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Brew Ha Ha #3
The Catching Kind
Hailey Tate thought she was worth more than a straight flush.
Apparently not.
When camera-shy author Hailey Tate’s agent loses a bet and brokers a deal, it leaves Hailey in the last place she wants to be: backed into the corner of Publicity and Paparazzi. Now, thanks to her girl-next-door image and role as pretend girlfriend to a womanizing shortstop, she's getting the attention she always managed to avoid.
Connor Ryan is not only America’s Sexiest Athlete, he’s also the current Bad Boy of Baseball. But when he goes a base too far, management wants to bench him…permanently. One thing he never counted on? Falling for his sweet, fake girlfriend. He’s the guy who can catch anything and now she’s next on his list
Apparently not.
When camera-shy author Hailey Tate’s agent loses a bet and brokers a deal, it leaves Hailey in the last place she wants to be: backed into the corner of Publicity and Paparazzi. Now, thanks to her girl-next-door image and role as pretend girlfriend to a womanizing shortstop, she's getting the attention she always managed to avoid.
Connor Ryan is not only America’s Sexiest Athlete, he’s also the current Bad Boy of Baseball. But when he goes a base too far, management wants to bench him…permanently. One thing he never counted on? Falling for his sweet, fake girlfriend. He’s the guy who can catch anything and now she’s next on his list
289 pages, ebook
First published January 13, 2015
221 people are currently reading
1275 people want to read
About the author
Bria Quinlan
28 books431 followersBria Quinlan is an award-nominated bestselling author of eight Romantic Comedies and YA Issue Books (that she swears are funny...really. They are.) Her books make you snort Diet Coke out your nose or tear up and curse her name.
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ybgdq33r
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/krvpqjr
BN: https://tinyurl.com/ydf9det6
iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/jrblzqr
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y9bcw7za
Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/zsxehx8
Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/yd8nv8tj
BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/y8edzs5d
BREW HA HA SERIES
#1 The Last Single Girl
#2 Worth the Fall
#3 The Catching Kind
#4 The Proposing Kind
#5 Things That Shine
#6 *In Progress*!
STARLIGHT HARBOR
#1 The Sweetest Things
#2 Back to You (summer 2022!!!)
RVHS SECRETS
#1 Secret Girlfriend
#2 Secret Life
YA Standalones
Wreckless
It didn’t surprise anyone when Bria Quinlan started writing YA Rom Coms… after all, her life is a walking sitcom (minus the commercials). Plus, secretly she’s still 16 (although her license says something different). Finally putting those English Literature and Creative Writing degrees and Copy Editing cert to work, Bria’s excited to get her quirky stories on the page to share with the world (or at least a segment of it).
She’s represented by the awesomely amazing Lauren Macleod of the Clan…. Oh, wait. Of Strothman Agency.
Bria writes Romantic Comedies for teens that take hard topics and make you laugh through your tears. You can contact her at briaquinlan.com OR twitter @briaquinlan
She also writes sweet & sassy Contemporary Romances as Caitie Quinn.
A proud Golden Heart Finalist, she’s focusing on writing stories that make you laugh, make you cry and remind you that life is an adventure not to be ignored.
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ybgdq33r
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/krvpqjr
BN: https://tinyurl.com/ydf9det6
iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/jrblzqr
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y9bcw7za
Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/zsxehx8
Instagram: https://tinyurl.com/yd8nv8tj
BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/y8edzs5d
BREW HA HA SERIES
#1 The Last Single Girl
#2 Worth the Fall
#3 The Catching Kind
#4 The Proposing Kind
#5 Things That Shine
#6 *In Progress*!
STARLIGHT HARBOR
#1 The Sweetest Things
#2 Back to You (summer 2022!!!)
RVHS SECRETS
#1 Secret Girlfriend
#2 Secret Life
YA Standalones
Wreckless
It didn’t surprise anyone when Bria Quinlan started writing YA Rom Coms… after all, her life is a walking sitcom (minus the commercials). Plus, secretly she’s still 16 (although her license says something different). Finally putting those English Literature and Creative Writing degrees and Copy Editing cert to work, Bria’s excited to get her quirky stories on the page to share with the world (or at least a segment of it).
She’s represented by the awesomely amazing Lauren Macleod of the Clan…. Oh, wait. Of Strothman Agency.
Bria writes Romantic Comedies for teens that take hard topics and make you laugh through your tears. You can contact her at briaquinlan.com OR twitter @briaquinlan
She also writes sweet & sassy Contemporary Romances as Caitie Quinn.
A proud Golden Heart Finalist, she’s focusing on writing stories that make you laugh, make you cry and remind you that life is an adventure not to be ignored.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
January 21, 2019
4 Forced Lovers to True Friends Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
Right after finishing this book, this crossed my mind...
You know when you see a movie and it is about making a movie... you get to experience all the parts usually hidden...like the process of shooting Day for Night. This process allows the cameras and film to be like night even though they are shot during the day...A movie of the same name in 1973 by Ferrand Truffaut was made and it covered exactly this and used it as a metaphor for the goings on and romances on the set during the filming.
I mention all of this because in this book the subject isn't moviemaking but involves authors, books, PR, connections and the process of marketing...things, we would be interested... and puts it together with the need to redeem a playboy sports figure with a "nice" girl....and said nice girl is a YA author. She is mildly successful but totally uncomfortable with interviews, photo opportunities or social media.
Hailey becomes paired with the mega sports star Connor because of a legendary, whispered about but never revealed poker game played by only the top agents, movers, and shakers in the entertainment/sports/media world. To get a seat at the table is like being a part of an inner circle that doesn't exist... no one knows how to become part of it...yet everyone hopes to be there at some point in their career...and to stay there once there. That is the key... Because deals, careers, and fortunes are made there.
Hailey's agent, Caroline has made the cut... she is part of the inner circle and during the most recent poker game...made a bet she thought she couldn't lose...but she did... and now she has to pay up... Meaning Hailey will...and this is where all the fun begins...
Dex, the winning PR extraordinaire, won the bet...The deal is he needs a Nice Girl for his Playboy superstar baseball player pronto... to clean up a serious image problem... and Hailey's demographics of readers fits the bill... so she will be his Nice girlfriend for a month; clean up his image and then fade out... it will be a win-win for everyone because she has a new book coming out... she can piggyback on his charming way with the press and get a little experience of not screwing up her interviews, etc...and all will be happy... at least that is the plan from the agents' perceptive...
What takes place is something a little different... From a disastrous encounter to the rude and hurtful first official meeting... this had all the signs of not working... he said things which cut to the bone...she had her own history which made them even more sharp... but she also had a true sense of who and what she believed in... and held to it.
Connor was a man who had learned lessons... wanted to be better but really thought he was best alone. Experiencing things from Hailey's perceptive opened his eyes... made him understand much more about being undervalued... what it felt like and how it could make one react... As the two of them play this game of dating... both begin to view each other differently... they become friends... and maybe more...
What was such a treat in this story was the realism about writing... how it isn't all fun games and easy. There were discussions about timelines and days of deadlines; there were book readings and tours... and the idea of others not seeing it as a real profession.
There was depth in the characters and how they interacted... he was much more than the public knew... or what she had thought... She was strong and I admired it... but she also held onto the hurt feelings, I felt, for longer than necessary... then again... I am a bit of a softy...
There were interesting secondary characters and due to this being part of a series... I could see how all of them were so close together... It didn't take away...just made me make a mental note to look up the other books for future reading.
If you are interested in smart dialogue; the makings of PR and inside stuff with a sweet story of how two different people can be just the right blend...then this will be a satisfying read.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free
Right after finishing this book, this crossed my mind...
You know when you see a movie and it is about making a movie... you get to experience all the parts usually hidden...like the process of shooting Day for Night. This process allows the cameras and film to be like night even though they are shot during the day...A movie of the same name in 1973 by Ferrand Truffaut was made and it covered exactly this and used it as a metaphor for the goings on and romances on the set during the filming.
I mention all of this because in this book the subject isn't moviemaking but involves authors, books, PR, connections and the process of marketing...things, we would be interested... and puts it together with the need to redeem a playboy sports figure with a "nice" girl....and said nice girl is a YA author. She is mildly successful but totally uncomfortable with interviews, photo opportunities or social media.
Hailey becomes paired with the mega sports star Connor because of a legendary, whispered about but never revealed poker game played by only the top agents, movers, and shakers in the entertainment/sports/media world. To get a seat at the table is like being a part of an inner circle that doesn't exist... no one knows how to become part of it...yet everyone hopes to be there at some point in their career...and to stay there once there. That is the key... Because deals, careers, and fortunes are made there.
Hailey's agent, Caroline has made the cut... she is part of the inner circle and during the most recent poker game...made a bet she thought she couldn't lose...but she did... and now she has to pay up... Meaning Hailey will...and this is where all the fun begins...
Dex, the winning PR extraordinaire, won the bet...The deal is he needs a Nice Girl for his Playboy superstar baseball player pronto... to clean up a serious image problem... and Hailey's demographics of readers fits the bill... so she will be his Nice girlfriend for a month; clean up his image and then fade out... it will be a win-win for everyone because she has a new book coming out... she can piggyback on his charming way with the press and get a little experience of not screwing up her interviews, etc...and all will be happy... at least that is the plan from the agents' perceptive...
What takes place is something a little different... From a disastrous encounter to the rude and hurtful first official meeting... this had all the signs of not working... he said things which cut to the bone...she had her own history which made them even more sharp... but she also had a true sense of who and what she believed in... and held to it.
Connor was a man who had learned lessons... wanted to be better but really thought he was best alone. Experiencing things from Hailey's perceptive opened his eyes... made him understand much more about being undervalued... what it felt like and how it could make one react... As the two of them play this game of dating... both begin to view each other differently... they become friends... and maybe more...
What was such a treat in this story was the realism about writing... how it isn't all fun games and easy. There were discussions about timelines and days of deadlines; there were book readings and tours... and the idea of others not seeing it as a real profession.
There was depth in the characters and how they interacted... he was much more than the public knew... or what she had thought... She was strong and I admired it... but she also held onto the hurt feelings, I felt, for longer than necessary... then again... I am a bit of a softy...
There were interesting secondary characters and due to this being part of a series... I could see how all of them were so close together... It didn't take away...just made me make a mental note to look up the other books for future reading.
If you are interested in smart dialogue; the makings of PR and inside stuff with a sweet story of how two different people can be just the right blend...then this will be a satisfying read.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
August 25, 2016
This was sooo GOOD! This is a new to me author and I loved every minute reading about how the arrogant, sexy jock fell for the bookish and smart nerdy girl. Nerdy, why? Because she's a writer and very low maintenance...I think that makes her normal!
Connor Ryan was your typical successful, hot, sexy and don't-I-know-it arrogant, but charming shortstop. He won me over quickly with his vulnerability and witty comebacks. He needed his image cleaned up. Fast.
Enter Hailey Tate, a successful, media shy YA writer. She's the girl next door, the sweet and smart woman worthy of reforming Connors bad boy image.
Starting out as enemies, then reluctant friends, to close confidants and finally, a couple. The banter was hilarious and very fresh. I loved Hailey, loved her no-nonsense, low maintenance vibe. Connor was a true gentleman. He was nothing like his media persona, but it took some time for him and Hailey to realize they were each other's ones. The speech Connor gave her at the end made me melt. I read it twice.
I absolutely adored this. It was quite clean, no sex here. But again, like another fave author of mine, Kristan Higgins, when the caliber and quality of a story is so perfect, the sex isn't missed. I even loved the title, that made me notice this initially. Even the cover represents our couple perfectly. This is part of a series but very much works as a standalone. I'm hoping there's more to come from this series, Dane's story would be interesting. Loved it!
Connor Ryan was your typical successful, hot, sexy and don't-I-know-it arrogant, but charming shortstop. He won me over quickly with his vulnerability and witty comebacks. He needed his image cleaned up. Fast.
Enter Hailey Tate, a successful, media shy YA writer. She's the girl next door, the sweet and smart woman worthy of reforming Connors bad boy image.
Starting out as enemies, then reluctant friends, to close confidants and finally, a couple. The banter was hilarious and very fresh. I loved Hailey, loved her no-nonsense, low maintenance vibe. Connor was a true gentleman. He was nothing like his media persona, but it took some time for him and Hailey to realize they were each other's ones. The speech Connor gave her at the end made me melt. I read it twice.
I absolutely adored this. It was quite clean, no sex here. But again, like another fave author of mine, Kristan Higgins, when the caliber and quality of a story is so perfect, the sex isn't missed. I even loved the title, that made me notice this initially. Even the cover represents our couple perfectly. This is part of a series but very much works as a standalone. I'm hoping there's more to come from this series, Dane's story would be interesting. Loved it!
January 12, 2015
Sometimes what you think you need and what you really need are two different things. I loved Hailey's personality off the bat. She did not apologize for being who she was and she was comfortable in her own skin. Connor and her have a good chemistry that builds and builds until it combusts. It was a great read! : )
August 17, 2017
4.5 Stars
This book was so cute, I totally fell in love with Connor (even though he’s a jerk at first). This book showed up in a bookbub email when i was in the middle of a book slump so, since what I had been reading wasn’t getting me out of the slump I went with something new. Aside from the blurb, bookbub also told me it was a contemporary romance. I had never read the author before, or heard of her, so I was totally blind going into this book. It was surprisingly enjoyable.
Hailey is a young adult author allergic to the limelight. So, when her agent loses a bet that will have Hailey front and center with the hottest baseball player on the east coast, she’s less than thrilled. Connor has quite the reputation with women and after being caught in a compromising position with a teammates girlfriend, he needs an image update, fast. What could clean up his image faster than a sweet, shy young adult author?
I really enjoyed Connor and Hailey’s story, it was sweet and funny and heartfelt. I was sad as I got closer to the end of the book, I wasn’t ready to give up my time with Hailey and Connor. I had a bit of trouble classifying it; due to the characters age, I wanted to call it New Adult but there’s no sex…am I just a dirty filthy reader I’m confused by something with no sex? Lol! Is it Chick Lit? Does Chick Lit have sex? I can’t call it young adult, the characters aren’t the right age for that. IDK. It's good though.
This book was so cute, I totally fell in love with Connor (even though he’s a jerk at first). This book showed up in a bookbub email when i was in the middle of a book slump so, since what I had been reading wasn’t getting me out of the slump I went with something new. Aside from the blurb, bookbub also told me it was a contemporary romance. I had never read the author before, or heard of her, so I was totally blind going into this book. It was surprisingly enjoyable.
Hailey is a young adult author allergic to the limelight. So, when her agent loses a bet that will have Hailey front and center with the hottest baseball player on the east coast, she’s less than thrilled. Connor has quite the reputation with women and after being caught in a compromising position with a teammates girlfriend, he needs an image update, fast. What could clean up his image faster than a sweet, shy young adult author?
I really enjoyed Connor and Hailey’s story, it was sweet and funny and heartfelt. I was sad as I got closer to the end of the book, I wasn’t ready to give up my time with Hailey and Connor. I had a bit of trouble classifying it; due to the characters age, I wanted to call it New Adult but there’s no sex…am I just a dirty filthy reader I’m confused by something with no sex? Lol! Is it Chick Lit? Does Chick Lit have sex? I can’t call it young adult, the characters aren’t the right age for that. IDK. It's good though.
April 27, 2015
Oh. My. God.
You guys, this is so good! I freakin loved it! LOVED. IT.
I stayed up really late reading this. You know how long it's been since the last time I was so engrossed with a book I gave up sleep just to see what would happen next? Too damn long, that's how long.
I feel like I couldn't gush enough about it. If you want to read a sweet romance, where all you seem to do is giggle while reading, one that'll hit you right in the feels, with an awesome pair for main characters, then look no more, The Catching Kind is the book for you.
You guys, this is so good! I freakin loved it! LOVED. IT.
I stayed up really late reading this. You know how long it's been since the last time I was so engrossed with a book I gave up sleep just to see what would happen next? Too damn long, that's how long.
I feel like I couldn't gush enough about it. If you want to read a sweet romance, where all you seem to do is giggle while reading, one that'll hit you right in the feels, with an awesome pair for main characters, then look no more, The Catching Kind is the book for you.
April 8, 2022
4 stars. Better than what I was expecting it to be after the first few chapters. I actually almost quit reading. The hero started out being a HUGE asshole but the heroine put him in his place and I ended up really liking him. The heroine started out a little too passive but she really showed her backbone when it came to the hero.
Safe; clean romance, no om drama, some ow drama bc there are a lot of women who hit on the hero, and hero has typically only dated models so it makes the heroine feel extremely unsure of herself, no cheating, hero portrayed as a manwhore but apparently he wasn’t as bad as initially thought.
Safe; clean romance, no om drama, some ow drama bc there are a lot of women who hit on the hero, and hero has typically only dated models so it makes the heroine feel extremely unsure of herself, no cheating, hero portrayed as a manwhore but apparently he wasn’t as bad as initially thought.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2017
This is third in a series and I highly recommend reading all the previous ones first. Except 2.5 (Love in Tune) which is only barely related. Seriously, this is a tight-knit friend-group and you want all the character back stories.
This was in some ways better than the previous and in some ways not. It's less shiny/perfect and so a little more relatable (for all the hero is a major sports figure and very rich). Hailey's friends and their environment is much more nuanced in this one and that was an improvement. OTOH, Connor is the rockiest of the leading men so far and that hurt my engagement quite a bit. Also: technical issues.
Hailey is pretty awesome. I liked her for her quiet grounding and good sense. Yeah, she doesn't like being in public and she's noticeably awkward and shy. And until this story starts she sees no reason to change that and I'm glad that she reconsidered over the course of the book (after all, her career is, more or less, dependent on happy fans and being able to deal graciously with them is a valuable and useful career skill). And I love this exchange regarding Hailey saying that nobody would buy them being together:
Anyway, I still enjoyed the book. Hailey was awesome and using my superpower of editing things in my head allowed me to move on from Connor's initial impression when I couldn't have otherwise. And, as always, the banter is very enjoyable. So yeah, more please?
A note about technical issues: This one had way more technical/editing problems that the others so far. Basic editing mistakes like dropped or added or misused words. Starting with referencing the "Newbury Award" as a thing that exists (hint: Newbery Medal—yes, I had to look it up, but so could an actual editor). This was intrusively noticeable and I hope it doesn't indicate a trend for this author's work.
A note about Chaste: This is the least chaste of Quinlan's books so far (that I have read), though I still consider it definitively so. It isn't the kissing because, as in the others, the kissing only really happens in the end. But there is a scene or two of physical proximity while sleeping, including one incident in the same bed. Nothing more than light cuddling (not even kissing) and clothing was nighttime-appropriate, but still enough contact that others may want to filter to their personal taste/tolerance.
This was in some ways better than the previous and in some ways not. It's less shiny/perfect and so a little more relatable (for all the hero is a major sports figure and very rich). Hailey's friends and their environment is much more nuanced in this one and that was an improvement. OTOH, Connor is the rockiest of the leading men so far and that hurt my engagement quite a bit. Also: technical issues.
Hailey is pretty awesome. I liked her for her quiet grounding and good sense. Yeah, she doesn't like being in public and she's noticeably awkward and shy. And until this story starts she sees no reason to change that and I'm glad that she reconsidered over the course of the book (after all, her career is, more or less, dependent on happy fans and being able to deal graciously with them is a valuable and useful career skill). And I love this exchange regarding Hailey saying that nobody would buy them being together:
“You're selling yourself short.”Which leads me to Connor. The hoser. Connor does not come off well in their first meeting. He treats Hailey with disdain and contempt on first meeting her, before he knows who she is. Which ticks her off. And the readers. And that puts Quinlan in a real bind in trying to redeem his character as the story progresses. I mean, with that beginning, we need to either have a redemption arc or learn something mitigating. Veeeeery mitigating. And, in my opinion, Quinlan didn't deliver.
That ticked me off. I had reached my limit. I don’t think anyone had ever found my limit before. I stopped—right there on the sidewalk—forcing people to go around us.
“No. I'm not. I'm selling you short. You'd never be interested in anyone other than for how she looks on your arm.”
Anyway, I still enjoyed the book. Hailey was awesome and using my superpower of editing things in my head allowed me to move on from Connor's initial impression when I couldn't have otherwise. And, as always, the banter is very enjoyable. So yeah, more please?
A note about technical issues: This one had way more technical/editing problems that the others so far. Basic editing mistakes like dropped or added or misused words. Starting with referencing the "Newbury Award" as a thing that exists (hint: Newbery Medal—yes, I had to look it up, but so could an actual editor). This was intrusively noticeable and I hope it doesn't indicate a trend for this author's work.
A note about Chaste: This is the least chaste of Quinlan's books so far (that I have read), though I still consider it definitively so. It isn't the kissing because, as in the others, the kissing only really happens in the end. But there is a scene or two of physical proximity while sleeping, including one incident in the same bed. Nothing more than light cuddling (not even kissing) and clothing was nighttime-appropriate, but still enough contact that others may want to filter to their personal taste/tolerance.
July 29, 2016
By far, the best book in this series. Again, a bit tame for NA.
Even though Hailey is an old-fashioned paranormal writer, doesn’t care about her looks and appearance, a lot shy and introverted, but when fake paired with Connor, a bad boy baseball player, everything turned upside down. Her quiet life went down the hills when she started the charade with the hottest baseball player.
Good thing Connor knows how to catch.
And good thing Hailey knows how to fiddle with debacles.
The only downside here was the interesting conflicts.
There weren't many.
But overall, an almost polished read.
August 21, 2017
Wow I completely enjoyed this whole thing. The story line, the characters and the writing! I loved the writing. Witty banter, great chemistry, no silly cliche nonsense. This was just a fun book and I can't wait to read everything else by this author. I had no idea I started in the middle of a series, but you can't tell at all. This was it's very own story, with a strong but soft female lead and an amazing leading man! This had a little alcohol drinking and some references to sex that are very light and not any any way innuendo. Mostly just rumors. This is a great book for a YA and older. There is no sex and only one kissing scene but the tension weaved through out was great and you didn't miss any of that.
April 25, 2018
5++++ 'Let's Pretend I Don't Hate You' Stars!!!!
What's it about? This is a very sweet, hilarious romance about two people who cant stand each other, needing to convince the world that they're in love.
A fabulously hilarious, sarcastic, smart, owns-no-make-up author enters a deal where she must pretend-date a fabulously hilarious, sarcastic, smart, professional athlete...
The best bits: Hailey and Connor. I can't remember the last time I liked a heroine so much!
The worst bits: The Dane storyline sort of seemed... under-developed. A little. Maybe ge gets his own book?
Recommended for: lovers of sweet romantic comedies (no sex or steamyness here). This is a light and fun read... I loved it!!!
What's it about? This is a very sweet, hilarious romance about two people who cant stand each other, needing to convince the world that they're in love.
A fabulously hilarious, sarcastic, smart, owns-no-make-up author enters a deal where she must pretend-date a fabulously hilarious, sarcastic, smart, professional athlete...
The best bits: Hailey and Connor. I can't remember the last time I liked a heroine so much!
The worst bits: The Dane storyline sort of seemed... under-developed. A little. Maybe ge gets his own book?
Recommended for: lovers of sweet romantic comedies (no sex or steamyness here). This is a light and fun read... I loved it!!!
August 3, 2017
If there's one thing best selling author Hailey Tate hates, it's being the center of attention. She freezes and doesn't know what to say or do. So when her agent tells her that she lost a bet and Hailey is the prize, she doesn't know whether to run away or just get it over with.
Connor Ryan is America's Sexiest Athlete and resident Bad Boy of Baseball. "Caught" in one too many compromising positions, his agent tells him he needs to clean up his act or he will be out of baseball for good. So when his agent wins a bet and Hailey is the prize, he doesn't know whether he'll keep his heart or lose it to the spunky, tell it like it is, girl next door, Hailey.
From the moment Hailey and Connor meet it's dislike at first sight. Neither of them like the position their agents have put them in but know it's for the best for both of them and their careers. So the sooner they can get this fake relationship over and done with, the sooner the both of them can get back to their normal lives. But what happens when dislike turns to like and like turns to... love? Will opposites really attract? Or do Hailey and Connor have more in common then they think?
This book was SO adorable! I loved watching Hailey and Connor's relationship grow. It was definitely believable and I found myself rooting for them from almost the very beginning. Their witty banter, cute arguments and sweet, touching scenes had me letting out little dreamy sighs throughout the book. I can't wait to read The Proposing Kind to see more of Hailey and Connor's HEA!
Brew Ha Ha is definitely a fun series! And I am secretly hoping we'll get another book or two. I would love to see who finally catches Dane! ;)
It should come as no surprise that Bria Quinlan has been added to my favorite authors list! I can't wait to read more by her!
And of course we can't forget my casting! What do you think? ;)
Connor Ryan is America's Sexiest Athlete and resident Bad Boy of Baseball. "Caught" in one too many compromising positions, his agent tells him he needs to clean up his act or he will be out of baseball for good. So when his agent wins a bet and Hailey is the prize, he doesn't know whether he'll keep his heart or lose it to the spunky, tell it like it is, girl next door, Hailey.
From the moment Hailey and Connor meet it's dislike at first sight. Neither of them like the position their agents have put them in but know it's for the best for both of them and their careers. So the sooner they can get this fake relationship over and done with, the sooner the both of them can get back to their normal lives. But what happens when dislike turns to like and like turns to... love? Will opposites really attract? Or do Hailey and Connor have more in common then they think?
This book was SO adorable! I loved watching Hailey and Connor's relationship grow. It was definitely believable and I found myself rooting for them from almost the very beginning. Their witty banter, cute arguments and sweet, touching scenes had me letting out little dreamy sighs throughout the book. I can't wait to read The Proposing Kind to see more of Hailey and Connor's HEA!
Brew Ha Ha is definitely a fun series! And I am secretly hoping we'll get another book or two. I would love to see who finally catches Dane! ;)
It should come as no surprise that Bria Quinlan has been added to my favorite authors list! I can't wait to read more by her!
And of course we can't forget my casting! What do you think? ;)
March 15, 2022
This was cute and read!
Also, I can't believe that I went through a book that didn't had any actual kissing until like very end; like after 85% of it. Specially when it was fake dating trope
But as I said I was really cute and banter is pretty amazing, hero is adorable :)
Also, I can't believe that I went through a book that didn't had any actual kissing until like very end; like after 85% of it. Specially when it was fake dating trope
But as I said I was really cute and banter is pretty amazing, hero is adorable :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2019
The Catching Kind is a typical story of a nerdy, introvert girl and a cocky jock who pretends to be in a romantic relationship and ends up falling for each other. The story is predictable and not exactly unique but I'm a sucker for really sweet and romantic contemporary that I absolutely LOVE it. This is one of those books where you know from the start who's going to end up with who but you just have to know the how. And that's exactly what I did. And I love every second of it.
Hailey Tate is a writer. She's also sweet, funny and sassy. I love seeing her come out of her shell throughout the book. She was introduced as a quiet, shy person who never argues with anyone except with her closest friends and I was afraid she's going to be that girl who turns out to be unbearably shy and afraid of confrontations and ends up being unlikable. Fortunately that wasn't the case. She turned out to be a strong and independent heroine who stands by her beliefs and I admire that about her. I especially love seeing her argue with Connor. Their flirty and playful banter is way too funny to not love.
Connor freakin' Ryan. He's a professional baseball player who throws balls that defy gravity, a womanizer and secretly a guy with a heart of gold. He's not exactly the bad boy type with a dark past. Aside from his playboy image, he's actually really sweet, gentle, smart and fun to be with. I. Am. In. Love. (Be still my beating heart)
"There's not a lot of sleeping involved when I stay over my girlfriend's house."
I love the dynamic between Hailey and Connor. They complement each other so perfectly I don't think I've ever met a couple more perfect than them. They're humorous and absolutely adorable together. There was no insta-love so I really enjoyed the slow build to the romance and I was like "What is wrong with you two?! Get together and have babies already!" for the most part of the book.
'Because when you didn't realize how deep you were in, you could only fall further.'
I cannot tell you enough how amazing this book is! I love the dialogue, the characters (both main and secondary) and the brilliant writing that felt flawless and engaging. The only complain I do have is that frustrating ending. I need one more chapter! I cannot believe that's the end for Hailey and Connor. No. Just NO.
I've never read a book by Caitie Quinn and I'm very excited to learn that this book is a part of a series. I guess I'll go ahead and stalk her in all her social media from now on.
I highly recommend The Catching Kind to everyone (especially those who loved Jenny Jones' Save the Date as much as I did)!
I received an e-arc of the book from NetGalley to read and review. Quotes cited may change in the final print.
Hailey Tate is a writer. She's also sweet, funny and sassy. I love seeing her come out of her shell throughout the book. She was introduced as a quiet, shy person who never argues with anyone except with her closest friends and I was afraid she's going to be that girl who turns out to be unbearably shy and afraid of confrontations and ends up being unlikable. Fortunately that wasn't the case. She turned out to be a strong and independent heroine who stands by her beliefs and I admire that about her. I especially love seeing her argue with Connor. Their flirty and playful banter is way too funny to not love.
Connor freakin' Ryan. He's a professional baseball player who throws balls that defy gravity, a womanizer and secretly a guy with a heart of gold. He's not exactly the bad boy type with a dark past. Aside from his playboy image, he's actually really sweet, gentle, smart and fun to be with. I. Am. In. Love. (Be still my beating heart)
"There's not a lot of sleeping involved when I stay over my girlfriend's house."
I love the dynamic between Hailey and Connor. They complement each other so perfectly I don't think I've ever met a couple more perfect than them. They're humorous and absolutely adorable together. There was no insta-love so I really enjoyed the slow build to the romance and I was like "What is wrong with you two?! Get together and have babies already!" for the most part of the book.
'Because when you didn't realize how deep you were in, you could only fall further.'
I cannot tell you enough how amazing this book is! I love the dialogue, the characters (both main and secondary) and the brilliant writing that felt flawless and engaging. The only complain I do have is that frustrating ending. I need one more chapter! I cannot believe that's the end for Hailey and Connor. No. Just NO.
I've never read a book by Caitie Quinn and I'm very excited to learn that this book is a part of a series. I guess I'll go ahead and stalk her in all her social media from now on.
I highly recommend The Catching Kind to everyone (especially those who loved Jenny Jones' Save the Date as much as I did)!
I received an e-arc of the book from NetGalley to read and review. Quotes cited may change in the final print.
November 12, 2020
So Good!
I really enjoyed this one! The Brew Ha Ha series has quickly become a favorite of mine and I can't wait to read more.
Hailey is a fun character, I loved her spunk. She is a YA author and it was fun to see that side of things, I would totally read her books. ;) She is thrown for a loop when her editor gets her roped in to pretending to be the girlfriend of the super famous bad-boy baseball player, Conner Ryan. The two could not be more opposite and the sparks fly from their first encounter. I liked that Hailey wasn’t afraid to be herself and to put him in his place. I wasn’t sure if Conner could win me over, but he does. I ended up really liking them together, great chemistry. What I liked most is the friendship that grows between them, I love relationships built on friendship and then grow into something more. They just seem so much more stable and able to go the distance.
Overall, I thought this was fun. The story was well paced and I liked how the relationship and character growth felt believable. If you haven’t checked out this series yet, you’re missing out!
Content Rated PG
Romance: Clean. Kissing. Talk of past relationships, sleeping around, nothing overly detailed
Language: Mild, maybe 3 cuss words
Brew Ha Ha Series
I really enjoyed this one! The Brew Ha Ha series has quickly become a favorite of mine and I can't wait to read more.
Hailey is a fun character, I loved her spunk. She is a YA author and it was fun to see that side of things, I would totally read her books. ;) She is thrown for a loop when her editor gets her roped in to pretending to be the girlfriend of the super famous bad-boy baseball player, Conner Ryan. The two could not be more opposite and the sparks fly from their first encounter. I liked that Hailey wasn’t afraid to be herself and to put him in his place. I wasn’t sure if Conner could win me over, but he does. I ended up really liking them together, great chemistry. What I liked most is the friendship that grows between them, I love relationships built on friendship and then grow into something more. They just seem so much more stable and able to go the distance.
Overall, I thought this was fun. The story was well paced and I liked how the relationship and character growth felt believable. If you haven’t checked out this series yet, you’re missing out!
Content Rated PG
Romance: Clean. Kissing. Talk of past relationships, sleeping around, nothing overly detailed
Language: Mild, maybe 3 cuss words
Brew Ha Ha Series
October 19, 2015
I received this book early because I stalk, er, I mean, harass-- Okay, I fangirl over Bria/Caitie like a teenager at a One Direction concert. So when the opportunity to read something of hers came up, I WAS ON IT.
I always enjoy her work. Always. She's a guaranteed read for me and has been since day one. But this one... this one is different. This one is perfection.
The Catching Kind is about Hailey, who is a writer and also doesn't like public attention. A woman after my own heart. And then Connor--the baseball playing, dazzling smile wearing, extra flirty and cute playboy.
I won't tell you anything more. Because why wreck for you?
What I WILL tell you is that this book is the author's best writing yet. It's fluid and elegant. Her dialogue and character development were top notch. She took me on this journey with humor and wit and charm and I got sucked in. I thought I was safe in happy romance land. And then she hit me in the feels, all subtle-like. I can count on one hand how many writers pull me in that deep. This is one.
Whether you've read all of her books or this is your first, you will love it. It's a masterpiece, a work of art. It's the kind of book that inspires me to do everything in my life better.
I thought I was a crazy fan before, apparently not. So looking forward to the next one. And every one she writes form now until forever.
Well done, lady, well done.
I always enjoy her work. Always. She's a guaranteed read for me and has been since day one. But this one... this one is different. This one is perfection.
The Catching Kind is about Hailey, who is a writer and also doesn't like public attention. A woman after my own heart. And then Connor--the baseball playing, dazzling smile wearing, extra flirty and cute playboy.
I won't tell you anything more. Because why wreck for you?
What I WILL tell you is that this book is the author's best writing yet. It's fluid and elegant. Her dialogue and character development were top notch. She took me on this journey with humor and wit and charm and I got sucked in. I thought I was safe in happy romance land. And then she hit me in the feels, all subtle-like. I can count on one hand how many writers pull me in that deep. This is one.
Whether you've read all of her books or this is your first, you will love it. It's a masterpiece, a work of art. It's the kind of book that inspires me to do everything in my life better.
I thought I was a crazy fan before, apparently not. So looking forward to the next one. And every one she writes form now until forever.
Well done, lady, well done.
March 27, 2023
3.5 stars.
This is a cute read with fun characters and side characters. However, it left me a bit unsatisfied. This is a fake dating trope with two successful people and I loved that the woman knew her own worth and set great boundaries.
The biggest dissatisfaction is with the ending. They finally admit to each other they are in love at the very end. And when I say the end, I mean I was listening to the audiobook and it's with THREE MINUTES LEFT! No epilogue. No explanation of what changed. Just
"I want to be with you. How about you?"
"Me too."
Let's kiss.
The end.
It's so abrupt! I would have loved an extra hour of the audiobook as they share what changed and start to explore a life where they are together. It's especially jarring because they both are saying "I don't want/need a relationship" until that point. Sure, we get a smidgeon of the heroine being sad that they aren't together, but she doesn't even admit that she likes the guy to her best friend.
I LOVED that when the fake dating thing is set up, the woman says, "this better not cost me a dime. I will do what I need to, buy the clothes, etc... but I'm not spending my own money". Yes. That's the way it should be. Plus, she doesn't bow to the hero when he insists "we're adults. I should be allowed to sleep in your bed". She sets bright line boundaries and sticks to them.
This book was great... but could have been so much better if more time was spent on building up their relationship and really working things through. The heroine grew up with a sporty, playboy dad who cheated on her mom. And while that comes up in the very beginning, it's not discussed as she starts falling for the hero.
The hero treats her TERRIBLY in the beginning and I'm not completely convinced that he is a worthwhile hero at the end. He explains himself away a lot... so they kind of address it. But, I'm wary of anyone treating a stranger like he does. He has a huge reputation of being a manwhore, and that's one of the things he explains away.
So, while I enjoyed it, I'm not sure of their longevity as a couple. I started this series at this book and there are some unexplained things that don't completely make sense to me. Perhaps if I read the series, I'll get more on this couple and other situations going on. Like her friend Dane and his whole (according to her best friend) "I'm going to screw around for now but marry [the heroine] when I'm done". That's so gross and weird out of context. Not sure if I'll get context for that, but the book was a fun audiobook so I'll give the rest of the series a try.
This is a cute read with fun characters and side characters. However, it left me a bit unsatisfied. This is a fake dating trope with two successful people and I loved that the woman knew her own worth and set great boundaries.
The biggest dissatisfaction is with the ending. They finally admit to each other they are in love at the very end. And when I say the end, I mean I was listening to the audiobook and it's with THREE MINUTES LEFT! No epilogue. No explanation of what changed. Just
"I want to be with you. How about you?"
"Me too."
Let's kiss.
The end.
It's so abrupt! I would have loved an extra hour of the audiobook as they share what changed and start to explore a life where they are together. It's especially jarring because they both are saying "I don't want/need a relationship" until that point. Sure, we get a smidgeon of the heroine being sad that they aren't together, but she doesn't even admit that she likes the guy to her best friend.
I LOVED that when the fake dating thing is set up, the woman says, "this better not cost me a dime. I will do what I need to, buy the clothes, etc... but I'm not spending my own money". Yes. That's the way it should be. Plus, she doesn't bow to the hero when he insists "we're adults. I should be allowed to sleep in your bed". She sets bright line boundaries and sticks to them.
This book was great... but could have been so much better if more time was spent on building up their relationship and really working things through. The heroine grew up with a sporty, playboy dad who cheated on her mom. And while that comes up in the very beginning, it's not discussed as she starts falling for the hero.
The hero treats her TERRIBLY in the beginning and I'm not completely convinced that he is a worthwhile hero at the end. He explains himself away a lot... so they kind of address it. But, I'm wary of anyone treating a stranger like he does. He has a huge reputation of being a manwhore, and that's one of the things he explains away.
So, while I enjoyed it, I'm not sure of their longevity as a couple. I started this series at this book and there are some unexplained things that don't completely make sense to me. Perhaps if I read the series, I'll get more on this couple and other situations going on. Like her friend Dane and his whole (according to her best friend) "I'm going to screw around for now but marry [the heroine] when I'm done". That's so gross and weird out of context. Not sure if I'll get context for that, but the book was a fun audiobook so I'll give the rest of the series a try.
February 10, 2018
Connor and Hallie maybe my favorite couple in the Brew Ha Ha series yet.
March 4, 2018
*4.5
Really liked this book. It was cute, funny and the characters were very likeable. Plus, the connection between the two was perfect. Just thought the ending was too rushed.
Really liked this book. It was cute, funny and the characters were very likeable. Plus, the connection between the two was perfect. Just thought the ending was too rushed.
March 8, 2017
This is the final story in the Brew Ha Ha series, and I'm so sad to see it end. But thank goodness The Catching Kind is a full-length novel, because I loved every single page of this book!
This enemies-to-lovers/opposites attract story has actually been done before. The famous playboy athlete vs. the quiet bookish girl-next-door. But it's never before been done with such charming, delightful characters.
Hailey Tate and Connor Ryan are set-up by their agents. Connor's agent needs someone to help un-sully Connor's reputation, and Hailey's agent thinks she could use some extra publicity for her upcoming book release. Despite getting off on the wrong foot with each other, they both learn that neither is what they first seemed.
I have loved every book in this series, but this one is my favorite (it was also the one I read first - but instead of being confused about the other characters, it made me want to read about them all!). Sometimes a slow-burn romance can be frustrating, but this story was well paced and moved along nicely. As with the other books in the series, the characters are charming, the dialogue witty, and the overall tone is just...sweet. No alpha males, no insta-love/insta-lust, no over-the-top angst. A realistic, believable story about a relationship between two likable people who come from two different worlds. Then decide they want to be IN each other's world.
If there is one thing I think the author could do a little more of, it's character development. We get to see a little bit about what makes Connor "tick," but not much about Hailey and her past. I also usually feel unsatisfied with a happy-for-now ending, which all of these books have. But the rest of the book is so satisfyingly refreshing, that it didn't wipe the smile off my face when I finished reading.
Sometimes I feel like reading a sweet, romantic story that just makes me feel good while I'm reading. And I keep coming back to this series because I haven't found anything else like it. I'm sure I'll come back to it again and again!
This enemies-to-lovers/opposites attract story has actually been done before. The famous playboy athlete vs. the quiet bookish girl-next-door. But it's never before been done with such charming, delightful characters.
Hailey Tate and Connor Ryan are set-up by their agents. Connor's agent needs someone to help un-sully Connor's reputation, and Hailey's agent thinks she could use some extra publicity for her upcoming book release. Despite getting off on the wrong foot with each other, they both learn that neither is what they first seemed.
I have loved every book in this series, but this one is my favorite (it was also the one I read first - but instead of being confused about the other characters, it made me want to read about them all!). Sometimes a slow-burn romance can be frustrating, but this story was well paced and moved along nicely. As with the other books in the series, the characters are charming, the dialogue witty, and the overall tone is just...sweet. No alpha males, no insta-love/insta-lust, no over-the-top angst. A realistic, believable story about a relationship between two likable people who come from two different worlds. Then decide they want to be IN each other's world.
If there is one thing I think the author could do a little more of, it's character development. We get to see a little bit about what makes Connor "tick," but not much about Hailey and her past. I also usually feel unsatisfied with a happy-for-now ending, which all of these books have. But the rest of the book is so satisfyingly refreshing, that it didn't wipe the smile off my face when I finished reading.
Sometimes I feel like reading a sweet, romantic story that just makes me feel good while I'm reading. And I keep coming back to this series because I haven't found anything else like it. I'm sure I'll come back to it again and again!
August 11, 2016
I have many feelings about this book... not many are positive.
I'll start with the plot; it was slow. Nothing happened 50% through the book. It was Connor and Haily meeting and they fight all the time. That's it. Now you can skip half the book because that was an accurate summary and you wouldn't miss anything. The second half was them getting along, but no romance and lots of unrequited love. Actually, the whole book is unrequited love until the last two pages. Literally the last two. Yes, I'm saying the word 'literally' correctly. Everything is wrapped up in a pretty bow in TWO PAGES.
The characters bore me. Connor was too perfect and didn't have any depth. He was the 'perfect' guy with no flaws which made him unattainable. I would like to hear more about his past but all we got was him telling a stupid story about him being the shortest guy in his class, which wasn't even a story but more of a gloss over. Otherwise we get nothing else about him. It's very superficial... why should I fall in love with someone I can't connect with? I need more than his looks.
Haily was fine. She's saucy and fun.... nothing to really talk about there. No past whatsoever. Again it was superficial.
The writing was off. Caitie Quinn thinks it's okay to randomly capatilize words in a sentence. Some of these gems include: A Look (giving someone a certain look), My First (being the first of something that's not virginity), among other words I need to go back and catch. It annoyed me to no end. These words did NOT need to be capped and it happened way too often.
I do not recommend this book. The plot is boring, characters are bland, and the writing needs work. If you're looking for a fun chick-lit I say pick up Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella.
I'll start with the plot; it was slow. Nothing happened 50% through the book. It was Connor and Haily meeting and they fight all the time. That's it. Now you can skip half the book because that was an accurate summary and you wouldn't miss anything. The second half was them getting along, but no romance and lots of unrequited love. Actually, the whole book is unrequited love until the last two pages. Literally the last two. Yes, I'm saying the word 'literally' correctly. Everything is wrapped up in a pretty bow in TWO PAGES.
The characters bore me. Connor was too perfect and didn't have any depth. He was the 'perfect' guy with no flaws which made him unattainable. I would like to hear more about his past but all we got was him telling a stupid story about him being the shortest guy in his class, which wasn't even a story but more of a gloss over. Otherwise we get nothing else about him. It's very superficial... why should I fall in love with someone I can't connect with? I need more than his looks.
Haily was fine. She's saucy and fun.... nothing to really talk about there. No past whatsoever. Again it was superficial.
The writing was off. Caitie Quinn thinks it's okay to randomly capatilize words in a sentence. Some of these gems include: A Look (giving someone a certain look), My First (being the first of something that's not virginity), among other words I need to go back and catch. It annoyed me to no end. These words did NOT need to be capped and it happened way too often.
I do not recommend this book. The plot is boring, characters are bland, and the writing needs work. If you're looking for a fun chick-lit I say pick up Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella.
November 30, 2016
Caitie Quinn is really changing my view of Contemporary books, which I used to avoid a lot except of the few I have tried.
This is her 2nd long book in this series, but I have to admit I can't choose a favorite from all of them. I just loved the whole thing: the characters, the stories, and the relationships.
Each couple had their own cute adorable moments and looks. I liked the heroines in each, all were low in self esteem, but i loved the hero's who gave them a push in that area and showed them they were worth it and more. In here the low self-esteem has increased due to the indelicate first meeting with the hero, then he had done everything in his power to show her that she was more than beautiful. I liked how the guys were so in to their girl, how they were possessive, how they were natural and at ease with them, especially in this book since the guy was a ballplayer who always gets stalked by media. In here I liked the ball game they went to, and how people told her she was cute, when he came to her book signing, when everyone thought they were cute together and loved her. It was adorable to watch.
This might be a good book as an ending book to the series, but I'm crossing my finger that it isn't, since I'm loving the author and her books.
Overall, *thumbs up*
This is her 2nd long book in this series, but I have to admit I can't choose a favorite from all of them. I just loved the whole thing: the characters, the stories, and the relationships.
Each couple had their own cute adorable moments and looks. I liked the heroines in each, all were low in self esteem, but i loved the hero's who gave them a push in that area and showed them they were worth it and more. In here the low self-esteem has increased due to the indelicate first meeting with the hero, then he had done everything in his power to show her that she was more than beautiful. I liked how the guys were so in to their girl, how they were possessive, how they were natural and at ease with them, especially in this book since the guy was a ballplayer who always gets stalked by media. In here I liked the ball game they went to, and how people told her she was cute, when he came to her book signing, when everyone thought they were cute together and loved her. It was adorable to watch.
This might be a good book as an ending book to the series, but I'm crossing my finger that it isn't, since I'm loving the author and her books.
Overall, *thumbs up*
June 14, 2020
Still as swoony as the first time I read it.
October 15, 2016
3.5 stars
I'm torn about this book. There were a lot of parts I liked a lot but I also almost DNFed it in the first chapter (I'll say why at the end). The only reason I didn't was because I was in the car on the way back from a long day of exploring Monticello and I already started it and was too lazy to choose something else. I did end up enjoying it. Fake it til you make it stories are my weak spot. I can't help but read them. There wasn't a tremendous amount of chemistry between the two main characters, but I did enjoy their banter and interactions. The conflict was resolved in a rational, non-dramatic way. There was a lot in the book that I look for in a romance.
For those readers who enjoy romance tropes, but don't like sex scenes, there adenine in this book so you may want to give it a shot.
HOWEVER there's that first chapter thing that almost made me DNF. When you are in a certain field that is depicted in a book, you want it to be done correctly. Or as correctly as possible. I'm usually pretty lax about how teachers/librarians are shown because I understand how fiction works. But you can't get something wrong that is easy to research via a 1 minute Google search. The heroine is a YA author and she makes a comment about "the Newbury". I very nearly threw my Nook. I roll my eyes when people spell Newbery with a double r. BURY???? HOW EVEN? How difficult is it to type "Newbury Award" into your search bar and discover you are SPELLING IT WRONG???? And then a couple more minutes involving clicking a link would tell you your YA writing characters aren't going to be concerned with winning a Newbery but would be more concerned with who is winning the Printz. (If they care at all. They're writing paranormal romance so chances are they know that is most likely not in their future.) It took me quite a few pages of reading to shake off my annoyance and enjoy.
I'm torn about this book. There were a lot of parts I liked a lot but I also almost DNFed it in the first chapter (I'll say why at the end). The only reason I didn't was because I was in the car on the way back from a long day of exploring Monticello and I already started it and was too lazy to choose something else. I did end up enjoying it. Fake it til you make it stories are my weak spot. I can't help but read them. There wasn't a tremendous amount of chemistry between the two main characters, but I did enjoy their banter and interactions. The conflict was resolved in a rational, non-dramatic way. There was a lot in the book that I look for in a romance.
For those readers who enjoy romance tropes, but don't like sex scenes, there adenine in this book so you may want to give it a shot.
HOWEVER there's that first chapter thing that almost made me DNF. When you are in a certain field that is depicted in a book, you want it to be done correctly. Or as correctly as possible. I'm usually pretty lax about how teachers/librarians are shown because I understand how fiction works. But you can't get something wrong that is easy to research via a 1 minute Google search. The heroine is a YA author and she makes a comment about "the Newbury". I very nearly threw my Nook. I roll my eyes when people spell Newbery with a double r. BURY???? HOW EVEN? How difficult is it to type "Newbury Award" into your search bar and discover you are SPELLING IT WRONG???? And then a couple more minutes involving clicking a link would tell you your YA writing characters aren't going to be concerned with winning a Newbery but would be more concerned with who is winning the Printz. (If they care at all. They're writing paranormal romance so chances are they know that is most likely not in their future.) It took me quite a few pages of reading to shake off my annoyance and enjoy.
February 6, 2015
This was a sweet read. It’s a premise we’ve seen before but it was done well with likeable characters and a smooth, straightforward storyline. Camera-shy and somewhat nerdy YA author, Hailey, is forced to pretend to be the girlfriend of sexy, swoonworthy, Connor, a famous athlete with a bad reputation. As the story progresses, you can guess what happens but, there are some very good moments on the pages in between.
Hailey is a great character. Although she’s shy and doesn’t like the spotlight, don’t be fooled into believing she can be pushed around. Her relationship with Connor is filled with feisty arguments and “I’m drawing the line” situations. Hailey would be the kind of girl I’d love to have as a friend – smart, funny and fiercely loyal. Connor makes a terrible first impression but, lucky for us, there’s more to him than meets the eye. Underneath the cocky, womanizing, playboy is a sweet guy who, quite honestly, is misunderstood by the world at large. As these two are thrown together, we see first nothing…then a spark…then a flame…and, finally, some great chemistry. And here’s where I needed more. I would have liked to spend a few more minutes, a chapter even, with them at the end. I wanted to bask in their happiness but wasn’t given much of a chance. This is a book that could use an epilogue!
I liked watching these two battle each other and get to know each other. It was refreshing that there wasn’t insta-love here. I also enjoyed the internal monologues and the bit of humor that was thrown in. Overall, this was a fun, light read with enjoyable characters and a feel-good ending that I think anyone would enjoy.
Hailey is a great character. Although she’s shy and doesn’t like the spotlight, don’t be fooled into believing she can be pushed around. Her relationship with Connor is filled with feisty arguments and “I’m drawing the line” situations. Hailey would be the kind of girl I’d love to have as a friend – smart, funny and fiercely loyal. Connor makes a terrible first impression but, lucky for us, there’s more to him than meets the eye. Underneath the cocky, womanizing, playboy is a sweet guy who, quite honestly, is misunderstood by the world at large. As these two are thrown together, we see first nothing…then a spark…then a flame…and, finally, some great chemistry. And here’s where I needed more. I would have liked to spend a few more minutes, a chapter even, with them at the end. I wanted to bask in their happiness but wasn’t given much of a chance. This is a book that could use an epilogue!
I liked watching these two battle each other and get to know each other. It was refreshing that there wasn’t insta-love here. I also enjoyed the internal monologues and the bit of humor that was thrown in. Overall, this was a fun, light read with enjoyable characters and a feel-good ending that I think anyone would enjoy.
January 9, 2015
This is a First time author for me. It's not my usually kinda read, but I requested it to give it a go.
That being said it was a pretty cute, funny Clean book. No sex or bad language.
So basically you got Hailey Tate who is camera-shy and a little awkward teens author. She hates to do press or book signing. But being an Author she need to interact with the public. So her agent set up a plan to get her into the spotlight.
Then you have Connor Ryan who is a Bad Boy and America’s Sexiest Baseball player. He was just caught in a fight with his teammates over his girlfriend and a elevator. Conners agent come with the idea to clean his image up.
Conner Agent got together with Hailey Agent and came up with a great plan that is gonna benefit both of them. They Date! At first Conner is A jerk. But over time they come to get along and ......... Well you have to read and check it out.
I LOL thought this book. I loved the side characters too. Great sweet read.
Thanks to All Night Reads for the chance to read and review this book.
That being said it was a pretty cute, funny Clean book. No sex or bad language.
So basically you got Hailey Tate who is camera-shy and a little awkward teens author. She hates to do press or book signing. But being an Author she need to interact with the public. So her agent set up a plan to get her into the spotlight.
Then you have Connor Ryan who is a Bad Boy and America’s Sexiest Baseball player. He was just caught in a fight with his teammates over his girlfriend and a elevator. Conners agent come with the idea to clean his image up.
Conner Agent got together with Hailey Agent and came up with a great plan that is gonna benefit both of them. They Date! At first Conner is A jerk. But over time they come to get along and ......... Well you have to read and check it out.
I LOL thought this book. I loved the side characters too. Great sweet read.
Thanks to All Night Reads for the chance to read and review this book.
July 10, 2017
Re-read, July 2017...ugh, I just LOVE this book. Even more the second time around! This is going to be a yearly re-read for me. And Hailey/Connor's sequel novella comes out tomorrow!! Can't.wait.
This was my favorite of this series!! LOVED the whole thing. Great humor, great chemistry, great (believable!) romance!! And great characters...Abby has got to be one of my favorite side characters of all time (and how sweet was the scene where Connor was trying to make Hailey a chocolate muffin with Abby's over the phone help?).I had a really hard time putting this one down. And at the same time I was so sad to see it end. But the ending was great...Connor's rambling speech to Hailey was perfect. :) I really hope she keeps this series going so I can get a peek into Hailey & Connor's future!!
Ms. Quinn is a new favorite author of mine for sure!
This was my favorite of this series!! LOVED the whole thing. Great humor, great chemistry, great (believable!) romance!! And great characters...Abby has got to be one of my favorite side characters of all time (and how sweet was the scene where Connor was trying to make Hailey a chocolate muffin with Abby's over the phone help?).I had a really hard time putting this one down. And at the same time I was so sad to see it end. But the ending was great...Connor's rambling speech to Hailey was perfect. :) I really hope she keeps this series going so I can get a peek into Hailey & Connor's future!!
Ms. Quinn is a new favorite author of mine for sure!
December 10, 2024
Re-read December 2024
Re-read January 2024
Re-read December 2022
Re-read May 2019
This is one of those books you start reading, and then suddenly there is no more pages. It's a good book that I loved reading.
Guess it can be described as a typical story of fake relationship turned friends turned lovers. But the writing makes this into a unique, adorable and funny story with really interesting characters.
The interaction between Hailey and Connor is extraordinary and is from time to time really really funny.
Re-read January 2024
Re-read December 2022
Re-read May 2019
This is one of those books you start reading, and then suddenly there is no more pages. It's a good book that I loved reading.
Guess it can be described as a typical story of fake relationship turned friends turned lovers. But the writing makes this into a unique, adorable and funny story with really interesting characters.
The interaction between Hailey and Connor is extraordinary and is from time to time really really funny.
January 22, 2022
I still lol when I think about it!
It was love at first page for this excellent book. Once you start reading you won't want to stop. Fast paced , heart- poundingly great!
It was love at first page for this excellent book. Once you start reading you won't want to stop. Fast paced , heart- poundingly great!
January 25, 2018
This was a really lovely and enjoyable story. I absolutely devoured it, and have automatically on-clicked the next book in the series because I was left wanting more of this brilliant couple.
Connor and Hayley totally start off this story hating one another. Thrown together by their agents, in order to hopefully bring one character out of the gutter and clean up his image, and help the other along the way with increasing her exposure.
These two characters start off by absolutely hating one another. Instant thoughts are less than positive on both parts, and it takes time for them to warm up. This is a typical enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance. And I adored it! Easy to read without too much drama. Really refreshing & just what I needed.
This is the first book I have read by this author & I see there are 2 previous books so I definitely want to check those out. It would be great to get more of the back story of Hayley's friends. There were some great secondary characters, so I would love to know more!!
4 Stars
Lou
4TLOReading
Connor and Hayley totally start off this story hating one another. Thrown together by their agents, in order to hopefully bring one character out of the gutter and clean up his image, and help the other along the way with increasing her exposure.
These two characters start off by absolutely hating one another. Instant thoughts are less than positive on both parts, and it takes time for them to warm up. This is a typical enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance. And I adored it! Easy to read without too much drama. Really refreshing & just what I needed.
This is the first book I have read by this author & I see there are 2 previous books so I definitely want to check those out. It would be great to get more of the back story of Hayley's friends. There were some great secondary characters, so I would love to know more!!
4 Stars
Lou
4TLOReading
January 12, 2015
Full review: 4 stars by www.romanceandsmut.com
The Catching Kind starts out the way a thousand other romance novels do: a disgruntled woman late for something gets distracted by a gorgeous man who, upon first introduction, seems a complete Neandertal. Throw in an ‘unholy bargain’ that puts them in close proximity for a few weeks and Ta Da! there is instant chemistry followed by luscious interactions and a happy ending. However, The Catching Kind also succeeds by leaving you thinking about more than just the basics of boy-meets-girl that we all enjoy in our escapist novels. The Catching Kind makes you consider and possibly re-consider your ideas about beauty, attraction and self-worth as well as who possesses the right to determine what beauty is and why one person’s plain-jane is another’s goddess.
Connor Ryan and Hailey Tate meet in an elevator. She is decidedly downmarket in her comfy yoga pants while he is the athletic god trying to pick up a model right in front of her (and succeeds in getting a phone number, in case you were interested). We learn that Hailey is a bookish, somewhat nerdy author of young-adult paranormal romance books who is on her way to meet her editor. Connor Ryan is a professional baseball player who is in a whole lot of trouble in the press for philandering with any and all women - including his teammates’ girlfriends.
Conner is on his way to meet with his PR person who works in the same building as Hailey’s editor. Fast forward and shock and horror! We discover that Hailey’s editor has ‘lost’ Hailey in a poker game to Connor’s PR man. The ‘unholy bargain’ states that for the next month Hailey will pretend to be Conner’s next tabloid girlfriend, who, with her quiet, non-scandalous ways, will restore his fan’s faith and his credibility in the press, while she gets to ride his celebrity to up her own press credentials.
From the start, this novel goes back and forth between our little girl dreams of snagging a star athlete, getting a ‘princess’ makeover, and being recognized for the vixen hiding within, and our grown up need to be viewed as an intelligent, capable woman who does not NEED a man, but certainly would LIKE a good looking, hard-bodied babe. Hailey embodies these qualities quite well. She appears as some sort of a sleeper: a non-virgin happy to be dating regularly, but has never really had her proverbial socks knocked off by anyone before...that is, until she is coupled with Connor. Conner is portrayed as the sexual bad boy: a man so far out of her league that we are reminded again and again (and mostly by Hailey herself, oddly enough) that she is not pretty enough, sexy enough, tall enough, gorgeous enough or famous enough for him to even consider being with her.
What I liked about this novel, though it may have been repetitive at times, is how Ms. Quinn comes at this issue of worth from all sides. Once Ms. Quinn deals with the obvious physical neglect Hailey exhibits (hair unkempt, drab wardrobe) thorough her professionally styled make-over, she begins to deal with the underlying perceptions of what beauty is and what value is placed on celebrity and attractiveness. There are a couple of terrific scenes where Connor’s fans can’t accept that she is his girlfriend - they are incredulous (and occasionally downright speechless) that he would not be out with either a model or a recognizable celebrity. So, Ms. Quinn deliciously contrasts this with Hailey’s fans’ disappointment that she is aligning herself with a philandering jock who must be beneath her intelligence level. Add in some girlfriend kick-in-the-butt heart-to-heart talks and The Catching Kind starts to build up some enjoyable credibility.
Though it seems to be the fashion of late to tell a love story from alternating his-and-hers viewpoints, Ms. Quinn makes the right choice in telling the events from Hailey’s point of view alone. Maybe because I can’t figure men out all too well either, it somehow makes the journey of Hailey’s experience all that more enlightening. Call me crazy, but I enjoy the experience of someone other than myself floundering in that same area with men, and that makes the suspense and emotional build up just that much more intense while the events unfold. I even found myself cheering along with Hailey’s friends as she claims her self-worth and takes a chance on herself and Conner.
As for the sex...well, the sex never really happens...and wait - that is OKAY! While there definitely is a lot of drooling and yearning, Conner and Hailey actually begin to build a friendship before becoming physical, and ....OH MY GOD!!! ...I think I just read a clean romance novel without realizing I was reading a clean romance novel!!
Kudos, Ms. Quinn!
Seriously, the interactions and conversations between Hailey and Conner are what make this book pleasurable to read. Watching their growing bond and seeing an actual relationship develop is the real gift of this book. Seeing Hailey discover her inner confidence and assert her self-worth where other women might fold and collapse like a house of cards, is testament to Ms. Quinn’s goal of shoring up woman-hood’s self-esteem through her novel. It is easy to see what sort of influence Ms. Quinn is hoping to impart on her readership through Hailey’s adventures.
This book rates a 4 out of 5 stars.
Even though the writing is a little choppy from a temporal point of view (a month passes without us being aware of it) and Connor starts off as being almost unredeemingly assh***ish, the focus is instead on the nobler intentions and questions Ms. Quinn raises and attempts to deal with. These memories of the book are what will stick with you far longer than any weaknesses.
The Catching Kind is definitely a book worth checking out.
Check out more reviews and find books by topics, themes and tropes
The Catching Kind starts out the way a thousand other romance novels do: a disgruntled woman late for something gets distracted by a gorgeous man who, upon first introduction, seems a complete Neandertal. Throw in an ‘unholy bargain’ that puts them in close proximity for a few weeks and Ta Da! there is instant chemistry followed by luscious interactions and a happy ending. However, The Catching Kind also succeeds by leaving you thinking about more than just the basics of boy-meets-girl that we all enjoy in our escapist novels. The Catching Kind makes you consider and possibly re-consider your ideas about beauty, attraction and self-worth as well as who possesses the right to determine what beauty is and why one person’s plain-jane is another’s goddess.
Connor Ryan and Hailey Tate meet in an elevator. She is decidedly downmarket in her comfy yoga pants while he is the athletic god trying to pick up a model right in front of her (and succeeds in getting a phone number, in case you were interested). We learn that Hailey is a bookish, somewhat nerdy author of young-adult paranormal romance books who is on her way to meet her editor. Connor Ryan is a professional baseball player who is in a whole lot of trouble in the press for philandering with any and all women - including his teammates’ girlfriends.
Conner is on his way to meet with his PR person who works in the same building as Hailey’s editor. Fast forward and shock and horror! We discover that Hailey’s editor has ‘lost’ Hailey in a poker game to Connor’s PR man. The ‘unholy bargain’ states that for the next month Hailey will pretend to be Conner’s next tabloid girlfriend, who, with her quiet, non-scandalous ways, will restore his fan’s faith and his credibility in the press, while she gets to ride his celebrity to up her own press credentials.
From the start, this novel goes back and forth between our little girl dreams of snagging a star athlete, getting a ‘princess’ makeover, and being recognized for the vixen hiding within, and our grown up need to be viewed as an intelligent, capable woman who does not NEED a man, but certainly would LIKE a good looking, hard-bodied babe. Hailey embodies these qualities quite well. She appears as some sort of a sleeper: a non-virgin happy to be dating regularly, but has never really had her proverbial socks knocked off by anyone before...that is, until she is coupled with Connor. Conner is portrayed as the sexual bad boy: a man so far out of her league that we are reminded again and again (and mostly by Hailey herself, oddly enough) that she is not pretty enough, sexy enough, tall enough, gorgeous enough or famous enough for him to even consider being with her.
What I liked about this novel, though it may have been repetitive at times, is how Ms. Quinn comes at this issue of worth from all sides. Once Ms. Quinn deals with the obvious physical neglect Hailey exhibits (hair unkempt, drab wardrobe) thorough her professionally styled make-over, she begins to deal with the underlying perceptions of what beauty is and what value is placed on celebrity and attractiveness. There are a couple of terrific scenes where Connor’s fans can’t accept that she is his girlfriend - they are incredulous (and occasionally downright speechless) that he would not be out with either a model or a recognizable celebrity. So, Ms. Quinn deliciously contrasts this with Hailey’s fans’ disappointment that she is aligning herself with a philandering jock who must be beneath her intelligence level. Add in some girlfriend kick-in-the-butt heart-to-heart talks and The Catching Kind starts to build up some enjoyable credibility.
Though it seems to be the fashion of late to tell a love story from alternating his-and-hers viewpoints, Ms. Quinn makes the right choice in telling the events from Hailey’s point of view alone. Maybe because I can’t figure men out all too well either, it somehow makes the journey of Hailey’s experience all that more enlightening. Call me crazy, but I enjoy the experience of someone other than myself floundering in that same area with men, and that makes the suspense and emotional build up just that much more intense while the events unfold. I even found myself cheering along with Hailey’s friends as she claims her self-worth and takes a chance on herself and Conner.
As for the sex...well, the sex never really happens...and wait - that is OKAY! While there definitely is a lot of drooling and yearning, Conner and Hailey actually begin to build a friendship before becoming physical, and ....OH MY GOD!!! ...I think I just read a clean romance novel without realizing I was reading a clean romance novel!!
Kudos, Ms. Quinn!
Seriously, the interactions and conversations between Hailey and Conner are what make this book pleasurable to read. Watching their growing bond and seeing an actual relationship develop is the real gift of this book. Seeing Hailey discover her inner confidence and assert her self-worth where other women might fold and collapse like a house of cards, is testament to Ms. Quinn’s goal of shoring up woman-hood’s self-esteem through her novel. It is easy to see what sort of influence Ms. Quinn is hoping to impart on her readership through Hailey’s adventures.
This book rates a 4 out of 5 stars.
Even though the writing is a little choppy from a temporal point of view (a month passes without us being aware of it) and Connor starts off as being almost unredeemingly assh***ish, the focus is instead on the nobler intentions and questions Ms. Quinn raises and attempts to deal with. These memories of the book are what will stick with you far longer than any weaknesses.
The Catching Kind is definitely a book worth checking out.
Check out more reviews and find books by topics, themes and tropes
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