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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
I had such high hopes for this book. The author introduces us to a hot pitcher who seems like the perfect man. He is described as a bit of a loner, dedicated, hard working and talented. We’re also introduced to a heroine that is sweet and real. She’s not a hot shot celebrity, heiress, or corporate raider trying to make her mark on the world. She’s a normal person, much like all of us. She’s a house sitter turned personal assistant to an heiress. Our heroine gets the opportunity of a lifetime when her employer gives her an invitation to a formal charity event where she will get to meet members of her beloved New Jersey Sonics baseball team, including the man of her dreams, pitcher Chase Westbrook. This would be a dream come true except that from the moment she arrives at the event everyone confuses her with the heiress, including Chase, and no matter how many times she tries to tell people who she really is, no one really listens.
Being a Jersey girl myself, I loved the mention of areas and towns in my home state. So for that fact alone I set the bar high for this book. Although I was intrigued at first with this modern day Cinderella like story, the “perfect” hero quickly turned into a frog. His true colors started coming through in a startling manner, which I will not go in to for fear of giving away spoilers. Suffice it to say he was no Prince Charming and he certainly did not act like any woman’s dream man. I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to lend Darcy, our heroine, a shoulder to cry on or smack her for allowing his behavior. When it’s all said and done, they obviously get their happy ending. It is after all a romance novel. However, I really wish the author didn’t quite have to make the hero so imperfect, for lack of a better word I could actually use in print, although I can think of a few four-letter words to call him.
Would I read it again? To be completely honest, as much as Chase’s behavior disgusted me, I believe I would read it again. It was well written and realistic in a way many romance novels are not. It was a bold move not painting the hero with rose-colored glasses and making him borderline hateful. But I believe it worked for the author in this case. So if you’re looking for something you can read with rose-colored glasses where the conflicts between the characters is minimal and you still have happy feelings towards all the characters you probably want to skip right past Bring on the Heat. However, if you enjoy a good dose of realism in a relationship before your happy ending, you may actually greatly enjoy reading this.
Reviewed by Iris for Cocktails and Books
Being a Jersey girl myself, I loved the mention of areas and towns in my home state. So for that fact alone I set the bar high for this book. Although I was intrigued at first with this modern day Cinderella like story, the “perfect” hero quickly turned into a frog. His true colors started coming through in a startling manner, which I will not go in to for fear of giving away spoilers. Suffice it to say he was no Prince Charming and he certainly did not act like any woman’s dream man. I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to lend Darcy, our heroine, a shoulder to cry on or smack her for allowing his behavior. When it’s all said and done, they obviously get their happy ending. It is after all a romance novel. However, I really wish the author didn’t quite have to make the hero so imperfect, for lack of a better word I could actually use in print, although I can think of a few four-letter words to call him.
Would I read it again? To be completely honest, as much as Chase’s behavior disgusted me, I believe I would read it again. It was well written and realistic in a way many romance novels are not. It was a bold move not painting the hero with rose-colored glasses and making him borderline hateful. But I believe it worked for the author in this case. So if you’re looking for something you can read with rose-colored glasses where the conflicts between the characters is minimal and you still have happy feelings towards all the characters you probably want to skip right past Bring on the Heat. However, if you enjoy a good dose of realism in a relationship before your happy ending, you may actually greatly enjoy reading this.
Reviewed by Iris for Cocktails and Books
I have some mixed feelings about this book. While I did enjoyed the story and the characters I found it to be a little too predictable. From the beginning you can tell that the whole identity mix up is going to blow up in a bad way and while Darcy did try to set people straight at the beginning I felt that she gave up too soon. She had many opportunities to be blunt and come clean but instead she created a twisted web for herself. At the same time Chase while being a good guy was a bit of a jerk for just brushing off her attempts to correct him to her mistaken identity. It was sad that Lydia didn't have any friends to notice that something was off, sadder still that her grandfather didn't realize or take the time to see that it wasn't Lydia but Darcy who was making a media splash.
Also a BIG question I have is 'How old is Chase?' Darcy has a baseball that was signed by him (? that's what it sounded like at least) from when she was Five. I get the feeling that Chase was still on the young side and still making a name for himself, that said I'm thinking he would have had to be in early HS or late Middle School when that ball was signed. Some back story or clarification on that part would have been nice.
Over all 3.5 stars.
Also a BIG question I have is 'How old is Chase?' Darcy has a baseball that was signed by him (? that's what it sounded like at least) from when she was Five. I get the feeling that Chase was still on the young side and still making a name for himself, that said I'm thinking he would have had to be in early HS or late Middle School when that ball was signed. Some back story or clarification on that part would have been nice.
Over all 3.5 stars.
Darcy is a house sitter for the famous Lydia Logan, heiress and party girl. Lydia receives an invite for a charity event for the Sonics baseball team. Lydia is going to Dubai so she offers her house sitter, Darcy, to use the invitation and borrow something of hers to wear. Hesitantly, Darcy goes to the party where she meets famous Sonics pitcher, Chase Westbrook. Only problem is, Chase thinks that she's Lydia Logan. I really loved this book. There was the mistaken identity thing going on, there were some steamy scenes and there was baseball. Loved it! Can't wait to read more in this series!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
2.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Darcy is just your average schmuck who somehow lands a job as a housesitter for a wealthy heiress. While generally selfish and clueless, Lydia the heiress, decides to allow Darcy to attend a charity event in her place. Darcy has her misgivings but seeing as the charity event will have appearances by the Sonics, her favorite baseball team, she can't quite bring herself to say no. There, she meets Chase Westbrook, one of her favorite players. Chase is a MLB pitcher looking to sign a bigger contract, play for a better team, and finally prove to his dad he is successful. When he sees who he thinks is Lydia the playgirl heiress he decides a night of frivolous fun is order.
Darcy is a character that is hard to fully like, she seems to get caught up in the glitz and glamour but ultimately she is outright deceiving Chase. Chase is no innocent babe either, his agent tells him that Lydia's grandfather likes the influence Chase seems to have on her and since the grandfather has a controlling interest in the Yankees, a team Chase desperately wants to play for, he pulls a devious trick of his own to keep who he thinks is Lydia by his side.
There is a little depth to the characters with issues from parents and personal insecurities discussed but you probably wouldn't need a life jacket to swim in their waters. As they spend more time together our leads start to develop stronger feelings for each other. There isn't much for emotion written or felt here but the reader can see and understand, to some degree, what Darcy and Chase see in each other. The mistaken identity is eventually found out and gotten over and Chase decides gosh darn it he and his team are good enough. All these happenings and affirmations all happen fairly fast as the ending ends up feeling rushed.
This story is a quick read as there isn't too much substance to it but let's be honest, as a reader you know that and buy this book for the same reason reality tv shows are so popular; escapism. It's a cotton candy summer sports themed romance, great for a beach read.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Darcy is just your average schmuck who somehow lands a job as a housesitter for a wealthy heiress. While generally selfish and clueless, Lydia the heiress, decides to allow Darcy to attend a charity event in her place. Darcy has her misgivings but seeing as the charity event will have appearances by the Sonics, her favorite baseball team, she can't quite bring herself to say no. There, she meets Chase Westbrook, one of her favorite players. Chase is a MLB pitcher looking to sign a bigger contract, play for a better team, and finally prove to his dad he is successful. When he sees who he thinks is Lydia the playgirl heiress he decides a night of frivolous fun is order.
Darcy is a character that is hard to fully like, she seems to get caught up in the glitz and glamour but ultimately she is outright deceiving Chase. Chase is no innocent babe either, his agent tells him that Lydia's grandfather likes the influence Chase seems to have on her and since the grandfather has a controlling interest in the Yankees, a team Chase desperately wants to play for, he pulls a devious trick of his own to keep who he thinks is Lydia by his side.
There is a little depth to the characters with issues from parents and personal insecurities discussed but you probably wouldn't need a life jacket to swim in their waters. As they spend more time together our leads start to develop stronger feelings for each other. There isn't much for emotion written or felt here but the reader can see and understand, to some degree, what Darcy and Chase see in each other. The mistaken identity is eventually found out and gotten over and Chase decides gosh darn it he and his team are good enough. All these happenings and affirmations all happen fairly fast as the ending ends up feeling rushed.
This story is a quick read as there isn't too much substance to it but let's be honest, as a reader you know that and buy this book for the same reason reality tv shows are so popular; escapism. It's a cotton candy summer sports themed romance, great for a beach read.
I liked the basic writing but disliked the lack of character development. In addtion, I found myself bored while reading this book.
There are some times when a girl has to read a little romance, and this is one of those times. What could be better than a case of mistaken identity and a sexy baseball player? BRING ON THE HEAT is a sweet, quick, fluffy romance. Of course, with all mistaken identity stories, there has to be a reversal, and this one was pretty brutal. But I was looking for a romance with a happy ending, and that's what I got--with a beefcake pitcher hero to boot.
Housesitter to rich Lydia Logan, Darcy Hamilton takes her employer's offer to go to a charity event in her place. Initially hesitant to take up Lydia's party-girl ways, Darcy dives in anyway because she will have the chance to meet her favorite baseball team, and possibly her favorite player: Chase Westbrook. Everyone believes Darcy is Lydia (which I found just a little unbelievable--in this age of social media, someone that famous would be hard to imitate), even Chase, and they begin a relationship, complete with sexy pillow talk and baseball stats. Chase plays for a made-up team, the New Jersey Sonics, but that doesn't stop a few real team names to be dropped, like the Red Sox and the Yankees (and a nice shoutout to my hometown, St. Louis). The romance is hot, and Darcy gets to live a fairy tale--until it all comes crashing down around her.
It's nice to dream about what might happen if you were given the chance to meet your celebrity crush. BRING ON THE HEAT isn't quite as syrupy as the typical ordinary-girl-meets-actor, but it's still major wish fulfillment. However, if that's what you want, this romance will deliver. Both Darcy and Chase are good-hearted people, and it's nice to see two characters who care about each other instead of one trying to dominate the other (unless it's in bed, ha). This is an easy, sexy read for the dog days of summer, as the baseball season winds down.
Received as a free digital ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Housesitter to rich Lydia Logan, Darcy Hamilton takes her employer's offer to go to a charity event in her place. Initially hesitant to take up Lydia's party-girl ways, Darcy dives in anyway because she will have the chance to meet her favorite baseball team, and possibly her favorite player: Chase Westbrook. Everyone believes Darcy is Lydia (which I found just a little unbelievable--in this age of social media, someone that famous would be hard to imitate), even Chase, and they begin a relationship, complete with sexy pillow talk and baseball stats. Chase plays for a made-up team, the New Jersey Sonics, but that doesn't stop a few real team names to be dropped, like the Red Sox and the Yankees (and a nice shoutout to my hometown, St. Louis). The romance is hot, and Darcy gets to live a fairy tale--until it all comes crashing down around her.
It's nice to dream about what might happen if you were given the chance to meet your celebrity crush. BRING ON THE HEAT isn't quite as syrupy as the typical ordinary-girl-meets-actor, but it's still major wish fulfillment. However, if that's what you want, this romance will deliver. Both Darcy and Chase are good-hearted people, and it's nice to see two characters who care about each other instead of one trying to dominate the other (unless it's in bed, ha). This is an easy, sexy read for the dog days of summer, as the baseball season winds down.
Received as a free digital ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Fun story, but just didn't quite work completely for me. I'm still trying to figure out why it didn't work. In general Darcy and Chase were both cute characters, and they had not bad chemistry. Sometimes the spicier scenes didn't work for me....I just wasn't feeling it while I was reading it. Sometimes it was ok, other times it just seemed kind of clinical or something. And I just had a hard time wrapping my mind around Darcy continuing the charade, knowing she was falling in love with him. It's like part of me got it, but I didn't fully buy in. I honestly don't think I could sleep with someone calling me the other name....and I know she hated it, but seriously, I wouldn't have even been able to get to that point. The other thing that irked me was her constant referral to Chase as her dream guy. I guess at some point I would have appreciated the confirmation that she fell for the *real* him, not the fantasy she had of him from before. They did get to know each other, but I kept wanting a clear thought that he was *more* than her dream man now.
But still, it was a cute story. For me it was like a fun Harlequin (and that's not a negative, I love Harlequins). I enjoyed it, but probably wouldn't reread....
*Disclosure: this book was generously provided to me by the publisher through netgalley for an honest review!
But still, it was a cute story. For me it was like a fun Harlequin (and that's not a negative, I love Harlequins). I enjoyed it, but probably wouldn't reread....
*Disclosure: this book was generously provided to me by the publisher through netgalley for an honest review!
This story had a great premise, but lost the plot. Badly. I liked Darcy and I liked Chase, but the whole pretending to be someone else is never going to fly. When Darcy's gig is up; of course, she's left alone and the real rich bitch gets the hot baseball player. I wish the story was fleshed out more.