Sweet Spot

by Rae Lynn Blaise

“If I do this for you, it’s the last time. Here is how you will prove to me that it’s the last time. No more flings. No more parties. No more absolutely anything. You live for two things–practice and games. Give me your word.”

With those words, Coach Halstead bailed me out one final time. I guess I can’t help it if I’m baseball’s favorite bad boy. Until I meet young, innocent, sexy-as-hell and pure-as-sunshine Ally.

“You gonna score a run for me?” she asks. And because I just. Cannot. Resist. A pretty face. I say yes.

Am I about to lose coach’s trust, my career, and this girl?
Or can I hit the sweet spot?


Genres: Sports, Sports Romance, Baseball, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, New Adult

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2016

About the author

Tattooed connoisseur of smut. Compulsive writer of any sexy idea that drifts through my mind. Hurricanes and hot guys always welcome

Reviews

[Jabberwocky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Sweet Spot
Series: (standalone)
Author: Rae Lynn Blaise
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Sports Romance
Rating: 4-Stars
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: Yes
Blog: HERE



Sweet Spot

novella can be read as a standalone





Sweet Spot was a smile-worthy, sweet read with scoops of insta-love, sprinkles of insta-lust, and a bite of bad boy to make you swoon. And while I did enjoy reading this for the novella it was, I can't help but wish there had been more.

Because with more development and a better understanding of the characters' thrown-out-in-left-field (is that a baseball reference? *scratches head*) decisions throughout the book, with Kemper's laugh-out-loud POV and Rae Lynn Blaise's awesome writing, Sweet Spot would've been a home run.



As it was, I do recommend this novella if you're looking for something short and sweet about a very bad boy who melts into a delicious nice book boyfriend. Here, go ahead, have a lick:

She makes me want to be better. It's horrifically corny and cliché, I know, but it's true. I want to be the guy who hangs the moon and pushes the sun to rise. I want to sweeten the air she breathes and give her a life of comfort and pleasure. I want to be the man she can rely on, cry to, love in the darkest, quietest moments.

Yummy, right?





Hero: 4-Stars
Heroine: 3.5-Stars
Romance: 3.5-Stars
Sex: 5-Stars
Plot: 3.5-Stars
Dialogue: 4.5-Stars
Writing: 5-Stars





PS: I was gifted a complementary copy of this book as part of the Shh… Summer Buzz Book Event 2016! So a huge thank you to the Shh...Group and author Rae Lynn Blaise. But I do solemnly swear that I am up to...good. *wink* This is a fair, honest review and/or rating(s) of this book, pinky promise.

[CeCe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not connect with this one. The heroine is 18 and she had to be one of the most immature heroines I have ever read in a book. Not sure I would describe her as "pure as sunshine" either.
I could not understand what this hot professional baseball player who was 10 years older than the heroine saw in her. I usually do not think this when I read about a older guy/younger woman romance, but I thought he had a fetish. She just came off so immature. In there first meeting, I pictured her in pigtails, blowing bubbles while asking him if he wanted sprinkles on his ice scream and then telling him maybe he never has the right kind of toppings. (loc 10%) Not for me.

I don't know if things change later, but my reading time is precious and there are too many other books out there.

I was excited to read this one, but I just could not continue. Reading is subjective. You may love this one.

[Melluvsbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like either character much. The heroine wasn’t in any way “innocent” and it’s bizarre that the summary described her as such. I don’t believe their HEA. He’ll screw the next hot redhead coed he comes across. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Jennifer Oloughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Ally and Kemper meet for the first time, they’re so hot they could melt ice cream. 
Kemper is trying to stay focused on his baseball career, but his draw to Ally tosses that right out the window, and Ally eats up everything Kemper is dishes out. This book was fire.

If you love insta-love this book is for you!

***I was given an arc from Give Me Books Promotions in exchange for an honest review****

[Megan Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recieved for an honest review.

I loved this book! I loved that it was told from Kemper's point of view, it was different and uncommon and I loved it!
I loved to see his transformation and i loved the relationship between him and Ally.
I thought it was a little short, I would've liked more detail, especially at the end, it felt a little rushed. The brushes with faith also lost my attention a little but I understand the role it played.

Overall, a very sweet, quick read!

[Pop Fizz Clink Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed cracker-jacks as I was reading this fun, upbeat, baseball loving, romantic story. If you love baseball or sports this is your story. If you read while your significant other watches this is a perfect game day book too. This is a really fun, summer day, fast reading book. Full of silly player bantering, the emotional connection of playing baseball & being in the game. Fabulous dynamics of players & coaches. Then the love story, adding just enough touch of spice. A heating element to really spice the story up. Hot, sexy, passionate encounters. Really creating a fun & romantic story.
The only downfall to me, was Ally's age. Drove me crazy throughout the entire book. Silly as it seems, she could have been a better character with a simple age change. -Read & reviewed for an honest opionion by French Sparkle with Pop Fizz Clink Read

[Socially Book Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was given a free copy for an honest review. I am such a cleat chaser and Kemper heats up the ball field.....​ ​Ally​ ​is​ ​Sweet,​ ​innocent​ ​and​ ​the​ ​coaches​ ​daughter.​ ​So,​ ​way​ ​off​ ​limits.​ ​Kemp​ ​can’t​ ​seem
to​ ​catch​ ​a​ ​break,​ ​drowning​ ​in​ ​bad​ ​choices.​ ​But​ ​is​ ​off​ ​limits​ ​Ally​ ​the​ ​right​ ​choice?​ ​Sweet,​ ​Sexy,
Steamy​ ​Romance.

[Melissa Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Sweet Spot
Author: Rae Lynn Blaise
Publisher: Bigger on the Inside
Release Date: June 16, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary Sports Romance
Page Count: 345
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

“If I do this for you, it’s the last time. Here is how you will prove to me that it’s the last time. No more flings. No more parties. No more absolutely anything. You live for two things–practice and games. Give me your word.”

With those words, Coach Halstead bailed me out one final time. I guess I can’t help it if I’m baseball’s favorite bad boy. Until I meet young, innocent, sexy-as-hell and pure-as-sunshine Ally.

“You gonna score a run for me?” she asks. And because I just. Cannot. Resist. A pretty face. I say yes.

Am I about to lose coach’s trust, my career, and this girl?
Or can I hit the sweet spot?

Review:
“Ally turns to look at me, and in the moment our eyes lock, it feels like the sky explodes and everything shatters around us. There’s no one else but the two of us, held in this moment as if nothing else matters.”

4 batter up stars!!! Kemper is my new favorite baseball bad boy!!

Kemper is baseball’s bad boy and with his last warning from his coach, he’s walking on eggshells. He can be a good boy right?? Of course, but then there’s the coaches daughter. Will temptation get the better of him??

I love a good sports story, and it’s baseball too?? Yeah I fell in love!!! I loved reading about Kemper and Ally, the constant struggle of their being together came through the pages! And Kemper’s struggle with trying to be a good boy, ugh, loved!!! The writing was perfect and so was the story!! Huge fan!


ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

The plot needs some work. I felt like I was missing things in the book and kept going back to make sure. I didn't really like the references to the Bible and prayer right before the characters had sex. If you are going to write about God make sure it is a Christian romance.

[The Book Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting and fast read.. really liked the characters and how the story played out

[Book Binge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty cute with a little bit of humor and drama. I usually prefer books told from both POVs but I didn't mind so much that it was only told in Kemper's POV. I liked Kemper, but I didn't love him. He ws just your basic sports guy manwhore because of some reason that reveals his inability to cope with emotions. The main thing that bothered me (besides the tired concept of the hero) was the fact that he was so wishy-washy. Every time it seemed like he had finally made a decision about what to do he immediately changed his mind.

[Mary Stockwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short read

I love the romances about the bad boy professional sports players. This is an enjoyable short read. The only thing I didn't like were the repetitious sex scenes. Some of them seemed to be written by horny teenage boys. I do wish the authors would realize that sometimes less is more.

[Maritza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generous 2* - The premise of the book was good but the female lead was too young and immature and the male was too old and unbelievable. A good compromise was to have made her 3 years older and him 5 years younger. It is unbelievable that het would jeopardize his career for an immature girl who comes across younger than her age. I read this for GR challenge or would have DNF'd this one.

[Tamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good

Good quick read. I do wish it could have been longer to give more of life in Arizona otherwise great story

[Brianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baseball’s Bad Boy meets Coaches Daughter … Cannot be good right? Well your wrong, this book was a good, quick read, if you are looking something to tie you over for about an hour or so. If you love baseball, hot guys, bad boys and hot love making, then this is the book for you.
Rae Lynn Blaise knows how to write bad boys, sports romance and making her readers want more. You cannot help but like Kansas City Royals Second Baseman Kemper Fife. What’s not to like about this sweet talking, fast pace ball player who is smooth with the ladies off the field and a hero on the field. However, when his carefree life style lands him in the slammer, things got to change ….
But in walks Ally with her sweet personality and a variety of ice cream and all hell breaks out for Kemper. He cannot resist her and a secret love affair begins … but if and when the coach finds out, Kemper can kiss his career goodbye.
If you are looking for a quick, good read, then the Sweet Spot is the book for you. The book moves in a quick fast pace, the characters are fairly likeable and the overall feeling of the book is fairly light and fun. I am a lover of Sports Romance and as we are in the misdt of ball-season, a good Baseball Romance is just what the doctor ordered.
As mentioned, if you are looking for a quick, fun, sports romance read, then the Sweet Spot should be on your list to read next! It would be a great read for the beach or campsite and will leave you feeling good.

[Zeljka · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 stars***

I debated on how many stars to give to this book. Five seemed like too many, three was really not good choice because this book actually was a GOOD read. I liked it and read it in one day! And although it's not super long, come on, if you don't like the book, you'll keep off reading it even if it's just 5-pages-long novella. So yeah, I LIKED it. So, 4 stars is really the perfect choice!

It was short and sweet. And thrilling and interesting and frustrating (at times). But it was a nice, funny read. It's the lighthearted book written from the male POV, which I did love! We get too little of those, and even less this well written, so, yes, I would recommend it.

She makes me want to be better. It's horrifically corny and cliché, I know, but it's true. I want to be the guy who hangs the moon and pushes the sun to rise. I want to sweeten the air she breathes and give her a life of comfort and pleasure. I want to be the man she can rely on, cry to, love in the darkest, quietest moments.

Sigh.

Take a chance on Ally and Kemp, you won't regret it. Look how good it turned out for them! winkwink

[Brandy Castenada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Spot by Rae Lynn Blaise. Sweet Spot is a sports romance. This is the first time I read author Rae Lynn Blaise book, and did not know what to expect so I jumped right in. Sweet Spot was well written and captured my attention from start to finish; once I started I couldn't put the book down. Sweet Spot is about a bad boy baseball player named kemp. He loves playing baseball and partying. Kemp needs to re-vamp his image quick, but in the process he finds himself getting involved with the coaches 18 year old daughter. Kemp knows Ally the coaches daughter is off limits. Can Kemp stay away from her, or is the connection enough to risk it all? I like the plot of this story a little of bit of finding yourself, fulfilling your dreams, and love. There is also a beautiful, complex, sensual and sexy love story. The writing is pretty great too flows nicely, kept me intrigued until the end.

[Lori R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read filled with insta-love and delicious steam. It’s told from the POV of Kemper Fife, second baseman for the KC Royals. You will get lots of fun banter between him and his teammates, and also some meaningful (and sexy) moments between him and the girl he falls for.

As usual, I love the writing style of this author. We get a hunky, lovable hero who’s tempted by a girl who’s untouchable – or should be. With the perfect amount of drama, you will get to the end of this story with a satisfying HEA. Although I would’ve loved to connect a little more with Ally, I really enjoyed this story.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast-paced, well-written story with plenty of sexy times with a hot baseball player, and a happy ending.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

✿ ✿ ✿ ARC Giveaway! ✿ ✿ ✿
Part of the Shh… Summer Buzz Book Event 2016!
❀ Shh… Summer Buzz Book ARC Giveaway: https://goo.gl/uqgC3u
Win ARCs for all the Buzz Books featured!
❀ Shh… Summer Buzz Books: https://goo.gl/4p43qo
Jun-Sep book, release & ARC info!!
❀ Shh… Summer Buzz Book Calendar: https://goo.gl/78NlrK
All Buzz Books organized by week of release!
❀ Join Shh…: http://goo.gl/OmQUZv
Join for direct links to work. GR redirects all non-members to group home.
❀ RSVP: https://goo.gl/bvZGC3
❀ Author sign-up: https://goo.gl/uUUetK

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This book caught my eye because the hero is a baseball player. It's a good story told from Kemp's point of view. His career is on top and he's having the time of his life, but being caught one too many times puts him in the hot seat. Now he has to clean up his image, but he didn't count on Ally. Sworn off flings and being the Coach's daughter she's off limits, but just try telling that to Kemp. Now he has to choose his career or the girl that could be the One. Nice fast paced story just felt a little too rushed in the flow of the story. Otherwise it's a good read. Being a baseball fan I loved all the references in this one.

[Danisha Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first sports romance that I have ever read and I can say I'm now a fan. This author was new to me and I have to say I really enjoyed her writing. This book had everything I could ask for out of a romance book. The characters are easy to love and it had a happy ending which is something I absolutely love. I literally could not put down this book I read it from beginning to end in one setting. If you are looking for a good romance story then add this to your library and read it ASAP because you won't be disappointed. At least I wasn't I absolutely loved it and will be reading more from this author again.

P.S. This book was given to me for my honest review.

[Jackie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Read

This was a nice quick read about a 28 year old playboy baseball player who's knee is about to put him on the DL, he needs to re vamp his image quick, but in the process he finds himself getting involved with the coaches 18 year old daughter! I enjoyed the bits of humor and realism throughout the story. Was descriptive, engaging kept me interested. Thankful for it being a standalone!

[Moira]

Made it about 65% but I'm trowing in the towel. This heroine really is not likeable. She's the coach's daughter so she's got to know that being caught with her will ruin his career. But she doesn't care. Even after he ends it she turns up at his place throwing herself at him. You can tell she's only 18. Think she knows everything and is all grown up.

Needs better editing as well. Poor spelling mistakes and missing words. Also there's no way this is 345 pages; it's 120 tops.

[Stacy Barr-sooter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

Loved the book. It's written from Kemps point of view. You get to feel his emotions and thoughts and see his short comings. He has a heart of gold that he hides from the world only Ally can see it. She lets him know over and over what a good person he really is. Can life circumstances keep the. A part or will love concur all?

[Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

This was a good book to read.
I loved it when he said. “You make me an honest man , and you make me better in ways I never imagined were possible. Every day, I want to be a better person than the day before"
I want him for me.

[Katy Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good sports romance

I didn't know what yo expect from Blaise as an author. After Reading Sweet Spot I would say I would like to read more by her. It was attention grabbing if nothing else!

[Melanie Cesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun sports story that had good banter and some drama. It’s more like a short story, and because of this, it seemed rushed and lacked the character growth of Kemper and Ally. Sweet Spot has a great plot and is an enjoyable, short but sweet read.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those short and sweet books!!

[Morgan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

Sweet Spot was good. I wished there could have been more to the ending but it was a good book.

[Sherry Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the book it was just to short.