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spaghettireads's review
Thank You to Netgalley & Wattpad Books for an copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read this since I enjoy romance, live in Toronto, and am a huge baseball fan. However by 20% there were numerous things I wasn't enjoying about the book and I couldn't continue. The romance was insta love, but not written in believable way, and that made the whole thing feel very uncomfortable for me.
Also, as a baseball fan the baseball parts seemed to be poorly researched. A lot of the times that specifics about baseball were mentioned they seemed to be incorrect to me. The whole premise surrounding the main male character being sent down didn't seem to be accurate. If he was a veteran player who had such a big fan following it seems unlikely that his contract would include options to be sent to the minors. It's also mentioned that he would sometimes go down to the minors to 'take a breather', which is not something that happens! He says that he had a 'respectable' batting average of .210, which is NOT good (average in the past few years is between .240 and .250). Also seems weird that he was made to be a star left fielder, since that is the weakest defensive outfield position, so if you aren't hitting and you're in left field you probably aren't providing a whole lot of value to the team!
While I tried to look past the baseball details, it just became too irritating. If it's going to be a main part of the story, then make sure it's done well! This combined with the insta love romance trope, I just couldn't enjoy this book unfortunately.
I was really excited to read this since I enjoy romance, live in Toronto, and am a huge baseball fan. However by 20% there were numerous things I wasn't enjoying about the book and I couldn't continue. The romance was insta love, but not written in believable way, and that made the whole thing feel very uncomfortable for me.
Also, as a baseball fan the baseball parts seemed to be poorly researched. A lot of the times that specifics about baseball were mentioned they seemed to be incorrect to me. The whole premise surrounding the main male character being sent down didn't seem to be accurate. If he was a veteran player who had such a big fan following it seems unlikely that his contract would include options to be sent to the minors. It's also mentioned that he would sometimes go down to the minors to 'take a breather', which is not something that happens! He says that he had a 'respectable' batting average of .210, which is NOT good (average in the past few years is between .240 and .250). Also seems weird that he was made to be a star left fielder, since that is the weakest defensive outfield position, so if you aren't hitting and you're in left field you probably aren't providing a whole lot of value to the team!
While I tried to look past the baseball details, it just became too irritating. If it's going to be a main part of the story, then make sure it's done well! This combined with the insta love romance trope, I just couldn't enjoy this book unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
ribbitingreads's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I like that this sport romance approaches its genre differently than the rest of the books. It was refreshing and as someone who hasn't know much baseball, I loved getting some insight to it.
Gretchen and Josh's love story was cute. I enjoyed myself. However, their feelings come off insta-love and can leave you question, what made them fall for each other? Most of the time they are together, it is in bed or against a wall. There wasn't a fair balance between fluff scenes and the sex scenes. The conflict was meh at best. It was understandable, but I do appreciate the communication that came from it.
Neptune's subplot? I love Neptune. However, I feel that him being arrested, especially for coke and the topic of racism of police felt out of place. As a black woman, it rubs me wrong to read about a Dominican man being arrested allegedly for possession of drugs. Specifically when both main characters are white and one is a blonde with blue eyes. Sure, it ended up well for him (thank goodness), but I just feel like it shouldn't have been included. I think if it doesn't truly add anything into the book and my opinion would be different if it were executed better.
As for her best friend's (Sharla) relationship with the Earl, it was interesting. Definitely feel like it is setting up to be another book. I'd love to see a book on them. I actually wanted one when they were first hinted to be something more.
Overall, this is a pretty good debut novel. I do look forward to the next book Richardson writes..
Thank you to NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Gretchen and Josh's love story was cute. I enjoyed myself. However, their feelings come off insta-love and can leave you question, what made them fall for each other? Most of the time they are together, it is in bed or against a wall. There wasn't a fair balance between fluff scenes and the sex scenes. The conflict was meh at best. It was understandable, but I do appreciate the communication that came from it.
Neptune's subplot? I love Neptune.
As for her best friend's (Sharla) relationship with the Earl, it was interesting. Definitely feel like it is setting up to be another book. I'd love to see a book on them.
Overall, this is a pretty good debut novel. I do look forward to the next book Richardson writes..
Thank you to NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Cancer
TW: Cancer =
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