Winning the Season

Miami Piranhas, Book 4

By: Beth Bolden

Narrated by: Darcy Stark

Coach Asa Dawson has fallen wildly in love only twice in his life.

First with football.

Then with Scott Callaway.

But Scott isn’t just the one who got away.

He’s the one person—the one man—Asa hoped might finally show him how all-consuming passion could be.

Instead, fate (and football) intervened and they never got the chance to explore their attraction. Their friendship ended in ruins, Scott left, and Asa’s been torn between hating him and loving him for the last seven years.

Asa doesn’t think he’ll ever see him again, but when his bad habits catch up to him and he doesn’t have a choice but to accept help, he’s horrified—and exhilarated—to learn Scott’s been hired to assist him.

With the final stretch of the Piranhas season on them, maybe what Asa and Scott have needed this whole time was a little holiday magic to remind them the most important job isn’t to win the season—but to finally win each other’s hearts.

©2022 Beth Bolden (P)2023 Beth Bolden

Finally their time

Teased with the coach Asa’s story throughout this series, this much anticipated story was a treat to listen to.
Leaving Asa behind years ago, his son’s Beaus godfather, Scott returns at a time when Asa needs him most.

A story of reconnection, second chances and of a couple who are meant to be. This story packs a punch in emotion and steam. The holiday theme and previous characters enhance the plot as well.

Mr Stark does an exceptional job in bringing these characters to life. The emotion, the passion and the vocalisation of the characters draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout the story.

Most enjoyable!

Asa and Scott, separated for years by a decision guaranteed to cause them both pain, are reunited and forced to resolve the hurt and anger that lies between them. It's a slow-burn buildup filled with conflicted emotions, a second chance for happiness between two older guys who never lost the love they had for each other, despite Asa's justifiable anger with Scott over that ill-considered decision. I enjoyed this for a lot of reasons, from the fact that the MCs are older adults, to the relationships not just between them but between Asa and Beau and between Asa and the Piranhas. I enjoyed the realistic conflicts, the heartfelt emotions, the lovemaking, and the narration. Darcy Stark did a wonderful job of differentiating each character and providing his own emotional depth for each one.

Beautiful Second Chance Romance ❤️

I loved the chance to revisit these characters, the audiobook was every bit as wonderful has the novel. Coach has been so instrumental in his players lives so it was wonderful to see him get his own happy ending. The narrator brought so much to Coach and Scott’s story, hitting just the right emotional tone in the performance. This is kind of my ultimate second chance romance, this couple is very swoony. These two have been apart quite a while when Scott returns to help with the team after Coach’s heart scare. I absolutely loved that these two grab hold of their second chance with both hands, determined to get it right. Their story stands out because it doesn’t necessarily follow well loved romance devices. For example, there’s no messy third act break up and my absolute favorite part is we get to see a happy and loved up Coach and Scott for most of the story. That is an absolute gift because these two are lovely together. This series is top notch sports romance and Coach’s story is definitely a highlight for me.

A lifetime of longing comes to fruition

Asa is a coach who gives his whole life to football, until a minor heart attack makes him have to scale back. His son Beau brings in his best friend, Scott, to help, but Asa doesn’t think he can handle it. He realized he loved Scott, and told him so 7 years prior, but Scott wanted to protect Asa and their careers, so he left.

Scott has loved Asa since they met in college, but kept it hidden because Asa was supposedly straight. Instead, they became best friends, and remained so for 20 years. Now he has to aplolguze for running, and has realized his mistake, only wanting to support Asa and be by his side.

Once they overcome the past, their union is strong and deep, and they’re ready to come out. Except with Beau, Asa’s son, it’s more complicated. Beau finds out by accident and is hurt most about the lying, but eventually forgives Asa and is happy for him and Scott.

This is a beautiful story of lifelong love that remains through many iterations in friendship, then romance, and finally, family.

The narrator gives an excellent performance, and the personalities of Asa, gruff and stubborn, and Scott, easy going, funny, but firm with the players, both come through.

I received this ARC for free, and am giving it my honest review in appreciation.

What a ride.

OMG now we know where Asa’s acceptance comes from. I’ve been waiting for Asa’s story and Beth gave us exactly that. Seven years ago Asa and Scott had coached a national championship team. They had been best friends since their college years and that friendship had deepened. We see Asa realizing that he’s developed feelings for Scott. We also learn that Scott has been in love with Asa for years. He’s learned to hide his sexuality and believes that coming out will destroy his job and anyone he’s associated with. That includes Asa. It’s that idea that drives Scott to refuse Asa’s overtures. He literally runs away, taking a head coaching job across the country. Asa becomes enraged and for the next seven years holds a massive “hate on” for Scott.
Fast forward seven years and Asa has a mild heart attack. Beau calls Scott because he thinks his dad needs help and someone to run roughshod over Asa. Asa is livid and throws a tantrum. Asa’s tantrum causes Beau to put his foot down and basically tells his dad to build a bridge and get over it.
What occurs next is two best friends reconnecting. They quickly realize that their feelings for each other we’re still as strong as ever. We watch them navigating back to each other. This is where Beth shines. Asa and Scott are perfect for each other. They are funny and snarky. Their sexual chemistry is off the charts hot. Their are antics cracked me up. There were also times I wanted to cry. In the end we are give a great love that made me smile.
The narrator brings these two characters to life and the story flows.

a love story almost 30 years in the making

I absolutely love Asa and was so happy for him to get his HEA but I am sad that he had to hurt for so long to get it. I also really enjoyed Beth Bolden’s writing. However, the story I found frustrating, or more so I found the end of the prologue frustrating. The whole idea of “I’m making this huge “sacrifice” and we’ll both be ultimately miserable for years but it’s okay because I did it for you without giving you any choice whatsoever and didn’t allow you any input and you’ll forgive me eventually” ‘noble’ sacrifice is not romantic at all to me. So much unnecessary heartache, so many years wasted. I don’t find it romantic, I find it unnecessary emotional pain and suffering. As the story develops I was with Asa feeling his anger and deep hurt and not wanting to be anywhere near Scott. When Scott tells him “I missed you'' I wanted Asa to say “Well, whose fault is that?!”​​ Beth Bolden does a great job giving these men their HEA at almost 50, I’m just frustrated it takes 7 years, a heart attack and Asa’s son (not knowing what went down years ago) forcing them to interact for them to finally sort themselves out which does lead to a satisfying ending

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

Coach's True Love!

Asa was so obsessed with his football career. It was interesting to see back in time when Asa and Scott first fell for each other. Although it still seemed like Scott should have fought for him, he truly understood Asa so well that he let him go. This time around was the right time around because Asa can be so stubborn and set in his ways. His health situation was actually the set up these two needed to get their second chance. I was pleased with the relationship that Asa had with ex-wife and annoyed with Beau for his reactions! But family drama and football must go hand in hand! Darcy Stark really brought out the underlying sadness of these two men missing so much time together. He had a good voice for the older more mature men. This is the perfect season to listen to the Winning Season too!

Asa

Love that Asa got his story. A swoon worthy friends-to-lovers story. A 20-year friendship that finally leads to something more. There is heartbreak (but low angst) and then there is a HEA. Scott's utter sacrifice for Asa is romantic and frustrating all rolled into one. Darcy Stark did a wonderful job bringing these characters alive. I love his performance in this. I recognized the different cadences for different characters - including the owner of the team. Thoroughly enjoying this series, but what else would you expect for a Beth Bolden story.

Best Friends to Lovers

I have enjoyed reading every book in this Miami Piranhas series by Beth Bolden, but Winning Season was my favorite because I truly enjoy a friends to lovers story! The characters are brought to life so well by Darcy Stark and he definitely gives them all the personality and emotion from Beth’s written words. This is definitely worth listening to, you will fall in love with this cast and look forward to hearing the next book!

I love second chances

I enjoy all the books in this series but I think this one is my absolute favorite of them all. Not only is it one of my favorite tropes, second chances, but it is about two older, more mature characters. Asa and Scott have history and Asa is not wanting to have to deal with Scott’s denial of their relationship anymore. But Scott realizes he made a mistake all those years ago and wants to make things right. He just has to get Asa to listen to him and forgive him for his monumental mistake. And Darcy Stark does such a good job with these guys. I have loved his characterizations and they have added so much to an already incredible story. Definitely worth a listen!!