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The League #1
Complete Game
Twenty-five-year-old Blake Powell’s world is baseball. His life goal is a major league contract and he is laser focused on honing his game and his body as close to perfection as he can get. Then a moment of distraction, a wrong step, and a bone-shattering injury put an early end to his baseball career.
Ian Chapman is happy with his life. He has his own house, a decent job, good friends, and he’s the de facto manager of a team in the city’s gay softball league. Unfortunately, he’s missing a key player to help his team rise from the basement and the man at his side to make his personal game complete.
When Blake moves in next door, Ian sees in him a solution to the team’s woes, and soon it becomes obvious something more personal might grow, too. Then Blake’s first love, the game of baseball, comes calling again, and he is compelled to answer.
Complete Game is a 55,000 word first time gay romance with no cliffhangers and a happily ever after ending.
Ian Chapman is happy with his life. He has his own house, a decent job, good friends, and he’s the de facto manager of a team in the city’s gay softball league. Unfortunately, he’s missing a key player to help his team rise from the basement and the man at his side to make his personal game complete.
When Blake moves in next door, Ian sees in him a solution to the team’s woes, and soon it becomes obvious something more personal might grow, too. Then Blake’s first love, the game of baseball, comes calling again, and he is compelled to answer.
Complete Game is a 55,000 word first time gay romance with no cliffhangers and a happily ever after ending.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2017
74 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 21, 2017
DNF 60%
Boringggg :(
- Too much detailed softball (I´m not a sports fan)
- Their relationship starts supercute BUT get to the next step VERY abruptly! Really, he made a super long speech about he not being able to be openly gay and the next day- after Ian have helped him to found a job- say yes to start dating! :S
- Reading Blake´s point of view ALL the men he meet were VERY attractive and wanted to flirt with him... really? Also he imply by his words that the gay players in the match were more into flirting than in the game.
Not interesting at all.
Boringggg :(
- Too much detailed softball (I´m not a sports fan)
- Their relationship starts supercute BUT get to the next step VERY abruptly! Really, he made a super long speech about he not being able to be openly gay and the next day- after Ian have helped him to found a job- say yes to start dating! :S
- Reading Blake´s point of view ALL the men he meet were VERY attractive and wanted to flirt with him... really? Also he imply by his words that the gay players in the match were more into flirting than in the game.
Not interesting at all.
March 29, 2023
I started out really loving this book, but I just grew to really not like Blake. I thought the way he treated Ian was unforgivable. I also didn’t like the fact that he was so quickly accepted back on the team and into Ian’s life. I liked Ian, but I didn’t have much respect for him. I would have liked it better if he had ended up with Marshall or Sven. I certainly would never have taken him back.
April 18, 2017
This is my first time reading and reviewing a lgbtq novel being myself a part of the lgbtq community it felt like a breath of fresh. A lot of love and sport what else do you want? This is a well written book were we discover both partners equally. It’s amazing book and the author has a sweet way of putting love together. I received this arc from the author for review.
July 16, 2018
Well...
I wasn’t overly satisfied with this book. I didn’t particularly like Blake. He switched between being comfortable and uncomfortable too quickly, and then back again. I guess it just didn’t ring true.
I wasn’t overly satisfied with this book. I didn’t particularly like Blake. He switched between being comfortable and uncomfortable too quickly, and then back again. I guess it just didn’t ring true.
probably-not-but-freebie
July 9, 2018Free at amazon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Complete-Gam...
April 21, 2017
Declan Rhodes has a writing style that draws a reader in and keeps them turning pages. Complete Game had me from the beginning. The story flows so well and the rich characters seem so real that I feel like I could have a conversation with them. Ian and Blake's story made me smile, chuckle, and at times want to shake one or both of them. One of my favorite things is even in dark times, there's a layer of hope for this couple, leading to their HEA.
April 21, 2018
3.75 stars
***free copy provided for honest review***
This book is about unexpected ups and downs in life and how people come back on top. There are subjects like sports injury, homophobia in sports and coming out are mentioned.
The first part of the book was a slow build up and there was a lot of sports lingo mentioned. First, I considered to dislike it but later I understood that the author was probably setting the scene for the rest of the book and the whole series because after Ian and Blake started dated it was more about them and how they were together rather than about sports.
Another issue that was mentioned is that baseball players considered softball game an inferior sport and the players were referred to as being "not real men". It's upsetting to know that this is really going on in sports, the fierce competition and hatred towards anything that is considered soft or different.
This books has a couple of intimate encounters but it is not the main focus of the book. So, those who like it hot and sweaty won't like it. The major theme was understanding oneself and coming to terms with being gay for Blake and I am happy how he turned out. There were decisions that he made that I thought were wrong but in the end it all worked out for him and Ian. One thing though what I didn't like was that after Blake basically behaved like a complete punk Ian just forgave him without any sort of talk and not much groveling. I would have liked some sortof crow pie for Blake. He needed some.
Otherwise it was a low angst coming out sports novel with nice MCs and nice secondary characters. For those who does not like much drama this is a very nice book to curl up with a cup of tea in the evening.
***free copy provided for honest review***
This book is about unexpected ups and downs in life and how people come back on top. There are subjects like sports injury, homophobia in sports and coming out are mentioned.
The first part of the book was a slow build up and there was a lot of sports lingo mentioned. First, I considered to dislike it but later I understood that the author was probably setting the scene for the rest of the book and the whole series because after Ian and Blake started dated it was more about them and how they were together rather than about sports.
Another issue that was mentioned is that baseball players considered softball game an inferior sport and the players were referred to as being "not real men". It's upsetting to know that this is really going on in sports, the fierce competition and hatred towards anything that is considered soft or different.
This books has a couple of intimate encounters but it is not the main focus of the book. So, those who like it hot and sweaty won't like it. The major theme was understanding oneself and coming to terms with being gay for Blake and I am happy how he turned out. There were decisions that he made that I thought were wrong but in the end it all worked out for him and Ian. One thing though what I didn't like was that after Blake basically behaved like a complete punk Ian just forgave him without any sort of talk and not much groveling. I would have liked some sortof crow pie for Blake. He needed some.
Otherwise it was a low angst coming out sports novel with nice MCs and nice secondary characters. For those who does not like much drama this is a very nice book to curl up with a cup of tea in the evening.
June 20, 2017
Powell at the Bat
Having read other books by him I can attest that Declan Rhodes knows his baseball, and in this one picks up all the subtle difference between that sport and softball. What he also does is create two completely believable MCs in Blake Powell and Ian Chapman, and you get this sharply through Rhodes' usual modus operandus of alternating chapters from each of their points of view.
What he also does is take a sweetly developing and non angst filled romance and throws in a trait that seems to infect a lot of M/M writers when it comes to detailing the psyches of sexually conflicted men: Blake is a selfish guy because he has never been shown how to be forthcoming when he has to make a decision that can disappoint someone very close to him, in this case Ian, who has become sort of his boyfriend. This causes all sorts of misunderstanding and gets us into the middle of a community effort to bring them back together.
That it takes a twist on the baseball diamond to help bring him to his senses is a cute trick because it was a twist on the first base bag in the prologue which ended his baseball career.
I like Rhodes' baseball books, but I find that he has a tendency to eschew details when it comes to the bedroom--especially when it involves a first timer like Blake and an experienced gay man like Ian. Somehow he leaves out maybe three or four sentences--or paragraphs--which are crucial to explaining how the novice is thinking and what is going on. He needs to work on that.
Meanwhile, I have put the next one in the series on the Order Next shelf.
Having read other books by him I can attest that Declan Rhodes knows his baseball, and in this one picks up all the subtle difference between that sport and softball. What he also does is create two completely believable MCs in Blake Powell and Ian Chapman, and you get this sharply through Rhodes' usual modus operandus of alternating chapters from each of their points of view.
What he also does is take a sweetly developing and non angst filled romance and throws in a trait that seems to infect a lot of M/M writers when it comes to detailing the psyches of sexually conflicted men: Blake is a selfish guy because he has never been shown how to be forthcoming when he has to make a decision that can disappoint someone very close to him, in this case Ian, who has become sort of his boyfriend. This causes all sorts of misunderstanding and gets us into the middle of a community effort to bring them back together.
That it takes a twist on the baseball diamond to help bring him to his senses is a cute trick because it was a twist on the first base bag in the prologue which ended his baseball career.
I like Rhodes' baseball books, but I find that he has a tendency to eschew details when it comes to the bedroom--especially when it involves a first timer like Blake and an experienced gay man like Ian. Somehow he leaves out maybe three or four sentences--or paragraphs--which are crucial to explaining how the novice is thinking and what is going on. He needs to work on that.
Meanwhile, I have put the next one in the series on the Order Next shelf.
May 25, 2017
The writing style felt very amateurish.
May 5, 2017
Blake Powell is attracted to guys, but has never done anything about it. He played third base in the minors until a broken leg caused him to have to leave the game he loved. After getting out of the hospital he moved into a vacant house his Aunt and Uncle owned. He met his neighbor, Ian Chapman, when he went outside to wait for the medical transport van to take him to his doctor’s appointment. Ian offered to take him so he didn’t have to wait and Blake accepted the offer. After Ian dropped him off at the doctor, Blake got a call from his Aunt saying he could stay with them until his leg healed. After six months, he comes back to the house and Blake and Ian start hanging out and talking about a local gay softball league Ian is in. Ian invites him to join them and Blake decides to try it out. Little did he know how different it would be to hit a softball compared to a baseball.
Blake and Ian have good chemistry together. There is a lot of drama in this one…. Blake and Ian have a misunderstanding and stop talking to each other. While they are “taking a break”, Ian goes out with someone else. Blake decides that softball just isn’t enough and goes to a local baseball league where he gets ridiculed for being gay then gets kicked out for starting a fight. After that, Blake goes back to softball where Ian takes him back and they have their HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed a Hidden Gems ARC of this book.
Blake and Ian have good chemistry together. There is a lot of drama in this one…. Blake and Ian have a misunderstanding and stop talking to each other. While they are “taking a break”, Ian goes out with someone else. Blake decides that softball just isn’t enough and goes to a local baseball league where he gets ridiculed for being gay then gets kicked out for starting a fight. After that, Blake goes back to softball where Ian takes him back and they have their HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed a Hidden Gems ARC of this book.
January 2, 2026
I honestly really didn't enjoy this series. It had alot of potential but honestly. The character development was nil. They all seemed absolutely void of intelligence. They had no connection. It was major jumps in time line. Like. We went on date and 10 days later we ended up in bed. Oh, yeah great world building. Or, I had a great work opportunity. Thought we would catch up. Got into a fight. No contact. Anger management. 6 months have passed. Author has no regard for healthy relationships. In a relationship, just stop talking or texting for 2 weeks and so one decides to go on another date with another person. Then basically next chapter. Oh we are back together. Next book. They just stop talking for 6 mths cut you off like you are enemies. Like they dont have each others numbers. Everything is so petty. They could spend these huge gaps in time actually you know forming character development
April 4, 2019
Throwing a softball
First timer Blake has a career ending injury in minor league baseball. Recovering, his neighbor Ian gets him involved in a softball league. Romance slowly evolves, passion interrupts, but a HEA concludes an entertaining story. Rhodes developed the lead and supporting characters well, the storyline is believable, and you root for the team and the pair.
First timer Blake has a career ending injury in minor league baseball. Recovering, his neighbor Ian gets him involved in a softball league. Romance slowly evolves, passion interrupts, but a HEA concludes an entertaining story. Rhodes developed the lead and supporting characters well, the storyline is believable, and you root for the team and the pair.
June 24, 2017
Great Story
I'm a baseball fan and a former softball player. The setting and framework of this story was perfect. There were times Blake really aggravated me and the bigotry of the baseball team and umpire ticked me off.
Other than that I loved the story and the ending.
I'm a baseball fan and a former softball player. The setting and framework of this story was perfect. There were times Blake really aggravated me and the bigotry of the baseball team and umpire ticked me off.
Other than that I loved the story and the ending.
December 17, 2017
Great story. Loved Blake and Ian. Blake plays in the minor league baseball team when he gets an injury that ruins his career. He meets Ian when he moves in next door and starts playing with his softball team. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
June 5, 2019
Loved it!
Another great book by Declan Rhodes. I absolutely loved Ian and Blake and I didn't want their story to end. The secondary characters were awesome too. Loved it! Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Another great book by Declan Rhodes. I absolutely loved Ian and Blake and I didn't want their story to end. The secondary characters were awesome too. Loved it! Can't wait to read the next book in this series.
June 29, 2020
OMG, I don't want to even mark this one as 'READ' because I'm afraid I won't see it whenever I come to review and will forget to REREAD the crap out of it. Can it get any better? M/M-SPORTS-ROM is here at it's finest. I loved it and will tear through it all over again sooner than later. Le sigh.
July 27, 2021
I liked it but at the same time I didn't. They had so many problems, both of them. Blake basically ghosts Ian and Ian goes on a date with another guy, like WTH is happening with this men? Communication is key people, use it
July 21, 2018
Margaret
Now this was a good book. I can't wait to read more of your books. This was one of the better ones that I have read
Now this was a good book. I can't wait to read more of your books. This was one of the better ones that I have read
February 10, 2019
A Good Story
A good story, I enjoyed the characters. The storyline, was wonderful, and it was well written. Guess, I'll be reading the series now.
A good story, I enjoyed the characters. The storyline, was wonderful, and it was well written. Guess, I'll be reading the series now.
April 29, 2019
I never really warmed up to the main characters.
July 9, 2017
Good read
I had thus on my KU for so long and finally got around to it. Glad I did as it was a very good sweet read. I will look for more from this author.
I had thus on my KU for so long and finally got around to it. Glad I did as it was a very good sweet read. I will look for more from this author.
March 21, 2021
Blake and Ian were a great couple. Blake got injured at the beginning of the book, and he had to figure out how to reinvent himself once his baseball career ended. Ian was his neighbor, and they had a great connection right from the beginning. He joined the gay softball team that Ian was a part of, but when a local adult baseball team, Blake struggles with wanting to be back in baseball. This was the biggest source of angst in the book, but luckily it wasn't written too dramatic or overly emotional. I liked the cast of characters, especially the softball team. Ian had some great friends.
April 18, 2017
Declan Rhodes has done it again. A great feel good romance that will warm your heart. Blake was in the minor leagues when a broken leg ends his aspirations to go pro. Playing baseball is all he has ever wanted to do. He meets Ian, his next door neighbor, and their attraction is something Blake has never had before. But then a kiss and thoughts of another player is what caused the broken leg. Ian is an accountant and the manager/player of a gay softball team. He convinced Blake to come and play with them and play he did with the team and with Ian! Their relationship blossoms until his desire to play baseball takes him away. He has an opportunity to play in a city baseball team. There he has a revelation that changes his life forever... Loved the story! ❤️
April 18, 2017
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*
I really enjoyed Ian and Blake's story. Ian was sweet, caring yet considerate from the moment he met Blake. I felt sorry for Blake in the beginning but I liked how he came out of his shell around his new teammates. He was determined to make a go of things and didn't dwell on his injury. The bantering between the softball teammates was amusing.
This was a sweet story - the characters were likeable and had great chemistry.
I really enjoyed Ian and Blake's story. Ian was sweet, caring yet considerate from the moment he met Blake. I felt sorry for Blake in the beginning but I liked how he came out of his shell around his new teammates. He was determined to make a go of things and didn't dwell on his injury. The bantering between the softball teammates was amusing.
This was a sweet story - the characters were likeable and had great chemistry.
April 18, 2017
I received an ARC from the author through the instafreebie program.
4 Stars
I’ve read several books by Declan Rhodes and they always make me smile, laugh, cry and hope for a better tomorrow.
Blake, an ex minor league baseball player, meets Ian when Blake moves in next door while recuperating from an injury. Ian helps Blake get a job and Ian’s friends welcome Blake into their circle of other softball lovers. Their attraction to each other grows, over the love of playing ball, through city league softball and daily encounters. Angst enters the picture when Blake is approached to play on a city baseball team. The difference between the two sports isn’t more apparent than on the field and with the players. Things come to a head and choices must be made if they’re to score a home run!
A well-written story with a HEA to look forward to!
I hope Marshall and Reggie get their own stories some day, along with Shane and Joey!
4 Stars
I’ve read several books by Declan Rhodes and they always make me smile, laugh, cry and hope for a better tomorrow.
Blake, an ex minor league baseball player, meets Ian when Blake moves in next door while recuperating from an injury. Ian helps Blake get a job and Ian’s friends welcome Blake into their circle of other softball lovers. Their attraction to each other grows, over the love of playing ball, through city league softball and daily encounters. Angst enters the picture when Blake is approached to play on a city baseball team. The difference between the two sports isn’t more apparent than on the field and with the players. Things come to a head and choices must be made if they’re to score a home run!
A well-written story with a HEA to look forward to!
I hope Marshall and Reggie get their own stories some day, along with Shane and Joey!
April 18, 2017
A Complete Win
This game started a little slow and the first couple of innings dragged a bit but the game intensified and later innings were perfect. Believable, loveable men. About a four on the sizzle meter. I always enjoy this author.
This game started a little slow and the first couple of innings dragged a bit but the game intensified and later innings were perfect. Believable, loveable men. About a four on the sizzle meter. I always enjoy this author.
April 19, 2017
Another sweet, and perfect, romance from Declan Rhodes! Blake's uncertainty about Ian fit perfectly into his larger questions about his life after baseball. I loved that their road to their HEA had both beautifully sweet moments, and painful lessons - but both helped make Blake and Ian's partnership stronger.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
April 19, 2017
MM. Blake has his planned future shattered and must change everything. He is also unsure of his sexual orientation, he never spent the time thinking about it. Ian makes him want to make a decision. Conflict between the two is ignored instead of addressed by either one. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
April 23, 2017
This was a good short read about Blake Powell, a young baseball player whose career is cut short early through a devastating injury. He moves in next door to Ian who is unofficial manager of the local gay softball team and as luck will have it he is one player short. Blake is soon roped in to play as one of the teams allowed straight players.
Blake is headhunted by a local baseball team and after a blazing row with Ian he goes to play with them. Eventually he has a fight with another team's player about his sexuality and goes back to Ian's team hoping they will take him back. But will Ian forgive him and take him back?
The story has everything boy meets boy, falls in love, falls out with love and then finds his way home. Definitely a 5* read.
Blake is headhunted by a local baseball team and after a blazing row with Ian he goes to play with them. Eventually he has a fight with another team's player about his sexuality and goes back to Ian's team hoping they will take him back. But will Ian forgive him and take him back?
The story has everything boy meets boy, falls in love, falls out with love and then finds his way home. Definitely a 5* read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews