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Playing Hardball #1-5

Playing Hardball: Complete Box Set

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The company I worked for had been bought by who I later found out was my best friend's ex. That was one crazy story. He ended up being a retired Pittsburgh Pirate. I was just as shocked when I found out. He'd gotten three of his ball playing friends to agree to do some promotion for the company for practically nothing. I was going to be the one to get them everything they needed while they were there. Out of the three of them, I was sure there would be at least one sexy man that would have the need to release some stress, and I was all for helping him. You see, I didn't do love or relationships. That part of my life was over. I was all about having fun with no strings attached. There were only three rules I lived by. Don't get close, never fall in love, and always have fun. Life was short, and it wasn't to be wasted. When he walked in, I couldn't help but notice his sexy muscles, perfectly placed tattoo, earrings, and tight ass. He was the one I wanted to relieve my stress. Then he opened his mouth and everything changed. He was cocky. He was arrogant. He was not going to make it through the day. I made a promise to my friend that I'd do my best to behave. There was no way he was going to make it easy on me. Little did he know, I wasn't going to make it easy on him either.

Audible Audio

Published February 19, 2024

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Sharon Cummin

104 books213 followers

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5 stars
25 (69%)
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8 (22%)
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Christine Lacombe.
293 reviews16 followers
May 8, 2017
I read each book individually and these are my reviews:
Part 1: Playing Hardball is the spin-off from Showing Him Who's Boss. This is Lucy and Lance's story. The first part of the book gives us Lucy's background, we finally get some answers!! The story then picks up where Lucy and Lance meet for the first time. Their bantering back and forth had me laughing so much at times. Their sex scenes were like spontaneous combustion!!
Part 2: After reading part 1 and learning of Lucy's husband's death, we know now what she is fighting against. Lance has come into her life like a steamroller. We as the readers know what is happening, she has feelings for him and he has feelings for her. BUT it is just not that easy. Lance is all for his career in baseball and doesn't want a family. Lucy thinks she had her chance and that Brad will be the only person she will ever love. She feels responsible for his death and feels like she deserves to be alone. But Lance is breaking thru her walls and so she is for him too. They just don't want to admit it to themselves. So, we are still getting the oh so hot and steamy sex scenes and their funny conversations. We also get to see a vulnerable side of them both and who knew Lance could be such a caring person.
Part3: At the end of book 2, Lucy did a home pregnancy test and it came out positive, now she needs to verify with a dr. It doesn't seem like Lucy and Lance can get a hold of what they want. Neither wants a committed relationship they say, but what happens now?? Lucy is still hung up on her deceased husband, who no one even knows about. Lance thinks it is her brother. He is still all about his baseball career. Carrie's mom is going to be her life saver I think. What happens when Lance finds out about the baby??
Part 4: So many misunderstandings. Lucy still hasn't opened up about her past. She's pregnant, Lance finds out and they won't give into the relationship we all know they both want.
Part 5: I love Lance and Lucy!! There was so much in her background that she put up walls that Lance needed to break down. Lance never wanted a relationship, never wanted a child but he gets them both. You do get your HEA of course!! I don't think you will be disappointed in the storyline.
Profile Image for Letty  (Cover to Cover Book Blog Reviewer).
650 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2017
Showing Him Who’s Boss introduced us to Lucy Stone, the firecracker who doesn’t allow anyone to get too close, and Lance Storm, the Hotshot pitcher for the Pirates who loves to play the field. Both Lucy and Lance love to be on top of the game, neither allowing for anyone to take a shot without them having a comeback.

When they meet, fireworks erupt, yet neither wants to show any real affection for the other. Lucy and Lance give us some hilarious bantering; making the sexual tension between the two so thick you can slice it with a butter knife. They spontaneously combust each time they’re together.

I love the fact that this is happening between them; they’re just perfect for each other! I felt like their view on things, on life is changing even when they act differently. Lucy is still hung up on Brad and how she can’t be happy with anyone because of what happened to him, yet she herself can see the little changes in her feelings and actions. Lance is still trying to appear like the womanizer only in love with his career in baseball, but still does everything to be with Lucy and take care of her when she needs it.

Lucy is determined to do things on her own and she still refuses to admit she’s falling for Lance. He is just as determined as her and keeps telling himself and everyone else that it’s just fun what he’s looking to get from his time with her.

Carrie and Scott are still around and their coming wedding only serves to bring Lucy and Lance closer regardless of their plans to go their separate ways. Carrie’s mom is a very important secondary character in this book and I love her. The advice and support she provides to Lucy is very important and has a great impact on how Lucy reacts to situations.

The witty banter between the Firecracker and the Hotshot is hilarious. I love that their funny moments were not diminished even though the tender and loving moments had a big part. The sex, wow, that is hot and didn’t disappoint.

I am very happy with how things turned out and can’t wait to see what we get for the rest of the characters.
Profile Image for Sarah.
124 reviews
May 4, 2017
*I volunteer to be part of this authors advance reading group for an honest review*

Sharon has yet again made me laugh and cry with this book,

We meet Lance and Lucy in Showing him who's boss, and that book shows that something is going to start between the couple, However after a heartbreaking history Lucy doesn't do relationships she prefers the one night stands.
Lance has a feeling Lucy is different to the fan girls he normally hooks up with and after one night together things change for both of them.

Lance tries to find out ways to get to know Lucy on a deeper level while she tries to push him away however they seem to go back to each other.
she hates Baseball - hes a baseball player they have nothing in common or so they think all they do is fight when they are not in bed together. However after one of there nights together things change and now its time to work out what they each want.

Love will conquer all but its a long journey for the pair.

This is a must read but have the tissues at the ready

Profile Image for Lori.
599 reviews
December 29, 2017
I volunteered to read this series as part of an ARC group. I enjoyed reading this series that picked up with Lucy and Lance's story after meeting them in Playing Hardball. I had previously read Falling for My Best Friend and Hacked by Love - which are series written about Lucy and Lance's children. If you are just starting out with Sharon's books you will enjoy reading the series in order, but it is not essential to falling in love with her work!

The story reads very quickly (5 parts to the series) and makes you feel all kinds of emotions! The story is written from the view point of both characters and really allows you to get in their heads and their hearts!
3,758 reviews42 followers
August 16, 2018
Amazing

Wow Sharon I love this series, my heart went out to Lucy and all that she had gone through in her life. I cried a few times for all that she had lost and how her life had changed in one night. Lance and Lucy went through so much together before they had there happy endings. They had so much support from Lucy's best friend Carrie and her parents which Lucy needed so badly. I recommend this great series and author to everyone to enjoy as it is so true to real life and it's struggles.
Profile Image for Jennifer Richey.
1,992 reviews
May 8, 2017
Wow!!!! This series was amazing I laughed so hard In this book! Firecracker and hotshot these two were a riot!!! They def had chemistry from the beginning!!! Lucy had a past that she didn't tell anyone not even her bestfriend will lance break her walls down!!! Another series well done by this author and can't wait to read what's next for lance and Lucy and their families!
Profile Image for LS Kralicek.
1,158 reviews7 followers
May 6, 2017
Holy Ballplayer!!!

Sharon Cummin has written another great love story that is an emotional roller coaster. It grabs a hold of your heart and makes you cry, laugh and fall in love with Lance and Lucy! It truly is a book you cannot put down and not one to miss.
Profile Image for DawnMarie  Carpintero.
Author 2 books19 followers
May 9, 2017
5 Series Stars

I received this series for my honest review.

Amazing is all I can really say about this series. You have to read it to believe how much this book creates the drama, love and heart stopping craziness.

Happy Sexy Reading.
Profile Image for Kori Dicken.
540 reviews12 followers
April 21, 2018
What a great story

This is a tremendous love story about two people
Who will do
Everything possible to not submit to their feelings. Love is
A feeling you can’t always fight, but they sure try!
Profile Image for Jeannette.
3,199 reviews8 followers
May 19, 2017
Good book

This was a good book to read. I liked the characters and their insta-love and chemistry. I hope to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews