The Batter's Box

Nashville Spicy, Book 4

By: Casey Morales

Narrated by: Dan Levy

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

When you swing for the fences, you risk it all....

Nate: The game is all that matters. It's all that's ever mattered. I've dreamed of wearing a big-league jersey since the first day I grasped a baseball. Now, I'm so close. Playing in the minors has been a blast, but I know I'm ready.

Then, Cooper appeared in the tunnel one night after a game. He's unlike anyone I've ever met—all wild hair and dimples, with a passion for numbers and a heart of gold. Being around him makes me forget all my worries, even when a batting slump threatens everything.

Cooper: People can be weird. Sometimes they say one thing that means something important, but they don't tell me that it's important because they want me to figure it out for myself, otherwise it won't be a lesson learned or something stupid. Other times, they say the exact same thing using the exact same words, but don't mean what they meant before and expect me to understand both meanings and know which I'm supposed to get. What's with that?

Sorry, I kind of ramble when I get excited or happy or sad...or really into something...like, a lot. I mean, I ramble a lot, not get really into things a lot. Although I can get really into things a lot sometimes. Um, I did it again, didn't I?

Anyway. My grandmother took me in when I was little. When she died, and I had to tell those named in her will of their inheritances, my world tilted. Sam, a mechanic who'd helped Grammy with Pop's old car, was on the list. He inherited a car, but I gained so much more—a pair of amazing friends in him and his partner, Miguel.

Then, they took me to a baseball game. How can meeting one man make my legs feel like jelly and my heart thump like a helicopter?

The Batter's Box is a slow-burn, nerd/jock mm sports romance where two men following very different roads converge on the path to happiness.

©2023 Casey Morales (P)2023 Casey Morales

Cooper & Nate

This book seems to be a bit different than the previous books in this series but it still is a good story. I enjoyed reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook for this. The narration by Dan Levy really added to the experience.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

Unexpected couple

Casey Morales did an amazing job with this story. Cooper received unexpected news one day at work. However, with that news also came a new set of friends. During a baseball game Cooper met Nate a player on the team. Nate was intrigued with the ramblings of a blustering Cooper and soon a friendship formed. Nate wasn’t an out player and not even his friends knew. Thinking of baseball and Nate’s career is the only thing keeping his hands to himself.

I Laughed so much

This one was really so much fun to listen to. Cooper might be my favorite character of the series he had me crying laughing so hard and I really did like Nate. I wish there was a little more with Nate's side of things and explanations with side characters it made the story a little chaotic but over all it's s a fun story with some serious issues and a great narrator.

Inclusiveness done right!

I've said it once and I'll say it again, Casey Morales stands up passionately for inclusivity!! As with the previous book of this series, Cooper is very similar to Gabe’s character with his awkwardness and his inability to function outside of the world of numbers. He's timid until he comes in contact with Nate, the baseball player in the closet. Their dynamic was appropriate, albeit the audience of side characters. I loved their chemistry and Coop’s reactions added humor to the plot.

As always, Dan Levy’s presentation was phenomenal! His ability to alternate between all characters is mesmerizing and pulls the listeners into the scenarios along with the storyline. He brought just the right amount of emotions when needed, and boy was there multiple!

There was a uniqueness to this story, though, as it was mixed with various life-altering circumstances, and I must give credit to Cooper for handling his grandmother's estate with a certain level of professionalism. I enjoyed the cameos, especially Sam, Miguel, and Anne! I am a little bummed to say goodbye to these characters (and the narrator), but amazing job by the author for this wonderful world of spice!!

Wonderful story!

I loved everything Nate and Cooper. These two men are perfect for each other and they make a great couple. I love how Cooper is going to fallow his grandmother’s wishes for him and take over a dojo and help teach young people what he has done for over half of his life. He also gets to with Cooper because he’s offered a job right near where Nate’s dojo is. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves mm sports romance stories.

My favourite so far

Cooper and Bate are my favourite characters so far in this series,, they sound so real like you were right there with the characters

annoying and vulgar

This is the book I liked the least out of this series.
It was unnecessarily vulgar and I could not relate to the characters.
I just wanted it to end.
The narrator was annoying.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Adrift in sea of characters

The storyline was packed with so many characters and their drama, the theme quickly dissipated into a sea of pure discontent.