Fourth Down Baby

Ballers & Babies #4

by Lauren Landish

He tempted me and I couldn’t resist.  Now I’m having his baby.

It all started out innocent. Cory helped me around the house, and I mentored him, but then things changed. I started to see desire in his eyes, and I have to admit, I liked it. I know it isn't right, but I can't help myself. He makes me feel alive again.

But being with him isn’t healthy. We come from different worlds. I should let him go—let him live his life. I’ll only hold him back and keep him from achieving his dreams.          

It was supposed to be a fling with the forbidden. I only wanted to indulge, nothing more.  I planned to say goodbye before anything got out of hand. But now I can’t… because I’m pregnant with his baby.

**Fourth Down Baby is a full-length romance with an HEA, no cliffhanger, and no cheating!

Genres: Sports, Romance, Sports Romance, Amazon, Football, Contemporary

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2016

About the author

Lauren Landish is a WALL STREET JOURNAL & USA TODAY bestselling author and her books have garnered a legion of praise from her readers.

When she’s not plotting about how she will introduce you to your next sexy as hell book boyfriend, you can find her deep, deep in her writing cave, furiously tapping away on her keyboard, writing scenes that would make even a hardened sailor blush.

Lauren, who lives in NC with her boyfriend and fur baby, warmly invites you to her worlds of rock hard abs, chiseled smiles, and men with deep, fat pockets…but beware! These stories are guaranteed to have you addicted and needing your next fix!

Visit Lauren's Website at: http://www.laurenlandish.com/
Join the Mailing list at: http://www.subscribepage.com/w1h8x6
Connect with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lauren.landish
Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenlandish

Reviews

[Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the last book in Lauren’s sports world and I’m sad it’s over. I loved and enjoyed each story. I loved reading about each football player falling in love. Cory is Troy’s best friend (Blitzed) and Patricia is Whitney’s mum (also from Blitzed). There is a huge age difference between them, but age shouldn’t matter when you talk about love. I think the author did an amazing job and I found their love realistic and believable.

Cory meets Patricia in his last year of high school. He helps her in her house and repairs what is broken. They spend some time together and Cory really gets to know Patricia. He realizes that he feels something for her. Patricia feels something to, but keeps her distant so he can go to college and follow his dreams.

A few years later, Cory and Patricia meet again at a wedding. The connection is still there and Cory wants to be with Patricia. He doesn’t want to spend one more minute away from her. They spend time together and grow even closer. Cory and Patricia eventually kiss and become a couple. It won’t be easy, since Cory lives far away from Patricia and not everybody likes the age difference.

Cory and Patricia are great characters, just like all the other characters in this series. Cory is a good football player, but his passion is investments. He is strong, intelligent and determined. He wants Patricia and will wait for her to be ready. Patricia is so strong, loving and caring. Patricia is an amazing mother who would do anything for her daughter and will always support her. She was afraid of Whitney’s reaction to her relationship with Cory, but Whitney wants her mother to be happy. The people who matter the most to them, support their relationship. In the end, their relationship is very strong.

-- ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! --

[April Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my first real May-December romance stories that I have read and enjoyed where the female was the older party and the guy was the younger. Cory and Patricia had so much heat and spice to them that this made it an exciting story that I very much enjoyed.
Cory does some jobs around Patricia’s home. He knows her thru his classmate Whitney. This is her mother and he finds Patricia extremely hot. There was some complicated path on how they got together in the beginning which was platonic. Cory was 18 and Patricia, his best friend's ex-girlfriend's mom. When the feelings really got started and Patricia acknowledged them and the two kissed, Patricia realized that she couldn’t let them go further so she ended things. Cory's feelings and thoughts for Patricia continue to follow him through college and into a career while Patricia never stopped wanting the one man she thought she never could have. They kept in touch long distance and it was a forbidden dance, wanting but could never have dance.
When they reconnect years later, the chemistry and passion are still there. Cory and Patricia realize its time to give their relationship a chance. The 2nd time around is wonderful watching them give their relationship a try. The twists and turns that pop up show who is really friends and who is really fake in this story. I loved the ending and I also loved seeing previous characters make a reappearance –aka Whitney and Troy from "Blitzed" .

My rating: 4.5 stars ****
**I was given an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review***

[Marty Sandvik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cory starts helping out around Patricia Nelson's house when he is a senior in high school and she is in her thirties. He falls for her then but goes off to college and when the two are reunited for a series of weddings they start a relationship. Cory is an investment banker for some of the biggest athletes and Patricia becomes unexpectedly pregnant.
I thought Patricia and Cory were an okay couple but I really missed the football aspect in this book and I wasn't as entertained as I was during the prior three books. I also wished to see more of the other characters. We saw a lot of Troy and Whitney but not a lot of Carrie, Duncan, April, or Tyler who I found myself missing.

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved and enjoyed reading the awesome, amazing, and outstanding romance written by the phenomenally talented Lauren Landish. I received an ARC for an honest review.
When Cory was 18 and in his last year of high school, he started working for Patricia, his best friend's ex-girlfriend's mom. Even though Patricia was older, Cory was attracted to her and started developing feelings for her. When Patricia's attraction and feelings ignited, the kiss between the two of them was explosive and Patricia knew she had to end things. Cory's feelings and thoughts for Patricia followed him through college and into a career. Patricia never stopped wanting the one man she thought she could never have. When the two meet again, Cory and Patricia realize its time to give their relationship a chance.
Read the highly recommended, beautifully written, love story of an older woman and a younger man.

[Michelle Quintana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give this book 2.5 stars. The title makes it sound like it is going to be a sports romance when that is the furthest thing from the truth. It starts when Cory is a senior in high school and he develops feelings for an older woman, who happens to be his classmate Whitney's mom. Patricia also had feelings towards Cory but because of the age gap, doesn't feel right in pursuing anything with him. After Cory goes off to college to try to prove his worth to Patricia, they finally decide to see what might happen between them. I really liked Cory and reading what he was going through at his work just had me wondering why he didn't report certain people to the SEC. I'm glad that Patricia stood up to the bigots in her church. It goes to show that sometimes the most "religious" people are usually some of the worst. The phone call on the plane between Whitney and Patricia and Troy's reaction was pretty funny. The ending was so-so and I think that the story could have been better overall

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Landish has given her readers an unbelievable older woman-younger man love story of friendship, respect, being true to yourself, romance, and ultimately, love.

An ARC was provided for an honest review.

[Melissa friend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for an honest review
Great read and I absolutely loved cory and patricia
another great read from a fantastic author

[Char ღ Denae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awwwwwwwww!! I liked this, the fourth book in the Babies and Ballers series, the best. Not only was the story of Cory and Patricia sweet but all of the characters from the three previous books were mentioned, as well. It was great to read how they all turned out and about their kids.
A great end to a fun, sexy series.

[Moon Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book in exchange of an honest review*
I just love this sports series!!!! This time it's Cory's story!! And it was not at all what i was expecting!!! At first i was a little shocked but then the shock turned into a surprise, a very good surprise... Well written with an interesting turn of event, we get updated on Cory's life while finding the whole group back!! Dealing with a lot of society's taboos, "Fourth Baby Down" ends up being more of a psychological romance than a sports one and it is fantastic!! You will be left pondering about the effect of religion, and its occasional hypocrisy, the age gap between partners and how easier it is for men then women, how true love can be found in all places, ages, shapes or forms... If you are a hard core conservative, you might not like this book or the very essence of it! But if you allow your mind to open up you will find it a beautiful read!!! All fans of Lauren Landish praise yourselves, she did it again!!!! An amazing, wonderful and refreshing story!!!!!

[Hopeless Romantic Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you wanna giggle all the time!

This kinda of relationship is an awkward, cute and lovely type. I like the story, makes you giggle and hope for second chance. Believe that love is lovelier with someone else and though you've got few years gap it doesnt matter. In a perfect world it really doesnt but realistically the odds are quite a lot but hey if your love and devotion for each other is genuine....bring it on just like Cory and Patricia!

[Kelly Meier · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was thoroughly disappointed with this book. I loved the rest of the series and this one fell short for me. I hated the added drama of the church aspect, it felt forced and unnecessary. I really missed the football element that was prominent in the rest of the series. I also could not get behind their “romance.” I cringed so much throughout this book. I had to put the book down repeatedly because of how ridiculous it was. I hated that she kissed him while he was still high school age and that she was pining for him even then. It made it feel predatory. I think I would have liked their age gap more if they had met when he was already older, not them having this pent up tension since he was in high school.

The fact that other people seemed to call her Trisha but Cory called her Patricia kept making me think she was an 80 year old woman. I would have liked him to have a nickname for her, I couldn’t get into the sexual scenes especially when he would say her name. I wanted to like this book but wished I would have marked this DNF.

I also completely hated that Jackie basically slept her way to the top and had no shame for it. Especially after the comment being made that not a lot of women make it in Cory’s field because it is always assumed they slept their way to the top. I would have liked it better if she would have helped Cory take down Xavier and his son by taking them to the SEC rather than sleeping with both of them. I think Jackie should have became the head of the company with Cory as her partner, where he could have changed things up and opened an office in Silver Falls without leaving his company.

[Jeanene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as much as the others in the series, the only thing that bugged was Whitney’s and Carries’s pregnancy’s (chapter 17 & 18) didn’t line up with what was in the epilogue of “Over the middle”. In that book Carrie had a 6 month old (Cammy) and announced she was pregnant again. Whitney had Laurie (7) and Travis (2) and announced was also pregnant. But in this book she turns up to surprise her mother with her new pregnancy and only has Laurie. Then they go to a game in Seattle where they met up with a very pregnant Carrie (who refers to her baby bump as Cammy) and still no mention of Travis. It doesn’t line up and bugged me, but little fries. Overall I loved the cuteness and sweetness of the book.

[Lee Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cory falls for Patricia at age 18 and she is 26 it is a slow burn romance that starts chronologically before the series but takes place over years because Patricia believes Cory is too young to know what he wants. And Cory wants to prove himself to be on his own to be worthy of Patricia. They keep in touch and come together once the wedding between Cory's bestfriend and Patricia's daughter occurs. The passion is hot but its still long distant with occasional travel. I hate the drama they both had to go through but love that they get HEA in the town that's home for them. I love the epilogue of all the couples and children's together.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one shocked the hell out of me we follow Cory and patrisha.
Cory played football the now famous Troy Wood from book 1 but his didn't follow Troy playing football, no he had other plans he discovered he had a talent for investment banking. When his friend checks out of his own life Cory had other ideas hitting on Troy's mothor in law. Cory is warned by Troy not to hurt her apart from the obvious age gap he loves her and she loves him but there so much that stand in there way.

I genuinely feel like I have a book hangover I really don't know where to go book wise from here as all

[Jodie Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cory missed his friend and knew his best mate was devastated over losing his girl. He went to see her mum Patricia to see if she would bring them back together again. Something happened though, he liked spending time with her and grew attracted. She wouldn’t let it go anywhere though with him being so young.

Years later though would it be a different story?

Xx

[Veronica Mostel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

What a book. A crush on a older women. Love is love. Took them years but it is grand. They were perfect together. Age is just a number. Great series

[Linda Newbern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by Lauren Landish as usual. The friends to lovers and the older woman. With younger man was refreshing to read. True love has no age! ❤️

[Diann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series I'm going to look for more books by Lauren

[Jeanette montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book

I love Lauren’s books.

I love this series.

I loved this book from start to finish.

I love the characters and the story.

[Iluvbooks44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book!!!

I love Lauren’s books.

I love this series.

I loved this book from start to finish.

I love the characters and the story.

[Miss K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series

Absolutely loved this end to a great series. Learned a lot about American Football along the way. Brilliant twists and turns all the way through

[Tina Mancari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Really enjoyed This story. Very different with the age gap but a nice change to the norm. As always Lauren Landish does not disappoint.

[KJW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the whole series

I feel like speed read this series it was so fun. I want more of all of their lives. They feel like my own friends now after 4 books. Well done.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story

The story is just that a story that suspends reality. It's a good story with little drama, yet well worth reading.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the series. I know the stories were about the man characters which was good, but I would have liked if the people who did bad, unethical things in each book had been held accountable.

[Maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't do it. Never caught my focus at all.

[Sunny Shelly Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that Cory and Whitney's mom got their own story! I thought his crush on Patricia at the end of Blitzed was so cute. I loved how this book kept the timeline of Blitzed for the first few chapters before jumping ahead a few years.

Cory kinda had a crush on his friend's mom in high school, and they became friends as he helped her out around her house doing odd jobs. When he went off to college, he vowed to make himself into a man Patricia would be proud of. Even though she is literally old enough to be his mother, the story is very tastefully done. Patricia was a teen mom, and missed out on being a young adult, but In a way now experiences that with Cory.

I loved catching up with the other characters from the other books in this series, too!

I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Susan Burgess-Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Lauren Landish’s books. She knows how to write the bad boy and make you fall in love with him and his woman. “Fourth Down and Dirty” is about Patricia Nelson and Corey Dunham, but it also picks up with Whitney and Troy from the book “Blitzed”. Lauren grabs your attention at the beginning of the book with Whitney’s friend Corey having the hots for her mom who is close to 18 years older than him. She keeps your interest throughout the book by keeping both stories going strong. The minor characters even have important roles in the story line. Though I don’t think that this book is as strong as “Blitzed” I do however, think that it is a good story line. I really loved that she used “a cougar” (Patricia Nelson) in this story. I think it was a good story line. Definitely recommend this book.

Patricia Nelson is a young mother who had no help raising her daughter Whitney, and she did it on her own. Whitney has left home and gone to Paris leaving a heartbroken Troy behind. Patricia is very young for her age and very independent even though she misses her daughter. So when she is visited by one of Whitney’s friends, Cory who is also a friend to Troy she allows him into her life by helping with things around the house that she couldn’t fix. It started innocently enough, but then things between her and Corey began to change and he made her feel alive again. She feels as though she should let him go and live his life and follow his dreams. She did not want to hold him back. The supposedly forbidden fling develops into more and leaves Patricia with another baby to raise.

Cory Dunham is a starting defensive player for the Silver Lake Foxes and is thought of as a badass to most people. He is also a friend of Whitney Nelson who is the one who broke his friend Troy’s heart by leaving without a reasonable explanation. Cory went to see Patricia Nelson in hopes of helping his friend Troy find her daughter Whitney. But Cory didn’t expect to fall for Whitney’s mom. He found her to be a really pretty. He then could see where Whitney got her looks from. Cory finds himself falling for Patricia and trying to make it so that he can provide for her. Can Cory and Patricia see past their differences in order to make a relationship work? Will Cory man up and be the father his baby deserves?

No Spoilers. ARC free book given in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Menor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cory is doing odd jobs, a few days a week, for Patricia Nelson, his classmate Whitney's hot mother. The same Whitney who was going out with his best friend Troy, until she broke his heart and left to go to school in Europe. Now Cory and Patricia have a routine. A couple times a week, after school, Cory goes to Patricia's house to help out. Patricia enjoys the company. It was just her and Whitney before and now that Whitney is gone, she is alone. So, she looks forward to the days Cory comes by......maybe too much. Time flies and Cory goes away to school in San Francisco, never once forgetting Patricia. They keep in touch by e-mail. Years pass, Whitney returns home to deal with the past and Cory and Patricia continue to stay in touch. Soon Cory and Patricia find themselves alone and unable to keep their feelings a secret. They spend some steamy nights together and begin a long distance relationship. Things become complicated fast. Between the age difference, job stress and long distance, it looks a though they can't get a break.
Cory fell hard for Patricia right from the start. Patricia took a little longer; she was more cautious. She made him want to be a better man and he made her happier than she ever thought she could be.
THIS WAS TRULY A GREAT LOVE STORY........A GREAT LOVE STORY WITH HOT SEX ! A DEFINITE ONE-CLICK ! ! !

[Suzanne Radcliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth Down Baby is about Patricia Nelson and Cory Dunham. Patricia is Whitney's mom (from Lauren's book Blitzed) and Cory is Whitney's schoolmate. When word gets around school that Whitney has taken off for Europe, no one except Patricia knows why (that's Whitney's story in Blitzed). When Cory goes to Patricia's house to talk to her about Whitney, we find out that he thinks she's hot. So he finds any excuse to be there. The best way was to offer his handyman services to fix up Patricia's house. Patricia can't admit to her feelings for Cory so they keep it all friendly.

Then the book jumps time...we see some emails among Cory, Patricia, Troy (Whitney's "baby daddy"), etc. and suddenly it's 5 years later. Cory is now 23 and Patricia is 42. The rest of the story goes on about how Patricia and Cory finally admit to their feelings for each other and make them known to their friends and family...and Patricia ends up pregnant. I don't give spoilers, so you'll have to read this to find out what happens with Patricia and Cory.

The reason I give this book 4 stars is that I didn't "feel" Patricia's and Cory's feelings. It was like suddenly they were full of love and passion and I just didn't feel it myself. It was definitely a good story - especially to make me want to know what happened, but I just felt something was missing. It just needed something more.