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The Rainbow League #1
The Windup
Ian ran screaming from New York City upon graduating from high school. A job offer too good to turn down has brought him back, but he plans to leave as soon as the job is up. In the meantime he lets an old friend talk him into joining the Rainbow League, New York’s LGBT amateur baseball league. Baseball turns out to be a great outlet for his anxiety, and not only because sexy teammate Ty has caught his eye.
Ty is like a duck on a pond—calm and laid-back on the surface, a churning mess underneath. In Ian, he’s found someone with whom he feels comfortable enough to share some of what’s going on beneath the surface. The only catch is that Ian is dead set on leaving the city as soon as he can. Ty works up a plan to convince Ian that New York is, in fact, the greatest city in the world. But when Ian receives an offer for a job overseas, Ty needs a new plan: convince Ian that home is where Ty is.
Ty is like a duck on a pond—calm and laid-back on the surface, a churning mess underneath. In Ian, he’s found someone with whom he feels comfortable enough to share some of what’s going on beneath the surface. The only catch is that Ian is dead set on leaving the city as soon as he can. Ty works up a plan to convince Ian that New York is, in fact, the greatest city in the world. But when Ian receives an offer for a job overseas, Ty needs a new plan: convince Ian that home is where Ty is.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2015
7 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Kate McMurray
63 books348 followersKate McMurray writes smart romantic fiction. She likes creating stories that are brainy, funny, and of course sexy, with regular guy characters and urban sensibilities. She advocates for romance stories by and for everyone. When she’s not writing, she edits textbooks, watches baseball, plays violin, crafts things out of yarn, and wears a lot of cute dresses. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with a bossy cat and too many books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 26, 2015
This wasn't a home run for me. I had a lot of trouble with the lack of intensity between the characters. Admittedly, the author meant to keep the boys at arm's length because their plans differed enough that they were going to be separated in a year, but it worked against the romance and warmth of the relationship. And other than one smoking hot scene where MC Ian was in the throes of an adrenaline rush, the sex wasn't all that special.
It pains me to no end to write a negative review here because I am a huge fan of Ms. McMurray and have loved her baseball themed books in the past, but this one just did NOT work for me.
On a positive note, The Rainbow League will be a series and next up is retired NY Yankees played Mason's story. I'm super excited for that and any other books that follow.
I can recommend this book to serious die-hard baseball junkies only. (But a word of warning. There wasn't a whole heck-of-a-lot of baseball going on.) For other M/M romance readers looking for a hot, sweet romance, this just isn't it. The effort is clearly there, but it missed on so many levels. Cannot recommend.
It pains me to no end to write a negative review here because I am a huge fan of Ms. McMurray and have loved her baseball themed books in the past, but this one just did NOT work for me.
On a positive note, The Rainbow League will be a series and next up is retired NY Yankees played Mason's story. I'm super excited for that and any other books that follow.
I can recommend this book to serious die-hard baseball junkies only. (But a word of warning. There wasn't a whole heck-of-a-lot of baseball going on.) For other M/M romance readers looking for a hot, sweet romance, this just isn't it. The effort is clearly there, but it missed on so many levels. Cannot recommend.
April 29, 2015
Strike. You’re out! Yeah, sadly I struck out on this one. I’m bumming too, this was my first McMurray book. That’s always frustrating when first encounters are bumpy. There are several key reasons I did not hit it off with The Windup.
Ian has moved back to New York City, much to his dismay. The only good thing about it is that its temporary. He joins The Rainbow League in hopes of making the best of his summer in the city. He doesn’t count on a sexy redhead distracting his plan to get the heck outta dodge. Ty is the happy-go-lucky team slut. Or so he likes to claim. He is hiding his own fair share of secrets and wonders if he finally found the someone he wants to share them with.
Hot summer fling, ball players and an artist- Sounds like a home run aye?
Yeah, I thought so too.
What happened? Welllll……
First off, everything was S.P.E.L.L.E.D out. I literally felt as if someone was whispering each scene play-by-play in my ear. Whatever was going to happen was discussed first. Hot sex will happen….and then hot sex happens. I’m going to show him my artwork…and the art is shared. It was redundant, it was distracting, and it was bothersome.
The dialogue was unnatural. It felt forced and stilted. Both MC’s kept each other at arm’s length initially and their connection was flat from the start. Unfortunately, this prevented me from forming any connections as well. Even worse, I struggled to find any authenticity with the characters. Almost as if a chart of characteristics was idly checked off; Anxiety disorder- check. Daddy issues- check. Slutty manwhore- check. Personality is important and both Ian and Ty’s traits appeared muddled and half-hazardously put together.
Lastly, I think the editing was loose. A great deal of repetition occurred. At times it was verbatim and often in the same paragraph. I frequently wondered- how was that missed?
The baseball was spot on and enjoyable. A bit of quirky humor was sprinkled throughout. I’ve never been to the city, but felt as if I was tagging along on their adventures of ‘fall in love with NYC‘. Ohhh and the cover is fabulous!
This is just the beginning of The Rainbow League, but I think I’m going to slip out now and wish the boys best of luck.
*2.5 better-luck-next-time stars*
Ian has moved back to New York City, much to his dismay. The only good thing about it is that its temporary. He joins The Rainbow League in hopes of making the best of his summer in the city. He doesn’t count on a sexy redhead distracting his plan to get the heck outta dodge. Ty is the happy-go-lucky team slut. Or so he likes to claim. He is hiding his own fair share of secrets and wonders if he finally found the someone he wants to share them with.
Hot summer fling, ball players and an artist- Sounds like a home run aye?
Yeah, I thought so too.
What happened? Welllll……
First off, everything was S.P.E.L.L.E.D out. I literally felt as if someone was whispering each scene play-by-play in my ear. Whatever was going to happen was discussed first. Hot sex will happen….and then hot sex happens. I’m going to show him my artwork…and the art is shared. It was redundant, it was distracting, and it was bothersome.
The dialogue was unnatural. It felt forced and stilted. Both MC’s kept each other at arm’s length initially and their connection was flat from the start. Unfortunately, this prevented me from forming any connections as well. Even worse, I struggled to find any authenticity with the characters. Almost as if a chart of characteristics was idly checked off; Anxiety disorder- check. Daddy issues- check. Slutty manwhore- check. Personality is important and both Ian and Ty’s traits appeared muddled and half-hazardously put together.
Lastly, I think the editing was loose. A great deal of repetition occurred. At times it was verbatim and often in the same paragraph. I frequently wondered- how was that missed?
The baseball was spot on and enjoyable. A bit of quirky humor was sprinkled throughout. I’ve never been to the city, but felt as if I was tagging along on their adventures of ‘fall in love with NYC‘. Ohhh and the cover is fabulous!
This is just the beginning of The Rainbow League, but I think I’m going to slip out now and wish the boys best of luck.
*2.5 better-luck-next-time stars*
April 25, 2015
3.5 stars(After some overnight thought) This was your typically well-written story that I've grown to expect from McMurray. And I appreciate her adoration of baseball.
I honestly love the premise of an amateur, city-wide, gay baseball league. She's right - they are popping up all over the place. A friend of mine plays in one. They call themselves the "Baby Batters." Vulgar, yes, but gotta love it.
I honestly didn't take to the MCs at first. I found that I couldn't connect with them, Ian especially. I felt like I was told they had strong feelings for each other, but because of lack of connection with them, I just didn't feel it.
Then this moment in the book happened. I've never before remembered the exact moment in a book where I had the connection finally. But it happened in the part where we first see Ian in Ty's studio.
They clicked for me then. It was a great scene! And I felt it throughout the rest of the book. I teared up at one point. I hate that! But it's a complement to the author.
And I love that many of the other characters in the league will get their own stories. I was a little disappointed to find out that Mason was next - only because I am really invested in Nate and Carlos at this point and I want to see where that goes!
I honestly love the premise of an amateur, city-wide, gay baseball league. She's right - they are popping up all over the place. A friend of mine plays in one. They call themselves the "Baby Batters." Vulgar, yes, but gotta love it.
I honestly didn't take to the MCs at first. I found that I couldn't connect with them, Ian especially. I felt like I was told they had strong feelings for each other, but because of lack of connection with them, I just didn't feel it.
Then this moment in the book happened. I've never before remembered the exact moment in a book where I had the connection finally. But it happened in the part where we first see Ian in Ty's studio.
They clicked for me then. It was a great scene! And I felt it throughout the rest of the book. I teared up at one point. I hate that! But it's a complement to the author.
And I love that many of the other characters in the league will get their own stories. I was a little disappointed to find out that Mason was next - only because I am really invested in Nate and Carlos at this point and I want to see where that goes!
December 5, 2015
You already know the formula. Two main characters are thrown together for a restricted period of time, both vowing not to fall in love. They fall in love, anyway but are afraid to admit it to each other. Their time together expires and they separate, both of them miserable. Even though they each are in love with the other, they're both too stubborn to see how the other feels, hence big misunderstanding. Third party intervenes to give them advice. Grand romantic gesture ensues, hence lightbulb moment. They reunite and live happily ever after.
I don't even consider the previous paragraph to be a spoiler. It's such a common structure I think readers will recognize it instantly when they begin reading the book. And I could provide a LOOONG list of m/m romances that follow this exact formula.
That's not to say this isn't a great story. It's well-written. The dialogue is head and shoulders above most. I'd have to stress, however, that this is an angsty plot that is entirely character-driven. There is almost no action in the plot. Being a sports-themed story I kind of expected the big climactic come-to-Jesus scene would involve the big end-of-season game. It didn't. Or maybe there could have been an accident, a shooting, a car chase, a life-threatening situation...nope. The plot is driven forward by the interaction of the characters in much the way of a soap opera. There is no series of actions threading the time segments together.
For some readers this will be fine and dandy. Especially in m/m, there seems to be a consensus that this is the preferred formula for romance. Readers who want an action-filled, fast-paced plot will probably be bored. I personally loved the angst and got teary-eyed in all the right places. I wasn't disappointed because the story delivered exactly what I expected from the outset.
Very enjoyable read.
I don't even consider the previous paragraph to be a spoiler. It's such a common structure I think readers will recognize it instantly when they begin reading the book. And I could provide a LOOONG list of m/m romances that follow this exact formula.
That's not to say this isn't a great story. It's well-written. The dialogue is head and shoulders above most. I'd have to stress, however, that this is an angsty plot that is entirely character-driven. There is almost no action in the plot. Being a sports-themed story I kind of expected the big climactic come-to-Jesus scene would involve the big end-of-season game. It didn't. Or maybe there could have been an accident, a shooting, a car chase, a life-threatening situation...nope. The plot is driven forward by the interaction of the characters in much the way of a soap opera. There is no series of actions threading the time segments together.
For some readers this will be fine and dandy. Especially in m/m, there seems to be a consensus that this is the preferred formula for romance. Readers who want an action-filled, fast-paced plot will probably be bored. I personally loved the angst and got teary-eyed in all the right places. I wasn't disappointed because the story delivered exactly what I expected from the outset.
Very enjoyable read.
April 23, 2015
I really liked this book. I liked both Ian and Ty. It was very enjoyable to read about them and their journey towards eachother.
I'm from Europe and although Baseball isn't really on the radar here it was fun to read about the sport. It takes up a large part of the book but it isn't to overwhelming and it doesn't take anything away from the romance.
It was also nice to get to know some secondary characters who will be main characters in the next two books.
I look forward to the rest of this serie!
I'm from Europe and although Baseball isn't really on the radar here it was fun to read about the sport. It takes up a large part of the book but it isn't to overwhelming and it doesn't take anything away from the romance.
It was also nice to get to know some secondary characters who will be main characters in the next two books.
I look forward to the rest of this serie!
May 12, 2015
There was no real heat between the Ty and Ian which is fine. Slow and sweet will work too! Sadly this one was not sweet. It was slow though, very slow...you could say it was plodding.
The changing of the POV to different characters other than the MCs at the beginning had me wondering whose story this was. I understand setting up for the next book in the series but you can achieve that without adding all these POV switches.
2.75 rounded up
The changing of the POV to different characters other than the MCs at the beginning had me wondering whose story this was. I understand setting up for the next book in the series but you can achieve that without adding all these POV switches.
2.75 rounded up
May 15, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
To say both of these main characters travel with some serious baggage would be an understatement. To say Ian is neurotic would be an understatement. At times I found myself laughing when Ian was paranoid that the Asian woman at the dry cleaners would know what he was doing if he brought in his comforter to be cleaned. At other times I found myself grabbing for a tissue when he has a panic attack in the park. Yet, with each of his anxiety attacks, Ty is there talking him down off the ledge.
Ty, on the other hand, suffers from low self-esteem and depression. His one long-term relationship ended when his lover didn’t return his feelings. Determined never to let anyone else get too close, he took on the role of the team-slut…until Ian. With Ian, Ty is like a fish out of water because he doesn’t know what the rules are for their relationship. Are they just hooking up? Are they dating? Once he knows the rules, he begins to open up and reveal who he really is and why the city means so much to him.
As the first book in what is a new series, the first few chapters throw a lot of characters at us to the point where I felt I needed a score sheet just to keep track of who was who. Personally, I felt like there was too much going on in the outfield and not enough going on in the infield. There’s this love triangle going on in left field, and then over in right field we have another romance starting, but those are just teasers for upcoming attractions. Unfortunately, at times I’d rather have been reading what was going on in those relationships because not much seemed to be going on between Ty and Ian in the first half of the book.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
To say both of these main characters travel with some serious baggage would be an understatement. To say Ian is neurotic would be an understatement. At times I found myself laughing when Ian was paranoid that the Asian woman at the dry cleaners would know what he was doing if he brought in his comforter to be cleaned. At other times I found myself grabbing for a tissue when he has a panic attack in the park. Yet, with each of his anxiety attacks, Ty is there talking him down off the ledge.
Ty, on the other hand, suffers from low self-esteem and depression. His one long-term relationship ended when his lover didn’t return his feelings. Determined never to let anyone else get too close, he took on the role of the team-slut…until Ian. With Ian, Ty is like a fish out of water because he doesn’t know what the rules are for their relationship. Are they just hooking up? Are they dating? Once he knows the rules, he begins to open up and reveal who he really is and why the city means so much to him.
As the first book in what is a new series, the first few chapters throw a lot of characters at us to the point where I felt I needed a score sheet just to keep track of who was who. Personally, I felt like there was too much going on in the outfield and not enough going on in the infield. There’s this love triangle going on in left field, and then over in right field we have another romance starting, but those are just teasers for upcoming attractions. Unfortunately, at times I’d rather have been reading what was going on in those relationships because not much seemed to be going on between Ty and Ian in the first half of the book.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
March 12, 2017
In short, as a stand-alone story, The Windup is a bit of a "hot mess" but as the beginning of a new series by Kate McMurray, it's ..... okay. Ian and Ty meet when playing baseball in the NYC Rainbow League on the Brooklyn Hipsters team. They go from a one-night stand to fuck-buddy status pretty quickly, then gingerly work their way around their feelings for the rest of the book. In the meantime, we are introduced to former Yankee Mason as well as boyhood friends Nate and Carlos, who are the MCs of Thrown a Curve and The Long Slide Home respectively. McMurray does a great job with the baseball background, and her world has some interesting folks, but unfortunately I felt Ian and Ty were not charismatic enough to build the book around.
I received a copy of this book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at GayBook Reviews. Check it out!
I received a copy of this book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at GayBook Reviews. Check it out!
April 27, 2015
Couldn't finish due to complete lack of chemistry between the characters. I wasn't invested in either of them and didn't like them. And I realize this is the start of a new series, but there were way too many side characters introduced at once.
May 18, 2015
It was ok, therefore 2 stars. It took me forever to finish and overall I found it rather boring.
October 6, 2015
3.5 Stars
April 25, 2019
Oookay. The story was good. Good characters, even slightly different from the usual ones, nice setting, nice plot, nice everything but... what happened here? I felt soooo bored! At a point I couldn't stand it anymore and jumped chapter after chapter until the end. I sort of got into the mood at the end, but it was so abrupt, so rapid the solution and the HEA after a just a tiny bit of angst that I didn't even realize the book was finished. So, I'm sorry but just 3 stars for me here.
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December 27, 2021I almost gave up after the first couple chapters, b/c they are spent introducing like 10 characters with minimal context. I was starting to think that there’s no way I’m going to be able to remember all these people much less care about them.
Fortunately, the focus eventually becomes clearer after that (half the initial characters are really just there to set up a storyline for a subsequent book).
Fortunately, the focus eventually becomes clearer after that (half the initial characters are really just there to set up a storyline for a subsequent book).
June 8, 2020
Love this story. I did have to suspend my rule of "No POV other than that of the MCs." (And it did throw me at first, I won't lie.)
I'll read Mason's story, but really want Nate and Carlos.
I'll read Mason's story, but really want Nate and Carlos.
June 8, 2020
Awkward acquaintances plus sex scenes. Never really believed them as a couple.
May 1, 2023
2.5 stars
Ian temporarily moves back to New York for his job, and joins a gay baseball league. There he meets Ty, and because they are both attracted, agree that they will keep it casual. Ian does not have good memories of his life growing up in New York, and Ty, a transplant, loves it. Ty vows to give Ian new love for his hometown. In the process, the two of them edge ever more closely to a real relationship, not a casual one.
There was a lot going on in this story. Ian didn't like New York, didn't really do relationships (neither did Ty), liked moving around for his job, had anxiety, there was drama between other players on the team. It felt as though nothing really got a good focus because there was a lot going on. Plus, pretty much in the middle of nowhere, one of the main characters in the next book had a random POV.
Ian temporarily moves back to New York for his job, and joins a gay baseball league. There he meets Ty, and because they are both attracted, agree that they will keep it casual. Ian does not have good memories of his life growing up in New York, and Ty, a transplant, loves it. Ty vows to give Ian new love for his hometown. In the process, the two of them edge ever more closely to a real relationship, not a casual one.
There was a lot going on in this story. Ian didn't like New York, didn't really do relationships (neither did Ty), liked moving around for his job, had anxiety, there was drama between other players on the team. It felt as though nothing really got a good focus because there was a lot going on. Plus, pretty much in the middle of nowhere, one of the main characters in the next book had a random POV.
June 13, 2015
review can be read at It's About The Book
This was a fun story about a couple of guys who have commitment issues that fall in love. Ian because he has a bad track record of picking bad men and his job never keep him in place for long. Ty because he has self esteem issues despite appearing to be the care free life of the party type of guy. Ian grew up in New York but hated it. He reluctantly comes back to help restore an older hotel for a big paycheck. His friend Josh suggests he make friends again by joining the Rainbow league. Ian take his advice thinking it’s something to do and maybe he will find some hook ups. He finds Ty right away. Ty has no problem expressing his interest in getting busy with Ian. Ian just doesn’t work that fast but he’s very tempted so it doesn’t take him long to give into Ty’s advances. What starts off as a hook up turns into an arrangement between the guys. They like each other but know there’s an expiration date on whatever it is they have. Keeping both of them at arms length despite their desire to fall for each other.
I really enjoyed this book. Ian and Ty alternated between frustrating and OMG I adore them together! They had some amazing chemistry and were just a lot of fun to read about. Both Ian and Ty had some communication issues at times but it worked for their situation and didn’t feel contrived. Ian really wants out of New York. He had some bad experiences when he was younger and can’t seem to get past them enough to enjoy being there. Ty moved from Texas and found the freedom he so desperately needed in New York. It’s his home and he can’t see himself ever leaving. It just takes these two a while to realize they love each other. They’re so in their own heads about how things are they don’t fully embrace what they’ve found together. Or that their futures are set in stone dooming them to be apart. Ian and Ty made a very fun and sexy couple. I’m looking forward to their cameos in the rest of the series. Ty will surely have some awesome inappropriate things to mouth off about. I loved him!
I love that baseball is what brings all these characters together. Most of them aren’t superstars but they have fun and have formed a little community family. There are so many great secondary characters in this book and I really felt like I got to know them all. Most of the guys will find a love interest in subsequent books. I’m already looking forward to Mason’s but am salivating for Nate’s! His friends to lovers story was set up so well. I wish I could read it and put him out of his misery right now. I laughed out loud multiple times in this book from the banter between characters. There are multiple POVs but the majority is from Ian and Ty. I’d have a blast playing in this league and can totally see it’s appeal.
Ian’s panic attacks really tapered off as the book went along. I guess he became more comfortable with Ty’s help and support? Ty’s campaign to make Ian see what was so special about New York was pretty cute but abruptly ended after so much build up. Their relationship really was up and down throughout the book. Nobody is ever quite sure where they’re at as a couple despite them always wanting to be together. Labels and expectations seem to be what the issues were. Time was not on their side and that made committing to their feelings for each other harder. Ultimately they get there and get the HEA they and I so desperately wanted. I really liked this book. Yeah it had a few issues and the beginning was a little slow but I loved the characters and reading about them made me laugh and fall in love. Makes me a happy girl!
This was a fun story about a couple of guys who have commitment issues that fall in love. Ian because he has a bad track record of picking bad men and his job never keep him in place for long. Ty because he has self esteem issues despite appearing to be the care free life of the party type of guy. Ian grew up in New York but hated it. He reluctantly comes back to help restore an older hotel for a big paycheck. His friend Josh suggests he make friends again by joining the Rainbow league. Ian take his advice thinking it’s something to do and maybe he will find some hook ups. He finds Ty right away. Ty has no problem expressing his interest in getting busy with Ian. Ian just doesn’t work that fast but he’s very tempted so it doesn’t take him long to give into Ty’s advances. What starts off as a hook up turns into an arrangement between the guys. They like each other but know there’s an expiration date on whatever it is they have. Keeping both of them at arms length despite their desire to fall for each other.
I really enjoyed this book. Ian and Ty alternated between frustrating and OMG I adore them together! They had some amazing chemistry and were just a lot of fun to read about. Both Ian and Ty had some communication issues at times but it worked for their situation and didn’t feel contrived. Ian really wants out of New York. He had some bad experiences when he was younger and can’t seem to get past them enough to enjoy being there. Ty moved from Texas and found the freedom he so desperately needed in New York. It’s his home and he can’t see himself ever leaving. It just takes these two a while to realize they love each other. They’re so in their own heads about how things are they don’t fully embrace what they’ve found together. Or that their futures are set in stone dooming them to be apart. Ian and Ty made a very fun and sexy couple. I’m looking forward to their cameos in the rest of the series. Ty will surely have some awesome inappropriate things to mouth off about. I loved him!
I love that baseball is what brings all these characters together. Most of them aren’t superstars but they have fun and have formed a little community family. There are so many great secondary characters in this book and I really felt like I got to know them all. Most of the guys will find a love interest in subsequent books. I’m already looking forward to Mason’s but am salivating for Nate’s! His friends to lovers story was set up so well. I wish I could read it and put him out of his misery right now. I laughed out loud multiple times in this book from the banter between characters. There are multiple POVs but the majority is from Ian and Ty. I’d have a blast playing in this league and can totally see it’s appeal.
Ian’s panic attacks really tapered off as the book went along. I guess he became more comfortable with Ty’s help and support? Ty’s campaign to make Ian see what was so special about New York was pretty cute but abruptly ended after so much build up. Their relationship really was up and down throughout the book. Nobody is ever quite sure where they’re at as a couple despite them always wanting to be together. Labels and expectations seem to be what the issues were. Time was not on their side and that made committing to their feelings for each other harder. Ultimately they get there and get the HEA they and I so desperately wanted. I really liked this book. Yeah it had a few issues and the beginning was a little slow but I loved the characters and reading about them made me laugh and fall in love. Makes me a happy girl!
May 3, 2015
4 heart review by Dan
Ian left Brooklyn when he got out of school and has never looked back. He had a supremely bad childhood, full of beatings and abuse from kids in the neighborhood because he is gay. He remembers exactly what spot on the sidewalk he lay bleeding on after one particularly bad beating which put him in the hospital. His mother still lives in the same house he grew up in, and although the neighborhood has gentrified around her, her house inside still looks like the 1980’s!
Ian has become a very well know Hotel Rescuer. Unlike the popular television show, he doesn’t just spend three days doing it though. Many times it takes 2 or more years per hotel. He has been all over the US and Europe rescuing very well know hotels and bringing them back from the brink of ruin. He has come back to New York to help overhaul the New Amsterdam Hotel, even though he HATES New York.
When his friend Josh suggests he sign up for a spot in The Rainbow League, a LGBT baseball league, he is at first hesitant. But with visions of meeting lots of people, and maybe one or two hot guys, he gives in.
When he arrives a big red-headed Texan named Ty instantly charms him. Ty is a transplanted Texan who moved to New York when he was eighteen to attend Art School. His favorite things to paint are those lurid covers we all love so much on our romance books! Ty is pretty insecure about his work, and just tells people he is in marketing. He is also pretty insecure about himself, thinking he isn’t great to look at and that he will never be the man his Dad was.
Ian has some issues as well. He suffers from panic attacks, and trust issues. Can the two slightly broken men make something together? As the season goes on, they fall more and more under each other’s spell, but neither is willing to tell the other. I really wanted to jump in and give them both a slap up-side the head. When Mason slapped Ty, I was like FINALLY! But the New Amsterdam is reaching completion…what will happen when Ian gets a job offer in Rome?
The book was well written, full of details, and made me homesick for when I was stationed in NYC in the early 1980’s. Of course Brooklyn Navy Yard and that whole end of Brooklyn (except for Brooklyn Heights) was a pretty scary place at the time, so I could totally understand Ian’s childhood stories. Prospect Park wasn’t a place you went after dark, and the Ramble in Central Park was still alive and well and getting lots of after dark action…not that I would know personally or anything. ;-) I loved how the author included the Met, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Promenade in Brooklyn. Three of my most favorite parts of NYC. If you haven’t been to all three you’re missing something.
I enjoyed “The Windup”. It was a nice start to a new series and I recommend it. Based on all the background stories going on in this book, I’m assuming there will be several books in the series. There is a teaser at the end of this book, so I know book two has something to do with Mason, but I avoid those teasers because I don’t know when the actual book will be out and I don’t want to get interested in something that isn’t out yet!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
Ian left Brooklyn when he got out of school and has never looked back. He had a supremely bad childhood, full of beatings and abuse from kids in the neighborhood because he is gay. He remembers exactly what spot on the sidewalk he lay bleeding on after one particularly bad beating which put him in the hospital. His mother still lives in the same house he grew up in, and although the neighborhood has gentrified around her, her house inside still looks like the 1980’s!
Ian has become a very well know Hotel Rescuer. Unlike the popular television show, he doesn’t just spend three days doing it though. Many times it takes 2 or more years per hotel. He has been all over the US and Europe rescuing very well know hotels and bringing them back from the brink of ruin. He has come back to New York to help overhaul the New Amsterdam Hotel, even though he HATES New York.
When his friend Josh suggests he sign up for a spot in The Rainbow League, a LGBT baseball league, he is at first hesitant. But with visions of meeting lots of people, and maybe one or two hot guys, he gives in.
When he arrives a big red-headed Texan named Ty instantly charms him. Ty is a transplanted Texan who moved to New York when he was eighteen to attend Art School. His favorite things to paint are those lurid covers we all love so much on our romance books! Ty is pretty insecure about his work, and just tells people he is in marketing. He is also pretty insecure about himself, thinking he isn’t great to look at and that he will never be the man his Dad was.
Ian has some issues as well. He suffers from panic attacks, and trust issues. Can the two slightly broken men make something together? As the season goes on, they fall more and more under each other’s spell, but neither is willing to tell the other. I really wanted to jump in and give them both a slap up-side the head. When Mason slapped Ty, I was like FINALLY! But the New Amsterdam is reaching completion…what will happen when Ian gets a job offer in Rome?
The book was well written, full of details, and made me homesick for when I was stationed in NYC in the early 1980’s. Of course Brooklyn Navy Yard and that whole end of Brooklyn (except for Brooklyn Heights) was a pretty scary place at the time, so I could totally understand Ian’s childhood stories. Prospect Park wasn’t a place you went after dark, and the Ramble in Central Park was still alive and well and getting lots of after dark action…not that I would know personally or anything. ;-) I loved how the author included the Met, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Promenade in Brooklyn. Three of my most favorite parts of NYC. If you haven’t been to all three you’re missing something.
I enjoyed “The Windup”. It was a nice start to a new series and I recommend it. Based on all the background stories going on in this book, I’m assuming there will be several books in the series. There is a teaser at the end of this book, so I know book two has something to do with Mason, but I avoid those teasers because I don’t know when the actual book will be out and I don’t want to get interested in something that isn’t out yet!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
March 5, 2017
"Said Ty," "Said Ian." Super small thing. But it annoyed me. A lot. Other than that, loved the book. Very fun read.
August 8, 2015
Uh... This was a bit of a weird one for me. I think I was only lukewarm towards it because the build of the relationship felt...
*struggles for eloquence*
Too real?
(Nope. Clearly didn't find it.)
What I mean is that the relationship between Ty and Ian went from being a one night stand between two guys who thought the other was at least hot enough to bone, to sort-of friends with bennies, to exclusive-for-now-but-we're-still-not-quite-friends, to uh-I-think-I-might-maybe-possibly-love-you, to *pause for interlude caused by the inevitable failure to communicate and express your feelings like grown adults,* to yeah-okay-I-love-you-you-idiot-please-stay.
Now, I have a more than a few friends that started their relationships with significant others via the one night stand/casual hookup road, so I'm not judging it. But, if I'm being honest, it's not just not my "thing." As a result, I find that if characters in my books immediately fall into bed together, I want it to scorch the page. I want to feel as if the characters - and by extension, myself - have been so caught up in the chemistry and urgency of this attraction, that they can't help but maul each other in the sexiest way possible.
What I don't want, is time to think. I don't want to think about how little these characters know each other. I don't want to think about how little they actually care for each other. And I certainly don't want to think about how icky it is to sleep with someone you don't know or care about in the slightest (yes, I'm a bit of a prude that way; I'll own it). So the fact that Ian and Ty hopped into bed together right away, and then sort of had to convince themselves that they liked the other person enough to keep dating? *sigh* I just never found myself caught up in their romance the way I wished I would have been.
But that's all personal preference having to do with the reasons I read (pleasure, escapism, romance), as well as personal values and life experiences.
So though I found the romance and relationship in The Windup a little lacking, what I found particularly successful about this book were the secondary characters, the setting (NYC was definitely a strong secondary character in its own right), and this glimpse into the world of amateur LGBT sports leagues. McMurray's descriptions made me want to pack my bags and go live in New York. At the same time, they also made me want to participate in and belong to my community more than I do. For those two things alone, I think this story is worth 3 stars.
*struggles for eloquence*
Too real?
(Nope. Clearly didn't find it.)
What I mean is that the relationship between Ty and Ian went from being a one night stand between two guys who thought the other was at least hot enough to bone, to sort-of friends with bennies, to exclusive-for-now-but-we're-still-not-quite-friends, to uh-I-think-I-might-maybe-possibly-love-you, to *pause for interlude caused by the inevitable failure to communicate and express your feelings like grown adults,* to yeah-okay-I-love-you-you-idiot-please-stay.
Now, I have a more than a few friends that started their relationships with significant others via the one night stand/casual hookup road, so I'm not judging it. But, if I'm being honest, it's not just not my "thing." As a result, I find that if characters in my books immediately fall into bed together, I want it to scorch the page. I want to feel as if the characters - and by extension, myself - have been so caught up in the chemistry and urgency of this attraction, that they can't help but maul each other in the sexiest way possible.
What I don't want, is time to think. I don't want to think about how little these characters know each other. I don't want to think about how little they actually care for each other. And I certainly don't want to think about how icky it is to sleep with someone you don't know or care about in the slightest (yes, I'm a bit of a prude that way; I'll own it). So the fact that Ian and Ty hopped into bed together right away, and then sort of had to convince themselves that they liked the other person enough to keep dating? *sigh* I just never found myself caught up in their romance the way I wished I would have been.
But that's all personal preference having to do with the reasons I read (pleasure, escapism, romance), as well as personal values and life experiences.
So though I found the romance and relationship in The Windup a little lacking, what I found particularly successful about this book were the secondary characters, the setting (NYC was definitely a strong secondary character in its own right), and this glimpse into the world of amateur LGBT sports leagues. McMurray's descriptions made me want to pack my bags and go live in New York. At the same time, they also made me want to participate in and belong to my community more than I do. For those two things alone, I think this story is worth 3 stars.
June 8, 2016
This was pretty meh. I liked Kate McMurray's Out in the Field so I was looking forward to some more baseball romance, but this fell flat. It started out okay but soon became a play-by-play of every moment of their relationship - every tiny mood swing, every miscommunication, every time they wondered where they stood. Most scenes didn't further the plot at all, just kept being more of the same thing, or pages and pages of info dump about New York or them talking about their histories, which happens in real life but doesn't make for good storytelling. The conflict and overall themes were very jumbled, like she was cramming together different elements that didn't actually go together (i.e. Ian's dislike of NYC, which never felt properly explained for such a big deal that was made around Ty trying to make him love the city again; then Ian's anxiety issues, which rang somewhat true in parts but did not feel organic to the story; etc etc). I could never tell exactly where the characters were in their relationship, or where they thought they were in their relationship. It really drained the chemistry between the characters.
I was also really unimpressed with
I was also really unimpressed with
February 5, 2017
First off, I love baseball. I love books about baseball. I really love queer romance books about baseball. Because of this, I love me some Kate McMurray.
This book, wasn’t my favorite from her. I loved the baseball parts and I really enjoyed romance between the characters and NYC. I fell a little more in love with the city by the end the book. I was really into the romance between Ty and Ian. I thought they were kind of wonderful together. I loved how Ty accepted Ian’s anxiety without being dismissive or condescending about it. He didn’t always understand it, but he worked with it and that was kind of awesome. What didn’t work for me as well was actually Ty’s insecurities and how they sabotaged things. I know we heard about his daddy issues, but I never really felt like they were holding him back… until suddenly they did. I also felt like some of the dialogue in this book was a little off at times. But I loved the details about Ty’s art and his cover paintings. I thought that was unique and dear and like a little gem for us romance readers.
I really enjoyed the baseball team and all the different characters and their dynamics. I will say I was HARD CORE invested in Nate’s story and cannot wait to read his book.
This book, wasn’t my favorite from her. I loved the baseball parts and I really enjoyed romance between the characters and NYC. I fell a little more in love with the city by the end the book. I was really into the romance between Ty and Ian. I thought they were kind of wonderful together. I loved how Ty accepted Ian’s anxiety without being dismissive or condescending about it. He didn’t always understand it, but he worked with it and that was kind of awesome. What didn’t work for me as well was actually Ty’s insecurities and how they sabotaged things. I know we heard about his daddy issues, but I never really felt like they were holding him back… until suddenly they did. I also felt like some of the dialogue in this book was a little off at times. But I loved the details about Ty’s art and his cover paintings. I thought that was unique and dear and like a little gem for us romance readers.
I really enjoyed the baseball team and all the different characters and their dynamics. I will say I was HARD CORE invested in Nate’s story and cannot wait to read his book.
June 16, 2015
I thought this was...........boring. Ouch, sorry Kate McMurray but that's my honest opinion, I couldn't get into it, there wasn't enough to keep me remotely interested. A couple of gays playing baseball does not a riveting plot make (unless in the middle of a home run there's a zombie attack). **Sigh** this is the first one of, what I gathered to be, a series therefore I can only hope the others are better. As much as I wanted to like Ian and Ty, meh, I just wasn't feeling it. Ian was a nut case and Ty was a slut impersonator and though this story had its okay moments I found myself yawning at the prospect of continuing to the end (I was just not invested). This was my first book from this author, I don't believe it'd be my last, after all 'The Windup' wasn't poorly written however if I do find myself in possession of another of Kate's books I'll make sure to read the blurb to save myself the yawns and undue boredom. I recommend this to anyone interested in baseball and the love lives of lonely gays.
December 17, 2015
Let me preface by saying I've enjoyed some of McMurray's other novels. I think that's what made it so unbelievable when I finally gave up at Chapter Eight.
Yup. #DNF
I gave it two stars because
1. The writing was clear. At no point did I have to backtrack and reread to understand what happened.
2. The characters were stiff, but weren't cardboard cutouts.
The reason I took off so many stars and #DNF is because there was just too much exposition. Too much of the characters in their own heads. Too little momentum.... actually, almost none. I literally started nodding off during one of the baseball games--most of which the writing skims over with the only seeming point being to toss out more and more and more and more and more and more character/rival names. Yeah, it was a little bit of a cluster fu--Ahem.
All that said, I think this novel just needs a better/more ruthless editing pass. If that happened, I'd be willing to give it another shot, because the actual plot had promise. It was just too drawn out to be pleasant.
Yup. #DNF
I gave it two stars because
1. The writing was clear. At no point did I have to backtrack and reread to understand what happened.
2. The characters were stiff, but weren't cardboard cutouts.
The reason I took off so many stars and #DNF is because there was just too much exposition. Too much of the characters in their own heads. Too little momentum.... actually, almost none. I literally started nodding off during one of the baseball games--most of which the writing skims over with the only seeming point being to toss out more and more and more and more and more and more character/rival names. Yeah, it was a little bit of a cluster fu--Ahem.
All that said, I think this novel just needs a better/more ruthless editing pass. If that happened, I'd be willing to give it another shot, because the actual plot had promise. It was just too drawn out to be pleasant.
April 26, 2015
I'm from New York. I am a Yankee fan. I adore Kate McMurray! Put these three things together and it was a no brainer to get this book. It's ALWAYS a pleasure to read a book that is geographically accurate. Sometimes it gets past me if I've never been there but I've been to New York. Lived and visited. Now, anyone who knows me knows I get lost in a circle but that doesn't mean I can't follow if I've been. That said it was like an awesome tour. The creation of The Rainbow League and the clever names of the teams and just the whole idea was awesome. I loved seeing where the series is going with the introduction of the other characters (Which was done beautifully FYI) I'm super excited about this series. Ty was FABULOUS with all his gingerbits and Ian with his neurotic adorableness!!! Kate hit it out of the ball park with this!
April 27, 2015
Windup - Kate McMurray
M/M Romance
4 stars
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Ian is someone who has a past that we do not know much about. We are given hints that it was not a great one, but don't ever really get the whole story. All we ever really know is that he has no love for New York City.
Then you have Ty. While he is deemed the slut of the team, I definitely saw something deeper in his character. He is putting on a front - a shield.
While Ty and Ian find their way through love, you catch glimpses of what makes Ty passionate, what makes Ian hesitant and how the two of them can become so much more together.
While it was a bit frustrating watching them take missteps, in the end, their steps align.
M/M Romance
4 stars
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Ian is someone who has a past that we do not know much about. We are given hints that it was not a great one, but don't ever really get the whole story. All we ever really know is that he has no love for New York City.
Then you have Ty. While he is deemed the slut of the team, I definitely saw something deeper in his character. He is putting on a front - a shield.
While Ty and Ian find their way through love, you catch glimpses of what makes Ty passionate, what makes Ian hesitant and how the two of them can become so much more together.
While it was a bit frustrating watching them take missteps, in the end, their steps align.
May 9, 2015
fourstars
Ian is someone who has a past that we do not know much about. We are given hints that it was not a greatone, but don't ever really get the whole story. All we ever really know is that he has no love for New York City.
Then you have Ty. While he is deemed the slut of the team, I definitely saw something deeper in his character. He is putting on a front - a shield.
While Ty and Ian find their way through love, you catch glimpses of what makes Ty passionate, what makes Ian hesitant and how the two of them can become so much more together.
While it was a bit frustrating watching them take missteps, in the end, their steps align.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
AvidReader
Ian is someone who has a past that we do not know much about. We are given hints that it was not a greatone, but don't ever really get the whole story. All we ever really know is that he has no love for New York City.
Then you have Ty. While he is deemed the slut of the team, I definitely saw something deeper in his character. He is putting on a front - a shield.
While Ty and Ian find their way through love, you catch glimpses of what makes Ty passionate, what makes Ian hesitant and how the two of them can become so much more together.
While it was a bit frustrating watching them take missteps, in the end, their steps align.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
AvidReader
March 2, 2016
2.8 Stars
I loved this cast of characters, but not so much Ian. He's my least favorite of all of the Rainbow League players.
The angsty self assessments and inability to discuss their feelings got on my nerves after a while...and for a self-appointed League Slut who never appears to want a relationship, Ty just seems to work a little too hard to convince Ian how awesome New York (and Brooklyn) really is now in order to entice him to stay.
I'm thinking the other characters will be more interesting anyway, so on to the next book.
I loved this cast of characters, but not so much Ian. He's my least favorite of all of the Rainbow League players.
The angsty self assessments and inability to discuss their feelings got on my nerves after a while...and for a self-appointed League Slut who never appears to want a relationship, Ty just seems to work a little too hard to convince Ian how awesome New York (and Brooklyn) really is now in order to entice him to stay.
I'm thinking the other characters will be more interesting anyway, so on to the next book.
June 12, 2016
I liked this pretty well. I've read a bunch of other Kate McMurray books and I wouldn't say this was my favorite, but it kept me engaged. It was kind of different from other books in the genre in that everything was kind of mellow and it was just the story of two guys who start dating and their relationship kind of goes in fits and starts. Ultimately, I wanted to feel a little more connected to the two of them, but I did enjoy it.
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