Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Dirty Players #1

Dirty Slide

Rate this book
A grumpy/sunshine, rivals-to-lovers, sexy standalone novella from #1 NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely and newcomer KD Casey!

Don’t play dirty.

That’s the code I live by on and off the field.

The other?

Don’t get distracted.

Not by the media, not by hookups, and definitely not by our rival team’s ridiculously charming star player, who loves to whisper dirty nothings to me every time we play ball.

And sure, his offers are tempting, but he’s the love ‘em and leave ‘em type, and I want the real thing.

So I resist.

But the night he steals second on me in the biggest game of the year, the guy’s a whole lot harder to ignore. Especially after a filthy postgame kiss leaves me wanting all the things I can’t have.

What's the risk in playing dirty just one time?

**

A Note from Lauren to Readers,

When I finished reading KD Casey's debut novel Unwritten Rules I was so impressed that I asked her to co-write a fun little scene with me between two baseball players. We'd both written baseball romances so this made perfect sense. We had such a great time with these characters that a short scene turned into a sexy, flirty, dirty standalone novella that we love. I hope you enjoy reading Dirty Slide as much as we enjoyed writing it!

Xoxo

Lauren

A Note from KD Casey to Readers,

I was ecstatic when Lauren reached out to me about potentially collaborating on a story. I loved the Men of Summer series, and jumped at the opportunity to create a new baseball romance. What started as a short story soon grew with the characters (which is one of the joys of writing!). We truly had a blast writing this and hope you have the same reading!

Play ball!

KD

ebook

First published November 5, 2021

315 people are currently reading
1148 people want to read

About the author

Lauren Blakely

245 books24.4k followers
You can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
395 (24%)
4 stars
575 (36%)
3 stars
496 (31%)
2 stars
101 (6%)
1 star
29 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
3,054 reviews25.3k followers
August 11, 2025
Dirty Slide is book one in the Dirty Players series by Lauren Blakely and K.D. Casey. I thought I had read all of Lauren’s MM romances and realized that I completely forgot about these two novellas. K.D. Casey is a new to me author. This is short, swoony, steamy and light hearted. I loved it.



Chris Garnett and Josh Spencer play for rival baseball teams, both in New York, The New York Unions and the Gothams. Josh is thirty years old. He’s done with hook ups and wants a real relationship. As far as he knows, Chris is a one night stand kind of guy. Every time they play each other, though, Chris loves to toss out innuendos, mutter little flirty things when no one else can hear.



After the final, biggest game of the year, a parking lot kiss leaves them both wanting more. But Josh isn’t willing to take the risk. A few months later, they get their second chance to see if this is something to just get out of their systems, or something that could be more.



This was fun and flirty and I couldn’t help but to fall in love with these two. It’s a quick, light read and left me feeling happy. Now I can’t wait to read the second book, Dirty Steal. Both of these stand alone.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Profile Image for Taylor.
236 reviews17 followers
May 5, 2022
I really liked Lauren Blakely & K.D. Casey's novella, Dirty Slide, and I thought that it was a quick, fun and enjoyable M/M romance to read; however I feel Dirty Slide ultimately fell short of being a great book due to the characters, Chris and Josh, both being underdeveloped, as well their relationship and the plot also feeling underdeveloped in the end; even for a novella. That being said, I do think that Chris and Josh had great chemistry with each other. I just wish that Dirty Slide was longer so things could have been a little bit more fleshed out.

My rating/score: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads' rating system / 7 out of 10 on my own personal scoring system.
Profile Image for Grace.
3,338 reviews217 followers
July 21, 2022
2.5 rounded up

This was fine as far as novellas go, but I just didn't particularly enjoy the characters, nor feel their connection. There's a fine line for me when it comes to rivalry/enemies to lovers, and something about the dynamic and tone here just didn't quite hit the right nuanced notes. I particularly didn't resonate with Chris, who just kind of seemed like an asshole, and I actually strongly suspect that POV was written by Blakely, whose work I tend not to enjoy. Not bad, but not particularly good, either.
Profile Image for Gustaf.
1,444 reviews196 followers
November 9, 2021
This was a really sweet and quick novella about two baseball players, one grumpy and one full of sunshine. It's a great start to what looks like a promising series. I can't wait for more.
Profile Image for Pam.
998 reviews36 followers
December 22, 2021
Um...where's the baseball????

This is fine for what it is, but the entire plot is: Two dudes have the hots for each other, cue Flirting Scene One. Sexing is delayed because Flirting Scene Two ends with one of them turning the other down For Reasons (of the assumptions/lack of communication variety). Entire delay happens off page. Fast forward to Scene Three: Sexual Tension And Then Sex. Blahblahblah, HFN/HEA.

There is no depth. There is practically zero character development.

I'm holding out hope that the next book in this collaboration will be better for two reasons:

1. KD Casey's full-length solo debut Unwritten Rules is so much better than this, it's in a whole other league. (Ha)

2. The original author post I saw about this gave me the impression that it was an accidental prequel novella they had fun kicking around together while writing the "real" book.

We'll see. Definitely not helping my already low expectations of the Sarina Bowen/Lauren Blakely romance coming in January. This may be unfair to LB since this is the first thing I've ever read of hers, but I just don't get the impression that she writes the kind of stuff I'm reading these days.
Profile Image for 25 Readings Or More.
794 reviews164 followers
November 4, 2021
3.75

Dirty Slide is the perfect beginning of a series which promises to be fantastic!!

I enjoyed so much the healthy rivalry, the playfulness, the flirting between Chris and Josh, but also the touch of vulnerability they show from time to time.

Chris and Josh are baseball players, and it was a good novelty for me: I didn’t understand much about its rules 😅 but I liked anyway.

Now I can’t wait for Dirty Steal 🤩
Profile Image for Ed Davis.
2,903 reviews99 followers
November 10, 2021
This was ok. There really wasn’t much story. I started out not liking Chris, but he got better as the story progressed.
Profile Image for Smutty  Sully.
895 reviews250 followers
March 31, 2024
I want to know why KD Casey paired up with Lauren Blakely when they have tremendously different writing styles.

My poor baseball shelf is getting obliterated by DNFs.

I can't make it past the first page, and I do like KD Casey's solo writing.

Is this the new style of writing and I'm just slow on the uptake?

• I really should stop flirting with Josh Spencer.
Truly, I should. But, c’mon, he flirts right back just as hard.
Like at the golf tournament earlier this year. The dude stole glances at me seven times on the course. Three more at the luncheon after.
Yes, I counted.
And that was a whole lot of eye-fucking.
Which is fine by me. I don’t mind being ogled by sexy, driven men I’d like to take out on a date. Bonus that we play the same sport and get the demands of the job.
Profile Image for Kathleen in Oslo.
617 reviews157 followers
March 7, 2022
I DNF'd the first and only Lauren Blakely I tried but saw that this was co-authored with KD Casey, whose Unwritten Rules I really enjoyed. So I hoped maybe this would be more Casey than Blakely. No such luck. Still very Blakely. By which I mean, indistinguishable dual POVs where both dudebros sound like your stereotypical frat boy after 10 kegstands, with an undertone of Mean Girl. Blech.

BUT giving it two stars anyway because it gives us a tiny glimpse of Zach (one of the MCs from Unwritten Rules), from which we glean that, not only is he still with Eugenio (obviously), but that he is still playing for the Union. My main gripe with Unwritten Rules was that it leaves Zach's future in baseball very much in limbo. While this little novella is sort of AU, in the sense that Blakely's baseball world is one in which there is no homophobia and ballers shit unicorns, I am taking this tiny glimpse of Zach as definitive proof that things with the Union work out and that he gets to keep playing til he gets his 10 years. Yay!

So well done, Zach. You earned an extra star!
Profile Image for Cadiva.
4,002 reviews440 followers
December 27, 2022
Short but pretty sweet baseball romance

3.5*

That was perhaps a bit shorter than I was expecting but it was a zero angst, sweet and medium steamy cute baseball romance.

I liked both players, I liked that there wasn't sny dumb drama just for the sake of it. I liked the flirting and the appearance of Grant from Blakely's Men of Summer series.

Overall an easy read snd a perfect chill vibe for this time of year!
Profile Image for Jess.
3,601 reviews5 followers
November 16, 2021
I quite liked this even though I could not keep track of which dude played for which fake team for the life of me.
Profile Image for Megan [At The Cottage].
1,052 reviews417 followers
January 8, 2022
MM Romance
Rivals Sports Novella
3.5 stars rounded up

This was cute for what it was and it had a Grant Blackwood cameo from Blakely’s Scoring/Winning/All in with him series 💗 I’m assuming the other characters were part of KD Casey’s baseball romances because that’s why these two writers teamed up.

These two guys are on rival baseball teams in New York and anytime they are on base near each other, they trash talk/flirt with each other. Both want the other but have stayed away until a photo shoot puts them in each other’s orbits once again.

This was so cute! I smiled a lot reading it. I love Lauren Blakely and I haven’t read anything by KD Casey but I plan on looking into her books!
Profile Image for Anna.
101 reviews2 followers
November 5, 2021
Whew! 😅 What a hot, sweet, and sexy ride Dirty Slide was! This rivals to lovers MM baseball novella checked all my boxes for a deliciously good time! LB teamed up with new to me, debut author, KD Casey, and these ladies definitely worked their magic in their writing.
Even though this was a short novella, I felt I was given a non-rushed love story of Josh and Chris who are baseball players that play for rival teams against each other. They both feel an attraction to each other, a spark. Both are so different in their personalities, polar opposite’s. Josh is the reserved, broody, laser focused on his career and doesn’t want to be distracted (so he thinks) kind of man…. Chris on the other hand is the happy go lucky, super flirty, and outgoing one. I really enjoyed all the flirting and banter between these two when they were on base on the field together, thought that was super sexy. The chemistry between these 2 is undeniable. Miscommunications happen, and both are sure they are attracted to each other, but not sure how the other truly feels about the other. The buildup between these 2 throughout the book was exciting and so HOT!
Tim Paige and J.F. Harding narrate this beautifully. Tim’s performance of Chris was exceptional. He nailed the cocky, super playful, charming, big flirt, outgoing, yet vulnerable side of Chris so well. I really felt the emotional range of Chris’ character. Great job Tim! J.F.’s performance of Josh was spot on and sooo good! He played the reserved, broody, introspective, hot headed at times, laser career focused, yet somewhat scared and vulnerable to put himself out there guy perfectly. Amazing job!
I enjoyed every second of this sexy, flirty, HOT “quickie”… That photoshoot scene?! I AM ON FIRE… LB and K.D. 😍🔥
Profile Image for Paige.
1,323 reviews113 followers
November 5, 2021
4 stars.

Super cute, even if I got mixed up several times which guy was which. Broke through my hatred of baseball and convinced me to give it another shot (in romance only — never in real life)

I NEED stories where rival athletes have to do a photo shoot together. This was my third (after Heated Rivalry and Open Ice Hit) and I am desperate for more

Contains: both players, rivals to lovers, misunderstanding of feelings vs hookup

Steam: 3/5
Profile Image for Jodi - JodiReadsnListens.
1,278 reviews50 followers
November 5, 2021
Dirty Slide by Lauren Blakely and KD Casey was indeed dirty in all the right ways! I absolutely adored all things Josh and Chris, and their undeniable attraction and super steamy chemistry! This rivals-to-lovers MM baseball romance had me hooked from the start, and absoutley left me wanting more! Also, I was super excited to catch up with Grant as a side character! Tim Paige and JF Harding narrate this audiobook, and these two really did an amazing job bringing Chris and Josh to life!
I am so glad Lauren Blakely collaborated with a new to me author, K.D. Casey, and I will be looking forward to reading more from her! Thanks again for the advanced listen! Lauren Blakely always brings the fun, the steam, and the love!
Profile Image for Red Cheeks Reads.
2,281 reviews373 followers
November 5, 2021
5 SMOOCHES

Holy blistering hot stuff! This collaboration between Lauren Blakely and KD Casey was FIRE! If you follow my reviews you already know I’m a huge Lauren Blakely fan, but this was my first time reading KD Casey. These authors were very in-sync, their writing styles meshed beautifully, and as a long-time Blakely reader, I can honestly say that the transitioning between them was seamless.

Dirty Slide, a rivals-to-lovers M/M sports romance, was a super steamy novella featuring two New York based ballplayers from rival teams. Chris was moody, intense and a bit on the grumpy side while Josh was a cocky, laidback and likeable guy. They’ve been dancing around each other for a bit, but Josh was looking for a committed relationship, and Chris’s reputation as a player refers to more than just his performance on the field. The back-and-forth banter between these two was witty and snappy, the chemistry between them was electric and sizzling hot, but it was the connection that they shared that really grabbed my attention.

I loved Chris and Josh together. They were charming, endearing, and I couldn’t help but root for them. Dirty Slide was fun, flirty and full of fire and feels, and I loved every single word! Five smooches from me for Dirty Slide by Lauren Blakely and KD Casey!
~Danielle Palumbo
Profile Image for Pam Nelson.
3,818 reviews124 followers
November 5, 2021
Deliciously dirty, I loved it!
I completely smiled throughout the whole book. I really enjoyed these characters that connection and heat between these two is explosive. This my friends is why I love romance so much that feel good book that just gives you all the feels.
It is a hit these two authors need to do more together because I need it, not just want it but it’s a need.

Fantastic narration both narrators were perfect for these characters I need more JF Harding in my MM, Tim Paige is always great.
Profile Image for Vilma.
381 reviews50 followers
January 12, 2022
*2.5 stars

Short novella (~150 pages) and it was fine but nothing special, wanted more buildup and not just a HFA, at least not if this is the only book we get with Chris and Josh.

Many cameos from other books by the authors so this would probably have worked better if I had read all of them before and appreciated the name drops more.
Profile Image for Jamie.
2,085 reviews94 followers
April 22, 2025
This was an ok novella. I really wish there was more to it though. It was just too fast and hard to get attached to these characters. The connection felt really forced for me. I wanted to know more about the ex and how that all came about. Then I wanted more of where they are in the future at the end.
Profile Image for MountainKat.
2,340 reviews107 followers
April 17, 2023
*4- Stars, only because there just isn't a lot there*

Nice enough story, but it short not a lot of substance. We get to meet the guys, they are attracted to each other but not friendly. Then they get friendly, really friendly. And then plan to live happily ever after. The narration by Tim Paige and J.F. Harding was enjoyable.
Profile Image for Rugby8.
122 reviews6 followers
November 8, 2021
Loved it!

These guys (main characters) are Great! Really enjoyed them and their story - hoping there will be more of them in the future!
2 baseball players - nice guys - Plenty of Heat!
😎😎😎
Profile Image for Timshel.
122 reviews10 followers
December 31, 2021
Not great, mostly because for a believable enemies to lovers arch you need way more pages.
My usual problem with novellas, they feel a bit rushed and underdeveloped, still, it was cute.
Profile Image for Airy.
426 reviews12 followers
July 24, 2023
This book was awesome but it was much too short!
Profile Image for Amour.Rebelle.Reads (Bran.d).
1,552 reviews16 followers
November 10, 2021
I love when my favorite authors collaborate with new to me authors especially when we get to see some of my favorite characters…hey there Grant😍

I adored Chris and Josh. They were fun, flirt & super sexy when it counted🥵

Sign me up for more collabs🔥
Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.