This is the second chance romance between Nate and Keely. Nate is back in home in Last Stand, Texas because he was injured playing professional baseball. He has never gotten over his first love Keely and she still lives in their hometown. Keely has never gotten over Nate. She pushed him away when she knew that he had a chance to follow his dream. Now that they are back in the same town will they be able to overcome their past and move on together. I love this series and I am in love with the town Last Stand. Pick up this book and give it a try because I know you will not be disappointed. Thanks Net Galley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

Game On, second in the Texas Playmakers series, brings injured baseball player Nate Ramsey and his former girlfriend Keely Harper together as they work to resolve a misunderstanding over some farmland her father has sold to his grandfather. Set in Last Stand, Texas this story is a sweet contemporary small town romance with all the feels that go with close-knit communities.
This story was light and easy to read! Perfect for a cold winter’s afternoon or a day at the beach. The characters are well rounded and easy to like and it wasn’t long before I found. Self invested in their story.

Game On by Joanne Rock
He’s home to recover …and rekindle a romance with his first love
After a hitting streak propels him onto a major league roster, Nate Ramsey lands on the injured list. The one bright spot in a frustrating summer is returning home to Last Stand, Texas – until he’s tasked with confronting Keely Harper, an old flame whose business is running roughshod over his grandfather’s farm. Nate accepted it when she ended things five years ago, but he won’t overlook a slight to the rest of the Ramseys. What game is she playing?
Keely has always carried the weight of responsibility for her dysfunctional family, so she can’t regret the way she ended things with Nate. Cutting him loose to pursue his dreams was the kindest thing she could have done for a man with talent to take him far beyond Last Stand. Except now he’s back, and the fireworks between them haven’t faded a bit. If she gives into the temptation of a kiss, will she be able to let him go again once his injury heals and baseball wants him back?
This Keely Harpe and Nate Ramsey's story.
“What gives?” Nate pressed, glancing up at the clock on the wall and willing his doc to come in with discharge papers.
The sooner he got out of here the better.
“It’s your old girlfriend. Keely Harper.” The Ramsey patriarch said the name with a surprising amount of venom. “The word in town is that she’s growing some of her wildflowers on Rough Hollow land.”
“I disagree. You know her. You dated her,” Gramp argued, his words speeding up as his volume cranked higher. “Better that you try to have a civil conversation with her than for me to hire a lawyer and take her to court—which was your father’s suggestion for how I handle it, by the way.”
come through in his voice. “How are you doing?”
“Better than you, I hear.” At eighty-nine years old, Gramp still sounded much the way he had all of Nate’s life. Gruff and blunt, but with moments of affection. “Your mom tells me you’re going to be laid up for a bit.”
Nate’s parents had been divorced for eight years, but his mother still looked after her father-in-law. She’d even moved back to the Ramsey family home—right next to Everett’s ranch house—after the split. She’d let Nate’s dad have the over-the-top mansion on the opposite side of town, preferring the farmhouse where she’d raised her family. So his mother must have told Everett about Nate’s injury.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Game On by Joanne Rock is a 4 star book.
Joanne's Books with Tule:
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There Goes the Bride
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Bride on the Run
The Runaway Brides
Last Chance Christmas
Road to Romance
Second Chance Cowboy
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A Chance This Christmas
Road to Romance
The Perfect Catch
Texas Playmakers

GAME ON is the second story in the Texas Playmakers series, part of several series that all connect in Last Stand, Texas. While we do have an injured baseball player, Nate, returning home this story is more of a Second Chance Romance than a Sports Romance.

Keely and Nate were once young, in love, with the future ahead of them – perhaps. Yet, Keely has always felt the weight of her father’s reputation as an alcoholic bearing down on her shoulders. She was determined to not let her family reputation bring down the man she loved, so when baseball called she let him go without putting up a fight. Or at least one that Nate could see. Now he’s home again, just to recover until his career calls again, or for good, she’s not sure — and finding out, letting him into her heart once again is something she’s afraid to do because this time his leaving without her will break her into pieces.

From Nate’s viewpoint, Keely let him go too easily so that taking on the baseball career that he’d been pushed into since childhood became a done deal almost before he knew it. His heart’s been broken by Keely once, is he willing to take that chance again?

While I enjoyed GAME ON, there were parts where I really felt Keely’s taking on the world, all the time, and her vision of the sacrifices she’s made for her family took a bit of my like for her away. Yes, she’s sacrificed but that doesn’t give her the right to dictate how others react to her actions. But, again, it’s not my story to tell so I liked Nate and Keely together for the majority of the time.

Secondary characters often make or break a story for me and the next couple we’ll be meeting certainly brought this story to life with their addition to the action.

I had fun, I enjoyed another side of Last Stand, Texas and would not hesitate to recommend GAME ON to any Romance reader.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I liked Nate and Keely's story. There is plenty of tension, emotional turmoil and drama as these two get their second chance at love. I think one of my favorite things about this book was the different prospectives of the characters. It is truly amazing how people can see the same thing so differently. Nate was an OK character for me. In my opinion, he was just a little to uninformed and uncaring of Keely's situation. I really liked Keely and could sympathize with her. Maybe it's because I could really relate to her. Until you have those types of burdens and responsibilities dropped onto your shoulders, you have no idea what it is like and can't truly understand how it will change you and your world. I thought that this was a good read.

Game On is the second book in Joanne Rock's Texas Playmakers series. Like the first book in the series, Game On features a baseball playing Ramsey brother.

Nate Ramsey and Keely Harper were high school sweethearts who broke up when Nate was drafted. Nate is back in Last Stand, Texas after an injury put him on the IR. Even after five years have past, Nate and Keely still have chemistry. Joanne Rock does a great job of conveying this on the page. I found their relationship to be believable and I liked that they tried to work through their issues and get answers before diving into their second chance. My only issue is that the story was very short and the ending seemed too quick. Overall it was a good, quick read.

If you are looking for a cute, quick read then definitely pick up Game On. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The second book in the Texas Playmakers, Game On, is an enjoyable, second chance romance. Keely Harper and Nate Ramsay are well suited, and the story was engaging and well delivered. I would recommend and will look to read more.

This is book two of Texas Playmakers series, and I enjoyed both books.
Nate and Keely get a second chance at romance, that and how Keely grows and works with flowers really made the story for me.
Great flower business, great characters, great writing, great read.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Game On is a sports romance/second chance romance. This was definitely a HEA and tear jerker book. I really enjoyed the family dynamics and the unwrapping of Nate and Keely's story. Great characters and sweet story line.

This was a miss for me, sadly. I was really looking forward to reading Game On as I’m always a fan of sports romances - can we say yes please! to hunky jock characters and strong female leads. I just couldn’t seem to get in to the flow of this story though.

Game On follows young businesswoman Keely Harper, the high-school and college sweetheart of the recently injured baseball player Nate Ramsey. When Nate returns home from the injured reserve list after having finally made his mark in the major leagues, his life becomes surrounded by Keely – a woman he thought had left him in the past. As a victim of her family’s tarnished image, Keely’s existence has been forever associated with the alcoholic-induced actions of her father. With her father’s recent sobriety, her younger sister’s career success and Keely’s business growth – things are looking up for the first time in her life. That is, until Nate Ramsey returns to Last Stand and brings up all of the memories Keely spent years trying to forget.

“There had been an era of her life where she had known him so well that she’d been able to read his every mood in his expression and his body language…Every other time she had been with him – except for that last one that had ripped her heart out – had been happy”

While this story was written well, what didn’t quite connect with me were the characters. Keely’s martyrdom by constantly putting everyone else before herself got annoying, very quickly. Even though it was understandable given her father’s bad reputation and constantly having to clean up after him, it was her disregard for others’ wishes in her attempts to self-sacrifice that really frustrated me. The pressure she put on her sister to have the future she’d sacrificed had really annoyed me.

“Nate had always had a way of making her smile even when everything else in her world had been a disaster.”

I much preferred Nate over Keely, although he still wasn’t the strongest of characters. It felt like he didn’t even enjoy baseball and that he was mainly doing it to keep up the family name. While that could be a great starting point for the novel, I would have liked to have seen this progress a lot more. He didn’t really seem to contemplate this at all, despite it being stated as one of the things he hoped hadn’t happened in his life. Maybe I misinterpreted it, but I really felt like he didn’t change much overall within the story and I would have liked to have seen that.

What really kept me going throughout this story were the minor characters – Keely’s sister Alexia and Nate’s team mate Ty. They were amazing! I would have gladly read a whole book about them in one sitting. Easily. So despite my dislike for this book, I’ve come to realise it’s not the author’s fault. I really loved the way she explored the connection between these two characters and the way she wrote their budding friendship so well! This tells me that I just didn’t connect with the main characters, but other readers might.

Despite not really liking this book, Alexia and Ty’s presence made up for and since they’re in the following book, I’ll give it a go just to see where they end up.

Nate is back home after getting injured. First thing his grandfather ask him to do is to talk to Kelly about planting flowers on their land. Nate knows Kelly will not be to happy to see him, after he left her few years ago to persuade baseball career. Kelly knows that Nate is back, how she couldn't, good people of Last Stand update his status sending her text messages. Looks like she has another problem on hand... her flowers on Nate's grandfather land. While they spend more time together, old feelings are coming back. Will Kelly leave Last Stand to be with Nate.
Sweet story with great characters.

Game On (Texas Playmakers Book 2) by Joanne Rock ...this is a great series and thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book.. This is a second change romance between Nate Ramsey ..professional baseball player back home in injured leave and dealing with his over baring father... Keely Harper..trying to make it on her own..taking care of her father (recovering drunk) who is no help.... They loved each other but broke up when Nate got a chance to play in the majors. There is angst, laughter, tears, bumps along the way all to get them to a HEA. I am looking forward to the next book SCORING POSITION.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Happily Ever After Tear-jerker Funny Steamy Wonderful characters Romantic Entertaining Easy-to-read Great world building Page-turner Witty Unpredictable

4.5 Stars! I enjoyed the 1st book in this series & this one equally! Super cute, small town romance. Baseball isn’t the main focus just the back story so far in both. I think I’d like more of the baseball players side versus the small town side but that’s just me. I’d read another one.

Another fabulous read out of Last Stand. The more I read from the authors under this publisher about this town the more I fall in love with the characters and the town itself. This book was kind of a second chance romance where two high school lovers get a second chance at the love they once let go. It was a really sweet read with some twists and turns that leaves you waiting for more about the main characters and the side characters both.

This is a wonderful romance! This is Nate and Keely’s second chance at romance. Will Keely be able to trust in Nate’s love? Will there past get in the way? Read on and find out.

Game on is a second chance romance between Baseball star nate Ramsay and hometown girl Keeley Harper. They were high school sweethearts until Nate was called to the big leagues and Keeley stayed behind. Now years later and injury has brought Nate home and he comes face to face with the woman who he’s never fully gotten over.

Keeley is making her own way but is struggling with her father. She’s takes care of everyone but when her sister and ex decide to help take care of her she’s not sure what to do.

It’s a sweet second chance romance where two people were destined to be together and get their chance. I liked it a lot.

This was interesting g because the story was more than Keely and Nate. It also wove through Ty and Alexis-who will be in the next book. This author gave way more insight to the next book than I've ever seen an author do before and I really liked it! I already feel invested on the next book.
Game On is such a simple premise of a plot, but complex in characters and backstory and reasoning. I could truly see each perspective and really felt for this characters. It was a good read, I enjoyed it quite a bit

Game On is a cross between a second chance and a sports romance with emphasis on the second chance love story. I'm a sucker for second chances, but I would've liked to have seen a little more of the Great American Pastime, especially since it played such a big part in the relationship. The story is well-written and entertaining as Nate and Keely tiptoe around their attraction. It's a decent story and runs the usual formula for a second chance romance with the lead up to realizing what they want, some fun and sexy get to know you again, the required angst, and the figuring it all out, and I did like the characters. Nevertheless, I wanted something more. It's a good story, but there is absolutely nothing to set it apart and make me remember it down the road. What I ended up with was an okay story in the fair to midland range. I liked it, but I didn't love it. It is the second book in a series, but I had no problem following this one as a standalone. I would say that those who have read the first book in the series and have developed an attachment to the characters would probably enjoy this one more than I did. For me, it's just shy of pushing me over that edge. I would probably check out the next book in the series, but this one hasn't left me with a burning need to watch for it.

Game On was not one of my favorites by Joanne Rock but there are a lot of good points to the novel. There’s a good storyline involving second chances. The two main characters, Keely and Nate, both have problems that seem insurmountable to their reunion. There is a cool secondary storyline involving Keely’s sister, Alexis, and another baseball player, Ty, that continues into the next book in the series. The story is a bit slow to get going and drags in a few areas, too.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Game on pulls at all your heart-strings.....the development of the story and the characters was perfection. Do love a second chance and sports romance and this book definitely delivers this in spades. It’s a sweet and sexy read that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside! Happy reading!