What do you think?
Rate this book
The Thirteenth Chance
Baseball star Will Vandergriff knows any number of women who would happily pretend to be his girlfriend. In a last-ditch effort to restore his good standing with his team’s higher-ups, he enlists the help of his neurotic, goody-goody neighbor. Schoolteacher Olivia Pratt might be a bit quirky and a bit of a loner, but she’s a lot more inviting than she knows. Will hopes that bringing her to his next game might revamp his reckless reputation and help get his career back on track. The only problem? The plan works a little too well. Not only do the higher-ups love Olivia, but Will plays his best game yet. Suddenly his losing streak is a thing of the past, and Olivia is his new good-luck charm. Will feels anything but lucky.
After years of keeping the world at bay, Olivia Pratt is pulling off the ultimate performance—not only reluctantly posing as Will’s girlfriend but also insisting that she’s oblivious to his major-league appeal. But she can only lie to herself for so long. Being by Will’s side feels good. Really good. Maybe it’s finally time to make a pitch for everything she really wants—and to find out just how exhilarating love can be.
After years of keeping the world at bay, Olivia Pratt is pulling off the ultimate performance—not only reluctantly posing as Will’s girlfriend but also insisting that she’s oblivious to his major-league appeal. But she can only lie to herself for so long. Being by Will’s side feels good. Really good. Maybe it’s finally time to make a pitch for everything she really wants—and to find out just how exhilarating love can be.
298 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2016
157 people are currently reading
679 people want to read
About the author
Amy Matayo
26 books503 followersAmy Matayo is an award winning author of The Wedding Game, Love Gone Wild, Sway, In Tune With Love, A Painted Summer, and The End of the World. She graduated with barely passing grades from John Brown University with a degree in Journalism. But don't feel sorry for her--she's super proud of that degree and all the ways she hasn't put it to good use.
She laughs often, cries easily, feels deeply, and loves hard. She lives in Arkansas with her husband and four kids and is working on her next novel.
www.amymatayo
Twitter: @amymatayo
Instagram: @amymatayo.author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amymatayo
She laughs often, cries easily, feels deeply, and loves hard. She lives in Arkansas with her husband and four kids and is working on her next novel.
www.amymatayo
Twitter: @amymatayo
Instagram: @amymatayo.author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amymatayo
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
April 24, 2017
Pero que bonito, tierno, romantico.
Este libro es puros suspiros.
Es divertido, con personajes un poco locos y demasiado melodramaticos haha todo en la forma correcta eh.
Adoré a Olivia, su aberración al 13 con todo y el gato con correa.
Adoré a Will con su pasión por el deporte que ama. Por sus gustos tan distintos a las mujeres locas que llevan a pasear gatos con correas.
Me encantó su relación, simple, bonita, pausada. Puro amor.
El libro es de esos que te dejan una sonrisa en la boca al terminar. De los que te hacen un poquito más contenta sin tener personajes memorables. Pero de los que vas a recordar con una bonita sensación.
Totalmente recomendado si ADORAS leer libros de deportistas tanto como yo. Si lo que buscas es un romance rosa que te encantará y la diversión implícita en un montón de situaciones impensables.
Si, hubo detalles pero bueno, mis sensaciones son más de 4 que de 3 así que unas
***3.5 merecidas STARS***
Este libro es puros suspiros.
Es divertido, con personajes un poco locos y demasiado melodramaticos haha todo en la forma correcta eh.
Adoré a Olivia, su aberración al 13 con todo y el gato con correa.
Adoré a Will con su pasión por el deporte que ama. Por sus gustos tan distintos a las mujeres locas que llevan a pasear gatos con correas.
Me encantó su relación, simple, bonita, pausada. Puro amor.
El libro es de esos que te dejan una sonrisa en la boca al terminar. De los que te hacen un poquito más contenta sin tener personajes memorables. Pero de los que vas a recordar con una bonita sensación.
Totalmente recomendado si ADORAS leer libros de deportistas tanto como yo. Si lo que buscas es un romance rosa que te encantará y la diversión implícita en un montón de situaciones impensables.
Si, hubo detalles pero bueno, mis sensaciones son más de 4 que de 3 así que unas
***3.5 merecidas STARS***
September 23, 2019
My favorite thing about this book is how the author brought Olivia's character to life. Her fears, angst, and OCD tendencies are skillfully balanced with her compassion, sense of humor, and independence. She accepts herself as she is, and is unapologetic for her differences, even if they sometimes make her uncomfortable. Will is also a character who accepts himself, gigantic ego and all ;) I was impressed with the subtlety of the two sides of Will, the big shot persona who tells himself he has it all, and the vulnerable side he fights against, the feeling that he is missing something. His posturing for the benefit of Olivia is ironic because he's trying to project his devil-may-care attitude while it's the yearning for her that is the reason he's doing it and reveals his true motivations. I love that she purposely brushes off his attempts at intimidation and doesn't capitulate the way he is used to everyone doing. As they are exposed to each other's softer sides and attraction flares, they both wage an internal battle against the chemistry between them while becoming more reliant on the new dimension of their relationship. The dynamics of their personalities, interactions, and struggles turned what could have been a predicable plot into a journey of growth that kept me glued to the pages! Highly recommend!
(Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
(Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
September 5, 2016
This is exactly the type of book that I love--a clean, romantic comedy! I love it when the romance isn't easy and the characters have flaws and depth, making them easy to relate to and to like...or dislike. Olivia is an OCD school teacher who isn't afraid of being herself. And that right there is a big reason why sparks fly--she doesn't know how attractive, endearing, and quirky she really is. I laughed out loud at the antics involving her cat, Perry! Will is Olivia's annoying neighbor and is a big shot baseball pitcher--a person completely opposite from herself. I love this author's style of writing!
I don't have an athletic bone in my body, but I love stories involving a sports figure. Will is hot, but he's kind of a cocky jerk. I mean, "I'm Will Vandergriff. The whole world is in love with me, even if I'm currently losing. Why do I keep forgetting that?" Yeah, he's very cocky. There were times when I wanted to slap Will on Olivia's behalf, but then these little hints of a good guy would shine through and all would be forgiven...or would they? Will comes up with a plan to turn things around in his downward spiraling career and the results are some fantastic and swoony (clean) chemistry, hilarious moments, tender times, and deep self-examinations on both parts.
I love it when characters go through the gamut of emotions and experiences. Opposites can be a good balance for each other and it seems that the attraction is stronger when there is conflict. "It's funny how a body can go from cold to overheated in two sputtering heartbeats." I love a book that takes me on a roller coaster ride, leaving me completely content and satisfied by the end. Although I don't deal with similar issues myself, I was still able to connect with the characters and enjoy every single page.
Content: mild language; mild-moderate romance (kissing, innuendo, implied intimate past relationships); Clean!
*I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I don't have an athletic bone in my body, but I love stories involving a sports figure. Will is hot, but he's kind of a cocky jerk. I mean, "I'm Will Vandergriff. The whole world is in love with me, even if I'm currently losing. Why do I keep forgetting that?" Yeah, he's very cocky. There were times when I wanted to slap Will on Olivia's behalf, but then these little hints of a good guy would shine through and all would be forgiven...or would they? Will comes up with a plan to turn things around in his downward spiraling career and the results are some fantastic and swoony (clean) chemistry, hilarious moments, tender times, and deep self-examinations on both parts.
I love it when characters go through the gamut of emotions and experiences. Opposites can be a good balance for each other and it seems that the attraction is stronger when there is conflict. "It's funny how a body can go from cold to overheated in two sputtering heartbeats." I love a book that takes me on a roller coaster ride, leaving me completely content and satisfied by the end. Although I don't deal with similar issues myself, I was still able to connect with the characters and enjoy every single page.
Content: mild language; mild-moderate romance (kissing, innuendo, implied intimate past relationships); Clean!
*I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
May 1, 2020
4.5
This was a super cute opposites attract story!
Olivia Pratt is OCD and proud of it. She likes things to be organize, clean and in her control. She loves her job as an elementary school teacher and of course her dear cat Perry. Will Vandergriff gets to play baseball for a living and if wasn't for his current loosing streak life would be just about perfect. Olivia was a fun character, it was nice to see her loosen up a little as the story progresses. She definitely has a certain way of doing things. Will is more easy going and relaxed. They butt-heads, but Olivia is able to hold her own with the baseball heartthrob.
I'm a sucker for the whole "fake relationship" storyline, of course there is a mutual attraction from the get-go and it's fun to see their relationship develop into something deeper. I especially liked seeing Will totally fall head over heels for Olivia. They have some fun banter and great chemistry and some funny moments. Things are all smooth sailing though and it's fun seeing them figure things out, you can't help rooting for them to find a way to make their fake relationship into something very real.
Overall, a fun contemporary romance, and one I'd quickly recommend to any romance fan! If you enjoyed this one and are looking for something similar, try The Catching Kind or Home Run Fiancé.
Content
Romance: Clean, kissing and pretty mild innuendo
Language: None-mild (can't remember any)
Violence: None
Source: Netgalley and Amazon Kindle
This was a super cute opposites attract story!
Olivia Pratt is OCD and proud of it. She likes things to be organize, clean and in her control. She loves her job as an elementary school teacher and of course her dear cat Perry. Will Vandergriff gets to play baseball for a living and if wasn't for his current loosing streak life would be just about perfect. Olivia was a fun character, it was nice to see her loosen up a little as the story progresses. She definitely has a certain way of doing things. Will is more easy going and relaxed. They butt-heads, but Olivia is able to hold her own with the baseball heartthrob.
I'm a sucker for the whole "fake relationship" storyline, of course there is a mutual attraction from the get-go and it's fun to see their relationship develop into something deeper. I especially liked seeing Will totally fall head over heels for Olivia. They have some fun banter and great chemistry and some funny moments. Things are all smooth sailing though and it's fun seeing them figure things out, you can't help rooting for them to find a way to make their fake relationship into something very real.
Overall, a fun contemporary romance, and one I'd quickly recommend to any romance fan! If you enjoyed this one and are looking for something similar, try The Catching Kind or Home Run Fiancé.
Content
Romance: Clean, kissing and pretty mild innuendo
Language: None-mild (can't remember any)
Violence: None
Source: Netgalley and Amazon Kindle
February 25, 2017
Una historia ligera y divertida !!!!
April 4, 2017
Me gustaron muuucho estos dos protagonistas.... Olivia y Will fueron unos personajes muy frescos, nada perfectos sino reales y muy entrañables...!! Me pareció muy cómico como interactuaban entre sí jajajaja y ademas hablan un poco de mi deporte favorito: El Béisbol!! :D
Pero creo que a ese final le faltó... fue muy seco y muy flojo o por lo menos le faltó un epilogo o 2 en el que se supiera más de sus vidas, sino hubiera sido perfecto, es ese tipo de libro que me encanta.
Pero creo que a ese final le faltó... fue muy seco y muy flojo o por lo menos le faltó un epilogo o 2 en el que se supiera más de sus vidas, sino hubiera sido perfecto, es ese tipo de libro que me encanta.
August 30, 2016
The Thirteenth Chance is one of those stories that hooks you right from the beginning. Sexy, cocky baseball star versus a slightly neurotic but lovable school teacher. The match seems impossible, yet through Amy's remarkable dialogue, gut-wrenching banter and deprecating humor, you not only believe these characters, but you are immersed in their world. The emotional romance between them is stellar and shows the world that yes, there can be romance without smut. And a good, sexy romance at that. You root for them, hurt for them, laugh with them and most importantly feel sad when the book ends and you have to say goodbye. This is one of my favorites from Ms. Matayo, and if you enjoy exceptional writing, strong characters, and authentic humor, it will be one of yours as well.
Read
November 7, 2016The Thirteenth Chance is a clean, contemporary romance filled with charming characters and snort-worthy hilarity! Olivia is one of the quirkiest and endearing heroines I've read in a very, VERY long time. And the instant she meets her neighbor...sparks. will. fly. These two are like watching a SNL skit. Great chemistry and fantastic dialogue (like always!), Amy Matayo has yet another winning book on her hands. If you need a feel-good read and don't mind a good gut-cramp from laughing....then this is your next read.
September 10, 2016
I was pretty excited to grab this book and read it. My husband asked what the book I was reading currently was about. When I told him baseball, he laughed out loud and said you're reading about baseball. Here's the thing, I've always loved sports and played them when I was younger but after getting married and having kids, watching sports didn't quite happen like it used to. We lived on the coast with two young kids when my husband started his career. There wasn't too much to do in the rainy season with little ones so we ended up at all the high school indoor sports. My husband was working so most of the time it was me chasing kiddos along the bleachers and keeping them occupied with maybe a total of 2 minutes of a game watched. Every once in a while my hubby could come up and visit and sit but he'd be pretty engrossed in the game or talking with parents sitting by us that I still didn't see too much of the game. The same for all the football games, I'd run interference with my kids from falling on the bleachers or staying warm or having a snack or seeing a friend in the crowd and wanting to say hello. The last few years as our children are older I've actually been able to catch most, not quite all but most of the games we get to. I've coached several sports the last several years and get pretty involved with my teams cheering them on but of course my husband is at work while that's happening so he doesn't get to see my enthusiasm. My husband and I ended up in Portland at a state wrestling championship, state soccer and a few other state sports events the last few years to support the teams and we were able to leave kids with grandparents. Well needless to say I was cheering and jumping up and down and all the very engrossed fan actions. I think I really surprised my hubby because he didn't know I got that involved(or had forgotten since it's been almost 15 years since we've watched sports alone). ;-) So when he said "you're reading a book about baseball", I kinda laughed and said yep, I love it! Long story for you but since it happened while reading starting this book I figured I'd share, and now more on the book review itself.
Will and Olivia seem like complete opposites in lifestyle and personalities. She's an elementary teacher, OCD, introvert and a cat lover. He's a professional baseball pitcher, partier, player and knows how to have a good time. Will has recently moved to Texas and has been seeing his crazy neighbor come and go for a couple weeks. What he doesn't expect is to have her show up middle of the night looking even crazier than normal demanding he turn down the music and send everyone home from his party. Who does she think she is? So Will has fun teasing her and egging her on. Olivia can't believe that this guy, who thinks he's so amazing, is her new neighbor. Please! He needs to get his ego under control. Neither of them suspect at that first meeting and subsequent meetings following that they are going to be able to help each other out. They're complete opposites, how could they ever help each other?
There's a lot of fun, witty banter passing back and forth between these two. Even when their relationship starts to go from skeptical crazy neighbors to friendship the banter continues and definitely had me laughing out loud several times. I'm pretty sure I was even smiling quite a bit. Will is a player and he knows he's good looking and has the girls chasing after him wherever he goes so he uses that charm on Olivia but is shocked when it doesn't work quite like he expected or wanted it to. Doesn't she know who he is? He's a celebrity baseball player!
Here's a quote I liked and had a good chuckle about, it's after Olivia first meets Will and doesn't know who he is but goes home and later realizes it.
"As I was saying, the day after I met Will, I woke up to a world colored a brighter red. A warmer orange. A sunnier yellow. A regular rainbow lighting up the sky. Until I had the bright idea to google him. It's something I'm not proud of, something I regret."
I love reading historical fiction, especially regency that sometimes when I read contemporary it catches me off guard having cell phones, or google, or whatever new gadget/technology is available thrown into the story. Growing up we didn't have all that and it definitely wasn't mentioned in any books I read so it usually makes me laugh when I see it. Not in a bad way, just that I am stuck in the past I guess and forget about modern technology while reading my books. Hopefully that makes sense. I had a good chuckle that she googled him.
Olivia has a pretty bad aversion to the number thirteen and to baseball. All for some very good reasons and none of which I am going to tell you about, no ruining the fun in store for you as you read. Let's just say for the sake of this review that Will doesn't understand but he sure tries his darndest to get her to come to his games and help him out. Will has a few debacles that could cause his career to suffer and so what does he do, he reaches out to Olivia and begs her to pretend to be his girlfriend to help salvage his career and reputation.
Throughout their fake relationship they slowly become friends and slowly reveal their past history with each other and it's very surprising to both of them to realize how similar, yet different their lives growing up were.
The voice at the beginning of the book was a little bit harder to get into for me. I'm not sure if it was because I was completely exhausted when I started it or that I just wasn't expecting the voice to be like that. But I will say that as soon as I adjusted to the voice of the story I was completely hooked and loved every minute of it. There are some emotional moments of sorrow and heartache, of joy and love. Overall I really enjoyed it. I always enjoy a story about convenience, a marriage of convenience or a girlfriend/boyfriend of convenience. It has it's ups and downs but we get our HEA in the end. <3
As far as content for the story Will is portrayed as a player and has some mild innuendos scattered throughout. I don't remember any swearwords throughout the book and there are no explicit sex scenes. Overall just the innuendos. I would say it's a clean read and would recommend to any older YA and older.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Happy Reading!!!
Will and Olivia seem like complete opposites in lifestyle and personalities. She's an elementary teacher, OCD, introvert and a cat lover. He's a professional baseball pitcher, partier, player and knows how to have a good time. Will has recently moved to Texas and has been seeing his crazy neighbor come and go for a couple weeks. What he doesn't expect is to have her show up middle of the night looking even crazier than normal demanding he turn down the music and send everyone home from his party. Who does she think she is? So Will has fun teasing her and egging her on. Olivia can't believe that this guy, who thinks he's so amazing, is her new neighbor. Please! He needs to get his ego under control. Neither of them suspect at that first meeting and subsequent meetings following that they are going to be able to help each other out. They're complete opposites, how could they ever help each other?
There's a lot of fun, witty banter passing back and forth between these two. Even when their relationship starts to go from skeptical crazy neighbors to friendship the banter continues and definitely had me laughing out loud several times. I'm pretty sure I was even smiling quite a bit. Will is a player and he knows he's good looking and has the girls chasing after him wherever he goes so he uses that charm on Olivia but is shocked when it doesn't work quite like he expected or wanted it to. Doesn't she know who he is? He's a celebrity baseball player!
Here's a quote I liked and had a good chuckle about, it's after Olivia first meets Will and doesn't know who he is but goes home and later realizes it.
"As I was saying, the day after I met Will, I woke up to a world colored a brighter red. A warmer orange. A sunnier yellow. A regular rainbow lighting up the sky. Until I had the bright idea to google him. It's something I'm not proud of, something I regret."
I love reading historical fiction, especially regency that sometimes when I read contemporary it catches me off guard having cell phones, or google, or whatever new gadget/technology is available thrown into the story. Growing up we didn't have all that and it definitely wasn't mentioned in any books I read so it usually makes me laugh when I see it. Not in a bad way, just that I am stuck in the past I guess and forget about modern technology while reading my books. Hopefully that makes sense. I had a good chuckle that she googled him.
Olivia has a pretty bad aversion to the number thirteen and to baseball. All for some very good reasons and none of which I am going to tell you about, no ruining the fun in store for you as you read. Let's just say for the sake of this review that Will doesn't understand but he sure tries his darndest to get her to come to his games and help him out. Will has a few debacles that could cause his career to suffer and so what does he do, he reaches out to Olivia and begs her to pretend to be his girlfriend to help salvage his career and reputation.
Throughout their fake relationship they slowly become friends and slowly reveal their past history with each other and it's very surprising to both of them to realize how similar, yet different their lives growing up were.
The voice at the beginning of the book was a little bit harder to get into for me. I'm not sure if it was because I was completely exhausted when I started it or that I just wasn't expecting the voice to be like that. But I will say that as soon as I adjusted to the voice of the story I was completely hooked and loved every minute of it. There are some emotional moments of sorrow and heartache, of joy and love. Overall I really enjoyed it. I always enjoy a story about convenience, a marriage of convenience or a girlfriend/boyfriend of convenience. It has it's ups and downs but we get our HEA in the end. <3
As far as content for the story Will is portrayed as a player and has some mild innuendos scattered throughout. I don't remember any swearwords throughout the book and there are no explicit sex scenes. Overall just the innuendos. I would say it's a clean read and would recommend to any older YA and older.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Happy Reading!!!
October 6, 2016
The Thirteenth Chance is hilarious! And swoony. And sweet. So… in short… it’s my kind of book!
Olivia gives new meaning to the term “crazy cat lady”. I mean… describing her as neurotic doesn’t even really break the surface. She’s delightfully quirky though despite the fact that there are some sad reasons for her quirks, reasons that Matayo develops tactfully and in a way that gives Will a chance to really shine as a hero. That cat, though. Hysterical. I never thought I would say this where a c-a-t was concerned, but Perry stole every scene he was in.
Will is cocky and full of himself in a lot of ways, especially at first. But Olivia brings out a desire in him to be a better man, to treat her better than his standard M.O. He doesn’t always succeed but his heart is in the right place. n the meantime, before he really gets a grasp on what treating Olivia differently looks like, they have some really great battles of “will” (the pun works) and words. Terrific banter going on here because Olivia can certainly hold her own. She IS a school teacher after all...
Which brings me to another aspect of the book I wanted to mention. THE SWOON FACTOR. Clean romance doesn’t have to be boring, y’all! It can be sexy and smoldering without straying into smutty. Amy Matayo has achieved this in spades so make sure you have a fan, fainting couch, and freezer handy. WHEW. Will is just too sexy for his (and our) own good, and Olivia – despite her best efforts at resistance – just can’t quite help herself. (There was a scene that raised my eyebrows a bit; nothing that crosses any lines necessarily, but not something I’m used to encountering in the books I typically read.)
It did take me a while to get into the first-person present tense narratives; first Olivia, then Will. But after a few chapters, I became so captivated by these characters and their stories and their relationship that I barely even noticed the POV or the tense. Instead, I lived the story with them. I heard it in their voices. I felt as though we were all friends sitting down for a chat so I could get caught up on their lives.
Bottom Line: Cute, sexy, quirky, funny – The Thirteenth Chance is all of these things and more! This isn’t Christian fiction per se, but that’s ok. It’s clean fiction and it works. It more than works. Matayo has crafted two great characters, both a little nuts in their own ways, which makes for many laughter worthy moments throughout the book. I think I even snorted a couple of times, something Nicole Deese warned would happen. It will make you smile and swoon and maybe even crave a baseball game. It will for sure satisfy the romcom fan in you and leave you waiting eagerly for Matayo’s next book! Or stalking her backlist, which I may or may not be doing now (totally am).
(I received this book for free. No review was required, favorable or otherwise, and all views expressed are my own.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Olivia gives new meaning to the term “crazy cat lady”. I mean… describing her as neurotic doesn’t even really break the surface. She’s delightfully quirky though despite the fact that there are some sad reasons for her quirks, reasons that Matayo develops tactfully and in a way that gives Will a chance to really shine as a hero. That cat, though. Hysterical. I never thought I would say this where a c-a-t was concerned, but Perry stole every scene he was in.
Will is cocky and full of himself in a lot of ways, especially at first. But Olivia brings out a desire in him to be a better man, to treat her better than his standard M.O. He doesn’t always succeed but his heart is in the right place. n the meantime, before he really gets a grasp on what treating Olivia differently looks like, they have some really great battles of “will” (the pun works) and words. Terrific banter going on here because Olivia can certainly hold her own. She IS a school teacher after all...
Which brings me to another aspect of the book I wanted to mention. THE SWOON FACTOR. Clean romance doesn’t have to be boring, y’all! It can be sexy and smoldering without straying into smutty. Amy Matayo has achieved this in spades so make sure you have a fan, fainting couch, and freezer handy. WHEW. Will is just too sexy for his (and our) own good, and Olivia – despite her best efforts at resistance – just can’t quite help herself. (There was a scene that raised my eyebrows a bit; nothing that crosses any lines necessarily, but not something I’m used to encountering in the books I typically read.)
It did take me a while to get into the first-person present tense narratives; first Olivia, then Will. But after a few chapters, I became so captivated by these characters and their stories and their relationship that I barely even noticed the POV or the tense. Instead, I lived the story with them. I heard it in their voices. I felt as though we were all friends sitting down for a chat so I could get caught up on their lives.
Bottom Line: Cute, sexy, quirky, funny – The Thirteenth Chance is all of these things and more! This isn’t Christian fiction per se, but that’s ok. It’s clean fiction and it works. It more than works. Matayo has crafted two great characters, both a little nuts in their own ways, which makes for many laughter worthy moments throughout the book. I think I even snorted a couple of times, something Nicole Deese warned would happen. It will make you smile and swoon and maybe even crave a baseball game. It will for sure satisfy the romcom fan in you and leave you waiting eagerly for Matayo’s next book! Or stalking her backlist, which I may or may not be doing now (totally am).
(I received this book for free. No review was required, favorable or otherwise, and all views expressed are my own.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
September 28, 2016
Olivia grew up in the shadow of her older brother, overlooked her entire life. She is made to feel like she is invisible, that she'll never be good enough, that she's selfish. Is it any wonder that she has a few quirks? Or that she finds it hard to believe that her hot, annoying neighbor would have any interest in her at all?
Will is a professional pitcher and has the reputation of being a player, a ladies man. When not so flattering accusations or laid on his doorstep, the higher ups demand that he get his act together and start cleaning up his reputation. Who better for the job than his beautiful, albeit a little crazy, neighbor?
One game. It was only supposed to be one game. That's it. No more. But after Will's team wins for the first time in a very long time, he will do whatever it takes to convince Olivia that she must be at his next game. She's just earned the title of his Lucky Charm.
But what happens when they keep winning? How long can they keep up the charade of their fake relationship? And what happens when things stop feeling fake and start feeling real? Can they go from fake to forever?
I absolutely LOVED this book! Any book that can make me laugh out loud, make me smile like crazy, make me sigh little dreamy sighs and have me staying up WAY too late reading is a definite winner in my opinion! I am SO glad that I snatched this book up and devoured it! If this is not on your TBR list then you need to add it! If it is on your TBR list then you need to bump this baby up!
This is only my third book by Amy Matayo and it definitely won't be my last! I can't wait to see what other treasures she has out there!
And of course my casting! I have to say that I LOVE these two! *dreamy sigh*
*I received a copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Will is a professional pitcher and has the reputation of being a player, a ladies man. When not so flattering accusations or laid on his doorstep, the higher ups demand that he get his act together and start cleaning up his reputation. Who better for the job than his beautiful, albeit a little crazy, neighbor?
One game. It was only supposed to be one game. That's it. No more. But after Will's team wins for the first time in a very long time, he will do whatever it takes to convince Olivia that she must be at his next game. She's just earned the title of his Lucky Charm.
But what happens when they keep winning? How long can they keep up the charade of their fake relationship? And what happens when things stop feeling fake and start feeling real? Can they go from fake to forever?
I absolutely LOVED this book! Any book that can make me laugh out loud, make me smile like crazy, make me sigh little dreamy sighs and have me staying up WAY too late reading is a definite winner in my opinion! I am SO glad that I snatched this book up and devoured it! If this is not on your TBR list then you need to add it! If it is on your TBR list then you need to bump this baby up!
This is only my third book by Amy Matayo and it definitely won't be my last! I can't wait to see what other treasures she has out there!
And of course my casting! I have to say that I LOVE these two! *dreamy sigh*
*I received a copy of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
September 29, 2016
I saw this book on NetGalley and I knew I had to read it. Amy Matayo is an author I'm always on the lookout for and I was super excited to see this new book by her! I think I'm probably the last of my Goodreads friends to write my review but I can tell you that there is a lot of love going around for this book, which makes me so happy.
The characters in this book are fantastic. They are larger than life and literally fill up the pages. I felt like I knew them. I could visualize them so easily and hear them in my head. That's what I love! I wouldn't say that I loved either character from the beginning but their personalities were distinct and very human.
Will is just a jerk in the beginning. He is full of himself and over the top but as the book goes on, he softens and let's down his jerk wall a bit. :)
Olivia is quirky and has some definite neurotic tendencies. She is so endearing! I fell in love with her right along with Will.
This book was just so fun. I loved settling in and becoming wrapped up in this love story. The characters really made this story come alive for me. So well done!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
The characters in this book are fantastic. They are larger than life and literally fill up the pages. I felt like I knew them. I could visualize them so easily and hear them in my head. That's what I love! I wouldn't say that I loved either character from the beginning but their personalities were distinct and very human.
Will is just a jerk in the beginning. He is full of himself and over the top but as the book goes on, he softens and let's down his jerk wall a bit. :)
Olivia is quirky and has some definite neurotic tendencies. She is so endearing! I fell in love with her right along with Will.
This book was just so fun. I loved settling in and becoming wrapped up in this love story. The characters really made this story come alive for me. So well done!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
April 26, 2017
A ver que digo de este libro...
Para pasar el rato y esas cosas pero no es de lo mejorcito que he leído...
Me gustó mucho Will pero Olivia se me hizo insoportable. Sí, hija tienes trastorno obsesivo compulsivo pero dios de verdad lo tuyo ya es más allá de lo normal...
la historia se hizo leeeeenta muy lenta hasta que estos dos se juntaron y después el final fue demasiado repentino. En plan "no te perdonare jamás esto que me has hecho" y dos líneas más abajo estaban dándose el lote y se amaban por la vida.
Después, la autora ha dejado temas importantes sin resolver: el claro abandono que sufrió Olivia por parte de su familia (que rabia me dio), su hermano (que ni eso se le puede llamar, porque no he visto en mi vida un imbecil más grande), su padre (que no se sabe más que que se fue y nunca volvió), Kimberly (la autora la hizo sonar al principio como una ricachona superficial y después era la cosa más adorable del mundo, no comprendo. Aún así quería saber que tal siguió progresando la amistad entre ellas)
En fin, que no es de lo mejor la verdad pero puede valer para pasar el ratito...
Para pasar el rato y esas cosas pero no es de lo mejorcito que he leído...
Me gustó mucho Will pero Olivia se me hizo insoportable. Sí, hija tienes trastorno obsesivo compulsivo pero dios de verdad lo tuyo ya es más allá de lo normal...
la historia se hizo leeeeenta muy lenta hasta que estos dos se juntaron y después el final fue demasiado repentino. En plan "no te perdonare jamás esto que me has hecho" y dos líneas más abajo estaban dándose el lote y se amaban por la vida.
Después, la autora ha dejado temas importantes sin resolver: el claro abandono que sufrió Olivia por parte de su familia (que rabia me dio), su hermano (que ni eso se le puede llamar, porque no he visto en mi vida un imbecil más grande), su padre (que no se sabe más que que se fue y nunca volvió), Kimberly (la autora la hizo sonar al principio como una ricachona superficial y después era la cosa más adorable del mundo, no comprendo. Aún así quería saber que tal siguió progresando la amistad entre ellas)
En fin, que no es de lo mejor la verdad pero puede valer para pasar el ratito...
October 20, 2016
Love the ending
This was a cute read....and had me laughing. I really enjoyed the characters and the author really makes the story come to life. I absolutely loved the ending. So so cute.
There was some language and sexual innuendo that I wish would have been left out.
This was a cute read....and had me laughing. I really enjoyed the characters and the author really makes the story come to life. I absolutely loved the ending. So so cute.
There was some language and sexual innuendo that I wish would have been left out.
October 12, 2016
This story is told from both points of view - Will, the professional baseball player who knows how to dodge commitment and can have any girl he wants; and Olivia, the elementary school teacher who has lived in the shadow of her baseball-playing older brother and doesn't want anything to do with the sport or anyone who plays it.
Will and Olivia are next door neighbors who start out fake-dating to help his image. Olivia is OCD and a bit of a crazy cat lady, but she has no problem standing up to Will! On the other hand Will is arrogant and a bit of a jerk, but he's so tender and understanding when it comes to Olivia.
Content: Cleanish - some innuendo, language
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Will and Olivia are next door neighbors who start out fake-dating to help his image. Olivia is OCD and a bit of a crazy cat lady, but she has no problem standing up to Will! On the other hand Will is arrogant and a bit of a jerk, but he's so tender and understanding when it comes to Olivia.
Content: Cleanish - some innuendo, language
Source: Kindle Unlimited
September 27, 2016
Aaaah, I love Amy Mateo's refreshing, clean romance novels. With great tension and banter, Olivia and Will draw you into their story and don't let you go until the last page. The Thirteenth Chance is a fun, yet tantalizing read.
September 27, 2016
I honestly need to develop a different rating system for myself because it is so, so, hard to rate books! There is "good, great, and fantastic" on so many different levels and a simple, 5-star rating limits one's ability to compare one book with another, you know? But I digress...
I have read every book Amy Matayo has published, each one incredibly different from the others, and they've all scored a high rating, each for a different reason. The Thirteenth Chance was no exception. While incredibly hard to compare it to any other book Matayo has written, (especially after her last one, The End of the World), this book was lighthearted, fun, cheesy in all the right places and heartfelt in all the others. It was full of sarcasm, quick wit, my favorite sport, a cat that got exactly what it deserved (we can't all be cat-lovers, you know) and oh yeah, a little romance, too. Ok, so maybe it was more than a little. There was definitely some [clean] heat! That kiss right around the 80% mark? Yup... read it twice. :-)
I'll be 100% honest with you, though, and if you've read the book, you probably won't like what I have to say. At the very least, you'll likely want to use this to discredit everything I write about it, but stick with me here... (and forgive me.) Truth is, I didn't like Will all that much. Not at first. Not by the midpoint. Not even 3/4 of the way through. Sure, he was a gorgeous, dark-haired, blue-eyed dreamboat and for someone who LOVES baseball, you'd think just knowing he's a pitcher (and a good one at that) would be enough for me to swoon. But just when I'd get a glimpse of the "good guy" I imagined him to be beyond that fabulous physique, his ego would come out and I wanted to smack him just as much as Olivia probably did from time to time!! He was snarky and hilarious... I knew he was hot, but... the ego killed him!
But then.... THEN... just a little past that 3/4 mark, there was this tender, deeply personal moment where I felt Will really connected with Olivia on HER level--in her home, in the face of all of HER demons. And it was so simple, yet so touching that I saw Will for the man BEHIND the ego, for the first time. The Will that was there all along, I just couldn't see past the player he once was and the hot-shot he saw himself as. Once I did, there was definitely some swooning involved. You gotta love when the proverbial egomaniac demonstrates his not-so-egomaniacal side, right? Because when he does, it's a home run!! I [finally] saw what Olivia saw--somehow, try though she might to ignore it--and everything clicked for me.
"Sometimes people throw you. Sometimes they do the unexpected. Sometimes your preconceived notions are not only way off base, but completely unfounded and laced with judgment. For someone like me, that's an especially painful thing to admit."
Olivia learned this in the midst of this book and whadyaknow--I learned it too.
So five stars for another fantastic read from Amy Matayo because I laughed. And then I laughed harder. And then I may have contemplated borrowing my neighbor's cat to go play in the mud. (With a leash--just for kicks and giggles.) I melted, I swooned, I felt every up and down and ebb and flow of Will & Olivia's relationship and came out smiling and having even learned something truly meaningful by the end. Can't say THAT about every book you read, now, can you?
I have read every book Amy Matayo has published, each one incredibly different from the others, and they've all scored a high rating, each for a different reason. The Thirteenth Chance was no exception. While incredibly hard to compare it to any other book Matayo has written, (especially after her last one, The End of the World), this book was lighthearted, fun, cheesy in all the right places and heartfelt in all the others. It was full of sarcasm, quick wit, my favorite sport, a cat that got exactly what it deserved (we can't all be cat-lovers, you know) and oh yeah, a little romance, too. Ok, so maybe it was more than a little. There was definitely some [clean] heat! That kiss right around the 80% mark? Yup... read it twice. :-)
I'll be 100% honest with you, though, and if you've read the book, you probably won't like what I have to say. At the very least, you'll likely want to use this to discredit everything I write about it, but stick with me here... (and forgive me.) Truth is, I didn't like Will all that much. Not at first. Not by the midpoint. Not even 3/4 of the way through. Sure, he was a gorgeous, dark-haired, blue-eyed dreamboat and for someone who LOVES baseball, you'd think just knowing he's a pitcher (and a good one at that) would be enough for me to swoon. But just when I'd get a glimpse of the "good guy" I imagined him to be beyond that fabulous physique, his ego would come out and I wanted to smack him just as much as Olivia probably did from time to time!! He was snarky and hilarious... I knew he was hot, but... the ego killed him!
But then.... THEN... just a little past that 3/4 mark, there was this tender, deeply personal moment where I felt Will really connected with Olivia on HER level--in her home, in the face of all of HER demons. And it was so simple, yet so touching that I saw Will for the man BEHIND the ego, for the first time. The Will that was there all along, I just couldn't see past the player he once was and the hot-shot he saw himself as. Once I did, there was definitely some swooning involved. You gotta love when the proverbial egomaniac demonstrates his not-so-egomaniacal side, right? Because when he does, it's a home run!! I [finally] saw what Olivia saw--somehow, try though she might to ignore it--and everything clicked for me.
"Sometimes people throw you. Sometimes they do the unexpected. Sometimes your preconceived notions are not only way off base, but completely unfounded and laced with judgment. For someone like me, that's an especially painful thing to admit."
Olivia learned this in the midst of this book and whadyaknow--I learned it too.
So five stars for another fantastic read from Amy Matayo because I laughed. And then I laughed harder. And then I may have contemplated borrowing my neighbor's cat to go play in the mud. (With a leash--just for kicks and giggles.) I melted, I swooned, I felt every up and down and ebb and flow of Will & Olivia's relationship and came out smiling and having even learned something truly meaningful by the end. Can't say THAT about every book you read, now, can you?
May 15, 2020
Romance, clean, contemporary;
This was a fun, cute, sweet romance. Will has had a disaster of a season with relationships, and with baseball. More of a ladies man, and loving his parties, he and Olivia, a school teacher, don't see eye to eye as neighbors.
Through a quirky circumstances, Will gets Olivia to come to a game, and also has her pretend to be his girlfriend.
When he wins the game, and with her liked by management and his friends, she becomes his good luck charm. When she is there, he seems to bring his a-game and be at his best on the field. While he doesn't think they are a perfect fit, her sincerity, charm, and good looks, warm his way into his heart until he can't seem to think how he can play, and live without her. She is warmed over to Will too, as he adjusts to being 'normal', and getting his HEA in an unexpected way.
A winning combination, with chemistry, humor, and sweet romance. As they gradually get to know each other, they win each others hearts.
Read this again 2019. This was such a fun read. I always love a sports romance, and this is no exception. Olivia and Will are such great characters. Lots of foibles and idiosyncrasies, but so genuine, lovable, and charismatic. There interactions with each other were so well done. The hate growing to love relationship was beautifully written. A.M. deserves every accolade for this one.
This was a fun, cute, sweet romance. Will has had a disaster of a season with relationships, and with baseball. More of a ladies man, and loving his parties, he and Olivia, a school teacher, don't see eye to eye as neighbors.
Through a quirky circumstances, Will gets Olivia to come to a game, and also has her pretend to be his girlfriend.
When he wins the game, and with her liked by management and his friends, she becomes his good luck charm. When she is there, he seems to bring his a-game and be at his best on the field. While he doesn't think they are a perfect fit, her sincerity, charm, and good looks, warm his way into his heart until he can't seem to think how he can play, and live without her. She is warmed over to Will too, as he adjusts to being 'normal', and getting his HEA in an unexpected way.
A winning combination, with chemistry, humor, and sweet romance. As they gradually get to know each other, they win each others hearts.
Read this again 2019. This was such a fun read. I always love a sports romance, and this is no exception. Olivia and Will are such great characters. Lots of foibles and idiosyncrasies, but so genuine, lovable, and charismatic. There interactions with each other were so well done. The hate growing to love relationship was beautifully written. A.M. deserves every accolade for this one.
October 10, 2016
4-4.5
This was a fun, romantic comedy. I loved that it wasn't at all insta-love...there was physical attraction at first, but other than that they basically hated each other in the beginning. My kind of start to a book. :)
Will and Olivia's was a fun story to read. I enjoyed watching them fall for each other, for Will to grow and get more depth as a person (he seemed pretty shallow at first; what you'd expect a typical pro-athlete to be like)...but their story came to a satisfying end, even if it ended a little quickly.
All in all, this was a fun read. If you enjoy clean romantic comedies with a little spunk, you'll enjoy this one!
Source: NetGalley
This was a fun, romantic comedy. I loved that it wasn't at all insta-love...there was physical attraction at first, but other than that they basically hated each other in the beginning. My kind of start to a book. :)
Will and Olivia's was a fun story to read. I enjoyed watching them fall for each other, for Will to grow and get more depth as a person (he seemed pretty shallow at first; what you'd expect a typical pro-athlete to be like)...but their story came to a satisfying end, even if it ended a little quickly.
All in all, this was a fun read. If you enjoy clean romantic comedies with a little spunk, you'll enjoy this one!
Source: NetGalley
August 24, 2016
Wow! I am not sure if I can do justice on this review. I enjoyed this book cover to cover. The plot, characters and most of all Will's baseball team. I loved the odd couple romance and how you know you are reading a "romance novel" but also know you will be able to read it and not be embarrassed by the adult content. Amy did a great job giving this book romantic depth. I highly recommend The Thirteenth Chance.
I received a Netgalley copy in exchange for my review.
I received a Netgalley copy in exchange for my review.
September 8, 2016
This is the second of Amy Matayo's books I have read and this is the second book of hers that I have LOVED. I was hooked from the first page and could not put it down. The characters felt real and I was roped into their stories and knowing how it was all going to end up. One of the most entertaining feel good reads I have picked up in a long time.
I got a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I got a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Read
March 21, 2017Very fun. Review coming.
September 23, 2018
This was a fun romantic comedy that I started out listening to on audio and then switched over to reading on ebook. I enjoyed both ways of reading it. With the audio, there was a male and a female narrator, which was very nice. With ebook, I could read faster.
There was plenty of humor all throughout this story, yet also some deeper baggage that Olivia carried from her past. I enjoyed seeing Olivia flourish as the novel progressed. The author did a superb job of writing an egotistical sports icon hero in Will. Although he grows and changes throughout the book, it definitely takes awhile to break through how impressed he is with himself! There was great attraction and chemistry between these two.
I enjoyed this story. Although listed as Christian, I personally would categorize it as a clean, contemporary romance.
There was plenty of humor all throughout this story, yet also some deeper baggage that Olivia carried from her past. I enjoyed seeing Olivia flourish as the novel progressed. The author did a superb job of writing an egotistical sports icon hero in Will. Although he grows and changes throughout the book, it definitely takes awhile to break through how impressed he is with himself! There was great attraction and chemistry between these two.
I enjoyed this story. Although listed as Christian, I personally would categorize it as a clean, contemporary romance.
April 15, 2017
Adorable, funny and beautiful!
February 18, 2021
Leído 2017
Fake Romance
Slow Burn
Está bonito, un poco lento y una protagonista desesperante
Fake Romance
Slow Burn
Está bonito, un poco lento y una protagonista desesperante
November 5, 2024
Cute, clean and if you enjoy romance, wit, or stories of crazy-cat-ladies paired up with impulsive, flirty sports fanatics, (or clean new adult in general), this is a story I’d definitely recommend trying out.
September 16, 2016
https://celebrityreaders.wordpress.co...
Favorite Quotes:
“You might think you’re cute and all, but baseball players aren’t my thing. Especially not you.” With those words, I’m looking at what used to be that skyrocketing ego lying in small chunks all around my feet. I consider stepping on them myself just to watch the way they flatten. It makes me think of pancakes, but suddenly I’m not at all hungry.
“And what are you smiling at? Stop smiling at me.” Really, it’s unnerving, like he can see inside my mind and he’s discovered a secret he still hasn’t shared with me. I don’t like people knowing things about me when I don’t know them first.
My voice is a quiet, loud, a simmering pan of water, a violent explosion in a downtown skyscraper. I feel everything at once, and nothing at all.
Her touch feels like fire. I’m glad she keeps going, because it turns out I love getting burned.
There’s something nice about knowing someone would maim another individual for you. That’s real friendship.
5 Stars
Wow, I’m so shocked with all the quote worthy sections in this book. Seriously, I have way more quotes but I can’t fit them all! This author was excellent with metaphors and dialogue and internal emoting. Just everything in this book was awesome. If I had to pick one thing that wasn’t, it would be the suspense of their first kiss damn near killed me dead! But well worth the wait.
This book was interesting because the romance built very slowly but it never really got boring for me. It just took a bit longer to get to where it was going. Almost no kissing, but lots of… I don’t want to say foreplay cause there wasn’t that. I guess flirting would be the next closest descriptor. That sounds weird but that’s the only way I can really explain it.
Olivia’s internal monologue was a bit long winded yet it held my attention. I didn’t think I was gonna like this book as much as I did. I thought she was clinical at one point but the author never clarified if she had an anxiety/OCD order so I don’t know. I think my tastes are changing.
Will’s character was a bit tropey and I don’t think I found out what exactly attracted him to her in the first place,(she just seemed crazy to him) it seemed a bunch of little things. Not like one big thing. I felt his character was overshadowed by Olivia’s intense personality IMO.
This is a great NA clean romance if that’s your bag. Which is just one of the bags I like to peek into from time to time.
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
Favorite Quotes:
“You might think you’re cute and all, but baseball players aren’t my thing. Especially not you.” With those words, I’m looking at what used to be that skyrocketing ego lying in small chunks all around my feet. I consider stepping on them myself just to watch the way they flatten. It makes me think of pancakes, but suddenly I’m not at all hungry.
“And what are you smiling at? Stop smiling at me.” Really, it’s unnerving, like he can see inside my mind and he’s discovered a secret he still hasn’t shared with me. I don’t like people knowing things about me when I don’t know them first.
My voice is a quiet, loud, a simmering pan of water, a violent explosion in a downtown skyscraper. I feel everything at once, and nothing at all.
Her touch feels like fire. I’m glad she keeps going, because it turns out I love getting burned.
There’s something nice about knowing someone would maim another individual for you. That’s real friendship.
5 Stars
Wow, I’m so shocked with all the quote worthy sections in this book. Seriously, I have way more quotes but I can’t fit them all! This author was excellent with metaphors and dialogue and internal emoting. Just everything in this book was awesome. If I had to pick one thing that wasn’t, it would be the suspense of their first kiss damn near killed me dead! But well worth the wait.
This book was interesting because the romance built very slowly but it never really got boring for me. It just took a bit longer to get to where it was going. Almost no kissing, but lots of… I don’t want to say foreplay cause there wasn’t that. I guess flirting would be the next closest descriptor. That sounds weird but that’s the only way I can really explain it.
Olivia’s internal monologue was a bit long winded yet it held my attention. I didn’t think I was gonna like this book as much as I did. I thought she was clinical at one point but the author never clarified if she had an anxiety/OCD order so I don’t know. I think my tastes are changing.
Will’s character was a bit tropey and I don’t think I found out what exactly attracted him to her in the first place,(she just seemed crazy to him) it seemed a bunch of little things. Not like one big thing. I felt his character was overshadowed by Olivia’s intense personality IMO.
This is a great NA clean romance if that’s your bag. Which is just one of the bags I like to peek into from time to time.
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
September 26, 2016
3.5 stars
After being blown away by The End of the World earlier this year, I was excited to dive into another Amy Matayo novel. While this one didn't quite live up to all the FEELS of that one (I'm not sure any story could, at this point), I was still very delighted with it! After reading these two books by her, I've decided that Ms. Matayo excels at changing up her writing. Which is a compliment! Her stories all seem so distinct, and to have the ability to write completely different things is pretty amazing. It makes me excited to see where her next book will go!
The biggest thing I liked about this story was Olivia. She's all kinds of adorable with her quirky personality. Her mix of fears, confidence, doubts, insecurity, and OCD tendencies had potential to be too much for one character, but instead she comes across as endearing. (I want to be friends with Olivia! And Perry, her cat. :) She gets herself in so many embarrassing situations (without meaning to, of course!), which only made me like her more, because she always, always means well. I just don't think it's possible for anyone to meet her and not like her. Well, except for Will. But that's only because he's in denial about his attraction to her. ;)
Speaking of Will, he tends to be a bit impulsive and a lot arrogant, and of course this means he clashes with Olivia a great deal. Which I loved, because their bickering is one of my favorite parts of the book! Yet they both have baggage they need to work through, so it's not all fun and games. The fact that they support each other and help make the other a better person just adds to the genuine feel of their romance. They become a comfort for one another and provide a safe place where they can both shuck off their facades and just be their real selves. The moments they truly open up to one another are some of the sweetest. These proved to me how perfect they fit together and kept me turning pages determined to find their happy ending!
I did think some of the plot moved a tad quickly and a few conflicts were settled a little too easily, but I could overlook that due to the overall cuteness of Olivia and Will. They made me grin several times and swoon a few others! Plus all the baseball references (being the only sport that I can actually understand :) were fun. Definitely a keeper to add to your shelves, friends!
**I received a complimentary copy from the author via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
After being blown away by The End of the World earlier this year, I was excited to dive into another Amy Matayo novel. While this one didn't quite live up to all the FEELS of that one (I'm not sure any story could, at this point), I was still very delighted with it! After reading these two books by her, I've decided that Ms. Matayo excels at changing up her writing. Which is a compliment! Her stories all seem so distinct, and to have the ability to write completely different things is pretty amazing. It makes me excited to see where her next book will go!
The biggest thing I liked about this story was Olivia. She's all kinds of adorable with her quirky personality. Her mix of fears, confidence, doubts, insecurity, and OCD tendencies had potential to be too much for one character, but instead she comes across as endearing. (I want to be friends with Olivia! And Perry, her cat. :) She gets herself in so many embarrassing situations (without meaning to, of course!), which only made me like her more, because she always, always means well. I just don't think it's possible for anyone to meet her and not like her. Well, except for Will. But that's only because he's in denial about his attraction to her. ;)
Speaking of Will, he tends to be a bit impulsive and a lot arrogant, and of course this means he clashes with Olivia a great deal. Which I loved, because their bickering is one of my favorite parts of the book! Yet they both have baggage they need to work through, so it's not all fun and games. The fact that they support each other and help make the other a better person just adds to the genuine feel of their romance. They become a comfort for one another and provide a safe place where they can both shuck off their facades and just be their real selves. The moments they truly open up to one another are some of the sweetest. These proved to me how perfect they fit together and kept me turning pages determined to find their happy ending!
I did think some of the plot moved a tad quickly and a few conflicts were settled a little too easily, but I could overlook that due to the overall cuteness of Olivia and Will. They made me grin several times and swoon a few others! Plus all the baseball references (being the only sport that I can actually understand :) were fun. Definitely a keeper to add to your shelves, friends!
**I received a complimentary copy from the author via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 12, 2016
From first reading the synopsis, I knew baseball was central to the theme, and I'm not really a sports fan -- I'm neutral. The good news? Reading this I discovered you don't have to know anything beyond "3 strikes and you're out", and the fact that fastball and curveball pitches are completely different. That's it. :)
Olivia has walls. Walls she thought were for her own good, to protect herself, but are instead keeping her distant from others. Her wariness and slight superstition related to the number "13" shows itself when she learns it's Will's number. When we finally learn the truth behind her "13" superstition, it sheds major light on her personal baggage and family story. Will is bold and different, not afraid to call out her quirks and dig deeper into her personality. While he can be brash and outspoken, Olivia can hold her own in a battle of words. This makes for some hilarious exchanges between the two, my personal favorites being when Perry the cat is involved. I think the two of them really compliment each other.
The story is told with alternating 1st person points-of-view. It's a clever tool Amy uses to accomplish just the right tone of humor and directness. It gives us an inside look at the thoughts and emotions of Olivia and Will. At times, though, the narrative is as much about what is not being said or outright avoided in the character's head as what is directly told. After a couple of chapters of learning the tones of Olivia and Will, I could start to read between the lines and see what each was choosing not to focus on. (especially in a few key scenes near the end. what fun!)
This is a cute romantic comedy with life lessons each of the lead characters must face. Underneath the humor, spark, and banter of these two lies a deeper story of letting go, of risking self and heart to gain kinship and acceptance. Both of them learn, in different ways, that perceptions and initial judgments can be "off base" (pun intended by myself and Amy). They must decide if they will bravely let the past be the past and strive to be better in the future. If you enjoy romance, wit, or stories of crazy-cat-ladies paired up with impulsive, flirty sports fanatics, (or clean new adult in general), this is a story I'd definitely recommend trying out!
Thank you to the author/publisher for a complimentary review copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Olivia has walls. Walls she thought were for her own good, to protect herself, but are instead keeping her distant from others. Her wariness and slight superstition related to the number "13" shows itself when she learns it's Will's number. When we finally learn the truth behind her "13" superstition, it sheds major light on her personal baggage and family story. Will is bold and different, not afraid to call out her quirks and dig deeper into her personality. While he can be brash and outspoken, Olivia can hold her own in a battle of words. This makes for some hilarious exchanges between the two, my personal favorites being when Perry the cat is involved. I think the two of them really compliment each other.
The story is told with alternating 1st person points-of-view. It's a clever tool Amy uses to accomplish just the right tone of humor and directness. It gives us an inside look at the thoughts and emotions of Olivia and Will. At times, though, the narrative is as much about what is not being said or outright avoided in the character's head as what is directly told. After a couple of chapters of learning the tones of Olivia and Will, I could start to read between the lines and see what each was choosing not to focus on. (especially in a few key scenes near the end. what fun!)
This is a cute romantic comedy with life lessons each of the lead characters must face. Underneath the humor, spark, and banter of these two lies a deeper story of letting go, of risking self and heart to gain kinship and acceptance. Both of them learn, in different ways, that perceptions and initial judgments can be "off base" (pun intended by myself and Amy). They must decide if they will bravely let the past be the past and strive to be better in the future. If you enjoy romance, wit, or stories of crazy-cat-ladies paired up with impulsive, flirty sports fanatics, (or clean new adult in general), this is a story I'd definitely recommend trying out!
Thank you to the author/publisher for a complimentary review copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews