Cover Image: Game On

Game On

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Nate Ramsey is home from the big leagues recovering from an injury. Thinking that will be it until his grandfather wants him to go and talk to Keeley, wondering what his grand is up to he goes, and slowly Keely and him reconnect. This is a good book with good characters.

Was this review helpful?

Baseball? Romance? Texas? SOLD. Probably one of the top five of the books I read this month. When Nate Ramsey heads home to recover from an injury after finally being called up to the majors, he's not entirely sure why his grandfather is pushing him into talking to his ex-girlfriend again. What I hadn't realized is that its actually the second book in the series. Yet it reads like a standalone. Nate and Keely essentially pick up where they left off when Keely's sister comes back to town for work....Seriously worth the read!

Was this review helpful?

Game On by Joanne Rock is the second book in the Texas Playmakers series. This book is also a second chance romance.

Nate Ramsey has returned home to Last Stand, Texas to recover from an injury. He hopes that he can also take the time to re connect and confront his old girlfriend, Keely Harper.

Was this review helpful?

Game On is a stand alone book, but I always enjoy reading the series to enjoy all the characters. I have read several books by Joanne Rock and am never disappointed. She blends in a tough subject that many people can relate to in their family members. I particularly like the baseball references in a storyline,

Was this review helpful?

Looking for a super quick sports romance? 

Game On follows an injured baseball player who regrets every moment away from a girl who left him for his dreams. But now that he's away from the field, they rekindle the spark they once had. 

I read this as a standalone, and I don't think I missed anything by not reading the first book in the series. It was a fun, easy-going story that I flew through in half a night. 

The main female character does suffer with some harder family issues, and watching her come back from it all and finally letting herself come first was a hopeful ending. 

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

I love, love, love the second chance romance trope. And Game On hit a stand-up triple with me.

Nate Ramsey and Keely Harper were high school sweethearts with a plan for the future - finish college, and then Keely would follow Nate wherever his career as a pro baseball player would take him. When Nate didn’t stick to the plan, Keely let him go, breaking both of their hearts.

Now five years later, Nate is back home recovering from an injury that occurred just a few short weeks after his major league debut. With maturity and a different perspective, Nate sees things about Keely and the love she has for her family - as dysfunctional as it may be - that kept her tied to their hometown. But he still loves her, and still wants the future they planned. Keely wants the same, but just isn’t sure if she can have it.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing in Game On. The storyline kept things moving at a quick pace, with excellent dialogue and an endearing hero and heroine. There was an issue with the same things being explained multiple times - who people were, what they were doing, etc. - throughout the book. What there wasn’t an issue with was typical unnecessary young adult angst caused by miscommunication and general immature behavior. I loved how even though both were hurt, neither was rude or mean to the other, nor did they hang on to lingering animosity. They were cautious about getting involved again, but didn’t overthink things. It was refreshing to see them be open with their feelings and talk things through. It was so freakin refreshing!

This was my first Joanne Rock book, and probably won’t be my last. She stayed away from the things I dislike about young adult stories, and didn’t fill her pages with musings about how hawt the hero or heroine is or continual internal ramblings about how they couldn’t be together again. I loved the characters in this story, and really think I’ll be interested in reading more in this series!

* thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

An excellent book touching on topics of alcoholism, Joanne Rock gives you an incredible story in Nate and Keely who were childhood sweethearts come together again, but unsure if they want to weather the storm of trying again. In it you also have the parallel story of Keely's sister Alexis and Ty one of Nate's teammates. This is a powerful book and so worth the read.

Was this review helpful?

Keely and Nate have a history and their sparks never stopped. They both have unresolved feelings and those feelings are kindled when they meet up at home. Nate has an injury that brings him back home. Will his feelings for Keely become a hinderance to his game? Will he be able to resist or will he give in to the love that has always been there? This romance is freaking awesome!

Was this review helpful?

A sweet coming home story. You really get into the family’s story as the book goes on. Definitely one to add to your must read list. Check this one out.

Was this review helpful?

Nate and Keely were high school sweethearts. When Nate left her and his hometown for professional baseball she was devastated. Now five year later he is back recovering from an injury in his hometown of last stand. He had asked her to go with him, but she had responsibilities here with her family. Now he is standing at her door telling her that her flower crop, her lively hood, is on his grandfather's neighboring land. She knows that can't be right. She has a plot of survey, but so does Nate and his is more current than hers. Now she has to figure out how to save her income and Nate wants a second chance from the girl who still holds his heart. This is a sweet second chance romance story. You can't help but feel for Keely and how she had to be the adult at such a young age. You want them to find their happily ever after. Good read

Was this review helpful?

Major League baseball player Nate Ramsey has landed on the injured reserve and he returns home to Last Stand, Texas to heal and rehab. He hopes to make the best of it and get back to the majors as soon as possible until his grandfather wants him to confront an old flame whose infringing on the family farm.
Keely Harper is running a wildflower farm and trying to keep her dysfunctional family together but it’s not easy. She let Nate go 5 years ago because she couldn’t hold him back from his dreams.
Things get heated when a dispute over property lines comes up and Keely realizes that her feelings haven’t faded at all. Will she give in to temptation and be able to let him go again when his injury is healed?
A great story about small towns and second chances at love.

Was this review helpful?

Nate Ramsey had finally realized his dream of playing baseball in the majors but after only 10 weeks, he suffered an injury and was out recuperating from surgery to his hand. He had left Last Stand, Texas five years earlier to seek his dream and now he was back.

Keely Harper has broken it off with Nate Ramsey five years ago so that she wouldn't hold him back from realizing his dream of playing baseball in the major league. After her mother's abandonment when she was young and her father's alcoholic binges, she took on the responsibility of shielding her young sister and taking care of her dad. What that meant was that she gave up her dreams and tried to make the best of things. When she learns of one more betrayal by her father, she is devastated but Nate comes to her rescue to try and reach a compromise that will protect her. The more she is with him, the more she wants what she once had but even a little time with Nate might be better than no more time at all. . . right?

This was a sweet story and the second book that I have read about this Ramsey family in Last Stand, Texas. There are some intimate scenes that are a little more graphic than I enjoy but the story is sweet and wonderful.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Heartwarming, fun, sexy and engaging romantic journey filled with laughter, witty banter, interesting charters and lots of home town goodness.... loved the exiting undeniable passion of this second chance. Was a thrilling read from beginning to end and I really enjoyed the adventure.

Was this review helpful?

I miss Cowboy stories and I'm so glad to read one!

Keely is such a stubborn eldest sister who would do anything for her family that she is ready to sacrifice her own happiness. I could actually see myself to her and I can understand her situation.

Nate who is recuperating with his injury found that his heart truly belongs to someone on whom he left to follow his dream.

I'm glad on how the story ended with Keely finally chasing her dreams.

Thank you for the ARC, Tule Publishing and Netgalley!

Was this review helpful?

3.5 Stars

Game On is the first book I've read by Joanne Rock, so I wasn't sure what to expect. What I got was an enjoyable, albeit rather predictable, second chance/sports romance.

Nate left Keely behind years ago when he was drafted to play major league baseball, and he's now back home in their small town to recover from an injury. His ex girlfriend has taken over her family business, and it's causing lots of problems for his family's farm. When Nate is forced to confront Keely about her business matters, it brings up lots of old memories and truths and things that have gone unsaid for far too long.

With lots of time on his hands, Nate sets out to win back the one that got away, but is there too much hurt between them for Keely to forgive him?

This was an okay read. It's part of a series but reads fine as a standalone. I had some trouble connecting with the characters, and found Keely to be irritating at times. I liked Nate as a character much more. This book has a lot of potential, but I just wanted something more out of it. I found myself more interested in the secondary characters Ty (his teammate) and Alexia (her sister). I'll definitely be checking out their story, coming next!

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Was this review helpful?

Who says your first love will never last? In this book, you will find out it's wrong. Love lasts a lifetime. No matter the distance or time apart, love still lingers on. I loved this book and highly recommend it to others!

Was this review helpful?

Game On is the second book in Joanne Rock’s series that is a sport book without being a sport book. Since sports romance is not my favorite genre, I still find this series to be refreshing and original. Much more of a second chance story than it is a baseball story.

I enjoyed the characters, major and minor ones, particularly Keely Harper who has so much on her shoulders. Life is often harder than it looks for some. Trust does not come easy for Keely or for Nate. Their story is short and sweet with me rooting for them to find the middle ground so love can flourish.

Was this review helpful?

Game On by Joanne Rock is a sports contemporary romance that tugs at the heart and pulls in the reader.

Nate is a middle son who feels he has nothing cool to contribute to the world. His bit of fame as a top notch baseball player, gave him something. But now, with an injury, Nate comes back home to help his grandpa and heal. His first task home, is to help his ex-girlfriend realize that she's planting on his grandpa's farm. Only Keely doesn't know that bit of farmland no longer is owned by her family.

Keely gave up her love, Nate, so that he can pursue his dream career. Baseball league. Both of them had their hearts broken. Keely doesn't regret letting Nate go. However, deep inside, she still loves him with all of her heart.

Betrayal, second chances, and a hot steamy romance bubbles up and over in this sweet read. I could not get enough of the story nor its characters. Joanne Rock has once again created a beautiful heartfelt romance. I recommend all readers to give it a try.

Was this review helpful?

A fantastic second chance where you aren't sure it will have a happy ending which makes it even better as well as keeps you hooked. Nate forever the peace keeper of the family is back home after sustaining an injury, while home he has to face Keely his ex who he left behind to get his break in baseball. There is friction and attraction from the start but both she and Nate need to work out what they want in left right now and if they can trust each other. It was also great how Keely's sister comes back to town too and we see things simmer between herself and one of Nate's teammates who has come to town to recover from an injury also. I can not wait for the next book in this series to see what happens next!

Was this review helpful?

This was an entertaining & emotional story regarding two childhood sweethearts that broke up & have found each other years later. Nate was drafted by a baseball team & left to start in the path to his career. Keely couldn’t leave Last Stand at that time. She felt she needed to stay & protect her sister until she was in college. Now Nate is on the injured list & is back in Last Stand to recuperate. Keely has established her own business & is taking care of her alcoholic father. They are drawn to each other again & again. Can they get it right this time?

I enjoyed following Nate & Keely down the path they have to follow. There were bumps & detours but they were mature enough to work through them this time instead of running away. One thing they couldn’t do earlier was see the other persons side. Keely comes across as an enabler at the beginning but I really feel she was doing the best she could. I enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters. They’ve added depth & emotion to the story. I can’t wait until Ty & Alexis’s story!

Was this review helpful?