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Into The Team

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To honor his father, young footballer Todd Mackerson commits to his goal of playing for a professional team. When, at the age of 20, he is offered a place to train with one of England’s biggest clubs, he leaves home convinced his dream is within reach.

Being warned by his new team mates of the tough rules and hard training routines, Todd is undeterred. But when he discovers that the player’s way of bonding borders on the sexual, and that he must learn to accept the erotic affections that connect the team together, he wonders how far he can go for his dream.

But, after experiencing the care and attention men can give to each other, Todd feels awakened. Learning that each player has a special “partner” on the team, who they play and bond with as intimately as lovers, Todd becomes fascinated with the idea.

And when he develops feelings for one player in particular, he discovers how a stronger kind of romance - that between two men - can be pure and powerful enough to bring magic and success on the pitch.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2015

4 people are currently reading
64 people want to read

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Rob Damon

3 books29 followers

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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Kazza.
1,557 reviews174 followers
September 30, 2015
Very interesting and easy to read book by debut author Rob Damon about a sport I'm definitely not into, and yet it well and truly held my interest throughout. New Adult book with a homoerotic football (soccer) storyline. Some say bromance, but I can't go with that tag.

Full review at
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Profile Image for Heidi.
949 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2016


An interesting concept. The psychology behind this approach to football could, on the surface, seemingly make sense. I certainly hope there is a follow up and we get to enjoy more of Todd and Daryl.
4.5 stars ⚽️
Profile Image for Don Bradshaw.
2,427 reviews106 followers
June 30, 2016
A smooth, well written first book by an author I hope writes much more. The reader is introduced to just how a soccer team works in a game, practice and with the owner. We also learn just why all that hugging, kissing, ass patting means inside the locker room and just how close a bond teammates form. This is not a romance story but a look at the sensuality shared between two players.
Profile Image for Ptdog.
371 reviews66 followers
September 20, 2015
A great first book from this author! A little over the top, but who cares! I liked it. And, I'm looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for AussieMum.
1,392 reviews55 followers
February 19, 2018
Edit: February 2018
Don't you hate it when you recommend a book because it has always stuck in your mind but then in hindsight realise it possibly wasn't as good as you remember.
My original review still stands because I haven't actually re-read this. But I just needed a reminder that my reading tastes and expectations have changed a lot since I first read this. As such, I will probably never re-read this to avoid any disappointment. :)


Original Review

This is unlike any other book I've ever read.

There was cheating, fade to black sex, an open ended ending where no loose ends are tied up at all and lots of football talk and I still couldn't put it down.

Such an interesting (and surprisingly sexy) idea that behind all those seemingly innocent back slaps, butt touches and platonic kisses we see players give each other during a game is an unconventional tactic from one coach. A non-negotiable rule to put the team above anything else, even your existing relationship, encouraging an intimacy between teammates designed to make them play better.

This was no doubt a sexy book. Todd first notices things are 'different' when he sees two teammates soaping each other up in the showers. When he finally understands what is expected of the team players at his club there is lots of will he or won't he tension from Todd who has a girlfriend and just wants to play football. Wives and girlfriends here are distractions to the players and are unaware of the tactics involved that make this team win.

There is one instance in the book that concerned me.

While this is definitely not a romantic book there is a little romance that plays out right at the end of this story.
Aaarrrgggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So frustrating to not have everything resolved, if it had of been I would have rated it higher.
I hope there is a second book!
Profile Image for Chris Scully.
Author 15 books149 followers
September 15, 2015
When I first read this manuscript as a beta-reader, I got so caught up in Todd’s journey from a rough mining town in northern England to a big-league soccer stadium, that I read it in one sitting. I’m happy to say that the finished, published novel had the same effect on me too. Into the Team defies categorization, which is one of the reasons I love it—not exactly 'gay fiction’, not entirely romance either, it can best be described as a coming of age story set against the world of soccer (football).

At the heart of the novel is a young man’s transition from boyhood to manhood. Still grieving the loss of his father years ago, Todd finds in his teammates the belonging he seeks, the strength to follow his dreams and an unexpected sexual awakening. Rob paints the characters so vividly that they could be real and by the end, the notion of ‘intimate team bonding’ seems entirely plausible and you wonder why it's not a real thing (or is it!?). His unique style captures the excitement and beauty of the Beautiful Game and kept even this non-sports fan on the edge of her seat: “All he knew was that the crowd was alive with hands in the air, their screams flowing down the terraces in a thundering wave.”

The novel blurs lines when it comes to sexuality and labels. This is not strictly speaking a MM romance(there is M/F sex in here and multiple sexual encounters for those who are concerned about that), and yet I found it incredibly romantic in the ‘long looks and unspoken words’ way. It’s subtle, which I found refreshing. Nor is it an endless sex romp as you might expect from the blurb, although it’s definitely erotic. There’s a lot packed into this deceptively simple story as the author deftly explores ideas of masculinity, sexuality and belonging.
This is a wonderful debut from a promising author.
Profile Image for Jay .
107 reviews40 followers
October 14, 2015
I'm in the middle of exams and studying so this is a quickie for now. Longer one it deserves is coming to the blog.

TY to Rob Damon for giving me this to read. I'm not as fancy as some with the reviews. Not sure why he thought I'd be the right fit but he was right to give me a copy because I have a bf. That bf is called English football. He didn't know this.

Football is my game. Play it. Watch it. Drink a few beers with it. Probably thought about a player or 2 in the locker rooms when I was growing up. Yeah, I did think about a player or 2. Rob Damon gives me the football and he gives me more than a player or 2 to fantasise about. I thought it was really good. It's not erotica or even sexy romance but it's still crazy hot. The plot will matter to a lot of people.

What a good book to kick off the writing career. Grab a copy of a good book.
Profile Image for Daniel Mitton.
Author 3 books36 followers
October 6, 2015
It seems I’ve found another new author to keep my eye on. Honestly I can’t remember who posted something on Facebook about this book, but after reading the blurb I knew I had to read it. I quickly added it to my read list at Love Bytes before anyone else could, and I’m glad to say it was worth it. Mr. Damon did a great job with the book. His writing style and world building were good and the editing was fine.

Todd Mackerson was a promising football player as a kid, and that one year he was chosen to go on to greater things. If only his Dad hadn’t been killed in a bar fight the same week, ending Todd’s dream.

As the years in between have passed, people, including his own mother have vaguely discredited his hopes of someday playing professional football, but he has never given up hope. Swearing off the casual drinking and telly watching of his mates, he instead focuses every day on perfecting his body and his game.

His life is about to change. He has been approached by a man representing a football team, but he won’t tell him which one. When Todd is whisked away for a tryout and recognizes the player who is handling it, it is beyond his wildest dreams. One of the leading teams in the country, and Todd is trying out?

Before he knows it, he will be drawn into a professional football team’s ranks. But what will happen when he discovers the team’s form of bonding is in teams of two, and the bonding borders on sexual? He is straight after all. Just ask his girlfriend!

I enjoyed the book and reading the accounts of the games and behind the scenes lives of the team. Although I doubt there is a professional football team like this one in the real world, it would be a great thing if there were! One note, most of the sex in the book is fade to black, so most of it is implied rather than discussed. I thought the book was fine as it was, but it could have used a little more details on some scenes that were implied. I know, I’m never happy. Those of you following my reviews will remember a couple weeks ago I commented on another book that there was too much sex and not enough story. A happy medium would be good!

I recommend this book, and I’ll be keeping my eyes open for future books from this author! Oh, and one more thing….fantastic cover!
Profile Image for Laura V..
734 reviews58 followers
March 23, 2016
Mi último libro en inglés y ¿qué consigo? un bromance. Supongo que me lo merezco por babosa.

Aunque no es un libro romántico (para nada) me gustó ver cómo Todd lidia con estas tácticas poco convencionales para lograr una mayor unidad en el equipo. Fue como ver Free! todo de vuelta, pero con una cosa "sexual real". Yo me entiendo. Espero leer pronto la secuela, porque esto no puede quedar así.

Un bromance, hmm, lo que me faltaba.

(Daryl, para mí, es clavadito a Daley Blind de la selección holandesa:)

description
Profile Image for Marcus.
40 reviews10 followers
December 6, 2015
A completly over the top unrealistic training method....and I liked it.

To be honest somehow I felt reminded of the time when Klinsmann became the German coach and rumour had it of new training methods. Then we met the kings of football bromance and one of them is now playing for Manchester :-)



Apart of that I liked the autor's message that soulmates do exist.

Please be reminded that this is a very subjective review.


Profile Image for Dani Elle Maas.
1,011 reviews14 followers
October 30, 2015
i liked this story , Love me a good sport story and this is definitely worth it
I would like to see more
Profile Image for Kistal.
496 reviews23 followers
February 18, 2018
Cool concept, poor execution. This book dealt with pacing and structural issues, filled with pointless conversations. What could have been a nice twisted tale, turned into a boring dribble of the main character having the same conversation twenty different times. There was no push or pull.

While reading I honestly felt an urge to email the author and tell him to rewrite this! Because the idea is so cool boy was it a disappointment.
Profile Image for Morgan  Skye.
2,775 reviews28 followers
Read
June 20, 2016
Review pendingTodd wants more than anything to be a star “footballer” (us Americans call it soccer!). He’s super excited when he gets invited to audition for one of the big name teams.

When he gets there he’s surprised by how much they want him and by some of what happens behind closed doors to help make the team so good.

He’s got a girlfriend, but he’s told he can’t really see her during the season to keep his energy on the team. Instead he’s told to focus his energies with his teammates. Though he’s skeptical, he doesn’t want to give up his chance to be among the great players on the team.

Eventually he finds his place on the team and is excited he made the right choice.

**

Boy… I don’t think I’m the right audience for this book. From the blurb it looked intriguing – I was kinda expecting a straight guy to be forced to explore some of his more “gay” instincts and have him find love in the arms of a fellow team mate.

Well … no.

First there is a lot of terminology and soccer stuff and colloquialisms that went over my head.

Second there is absolutely no love story that I could find in this book.

Third there is sex with women, sex with other guys and the one guy who looks like he might be “paired with” in any way (romantic or on the team) does not have sex with him til the end.

Frankly I just didn’t get it. So… I assume I am not the target audience. To me it read like a soccer/erotic fantasy where the dreamer not only makes it into the big leagues with soccer but gets to mess around with hot guys while never being gay and still keeping a girlfriend on the side.

Not my cup of tea, shall we say.

I found nothing “romantic” about this, and that’s what I read for. So again – I must not be the right person reading this.

The writing and editing were good, I guess. I had a hard time following it but I had a PDF and those are tough for me to read on my Kindle… so some of my problems might arise from that.

I vaguely wanted Todd to hook up with Daryl but I wasn’t really sure I cared by the end because there never seemed to be any point to the pairing – at least not romantically.

So… I’m going to hold off giving this any sort of rating because I just don’t think this was meant to be a romance and if that’s the case I wouldn’t have read it so I can’t say that I know how to rate this at all. I will just say that if you are looking for some sporty, erotic fiction this might be right up your alley, but if you want a romance or some deeper story about an emotional connection – I’d skip this.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Rose.
37 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by Rob Damon..... A 'Coming of Age' story centred around Todd Mackerson a young and very talented footballer plucked from near obscurity from a tiny mining village to play within one of the best premiership teams in the country with world class players. We follow Todd as he discovers what it means to train and be apart of a team, trust, loyalty, male bonding and sexual awakening as well as fulfilling his dreams and passion for a great game.
The intimacy and sexual encounters were handled and described brilliantly, mostly left to the readers imagination were 'hot'. No graphic sex scenes which I found paramount to the story and I feel wouldn't have fit in with the heart of the story.
The loved the Authors writing style, descriptive text, the pace and flow of the story kept my interest and I found myself feeling all the emotions the Author wanted to convey.
As a football fan, I found the pitch and game scenes written perfectly and I held my breath in anticipation of the action and outcomes of our great game.
I would highly recommend this story and can not wait to read more from this up and coming Author......... watch out people Rob Damon has made his mark as a published author.
Profile Image for Ana.
771 reviews
December 12, 2015
This book is just one big "Mogelpackung" (sham package). There are some fictional liberties, which just don't work for me at all. There is one hot kiss and a few lukewarm sauna/ shower scenes. I liked Daryl, and felt indifferent to all the other guys (and there are many others- it's supposed to be a pro soccer team after all). The initial idea is nice, but it kinda gets buried under all this other crap.
And the end feels pretty open, like the author intended to write a follow up- I feel cheated.
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,084 reviews66 followers
July 24, 2017
A great story of Todd who's dream is always to grow up to be in the leagues player. Despite having a major sadness in his life when he was young when he lost his father, he gets spotted by a talent scout in the crowds. Success is up to him being able to get long with his new team and forming new bonds with all of them. A lovely story I'd recommend to read.
Profile Image for Claudia.
3,031 reviews109 followers
October 16, 2017
this book had a totally different approach and I really liked the story. but I would have loved to see more page time for the pairing in the end. I missed that.
all in all a good read and definitely not my last book by Rob Damon
Profile Image for Ferran.
27 reviews22 followers
October 20, 2015
I was totally sold on this book by this "he discovers that the player’s way of bonding borders on the sexual [...]". Sexy soccer players in sexy situations as a mean of bonding together? Hell yes, I'm all for it.

The whole story-line the author created is great, but it didn't convince me in the execution. I had great hopes after reading the excerpt. The story focuses in Todd as he's struggles to become a first-team player while getting accustomed to the team's peculiar training.

The idea of the soccer team bonding on the sexual side as a technique for improving the game had my mind spinning around. I love the idea of established "institutionalized" sex/sexy games as part of anything. So my hopes where high.

However, with all the potential in it, I found it dull most of the time. I don't know exactly what it is, maybe surely it has to do with the rhythm and the writing style (too descriptive at some points). Maybe it just lacks emotion. Everything is too predictable and flat - even the sexy scenes. IMHO this book would benefit from a rewriting with some more salt and spices.
71 reviews
July 10, 2016
I believe this is my first 'bi' read... I also believe it is my first 'UK football' book. The reader follows the path taken by Todd Mackerson to achieve his dream. His path is full of surprises and unexpected twists and practices. The intimate passages are brief and not long on details... you know it happens without all the mechanics. A very interesting read for someone who does not know UK football (soccer) nor chess. I found the author quite masterful in describing a chess game while a conversation took place simultaneously between two of the team players.

I really liked this book almost in its entirety; I would have liked the story to continue a bit more.

You're tempted to read it? Go for it!
165 reviews5 followers
March 17, 2016
WOW
I loved this book.
The natural progression from straight to curious to gay.
Todd is an up and coming footballer and he can't believe his luck when he gets spotted by a talent scout who signs him up with a highly respected team.
The manager might have 'unconventional' ideas of what makes his players work so well on the pitch but as Todd discovers they actually work.
The others players in the football team soon initiate Todd into the 'family's and Todd fits with several of the players but maybe there's one special player he can click with on and off the pitch.
Fabulous read.
Profile Image for Calathea.
274 reviews
November 13, 2015
While the idea and set up are intriguing and the characters are nice enough, here's a bit of warning:

DON'T READ IF YOU LIKE SPORTS OR ARE THE LEAST BIT KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT PLAYING FOOTBALL/SOCCER!

Otherwise you might tear out your hair in frustration. *just saying*

ETA Just one example: the manager is making game time decissions. Another one: the captain runs practice. They seem to have no coaches...
126 reviews
February 12, 2016
Wonderful. Fabulous. I Want More.

What is it that makes you really love some stories so much that you don't want them to end, you feel genuinely sad when they do end, and you just want more? This book is one of those. I totally loved it, I know I will be reading it again, and I definitely recommend it! I hope and pray there will be a follow up story so we can continue to enjoy more about the two MCs as well as the team. This story is a Ten.
44 reviews
December 31, 2015
Wildy erotic

A fascinating story, based on sportsmanship and football (soccer in US) a tale of male bonding and intimacy. Todd is an aspiring player and a strong character. I loved this book and didn't want it to end.
Profile Image for jules0623.
2,531 reviews8 followers
April 22, 2017
Wouldn't really call this a romance. The MCs only start interacting in the last third of the book and romance doesn't happen until almost the last minute. There was an undercurrent of dub con the whole way through for me (not to mention the actual lack of consent in one off page threesome scene). The MC was told flat out that if he couldn't be intimate with his team mates, he had to leave the team.
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