What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cedar Creek Thunder #1
The Game Changer
I hired a single mom to help make my small town fall in love with a baseball team. And now I’m the one falling in love…with her.
Buying a small town baseball team might seem an odd choice for a millionaire tech developer, but I welcome the challenge.
Moving back to my hometown and reviving the once-beloved Cedar Creek Thunder is an impulsive attempt to find a deeper purpose, and a life that is measured in happiness rather than dollars.
A chance encounter with the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen has my temperature rising from more than the tea she’s spilled on me. When she walks into my office for an interview later that morning, it quickly becomes clear there’s no one better suited for the job .
Isla Forrester should be off limits, but with a smile that pierces my soul, the single mom is fire wrapped up in sweet temptation.
I’ve always had thick walls around my heart, but Isla and her son are breaking them down.
Now my sole purpose is getting her to believe that loving her is no challenge at all.
Buying a small town baseball team might seem an odd choice for a millionaire tech developer, but I welcome the challenge.
Moving back to my hometown and reviving the once-beloved Cedar Creek Thunder is an impulsive attempt to find a deeper purpose, and a life that is measured in happiness rather than dollars.
A chance encounter with the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen has my temperature rising from more than the tea she’s spilled on me. When she walks into my office for an interview later that morning, it quickly becomes clear there’s no one better suited for the job .
Isla Forrester should be off limits, but with a smile that pierces my soul, the single mom is fire wrapped up in sweet temptation.
I’ve always had thick walls around my heart, but Isla and her son are breaking them down.
Now my sole purpose is getting her to believe that loving her is no challenge at all.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
August 2, 2026
4🌟, 3🌶️
Book Review 📖
Stepping into this small-town baseball romance is an absolute delight.
When a hardworking single mom crosses paths with the charming new team owner, their workplace proximity sparks an irresistible slow burn chemistry. Every lingering look and sweet moment between Luca and Isla builds an anticipation that keeps you completely invested.
Beyond the fun sports backdrop, the story features a truly heartwarming emotional core. The thoughtful disability representation woven through Luca and young Charlie adds wonderful depth and realism. Watching this little family form bonds based on genuine care turns every page into a celebration of love.
It is a thoroughly uplifting read balancing lighthearted fun with deeply moving connections. The sweet found family atmosphere and seeing Luca step up make the final payoff immensely satisfying.
Anyone looking for an engaging romance with a whole lot of chemistry will fall completely in love.
~~~~
ALC Review (Audiobook) 🎧
Experiencing this story through the exceptional narration of Connor Crais and Heather Firth completely elevates the entire journey into something truly unforgettable. Their duet performance breathes incredible life into Luca and Isla, capturing every ounce of longing, vulnerability, and sharp wit with absolute precision. Listening to them felt less like hearing an audiobook and more like secretly watching real people fall in love, making every emotional high and tender moment hit with twice the impact.
~~~~
I was lucky enough to receive both a digital copy and an ALC, and being able to immersive read and listen to this story made the whole experience even more special.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Julia Jarrett and Hambright PR for the Copy and ALC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Book Review 📖
Stepping into this small-town baseball romance is an absolute delight.
When a hardworking single mom crosses paths with the charming new team owner, their workplace proximity sparks an irresistible slow burn chemistry. Every lingering look and sweet moment between Luca and Isla builds an anticipation that keeps you completely invested.
Beyond the fun sports backdrop, the story features a truly heartwarming emotional core. The thoughtful disability representation woven through Luca and young Charlie adds wonderful depth and realism. Watching this little family form bonds based on genuine care turns every page into a celebration of love.
It is a thoroughly uplifting read balancing lighthearted fun with deeply moving connections. The sweet found family atmosphere and seeing Luca step up make the final payoff immensely satisfying.
Anyone looking for an engaging romance with a whole lot of chemistry will fall completely in love.
~~~~
ALC Review (Audiobook) 🎧
Experiencing this story through the exceptional narration of Connor Crais and Heather Firth completely elevates the entire journey into something truly unforgettable. Their duet performance breathes incredible life into Luca and Isla, capturing every ounce of longing, vulnerability, and sharp wit with absolute precision. Listening to them felt less like hearing an audiobook and more like secretly watching real people fall in love, making every emotional high and tender moment hit with twice the impact.
~~~~
I was lucky enough to receive both a digital copy and an ALC, and being able to immersive read and listen to this story made the whole experience even more special.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Julia Jarrett and Hambright PR for the Copy and ALC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Read
May 15, 2026Thoughts:
1. I'm a few chapters in and while I'm enjoying it, I'm also a little irritated. The heroine, that I'm estimating to be twenty-nine based upon context clues, has had sex twice. TWICE. Both with a teenage boy, as in, the one that knocked her up when they were in high school. This grown woman is so worried about it happening again that she's been celibate for over TWELVE years. Make this make sense. Oh wait, you can't. I can understand a teenage girl being scared and paranoid about that, but a woman almost in her thirties?!? No. Just no. Also, she's had sex twice and only gotten pregnant once, so her fear is not mathing. Meanwhile, her almost forty-two-year-old Hero has recently (a few months, I believe) broken up with his last girlfriend, that he lived with, and has over a decade on the heroine, so you know their respective parts are irritatingly skewed. Had this been reversed and he was the single parent, you know he would've miraculously found the time (and courage *scoff*) to have more sex. I freaking hate when the single mom always goes without while a single dad rarely does.
2. He knows her son is missing a limb, and has since birth. Which is what happened to him. However, even knowing that, he, essentially, accuses her of being shallow and superficial by saying to Dom, his best friend and her co-worker, “Besides, even if I wasn’t her boss, there’s no saying she’d be interested in a guy missing his fucking leg.” What the hell? At least Dom, who doesn't like how attracted Luca is to her because of their respective positions, doesn't believe that about her. -- "Even I can admit she’s a good person. And while I definitely don’t think you should be thinking about dating her, she doesn’t strike me as the kinda woman who would care about shit like that.”
3. Sixteen chapters in and he's STILL worried she'll treat and/or look at him differently because of his prosthesis? Seriously? Not only does he know about her son, her having told him TWICE, but he's also met her son, seen the missing limb, and then hung around with him a second time playing baseball. For someone who claims to like/care for Isla as much as he does, his lack of belief in her character is disappointing.
4. "And it’s not that I thought for one second that you would be that way. Especially not after meeting Charlie." "I meant it when I said I trust Isla not to think of me any differently because of my leg." LIES. See above.
5. Overall, I enjoyed it. That being said, had it not been for the issues above, I would've loved it and added it, without hesitation, to my go-to-reread collection.
1. I'm a few chapters in and while I'm enjoying it, I'm also a little irritated. The heroine, that I'm estimating to be twenty-nine based upon context clues, has had sex twice. TWICE. Both with a teenage boy, as in, the one that knocked her up when they were in high school. This grown woman is so worried about it happening again that she's been celibate for over TWELVE years. Make this make sense. Oh wait, you can't. I can understand a teenage girl being scared and paranoid about that, but a woman almost in her thirties?!? No. Just no. Also, she's had sex twice and only gotten pregnant once, so her fear is not mathing. Meanwhile, her almost forty-two-year-old Hero has recently (a few months, I believe) broken up with his last girlfriend, that he lived with, and has over a decade on the heroine, so you know their respective parts are irritatingly skewed. Had this been reversed and he was the single parent, you know he would've miraculously found the time (and courage *scoff*) to have more sex. I freaking hate when the single mom always goes without while a single dad rarely does.
2. He knows her son is missing a limb, and has since birth. Which is what happened to him. However, even knowing that, he, essentially, accuses her of being shallow and superficial by saying to Dom, his best friend and her co-worker, “Besides, even if I wasn’t her boss, there’s no saying she’d be interested in a guy missing his fucking leg.” What the hell? At least Dom, who doesn't like how attracted Luca is to her because of their respective positions, doesn't believe that about her. -- "Even I can admit she’s a good person. And while I definitely don’t think you should be thinking about dating her, she doesn’t strike me as the kinda woman who would care about shit like that.”
3. Sixteen chapters in and he's STILL worried she'll treat and/or look at him differently because of his prosthesis? Seriously? Not only does he know about her son, her having told him TWICE, but he's also met her son, seen the missing limb, and then hung around with him a second time playing baseball. For someone who claims to like/care for Isla as much as he does, his lack of belief in her character is disappointing.
4. "And it’s not that I thought for one second that you would be that way. Especially not after meeting Charlie." "I meant it when I said I trust Isla not to think of me any differently because of my leg." LIES. See above.
5. Overall, I enjoyed it. That being said, had it not been for the issues above, I would've loved it and added it, without hesitation, to my go-to-reread collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ THE GAME CHANGER — Julia Jarrett (Audiobook) 🎧⚾️
Thank you Julia Jarrett for the ALC ❤️
I hit play and suddenly my entire personality became small-town baseball romance.
This audiobook?? ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE
Single mom + billionaire baseball boss + forced proximity + slow burn tension that should be illegal = me pacing my house like I was personally involved in the outcome. The chemistry builds so naturally that by the time it hits, I was screaming into the laundry I was folding like the team just won the championship.
The narration was TOP-TIER. Like, “I forgot I was listening to an audiobook and thought I was spying on fictional people’s lives” level good. Every emotion landed, the longing, the humor, the quiet moments, the spice 👀 All of it enhanced by voices that understood the assignment.
The romance is swoony without being cheesy, spicy without overpowering the story, and emotionally satisfying in a way that makes you sit there afterward like: wow… okay… I need a moment. The found family vibes, the small-town charm, the baseball backdrop? Perfection.
This book didn’t just change the game it rewired my brain chemistry.
🎧 If you’re an audiobook lover: RUN.
⚾️ If you love sports romance: RUN FASTER.
💖 If you want heart, heat: congratulations, this is your next 5-star read.
Thank you Julia Jarrett for the ALC ❤️
I hit play and suddenly my entire personality became small-town baseball romance.
This audiobook?? ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE
Single mom + billionaire baseball boss + forced proximity + slow burn tension that should be illegal = me pacing my house like I was personally involved in the outcome. The chemistry builds so naturally that by the time it hits, I was screaming into the laundry I was folding like the team just won the championship.
The narration was TOP-TIER. Like, “I forgot I was listening to an audiobook and thought I was spying on fictional people’s lives” level good. Every emotion landed, the longing, the humor, the quiet moments, the spice 👀 All of it enhanced by voices that understood the assignment.
The romance is swoony without being cheesy, spicy without overpowering the story, and emotionally satisfying in a way that makes you sit there afterward like: wow… okay… I need a moment. The found family vibes, the small-town charm, the baseball backdrop? Perfection.
This book didn’t just change the game it rewired my brain chemistry.
🎧 If you’re an audiobook lover: RUN.
⚾️ If you love sports romance: RUN FASTER.
💖 If you want heart, heat: congratulations, this is your next 5-star read.
February 12, 2026
you know when a book feels like it talks to your soul? this book was that for me.
reading this felt like meeting and getting to know these people in real life, they felt so real, tangible, and relatable—and that for me is a hallmark of a great story.
this felt like a breath of fresh air when it comes to reading a sports romance, it’s not your typical sports romance trope, BUT you will get everything you love about a sports romance and more—but what got me was the emotional depth the story holds.
i was emotionally all over the place while reading this book. one moment i was kicking my feet giddy and the next i was crying. i love the way ABS (amniotic band syndrome) was tackled and represented in this book—with so much love and care.
if there is one thing that i’m taking away from this book is that representation matters. i love the way Julia represented not only ABS, but also on how a woman can be successful in any point in her life. she represented different kinda of family dynamics but all are rooted in love.
thank you so much for the opportunity to read this as an arc. can’t wait for the rest of the world to read Luca and Isla’s story💙
reading this felt like meeting and getting to know these people in real life, they felt so real, tangible, and relatable—and that for me is a hallmark of a great story.
this felt like a breath of fresh air when it comes to reading a sports romance, it’s not your typical sports romance trope, BUT you will get everything you love about a sports romance and more—but what got me was the emotional depth the story holds.
i was emotionally all over the place while reading this book. one moment i was kicking my feet giddy and the next i was crying. i love the way ABS (amniotic band syndrome) was tackled and represented in this book—with so much love and care.
if there is one thing that i’m taking away from this book is that representation matters. i love the way Julia represented not only ABS, but also on how a woman can be successful in any point in her life. she represented different kinda of family dynamics but all are rooted in love.
thank you so much for the opportunity to read this as an arc. can’t wait for the rest of the world to read Luca and Isla’s story💙
January 21, 2026
This book was the only thing that got me through two days of being sick in bed.
Luca and Isla had such a refreshing relationship. I absolutely adored how much Luca doted on Charlie, and how well they bonded. Luca and Isla are relationship goals, and they had quite a few moments that had me kicking my feet or bursting out laughing.
This story was motivating and informative in the best way. I think Julia did a great job speaking about the topics she chose. It’s always great to see disability inclusivity in romance books.
Great small town romance with a boss & single mom!
Thank you to Julia for the ARC💜
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Luca and Isla had such a refreshing relationship. I absolutely adored how much Luca doted on Charlie, and how well they bonded. Luca and Isla are relationship goals, and they had quite a few moments that had me kicking my feet or bursting out laughing.
This story was motivating and informative in the best way. I think Julia did a great job speaking about the topics she chose. It’s always great to see disability inclusivity in romance books.
Great small town romance with a boss & single mom!
Thank you to Julia for the ARC💜
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
July 22, 2026
⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.5/5 Stars
The Game Changer by Julia Jarrett
Cedar Creek Thunder #1
🎧 Narrated by Connor Crais & Heather Firth
ALC Review
This was my first book by Julia Jarrett, and as a sports romance lover, I was really excited to dive into this one. The story follows Beckett, a millionaire tech developer who returns to his hometown after purchasing the struggling Cedar Creek Thunder baseball team. Hoping to help the town fall back in love with baseball, he hires Isla, a single mom, to help market the team. Throw in a workplace romance, forced proximity, an adorable spilled-tea meet-cute, and plenty of chemistry, and this had all the ingredients for a romance I thought I’d absolutely love.
One thing I have to give this book a lot of credit for is the disability representation. Beckett was born without one of his legs and has dedicated his career to developing prosthetic technology, and I thought that aspect of the story was handled really well. I also loved Charlie, Isla’s son. His representation felt thoughtful and authentic, and I actually learned a few things while reading. That was easily one of my favorite parts of the book.
Connor Crais and Heather Firth also did a wonderful job with the audiobook. They both gave strong performances and really brought these characters to life.
Unfortunately, this one just fell a little short for me when it came to the character development. I really struggle to fully enjoy a romance if I can’t connect with the main characters, and I never quite got there with either of them.
Beckett is an incredibly successful man who has built a company that’s changing lives through prosthetic technology, but so much of his internal struggle revolves around believing no one could truly love him because of his disability. While I completely understand those insecurities don’t just disappear, I felt like the story never really addressed them in a meaningful way. He meets Isla, the attraction is instant, and from there it almost feels like those fears are quietly swept under the rug rather than worked through. I wanted to see conversations, vulnerability, and emotional growth that showed how he overcame those feelings instead of simply moving past them.
I felt similarly about Isla. As a single mom myself, I completely understand being protective of your heart and your child after a difficult relationship. Her hesitation made sense, especially considering she hadn’t been with anyone since the father of her son twelve years earlier. But she spent so much of the story going back and forth wanting Beckett one minute and pushing him away the next that it became frustrating. Again, I understood why she felt that way, but I never felt like the book gave either character the emotional conversations or development needed to truly resolve those fears.
I think that’s what ultimately held this book back for me. There were moments that felt like plot holes because the characters’ biggest emotional obstacles were introduced as major conflicts, but they never felt fully addressed or resolved. Instead, it seemed like those insecurities simply faded away without the conversations or growth that would have made their happily-ever-after feel completely earned.
Overall, this is still a sweet sports romance packed with tropes I love single mom, millionaire, workplace romance, forced proximity, and an adorable meet-cute. The disability representation was one of the strongest parts of the story, and the audiobook narration was excellent. I just wish the emotional character development had been explored a little deeper because I think this could have easily been a four- or even five-star read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to Julia Jarrett for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.
Love, Drama & High Stakes
Sometimes tension does not come from epic battles or shocking crimes but from small, pressing moments where everything is at stake. ‘The Game Changer’ is a perfect example of a story where the pressure of competition, personal expectations, and desire come together seamlessly.
Julia Jarrett builds suspense primarily through the dynamic between her characters. Every look and every word seems loaded with meaning and unspoken longing. It keeps the reader on edge, wondering what will happen next and which decision will set off a domino effect.
There is also the tension of the goal at stake. The team, the game, the chances of winning everything hangs by a thread. Jarrett shows how obstacles and unexpected twists make the game thrilling while also putting the inner lives of the characters under pressure.
Then there is the emotional investment. Winning on the field or in love feels urgent and all-defining. This combination of physical challenges and emotional uncertainty keeps the reader hooked as Jarrett unfolds her story with fluidity and attention to detail.
This is a book that shows tension often arises between the lines, in choices, and in the characters’ feelings. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys stories where you play along both on the field and in the heart.
Small-town sports team | Second-chance romance | Workplace tension | Slow-burn chemistry | High-stakes competition | Personal growth | Emotional dilemmas | Unspoken desire | Triumphs and setbacks | Heart-fluttering moments
Love, Drama & High Stakes
Sometimes tension does not come from epic battles or shocking crimes but from small, pressing moments where everything is at stake. ‘The Game Changer’ is a perfect example of a story where the pressure of competition, personal expectations, and desire come together seamlessly.
Julia Jarrett builds suspense primarily through the dynamic between her characters. Every look and every word seems loaded with meaning and unspoken longing. It keeps the reader on edge, wondering what will happen next and which decision will set off a domino effect.
There is also the tension of the goal at stake. The team, the game, the chances of winning everything hangs by a thread. Jarrett shows how obstacles and unexpected twists make the game thrilling while also putting the inner lives of the characters under pressure.
Then there is the emotional investment. Winning on the field or in love feels urgent and all-defining. This combination of physical challenges and emotional uncertainty keeps the reader hooked as Jarrett unfolds her story with fluidity and attention to detail.
This is a book that shows tension often arises between the lines, in choices, and in the characters’ feelings. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys stories where you play along both on the field and in the heart.
Small-town sports team | Second-chance romance | Workplace tension | Slow-burn chemistry | High-stakes competition | Personal growth | Emotional dilemmas | Unspoken desire | Triumphs and setbacks | Heart-fluttering moments
August 3, 2026
This is a review for the audio
Connor Crais and Heather Firth do an amazing duet bringing Isla and Luca to life. You can feel the immediate attraction between the characters and the depth of feeling throughout the book.
I loved the character of Luca. While he messes up, he immediately realizes and apologizes and puts things right. He genuinely cares for Isla and Charlie and will do anything to make them happy.
Isla is a strong independent woman, and I love that. She never backs down on what’s important to her, and does so in a kind way.
Luca and Charlie’s relationship is fantastic. The growth of Charlie’s confidence was great to see.
This was a great book and a great audio!
Connor Crais and Heather Firth do an amazing duet bringing Isla and Luca to life. You can feel the immediate attraction between the characters and the depth of feeling throughout the book.
I loved the character of Luca. While he messes up, he immediately realizes and apologizes and puts things right. He genuinely cares for Isla and Charlie and will do anything to make them happy.
Isla is a strong independent woman, and I love that. She never backs down on what’s important to her, and does so in a kind way.
Luca and Charlie’s relationship is fantastic. The growth of Charlie’s confidence was great to see.
This was a great book and a great audio!
March 20, 2026
Hit it out of the park
Such a perfect combo for a small town romance.... spice, disability rep, a swoony mmc and a strong single fmc with a kiddo (and mention of the town from a previous series 🥰).
Such a perfect combo for a small town romance.... spice, disability rep, a swoony mmc and a strong single fmc with a kiddo (and mention of the town from a previous series 🥰).
July 26, 2026
The Game Changer by Julia Jarrett is book one in the Cedar Creek Thunder series, and I experienced it through immersive reading. I absolutely loved it!
What can you expect?
⚾️ Baseball romance
🏡 Small-town romance
👩👦 Single mom
💰 Millionaire hero
💼 Workplace romance
🦿 Disabled hero
✨ Age-gap romance
4.5⭐ |2 🌶️
🎧 Audiobook: Narrated in duet by Connor Crais (yes... one of my favorite narrators right now! 🫶🏽) and Heather Firth. They both did an incredible job bringing these characters to life, and I highly recommend experiencing this one through immersive reading.
Luca is a millionaire who purchases his hometown baseball team and begins restructuring the organization. One of his first priorities is hiring a marketing director, which is where Isla enters the picture. Isla is a single mom raising her 12-year-old son, Charlie, who was born with amniotic band syndrome. She became a mother at a young age, and for the last decade, her entire world has revolved around her son. Dating hasn't even been on her radar.
Luca ended his engagement and returned home looking for a fresh start. Buying the baseball team gives him a new purpose. Their chemistry is instant, but what makes it even sweeter is that they'd already crossed paths at a local coffee shop before unexpectedly seeing each other again during Isla's interview.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the representation of disability. Luca also has amniotic band syndrome; Charlie was born missing an arm, while Luca is missing a leg.
Luca has spent years hiding his disability from the public, preferring not to let it define him. That changes after meeting Charlie. Watching Charlie confidently embrace who he is inspires Luca to rethink how he sees himself. Their bond was so beautifully written.
As an amputee myself, this part of the story really resonated with me. When you have a visible disability, people often stop seeing you first and instead only see your disability. Your accomplishments can easily become overshadowed. The author captured those emotions with so much care and authenticity.
And that opening game scene... 🥹 When Luca chooses to wear shorts for the first time so Charlie won't feel alone? It completely melted my heart.
The romance was equally wonderful. Isla refuses to pursue a relationship. She doesn't want anyone thinking she only got her job because she's dating the owner. After becoming a young mom, she's worked incredibly hard to build a career on her own merit, and she's determined not to let anyone question that.
Luca is patient, supportive, and completely devoted to both Isla and Charlie. He also carries emotional scars from past relationships, where women made him feel like less of a man because of his amputation. Watching Isla create a safe space where he felt accepted exactly as he was? Absolutely swoon-worthy.
And yes... the spice was fantastic.
Isla was such a strong heroine; confident, talented, hardworking, and an incredible mom, daughter, and friend. She and Luca truly balanced each other, and I loved watching their relationship grow.
I also loved how Charlie inspired Luca to continue developing prosthetic technology for upper-limb amputees after previously focusing on lower-limb prosthetics. It added another meaningful layer to his character and showed how deeply he cared about making a difference.
Watching Luca become part of Isla and Charlie's little family was one of the sweetest parts of the book. Even Charlie's cat, who loved absolutely no one besides Charlie, warmed up to Luca.
This was my first Julia Jarrett book, but it definitely won't be my last. As an amputee, I truly appreciated the disability representation. It was thoughtful, respectful, realistic, and never felt like it existed simply to move the plot forward. It was woven naturally into the story, making it all the more impactful.
Thank you, Hambright PR, for the e-book/audio. This review reflects my honest thoughts.
What can you expect?
⚾️ Baseball romance
🏡 Small-town romance
👩👦 Single mom
💰 Millionaire hero
💼 Workplace romance
🦿 Disabled hero
✨ Age-gap romance
4.5⭐ |2 🌶️
🎧 Audiobook: Narrated in duet by Connor Crais (yes... one of my favorite narrators right now! 🫶🏽) and Heather Firth. They both did an incredible job bringing these characters to life, and I highly recommend experiencing this one through immersive reading.
Luca is a millionaire who purchases his hometown baseball team and begins restructuring the organization. One of his first priorities is hiring a marketing director, which is where Isla enters the picture. Isla is a single mom raising her 12-year-old son, Charlie, who was born with amniotic band syndrome. She became a mother at a young age, and for the last decade, her entire world has revolved around her son. Dating hasn't even been on her radar.
Luca ended his engagement and returned home looking for a fresh start. Buying the baseball team gives him a new purpose. Their chemistry is instant, but what makes it even sweeter is that they'd already crossed paths at a local coffee shop before unexpectedly seeing each other again during Isla's interview.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the representation of disability. Luca also has amniotic band syndrome; Charlie was born missing an arm, while Luca is missing a leg.
Luca has spent years hiding his disability from the public, preferring not to let it define him. That changes after meeting Charlie. Watching Charlie confidently embrace who he is inspires Luca to rethink how he sees himself. Their bond was so beautifully written.
As an amputee myself, this part of the story really resonated with me. When you have a visible disability, people often stop seeing you first and instead only see your disability. Your accomplishments can easily become overshadowed. The author captured those emotions with so much care and authenticity.
And that opening game scene... 🥹 When Luca chooses to wear shorts for the first time so Charlie won't feel alone? It completely melted my heart.
The romance was equally wonderful. Isla refuses to pursue a relationship. She doesn't want anyone thinking she only got her job because she's dating the owner. After becoming a young mom, she's worked incredibly hard to build a career on her own merit, and she's determined not to let anyone question that.
Luca is patient, supportive, and completely devoted to both Isla and Charlie. He also carries emotional scars from past relationships, where women made him feel like less of a man because of his amputation. Watching Isla create a safe space where he felt accepted exactly as he was? Absolutely swoon-worthy.
And yes... the spice was fantastic.
Isla was such a strong heroine; confident, talented, hardworking, and an incredible mom, daughter, and friend. She and Luca truly balanced each other, and I loved watching their relationship grow.
I also loved how Charlie inspired Luca to continue developing prosthetic technology for upper-limb amputees after previously focusing on lower-limb prosthetics. It added another meaningful layer to his character and showed how deeply he cared about making a difference.
Watching Luca become part of Isla and Charlie's little family was one of the sweetest parts of the book. Even Charlie's cat, who loved absolutely no one besides Charlie, warmed up to Luca.
This was my first Julia Jarrett book, but it definitely won't be my last. As an amputee, I truly appreciated the disability representation. It was thoughtful, respectful, realistic, and never felt like it existed simply to move the plot forward. It was woven naturally into the story, making it all the more impactful.
Thank you, Hambright PR, for the e-book/audio. This review reflects my honest thoughts.
February 10, 2026
🎧📚ARC & ALC REVIEW📚🎧
I had the opportunity to both read an ARC and listen to an ALC of The Game Changer and because it is a first in a series, I read it first, then gave myself a pause and then listened. The beginning of a series sometimes throws a lot of information at you as far as side characters and this way I was able to highlight what I might need to know for the future, etc etc etc. Okay, well, enough about my reading OCD. LOL
Let’s talk about this story! I was “in it” from the beginning. I love the way that Julia set-up everything, from the meet-cute to everything that comes after. I had a sense of joviality from the moment I started reading. I was excited to see how the story would unfold and all the circumstances would evolve. The way Julia mirrored “real-life” in this story was top-notch. Honestly, there was never a point in this story where I felt like it was fictional. These were real people with real circumstances taking life by the ba11s and soaring! She did not miss a single detail, and she also didn’t throw in dramatics. Listen, this story had enough none-typical circumstances to navigate and adding “thrown-in” conflict would have come across as forced and just dumb and I love that Julia knew that. She told a story of three people coming together “to get through this thing called life” and it was poignant and sweet, sexy and thrilling, captivating and swoony! The small-town, family and friends vibe was strong and I’m just ridiculously happy about this story!
The duet performance by Connor Crais & Heather Firth “raised the roof” on this story! I couldn’t believe how lost I became inside this story while I listened to it. It’s not a long or short listen; it’s about average but I was lost in it! GAH, I love it when that happens! Huge 👏👏round of applause👏👏 to both narrators and of course Julia for writing this beautiful story!
I had the opportunity to both read an ARC and listen to an ALC of The Game Changer and because it is a first in a series, I read it first, then gave myself a pause and then listened. The beginning of a series sometimes throws a lot of information at you as far as side characters and this way I was able to highlight what I might need to know for the future, etc etc etc. Okay, well, enough about my reading OCD. LOL
Let’s talk about this story! I was “in it” from the beginning. I love the way that Julia set-up everything, from the meet-cute to everything that comes after. I had a sense of joviality from the moment I started reading. I was excited to see how the story would unfold and all the circumstances would evolve. The way Julia mirrored “real-life” in this story was top-notch. Honestly, there was never a point in this story where I felt like it was fictional. These were real people with real circumstances taking life by the ba11s and soaring! She did not miss a single detail, and she also didn’t throw in dramatics. Listen, this story had enough none-typical circumstances to navigate and adding “thrown-in” conflict would have come across as forced and just dumb and I love that Julia knew that. She told a story of three people coming together “to get through this thing called life” and it was poignant and sweet, sexy and thrilling, captivating and swoony! The small-town, family and friends vibe was strong and I’m just ridiculously happy about this story!
The duet performance by Connor Crais & Heather Firth “raised the roof” on this story! I couldn’t believe how lost I became inside this story while I listened to it. It’s not a long or short listen; it’s about average but I was lost in it! GAH, I love it when that happens! Huge 👏👏round of applause👏👏 to both narrators and of course Julia for writing this beautiful story!
January 22, 2026
Let me preface this by saying I’m writing this review RIGHT after finishing the book because I’m vibrating with excitement and a bit manic.
This book was beyond what I could have imagined. Let me lay it out for you for past me reading it in live time: Started off strong! An adorable meet cute mishap. The intro to the sexy MMC. Then introduced to Islas son who has a limb difference. Wait and then the MMC has a limb difference too! Omg love the representation!!!
This book brings together many important topics: limb difference not only with the main character but also a side character, teen pregnancy, single parenthood, and people pleasing perfectionism.
All of these characters are not perfect, they make mistakes just like us. I love the way that Islas characters internal monologue is so accurate to feelings many people have felt about being enough for others, showing your more than your past, and having grit and determination to succeed on your own terms. Then Luca comes into the scene has this perfect seeming man who has done amazing things. But as the book progresses the layers start falling and those true characteristics that are so easily understood. He is a provider (he want everyone to have what they need, even the little things) my acts of service love language was absolutely giddy for this man, he is has his own internal battle when it comes to his own limb difference, and struggles with accepting praise and acknowledgment for all the things he does.
This book was relatable, had those leg kicking giddiness moments, meaningful/deep conversations, and a sexy ass MMC who knew what he was saying and doing. I CANNOT wait for the next one!!!!
This book was beyond what I could have imagined. Let me lay it out for you for past me reading it in live time: Started off strong! An adorable meet cute mishap. The intro to the sexy MMC. Then introduced to Islas son who has a limb difference. Wait and then the MMC has a limb difference too! Omg love the representation!!!
This book brings together many important topics: limb difference not only with the main character but also a side character, teen pregnancy, single parenthood, and people pleasing perfectionism.
All of these characters are not perfect, they make mistakes just like us. I love the way that Islas characters internal monologue is so accurate to feelings many people have felt about being enough for others, showing your more than your past, and having grit and determination to succeed on your own terms. Then Luca comes into the scene has this perfect seeming man who has done amazing things. But as the book progresses the layers start falling and those true characteristics that are so easily understood. He is a provider (he want everyone to have what they need, even the little things) my acts of service love language was absolutely giddy for this man, he is has his own internal battle when it comes to his own limb difference, and struggles with accepting praise and acknowledgment for all the things he does.
This book was relatable, had those leg kicking giddiness moments, meaningful/deep conversations, and a sexy ass MMC who knew what he was saying and doing. I CANNOT wait for the next one!!!!
Read
January 21, 2026What a delightful new baseball series from Julia Jarrett! With wonderful characters (especially Luca, Isla and her son, Charlie), set in the fictional small town of Westport on Vancouver Island, it’s is both heartwarming and poignant!
Luca Calloway is a millionaire tech developer who has bought his hometown’s baseball team and its dilapidated stadium in the hopes of rekindling the community’s interest and support of their team. He’s not just a “tech nerd” throwing money around though…he truly is invested in making this happen.
To that end, he hires Isla Forrester as his temporary marketing consultant (who, unbeknownst to him, he first meets in a cute mishap at a coffee shop) to generate excitement about the team and its soon-to-be completed refurbished stadium. Isla and her son, Charlie, have recently moved to Westport to be closer to her mother who lives in nearby Dogwood Cove (which is the setting of a wonderful series as well!) and friend, Juniper. Isla is pleased and relieved to be hired by the charming man she (literally) bumped into while getting her morning tea!
Sparks fly between Isla and Luca from the beginning but Isla wants to keep a professional distance…her job is only temporary and she wants to stay in Westport once her contract is up and finding another marketing job in a smaller community will be challenging enough.
Luca is beyond charming. Whether it’s his sincerity in supporting his team - providing new gear, uniforms, refurbishing their stadium - or involving the community to bring back the excitement of having a great hometown team, he’s 100% committed.
His interactions with Isla’s twelve year old son, Charlie, really shows the depth of his caring spirit. Yes, of course there’s romance between Luca and Isla, but the commonality that he and Charlie share is very touching (and I really commend Ms. Jarrett for shedding light on this…being vague to avoid spoilers!). His support and acceptance goes a long way with Charlie.
The supporting characters from Juniper, Isla’s mom, Luca’s best friend, Dom, to the baseball players we meet, all add to the story and draws the reader in!
This is a wonderful, enjoyable book and I’m really looking forward to the subsequent stories in this series!
Luca Calloway is a millionaire tech developer who has bought his hometown’s baseball team and its dilapidated stadium in the hopes of rekindling the community’s interest and support of their team. He’s not just a “tech nerd” throwing money around though…he truly is invested in making this happen.
To that end, he hires Isla Forrester as his temporary marketing consultant (who, unbeknownst to him, he first meets in a cute mishap at a coffee shop) to generate excitement about the team and its soon-to-be completed refurbished stadium. Isla and her son, Charlie, have recently moved to Westport to be closer to her mother who lives in nearby Dogwood Cove (which is the setting of a wonderful series as well!) and friend, Juniper. Isla is pleased and relieved to be hired by the charming man she (literally) bumped into while getting her morning tea!
Sparks fly between Isla and Luca from the beginning but Isla wants to keep a professional distance…her job is only temporary and she wants to stay in Westport once her contract is up and finding another marketing job in a smaller community will be challenging enough.
Luca is beyond charming. Whether it’s his sincerity in supporting his team - providing new gear, uniforms, refurbishing their stadium - or involving the community to bring back the excitement of having a great hometown team, he’s 100% committed.
His interactions with Isla’s twelve year old son, Charlie, really shows the depth of his caring spirit. Yes, of course there’s romance between Luca and Isla, but the commonality that he and Charlie share is very touching (and I really commend Ms. Jarrett for shedding light on this…being vague to avoid spoilers!). His support and acceptance goes a long way with Charlie.
The supporting characters from Juniper, Isla’s mom, Luca’s best friend, Dom, to the baseball players we meet, all add to the story and draws the reader in!
This is a wonderful, enjoyable book and I’m really looking forward to the subsequent stories in this series!
August 2, 2026
Sometimes there is just something about a book that really doesn't work for you. I started this book enjoying myself. The meet-cute was lots of fun, and I was totally on board with the setup for the plot, but I ended up being deeply irritated by the repetition in the plot beats to the point where I was yelling at my audiobook.
At the core of this story, we have a single mom who had her son when she was only 17 and ends up falling for her boss at her contract job. Now, I really enjoyed the single mom aspect of the story. I thought Isla's relationship with her son was lovely on the page, and I liked the dynamic she had with her mom, who has helped her raise him.
What did not work for me was the constant repetition of Isla's reasons for not being with her boss, Luca. There was a totally obvious solution sitting right in front of both of these characters the whole time. She should report to the CFO, not the CEO. It was staring them in the face, and I just couldn't get past the fact that these people were so dumb they couldn't figure that out. If you're going to make work the reason two people can't be together, the reasons have to be insurmountable, not merely inconvenient.
I listened to part of this book on audio and read part as an ebook. I really liked the narrators and thought their work did a lot to make this story tolerable for me. Had I just been reading the ebook, I probably would have DNF'd, but I stuck with it because they were compelling performers.
Thanks to Hambright for the complimentary ARC and ALC of The Game Changer. 2.5 stars.
At the core of this story, we have a single mom who had her son when she was only 17 and ends up falling for her boss at her contract job. Now, I really enjoyed the single mom aspect of the story. I thought Isla's relationship with her son was lovely on the page, and I liked the dynamic she had with her mom, who has helped her raise him.
What did not work for me was the constant repetition of Isla's reasons for not being with her boss, Luca. There was a totally obvious solution sitting right in front of both of these characters the whole time. She should report to the CFO, not the CEO. It was staring them in the face, and I just couldn't get past the fact that these people were so dumb they couldn't figure that out. If you're going to make work the reason two people can't be together, the reasons have to be insurmountable, not merely inconvenient.
I listened to part of this book on audio and read part as an ebook. I really liked the narrators and thought their work did a lot to make this story tolerable for me. Had I just been reading the ebook, I probably would have DNF'd, but I stuck with it because they were compelling performers.
Thanks to Hambright for the complimentary ARC and ALC of The Game Changer. 2.5 stars.
February 10, 2026
Julia Jarrett honestly just never disappoints and this first book in her new Cedar Creek Thunder baseball series features single mom, Isla and Luca, her new boss and the owner of the team.
Set in small town, Vancouver Island, sparks fly between Luca and Isla from their very first meeting but each is determined to keep things professional. Isla doesn’t want to lose her job and Luca doesn’t want to abuse his authority over Isla.
Both are also very insecure and nervous about entering a new relationship. Isla because she doesn’t want to be judged for becoming a single mom at 16 and Luca because of his limb difference.
But when they meet at a conference for amniotic band syndrome survivors (ABS), they can’t help bonding and deepening their relationship even more. Especially after Luca befriends Isla’s son and helps him learn to use prosthetics to play baseball.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book but I’ll just say its full of vulnerable, relatable characters you can’t help cheering for, has excellent disability rep and was amazing on audio with duet narration by Connor Crais and Heather Firth.
Highly recommended for fans of authors like Hannah Bonam-Young, Brighton Walsh, Stephanie Archer or Helena Hunting. HUGE thanks to the author for sharing an ALC with me in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.
Set in small town, Vancouver Island, sparks fly between Luca and Isla from their very first meeting but each is determined to keep things professional. Isla doesn’t want to lose her job and Luca doesn’t want to abuse his authority over Isla.
Both are also very insecure and nervous about entering a new relationship. Isla because she doesn’t want to be judged for becoming a single mom at 16 and Luca because of his limb difference.
But when they meet at a conference for amniotic band syndrome survivors (ABS), they can’t help bonding and deepening their relationship even more. Especially after Luca befriends Isla’s son and helps him learn to use prosthetics to play baseball.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book but I’ll just say its full of vulnerable, relatable characters you can’t help cheering for, has excellent disability rep and was amazing on audio with duet narration by Connor Crais and Heather Firth.
Highly recommended for fans of authors like Hannah Bonam-Young, Brighton Walsh, Stephanie Archer or Helena Hunting. HUGE thanks to the author for sharing an ALC with me in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.
July 29, 2026
Thank you to Hambright PR for the advance reader and listener copies. These are my opinions.
This is the start of a new series featuring an independent baseball team, the Cedar Creek Thunder. As I read, it became clear that there were lots of happy couples associated with the Vancouver Tridents, so it's nice to know the author has a great backlist available for another baseball team.
But there's something so special about a small, independent team that's resetting and trying to become a strong community presence. That's precisely the goal of the new owner, Luca. And he immediately hires Isla to consult on social media and marketing. She's a single mom and relocated to Cedar Creek to get a fresh start for her and her son.
I am always here for a workplace romance, and this was so good. I felt it handled the power dynamics between the two of them very well. And their chemistry was so hot from the start. I appreciated the pacing and their connection.
I also loved the behind the scenes of getting ready for baseball season. And I look forward to even more ball in future books.
I greatly appreciated the disability rep. I had not previously known much about ABS, and it was explained well. At first, I wanted to see more from Luca, but his growth was excellent.
I immersive read and enjoyed both formats. The audiobook was narrated by one of my all time favorites Connor Crais, and he was joined by Heather Firth. I expect she will become a favorite as well.
This is the start of a new series featuring an independent baseball team, the Cedar Creek Thunder. As I read, it became clear that there were lots of happy couples associated with the Vancouver Tridents, so it's nice to know the author has a great backlist available for another baseball team.
But there's something so special about a small, independent team that's resetting and trying to become a strong community presence. That's precisely the goal of the new owner, Luca. And he immediately hires Isla to consult on social media and marketing. She's a single mom and relocated to Cedar Creek to get a fresh start for her and her son.
I am always here for a workplace romance, and this was so good. I felt it handled the power dynamics between the two of them very well. And their chemistry was so hot from the start. I appreciated the pacing and their connection.
I also loved the behind the scenes of getting ready for baseball season. And I look forward to even more ball in future books.
I greatly appreciated the disability rep. I had not previously known much about ABS, and it was explained well. At first, I wanted to see more from Luca, but his growth was excellent.
I immersive read and enjoyed both formats. The audiobook was narrated by one of my all time favorites Connor Crais, and he was joined by Heather Firth. I expect she will become a favorite as well.
July 22, 2026
Thank you to Julia Jarrett and Hambright PR for the ARC and ALC of The Game Changer. This was a sweet sports rom-com with great disability representation for both an MC and a supporting character. I primarily listened to the ALC vs reading it.
Luca, our MMC, is the engineer of a technology to better prosthetic limbs and also returns to his home town to rebuild the local baseball team. As part of his rebuild, Luca hires the very qualified Isla as marketing director. While Luca appears to be a confident businessman, he hides that he also has a prosthetic leg.
Isla is a single mom who had her son at 17. When her son was born he had Amniotic Band Syndrome resulting in the loss of part of his arm. Isla is immediately attracted to her new boss but struggles but recognizes she must maintain the professional relationship for the sake of her son.
This was a sweet story, but their main struggles come from lack of communication which is so preventable. For the ALC, I thought it was well done except Luca’s voice was quiet sometimes when the chapter was in Isla’s POV. This was sweet and if you enjoy work place romance with disability representation then this is for you!
Luca, our MMC, is the engineer of a technology to better prosthetic limbs and also returns to his home town to rebuild the local baseball team. As part of his rebuild, Luca hires the very qualified Isla as marketing director. While Luca appears to be a confident businessman, he hides that he also has a prosthetic leg.
Isla is a single mom who had her son at 17. When her son was born he had Amniotic Band Syndrome resulting in the loss of part of his arm. Isla is immediately attracted to her new boss but struggles but recognizes she must maintain the professional relationship for the sake of her son.
This was a sweet story, but their main struggles come from lack of communication which is so preventable. For the ALC, I thought it was well done except Luca’s voice was quiet sometimes when the chapter was in Isla’s POV. This was sweet and if you enjoy work place romance with disability representation then this is for you!
July 22, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
I listened to the audiobook for this one, and overall I really enjoyed it, even though a few things kept it from being a higher rating for me.
The absolute standout was the disability representation. I loved how naturally it was incorporated into the story, and the relationship between the MMC and her son completely stole my heart. Those moments were easily my favorite part of the book.
I also enjoyed the romance much more in the second half once the relationship had time to develop. My biggest issue was the pacing. It felt like they went from "we can't do this" to "okay, never mind, we can" so quickly that it gave me a bit of whiplash.
And since I experienced this one on audio... Connor Crais can do no wrong. His narration was, as always, fantastic and definitely elevated the experience.
Overall, this was a solid 3.5-star read with heartfelt family moments, great disability representation, and an audiobook performance that made it easy to keep listening.
I listened to the audiobook for this one, and overall I really enjoyed it, even though a few things kept it from being a higher rating for me.
The absolute standout was the disability representation. I loved how naturally it was incorporated into the story, and the relationship between the MMC and her son completely stole my heart. Those moments were easily my favorite part of the book.
I also enjoyed the romance much more in the second half once the relationship had time to develop. My biggest issue was the pacing. It felt like they went from "we can't do this" to "okay, never mind, we can" so quickly that it gave me a bit of whiplash.
And since I experienced this one on audio... Connor Crais can do no wrong. His narration was, as always, fantastic and definitely elevated the experience.
Overall, this was a solid 3.5-star read with heartfelt family moments, great disability representation, and an audiobook performance that made it easy to keep listening.
July 21, 2026
my first Julia Jarrett book and it surely will not be my last!!
I can not wait to continue this series! I was hooked immediately.
The limb difference rep was so well done, in my opinion. It never felt like she made the characters feel less and felt incredibly empowering.
The relationship between Isla and Luca was everythingggg. the instant connection was sooo swoon worthy. I loved that they were so honest and open with each other about their feelings. Loved that although there were things Luca kept from Isla, she went into the revelations with an open mind and understanding. it's so refreshing seeing ADULTS behaving like adults haha.
will absolutely be continuing the series. I can't wait to read book two!
the narration on this was phenomenal!! Duet and soooo good. both voices were amazing and perfectly matched for the characters.
thank you hambright and Julia for the alc!
I can not wait to continue this series! I was hooked immediately.
The limb difference rep was so well done, in my opinion. It never felt like she made the characters feel less and felt incredibly empowering.
The relationship between Isla and Luca was everythingggg. the instant connection was sooo swoon worthy. I loved that they were so honest and open with each other about their feelings. Loved that although there were things Luca kept from Isla, she went into the revelations with an open mind and understanding. it's so refreshing seeing ADULTS behaving like adults haha.
will absolutely be continuing the series. I can't wait to read book two!
the narration on this was phenomenal!! Duet and soooo good. both voices were amazing and perfectly matched for the characters.
thank you hambright and Julia for the alc!
July 19, 2026
I absolutely flew through this! It was super bingeable and my soul was craving a sports romance. ⚾️
Isla is a single mom of a disabled son, and sh is desperate to land a marketing job. When she walks into the interview, she meets Luca. There’s definitely some secret, insta-attraction. Isla is clearly right for the job and gets hired.
It was such a pleasure to watch Isla and Luca connect in such a deep way. Luca is harboring a secret, and when it was revealed, my heart absolutely melted!!! So good!
🎧 Audio was fabulous thanks to Connor Crais + Heather Firth, they were the perfect cast!
Tropes:
👩👧 Single Mom
💰 Millionaire
🖥️ Workplace Romance
🧑🏼🦽 Disabled Hero
🚫 Age Gap
⚾️ Baseball in a Small Town
Isla is a single mom of a disabled son, and sh is desperate to land a marketing job. When she walks into the interview, she meets Luca. There’s definitely some secret, insta-attraction. Isla is clearly right for the job and gets hired.
It was such a pleasure to watch Isla and Luca connect in such a deep way. Luca is harboring a secret, and when it was revealed, my heart absolutely melted!!! So good!
🎧 Audio was fabulous thanks to Connor Crais + Heather Firth, they were the perfect cast!
Tropes:
👩👧 Single Mom
💰 Millionaire
🖥️ Workplace Romance
🧑🏼🦽 Disabled Hero
🚫 Age Gap
⚾️ Baseball in a Small Town
July 27, 2026
Let me start off by saying I LOVED THIS STORY! This book had me learning new things. I didn't know ABS was a thing but I feel more informed.
Isla is a single mom looking for a job. She is in marketing but can't find anything locally but applies for this temporary job with a baseball team and let me just say, from the moment Luca sees her, he is SUNK.
Luca is a beautiful soul but I think he was a little confused initially 😂 he wasn't sure how Isla would feel knowing he had a disability, but even after finding out about Charlie, he doesn't change his thinking which is kinda disappointing. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start but he is unwilling to step up and see where it goes, until they end up at a conference together. And Charlie? That kid is perceptive! Loved his character and how smart he is!
This story is beautiful, deep and emotional, and one thing I can say about Connor Crais and Heather Firth is that they did these beautiful souls justice. You could feel the tension, hear the longing and the fear, but also see that spark, and the moment when they finally gave in? ✨️MAGICAL✨️ A phenomenal story that is both heartwarming and informative.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶.5
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Isla is a single mom looking for a job. She is in marketing but can't find anything locally but applies for this temporary job with a baseball team and let me just say, from the moment Luca sees her, he is SUNK.
Luca is a beautiful soul but I think he was a little confused initially 😂 he wasn't sure how Isla would feel knowing he had a disability, but even after finding out about Charlie, he doesn't change his thinking which is kinda disappointing. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start but he is unwilling to step up and see where it goes, until they end up at a conference together. And Charlie? That kid is perceptive! Loved his character and how smart he is!
This story is beautiful, deep and emotional, and one thing I can say about Connor Crais and Heather Firth is that they did these beautiful souls justice. You could feel the tension, hear the longing and the fear, but also see that spark, and the moment when they finally gave in? ✨️MAGICAL✨️ A phenomenal story that is both heartwarming and informative.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶.5
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
July 20, 2026
Isla and Luca have an intense draw to each other than cannot be denied. Luca is her boss, which complicates things. She is a single mom of a teenage son, Charlie, trying to do it all alone. Come to find out Charlie and Luca share a bond. They both have limbs missing due to the issues with the amniotic sac. The love of baseball and their common bond pull them together. I am drawn to books that teach us about difficulties that people can face in life and appreciate things like this being incorporated into the story. Not everything is in life is roses and while this story doesn't dwell on the disability, it does give inclusion, where in the past, one would not find it. Plus, the sexy talk between Isla and Luca didn't hurt either.
#HPRChasingHeadlines
#JRoseBlack
#HambrightPR
#HPRChasingHeadlines
#JRoseBlack
#HambrightPR
August 2, 2026
I was able to do this one on audio and finished it in one day! The duet narration was 🤌🏽.
Yearning. Chemistry. Banter. Found Family. Spice. Understanding. Disability Rep. Fighting Temptation. Age Gap. Work Relationship. Swoony Moments. PERFECTION.
The FMC was delightful I tell you. The MMC even more so. The way he shows up for Isla and her son was just....le sigh. The way he knows how to treat her? Even better. I loved that Isla was determined to make the best life for her son and herself, and she didn't let fear hold her back.
Read this if you are a fan of rom-coms. There's a sports aspect involved even.
Yearning. Chemistry. Banter. Found Family. Spice. Understanding. Disability Rep. Fighting Temptation. Age Gap. Work Relationship. Swoony Moments. PERFECTION.
The FMC was delightful I tell you. The MMC even more so. The way he shows up for Isla and her son was just....le sigh. The way he knows how to treat her? Even better. I loved that Isla was determined to make the best life for her son and herself, and she didn't let fear hold her back.
Read this if you are a fan of rom-coms. There's a sports aspect involved even.
February 26, 2026
I really enjoyed reading The Game Changer. The FMC knew what she wanted and went for it! She was protective of her son. This is a sweet love story which has instant attraction, small age gap, single mom, surprise medical coincidence and ohhhh the spice!
It's been Isla and Charlie for so long. Will she find a way to make room for Luca?
Favorite Quote…..
“Just for tonight, I want to feel like Isla Forrester, a woman who is more than a mom, or an employee, or a marketing expert. I want to feel like someone who is beautiful and deserving of his flirting and charm.”
This is what any mom wearing multiple hats wants to feel every now and again!
It's been Isla and Charlie for so long. Will she find a way to make room for Luca?
Favorite Quote…..
“Just for tonight, I want to feel like Isla Forrester, a woman who is more than a mom, or an employee, or a marketing expert. I want to feel like someone who is beautiful and deserving of his flirting and charm.”
This is what any mom wearing multiple hats wants to feel every now and again!
July 19, 2026
I breezed right through this audiobook all in the same day! If you are looking for just a sweet and cozy, feel good romance this is it. It’s got a single mom, small town, billionaire and disability rep. I loved everything about these characters and how it all just came together.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the gifted audiobook.
Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the gifted audiobook.
February 12, 2026
Luca, Isla and Charlie's story was good. It's about letting your walls down and trusting. It showed disabilities don't prevent you from doing things other people do. The chemistry was good and it was well written.
March 4, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ .25 almost perfect!
luca returns to his hometown after buying a struggling baseball team, hoping to find purpose beyond his success as a tech developer. when he hires isla forrester, a single mom with the perfect vision to help revive the cedar creek thunder, she quickly becomes more than just an employee. drawn to her warmth and the bond she shares with her son, luca finds his carefully built walls starting to crumble. as their connection deepens, he becomes determined to prove that loving her is the one challenge he’s more than ready to take on.
this one truly hit it out of the park for me. there is nothing a love more than a julia book and the single mum fmc paired with a down bad mmc swoony mmc. julia just knows how to be thoughtful in the way that she writes and i disability rep was done very well. this was such a fresh take on a sports romance while still delivering me a story that is rooted in reality. the way luca’s relationship with charlie developed and how he just showed up for isla in all the big quiet was is what I love about romance. this whole book just made me melt and i fell in love with romance again.
the audiobook was incredible and completely elevated the story for me. the duet narration brought out every bit of longing, humour and emotion.
thank you julia for the early alc and arc!
tropes: single mum, billionaire, forced proximity, workplace, sports romance (baseball), age gap, limb difference
triggers: descriptions of amniotic band syndrome, mentions of bullying, teen pregnancy, absent parent
luca returns to his hometown after buying a struggling baseball team, hoping to find purpose beyond his success as a tech developer. when he hires isla forrester, a single mom with the perfect vision to help revive the cedar creek thunder, she quickly becomes more than just an employee. drawn to her warmth and the bond she shares with her son, luca finds his carefully built walls starting to crumble. as their connection deepens, he becomes determined to prove that loving her is the one challenge he’s more than ready to take on.
this one truly hit it out of the park for me. there is nothing a love more than a julia book and the single mum fmc paired with a down bad mmc swoony mmc. julia just knows how to be thoughtful in the way that she writes and i disability rep was done very well. this was such a fresh take on a sports romance while still delivering me a story that is rooted in reality. the way luca’s relationship with charlie developed and how he just showed up for isla in all the big quiet was is what I love about romance. this whole book just made me melt and i fell in love with romance again.
the audiobook was incredible and completely elevated the story for me. the duet narration brought out every bit of longing, humour and emotion.
thank you julia for the early alc and arc!
tropes: single mum, billionaire, forced proximity, workplace, sports romance (baseball), age gap, limb difference
triggers: descriptions of amniotic band syndrome, mentions of bullying, teen pregnancy, absent parent
February 10, 2026
Another adorable baseball romance from the sports romance Queen @juliajarrettauthor
Luca and Isla have a bit of a moment only for her to be the person she’s hiring on to help his baseball team with their marketing.
Isla is a single mom and needs this job so obviously she tries to fight her attraction to her new boss but when it’s right, it’s so right 😏 I really did love the “we shouldn’t but we want to” of it it all and the slow burn tension was chefs kiss.
Her son Charlie is adorable and just loves baseball. He has a limb difference and Luca is so sweet with him and it’s something they can bond over. I for sure teared up at this little angel figuring out his love for playing baseball and this big billionaire helping him do it 🥹
Forever thank you to @juliajarrettauthor for the chance to listen to this ALC cuz it’s another bangerrr girl. The audiobook was top tier and you always know how to leave me desperately wanting the next book! Sign me the f upppp for T CB babbyyyy
FOLLOW ME
INSTAGRAM
STORYGRAPH
FABLE
Luca and Isla have a bit of a moment only for her to be the person she’s hiring on to help his baseball team with their marketing.
Isla is a single mom and needs this job so obviously she tries to fight her attraction to her new boss but when it’s right, it’s so right 😏 I really did love the “we shouldn’t but we want to” of it it all and the slow burn tension was chefs kiss.
Her son Charlie is adorable and just loves baseball. He has a limb difference and Luca is so sweet with him and it’s something they can bond over. I for sure teared up at this little angel figuring out his love for playing baseball and this big billionaire helping him do it 🥹
Forever thank you to @juliajarrettauthor for the chance to listen to this ALC cuz it’s another bangerrr girl. The audiobook was top tier and you always know how to leave me desperately wanting the next book! Sign me the f upppp for T CB babbyyyy
FOLLOW ME
STORYGRAPH
FABLE
February 28, 2026
I should have DNFd by 60%
There were like a handful of decent things in this book but Isla, was one of the most annoyingly irritating FMCs I’ve ever read.
Audio narration was great though.
There were like a handful of decent things in this book but Isla, was one of the most annoyingly irritating FMCs I’ve ever read.
Audio narration was great though.
August 3, 2026
I really loved this story and concept. Not many will write about disabilities in their main characters and this one was done very well. Loved the whole thing !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews