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Misfits & Mayhem #1
Perfect Catch
"Is their love a home run, or merely a pop fly? "
"Boys of Summer, Book 2"
Minor league umpire Alice Darling loves everything about baseball. That means hunky ball players are strictly off limits dating one would be professional suicide. With a young daughter and a brother to care for, she can t afford to slip up.
Truth is, as a young, stupid, nineteen-year-old townie, she "did" once date a player. That s how she wound up with her precious, nine-year-old daughter and a determination to never make that mistake again. Alex Ross s arrival in Florida for spring training, though, shakes her resolve in a big way.
Alex, a catcher for the Major League s San Francisco Felons, has never let much get in the way of his game. One look at Alice changes everything, and he finds himself pursuing her with a single-minded purpose that plays hell with his concentration.
Booted back to the minors, he returns to Florida with his tail between his legs to work on his swing and heat things up with Alice. But when rumors of their affair hit the sports blogosphere, Alice s career is put in jeopardy, and their love starts to look more like a strikeout than a home run.
When a catcher struggling with his swing meets a stubborn single-mom umpire, his bat won t be the only thing that heats up. Contains car sex, bed sex, sex sex, and a little angst for good measure.
"Boys of Summer, Book 2"
Minor league umpire Alice Darling loves everything about baseball. That means hunky ball players are strictly off limits dating one would be professional suicide. With a young daughter and a brother to care for, she can t afford to slip up.
Truth is, as a young, stupid, nineteen-year-old townie, she "did" once date a player. That s how she wound up with her precious, nine-year-old daughter and a determination to never make that mistake again. Alex Ross s arrival in Florida for spring training, though, shakes her resolve in a big way.
Alex, a catcher for the Major League s San Francisco Felons, has never let much get in the way of his game. One look at Alice changes everything, and he finds himself pursuing her with a single-minded purpose that plays hell with his concentration.
Booted back to the minors, he returns to Florida with his tail between his legs to work on his swing and heat things up with Alice. But when rumors of their affair hit the sports blogosphere, Alice s career is put in jeopardy, and their love starts to look more like a strikeout than a home run.
When a catcher struggling with his swing meets a stubborn single-mom umpire, his bat won t be the only thing that heats up. Contains car sex, bed sex, sex sex, and a little angst for good measure.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2012
11 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
Sierra Dean
53 books625 followersSierra Dean is a reformed historian. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies and is allowed annual exit visas in order to continue her quest of steadily conquering the world one city at a time. Making the best of the cold Canadian winters, Sierra indulges in her less global interests: drinking too much tea and writing urban fantasy.
Ever since she was a young girl she has loved the idea of the supernatural coexisting with the mundane. As an adult, however, the idea evolved from the notion of fairies in flower beds, to imagining that the rugged-looking guy at the garage might secretly be a werewolf. She has used her overactive imagination to create her own version of the world, where vampire, werewolves, fairies, gods and monsters all walk among us, and she’ll continue to travel as much as possible until she finds it for real.
She’s also a book lover (of course!), obsessive collector of OPI nailpolish and the owner of way too many pairs of shoes.
Ever since she was a young girl she has loved the idea of the supernatural coexisting with the mundane. As an adult, however, the idea evolved from the notion of fairies in flower beds, to imagining that the rugged-looking guy at the garage might secretly be a werewolf. She has used her overactive imagination to create her own version of the world, where vampire, werewolves, fairies, gods and monsters all walk among us, and she’ll continue to travel as much as possible until she finds it for real.
She’s also a book lover (of course!), obsessive collector of OPI nailpolish and the owner of way too many pairs of shoes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
March 2, 2023
2.5🌟 rounded up
This book starts off so much better that the first. Then 2 chapters down, she reshifts her plot and her charachters. The plot gets predictable and trite. This could have been such a fantastic romance,it's got all the masala - unwed mother, rich, powerful and secretive ex (father of the child) , a woman making pathways into a male dominated role of an umpire, troubled brother and a traitorous mother. With all these people introduced, she sticks to an oversimplified, boring one dimensional story.
She introduces all these characters with their myriad problems but doesn't use them. She doesn't see through the entirety of that string of plot. The end is so unrealistically simple, it hurts. I'm sure readers can appreciate and comprehend a little complexity.
Maybe the editor could have slashed off all those umpteen "in the head" monologues that Alice subjects us to constand continously to make space for an actual plot line .
Alex is just sweet. I think both the books have great heroes - humble and down to earth. I loved the scene where Laice changes the tyre to his Porsche and he's completely clueless- no unnecessary ego tussles.
It's an OK book great for the many challenges that GR groups kept having..
Recommended: 🤷♀️ why not
April 16, 2015
Perfect Catch is the second book in Sierra Dean's "Boys of Summer series after Pitch Perfect. It features Alex Ross, the catcher for San Fransisco Felons as well as Tucker's best friend (the hero of book #1) and Alice Darling, who works as umpire for minor baseball league during spring training season.
I would like to commend Ms. Dean for featuring a woman with interesting occupation. Duly noted that the number of sport-romance books that I have read maybe lower than fans of this genre, but I think female umpire character in romance is quite rare. I was pretty excited with it.
Unfortunately, Alice's professional life as an umpire didn't have a bigger role than I expected. Considering the uniqueness of this job, I want to read more about the ins and outs of being a female umpire. There was one scene in the beginning, where Alice had to deal with an asshole of a player and I thought she was excellent there. She kept her head cool and didn't back down on her decision. I thought that scene was quite engrossing. Which was why I was disappointed that I didn't get more of that.
Instead, the story mainly dealt with Alice's issue in starting relationship with a baseball player. Alice held Alex in arm's length because she had been burned by a baseball player before. Almost a decade ago she dated one and she ended up with a daughter that he refused to acknowledge publicly. This made Alice distrusts baseball players in overall. In addition, Alice insisted that the relationship would not work anyway because they would have long distance relationship most of the time, with Alex traveling during the season, while she stays in Florida.
This became the source of my frustration with relationship. I could understand that Alice wanted to protect herself from making the same mistake, but she didn't completely stick to her principle all the time. Alice accepted Alex's offer for dating, had sex with him, and when Alex left, she text-ed him a lot. Also, Alice realized that she was using the men (her ex and then Alex) as people to blame for rather than dealing with her own issues, but she didn't really stop doing it. Then when shit hit the fan, she immediately blamed Alex for everything, accusing him of leaking the reporters about their relationship in purpose.
Honestly, I found this push-pull reaction to be a bit off-putting and made Alice less than likeable for me.
Alex, on the other hand, was quite a darling. I thought he was sweet. When she was with Olivia (Alice's daughter), he tried to make a connection with her. Alex was also more of a beta hero: he wasn't domineering, he didn't stand over six feet tall, and he didn't act all possessive-like. He genuinely wanted to make the relationship works and he wanted Alice to see that he wasn't like her asshole of baby daddy. This made me in favor of Alex more so than Alice (gosh, they have similar names!). At times I thought that he deserved someone better. Especially the problem with Alice bled into the ballpark and hurt someone else in the process.
I guess I was expecting something a little bit different with the story -- especially since Ms. Dean had a very good premise of this story, with Alice being a female umpire and Alex a baseball player. I thought the complication of their situation would already be interesting to be explored, without Alice's rules of not being involved with baseball players.
Anyway, everything concluded rather fast in the end -- truthfully, I would expect Alice to do some groveling. I always say so when it is the hero that done stupid thing; I guess it is fair that the heroine should do the same if she is the one messing things up.
All in all, this one falls into okay category in my book. I really loved Alex but I had a hard time warming up to Alice. I guess in the end, their romance didn't convince me much to root for their happiness.
I would like to commend Ms. Dean for featuring a woman with interesting occupation. Duly noted that the number of sport-romance books that I have read maybe lower than fans of this genre, but I think female umpire character in romance is quite rare. I was pretty excited with it.
Unfortunately, Alice's professional life as an umpire didn't have a bigger role than I expected. Considering the uniqueness of this job, I want to read more about the ins and outs of being a female umpire. There was one scene in the beginning, where Alice had to deal with an asshole of a player and I thought she was excellent there. She kept her head cool and didn't back down on her decision. I thought that scene was quite engrossing. Which was why I was disappointed that I didn't get more of that.
Instead, the story mainly dealt with Alice's issue in starting relationship with a baseball player. Alice held Alex in arm's length because she had been burned by a baseball player before. Almost a decade ago she dated one and she ended up with a daughter that he refused to acknowledge publicly. This made Alice distrusts baseball players in overall. In addition, Alice insisted that the relationship would not work anyway because they would have long distance relationship most of the time, with Alex traveling during the season, while she stays in Florida.
This became the source of my frustration with relationship. I could understand that Alice wanted to protect herself from making the same mistake, but she didn't completely stick to her principle all the time. Alice accepted Alex's offer for dating, had sex with him, and when Alex left, she text-ed him a lot. Also, Alice realized that she was using the men (her ex and then Alex) as people to blame for rather than dealing with her own issues, but she didn't really stop doing it. Then when shit hit the fan, she immediately blamed Alex for everything, accusing him of leaking the reporters about their relationship in purpose.
Honestly, I found this push-pull reaction to be a bit off-putting and made Alice less than likeable for me.
Alex, on the other hand, was quite a darling. I thought he was sweet. When she was with Olivia (Alice's daughter), he tried to make a connection with her. Alex was also more of a beta hero: he wasn't domineering, he didn't stand over six feet tall, and he didn't act all possessive-like. He genuinely wanted to make the relationship works and he wanted Alice to see that he wasn't like her asshole of baby daddy. This made me in favor of Alex more so than Alice (gosh, they have similar names!). At times I thought that he deserved someone better. Especially the problem with Alice bled into the ballpark and hurt someone else in the process.
I guess I was expecting something a little bit different with the story -- especially since Ms. Dean had a very good premise of this story, with Alice being a female umpire and Alex a baseball player. I thought the complication of their situation would already be interesting to be explored, without Alice's rules of not being involved with baseball players.
Anyway, everything concluded rather fast in the end -- truthfully, I would expect Alice to do some groveling. I always say so when it is the hero that done stupid thing; I guess it is fair that the heroine should do the same if she is the one messing things up.
All in all, this one falls into okay category in my book. I really loved Alex but I had a hard time warming up to Alice. I guess in the end, their romance didn't convince me much to root for their happiness.
February 1, 2013
Favorite Quote: “You still look a little untainted...we might need to do it again. Just to be sure. “
Shane Hewlett is the newest rogue vampire hunter aka “the bitch” for the Tribunal. Fully human, he rocks plenty of attitude and a mohawk as he uses every trick in the book to full fill his contracts. When a sexy woman nearly runs him over while out running a rampaging monster, Shane figures that his life is about to take a turn for the interesting.
Siobhan, a sexy weapon welding druid, is a bad arse warrior who guards the gate between the Fae realm and New York. She uses her magic to kill or send back any Fae that make it through the gate. She has accepted the fact her family doesn't like her but she never thought they would sacrifice her on her 25th birthday. When she learns her virginity is what her family needs for the sacrifice to work, she appeals to Shane for help. Shane, a gentleman to the very end, has no problem helping to relieve her of this problem.
“You’re gorgeous.”
“Great. So...” Her voice trailed off, and she gave a one shoulder shrug. “I’m not sure how this is supposed to go. Should I have brought you chocolates or something?”
A Low Down Dirty Shane is a spin off novella from Sierra Dean’s sexy action packed full length Urban Fantasy Secret McQueen series. I adore Sierra’s Secret series so I was very excited when I received this one for review. Jam packed with Sierra’s trade mark action, suspense, and snark; in here we get to know Secret’s trainee-Shane Hewlett-a little bit better. Shane is hilarious. His self deprecation and snarky humor kept me chuckling throughout the book. He’s sexy, obnoxious, and loud yet has a heart of gold and jumps in feet first regardless of his pesky human status.
Fast pacing with an unforgettable plot, the story hooked me right off the bat and had me laughing myself silly as Shane and Siobhan face monsters, druids, and some incredible sexy times that leaves them both wanting to explore the relationship further. One aspect I enjoy about the series as a whole is Ms. Dean’s characters are all badarse in their own ways. Human or supernatural, they all have the ability to hold their own no matter the situation. The romance is plotted well and while it isn't love at first sight, we get a realistic and believable connection between them that was comfortable. Plus, the chemistry is SMOKING!
I thoroughly enjoyed this spin off and look forward to more exploration and widening of Dean’s Secret McQueen world. I have learned there are at least two more in the making. Smexy Detective Taylor will be the main player in one. Woohoo. That’s my man ladies-back off!
Overall Rating-B
Shane Hewlett is the newest rogue vampire hunter aka “the bitch” for the Tribunal. Fully human, he rocks plenty of attitude and a mohawk as he uses every trick in the book to full fill his contracts. When a sexy woman nearly runs him over while out running a rampaging monster, Shane figures that his life is about to take a turn for the interesting.
Siobhan, a sexy weapon welding druid, is a bad arse warrior who guards the gate between the Fae realm and New York. She uses her magic to kill or send back any Fae that make it through the gate. She has accepted the fact her family doesn't like her but she never thought they would sacrifice her on her 25th birthday. When she learns her virginity is what her family needs for the sacrifice to work, she appeals to Shane for help. Shane, a gentleman to the very end, has no problem helping to relieve her of this problem.
“You’re gorgeous.”
“Great. So...” Her voice trailed off, and she gave a one shoulder shrug. “I’m not sure how this is supposed to go. Should I have brought you chocolates or something?”
A Low Down Dirty Shane is a spin off novella from Sierra Dean’s sexy action packed full length Urban Fantasy Secret McQueen series. I adore Sierra’s Secret series so I was very excited when I received this one for review. Jam packed with Sierra’s trade mark action, suspense, and snark; in here we get to know Secret’s trainee-Shane Hewlett-a little bit better. Shane is hilarious. His self deprecation and snarky humor kept me chuckling throughout the book. He’s sexy, obnoxious, and loud yet has a heart of gold and jumps in feet first regardless of his pesky human status.
Fast pacing with an unforgettable plot, the story hooked me right off the bat and had me laughing myself silly as Shane and Siobhan face monsters, druids, and some incredible sexy times that leaves them both wanting to explore the relationship further. One aspect I enjoy about the series as a whole is Ms. Dean’s characters are all badarse in their own ways. Human or supernatural, they all have the ability to hold their own no matter the situation. The romance is plotted well and while it isn't love at first sight, we get a realistic and believable connection between them that was comfortable. Plus, the chemistry is SMOKING!
I thoroughly enjoyed this spin off and look forward to more exploration and widening of Dean’s Secret McQueen world. I have learned there are at least two more in the making. Smexy Detective Taylor will be the main player in one. Woohoo. That’s my man ladies-back off!
Overall Rating-B
December 27, 2023
Comme pour le 1er tome, voilà une romance sportive très sympa !
J'étais très curieuse de lire ce tome 2 car dans le précédent, Alex était souvent décrit comme étant trapu, pas très grand (pour un joueur de base ball) et même un peu bedonnant (carrément !), une image très éloignée du stéréotype du héros de romance, encore plus un sportif professionnel !
Dès le 1er chapitre, Sierra Dean prend un malin plaisir à inverser les codes en faisant d'Alex le damoiseau en détresse sur le bord de la route, et sincèrement, j'ai trouvé cette scène d'ouverture géniale ! Donc oui, Alex a un peu de ventre, il ne sait pas changer une roue, mais ça ne l'empêche pas d'avoir du charme. C'est un mec foncièrement gentil, bosseur, un bon coéquipier, un homme qui n'a toujours pas percé les mystères de l'esprit féminin, alors même qu'il a cinq soeurs ! ^^ J'ai été agréablement surprise par sa "maturité émotionnelle" et le fait qu'il sache clairement ce qu'il veut, et voit en Alice la femme avec qui il pourra construire la famille dont il rêve.
Alice est une battante, c'est une pionnière dans le monde du sport puisqu'elle est arbitre de base ball, un sport qui la passionne, et elle a dû (et doit encore) se battre pour se faire respecter par ses pairs, ainsi que par les joueurs. En parallèle, c'est une maman solo qui a aussi pris son frère sous son aile, Kevin traversant une période difficile.
La romance ressemble à ce que j'aime lire : une relation qui se construit naturellement, avec des partenaires qui sont sur un pied d'égalité. J'ai aimé ce qu'Alice et Alex dégageaient en tant que personnages, mais aussi en tant que couple. Leur relation est équilibrée, sexy juste comme il faut, c'est assez réaliste, et finalement le roman ne couvre que les débuts de leur relation, mais on se doute qu'ils sont partis pour durer.
Côté sport, l'univers du base ball est encore une fois très présent, et je n'ai toujours pas compris grand chose aux règles, aux frappes de balles et autres spécificités de ce sport, mais ça donne une ambiance très réaliste au roman. J'ai surtout aimé l'esprit d'équipe et de camaraderie potache entre les joueurs, ça donne lieu à des scènes sympas et amusantes à lire.
Une bonne romance sportive donc, avec une jolie relation, un univers sportif très présent, et des personnages secondaires qui campent bien leur rôle !
J'étais très curieuse de lire ce tome 2 car dans le précédent, Alex était souvent décrit comme étant trapu, pas très grand (pour un joueur de base ball) et même un peu bedonnant (carrément !), une image très éloignée du stéréotype du héros de romance, encore plus un sportif professionnel !
Dès le 1er chapitre, Sierra Dean prend un malin plaisir à inverser les codes en faisant d'Alex le damoiseau en détresse sur le bord de la route, et sincèrement, j'ai trouvé cette scène d'ouverture géniale ! Donc oui, Alex a un peu de ventre, il ne sait pas changer une roue, mais ça ne l'empêche pas d'avoir du charme. C'est un mec foncièrement gentil, bosseur, un bon coéquipier, un homme qui n'a toujours pas percé les mystères de l'esprit féminin, alors même qu'il a cinq soeurs ! ^^ J'ai été agréablement surprise par sa "maturité émotionnelle" et le fait qu'il sache clairement ce qu'il veut, et voit en Alice la femme avec qui il pourra construire la famille dont il rêve.
Alice est une battante, c'est une pionnière dans le monde du sport puisqu'elle est arbitre de base ball, un sport qui la passionne, et elle a dû (et doit encore) se battre pour se faire respecter par ses pairs, ainsi que par les joueurs. En parallèle, c'est une maman solo qui a aussi pris son frère sous son aile, Kevin traversant une période difficile.
La romance ressemble à ce que j'aime lire : une relation qui se construit naturellement, avec des partenaires qui sont sur un pied d'égalité. J'ai aimé ce qu'Alice et Alex dégageaient en tant que personnages, mais aussi en tant que couple. Leur relation est équilibrée, sexy juste comme il faut, c'est assez réaliste, et finalement le roman ne couvre que les débuts de leur relation, mais on se doute qu'ils sont partis pour durer.
Côté sport, l'univers du base ball est encore une fois très présent, et je n'ai toujours pas compris grand chose aux règles, aux frappes de balles et autres spécificités de ce sport, mais ça donne une ambiance très réaliste au roman. J'ai surtout aimé l'esprit d'équipe et de camaraderie potache entre les joueurs, ça donne lieu à des scènes sympas et amusantes à lire.
Une bonne romance sportive donc, avec une jolie relation, un univers sportif très présent, et des personnages secondaires qui campent bien leur rôle !
October 7, 2012
Oh, Shane! I cannot tell a lie, Shane ROCKS! He's a horn dog with a mohawk and I really love his off the cuff sense of humor. Need a virgin deflowered so that she doesn't end up unfairly sacrificed? Shane's your man. He's even honorable enough to make sure that's really what she wants before he gets all up in her business. There's also enough of a gentleman hiding under all that swagger to make sure she has a couple of happy endings before sealing the deal. Now, that's dedication to the task at hand!
Things I liked: Shane. Obviously. He's loud, sometimes obnoxious, and he jumps in with both feet when he's needed. He also has the most randomly hilarious thoughts about being Siobhan's knight in shining armor. Speaking of Siobhan, she's pretty much a badass. She has weapons that put a mere gun to shame and enough power to send the baddies back to where they came from. She also has a pretty sucktastic family. With family like that, who needs enemies?
I loved seeing the world that was established in Secret's series get a whole lot bigger. Shane tackles this new set of problems head-on despite his fear and the fact that he's handicapped by being a human with no supernatural powers. He's a loud mouth and he is REALLY good at saying the wrong things at the wrong time, but he's lovable all the same.
Needless to say, I am very excited about this spin-off series!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Things I liked: Shane. Obviously. He's loud, sometimes obnoxious, and he jumps in with both feet when he's needed. He also has the most randomly hilarious thoughts about being Siobhan's knight in shining armor. Speaking of Siobhan, she's pretty much a badass. She has weapons that put a mere gun to shame and enough power to send the baddies back to where they came from. She also has a pretty sucktastic family. With family like that, who needs enemies?
I loved seeing the world that was established in Secret's series get a whole lot bigger. Shane tackles this new set of problems head-on despite his fear and the fact that he's handicapped by being a human with no supernatural powers. He's a loud mouth and he is REALLY good at saying the wrong things at the wrong time, but he's lovable all the same.
Needless to say, I am very excited about this spin-off series!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 18, 2012
This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.
A Low Down Dirty Shane is set in the same, wild world of Sierra Dean’s Secret McQueen series. Main character Shane works for the namesake of the urban fantasy series. While fans of Secret will get a kick out of it, you do not need to have read those books in order to enjoy this novella.
You read that right. A Low Down Dirty Shane is a standalone urban fantasy novella. Snappy, snarky and sexy—it completes the trifecta of what makes a shorter story work for me. If you regularly read this blog, you know I’m picky. Or maybe greedy is a better word. When it comes to novellas, I typically find myself wanting more. With A Low Down Dirty Shane, sure, I want more of Shane because nom, but the plot left me sated. I flew through the pages and reached the end content. I love when that happens.
The novella features Dean’s signature no-holds gross monsters and fight scenes (yay!) and the kind of steamy scene you expect from her. The story focuses on druids and fae in the forefront and the “holy crap, I actually like you” romance of Shane and Siobhan right alongside.
Sexytimes and ass-kicking, people. What more do you want?
Sexual content: Sex
A Low Down Dirty Shane is set in the same, wild world of Sierra Dean’s Secret McQueen series. Main character Shane works for the namesake of the urban fantasy series. While fans of Secret will get a kick out of it, you do not need to have read those books in order to enjoy this novella.
You read that right. A Low Down Dirty Shane is a standalone urban fantasy novella. Snappy, snarky and sexy—it completes the trifecta of what makes a shorter story work for me. If you regularly read this blog, you know I’m picky. Or maybe greedy is a better word. When it comes to novellas, I typically find myself wanting more. With A Low Down Dirty Shane, sure, I want more of Shane because nom, but the plot left me sated. I flew through the pages and reached the end content. I love when that happens.
The novella features Dean’s signature no-holds gross monsters and fight scenes (yay!) and the kind of steamy scene you expect from her. The story focuses on druids and fae in the forefront and the “holy crap, I actually like you” romance of Shane and Siobhan right alongside.
Sexytimes and ass-kicking, people. What more do you want?
Sexual content: Sex
April 25, 2013
A spinoff of the Secret McQueen books, with just a mention of her and no appearances.
Shane Hewitt, is the new Vampire assassin, now that Secret has been promoted. He literally bumps into Siobhan when a Troll is chasing her and she is impressed that he doesn't end up a pile of goo. She is a Druid guarding an inter-dimensional gate and it is her job to dispose of those Fae that make it through.
Siobhan has a small problem of virginity to deal with before her 25th birthday next week. She doesn't fancy being sacrificed. Maybe Shane can help her with that?
Lots of fun.
Shane Hewitt, is the new Vampire assassin, now that Secret has been promoted. He literally bumps into Siobhan when a Troll is chasing her and she is impressed that he doesn't end up a pile of goo. She is a Druid guarding an inter-dimensional gate and it is her job to dispose of those Fae that make it through.
Siobhan has a small problem of virginity to deal with before her 25th birthday next week. She doesn't fancy being sacrificed. Maybe Shane can help her with that?
Lots of fun.
March 11, 2014
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2014/03/10/...
MinnChica: I love my sports romance, and although I’m not a huge fan of baseball, I think Dean does an incredible job of pulling the reader into the world of baseball and making you fall in love. I was really excited to read about Alice, because I thought her situation, being an umpire in a male dominated field, was really interesting, and I think Dean did a wonderful job handling the entire situation, as well as the romance.
E: I really enjoyed the first installment in Dean’s Boys of Summer series so I was excited to read about Alice. I found the hints about some of her challenges earlier very intriguing. While I enjoyed a lot of what Dean included in this story, which MinnChica mention above, I found myself slightly disappointed with the resolution of a particular thread. Despite that disappointment I am looking forward to the next installment.
MinnChica: I was also a bit disappointed in this book. While I really loved the romance between Alice and Alex, I thought it was a bit rushed at the end. I thought the build up of their romance was really well done. I liked that they became friends first, that they took their time hitting the sheets because of Alice’s love of being an umpire, and the possibilities of her losing her job if they were caught. However, once they had their big fight and were torn apart, I thought they came back together a bit too easily in the end. I would have liked the romance to be a bit more flushed out.
E: I did love the slow buildup and Alice’s very real fears. I also enjoyed watching how their relationship altered the way they handled their professional lives. It demonstrated how interwoven feelings are with everything else in life. I think my favorite example was when Alex was in the batting cage and the old security guard started giving him tips on his swing. I also agree with MinnChica that the making-up appeared to go a bit quickly given the drastic effects of their relationship. I was more bothered by the appearance that the catalyst of their break-up never suffered any consequences. I felt given the impact there should have been some sort of mention about what Alice and Alex were going to do as a result of their discovery.
MinnChica: I agree completely with E. I felt as if that particular plot point was left dangling, and I wanted some kind of resolution as well. One of the things that I wish Dean would explore a bit more in her books is continuing the story a bit further after the “I love yous.” I feel as if I need just a little bit more to really cement my belief in her characters. I think if there would have been an epilogue, or even another chapter as to where they were going to go next, I would have felt a lot better about the story overall. I can only hope that the next book in the series will take the time to update the reader on Alex and Alice’s romance.
E: YES! I wanted that something more so I could feel their relationship had a chance. So much changed in Alice’s life I wanted to see how the adjustment went. I also noticed Alex’s increased awareness of how much additional pressure he had to perform in his profession given his changed life circumstances as well. I think if they kept the same deliberation as their initial romance build-up their relationship could work but I wanted to see their characters remain essentially the same. I hope the next installment does provide us a peek at how they are doing.
MinnChica: All in all, I really enjoyed the second installment of the Boys of Summer series. I love the way that Dean is able to engage the reader and make you fall in love with the characters and the sport of baseball. I adored Alice, and while I thought she got a bit shafted at times, I really wanted to believe in her chance at a relationship with Alex. I hope that Dean gives us a chance to see them again in future books, and that we get to see their HEA in action.
I give Perfect Catch a B-
E: Despite my complaints I did enjoy reading this story. I think the beauty of the romance build-up smoothed over some of my concerns about the stability of their relationship later in the story. I also thought Dean’s detailed knowledge about baseball without drowning me in minutia really helped build the setting and let me grasp Alice’s professional and personal fears along with what was at stake for both main characters. I am curious to see what she does with the next installment.
I give Perfect Catch a B-
MinnChica: I love my sports romance, and although I’m not a huge fan of baseball, I think Dean does an incredible job of pulling the reader into the world of baseball and making you fall in love. I was really excited to read about Alice, because I thought her situation, being an umpire in a male dominated field, was really interesting, and I think Dean did a wonderful job handling the entire situation, as well as the romance.
E: I really enjoyed the first installment in Dean’s Boys of Summer series so I was excited to read about Alice. I found the hints about some of her challenges earlier very intriguing. While I enjoyed a lot of what Dean included in this story, which MinnChica mention above, I found myself slightly disappointed with the resolution of a particular thread. Despite that disappointment I am looking forward to the next installment.
MinnChica: I was also a bit disappointed in this book. While I really loved the romance between Alice and Alex, I thought it was a bit rushed at the end. I thought the build up of their romance was really well done. I liked that they became friends first, that they took their time hitting the sheets because of Alice’s love of being an umpire, and the possibilities of her losing her job if they were caught. However, once they had their big fight and were torn apart, I thought they came back together a bit too easily in the end. I would have liked the romance to be a bit more flushed out.
E: I did love the slow buildup and Alice’s very real fears. I also enjoyed watching how their relationship altered the way they handled their professional lives. It demonstrated how interwoven feelings are with everything else in life. I think my favorite example was when Alex was in the batting cage and the old security guard started giving him tips on his swing. I also agree with MinnChica that the making-up appeared to go a bit quickly given the drastic effects of their relationship. I was more bothered by the appearance that the catalyst of their break-up never suffered any consequences. I felt given the impact there should have been some sort of mention about what Alice and Alex were going to do as a result of their discovery.
MinnChica: I agree completely with E. I felt as if that particular plot point was left dangling, and I wanted some kind of resolution as well. One of the things that I wish Dean would explore a bit more in her books is continuing the story a bit further after the “I love yous.” I feel as if I need just a little bit more to really cement my belief in her characters. I think if there would have been an epilogue, or even another chapter as to where they were going to go next, I would have felt a lot better about the story overall. I can only hope that the next book in the series will take the time to update the reader on Alex and Alice’s romance.
E: YES! I wanted that something more so I could feel their relationship had a chance. So much changed in Alice’s life I wanted to see how the adjustment went. I also noticed Alex’s increased awareness of how much additional pressure he had to perform in his profession given his changed life circumstances as well. I think if they kept the same deliberation as their initial romance build-up their relationship could work but I wanted to see their characters remain essentially the same. I hope the next installment does provide us a peek at how they are doing.
MinnChica: All in all, I really enjoyed the second installment of the Boys of Summer series. I love the way that Dean is able to engage the reader and make you fall in love with the characters and the sport of baseball. I adored Alice, and while I thought she got a bit shafted at times, I really wanted to believe in her chance at a relationship with Alex. I hope that Dean gives us a chance to see them again in future books, and that we get to see their HEA in action.
I give Perfect Catch a B-
E: Despite my complaints I did enjoy reading this story. I think the beauty of the romance build-up smoothed over some of my concerns about the stability of their relationship later in the story. I also thought Dean’s detailed knowledge about baseball without drowning me in minutia really helped build the setting and let me grasp Alice’s professional and personal fears along with what was at stake for both main characters. I am curious to see what she does with the next installment.
I give Perfect Catch a B-
December 22, 2012
Posted at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
I don’t think it’s any secret that I am a fan of Sierra Dean’s Secret McQueen series. If there was any doubt, let me clear that up by saying *jumps up onto table and shouts*I LOVE her Secret McQueen series! *gets off the table* *adjusts clothes and tries to look presentable*
A Low Down Dirty Shane is Sierra’s first non Secret book but it is set in Secret’s world. It is a book about Shane and how he happens to come across a fiery woman who turns his life upside-down for a while and how he dives right in with hardly a second thought. Let me tell you, it’s brilliant.
We meet Shane in the Secret books but don’t really know much about him. He just sort of follows orders and cowers from Secret – which makes me giggle. In this book, we see him shine and let me tell you, the guy is hilarious! I can’t wait for you guys to read this book because there were many moments where I found myself giggling out loud. Sierra is amazing at writing great dialogue – inner or between characters – so the scenes where Shane is thrown for a loop (which is often in this book) or chatting with his buddy or spending time with Siobhan are so much fun! Shane is a very mellow sort of guy with a great sense of right and wrong. Once he met Siobhan, he stuck by her…even though her situation was a bit, shall we say, odd. He’s loyal to his friends and that too makes him my kind of guy. There is just something crazy sexy about him.
Siobhan has been raised knowing that on her 25th birthday, she is to be sacrificed in order to keep peace and possibly save the world and blah blah blah. Yeah… She’s not too keen on that idea. After meeting Shane, she feels he may be able to help her. And upon further thought, she knows he can. *wink wink, nudge nudge* I loved Siobhan. She’s spunky and smart and really funny yet she’s not so pig headed that she doesn’t know when to ask for help. She is such a good match for Shane. I absolutely loved reading her and I really hope that she will make many more appearances in future Sierra Dean/Secret books.
This is Sierra’s steamiest book to date…and that’s saying something. Shane…that dirty dog. And Siobhan is pretty frisky herself…for a virgin. They are not only hot as a couple but great as one too. Their chemistry in the bedroom was wow but so was their chemistry when they are just chatting, or just walking down the street, or taking on some crazed family members who want to sacrifice you for the greater good. I absolutely adored these two together. Adored!
The story is typical Sierra Dean UF. Meaning there are some pretty nasty scenes filled with some pretty gruesome monsters and assholes to boot. But it’s also filled with crazy action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This was an interesting story that read really quickly. You never want to have anything else to do the day you pick up a Sierra Dean book because putting the book down sucks. You always want to go back to it and A Low Down Dirty Shane was no exception.
As you can tell from my review, I not only liked A Low Down Dirty Shane, I freaking loved it! I adore snarky clever characters, witty funny dialogue and fast paced stories and Sierra does all of those things perfectly. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
I don’t think it’s any secret that I am a fan of Sierra Dean’s Secret McQueen series. If there was any doubt, let me clear that up by saying *jumps up onto table and shouts*I LOVE her Secret McQueen series! *gets off the table* *adjusts clothes and tries to look presentable*
A Low Down Dirty Shane is Sierra’s first non Secret book but it is set in Secret’s world. It is a book about Shane and how he happens to come across a fiery woman who turns his life upside-down for a while and how he dives right in with hardly a second thought. Let me tell you, it’s brilliant.
We meet Shane in the Secret books but don’t really know much about him. He just sort of follows orders and cowers from Secret – which makes me giggle. In this book, we see him shine and let me tell you, the guy is hilarious! I can’t wait for you guys to read this book because there were many moments where I found myself giggling out loud. Sierra is amazing at writing great dialogue – inner or between characters – so the scenes where Shane is thrown for a loop (which is often in this book) or chatting with his buddy or spending time with Siobhan are so much fun! Shane is a very mellow sort of guy with a great sense of right and wrong. Once he met Siobhan, he stuck by her…even though her situation was a bit, shall we say, odd. He’s loyal to his friends and that too makes him my kind of guy. There is just something crazy sexy about him.
Siobhan has been raised knowing that on her 25th birthday, she is to be sacrificed in order to keep peace and possibly save the world and blah blah blah. Yeah… She’s not too keen on that idea. After meeting Shane, she feels he may be able to help her. And upon further thought, she knows he can. *wink wink, nudge nudge* I loved Siobhan. She’s spunky and smart and really funny yet she’s not so pig headed that she doesn’t know when to ask for help. She is such a good match for Shane. I absolutely loved reading her and I really hope that she will make many more appearances in future Sierra Dean/Secret books.
This is Sierra’s steamiest book to date…and that’s saying something. Shane…that dirty dog. And Siobhan is pretty frisky herself…for a virgin. They are not only hot as a couple but great as one too. Their chemistry in the bedroom was wow but so was their chemistry when they are just chatting, or just walking down the street, or taking on some crazed family members who want to sacrifice you for the greater good. I absolutely adored these two together. Adored!
The story is typical Sierra Dean UF. Meaning there are some pretty nasty scenes filled with some pretty gruesome monsters and assholes to boot. But it’s also filled with crazy action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This was an interesting story that read really quickly. You never want to have anything else to do the day you pick up a Sierra Dean book because putting the book down sucks. You always want to go back to it and A Low Down Dirty Shane was no exception.
As you can tell from my review, I not only liked A Low Down Dirty Shane, I freaking loved it! I adore snarky clever characters, witty funny dialogue and fast paced stories and Sierra does all of those things perfectly. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
March 10, 2014
3.5 stars
Originally posted at Byrne After Reading:
Spring's just around the corner, and you know what that means.
Baseball.
Men in tight pants...hot dogs and peanuts...men in tight pants...fresh white chalk lines and bright green grass...men in tight pants...
Do you see where I'm going with this?
Alice Darling's lucky to be working as an umpire for the spring training games, and she knows it. She keeps her professional life and her private one separate with a simple rule: don't date ball players. After a whirlwind relationship with a player ten years ago ended with her pregnant and the man in question refusing to publicly acknowledge he had a daughter, Alice has plenty of reasons to back up her rule. Then she meets San Francisco Felon's catcher Alex Ross, and suddenly her rule isn't so simple anymore.
For his part, Alex will do whatever Alice wants, as long as it means they're together. Their relationship sputters along, but just when it's starting to gain traction, evidence of the relationship they're trying to keep private leaks into the blogosphere. Oops.
Alex is the big reason to read Sierra Dean's Perfect Catch. I liked the grumbly, loveable, pudgy catcher in Pitch Perfect, and I loved him here. He's sweet, cuddly, and yes, hot. He lost most of the pudge in the off season, and his uniform fits him quite nicely, thank you very much. More, he'll do whatever it takes to make Alice happy - he's not afraid of falling head over heels for someone, as long as it's the right someone, and he's old enough to know a good thing when he sees it. He treats her boundaries with respect, and waits patiently for her to push them herself, rather than doing it for her.
It is entirely possible that Alex Ross has earned a spot on my book boyfriend list.
Alice is a likeable woman. She's got a lot on her plate, but she handles it with style to spare, and her reluctance to trust Alex's overtures felt true - just as her acceptance of him did. She's smart enough to see that not all ballplayers are like her ex, and once she stopped using that as her yardstick, she opened up to Alex.
I just wasn't sure I bought the two of them together. While their characters felt full and fleshed out, their relationship didn't. It was a little rushed, a little patchy, and while there was definite warmth and comfort, I didn't feel a lot of heat.
The story itself felt a little rushed and patchy in places. It covers a span of a couple of months, and there are chunks of it where Alice and Alex are separated. Those chunks are where the connection between Alice and Alex falters, bringing the other parts of their lives into play, and the transitions weren't as smooth as they could have been. But Dean works in the baseball jargon with ease, and she handles the seriousness of Alice's situation - a female umpire working in a normally all-male profession - with the gravity it needs. There's just something missing, and I can't figure out what it is.
Like I said, though, Alex Ross is the big reason to read Perfect Catch. If you're looking for a change from the overbearing alphahole hero...yeah. Alex is the perfect antidote.
Copy of Perfect Catch provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Originally posted at Byrne After Reading:
Spring's just around the corner, and you know what that means.
Baseball.
Men in tight pants...hot dogs and peanuts...men in tight pants...fresh white chalk lines and bright green grass...men in tight pants...
Do you see where I'm going with this?
Alice Darling's lucky to be working as an umpire for the spring training games, and she knows it. She keeps her professional life and her private one separate with a simple rule: don't date ball players. After a whirlwind relationship with a player ten years ago ended with her pregnant and the man in question refusing to publicly acknowledge he had a daughter, Alice has plenty of reasons to back up her rule. Then she meets San Francisco Felon's catcher Alex Ross, and suddenly her rule isn't so simple anymore.
For his part, Alex will do whatever Alice wants, as long as it means they're together. Their relationship sputters along, but just when it's starting to gain traction, evidence of the relationship they're trying to keep private leaks into the blogosphere. Oops.
Alex is the big reason to read Sierra Dean's Perfect Catch. I liked the grumbly, loveable, pudgy catcher in Pitch Perfect, and I loved him here. He's sweet, cuddly, and yes, hot. He lost most of the pudge in the off season, and his uniform fits him quite nicely, thank you very much. More, he'll do whatever it takes to make Alice happy - he's not afraid of falling head over heels for someone, as long as it's the right someone, and he's old enough to know a good thing when he sees it. He treats her boundaries with respect, and waits patiently for her to push them herself, rather than doing it for her.
It is entirely possible that Alex Ross has earned a spot on my book boyfriend list.
Alice is a likeable woman. She's got a lot on her plate, but she handles it with style to spare, and her reluctance to trust Alex's overtures felt true - just as her acceptance of him did. She's smart enough to see that not all ballplayers are like her ex, and once she stopped using that as her yardstick, she opened up to Alex.
I just wasn't sure I bought the two of them together. While their characters felt full and fleshed out, their relationship didn't. It was a little rushed, a little patchy, and while there was definite warmth and comfort, I didn't feel a lot of heat.
The story itself felt a little rushed and patchy in places. It covers a span of a couple of months, and there are chunks of it where Alice and Alex are separated. Those chunks are where the connection between Alice and Alex falters, bringing the other parts of their lives into play, and the transitions weren't as smooth as they could have been. But Dean works in the baseball jargon with ease, and she handles the seriousness of Alice's situation - a female umpire working in a normally all-male profession - with the gravity it needs. There's just something missing, and I can't figure out what it is.
Like I said, though, Alex Ross is the big reason to read Perfect Catch. If you're looking for a change from the overbearing alphahole hero...yeah. Alex is the perfect antidote.
Copy of Perfect Catch provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2013
I think the blurb says it all very well, and I don’t want to spoil anything for you. I really liked this short story, and will certainly buy the others when they are available.
When Secret was promoted, someone else needed to do her job of tracking and killing rogue vampires, and Shane Hewitt is it. I did not really learn much about him in the Secret series, so this novella was a nice addition. Secret is only mentioned once or twice and not part of this story, but it is still her world. Nolan appears a few times as secondary character and friend to Shane.
When Siobhan O’Malley knocks into him, she rocks his socks off, revealing things he still did not know about the supernatural world. Sure, there are vampires and werewolves, but Druids, Fae and Trolls? He is perhaps in over his head, but no way is he walking away from Siobhan and the help she needs from him. Of course, getting rid of her virginity is his pleasure, but he won’t stop at that, he will help her when necessary. And together, they sure are a great duo of fighters.
I also liked Siobhan a lot. She is tiny, but strong and resilient, and sassy. She won’t take crap from Shane, or from her father who never appreciated her. He just wants to sacrifice her. So, she put a stop to that particular plan. Having to stay a virgin, made Siobhan always stay on the sidelines, never having a boyfriend or a date. And Shane is really growing on her. Sure he says the wrong things, but he is not squeamish, or afraid of her and what she is fighting. He has her back (and front).
There are no real secondary characters in this short story, just the bad guys and Nolan. But I did not miss them. There is lots of action, a nice sexscene, and a great story. Of course the usual Sierra Dean humor is in there, and that is just how I like my books. Original and easy to read.
If you like the Secret series, you can’t miss this one.
8 stars.
Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com
When Secret was promoted, someone else needed to do her job of tracking and killing rogue vampires, and Shane Hewitt is it. I did not really learn much about him in the Secret series, so this novella was a nice addition. Secret is only mentioned once or twice and not part of this story, but it is still her world. Nolan appears a few times as secondary character and friend to Shane.
When Siobhan O’Malley knocks into him, she rocks his socks off, revealing things he still did not know about the supernatural world. Sure, there are vampires and werewolves, but Druids, Fae and Trolls? He is perhaps in over his head, but no way is he walking away from Siobhan and the help she needs from him. Of course, getting rid of her virginity is his pleasure, but he won’t stop at that, he will help her when necessary. And together, they sure are a great duo of fighters.
I also liked Siobhan a lot. She is tiny, but strong and resilient, and sassy. She won’t take crap from Shane, or from her father who never appreciated her. He just wants to sacrifice her. So, she put a stop to that particular plan. Having to stay a virgin, made Siobhan always stay on the sidelines, never having a boyfriend or a date. And Shane is really growing on her. Sure he says the wrong things, but he is not squeamish, or afraid of her and what she is fighting. He has her back (and front).
There are no real secondary characters in this short story, just the bad guys and Nolan. But I did not miss them. There is lots of action, a nice sexscene, and a great story. Of course the usual Sierra Dean humor is in there, and that is just how I like my books. Original and easy to read.
If you like the Secret series, you can’t miss this one.
8 stars.
© 2013 Reviews by Aurian
Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com
October 31, 2014
Alex and Alice first met through mutual friends and with their jobs nothing could come of the attraction they both had for each other. A year later and they are face to face and those feeling come back full swing.
Alice cant help but notice that Alex is looking good. Really good. He wasn’t bad when she first met him but now he’s looking more fit and yummier. The attraction is still there and she is super aware of him. But he’s a complication she does not need to add to the mix and wants nothing to do with but the more she fights it the more she gets sucked back in.
Alex is a pretty laid back guy but one look of Alice and he’s all knotted up. She’s drawn an impossible line that he’s not allowed to cross and its causing him to lose focus, focus on something important to him. He’s never allow anything or anyone to come between him and the game but now back in Florida and his temptation is just a stone throw away.
Can Alex get his mind back to the game or will he lose everything including Alice? Will Alice risk it all for a man that has made question everything? Can the two find a happy medium?
I really loved this story. Alex and Alice were so good together. Alex was attentive, loving and caring. Who could ask for more in a man? Alice. She doesn’t know what a good man is and almost flubs this thing shes got going with Alex.
One thing that I really loved was that the author didn’t rush things with this couple. Yes the had sex right off the bat, which was hot! But Alice was burned once and needed to be handled with kid gloves. The end was perfect for their story. There’s no need to get married and have babies and all that to get your HEA.
Alice cant help but notice that Alex is looking good. Really good. He wasn’t bad when she first met him but now he’s looking more fit and yummier. The attraction is still there and she is super aware of him. But he’s a complication she does not need to add to the mix and wants nothing to do with but the more she fights it the more she gets sucked back in.
Alex is a pretty laid back guy but one look of Alice and he’s all knotted up. She’s drawn an impossible line that he’s not allowed to cross and its causing him to lose focus, focus on something important to him. He’s never allow anything or anyone to come between him and the game but now back in Florida and his temptation is just a stone throw away.
Can Alex get his mind back to the game or will he lose everything including Alice? Will Alice risk it all for a man that has made question everything? Can the two find a happy medium?
I really loved this story. Alex and Alice were so good together. Alex was attentive, loving and caring. Who could ask for more in a man? Alice. She doesn’t know what a good man is and almost flubs this thing shes got going with Alex.
One thing that I really loved was that the author didn’t rush things with this couple. Yes the had sex right off the bat, which was hot! But Alice was burned once and needed to be handled with kid gloves. The end was perfect for their story. There’s no need to get married and have babies and all that to get your HEA.
January 3, 2013
Much like the Secret McQueen series, this first book in the Misfits & Mayhem series vibrates with supernatural action. Vampire hunter, Shane, collides with the attractive, pure Siobhan while she's doing unattractive, dirty things. Together, the dynamic duo battle fae monsters through the streets of New York. Unfortunately, thanks to the whiplash length of the novella, the H/h lack much needed depth. Their slapstick interactions are more brotherly/sisterly than romantic (bar the one sex scene) and Shane doesn't have a motivation or a mission. We know he wants to save all the unsuspecting virgins, but that certainly can't be "who" Shane is. Compared to Secret McQueen, it doesn't measure up, but the high-speed action and ballsy heroine makes it worthwhile.
January 11, 2013
What it lacks in length, this book makes up with action and humor. Featuring a kick-ass, bow wielding heroine and a roguish, yet dark hero, A Low Down Dirty Shame is a well-rounded story for fans of urban fiction and paranormal romances. Readers unfamiliar with Dean will enjoy this start of a new series and previous fans will enjoy the visit back to the world of Secret McQueen.
November 23, 2012
Loooooooved it! Review to come.
April 17, 2013
A short story spin-off of her amazing McQueen series. I loved it. The fast pace, the mouthy characters, the humor. I absolutely adore her writing.
December 26, 2022
Chronique de Diana :
https://followthereader2016.wordpress...
J’avais beaucoup aimé le premier tome, je trouve que l’auteur apporte un vrai plus dans la construction d’une romance sportive et ça donne en quelque sorte un souffle nouveau qui fait du bien. Ce que j’aime aussi beaucoup, c’est qu’on sent que l’auteure adore le baseball et ça donne vraiment un sentiment
Il arrive qu’on lise une romance sportive où la romance est géniale mais où le sport n’est pas représenté fidèlement. De temps en temps on peut en lire une où le sport est parfait mais où la romance fait défaut. Et puis enfin, si vous avez beaucoup de chance, vous lisez une romance sportive où tout est parfait. Et c’est en ça que je trouve cette série génial, l’équilibre est là, on sent la passion de l’auteure pour ce sport et elle maitrise à merveille la romance. Alice est arbitre, une femme dans un milieu d’hommes et Alex est un joueur dans la lumière, c’est les ingrédients qui font que la magie opère.
Alice Darling adore le baseball. Elle aime particulièrement être l’une des rares femmes arbitres dans la ligue. Elle a travaillé dur pour se faire une place dans un monde d’hommes et sait qu’elle doit suivre ses règles pour s’assurer de la conserver. Mais parfois, les règles sont impossible à respecter, surtout lorsque le cœur est engagé et Alice se retrouve dans une situation qu’elle n’aurait jamais cru pouvoir revivre. Alex va lui se retrouver dans une position difficile pour un homme, celui de la « demoiselle en danger ». Alice va l’aider avec un pneu crever, se faire inviter à manger une pizza et l’alchimie va naitre instantanément. Mais les choses sont claires, enfin autant que possible, ils ne peuvent être qu’amis. Ça c’est dans le meilleur des mondes, la suite nous prouvera que les règles en amour pour ces deux là, c’est clairement pas leur fort.
J’aimerais en dire plus, cependant je ne peux pas le faire sans dévoiler de gros spoilers, je peux dire que c’est un livre formidable, avec beaucoup de hauts et de bas, mais aussi des moments très tendres et affectueux. Il y a des scènes qui vous feront rire, d’autres qui vous feront réfléchir et quelques-unes où vous aurez envie de les frapper l’un ou l’autre ou les deux sur la tête, mais à la fin, tout cela en vaut la peine.
J’ai à nouveau passé un excellent moment et je n’ai qu’une envie lire le dernier tome parce que vraiment cette auteure fait des romances sportives topissimes.
Foncez vous ne serez pas déçus les amis.
https://followthereader2016.wordpress...
J’avais beaucoup aimé le premier tome, je trouve que l’auteur apporte un vrai plus dans la construction d’une romance sportive et ça donne en quelque sorte un souffle nouveau qui fait du bien. Ce que j’aime aussi beaucoup, c’est qu’on sent que l’auteure adore le baseball et ça donne vraiment un sentiment
Il arrive qu’on lise une romance sportive où la romance est géniale mais où le sport n’est pas représenté fidèlement. De temps en temps on peut en lire une où le sport est parfait mais où la romance fait défaut. Et puis enfin, si vous avez beaucoup de chance, vous lisez une romance sportive où tout est parfait. Et c’est en ça que je trouve cette série génial, l’équilibre est là, on sent la passion de l’auteure pour ce sport et elle maitrise à merveille la romance. Alice est arbitre, une femme dans un milieu d’hommes et Alex est un joueur dans la lumière, c’est les ingrédients qui font que la magie opère.
Alice Darling adore le baseball. Elle aime particulièrement être l’une des rares femmes arbitres dans la ligue. Elle a travaillé dur pour se faire une place dans un monde d’hommes et sait qu’elle doit suivre ses règles pour s’assurer de la conserver. Mais parfois, les règles sont impossible à respecter, surtout lorsque le cœur est engagé et Alice se retrouve dans une situation qu’elle n’aurait jamais cru pouvoir revivre. Alex va lui se retrouver dans une position difficile pour un homme, celui de la « demoiselle en danger ». Alice va l’aider avec un pneu crever, se faire inviter à manger une pizza et l’alchimie va naitre instantanément. Mais les choses sont claires, enfin autant que possible, ils ne peuvent être qu’amis. Ça c’est dans le meilleur des mondes, la suite nous prouvera que les règles en amour pour ces deux là, c’est clairement pas leur fort.
J’aimerais en dire plus, cependant je ne peux pas le faire sans dévoiler de gros spoilers, je peux dire que c’est un livre formidable, avec beaucoup de hauts et de bas, mais aussi des moments très tendres et affectueux. Il y a des scènes qui vous feront rire, d’autres qui vous feront réfléchir et quelques-unes où vous aurez envie de les frapper l’un ou l’autre ou les deux sur la tête, mais à la fin, tout cela en vaut la peine.
J’ai à nouveau passé un excellent moment et je n’ai qu’une envie lire le dernier tome parce que vraiment cette auteure fait des romances sportives topissimes.
Foncez vous ne serez pas déçus les amis.
December 31, 2023
J'ai beaucoup aimer cette histoire. Cette romance est passionnante et fraîche.
⚾Ont va retrouver Alex Ross pour l'entraînement de printemps alors qu'il vient d'arriver, il va creuver et Alice Darling va lui venir en aide et lui changer sont pneu et l'inviter à dîner et dès ce 1er regard ils vont tout les deux s'attirer.
⚾J'ai beaucoup aimer Alice c'est une femme forte qui élève seule sa fille Olivia de 9 ans car le père la reconnu mais ne l'a prend que 2 fois pas ans. Elle c'est ce qu'elle veut et elle a du mal à changer ses habitudes. Elle vis également avec sont frère qui a des phases de dépression.
⚾J'ai beaucoup aimer Alex c'est un homme bien qui veut se poser et avoir une famille.
⚾J'ai beaucoup apprécié la relation de Alice et de Alex. Ils vont se plaire aux 1er regard mais pour Alice cela n'est pas si simple sont ex ne lui a pas laisser un bon souvenir des hommes et ne veut pas sortir avec un joueur de baseball mais Alex va lui montrer que les hommes peuvent être bon. Leur histoire est belle.
⚾J'ai aimer retrouver Tucker, Emmy et toute l'équipe des Felons.
⚾J'ai aimer la relation de Olivia et d'alex.
tte histoire est touchante.
⚾J'ai aimer retrouver l'univers du baseball.
tte histoire est écrite des deux points de vue de nos deux protagonistes.
⚾J'aime toujours autant la plume de l'autrice qui est addictif et douce .
⚾Ont va retrouver Alex Ross pour l'entraînement de printemps alors qu'il vient d'arriver, il va creuver et Alice Darling va lui venir en aide et lui changer sont pneu et l'inviter à dîner et dès ce 1er regard ils vont tout les deux s'attirer.
⚾J'ai beaucoup aimer Alice c'est une femme forte qui élève seule sa fille Olivia de 9 ans car le père la reconnu mais ne l'a prend que 2 fois pas ans. Elle c'est ce qu'elle veut et elle a du mal à changer ses habitudes. Elle vis également avec sont frère qui a des phases de dépression.
⚾J'ai beaucoup aimer Alex c'est un homme bien qui veut se poser et avoir une famille.
⚾J'ai beaucoup apprécié la relation de Alice et de Alex. Ils vont se plaire aux 1er regard mais pour Alice cela n'est pas si simple sont ex ne lui a pas laisser un bon souvenir des hommes et ne veut pas sortir avec un joueur de baseball mais Alex va lui montrer que les hommes peuvent être bon. Leur histoire est belle.
⚾J'ai aimer retrouver Tucker, Emmy et toute l'équipe des Felons.
⚾J'ai aimer la relation de Olivia et d'alex.
tte histoire est touchante.
⚾J'ai aimer retrouver l'univers du baseball.
tte histoire est écrite des deux points de vue de nos deux protagonistes.
⚾J'aime toujours autant la plume de l'autrice qui est addictif et douce .
January 19, 2024
I liked Alex in book 1 so I really wanted him to get his HEA, as I also knew who he would get ;)
Alex is a baseball player who comes to Lakeside for spring training. He is, nice, yes nice and sweet and I liked him.
Alice does not date baseball players after what happened last time. She does had some issues cos of that, and she really should trust her gut more. Cos Alex is a really nice guy and she is lucky to have met him.
A romance that takes off fast, but still does not (figure it out). She has to learn to trust him, to see he is good for her and they both need to figure out where this is going.
Throw in an ex who is an a**, a cute kid, a brother with troubles and some meddling sisters. And baseball of course, and you got this book.
Alex is a baseball player who comes to Lakeside for spring training. He is, nice, yes nice and sweet and I liked him.
Alice does not date baseball players after what happened last time. She does had some issues cos of that, and she really should trust her gut more. Cos Alex is a really nice guy and she is lucky to have met him.
A romance that takes off fast, but still does not (figure it out). She has to learn to trust him, to see he is good for her and they both need to figure out where this is going.
Throw in an ex who is an a**, a cute kid, a brother with troubles and some meddling sisters. And baseball of course, and you got this book.
May 22, 2023
I have read this series completely backwards, but I'm not totally against it. It's built the series in a way I'm enjoying. 🤷♀️ This was more of a common plot, but didn't make me love it any less. I love Alex and Alice's chemistry.
I'd also LOVE to read Kevin's story.
I'd also LOVE to read Kevin's story.
August 19, 2020
3 stars ⭐️
It was a great book, but it was too short, I would like it even more if there was something else in the story
It was a great book, but it was too short, I would like it even more if there was something else in the story
May 14, 2021
3.75 Stars for me
I liked the first story better and got frustrated with the behavior of the MCs. I did enjoy the story but ended up skipping through some of the dragged out dialog.
I liked the first story better and got frustrated with the behavior of the MCs. I did enjoy the story but ended up skipping through some of the dragged out dialog.
December 4, 2021
2.5
I would have liked if the story was flesh out more.
I would have liked if the story was flesh out more.
July 26, 2023
Short and easy.
February 22, 2025
horny little book
March 17, 2014
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2014/03/review-...
Favorite Quote:
”I like pizza”
“If you didn’t, I don’t think we could be friends.”
Die-hard baseball fan Alice Darling loves being a minor league umpire but being a woman means any and all baseball players are off limits; a lesson she learned the hard way nine years ago. With a daughter and brother to care for, she can’t afford a single mistake. But when the sexy catcher for the San Francisco Felons arrives in Florida for spring training, Alice finds herself rethinking the no dating rule.
San Francisco Felons catcher Alex Ross plays hard, on and off the field, but one look at Alice has him suddenly turning his A game to other pursuits-mainly her. When Alex’s concentration and batting goes south, he finds himself booted back to the minors to get his act together and things between him and Alice began heat up. When an innocent kiss suddenly throws their relationship into the limelight, Alice finds herself having to decide what’s more important to her…her job or her heart.
Perfect Catch is the second in Sierra Dean’s Boys Of Summer series. A sport dominated romance contemporary that balances the ins and outs of baseball with a humorous light hearted romance. Steady pacing with a personable cast of characters, witty dialogue, and multiple points of view on baseball from top of the mound to behind the plate keeps readers entertained up to a certain point.
Alice Darling is an interesting protagonist. She’s a single mom who struggles with raising a child, supporting a mentally ill brother, and working in a male dominated field. Dean shows us that discrimination is alive and well in baseball. A bit of a spaz, Alice’s reluctance to involve herself in a relationship with Alex is understandable. She has already been burned by a major league baseball player which resulted in the birth of her daughter. A daughter he refuses to acknowledge publicly. Intelligent and funny, her fears are real, especially when they prove to be true.
Alex Ross is a good old boy who just wants to play baseball. Not your typical ego inflated sports star, Alex is the perfect antidote for any romance reader who needs a break from domineering alphas. Cute and funny, his warmth shines through the story and I enjoyed getting to know him. Having played the field for awhile, he sees Alice and knows they have a chance for something more than just a few hot steamy nights spent beneath the sheets. You instantly know that Alex will do anything for Alice and that goes a long way in making me fall for him myself.
The romance is slow to start even though the physical aspects are explored right off the bat. Car sex + nosy cops = lots of laughs. Alex and Alice have wonderful chemistry. Dean takes it beyond simple attraction; letting them build a tentative friendship through texts and phone calls. A majority of their time in the book is spent apart when spring training ends and Alex heads out with the Felons. This both helps and hinders the storyline. Through the separation, Alice and Alex attempt to deal with issues affecting them individually. It also leads to misunderstandings and assumptions between them that makes the reader question the connection between them. There is a lack of trust that isn’t so much resolved as it’s passed over. Alice wants reassurances that Alex is there for the long haul but realistically this isn’t possible as they just started seeing each other. Alex doesn’t really understand how deep Alice’s mistrust goes. One highlight in all this is that at least Alice realizes how crazy she is acts at times.
While I enjoyed the story overall, it’s really cute, I felt that the multiple plotlines weren’t resolved beyond a cursory glance. More answers were needed. I had expected Alice’s job as an umpire to have a larger hold on the story. I was surprised after her job is threatened, she just accepts and walks away. As this was a major obstacle in her refusal to date Alex, it was dropped rather quickly. Alice’s child’s father was merely a plot device used to explain Alice’s reasons behind some of her actions as was the person behind the release of a damning picture. We know what they did but Alice never confronts them to find out why they did it.
The ending is predictable as the main conflict wraps up in a nice neat fashion with some mild external help that once again doesn’t reveal beyond the surface. It felt rushed and unfinished. We leave off with an epilogue that tries to assure us Alex and Alice are on their way to happiness though again, we don’t see the steps leading us to that conclusion. I do hope that Dean addresses some of these issues in future installments as I would like to see more Alex and Alice.
Though I had issues, I found Alex and Alice to be delightfully down to earth and I enjoyed the humor that infects the storyline. Fans of humorous lightweight romance sports contemporaries should find this a welcome addition to their library.
Overall Rating: C+
Favorite Quote:
”I like pizza”
“If you didn’t, I don’t think we could be friends.”
Die-hard baseball fan Alice Darling loves being a minor league umpire but being a woman means any and all baseball players are off limits; a lesson she learned the hard way nine years ago. With a daughter and brother to care for, she can’t afford a single mistake. But when the sexy catcher for the San Francisco Felons arrives in Florida for spring training, Alice finds herself rethinking the no dating rule.
San Francisco Felons catcher Alex Ross plays hard, on and off the field, but one look at Alice has him suddenly turning his A game to other pursuits-mainly her. When Alex’s concentration and batting goes south, he finds himself booted back to the minors to get his act together and things between him and Alice began heat up. When an innocent kiss suddenly throws their relationship into the limelight, Alice finds herself having to decide what’s more important to her…her job or her heart.
Perfect Catch is the second in Sierra Dean’s Boys Of Summer series. A sport dominated romance contemporary that balances the ins and outs of baseball with a humorous light hearted romance. Steady pacing with a personable cast of characters, witty dialogue, and multiple points of view on baseball from top of the mound to behind the plate keeps readers entertained up to a certain point.
Alice Darling is an interesting protagonist. She’s a single mom who struggles with raising a child, supporting a mentally ill brother, and working in a male dominated field. Dean shows us that discrimination is alive and well in baseball. A bit of a spaz, Alice’s reluctance to involve herself in a relationship with Alex is understandable. She has already been burned by a major league baseball player which resulted in the birth of her daughter. A daughter he refuses to acknowledge publicly. Intelligent and funny, her fears are real, especially when they prove to be true.
Alex Ross is a good old boy who just wants to play baseball. Not your typical ego inflated sports star, Alex is the perfect antidote for any romance reader who needs a break from domineering alphas. Cute and funny, his warmth shines through the story and I enjoyed getting to know him. Having played the field for awhile, he sees Alice and knows they have a chance for something more than just a few hot steamy nights spent beneath the sheets. You instantly know that Alex will do anything for Alice and that goes a long way in making me fall for him myself.
The romance is slow to start even though the physical aspects are explored right off the bat. Car sex + nosy cops = lots of laughs. Alex and Alice have wonderful chemistry. Dean takes it beyond simple attraction; letting them build a tentative friendship through texts and phone calls. A majority of their time in the book is spent apart when spring training ends and Alex heads out with the Felons. This both helps and hinders the storyline. Through the separation, Alice and Alex attempt to deal with issues affecting them individually. It also leads to misunderstandings and assumptions between them that makes the reader question the connection between them. There is a lack of trust that isn’t so much resolved as it’s passed over. Alice wants reassurances that Alex is there for the long haul but realistically this isn’t possible as they just started seeing each other. Alex doesn’t really understand how deep Alice’s mistrust goes. One highlight in all this is that at least Alice realizes how crazy she is acts at times.
While I enjoyed the story overall, it’s really cute, I felt that the multiple plotlines weren’t resolved beyond a cursory glance. More answers were needed. I had expected Alice’s job as an umpire to have a larger hold on the story. I was surprised after her job is threatened, she just accepts and walks away. As this was a major obstacle in her refusal to date Alex, it was dropped rather quickly. Alice’s child’s father was merely a plot device used to explain Alice’s reasons behind some of her actions as was the person behind the release of a damning picture. We know what they did but Alice never confronts them to find out why they did it.
The ending is predictable as the main conflict wraps up in a nice neat fashion with some mild external help that once again doesn’t reveal beyond the surface. It felt rushed and unfinished. We leave off with an epilogue that tries to assure us Alex and Alice are on their way to happiness though again, we don’t see the steps leading us to that conclusion. I do hope that Dean addresses some of these issues in future installments as I would like to see more Alex and Alice.
Though I had issues, I found Alex and Alice to be delightfully down to earth and I enjoyed the humor that infects the storyline. Fans of humorous lightweight romance sports contemporaries should find this a welcome addition to their library.
Overall Rating: C+
April 5, 2014
A copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest review at The Romance Evangelist.
Sometimes you read a sports romance where the romance is great but the sport isn’t represented accurately. Sometimes you read one where the sport is spot-on but the romance is lacking. And then sometimes, if you’re very, very lucky, you read a sports romance where everything is done perfectly. It can’t be a coincidence that during this first week of the new baseball season, I got lucky with PERFECT CATCH, the second book in Sierra Dean’s Boys of Summer series. (I also enjoyed the first book, PITCH PERFECT, but you don’t have to read that book for this one to make sense.)
PERFECT CATCH is the story of a woman who’s had to be everyone else’s rock and how she finally finds the one guy who will be that person for her in return. Alice Darling may have made a huge mistake years before in trusting a professional ballplayer with her heart and her body, but her beloved daughter Liv is worth every sacrifice, even if it means working two jobs and swearing off all baseball players for good. And as a part-time umpire for spring training and minor league games, the last thing Alice needs is to be accused of using her feminine wiles on the players to get ahead. What she never planned on was the likes of Alex Ross crossing her path. It’s easy for Alice to ignore all the guys when she’s hiding behind her umpire’s mask and gear. But it’s harder to pass up a good-looking guy in a broken-down Porsche, especially when you’re the only one who can help him change a flat tire.
Alex Ross thought this would be just another pre-season, just the usual six weeks in Florida needed to make sure his game was up to snuff before Opening Day. When his rental car got a flat, he didn’t expect a beautiful woman with dangerous curves to be his rescuer. But Alex knows he’d like to get to know her better, whatever it might take. Despite how close they quickly become, Alice is sure Alex will be out of her life for good when spring training ends. But he can’t get her out of his head or heart, and when that distraction leads him back to the minors to get back his pre-season form, nothing and nobody will be able to keep Alex from being the guy Alice really needs.
In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that Sierra Dean and I follow each other on Twitter. She’s a diehard Detroit Tigers fan and I’m a lifelong Kansas City Royals fan, but we would never hold that against each other. Thanks to her tweets, I know she would no more confuse the infield fly rule for a ground rule double than she’d assume that any reader new to baseball would be expected to know either one. And that’s what has made me a confident reader for her baseball-themed romance novels. Whether or not the romance ends up working for me, I’m always assured that every moment spent in or around the ballpark will ring true, without the added distraction of easily avoidable errors.
But make no mistake, the romance is just as spot on here as every little baseball-related detail. Alice has been let down by every person in her life except her young daughter: the brother who treats his depression with pills and booze, the mother who only sees someone who refused to diet down to nothing and trusted the wrong men, and that particular wrong man who left them behind on his way to the major leagues. Why shouldn’t Alex be the same? And yet, Alex is as different to the rest as day is to night. He refuses to let Alice paint him with the same brush as everyone else, but he also realizes that he has to go slowly if she’s going to be able to trust in him. Of course, they both make mistakes, but none are too terrible or insurmountable between two adults who love and want to be loved in return. And when Alex and Alice finally find their happy ending together with Liv, everything that happened before just makes it all the more satisfying. Not a moment is wasted in PERFECT CATCH; every scene is essential. And all through the story, Alex and Alice’s shared love of the game adds that special flavor that you can only get with a well-written sports romance. I can’t wait to read the next one in this series.
Sometimes you read a sports romance where the romance is great but the sport isn’t represented accurately. Sometimes you read one where the sport is spot-on but the romance is lacking. And then sometimes, if you’re very, very lucky, you read a sports romance where everything is done perfectly. It can’t be a coincidence that during this first week of the new baseball season, I got lucky with PERFECT CATCH, the second book in Sierra Dean’s Boys of Summer series. (I also enjoyed the first book, PITCH PERFECT, but you don’t have to read that book for this one to make sense.)
PERFECT CATCH is the story of a woman who’s had to be everyone else’s rock and how she finally finds the one guy who will be that person for her in return. Alice Darling may have made a huge mistake years before in trusting a professional ballplayer with her heart and her body, but her beloved daughter Liv is worth every sacrifice, even if it means working two jobs and swearing off all baseball players for good. And as a part-time umpire for spring training and minor league games, the last thing Alice needs is to be accused of using her feminine wiles on the players to get ahead. What she never planned on was the likes of Alex Ross crossing her path. It’s easy for Alice to ignore all the guys when she’s hiding behind her umpire’s mask and gear. But it’s harder to pass up a good-looking guy in a broken-down Porsche, especially when you’re the only one who can help him change a flat tire.
Alex Ross thought this would be just another pre-season, just the usual six weeks in Florida needed to make sure his game was up to snuff before Opening Day. When his rental car got a flat, he didn’t expect a beautiful woman with dangerous curves to be his rescuer. But Alex knows he’d like to get to know her better, whatever it might take. Despite how close they quickly become, Alice is sure Alex will be out of her life for good when spring training ends. But he can’t get her out of his head or heart, and when that distraction leads him back to the minors to get back his pre-season form, nothing and nobody will be able to keep Alex from being the guy Alice really needs.
In the interest of full disclosure, you should know that Sierra Dean and I follow each other on Twitter. She’s a diehard Detroit Tigers fan and I’m a lifelong Kansas City Royals fan, but we would never hold that against each other. Thanks to her tweets, I know she would no more confuse the infield fly rule for a ground rule double than she’d assume that any reader new to baseball would be expected to know either one. And that’s what has made me a confident reader for her baseball-themed romance novels. Whether or not the romance ends up working for me, I’m always assured that every moment spent in or around the ballpark will ring true, without the added distraction of easily avoidable errors.
But make no mistake, the romance is just as spot on here as every little baseball-related detail. Alice has been let down by every person in her life except her young daughter: the brother who treats his depression with pills and booze, the mother who only sees someone who refused to diet down to nothing and trusted the wrong men, and that particular wrong man who left them behind on his way to the major leagues. Why shouldn’t Alex be the same? And yet, Alex is as different to the rest as day is to night. He refuses to let Alice paint him with the same brush as everyone else, but he also realizes that he has to go slowly if she’s going to be able to trust in him. Of course, they both make mistakes, but none are too terrible or insurmountable between two adults who love and want to be loved in return. And when Alex and Alice finally find their happy ending together with Liv, everything that happened before just makes it all the more satisfying. Not a moment is wasted in PERFECT CATCH; every scene is essential. And all through the story, Alex and Alice’s shared love of the game adds that special flavor that you can only get with a well-written sports romance. I can’t wait to read the next one in this series.
April 11, 2014
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
As soon as Perfect Catch released, I had to have it. Having read Pitch Perfect when it released, I knew there was no way I’d miss the next book in Sierra Dean’s Boys of Summer series. In addition to loving the sport of baseball, I love the way this author captures the sights and sounds of the game and man can she write some frantically hot sex. Most of all, I love that her characters are flawed but figure out they are their own worst enemy and take steps to improve themselves. Her books evoke a wide range of emotions as her characters struggle to figure out their lives.
Alice Darling loves the sport of baseball. She especially loves being one of the few female umpires in the Grapefruit league. She’s worked hard to make her place in a man’s world and knows she has to follow her rules to make sure she keeps it. Sometimes though rules get broken especially when the heart is engaged and Alice finds herself in a situation she never believed would happen again.
When Alex Ross gets a flat tire driving into town for spring training he never expects to be saved by a woman, especially one he’s met previously. When she invites him for pizza he’s as surprised as she seems to be yet there is a connection he feels and he’s pretty sure she feels it as well. However, she makes it known up front they can only be friends she doesn’t date baseball players, he just doesn’t understand why.
It was hard not to love these two right off the bat. Alice is determined to not be attracted to Alex but he’s quite the charmer and he knows it. The thing is that despite being a professional athlete he’s more settled than most and respectful of women (this he learned at the hands of his mother and four sisters). I admire the fact that he respected Alice’s wishes especially after they had a slip up and that he wanted to include her 9 year old daughter when they saw one another.
It became obvious early on that he realized they were a package deal and Olivia was just as important to him as her mom. They didn’t have an easy time of it; he’s in town for spring training she lives there year round and yes, he will eventually leave. In addition, some really bad things happen causing some confusion, mistrust, and hurt feelings.
I’d love to say more but can’t without some major spoilers but I will say this is a great book and there are a lot of ups and downs with some very tender and loving moments in between. There are some scenes that will have you laughing, some that have you scratching you head, and quite a few where you’ll want to bop one or both of them over the head but in the end all of it will be worth it.
I loved the scenes where baseball was being played and often felt myself so caught up in these moments; I could hear the ball hitting the glove, the crack of the bat, and the cheers of the fans. That’s some good writing my friends.
It’s almost time to play ball and I for one can’t wait, but until opening day I’m glad I have awesome books like this one to me entertained. Once again author Sierra Dean has hit one out of the park with Perfect Catch!
4.5 STARS
Review copy provided for an honest review
As soon as Perfect Catch released, I had to have it. Having read Pitch Perfect when it released, I knew there was no way I’d miss the next book in Sierra Dean’s Boys of Summer series. In addition to loving the sport of baseball, I love the way this author captures the sights and sounds of the game and man can she write some frantically hot sex. Most of all, I love that her characters are flawed but figure out they are their own worst enemy and take steps to improve themselves. Her books evoke a wide range of emotions as her characters struggle to figure out their lives.
Alice Darling loves the sport of baseball. She especially loves being one of the few female umpires in the Grapefruit league. She’s worked hard to make her place in a man’s world and knows she has to follow her rules to make sure she keeps it. Sometimes though rules get broken especially when the heart is engaged and Alice finds herself in a situation she never believed would happen again.
When Alex Ross gets a flat tire driving into town for spring training he never expects to be saved by a woman, especially one he’s met previously. When she invites him for pizza he’s as surprised as she seems to be yet there is a connection he feels and he’s pretty sure she feels it as well. However, she makes it known up front they can only be friends she doesn’t date baseball players, he just doesn’t understand why.
It was hard not to love these two right off the bat. Alice is determined to not be attracted to Alex but he’s quite the charmer and he knows it. The thing is that despite being a professional athlete he’s more settled than most and respectful of women (this he learned at the hands of his mother and four sisters). I admire the fact that he respected Alice’s wishes especially after they had a slip up and that he wanted to include her 9 year old daughter when they saw one another.
It became obvious early on that he realized they were a package deal and Olivia was just as important to him as her mom. They didn’t have an easy time of it; he’s in town for spring training she lives there year round and yes, he will eventually leave. In addition, some really bad things happen causing some confusion, mistrust, and hurt feelings.
I’d love to say more but can’t without some major spoilers but I will say this is a great book and there are a lot of ups and downs with some very tender and loving moments in between. There are some scenes that will have you laughing, some that have you scratching you head, and quite a few where you’ll want to bop one or both of them over the head but in the end all of it will be worth it.
I loved the scenes where baseball was being played and often felt myself so caught up in these moments; I could hear the ball hitting the glove, the crack of the bat, and the cheers of the fans. That’s some good writing my friends.
It’s almost time to play ball and I for one can’t wait, but until opening day I’m glad I have awesome books like this one to me entertained. Once again author Sierra Dean has hit one out of the park with Perfect Catch!
March 16, 2014
If you didn't know from following Sierra Dean on Twitter that she's a baseball fan then you would definitely figure it out from reading this series. Baseball players, support staff and fans are lovingly brought to life by her with an eye for not only the good things that come from being in the lifestyle but the harsh realities players and staff live thru in order to be a part of this sport play out over the year.
We got to see Alex in the prior book in the series and I know I looked forward to getting to know this catcher a bit better. As we get to know him better we find that while he has had the typical love 'em and leave 'em lifestyle of the young, handsome, well-off player he really has a great heart that wants to find his match. He's got sisters that serve to keep him in line when it comes to the treatment of women but when he meets Alice he has no clue how to handle a woman that runs so hot and cold to him. He shows how much he wants to be a part of her life in so many ways in this book but I have to say the way he tries to include her daughter in things melted my heart. He really does try to treat both of them like princesses and treasures so you will adore this soft side. He's also extremely patient as he deals with Alice's issues that at times I just didn't see why he didn't give up but I loved that he was willing to tolerate so much from her as in the end they make a great pair.
Alice is not my favorite heroine in many ways but I liked her and understood most of why she behaved the way she did. I didn't always like her treatment of Alex but was happy that she owned her mistakes once she realized what she stood to lose if she didn't open her eyes. She loves her job as an ump and being a single mother but finds herself struggling with keeping her home together while fighting an attraction to a ball player. This attraction could ruin her career as an ump but can't seem to avoid wanting a man who fits all the things she thinks is horrible. She's been burned by a ball player before and paints every single one of them with the same brush. This of course creates conflict with Alex as she isn't open with him about her issues and it almost drives a permanent wedge between them as she always jumps to the worst conclusions with him. My frustration with her revolves around her willingness to forgive her brother for his actions but a man who has treated her with nothing but respect doesn't get any chances because of his career? I was happy when she finally wakes up to what she stands to lose if she doesn't change but jeez it took a while to get there.
I've got to thank Sierra for the chance to read this as I loved Alex and learned to love Alice. I'm ready for more more more...
We got to see Alex in the prior book in the series and I know I looked forward to getting to know this catcher a bit better. As we get to know him better we find that while he has had the typical love 'em and leave 'em lifestyle of the young, handsome, well-off player he really has a great heart that wants to find his match. He's got sisters that serve to keep him in line when it comes to the treatment of women but when he meets Alice he has no clue how to handle a woman that runs so hot and cold to him. He shows how much he wants to be a part of her life in so many ways in this book but I have to say the way he tries to include her daughter in things melted my heart. He really does try to treat both of them like princesses and treasures so you will adore this soft side. He's also extremely patient as he deals with Alice's issues that at times I just didn't see why he didn't give up but I loved that he was willing to tolerate so much from her as in the end they make a great pair.
Alice is not my favorite heroine in many ways but I liked her and understood most of why she behaved the way she did. I didn't always like her treatment of Alex but was happy that she owned her mistakes once she realized what she stood to lose if she didn't open her eyes. She loves her job as an ump and being a single mother but finds herself struggling with keeping her home together while fighting an attraction to a ball player. This attraction could ruin her career as an ump but can't seem to avoid wanting a man who fits all the things she thinks is horrible. She's been burned by a ball player before and paints every single one of them with the same brush. This of course creates conflict with Alex as she isn't open with him about her issues and it almost drives a permanent wedge between them as she always jumps to the worst conclusions with him. My frustration with her revolves around her willingness to forgive her brother for his actions but a man who has treated her with nothing but respect doesn't get any chances because of his career? I was happy when she finally wakes up to what she stands to lose if she doesn't change but jeez it took a while to get there.
I've got to thank Sierra for the chance to read this as I loved Alex and learned to love Alice. I'm ready for more more more...
December 23, 2012
(Review originally posted at Book Lovers Inc:)
My Thoughts:
Just in case you’ve read part (or all) of the Secret McQueen series and are wondering…this new series takes place in that same universe. That’s right! If you loved Secret McQueen and her merry band of vampire hunters and paranormal creatures, you’ll be happy to know that this story has the same spark, the same wit, and even some of the same humor. (It’s a brief story, so I’ll try to keep this review brief, too.)
Indeed, because this story is relatively short–novella length, about 92 pages according to the publisher–the pacing is quick, with the focus on straightforward cause-and-effect plot progression more than anything else. And it’s a simple: girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl needs boy to deflower her to save her from becoming a ritual sacrifice. (Lucky boy, huh?)
The characters featured here, druid Siobhan O’Malley and vamp hunter Shane Hewitt (whom Secret fans should recognize), are painted as larger than life personalities that immediately attract (and antagonize) each other upon their abrupt meeting. Let the chemistry commence! Their smart one-liners and subtle kinship was easy to sink into.
Along with the characters and their exciting, sexy attraction is a violent, bloody adventure that comes with a whole heaping of snark…and a healthy dose of sentiment. For so short a book, I was surprised to find that there was a good deal attention paid to the characters’ backgrounds and motivations.
I did find the resolution of some of the main dilemma to be a bit perplexing in its abruptness, the lack of much explanation…but then again, this is a short tale. And then, this is clearly meant to be an establishing, baseline story on which future adventures will build and develop. There are some little plotting surprises here and there, keeping the story from being too predictable.
If you’re a fan of the Secret mcQueen series, then you’ll absolutely love A Low Down Dirty Shane. For those who may not have read the Secret books, you can definitely start here, but just be warned that you’ll likely get the intense desire to start with the original series as soon as you finish this book. With its clever dialogue and fast, tight pacing, it showcases the high quality of storytelling that this series is known for. But even on its own, it’s going to be a damn good time.
My Thoughts:
Just in case you’ve read part (or all) of the Secret McQueen series and are wondering…this new series takes place in that same universe. That’s right! If you loved Secret McQueen and her merry band of vampire hunters and paranormal creatures, you’ll be happy to know that this story has the same spark, the same wit, and even some of the same humor. (It’s a brief story, so I’ll try to keep this review brief, too.)
Indeed, because this story is relatively short–novella length, about 92 pages according to the publisher–the pacing is quick, with the focus on straightforward cause-and-effect plot progression more than anything else. And it’s a simple: girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl needs boy to deflower her to save her from becoming a ritual sacrifice. (Lucky boy, huh?)
The characters featured here, druid Siobhan O’Malley and vamp hunter Shane Hewitt (whom Secret fans should recognize), are painted as larger than life personalities that immediately attract (and antagonize) each other upon their abrupt meeting. Let the chemistry commence! Their smart one-liners and subtle kinship was easy to sink into.
Along with the characters and their exciting, sexy attraction is a violent, bloody adventure that comes with a whole heaping of snark…and a healthy dose of sentiment. For so short a book, I was surprised to find that there was a good deal attention paid to the characters’ backgrounds and motivations.
I did find the resolution of some of the main dilemma to be a bit perplexing in its abruptness, the lack of much explanation…but then again, this is a short tale. And then, this is clearly meant to be an establishing, baseline story on which future adventures will build and develop. There are some little plotting surprises here and there, keeping the story from being too predictable.
If you’re a fan of the Secret mcQueen series, then you’ll absolutely love A Low Down Dirty Shane. For those who may not have read the Secret books, you can definitely start here, but just be warned that you’ll likely get the intense desire to start with the original series as soon as you finish this book. With its clever dialogue and fast, tight pacing, it showcases the high quality of storytelling that this series is known for. But even on its own, it’s going to be a damn good time.
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