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Miami Piranhas #4
Winning the Season
Coach Asa Dawson has fallen wildly in love only twice in his life.
First with football.
Then with Scott Callaway.
But Scott isn’t just the one who got away.
He’s the one person—the one man—Asa hoped might finally show him how all-consuming passion could be.
Instead, fate (and football) intervened and they never got the chance to explore their attraction. Their friendship ended in ruins, Scott left, and Asa’s been torn between hating him and loving him for the last seven years.
Asa doesn’t think he’ll ever see him again, but when his bad habits catch up to him and he doesn’t have a choice but to accept help, he’s horrified—and exhilarated—to learn Scott’s been hired to assist him.
With the final stretch of the Piranhas season falling during the holidays, maybe what Asa and Scott have needed this whole time was a little Christmas magic to remind them the most important job isn’t to win the season—but to finally win each other’s hearts.
First with football.
Then with Scott Callaway.
But Scott isn’t just the one who got away.
He’s the one person—the one man—Asa hoped might finally show him how all-consuming passion could be.
Instead, fate (and football) intervened and they never got the chance to explore their attraction. Their friendship ended in ruins, Scott left, and Asa’s been torn between hating him and loving him for the last seven years.
Asa doesn’t think he’ll ever see him again, but when his bad habits catch up to him and he doesn’t have a choice but to accept help, he’s horrified—and exhilarated—to learn Scott’s been hired to assist him.
With the final stretch of the Piranhas season falling during the holidays, maybe what Asa and Scott have needed this whole time was a little Christmas magic to remind them the most important job isn’t to win the season—but to finally win each other’s hearts.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2022
124 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
76 books674 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
December 2, 2022
So happy Asa finally got his story!!
I love everything from Beth Bolden, definite 1 click author and I've read every one of her books, so I'm impatiently waiting for the next one now 😂
I love everything from Beth Bolden, definite 1 click author and I've read every one of her books, so I'm impatiently waiting for the next one now 😂
November 20, 2022
Hands down, no debate necessary, my favourite book in this series and my second favourite couple from Beth, only being beaten by Colin & Nick (The Rainbow Clause).
I've been dying (and bugging Beth) to get Asa's story since the beginning. There's always been a hint of sadness and hidden heartbreak that wasn't related to his ex wife and here we find out why and who.
The opening part of the book sets the scene, seven years previously and we get to see Asa falling in love with his best friend and fellow coach Scott as, over a period of months, he starts to see him in a new light.
This part is done so well by Beth, you live it along with Asa as he goes through the complicated and confusing process.
When he declares his love, you're cheering alongside him, and your heart breaks when Scott admits he loves him too but he's taken a coaching job at the other end of the country because he won't let Asa give up his career, which is what he fears will happen.
We then get a seven year time jump during which Asa's pushed away his feelings and turned all his focus on being the best coach and winning games.
You know something has to break though, and it does, when he has a mild heart attack and his son Beau brings in his godfather - yup, guess who! - to help out.
We also get to be inside Scott's head and he's filled with weighty regrets but also a determination to not let Asa down again.
As they hesitantly learn how to be around each other again, it becomes very clear those feelings haven't gone away.
What follows is a masterclass in tension raising, UST-filled, emotionally charged narrative as both men are thrown in at the deep end with all that delicious attraction still bubbling right on the surface.
I'm not going to be spoiling anything here, let's just say you won't be disappointed by all the fratching, smouldering eyes and heated debates which push them closer to the expected blow up.
And this happens to have one of the most perfectly written first kisses in the history of first kisses imho because it's utterly unexpected.
There wasn't a bit of this story I'd have changed, in fact, for the first time ever since I've been Beta Reading for Beth, I had no notes 😁
Also this cover is brilliant and so much Asa!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I've been dying (and bugging Beth) to get Asa's story since the beginning. There's always been a hint of sadness and hidden heartbreak that wasn't related to his ex wife and here we find out why and who.
The opening part of the book sets the scene, seven years previously and we get to see Asa falling in love with his best friend and fellow coach Scott as, over a period of months, he starts to see him in a new light.
This part is done so well by Beth, you live it along with Asa as he goes through the complicated and confusing process.
When he declares his love, you're cheering alongside him, and your heart breaks when Scott admits he loves him too but he's taken a coaching job at the other end of the country because he won't let Asa give up his career, which is what he fears will happen.
We then get a seven year time jump during which Asa's pushed away his feelings and turned all his focus on being the best coach and winning games.
You know something has to break though, and it does, when he has a mild heart attack and his son Beau brings in his godfather - yup, guess who! - to help out.
We also get to be inside Scott's head and he's filled with weighty regrets but also a determination to not let Asa down again.
As they hesitantly learn how to be around each other again, it becomes very clear those feelings haven't gone away.
What follows is a masterclass in tension raising, UST-filled, emotionally charged narrative as both men are thrown in at the deep end with all that delicious attraction still bubbling right on the surface.
I'm not going to be spoiling anything here, let's just say you won't be disappointed by all the fratching, smouldering eyes and heated debates which push them closer to the expected blow up.
And this happens to have one of the most perfectly written first kisses in the history of first kisses imho because it's utterly unexpected.
There wasn't a bit of this story I'd have changed, in fact, for the first time ever since I've been Beta Reading for Beth, I had no notes 😁
Also this cover is brilliant and so much Asa!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
December 7, 2022
Check out our full post for WINNING THE SEASON on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆☆
WINNING THE SEASON is the fourth installment in the Miami Piranhas series. I think this could be read as a standalone, but I don't think it should be. You need all the past stories to really fall into this one.
Asa is a determined man. Determined to make it as an NFL coach. He hasn't quite learned the gift of delegating and loves to work hard. When a cardiac event shows him, and everyone else, he isn't superman, they get him help. That help comes in the form of his best friend, Scott. This should excite Asa, but how they left things all those years ago has Asa not grateful but angry.
Asa was married and divorced to a woman and always considered himself straight. But one moment with Scott changed everything. He now saw him differently and couldn't stop the feelings that were developing. Scott had always known he was in love with Asa, but he always checked those feelings, never letting them out of that box until he saw the change in Asa. Did he want the man? Absolutely, but for both of their sakes he could never give in. When he was approached by Washington to coach there, he jumped on it. Maybe time and distance is what they needed... maybe not!
I love everything about seeing Asa get his happily ever after. Out of everyone, he deserved it the most!
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
December 11, 2022
(2,5 stars) Winning the Season is the forth book in the series about the Miami Piranhas, the lovable queer friendly underdog team of the NFL, in which their head coach Asa Dawson gets a chance for his own happy ending.
Asa's story was slowly teased ever since the beginning of the series in the from of bonus scenes from his point of view after each series installment. Beside unmasking Asa as a secret romantic and a soft heart we also discovered that Asa might not be as straight as he presented himself to the world, as he once was in love with his best friend and his son's godfather, Scott Callaway.
Asa's actual story opens with a prologue taking us back in the past and the moment Asa and Scott won a National Championship together which was also the moment Asa had a realization that he might be attracted to his gay best friend. Over the span of a year Asa's feelings slowly but surely started changing from friendship towards love.
Back in the present we find Asa in the hospital recovering from a mild heart attack and discovering that Beau, unaware of the reasons Asa and Scott stopped talking to each other, decided to bring Scott to Miami in order to help Asa run the team. Asa is wholeheartedly against the idea but ultimately powerless to prevent the team from hiring Scott.
I expected a lot more tension from Asa and Scott's reunion and for Asa not to forgive Scott as easily and quickly as he did. Because once Asa lets go of his anger (not even a week in) and him and Scott give into the attraction between them all the inadequate and short lived tension gives way to a series of schmoopy too perfect sex scenes which did very little in terms of keeping me invested in their romance.
After Asa and Scott fall in bed together, trying to prevent the team from losing any more football games and Asa coming clean with Beau become the only remaining sources of tension in the story. Asa and Scott succeed in former but Asa fails at latter and Beau ends up upset after walking in on Asa and Scott in a compromising situation. Relatively quickly Beau finds it in himself to forgive his father and we're treated to the scenes of team being one big happy football family and Asa being his true self with Scott in front of Beau and everybody else.
There is no other way around it but Asa's long awaited story, that the author did such a good job building the anticipation for, was a bit of a let down for me. On paper these are all the themes I would expect myself to enjoy in a story but I wanted a lot more drama and heightened emotions between Asa and Scott instead of what we got.
The only thing this story succeed in was making me more interested in Micah Rose's story, but as far as I know the author has no plans for it, instead we're getting Kennyon's story who flew so long under my radar that I am not actually all that interested in reading his story.
Themes: dual POV, middle-aged MCs, bisexual awakening, closeted character, second chance, friends to lovers, coming out, Christmas, football coaches, NFL
Asa's story was slowly teased ever since the beginning of the series in the from of bonus scenes from his point of view after each series installment. Beside unmasking Asa as a secret romantic and a soft heart we also discovered that Asa might not be as straight as he presented himself to the world, as he once was in love with his best friend and his son's godfather, Scott Callaway.
Asa's actual story opens with a prologue taking us back in the past and the moment Asa and Scott won a National Championship together which was also the moment Asa had a realization that he might be attracted to his gay best friend. Over the span of a year Asa's feelings slowly but surely started changing from friendship towards love.
Back in the present we find Asa in the hospital recovering from a mild heart attack and discovering that Beau, unaware of the reasons Asa and Scott stopped talking to each other, decided to bring Scott to Miami in order to help Asa run the team. Asa is wholeheartedly against the idea but ultimately powerless to prevent the team from hiring Scott.
I expected a lot more tension from Asa and Scott's reunion and for Asa not to forgive Scott as easily and quickly as he did. Because once Asa lets go of his anger (not even a week in) and him and Scott give into the attraction between them all the inadequate and short lived tension gives way to a series of schmoopy too perfect sex scenes which did very little in terms of keeping me invested in their romance.
After Asa and Scott fall in bed together, trying to prevent the team from losing any more football games and Asa coming clean with Beau become the only remaining sources of tension in the story. Asa and Scott succeed in former but Asa fails at latter and Beau ends up upset after walking in on Asa and Scott in a compromising situation. Relatively quickly Beau finds it in himself to forgive his father and we're treated to the scenes of team being one big happy football family and Asa being his true self with Scott in front of Beau and everybody else.
There is no other way around it but Asa's long awaited story, that the author did such a good job building the anticipation for, was a bit of a let down for me. On paper these are all the themes I would expect myself to enjoy in a story but I wanted a lot more drama and heightened emotions between Asa and Scott instead of what we got.
The only thing this story succeed in was making me more interested in Micah Rose's story, but as far as I know the author has no plans for it, instead we're getting Kennyon's story who flew so long under my radar that I am not actually all that interested in reading his story.
Themes: dual POV, middle-aged MCs, bisexual awakening, closeted character, second chance, friends to lovers, coming out, Christmas, football coaches, NFL
Read
December 3, 2022😂😂😂 This guy is written *exactly* the same as all the characters half his age, except instead of -ing he uses -in’. Because he’s old and southern. 😂😂😂 Okay this is hilariously bad but it’s kind of incredible, the zero commitment to writing a realistic character except for this one weird thing which throws you so far out of the narrative every time you read it… DNF @ 3%, I physically can’t continue reading this or I will get a stomach ache from laughing.
June 22, 2023
4.25
Asa Dawson will always admit that football is his first love is football, but his second? Well, he'd say it's the one that got away. But when Asa's bad habits catch up to him, suddenly the man that got away reappears in his life...as his assistant. Asa is filled with conflicting emotions over the situation, but he has to accept the help nonetheless. December is not a good time to shake up a coaching staff, especially not one that is working, but this might be one change that works well for Asa.
After getting bits and pieces of coach (and a little bit about his mystery man in the bonus chapters), I was super excited to read a whole book dedicated to him. It took me a bit to get into this and fully root for Asa and Scott, but it wasn't too long before I was hooked. They complement each other so well, and it was hard not to fall in love with them. I'm a big fan of second-chance romances and long-term pining, and this book combines them in the best ways possible.
Asa Dawson will always admit that football is his first love is football, but his second? Well, he'd say it's the one that got away. But when Asa's bad habits catch up to him, suddenly the man that got away reappears in his life...as his assistant. Asa is filled with conflicting emotions over the situation, but he has to accept the help nonetheless. December is not a good time to shake up a coaching staff, especially not one that is working, but this might be one change that works well for Asa.
After getting bits and pieces of coach (and a little bit about his mystery man in the bonus chapters), I was super excited to read a whole book dedicated to him. It took me a bit to get into this and fully root for Asa and Scott, but it wasn't too long before I was hooked. They complement each other so well, and it was hard not to fall in love with them. I'm a big fan of second-chance romances and long-term pining, and this book combines them in the best ways possible.
November 17, 2022
GAH! COACH!
November 29, 2023
I was so happy for Asa and Scott. Liked the story, the dedication and love between the two grown man. What confused and irritated me were Beau's reaction to their relationship and mentions of toxic masculinity. Beau was just weird. A grown up man sulking, purposefully "overlooking" Scott and his father because he is angry two adults were not acting like gossiping school children and telling their besty or in this case child first that they had a crush. Get over yourself. And to tell his father that he was going to have to wait a long time for his approval is just brutal, childish and plain stupid. Who are we? Babies with tantrums? Only to tell them days later that he is happy for them and that it has been a long time coming? I'm sorry what? So he risked his father's happiness before, told them right in the face that he was not accepting, a fact that could shatter relationships just for funnsies? The other, are people and especially men actually saying toxic masculinity? It feels like something a woman would make a man say but not how a man would ever describe the scenario they were talking about. I would have rather described the sports industry as overly masculine, prone to hero worship that make people irrational when they then don't act like they are imagined to be, a high intensity work environment where competitorship and dominance are pushed and often necessary for success; all necessary for success but also sometimes fostering an environment not easily accepting of perceived weakness of any kind.
January 8, 2024
I listened to this rather than reading it conventionally.
There is a lengthy prologue at the beginning, but this gives us some really important back story as to how Asa has fell in love with Scott and really sets us up for where the story then begins - Chapter 1 brings us back 7 years later, when Scott is reappearing into Asa’s life (after walking away from him and choosing football and his career over coming out and being potentially happy).
I have to say - I love how Beth Bolden interweaves their knowledge of sport to create a good solid plot which is not solely the romance alone. The romance is still a good part of the story, but it holds equal weight to the rest of the story, rather than being the sole focus. However the epilogue which is more romance focussed was just the absolute sweetest.
Darcy Stark is a fairly new narrator to me, but I have to say they did a stellar job of this. The prologue was a little confusing to listen to, I did need to go back a couple of times to check I understood, but once we got onto the main story I flew through it - such a great story and the narration from chapter 1 was much easier to follow. Their characterisation of both Asa (and his grumpy / stubborn behaviour) and Scott’s lighter more sunshine character was brilliant - they really brought both characters to life for me.
There is a lengthy prologue at the beginning, but this gives us some really important back story as to how Asa has fell in love with Scott and really sets us up for where the story then begins - Chapter 1 brings us back 7 years later, when Scott is reappearing into Asa’s life (after walking away from him and choosing football and his career over coming out and being potentially happy).
I have to say - I love how Beth Bolden interweaves their knowledge of sport to create a good solid plot which is not solely the romance alone. The romance is still a good part of the story, but it holds equal weight to the rest of the story, rather than being the sole focus. However the epilogue which is more romance focussed was just the absolute sweetest.
Darcy Stark is a fairly new narrator to me, but I have to say they did a stellar job of this. The prologue was a little confusing to listen to, I did need to go back a couple of times to check I understood, but once we got onto the main story I flew through it - such a great story and the narration from chapter 1 was much easier to follow. Their characterisation of both Asa (and his grumpy / stubborn behaviour) and Scott’s lighter more sunshine character was brilliant - they really brought both characters to life for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2022
I was so glad when I found out Asa would be getting his own story. This has several elements that I really like - older main characters, second chance romance, bisexual awakening - and it’s all in the setting of the Miami Piranhas.
While getting the backstory between Asa and Scott, I’ll admit I was a little frustrated with Scott and the way he left Asa behind the first time around. When they’re thrown together again here seven years later, there are plenty of pent-up feelings on both sides until finally that dam breaks. Even then, there’s still some unresolved issues, particularly when it comes to Beau, Asa’s son…just enough to add a bit more drama to their story.
Asa and Scott are fantastic together, and thanks to the circumstances the first time around and the setting with the team once Scott comes to Miami, their reunion makes for some pretty entertaining reading. There’s some laughs thrown in thanks to the Secret Santa the team is doing, and if you’ve already been reading the series, all the guys are here again as the supporting cast so we get to visit with some of our favorites from the rest of the stories.
Winning the Season was a solid 4-star read for me, and I’d absolutely recommend it to any romance fan (with bonus points for sports romance fans). While this is the fourth book in the series, you could read it on its own…though you’ll enjoy it even more if you read the books in order so you have the other characters’ own backstories. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
While getting the backstory between Asa and Scott, I’ll admit I was a little frustrated with Scott and the way he left Asa behind the first time around. When they’re thrown together again here seven years later, there are plenty of pent-up feelings on both sides until finally that dam breaks. Even then, there’s still some unresolved issues, particularly when it comes to Beau, Asa’s son…just enough to add a bit more drama to their story.
Asa and Scott are fantastic together, and thanks to the circumstances the first time around and the setting with the team once Scott comes to Miami, their reunion makes for some pretty entertaining reading. There’s some laughs thrown in thanks to the Secret Santa the team is doing, and if you’ve already been reading the series, all the guys are here again as the supporting cast so we get to visit with some of our favorites from the rest of the stories.
Winning the Season was a solid 4-star read for me, and I’d absolutely recommend it to any romance fan (with bonus points for sports romance fans). While this is the fourth book in the series, you could read it on its own…though you’ll enjoy it even more if you read the books in order so you have the other characters’ own backstories. This book is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
December 6, 2022
Winning the Season is a wonderful addition to the Miami Piranhas series.
I love that we have more mature main characters in this story. Add in it's really a second chance romance and I'm sold. To make it even better let's add in some holiday cheer! Asa and Scott’s story will break your heart but then will put it all back together again in the best possible way.
Choices made 7 years ago have led to a falling out between these two. When circumstances bring them back together the spark and connection is very much still there.
I loved watching them on their journey to their well deserved HEA.
It was great seeing some old familiar friends.
I love that we have more mature main characters in this story. Add in it's really a second chance romance and I'm sold. To make it even better let's add in some holiday cheer! Asa and Scott’s story will break your heart but then will put it all back together again in the best possible way.
Choices made 7 years ago have led to a falling out between these two. When circumstances bring them back together the spark and connection is very much still there.
I loved watching them on their journey to their well deserved HEA.
It was great seeing some old familiar friends.
November 21, 2022
Throughout this series, the coach has had my attention. He's such a good guy and I was so excited to get his happy ever after, with some Christmas cheer sprinkled in. One of my very favorite scenes was him watching a certain holiday movie for the first time. It was so entertaining! He's kind of a grinch and everyone is testing that hahaha! But anyways. This is like a second chance romance, where the first chance never really started.
Seven years ago, Asa had his heart broken when his best friend left. Because he wanted more for the first time. Now Scott is back and has some fixing to do, Asa is super hurt and mad. Once they connect, it's not super angsty, that's mostly in the beginning. This couple has like a deeper connection than most because they have all this history. Yes it's steamy, but it's sooo much more. Usually I'd say you can read these in any order, and technically you could this time, but I think at least go back and read Asa's son, Beau's, story before this one.
Seven years ago, Asa had his heart broken when his best friend left. Because he wanted more for the first time. Now Scott is back and has some fixing to do, Asa is super hurt and mad. Once they connect, it's not super angsty, that's mostly in the beginning. This couple has like a deeper connection than most because they have all this history. Yes it's steamy, but it's sooo much more. Usually I'd say you can read these in any order, and technically you could this time, but I think at least go back and read Asa's son, Beau's, story before this one.
February 25, 2024
This was really enjoyable second chance story of Asa and Scott. I could really understand Asa’s anger and hurt when Scott left the first time. I love how Scott was determined to fight the second time. Didn’t really understand Beau’s reaction though. Seemed a little over the top. Glad it didn’t last too long. I’m really enjoying this series.
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January 10, 2024* mature mcs
* second chance romance
* mutual pining
* best friends to enemies to lovers
* (don't know how many players there are on an American Football team, but) is everyone gay?
I listened to the audio. Another solid job from Darcy Stark.
* second chance romance
* mutual pining
* best friends to enemies to lovers
* (don't know how many players there are on an American Football team, but) is everyone gay?
I listened to the audio. Another solid job from Darcy Stark.
December 1, 2022
Once again, this football is so weird for me, but I loved the book.
Asa and Scott were best friends, Scott is gay but Asa isn't. until one year everything changes and Asa finds himself deeply in love with Scott.
But when Asa tells Scot, his friend run away and only return some years later to help Asa, who had a health issue.
Can everything be normal again between Scott and Asa?
I really recommend this book and all this series
I received an ARC but the words are from the heart
Asa and Scott were best friends, Scott is gay but Asa isn't. until one year everything changes and Asa finds himself deeply in love with Scott.
But when Asa tells Scot, his friend run away and only return some years later to help Asa, who had a health issue.
Can everything be normal again between Scott and Asa?
I really recommend this book and all this series
I received an ARC but the words are from the heart
November 28, 2022
Arc book given in exchange for review
Book 4 in the piranha series
Been waiting for coaches book, this one has all the feels, it’s much more Intense emotionally this time, both MC’s are older 40’s and this relationship has been brewing for over 30 years, they had a connection from a young age, been friends since they were young, did pretty much everything together.
Coach Scott saw his best friend through all the ups and downs of life, he watched him get married, have a son, start a great career in football, he supported him and loved him and would rather be in his life without the returned love than not have him at all.
Until one day 7 years ago when secrets were revealed and he run away, took another job in another state to get away from the only love of his life.
Coach Asa runs the Piranhas football team, he’s the best of the best when it comes to NFL, his personal life on the other hand is another story! He’s been married and divorced, and 7 years ago spending a year getting closer to his best friend realising he had feelings for him but not being able to be “out” in the NFL prevented them from taking things further, but when Asa took the leap to let Scott know how he was feeling, he run! He had lost the only thing in his life that made sense, but over 7 years of Scott being away he grew angry with him, so when he’s called back to help Asa with his team he’s not very happy about it!
This was a Slower burn story of a relationship that was spanned over years, years of pining, years of ignoring the intense feelings, but the world had progressed over the years and being your true self is a lot easier nower days but it’s not without some hurdles, but once you decide to be you, things will get easier.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Book 4 in the piranha series
Been waiting for coaches book, this one has all the feels, it’s much more Intense emotionally this time, both MC’s are older 40’s and this relationship has been brewing for over 30 years, they had a connection from a young age, been friends since they were young, did pretty much everything together.
Coach Scott saw his best friend through all the ups and downs of life, he watched him get married, have a son, start a great career in football, he supported him and loved him and would rather be in his life without the returned love than not have him at all.
Until one day 7 years ago when secrets were revealed and he run away, took another job in another state to get away from the only love of his life.
Coach Asa runs the Piranhas football team, he’s the best of the best when it comes to NFL, his personal life on the other hand is another story! He’s been married and divorced, and 7 years ago spending a year getting closer to his best friend realising he had feelings for him but not being able to be “out” in the NFL prevented them from taking things further, but when Asa took the leap to let Scott know how he was feeling, he run! He had lost the only thing in his life that made sense, but over 7 years of Scott being away he grew angry with him, so when he’s called back to help Asa with his team he’s not very happy about it!
This was a Slower burn story of a relationship that was spanned over years, years of pining, years of ignoring the intense feelings, but the world had progressed over the years and being your true self is a lot easier nower days but it’s not without some hurdles, but once you decide to be you, things will get easier.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
November 27, 2022
4.5 Stars
Coach Asa Dawson has everything he needs; his son, Beau, the Miami Piranhas football team he’s rebuilding and a bland condo he calls home. He’s not missing anything. He’s most certainly not missing his best friend and love of his life (Ex-best friend? Former love of his life?), Scott Callaway. It’s been 7 years since he told Scott that he had romantic feelings for him, that he wanted them to be together and out (even though Scott is gay and, up until that year, Asa has considered himself straight) and Scott left him. No, not just him. He left Beau, the team, Tennessee and their future. Scott may have said he was doing it to keep Asa safe and away from any blowback, but Asa just feels abandoned and broken-hearted.
Cue to Asa in the hospital in a hospital gown, trying in vain to cover his behind while the team’s owner talks to Asa and Beau about Asa needing help delegating and lessening his workload so that he doesn’t have another, more serious heart attack. Asa grudgingly agrees until Beau tells him that he’d called his godfather, Scott, to come help Asa. What’s that heart monitors? You want everyone in the vicinity to know that Beau’s heart is equally excited, terrified and furious about this development? Beep on.
When Scott comes face-to-face with Asa for the first time in 7 years, he knows Asa is not happy that he’s there. He also knows that he made a mistake leaving Asa all those years ago. He knew it as he walked away, got in his truck, packed up his life and moved to Washington. Scott had started coming out to people in his hometown when Beau called him, saying that Asa needed him. Scott sees Asa’s heart attack as a sign that he needs to see if Asa still loves him as much as Scott has loved him for almost 30 years.
Can Scott convince Asa that he’s not going to run away again? Can Asa let Scott back into his team, life and heart? Is Scott truly willing to come out of the closet, be in a relationship with Asa in the open and build the rest of their lives together?
Beth Bolden’s 4th Miami Piranhas book is my favourite so far. Asa and Scott are older than the majority of the characters we’ve met so far and their passion is as fiery as guys half their age.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
Winning the Season
Beth Bolden
Coach Asa Dawson has everything he needs; his son, Beau, the Miami Piranhas football team he’s rebuilding and a bland condo he calls home. He’s not missing anything. He’s most certainly not missing his best friend and love of his life (Ex-best friend? Former love of his life?), Scott Callaway. It’s been 7 years since he told Scott that he had romantic feelings for him, that he wanted them to be together and out (even though Scott is gay and, up until that year, Asa has considered himself straight) and Scott left him. No, not just him. He left Beau, the team, Tennessee and their future. Scott may have said he was doing it to keep Asa safe and away from any blowback, but Asa just feels abandoned and broken-hearted.
Cue to Asa in the hospital in a hospital gown, trying in vain to cover his behind while the team’s owner talks to Asa and Beau about Asa needing help delegating and lessening his workload so that he doesn’t have another, more serious heart attack. Asa grudgingly agrees until Beau tells him that he’d called his godfather, Scott, to come help Asa. What’s that heart monitors? You want everyone in the vicinity to know that Beau’s heart is equally excited, terrified and furious about this development? Beep on.
When Scott comes face-to-face with Asa for the first time in 7 years, he knows Asa is not happy that he’s there. He also knows that he made a mistake leaving Asa all those years ago. He knew it as he walked away, got in his truck, packed up his life and moved to Washington. Scott had started coming out to people in his hometown when Beau called him, saying that Asa needed him. Scott sees Asa’s heart attack as a sign that he needs to see if Asa still loves him as much as Scott has loved him for almost 30 years.
Can Scott convince Asa that he’s not going to run away again? Can Asa let Scott back into his team, life and heart? Is Scott truly willing to come out of the closet, be in a relationship with Asa in the open and build the rest of their lives together?
Beth Bolden’s 4th Miami Piranhas book is my favourite so far. Asa and Scott are older than the majority of the characters we’ve met so far and their passion is as fiery as guys half their age.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
Winning the Season
Beth Bolden
November 25, 2022
Winning the Season by Beth Bolden is the 5th Book in her The Miami Piranhas series. Almost all of the side characters have had their own stories told so you may want to read the others in the series first to get the best reading out of this one. This is the story of the Piranhas head coach, Asa, and the man he fell in love with, Scott. They first met playing football in college and became best friends. As time went on Asa became the head coach at Tennessee and Scott became the defensive coach there. They were always in tune with each other but Scott was gay and in the closet and Asa married and had a son. However, the marriage ended and one year soon after Asa began to notice Scott as more than a best friend and although it took a year to really decide that he might love him, he said nothing. Then something happened and Scott left to coach at another college, which gutted both of them. 7 years later Asa had a health scare from working too hard and his son brought Scott back in to help with the defense. Asa was adamantly against it because he was so mad that Scott never fought for their relationship, but he eventually relented and they got close again. The story continues as the Piranhas seek to make the playoffs and Asa and Scott declare their love for each other in private because they are afraid of what may happen if they make it public. I am so enjoying this series and was anxiously awaiting this book because of the man and coach Asa was in the other books. The characters are very realistic and you could feel the angst with Scott always in love with Asa but unable to tell him, and then with his leaving when Asa finally realized his love for Scott. Then there was Scott trying to win back Asa when he returned but he was never quite sure if he could do that. Once they straightened out their acts and figured out that they wanted to be together you could feel the love, especially in their hot love scenes, and the problems they had with telling everyone, especially Asa’s son. The side characters added to the fun and what they did and their personalities were often quite hilarious. The story also explained a lot about what professional football players go through with practices and games, and also what the coaches have to do each week to adjust their game plans, which I found fascinating. All of this added up to a wonderful story that added to the series. I have loved these stories and I highly recommend this book. Ms. Bolden has one more planned in the series and I’m looking forward to reading it to see what happens next.
December 2, 2022
Well. I wanted a story about the Coach, and I got a freaking good Coach story!!!
I have to say, pretty much from the first book in the series, something about Asa intrigued me. And that amazed me. I generally don't read or feel compelled to read stories about characters above middle age. Not because I think they are "old" to have their own history, but because I like to read how they start, how they continue and how they end over many, many, maaaaany years. But something about Asa drew me. Perhaps because I could sense that behind his hard facade and his seriousness, his obsession with work and his intention to always do what was right for others, lay a deep pain. And I wanted to know the cause so I could find a way to alleviate it. I wanted to find out how to fix it so that he could also find his own right path like some of his players.
So I waited and waited, because I knew that Beth Bolden was somehow going to give what I, and so many other readers, were looking forward to. Coach's story.
And I also have to say, that as with her other books, she did not disappoint.
The first thing I read (and reviewed) from her was Riptide: the Complete Series, and from then on I was hooked. I have read all I could of what she has written. And I'm not going to stop. Because even though I don't understand one iota of football, or how people work in a kitchen trailer, etc., I can say that I don't need to understand it. She describes it in a way that not only shows the background of the main story, but ends up being one more character.
Asa and Scott are finally together. After a lifetime, after ups and downs, after fighting together to achieve different successes, after a really, really painful separation, now they fight together to have the ending they both deserve. And it's great to see everyone else helping them reach that ending. Like a big family. As it should always be, everywhere. Because love is love and everyone deserves to love who they want to love. It doesn't matter where, age or anything.
I look forward to the next book, which is going to be the last in this series, unfortunately for us fans. But luckily, not the last we will have of her.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
I have to say, pretty much from the first book in the series, something about Asa intrigued me. And that amazed me. I generally don't read or feel compelled to read stories about characters above middle age. Not because I think they are "old" to have their own history, but because I like to read how they start, how they continue and how they end over many, many, maaaaany years. But something about Asa drew me. Perhaps because I could sense that behind his hard facade and his seriousness, his obsession with work and his intention to always do what was right for others, lay a deep pain. And I wanted to know the cause so I could find a way to alleviate it. I wanted to find out how to fix it so that he could also find his own right path like some of his players.
So I waited and waited, because I knew that Beth Bolden was somehow going to give what I, and so many other readers, were looking forward to. Coach's story.
And I also have to say, that as with her other books, she did not disappoint.
The first thing I read (and reviewed) from her was Riptide: the Complete Series, and from then on I was hooked. I have read all I could of what she has written. And I'm not going to stop. Because even though I don't understand one iota of football, or how people work in a kitchen trailer, etc., I can say that I don't need to understand it. She describes it in a way that not only shows the background of the main story, but ends up being one more character.
Asa and Scott are finally together. After a lifetime, after ups and downs, after fighting together to achieve different successes, after a really, really painful separation, now they fight together to have the ending they both deserve. And it's great to see everyone else helping them reach that ending. Like a big family. As it should always be, everywhere. Because love is love and everyone deserves to love who they want to love. It doesn't matter where, age or anything.
I look forward to the next book, which is going to be the last in this series, unfortunately for us fans. But luckily, not the last we will have of her.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
December 1, 2022
I, among other readers, have been (not so patiently) waiting for Coach's story. We all needed him to get his own story, there was so much to him that we just needed to know. We needed to know him better, and we got that in this book.
Coach, (aka Asa) fell in love with his best friend 7 years ago, if he's honest he might be been falling a bit before then. When he finally worked up the nerve to tell Scott how he felt Scott rejected him, pushed him away and chose leaving over staying with Asa. That moment crushed Asa and it ruined their friendship. Seven years not talking to someone is a long time, all of the anger, pain, grief, and regret comes rushing back as soon as Asa sees Scott again. And why is Scott there? Beau of course!
I for one love all of these characters, they really work well together and each hold their own stories and personalities. That team really is a family at the heart of it all and I love reading about that found family trope. That's definitely an underlying element here. I also adored how Beth wrote Asa as a Grinch, and how everyone tried to get him in the festive spirit. That was great and so fun to read about, however, no matter how much I love the holidays I don't know if I'd want to be covered in glitter.
Beth knows how to write characters you can't help but cheer for and want to know better. I personally am not a fan of football but I genuinely love these books, they are just so good! And while football is a big part of this series so are the characters, and that's what I love. How I can still enjoy a football series without me being a fan of football. I'm so glad we finally got to see Coach get his well deserved happy ever after, he needed Scott in his life and I'm happy that he got him.
(The scene where Beau discovers these two in the kitchen with Scott only wearing an apron made me want to hide. It was so funny!) I really enjoy it when an author can not only have an excellent plot and amazing writing but who can also add humor when it's fitting.
Overall a really great slow burn romance between two friends who deserve love. As much as I don't want this series to end I'm looking forward to Kenyon's story, he's such a question mark right now. I'm very curious.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
Coach, (aka Asa) fell in love with his best friend 7 years ago, if he's honest he might be been falling a bit before then. When he finally worked up the nerve to tell Scott how he felt Scott rejected him, pushed him away and chose leaving over staying with Asa. That moment crushed Asa and it ruined their friendship. Seven years not talking to someone is a long time, all of the anger, pain, grief, and regret comes rushing back as soon as Asa sees Scott again. And why is Scott there? Beau of course!
I for one love all of these characters, they really work well together and each hold their own stories and personalities. That team really is a family at the heart of it all and I love reading about that found family trope. That's definitely an underlying element here. I also adored how Beth wrote Asa as a Grinch, and how everyone tried to get him in the festive spirit. That was great and so fun to read about, however, no matter how much I love the holidays I don't know if I'd want to be covered in glitter.
Beth knows how to write characters you can't help but cheer for and want to know better. I personally am not a fan of football but I genuinely love these books, they are just so good! And while football is a big part of this series so are the characters, and that's what I love. How I can still enjoy a football series without me being a fan of football. I'm so glad we finally got to see Coach get his well deserved happy ever after, he needed Scott in his life and I'm happy that he got him.
(The scene where Beau discovers these two in the kitchen with Scott only wearing an apron made me want to hide. It was so funny!) I really enjoy it when an author can not only have an excellent plot and amazing writing but who can also add humor when it's fitting.
Overall a really great slow burn romance between two friends who deserve love. As much as I don't want this series to end I'm looking forward to Kenyon's story, he's such a question mark right now. I'm very curious.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
December 4, 2022
My favorite of the series!
Rating: 5🌈
I’ve been waiting for this story since I started the series. It’s been hinted at throughout each book and Coach Asa Dawson is such a powerful person that he’s been able to help make each couple’s story and romance more interesting and real as it developed through the framework of the team and game.
So the references to a past drama and a unrequited love story thread for Coach just drew me in. I wanted to know what happened.
Winning The Season, the penultimate book in the Miami Piranhas series, is Beth Bolden’s love letter to the Coach of this mixed team of players of all sexualities and athletic backgrounds.
He’s been the glue to hold them together and the force to make them into a winning team.
So now he gets his own HEA.
But not without several hurdles, a bunch of painful barriers to overcome, and major forgiveness over past years wounds to old relationships.
I really loved the characters here. They rang so true. Scott Callaway, the old friend since college. He and Asa a unit since their college football playing days, through the years as a team as coaches on the smaller fields as they worked up through to the university level, always together.
Their history, deep friendship, passion for the game and each other, it all comes through so beautifully.
As does the painful experience when it all goes so badly.
The reunion is not a happy one. Nor should it be. The path back to each other is tough and paved with arguments and bad feelings. Which makes the real shift back into a truce and then more so rewarding and heartwarming.
The ending will bring out the tissues and a few sniffles I expect. I wasn’t expecting that. But it was perfect.
Winning The Season is my favorite of the series. There is one more book to come. I can’t believe it would be any better a series finale than this but I’m looking forward to reading it.
Until then, I’m highly recommending Winning The Season (Miami Piranhas Book 4) by Beth Bolden.
Miami Piranhas series:
🔹Playing For Keeps #1
🔹Playing The Player #2
🔹Playing By The Rules #3
🔹Winning The Season #4
🔹Playing Deep #5 - Feb 15,2023
Rating: 5🌈
I’ve been waiting for this story since I started the series. It’s been hinted at throughout each book and Coach Asa Dawson is such a powerful person that he’s been able to help make each couple’s story and romance more interesting and real as it developed through the framework of the team and game.
So the references to a past drama and a unrequited love story thread for Coach just drew me in. I wanted to know what happened.
Winning The Season, the penultimate book in the Miami Piranhas series, is Beth Bolden’s love letter to the Coach of this mixed team of players of all sexualities and athletic backgrounds.
He’s been the glue to hold them together and the force to make them into a winning team.
So now he gets his own HEA.
But not without several hurdles, a bunch of painful barriers to overcome, and major forgiveness over past years wounds to old relationships.
I really loved the characters here. They rang so true. Scott Callaway, the old friend since college. He and Asa a unit since their college football playing days, through the years as a team as coaches on the smaller fields as they worked up through to the university level, always together.
Their history, deep friendship, passion for the game and each other, it all comes through so beautifully.
As does the painful experience when it all goes so badly.
The reunion is not a happy one. Nor should it be. The path back to each other is tough and paved with arguments and bad feelings. Which makes the real shift back into a truce and then more so rewarding and heartwarming.
The ending will bring out the tissues and a few sniffles I expect. I wasn’t expecting that. But it was perfect.
Winning The Season is my favorite of the series. There is one more book to come. I can’t believe it would be any better a series finale than this but I’m looking forward to reading it.
Until then, I’m highly recommending Winning The Season (Miami Piranhas Book 4) by Beth Bolden.
Miami Piranhas series:
🔹Playing For Keeps #1
🔹Playing The Player #2
🔹Playing By The Rules #3
🔹Winning The Season #4
🔹Playing Deep #5 - Feb 15,2023
April 20, 2023
4.5 stars.
I have been looking forward to Asa's story since book one and I loved it so much! It is now my favorite in the series. My heart was already hurting for Asa after the prologue. Asa & Scott are so perfect for each other. They are so sweet together and have such great chemistry. I guess when you are friends for 20+ years that happens. My notes have so many crying face emojis. There were so many great moments.
Highlights:
The kiss in the rain
Micah and Scott's talk
Grumpy Asa
Beau & Asa's talk
The proposal
The jersey
This book was so worth the wait. I also love all the other characters more & more in each book.
"Asa swallowed hard. “Yeah. Yeah. I am. I’m fucking angry. Angry that you left. Angry that you stole that choice from me. Angry that you thought I could ever be happy without you. Angry that I didn’t follow you. Angry that I had to pretend like nothing was wrong. Angry that I had to come here and do this without you, when you were supposed to be next to me, by my side, this whole time. So yeah, I’m angry. But maybe . . .” He could barely catch his breath. “Maybe I’m angry that I goddamned missed you, too.”
"He was so goddamn eager, Asa could barely stand it, could barely brush the thought with his consciousness, because if he really thought about how much Scott wanted it, wanted him, he was going to lose the last little bit of self-control he had left, and then it would be over, and while yes, he knew it was probably going to happen again, it would never happen again for the very first time. And he wanted to remember every single second of the first time. He wanted it emblazoned on his brain, so if he ever had to live without Scott again, he could relive it, one incredible moment at a time."
"He’d lost himself a little bit, but not entirely, because the truth was, he couldn’t ever lose himself completely because right there, anchoring him in place, was Scott. And even though during their seven years apart, that connection had stretched out, and grown dim with the distance, it had never left, and now it was snapping back into place, stronger and tougher, and even more resilient than before."
I have been looking forward to Asa's story since book one and I loved it so much! It is now my favorite in the series. My heart was already hurting for Asa after the prologue. Asa & Scott are so perfect for each other. They are so sweet together and have such great chemistry. I guess when you are friends for 20+ years that happens. My notes have so many crying face emojis. There were so many great moments.
Highlights:
The kiss in the rain
Micah and Scott's talk
Grumpy Asa
Beau & Asa's talk
The proposal
The jersey
This book was so worth the wait. I also love all the other characters more & more in each book.
"Asa swallowed hard. “Yeah. Yeah. I am. I’m fucking angry. Angry that you left. Angry that you stole that choice from me. Angry that you thought I could ever be happy without you. Angry that I didn’t follow you. Angry that I had to pretend like nothing was wrong. Angry that I had to come here and do this without you, when you were supposed to be next to me, by my side, this whole time. So yeah, I’m angry. But maybe . . .” He could barely catch his breath. “Maybe I’m angry that I goddamned missed you, too.”
"He was so goddamn eager, Asa could barely stand it, could barely brush the thought with his consciousness, because if he really thought about how much Scott wanted it, wanted him, he was going to lose the last little bit of self-control he had left, and then it would be over, and while yes, he knew it was probably going to happen again, it would never happen again for the very first time. And he wanted to remember every single second of the first time. He wanted it emblazoned on his brain, so if he ever had to live without Scott again, he could relive it, one incredible moment at a time."
"He’d lost himself a little bit, but not entirely, because the truth was, he couldn’t ever lose himself completely because right there, anchoring him in place, was Scott. And even though during their seven years apart, that connection had stretched out, and grown dim with the distance, it had never left, and now it was snapping back into place, stronger and tougher, and even more resilient than before."
November 22, 2022
Ever since first starting on this series and getting to know Asa a little bit more each time, I realised I wanted his story. And it seems I wasn't the only one because more readers started asking the author if he was getting his own book. To say I was thrilled when Ms Bolden announced Asa was indeed getting his happy ending is an understatement. And then when I received the ARC, well I just might have squeeked a little!!
And man, was this worth the wait!! What a great story!!
Asa and Scott have known each other for years, first when they both still played and later as coaches. Scott's always kept the fact he is gay hidden due to being scared for his career and the reactions of the people around him. Asa is the only who knew, but what he was totally unaware of was that Scott has been in love with him since they met. Scott never acted upon his feelings, he knew Asa was straight, was married and had a son Beau (whom we met in previous books). He was even godfather to Beau.
After Asa got divorced, he started seeing Scott differently. He developped feelings, but hid them. After about a year he just couldn't hide them anymore and he told Scott. The reaction however was not at all what he expected. Asa was rejected by Scott and the latter left for another team.
Fast forward seven years and both Scott and Asa have moved on, except from their feelings for one another. When Asa has to take it easier after getting admitted to the hospital, Beau hires Scott to come and help Asa. To say Asa isn't happy with this, is putting it mildly.
This was a real great story, I loved how even though both men hadn't seen each other for years, they still had this deep connection. There was no unnecessary drama, once they talked about what had happened and the reasons why, they moved forward towards their happy ending. This book gives you all the feels and there are some funny moments too because of Asa pretending to be a Grinch.
Highly recommended!!!
*I kindly receeived a copy of this book from the author via Bookfunnel. This is my honest review.*
And man, was this worth the wait!! What a great story!!
Asa and Scott have known each other for years, first when they both still played and later as coaches. Scott's always kept the fact he is gay hidden due to being scared for his career and the reactions of the people around him. Asa is the only who knew, but what he was totally unaware of was that Scott has been in love with him since they met. Scott never acted upon his feelings, he knew Asa was straight, was married and had a son Beau (whom we met in previous books). He was even godfather to Beau.
After Asa got divorced, he started seeing Scott differently. He developped feelings, but hid them. After about a year he just couldn't hide them anymore and he told Scott. The reaction however was not at all what he expected. Asa was rejected by Scott and the latter left for another team.
Fast forward seven years and both Scott and Asa have moved on, except from their feelings for one another. When Asa has to take it easier after getting admitted to the hospital, Beau hires Scott to come and help Asa. To say Asa isn't happy with this, is putting it mildly.
This was a real great story, I loved how even though both men hadn't seen each other for years, they still had this deep connection. There was no unnecessary drama, once they talked about what had happened and the reasons why, they moved forward towards their happy ending. This book gives you all the feels and there are some funny moments too because of Asa pretending to be a Grinch.
Highly recommended!!!
*I kindly receeived a copy of this book from the author via Bookfunnel. This is my honest review.*
January 4, 2024
And now Coach’s story! Another one from this series I’ve been looking forward to. We’ve seen hints in the series, and of course the bonus chapters, of Coach losing someone he loved. Now we finally get to see what happened and how he gets his second chance. Eight years ago, Asa looked at his best friend and something finally clicked. He loved him for so long but never really thought it could be more. But suddenly an attraction sparked and throughout that year, he’ll realize just how deep those feelings go and how what he wants is to really be with Scott. But will his best friend want him back? And as the year closes, Asa takes that leap of faith. He admits to Scott about his feelings and Scott reveals that he has always loved Asa too. But. Yeah, there’s a but. Scott didn’t believe the world they are in would let them have it all. Their careers as football coaches and a relationship between them. Not without giving something up and not while Scott was still in the closet and couldn’t imagine a way out. So he makes the choice to leave. To save Asa from making a decision he can’t take back and breaking not only his own heart but Asa’s as well. Now seven years later, Asa has a health scare and his son, Beau, is desperate to get Asa to change his work life. He calls Scott, not realizing just how long it’s been since Asa and Scott have spoken and that their friendship was possibly broken. Scott has learned his lesson though. He regretted leaving the moment he did, but now he will do what it takes to fight for Asa. And it will be quite the fight. Asa is still angry and hurt all these years later. How could not be? But even with the anger of Scott being back in his life, he has to admit… he has missed him too. Perhaps there is a chance for these two to find their way back to one another after all this time. Really loved this one! Another heartbreaking story to start with but so nice to see how these two find their way back to one another. And fight for one another like they should have years ago. You can’t help but root for these two! One more to go in this series and I cannot wait!
December 28, 2023
Winning the Season is a big win for me.
Winning the Season is the fourth book in the Miami Piranhas series, it can be read as a standalone.
A professional football MM Romance that is Coach Asa’s love story?! Say less!!! I loved everything about the premise of this book! It was funny, sweet, had a great storyline and the spice was spicing!!
It was the perfect listen for a cold winter night, it will definitely raise the temperature more! Darcy Stark embodies Asa and Scott! His performances had me swooning, cheering, and very hot under the collar!
I felt Asa’s emotions at the beginning bleeding through Darcy Stark’s voice and in return I felt so angry on his behalf.
Scott and Asa are both really great characters who are easily likeable, Asa’s only negative quality is him being a grinch 😂. It was nice listening to this audiobook at Christmas time. I think it was over a year ago I read it for the first time; I never reviewed it and didn’t remember the details going into this book.
When Scott said to Asa “it’s a privilege to know you” - gosh my heart, this was so beautiful. Their chemistry was electric; I could definitely feel it and it had me almost spellbound. Their love felt mature but also fun. Deep and emotional but also lighthearted and tender. Their deep friendship was at the core of their relationship and it was so lovely to see that being so key in a couple.
It was so nice listening to Scott and Micah’s relationship beginning to blossom when I already know how special it becomes.
This book contains sensitive content such as discussion of a heart attack and homophobia.
🎁 The reappearance of the date boxes!
🥰 Friends to lovers
💋 Second chance
✨ Forced proximity
🏈 NFL Football - Coach
🎄 Christmas holidays
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Narration by Darcy Stark: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
Winning the Season is the fourth book in the Miami Piranhas series, it can be read as a standalone.
A professional football MM Romance that is Coach Asa’s love story?! Say less!!! I loved everything about the premise of this book! It was funny, sweet, had a great storyline and the spice was spicing!!
It was the perfect listen for a cold winter night, it will definitely raise the temperature more! Darcy Stark embodies Asa and Scott! His performances had me swooning, cheering, and very hot under the collar!
I felt Asa’s emotions at the beginning bleeding through Darcy Stark’s voice and in return I felt so angry on his behalf.
Scott and Asa are both really great characters who are easily likeable, Asa’s only negative quality is him being a grinch 😂. It was nice listening to this audiobook at Christmas time. I think it was over a year ago I read it for the first time; I never reviewed it and didn’t remember the details going into this book.
When Scott said to Asa “it’s a privilege to know you” - gosh my heart, this was so beautiful. Their chemistry was electric; I could definitely feel it and it had me almost spellbound. Their love felt mature but also fun. Deep and emotional but also lighthearted and tender. Their deep friendship was at the core of their relationship and it was so lovely to see that being so key in a couple.
It was so nice listening to Scott and Micah’s relationship beginning to blossom when I already know how special it becomes.
This book contains sensitive content such as discussion of a heart attack and homophobia.
🎁 The reappearance of the date boxes!
🥰 Friends to lovers
💋 Second chance
✨ Forced proximity
🏈 NFL Football - Coach
🎄 Christmas holidays
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Narration by Darcy Stark: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
January 12, 2024
Arc Audio review
Story = 5 stars
Narration = 5 stars
M/M
Second chance
Friends to lovers
Sports romance (coaches)
Secret romance
Slow burn
Christmas
This can be read as a standalone but in order to really fall in love with Asa and his story it is best to read the series in order. Once again this book had great world building and a great group of side characters. It's a very supportive team and unlike other sports books where there is lots of discrimination, there is none ig that here.
I have been waiting for Asa's story and it did not disappoint. This book was very easy to read. Despite it being a little lengthy, I couldn't put it down. This story was sweet and at times emotional. There is no relationship angst but a bit of third party drama. This was low heat and I would have liked a bit more but I absolutely loved this story. I personally felt there was alot of focus on plays/sports and would have preferred more focus on the characters. That way it also could have shortened the book a bit. Not letting that affect my rating as that is just me not being a sports fan. Despite the length, it didn't feel draggy at all. I loved that although the 2 MCs had a previous relationship, this was still a slow burn and Scott had to really work for Asa's forgiveness. These 2 men were perfect for each other and has wonderful chemistry. Im looking forward to the next book.
The narrator did a great job with this performance. He has a pleasant reading voice and kept a good pace. He expressed all the emotions wonderfully. He gave all the characters, not just the 2 MCs, distinct voices that suited them well and made it easy to follow the story. It was a great listening experience and the narrator really brought the story to life.
Story = 5 stars
Narration = 5 stars
M/M
Second chance
Friends to lovers
Sports romance (coaches)
Secret romance
Slow burn
Christmas
This can be read as a standalone but in order to really fall in love with Asa and his story it is best to read the series in order. Once again this book had great world building and a great group of side characters. It's a very supportive team and unlike other sports books where there is lots of discrimination, there is none ig that here.
I have been waiting for Asa's story and it did not disappoint. This book was very easy to read. Despite it being a little lengthy, I couldn't put it down. This story was sweet and at times emotional. There is no relationship angst but a bit of third party drama. This was low heat and I would have liked a bit more but I absolutely loved this story. I personally felt there was alot of focus on plays/sports and would have preferred more focus on the characters. That way it also could have shortened the book a bit. Not letting that affect my rating as that is just me not being a sports fan. Despite the length, it didn't feel draggy at all. I loved that although the 2 MCs had a previous relationship, this was still a slow burn and Scott had to really work for Asa's forgiveness. These 2 men were perfect for each other and has wonderful chemistry. Im looking forward to the next book.
The narrator did a great job with this performance. He has a pleasant reading voice and kept a good pace. He expressed all the emotions wonderfully. He gave all the characters, not just the 2 MCs, distinct voices that suited them well and made it easy to follow the story. It was a great listening experience and the narrator really brought the story to life.
December 5, 2022
This is the fourth book in the series and finally Asa gets his HEA. That's not really a spoiler, I am used from other series by this author that the MCs are lucky to find their soulmates.
I enjoyed reading the book and I love second chance stories. I was happy to see characters from the previous books and novellas.
Asa, the head coach of the Miami Piranhas, has been hiding a secret. He and his former best friend Scott have history. Not only a friendship that lasted over 20 years while they were players themselves and building their careers as college team coaches, but also a sexual desire for each other that ended in heartbreak. Scott walked away and Asa buried himself in his work, not even sharing his secret with his son. Seven years later they reunite involuntarily and it is up to Scott to grovel and Asa to come clean himself.
So we have a case of no communication, and I am not talking about the seven years Scott and Asa didn't speak to each other, that causes some angst and could have made a difference to the storyline. It got resolved in the end, but it felt not right to me.
The other thing that I didn't like was age appropriate sexual behaviour between Asa and Scott. Men in their forties behaving like twenty year olds always feels off to me. Sneaking around because they aren't out, can't do PDA but make out in a semi public space, letting their private life bleed onto the field even though that was always the concession for Asa's players to pursue their relationships. I don't want to get deeper into it as this is fiction and these are fictional characters.
Overall it is entertaining and I did read it in one session.
******Got the ARC by chance******
I enjoyed reading the book and I love second chance stories. I was happy to see characters from the previous books and novellas.
Asa, the head coach of the Miami Piranhas, has been hiding a secret. He and his former best friend Scott have history. Not only a friendship that lasted over 20 years while they were players themselves and building their careers as college team coaches, but also a sexual desire for each other that ended in heartbreak. Scott walked away and Asa buried himself in his work, not even sharing his secret with his son. Seven years later they reunite involuntarily and it is up to Scott to grovel and Asa to come clean himself.
So we have a case of no communication, and I am not talking about the seven years Scott and Asa didn't speak to each other, that causes some angst and could have made a difference to the storyline. It got resolved in the end, but it felt not right to me.
The other thing that I didn't like was age appropriate sexual behaviour between Asa and Scott. Men in their forties behaving like twenty year olds always feels off to me. Sneaking around because they aren't out, can't do PDA but make out in a semi public space, letting their private life bleed onto the field even though that was always the concession for Asa's players to pursue their relationships. I don't want to get deeper into it as this is fiction and these are fictional characters.
Overall it is entertaining and I did read it in one session.
******Got the ARC by chance******
November 20, 2022
“I told you there was no room in football for queer relationships. And you came here and proved me wrong. One couple at a time.”
I have been waiting for this book ever since I read the first one. If you have been following along, you have been given hints as to the subject of this book and what might have happened between Asa and Scott, Beau’s godfather. Please get out your tissues because the prologue made me cry. The @* prologue. I am shaking my fist at you Beth Bolden! This book was soooooo good! Scott was an idiot and threw everything away, but now he is back, and Asa is supposed to be ok with it. This book ripped my heart into tiny little pieces and then stuck them back together again. These two had so much to work through in order to get their second chance. (Second chances are some of my favorite books, btw.) I felt this one deep into my bones. This is the best book in the series. No question. Hands down. My heart may take some time to recover, but it’s fine. I’m fine…no I’m not. . Asa’s book was everything I hoped it would be and more.
“Yeah. Yeah. I am. I’m angry. Angry that you left. Angry that you stole that choice from me. Angry that you thought I could ever be happy without you. Angry that I didn’t follow you. Angry that I had to pretend like nothing was wrong. Angry that I had to come here and do this without you, when you were supposed to be next to me, by my side, this whole time. So yeah, I’m angry. But maybe . . .” He could barely catch his breath. “Maybe I’m angry that I missed you, too.”
I have been waiting for this book ever since I read the first one. If you have been following along, you have been given hints as to the subject of this book and what might have happened between Asa and Scott, Beau’s godfather. Please get out your tissues because the prologue made me cry. The @* prologue. I am shaking my fist at you Beth Bolden! This book was soooooo good! Scott was an idiot and threw everything away, but now he is back, and Asa is supposed to be ok with it. This book ripped my heart into tiny little pieces and then stuck them back together again. These two had so much to work through in order to get their second chance. (Second chances are some of my favorite books, btw.) I felt this one deep into my bones. This is the best book in the series. No question. Hands down. My heart may take some time to recover, but it’s fine. I’m fine…no I’m not. . Asa’s book was everything I hoped it would be and more.
“Yeah. Yeah. I am. I’m angry. Angry that you left. Angry that you stole that choice from me. Angry that you thought I could ever be happy without you. Angry that I didn’t follow you. Angry that I had to pretend like nothing was wrong. Angry that I had to come here and do this without you, when you were supposed to be next to me, by my side, this whole time. So yeah, I’m angry. But maybe . . .” He could barely catch his breath. “Maybe I’m angry that I missed you, too.”
December 2, 2022
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
WINNING THE SEASON is the fourth installment in the Miami Piranhas series. I think this could be read as a stand alone but I don't think it should be. You need all the past stories to really fall into this one.
Asa is a determined man. Determined to make it as an NFL coach. He hasn't quite learned the gift of delegating and loves to work hard. When a cardiac event shows him and everyone else he isn't superman they get him help. That help comes in the form of his best friend, Scott. This should excite Asa but how left things all those years ago has Asa not grateful but angry.
Asa was married and divorced to a woman and always considered himself straight. But one moment with Scott changed everything. He now saw him differently and couldn't stop the feelings that were developing. Scott had always known he was in love with Asa but he always checked those feelings never letting them out of that box until he saw the change in Asa. Did he want the man? Absolutely but for both of their sakes he could never give in. When he was approached by Washington to coach there he jumped on it. Maybe time and distance is what they needed...maybe not!
I love everything about seeing Asa get his HEA. Out of everyone he deserved it the most!
WINNING THE SEASON is the fourth installment in the Miami Piranhas series. I think this could be read as a stand alone but I don't think it should be. You need all the past stories to really fall into this one.
Asa is a determined man. Determined to make it as an NFL coach. He hasn't quite learned the gift of delegating and loves to work hard. When a cardiac event shows him and everyone else he isn't superman they get him help. That help comes in the form of his best friend, Scott. This should excite Asa but how left things all those years ago has Asa not grateful but angry.
Asa was married and divorced to a woman and always considered himself straight. But one moment with Scott changed everything. He now saw him differently and couldn't stop the feelings that were developing. Scott had always known he was in love with Asa but he always checked those feelings never letting them out of that box until he saw the change in Asa. Did he want the man? Absolutely but for both of their sakes he could never give in. When he was approached by Washington to coach there he jumped on it. Maybe time and distance is what they needed...maybe not!
I love everything about seeing Asa get his HEA. Out of everyone he deserved it the most!
December 14, 2022
4.5 stars
I think anyone who has been reading Beth Bolden’s Piranhas’ series has been waiting for this story. Coach Asa has been so supportive of all the relationships his players have entered but there has always been an inherent sadness about him that wasn’t about his ex-wife. I mean I think we all knew this had to do with another man his former best friend, his son Beau’s godfather, and his former coaching partner, Scott and at the beginning of this book, we found out in flashbacks what brought on their estrangement and it was heartbreaking as it was one man’s sacrifice in order for the other one to go on and achieve big things. I loved these two men and I commend author Beth Bolden for letting us see their friendship, the moment it became more for a man who always considered himself straight, their heartbreak, their anger, and they way they moved past it to finally be together. There was true mastery in this author’s writing as she took her readers through every emotion these men felt and the admissions of heartbreak, loss, and love.
Winning the Season was an outstanding book of two men; one who has loved the other for decades and the other finding everything he’d been looking for in a relationship with his best friend and the man who owned his heart for the last eight years despite the hurt that kept them apart. Add in the characters from the previous books including Asa’s son Beau, and his partner, a bit of holiday cheer and this book was a feel good romance that was hard to put down.
Kindle Unlimited
I think anyone who has been reading Beth Bolden’s Piranhas’ series has been waiting for this story. Coach Asa has been so supportive of all the relationships his players have entered but there has always been an inherent sadness about him that wasn’t about his ex-wife. I mean I think we all knew this had to do with another man his former best friend, his son Beau’s godfather, and his former coaching partner, Scott and at the beginning of this book, we found out in flashbacks what brought on their estrangement and it was heartbreaking as it was one man’s sacrifice in order for the other one to go on and achieve big things. I loved these two men and I commend author Beth Bolden for letting us see their friendship, the moment it became more for a man who always considered himself straight, their heartbreak, their anger, and they way they moved past it to finally be together. There was true mastery in this author’s writing as she took her readers through every emotion these men felt and the admissions of heartbreak, loss, and love.
Winning the Season was an outstanding book of two men; one who has loved the other for decades and the other finding everything he’d been looking for in a relationship with his best friend and the man who owned his heart for the last eight years despite the hurt that kept them apart. Add in the characters from the previous books including Asa’s son Beau, and his partner, a bit of holiday cheer and this book was a feel good romance that was hard to put down.
Kindle Unlimited
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