Reviewed by Marieke
TITLE: Thrown a Curve
SERIES: The Rainbow League, book 2
AUTHOR: Kate McMurray
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 210 pages
BLURB:
Mason made headlines when, after his professional baseball career was sidelined by an injury, he very publicly came out of the closet. Now he’s scratching the baseball itch playing in the Rainbow League while making his way through New York’s population of beefcakes, even though they all come up short. Plus, he’s still thinking about last summer’s encounter with hot, effeminate, pierced and tattooed Patrick—pretty much the opposite of the sort of man he has long pictured himself with.
Patrick hasn’t been able to forget Mason either, and now that baseball season is back upon them, he’s determined to have him again. Mason is unlike any man Patrick has ever been with before, and not just because he’s an ex-Yankee. All Patrick has to do is convince a reluctant Mason that their one night wasn’t just a crazy fluke and that they could be great together… if only Mason could get past his old hang-ups and his intolerant family.
REVIEW:
Mason is an ex-pro baseball player, but his career was cut short by a injury and his coming out. He’s still living off his ex-career though, but he hates attention and the spotlight. His manager is a douche that says he’s okay with him being gay, but always makes sure to give little hints that he’s really not. His family is ‘supportive’ yet not entirely. Mason fucks muscular and athletic men, but never truly feels attracted to them. So, yes he’s out of the closet, but no he’s not out.
Patrick is flamboyant with a capital F. He’s a hairdresser with colorful hair, tattooed and pierced, effeminate and totally in your face. He’s drawn to big jock-y guys, but they usually want to control/ top him, but Patrick is most definitely not a submissive bottom. When he has a one-night stand with Mason, he can’t seem to forget him. But when they finally meet again, the sparks keep flying and they hook up again.
Mason is reluctant to start a relationship with Patrick because he’s afraid of what his family and friends will think. He’s scared people will judge him for being with a guy that’s obviously gay, instead of the ‘straight’ looking gay that Mason is. He feels his family accepts him conditionally and won’t support his gay ‘lifestyle’ if he’s with someone like Patrick.
This is reason for a lot of self-hatred and almost drives a wedge between the two lovers. Of course this book has a total HEA (or else I would’ve totally freaked) and it will all work out in the end. But in the meanwhile my heart broke a bit every time Mason got insecure. Not for Mason though, but for Patrick. Yes, that sounds harsh, but I just don’t have a lot of patience with guys like Mason. He’s already out and he should be proud! Who the f*** cares if someone thinks less of him for dating a twink? His family is completely delusional if they think that looking straight (whatever that is) and screwing big burly guys will somehow make you less gay.
So, before I get too worked up about narrow-minded asses, lets talk about this book some more. I loved it btw, even with Mason’s indecisiveness and his brother’s insane reaction to him dating Patrick. Mason takes a long time with it, but in the end he grows so much. It’s kind of a good thing that he takes so long, makes the story more realistic. Patrick is very patient and kind. His doubts are valid but he still tries to hang in there for as long as he can. When he finally has enough, he’s still kind and offers more than I would have. I obviously loved Patrick.
The only thing I didn’t like were the scenes with Carlos and Aiden. Why were they even there? This is probably a work up to the next book, but I hated the intrusion of Mason and Patrick’s story. That’s just my opinion though, so don’t let that stop you from reading this awesome book!
RATING: 
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