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Cruz Brothers #1
Playing for Kinley
He was in love with his best friend’s sister. He was in love with Kinley Masterson.
And he was in hell.
Parker Cruz pretty much had it made. Coming from basically nothing, he was at the height of his career and was now one of the best baseball players in the major leagues. He was raking in the millions just to play the game that had always been his passion. He was living the dream and could have anything he wanted.
Except Kinley Masterson.
Kinley always knew her camera would take her places someday. She was exactly where she wanted to be in her professional life, but her personal life…that was a long story. Because she always imagined that she’d see all of those places and share in those experiences with someone she loved. Someone she fell for a long time ago and someone who had crushed her heart and left her broken and crying in his wake. Parker Cruz. She had loved him forever and the one summer they had together was magic…before he took off for Boston and acted like she’d never meant anything to him.
Parker knew he’d screwed it up bad with Kinley and he didn’t blame her for hating him. But what he thought had been the right decision at the time turned out to be the worst mistake he had ever made. And now he was determined to win her back. He was going to make her fall in love with him again and nothing and no one was going to stand in his way. Not even Kinley.
And he was in hell.
Parker Cruz pretty much had it made. Coming from basically nothing, he was at the height of his career and was now one of the best baseball players in the major leagues. He was raking in the millions just to play the game that had always been his passion. He was living the dream and could have anything he wanted.
Except Kinley Masterson.
Kinley always knew her camera would take her places someday. She was exactly where she wanted to be in her professional life, but her personal life…that was a long story. Because she always imagined that she’d see all of those places and share in those experiences with someone she loved. Someone she fell for a long time ago and someone who had crushed her heart and left her broken and crying in his wake. Parker Cruz. She had loved him forever and the one summer they had together was magic…before he took off for Boston and acted like she’d never meant anything to him.
Parker knew he’d screwed it up bad with Kinley and he didn’t blame her for hating him. But what he thought had been the right decision at the time turned out to be the worst mistake he had ever made. And now he was determined to win her back. He was going to make her fall in love with him again and nothing and no one was going to stand in his way. Not even Kinley.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2016
263 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Munton
34 books775 followersMelanie grew up in the Midwest, but she loves living in the Southeast (where the beaches are!) now with her husband and daughter.
Melanie's other passion is traveling and seeing the world. With anthropology degrees under their belts, she and her husband have made it their goal in life to see as many archaeological sites around the world as possible.
She has a horrible food addiction to pasta and candy (not together...ew). And she gets sad when her wine rack is empty.
At the end of the day, she is a true romantic at heart. She loves writing the cheesy and corny of romantic comedies, and the sassy and sexy of suspense. She aims to make her readers swoon, laugh out loud, maybe sweat a little, and above all, fall in love.
Go visit Melanie's website and sign up for her newsletter to stay updated on release dates, teasers, and other details for all of her projects!
http://www.melaniemunton.com/
You can also follow Melanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Melanie's other passion is traveling and seeing the world. With anthropology degrees under their belts, she and her husband have made it their goal in life to see as many archaeological sites around the world as possible.
She has a horrible food addiction to pasta and candy (not together...ew). And she gets sad when her wine rack is empty.
At the end of the day, she is a true romantic at heart. She loves writing the cheesy and corny of romantic comedies, and the sassy and sexy of suspense. She aims to make her readers swoon, laugh out loud, maybe sweat a little, and above all, fall in love.
Go visit Melanie's website and sign up for her newsletter to stay updated on release dates, teasers, and other details for all of her projects!
http://www.melaniemunton.com/
You can also follow Melanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
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August 30, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (8/30/2018)!💝
Blurb:
He was in love with his best friend’s sister. He was in love with Kinley Masterson.
And he was in hell.
Parker Cruz pretty much had it made. Coming from basically nothing, he was at the height of his career and was now one of the best baseball players in the major leagues. He was raking in the millions just to play the game that had always been his passion. He was living the dream and could have anything he wanted.
Except Kinley Masterson.
Kinley always knew her camera would take her places someday. She was exactly where she wanted to be in her professional life, but her personal life…that was a long story. Because she always imagined that she’d see all of those places and share in those experiences with someone she loved. Someone she fell for a long time ago and someone who had crushed her heart and left her broken and crying in his wake. Parker Cruz. She had loved him forever and the one summer they had together was magic…before he took off for Boston and acted like she’d never meant anything to him.
Parker knew he’d screwed it up bad with Kinley and he didn’t blame her for hating him. But what he thought had been the right decision at the time turned out to be the worst mistake he had ever made. And now he was determined to win her back. He was going to make her fall in love with him again and nothing and no one was going to stand in his way. Not even Kinley.
Blurb:
He was in love with his best friend’s sister. He was in love with Kinley Masterson.
And he was in hell.
Parker Cruz pretty much had it made. Coming from basically nothing, he was at the height of his career and was now one of the best baseball players in the major leagues. He was raking in the millions just to play the game that had always been his passion. He was living the dream and could have anything he wanted.
Except Kinley Masterson.
Kinley always knew her camera would take her places someday. She was exactly where she wanted to be in her professional life, but her personal life…that was a long story. Because she always imagined that she’d see all of those places and share in those experiences with someone she loved. Someone she fell for a long time ago and someone who had crushed her heart and left her broken and crying in his wake. Parker Cruz. She had loved him forever and the one summer they had together was magic…before he took off for Boston and acted like she’d never meant anything to him.
Parker knew he’d screwed it up bad with Kinley and he didn’t blame her for hating him. But what he thought had been the right decision at the time turned out to be the worst mistake he had ever made. And now he was determined to win her back. He was going to make her fall in love with him again and nothing and no one was going to stand in his way. Not even Kinley.
August 3, 2016
2.5 stars
This book is in desperate need of a good editor. It wasn't a bad story and the characters were all likeable but it was way too long for the little plot and minimal angst it contained. Get a decent editor to cut it down a hundred pages or so and it could be a real winner.
This book is in desperate need of a good editor. It wasn't a bad story and the characters were all likeable but it was way too long for the little plot and minimal angst it contained. Get a decent editor to cut it down a hundred pages or so and it could be a real winner.
September 15, 2016
1.5 stars rounded to 2. This book just wasn't for me. It wasn't terrible, but t wasn't all that good either. I'm glad that the h didn't pine away for the H for a whole decade, but I'm not a fan of long separations like that. I'm also not a fan of flashbacks and there were many in this book. Plus, I'm a little tired of the noble H who pushes the h away so that she could have her own life. I didn't really buy his reasoning and I also didn't buy his feelings for the h.
I don't know why, but the feelings the MCs felt for each other weren't very believable. I liked the dual povs, I liked that there wasn't any real ow/om drama, but that's about it. The writing wasn't strong enough to sell this cliche filled story. There was a lot of telling not showing, too much inner monologue, and it needed another edit.
I don't know why, but the feelings the MCs felt for each other weren't very believable. I liked the dual povs, I liked that there wasn't any real ow/om drama, but that's about it. The writing wasn't strong enough to sell this cliche filled story. There was a lot of telling not showing, too much inner monologue, and it needed another edit.
August 28, 2016
This book had so many positives like an interesting storyline, well developed characters, and just enough momentum to keep you reading. On that note I did find a few things I personally wasn't a fan of like a drawled out story, the non explanation to really why now was the right time to go after her again, and lastly an ending that just didn't feel complete. All in all I'm glad I picked it up. The author was new for me, but gave a nice reading experience. I would consider reading the second one in the fall!
July 9, 2016
Great read!
I was excited for this series after Possession and Politics, and it didn't disappoint! Loved the baseball part and like her other books, Melanie makes you feel like you can literally see the characters and story line. Looking forward to the next Cruz brothers book!
I was excited for this series after Possession and Politics, and it didn't disappoint! Loved the baseball part and like her other books, Melanie makes you feel like you can literally see the characters and story line. Looking forward to the next Cruz brothers book!
July 13, 2016
Best one yet!
Loved this book!!! Love these 2 characters!!! I am a huge baseball fan and enjoyed this book!! This is my favorite book of Melanie's so far. If you haven't purchased this book yet, you should now! Love the connections with our family, Melanie!! Great job!
Loved this book!!! Love these 2 characters!!! I am a huge baseball fan and enjoyed this book!! This is my favorite book of Melanie's so far. If you haven't purchased this book yet, you should now! Love the connections with our family, Melanie!! Great job!
July 24, 2016
More than a best friends little sister romance
This one was more than just his best friends little sister, she was his everything. He just had to figure out to get her to realize it again.
This one was more than just his best friends little sister, she was his everything. He just had to figure out to get her to realize it again.
September 23, 2016
This book was entirely too long. That was my main problem. There were small glimpses of entertainment and then there were long droughts of epic boredom. I didn't mind the main characters at all, I just feel like this story could have been told in half the amount of pages.
September 8, 2018
A second chance romance with a good dose of baseball
I’m a huge baseball fanatic so I love a good baseball romance book, so this book really had all the right makings of a good romance right from the start. Plus I really do enjoy second chance love stories too, through in the fact that the hero in the book is the heroines brother’s best friend, well I was sold on trying this book.
I liked the writing style, I thought the author did a really good job of getting my attention and keeping it. The dialogue felt authentic and like the pacing of the book a lot. I will say there are a couple of spots where the authors really delves into baseball, with like literal play by plays and thought about the plays, which appealed to me but might feel tedious to someone who doesn’t love baseball like I do.
I thought Kinley was both sweet and smart, but also a little broken. I wouldn’t call her jaded though, I mean she clearly still wears her broken heart on her sleeve, she’s still avoids going home or being in a relationship, but it doesn’t seem like she is like a man hater or anything, she’s just a little broken. It’s hard not to like her, she a really cool job being a landscape photographer, she travels, she’s at the top of her field and she’s just generally a good person.
Parker is more than a little damaged. On paper it seems like he has everything he could ever want, like he lives a charmed life. I mean he plays for the Red Sox (woot woot), has great brothers, his best friend is great, he has everything going for him. But he’s still very haunted by his childhood, which man when you read the book, you will totally understand. But he’s also haunted by the choices he made and he has finally decided to start putting things right, getting back the one girl he loved, Kinley.
I thought this book was really sweet, I was easily pulling for these two to work it out. I was hoping I would have more of the feels during the book, I didn’t quite the emotional payoff that I was seeking, but I can’t deny I still enjoyed the book a lot.
I’m a huge baseball fanatic so I love a good baseball romance book, so this book really had all the right makings of a good romance right from the start. Plus I really do enjoy second chance love stories too, through in the fact that the hero in the book is the heroines brother’s best friend, well I was sold on trying this book.
I liked the writing style, I thought the author did a really good job of getting my attention and keeping it. The dialogue felt authentic and like the pacing of the book a lot. I will say there are a couple of spots where the authors really delves into baseball, with like literal play by plays and thought about the plays, which appealed to me but might feel tedious to someone who doesn’t love baseball like I do.
I thought Kinley was both sweet and smart, but also a little broken. I wouldn’t call her jaded though, I mean she clearly still wears her broken heart on her sleeve, she’s still avoids going home or being in a relationship, but it doesn’t seem like she is like a man hater or anything, she’s just a little broken. It’s hard not to like her, she a really cool job being a landscape photographer, she travels, she’s at the top of her field and she’s just generally a good person.
Parker is more than a little damaged. On paper it seems like he has everything he could ever want, like he lives a charmed life. I mean he plays for the Red Sox (woot woot), has great brothers, his best friend is great, he has everything going for him. But he’s still very haunted by his childhood, which man when you read the book, you will totally understand. But he’s also haunted by the choices he made and he has finally decided to start putting things right, getting back the one girl he loved, Kinley.
I thought this book was really sweet, I was easily pulling for these two to work it out. I was hoping I would have more of the feels during the book, I didn’t quite the emotional payoff that I was seeking, but I can’t deny I still enjoyed the book a lot.
June 25, 2021
For someone who loves all things baseball, this book was just not for me.
I love baseball. I love watching games, attending them, and reading books about this particular topic. I think this book suffered with being too detailed and too long. And I hate to say that as a reader. I don’t like to DNF books, but I started reading this book in January 2021 and just now finished reading it in June.
The characters were okay. I found that Parker had more growth than Kinley. But both characters were okay. I just think the main problem in this book was that it had too much unnecessary stuff for me, personally. I don’t need thousands of baseball details, whether or not I’m knowledgeable. Unfortunately, I don’t think that I’m going to read anymore of this series just because of the over detailed problem.
I love baseball. I love watching games, attending them, and reading books about this particular topic. I think this book suffered with being too detailed and too long. And I hate to say that as a reader. I don’t like to DNF books, but I started reading this book in January 2021 and just now finished reading it in June.
The characters were okay. I found that Parker had more growth than Kinley. But both characters were okay. I just think the main problem in this book was that it had too much unnecessary stuff for me, personally. I don’t need thousands of baseball details, whether or not I’m knowledgeable. Unfortunately, I don’t think that I’m going to read anymore of this series just because of the over detailed problem.
September 25, 2018
Goodness I'm in a book rut. This book didn't get me out of it.
This book was okay. It was cute and light and could've been a fun read if it wasn't so dang immature.
1. It was too long, yet didn't give us much of a HEA. When we could've used more story and details, we didn't get any.
2. There was no real drama or angst, which usually means no real passion.
3. They literally had one argument, and it led to them being separated for a month. Then they never really resolved it.
4. The overarching issue that led to them being separated for YEARS was also never resolved.
I didn't really see this as a second chance because I never saw or felt the first chance.
I wasn't a fan of the H or the h, and I would probably pass on this one.
This book was okay. It was cute and light and could've been a fun read if it wasn't so dang immature.
1. It was too long, yet didn't give us much of a HEA. When we could've used more story and details, we didn't get any.
2. There was no real drama or angst, which usually means no real passion.
3. They literally had one argument, and it led to them being separated for a month. Then they never really resolved it.
4. The overarching issue that led to them being separated for YEARS was also never resolved.
I didn't really see this as a second chance because I never saw or felt the first chance.
I wasn't a fan of the H or the h, and I would probably pass on this one.
April 13, 2017
I had a really hard time getting done with this book. It seemed to go on FOREVER with all the past popping up every time I swipe my kindle and they were NOT SHORT. I mean yeah we know they have a past and he wants her back but COME ON. The save grace of this book is family on both sides. Plus I have a problem with Kinley. Oh...he left me TO FOLLOW MY DREAMS AND I'M ONLY 17 AND HE'S 21! Really?! You gonna bitch about that? Man's a saint then to give you up to be happy at that point of your life. Of course they both needed to grown up anyway. Over all, it's a good book if you can make it (or skip) the past in the book. Bummer about Cruz's family and what happens to Ryan but we all have something in our childhood that we have to get over to grow up. I want to get the second book but, I think I will have to wait for a bit. Is this book worth 2.99? NO!! I mean it's a good baseball/romance book with some steamy pages but It worth 1.99 at best.
September 6, 2018
PARKER AND KINLEY SUPER HOT
I'm not much of a sports fan , but I do love reading about the sexy sports players that will do anything for the woman he loves.
Parker made the worst mistake of his life when he broke up with Kinley years ago. He realised that she was the one for him and went about getting her back.
It wasn't easy at first but she loves him so that was half the battle won already.
A beautifully written second chance at love for a awesome couple who deserved it.
I'm not much of a sports fan , but I do love reading about the sexy sports players that will do anything for the woman he loves.
Parker made the worst mistake of his life when he broke up with Kinley years ago. He realised that she was the one for him and went about getting her back.
It wasn't easy at first but she loves him so that was half the battle won already.
A beautifully written second chance at love for a awesome couple who deserved it.
February 17, 2017
Love the story line and the background flashbacks that lead you through their past and present. The intensity between them is fire! A little biased on the finishing
September 3, 2018
Even though I am a Yankee fan, I absolutely loved this book. It was so enthralling story. I laughed, I cried, and I was actually (secretly) cheering for the Red Socks. This was a great story with a lot of emotion. If you like baseball, and sports romance U highly recommend this book.
September 12, 2018
This is a second chance contemporary romance. The H/h have plenty of chemistry. The angst between the H/h became a bit annoying to read for me by the end of the book. Overall this was an alright read for me and I am unsure how quickly I will read the other books in the series.
September 13, 2018
Great book
If you love romance and baseball you will love this book. Even though I'm a Yankee fan, I was rooting for Parker!
If you love romance and baseball you will love this book. Even though I'm a Yankee fan, I was rooting for Parker!
September 24, 2018
After getting by grammatical errors etc I enjoyed second chance love story -one in which a famous baseball player had to get past his terrible childhood in order to love his childhood sweetheart
October 16, 2018
Hi
Wow, this ese amazing, I loved every second of every chapter. This characters spoke to me, and I also learned that I need to learn more about baseball
Wow, this ese amazing, I loved every second of every chapter. This characters spoke to me, and I also learned that I need to learn more about baseball
June 3, 2021
Cute story
September 6, 2016
Great read!
Parker Cruz grew up with a drunk father and a pill addicted, enabling mother. So when he became best friends with Clay Masterson not only did he gain new family members but he also gained Kinley. For years the 2 hounded each other, she was like the sister he never had, until she grew up. They dated briefly before her senior year of high school but he hurt her terribly when he was called up to the majors and decided to end things with her so he didn't hold her back.
For years kinley ignored Parker at family events and holidays. He still had her heart but she couldn't let it show. So when the 2 are brought back together at a family event their friendship is rekindled. But with a troubled past home life, being the star of the Boston Red Sox, and her being a traveling photographer schedules are hectic and relationship gets tough. They have to see if their love is strong enough to put through the test.
Great read! I know I'll read mason next but Parker will probably be my favorite!!
Parker Cruz grew up with a drunk father and a pill addicted, enabling mother. So when he became best friends with Clay Masterson not only did he gain new family members but he also gained Kinley. For years the 2 hounded each other, she was like the sister he never had, until she grew up. They dated briefly before her senior year of high school but he hurt her terribly when he was called up to the majors and decided to end things with her so he didn't hold her back.
For years kinley ignored Parker at family events and holidays. He still had her heart but she couldn't let it show. So when the 2 are brought back together at a family event their friendship is rekindled. But with a troubled past home life, being the star of the Boston Red Sox, and her being a traveling photographer schedules are hectic and relationship gets tough. They have to see if their love is strong enough to put through the test.
Great read! I know I'll read mason next but Parker will probably be my favorite!!
November 14, 2016
I liked this book, second chance romance is a favorite of mine. That said, while I enjoy getting into a character's head and 'hearing' their thoughts, there was an over abundance of inner monologues in this book that started to make me a little crazy. All of the inner ramblings in the characters' brains became cumbersome and drew the story out to the point of dragging at times. I loiked Parker and Kinley, I liked the glimpses of secondary characters and this would be a 4 star book for me if there were less talking/thinking to themselves and more talking to each other and other characters.
June 1, 2020
This book had so many positives like an interesting storyline, well-developed characters, and just enough momentum to keep you reading. On that note I did find a few things I personally wasn't a fan of like a drawled out story, the non-explanation to really why now was the right time to go after her again, and lastly an ending that just didn't feel complete. All in all, I'm glad I picked it up. The author was new to me but it still gave me a nice reading experience.
August 1, 2016
Sweet heart warming sports romance, true love
This was a great book. I love reading sport romance books and it was about baseball,easy to understand. Two people who had been in love with each other forever and drifted apart finding their way back to each other. This was my first read by this author but won't be my last.
This was a great book. I love reading sport romance books and it was about baseball,easy to understand. Two people who had been in love with each other forever and drifted apart finding their way back to each other. This was my first read by this author but won't be my last.
November 21, 2016
Absolutely fantastic sports romance!!! I loved the balance between the sport and it being pro baseball versus telling their love story. Life is full of mistakes and second chances. This book weaves a beautiful and heart-broken story into an amazing and heart-warming journey of love and second chances!
Don't miss this one!
Don't miss this one!
June 23, 2023
Personally I did like this book but it could of been better. I loved the ending and the story line was really good but there was to many mistakes and kinda dragging a bit. Overall I do like it there were some good parts to it and if you just want something to read really quick or have nothing else to read this is the book.
July 1, 2022
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Excellent - Highly Recommended
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A good, solid read
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - An okay read
2 ⭐️⭐️ - Meh
1 ⭐️ - Not my cup of tea
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A good, solid read
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - An okay read
2 ⭐️⭐️ - Meh
1 ⭐️ - Not my cup of tea
July 25, 2016
Amazing!!!!!!
Absolutely loved the characters and the story line! Had me in my feels from page one til the end ❤️❤️
Absolutely loved the characters and the story line! Had me in my feels from page one til the end ❤️❤️
July 29, 2016
Read it!!
Love this new series of brothers ....Cruz oh Parker the sexy baseball player!!! Kinley so lucky!! Great fun read! Can't wait to read about the other brothers...
Love this new series of brothers ....Cruz oh Parker the sexy baseball player!!! Kinley so lucky!! Great fun read! Can't wait to read about the other brothers...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews