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Stealing Third
His old high school teammates call him "Peaches" because Nick Pacioretti is anything but sweet--too calculating, too abrupt, and way too invested in his best friend Miles's baseball career for his own good. But between the two of them, somebody needs to make it to the majors, and Nick is going to get him there, come family illness or a surprise revelation that his best friend is bisexual.
At twenty-three, Nick has never understood his guy friends' obsession with girls and sex. He's never felt real attraction in his life, but he'd do anything to protect Miles's future--including experiment with sex. He might even like it.
With his second season in the minors at an end and his career up in the air from money trouble, third-baseman Miles Rodriguez is ready to buckle under the pressure. All he has is his best friend Nick and the possibility of finally exploring sex with a guy. Having loved Nick for years, his suggestion of a mutually beneficial arrangement is more than Miles can refuse--even if secretly deepening their relationship puts Miles's future in the majors on the line.
Ambition and the pull of old love collide in Stealing Third !
At twenty-three, Nick has never understood his guy friends' obsession with girls and sex. He's never felt real attraction in his life, but he'd do anything to protect Miles's future--including experiment with sex. He might even like it.
With his second season in the minors at an end and his career up in the air from money trouble, third-baseman Miles Rodriguez is ready to buckle under the pressure. All he has is his best friend Nick and the possibility of finally exploring sex with a guy. Having loved Nick for years, his suggestion of a mutually beneficial arrangement is more than Miles can refuse--even if secretly deepening their relationship puts Miles's future in the majors on the line.
Ambition and the pull of old love collide in Stealing Third !
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2017
19 people want to read
About the author
Marie Lark
5 books13 followersMarie Lark is a part-time teacher and a rest-of-the-time writer. She lives in New York with her very respectable husband and very tiny dog in an old house that has many stories of its own. Her favorite hobbies are tai chi and yoga, gardening, cooking, and flailing over her favorite characters in literature, television and film.
When not figuring out how to put her PhD in political science to use, she can be found with her journal or laptop, dreaming in the worlds she builds for her characters.
When not figuring out how to put her PhD in political science to use, she can be found with her journal or laptop, dreaming in the worlds she builds for her characters.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 1, 2017
Angst With A Twist
I've managed to shock myself. This book was the vehicle. I apparently have a new thing, or to be fair, a new 'reading kink'. With my psychology background I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I find that I am. You'd think I'd get tired of any and all versions of abnormal, but nooooo. I've discovered I can forgive a book almost anything as long as at least one of the characters tickles my braingasm bone, and a sure-fired way for a character to achieve that is to be a little ... off in the head. Not that there was anything egregious to forgive here requiring mitigation, but I think you get what I'm trying to say. These boys. Wow. The angst was strong with this one.
Neither one of these guys had it particularly easy for very different but equally valid reasons. Oddly enough, I just realized that the overall tone of this title was almost morose. I don't usually go in for that, at least not when that's nearly all there is, but I think the love story provided such a great contrast to the angst, and the journey of self-discovery both of the MCs underwent was so riveting that it didn't ultimately end up feeling like a Death Star level gloom-fest. I know I maintained hope throughout that these guys would get their HFN or better.
I absolutely adored the relationship dynamic here. I'm a real soft-touch when it comes to the friends-to-lovers theme; combine it with a GFY or a GFT and I'm borderline squawk-like-a-chicken hypnotized. Enthralled. Enslaved. Mindlessly engaged. Mm-hmm. The twist in this one has to do with Nick's character. Other than an anxiety problem and some well-earned depression issues, the book doesn't come right out and say there's anything otherwise organically wrong with Nick, but his character raises all my psychology flags. Big time.
Sure, he's got the freaky geeky thing going on (sort of), but it's more that his brain is more robotic than emotive. His struggles with change and with intimacy, emotions, etc. were such that it was obvious to me that there was something wrong beyond what benzos and a good night's sleep could fix. Of course, maybe a need for benzos and a good night's sleep is what made my brain combine C-3PO and the freaking Tin Man. Yeeaaah. I dunno.
It was because of those imperfections that Miles' character was really able to shine. The dynamic between the two of them, with Miles pulling a lot of the emotional weight (at least at first) was heart-stopping in a good way. They knew each other so well I couldn't help but fall in love with them both and I was rooting for them to find their way to a mutual romantic relationship the entire time. The newness of everything they were experiencing as they moved beyond best-friendship into something a little murkier got in the way of that 'knowing' and threw both of them a little off-kilter for a while.
Ultimately they pulled it out and ended up with a highly appropriate HFN. Anything more than that would have been unbelievable and dare I hope? It leaves room for a sequel. I really enjoyed this book, angst and all. I loved Nick's broken brain and stunted emotional range because Miles more than made up for it until they were on equal footing. There was a thread of fear running through this whole title, through both of the MCs for a lot of different reasons. It translated very well to the page and I felt it conveyed well to the reader without being overwhelming.
There was also an underlying tension the whole time that wasn't entirely attributable to the themes I already mentioned, but I think, whatever the source, it helped make Miles' and Nick's relationship coming together a little more believable. There was inexperience and fumbling, and inexperienced fumbling (both sexually and emotionally) that was a little sympathetically painful to read sometimes, but very true to real-life. There was also sweetness and love, fear and despair, hope and faith. The absolute, undeniable permanence of their feelings for each other was something to behold even as it morphed and went through some growing pains from a deep and abiding friendship to something soulmate-legendary. They had to crack their relationship down to the foundations to make it something new.
I was a little bummed that with a plot that relied heavily on baseball, as far as I remember, Miles hardly picked up a bat or a ball except off-page in training. I don't necessarily want a sports-saturated read but having some actual gameplay—or even just one sport-related action sequence in there so we could see that side of Miles' character—wouldn't have gone amiss. Ultimately, I was so utterly engrossed in the character- and relationship-development that I didn't really feel the lack, but it bears mentioning. There was a lot to like about this title and I hope we get to see more of these two MCs. I'd like to know where they end up with so many obstacles yet in front of them.
Other reviews by NeRdyWYRM can be read here.
Images (if present) may be subject to copyright
Galley copy of Stealing Third provided by Loose Id, LLC in exchange of an honest review.
I've managed to shock myself. This book was the vehicle. I apparently have a new thing, or to be fair, a new 'reading kink'. With my psychology background I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I find that I am. You'd think I'd get tired of any and all versions of abnormal, but nooooo. I've discovered I can forgive a book almost anything as long as at least one of the characters tickles my braingasm bone, and a sure-fired way for a character to achieve that is to be a little ... off in the head. Not that there was anything egregious to forgive here requiring mitigation, but I think you get what I'm trying to say. These boys. Wow. The angst was strong with this one.
Neither one of these guys had it particularly easy for very different but equally valid reasons. Oddly enough, I just realized that the overall tone of this title was almost morose. I don't usually go in for that, at least not when that's nearly all there is, but I think the love story provided such a great contrast to the angst, and the journey of self-discovery both of the MCs underwent was so riveting that it didn't ultimately end up feeling like a Death Star level gloom-fest. I know I maintained hope throughout that these guys would get their HFN or better.
I absolutely adored the relationship dynamic here. I'm a real soft-touch when it comes to the friends-to-lovers theme; combine it with a GFY or a GFT and I'm borderline squawk-like-a-chicken hypnotized. Enthralled. Enslaved. Mindlessly engaged. Mm-hmm. The twist in this one has to do with Nick's character. Other than an anxiety problem and some well-earned depression issues, the book doesn't come right out and say there's anything otherwise organically wrong with Nick, but his character raises all my psychology flags. Big time.
Sure, he's got the freaky geeky thing going on (sort of), but it's more that his brain is more robotic than emotive. His struggles with change and with intimacy, emotions, etc. were such that it was obvious to me that there was something wrong beyond what benzos and a good night's sleep could fix. Of course, maybe a need for benzos and a good night's sleep is what made my brain combine C-3PO and the freaking Tin Man. Yeeaaah. I dunno.
It was because of those imperfections that Miles' character was really able to shine. The dynamic between the two of them, with Miles pulling a lot of the emotional weight (at least at first) was heart-stopping in a good way. They knew each other so well I couldn't help but fall in love with them both and I was rooting for them to find their way to a mutual romantic relationship the entire time. The newness of everything they were experiencing as they moved beyond best-friendship into something a little murkier got in the way of that 'knowing' and threw both of them a little off-kilter for a while.
Ultimately they pulled it out and ended up with a highly appropriate HFN. Anything more than that would have been unbelievable and dare I hope? It leaves room for a sequel. I really enjoyed this book, angst and all. I loved Nick's broken brain and stunted emotional range because Miles more than made up for it until they were on equal footing. There was a thread of fear running through this whole title, through both of the MCs for a lot of different reasons. It translated very well to the page and I felt it conveyed well to the reader without being overwhelming.
There was also an underlying tension the whole time that wasn't entirely attributable to the themes I already mentioned, but I think, whatever the source, it helped make Miles' and Nick's relationship coming together a little more believable. There was inexperience and fumbling, and inexperienced fumbling (both sexually and emotionally) that was a little sympathetically painful to read sometimes, but very true to real-life. There was also sweetness and love, fear and despair, hope and faith. The absolute, undeniable permanence of their feelings for each other was something to behold even as it morphed and went through some growing pains from a deep and abiding friendship to something soulmate-legendary. They had to crack their relationship down to the foundations to make it something new.
I was a little bummed that with a plot that relied heavily on baseball, as far as I remember, Miles hardly picked up a bat or a ball except off-page in training. I don't necessarily want a sports-saturated read but having some actual gameplay—or even just one sport-related action sequence in there so we could see that side of Miles' character—wouldn't have gone amiss. Ultimately, I was so utterly engrossed in the character- and relationship-development that I didn't really feel the lack, but it bears mentioning. There was a lot to like about this title and I hope we get to see more of these two MCs. I'd like to know where they end up with so many obstacles yet in front of them.
Other reviews by NeRdyWYRM can be read here.
Images (if present) may be subject to copyright
Galley copy of Stealing Third provided by Loose Id, LLC in exchange of an honest review.
January 21, 2018
I bought this book because the blurb sounded interesting, and I did enjoy it, with one significant reservation.
Nick and Miles have been best friends since the age of ten. One night Miles reveals that he might be bisexual and is thinking of experimenting to find out, so Nick offers to help. After all, he has never enjoyed sex much with girls, so he might learn something himself. They soon find that they like sex with each other, although Miles wishes that Nick would allow himself to give over control sometimes and receive physical affection from Miles.
Nick is a unique character, utterly devoted to Miles' interests but lacking in empathy for anyone else and unable to let go of any issue or problem until he has it all worked out. He is fully aware of his shortcomings, having discussed them years ago with his counsellor. His behaviour suggests that he is somewhere on the autism spectrum, although his father's suicide when Nick was a child has also played its part in causing his difficulties with life. Miles is a more conventional character but it is clear that he is comfortable with all of Nick's personality quirks.
This is where my big reservation arises. I soon felt while reading this book that I was expected to know certain things, and sure enough, there is a three part series that precedes this book. Those books feature a different couple (Mitchel and Danny), but Nick has clearly played a big part in their story and they both have significant roles in this book. That wasn't really a problem, as Nick and Miles both learn important things from Mitchel and Danny, but I did feel a bit frustrated at times, as the characters kept referring to events that were part of a different book. I also felt that there wasn't enough time spent on showing the trust and love between Nick and Miles throughout their long friendship; I was just expected to accept that from the beginning. The blurb says that Miles has always loved Nick, but that does not become apparent to the reader until the end of the story, and I wonder if this is also information that was provided in a previous book? Why Nick dropped out of college and isn't interested in or expected by his family to hold down a job is also skimmed over.
The writing is smooth and the conflict in the relationship arises realistically from the characters' feelings. The baseball angle provides context rather than action and baseball games don't really feature in the story. The events take place in the off-season and it is uncertainty about Miles baseball career that is one of the factors which shape the development of the relationship. The ending is emotionally satisfying and I feel that Nick and Miles will be happy together.
Overall I enjoyed this book apart from the nagging feeling that I might have missed out on some important parts of the story.
Nick and Miles have been best friends since the age of ten. One night Miles reveals that he might be bisexual and is thinking of experimenting to find out, so Nick offers to help. After all, he has never enjoyed sex much with girls, so he might learn something himself. They soon find that they like sex with each other, although Miles wishes that Nick would allow himself to give over control sometimes and receive physical affection from Miles.
Nick is a unique character, utterly devoted to Miles' interests but lacking in empathy for anyone else and unable to let go of any issue or problem until he has it all worked out. He is fully aware of his shortcomings, having discussed them years ago with his counsellor. His behaviour suggests that he is somewhere on the autism spectrum, although his father's suicide when Nick was a child has also played its part in causing his difficulties with life. Miles is a more conventional character but it is clear that he is comfortable with all of Nick's personality quirks.
This is where my big reservation arises. I soon felt while reading this book that I was expected to know certain things, and sure enough, there is a three part series that precedes this book. Those books feature a different couple (Mitchel and Danny), but Nick has clearly played a big part in their story and they both have significant roles in this book. That wasn't really a problem, as Nick and Miles both learn important things from Mitchel and Danny, but I did feel a bit frustrated at times, as the characters kept referring to events that were part of a different book. I also felt that there wasn't enough time spent on showing the trust and love between Nick and Miles throughout their long friendship; I was just expected to accept that from the beginning. The blurb says that Miles has always loved Nick, but that does not become apparent to the reader until the end of the story, and I wonder if this is also information that was provided in a previous book? Why Nick dropped out of college and isn't interested in or expected by his family to hold down a job is also skimmed over.
The writing is smooth and the conflict in the relationship arises realistically from the characters' feelings. The baseball angle provides context rather than action and baseball games don't really feature in the story. The events take place in the off-season and it is uncertainty about Miles baseball career that is one of the factors which shape the development of the relationship. The ending is emotionally satisfying and I feel that Nick and Miles will be happy together.
Overall I enjoyed this book apart from the nagging feeling that I might have missed out on some important parts of the story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews