Curveball Next Door

by Serenity Raine

Leaving behind the bright lights of professional baseball was a curveball I never saw coming. I accepted life as a single dad and coach in our small town. I thought I had found contentment but fate had other plans in store for me, tossing me a neighbor with irresistible charm leaving me aw-struck.

Every shared glance between us hinted at a connection, igniting a flame of possibility.

I fled my former life, seeking solace in a small town, my heart brimming with desperate hopes of a fresh start.

Rory’s kindness and skills sparked new feelings within me, awakening desires I hadn’t recognized.

His presence made my insecurities fade, I yearned for his reassuring authority.

Even amidst our shared nights, a gnawing sense of unease clawed at me.

I felt the weight of unseen gazes, stealthily observing my every move and coiling my insides into knots.

Despite everything falling into place, I can’t shake the feeling that something wrong is lingering.

Genres: Small Town Romance

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2024

About the author

Hi! I’m a mom of three, wife, daughter, sister, friend, full-time corporate gladiator pulling 40+ hours a week, and a passionate romance author who thrives on humor, chaos, and caffeine. My life is a beautiful mess of adult ADD, dyslexia, and the constant distraction of everything around me—but somehow, I channel it all into crafting steamy, swoon-worthy stories that make your heart race and your cheeks blush.

I live for laughter, love, and encouraging others to chase their dreams because, hey, life’s too short to skip dessert or good book banter. I’m snarky, sassy, and fiercely loyal, always ready to stand up for those I love—whether it’s a fight or flight moment (preferably after my coffee).

Writing has always been my secret passion, and now I’m stepping it up with each book, creating stories that’ll keep you entertained and leave you smiling. Let’s live in the moment and escape into stories that make you fall in love over and over again. ❤️

Reviews

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curveball Next Door is a standalone contemporary romance by Serenity Raine. It's a friends to lovers, small town, single dad/single mum romance that has a touch of suspense, drama and danger.

Rory retired from his professional baseball career to raise his infant niece, who is tragically orphaned. Hazel is a young mother who has got the courage to flee from her daughter's abusive father, ready to start over in a new town. Hazel and Rory are now neighbours and their daughters, both the same age, become fast friends, which helps foster the relationship between Hazel and Rory.

I adored this book. It was such an enjoyable book from start to finish. However, what really stood out for me, unlike many books with similar themes, there was no unnecessary third act argument/breakup that would have been solved by misinformation. Instead, both main characters learn and evolve and their romance is strengthened because of this growth.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curveball Next Door a steamy, friends-to-lovers, small town, slow-burn, single mom gets single dad romance. Rory is a hunky, ex professional baseball player who left to raise his niece after her parents died. He is now a coach in the small town. Hazel is a young single mom fleeing from her abusive ex. She and Rory end up neighbors whose daughters are the same age and become fast friends. But what happens when trouble finds them? I loved this couple and how their friendship and support grew to more. And the girls were so sweet. They had great chemistry, and we got a happy ending after the drama. This was my first book by this author but not the last.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

He had his whole career ahead of him until an unexpected phone call changed his life forever. She was in an abusive relationship with no way out until an opportunity presented itself. She lands in a small town to start anew hoping her ex wouldn't find her. She has her life on track and a new love interest who happens to be a single father. Everything is going well until she gets the feeling of being watched. Has her past come pack and will Rory be there to protect her. This story is filled with twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazel escaped her abusive relationship with her daughter, Violet. They moved to a small town where they met Rory (a baseball coach) and his daughter, Piper. They go from strangers to friends to lovers. I loved their characters and how their relationship developed. Maybe it was a bit too soon for me when they told about their past to each other. It was an enjoyable read, you can read it in one sitting. It was emotional, romantic and sometimes funny. I also liked the portray of the kids. I kindly recommend!

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Rory and Hazel’s story. Every shared glance hinted at a connection, igniting a flame of possibility. Hazel fled my former life, seeking solace in a small town, her heart brimming with desperate hopes of a fresh start. Rory’s kindness and skills sparked new feelings awakening desires she hadn’t recognized. Despite everything falling into place, she can’t shake the feeling that something wrong is lingering. An interesting read. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch Out for Danger

Rory and Hazel have both just moved to the same small town with their respective daughters. The friendship established between the children has fostered a budding relationship among the adults. Just as everything seems to be going well, danger is just around the corner. This story was both charming and suspenseful which was a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Rory and Hazel’s story.
This is a well written story which had friends / lovers, neighbors, single dad / single mom, suspense, danger, intrigue, drama, twists, challenges, and love, which leads to an entertaining and steamy addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Juliet E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. Everything moves really fast. Please though, fix the character, age issues with main character and her daughter, and grammar errors in the KU version. Some of the errors are quite obvious.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh

This book had so much potential. This was my first read from this author, and probably my last. So many of the details didn’t line up, there were so many grammatical errors that it was hard to follow.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow but good read

The spicy level is moderate, the storyline is good, and you end up loving the characters. I wish it was a series.