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Unwritten Rules #2
Fire Season
Charlie Braxton has it all: a wicked curveball, a beautiful wife, and the kind of money and attention that's attached to a professional baseball contract. Except his famous curveball comes with intense social anxiety, his wife is actually his soon-to-be ex-wife, and the money… Well, suffice it to say, he knows what it’s like to be treated like an ATM. But at least he’s better off than the new guy.
Relief pitcher Reid Giordano is struggling to maintain his sobriety—and his roster spot. The press, along with a heck of a lot of his new Oakland teammates, seem to think his best baseball days are behind him. Only Charlie Braxton gives him the benefit of the doubt—and a place to stay when Reid finds himself short on cash…and friends.
When their growing friendship turns into an unexpected attraction, and that ignites a romance, both Charlie and Reid must grapple with what it means to be more than teammates. And as their season winds down, they’ll need to walk away…or go out there and give it everything they’ve got.
Relief pitcher Reid Giordano is struggling to maintain his sobriety—and his roster spot. The press, along with a heck of a lot of his new Oakland teammates, seem to think his best baseball days are behind him. Only Charlie Braxton gives him the benefit of the doubt—and a place to stay when Reid finds himself short on cash…and friends.
When their growing friendship turns into an unexpected attraction, and that ignites a romance, both Charlie and Reid must grapple with what it means to be more than teammates. And as their season winds down, they’ll need to walk away…or go out there and give it everything they’ve got.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2022
81 people are currently reading
1469 people want to read
About the author
K.D. Casey
11 books306 followersKD Casey is a writer and baseball enthusiast. Come chat about writing and baseball at kdcaseywrites on Instagram. Want a free story? Let's keep in touch at kdcaseywrites dot com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
June 25, 2022
I didn't know that Jewish sports romances was a niche I needed but K.D. Casey is really making me a superfan with with every single book they write.
I'm going to be honest and say that even though I don't know baseball at all, the tone and Jewish-ness of this story really resonated with me. As an east coast Jewish girl with the typical sports-obsessed family (my cousin just had a Yankees-themed birthday party for his two year old in Queens), I really relate to this author's Jewish characters. They feel like home, so even though the sports aspect is a *shrugs shoulders* situation, I get this story.
I was a bit worried that this book would feel too much like Unwritten Rules, but it really felt like it's own story. I was immensely relieved at that.
I enjoyed the slow burn, friends-to-lovers story because we get to see these two go from strangers to friends to more over time. Everything felt well paced and organic, though for fans of a more fast-paced story, this author's writing might not be for you. It is the kind of story that feels like it takes its time.
I also really liked the Jewish elements of this story. The way that Reid practices Judaism is a bit different than the characters in this author's previous books, and I really enjoyed that. It is extremely apparent that this author is also Jewish from the way that they write Jewish nuances, and so I'm happy to see a range of Jewish expression shown in their stories. I would really like to see a super observant Jew also as a MC in the future (hint, hint) because that's rarely shown in queer romance, for many obvious and not so obvious reasons.
The addition of substance abuse and anxiety representation was also very welcome. I think the author showed those two characters and their struggles with care and nuance.
I think the ending of the story could have been more satisfying as to their long-term relationship, but I think we got a very lovely slow-burn romance here with lots of sports elements. Another wonderful book by K.D. Casey.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I'm going to be honest and say that even though I don't know baseball at all, the tone and Jewish-ness of this story really resonated with me. As an east coast Jewish girl with the typical sports-obsessed family (my cousin just had a Yankees-themed birthday party for his two year old in Queens), I really relate to this author's Jewish characters. They feel like home, so even though the sports aspect is a *shrugs shoulders* situation, I get this story.
I was a bit worried that this book would feel too much like Unwritten Rules, but it really felt like it's own story. I was immensely relieved at that.
I enjoyed the slow burn, friends-to-lovers story because we get to see these two go from strangers to friends to more over time. Everything felt well paced and organic, though for fans of a more fast-paced story, this author's writing might not be for you. It is the kind of story that feels like it takes its time.
I also really liked the Jewish elements of this story. The way that Reid practices Judaism is a bit different than the characters in this author's previous books, and I really enjoyed that. It is extremely apparent that this author is also Jewish from the way that they write Jewish nuances, and so I'm happy to see a range of Jewish expression shown in their stories. I would really like to see a super observant Jew also as a MC in the future (hint, hint) because that's rarely shown in queer romance, for many obvious and not so obvious reasons.
The addition of substance abuse and anxiety representation was also very welcome. I think the author showed those two characters and their struggles with care and nuance.
I think the ending of the story could have been more satisfying as to their long-term relationship, but I think we got a very lovely slow-burn romance here with lots of sports elements. Another wonderful book by K.D. Casey.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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March 13, 2023
I’ll start by saying that I used to hate third person present tense writing, I found it unemotional and dry . Lately though present tense has become more popular and ppl started to get used to it, and I loved it here because it gave the story that pensive, somber tone I always enjoy in a book but at the same time it was the book’s downfall as the pacing was so very slow and the rhythm became so monotone that the book started to feel endless after a while..
I savor it nevertheless because it had 2 interesting characters each battling his own demons (one is an introvert and suffering from anxiety while going through a divorce and the other is a recovering alcoholic,fighting every day with the temptation and trying to get his life back on track ). It’s not a depressing book but rather wistful although Reid’s despondency was sometimes too much . Charlie was his knight in shining armor and he was so kind and so supportive and I loved him. Loved his unconditional help, his quiet strength and his generous personality . What baffled me is that his anxiety disappeared all of a sudden and we haven’t heard back from it again.
I would have given this book 4,5 stars if it weren’t for 2 things that bothered me more or less.. One , as I said is the pacing that made the book felt like it dragged in some places. And the second thing that brought the rating so down is the EX WIFE! Look, I don’t like the OTT villain ex wife but this whole “trend “ that the authors came up with lately is killing me slowly: the BFF ex wife. Let me tell you that I’m divorced and I didn’t have a bad divorce( on the contrary) yet I’m not BFF with my ex husband..And we share 2 kids! I hated the ex wife in this book, and she wasn’t even mean or bitchy ! Still her passive aggressive friendliness and Charlie inviting her to live with him and his secret boyfriend while her house needed to be evacuated was so cringe worthy I can’t even…I find it ok to be polite and civil with your ex partner, even slightly friendly when you have kids in common but bosom buddies is a bit too much. I don’t think it’s realistic and honestly it makes me squirm uncomfortable (I only speak for myself) . I also had a problem with the wife’s secret gf who instead of looking after Charlie’s interests as a team’s PR she used her job to spin the narrative of their public separation to benefit her gf (Charlie’s ex) behind Charlie’s back, gaslighting him and telling him when to announce the separation or how to do it so that her gf could come out untouched. Which was fair ok but not behind his back when your job was to watch his interests. I found that very unprofessional . There were also waaay too many baseball moments and details and since I’m not from US I didn’t understand pretty much anything , it all went over may head but it didn’t bother me ..
So yeah, 3,5 ⭐️ rounded up for the beautiful writing and their beautiful friendship and relationship.
I savor it nevertheless because it had 2 interesting characters each battling his own demons (one is an introvert and suffering from anxiety while going through a divorce and the other is a recovering alcoholic,fighting every day with the temptation and trying to get his life back on track ). It’s not a depressing book but rather wistful although Reid’s despondency was sometimes too much . Charlie was his knight in shining armor and he was so kind and so supportive and I loved him. Loved his unconditional help, his quiet strength and his generous personality . What baffled me is that his anxiety disappeared all of a sudden and we haven’t heard back from it again.
I would have given this book 4,5 stars if it weren’t for 2 things that bothered me more or less.. One , as I said is the pacing that made the book felt like it dragged in some places. And the second thing that brought the rating so down is the EX WIFE! Look, I don’t like the OTT villain ex wife but this whole “trend “ that the authors came up with lately is killing me slowly: the BFF ex wife. Let me tell you that I’m divorced and I didn’t have a bad divorce( on the contrary) yet I’m not BFF with my ex husband..And we share 2 kids! I hated the ex wife in this book, and she wasn’t even mean or bitchy ! Still her passive aggressive friendliness and Charlie inviting her to live with him and his secret boyfriend while her house needed to be evacuated was so cringe worthy I can’t even…I find it ok to be polite and civil with your ex partner, even slightly friendly when you have kids in common but bosom buddies is a bit too much. I don’t think it’s realistic and honestly it makes me squirm uncomfortable (I only speak for myself) . I also had a problem with the wife’s secret gf who instead of looking after Charlie’s interests as a team’s PR she used her job to spin the narrative of their public separation to benefit her gf (Charlie’s ex) behind Charlie’s back, gaslighting him and telling him when to announce the separation or how to do it so that her gf could come out untouched. Which was fair ok but not behind his back when your job was to watch his interests. I found that very unprofessional . There were also waaay too many baseball moments and details and since I’m not from US I didn’t understand pretty much anything , it all went over may head but it didn’t bother me ..
So yeah, 3,5 ⭐️ rounded up for the beautiful writing and their beautiful friendship and relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2025
It took me quite a while to get into the story and connect with the characters.
Reid and Charlie are both professional baseball players, but in very different circumstances.
I loved how the author slowly developed the relationship between them and how their chemistry grew. The author showed us two people with genuine actions/reactions, no artificial plot twists or misunderstandings.
What impressed me most was how the author portrayed Reid's daily struggles to stay sober.
Although.. equally touching were the tenderness between Reid and Charlie and their intimacy.
The most beautiful scene was when they were throwing rocks in the ocean. Wow.
Maybe not a book I'll reread soon, but Reid and Charlie's story was beautiful and moving.
Reid and Charlie are both professional baseball players, but in very different circumstances.
I loved how the author slowly developed the relationship between them and how their chemistry grew. The author showed us two people with genuine actions/reactions, no artificial plot twists or misunderstandings.
What impressed me most was how the author portrayed Reid's daily struggles to stay sober.
Although.. equally touching were the tenderness between Reid and Charlie and their intimacy.
The most beautiful scene was when they were throwing rocks in the ocean. Wow.
Maybe not a book I'll reread soon, but Reid and Charlie's story was beautiful and moving.
March 18, 2023
rep: bi mc with anxiety, Jewish Italian American bi mc with alcohol use disorder, sapphic side characters, gay hard of hearing side character
tw: panic attacks, past alcohol & drug use
ARC provided by the publisher.
There’s something magical about books written by authors within the lgbt community, some quiet kind of understanding. The way they describe longing and yearning just hits you straight (ha!) in the heart, like nothing else would. And that’s where Fire Season excels.
Reid is attracted to Charlie from their first meeting, and that’s a common enough experience. But he’s actually attracted to him in a way that a bi man might be to a man he perceives as straight. It’s glaringly obvious to readers who know what to pay attention to. His pining is almost palpable, while at the same time also somehow subtle. Even more interesting (and rewarding) to read is Charlie’s side of things, though. Him slowly figuring out his bisexuality, reevaluating past actions & crushes. It was lovingly put to page, without any shame.
But Fire Season isn’t just a romance. It focuses heavily on Reid’s struggle with alcohol use disorder. He stays sober throughout the whole book, but his journey is present on basically every page. The subject is never forgotten, and very visibly shapes the story itself. And the same could be said for his identity as Jewish, and for Charlie’s ongoing fight with anxiety. All the issues the characters have to deal with feel real, because the characters themselves feel like actual people. They’re not perfect, but they’re allowed to grow, and even more importantly - to grow together.
Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, Fire Season is the slowburn bisexual romance you absolutely must read this summer!
tw: panic attacks, past alcohol & drug use
ARC provided by the publisher.
There’s something magical about books written by authors within the lgbt community, some quiet kind of understanding. The way they describe longing and yearning just hits you straight (ha!) in the heart, like nothing else would. And that’s where Fire Season excels.
Reid is attracted to Charlie from their first meeting, and that’s a common enough experience. But he’s actually attracted to him in a way that a bi man might be to a man he perceives as straight. It’s glaringly obvious to readers who know what to pay attention to. His pining is almost palpable, while at the same time also somehow subtle. Even more interesting (and rewarding) to read is Charlie’s side of things, though. Him slowly figuring out his bisexuality, reevaluating past actions & crushes. It was lovingly put to page, without any shame.
But Fire Season isn’t just a romance. It focuses heavily on Reid’s struggle with alcohol use disorder. He stays sober throughout the whole book, but his journey is present on basically every page. The subject is never forgotten, and very visibly shapes the story itself. And the same could be said for his identity as Jewish, and for Charlie’s ongoing fight with anxiety. All the issues the characters have to deal with feel real, because the characters themselves feel like actual people. They’re not perfect, but they’re allowed to grow, and even more importantly - to grow together.
Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, Fire Season is the slowburn bisexual romance you absolutely must read this summer!
September 8, 2025
*update September 2025: After re-reading I changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars because I really don’t remember why I didn’t rate this 5 stars to begin with. I loved Reid and Charlie and these guys were so HOT together, I really forgot about that! But I couldn’t stop thinking about them, about what Reid had been through, about how good and sweet Charlie was. How well they fit together. I just love KD Casey’s writing, she truly is one of my favorites!
*original review June 2022*
Ever since I read Unwritten Rules I've been wanting more of KD Casey's baseball romance books. Her writing is captivating, and at times, reminds me a bit of Casey McQuiston - the humor, the snarky comments, the writing style. It's a style that suits me, one I really connect with.
This story takes place in the same universe as Unwritten rules, though it is set before Zach's and Eugenio's story, which confused me at first. Both books can be read as a stand alone, but if you enjoy reading about baseball and love a sweet, mature MM romance, you will love reading both books.
In this story we get to know Reid Giordano, a relief pitcher, who's been struggling for the last few years. To maintain his spot on the team (any team) and to remain sober. His career isn't what it was anymore, ruined by his own alcohol addiction and by the Youtube video that keeps coming up.
When the Oakland Elephants are willing to take a chance with him, he meets Charlie Braxton, their best player. The one whose face sells the merchandise, the most successful and rich player they have. Charlie is quietly going through a divorce, his ex wife still living in their old home, while he has moved out into an empty apartment. Charlie's a pitcher too, and when Reid is added to the team, they find common ground to develop a friendship.
Reid is always laid back, the funny guy, the one to crack a joke when the silence takes up too much space, while on the inside he's struggling with his self-worth, with staying sober. His Jewish upbringing provides a lifeline he's learned to hold on to because of his grand mother, the one he turned to when life was a little too hard on him.
Charlie is the more serious, introverted guy. He struggles with his failed marriage, and he struggles with the feelings that come to the surface once he gets to know Reid better.
Once he has asked him to become his roommate, their relationship grows and it also grows into new, unknown territory. There's pining, questioning and self discovery before they finally give into the mutual attraction. When that happens, they get really hot together!
Their relationship feels very mature, very organic. They talk about their struggles, there are no stupid or unnecessary misunderstandings and I loved that about them. The uncertainty about Reid's contract, about the possibility of a future together, was done really well, and I loved how supportive Charlie's (ex)wife was about them. She had something to tell herself as well!
There is, however, a lot of baseball in this book too. It didn't bother me, but I can imagine for some people it might be too much. For me, it was part of my enjoyment, even though I don't watch baseball and don't understand a lot of it. This book (as well as Unwritten rules) taught me more about the sport and I really loved that.
I would have loved to see a little more about Charlie and Reid in their future, but their hea was well deserved. All in all, a great, well written and enjoyable book, one I would truly recommend!
Thank you Netgalley, Carina Press and KD Casey for the ARC. This is my honest, unbiased review
*original review June 2022*
Ever since I read Unwritten Rules I've been wanting more of KD Casey's baseball romance books. Her writing is captivating, and at times, reminds me a bit of Casey McQuiston - the humor, the snarky comments, the writing style. It's a style that suits me, one I really connect with.
This story takes place in the same universe as Unwritten rules, though it is set before Zach's and Eugenio's story, which confused me at first. Both books can be read as a stand alone, but if you enjoy reading about baseball and love a sweet, mature MM romance, you will love reading both books.
In this story we get to know Reid Giordano, a relief pitcher, who's been struggling for the last few years. To maintain his spot on the team (any team) and to remain sober. His career isn't what it was anymore, ruined by his own alcohol addiction and by the Youtube video that keeps coming up.
When the Oakland Elephants are willing to take a chance with him, he meets Charlie Braxton, their best player. The one whose face sells the merchandise, the most successful and rich player they have. Charlie is quietly going through a divorce, his ex wife still living in their old home, while he has moved out into an empty apartment. Charlie's a pitcher too, and when Reid is added to the team, they find common ground to develop a friendship.
Reid is always laid back, the funny guy, the one to crack a joke when the silence takes up too much space, while on the inside he's struggling with his self-worth, with staying sober. His Jewish upbringing provides a lifeline he's learned to hold on to because of his grand mother, the one he turned to when life was a little too hard on him.
Charlie is the more serious, introverted guy. He struggles with his failed marriage, and he struggles with the feelings that come to the surface once he gets to know Reid better.
Once he has asked him to become his roommate, their relationship grows and it also grows into new, unknown territory. There's pining, questioning and self discovery before they finally give into the mutual attraction. When that happens, they get really hot together!
Their relationship feels very mature, very organic. They talk about their struggles, there are no stupid or unnecessary misunderstandings and I loved that about them. The uncertainty about Reid's contract, about the possibility of a future together, was done really well, and I loved how supportive Charlie's (ex)wife was about them. She had something to tell herself as well!
There is, however, a lot of baseball in this book too. It didn't bother me, but I can imagine for some people it might be too much. For me, it was part of my enjoyment, even though I don't watch baseball and don't understand a lot of it. This book (as well as Unwritten rules) taught me more about the sport and I really loved that.
I would have loved to see a little more about Charlie and Reid in their future, but their hea was well deserved. All in all, a great, well written and enjoyable book, one I would truly recommend!
Thank you Netgalley, Carina Press and KD Casey for the ARC. This is my honest, unbiased review
November 2, 2023
3.5ish, rounding it up bcs i love and respect KC Casey even if this one was a bit of a miss
i'll leave Kathleen's review here, as i think it does a great job of summing up what makes the book work (she obviously resonated with it more than i did, but i do agree with most of her points!), and i'll proceed with my kvetching.
a general niggle i have is that again, i cannot escape the impression that Casey might need just a liiiitle bit of a stricter editoral hand? everything they do is great, i love it i am living for it, but also it could all be done in 30-40 pages fewer. and i get that Casey is big on the whole "baseball is a potentially endless game" thing and that they want to reflect this theme in the structure of their stories and tbh i don't even *mind* it as such, but it is noticeable? idk, it's honestly kind of a minor niggle compared to my primary hot take.
the thing is....KD Casey wrote Unwritten Rules and gave us one of literature's foremost dreamboats, my bestie Eugenio Morales, and then for Fire Season they did a 180 and said in Sue Sylvester voice: "i am going to create a love interest that is so boring". and like, this a double POV book so techically Charlie is a protagonist but cmon. this is Reid's story. Reid is interesting and tortured and has Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" as his theme song when he walks onto the field. you know who i just described? a babe. a main character. a man making it happen. yeah okay he is in recovery and he has to call his therapist every 5 days but SO WHAT??? i'd still take him over Mr Boring Braxton any day of the week!!
and obviously i'm being jokey here, Reid's character arc is really emotionally intense and i think the depiction of his alcoholism recovery was incredibly well done, but my point stands that this is absolutely his book and that he is the main draw as far as i'm concerned. Charlie Braxton is this 6'6" golden retriever of a himbo who is a literal multimillionaire and who has never had anything go really wrong in his life ever. and yes he is very kind and caring and nonjudgemental and like pop off king. but also he is SO deeply boring. his ex wife, who is supposed to be this cool alternative artist, is boring by association. he is even nerdy in a boring way. like i know men like this in real life, Casey is absolutely tapping into a real life phenomenon, some men really are out there having hearts of gold and the dullest personalities imaginable. so while i am happy Reid is happy, go out there and thrive king etc. i do honestly think this book would have been better for me personally if it was about Reid adopting a dog and working on his curveball with Boring Braxton in a platonic way.
lastly i think i need to shout out my man Gordon bcs as far as i can tell book three is also about the Oakland Elephants, so that makes it three dramatic workplace romances that this man has had to suffer in the span of 10 years. not only is your stadium crumbling not only does your team keep not winning the championship, you also have to sit there and know your co-workers are probably fucking in the trainers' room. toughest battles strongest soldiers etc.
i'll leave Kathleen's review here, as i think it does a great job of summing up what makes the book work (she obviously resonated with it more than i did, but i do agree with most of her points!), and i'll proceed with my kvetching.
a general niggle i have is that again, i cannot escape the impression that Casey might need just a liiiitle bit of a stricter editoral hand? everything they do is great, i love it i am living for it, but also it could all be done in 30-40 pages fewer. and i get that Casey is big on the whole "baseball is a potentially endless game" thing and that they want to reflect this theme in the structure of their stories and tbh i don't even *mind* it as such, but it is noticeable? idk, it's honestly kind of a minor niggle compared to my primary hot take.
the thing is....KD Casey wrote Unwritten Rules and gave us one of literature's foremost dreamboats, my bestie Eugenio Morales, and then for Fire Season they did a 180 and said in Sue Sylvester voice: "i am going to create a love interest that is so boring". and like, this a double POV book so techically Charlie is a protagonist but cmon. this is Reid's story. Reid is interesting and tortured and has Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" as his theme song when he walks onto the field. you know who i just described? a babe. a main character. a man making it happen. yeah okay he is in recovery and he has to call his therapist every 5 days but SO WHAT??? i'd still take him over Mr Boring Braxton any day of the week!!
and obviously i'm being jokey here, Reid's character arc is really emotionally intense and i think the depiction of his alcoholism recovery was incredibly well done, but my point stands that this is absolutely his book and that he is the main draw as far as i'm concerned. Charlie Braxton is this 6'6" golden retriever of a himbo who is a literal multimillionaire and who has never had anything go really wrong in his life ever. and yes he is very kind and caring and nonjudgemental and like pop off king. but also he is SO deeply boring. his ex wife, who is supposed to be this cool alternative artist, is boring by association. he is even nerdy in a boring way. like i know men like this in real life, Casey is absolutely tapping into a real life phenomenon, some men really are out there having hearts of gold and the dullest personalities imaginable. so while i am happy Reid is happy, go out there and thrive king etc. i do honestly think this book would have been better for me personally if it was about Reid adopting a dog and working on his curveball with Boring Braxton in a platonic way.
lastly i think i need to shout out my man Gordon bcs as far as i can tell book three is also about the Oakland Elephants, so that makes it three dramatic workplace romances that this man has had to suffer in the span of 10 years. not only is your stadium crumbling not only does your team keep not winning the championship, you also have to sit there and know your co-workers are probably fucking in the trainers' room. toughest battles strongest soldiers etc.
October 30, 2023
Accidental re-read Oct 2022 while listening to Midnights and getting way in my feelings, and my god, this book is just so lushly beautiful, I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Don't let the baseball scare you off if you're not normally a sports romance reader. This is just wonderful. Also, the scene where Reid is shirtless post-run in the kitchen and just casually calls Charlie "baby" and Charlie goes into a full-on horn spiral and is like, "I guess I'm bi now" -- mwah! *chef's kiss*
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Re-read July 2022 because it's summer and baseball. And I liked it even better the second time around. This is soooo good!!
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I’m a sucker for a well-done sports romance, and I absolutely adored this emotional, angsty, expertly paced, and fluidly written baseball romance, KD Casey’s second full-length book, which takes place in the same world as (but is only loosely connected to) her excellent debut novel Unwritten Rules. Like in Unwritten Rules, Casey is weaving some heavy issues and off-field struggles into a lovely slow-burn romance between two teammates on the Oakland Elephants baseball team. But while Unwritten Rules was a coming out story – dealing primarily with the POV MC’s dogged, some might say paranoid, determination to stay in the closet before finally navigating his way out of it – Fire Season focuses most intensely on relief pitcher Reid Giordano’s addiction recovery journey – as well as the ever-present, “just business”, cold-hearted uncertainty of being a journeyman player in a game and a league that pampers and protects its franchise stars but treats the rest of them like interchangeable warm bodies.
The set-up is simple. Reid Giordano is a 34-year-old relief pitcher who’s been pinging back and forth between the major and minor leagues. He’s also a recovering alcoholic who now avoids any substance use – which in a baseball context, means staying away not just from boozy outings with his teammates and mini-bars in endless hotel rooms, but from the pain pills, sleeping pills, and anxiety meds that team docs pass out like candy. He is dogged by his reputation as a hard partier and by a notorious incident in which he seemed to be pitching drunk; he took a season off while in recovery and has been struggling to regain his form, his self-respect, and his place in the game, all the while being estranged from most of his family.
The book opens with Reid being traded to the major league Oakland team, where he’s paired (for baseball reasons I don’t pretend to understand) with star pitcher, face-of-the-franchise, and soon-to-be-divorced Charlie Braxton. Reid – loud, brash, and jokey – and Charlie – quiet, somewhat emotionally repressed, and shy – instantly connect on both a baseball and a personal level, and Charlie offers for Reid to crash at his new, sad post-divorce pad while Reid waits to see if his call-up to Oakland will last beyond a game or two.
And from then on, it’s a story of the evolution and deepening of this connection, with a lot of interior angst as Reid navigates not just his addiction but his fear of committing to something he doesn’t believe can last, while Charlie comes to terms with the breakdown of his marriage and with being bi. Meanwhile, the specificities of the game and its calendar drive the story forward and provide most of the external drama. While Charlie has his huge contract and no-unwanted-trade clause and piles of cash, Reid’s situation is highly tenuous and liable to change from one day to the next. Will Reid be demoted back to the minors? Will he be traded before the trade deadline? Where will he end up after the season?
This is 3rd-person present (done magnificently) and dual POV – but it’s really Reid’s story. Although I can’t speak to the use disorder and recovery rep from personal experience, I thought the addiction recovery journey was extremely well done. Casey shows how Reid’s not drinking is a choice he makes from day to day, sometimes hour to hour, sometimes minute to minute, in a career and a lifestyle where he is surrounded by triggers all the time. But while it’s definitely hard, it’s not all joyless struggle: Reid is actively making choices that allow him, not just to function, but to be a person he respects and likes, which enables the connection he develops with Charlie. And I love that he has an excellent relationship with his therapist, and he asks for help – from her, from Charlie, from other teammates – all the damn time, not necessarily because he wants to but because he knows and accepts that he has to. A lot of romances reference mental health and therapy, which is great, but here we really see Reid doing the ongoing work and making decisions every step of the way, even when there are a lot of things that are completely out of his control. (In fact, that is one of his assignments from his therapist: listing out the things that he can’t control and the things he can, and reflecting on whether and why one list is harder than the other). But it’s not preachy or pedagogical, and it is interspersed with these small moments – the semi-colon tattoo; the pictures on his phone – that are really affecting and that make him a really rich, human character. Reid’s Judaism and how he relates to it and what it gives him adds another dimension: it’s not the main thing about him but it’s an important thing about him, and the way that Reid explains his religion to Charlie and how Charlie (curiously, respectfully) wants to learn more about it is an important way they connect outside of baseball.
For his part, Charlie is a guy going through some things, but he’s also pretty even-steven and not as compelling as Reid. I’ve written elsewhere that I love me a good biawakening story where the biawakened is chill about the whole thing – I like it when this particular discovery is “YAY!!” rather than “oh noes!!!” – and that’s pretty much the case here. For Charlie, realizing he’s bi is bonus, which, YES CHARLIE, IT IS, LOVING THIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!
Charlie’s bigger issue is his ongoing divorce, which, while fairly amicable, is still painful and also tied in with PR and media and blahblahblah. Honestly, I really wasn't invested at all in Charlie's ex and her storyline: she wasn’t bad, just kind of extraneous, even though her shacking up with Charlie and Reid while evacuated from the marital home during wildfire season is what gives the book its title. Like, I think we’re supposed to assume that Christine being physically present while Charlie and Reid figure out their relationship is what pushes Charlie to own it, as it’s hard to hide when Christine’s around and he eventually confides to her (and gets her blessing) and comes out to his family as well. But again, meh. Especially because, of Charlie and Reid, Charlie is the one who’s all-in from the get-go; it’s Reid, with all the uncertainty surrounding his career and his future, that is holding back on allowing himself to get fully emotionally invested.
One thing that pleasantly surprised me, though, was that Christine was not at all interested in getting/keeping Charlie’s money and fame – something that the blurb, with its line about Charlie being used as an ATM, led me to expect. In fact, the main person using Charlie as an ATM is Charlie: his tendency is to avoid dealing with emotions or feelings or hard things by throwing money at it – Christine is unhappy? Buy her a car! – rather than actually dealing with it. So part of Charlie’s journey has to do with both Christine and Reid calling him out on this avoidance technique and pushing him to, you know, not.
This wraps in with another thing I really enjoyed, which is how Christine and Reid repeatedly call out to Charlie’s face that he is completely blind to his privilege – not just as a rich, well-educated white man from an intact family (which is boatloads of privilege on its own) but, baseball-specifically, as a player with as much job security and pampering as it’s possible to get in professional sports. Part of the reason why Charlie’s so all-in from the beginning is that it doesn’t cross his radar that huge disruptions like being traded or sent down are, in fact, not just possible but likely, and that this can’t just be hand-waved away. Reid, for his part, is extremely aware of and eager to avoid any insinuations that he is being kept on because he’s Charlie’s buddy; he is determined to prove that he earned rather than slept his way to his spot, something familiar to many FMCs in M/F romance, but less common in M/M. I thought this was really cleverly done, as Reid’s determination to put in the work to make it on his own helps the baseball resolution of the story seem more plausible.
Like Unwritten Rules, this is a sporty sport romance. I am at most a casual fan of baseball and not particularly knowledgeable about it and, yeah, there was some googling going on. You definitely don’t need a lot of baseball knowledge to enjoy this, though, as long as competence porn, ambition, and perfectionist MCs is your jam. I love when sports romances are about the nitty gritty and the routines and rituals and superstitions and the day-in, day-out grind of the season and its demands, so this worked great for me. But if you like your sport romances more “hot bods doing sporty things mostly off-page in between athletic shag bouts” (not that there's anything wrong with this!), then this may not be the book for you.
In sum, this just really worked for me – even better than Unwritten Rules, which I very much enjoyed. I like that, unlike with many sport romances (including UR) coming out was just another issue for them to navigate rather than the issue hanging over everything. The character work was great, the baseball stuff was excellent, and the resolution was super-satisfying even if somewhat understated (no big Pride-flags-in-the-stadium moment here). Even though this is tonally very different from Rachel Reid’s Game Changer series (not to mention, you know, baseball), I’d shelve this right up there with them – which is basically god-tier sports romance achievement as far as I'm concerned.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
--------------------------------------------
Re-read July 2022 because it's summer and baseball. And I liked it even better the second time around. This is soooo good!!
--------------------------------------------
I’m a sucker for a well-done sports romance, and I absolutely adored this emotional, angsty, expertly paced, and fluidly written baseball romance, KD Casey’s second full-length book, which takes place in the same world as (but is only loosely connected to) her excellent debut novel Unwritten Rules. Like in Unwritten Rules, Casey is weaving some heavy issues and off-field struggles into a lovely slow-burn romance between two teammates on the Oakland Elephants baseball team. But while Unwritten Rules was a coming out story – dealing primarily with the POV MC’s dogged, some might say paranoid, determination to stay in the closet before finally navigating his way out of it – Fire Season focuses most intensely on relief pitcher Reid Giordano’s addiction recovery journey – as well as the ever-present, “just business”, cold-hearted uncertainty of being a journeyman player in a game and a league that pampers and protects its franchise stars but treats the rest of them like interchangeable warm bodies.
The set-up is simple. Reid Giordano is a 34-year-old relief pitcher who’s been pinging back and forth between the major and minor leagues. He’s also a recovering alcoholic who now avoids any substance use – which in a baseball context, means staying away not just from boozy outings with his teammates and mini-bars in endless hotel rooms, but from the pain pills, sleeping pills, and anxiety meds that team docs pass out like candy. He is dogged by his reputation as a hard partier and by a notorious incident in which he seemed to be pitching drunk; he took a season off while in recovery and has been struggling to regain his form, his self-respect, and his place in the game, all the while being estranged from most of his family.
The book opens with Reid being traded to the major league Oakland team, where he’s paired (for baseball reasons I don’t pretend to understand) with star pitcher, face-of-the-franchise, and soon-to-be-divorced Charlie Braxton. Reid – loud, brash, and jokey – and Charlie – quiet, somewhat emotionally repressed, and shy – instantly connect on both a baseball and a personal level, and Charlie offers for Reid to crash at his new, sad post-divorce pad while Reid waits to see if his call-up to Oakland will last beyond a game or two.
And from then on, it’s a story of the evolution and deepening of this connection, with a lot of interior angst as Reid navigates not just his addiction but his fear of committing to something he doesn’t believe can last, while Charlie comes to terms with the breakdown of his marriage and with being bi. Meanwhile, the specificities of the game and its calendar drive the story forward and provide most of the external drama. While Charlie has his huge contract and no-unwanted-trade clause and piles of cash, Reid’s situation is highly tenuous and liable to change from one day to the next. Will Reid be demoted back to the minors? Will he be traded before the trade deadline? Where will he end up after the season?
This is 3rd-person present (done magnificently) and dual POV – but it’s really Reid’s story. Although I can’t speak to the use disorder and recovery rep from personal experience, I thought the addiction recovery journey was extremely well done. Casey shows how Reid’s not drinking is a choice he makes from day to day, sometimes hour to hour, sometimes minute to minute, in a career and a lifestyle where he is surrounded by triggers all the time. But while it’s definitely hard, it’s not all joyless struggle: Reid is actively making choices that allow him, not just to function, but to be a person he respects and likes, which enables the connection he develops with Charlie. And I love that he has an excellent relationship with his therapist, and he asks for help – from her, from Charlie, from other teammates – all the damn time, not necessarily because he wants to but because he knows and accepts that he has to. A lot of romances reference mental health and therapy, which is great, but here we really see Reid doing the ongoing work and making decisions every step of the way, even when there are a lot of things that are completely out of his control. (In fact, that is one of his assignments from his therapist: listing out the things that he can’t control and the things he can, and reflecting on whether and why one list is harder than the other). But it’s not preachy or pedagogical, and it is interspersed with these small moments – the semi-colon tattoo; the pictures on his phone – that are really affecting and that make him a really rich, human character. Reid’s Judaism and how he relates to it and what it gives him adds another dimension: it’s not the main thing about him but it’s an important thing about him, and the way that Reid explains his religion to Charlie and how Charlie (curiously, respectfully) wants to learn more about it is an important way they connect outside of baseball.
For his part, Charlie is a guy going through some things, but he’s also pretty even-steven and not as compelling as Reid. I’ve written elsewhere that I love me a good biawakening story where the biawakened is chill about the whole thing – I like it when this particular discovery is “YAY!!” rather than “oh noes!!!” – and that’s pretty much the case here. For Charlie, realizing he’s bi is bonus, which, YES CHARLIE, IT IS, LOVING THIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!
Charlie’s bigger issue is his ongoing divorce, which, while fairly amicable, is still painful and also tied in with PR and media and blahblahblah. Honestly, I really wasn't invested at all in Charlie's ex and her storyline: she wasn’t bad, just kind of extraneous, even though her shacking up with Charlie and Reid while evacuated from the marital home during wildfire season is what gives the book its title. Like, I think we’re supposed to assume that Christine being physically present while Charlie and Reid figure out their relationship is what pushes Charlie to own it, as it’s hard to hide when Christine’s around and he eventually confides to her (and gets her blessing) and comes out to his family as well. But again, meh. Especially because, of Charlie and Reid, Charlie is the one who’s all-in from the get-go; it’s Reid, with all the uncertainty surrounding his career and his future, that is holding back on allowing himself to get fully emotionally invested.
One thing that pleasantly surprised me, though, was that Christine was not at all interested in getting/keeping Charlie’s money and fame – something that the blurb, with its line about Charlie being used as an ATM, led me to expect. In fact, the main person using Charlie as an ATM is Charlie: his tendency is to avoid dealing with emotions or feelings or hard things by throwing money at it – Christine is unhappy? Buy her a car! – rather than actually dealing with it. So part of Charlie’s journey has to do with both Christine and Reid calling him out on this avoidance technique and pushing him to, you know, not.
This wraps in with another thing I really enjoyed, which is how Christine and Reid repeatedly call out to Charlie’s face that he is completely blind to his privilege – not just as a rich, well-educated white man from an intact family (which is boatloads of privilege on its own) but, baseball-specifically, as a player with as much job security and pampering as it’s possible to get in professional sports. Part of the reason why Charlie’s so all-in from the beginning is that it doesn’t cross his radar that huge disruptions like being traded or sent down are, in fact, not just possible but likely, and that this can’t just be hand-waved away. Reid, for his part, is extremely aware of and eager to avoid any insinuations that he is being kept on because he’s Charlie’s buddy; he is determined to prove that he earned rather than slept his way to his spot, something familiar to many FMCs in M/F romance, but less common in M/M. I thought this was really cleverly done, as Reid’s determination to put in the work to make it on his own helps the baseball resolution of the story seem more plausible.
Like Unwritten Rules, this is a sporty sport romance. I am at most a casual fan of baseball and not particularly knowledgeable about it and, yeah, there was some googling going on. You definitely don’t need a lot of baseball knowledge to enjoy this, though, as long as competence porn, ambition, and perfectionist MCs is your jam. I love when sports romances are about the nitty gritty and the routines and rituals and superstitions and the day-in, day-out grind of the season and its demands, so this worked great for me. But if you like your sport romances more “hot bods doing sporty things mostly off-page in between athletic shag bouts” (not that there's anything wrong with this!), then this may not be the book for you.
In sum, this just really worked for me – even better than Unwritten Rules, which I very much enjoyed. I like that, unlike with many sport romances (including UR) coming out was just another issue for them to navigate rather than the issue hanging over everything. The character work was great, the baseball stuff was excellent, and the resolution was super-satisfying even if somewhat understated (no big Pride-flags-in-the-stadium moment here). Even though this is tonally very different from Rachel Reid’s Game Changer series (not to mention, you know, baseball), I’d shelve this right up there with them – which is basically god-tier sports romance achievement as far as I'm concerned.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2022
[3.25] let me preface this review by saying that my baseball knowledge is limited to the difference between a strike and a ball 😳 when i tried to learn the rules during my first baseball game a few months ago, i was honestly too lost in engorging myself on America's finest stadium foods/refreshments and complaining of the heat to absorb what was happening on the field. what a superfan, i know. but despite my lack of interest in the sport irl, i have a disproportionate amount of love for mm sports romance, and the blurb had me intrigued to see how two characters playing the same position--relief pitcher Reid Giordano and star pitcher Charlie Braxton--would develop.
what i liked:
- the author is clearly knowledgeable about the sport, and the baseball portions never got to be too much, even for a complete novice like me
- mental health struggles were framed especially well in the context of professional sports
- the ex-wife wasn't needlessly villainized
- Charlie's bi-awakening was a pleasure to read. his path to acceptance wasn't overwrought with shame or self-loathing, but rather contemplative self-reflection. by reevaluating his past behavior, he picks up on a continued interest that he never acted on and organically realizes oh i like guys too
- the inclusion of diverse mcs and the clear acknowledgement that depictions of substance use disorders, religion, etc. here aren't the universal experience
but while the bones were there, the story didn't feel fleshed out enough to garner the emotional investment i was hoping to feel for the characters.
Reid's struggles with maintaining his sobriety on top of fears of being traded again were highlighted with a fervor that had Charlie's complexity paling in comparison. as a fellow owner of The Overly Anxious Mind, i could not relate to Charlie's reactions to social situations more. however, as i read on, i was disappointed to find no real opening up about his anxiety past the occasional mentions that only scratched the surface. the untapped potential 😔
while they were relatively slow acting on their mutual attraction, i had trouble buying their respective povs when they both caught feelings too quick for my liking. can't help but wish the relationship had a smoother transition between each stage.
that all being said, we have two teammates-to-roomies-to-lovers who accept each other as is and a cute doggo, so please don't let my review discourage you from giving this a chance!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of the book :) This is my honest review
what i liked:
- the author is clearly knowledgeable about the sport, and the baseball portions never got to be too much, even for a complete novice like me
- mental health struggles were framed especially well in the context of professional sports
- the ex-wife wasn't needlessly villainized
- Charlie's bi-awakening was a pleasure to read. his path to acceptance wasn't overwrought with shame or self-loathing, but rather contemplative self-reflection. by reevaluating his past behavior, he picks up on a continued interest that he never acted on and organically realizes oh i like guys too
- the inclusion of diverse mcs and the clear acknowledgement that depictions of substance use disorders, religion, etc. here aren't the universal experience
but while the bones were there, the story didn't feel fleshed out enough to garner the emotional investment i was hoping to feel for the characters.
Reid's struggles with maintaining his sobriety on top of fears of being traded again were highlighted with a fervor that had Charlie's complexity paling in comparison. as a fellow owner of The Overly Anxious Mind, i could not relate to Charlie's reactions to social situations more. however, as i read on, i was disappointed to find no real opening up about his anxiety past the occasional mentions that only scratched the surface. the untapped potential 😔
while they were relatively slow acting on their mutual attraction, i had trouble buying their respective povs when they both caught feelings too quick for my liking. can't help but wish the relationship had a smoother transition between each stage.
that all being said, we have two teammates-to-roomies-to-lovers who accept each other as is and a cute doggo, so please don't let my review discourage you from giving this a chance!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of the book :) This is my honest review
July 21, 2022
Third-person, present.
Long, wait, hope, play, ache, fuck, love.
Brilliant, swoony book.
Long, wait, hope, play, ache, fuck, love.
Brilliant, swoony book.
April 24, 2024
I enjoyed this one better than the first one..., maybe because there was a little less beisbol confusion on my part 🤷🏽
June 5, 2022
Thank you so much to Carina Press and NetGalley for providing me a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
4.5 rounded up!
I liked but didn't love the first book in this series, but for reasons I felt were largely due to personal preferences and the specific story being told, so I was hopeful that this next book would work better for me, and thankfully it absolutely did!
As with the last book, these characters have their individual struggles--one of the MCs, Reid, is an alcoholic in recovery and the other, Charlie, has issues with anxiety and is going through a (mostly amicable) divorce--but they never felt like it overly weighed down the narrative or was unnecessarily bleak. They're real people, with real problems, and I also liked that the fact that they're teammates is a legitimate concern for them both, particularly addressing the fact that one of them has more clout/power on the team, which creates a power imbalance whether they want it to or not. Reid is also Jewish, and I really enjoyed the way that was woven into the story in a way that feels really natural and organic, and it's not something I see a lot in this genre.
The build between them was lovely, there are some great side characters, and the smut was suuuper hot. Great chemistry, and an ending that felt very satisfying. It felt like a very mature, adult relationship, without any unnecessary misunderstandings or refusals to communicate. Charlie sometimes felt a little *too* perfect, though I did appreciate that he does mess up a few times, but generally with quite small things. My main minor struggle with this book is, as with the previous one, there's a lot of baseball here, told with a degree of detail and specificity that feels like it assumes the reader is a big fan, which I am not. I didn't feel *quite* as lost as with the last book as I'm more familiar with pitchers, but it's not my favorite part. I actually do appreciate that this very much does feel like it's taking place within the world of baseball, and it's clear the author is a big fan, but there are times it gets a little tedious, though it's a minor quibble overall! Definitely enjoyed this immensely and am looking forward to more from this author!
4.5 rounded up!
I liked but didn't love the first book in this series, but for reasons I felt were largely due to personal preferences and the specific story being told, so I was hopeful that this next book would work better for me, and thankfully it absolutely did!
As with the last book, these characters have their individual struggles--one of the MCs, Reid, is an alcoholic in recovery and the other, Charlie, has issues with anxiety and is going through a (mostly amicable) divorce--but they never felt like it overly weighed down the narrative or was unnecessarily bleak. They're real people, with real problems, and I also liked that the fact that they're teammates is a legitimate concern for them both, particularly addressing the fact that one of them has more clout/power on the team, which creates a power imbalance whether they want it to or not. Reid is also Jewish, and I really enjoyed the way that was woven into the story in a way that feels really natural and organic, and it's not something I see a lot in this genre.
The build between them was lovely, there are some great side characters, and the smut was suuuper hot. Great chemistry, and an ending that felt very satisfying. It felt like a very mature, adult relationship, without any unnecessary misunderstandings or refusals to communicate. Charlie sometimes felt a little *too* perfect, though I did appreciate that he does mess up a few times, but generally with quite small things. My main minor struggle with this book is, as with the previous one, there's a lot of baseball here, told with a degree of detail and specificity that feels like it assumes the reader is a big fan, which I am not. I didn't feel *quite* as lost as with the last book as I'm more familiar with pitchers, but it's not my favorite part. I actually do appreciate that this very much does feel like it's taking place within the world of baseball, and it's clear the author is a big fan, but there are times it gets a little tedious, though it's a minor quibble overall! Definitely enjoyed this immensely and am looking forward to more from this author!
March 13, 2024
This, like the author’s other sports romances, was very soothing to read. Just regular people living their regular lives.
ETA to say sometimes you just need to burn through half an extremely soothing sports romance or so in one evening, and nothing is as gently, engagingly palatable as this. Upping to 5 stars because this is the perfect book for the types of moments it’s perfect for.
ETA to say sometimes you just need to burn through half an extremely soothing sports romance or so in one evening, and nothing is as gently, engagingly palatable as this. Upping to 5 stars because this is the perfect book for the types of moments it’s perfect for.
August 30, 2022
This is a hard book to review, because its strength is not the story itself, really. It's a simple story and most of it is about the day-to-day of two professional baseball players, Charlie the star pitcher, and Reid the down-to-his-luck relief pitcher that's just been traded. Both are dealing with their own stuff when the book starts: Charlie is recently divorced and Reid is a recovering alcoholic who's not sure about his future in the league. The main strengths of Fire Season, and what differentiates it from the other hundreds of sports romances, are the slow pace, the deep exploration of both characters and the evocative writing. Basically, what we could call the vibes.
The tone of Fire Season is unequivocally melancholic and reflective, without being melodramatic or (the worst crime of all), boring. Not much really happens: I wouldn't call it a slow-burn, but it does have the feel of what I've seen people call a "domestic slow-burn". There are a lot of small moments that made me swoon, and a lot of beautifully written passages that made me pause.
When the writing was focusing on romance and on small details, it was evocative and flowed well. On the other hand though, I found that the story suffered when it had to focus on bigger, concrete plot elements. I really felt like the author failed to convey the urgency of the forest fires, for example. Friends had to explain to me the danger associated with an evacuation order so I could really understand Christine's situation, because all of the characters were basically acting like she was refinishing her hardwood floors and needed to be out of the house for a few days or something. The scene when Charlie finds Christine packing up the house doesn't even explain why she's doing it at first!
“Are you, uh, selling the house?” Charlie asks.
“It’s your property, so that’d be difficult.” She shakes a long strand of hair where it’s fallen in her face. “You’re probably not up on all the evacuation notices. Things are worse this year.”
“If you need a place to stay, guest room’s yours,” he says.
Then the next thing Charlie says is Well, cool story, anyways, I was just here to pick up my dog! Bye! There are a lot of little moments like this one, or dialogue that jumps from one subject to another, that made me wonder: Wait, what just happened? Which dog did he end up adopting, the one he just spent 5 pages with, or this random one that was mentioned once in the chapter? What's wrong with margarine? Etc. Mostly things that should have been caught in editing and weren't, IMO.
I thought I didn't know much about baseball, but turns out I was able to keep up with most of the sport details pretty well. I still feel like context clues should do the trick for most readers, but YMMV. I haven't read the previous book and everything worked out fine. But I might check it out now!
I received a free copy of this book and am providing my honest review voluntarily.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
The tone of Fire Season is unequivocally melancholic and reflective, without being melodramatic or (the worst crime of all), boring. Not much really happens: I wouldn't call it a slow-burn, but it does have the feel of what I've seen people call a "domestic slow-burn". There are a lot of small moments that made me swoon, and a lot of beautifully written passages that made me pause.
When the writing was focusing on romance and on small details, it was evocative and flowed well. On the other hand though, I found that the story suffered when it had to focus on bigger, concrete plot elements. I really felt like the author failed to convey the urgency of the forest fires, for example. Friends had to explain to me the danger associated with an evacuation order so I could really understand Christine's situation, because all of the characters were basically acting like she was refinishing her hardwood floors and needed to be out of the house for a few days or something. The scene when Charlie finds Christine packing up the house doesn't even explain why she's doing it at first!
“Are you, uh, selling the house?” Charlie asks.
“It’s your property, so that’d be difficult.” She shakes a long strand of hair where it’s fallen in her face. “You’re probably not up on all the evacuation notices. Things are worse this year.”
“If you need a place to stay, guest room’s yours,” he says.
Then the next thing Charlie says is Well, cool story, anyways, I was just here to pick up my dog! Bye! There are a lot of little moments like this one, or dialogue that jumps from one subject to another, that made me wonder: Wait, what just happened? Which dog did he end up adopting, the one he just spent 5 pages with, or this random one that was mentioned once in the chapter? What's wrong with margarine? Etc. Mostly things that should have been caught in editing and weren't, IMO.
I thought I didn't know much about baseball, but turns out I was able to keep up with most of the sport details pretty well. I still feel like context clues should do the trick for most readers, but YMMV. I haven't read the previous book and everything worked out fine. But I might check it out now!
I received a free copy of this book and am providing my honest review voluntarily.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
July 20, 2022
I'll hand it to KD Casey, THE QUEEN of slow burn😆 she curates the best slow burn MM baseball romances for true baseball enthusiasts.
It's nice to be back in The Unwritten Rule universe. Fire Season takes place before Unwritten Rules (before Zack & Eugenio). It's a 3ed person present tense same as the 1st book (I'll admit it always takes me a while to get used to the writing style😅as it's only Casey's that I have read that uses this style, but after a couple of chapters, I get used to & so it doesn't take away my enjoyment of the story😁)
Also was so happy to get dual POV in this book❤️.
This is Reid & Charlie's story. Now I have a confession😆after finishing this book, I went back to reread the 1st book to see where Reid & Charlie fall into. Also, 5⭐️ for the lovely surprise to catch Zack again and understand why he is the way he is... it made me so sad for him poor Zack😭.
I love how Casey paints such a beautiful world with words. The story of the characters brings so many emotions & their struggles never overshadow the sweet romance they share. These 2 vulnerable men who are hurting finds love & healing in the most beautiful way.
Charlie & Reid's relationship from teammate to friends to lovers felt natural. It was never rushed.
Annnd, of course, it won't be Casey's signature touch if no angst is sprinkled in the story. The angst was delivered just right (I wouldn't say I like it when authors make miscommunication as angst that's not true angst). Here is how it was done right❤️. I almost forgot the steam level is🔥
What I appreciated the most was: no unnecessary drama, no misunderstanding, & no miscommunication. It felt mature & realistic in how it was handled.
What to expect:
✅Teammate.
✅Friends to lovers.
✅SLOOOW BURN
✅Jew character.
✅Bi awakening.
✅Pining
✅Steam🔥
✅Anxiety representation.
✅Addiction & Alcoholism.
✅HEA
🛑Please read CW listed at the beginning of the book before diving in.
Pick this gem up if you love mm baseball romance with such a delicious slow burn. After all. K.D Casey puts the slow burn in slow burn😆
*Thank you, KD Casey & Carinapress. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley.
It's nice to be back in The Unwritten Rule universe. Fire Season takes place before Unwritten Rules (before Zack & Eugenio). It's a 3ed person present tense same as the 1st book (I'll admit it always takes me a while to get used to the writing style😅as it's only Casey's that I have read that uses this style, but after a couple of chapters, I get used to & so it doesn't take away my enjoyment of the story😁)
Also was so happy to get dual POV in this book❤️.
This is Reid & Charlie's story. Now I have a confession😆after finishing this book, I went back to reread the 1st book to see where Reid & Charlie fall into. Also, 5⭐️ for the lovely surprise to catch Zack again and understand why he is the way he is... it made me so sad for him poor Zack😭.
I love how Casey paints such a beautiful world with words. The story of the characters brings so many emotions & their struggles never overshadow the sweet romance they share. These 2 vulnerable men who are hurting finds love & healing in the most beautiful way.
Charlie & Reid's relationship from teammate to friends to lovers felt natural. It was never rushed.
Annnd, of course, it won't be Casey's signature touch if no angst is sprinkled in the story. The angst was delivered just right (I wouldn't say I like it when authors make miscommunication as angst that's not true angst). Here is how it was done right❤️. I almost forgot the steam level is🔥
What I appreciated the most was: no unnecessary drama, no misunderstanding, & no miscommunication. It felt mature & realistic in how it was handled.
What to expect:
✅Teammate.
✅Friends to lovers.
✅SLOOOW BURN
✅Jew character.
✅Bi awakening.
✅Pining
✅Steam🔥
✅Anxiety representation.
✅Addiction & Alcoholism.
✅HEA
🛑Please read CW listed at the beginning of the book before diving in.
Pick this gem up if you love mm baseball romance with such a delicious slow burn. After all. K.D Casey puts the slow burn in slow burn😆
*Thank you, KD Casey & Carinapress. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley.
July 25, 2022
This is a great later in life discovery of your sexuality book, and beyond that, I really liked how it dealt with identity overall, what gets shared and not and why and for who. One thing I really like about this series is how it uses the intimacy of sports--road trips, body positioning, etc--to advance the romance. So many sports romances ignore this stuff and I don't get why. Also really loved that this was about a role player with anxiety about what their future holds, again, so much sports romance is about the star athletes and books like this are rarer. Really enjoy this series and would recommend to anyone who likes a lot of interiority in their romances.
June 17, 2022
Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first K.D. Casey book and I was pleasantly surprised. I have been recommended Casey's work before, and knowing I had this ARC waiting for me, I figured there was no better time than now to pick it up.
Fire Season is technically the second book in a series, but all books can be read as standalones, in my opinion. I haven't read Unwritten Rules, but that didn't impact my reading of Fire Season at all because technically, this book can act as a prequel for the plot and relationship in Unwritten Rules.
The book features a lot of baseball talk and terminology, so if you aren't familiar with the sport, it may be confusing or hard to follow at times. But beyond the sport of baseball - of which the author is a clear fan - we have the relationship between Reid (a relief pitcher) and Charlie (the superstar starter) for the Oakland Elephants.
Reid and Charlie are two vastly different people but I fell in love with them for those differences. While Reid is a recovering alcoholic, Charlie seems almost sheltered in a way. Reid doesn't hesitate in helping Charlie understand about his alcohol abuse recovery, or about the Jewish religion, or on how to foster an adorable shelter dog. And Charlie, meanwhile, doesn't think twice about helping Reid with a place to live or his curveball. The two men fall in love and it's paced beautifully and so emotional. Charlie and Reid are great together and I'm so glad I picked this book up and got to read their story.
I also love the important conversations the author has within the book about substance abuse, therapy, discovering who we are as people (and who we love), and religion. Nothing is overt or too in your face, but it's worked in in such a natural and cohesive way. As a romance reader, I also pay close attention to the sex scenes and Casey nailed them (pun intended?).
If you're looking for a sports romance with some depth, this is definitely the book to pick up! Fire Season releases July 19, 2022 and I highly recommend purchasing an e-book or physical copy of this book.
This was my first K.D. Casey book and I was pleasantly surprised. I have been recommended Casey's work before, and knowing I had this ARC waiting for me, I figured there was no better time than now to pick it up.
Fire Season is technically the second book in a series, but all books can be read as standalones, in my opinion. I haven't read Unwritten Rules, but that didn't impact my reading of Fire Season at all because technically, this book can act as a prequel for the plot and relationship in Unwritten Rules.
The book features a lot of baseball talk and terminology, so if you aren't familiar with the sport, it may be confusing or hard to follow at times. But beyond the sport of baseball - of which the author is a clear fan - we have the relationship between Reid (a relief pitcher) and Charlie (the superstar starter) for the Oakland Elephants.
Reid and Charlie are two vastly different people but I fell in love with them for those differences. While Reid is a recovering alcoholic, Charlie seems almost sheltered in a way. Reid doesn't hesitate in helping Charlie understand about his alcohol abuse recovery, or about the Jewish religion, or on how to foster an adorable shelter dog. And Charlie, meanwhile, doesn't think twice about helping Reid with a place to live or his curveball. The two men fall in love and it's paced beautifully and so emotional. Charlie and Reid are great together and I'm so glad I picked this book up and got to read their story.
I also love the important conversations the author has within the book about substance abuse, therapy, discovering who we are as people (and who we love), and religion. Nothing is overt or too in your face, but it's worked in in such a natural and cohesive way. As a romance reader, I also pay close attention to the sex scenes and Casey nailed them (pun intended?).
If you're looking for a sports romance with some depth, this is definitely the book to pick up! Fire Season releases July 19, 2022 and I highly recommend purchasing an e-book or physical copy of this book.
June 2, 2022
A relief pitcher trying to resurrect his career befriends his new team’s quietest starting pitcher. This book has the same great baseball as the first book in the series, plus improved romance.
Casey’s extensive baseball knowledge once again creates a realistic-feeling exploration of life in major league baseball. A relief pitcher in Reid’s position would be under constant pressure and always aware of the risk of being sent down or traded, and the book captured how the characters’ very different contractual positions would affect every step of their relationship. This book also weaves the baseball elements into the story more effectively for readers who aren’t baseball fans and should be more accessible than the first book.
The pacing of the romance is much more effective here than in Unwritten Rules, and this is an excellent slow-burn coworkers-to-friends-to lovers story with lots of mutual pining. Both Reid and Charlie need someone in their life who takes them as they are, and even during the friendship phase of their relationship, they provide each other with much-needed emotional intimacy. I liked that although both men are dealing with the aftermath of difficult events, they don’t need someone to fix things for them or do their emotional labor for them; instead, they just need a safe person to be vulnerable with. This makes even the earliest stages of their friendship feel fulfilling in their own right, and makes the risks they take to be together more plausible than if they were acting solely on sexual attraction.
Both characters also have satisfying individual arcs, especially Reid, who is trying to rebuild his career and personal life while in recovery from a substance use disorder. He’s already done a lot of work prior to the start of the book and has a strong support system and coping skills he relies on many times during the book. I thought the author handled this topic respectfully and with nuance because the book shows how Reid’s sobriety is a decision he has to keep making every day and doesn’t treat it like something that can be magically fixed by a relationship (or otherwise). Charlie supports Reid by listening when he asks for space or other accommodations and not treating his substance use disorder as a deficiency or a problem.
As for Charlie, I liked that his social anxiety was treated as something that’s just part of who he is, rather than a problem to solve, and that Reid accepting that part of Charlie is the reason they develop a strong friendship so quickly. I would have liked to see Charlie open up to Reid more explicitly about his anxiety as a sign of their increasing intimacy, but on the other hand appreciated that it wasn’t used as a source of conflict. I also liked that his bi-awakening surprised him at first but didn’t upset him, and that his feelings for Reid caused him to reevaluate some of his past feelings towards other men.
My only issue with the romance was that the ending felt tentative because there’s no hint of what their long-term future will look like. We know that Reid, as a relief pitcher, is never going to get the type of long-term contract Charlie has, so they will inevitably face a situation where they’re no longer on the same team. We know they’re committed to staying together no matter what happens, but I would have liked some details on how that actually played out in real life.
I highly recommend this book to all sports romance fans, especially those who want the sports elements to feel realistic.
Miscellaneous things that didn’t affect my rating but I feel compelled to comment on as a Bay Area native and Oakland A’s fan:
* It was odd and sort of unsettling how this book treated wildfires as a “happens every year” thing that everyone is used to. Wildfires in populated areas of the state have become more common in recent years, but they’re traumatic, not mundane. All of the fires that have led to noticeable air quality issues in the Bay Area (as happens in this book) have resulted in significant loss of life and destruction of many homes. If a wildfire were threatening homes in Marin County, it would be a huge deal that everyone would be talking about. I didn’t really enjoy seeing the subject treated so casually here.
* The author must have had a really bad experience driving in the Bay Area once because some variation of “Bay Area traffic is always bad” is said at least five times in the book. Traffic here is pretty standard for a large metro area so this felt like a weird thing to fixate on. Also I have no sympathy for someone who works in Oakland and could afford to live anywhere but chooses Marin and then SF.
* “Lol the A’s are cheap and the Coliseum sucks” is a really tired observation at this point. The A’s are far from the only team that prioritizes analytics over everything else and they’re definitely not the only cheap team. Singling them out ignores a larger trend that affects all of baseball. I was hoping for a more nuanced take on this subject from an author who knows as much about baseball as Casey does. It’s also weird to choose a team you apparently don’t respect as the location for your book when you have 29 other options. (The first book had this problem too, come to think of it, with Zach spending most of his time on the A’s and then the Marlins.)
I reviewed an ARC of this book.
Casey’s extensive baseball knowledge once again creates a realistic-feeling exploration of life in major league baseball. A relief pitcher in Reid’s position would be under constant pressure and always aware of the risk of being sent down or traded, and the book captured how the characters’ very different contractual positions would affect every step of their relationship. This book also weaves the baseball elements into the story more effectively for readers who aren’t baseball fans and should be more accessible than the first book.
The pacing of the romance is much more effective here than in Unwritten Rules, and this is an excellent slow-burn coworkers-to-friends-to lovers story with lots of mutual pining. Both Reid and Charlie need someone in their life who takes them as they are, and even during the friendship phase of their relationship, they provide each other with much-needed emotional intimacy. I liked that although both men are dealing with the aftermath of difficult events, they don’t need someone to fix things for them or do their emotional labor for them; instead, they just need a safe person to be vulnerable with. This makes even the earliest stages of their friendship feel fulfilling in their own right, and makes the risks they take to be together more plausible than if they were acting solely on sexual attraction.
Both characters also have satisfying individual arcs, especially Reid, who is trying to rebuild his career and personal life while in recovery from a substance use disorder. He’s already done a lot of work prior to the start of the book and has a strong support system and coping skills he relies on many times during the book. I thought the author handled this topic respectfully and with nuance because the book shows how Reid’s sobriety is a decision he has to keep making every day and doesn’t treat it like something that can be magically fixed by a relationship (or otherwise). Charlie supports Reid by listening when he asks for space or other accommodations and not treating his substance use disorder as a deficiency or a problem.
As for Charlie, I liked that his social anxiety was treated as something that’s just part of who he is, rather than a problem to solve, and that Reid accepting that part of Charlie is the reason they develop a strong friendship so quickly. I would have liked to see Charlie open up to Reid more explicitly about his anxiety as a sign of their increasing intimacy, but on the other hand appreciated that it wasn’t used as a source of conflict. I also liked that his bi-awakening surprised him at first but didn’t upset him, and that his feelings for Reid caused him to reevaluate some of his past feelings towards other men.
My only issue with the romance was that the ending felt tentative because there’s no hint of what their long-term future will look like. We know that Reid, as a relief pitcher, is never going to get the type of long-term contract Charlie has, so they will inevitably face a situation where they’re no longer on the same team. We know they’re committed to staying together no matter what happens, but I would have liked some details on how that actually played out in real life.
I highly recommend this book to all sports romance fans, especially those who want the sports elements to feel realistic.
Miscellaneous things that didn’t affect my rating but I feel compelled to comment on as a Bay Area native and Oakland A’s fan:
* It was odd and sort of unsettling how this book treated wildfires as a “happens every year” thing that everyone is used to. Wildfires in populated areas of the state have become more common in recent years, but they’re traumatic, not mundane. All of the fires that have led to noticeable air quality issues in the Bay Area (as happens in this book) have resulted in significant loss of life and destruction of many homes. If a wildfire were threatening homes in Marin County, it would be a huge deal that everyone would be talking about. I didn’t really enjoy seeing the subject treated so casually here.
* The author must have had a really bad experience driving in the Bay Area once because some variation of “Bay Area traffic is always bad” is said at least five times in the book. Traffic here is pretty standard for a large metro area so this felt like a weird thing to fixate on. Also I have no sympathy for someone who works in Oakland and could afford to live anywhere but chooses Marin and then SF.
* “Lol the A’s are cheap and the Coliseum sucks” is a really tired observation at this point. The A’s are far from the only team that prioritizes analytics over everything else and they’re definitely not the only cheap team. Singling them out ignores a larger trend that affects all of baseball. I was hoping for a more nuanced take on this subject from an author who knows as much about baseball as Casey does. It’s also weird to choose a team you apparently don’t respect as the location for your book when you have 29 other options. (The first book had this problem too, come to think of it, with Zach spending most of his time on the A’s and then the Marlins.)
I reviewed an ARC of this book.
July 8, 2022
K.D. Casey is a new author to me, but I am adding them to my short-list of writers that do M/M sports romance really well. Casey obviously knows baseball -
"Baseball is a card game interrupted by occasional hitting."
"Hitters come to take their at-bats, either getting on base or retiring to their dugout. Outfielders wave their fingers to remind themselves of how many outs there are in the inning. It's calming, the way familiar things are."
Everyone in baseball knows low-key quiet pitcher Charlie Braxton and that curveball:
"Man, I guess those rumors are true."
"Rumors?" Braxton asks.
"That you got the best curveball in the whole damn league and nothing to say about it."
A shrug from Braxton. "What's there to say?"
And Michael Reid Giordano? He's got issues - issues with drinking, issues with losing his curveball, issues with holding onto his relief pitcher spot by the skin of his teeth. And when Reid and Charlie meet, and Charlie offers Reid a room in his empty house as Charlie and his wife Christine finalize their divorce, it leads to something neither man expected.
Charlie is a nice guy - he signs autographs for the process server giving him his divorce papers and does a quick video for her grandson - ridden with anxiety, too shy to speak at length in public, worried that the public will blame Christine for their divorce. I love how Charlie figures out his bisexuality:
Casey does a stellar job with the complexity of Reid's character and the mechanisms he and his therapist have created to get him through every day without taking a drink, as well as his Jewish heritage: "When I first got sober, I kinda liked that there are so many holidays and rules. There's always something to look forward to. I can't really explain it. It just feels right. Like it'd been waiting for me to come back to it in my own time."
In much the same way, the relationship that develops between Reid and Charlie just feels right, and Casey gives them and we readers time to settle in a relationship that is equal parts very sexy, supportive and solid. Together they overcome problems without having it feel like some sort of cliched afterschool special. I look forward to reading more by KD Casey! 5 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
"Baseball is a card game interrupted by occasional hitting."
"Hitters come to take their at-bats, either getting on base or retiring to their dugout. Outfielders wave their fingers to remind themselves of how many outs there are in the inning. It's calming, the way familiar things are."
Everyone in baseball knows low-key quiet pitcher Charlie Braxton and that curveball:
"Man, I guess those rumors are true."
"Rumors?" Braxton asks.
"That you got the best curveball in the whole damn league and nothing to say about it."
A shrug from Braxton. "What's there to say?"
And Michael Reid Giordano? He's got issues - issues with drinking, issues with losing his curveball, issues with holding onto his relief pitcher spot by the skin of his teeth. And when Reid and Charlie meet, and Charlie offers Reid a room in his empty house as Charlie and his wife Christine finalize their divorce, it leads to something neither man expected.
Charlie is a nice guy - he signs autographs for the process server giving him his divorce papers and does a quick video for her grandson - ridden with anxiety, too shy to speak at length in public, worried that the public will blame Christine for their divorce. I love how Charlie figures out his bisexuality:
Whatever switch within Charlie was previously set to "Hey, am I...?" flips to a sudden pulse emanating from his spine, wrapping around his abdomen and throat and cock. A surety pointed to Reid like a compass needle next to a magnet. With it, a single interjection, a crystal-clear fuck that describes both his situation and what he wants to do right now.
Casey does a stellar job with the complexity of Reid's character and the mechanisms he and his therapist have created to get him through every day without taking a drink, as well as his Jewish heritage: "When I first got sober, I kinda liked that there are so many holidays and rules. There's always something to look forward to. I can't really explain it. It just feels right. Like it'd been waiting for me to come back to it in my own time."
In much the same way, the relationship that develops between Reid and Charlie just feels right, and Casey gives them and we readers time to settle in a relationship that is equal parts very sexy, supportive and solid. Together they overcome problems without having it feel like some sort of cliched afterschool special. I look forward to reading more by KD Casey! 5 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
July 22, 2022
3.5 stars - a decent sports romance
There aren't that many variations to be rung on the m/m sports romance by now. The main themes are generally:
* Straight man brought over to the bi-sde by hot team-mate
* Probably some internalised homophobia
* Will the team shun out players
* Can the underdog make it big when it counts (well, duh!)
etc etc
What "Fire Season" brings that's (a little bit) new is a sensitive exploration of what it means to be a player on the edges of a team. Reid Giordano is known to have had a drinking problem and to have lost his touch in the game. Called up to play in the majors, he's miserably conscious that he's only one bad throw away from being traded down, and that his nearly three-year sober patch is just as precarious. Casey doesn't minimise his constant discussion with his addiction, but gives him a hard-won positivity that's engaging.
With the romance centre-stage, Casey doesn't skimp on depth of characterisation, making this very definitely one of the better sports romances.
There aren't that many variations to be rung on the m/m sports romance by now. The main themes are generally:
* Straight man brought over to the bi-sde by hot team-mate
* Probably some internalised homophobia
* Will the team shun out players
* Can the underdog make it big when it counts (well, duh!)
etc etc
What "Fire Season" brings that's (a little bit) new is a sensitive exploration of what it means to be a player on the edges of a team. Reid Giordano is known to have had a drinking problem and to have lost his touch in the game. Called up to play in the majors, he's miserably conscious that he's only one bad throw away from being traded down, and that his nearly three-year sober patch is just as precarious. Casey doesn't minimise his constant discussion with his addiction, but gives him a hard-won positivity that's engaging.
With the romance centre-stage, Casey doesn't skimp on depth of characterisation, making this very definitely one of the better sports romances.
May 28, 2022
The only reason I didn’t devour this in one sitting is because my body failed me and I woke up with my phone still clutched in my hand.
I loved this. They fell into their relationship so naturally and without any idea it was going to happen at all. No panic. No drama. No unsupportive front office staff or players. Honestly, this whole thing was just so refreshing.
I have not read the other book in this series but I’ll check it out.
Thank you to Netgalley, Carina Press, and KD Casey for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
I loved this. They fell into their relationship so naturally and without any idea it was going to happen at all. No panic. No drama. No unsupportive front office staff or players. Honestly, this whole thing was just so refreshing.
I have not read the other book in this series but I’ll check it out.
Thank you to Netgalley, Carina Press, and KD Casey for a copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
April 17, 2023
re-read via audio 4/2023. audio is v, v good.
what i’ve come to understand about myself is baseball will always be my true love and anything kd casey writes will make me happy and also hurt my heart in the best possible way
what i’ve come to understand about myself is baseball will always be my true love and anything kd casey writes will make me happy and also hurt my heart in the best possible way
May 24, 2022
4.5
Well, that was absolutely lovely.
I adored "Unwritten Rules" when I read it last year, but I clearly remember feeling a tad overwhelmed with the sheer amount of baseball and baseball lingo the book had: I'm Italian, and baseball is not part of our culture, like, at all. "Fire Season", on the other hand, has much less baseball lingo, so I managed to follow the story a bit better, even though I still have absolutely no idea how this sport is supposed to work.
Nonetheless, I still adored the story and I LOVED both MCs to bits.
Unlike "Unwritten Rules", K.D. Casey gifts us with both POVs of her protagonists: I loved getting to know them both so intimately. Charlie was the absolute best: he's naive and a bit oblivious, so sweet and lovable and definitely too good for this world. I adored him, and I found him also 100% relatable: give us more queer characters discovering and exploring their sexuality later in life, please and thank you.
I also adored Reid: he's much darker, louder and more chaotic than Charlie and he has so many hidden vulnerabilities and hurts that I wanted to jump into the story to hug him half to death. He was really something special and I appreciated how respectfully K.D. Casey portrayed his alcohol addiction (and also, Charlie's anxiety). Their relationship was lovely, sweet and honest and bursting with chemistry. I also LOVED the side characters (especially Avis).
After finishing this, I opened my copy of "Unwritten Rules" to find every instance where these two appear on page and LOL: "Fire Season" is set before the events of "Unwritten Rules" and reading Zach's thoughts about their """bromance""", how they're always touching and dancing together, but nobody bats an eye because it's 100% baseball behavior, was frankly hilarious and made me feel hopeful about their future. Because well, as with Zach and Eugenio's story, this book has a bit of a blurry HEA, tinged with bittersweet feelings and unaswered questions, although it's definitively a happy one.
So yes, minor issues aside, I really adored this book and I'm looking forward to reading K.D. Casey's next masterpieces!
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, that was absolutely lovely.
I adored "Unwritten Rules" when I read it last year, but I clearly remember feeling a tad overwhelmed with the sheer amount of baseball and baseball lingo the book had: I'm Italian, and baseball is not part of our culture, like, at all. "Fire Season", on the other hand, has much less baseball lingo, so I managed to follow the story a bit better, even though I still have absolutely no idea how this sport is supposed to work.
Nonetheless, I still adored the story and I LOVED both MCs to bits.
Unlike "Unwritten Rules", K.D. Casey gifts us with both POVs of her protagonists: I loved getting to know them both so intimately. Charlie was the absolute best: he's naive and a bit oblivious, so sweet and lovable and definitely too good for this world. I adored him, and I found him also 100% relatable: give us more queer characters discovering and exploring their sexuality later in life, please and thank you.
I also adored Reid: he's much darker, louder and more chaotic than Charlie and he has so many hidden vulnerabilities and hurts that I wanted to jump into the story to hug him half to death. He was really something special and I appreciated how respectfully K.D. Casey portrayed his alcohol addiction (and also, Charlie's anxiety). Their relationship was lovely, sweet and honest and bursting with chemistry. I also LOVED the side characters (especially Avis).
After finishing this, I opened my copy of "Unwritten Rules" to find every instance where these two appear on page and LOL: "Fire Season" is set before the events of "Unwritten Rules" and reading Zach's thoughts about their """bromance""", how they're always touching and dancing together, but nobody bats an eye because it's 100% baseball behavior, was frankly hilarious and made me feel hopeful about their future. Because well, as with Zach and Eugenio's story, this book has a bit of a blurry HEA, tinged with bittersweet feelings and unaswered questions, although it's definitively a happy one.
So yes, minor issues aside, I really adored this book and I'm looking forward to reading K.D. Casey's next masterpieces!
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2022
This was the second baseball book I read by KD Casey and of the two (Unwritten Rules, and this one, Fire Season) Fire Season is the more accessible and traditional romance. The baseball is less important to the main characters - it's still really important since it's their whole job, but it's not nearly the same level as Unwritten Rules - and the baseball is easier to understand. The romance isn't as melancholy or dense and is a straightforward domestic slowburn. While these might be good things to other readers, I find KD Casey's writing style suited for a dense story and the simple romance and less focus on baseball in Fire Season made it the weaker book of the two. I'm trying not to compare the books so much but I read them really closely together so I can't help it.
Some things I thought were done well was the integration of the ex-wife character without making her a villain or erasing her completely, the handling of mental health and addiction, consensual dog adoption, caretaking between the two main characters, and the build up of the romance.
I could have done with less conversations missing approximately 100 steps. For example, when the main character adopts a dog and takes the dog over to his ex-wife's house there is some internal monologue about something else and then the ex-wife asks for a spare key to his new house because she is going to take care of the dog when they're on the road. a) there was no discussion on the responsibilities of the ex-wife in the dog caretaking b) how did we jump right to her asking for a spare key???? This happened at least a few times in the book so I assume it's a style choice for the author. I suppose we still got there in the end but in a romance book I want to see how it happens!
In conclusion, another solid baseball romance by KD Casey.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
Some things I thought were done well was the integration of the ex-wife character without making her a villain or erasing her completely, the handling of mental health and addiction, consensual dog adoption, caretaking between the two main characters, and the build up of the romance.
I could have done with less conversations missing approximately 100 steps. For example, when the main character adopts a dog and takes the dog over to his ex-wife's house there is some internal monologue about something else and then the ex-wife asks for a spare key to his new house because she is going to take care of the dog when they're on the road. a) there was no discussion on the responsibilities of the ex-wife in the dog caretaking b) how did we jump right to her asking for a spare key???? This happened at least a few times in the book so I assume it's a style choice for the author. I suppose we still got there in the end but in a romance book I want to see how it happens!
In conclusion, another solid baseball romance by KD Casey.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
July 23, 2022
4.5 ⭐
It was a good read for me. I like this author's writing style and their complex and unique characters. I'm looking forward for more of their future work!!
It was a good read for me. I like this author's writing style and their complex and unique characters. I'm looking forward for more of their future work!!
December 11, 2022
Loved this one, Reid and Charlie were sweet and both had such wonderful character growth. It was beautiful how they each helped the other heal.
September 5, 2025
hear me out: kd casey and ari baran are the dual complements of m/m sportsrom, neither opposites nor the same, utterly dissimilar in some ways and similar in others, all of it coming together to be something, well, complementary. now that I think about it, the dynamic here actually has a lot in common with delay of game: Big Giant Anxious Hot Leader Man Who Says Uh and yappy partyboi-in-recovery (from one thing or another). [edit: wait I hadn't even thought of the reid/reed thing yet hahahahaha.] and if they're not THE complements, they're certainly MY complements; this is the kind of prose I'm looking for in my sportsrom!!!
with the baran comparison out of the way, I gotta say that this particular casey book feels a little meandering and comparatively conflictless; it's soothing but not earthshaking.
YOU'RE NOT WRONG, REID.
love two men with distinct regional accents. love bay area representation (cold san francisco summer and alameda county rep in particular). I used to live in those fire-hazard golden-brown hills, babey! if you've ever stopped for gas heading north, chances are you've probably been to my hometown! I should probably create a shelf for this, actually.
not fully sure how I feel about the actual "fire season" representation, though. as a (nearly) lifelong california resident, I didn't get as much out of the 'fuck shitfuck the sky is orange' moments as I'd hoped for, and while I guess there are people rich enough to just up and move for the duration of """fire season""" (spoiler alert: fire season is now year round, folks! happy ongoing and ever-worsening climate catastrophe to us all!), that certainly is not my experience, lol.
which shoulder-sitter is winning your internal battle right now: the a prayer for the undemoted relief pitcher imp or the "I just don't think you can believe in a just God if you're a relief pitcher" brownie?
also, it is very funny (in a good way!!!!) that I wrote a whole review about diamond ring in which I talked about how it reminded me of sheena pugh's "sometimes" only for kd casey to hit me with the actual line "things can go right sometimes" toward the end of the book. hilarious and delightful.
not my favorite kd casey, but even my not-my-favorite-kd-casey is a good time.
with the baran comparison out of the way, I gotta say that this particular casey book feels a little meandering and comparatively conflictless; it's soothing but not earthshaking.
quiet for a pitcher means one step up from a block of wood, personality-wise.
YOU'RE NOT WRONG, REID.
love two men with distinct regional accents. love bay area representation (cold san francisco summer and alameda county rep in particular). I used to live in those fire-hazard golden-brown hills, babey! if you've ever stopped for gas heading north, chances are you've probably been to my hometown! I should probably create a shelf for this, actually.
not fully sure how I feel about the actual "fire season" representation, though. as a (nearly) lifelong california resident, I didn't get as much out of the 'fuck shitfuck the sky is orange' moments as I'd hoped for, and while I guess there are people rich enough to just up and move for the duration of """fire season""" (spoiler alert: fire season is now year round, folks! happy ongoing and ever-worsening climate catastrophe to us all!), that certainly is not my experience, lol.
which shoulder-sitter is winning your internal battle right now: the a prayer for the undemoted relief pitcher imp or the "I just don't think you can believe in a just God if you're a relief pitcher" brownie?
also, it is very funny (in a good way!!!!) that I wrote a whole review about diamond ring in which I talked about how it reminded me of sheena pugh's "sometimes" only for kd casey to hit me with the actual line "things can go right sometimes" toward the end of the book. hilarious and delightful.
not my favorite kd casey, but even my not-my-favorite-kd-casey is a good time.
June 21, 2022
Fire season by KD Casey is a book that I will continue to think about way after I have finished it. It’s compelling and hard to put down. Reid gets sent to Oakland to be a relief pitcher. Their ace pitcher Charlie Braxton who’s going through a divorce and trying to keep it together, let’s Reid move into his house. These two men really need each other. Charlie is lonely and Reid is a mess.
I felt at one point that Reid’s addiction was taking over the whole book but isn’t that what addiction does, even in recovery. It consumes that person, their just trying to live day by day or in Reid’s case thirty minutes by thirty minutes. It was so detailed and written from the heart, I would believe that Reid was a real person. His alcoholism was portrayed so well by the author.
Charlie, well I love Charlie. He’s big,shy,all around the nicest guy, and he’s very supportive of every one he cares about.
The baseball parts were also detailed and very interesting. I love baseball through KD Casey’s eyes. In real life not so much. 😂
This was a great sports romance and I really enjoyed every word.
I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest review
I felt at one point that Reid’s addiction was taking over the whole book but isn’t that what addiction does, even in recovery. It consumes that person, their just trying to live day by day or in Reid’s case thirty minutes by thirty minutes. It was so detailed and written from the heart, I would believe that Reid was a real person. His alcoholism was portrayed so well by the author.
Charlie, well I love Charlie. He’s big,shy,all around the nicest guy, and he’s very supportive of every one he cares about.
The baseball parts were also detailed and very interesting. I love baseball through KD Casey’s eyes. In real life not so much. 😂
This was a great sports romance and I really enjoyed every word.
I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest review
May 26, 2022
This was everything I love about the sports romance genre.
Fire Season was a high tension slow burn between a non-typical set of characters. Both Charlie and Reid are somewhat recently divorced. Charlie is the quiet star pitcher on the team sitting comfortably with a large, long contract, whereas Reid is a recovering alcoholic with a bad reputation that has spent almost all of is career in the minors, fighting for a spot on the team he knows it's unlikely he will be able to keep. Warning: Reid's recovery does feature heavily in the story.
Going against the grain, the two main characters being semi famous people who were both previously married to women entering a relationship together and what that would mean for public perception was not a major topic of discussion, which was extremely refreshing for the genre.
I saw that author Rachel Reid as recommended the Unwritten Rules and that was enough for me pick up Fire Season without any further research. Her recommendation was perfect and this is the most obvious if you enjoyed her Game Changer series, you will undoubtably like this Unwritten Rules series and vis versa.
Fire Season was a high tension slow burn between a non-typical set of characters. Both Charlie and Reid are somewhat recently divorced. Charlie is the quiet star pitcher on the team sitting comfortably with a large, long contract, whereas Reid is a recovering alcoholic with a bad reputation that has spent almost all of is career in the minors, fighting for a spot on the team he knows it's unlikely he will be able to keep. Warning: Reid's recovery does feature heavily in the story.
Going against the grain, the two main characters being semi famous people who were both previously married to women entering a relationship together and what that would mean for public perception was not a major topic of discussion, which was extremely refreshing for the genre.
I saw that author Rachel Reid as recommended the Unwritten Rules and that was enough for me pick up Fire Season without any further research. Her recommendation was perfect and this is the most obvious if you enjoyed her Game Changer series, you will undoubtably like this Unwritten Rules series and vis versa.
July 19, 2022
I don't think I've read a book about baseball ever ( I might be wrong so don't quote me😂) but I was excited for this story as most of the sports romances I've read had to do with either the NHL or the NFL or the college leagues for these sports.
Coupled with that excitement was me dipping my toes into the work of a new-to-me author which is always an experience; be it good, lukewarm or bad.
I'm happy to report that this was a good one.
Reid was recovering from something that had messed up his life and was constantly being moved around until he got a "lucky" break to relieve someone in Charlie's major league club.
Charlie ,from the outside, looked like he had his life together but nothing could be further from the truth as he was barely holding on most days until Reid came into his life.
I think my favourite part of this story was the progression of the bond between these two from team mates, to acquaintances, to friends and then to something more. I totally enjoyed how Reid managed (by just being his unfiltered self) to get into Charlie's life.
Another thing that made me love this book was the FEELS it evoked. Right from the very first page, we are pulled into Reid's constant struggle and then we moved on to his uncertainty, then to all the PINING and finally all the swoony stuff.
I really really enjoyed this and aside my zero knowledge of baseball which made some of the things fly past my head, I was riveted from start to finish.
I also realised (while posting this review) that I was right about Glasser's orientation because his book was Book 1! I don't know how I missed that this was book#2 but I will DEFINITELY be reading his book!
Recommended for lovers of sports romance done RIGHT.
***eARC Provided in Exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review ***
Coupled with that excitement was me dipping my toes into the work of a new-to-me author which is always an experience; be it good, lukewarm or bad.
I'm happy to report that this was a good one.
Reid was recovering from something that had messed up his life and was constantly being moved around until he got a "lucky" break to relieve someone in Charlie's major league club.
Charlie ,from the outside, looked like he had his life together but nothing could be further from the truth as he was barely holding on most days until Reid came into his life.
I think my favourite part of this story was the progression of the bond between these two from team mates, to acquaintances, to friends and then to something more. I totally enjoyed how Reid managed (by just being his unfiltered self) to get into Charlie's life.
Another thing that made me love this book was the FEELS it evoked. Right from the very first page, we are pulled into Reid's constant struggle and then we moved on to his uncertainty, then to all the PINING and finally all the swoony stuff.
I really really enjoyed this and aside my zero knowledge of baseball which made some of the things fly past my head, I was riveted from start to finish.
I also realised (while posting this review) that I was right about Glasser's orientation because his book was Book 1! I don't know how I missed that this was book#2 but I will DEFINITELY be reading his book!
Recommended for lovers of sports romance done RIGHT.
***eARC Provided in Exchange for an Honest, Unbiased Review ***
June 19, 2025
Reread June 2025: Still amazing. KD Casey is peerless in sports romance. And yes, I have read and loved Rachel Reid.
—
I appear to be reading this series backwards. I started with Diamond Ring, which I still think about almost constantly. And Fire Season, which stars Oakland Elephants pitchers Reid Giordano and Charlie Braxton, looks set to be the same.
MM bi4bi baseball friends-to-lovers is apparently a nearly irresistible combination for me. Fire Season is about Charlie, who's an established superstar pitcher who mainly grunts, and Reid, a charming and talented player who nevertheless is on metaphorical probation due to an alcohol problem. Charlie, a 6'6" gentle giant with (treated) anxiety, is a little nonplussed when Reid appears and basically forces him to be friends with him. Reid ends up staying in Charlie's spare room, because of course he does.
I called this friends-to-lovers earlier, and it is, but there is an undeniable spark of attraction almost from the get go. The problem is that Reid doesn't have a full contract and could be traded at any moment, so they have to figure out this thing between them on borrowed time.
I loved so much about this book: the small physical touches that build unbelievable sexual tension, the very adultness of the characters (there is only a single smirk, which I guess has become my barometer for maturity level), the fact that Charlie has anxiety but it isn't his whole personality, the (to my eyes, anyway) accuracy of male interactions, both platonic and not). And it's so hot, particularly the scene where Reid has returned shirtless from a run and is standing in the kitchen licking pastry sugar from his fingers and Charlie is basically struck dumb. 🥵
Cannot wait to read the first book in the series now.
Reid + Charlie 4ever
—
I appear to be reading this series backwards. I started with Diamond Ring, which I still think about almost constantly. And Fire Season, which stars Oakland Elephants pitchers Reid Giordano and Charlie Braxton, looks set to be the same.
MM bi4bi baseball friends-to-lovers is apparently a nearly irresistible combination for me. Fire Season is about Charlie, who's an established superstar pitcher who mainly grunts, and Reid, a charming and talented player who nevertheless is on metaphorical probation due to an alcohol problem. Charlie, a 6'6" gentle giant with (treated) anxiety, is a little nonplussed when Reid appears and basically forces him to be friends with him. Reid ends up staying in Charlie's spare room, because of course he does.
I called this friends-to-lovers earlier, and it is, but there is an undeniable spark of attraction almost from the get go. The problem is that Reid doesn't have a full contract and could be traded at any moment, so they have to figure out this thing between them on borrowed time.
I loved so much about this book: the small physical touches that build unbelievable sexual tension, the very adultness of the characters (there is only a single smirk, which I guess has become my barometer for maturity level), the fact that Charlie has anxiety but it isn't his whole personality, the (to my eyes, anyway) accuracy of male interactions, both platonic and not). And it's so hot, particularly the scene where Reid has returned shirtless from a run and is standing in the kitchen licking pastry sugar from his fingers and Charlie is basically struck dumb. 🥵
Cannot wait to read the first book in the series now.
Reid + Charlie 4ever
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