Team Player

by Cate Ellink

She’s never been shy about what she wants – and now she wants them both...

Hannah Maynard, sports reporter, is sure it’s only her lust-filled fantasies linking Australian rugby league captain, Charlie Maxxin, with relative newcomer, Lyle Smythe-Jones. She and Charlie have shared quite a few steamy sessions over the years, so surely he’s not in a relationship with the young, unflappable player she’s dubbed Marble Boy?

Hannah lures Charlie to dinner and his reaction is all the answer she needs. But she doesn’t want to report on the biggest secret in Australian sport – she wants to take part. However, it’s not just Charlie’s decision and it can’t be just casual. If Hannah wants in, she has to be all in, with Lyle, with Charlie, and with the hottest action any of them have ever experienced.

Genres: Romance, Menage, Contemporary Romance, Sports

170 pages, ebook

Published April 4, 2017

About the author

Cate Ellink became intrigued by the erotic when her grandfather used to pass books to her father saying, “Don’t let the girls read page X.” Although her mother and sisters never bothered to chase those pages, Cate always did. Invariably, her imagination was better than what she read.

While pursuing a career in science, Cate amused herself by writing about ordinary events and giving them an erotic twist. It’s taken more than a few years to bravely expose her mind to the public. While the events in her stories may have occurred, it’s highly likely that her imagination is far more exciting than the reality.

Cate lives near the beach in NSW, Australia, with a long-suffering husband.

Reviews

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths]

As I’ve never read anything of this nature before and the feelings I have of reading this type of story I’m finding it a little difficult to review and unable to give a star rating.
A ménage and a sub-genre I don’t normally read was the required reading for the romance reading challenge I’m participating in, taking part from the start I wanted to complete these prompts which led me to choose a book by Cate Ellink titled Team Player.

I’m not a fan of sports especially rugby league at all…AT ALL, but when it comes to sports stories or movies I can’t get enough of them (strange, I know.) And I would have loved this book because of the sports theme but I struggled with the three way sex scenes and felt very uncomfortable reading the male male sex scenes so I started skipping those parts but all other bits I enjoyed reading. Cate Ellink is a great writer and the three main characters were quite likeable.

[Kara-karina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5
Right, I'm going to try and be short explaining why this didn't work for me.

You know that I review plenty of erotic romances exploring topics of MMF/MFM relationship? I hope the experience gave me an understanding that this kind of dynamics can be tricky to pull off, and I can count the authors who managed to do it on one hand. Unfortunately, Miss Ellink isn't one of them.

The potential is there. I liked the two men, Charlie and Lyle straight away. The had banter, they had history and spark. Their families were adorable and were perhaps my favorite part of the narration.

Which only made Hannah stick out like a sore thumb so much more. She is awkward, and it takes awhile to warm up to her. She is supposed to have a long history of friendship with benefits with Charlie, but while we are told it, a few flashbacks would have been nice and helped the reader to understand what drives her so much more.

That brings me to the last issue and the one which was a deal breaker for me. Sex. You heard me right. It's an erotic romance, and I am complaining about sex. Ironic, I know.

I get that Hannah was fascinated by man-on-man action, but I really did not need spreadsheets with the logistics of who put what where in minute detail. It was taking the romantic, emotional impact away and turning it into a chore to read.

So, as it often happens, overdescriptiveness did not do it for me. Not recommended if it's an issue for you too.

* * *
Хорошо, постараюсь быстренько рассказать почему для меня эта книга не сработала.

Вы знаете, что я рецензирую достаточно эротических романов с динамикой ММЖ/МЖМ, чтобы понимать, что заставить такие отношения работать очень нелегко, и удается это всего лишь нескольким авторам. К сожалению, мисс Эллинк - не одна из них.

Потенциал здесь есть. Главные герои: Чарли и Лайл выписаны хороши. В их отношениях и приколы и перепалки и искорки. Видно, что у них есть багаж чувств и совместных воспоминаний. Их семьи вообще милейшие и живые, и были моей любимой частью повествования.

Ханна по контрасту с ними выглядит неловко и как-то неуютно, и читателю приходится долго к ней приглядываться как к аутсайдеру.

Не помогает то, что нас уверяют, что с Чарли она была другом и сексуальным партнером много лет, но никаких воспоминаний в этой книге нет, которые помогли бы нам принять и понять Ханну быстрее.

Что приводит меня к главной проблеме этой книги - сексу. Нет, я вижу иронию. Это эротический роман, а я жалуюсь по поводу сексу. Ну что за ерунда!

Я понимаю, что Ханна заворожена сексом между двумя мужчинами, но описывать каждую сцену в десятистраничном трактате и графами что-куда-кому в малейших деталях - это перебор.

Это не только убило романтический, эмоциональный аспект интимной близости, но и превратило ее в занудное чтиво.

В общем, как всегда, чрезмерное описание происходящего - не мой друг. Если это вызывает и у вас нервный тик, проходите мимо этой книги, нервы себе сбережете. Не рекомендую.

[Lily Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've found book heaven!
Hot rugby league players. Two of them!
One woman who knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to go get it.
Rugby league. A whole fictional team, called the Gannets.
Mirrors!!! (Which could be a ballet studio. Boy did that make me laugh!)
I loved this read by Cate Ellink - my favourite book of Cate's so far. Very hot in the sexual stakes, but beautifully balanced by being very high in the emotional stakes, with so many consequences if our main characters stuff this relationship up.
This book worked for me on so many levels. Hats off to the author, I loved it.

[Rhyll Biest · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I’m not a huge fan of sports romance or football, I loved this story because of the deep point-of-view (heroine’s) and the writing style which I found similar to Charlotte Stein’s. Also, because unconventional MMF relationship (yippee!) It had a fast-paced plot, plenty of tension, interesting characters and felt believable.

[Amanda Wellgreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple storyline with steamy scenes. My advice is not to overthink it, just enjoy.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book about a 3 some, this is for you. This don't book doesn't mess around. It jumps right into the sex scenes and doesn't leave much to imagination!!

Hot rugby players who add a female into the relationship, kinda hot!

[Evie Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Cate Ellink's writing and this was such a hot, steamy read. A definite keeper! Further review to come.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, voluntary review**

I don't even know where to start with this book... I LOVED IT!!

MMF? CHECK!
Hot Aussie rugby players? CHECK!
Strong, confident heroine? CHECK!
Smoking hot sex? CHECK! CHECK! CHECK!

I love a good MMF book, in fact it is one of my top 3 favourite sub-genres, and I can honestly say Team Player is one of the best I've ever read. For starters, this isn't your average MMF story where two guys fall in love with the same woman from the get-go. No, this book has a secret MM couple hiding their relationship from the media and an F champing at the bit to get involved. While one of the M's is keen to give it a go, the other M has never been with a woman and unsure whether he wants to. Thus, the book is a tale of 3 seperate people trying to find a way to make this new and exciting relationship work for them, all while fighting the stigma associated with homosexuality in the athletic industry and the social stigma of unconventional relationships within society.

I think Cate Ellink deserves special congratulations and thank you for not being afraid to give both these issues such a realistic voice that hopefully inspires people to think differently about sexuality and unconventional relationships in the world around them.

I am definitely keen as a bean to check out more of Cate's work, and I encourage everyone to give Team Player and all its excellence a shot :)

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I have to admit I struggled with this story and it was mainly because of the main character. Like the heroine in Deep Diving, Hannah is sexually aggressive, emotionally stunted and made me feel totally out of touch if this is what a woman of this millenia is supposed to be. Basically like a committment phobic man in classic romance. Not a type of hero I'm fond of in any case. Frankly it took just about the whole book for me to warm to her and even then I don't think we will be best buddies.

But it was still a pretty good story and well written. It took me a while to adjust to the first person POV again but it did work well in this case once I settled into it.

Hannah is a sports reporter and has had an ongoing friends with benefits relationship with league footie team captain Charlie for years. Not an exclusive relationship by any means. Anyhow, she's been watching Charlie with one of his younger team members and she is sensing a vibe between Charlie and young Lyle. A smexual vibe. It's the hottest thing to warm her bootie for a long time.

Did I mention this is an erotic romance? Yeah.

Basically, Hannah wants in and she reckons it will be a win win. She gets hot smexing and the guys get a break from the fear that they will be outed. Aussie League is not known to be friendly to alternative relationships.

It's no spoiler to say she gets her wish. We the reader get lots of smexin of various types and combinations. Lots.

But, we also get a story. Hannah, Charlie and Lyle are strong personalities and it's not always easy building a three way relationship. In some ways it was almost too easy but perhaps that comes down to the sensitively of young Lyle who seems to be the oil in smoothing the problems of the relationship.

Hannah and Charlie probably see the most character growth over the arc of the story (thank the gods in Hannah's case).

The story skipped a little on the fringes of the problem of homophobia in Aussie sport and didn't really solve any problems or offer any solutions. The ending did offer some nice resolution and promise for the future of the main characters.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big reader of ménage stories but I had heard a lot about this book and wanted to read it and I must say I wasn’t over keen on the heroine at the start, but then she really grew on me yes her tastes are a lot different from the heroines that I normally read and as for the two heroes Charlie and Lyle they know how to show love I think they are wonderful heroes. This story isn’t for everyone but I did really enjoy it and am very glad I read it.

Heroine and sports reporter Hannah Maynard knows what she wants in life she enjoys her sex life with various partners and one of those partners is Rugby League star and captain for the Glebe Gannets and Australian team Charlie Maxxin they already have a friends with benefits friendship and now that Hannah has learnt a secret she wants in her fantasies are running wild and she is prepared to make big changes in her life for this but she doesn’t do relationships as such it is for one thing only.

Charlie has a private life as well as the one that the world sees and it is really important that it stays private he could never ruin his career or that of fellow team player Lyle Smythe-Jones, so when Hannah drops the bombshell at dinner he is intrigued but also knows that Lyle must also make the decision and they tend towards relationships.

WOW this story is a moving one there are a lot of choices that need to be made secrets to be kept and appearances to be kept up and having Hannah join them will help in some ways but what was so good is the love that grew between these three people, it was fabulous seeing Hannah fall for the guys they already loved each other although it took Charlie a while to admit it and then bring family into the mix and state representative games there is a lot going on a lot of pressure. It is a very descriptive story with a lot of heat and sex but in such a loving way and for me I did really enjoy this one, thank you MS Ellink.

[Dannielle Line · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah Maynard doesn’t do relationships. Or get attached. She loves her hard-won career as a sports reporter, football, and her freedom to indulge with whoever, whenever she wishes. In her job, she’s not lacking for attention, or attractive lovers. That reporter’s instinct insists there’s more than mateship going on between one of her lovers and the player who’s on everybody’s watch list every second he’s on the field. To expose them would be a reporter’s dream story and a career breaking move for the men concerned.

When Hannah receives confirmation on those instincts, the last thing she wants to do is share the truth. But to get what she desires; Hannah must be prepared to give up her previous lifestyle and care about more than just herself. Because for the first time it’s not only her heart on the line, it’s Charlie’s and Lyle’s too.

Holy hotness, dear readers. I may take up smoking, or at least invest in a better air conditioner. Lol This was one hell of a steamy read. This story’s characters evolved over the course of the book. The story had meaning, and the author showed how the characters’ feelings as the relationship changed mattered. It wasn’t just about sex. Each character had to adjust and sacrifice for the sake of all three people in the relationship. It also doesn’t hurt that I enjoy watching the footy either. And I loved ‘seeing’ the game through the eyes of someone emotionally invested in the players. If you like well written, sexy reads with emotional impact, this one’s for you. I will read more from this author too.

[Karen Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an Aussie myself and an avid fan of Rugby League football, what more could I want than two sexy Rugby League players who both prepared to pleasure a woman beyond her wildest fantasies?

Team Player is a HOT, sexy, no holds barred ménage, that will set the pages on fire and leave you breathless with unquenchable desire. So have the fan turned to HIGH and plenty of ice cold beverage on hand, as your about to burn!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah is a sports reporter and have a friend with benefits relationship with Charlie, a rugby player. When Hannah happens to discover Charlie also has a thing for one of the other players Lyle wants to be included in their fun. The sex is definitely steamy but can these three find a way to make their unconventional relationship work? I liked this sexy, entertaining read, the story is fast-paced with plenty of drama. A good read!

[Heather 123 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few things....One: how many more couples can they possibly know in threesome relationships on a single team? The likelihood of that many relationships is very low. Two: everyone just accepted everything took quickly. There were no concerns from others, no anger, no outrage .... just pure acceptance while nice isn't at all realistic.

It wasn't a bad book, I just struggled to believe everything.

[Tracie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a little harder to review. Did I like the story, Yes however at times it was like I was reading about two different relationships Charlie & Lyle then Hannah & Charlie. Then there would be time the three seemed to really connect, as the book progressed the relationship did seem to even out and the storyline flowed better for me. I would like to read more by this author

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a fantastic read!!! Cate has managed to write a book that isn't just filled with hot sex (though there is plenty) she has bought heartfelt emotion and an impressive story about the intricacies and emotions involved in a threesome. She made me feel as though I was part of the family and I absolutely loved it.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Since I first heard about it a few months ago I have been waiting to read it, and it was as good as I hoped. I really enjoyed how the relationship developed between the three characters. I hope there is a sequel.

[Talking Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

What started as a good read quickly fell flat for me. I found Hannah's character to be pushy, often negating the feelings/requests of Charlie and Lyle's characters - putting her own needs first and often coming across as a third-wheel in the story. Charlie and Lyle's characters were the more genuine of the three main characters. Unfortunately, Team Player by Cate Ellink did not grab this reader.
Review copy received from Escape Publishing via Netgalley
2.5 Stars

[C bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

netgalley
3.5 stars
an ok read. I would have liked it more if it were just the guys Charlie and Lyle or a different woman.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Team Player is a hot MMF ménage. It's got two hot Aussie rugby players and one lucky woman. Hannah is a sports journalist who's had a FWB for situation for years with Charlie, a professional rugby player. Lately she's been noticing a certain vibe between him and one of Charlie's teammates, Lyle, a younger, blonde hottie. So she straight up tells Charlie her suspicions and that she wants in. She kinda sorta blackmails him with her info, but Charlie's all for it, he just needs to make sure Lyle's up for it.



I like that this ménage presents a well-balanced look at trying to make a threesome relationship work. It's not all sex and everything's fine. All three of them have to process their new situation and how it will work for them individually and as a unit. Lyle was the hardest to convince because he had never been with a woman before, and because in the past Hannah may have called him Marble Boy for his arrogant, seemingly cold façade. She soon finds out that she was so wrong about her perception, that Lyle's a sweet, warm, sensitive man. He's very different than Charlie, who's a big, growly teddy bear with a kind heart.



As much as I like Team Player, I found myself not connecting to Hannah very much. I admired that she went for what she wanted, but for some reason I couldn't connect with her very much. Charlie and Lyle, though, I fell in love with, especially Charlie. They're so different, yet both such great characters. And the heat between them? Whew! Sometimes I felt as if Hannah may have been a sort of growth on their relationship, like maybe she didn't quite belong, as it was obvious that Charlie and Lyle had been together for sometime and had strong feelings about each other. Because Hannah was new to them, she didn't quite fit as well as I had been hoping when I started reading. I guess I just have to hope that as their relationship grows, they work it out so that it feels more balanced emotionally for all three of them, not just for the two men. I'm hoping that there might be another book coming about this threesome, because it left off abruptly. No epilogue is never a good thing because I like knowing the couple is happy in their future.

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

[Alexandra Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first book with the story evolving around a threesome. I can definitely say it is not my type. However if you are into something like that you may enjoy this book as though it has lot's of erotic scenes described in detail the author tries to give depth into the characters and their families. I appreciate the attempt.