Unwritten Rules

Unwritten Rules, Book 1

By: KD Casey

Narrated by: Lee Osorio

Ex-teammates—and exes—reunite for a second chance in this delightful sports romance from debut author KD Casey.

Zach Glasser has put up with a lot for the sport he loves. Endless days on the road, playing half-decent baseball in front of half-full stadiums and endless nights alone, pretending this is the life he's always wanted.

The thing is, it could have been everything he ever wanted—if only he'd had the guts to tell his family, tell the club, that he was in love with his teammate Eugenio Morales. Well, ex-teammate now. When Zach wouldn't—couldn't—come out, Eugenio made the devastating choice to move on, demanding a trade away from Oakland. Away from Zach.

Three years and countless regrets later, Zach still can't get Eugenio out of his head. Or his heart. And when they both get selected to play in the league's All-Star Classic, those feelings and that chemistry come roaring back.

Zach wants a second chance. Eugenio wants a relationship he doesn't have to hide. Maybe it's finally time they both get what they want.

©2021 KD Casey (P)2023 Tantor

Unwritten Rules

Unwritten Rules: KD Casey

This book was amazing. Both of the main characters had wonderful development, complex issues, and realistic solutions to those issues. I loved how the book did not make the solution instantaneous. Which a lot of times contemporary romance novels do.

The time jumps in the book gave me reading a feeling of catharsis( like this was about me). Jumping back to the present time after painting the picture of their breakup was perfection. Zack seeing the man who he let slip away for the first time in years was so organic. It wasn't too rom-com and it was overly doom and gloomy.

I think the circumstances of Zack not wanting to come out is still very timely and relevant in our reality. Athletes specifically athletes that dominate up pop culture and media do not have a blueprint on what it means to get openly gay and in love with someone. However, Eugenio, also makes a very realistic portrayal of someone who is in love but tired of waiting for their person to love them the way they need and want.

This was such a fantastic second chance at love story. & I loved how not everything was resolved at once but working towards being worked on. The secondary characters were also very likeable. I am excited to read more from this author. I enjoy contemporary romance novels that are not too unrealistic but also mirror things that can happen in everyday life.

⭐⭐⭐⭐(4.5) — Highly Recommend

Endearing and hopeful

Such a lovely story, and beautifully written. This narrator is perfect for the tenor of this book. And the baseball deets are brilliant… beyond the typical sports romance that glosses over specifics just enough for the reader to buy in. This author either loves baseball or knows someone who does. It’s as much a love story about the game as it is about the MCs.

Steamy moments are definitely secondary to the story so look elsewhere if you want graphic bedroom scenes.

Wonderful story

I loved this story. This seemed like a truer story of sports and the reality of playing professional sports and being LGBTQ than most. But also, the reality of the uncertainty of playing professionally.
This isn’t a light and fluffy story. It made my heart hurt at times and I was so frustrated with the main characters! But they work things out for a very satisfying HEA.
I’m downloading the next book in this series immediately.

Very emotional

Good story. Most of it spend in the grey cloud of depression but it is a very moving story and seems extremely realistic. Definitely worth your time if you can deal with the sad and HFN ending.

beautiful and well written

I thought this was a wonderful story with a balance of realism and sentiment, combined with skillful writing/execution. But it probably doesn't appeal to everyone cause of the pacing (slow, though I felt it was fitting) and the fairly in depth sports focus. It was slice of life ish? Also written in present tense. But a solid 5* for me, and I'll be checking out more from this author.