This book was very typical sports romance book, and it was alright and interesting. But not super amazing, and i did not like the Heroine so much.

This was a nice, easy, one-sitting read!

Connor was absolutely the highlight of this book for me. His journey and personal growth were really incredible to read. Allison was offered just the right amount of push and they balanced each other out well. I enjoyed reading about their relationship, but I think what was missing was more of the team. I know when I read a sports romance one of the things I love is the found-family and team dynamics. We get some of that here, but most of the book took place in a Connor/Allison bubble.

I will say though, I saw the ending going completely differently, and I was happy with how it turned out. Though I'll be honest I was really hoping for a much more satisfying F-you to Kimball at the end. He was awful and I really wanted someone, anyone to give him a stern talking to!

This was really slow for me. I picked it up and put it right back down multiple times. I couldn't connect with what was happening and with either of the main characters so I quit it for good.

I really enjoyed this - I haven't read book one however I didn't feel like it made much difference to this story. I loved seeing Allisons relationship with her grandfather as well as the relationship she stats developing with Connor. I'd definitely read another book by Julianna Keyes

This was a typical Julianna Keyes. And I mean that in the best of ways.
Not your formulaic, escapist lovey-dovey slop (don't get me wrong, I love me some lovey-dovey slop from time to time), but a realistic, genuine take on how relationship dyamics actually work, even though it was set in the out-of-reach world of professional Baseball.

I really enjoyed this.

This is not my type. To romance was only a physical thing. Was he into her because he was just out of prison? I don't believe the HEA. Plus the team management seemed weird to me. I mean I have no idea how to run a pro team but I feel that this is not the best way. Eh. It just missed for me. Three stikes, bottom of the ninth.

Allison and Connor were sexy and funny and I for one could not get enough of this story. I enjoyed this story and the banter and sexual chemistry. This is another win for Julianna Keyes!

Connor was put in prison for insider trading but now he’s out and he wants to continue in the career he had before he went inside, as a Major League Baseball player. He needs to change and reform, win his way back into peoples hearts and the person to do that is the head of PR at his old team, Allison 

I liked Allison as a character, she had 2 sides, her scary work personality and a softer side that loves her grandfather and would do anything for him, even being unable to sell his home after she inherited it when we went into a nursing home. This all made Allison feel very real and human and you could feel her dedication and determination run through everything she did 

Connor had only one goal, getting fit enough to be invited to spring training and that is his only focus. He needs Allison to help him understand that he needs to win people back over to get his dream. Because he is so obsessed with getting back I struggled a bit more with him as a character. 

I think that because I know nothing about baseball that I didn’t understand everything that Connor did which coloured my opinion a bit and made it harder for me to feel emotionally involved and able to connect with the characters 

I would recommend this book to those who have a basic knowledge of baseball and who enjoy a romance with twists, trouble and secrets

3 Stars

Bench Player is an okay sports romance by Julianna Keyes. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't' anything that had me riveted either.

Bench Player (Charleston Thrashers #2). By Julianna Keyes. 2020. (ARC eBook).

Two years is a long time to be away from what you love most. And for Connor Whitman, that is playing baseball. Now released after serving two years, Connor’s game plan is to play again for the Charleston Thrashers, but management is not too keen to have an aged (by sports-standards), ex-con on the roster. But Conner is determined and finds himself reluctantly teaming up with an equally determined Allison Whyte, the Thrashers’ Public Relations Manager.

Allison has always found Connor to be too grumpy and rough around the edges, but never doubted his hard work on the field. If anyone is going to help polish Connor’s tarnished image, it’s going to be her.

Sparks fly when a sexy right fielder and a take-no-prisoners PR manager collide in Keye’s Bench Player. I loved the chemistry between Connor and Allison, and especially the emotional growth we get to see in this redemption story. And Allison’s grandfather, Biff--sooo lovable. I’ll definitely be picking up the next installment!

Bench Player is the second in the Thrasher series but you can definitely read it as a standalone, I did.

Sports romance is a new genre for me and I enjoyed, despite baseball not being my favorite sport. Connor is a white collar criminal just getting out of jail for insider trading and hoping to pick up where he left off in baseball and Allison is the PR manager to help him along.

In general, it was a fun book and enjoyable but it could have had a bit more explanation about the crime he was put away for and then at the end, i think it missed a couple of chapters tying up the story or making the leap to their happy ending. Bright spot for sure was Biff - the amazing and hilarious grandfather; and the interactions with the other baseball players.

I loved it! When I read this book I had not read book in the series but, I immediately went back so that I could catch up. One of the things I liked the most about this book is the uniqueness of the story line. I thought this book was funny, sweet, and witty from start to finish. I loved the dialogue and found the secondary characters just as charming as the main. I am a fan of this author and I can't wait to read more in this series.

First time reading this author. Book #2 of Charleston Thrashers series, which I read as a standalone. I was rather emotionally invested in this book.

The opening pages reeled me in. I was certain it was gonna be awesome. But first 15% was a drag. Chemistry between boy and gal felt flat and I wasn’t really sold on it.

Heroine’s boss kept giving her a hard time and the subplot didn’t pan out with a satisfactory “Take that!”

Bench Player is a great second book in the Charleston Thrashers series. We met Allison in the first book and also saw a bit of Connor. I wasn't sure what I would think of Connor and I eneded up really loving him. If you are looking for a sports romance, look no further! I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Sequels aren't necessarily my thing, and neither is sports; but that being said, I found myself really enjoying this book! As with the preceding Charleston Thrashers story, this one also focuses almost exclusively on relationships among the characters, although in a somewhat different way than I had anticipated.

We first met Connor at the end of Team Player when he finally deigns to meet with his best friend Ty who is having girl troubles. Prior to that, he'd kept himself completely shut off from the outside world and his former life while in prison. Even then he kind of comes across as a jerk, and that impression doesn't improve much for the first few chapters here. Eventually, however, we get to know the real Connor and along the way start rooting for him.

Allison is another character that we got to know fairly well in the prior book, but she really opens up to us here, showing more of her true self. Instead of the all-business (and rather scary) woman that Connor has always know and the reader has come to expect, she comes across much deeper and more nuanced. The fact that she even hooks up with Connor seems to come as much of a surprise to her as it does to him (and us). I absolutely adored her relationship with Biff and all of their scenes, and I wish there had been more of them.

I was expecting a lot more interaction between Connor and Ty. It seemed rather odd to me that they really only interact for brief moments at the front and end of the book. It was, however, interesting to see how Connor's relationship with the other players developed.

There was quite a bit of discussion about baseball topics, from positions and training to politics and contracts. But once again, this functions as backdrop and setting for the story, not the overall theme.

Connor and Allison just naturally fall into an easy relationship with one another that is so enjoyable to witness develop. Of course, there is drama and angst that occurs, mostly form outside sources, but also somewhat between these two. Ultimately they do come through for each other when it matters most, and manage to get their happily-ever-after. And it seems pretty likely that -- much like Connor's second chance at baseball -- they will truly appreciate it and make the most of it.

4.5 stars — Well, this book was a lot more emotionally impactful than I was expecting. Not that I don’t expect any emotion, but I also don’t expect to have a bawling episode. But I’m also tired.

When I started reading the book, I wasn’t sure what to think about Connor. He’s this reticent, reserved character that just got out of a life-changing stint in prison. It was a little dark, and just got to me. I can’t even imagine what that kind of life is like, especially when you didn’t break the law knowingly. I loved that he didn’t make excuses for himself, but he also didn’t dwell on his mistake too much. He just tried as best he could to deal with the ramifications, and adjust to being free again. And while he continued to be a man of few words, someone who kept to himself, we as the readers got to see more of who he was, and man did I connect with his heart. I appreciated all of the things he learned, and how he grew as the book went on. I appreciated the frank look at his fears and anxiety. And I loved the glimpses we got of his humour, and just heart in general.

Similarly, I wasn’t sure what to think of Allison. It’s actually been awhile since I read Team Player, so I’d forgotten my impressions of her. So in some ways it was like coming into this book fresh without any preconceptions. And she’s so…focused and driven and closed off at times. But just like with Connor, we get to see inside, see who she *really* is and see why she is the way she is. I really felt for her. I loved all that we learned about what her childhood was like, and how that shaped her. I LOVED her love of baseball. I LOVED watching her with her grandpa. And I loved that she could be so sassy, but also with a lot of heart. What she went through with her job stressed *me* out.

I loved that they each brought out the best in one another. That through their building connection with one another we got to see different sides to them. And their chemistry was fantastic. I loved that their relationship developed in sort of this weird way. I loved that Connor was so certain, and kept pushing Allison to open her eyes to what she knew deep down. They were just fabulous together.

And as with book one, I adored the side characters. From the other players on the team to Biff, they all just brought another level of colour to the story.

I sincerely hope there is more to come in this series, because I’m greedy like that. I think they just bring so much to the table — from heart and depth to humour.

Even though I still prefer Team Player-- Ty and Gwen are my favourite JK couple to date and I thought that book was flawless-- I thought this was a worthy sequel. As a rather prickly person myself I found it easy to relate to Allison and figured there had to be layers and more depth to her prickliness. Allison's relationship with Biff was heartwarming and I appreciated the fact that Connor a) bonded with Biff; and b) dropped everything to be there for Allison when Biff died.

I do think that the conflict was a bit contrived though and I'm not sure why Allison didn't tell Connor the truth earlier. As a baseball fan I also missed the baseball in this book.

Holy wow....that cover...kiss.


My first by this author and I just have to say....what a read! Loved it. I really wish I could of picked up the first book in the series but it wasn’t offered so as far as I can tell this can be a stand alone. It’s a unique spin on a baseball story that just had me glued to the pages.

What did I like? There is no insta love.... more like a slow burn. Connor is released from prison after two years for insider trading and he is committed to playing ball again. Only the Connor who comes out is not the same as the guy who went in. The author plays up rational fears of what being locked up for two years might have done to the pro ball player. Allison is the teams PR gal, and faced with being fired she is given one last chance. So she pits herself against Connor for a goal that isn’t equally satisfying. She is the first to notice the changes in him and her goal is to help him. This was such a fun read. My first by this author and this will not be my last.

Would I recommend or buy? This was a fun book, great for people with a book hangover because it was engaging and just refreshing. The book has some unusual characteristics since Connor goes to jail, but it’s not over the top. He comes out changed for the better which just makes the book inspirational.

Thoughts for the author? Congratulations on your new release! I’m a little behind on my reviews so this review was a tad bit late but I loved it. Thanks to the publisher for an arc to read and offer my opinion. Five stars!

I requested an ARC of this book when I saw it was about a player who had served time and was trying to get back to the game. A few years ago, I watched Matt Bush do exactly this for the Texas Rangers after serving time for a DUI. I was curious how the author handled both the return to baseball element and weaved romance into it at the same time. I didn't know this was the second book in a series but while the couple from that book does have a role to play here, I didn't need to know anything from that book to follow this one.

I'm really glad I asked. As a hardcore Jays fan, I needed to see the baseball done right. (And don't think I didn't note the slag on my team there - but hey, at least we were mentioned.) The challenges on both the front office and the player side felt very true to what I have heard and seen. This may be a fictional team, but they felt like a real one. (Although how can you talk about being in the AL East and mention Tampa but not the two obnoxious goliaths is beyond me, but I can't say I missed them.) And who doesn't love the story of a former star working his way back?

As for the romance part, I liked the slow build up, how forced proximity is used to have them start to see each other differently and then having their situations cause the very real obstacles to their relationship. Usually I hate when the conflict comes out of one part of the couple not telling something to the other but the groundwork is laid beautifully so that it doesn't come across as "oops, never found the right time" but instead coming out of a deep knowledge of how close someone is to the breaking point. You can tell some great research has gone into this story but it's never in your face, just weaved carefully in the telling.

I really loved this story. The H/h are older and wiser, my favourite combo. The sexy times, when they come, are very sexy. And the wordcraft is beautiful without being showy. This is definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year, and now I'll have to go pick up book one.

Allison is the Public Relations manager for the Charleston Thrashers and is responsible for protecting the teams reputation. Connor is the former star right fielder for the Thrashers, but after landing in jail for two years, his former team doesn't want anything to do with him. Allison's reputation takes a hit when Connor is sent to prison ad the team loses the World Series. She makes it her goal to revamp Connor's tarnished ex-con image to save her job and get Connor back on the team.

Soon enough the job gets complicated by their feelings for each other and the two wonder if they can have it all. Bench Player is the second book in the Charleston Thrashers series. I did not read book one, but I will remedy that ASAP.

I loved this book and these characters. I love a sports romance and, while this one was a little unconventional being that he is an ex-con, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Juliana Keyes for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.