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Ballers & Babies #2

Over the Middle

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O. M. G.

That’s the only thing on my mind when I’m assigned to help superstar tight end, Duncan Hart, rehab his elbow. With a body that looks like a sculpted masterpiece, his chiseled features melt the hearts of women everywhere, including mine.

There’s just one problem. Duncan’s an a**hole, with an ego the size of our football stadium. He lives for the roar of the crowd. He thrives on it. And he wants to let me experience the Hart Attack — yes, he has a name for it. But that’s not going to happen. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself…

All’s fair in love and war, and I have two choices — take him down, or let him score.

252 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2016

312 people are currently reading
1361 people want to read

About the author

Lauren Landish

181 books6,771 followers
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

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5 stars
521 (32%)
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561 (35%)
3 stars
360 (22%)
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101 (6%)
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48 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,710 reviews1,038 followers
May 18, 2020
This book is different than Miss Landish's books I read before. Over the Middle is for NA audience who wants a vanilla romance. Do not expect any character development nor story twist/ plot/ drama. Everything about this book is smooth boring.

Duncan is the guy who solves everything with a click of a fingers. He was suppose to be a man whore. The climax is resolved very quickly without any drama. There is no major separation. It seems from the very beginning of the book, everything is smooth toward HEA.

Overall I enjoy this book OK. Not love it nor hate it either. It is a good listen during my power walk this morning.

3 stars
Profile Image for Steffi De Ceuster  ♥.
1,389 reviews125 followers
May 30, 2017
This was so not for me, don't get me wrong. It was fun and good, but just a bit to much.

So Duncan was an ass from the start and then one day he sees the light and he's instantly the better man. Like come one really? And all was well in the world.

Not

So Carrie was a nice h she's sweet, hardworking and I admire her for losing weight and keeping in shape. But otherwise I just couldn't connect with either Duncan or Carrie.

It was al just so fast and so much in one little book. Like one thing I really hated

Not for me, but go give it a go if it sounds interesting to you.
Profile Image for Raine.
2,463 reviews53 followers
August 21, 2016
Pretty good story of arrogant, hotshot college football player bound for the pros and trainer. I didn't realize until towards the end of the book that this one is part of a series with the first book being Blitzed. I did like this book better than that one, but it was nice to see how the previous couple were doing.

I do have to say that I forgot that I read Blitzed first which I did give 3 stars and another of her book which I gave 1 star, but since I'm a cover whore the cover is what drew me to read this book. I'm glad I did because I may not have read this book. I think her writing style is getting better so I'm glad I gave this author another chance.
Profile Image for April Symes.
5,013 reviews447 followers
June 29, 2016
What a great sports romance story by Lauren Landish. The MC have this rich storyline that keeps you entrenched from page 1 until the last word on the last page. Duncan is this big ole manwhore who plays college football. He is in his last year of college and has his eyes on the big league when he gets hurt. He ends up getting assigned a certain training team intern to rehab him to get him back in shape and her name is Carrie. He is completely bowled over by her and the games begin.
Carrie isn’t charmed by him and finds him at times repulsive but something does call to her and there is this spark, this connection. She works with him to get him back up to full steam , in able to play and they become friends and that friendship leads down the road to love—There are twists and turns in this story that makes this really awesome. I do not want to give the spoilers away but there are certain points/scenes in this book that are must reads. Duncan comes to realize what a jerk he was and that Carrie is the woman for him but Carrie makes him work for it. Carrie is a sweet woman who is sassy and sweet while Duncan isn’t a bad man, just spoiled. When you get to heart of him, he is a really nice and alpha sexy man who is an animal on the field and a tender man when it comes to *his woman* The journey Duncan and Carrie take is wonderful ,sexy, funny and sweet.


My rating: 4.5 stars ****
**I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review***
Profile Image for Dee Archer.
664 reviews4 followers
July 1, 2016
Duncan is the arrogant, hot shot footballer with a reputation for parties and wild women. Carrie is a smart, beautiful internist with a solid career ahead as a physical therapist. She is assigned to treat Duncan's injured elbow and their epic journey begins. Loved this story because I see the internal feelings, thoughts and responses of a cocky, self centered jock slowly change into maturity and a better human being. Life adds to the mix when his reputation and a jealous ex girlfriend challenge the budding relationship. The spirit, ambition, hard work and drive of a man struggling against personal demons and insecurities is well documented. Even though I am not a fan of football and do not understand the game, I was able to catch the excitement of the sport and experience the sweat, pain and determination Duncan invested in his drive for success. Beautiful tale of two different lives, coming from two differing worlds, merging into one harmonious, amazing love story. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Five stars.
Profile Image for Marty Sandvik.
566 reviews7 followers
October 1, 2024
Duncan is a hotshot, conceited football player who is forced into rehab when he gets an elbow injury. Carrie the student intern who is treating him won't put up with his shit and is the perfect fit for him. However, Duncan's insecurities almost get in the way and he almost pushes Carrie away but she refuses to let him, and the two are able to be together despite jealous exes and a cheating scandal.
At first, Duncan and Carrie didn't make sense to me but they grew on me as a couple and I like how changed Duncan became with Carrie by his side. I wish something more drastic would have happened to Chelsea, especially with the birth control pill tampering. The best part of the book was the end. Seeing Whitney and Troy again and seeing Duncan's friendship with Troy was great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Veronica LaRoche.
4,617 reviews69 followers
June 26, 2016
Duncan Hart is your typical player and doesn't care about anything besides football. When he got hurt and needs rehab he refuses to go until coach gives him no choose but to go. Carrie meets Duncan way before having to rehab him and first impression wasn't good and add his reputation and Carrie knows to stay away. Duncan wants Carrie but Carrie won't be another score for him. But Carrie sees that Duncan is changing and gives in but someone wants to get Carrie out of the way. I liked this book and like the characters and like seeing Whitney & Troy in this book as well.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Cheryl   Graham-Petit.
4,124 reviews26 followers
July 4, 2016
I absolutely loved this book! A hot as hell cocky football player, a woman who doesn't fall at his feet, and lots of sex... what's not to like about Over the Middle.

I received a courtesy copy of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lula Pantoofle.
1,011 reviews40 followers
October 28, 2018
So trainer student Carrie has to rehab cocky football star Duncan’s elbow: a classic sport romance trophe. It’s a favourite of mine so I really enjoyed this book.

What I liked
I liked how strong and competent Carrie was. She didn’t cave in to a hot guy instantly or become some kind of lust-dazed klutz. She didn’t jeopardise her job which often annoys me. She wasn’t a classic bombshell, she was losing weight after an old injury yes, but she was modest and unassuming which made her more attractive to my mind. She was an athlete herself which I love and the sports therapy knowledge was indepth and therefore totally made me believe in her credibility. Go Carrie.

I liked Duncan’s redemption from asshole to reformed asshole. It was a bit quick, but we all get the storyline.

What I didn’t like
This was low angst which is great, but it had small separate pockets of angst which seemed a bit fractured and flared and faded quickly. Chelsea was yet another evil female character bent to evilness by the love of a guy. I find it an annoying reoccurring theme with this genre. Why do they all have to be so batshit crazy? It’s just a bit unbelievable.

The ending is a little overly sweet for my tastes, but probably because the whole baby-batter genre is not my thing, but it was listed in the title so I knew what I was getting into.

That’s it. Apart from that I really enjoyed this light read. It had a good level of sports knowledge in it, a strong heroine and some hot scenes!
Profile Image for Marie.
919 reviews4 followers
September 8, 2017
Really sweet book. Um, there was a little bit of unbelievable angst, but other than that, I really liked it. You can tell Lauren knows what the hell she is talking about when it comes to football, which is a very pleasant surprise. So many times I read sports romances without any actual sports in them.
Profile Image for Hanne.
661 reviews72 followers
July 11, 2016
4.5 -- Touchdown -- stars

Duncan is a superstar football player at the university and he has hurt his shoulder. He needs physical therapy. Carrie is an intern at the university’s training staff and needs to help Duncan. Carrie doesn’t care that he’s famous and even hates his reputation. Everybody warns Carrie to stay away from Duncan, but she sees another side of him and she even likes that side. Their relationship definitely has its ups and downs, but can conquer everything at the end.

Carrie is a smart, hard working student who loves helping students with injuries. She pushes Duncan with his exercises. She has battled with her weight and doesn’t like her body, but she worked hard to lose the weight and still trains regularly. I really love her strength. She sees that Duncan is more than his reputation and loves him. She fights for him and supports his decisions.

Duncan is a player in the beginning, but quickly only wants Carrie (just like Troy (Blitzed: A Secret Baby Sports Romance) only has eyes for Whitney from the start). He is a talented football player and hopes to go pro, but his shoulder is his weakness. He has doubts and insecurities, and he doesn’t always know what to do with his feelings. Duncan changes. He wants to be better for Carrie. He wants to deserve her. I really love his growth. He’s a fighter.

I loved the pace of the book. Duncan quickly changes, but he has to fight for Carrie. There are a few surprises and twists. There is one person who didn’t turn out to be who I thought he/she was.

Over The Middle is the second book in Lauren’s sport romance series. I enjoyed Blitzed, but I enjoyed this book more. Troy and Whitney (from Blitzed) appear and I liked reading about them. They are nice people. The next book is about Tyler, a team mate of Duncan. I loved him in this book and I can’t wait to read this story.

Both books have an amazing cover. They both clearly show that the books are about sport, because they wear a sport uniform and you see the stadium. They are a few football games in the books. I don’t know a thing about football, but the author did an amazing explaining the plays or strategies in their minds and I understood them.

-- ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! --
Profile Image for Tracy.
520 reviews12 followers
June 27, 2016
WOW... What a wonderful read!!! Oh and you may find that you have a huge crush on Duncan by the time you get to the end of the book... I certainly have!!!
Duncan plays college football and is in his final year. He's a cocky man-whore who thinks he deserves a place in the pro league!!! When an injury interferes with his plans, a certain training team intern... Compleately knocks him off his game!!!
Carrie will not take s*** from 'Touchdown' as he's nicknamed, she refuses to let him give her the 'Hart Attack'... Working with him to get him back to full health, a friendship begins!!!
Without spoiling the story i will just say that this book is a brilliant journey of how, when feelings grow... Everything changes!!!
With a few twists that keep you reading, and certain scenes that will leave you compleately breathless... It's another 5 star read from Ms Landish!!!... I'm excited to find out what it is that she has planned next, and i know for sure... That's it's going to be hot and entertaining!!!
Profile Image for Shelly Celli.
2,248 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2016
I was given an ARC for an honest review by the author.

Lauren has done it again! I felt like I was in the characters shoes with ever event and emotion that was put out there. Watching how Duncan changes before everyone's eyes was amazing. Seeing him mature and do everything he has to in order to become the man he wants to be instead of following in his fathers footsteps was awe inspiring. Carrie working hard to keep her feelings for him on the back burner the whole time and make sure that he is doing what he needs to do to be able to stay in the game was hard, but knowing that she was protecting herself and succeeding was amazing. When all hell broke loose, they comforted each other and worked together to get past it which is what a lot of couples forget to do...honestly they wouldn't have made it without that. I was happy to see Troy and Whitney at the end and see that they are doing well, even with their newest addition. Thanks for giving update on them and showing how Troy was helping Duncan instead of ignoring the rookie. Great read recommended for everyone!
Profile Image for Thereadingbell.
1,433 reviews39 followers
February 23, 2020
Duncan Hart is your typical football player and doesn't care about anything besides football. Duncan is a superstar football player at the university and he has hurt his shoulder. When he got hurt and needs rehab he refuses to go until coach gives him no choice but to go. Carrie is an intern at the university’s training staff and needs to help Duncan. Carrie meets Duncan way before having to rehab him and first impression wasn't good and add his reputation and Carrie knows to stay away. Duncan wants Carrie but Carrie won't be another score for him. But Carrie sees that Duncan is changing and gives in but someone wants to get Carrie out of the way.

Will Carrie be able to change Duncan and Will Duncan change enough to win Carrie over? Will the person interfering will they be successful?

This book was heart warming at times. I really liked Carrie she was strong women and smart. Duncan was a bit to cocky at first.
Profile Image for Karina.
2,310 reviews13 followers
June 30, 2016
Wow! I loved the story of Duncan and Carrie! Duncan thinks he can get away with the way he behaves and that he has it made to be a pro after college without putting the work he needs to into being more appreciative of others who want to help him. Carrie is a girl who is working hard to reach her dreams in the career she is striving for. Duncan has injured his elbow and is forced by his coach to undergo rehab. His coach gives him no choice. It's either that or his coach lets it be known that Duncan is unwilling to be a team player and therefore hard to work with. Duncan accepts working with a trainer. Carrie knows all about Duncan's rep and decides she will work with him and ignore his cocky ways. Over the course of the summer Carrie helps him get back into playing mode and Duncan learns that life is more than just trying to be the player and big man on campus. They form a friendship and fall in love. Things around them start to go wrong. People are trying to ruin there lives. They decide to fight together against the outside forces and in the end come out stronger. There is of course an HEA as with all of Ms Landish's books. I loved the cameo of Troy and Whitney. I am also excited to hear that other characters will be getting their own story!

I received this ARC for an honest review
Profile Image for Three Chicks.
2,631 reviews419 followers
July 7, 2016
Review by Lisa Kane

Cute read about a football playing manwhore Duncan Hart (of course he's a player-his special sexual move is the Hart Attack!) and Carrie, a sweet student studying sports medicine. There's some light angst, some underhanded tricks by a jealous ex and some great football action.

Duncan is reformed early on and so the reader is spared unnecessary sexual escapades while the hero "finds himself". Both of the characters are basically good and honest and genuine. At first glance Carrie is the girl next door, but surprisingly she seems to enjoy sex play and is rather good at it. Still waters run deep for this chick that's for sure.

This is a quick read with a reappearance of the characters in the first one of the series, Blitzed. There are a couple of characters that I could see getting their own story -here's hoping we see Duncan and Carrie again.
Profile Image for IGirasoliGialli.
128 reviews10 followers
July 9, 2016
Too similar to other books I've recently read in this genre. A blend of two books to be honest that at times I thought I was reading one of those.
173 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2016
Loved it

As always Lauren has written a romantic,intriguing and sexy book. I love the characters and enjoyed watching their lives unfold
Profile Image for Char ღ Denae.
985 reviews93 followers
July 18, 2018
There were a lot of things about this book that I loved but there were a lot of inconsistencies, as well.
First of all, I really liked the characters. The heroine, Carrie was great! I liked how confident she was in her job abilities, if not in her social life, and worked hard to maintain that confidence. She accepted that she was ‘invisible’ socially, and really didn’t let that effect how she thought or acted. She had pride in her work and schooling, and didn’t take anything for granted.
The hero, Duncan, on the other hand, started out as your typical arrogant, conceited, jock @sshole. He strutted around campus like he owned it. Mouthy with no respect for his coaches or teammates, and thinking he was the sh!t. Of course, he’s good at what he does but he doesn’t put in the work for either his team or his grades, instead, he acts like he’s owed it. I loved how he gets knocked down a peg, or two, by both his coaches and Carrie. His ‘transformation’ is a bit quick but he has some demons he overcomes and, of course, the love of a good woman.
The story was a bit over the top, in some ways but I enjoyed it. I really liked how the characters from the first book, ‘Blitzed’ were woven into the ending but I don’t think that Chelsea would have gotten off so easily for her crazy. In fact, that plot line was just kind of dropped and where the he11 would she get ‘sugar pills’?
A sweet, sexy story that entertains but should be read with a grain of salt.
Profile Image for Jessy.
475 reviews75 followers
dnf
November 24, 2018
DNF @ 19%

ZERO development. 4 months have passed in just the beginning 15% of the book and we are only TOLD about how the leads have been spending time together. No showing, just telling. Hero goes from a manwhore to nit being able to stop thinking about the heroine in a second. After the first date they already talk about moving un together ... wtf? At this point I abandoned the book, because I knew I would never be able to connect to the couple - as I didn't witness their connection in the first place.

The only think I liked was the heroine's strength/pride in the beginning and that her character was sex-positive and confident. However, she caved way too quickly for me. Actually, everything happens too quickly in this book - and it's not even a short one, so I really don't understand it.
Profile Image for christyheartsbooks.
1,147 reviews32 followers
March 13, 2021
Duncan is recovering from an elbow injury and since he is an entitled you-know-what he is assigned a trainer who won't take any of his BS or fall for his charms. Carrie has heard all there is to hear about Duncan and she has a plan, something to prove so she won't be falling for all his charms . . . or will she.

I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first one in the series. I was worried about Duncan but he turned out to be a decent guy just struggling for his parents to acknowledge him. I liked Carrie and how she always stood up for herself and didn't take any of Duncan's bs. A lot of the drama and conflicts that they went through were kind of ridiculous but I like how they supported each other and got through everything together. This was fun and cute IMO. I would recommend this one for sure.
Profile Image for Emma.
277 reviews8 followers
July 17, 2020
We meet Duncan and Carrie in this book. Duncan Hart is the bizz on the football field and he has the arrogance to go with it. Carrie is the geek no one notices until Duncan bumps into her literally. Then she has to tend to him as he is injured and she is a Intern as a sports assistant so she wraps the athletes up an is on the sidelines that sort of thing. Duncan takes notice and Carrie is warned off the cocksure guys that like to put it about and break hearts.
I love this series so far it's a ballers and babies series an that's exactly what you get. I loved there story and how there relationship blossoms. The struggles they face are written well and was easy to follow the plot line at every step.

Great read.
Profile Image for Jessica CW.
1,030 reviews13 followers
May 30, 2017
Duncan classic ego driven man whore athlete who gets his dose of reality in the form of rehab to his elbow by Carrie. She's not going to put up with his bs and not going to drop to her knees like all the other ladies do. She pushes him to be the person he is meant to be not the ass he puts on. He pushes her to her career glory, confidence and realizing how amazing she is that he sees.

Beautiful story of them testing each other, building a friendship, working together professionally and falling in love. Even sweeter a proposal and a baby with a draft, contract, and new job too.

Cute read, with passion and romance.
Profile Image for Ruby McDemon.
824 reviews8 followers
May 26, 2017
This is my first Lauren Book and I'm pretty sure I picked a good one to start with. I love how it wasn't overly dramatic and fake feeling. Everything between Carrie and Duncan felt real. I can't wait to listen to/read more of Lauren's works, especially if Emma narrates again. Emma did great with the stuck up attitude and even changing how Duncan came across as the story progressed. I've never been a fan of sports, but between the two of these ladies I'm a little interested now (at least in football).
Profile Image for Jamies.
642 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2021
Kind of slow and not as dramatic as I assumed

I think going in I assumed all these books would have more drama than they do. A slow burn opposites attract kinda relationship happens with Carrie and Duncan, until Duncan gets his act together and stops his playboy ways. The baby announcement literally happens towards the end of the book as well and it's not really a surprise so much as an attempted twist because of a crazy girl's revenge. It was weird revenge and frankly real world applications would make me think the crazy girl could get sued for it.
Profile Image for Marguerita.
494 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2018
I loved Duncan and Carrie together. I especially enjoyed the progression of their relationship. It wasn’t love at first sight, but built up like a real relationship is.

I also enjoyed the individual progress. Carrie being shy, but wrong turned into a confident and strong-willed woman. Then Duncan being this cocky athlete to a less selfish man.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Dew.
762 reviews63 followers
June 9, 2021
Fumble

Nope. I attended a D1 school with a Heisman-nominated QB who ended up being the #1 draft pick in the NFL. I really don’t need or want to read a barely researched book that operates from a premise that these players aren’t already thinking about their futures. Elbow surgery should have the mmc thinking about whether or not he’s going to make it though the end of the season and if it’s going to impact his spot in the draft, not how he’s too manly to do rehab.
209 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2025
Over the Middle was an enjoyable read with a mix of humor and steamy moments. The dynamic between Duncan and Carrie had its charming points, especially their banter and the gradual development of their relationship. However, some plot elements felt a bit predictable, and certain character decisions left me wanting more depth. While it didn't fully captivate me, it's a light-hearted sports romance that offers a pleasant escape.
Profile Image for Dolores 💜 .
1,164 reviews16 followers
April 23, 2018
Another Great book by Lauren Landish.
Here we see Intern to the Gym department & student Carrie. Who due to her studies & determination she has come across a certain way to work on womaniser Duncan Hart's inured elbow.we goes
So here we see these 2 start, by such deep friction where they clash, but that starts to change the more time they spend together....p

Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews

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