from the Piranhas series and utilised his advice to come to terms with his sexuality, but that kind of fizzled out and felt a bit like a loose end because Tristan just disappears.
The whole relationship between Jackson and Connor felt a bit clunky and the switch from 'nothing will ever happen' to 'omg I need you naked' seemed to just happen, like blink and you missed where they made that decision. I did really like the tension between them before that point but it felt forced when they finally got together. I also couldn't figure out the timeline of the book so it felt like both a slow burn but also instalove at the same time. I know when baseball season starts and ends, and also when NFL starts and ends but the events of this book were confusing because time passes so strangely, and for someone with dyscalculia it is very jarring when time makes no real sense in what I'm reading. It always throws me out of the book because my brain is too busy focusing on that instead of the story.
I also would have liked to see more of what happened after they were officially together and out because there was so much fear and build up for that, and then we didn't really get to see the outcome. It felt like a lot of build up to nothing.
The overall story idea was one I'm definitely interested in, it just felt disjointed in comparison to Beth Bolden's other books, and that was disappointing.
June 15, 2025
This is 99¢ right now (15 June) on Amazon! Woohoo birthday week, baseball book sales, and Red Sox Yankees. (You guys are going down 🧹) Also, it's a great book, obviously.
Baseball was a game of inches and a game of hundreds of feet.
Lots of baseball scenes, catcher and pitcher warm-ups, games, etc. Soon-to-be retiring veteran catcher in the minor leagues helps tame a wild pitcher. The younger player pursues the older player.
Using lace underwear as an anxiety distraction/focus while pitching was a great bonus!
This book deserves a full review, I loved it! Full RTC.
MC Names: Connor & Jackson.
Tags: Sports romance, minor league baseball, age-gap (11 years, 22 & 33), veteran catcher/out-of-control rookie pitcher pairing, lace panties while pitching, teammates, roommates, bratty MC, first time, end of career, major league, over-6 ft (6'4), shorter top, phone sex, long-distance, bi rep
Baseball was a game of inches and a game of hundreds of feet.
Lots of baseball scenes, catcher and pitcher warm-ups, games, etc. Soon-to-be retiring veteran catcher in the minor leagues helps tame a wild pitcher. The younger player pursues the older player.
Using lace underwear as an anxiety distraction/focus while pitching was a great bonus!
This book deserves a full review, I loved it! Full RTC.
MC Names: Connor & Jackson.
Tags: Sports romance, minor league baseball, age-gap (11 years, 22 & 33), veteran catcher/out-of-control rookie pitcher pairing, lace panties while pitching, teammates, roommates, bratty MC, first time, end of career, major league, over-6 ft (6'4), shorter top, phone sex, long-distance, bi rep
June 3, 2024
This was an almost DNF, then sort of worked up to a 2★'s = it was ok, and finally settled in on a rounded up a bit 3★ read.
There were so many words that I felt did not move the story forward. I was prepared to throw in the towel at the 50% mark but then it got really into baseball, which is the main reason I picked this one up. I could read about the baseball part of this all day. The romance though? No chemistry at all. I believed they didn't like each other and come on, it was so believable that I don't buy they'd feel attraction. I just don't. Find each other attractive? On the surface, sure. Dislike can definitely take the shine off as far as I'm concerned.
Connor's switch was too easy and Jackson really started getting on my nerves. Poor thing. He was so set on what he believed that he just stopped living. It was tiring.
I also just didn't get why Connor was the way he was. He seemed to be on the edge, like I'm the best, I have to make it but there was never a reason given for his drive. Like you know, he'd have to go home and work the farm or something. I dunno. I just felt he was immature and not listening to his catcher just pissed me off.
Oh! And this seems to be a spinoff to another series and I wish I had known that. Although, that seems to be football, which I also love, but I was here for the baseball.
It wasn't a great read for me and I'm now on the hunt for a good baseball romance.
There were so many words that I felt did not move the story forward. I was prepared to throw in the towel at the 50% mark but then it got really into baseball, which is the main reason I picked this one up. I could read about the baseball part of this all day. The romance though? No chemistry at all. I believed they didn't like each other and come on, it was so believable that I don't buy they'd feel attraction. I just don't. Find each other attractive? On the surface, sure. Dislike can definitely take the shine off as far as I'm concerned.
Connor's switch was too easy and Jackson really started getting on my nerves. Poor thing. He was so set on what he believed that he just stopped living. It was tiring.
I also just didn't get why Connor was the way he was. He seemed to be on the edge, like I'm the best, I have to make it but there was never a reason given for his drive. Like you know, he'd have to go home and work the farm or something. I dunno. I just felt he was immature and not listening to his catcher just pissed me off.
Oh! And this seems to be a spinoff to another series and I wish I had known that. Although, that seems to be football, which I also love, but I was here for the baseball.
It wasn't a great read for me and I'm now on the hunt for a good baseball romance.
May 28, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Beth Bolden is not an author I’ve read before, but the premise of this one was intriguing and I was quick to pick it up. There’s a lot I liked about this book, and some things that didn’t work as well for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a baseball romance, and I really enjoyed the way Bolden incorporated the sport into this story.
For both the MCs, baseball is their life, and I really liked the juxtaposition of one MC being at the end of his career while the other one was just beginning. The chemistry between the two was great, and really drove the story.
Overall, I liked this book. The dual third-person narrative enhanced the story because we got to understand both MCs’ motivations well. The chemistry between the MCs is great, the secondary characters really fleshed out the story, and baseball is well incorporated into the storyline. If you’re a fan of sports romance, then this one is a good one to check out.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Beth Bolden is not an author I’ve read before, but the premise of this one was intriguing and I was quick to pick it up. There’s a lot I liked about this book, and some things that didn’t work as well for me. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a baseball romance, and I really enjoyed the way Bolden incorporated the sport into this story.
For both the MCs, baseball is their life, and I really liked the juxtaposition of one MC being at the end of his career while the other one was just beginning. The chemistry between the two was great, and really drove the story.
Overall, I liked this book. The dual third-person narrative enhanced the story because we got to understand both MCs’ motivations well. The chemistry between the MCs is great, the secondary characters really fleshed out the story, and baseball is well incorporated into the storyline. If you’re a fan of sports romance, then this one is a good one to check out.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
December 29, 2025
This one was okay! I was really excited for a hate to love romance between a catcher and a pitcher, but this one was HEAVILY about baseball and I feel like we lost a lot of character development, both with our couple and the side characters. The romance went from hate to love pretty quickly, and I would have loved more of a gradual development there. Overall I feel like like the focus was just on the one hero going to the majors while the other knew he never would, and we didn't really get to know either hero beyond that. Not a bad book, it just needed more depth overall!
May 22, 2024
hot streak is a new baseball romance from author Beth Bolden, and it was … good, on the cusp of greatness. alas 😮💨
i have to agree with an observation another review made; hot streak felt like an odd combination of slow-burn and insta-love. which … ugh. we were so close. i thought hot streak would turn out to be a true blue slow-burn from Beth Bolden. but alas … it was not to be. i was hoping that hot streak would be a true enemies-to-lovers-to-friends-to-omgithinkilikeyou-to-lovers. instead, Connor suddenly wants to be with Jackson because … he's hot??
what i liked about hot streak was all the baseball shenanigans. i've low-key gotten into baseball and this book satisfied that baseball loving part of my brain. props to Bolden for actually including sports in her sports romance.
despite some of my niggles with hot streak i had a fun time reading it. also, if Beth Bolden wants to use this book as the start of a baseball series i would appreciate that immensely. i feel like Deke, Ro, or Charlie could use their own books. just saying 🥹
i have to agree with an observation another review made; hot streak felt like an odd combination of slow-burn and insta-love. which … ugh. we were so close. i thought hot streak would turn out to be a true blue slow-burn from Beth Bolden. but alas … it was not to be. i was hoping that hot streak would be a true enemies-to-lovers-to-friends-to-omgithinkilikeyou-to-lovers. instead, Connor suddenly wants to be with Jackson because … he's hot??
what i liked about hot streak was all the baseball shenanigans. i've low-key gotten into baseball and this book satisfied that baseball loving part of my brain. props to Bolden for actually including sports in her sports romance.
despite some of my niggles with hot streak i had a fun time reading it. also, if Beth Bolden wants to use this book as the start of a baseball series i would appreciate that immensely. i feel like Deke, Ro, or Charlie could use their own books. just saying 🥹
April 29, 2024
HOT STREAK by Beth Bolden will make a baseball lover out of you.
Connor Clark is an up and coming pitcher who is incredible when he’s on, and sometimes a hot mess when he isn’t. Jackson Evans is an experienced catcher who’s brought in to help settle Connor down. That goes about as well as one might anticipate, which is to say, dreadfully.
Beth Bolden brings her A game as always, and the intensity of the emotions at play as the resentful and boldly confused Connor and the locked down and frustrated Jackson warily circle each other will absolutely sweep readers away. Ms Bolden uses the players and the games and the rhythm of those and the season to great effect, and Connor and Jackson get to know each other and learn what it means to trust on and off the field.
While I am a self-confessed not-baseball-fan, I absolutely loved this story, and while Ms Bolden has said that Hot Streak is a stand-alone, I would be thrilled were she to write more baseball stories. Hot Streak is that good.
Connor Clark is an up and coming pitcher who is incredible when he’s on, and sometimes a hot mess when he isn’t. Jackson Evans is an experienced catcher who’s brought in to help settle Connor down. That goes about as well as one might anticipate, which is to say, dreadfully.
Beth Bolden brings her A game as always, and the intensity of the emotions at play as the resentful and boldly confused Connor and the locked down and frustrated Jackson warily circle each other will absolutely sweep readers away. Ms Bolden uses the players and the games and the rhythm of those and the season to great effect, and Connor and Jackson get to know each other and learn what it means to trust on and off the field.
While I am a self-confessed not-baseball-fan, I absolutely loved this story, and while Ms Bolden has said that Hot Streak is a stand-alone, I would be thrilled were she to write more baseball stories. Hot Streak is that good.
April 21, 2024
4.5 stars
Hot Streak is a standalone. The characters are great, there is a ton of chemistry and the story is HOT, no pun intended.
Jackson Evans, 33 years old, has played baseball as a catcher for a long time in the minors. He’s very good, but despite that has only done a brief stint in the majors. He gets called to the Raleigh Rogues to help Connor (a young pitcher) who has skills, but doesn’t always use them to his best ability.
Connor Clark is 22 years old and has a lot of raw talent, but struggles with his insecurities and the pressure. He comes off as cocky to begin with, but it’s just a mask to hide how he feels. His battle with his confidence really moved me.
Connor is really the biggest sweetheart with a delicious, dirty-talking mouth (although Jackson is not lacking in that department either), and Jackson has a big heart encased in walls that only someone perfect for him like Connor could scale.
Thankfully Connor is just as stubborn as Jackson and is determined to show him that they should be together.
This slow burn, dislike to lovers, left me wondering if they were ever going to get together. Honestly, these two were so hot! Straight fire! And the bonus scene definitely contributed to the heat level.
I loved the appearance of Tristan (from the Miami Piranhas series) and his friendship with Connor was a nice touch to add humour to the storyline and a big support for Connor.
Hot Streak is full of emotion, humour, explosive chemistry and plenty of swoon. If you like Beth Bolden’s sport romances then you won’t want to miss this! As usual, it is the perfect combination of sport and romance.
This book contains sensitive content such as discussion of homophobia.
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
Hot Streak is a standalone. The characters are great, there is a ton of chemistry and the story is HOT, no pun intended.
Jackson Evans, 33 years old, has played baseball as a catcher for a long time in the minors. He’s very good, but despite that has only done a brief stint in the majors. He gets called to the Raleigh Rogues to help Connor (a young pitcher) who has skills, but doesn’t always use them to his best ability.
Connor Clark is 22 years old and has a lot of raw talent, but struggles with his insecurities and the pressure. He comes off as cocky to begin with, but it’s just a mask to hide how he feels. His battle with his confidence really moved me.
Connor is really the biggest sweetheart with a delicious, dirty-talking mouth (although Jackson is not lacking in that department either), and Jackson has a big heart encased in walls that only someone perfect for him like Connor could scale.
Thankfully Connor is just as stubborn as Jackson and is determined to show him that they should be together.
This slow burn, dislike to lovers, left me wondering if they were ever going to get together. Honestly, these two were so hot! Straight fire! And the bonus scene definitely contributed to the heat level.
I loved the appearance of Tristan (from the Miami Piranhas series) and his friendship with Connor was a nice touch to add humour to the storyline and a big support for Connor.
Hot Streak is full of emotion, humour, explosive chemistry and plenty of swoon. If you like Beth Bolden’s sport romances then you won’t want to miss this! As usual, it is the perfect combination of sport and romance.
This book contains sensitive content such as discussion of homophobia.
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
May 1, 2024
There’s absolutely no way Beth Bolden could have known what this story would mean to me. I grew up in a time when Kevin Costner was king, starring in hits like Robin Hood, Dances with Wolves, and Field of Dreams. His movie Bull Durham was a mainstay in my household — not only did my brother watch it on repeat, but he quoted it constantly. As if I actually lived with Crash Davis. 😂
So what does all of this have to do with Hot Streak? Well, it just so happens Beth Bolden has written what I can only describe as a love letter to baseball in a modern day, gay retelling of Bull Durham. It took mere pages to clearly see young, upstart pitcher Connor as Nuke and experienced, veteran catcher Jackson as Crash, however there would be no Annie in this one, and I can’t say I missed her. (Sorry, Susan Sarandon.)
This book is everything! It has emotion, complex characters, sexual awakening, and an absolutely fantastic romance bringing opposites together. It’s Beth Bolden doing what she does best: forced proximity and unexpected, impossible attraction between teammates.
I love Connor and Jackson’s dynamic from beginning to end. Their unwelcome attraction makes it tough to work together, that spark igniting their heated exchanges. But what absolutely gets me is their non-verbal communication. The looks. The heat. THE KNOWING. It’s all there, adding layer after layer of delicious tension, even when it seems they’re worlds apart.
Every element of their story is imbued with Beth Bolden’s appreciation for baseball. You feel it in the way she describes the team, the field, the game..and there’s a lot of the game. It's not something that can be done by anyone with just a passing familiarity with the sport, and I loved it all, including the shoutouts to Bull Durham. Not to spoil anything, but I’ll say this, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.”
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
So what does all of this have to do with Hot Streak? Well, it just so happens Beth Bolden has written what I can only describe as a love letter to baseball in a modern day, gay retelling of Bull Durham. It took mere pages to clearly see young, upstart pitcher Connor as Nuke and experienced, veteran catcher Jackson as Crash, however there would be no Annie in this one, and I can’t say I missed her. (Sorry, Susan Sarandon.)
This book is everything! It has emotion, complex characters, sexual awakening, and an absolutely fantastic romance bringing opposites together. It’s Beth Bolden doing what she does best: forced proximity and unexpected, impossible attraction between teammates.
I love Connor and Jackson’s dynamic from beginning to end. Their unwelcome attraction makes it tough to work together, that spark igniting their heated exchanges. But what absolutely gets me is their non-verbal communication. The looks. The heat. THE KNOWING. It’s all there, adding layer after layer of delicious tension, even when it seems they’re worlds apart.
Every element of their story is imbued with Beth Bolden’s appreciation for baseball. You feel it in the way she describes the team, the field, the game..and there’s a lot of the game. It's not something that can be done by anyone with just a passing familiarity with the sport, and I loved it all, including the shoutouts to Bull Durham. Not to spoil anything, but I’ll say this, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.”
*I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book*
Read
May 2, 2024I was struck with a huge sense of deja vu when I started reading Hot Streak. Bull Durham is one of hubby's top baseball movies and it's probably the one I've watched the most, so when Jackson walks into the bar, I knew exactly what was going to go down... the book had a fair amount of angst, both for their relationship and for the game, as the two men had to balance professionalism with chemistry and well, Connor had to even learn professionalism. I love a book that shows character growth and this one had that in spades, for both men in different ways. If you always wondered what Bull Durham would be like as a M/M romance, you need to grab Beth Bolden's take on the situation asap!
May 3, 2024
3,5*
I’ve never struggle so much with a book and just because of baseball. I didn’t understand a word about the game. After realizing that it wasn’t possible to reach that part of the book, I focused only on the romance part of the book.
After that, I liked the book, especially the sometimes-playful banter between Jackson and Connor and some glimpses of Tristan from the Miami Piranhas books, who is still my favorite character from Beth Bolden’s sports books.
I’ve never struggle so much with a book and just because of baseball. I didn’t understand a word about the game. After realizing that it wasn’t possible to reach that part of the book, I focused only on the romance part of the book.
After that, I liked the book, especially the sometimes-playful banter between Jackson and Connor and some glimpses of Tristan from the Miami Piranhas books, who is still my favorite character from Beth Bolden’s sports books.
March 19, 2025
I couldn't remember why I hurried to bump this up my TBR until we got to the panties at the end and OOPS... pretty sure that's why I wanted to read this like immediately.
Sometimes, I think I should be more embarrassed but here we are.
Anyways! I loved this one. Just my kind of athletic, grumpy/sunshine, teammates, veteran/rookie, age gap, and dislike-to-love scenario that I just adore.
I wish we got to see more of either of their families. And Tristin's reaction to them as a couple.
Otherwise, this was cute and hot.
Sometimes, I think I should be more embarrassed but here we are.
Anyways! I loved this one. Just my kind of athletic, grumpy/sunshine, teammates, veteran/rookie, age gap, and dislike-to-love scenario that I just adore.
I wish we got to see more of either of their families. And Tristin's reaction to them as a couple.
Otherwise, this was cute and hot.
April 29, 2024
ARC Review
Hot Streak by Beth Bolden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MM Contemporary Sports Romance
Tropes: pitcher/catcher, age gap, bisexual awakening, sexy underwear
Release Date: 5/2/24
I loved this story. Jackson's character had a lot of relatable attributes that made him a complex character. Whereas Connor's character was great comedic relief. This was my first or second baseball romance themed books.
I love Beth's writing style. Would definitely read something in the same universe of this.
Hot Streak by Beth Bolden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MM Contemporary Sports Romance
Tropes: pitcher/catcher, age gap, bisexual awakening, sexy underwear
Release Date: 5/2/24
I loved this story. Jackson's character had a lot of relatable attributes that made him a complex character. Whereas Connor's character was great comedic relief. This was my first or second baseball romance themed books.
I love Beth's writing style. Would definitely read something in the same universe of this.
May 13, 2024
took a while to get into but the last half was really good and made me happy
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December 4, 2025This book ate the fuck down I’m not even sorry for reading another book with a naked man on the cover. I’ve learned so much about baseball.
May 9, 2024
3.75
May 15, 2024
Wasn't sure if I was going to like this one because I loved Beth's football books, but I'm not that into baseball anymore. I needn't've worried. The story was interesting, the characters were great, and the length was perfect. Not a page was wasted. So far I'm as in love with this series as I was the football ones and I did not see that coming because I looove football.
I will say that Gutierrez is, at different times, spelled as "Guitierrez," and "Guiterrez," and never actually as "Gutierrez". There also was a "designed hitter," which I believe should've been "designated hitter," unless baseball has changed since I used to watch it (very possible).
I will say that Gutierrez is, at different times, spelled as "Guitierrez," and "Guiterrez," and never actually as "Gutierrez". There also was a "designed hitter," which I believe should've been "designated hitter," unless baseball has changed since I used to watch it (very possible).
Read
June 2, 2024I give up! I know it seems pointless to complain that a story about baseball has too much baseball, but I will do it anyway.
Unlike hockey, which I have picked up bits and pieces about how it works along the years, baseball still is a total mystery and a complete shitshow (for my ignorant lenses).
I have read stories about baseball players in the past, but with this one its so intensely baked into the story that I think you aren’t going to have fun unless you know how it actually works
Unlike hockey, which I have picked up bits and pieces about how it works along the years, baseball still is a total mystery and a complete shitshow (for my ignorant lenses).
I have read stories about baseball players in the past, but with this one its so intensely baked into the story that I think you aren’t going to have fun unless you know how it actually works
June 7, 2024
Name says it all.
May 2, 2024
Hot Streak by Beth Bolden is an enemies to lovers story about 2 men who are playing major league baseball with one of them who is just starting out and the other looking at the end of his career. Connor Clark is a pitching whiz who knows it and doesn’t take any criticism from anyone. He is just starting out and is playing for the Raleigh Rogues which is a Triple A team but knows he is destined for the big leagues. The problem is that he sometimes gets in his head and his pitching becomes erratic. Jackson Evans is a catcher who is 33 and not sure how much longer he can play baseball. He has almost always been in the minor league but knows his job and how to help pitchers become the best they can be. He is also chasing a record of having the most homeruns in that league but is not sure if he can break it. He is traded to the Rogues mostly to help Connor become the best he can be and move on, but also because he is a good catcher and hitter. However, it is an instant dislike of each other from the moment they meet. Connor doesn’t think he needs any help and outright refuses to do what Jackson asks of him and Jackson thinks Connor is so full of himself that he won’t take direction because he thinks he knows what to do, plus he walked all over his former catcher so he tries to do that to Jackson too. Unfortunately that is not what happens and Jackson won’t take anything from him, including his attitude. The story continues as Jackson slowly wins him over as he shows him what following his directions can do for his game and Connor begins to believe in himself and Jackson. Along the way Connor starts to develop feelings for him and those feelings have been simmering below the surface of Jackson too, but Jackson refuses to act on them because Connor is his teammate and also because he believes that a fling he had with another teammate a long while ago kept him from staying in the majors because of prejudice. Eventually Connor, who thought he was straight, breaks through his resistance and they come together and have some very hot love scenes. Then Connor is called up to the majors and they wonder if their feelings and their relationship can survive being apart so long. Other things happen that put them together again and they realize they love each other and work to figure out a way to be together when they can. I really enjoyed this story. There were a lot of feelings involved from hate to lust to love. Connor thought he knew everything but he came to realize that Jackson only wanted the best for him and that he truly cared about him, which not many people had done in his life. Jackson was steadfast in dealing with Connor and tried very hard not to let his feelings show but in the end it was inevitable that they would get together. Jackson also had some interesting suggestions for Connor that really made some of the scenes fun. Their fellow teammates added a lot of the story as did family members that helped them see their love. And it was a little suspenseful to see if Jackson could make the record and the job he took when he did retire suited him to a T. I also learned a lot about baseball as I did not realize the relationship between pitchers and catchers. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like enemies to lovers sports stories where love becomes the star and makes their dreams come true.
April 29, 2024
I didn't think there was anything I could love more than Beth Bolden's football romances, but this baseball romance is giving them a run for their money! I genuinely cannot describe how much I grew to adore Jackson and Connor, and their story was an entertaining and captivating journey from start to finish. I loved the concept of a hotshot rookie and a seasoned catcher pairing up to make each other better, and boy was it fun to see the way Connor stubbornly refused to listen to Jackson at the start. I wouldn't say these two went all the way to being enemies, but there were definitely some heated conversations and intense frustration as they learned how to work together. Jackson may have been level headed around most of the team, but Connor seemed to rev up his anger better than anyone else, and it didn't take long to see that it was due to the attraction he was fighting to resist. Jackson probably could have continued to maintain his distance and never reveal his feelings, but once Connor caught feelings of his own I knew it would just be a matter of time before they collided. When Jackson finally lost his cool and pounced on Connor I wanted to cheer, and my god did the two of them have some fantastic chemistry. I think this might be the most Beth has ever made me sweat, and I wanted to keep coming back for more and more.
In between all the steamy romps and swoony moments, Jackson and Connor played some dang good baseball. I will admit that I know absolutely nothing about baseball, but this story showcased so much of it that I think I could hold my own if I went to a game. I especially love that both Connor and Jackson had a baseball-oriented plotline of their own to drive the story forward, and it was bittersweet to see them getting closer to their goals while knowing it would lead to their separation. For Jackson, his journey was about closing out his baseball career on his own terms and figuring out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, while for Connor it was all about honing his natural talent into a consistent show-stopping performance game after game that would propel him from minor to major league. I thought the pacing was spot-on, keeping me invested in the characters while giving me enough time away from the game to watch them fall head over heels in love. By the time both Jackson and Connor were within reach of their goals, the idea of them having to say goodbye was excruciating. Naturally, that's when life decided to give them the biggest test of all, but thanks to Connor's stubbornness and Jackson's big heart, the two of them found a way to reach for the stars without letting go of each other in the process.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
In between all the steamy romps and swoony moments, Jackson and Connor played some dang good baseball. I will admit that I know absolutely nothing about baseball, but this story showcased so much of it that I think I could hold my own if I went to a game. I especially love that both Connor and Jackson had a baseball-oriented plotline of their own to drive the story forward, and it was bittersweet to see them getting closer to their goals while knowing it would lead to their separation. For Jackson, his journey was about closing out his baseball career on his own terms and figuring out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, while for Connor it was all about honing his natural talent into a consistent show-stopping performance game after game that would propel him from minor to major league. I thought the pacing was spot-on, keeping me invested in the characters while giving me enough time away from the game to watch them fall head over heels in love. By the time both Jackson and Connor were within reach of their goals, the idea of them having to say goodbye was excruciating. Naturally, that's when life decided to give them the biggest test of all, but thanks to Connor's stubbornness and Jackson's big heart, the two of them found a way to reach for the stars without letting go of each other in the process.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
October 18, 2024
4 stars for the story, 5 for the excellent narration by Darcy Stark- 4.5 stars.
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.
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.
May 9, 2024
About:
Jackson Evans is a veteran catcher in minor league baseball, close to breaking the record for home run hits in the minors. He'd traded to a team to catch for and unofficially coach their rookie pitcher, Connor. Connor is hot stuff and he knows it, his cocky attitude masking an underlying nerves about living up to his hype setting him on a collision course with the stoic Jackson. Then there's their attraction to each other further complicating things. Jackson is convinced a relationship could ruin Connor's chances, but the heart wants.
I just. I know I go on about Beth's books a lot, but I need you to hear me when I say this book is all the best things about her writing. From the sizzling hot attraction and depth of feelings and longing to the perfection of the way she writes the sports in sports romance, this book knocked it out of the park!
It's a sad fact in my baseball crazy family that I don't like baseball. I try but my squirrel brain needs constant motion in a sport (hockey ftw). So I was nervous that Beth wouldn't be able to pull me in when it's a sport I'm so meh about but HA. JOKES ON ME.
This book gets a 5+ because it has a transcendent theme to it that is so important to me, which is how (and who) defines our success. I feel passionately minor league players (and most of humanity in general) don't get the appreciation they deserve, because the focus is always on the majors. It's never on how much a minor league player does and gives to the sport where they are. How they're often seen as failures for "not making it" when they still play professionally!
This book tackles that head on and it made me cry, so many times, watching Jackson diss his own career, feel less than, but then grow into the realization that he actually has had a career worth talking about. Finding pride in his accomplishments AND in his sexuality. I went into this thinking Connor would be the main source of MC growth, and he has TONS, but Jackson had just as much, if not more.
It's a powerful, humbling, empowering read all while giving us spice to melt pages and a love as strong as a HR hit.
Jackson Evans is a veteran catcher in minor league baseball, close to breaking the record for home run hits in the minors. He'd traded to a team to catch for and unofficially coach their rookie pitcher, Connor. Connor is hot stuff and he knows it, his cocky attitude masking an underlying nerves about living up to his hype setting him on a collision course with the stoic Jackson. Then there's their attraction to each other further complicating things. Jackson is convinced a relationship could ruin Connor's chances, but the heart wants.
I just. I know I go on about Beth's books a lot, but I need you to hear me when I say this book is all the best things about her writing. From the sizzling hot attraction and depth of feelings and longing to the perfection of the way she writes the sports in sports romance, this book knocked it out of the park!
It's a sad fact in my baseball crazy family that I don't like baseball. I try but my squirrel brain needs constant motion in a sport (hockey ftw). So I was nervous that Beth wouldn't be able to pull me in when it's a sport I'm so meh about but HA. JOKES ON ME.
This book gets a 5+ because it has a transcendent theme to it that is so important to me, which is how (and who) defines our success. I feel passionately minor league players (and most of humanity in general) don't get the appreciation they deserve, because the focus is always on the majors. It's never on how much a minor league player does and gives to the sport where they are. How they're often seen as failures for "not making it" when they still play professionally!
This book tackles that head on and it made me cry, so many times, watching Jackson diss his own career, feel less than, but then grow into the realization that he actually has had a career worth talking about. Finding pride in his accomplishments AND in his sexuality. I went into this thinking Connor would be the main source of MC growth, and he has TONS, but Jackson had just as much, if not more.
It's a powerful, humbling, empowering read all while giving us spice to melt pages and a love as strong as a HR hit.
February 1, 2025
B- for the story and narration by Darcy Stark.
This story doesn't break any new ground and is a bit overlong, but it's enjoyable. Connor, the hothead pitcher with a million dollar arm, is young and petulent at times, but it actually fits the character and his growth as a person was well done. Jackson is a smart and competent catcher brought in to school Connor on how to control his mental state in order to control his nerves and then his pitching. I enjoyed the baseball parts of the story quite a bit and felt I learned some new things.
The push me/pull you of their relationship went on a little long, and while I would love for the world to actually be this way, the relative lack of pushback they encounter in the end was too easy. I was also a little disappointed (and this is just me) that even though it was set in Raleigh, NC, you wouldn't know it from the book. It could be anywhere USA. There was no sense of place at all. I live in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill), and was hoping for some landmarks. We do have a fine AAA team in Durham (the Bulls- as in the movie Bull Durham) and their home team is Tampa (Rays), so that was correct.
I have listened to Darcy Stark several times and always enjoyed him, but I wasn't crazy about his performance here. I felt it was uneven, for one. His voices for Connor and Jackson were mostly very different, but in some scenes I needed a dialog tag to be sure who just said that. My biggest complaint is that the dialog sounded affected- not natural sounding. I would stop the audiobook and say the sentence aloud like Mr. Stark delivered it, and then say it like I felt a normal 22 or 33 year old ball player would. I did that becasue I was trying to figure out what wasn't working for me. I realized that while Mr. Starks character voices were decent, or even great at times, the entire book felt like a theatrical reading, and I never could get immersed in the story and forget there was a narrator. A more minor quibble is a mistake many narrators make when they narrate books set in southern USA: they use an accent that sounds like the Deep South, like Georgia or Alabama. That's not how people in NC sound.
This story doesn't break any new ground and is a bit overlong, but it's enjoyable. Connor, the hothead pitcher with a million dollar arm, is young and petulent at times, but it actually fits the character and his growth as a person was well done. Jackson is a smart and competent catcher brought in to school Connor on how to control his mental state in order to control his nerves and then his pitching. I enjoyed the baseball parts of the story quite a bit and felt I learned some new things.
The push me/pull you of their relationship went on a little long, and while I would love for the world to actually be this way, the relative lack of pushback they encounter in the end was too easy. I was also a little disappointed (and this is just me) that even though it was set in Raleigh, NC, you wouldn't know it from the book. It could be anywhere USA. There was no sense of place at all. I live in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill), and was hoping for some landmarks. We do have a fine AAA team in Durham (the Bulls- as in the movie Bull Durham) and their home team is Tampa (Rays), so that was correct.
I have listened to Darcy Stark several times and always enjoyed him, but I wasn't crazy about his performance here. I felt it was uneven, for one. His voices for Connor and Jackson were mostly very different, but in some scenes I needed a dialog tag to be sure who just said that. My biggest complaint is that the dialog sounded affected- not natural sounding. I would stop the audiobook and say the sentence aloud like Mr. Stark delivered it, and then say it like I felt a normal 22 or 33 year old ball player would. I did that becasue I was trying to figure out what wasn't working for me. I realized that while Mr. Starks character voices were decent, or even great at times, the entire book felt like a theatrical reading, and I never could get immersed in the story and forget there was a narrator. A more minor quibble is a mistake many narrators make when they narrate books set in southern USA: they use an accent that sounds like the Deep South, like Georgia or Alabama. That's not how people in NC sound.
April 23, 2024
4.5 stars
ARC received via Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
A gay retelling of the movie Bull Durham - one of my favourite baseball movies, up there with the high brow Major League lol - let me at it!
It was the retelling that I didn't know I needed, but boy, did I need it!
I love how things with Connor and Jackson go from utter dislike to locked gazes across the field, the snark to fighting is foreplay, from I can't do this again and force proximity, to Connor's gaywakening.
And I am here for it.
As fun as the story is, it is also emotional, full of complex characters and storylines that kept me intrigued and eagerly turning the next page.
And I also like the snippets of people from Bolden's other series.
Yes, I really did enjoy this one.
And now I am off to watch Bull Durham... again.
ARC received via Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
A gay retelling of the movie Bull Durham - one of my favourite baseball movies, up there with the high brow Major League lol - let me at it!
It was the retelling that I didn't know I needed, but boy, did I need it!
I love how things with Connor and Jackson go from utter dislike to locked gazes across the field, the snark to fighting is foreplay, from I can't do this again and force proximity, to Connor's gaywakening.
And I am here for it.
As fun as the story is, it is also emotional, full of complex characters and storylines that kept me intrigued and eagerly turning the next page.
And I also like the snippets of people from Bolden's other series.
Yes, I really did enjoy this one.
And now I am off to watch Bull Durham... again.
May 4, 2024
And this is another story I loved from Beth Bolden. While, the same as when I started reading her football books, I didn't know much about baseball (and still don't), except that it was played by hitting a ball with a bat. But as usual, with her books, you don't need to be a sports expert. She writes them in such a way that you can follow the main story, while also understanding what is happening on the playing field, which makes the story much richer in detail.
Maybe because it's a standalone, or maybe because I felt the MCs were a little different from all of her previous ones, that it was a little harder for me to get attached to them. The two are in different stages of their lives, while Connor is a rising star, with what appears to be a confident and cocky attitude but in reality hides his insecurities, Jackson is already in the last moments of his career, a little bitter. and grumpy because he couldn't realize his great dream of having a great career in the big leagues, but that didn't stop him from being considered a great, stable and reliable player. Just the person needed to guide and establish Connor and give him the foundation so that he can catapult himself into what is supposed to be a bright future. But in the end, I ended up loving them both!
But they both resent each other. And they both struggle to work together. And when attraction hits, they both resist it. At first. Connor, having considered himself heterosexual until he met Jackson, has the least trouble pursuing a relationship with him. He knows what he wants, and he goes after it. While Jackson, who got burned once with a teammate, and believes that's what stalled him in his career, he's afraid of getting burned again, and isn't sure he can recover this time.
But... Connor is stubborn. Have I already mentioned that? Well he is, and he's willing to show Jackson how awesome it would be for them to be together.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Maybe because it's a standalone, or maybe because I felt the MCs were a little different from all of her previous ones, that it was a little harder for me to get attached to them. The two are in different stages of their lives, while Connor is a rising star, with what appears to be a confident and cocky attitude but in reality hides his insecurities, Jackson is already in the last moments of his career, a little bitter. and grumpy because he couldn't realize his great dream of having a great career in the big leagues, but that didn't stop him from being considered a great, stable and reliable player. Just the person needed to guide and establish Connor and give him the foundation so that he can catapult himself into what is supposed to be a bright future. But in the end, I ended up loving them both!
But they both resent each other. And they both struggle to work together. And when attraction hits, they both resist it. At first. Connor, having considered himself heterosexual until he met Jackson, has the least trouble pursuing a relationship with him. He knows what he wants, and he goes after it. While Jackson, who got burned once with a teammate, and believes that's what stalled him in his career, he's afraid of getting burned again, and isn't sure he can recover this time.
But... Connor is stubborn. Have I already mentioned that? Well he is, and he's willing to show Jackson how awesome it would be for them to be together.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
May 3, 2024
HOT STREAK - BETH BOLDEN
I will be honest and admit I do not know much about baseball, but I really enjoyed this book by Beth Bolden and like all of her other series, it is a must read!
Connor and Jackson definitely have chemistry, and while there is an age gap, they don't let it stop their feelings from developing. Connor is young, overconfident and initially identified as straight. Jackson is gay, but not out of their closet to everyone, and has confidence in his skills working with pitchers and as a catcher himself. It was really interesting to learn about this type of dynamic in sports, and I was immediately caught up in the these men and in their storyline.
There are a lot of wonderful side characters along the way, and like all of Beth's books, the friendships shared by the team are amazing and believable. Connor fought Jackson about knowing what he needed to learn to become a better pitcher, and Jackson showed him that if he could learn to trust him and understand his instincts, he would have the career he always dreamed of.
While Jackson was afraid to believe in love, Connor was more than happy to show him that what they had was real and they both deserved it. They began on rocky ground, but the more time they spent together, the more both characters started to feel they had something special between them. There is a lot of sex and it builds into a solid relationship that will prove you can have love in sports, if you are willing to make the time for each other and commit to making it work.
If you have not read Beth Bolden's books, please add them to your list, she writes very memorable characters you are always happy to meet and see throughout her series. This one even had a crossover from her Miami Piranhas books! Very enjoyable author all around.
I will be honest and admit I do not know much about baseball, but I really enjoyed this book by Beth Bolden and like all of her other series, it is a must read!
Connor and Jackson definitely have chemistry, and while there is an age gap, they don't let it stop their feelings from developing. Connor is young, overconfident and initially identified as straight. Jackson is gay, but not out of their closet to everyone, and has confidence in his skills working with pitchers and as a catcher himself. It was really interesting to learn about this type of dynamic in sports, and I was immediately caught up in the these men and in their storyline.
There are a lot of wonderful side characters along the way, and like all of Beth's books, the friendships shared by the team are amazing and believable. Connor fought Jackson about knowing what he needed to learn to become a better pitcher, and Jackson showed him that if he could learn to trust him and understand his instincts, he would have the career he always dreamed of.
While Jackson was afraid to believe in love, Connor was more than happy to show him that what they had was real and they both deserved it. They began on rocky ground, but the more time they spent together, the more both characters started to feel they had something special between them. There is a lot of sex and it builds into a solid relationship that will prove you can have love in sports, if you are willing to make the time for each other and commit to making it work.
If you have not read Beth Bolden's books, please add them to your list, she writes very memorable characters you are always happy to meet and see throughout her series. This one even had a crossover from her Miami Piranhas books! Very enjoyable author all around.
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