I've been not so casually checking in on Keyes once I realized it felt like forever since she's released a book. I stumbled upon her announcement that this was up on Netgalley, and despite the fact that I preordered it, I jumped. So high. Today I cracked this book and barely stopped reading it.

It's a workplace romance done sexy but with a decent amount of weight behind that risk. It's a 31 year old baseball player whose best friend is in prison and it makes him lonely and, well, he's evaluating. As a result, he's been withdrawn, depressed and standoffish (the book hints at this as past behavior, it's certainly not the Ty we wind up seeing--mostly). He's a nightmare in the press-non-compliant, skips out on interviews, etc. But he's also a franchise player. Enter Gwen, who on a whim of mourning for her beloved aunt, applied to work for their shared love, the Charleston Thrashers, and got the job in PR. She's low-level and pretty much hates it until her brain for baseball and communication catches the attention of the manager and her boss.

I'm going to be really honest: It's CLEAR Julianna Keyes loves baseball. It's clear she knows her shit. It was even clear to me she'd either researched with players or played some (or both). The rich stadium atmosphere-used to such effect as to absolutely, positively remind me of all the things I adored about the field, being a spectator, and the game itself. And there's a lot of play-by-play on the field, which was well executed. What if you don't like baseball? There's still a lot to love here-from the team and club dynamic, to this lovely, developing romance, and a lot of moments that I laughed, (who doesn't hate Todd anyway?), and some that really made my eyes sting. But, if you don't like baseball -- it may be possible that it's too much baseball.

A quick comment on the reality of the consequences-- it reminded me of NFL cheerleaders, and I'm sure anyone else who aren't the high profile athletes. For that, I appreciated it.

There was some fumbling at the end-including the wrap up of some suspense light--and some wonderful, wonderful acts of love.

In case you're curious, I'm not canceling my preorder. 4.5 stars -- or so.

This might be my favourite book by Julianna! Gwen and Ty were just so human, you couldn't help but root for them. I swooned, laughed, and cried.

This is the first book that I have read by Mrs. Keyes and I loved it. I really hope there are more books about the Thrashers.

Ty and Gwen where well developed characters that where great together: Ty is a professional baseball player and Gwen works for the baseball public relations team.

This book is wrote with dual POV. suspense and sexy scenes. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters which were Ty’s teammates and their locker room antics.

I received an advanced copy for an honest review.

A sports romance with equal parts thrilling baseball action and endearing characters...pulling together a dynamic and chemistry laden romance. Coupled with a dialog riddled with delightful and humorous banter and an intriguing plot, the pages nearly turned themselves...the action was nonstop.

I hope this story was not simply a standalone romance, but the start of a new series.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Fabulous! Loved this one....exactly the right amounts of romance, emotions, & baseball.
Plus a nice guy hero, just alpha enough, but gentle & compassionate too.

Julianna Keyes brings us a low angst contemporary sports romance with Team Player.

Tyler Ashe is just trying to focus on the game he loves after his best friend and teammate lost his career by getting locked up. He loves baseball, but playing for the Thrashers just doesn’t feel the same now that he’s alone. Gwen Scott just lost the aunt that raised her. The same aunt that loved the Thrashers. So she got a job working for them, so that she could be close to her aunt. She loves baseball, and she loves being close to the memory of her aunt. Too bad she hates her job in the PR department. She feels unhappy and alone.

So what happens when two lonely people feel something different whenever they are together. Especially when they are alone together? Well they of course avoid each other and those feelings. Haha, ok maybe that’s not the full story, but you’ll have to read to find out what happens with Gwen and Ty. What I will say is that neither character is simple. Even though they find friendship in each other, they both still have things to work on and grow separately. I loved their relationship, and how they supported one another in different ways. I also loved all the side characters and players on the team! I hope that this author continues this series so we can get even more of the Thrashers team antics! I’d also like to read more about Ty’s friend who is locked up. Something he said at the end got me thinking!

Anyway. The point here is Team Player is a good sports romance. The heat level is pretty warm. The angst level is low, but the sweet factor is just right. I laughed a bit. I cried a bit, and I smiled a lot. There’s a bit of mystery and a little bit of a reveal that you won’t see coming. All in all a good read.

This was the first book I have read from Julianna Keyes and it did not disappoint! This was a really good sports romance book - and I am hoping it will be the first in a series on the Charleston Thrashers. Gwen was a likable and relatable main female character and Ty was a great male main character. I thought they seemed to have a lot in common and I found myself really rooting for them. There was some drama, which of course is normal for this genre. I honestly didn't see the twist toward the end coming which made me happy. A lot of contemporary romance novels are fairly predictable. Overall this was a quick, fun, and enjoyable read. I am really hoping this will become a series!

Wow! I really like this one! This is Tyler and Gwen book, Ty is a Hotshot shortstop baseball player for the Charleston thrashers and Gwen is in the PR department for the same MLB team! Gwen diligently tried to avoid Ty she doesn't like the feelings she gets when she's around him lol Ty tries everything to be around Gwen! These two definitely have chemistry that's off the charts! This book was funny, heartbreaking moments, light drama, and hot 🔥🔥🔥! I definitely recommend reading this book! It's well worth the read!Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!