Fire Season

Casey revisits the Oakland Elephants, a fictional major league baseball team, in this charming sequel to Unwritten Rules. Recovering alcoholic relief pitcher Reid Giordano has spent most of his career in the minors, haunted by a drunken “seventh-inning implosion” from his past. Now Reid is traded up to the Elephants, where he befriends star pitcher Charlie Braxton. The guys share an easy camaraderie that helps Charlie get over the dissolution of his marriage—and also makes him question his sexuality. When Charlie offers Reid his guest room, it deepens Reid’s own developing feelings for Charlie. There’s a real pull of attraction, especially as Charlie coaches Reid on his pitching. The guys couple up, but face “an MVP level mess” when Charlie’s ex-wife, Christine, also moves in temporarily. Meanwhile, Reid’s fear that he’ll be traded once more leads him to contemplate drinking again. Casey loads the story with copious details about baseball (arguably delivering more sports than sex appeal), while crafting characters to root for and handling issues of recovery and anxiety with sensitivity. This is another winner. Agent: Deidre Knight, Knight Agency. (Aug.)