Winning With Him

Lauren Blakely

Aug 2021 · Top Notch Boyfriend Books

About this ebook

Grant and Declan's romance continues in this MM forbidden sports romance from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely!

Resisting the shortstop has never been my strong suit. I failed at it during my first spring training. It sure as hell looks like I'm about to fail at it again.

The sport I love playing with my very soul hangs in the balance. But everything my heart craves lies with the guy I've got to resist.

A guy who's asking me to make the toughest choice ever.

But how do I become the man I want to be...with him or without him?

Trouble is, I can't seem to get Declan out of my head, even if I stand to lose everything I've worked for my entire life...

Winning with Him is book two in the utterly addictive Men of Summer series, and should be read following Scoring With Him. This romance between two professional athletes spans five epic years.

Ratings and reviews

WINNING WITH HIM is the second instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult MEN OF SUMMER erotic, LGBTQ, baseball romance series focusing on short stop Declan Steele, and rookie catcher Grant Blackwood. Grant’s story begins in the prequel novella CRUSHING ON HIM but you do not have to have read the novella to understand or follow the current story line WINNING WITH HIM should not be read as a stand alone- I recommend reading SCORING WITH HIM for back story and cohesion as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book one. NOTE: SCORING WITH HIM focuses on two gay men in professional sports including graphic scenes of same $ex situations. If you have not read book one WINNING WITH HIM there may be spoilers in my review. Told from dual first person perspectives (Declan and Grant) covering approximately five years, WINNING WITH HIM follows the struggling relationship between short stop Declan Steele, and rookie catcher Grant Blackwood. Grant Blackwood was heart broken when a text, during the off season, from Declan Steele declared he was no longer interested in a long distance relationship. Five years would pass wherein our couple would occasionally meet up for a hand shake or a drink but during those five years neither Grant nor Declan ever forgot about one another. Home for the Christmas holidays found Declan declaring his love for a man he thought may never forgive him, but a man who had stolen his heart, like no one else. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Declan and Grant, as they learn to navigate a world of endless possibilities and a potential long distance relationship. WINNING WITH HIM covers five years in the life wherein the reader is only given a glimpse into the lives of our story lines heroes. From Declan’s dysfunctional father, and Grant’s success on the field, and desire to help out the LGBTQ youth, the author reveals a little more about our story line couple as they work behind the scenes without one another. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense without the use of over the top , sexually graphic language and text. The secondary and supporting characters include Grant’s best friend Reese, and her brother River; Declan’s best friends Emma, and her brother, professional hockey player James Fitzgerald; and several members of the San Francisco Cougars: Crosby Cash, Sullivan, Miguel, and Chance Ashfordl Declan’s parents, and Grant’s mother and step-father. WINNING WITH HIM is a story of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people focusing on their professional careers but therein lies a bit of a problem. A five-year separation meant limited information, information that would have allowed the reader to witness the character’s growth and development, and not just the revelations and quick observations from our story line couple. The premise is entertaining; the romance is seductive and steamy; the characters are charismatic and colorful. WINNING WITH HIM ends on a happily ever after for now- the author has plans for at least one more instalment.

5 star Review of Winning With Him (Men of Summer #2) by Lauren Blakely After the cliff hanger ending in Scoring With Him, I couldn’t wait to dive in to Winning With Him to see how Declan Steele and Grant Blackwood’s story continued and oh what a story Ms. Blakely wove. So if you haven’t read Scoring with him then STOP. If you are looking for a steamy, emotional read then Winning With Him is for you. The story was well written and entertaining with characters whose story you cannot help but become invested in. This book picks up where Scoring With Him concluded. Grant and Declan both continue to pursue their careers. This book was so emotional and at times painful, that I freely admit to crying on a number of occasions. I loved the support that they got from their family and friends and it was heartwarming to watch the growth of both Declan and Grant as this story progressed. Watching them reconnect and find the love and passion that still sizzles between them was wonderful. I was totally engrossed from the first to the last page, I couldn’t put it down and I was excited to learn that Ms.Blakely has written a third book which will conclude their story in All In With Him; luckily we don’t have to wait to long for it to release.

Let me first say please read Scoring With before you pick up Winning With Him because this one starts right where that cliffhanger ended. I was excited to see where Ms Blakey was going to take us with Declan Steele and Grant Blackwood’s journey and all I’m going to say this instalment is as good if not better than the first. Declan and Grant are both pursuing their careers and it seems on the face of it that both have moved on but this book is all about growing, reconnecting, love and passion. With the help of family and friends they have careers but they are soulmates and what they really need is each other in order to fulfil the love they have in their hearts. This book captivated me from the first page to the last line, there was no putting down once I started so make sure you have time to finish this emotional, passionate read, we need to wait for book 3 for the conclusion to Declan and Grant’s journey but I understand All In With Him is not far away. This was an emotional at times painful read but every tear shed was worth it because these guys will stay with me long after their story concludes.

About the author

A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sweet, sexy and witty. She also writes red-hot, escapist romance. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with more than 50 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 4 million books. Check out her web site to grab your free read: https://laurenblakely.com/one-free-book