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Hit and Run #3
Double Play
If self-destruction is an artform, then Hervé is a master artist.
After all, he’s perfected self-sabotage since he was young and full of promise.
He’s spent his life running from his past and pushing away anyone who might break down his walls, but it wasn’t until his body betrayed him that he realized just how lonely his present had become. Now he’s in the countryside, trying to figure out if anything is worth salvaging, and wondering if he’s the sort of man who will ever be worth a second chance.
Even when Orion Coulter—one of the star pitchers on the Denver Vikings—shows up in his little village like some sort of predestined knight on a white horse, Hervé doesn’t trust him. How can he when Orion is close to all the men Hervé hurt?
But Orion’s situation is more complicated than Hervé realized, full of pain and grief, looking for some kind of escape. And while Hervé knows that he hasn’t quite earned meeting the man of his dreams, Orion’s quiet voice, tender hands, and impossible promises has him wondering if maybe—just maybe—the universe is willing to give him the chance he doesn’t deserve.
Double Play is the final book of the Hit and Run MM baseball romance series. It features countryside kisses, grief, redemption, long walks, careful handling, and a painfully tender happily ever after.
After all, he’s perfected self-sabotage since he was young and full of promise.
He’s spent his life running from his past and pushing away anyone who might break down his walls, but it wasn’t until his body betrayed him that he realized just how lonely his present had become. Now he’s in the countryside, trying to figure out if anything is worth salvaging, and wondering if he’s the sort of man who will ever be worth a second chance.
Even when Orion Coulter—one of the star pitchers on the Denver Vikings—shows up in his little village like some sort of predestined knight on a white horse, Hervé doesn’t trust him. How can he when Orion is close to all the men Hervé hurt?
But Orion’s situation is more complicated than Hervé realized, full of pain and grief, looking for some kind of escape. And while Hervé knows that he hasn’t quite earned meeting the man of his dreams, Orion’s quiet voice, tender hands, and impossible promises has him wondering if maybe—just maybe—the universe is willing to give him the chance he doesn’t deserve.
Double Play is the final book of the Hit and Run MM baseball romance series. It features countryside kisses, grief, redemption, long walks, careful handling, and a painfully tender happily ever after.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2022
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
132 books1,169 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. They presently live and work in the south eastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
December 25, 2022
5 stars for the audio! Michael Ferraioulo is amazing like always!
But for the book… 2.5 stars
First off this book can be read on its own..did I feel a little lost with all the back story with Herve, Pietro and Thierry? Yes at times but it was brought up so much that I got the gist. This book also didn’t make me want to pick up their story either lol…
With that said, there were parts I enjoyed, but for some reason this book just fell flat for me. I was expecting more baseball…we got about 2ish scenes…
This was an unfortunate miss for me, and I knew going I that EM Lindsey books are hit or miss for me so I was hoping for more. I felt like the relationship was rushed….idk I am just disappointed that I didn’t like this more.
It was interesting Herves disorder, haven’t read many narcolepsy books, so it was interesting to read about.
Overall maybe if you read the other two books this one would be worth it… but standalone….ehh could be better.
But for the book… 2.5 stars
First off this book can be read on its own..did I feel a little lost with all the back story with Herve, Pietro and Thierry? Yes at times but it was brought up so much that I got the gist. This book also didn’t make me want to pick up their story either lol…
With that said, there were parts I enjoyed, but for some reason this book just fell flat for me. I was expecting more baseball…we got about 2ish scenes…
This was an unfortunate miss for me, and I knew going I that EM Lindsey books are hit or miss for me so I was hoping for more. I felt like the relationship was rushed….idk I am just disappointed that I didn’t like this more.
It was interesting Herves disorder, haven’t read many narcolepsy books, so it was interesting to read about.
Overall maybe if you read the other two books this one would be worth it… but standalone….ehh could be better.
November 12, 2022
Thank you to GRR for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
OK EM Lindsey. I see you. Well, no. I don't see you because I'm drowning in salty ass tears right now.
When I found out this book involved Herve I was like "eeeeeh" because there is no way that he could ever be redeemed in my eyes. And then EM Lindsey just had to go ahead and write this whole damn book and make me eat my words.
What. A. Book.
If you're looking for an emotional rollercoaster, this is the book that you should pick up. You don't have to read the books before, but to get the full scope of this I would recommend reading the first two books in the Hit and Run series. I loved Herve and Orion together and this whole read was one big gut punch followed by a huge hug and guh. I just have way too many feels.
OK EM Lindsey. I see you. Well, no. I don't see you because I'm drowning in salty ass tears right now.
When I found out this book involved Herve I was like "eeeeeh" because there is no way that he could ever be redeemed in my eyes. And then EM Lindsey just had to go ahead and write this whole damn book and make me eat my words.
What. A. Book.
If you're looking for an emotional rollercoaster, this is the book that you should pick up. You don't have to read the books before, but to get the full scope of this I would recommend reading the first two books in the Hit and Run series. I loved Herve and Orion together and this whole read was one big gut punch followed by a huge hug and guh. I just have way too many feels.
January 4, 2023
FREE today 4 January 2023!
4.5 ⭐️
I’ve been E.M. Lindsey-curious for a while, so I was excited to get an ARC for book three in their Hit and Run baseball series. And now I’m wondering why I waited so long.
This was great – if heavy – stuff, a hurt/comfort and redemption story centering Orion’s grief journey and Hervé’s ongoing addiction and trauma recovery alongside his physical, practical, and emotional adjustment to a recently diagnosed, serious chronic illness (narcolepsy with cataplexy). It is a beautifully written, emotional book about two men struggling with guilt and grief, but also allowing themselves to make new connections and, eventually, start believing that it’s okay that good things happen even if they’re not convinced that they deserve them.
On Hervé’s side, this is a story about doing the work to become a better person, acknowledging but not being trapped and controlled by past mistakes and harmful actions. It’s about forgiveness, but not in a performative sense. Hervé doesn’t seek out Thierry and Pietro to beg their compassion or attempt to prove he’s become a better man; he does not want to demand their energy or put them in a position where they must either grant or deny forgiveness, in the process reliving past trauma and betrayal that they may not wish to revisit. Hervé’s journey is about accepting that he is ultimately accountable to himself: the changes he is making – independent of the demands of his illness, which is a related but separate process – are not about proving anything to anybody, but becoming a better person regardless of whether this is ever acknowledged by the people he’s hurt.
Hervé wants Thierry and Pietro’s forgiveness, but he realizes he’s not entitled to it, nor does he deserve it, in the sense of forgiveness being a reward for effort, an external source of validation and a pat on the head for all his hard work. Our great modern philosopher Rupert Giles once said that to forgive is an act of compassion: we don’t do it because people deserve it, we do it because they need it. I’ve always loved this formulation, because it grants agency to the person who was wronged: forgiveness is not a transaction or a requirement, but a choice. But of course, it also levies a cost on the person being asked to forgive, especially if they feel pressured to produce compassion that they don’t actually feel in order to validate someone else’s remorse and attempts to make amends. Hervé is trying to spare Thierry and Pietro that cost. He doesn’t seek to use his past addiction and current illness as an excuse or a reason for sympathy, because he knows his past actions were inexcusable and his current illness has no claim on the feelings of those he hurt. I really loved Hervé’s arc, because he is doing the work not just to adjust to his diagnosis, but to deal with his trauma and his past and to try to make better choices and be a better person in the future, even if that work isn’t seen or validated by those whose forgiveness he desperately wants. And part of his arc is also adjusting to the idea that he is allowed to love and be loved, despite his flaws and baggage.
Orion’s arc is somewhat more straightforward. He is devastated by his best friend and brother-in-law Carey’s ALS diagnosis and rapid decline. In his grief and survivor’s guilt, he alienates his friends and is unable to function at work. And when he meets Hervé while in France on a Carey-mandated vacation, he struggles with the idea that this wonderful thing – meeting someone, feeling connected, wanting more – is happening while his best friend and his sister are going through the unimaginable. Orion initially does not recognize Hervé; when he eventually twigs to who he is, he has to reconcile the stoic, vulnerable man he immediately started falling for with the man who caused so much pain to his friends. While Orion’s grief journey is the main driver of his arc, this is the main source of conflict: how to deal with the intense feelings he’s having for someone his friends (deservedly) despise.
What isn’t a source of conflict, much to my delight, is the demands of Hervé’s condition. While Hervé’s addiction recovery does present an issue at one point – Orion feels the need to get desperately drunk and doesn’t want to do that around Hervé for fear of triggering discomfort or relapse – Orion is extremely matter-of-fact about the requirements of Hervé’s illness, taking care to learn how it can best be managed and never making it all about himself or expecting praise for not being an asshole. Orion is maybe not as complex a character as Hervé, but he is lovely in his own right: a man who, while sensitive to the feelings and concerns of others, also follows his own instincts and sense of what’s right and takes responsibility when he screws up. And he’s definitely the romantic among the two.
The promotional material labels this as standalone but notes that it helps to have read what’s come before. I would say that’s accurate. I absolutely enjoyed this and had no problem discerning the scale of Hervé’s villainy – there is enough backstory that we get a good sense of what went down in book 1 and Hervé’s role in it – but I’m sure it would have hit differently if I had already read Thierry and Pietro’s book. That’s the nature of the redemption arc: reading the redemption before reading the badness makes it a different story. I thought Hervé’s redemption arc was convincing, but I can’t speak to how it will land among people who’ve read books 1 and 2. Basically, YMMV.
Even though Orion’s relationship with Hervé puts a strain on his friendships with his teammates, I loved how ride-or-die they are. And it was also great that Hervé, who starts the book completely isolated, eventually reconnects with old frenemies and starts building new friendships with them – and that he and Thierry slowly start to tentatively reconcile, independently of Thierry’s friendship with Orion. I’m excited to read Thierry and Pietro’s and James and Ridley’s books and to spend more time with these characters.
I would say this is baseball-adjacent rather than a baseball romance. The vast majority takes place during the off-season, where Orion could be basically any other rich guy; he is not training or doing anything baseball-related. Baseball forms the framework for Orion’s professional life much like acting forms the framework for Hervé’s; but (in this book, at least) this is context, not content, and this is probably more AU than “real” sportsball (like at one point it's written in a way to seem that there are only two pitchers on the team, hmmm). But I loved that the characters aren’t closeted and the lack of homophobia. There is reference made to the “great coming out” that hit professional sports, which, HA! (and which also clearly provides a point of connection to Lindsey's Sin Bin series). I mean, if you're gonna do AU sportsball, the best way to do it is to get rid of all the shitty homophobia. (Don't get me wrong: I love sports romances that hew to more quote-unquote realistic portrayals of the sport, such as KD Casey's excellent baseball romances. But if you're first stepping away from a devotion to realistic sport portrayals, then jettisoning the harmful homophobia and misogyny bullshit is absolutely the right choice. So thumbs up on that front.)
Rounding down because this is a wee bit insta for my tastes. It is referenced that Hervé and Orion spent weeks (plural) in France together, but it reads more like days; and once they decide to be together, they pretty much leap straight to ILY and proposals and all that stuff, like pump the brakes, my dudes. But the relationship feels very grounded and the HEA is believable: as far as insta goes, this is about as good as it gets. Insta is just a challenging trope for me.
I also felt the ending was a bit rushed – I would have loved more of an epilogue that took us a bit further down the road for Hervé and Orion, not just in terms of their relationship but also in terms of how Hervé is adapting to his new career path and how the larger friend group is dealing with Hervé’s inclusion in their ranks. Hopefully there is another book planned, or even just an epilogue story in the works. PLEASE???!!! Then again, I have two more books plus a prequel novella left to read, not to mention an extensive E.M. Lindsey backlist, so I guess I can’t be so greedy. (I absolutely can.)
In short – a wonderful, absorbing, emotionally compelling read that broke my mini-reading slump and that I will definitely go back to. Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: I got an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews, thanks! This is my honest review.
4.5 ⭐️
I’ve been E.M. Lindsey-curious for a while, so I was excited to get an ARC for book three in their Hit and Run baseball series. And now I’m wondering why I waited so long.
This was great – if heavy – stuff, a hurt/comfort and redemption story centering Orion’s grief journey and Hervé’s ongoing addiction and trauma recovery alongside his physical, practical, and emotional adjustment to a recently diagnosed, serious chronic illness (narcolepsy with cataplexy). It is a beautifully written, emotional book about two men struggling with guilt and grief, but also allowing themselves to make new connections and, eventually, start believing that it’s okay that good things happen even if they’re not convinced that they deserve them.
On Hervé’s side, this is a story about doing the work to become a better person, acknowledging but not being trapped and controlled by past mistakes and harmful actions. It’s about forgiveness, but not in a performative sense. Hervé doesn’t seek out Thierry and Pietro to beg their compassion or attempt to prove he’s become a better man; he does not want to demand their energy or put them in a position where they must either grant or deny forgiveness, in the process reliving past trauma and betrayal that they may not wish to revisit. Hervé’s journey is about accepting that he is ultimately accountable to himself: the changes he is making – independent of the demands of his illness, which is a related but separate process – are not about proving anything to anybody, but becoming a better person regardless of whether this is ever acknowledged by the people he’s hurt.
Hervé wants Thierry and Pietro’s forgiveness, but he realizes he’s not entitled to it, nor does he deserve it, in the sense of forgiveness being a reward for effort, an external source of validation and a pat on the head for all his hard work. Our great modern philosopher Rupert Giles once said that to forgive is an act of compassion: we don’t do it because people deserve it, we do it because they need it. I’ve always loved this formulation, because it grants agency to the person who was wronged: forgiveness is not a transaction or a requirement, but a choice. But of course, it also levies a cost on the person being asked to forgive, especially if they feel pressured to produce compassion that they don’t actually feel in order to validate someone else’s remorse and attempts to make amends. Hervé is trying to spare Thierry and Pietro that cost. He doesn’t seek to use his past addiction and current illness as an excuse or a reason for sympathy, because he knows his past actions were inexcusable and his current illness has no claim on the feelings of those he hurt. I really loved Hervé’s arc, because he is doing the work not just to adjust to his diagnosis, but to deal with his trauma and his past and to try to make better choices and be a better person in the future, even if that work isn’t seen or validated by those whose forgiveness he desperately wants. And part of his arc is also adjusting to the idea that he is allowed to love and be loved, despite his flaws and baggage.
Orion’s arc is somewhat more straightforward. He is devastated by his best friend and brother-in-law Carey’s ALS diagnosis and rapid decline. In his grief and survivor’s guilt, he alienates his friends and is unable to function at work. And when he meets Hervé while in France on a Carey-mandated vacation, he struggles with the idea that this wonderful thing – meeting someone, feeling connected, wanting more – is happening while his best friend and his sister are going through the unimaginable. Orion initially does not recognize Hervé; when he eventually twigs to who he is, he has to reconcile the stoic, vulnerable man he immediately started falling for with the man who caused so much pain to his friends. While Orion’s grief journey is the main driver of his arc, this is the main source of conflict: how to deal with the intense feelings he’s having for someone his friends (deservedly) despise.
What isn’t a source of conflict, much to my delight, is the demands of Hervé’s condition. While Hervé’s addiction recovery does present an issue at one point – Orion feels the need to get desperately drunk and doesn’t want to do that around Hervé for fear of triggering discomfort or relapse – Orion is extremely matter-of-fact about the requirements of Hervé’s illness, taking care to learn how it can best be managed and never making it all about himself or expecting praise for not being an asshole. Orion is maybe not as complex a character as Hervé, but he is lovely in his own right: a man who, while sensitive to the feelings and concerns of others, also follows his own instincts and sense of what’s right and takes responsibility when he screws up. And he’s definitely the romantic among the two.
The promotional material labels this as standalone but notes that it helps to have read what’s come before. I would say that’s accurate. I absolutely enjoyed this and had no problem discerning the scale of Hervé’s villainy – there is enough backstory that we get a good sense of what went down in book 1 and Hervé’s role in it – but I’m sure it would have hit differently if I had already read Thierry and Pietro’s book. That’s the nature of the redemption arc: reading the redemption before reading the badness makes it a different story. I thought Hervé’s redemption arc was convincing, but I can’t speak to how it will land among people who’ve read books 1 and 2. Basically, YMMV.
Even though Orion’s relationship with Hervé puts a strain on his friendships with his teammates, I loved how ride-or-die they are. And it was also great that Hervé, who starts the book completely isolated, eventually reconnects with old frenemies and starts building new friendships with them – and that he and Thierry slowly start to tentatively reconcile, independently of Thierry’s friendship with Orion. I’m excited to read Thierry and Pietro’s and James and Ridley’s books and to spend more time with these characters.
I would say this is baseball-adjacent rather than a baseball romance. The vast majority takes place during the off-season, where Orion could be basically any other rich guy; he is not training or doing anything baseball-related. Baseball forms the framework for Orion’s professional life much like acting forms the framework for Hervé’s; but (in this book, at least) this is context, not content, and this is probably more AU than “real” sportsball (like at one point it's written in a way to seem that there are only two pitchers on the team, hmmm). But I loved that the characters aren’t closeted and the lack of homophobia. There is reference made to the “great coming out” that hit professional sports, which, HA! (and which also clearly provides a point of connection to Lindsey's Sin Bin series). I mean, if you're gonna do AU sportsball, the best way to do it is to get rid of all the shitty homophobia. (Don't get me wrong: I love sports romances that hew to more quote-unquote realistic portrayals of the sport, such as KD Casey's excellent baseball romances. But if you're first stepping away from a devotion to realistic sport portrayals, then jettisoning the harmful homophobia and misogyny bullshit is absolutely the right choice. So thumbs up on that front.)
Rounding down because this is a wee bit insta for my tastes. It is referenced that Hervé and Orion spent weeks (plural) in France together, but it reads more like days; and once they decide to be together, they pretty much leap straight to ILY and proposals and all that stuff, like pump the brakes, my dudes. But the relationship feels very grounded and the HEA is believable: as far as insta goes, this is about as good as it gets. Insta is just a challenging trope for me.
I also felt the ending was a bit rushed – I would have loved more of an epilogue that took us a bit further down the road for Hervé and Orion, not just in terms of their relationship but also in terms of how Hervé is adapting to his new career path and how the larger friend group is dealing with Hervé’s inclusion in their ranks. Hopefully there is another book planned, or even just an epilogue story in the works. PLEASE???!!! Then again, I have two more books plus a prequel novella left to read, not to mention an extensive E.M. Lindsey backlist, so I guess I can’t be so greedy. (I absolutely can.)
In short – a wonderful, absorbing, emotionally compelling read that broke my mini-reading slump and that I will definitely go back to. Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: I got an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews, thanks! This is my honest review.
Read
January 9, 2023DNF at 39% - no rating
This is probably a case of me, not the book. I enjoy EM Lindsey's books and writing. I also love baseball books, so this was a tough push for me to finally DNF.
First of all, there's been less and less baseball as the series went on. Which is ok, I guess, if the point is just to have one of the MCs be a baseball player?
Second. I'm tired of the every asshole/villain/whathaveyou gets a redemption arc. Why? Hervé was a total dick in all the books, I don't care about his back story or what made him act like an indecent prick over and over again. 😃
Third. Too much trauma. I couldn't properly empathize or put energy into full sadness mode when both MCs are carrying so much trauma (that's the plotline, their individual traumas). It was just too much for me, and not in a good way.
Lastly, this is more a personal issue I didn't realize I had until reading this, but I have family with epilepsy and some pretty traumatic seizure incidents. I found myself uncomfortable reading about Hervé’s narcolepsy and cataplexy, and this isn't because it wasn't portrayed well or researched (quite the opposite.) It just made me anxious reading about him walking around and being in situations where he could he seriously injured. Also, constantly requiring help/rescuing, those parts also made me uncomfortable.
This is probably a case of me, not the book. I enjoy EM Lindsey's books and writing. I also love baseball books, so this was a tough push for me to finally DNF.
First of all, there's been less and less baseball as the series went on. Which is ok, I guess, if the point is just to have one of the MCs be a baseball player?
Second. I'm tired of the every asshole/villain/whathaveyou gets a redemption arc. Why? Hervé was a total dick in all the books, I don't care about his back story or what made him act like an indecent prick over and over again. 😃
Third. Too much trauma. I couldn't properly empathize or put energy into full sadness mode when both MCs are carrying so much trauma (that's the plotline, their individual traumas). It was just too much for me, and not in a good way.
Lastly, this is more a personal issue I didn't realize I had until reading this, but I have family with epilepsy and some pretty traumatic seizure incidents. I found myself uncomfortable reading about Hervé’s narcolepsy and cataplexy, and this isn't because it wasn't portrayed well or researched (quite the opposite.) It just made me anxious reading about him walking around and being in situations where he could he seriously injured. Also, constantly requiring help/rescuing, those parts also made me uncomfortable.
December 29, 2022
Superb redemption arc romance from E.M.
I have to admit I didn't think that E.M. would be able to redeem Hervé after all the horrendous things he'd been responsible for in the previous books.
But they did it and then some, making him possibly my favourite character in the whole series now I've read all three.
We only see him from the other characters' perspectives up until now and there are no bones made about how much he was a destructive and toxic man
But when you start to peel the history layers away and see into his past, you can see that his behaviour was conditioned from the time he was a toddler child model and throughout his acting career by the worst abusive behaviour from a parent who should have been protecting him.
Instead, he's acted out to gain attention, come to realise there are no real foundations in his life, and now been diagnosed with an illness that seems like it could be divine retribution.
I've read a couple of books now with characters diagnosed with either narcolepsy and cataplexy and each has handled the subject with care and compassion.
When you add Orion dealing with losing his best friend and brother-in-law to ASL at a ridiculously early age, you'd be forgiven for thinking this book would be an angst fest of the highest order.
Surprisingly, it's not, it takes a pretty calm and simple narrative to show that we don't always fall for the person who is a 'perfect fit' into our lives, but instead, the ones who are complicated and confusing and challenging.
I loved this book so much. I'd have happily read twice as much of them working things out and seeing both men learning to live with their changed realities.
I have to admit I didn't think that E.M. would be able to redeem Hervé after all the horrendous things he'd been responsible for in the previous books.
But they did it and then some, making him possibly my favourite character in the whole series now I've read all three.
We only see him from the other characters' perspectives up until now and there are no bones made about how much he was a destructive and toxic man
But when you start to peel the history layers away and see into his past, you can see that his behaviour was conditioned from the time he was a toddler child model and throughout his acting career by the worst abusive behaviour from a parent who should have been protecting him.
Instead, he's acted out to gain attention, come to realise there are no real foundations in his life, and now been diagnosed with an illness that seems like it could be divine retribution.
I've read a couple of books now with characters diagnosed with either narcolepsy and cataplexy and each has handled the subject with care and compassion.
When you add Orion dealing with losing his best friend and brother-in-law to ASL at a ridiculously early age, you'd be forgiven for thinking this book would be an angst fest of the highest order.
Surprisingly, it's not, it takes a pretty calm and simple narrative to show that we don't always fall for the person who is a 'perfect fit' into our lives, but instead, the ones who are complicated and confusing and challenging.
I loved this book so much. I'd have happily read twice as much of them working things out and seeing both men learning to live with their changed realities.
January 6, 2023
2.5
This was a real strange one for me. I’ve enjoyed some of this authors writing in the past and even in this one, at times I thought I was getting into the story but it just didn’t quiet happen.
The book started off promising and I shed a couple of tears within the first few chapters. Sadly the book continued with the same romanticised depressive tone that is supposed to lure the reader in. I struggled to find the overall plot compelling. One of the MCs has somewhat of an redemption arc but I’m just not quite buying what the author is trying to sell here. Yes, there’s trauma and there’s conflict but I just don’t believe that someone can so fundamentally change. Especially as we don’t see it in their actions but more so in their repeated inner monologue. “I did a shit thing, I was a shitty person, they should hate me etc etc”. It just got a little tiresome for me. - I love to see a hard earned redemption arc, it’s hard to come back from cheating, betrayal and abandonment.
The relationship between Orion and Herve seemed built on nothing except a chance encounter at a cafe. The largest part of the story takes part over a very short span of time and yet both characters are already deeply invested, calling each other baby and sweetheart at every turn.
This sadly didn’t work for me.
This was a real strange one for me. I’ve enjoyed some of this authors writing in the past and even in this one, at times I thought I was getting into the story but it just didn’t quiet happen.
The book started off promising and I shed a couple of tears within the first few chapters. Sadly the book continued with the same romanticised depressive tone that is supposed to lure the reader in. I struggled to find the overall plot compelling. One of the MCs has somewhat of an redemption arc but I’m just not quite buying what the author is trying to sell here. Yes, there’s trauma and there’s conflict but I just don’t believe that someone can so fundamentally change. Especially as we don’t see it in their actions but more so in their repeated inner monologue. “I did a shit thing, I was a shitty person, they should hate me etc etc”. It just got a little tiresome for me. - I love to see a hard earned redemption arc, it’s hard to come back from cheating, betrayal and abandonment.
The relationship between Orion and Herve seemed built on nothing except a chance encounter at a cafe. The largest part of the story takes part over a very short span of time and yet both characters are already deeply invested, calling each other baby and sweetheart at every turn.
This sadly didn’t work for me.
November 7, 2022
Double Play is a story about two grieving people finding love and support in a really unexpected place, with a really unexpected partner. It wasn’t at all what I expected from this story but I enjoyed it so much.
Orion Coulter is a MLB pitcher who has the whole world at his fingertips except for when his best friend and brother-in-law is diagnosed with aggressive ALS…even his money can’t do anything to help. He’s heartbroken and trying to grieve for the friend he hasn’t lost yet while also supporting his sister and thinking about the upcoming baseball season. His friend sends him away to the French countryside to have the space to work out his emotions. Orion’s love for his friend and the way his heart is breaking is so endearing and gut wrenching - even though he’s a professional athlete, he wears his heart on his sleeve and his grief was palpable.
Hervé Truffaut is a French actor who is well known and successful, but his fame has made him into a monster without emotions and obsessed with public image. He’s done some terrible things in the past without any care about the implications of his actions, but after publicly hitting rock bottom, being diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy and going to rehab for a drug addiction, he’s realizing how terrible he’s been. Hervé is struggling with his new reality, learning to live with his conditions while also continuing to live his life and dealing with his mother’s continued disappointment about him ruining his image. He’s in Brittany trying to take care of himself away from the public eye and the bad influences he surrounded himself with before.
Going into this book, I really didn’t know if Hervé could be redeemed…I loved Pietro and Thierry’s story (Switch-Hitter) and hated Hervé after that, but I’m happy to say that his redemption arc in this book was a success. He not only recognized that what he did in the past was horrifying but he wanted to be better and worked for it every day without expecting forgiveness. Redemption arcs can be tricky and I think this one was really well done.
Orion and Hervé meet under unusual circumstances, but their meeting doesn’t feel random at all - it felt like they were in the perfect place at the perfect time to support each other. Even though their relationship was complicated because of their shared acquaintances, their connection was effortless and their understanding of each other’s needs was instinctual. Their relationship is full of hurt/comfort goodness that made me emotional as they worked through tough diagnoses and difficult grief together, even when things got difficult with them and their families.
This was probably my favorite story in the Hit and Run series and definitely the most surprising. I really enjoyed Orion and Hervé together and wish we could have seen more of their happiness.
Orion Coulter is a MLB pitcher who has the whole world at his fingertips except for when his best friend and brother-in-law is diagnosed with aggressive ALS…even his money can’t do anything to help. He’s heartbroken and trying to grieve for the friend he hasn’t lost yet while also supporting his sister and thinking about the upcoming baseball season. His friend sends him away to the French countryside to have the space to work out his emotions. Orion’s love for his friend and the way his heart is breaking is so endearing and gut wrenching - even though he’s a professional athlete, he wears his heart on his sleeve and his grief was palpable.
Hervé Truffaut is a French actor who is well known and successful, but his fame has made him into a monster without emotions and obsessed with public image. He’s done some terrible things in the past without any care about the implications of his actions, but after publicly hitting rock bottom, being diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy and going to rehab for a drug addiction, he’s realizing how terrible he’s been. Hervé is struggling with his new reality, learning to live with his conditions while also continuing to live his life and dealing with his mother’s continued disappointment about him ruining his image. He’s in Brittany trying to take care of himself away from the public eye and the bad influences he surrounded himself with before.
Going into this book, I really didn’t know if Hervé could be redeemed…I loved Pietro and Thierry’s story (Switch-Hitter) and hated Hervé after that, but I’m happy to say that his redemption arc in this book was a success. He not only recognized that what he did in the past was horrifying but he wanted to be better and worked for it every day without expecting forgiveness. Redemption arcs can be tricky and I think this one was really well done.
Orion and Hervé meet under unusual circumstances, but their meeting doesn’t feel random at all - it felt like they were in the perfect place at the perfect time to support each other. Even though their relationship was complicated because of their shared acquaintances, their connection was effortless and their understanding of each other’s needs was instinctual. Their relationship is full of hurt/comfort goodness that made me emotional as they worked through tough diagnoses and difficult grief together, even when things got difficult with them and their families.
This was probably my favorite story in the Hit and Run series and definitely the most surprising. I really enjoyed Orion and Hervé together and wish we could have seen more of their happiness.
November 19, 2022
I haven’t read any of the previous Hit and Run series and that may have influenced my experience with this book.
Well written, and extremely well researched, this book was an interesting read. I didn’t know about cataplexy although I knew a little about narcolepsy, and I found it quite educational. It features characters from the previous Hit and Run books (I assume so anyway), and there is obviously a lot of history playing a role in things.
Unfortunately, I think that may be what I struggled with. I haven’t read the previous books, knew none of the characters and therefore had no frame of reference and no ‘side’ in things. There were a lot of references to something Hervé did in previous books (and I know some people figured it out just from this book) but I couldn’t quite grasp what he had done that was so wrong, and I wasn’t sure I really cared.
That sounds really callous, but neither Hervé or Orion appealed to me at all – I felt their relationship moved at light speed when both of them were going through something completely life-changing and perhaps should have been more cautious. The struggles Hervé had with his health were handled sensitively and incorporated into the story – this wasn’t a case of saying a character is suffering from something and then never mentioning it again. But, again, I felt like he should be concentrating on stabilising his life and not on falling in love with someone based in a completely different country. I also thought recovering addicts were advised not to get into a relationship in the first year?
Basically, for me, this story didn’t connect and I think that is in large part because I didn’t have the history with the characters. As such, I personally don’t think that it can be read as a stand-alone novel. The sports was minimal, so I probably wouldn’t class it as a sports romance either.
The last two chapters were absolutely romantic, blistering and everything I could have hoped for. I just didn’t gel with the rest of the book. I received an ARC from GRR.
Well written, and extremely well researched, this book was an interesting read. I didn’t know about cataplexy although I knew a little about narcolepsy, and I found it quite educational. It features characters from the previous Hit and Run books (I assume so anyway), and there is obviously a lot of history playing a role in things.
Unfortunately, I think that may be what I struggled with. I haven’t read the previous books, knew none of the characters and therefore had no frame of reference and no ‘side’ in things. There were a lot of references to something Hervé did in previous books (and I know some people figured it out just from this book) but I couldn’t quite grasp what he had done that was so wrong, and I wasn’t sure I really cared.
That sounds really callous, but neither Hervé or Orion appealed to me at all – I felt their relationship moved at light speed when both of them were going through something completely life-changing and perhaps should have been more cautious. The struggles Hervé had with his health were handled sensitively and incorporated into the story – this wasn’t a case of saying a character is suffering from something and then never mentioning it again. But, again, I felt like he should be concentrating on stabilising his life and not on falling in love with someone based in a completely different country. I also thought recovering addicts were advised not to get into a relationship in the first year?
Basically, for me, this story didn’t connect and I think that is in large part because I didn’t have the history with the characters. As such, I personally don’t think that it can be read as a stand-alone novel. The sports was minimal, so I probably wouldn’t class it as a sports romance either.
The last two chapters were absolutely romantic, blistering and everything I could have hoped for. I just didn’t gel with the rest of the book. I received an ARC from GRR.
November 16, 2022
Book given in exchange for review
There are trigger warnings in this book due to the nature of the book so please read them before you start.
This book is an emotional, healing read. It’s not what I was expecting at all. When you see the cover you think oh sports, and the MC is a baseball player but you only get a bit about the game towards the end.
This book is about two MC that have had devastating news and they both need to learn how to cope and deal with everything they have going on and come to terms with the fact that you can’t fix everything.
Orion has been given bad news about his brother in law who has now told him to go to France for a month in his place to go find himself and get his shit together. He finds himself in a small French village with nothing but time on his hands to come to terms with the news he’s been given.
Herve is French and he’s been in the spotlight for years, but not in a good way, he’s hurt so many people along the way and now maybe karma has got him be her he’s just been given do life changing news. He retreats to a rental house to try and deal with his old life and his new life hoping he can learn to heal and make amends.
These two men meet at a time if need for both of them, they don’t realise that they are helping each other to learn how to try and live this new life and good friends and family matter.
This isn’t a spicy book, there is a few moments where they are intimate but this book was more about emotional connection.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
There are trigger warnings in this book due to the nature of the book so please read them before you start.
This book is an emotional, healing read. It’s not what I was expecting at all. When you see the cover you think oh sports, and the MC is a baseball player but you only get a bit about the game towards the end.
This book is about two MC that have had devastating news and they both need to learn how to cope and deal with everything they have going on and come to terms with the fact that you can’t fix everything.
Orion has been given bad news about his brother in law who has now told him to go to France for a month in his place to go find himself and get his shit together. He finds himself in a small French village with nothing but time on his hands to come to terms with the news he’s been given.
Herve is French and he’s been in the spotlight for years, but not in a good way, he’s hurt so many people along the way and now maybe karma has got him be her he’s just been given do life changing news. He retreats to a rental house to try and deal with his old life and his new life hoping he can learn to heal and make amends.
These two men meet at a time if need for both of them, they don’t realise that they are helping each other to learn how to try and live this new life and good friends and family matter.
This isn’t a spicy book, there is a few moments where they are intimate but this book was more about emotional connection.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
July 7, 2023
This was great! It definitely is angsty and dramatic (and you do need to suspend your disbelief throughout), but EM Lindsey's writing, as usual, carries it. I really loved this story, and I cannot believe how much I ended up loving one of the villains of a previous story in the series.
tags/tropes: instalove but kinda a slow burn til they get together comparatively, sports/baseball, disability rep (cataplexy, narcolepsy), death/grieving/terminal illness (neither MMC dies), France/Paris, vacation, hurt/comfort, found family
tags/tropes: instalove but kinda a slow burn til they get together comparatively, sports/baseball, disability rep (cataplexy, narcolepsy), death/grieving/terminal illness (neither MMC dies), France/Paris, vacation, hurt/comfort, found family
November 11, 2022
CW’s and CN’s at the end.
This book definitely falls under my top fave EM Lindsey books of all time. What a gorgeous and painfully tender love story this was and also a masterclass in, not only how to craft a redemption arc, but also in the work of accountability.
When we meet Hervé in *Double-Play* he has hit rock bottom with his addiction as well as just received diagnoses of narcolepsy and cataplexy. Suddenly he’s faced with all the bad decisions that have brought him to this moment including how he has hurt the people closest to him. Enter, Orion, teammate and close friends with two people severely impacted by Hervé’s actions in the past. The two meet in the most unexpected way, when Orion is wrestling with the difficult decision of processing his best friend’s terminal illness and Hervé is still very much recovering.
In many ways this book is about two different grief journeys. Orion’s pain is visceral and I applaud such a sensitive and beautiful portrayl of the tangled nature of coming to terms with loss, especially before a loved one has even passed. Hervé’s journey is equally convoluted and if there’s anything EM Lindsey excels at it is accurately portraying the messiness of being human. What I loved so much about this book was, while it does explain where Herevé’s destructive behaviour comes from, it in no way attempts to excuse him. He has to put in the hard work to own up to his actions and make a concentrated effort to unlearn his more damaging inclinations. What is also so important in stories of accountability is that there is no magical attempt to forgive and forget. Instead what we see is a realistic portrayal of how he must work to be better even though no one owes him forgiveness. And mixed in with all of this is a tender and sometimes difficult love story of two people finding each other amidst their pain and emotional journeys. The HEA is not just for the characters as a couple, but also very much for themselves as individuals.
I have nothing but praise for how delicately and realistically this story was handled. It’s an important book to read and EM has outdone themselves with this wonderful story. 5+ massive stars!
CW’s: past toxic relationships; discussions of gun violence resulting in a permanent injury (in the past and not on-page); drug abuse and addiction; addiction recovery; illness and death of a side character; grief; brief mentions of restricting food in the past for fear of gaining weight in the film/modeling industry.
CN’s: Please note that this a relatively hight angst romance that contains a redemption arc for a character previously seen in the first book of this series, who is also adjusting to a diagnosis of narcolepsy and cataplexy as well as in recovery for addiction. The novel also deals heavily with with grief stemming from the terminal illness and death of a side character. This book is relatively low-heat but it does contain a handful on on-page sex scenes between the main characters. While the specifics of baseball and the spirit of the game remains true to real life, minor adjustments in the attitudes towards sports have been made to support an environment where out queer athletes are plenty and part of the social fabric.
This book definitely falls under my top fave EM Lindsey books of all time. What a gorgeous and painfully tender love story this was and also a masterclass in, not only how to craft a redemption arc, but also in the work of accountability.
When we meet Hervé in *Double-Play* he has hit rock bottom with his addiction as well as just received diagnoses of narcolepsy and cataplexy. Suddenly he’s faced with all the bad decisions that have brought him to this moment including how he has hurt the people closest to him. Enter, Orion, teammate and close friends with two people severely impacted by Hervé’s actions in the past. The two meet in the most unexpected way, when Orion is wrestling with the difficult decision of processing his best friend’s terminal illness and Hervé is still very much recovering.
In many ways this book is about two different grief journeys. Orion’s pain is visceral and I applaud such a sensitive and beautiful portrayl of the tangled nature of coming to terms with loss, especially before a loved one has even passed. Hervé’s journey is equally convoluted and if there’s anything EM Lindsey excels at it is accurately portraying the messiness of being human. What I loved so much about this book was, while it does explain where Herevé’s destructive behaviour comes from, it in no way attempts to excuse him. He has to put in the hard work to own up to his actions and make a concentrated effort to unlearn his more damaging inclinations. What is also so important in stories of accountability is that there is no magical attempt to forgive and forget. Instead what we see is a realistic portrayal of how he must work to be better even though no one owes him forgiveness. And mixed in with all of this is a tender and sometimes difficult love story of two people finding each other amidst their pain and emotional journeys. The HEA is not just for the characters as a couple, but also very much for themselves as individuals.
I have nothing but praise for how delicately and realistically this story was handled. It’s an important book to read and EM has outdone themselves with this wonderful story. 5+ massive stars!
CW’s: past toxic relationships; discussions of gun violence resulting in a permanent injury (in the past and not on-page); drug abuse and addiction; addiction recovery; illness and death of a side character; grief; brief mentions of restricting food in the past for fear of gaining weight in the film/modeling industry.
CN’s: Please note that this a relatively hight angst romance that contains a redemption arc for a character previously seen in the first book of this series, who is also adjusting to a diagnosis of narcolepsy and cataplexy as well as in recovery for addiction. The novel also deals heavily with with grief stemming from the terminal illness and death of a side character. This book is relatively low-heat but it does contain a handful on on-page sex scenes between the main characters. While the specifics of baseball and the spirit of the game remains true to real life, minor adjustments in the attitudes towards sports have been made to support an environment where out queer athletes are plenty and part of the social fabric.
November 17, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Double Play is third and final book in E.M. Lindsey’s Hit and Run series. The books come full circle as we see the return of Hervé, a man who is very much the villain in the first story, Switch-Hitter. I was really curious about this one as Hervé is definitely not a sympathetic character in any way in the first book and I wondered how Lindsey would build his redemption arc. And I think the author takes an interesting approach in that Hervé fully acknowledges not only his bad behavior, but also that he is not owed forgiveness by those he hurt. He is actively trying to be a better person, to build for himself a future where he is someone he can be proud of, and to find a way to happiness going forward. But he also knows that he cannot put the burden of expecting forgiveness on those he hurt and that if the men never speak to him again and want nothing to do with him, he will have to accept that.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Double Play is third and final book in E.M. Lindsey’s Hit and Run series. The books come full circle as we see the return of Hervé, a man who is very much the villain in the first story, Switch-Hitter. I was really curious about this one as Hervé is definitely not a sympathetic character in any way in the first book and I wondered how Lindsey would build his redemption arc. And I think the author takes an interesting approach in that Hervé fully acknowledges not only his bad behavior, but also that he is not owed forgiveness by those he hurt. He is actively trying to be a better person, to build for himself a future where he is someone he can be proud of, and to find a way to happiness going forward. But he also knows that he cannot put the burden of expecting forgiveness on those he hurt and that if the men never speak to him again and want nothing to do with him, he will have to accept that.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
July 7, 2024
*might contain small spoilers*
This is the redemption story I didn't think was possible - but as usual E.M. Lindsey delivered an emotional and heartfelt story with lots of grief and hurt / comfort.
We met Hervé in the first book and he was not a great person in that one, he was self destructive and damaged, and caused a lot of pain to the people around him. The Hervé we meet here is different, it was hard to read his perspective and see his struggles. Despite everything, I wanted good things for him.
Then there was Orion… Orion had my heart from the start, so caring and gentle despite his own grief and hurting. I didn’t expect the chemistry and feelings between Orion and Hervé, but they were a good match for each other - even if their happily ever after wasn’t a straight road ahead.
I appreciated the direction this story took, that love isn't a solution and no matter how strongly you feel for someone it might not be the right time or place. Sometimes you need space and distance to work on yourself before you can commit to someone else. I loved that Orion and Hervé’s relationship wasn’t a given and that both of them realised they had to work for it.
Double Play definitely tugged on my heartstrings and I felt a lot for both the characters and their circumstances. I loved seeing Orion and Hervé together, and I wouldn’t have minded to see a little more of their relationship after everything they went through - but hopefully they’ll make appearances through the series!
This is the redemption story I didn't think was possible - but as usual E.M. Lindsey delivered an emotional and heartfelt story with lots of grief and hurt / comfort.
We met Hervé in the first book and he was not a great person in that one, he was self destructive and damaged, and caused a lot of pain to the people around him. The Hervé we meet here is different, it was hard to read his perspective and see his struggles. Despite everything, I wanted good things for him.
Then there was Orion… Orion had my heart from the start, so caring and gentle despite his own grief and hurting. I didn’t expect the chemistry and feelings between Orion and Hervé, but they were a good match for each other - even if their happily ever after wasn’t a straight road ahead.
I appreciated the direction this story took, that love isn't a solution and no matter how strongly you feel for someone it might not be the right time or place. Sometimes you need space and distance to work on yourself before you can commit to someone else. I loved that Orion and Hervé’s relationship wasn’t a given and that both of them realised they had to work for it.
Double Play definitely tugged on my heartstrings and I felt a lot for both the characters and their circumstances. I loved seeing Orion and Hervé together, and I wouldn’t have minded to see a little more of their relationship after everything they went through - but hopefully they’ll make appearances through the series!
Shelved as 'to-be-released'
July 27, 2022Dec 5
July 13, 2024
3.5 stars
This is a MM baseball romance without any baseball in it. Shockingly, I wanted more baseball!
So. It’s beautifully written. It’s also partly a redemption story, which I love. Herve was apparently the villain of the previous book (this is #3 in the series and I haven’t read either of the previous ones) and for good reason. Even though I wasn’t invested in his story yet, I think E.M. Lindsey did a good job at showing us why he had f*cked up so badly without letting him off the hook.
I’ve digressed, though. This book is about Orion, a pro baseball player who’s having a really hard time dealing with the fact that his best friend and brother-in-law has ALS, which appears to be progressing quickly. His BIL is apparently sick of Orion making it al about himself and says, “please, please take the cottage I booked for a few weeks in northern France and get over yourself.” (This is absolutely my slightly sarky interpretation.)
While there, he meets a grumpy, beautiful Frenchman who collapses at a cafe. It turns out this is Herve, who actually f*cked over one of Orion’s besties, but Orion doesn’t realize it yet). Herve has narcolepsy, cataplexy, problems with addiction, insomnia and awful hallucinations, as well as a hideous mother. That, combined with the grief Orion is feeling about his friend with ALS, makes for a really heavy book.
As I said, Lindsey is a great writer, and there are many wonderful moments between Orion and Herve, which earned this book 3.5 stars. But I couldn’t love it, because there was so much trauma drama, little levity or joy, and not nearly enough actual baseball.
This is a MM baseball romance without any baseball in it. Shockingly, I wanted more baseball!
So. It’s beautifully written. It’s also partly a redemption story, which I love. Herve was apparently the villain of the previous book (this is #3 in the series and I haven’t read either of the previous ones) and for good reason. Even though I wasn’t invested in his story yet, I think E.M. Lindsey did a good job at showing us why he had f*cked up so badly without letting him off the hook.
I’ve digressed, though. This book is about Orion, a pro baseball player who’s having a really hard time dealing with the fact that his best friend and brother-in-law has ALS, which appears to be progressing quickly. His BIL is apparently sick of Orion making it al about himself and says, “please, please take the cottage I booked for a few weeks in northern France and get over yourself.” (This is absolutely my slightly sarky interpretation.)
While there, he meets a grumpy, beautiful Frenchman who collapses at a cafe. It turns out this is Herve, who actually f*cked over one of Orion’s besties, but Orion doesn’t realize it yet). Herve has narcolepsy, cataplexy, problems with addiction, insomnia and awful hallucinations, as well as a hideous mother. That, combined with the grief Orion is feeling about his friend with ALS, makes for a really heavy book.
As I said, Lindsey is a great writer, and there are many wonderful moments between Orion and Herve, which earned this book 3.5 stars. But I couldn’t love it, because there was so much trauma drama, little levity or joy, and not nearly enough actual baseball.
November 7, 2022
An absolutely beautiful story of love, grief, and redemption. You guys…this is Hervé’s story!!
When we met Hervé in Switch-Hitter, he was admittedly awful. But there was something about him that made me want more from him, and I’m so glad we get that!
Hervé knows he’s been horrible to those he’s cared about. He was a selfish playboy addicted to alcohol and drugs, but his issues went much deeper than that. After a life of being pushed by a stage mother that gave criticism more than affection, Hervé has pushed away everyone he cared about. He knows he has to straighten himself out, because the onset of a difficult illness, he won’t make it if he keeps up like this.
Orion is going through the worst struggle of his life. His best friend and brother in law is losing his battle with a terminal illness, and he doesn’t know how to handle it. He accepts a trip to a tiny village in France, where he meets a beautiful man in an unconventional circumstance.
With Orion struggling with his grief and Hervé struggling with feeling worthy, these two really have to work on themselves if they want to make this work. They’re both going through so much and don’t always know how to navigate their budding relationship.
On a personal note, I recently experienced something similar to Orion and EM Lindsey absolutely portrayed the cycle of emotions one goes through in this situation. I think many will relate to Orion’s bereavement.
When we met Hervé in Switch-Hitter, he was admittedly awful. But there was something about him that made me want more from him, and I’m so glad we get that!
Hervé knows he’s been horrible to those he’s cared about. He was a selfish playboy addicted to alcohol and drugs, but his issues went much deeper than that. After a life of being pushed by a stage mother that gave criticism more than affection, Hervé has pushed away everyone he cared about. He knows he has to straighten himself out, because the onset of a difficult illness, he won’t make it if he keeps up like this.
Orion is going through the worst struggle of his life. His best friend and brother in law is losing his battle with a terminal illness, and he doesn’t know how to handle it. He accepts a trip to a tiny village in France, where he meets a beautiful man in an unconventional circumstance.
With Orion struggling with his grief and Hervé struggling with feeling worthy, these two really have to work on themselves if they want to make this work. They’re both going through so much and don’t always know how to navigate their budding relationship.
On a personal note, I recently experienced something similar to Orion and EM Lindsey absolutely portrayed the cycle of emotions one goes through in this situation. I think many will relate to Orion’s bereavement.
November 20, 2022
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to give this book 3 or 4 stars. I settled in 4 because I enjoyed most of the book. This is definitely much more slow burn and low heat compared to the rest of the books in the series. That didn’t bother me, but the almost 80% drama that sort of fit but also went against all they had been working toward did. Herve was a total asshole in Thierry and Pietros book. He was sort of redeemed but you can’t undo the awful way he acted when Thierry was shot. Idk how I feel about this book. It was good and I enjoyed the progression but the ending felt super rushed? Decent end to the series but not my favorite. Changed to 3 stars because I didn’t like the rushed ending.
January 10, 2023
Double play
The book was well written and I think it was believable in the way people reacted once they knew Orion was interested in Herve.
I was really surprised when I started reading this book and found out that one of the main characters was Herve. He was not likeable in the first book -at all- but I'm glad he found happiness, because everyone deserves a HEA.
The book was well written and I think it was believable in the way people reacted once they knew Orion was interested in Herve.
I was really surprised when I started reading this book and found out that one of the main characters was Herve. He was not likeable in the first book -at all- but I'm glad he found happiness, because everyone deserves a HEA.
July 31, 2023
4.5 stars
This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews.
Hervé is a famous French actor who has fallen from grace. His life took a turn when he had a very public collapse. Between his addictions and his body finally being pushed beyond the breaking point of his underlying condition, he can no longer do his job or be the man he once was. He has escaped to a rental in Brittany and is working with his therapist trying to determine how he is going to move forward in his life. His “friends” have deserted him – not that they were actual friends to begin with. He also doesn’t want the pitying looks that he is sure would come his way. He’s treated the true friends he did once have shabbily and they have no contact with him anymore.
Orion Coulter is pro baseball pitcher who arrives in Brittany to take over the rental for a family member who cannot use it. Since it’s the off-season, he agrees because he is reeling from the diagnosis received by said family member. He doesn’t speak French and he’s not really sure what he’s supposed to do there, but he sees the beautiful Hervé while visiting a cafe for coffee after doing some shopping for food. He’s unprepared for the gorgeous man, who seems none to happy to have Orion in his space, collapse. While he comes around pretty quickly, Orion is concerned for the man to get home safely. He insists he’s fine and leaves.
When Orion next comes upon the man, he has fallen and cut his head. Orion waits for him to come around and takes him back to his rental to patch him. He also insists on feeding him and they begin to chat. Orion is interested in the man even though he seems quite skittish. He agrees to stay the night because Orion is worried. Orion walks him back home the next day where Hervé basically closes the door in his face. Turns out that they are not complete strangers and that they have friends in common. Unfortunately it’s the same friends that Hervé had treated so poorly 🙁
Once Orion has put two and two together, he and Hervé have a chat. Hervé confesses what he has been through and how he is dealing with his addictions and his diagnoses and how his medication are/are not working etc. He knows he treated his former friends badly and he would like to make amends and ask for their forgiveness. He likes Orion, but he in no way believes that he deserves a nice man like Orion. Eventually Orion shares the reason that he has hightailed it to France so that he can deal with his personal situation and prepare for what will be a devastating loss. They come together, despite the symptoms and sometimes inconveniences of Hervé’s condition.
Then the unthinkable happens and Orion must return to Denver. This is sort of a “scene of the crime” as it were location for Hervé and despite his own personal situation and knowing he’s going to have to confront his past, he still drops everything and makes the effort to help Orion get back. Needless to say, there is a lot to deal with and Orion is not in a position to handle much. While some things to better than others, it’s clear that there is something potentially very good between these two men if they can find their way through the obstacles to be together.
This is the first book I have read in this series and while it does have spoilers for previous books, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything that I really needed in order to enjoy this one. First, the setting of Brittany where Hervé and Orion meet is near and dear to my heart after having visited recently. I can confirm that the walk up to top of the church Mont-Saint-Michel is grueling and I would NOT recommend spending the previous 4 hours shopping on the cobblestone streets of a medieval town and then attempting it 🙂 But it is so spectacular – especially at night in the summer if you can stay for the sunset. Bucket list worthy! But I digress. I love the way this author writes characters who are dealing with physical and psychological issues. In this case, Hervé has to grapple with both his physical issues and symptom management, but he’s also trying to heal from his addictions and his deeply embedded trauma from his upbringing and the lack of unconditional love in his life. He struggles with self-worth and that has driven a lot of his self-destructive behavior. And now that he’s trying to be a better person, he is forced into a situation where he has to confront his past in the people that he has hurt if he wants to have any sort of a future with peace of mind and certainly any future with Orion.
For his part, Orion is dealing with loss and the need to be there for his family. He wants Hervé, but he also wants to protect him. He doesn’t always get it right. He is lucky though that his friends back him up and try to help him figure out the balance. Hervé is shocked that he has more support than he thought he ever would as well. At the end of the day, Hervé still has a lot of work to do on himself, but he’d much rather do it with Orion by his side. There are soooo many feels in this story. Orion is a strong guy, but he discovers that he also for the first time feels very protective of Hervé. He understands that Hervé did a lot of thoughtless and hurtful things – that he’s been selfish and callous in the past. He also understands the reasons why and he accepts that Hervé is a work in progress and is really trying to be a better person. I really appreciated how Hervé tried to make things right and that he did not want to interfere in anyone’s life. These two guys had to work pretty hard to figure things out and I was happy that they were able to work it out. If you’re a fan of sports romances, second chances, stories of overcoming difficulties and dealing with some of life’s most difficult moments, then you will like this one.
Michael Ferraiuolo does a really lovely job with this one. His French accent is very good and I loved Hervé. I felt really bad for both men dealing with such devastating moments of their lives. Michael is one of my absolute favorite narrators and he made me feel the pain of both Hervé and Orion. There are a lot of moments of uncertainty also and I could really understand the dilemmas both characters faced. The many supporting characters were distinct and clearly delineated with the voices/accents as well. Really just a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience and definitely worth the time. I believe listening to this story really enhanced my experience of this serious but ultimately uplifting tale.
This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews.
Hervé is a famous French actor who has fallen from grace. His life took a turn when he had a very public collapse. Between his addictions and his body finally being pushed beyond the breaking point of his underlying condition, he can no longer do his job or be the man he once was. He has escaped to a rental in Brittany and is working with his therapist trying to determine how he is going to move forward in his life. His “friends” have deserted him – not that they were actual friends to begin with. He also doesn’t want the pitying looks that he is sure would come his way. He’s treated the true friends he did once have shabbily and they have no contact with him anymore.
Orion Coulter is pro baseball pitcher who arrives in Brittany to take over the rental for a family member who cannot use it. Since it’s the off-season, he agrees because he is reeling from the diagnosis received by said family member. He doesn’t speak French and he’s not really sure what he’s supposed to do there, but he sees the beautiful Hervé while visiting a cafe for coffee after doing some shopping for food. He’s unprepared for the gorgeous man, who seems none to happy to have Orion in his space, collapse. While he comes around pretty quickly, Orion is concerned for the man to get home safely. He insists he’s fine and leaves.
When Orion next comes upon the man, he has fallen and cut his head. Orion waits for him to come around and takes him back to his rental to patch him. He also insists on feeding him and they begin to chat. Orion is interested in the man even though he seems quite skittish. He agrees to stay the night because Orion is worried. Orion walks him back home the next day where Hervé basically closes the door in his face. Turns out that they are not complete strangers and that they have friends in common. Unfortunately it’s the same friends that Hervé had treated so poorly 🙁
Once Orion has put two and two together, he and Hervé have a chat. Hervé confesses what he has been through and how he is dealing with his addictions and his diagnoses and how his medication are/are not working etc. He knows he treated his former friends badly and he would like to make amends and ask for their forgiveness. He likes Orion, but he in no way believes that he deserves a nice man like Orion. Eventually Orion shares the reason that he has hightailed it to France so that he can deal with his personal situation and prepare for what will be a devastating loss. They come together, despite the symptoms and sometimes inconveniences of Hervé’s condition.
Then the unthinkable happens and Orion must return to Denver. This is sort of a “scene of the crime” as it were location for Hervé and despite his own personal situation and knowing he’s going to have to confront his past, he still drops everything and makes the effort to help Orion get back. Needless to say, there is a lot to deal with and Orion is not in a position to handle much. While some things to better than others, it’s clear that there is something potentially very good between these two men if they can find their way through the obstacles to be together.
This is the first book I have read in this series and while it does have spoilers for previous books, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything that I really needed in order to enjoy this one. First, the setting of Brittany where Hervé and Orion meet is near and dear to my heart after having visited recently. I can confirm that the walk up to top of the church Mont-Saint-Michel is grueling and I would NOT recommend spending the previous 4 hours shopping on the cobblestone streets of a medieval town and then attempting it 🙂 But it is so spectacular – especially at night in the summer if you can stay for the sunset. Bucket list worthy! But I digress. I love the way this author writes characters who are dealing with physical and psychological issues. In this case, Hervé has to grapple with both his physical issues and symptom management, but he’s also trying to heal from his addictions and his deeply embedded trauma from his upbringing and the lack of unconditional love in his life. He struggles with self-worth and that has driven a lot of his self-destructive behavior. And now that he’s trying to be a better person, he is forced into a situation where he has to confront his past in the people that he has hurt if he wants to have any sort of a future with peace of mind and certainly any future with Orion.
For his part, Orion is dealing with loss and the need to be there for his family. He wants Hervé, but he also wants to protect him. He doesn’t always get it right. He is lucky though that his friends back him up and try to help him figure out the balance. Hervé is shocked that he has more support than he thought he ever would as well. At the end of the day, Hervé still has a lot of work to do on himself, but he’d much rather do it with Orion by his side. There are soooo many feels in this story. Orion is a strong guy, but he discovers that he also for the first time feels very protective of Hervé. He understands that Hervé did a lot of thoughtless and hurtful things – that he’s been selfish and callous in the past. He also understands the reasons why and he accepts that Hervé is a work in progress and is really trying to be a better person. I really appreciated how Hervé tried to make things right and that he did not want to interfere in anyone’s life. These two guys had to work pretty hard to figure things out and I was happy that they were able to work it out. If you’re a fan of sports romances, second chances, stories of overcoming difficulties and dealing with some of life’s most difficult moments, then you will like this one.
Michael Ferraiuolo does a really lovely job with this one. His French accent is very good and I loved Hervé. I felt really bad for both men dealing with such devastating moments of their lives. Michael is one of my absolute favorite narrators and he made me feel the pain of both Hervé and Orion. There are a lot of moments of uncertainty also and I could really understand the dilemmas both characters faced. The many supporting characters were distinct and clearly delineated with the voices/accents as well. Really just a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience and definitely worth the time. I believe listening to this story really enhanced my experience of this serious but ultimately uplifting tale.
December 3, 2022
Orion and Herve
All authors try really hard and we all see things differently also.
But this really annoyed me (ask my husband, he heard all about it). For the life of me I do not know why Orion had to apologise to Herve because he was grieving his best friend dying. That whole part brought back that Herve is a selfish me me me person. Herve should of stayed a supported Orion as best as he could. Maybe he made up for it in the end as he moved to Orion but he still came across selfish.
All authors try really hard and we all see things differently also.
But this really annoyed me (ask my husband, he heard all about it). For the life of me I do not know why Orion had to apologise to Herve because he was grieving his best friend dying. That whole part brought back that Herve is a selfish me me me person. Herve should of stayed a supported Orion as best as he could. Maybe he made up for it in the end as he moved to Orion but he still came across selfish.
November 24, 2022
This is the third and final book in the Hit and Run series. You don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one but you do miss out on some important background if you don't. This is the story of Orion Coulter and Hervé Truffaut. Orion is a MLB player. His sister is married to his best friend. When his friends ALS condition progresses rapidly, Orion's world is shaken to its core. His best friend is his touchstone. Even with his fame and money, there is nothing he can do to save his friend. While trying to adjust to his new reality, Orion meets Hervé. The two have actually met years before but Orion doesn't recognize him. Hervé is working to heal himself both physically and mentally. He lashes out at Orion because he knows how poorly he treated Orion's friend. But Orion doesn't know that yet. This is their story. It is well written and easy to read. I have to say that it is hard to like Hervé due to his previous actions. But it is still an enjoyable story. Both of them are looking for something, never realizing that it is each other that they need.
I received an ARC and am leaving my honest opinion.
I received an ARC and am leaving my honest opinion.
September 23, 2024
Audiobook version finished 1/11/2023: Loved the story ofc, and the narration was superb. I had a hard time understanding some of the French-accented English but I am somewhat hard of hearing in one ear so I don't always pick up soft sounds. I loved the variety of the characters' voices and accents. This was the first audiobook I ever listened to and although I was previously against audiobooks, it totally changed my mind.
June 19, 2024
Emotional and unusual MM hurt-comfort sports romance
A third solid hit for the Hit and Run series brings it home for the character voted most-hated/least likely to find love in the previous two books. An unusual and refreshing hurt-comfort romance with some steam and more warmth and kindness than might have been forecast. While the book can stand alone, I highly recommend reading the first two in the trilogy to get the full back story. All three books are excellent and unique, and romantic in different ways. Please read the sales copy for a plot summary.
Hervé. Need I say more? After the first two books, I was extremely curious to know how on earth E.M. Lindsey was going to turn this character I loved to hate into a hero. Well, never doubt this author’s ability to go beyond the surface and take on the hard stuff as they peel back layer after layer of life experience, pain, authentic different abilities, and the human instinct to seek connection.
Lindsey creates two fascinating characters going through distinct and different hurts, finding each other at their lowest points in life and literally, in one case, picking each other up off the ground and giving the other the strength they would never have asked for to keep going. It’s not a downer of a story though; the human instinct to find joy in the hard spots shines through, as pro-ball player Orion takes time away to come to terms with confusion and grief and disgraced celebrity Hervé works through the most humbling of physical conditions while trying to figure out who he wants to be going forward. Their unexpected random meeting and realized mutual connections might have driven them apart before they even got started, but with each in a place of understanding that life is short and not to dismiss an unexpected open door, a sweetly gentle and rather steamy romance begins.
I appreciated that there was no excusing Hervé’s past behavior, and no one tried. The story was in part about taking responsibility for your past and taking responsibility for your future, not using old mistakes as excuses to continue bad behavior. And most moving was the message that, while you can apologize and hope for forgiveness, you are never owed it from anyone, and you must move forward without any expectation of it. In fact one of my favorite things here is that no one does forgive Hervé, and he must let go and move forward for himself. I liked him all the better for understanding that, and Orion for getting to know him as he is now, even knowing that the man he’s coming to know and love might never be accepted or trusted by his closest friends. Because Orion is a grownup and communicates about the situation, I was able to believe this relationship had every chance of success.
It’s not a perfect book—for one, it seemed contrived that they both wound up in the same small town in France with no explanation (unless I missed it?), and I would have loved another scene or two to cement the friendship and growing feelings between the two men before they were declaring deeper feelings and making grand gestures—but as emotion became palpable on page and the two continued to treat each other with respect and unconditional acceptance, I believed that despite not having much time together, eventually they would absolutely make it together and felt like a terrific match.
Previous characters added strong conflict and obstacles to a hard-fought, hard-won, well-deserved ending.
HEA, hurt-comfort, sports (baseball), no cheating or emotional cheating, strong communication and beautifully rendered emotion. Recommended. Read the trilogy!
A third solid hit for the Hit and Run series brings it home for the character voted most-hated/least likely to find love in the previous two books. An unusual and refreshing hurt-comfort romance with some steam and more warmth and kindness than might have been forecast. While the book can stand alone, I highly recommend reading the first two in the trilogy to get the full back story. All three books are excellent and unique, and romantic in different ways. Please read the sales copy for a plot summary.
Hervé. Need I say more? After the first two books, I was extremely curious to know how on earth E.M. Lindsey was going to turn this character I loved to hate into a hero. Well, never doubt this author’s ability to go beyond the surface and take on the hard stuff as they peel back layer after layer of life experience, pain, authentic different abilities, and the human instinct to seek connection.
Lindsey creates two fascinating characters going through distinct and different hurts, finding each other at their lowest points in life and literally, in one case, picking each other up off the ground and giving the other the strength they would never have asked for to keep going. It’s not a downer of a story though; the human instinct to find joy in the hard spots shines through, as pro-ball player Orion takes time away to come to terms with confusion and grief and disgraced celebrity Hervé works through the most humbling of physical conditions while trying to figure out who he wants to be going forward. Their unexpected random meeting and realized mutual connections might have driven them apart before they even got started, but with each in a place of understanding that life is short and not to dismiss an unexpected open door, a sweetly gentle and rather steamy romance begins.
I appreciated that there was no excusing Hervé’s past behavior, and no one tried. The story was in part about taking responsibility for your past and taking responsibility for your future, not using old mistakes as excuses to continue bad behavior. And most moving was the message that, while you can apologize and hope for forgiveness, you are never owed it from anyone, and you must move forward without any expectation of it. In fact one of my favorite things here is that no one does forgive Hervé, and he must let go and move forward for himself. I liked him all the better for understanding that, and Orion for getting to know him as he is now, even knowing that the man he’s coming to know and love might never be accepted or trusted by his closest friends. Because Orion is a grownup and communicates about the situation, I was able to believe this relationship had every chance of success.
It’s not a perfect book—for one, it seemed contrived that they both wound up in the same small town in France with no explanation (unless I missed it?), and I would have loved another scene or two to cement the friendship and growing feelings between the two men before they were declaring deeper feelings and making grand gestures—but as emotion became palpable on page and the two continued to treat each other with respect and unconditional acceptance, I believed that despite not having much time together, eventually they would absolutely make it together and felt like a terrific match.
Previous characters added strong conflict and obstacles to a hard-fought, hard-won, well-deserved ending.
HEA, hurt-comfort, sports (baseball), no cheating or emotional cheating, strong communication and beautifully rendered emotion. Recommended. Read the trilogy!
November 18, 2022
This book is about Hervé, whom I'm sure we have all despised in one way or another. He's hurt a lot of people and quite frankly I didn't think his character could be redeemable, however, I was wrong. Ever since Hervé collapsed on a red carpet he got sent to rehab and started doing therapy. He also saw plenty of doctors to try to see what was going on with him. Going through all of that and with a lot of therapy he can now see just how truly awful he was treating those around him. Now that he's successfully made everyone leave he's lonely. He doesn't want to be alone forever, he wants to change and he wants to do and be better. Then he meets Orion and he never thought he could ever be able to have him.
Orion's brother is dying, his best friend and partner in crime is leaving him and he doesn't know what to do. His sister is losing not only her husband but also the father to her child. One who's not old enough to remember her dad. Orion stayed with his sister and his brother in law for 3 weeks, he would've stayed longer but Carey told him that he wanted Orion to take the trip he originally planned to go on with Nova. Carey didn't want Orion to see him deteriorate, he wanted Orion to take a break, to see new things and meet new people. That's exactly what Orion did, at the time when he first met Hervé he had no idea who he was, and once he found out he was conflicted. He wanted to get to know the man better but he also knows what he did to Pietro and Thierry.
I have to say, EM knows how to write characters that pull at your heart strings. I was worried that Hervé wouldn't be able to be redeemed, I was wrong. I appreciated how hard he was trying to be better and taking the steps he needed to not only improve himself but also trying to improve for others as well. I loved Orion, he was going through so much and yet he still cared about Hervé's well being. I definitely believe that Hervé redeemed himself in this book, I actually liked his character. He acknowledged that what he did and how he treated those around him was wrong and he was doing what he could to improve.
This book was really well written, it had a terrific pace, excellent background detail and I loved the detailed description of the food. France is a place I've always wanted to go to, and reading this book made it feel like I was actually there. I really appreciate how EM writes flawed characters, characters who aren't perfect and who has medical problems, and characters who experience grief and loss. You don't have to be perfect, cause there is no such thing as perfection. And EM writes that beautifully and their writing is always so poignant.
I highly recommend this story, and while you could read this as a stand-alone I recommend reading the other books in the series first.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
Orion's brother is dying, his best friend and partner in crime is leaving him and he doesn't know what to do. His sister is losing not only her husband but also the father to her child. One who's not old enough to remember her dad. Orion stayed with his sister and his brother in law for 3 weeks, he would've stayed longer but Carey told him that he wanted Orion to take the trip he originally planned to go on with Nova. Carey didn't want Orion to see him deteriorate, he wanted Orion to take a break, to see new things and meet new people. That's exactly what Orion did, at the time when he first met Hervé he had no idea who he was, and once he found out he was conflicted. He wanted to get to know the man better but he also knows what he did to Pietro and Thierry.
I have to say, EM knows how to write characters that pull at your heart strings. I was worried that Hervé wouldn't be able to be redeemed, I was wrong. I appreciated how hard he was trying to be better and taking the steps he needed to not only improve himself but also trying to improve for others as well. I loved Orion, he was going through so much and yet he still cared about Hervé's well being. I definitely believe that Hervé redeemed himself in this book, I actually liked his character. He acknowledged that what he did and how he treated those around him was wrong and he was doing what he could to improve.
This book was really well written, it had a terrific pace, excellent background detail and I loved the detailed description of the food. France is a place I've always wanted to go to, and reading this book made it feel like I was actually there. I really appreciate how EM writes flawed characters, characters who aren't perfect and who has medical problems, and characters who experience grief and loss. You don't have to be perfect, cause there is no such thing as perfection. And EM writes that beautifully and their writing is always so poignant.
I highly recommend this story, and while you could read this as a stand-alone I recommend reading the other books in the series first.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
November 19, 2022
my favorite, beautifully written
Rating: 5🌈
The finale story of the Hit and Run trilogy, Double Play brings back Herve Truffaut, the ex boyfriend of Pietro and ex best friend/employer of Thierry as a main character. Herve’s been a truly villainous person and his actions have caused enormous emotional pain as well as huge harm physically to both those men. He’s been hated and his narcissistic, self destructive personality gave no indication he would be redeemed.
Usually, that’s a iffy proposition for an author after making a character so reviled in previous stories. Most of the time it honestly doesn’t work.
Even here, Herve’s prior actions and the severity of the damage he’s caused to others is brought up often, as well as the fact most believe he’s not deserving of forgiveness.
That adds a rawness to the perspective and a darker side to the story and characters.
But Lindsey is able, by creating a fully balanced and multi layered being in Herve, to make us believe in his desire to change.
Now we get the complicated background, the abusive mother, the tormented adolescence, and the deep damage that left on him that helped create the monster he became. And is now trying to redeem.
The illnesses Herve suffers from , narcolepsy and cataplexy, are woven expertly into his life and character. I had little knowledge of both diseases until they were described in detail by Herve’s actions and emotional status throughout this story. The utter vulnerability and scary nature of these Illnesses are well portrayed.
Orion Coulter’s pain and situation derives from a different type of anguish and overwhelming sense of impending loss. That of a man he considers his brother due to ALS. His brother in law is dying and his grief is overwhelming him.
This sensitive issue is beautifully handled from many aspects. From that of the man himself who’s death is swiftly coming, his wife who is Orion’s sister, and then Orion who loves them both and does what his best friend wishes. He’s leaves for a vacation planned for the couple that they will never take.
Bring on the tissues. Because this is a heartbreaking aspect of this story.
The men, Orion and Herve , meet, talk, and begin a complicated realistic relationship, one with a man who’s prone to falling down, has a tight medication schedule and health requirements. Somehow, Lindsey makes it plausible, sexy, and hopeful.
As Orion is a MLB player on the same team as the other couples in the previous books, all those characters make important appearances here.
This is a tale of life, love, and redemption. It’s beautiful and tightly crafted.
I loved the ending and I’m highly recommending it. It’s the finest story, imo, of the trilogy.
Hit and Run Trilogy:
- [x] Switch-Hitter #1
- [x] Line Drive #2
- [x] Double Play #3
Rating: 5🌈
The finale story of the Hit and Run trilogy, Double Play brings back Herve Truffaut, the ex boyfriend of Pietro and ex best friend/employer of Thierry as a main character. Herve’s been a truly villainous person and his actions have caused enormous emotional pain as well as huge harm physically to both those men. He’s been hated and his narcissistic, self destructive personality gave no indication he would be redeemed.
Usually, that’s a iffy proposition for an author after making a character so reviled in previous stories. Most of the time it honestly doesn’t work.
Even here, Herve’s prior actions and the severity of the damage he’s caused to others is brought up often, as well as the fact most believe he’s not deserving of forgiveness.
That adds a rawness to the perspective and a darker side to the story and characters.
But Lindsey is able, by creating a fully balanced and multi layered being in Herve, to make us believe in his desire to change.
Now we get the complicated background, the abusive mother, the tormented adolescence, and the deep damage that left on him that helped create the monster he became. And is now trying to redeem.
The illnesses Herve suffers from , narcolepsy and cataplexy, are woven expertly into his life and character. I had little knowledge of both diseases until they were described in detail by Herve’s actions and emotional status throughout this story. The utter vulnerability and scary nature of these Illnesses are well portrayed.
Orion Coulter’s pain and situation derives from a different type of anguish and overwhelming sense of impending loss. That of a man he considers his brother due to ALS. His brother in law is dying and his grief is overwhelming him.
This sensitive issue is beautifully handled from many aspects. From that of the man himself who’s death is swiftly coming, his wife who is Orion’s sister, and then Orion who loves them both and does what his best friend wishes. He’s leaves for a vacation planned for the couple that they will never take.
Bring on the tissues. Because this is a heartbreaking aspect of this story.
The men, Orion and Herve , meet, talk, and begin a complicated realistic relationship, one with a man who’s prone to falling down, has a tight medication schedule and health requirements. Somehow, Lindsey makes it plausible, sexy, and hopeful.
As Orion is a MLB player on the same team as the other couples in the previous books, all those characters make important appearances here.
This is a tale of life, love, and redemption. It’s beautiful and tightly crafted.
I loved the ending and I’m highly recommending it. It’s the finest story, imo, of the trilogy.
Hit and Run Trilogy:
- [x] Switch-Hitter #1
- [x] Line Drive #2
- [x] Double Play #3
November 3, 2022
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Double Play by EM Lindsey is the newest book in the Hit and Run series. Orion has been sent to France in his dying best friend’s attempt to lighten the blow of his terminal illness. Hervé has been working on himself after a diagnosis throws his entire world on its axis. He has been hiding out in a small village trying to manage his illness and is shocked when an American offers unsolicited help during an episode. When Orion realizes that the man he’s been coming across is none other than his best friend’s monstrous ex, Hervé, he struggles to see him as anything but someone in need. But Hervé is not the same man and Orion finds that when he’s with him he’s not the same man either. The two know that the cards are stacked against them with such a rocky past but cannot seem to let go of the strong connection they have.
Orion’s sadness could be felt coming off the pages as he dealt with losing Carey. I wasn’t really prepared for the strong emotional response I had to Orion’s situation. His ability to care for Hervé really made me love him and that he was willing to push when necessary and step back when needed. He struggles with balancing his overwhelming feelings for Hervé and how it will impact his friendships with those he loves back home. He pulls Hervé close when he needs him most and sees Hervé rise to the occasion.
Orion was nothing like him. He was like a tide– pushing in, pulling out, consuming all of what Hervé was willing to give.
Hervé is a character I never thought I could see being redeemed. He was deplorable when you met him in the first book. He truly made up for it in this book being exactly who Orion needed when the time came. Hervé is far from a perfect person and his ability to see that made his changes believable. His illness has held him back for sure when push came to shove he was willing to risk his health, both mental and physical, to be there for Orion.
Hervé, for his part, was staring at him with something like amusement as he leaned against the railing, and in spite of Orion’s heart trying to beat of his chest, all he could see was how damn beautiful the man was.
This book is my favorite in this series by far. I wasn’t expecting to immediately fall for Orion and especially Hervé. As usual EM Lindsey has been able to broach an illness/disability with respect and accuracy. I appreciate the obvious research that is done by the author because it makes the story come to life. This is a story about forgiveness on multiple levels and I was happy to see that although the journey was ugly the characters fought hard for their HEA.
4.5 stars for the unexpected connection between Hervé and Orion.
Double Play by EM Lindsey is the newest book in the Hit and Run series. Orion has been sent to France in his dying best friend’s attempt to lighten the blow of his terminal illness. Hervé has been working on himself after a diagnosis throws his entire world on its axis. He has been hiding out in a small village trying to manage his illness and is shocked when an American offers unsolicited help during an episode. When Orion realizes that the man he’s been coming across is none other than his best friend’s monstrous ex, Hervé, he struggles to see him as anything but someone in need. But Hervé is not the same man and Orion finds that when he’s with him he’s not the same man either. The two know that the cards are stacked against them with such a rocky past but cannot seem to let go of the strong connection they have.
Orion’s sadness could be felt coming off the pages as he dealt with losing Carey. I wasn’t really prepared for the strong emotional response I had to Orion’s situation. His ability to care for Hervé really made me love him and that he was willing to push when necessary and step back when needed. He struggles with balancing his overwhelming feelings for Hervé and how it will impact his friendships with those he loves back home. He pulls Hervé close when he needs him most and sees Hervé rise to the occasion.
Orion was nothing like him. He was like a tide– pushing in, pulling out, consuming all of what Hervé was willing to give.
Hervé is a character I never thought I could see being redeemed. He was deplorable when you met him in the first book. He truly made up for it in this book being exactly who Orion needed when the time came. Hervé is far from a perfect person and his ability to see that made his changes believable. His illness has held him back for sure when push came to shove he was willing to risk his health, both mental and physical, to be there for Orion.
Hervé, for his part, was staring at him with something like amusement as he leaned against the railing, and in spite of Orion’s heart trying to beat of his chest, all he could see was how damn beautiful the man was.
This book is my favorite in this series by far. I wasn’t expecting to immediately fall for Orion and especially Hervé. As usual EM Lindsey has been able to broach an illness/disability with respect and accuracy. I appreciate the obvious research that is done by the author because it makes the story come to life. This is a story about forgiveness on multiple levels and I was happy to see that although the journey was ugly the characters fought hard for their HEA.
4.5 stars for the unexpected connection between Hervé and Orion.
November 14, 2022
We’ve met Hervé before. We’ve disliked him immensely since that introduction. He was self-destructive, selfish and cowardly. He was supposed to be irredeemable. Supposed to be, but E.M. Lindsey had some tricks up their sleeve and I can safely say that he was redeemed.
We’ve met Orion before. Now we’ve been introduced to his sister and his best friend – also his brother-in-law, Carey. Carey has ALS and limited time left. Orion is grieving, his heart broken before Carey is even gone. A reservation in the beautiful French countryside is passed on to Orion (since Carey can no longer go) so he can get his thoughts and feelings in order and come to terms with the fact that his ride-or-die will soon be gone & he’ll need to ride for him instead of with him.
When Orion meets Hervé (again) in the little village they’re both staying in, Hervé thinks that he’s like a white knight here to save him, but doesn’t trust him. He doesn’t trust a lot of people, but when Orion is close to all the men he hurt? It makes trust a hard thing to offer freely.
Spending time together in the beautiful countryside village, getting to know one another outside of the people they have in common, Hervé and Orion begin to fall in love.
But is love enough when real life comes crashing in? Hervé’s health has new challenges, his sobriety is as new as the health issues he’s facing and his self-loathing is at an all-time high. Orion’s trip is cut short when pneumonia comes calling on Carey. Hervé arranges to get his new lover back to the US as quickly as possible, coming with him on the flight and the rush to the hospital to say goodbye. Is Hervé's fragile new life strong enough to withstand Orion��s grief, the hatred of his friends & teammates as well as the reunion with his ex-lover & ex-bodyguard/lover/best friend? Orion is strong enough to hold everyone up, but is he strong enough to ask for help?
This book is high on the trigger warnings list as it deals with the death of an MC’s loved one, addiction and grief. I cried through almost the entire book and I can honestly say that I’m totally ok with that. This story is a beautiful tale of redemption, love, family, perseverance and a hard-won but well-deserved happy ending.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
Double Play
E.M. Lindsey
We’ve met Orion before. Now we’ve been introduced to his sister and his best friend – also his brother-in-law, Carey. Carey has ALS and limited time left. Orion is grieving, his heart broken before Carey is even gone. A reservation in the beautiful French countryside is passed on to Orion (since Carey can no longer go) so he can get his thoughts and feelings in order and come to terms with the fact that his ride-or-die will soon be gone & he’ll need to ride for him instead of with him.
When Orion meets Hervé (again) in the little village they’re both staying in, Hervé thinks that he’s like a white knight here to save him, but doesn’t trust him. He doesn’t trust a lot of people, but when Orion is close to all the men he hurt? It makes trust a hard thing to offer freely.
Spending time together in the beautiful countryside village, getting to know one another outside of the people they have in common, Hervé and Orion begin to fall in love.
But is love enough when real life comes crashing in? Hervé’s health has new challenges, his sobriety is as new as the health issues he’s facing and his self-loathing is at an all-time high. Orion’s trip is cut short when pneumonia comes calling on Carey. Hervé arranges to get his new lover back to the US as quickly as possible, coming with him on the flight and the rush to the hospital to say goodbye. Is Hervé's fragile new life strong enough to withstand Orion��s grief, the hatred of his friends & teammates as well as the reunion with his ex-lover & ex-bodyguard/lover/best friend? Orion is strong enough to hold everyone up, but is he strong enough to ask for help?
This book is high on the trigger warnings list as it deals with the death of an MC’s loved one, addiction and grief. I cried through almost the entire book and I can honestly say that I’m totally ok with that. This story is a beautiful tale of redemption, love, family, perseverance and a hard-won but well-deserved happy ending.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and, as always, my review is unpaid and honest.
Double Play
E.M. Lindsey
November 19, 2022
Another intense story from E.M. Lindsey, this time focusing on none other than Hervé, the villain from book 1 in The Hit and Run series.
Not surprinsingly (cause she is an amazing writer), this author manages to transform said villain so impeccably into a wonderful character. And I must add that while reading book one, I had thought: what is behind all that malice? What is hidden behind that armor, because, yes, already at that moment, I realized that Hervé was hiding behind one.
Now, in this new instance, we find ourselves with a Hervé who has hit rock bottom, who is carrying health issues that completely affected his life, and in turn, we find ourselves with a Hervé who also faces all his decisions and actions from the past. A Hervé devoid of such armor. Raw and naked. Someone who knows that no matter how much he wants to change, he will not receive forgiveness, but he wants to change nonetheless, for himself. For his own mental and emotional health.
And it is in this state that he meets Orion, who is suffering from his own emotional baggage, trying to come to terms with losing his best friend, his soul brother and sister's husband, to a terrible disease.
Orion doesn't recognize him at first, but it doesn't take long. And Hervé tries to keep his distance, knowing that Orion is friends with those he hurt the most, but somehow, Orion decides that he doesn't want to be away from Hervé, he sees, he recognizes the changes, and feels attracted, and little by little, he is breaking down the barriers that Hervé put between them.
The path to happiness is not easy, they must face ups and downs, and unbelievably, the one who ends up screwing everything up is not Hervé, but Orion. But after groveling a bit (not enough for me) Orion manages to get the man back from him.
Something I must say: Hervé ended up being a character with such a depth and fortress that I ended loving him. What can I say, I have a soft spot for bad guys who redeem themselves. But as much as I liked Hervé, Orion to me... well, he didn't mean much to me.
I highly recommend this incredible book. It's a beautiful story of grief, redemption, forgiveness and love.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Not surprinsingly (cause she is an amazing writer), this author manages to transform said villain so impeccably into a wonderful character. And I must add that while reading book one, I had thought: what is behind all that malice? What is hidden behind that armor, because, yes, already at that moment, I realized that Hervé was hiding behind one.
Now, in this new instance, we find ourselves with a Hervé who has hit rock bottom, who is carrying health issues that completely affected his life, and in turn, we find ourselves with a Hervé who also faces all his decisions and actions from the past. A Hervé devoid of such armor. Raw and naked. Someone who knows that no matter how much he wants to change, he will not receive forgiveness, but he wants to change nonetheless, for himself. For his own mental and emotional health.
And it is in this state that he meets Orion, who is suffering from his own emotional baggage, trying to come to terms with losing his best friend, his soul brother and sister's husband, to a terrible disease.
Orion doesn't recognize him at first, but it doesn't take long. And Hervé tries to keep his distance, knowing that Orion is friends with those he hurt the most, but somehow, Orion decides that he doesn't want to be away from Hervé, he sees, he recognizes the changes, and feels attracted, and little by little, he is breaking down the barriers that Hervé put between them.
The path to happiness is not easy, they must face ups and downs, and unbelievably, the one who ends up screwing everything up is not Hervé, but Orion. But after groveling a bit (not enough for me) Orion manages to get the man back from him.
Something I must say: Hervé ended up being a character with such a depth and fortress that I ended loving him. What can I say, I have a soft spot for bad guys who redeem themselves. But as much as I liked Hervé, Orion to me... well, he didn't mean much to me.
I highly recommend this incredible book. It's a beautiful story of grief, redemption, forgiveness and love.
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
November 18, 2022
Couldn't forget Hervé's past
This was an emotional read but not because of Hervé. Orion's family heartbreak took centre stage for me, even though it was not the main story, and I was more impressed with how E.M. dealt with that than how they rehabilitated that odious little shit, though I am definitely in the minority.
We learn that Hervé's upbringing was the catalyst for a lot of his behaviour but, as is pointed out in the book, you are ultimately responsible for your own actions and this is what I had a hard time getting over where he is concerned.
If you have read Switch-Hitter, you'll understand why E.M. had set themselves an almost impossible task to make readers like Hervé because his behaviour was beyond the pale. Looking at all the four and five stars, E.M. obviously succeeded in winning over readers but I just couldn't feel sorry for him now. I felt as though, in this case, his illness was designed to give him an easy pass and that didn't sit well. He was in therapy and 'doing the work' and I admit that he was trying, but I felt that if he hadn't literally fallen on his face in front of the world, he would have carried on as he had been and that's what I couldn't get past.
Orion was a very sympathetic character and I couldn't help but feel for him throughout. His attraction to Hervé happened very quickly but again, their first meetings happened because of Hervé's illness which again felt a little false. I can see that they made a good couple, and had real feelings for each other, but I just didn't care very much.
Although it was clever writing, I found unrealistic again when Hervé was thrown back into the same orbit as his ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend due to Orion's family tragedy. Pietro and Thierry came around quite quickly after seeing him which I found implausible after what Hervé had done to them. If someone treated me the way Hervé treated Pietro and Thierry, I may have been able to forgive but I'm damn sure I wouldn't be able to forget.
I know this is a redemption story and that is always an uphill task for an author. I applaud their efforts and hope that everyone else stays in the majority too. I'm looking forward to reading what they write next.
This was an emotional read but not because of Hervé. Orion's family heartbreak took centre stage for me, even though it was not the main story, and I was more impressed with how E.M. dealt with that than how they rehabilitated that odious little shit, though I am definitely in the minority.
We learn that Hervé's upbringing was the catalyst for a lot of his behaviour but, as is pointed out in the book, you are ultimately responsible for your own actions and this is what I had a hard time getting over where he is concerned.
If you have read Switch-Hitter, you'll understand why E.M. had set themselves an almost impossible task to make readers like Hervé because his behaviour was beyond the pale. Looking at all the four and five stars, E.M. obviously succeeded in winning over readers but I just couldn't feel sorry for him now. I felt as though, in this case, his illness was designed to give him an easy pass and that didn't sit well. He was in therapy and 'doing the work' and I admit that he was trying, but I felt that if he hadn't literally fallen on his face in front of the world, he would have carried on as he had been and that's what I couldn't get past.
Orion was a very sympathetic character and I couldn't help but feel for him throughout. His attraction to Hervé happened very quickly but again, their first meetings happened because of Hervé's illness which again felt a little false. I can see that they made a good couple, and had real feelings for each other, but I just didn't care very much.
Although it was clever writing, I found unrealistic again when Hervé was thrown back into the same orbit as his ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend due to Orion's family tragedy. Pietro and Thierry came around quite quickly after seeing him which I found implausible after what Hervé had done to them. If someone treated me the way Hervé treated Pietro and Thierry, I may have been able to forgive but I'm damn sure I wouldn't be able to forget.
I know this is a redemption story and that is always an uphill task for an author. I applaud their efforts and hope that everyone else stays in the majority too. I'm looking forward to reading what they write next.
November 14, 2022
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This wrecked me. In the best possible way, I sobbed through most of this book. EM Lindsey is a master at making you feel things and being happy you did. Taking very real emotions and weaving them into a beautiful romance.
The books in the series can be read as standalone's, but this is Hervé’s redemption story, so it is all the more powerful having read Switch Hitter, Book 1. And oh what a redemption story it is. The collective hatred for Hervé and how he treated Pietro and Thierry was palpable, but under the skillful talent of EM, and the sweet acceptance of Orion, we get to see the man Thierry knew he could be.
Orion’s world is crumbling around him, so his best friend sends him away to a little village in France to hide out, process everything, and give him time to figure a way through. What he doesn’t expect is to find the man who hurt his friends also there, looking broken and alone. Despite it all, something tugs at him to spend more time with Hervé.
What follows is a story about grieving, and finding acceptance and love from the most unexpected person. The care and tenderness that they afford each other are truly special.
There are so many great parts of this story…Hervé’s work to process who he was and who he wants to be, the patience and understanding Orion has, and the fact they don’t hide what’s happening between them. I also cherished the storyline of Orion and his best friend. What I love most of all is that Hervé’s redemption isn’t magically perfect, but it is perfectly beautiful.
I’m so happy to have been able to enjoy the journey of these Hit & Run men, though sad it’s over. Can’t wait to see where EM Lindsey takes us next.
This wrecked me. In the best possible way, I sobbed through most of this book. EM Lindsey is a master at making you feel things and being happy you did. Taking very real emotions and weaving them into a beautiful romance.
The books in the series can be read as standalone's, but this is Hervé’s redemption story, so it is all the more powerful having read Switch Hitter, Book 1. And oh what a redemption story it is. The collective hatred for Hervé and how he treated Pietro and Thierry was palpable, but under the skillful talent of EM, and the sweet acceptance of Orion, we get to see the man Thierry knew he could be.
Orion’s world is crumbling around him, so his best friend sends him away to a little village in France to hide out, process everything, and give him time to figure a way through. What he doesn’t expect is to find the man who hurt his friends also there, looking broken and alone. Despite it all, something tugs at him to spend more time with Hervé.
What follows is a story about grieving, and finding acceptance and love from the most unexpected person. The care and tenderness that they afford each other are truly special.
There are so many great parts of this story…Hervé’s work to process who he was and who he wants to be, the patience and understanding Orion has, and the fact they don’t hide what’s happening between them. I also cherished the storyline of Orion and his best friend. What I love most of all is that Hervé’s redemption isn’t magically perfect, but it is perfectly beautiful.
I’m so happy to have been able to enjoy the journey of these Hit & Run men, though sad it’s over. Can’t wait to see where EM Lindsey takes us next.
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