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CURVEBALL
Shakespeare believed there was always humor in tragedy and tragedy in humor.
My life proved his theory as fact.
At eighteen I was a single parent moving to this small town to be with the man I loved. The one who was supposed to love and cherish me in return.
Finding out he had a wife was tragic.
Remaining in love with him in spite of her was more tragic.
My mom and best friend setting me up on a long string of blind dates was an ongoing tragedy.
Nine years later, I’ve learned to see the humor in most situations.
My mom and best friend setting me up on disastrous blind dates.
My son’s jokes.
The fire alarm going off each time I cook.
My constant bright spot always adding to the humor was my son, Hayden. But when Hayden had a life-threatening allergic reaction, the man who came to help my little boy became my own savior. His laugh, his smile, and the way his eyes lit up when he spoke to my son made him a beacon of light in both our lives.
But I wasn’t the only one who noticed him.
When I began having feelings for the man my best and only friend had fallen for, I knew following my heart would once again lead to a fresh round of heartbreak.
Love led me to this town.
Lies kept me there.
Would history repeat itself?
Or had life just thrown me another Curveball?
My life proved his theory as fact.
At eighteen I was a single parent moving to this small town to be with the man I loved. The one who was supposed to love and cherish me in return.
Finding out he had a wife was tragic.
Remaining in love with him in spite of her was more tragic.
My mom and best friend setting me up on a long string of blind dates was an ongoing tragedy.
Nine years later, I’ve learned to see the humor in most situations.
My mom and best friend setting me up on disastrous blind dates.
My son’s jokes.
The fire alarm going off each time I cook.
My constant bright spot always adding to the humor was my son, Hayden. But when Hayden had a life-threatening allergic reaction, the man who came to help my little boy became my own savior. His laugh, his smile, and the way his eyes lit up when he spoke to my son made him a beacon of light in both our lives.
But I wasn’t the only one who noticed him.
When I began having feelings for the man my best and only friend had fallen for, I knew following my heart would once again lead to a fresh round of heartbreak.
Love led me to this town.
Lies kept me there.
Would history repeat itself?
Or had life just thrown me another Curveball?
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2017
600 people are currently reading
1195 people want to read
About the author
Mariah Dietz
33 books1,855 followersThe One-Night Scrimmage, A New Forbidden/Secret Sports Romance is Coming May 20th!
Mariah Dietz is a USA Today Bestselling Author and self-proclaimed nerd. She lives with her husband and sons in North Carolina.
Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon where she spent most of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.
She has a love for all things that include her family, good coffee, books, traveling, and dark chocolate. She's also been known to laugh at her own jokes.
Learn More:
→ www.mariahdietz.com
→ Sign-Up to Receive my Newsletter
→ Join My Reader Group on FB
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Mariah Dietz is a USA Today Bestselling Author and self-proclaimed nerd. She lives with her husband and sons in North Carolina.
Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon where she spent most of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.
She has a love for all things that include her family, good coffee, books, traveling, and dark chocolate. She's also been known to laugh at her own jokes.
Learn More:
→ www.mariahdietz.com
→ Sign-Up to Receive my Newsletter
→ Join My Reader Group on FB
→ Follow me on FB
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
May 17, 2017
4.5 stars!
Curveball is one of those stories that consumed my thoughts and kept me up reading way past my bedtime. In fact, I started this book one evening and ended up staying up and finishing it. It was truly an unputdownable read for me. It's been a while since a book has held my attention like that and I love when it happens!
In all honesty, when I read the blurb for this one, I was nervous to read it. I'm so glad I took a chance and picked it up. Curveball is about Ella, a single mother who is completely devoted to her son and works hard at her job. Lately, at her best friend and mom's insistence, she has been a 'serial dater', but things are complicated with her ex, and she's not been in a relationship with anyone since.
One day, Ella is at her best friends house and meets her new neighbor, Coen. She and Coen share an immediate attraction, but thats where it stops. Coen doesn't date his neighbors and Ella doesn't date firefighters (which is what Coen is) so it's apparent friends is all they will ever be. And Coen is a great friend to her. He cares for her, for her son Hayden, and eventually you can see there is so much more than friendship there...
COEN. oh Coen! Is there a more perfect book boyfriend out there? He's the best I've read about lately. I loved his character, his connection with his family, and the type of person he was. He wasn't only great to Ella, but seeing how he was with her son truly had me melting. I adored him. So swoony! Ella was a heroine with strength. She struggled at times to make the right choices, but I always felt like she was doing what she felt was best for her son and I could never fault her in that. This book brought the feels in the best way!
This wasn't my first book by Mariah Dietz, and it certainly won't be my last, but it was by far my favorite that I've read from her so far. The story sucked me in, the angst wasn't as high as I thought it would be, but just enough. Her writing has such a great flow and I love her style. Also, I loved that there was a twist I didn't see coming. I wish there was a little more at the end (perhaps more of an epilogue... but besides that, it was perfect for me. Highly recommend!
Curveball is one of those stories that consumed my thoughts and kept me up reading way past my bedtime. In fact, I started this book one evening and ended up staying up and finishing it. It was truly an unputdownable read for me. It's been a while since a book has held my attention like that and I love when it happens!
In all honesty, when I read the blurb for this one, I was nervous to read it. I'm so glad I took a chance and picked it up. Curveball is about Ella, a single mother who is completely devoted to her son and works hard at her job. Lately, at her best friend and mom's insistence, she has been a 'serial dater', but things are complicated with her ex, and she's not been in a relationship with anyone since.
One day, Ella is at her best friends house and meets her new neighbor, Coen. She and Coen share an immediate attraction, but thats where it stops. Coen doesn't date his neighbors and Ella doesn't date firefighters (which is what Coen is) so it's apparent friends is all they will ever be. And Coen is a great friend to her. He cares for her, for her son Hayden, and eventually you can see there is so much more than friendship there...
“I want to break all the rules.” He takes another step closer to me. “All of these ridiculous rules we have. That this town and society have. I want us to break each of them.” “All of them,” I whisper. Coen runs his nose along my jaw. “And we’ll crush them as slowly as you want.”
COEN. oh Coen! Is there a more perfect book boyfriend out there? He's the best I've read about lately. I loved his character, his connection with his family, and the type of person he was. He wasn't only great to Ella, but seeing how he was with her son truly had me melting. I adored him. So swoony! Ella was a heroine with strength. She struggled at times to make the right choices, but I always felt like she was doing what she felt was best for her son and I could never fault her in that. This book brought the feels in the best way!
This wasn't my first book by Mariah Dietz, and it certainly won't be my last, but it was by far my favorite that I've read from her so far. The story sucked me in, the angst wasn't as high as I thought it would be, but just enough. Her writing has such a great flow and I love her style. Also, I loved that there was a twist I didn't see coming. I wish there was a little more at the end (perhaps more of an epilogue... but besides that, it was perfect for me. Highly recommend!
May 16, 2017
4 STARS
Holy. Wow. How is this the first book I'm reading by this author? I'll fully admit that I was hooked by the blurb with a promise of an angst fest. Being the angst addict that I am, I was ready to have my heart ripped out...
But that's not at all what I got.
This book was nothing what expected and yet exactly what I needed. I loved the flowing, almost lyrical writing style. I loved the characters and most especially the incredible hero. I loved the character driven story and the pacing. I loved the slow burn romance. I loved the lack of unnecessary drama. I loved Elle and Coen's connection and their journey from friends to lover. I loved Elle's adorable little boy. I just loved it. I loved everything about it.
I feel the blurb is a bit misleading, or maybe it was for me. Because this is not an angst fest. It's a story that's full of depth and feeling, but there's no crazy drama or angst. It's a story of a woman that made a mistake when she was young and naive and now learning to move on with her life. Elle fell for a man when she was a teenager that irrevocably changed the course of her life. Now 9 years later, she's come a long way from the naive 17 year old girl she used to be. Being a single mother that's balancing raising her son and a full time career leaves no time for her love life. She inevitably allows her best friend to set her up on a string of horrible dates from a dating site she's on, fully convinced she'll never meet the man she wants.
The last thing she expects is to form a connection with her best friend's new neighbor. Coen is everything that she's sworn off; a firefighter and off limits because her best friend is interested in him. He's also endearing, thoughtful, sweet, and is incredible to her little boy. What starts off as an almost unwilling friendship, soon begins to develop into something much more.
Coen.
SWOON. All of the swoon! This man was perfection. He's fiercely protective, sweet, thoughtful, and he cares for Elle's son as much as for her. I loved seeing the development of the connection between the three of them. I loved the way that Coen demolished every wall that Elle has built around her heart through the years.
There was no crazy drama or angst and it's not even a little smutty. It was simply a story of a love in the most unlikeliest of place. Elle and Coen complimented each other so perfectly. Coen lifted Elle up in her weak moments and Elle stood by Coen in his. It was poignant and touching and I absolutely adored it.
My only quibble is the twist in this book that made things a little too convenient in how some things played out. But other than that, I enjoyed this book immensely. I'm seriously kicking myself for not reading this author before but I'll be rectifying it by reading every future book this woman releases.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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Will you keep looking at me like I'm yours if I tell you there's nothing to worry about?"
"You just haven't been paying attention. I've been looking at you like you're mine since I first saw you."
Holy. Wow. How is this the first book I'm reading by this author? I'll fully admit that I was hooked by the blurb with a promise of an angst fest. Being the angst addict that I am, I was ready to have my heart ripped out...
But that's not at all what I got.
This book was nothing what expected and yet exactly what I needed. I loved the flowing, almost lyrical writing style. I loved the characters and most especially the incredible hero. I loved the character driven story and the pacing. I loved the slow burn romance. I loved the lack of unnecessary drama. I loved Elle and Coen's connection and their journey from friends to lover. I loved Elle's adorable little boy. I just loved it. I loved everything about it.
I feel the blurb is a bit misleading, or maybe it was for me. Because this is not an angst fest. It's a story that's full of depth and feeling, but there's no crazy drama or angst. It's a story of a woman that made a mistake when she was young and naive and now learning to move on with her life. Elle fell for a man when she was a teenager that irrevocably changed the course of her life. Now 9 years later, she's come a long way from the naive 17 year old girl she used to be. Being a single mother that's balancing raising her son and a full time career leaves no time for her love life. She inevitably allows her best friend to set her up on a string of horrible dates from a dating site she's on, fully convinced she'll never meet the man she wants.
The last thing she expects is to form a connection with her best friend's new neighbor. Coen is everything that she's sworn off; a firefighter and off limits because her best friend is interested in him. He's also endearing, thoughtful, sweet, and is incredible to her little boy. What starts off as an almost unwilling friendship, soon begins to develop into something much more.
Coen.
SWOON. All of the swoon! This man was perfection. He's fiercely protective, sweet, thoughtful, and he cares for Elle's son as much as for her. I loved seeing the development of the connection between the three of them. I loved the way that Coen demolished every wall that Elle has built around her heart through the years.
There was no crazy drama or angst and it's not even a little smutty. It was simply a story of a love in the most unlikeliest of place. Elle and Coen complimented each other so perfectly. Coen lifted Elle up in her weak moments and Elle stood by Coen in his. It was poignant and touching and I absolutely adored it.
My only quibble is the twist in this book that made things a little too convenient in how some things played out. But other than that, I enjoyed this book immensely. I'm seriously kicking myself for not reading this author before but I'll be rectifying it by reading every future book this woman releases.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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May 19, 2017
4.5 Moving On Stars
Do you remember being seventeen and in love? That feeling you get when you spot him across a crowded room and he seems to like what he sees just as much as you do? The first time you’re alone together or how special he makes you feel? So what do you do when you find out you’re pregnant and that the man you love is married?
”Sometimes I wonder if your heart can ever love someone again,” I admit. “I mean, can you ever really stop loving someone when your heart essentially molds itself to another person? Is that even possible?”
Ella was forced to grow up quick. She thought she’d found the man of her dreams but it turns out he was just looking for a little something on the side. Unfortunately fate didn’t care that the love of her life was already spoken for and Ella found herself alone and pregnant. What followed was a series of choices with only one goal in mind: the happiness and safety of her son.
Fast forward nine years and though Ella has done a bang up job of making a stable and secure home for her son, the town she relocated to, hometown de manipulative sperm donor, never lets her forget the fact she slept with and got knocked up by a married man. And if she has to deal with the homewrecker label, her son having easy access to his father makes it all worth it. Plus things aren’t all bad. Her job kicks ass and she couldn’t ask for a better best friend. And despite what her mother and BFF say, the last thing she needs in her life is a man. Right.
New to the area and a firefighter to boot, Coen has a hard and fast rule about not dating any of his neighbors. Been there, got the t-shirt. When he meets his next door neighbor’s friend Ella, something about the single mom intrigues him and he finds himself coming up with excuses to see her. Before he knows it, Ella and her son Hayden have become an important part of his life. Can Ella drop the walls she’s built around herself and give him a chance?
”You just haven’t been paying attention. I’ve been looking at you like you’re mine since I first saw you.
When I read the blurb for Curveball I was expecting a bit of an angst fest and let me tell you, I was ready for it. That’s not exactly what I got. To be honest, the story itself isn’t what had my attention from the moment I started reading. Mariah Dietz and her almost lyrical style of writing had me hooked from the beginning and I found myself captivated by a story that probably wouldn’t have worked for me at the hands of a less skilled writer. Nothing seemed over the top or too much and everything flowed so beautifully that by the end of the first chapter, I knew I had a five star read on my hands.
So why not the big Five Stars? The pacing of the last 25% or so of the book threw me off balance a little. We’re hit with virtually all of the drama at the end of the story and there were times I felt myself taking a step back just to catch up on everything going on. That drama wasn’t a bad thing, in fact I think the story needed the closure it brought. I was just surprised by the suddenness of it all.
This is my second Mariah Dietz book and I have to say that at this point, I’m reading absolutely everything this author puts out in the future. Curveball worked for me in a big way thanks to some fabulous writing and then more fabulous writing on top of that. Coen still has quite a few single siblings and my fingers are crossed that some of their stories may be yet to come.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Do you remember being seventeen and in love? That feeling you get when you spot him across a crowded room and he seems to like what he sees just as much as you do? The first time you’re alone together or how special he makes you feel? So what do you do when you find out you’re pregnant and that the man you love is married?
”Sometimes I wonder if your heart can ever love someone again,” I admit. “I mean, can you ever really stop loving someone when your heart essentially molds itself to another person? Is that even possible?”
Ella was forced to grow up quick. She thought she’d found the man of her dreams but it turns out he was just looking for a little something on the side. Unfortunately fate didn’t care that the love of her life was already spoken for and Ella found herself alone and pregnant. What followed was a series of choices with only one goal in mind: the happiness and safety of her son.
Fast forward nine years and though Ella has done a bang up job of making a stable and secure home for her son, the town she relocated to, hometown de manipulative sperm donor, never lets her forget the fact she slept with and got knocked up by a married man. And if she has to deal with the homewrecker label, her son having easy access to his father makes it all worth it. Plus things aren’t all bad. Her job kicks ass and she couldn’t ask for a better best friend. And despite what her mother and BFF say, the last thing she needs in her life is a man. Right.
New to the area and a firefighter to boot, Coen has a hard and fast rule about not dating any of his neighbors. Been there, got the t-shirt. When he meets his next door neighbor’s friend Ella, something about the single mom intrigues him and he finds himself coming up with excuses to see her. Before he knows it, Ella and her son Hayden have become an important part of his life. Can Ella drop the walls she’s built around herself and give him a chance?
”You just haven’t been paying attention. I’ve been looking at you like you’re mine since I first saw you.
When I read the blurb for Curveball I was expecting a bit of an angst fest and let me tell you, I was ready for it. That’s not exactly what I got. To be honest, the story itself isn’t what had my attention from the moment I started reading. Mariah Dietz and her almost lyrical style of writing had me hooked from the beginning and I found myself captivated by a story that probably wouldn’t have worked for me at the hands of a less skilled writer. Nothing seemed over the top or too much and everything flowed so beautifully that by the end of the first chapter, I knew I had a five star read on my hands.
So why not the big Five Stars? The pacing of the last 25% or so of the book threw me off balance a little. We’re hit with virtually all of the drama at the end of the story and there were times I felt myself taking a step back just to catch up on everything going on. That drama wasn’t a bad thing, in fact I think the story needed the closure it brought. I was just surprised by the suddenness of it all.
This is my second Mariah Dietz book and I have to say that at this point, I’m reading absolutely everything this author puts out in the future. Curveball worked for me in a big way thanks to some fabulous writing and then more fabulous writing on top of that. Coen still has quite a few single siblings and my fingers are crossed that some of their stories may be yet to come.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
June 26, 2017
2.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: If it wasn't for the last 15ish% I would be rating this much higher!! There was all this drama thrown in at what felt like the last minute, and some of the things didn't even get resolved! I felt like there was also some totally irrelevant things thrown in that made me skim (like her presentation in depth). I liked how it was going up until that point. And even though I totally predicted the best friend thing, I found the overall storyline enjoyable. It's not exactly how the blurb reads either. I went in expecting some type of unrequited love and a love triangle, and that's not what it is. This takes place YEARS after she had moved to the town, she had found out about the wife, and they had worked things enough to have a custody arrangement going. Did she still have residual feelings for the father of her son? Yes. But I think it was the fact that he was her first love and that it wasn't fully resolved properly more than anything (and she later admits that sort of thing too). I did, however, have some big issues with the h at the end. She worried too much about everything!! She let other's opinions and actions dictate her life! Not my type of woman to root for tbh. Even though I did like the story up until that last part, I don't think I can justify any more than 2.5 Stars...
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Ella and Coen's story. Ella is the town pariah, because when she found herself pregnant at 17 with a much older man's baby she followed him to only find out that he was the town hero and married to another woman. She stayed in order to give her son the chance at having a father, but the stain in her reputation never went away. Years later, she meets Coen who moved in next door to her best friend (where the story begins). He starts up a friendship with her as well as her son, and stronger feelings between the two start to develop. There is some friend and ex drama, a few suspenseful moments, and some sweet times...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between Ella and Coen's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good until the last 15ish%. I kept on thinking that "there better not be another book!". Because it was really starting up with the drama at that point, and I felt like there just wasn't enough time allotted for all the things that needed to be resolved and so it made it feel really rushed.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 4 stars. Coen. I liked him. At times, I thought he even deserved better than the h.
h rating: 2.5 stars. Ella. I ended up not liking her that much because of how she let others dictate her happiness so much.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Low. They have minimal and not very descriptive scenes.
Descriptive sex: Not really. Not quite fade-to-black but similar.
Safe sex: N/A
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not between mcs
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had an abrupt ending with what I would call a HFN ending. . There were still a lot of unanswered questions that I was left frustrated with.
How I got it: It was part of my kindle unlimited subscription.
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
Overall Opinion: If it wasn't for the last 15ish% I would be rating this much higher!! There was all this drama thrown in at what felt like the last minute, and some of the things didn't even get resolved! I felt like there was also some totally irrelevant things thrown in that made me skim (like her presentation in depth). I liked how it was going up until that point. And even though I totally predicted the best friend thing, I found the overall storyline enjoyable. It's not exactly how the blurb reads either. I went in expecting some type of unrequited love and a love triangle, and that's not what it is. This takes place YEARS after she had moved to the town, she had found out about the wife, and they had worked things enough to have a custody arrangement going. Did she still have residual feelings for the father of her son? Yes. But I think it was the fact that he was her first love and that it wasn't fully resolved properly more than anything (and she later admits that sort of thing too). I did, however, have some big issues with the h at the end. She worried too much about everything!! She let other's opinions and actions dictate her life! Not my type of woman to root for tbh. Even though I did like the story up until that last part, I don't think I can justify any more than 2.5 Stars...
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Ella and Coen's story. Ella is the town pariah, because when she found herself pregnant at 17 with a much older man's baby she followed him to only find out that he was the town hero and married to another woman. She stayed in order to give her son the chance at having a father, but the stain in her reputation never went away. Years later, she meets Coen who moved in next door to her best friend (where the story begins). He starts up a friendship with her as well as her son, and stronger feelings between the two start to develop. There is some friend and ex drama, a few suspenseful moments, and some sweet times...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between Ella and Coen's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good until the last 15ish%. I kept on thinking that "there better not be another book!". Because it was really starting up with the drama at that point, and I felt like there just wasn't enough time allotted for all the things that needed to be resolved and so it made it feel really rushed.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 4 stars. Coen. I liked him. At times, I thought he even deserved better than the h.
h rating: 2.5 stars. Ella. I ended up not liking her that much because of how she let others dictate her happiness so much.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Low. They have minimal and not very descriptive scenes.
Descriptive sex: Not really. Not quite fade-to-black but similar.
Safe sex: N/A
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not between mcs
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had an abrupt ending with what I would call a HFN ending. . There were still a lot of unanswered questions that I was left frustrated with.
How I got it: It was part of my kindle unlimited subscription.
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
May 18, 2017
Ella is a single mom who is constantly set up on blind-dates by her mom and her best friend Rachel. But none of those dates are even close to being successful.
But then a new guy moves into the house across the street from Rachel.
Coen.
A sexy, sweet and talented firefighter!
And after saving 9-year old Hayden one night, the three of them start spending time together. Just hanging out, having breakfast, throw some baseballs around Coen's backyard.
But Ella knows that her bestie is interested in Coen. She doesn't want to be in the way.
But Coen is only interested in Ella!
And that's not Ella's only problem! The whole town hates her, because there have been so many bad rumors about her being a slut and whatnot throughout the years.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH ELLA & COEN?
WILL THERE BE A HEA??
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺
Hot firefighter???
Hell yes, I'm in!!!
At first I thought ... CURVEBALL ... will this be a baseball romance? I kinda hate those, because as a German person, I have nothing to do with baseball. It's just not a thing over here.
BUT, of course it's not about baseball. Ok, yes, a bit it is - little Hayden plays some ball with Coen!
But this is the story of a single mom trying to make sure her boy has everything he needs to have a happy childhood. And it's the story of a firefighter who is trying to become a part of that mother-son pair.
But of course they both face a lot of problems until they can ride off into their happily ever after sunset.
I really liked the book. But I also had some problems with it.
It was a bit ... tame? Slow? Sweet? Un...? No idea what I mean exactly. PURE!!! That's a good word!!!
It also felt a tiny bit too religious for my tastes - religion is my hardest hard-limit in books. And this book kind of gave me the feeling that the author is a very religious person.
With all this bible study, thanking firefighters for their service, small-town gossip and lots more, I sometimes wanted to spontaneously start singing The Star-Spangled Banner. No idea why. It was just a bit too perfectly all-American. And not in a good way. I looove small american towns, but this was really not a nice town.
And I totally missed the sexiness. I don't know why I was expecting more sexiness. But the cover and blurb kind of made me think that this book would be more somehow.
BUT - please don't let me scare you off. It was a great romance with a great hero and heroine and a cute kid. And an unlikable best friend. It's a bit too obvious that Rachel is not a nice person. I disliked her from the first time she appeared.
I liked the book. But I expected more. It could've been shorter in some moments and longer in others. BUT, I love the cover and I liked the idea of the story. I even shed some tears here and there.
CURVEBALL was a sweet lovestory about single mom Ella trying to find her happily ever after with adorable firefighter Coen!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own fireman - this one is MINE!!!!
♡
♡
♡
♡
May 13, 2017
My first Mariah Dietz book, and definitely won't be my last!
Buddy read with my hooker, Lana!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Buddy read with my hooker, Lana!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2018
It wasn't a love triangle, as I assumed from the blurb.
The hero had and did nothing with heroine's BFF. I even wouldn't call her friend's feelings for the H love or lust. It was just she told her she liked him and... not much happened.
But there was some OM drama, with h's ex/the father of her son. Nothing sexual though.
The story was well written and had many beautiful moments, but many things just didn't make any sence to me. I still have many unanswered questions.
Why did the heroine stayed in the small town after she found out the father of her child was married? People didn't like her, disrespected her and it was obvious.
Why did she do it to herself and above all to her son?
I get that she wanted her son to have a father. But she could have moved to another town 1 or 2 hours drive, so she wouldn't allow others to ruin her life.
How couldn't she ever suspect her BFF of being the one to spread rumors about her?
Why did the h allow her BFF to manipulate her to go on so many dates? Why didn't she just stop it?
Why MCs kept their relationship a secret?
And and and...
Don't get me wrong, it was a nice love story; I just had a feeling that many things happened and at the same time not much happened.
I definitely wanted to read more about MCs being together.
Cute epilogue, but not long enough.
The hero had and did nothing with heroine's BFF. I even wouldn't call her friend's feelings for the H love or lust. It was just she told her she liked him and... not much happened.
But there was some OM drama, with h's ex/the father of her son. Nothing sexual though.
The story was well written and had many beautiful moments, but many things just didn't make any sence to me. I still have many unanswered questions.
Why did the heroine stayed in the small town after she found out the father of her child was married? People didn't like her, disrespected her and it was obvious.
Why did she do it to herself and above all to her son?
I get that she wanted her son to have a father. But she could have moved to another town 1 or 2 hours drive, so she wouldn't allow others to ruin her life.
How couldn't she ever suspect her BFF of being the one to spread rumors about her?
Why did the h allow her BFF to manipulate her to go on so many dates? Why didn't she just stop it?
Why MCs kept their relationship a secret?
And and and...
Don't get me wrong, it was a nice love story; I just had a feeling that many things happened and at the same time not much happened.
I definitely wanted to read more about MCs being together.
Cute epilogue, but not long enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2017
4.5 Stars!
Another awesome book by a new to me author! I'll have to be checking out more books by her!
Another awesome book by a new to me author! I'll have to be checking out more books by her!
May 15, 2017
4.5 Stars!
First off, this cover is gorgeous! I love the colors and the hidden picture, which gives us a glimpse of the story within its pages. The one about lies, secrets, betrayal, burning passion and love.
Question: Where can a girl find a real life Cohen Deluca??? I mean, listen, Cohen's character was a girl's fantasy. If I could draft a perfect male, he would be right up there with his qualifications. He was kind, understanding, sensitive, sexy, alluring, charming, loving... I could go on for days. I loved how this author showed his sensitivity and contrasted it with his possessiveness as well, she brought out his vulnerable side. He knew the right things to say, he knew when to push when to prod and when to support. Oh, and he's a firefighter, with only one rule, he doesn't date his neighbors!!! Why can't we model men after him?
Single mom, Elle worked hard. She was successful in her career. She didn't leave the job at work, often working long hours at home. But never to the detriment of her adorable son. He is number one in her life and her mother and best friend are determined to find her a man. They set her up on horrible dates via the dating sites they have signed her up on. As it turned out, they were looking in the wrong place. The handsome firefighter that lived down the road was the perfect match.
This was a great friends to lovers book filled with emotion and no manufactured drama. I haven't read this author before but after having read 'Curveball', I plan to remedy this.
**I received an Advanced Reader Copy. This did not influence my opinion of the book, nor my review.**
❝Will you keep looking at me like I'm yours if I tell you there's nothing to worry about?❞
❝You just haven't been paying attention. I've been looking at you like you're mine since I first saw you.❞
First off, this cover is gorgeous! I love the colors and the hidden picture, which gives us a glimpse of the story within its pages. The one about lies, secrets, betrayal, burning passion and love.
❝I love him because he saved me. Because he makes me acknowledge my feelings rather than feel ashamed of them, and he makes me feel calm and safe. Two things I haven't felt since I was seventeen. ❞
Question: Where can a girl find a real life Cohen Deluca??? I mean, listen, Cohen's character was a girl's fantasy. If I could draft a perfect male, he would be right up there with his qualifications. He was kind, understanding, sensitive, sexy, alluring, charming, loving... I could go on for days. I loved how this author showed his sensitivity and contrasted it with his possessiveness as well, she brought out his vulnerable side. He knew the right things to say, he knew when to push when to prod and when to support. Oh, and he's a firefighter, with only one rule, he doesn't date his neighbors!!! Why can't we model men after him?
Single mom, Elle worked hard. She was successful in her career. She didn't leave the job at work, often working long hours at home. But never to the detriment of her adorable son. He is number one in her life and her mother and best friend are determined to find her a man. They set her up on horrible dates via the dating sites they have signed her up on. As it turned out, they were looking in the wrong place. The handsome firefighter that lived down the road was the perfect match.
This was a great friends to lovers book filled with emotion and no manufactured drama. I haven't read this author before but after having read 'Curveball', I plan to remedy this.
**I received an Advanced Reader Copy. This did not influence my opinion of the book, nor my review.**
May 9, 2017
ARC received for an honest review
Firefighters? Heck yeah, time to set my house on fire
Curve Ball was not really what I was expecting. Though I am not sure really what I was expecting.
Curve Ball is a cute and sweet romance. And pretty tame and pure (probably says a lot more about what I read than the book that I point this out!)
Ella and Coen's story is very sweet. The single mum, ostracised by the town she lives in, and the firefighter who can't help but be drawn to her. They are about the only characters in the book that I really liked.
Ella's best friend is a b!tch whom I really disliked from the minute she turned up on the page - a feeling that wasn't wrong
The town - now, I live in a small town and know the dynamics when you move into a small town, however this town was like a cross between The Stepford Wives and The Scarlet Letter. OMG the people, they all needed to be high fived... in the face... with 4x2. They are horrible, horrible people that I may have yelled at as I was reading.
Most of the time, I really did feel that I wanted to scream at Ella to grow a set and tell the people in this town to STFU. The way she cowered from any confrontation - yes I kind of understood why, but knew that things would have been better if she fought back. Gah!
I adored Ella's boy Hayden - he really does steal the scene every time.
So whilst Curve Ball may have been a little tame for me, it is a cute and adorable romance.
Firefighters? Heck yeah, time to set my house on fire
Curve Ball was not really what I was expecting. Though I am not sure really what I was expecting.
Curve Ball is a cute and sweet romance. And pretty tame and pure (probably says a lot more about what I read than the book that I point this out!)
Ella and Coen's story is very sweet. The single mum, ostracised by the town she lives in, and the firefighter who can't help but be drawn to her. They are about the only characters in the book that I really liked.
Ella's best friend is a b!tch whom I really disliked from the minute she turned up on the page - a feeling that wasn't wrong
The town - now, I live in a small town and know the dynamics when you move into a small town, however this town was like a cross between The Stepford Wives and The Scarlet Letter. OMG the people, they all needed to be high fived... in the face... with 4x2. They are horrible, horrible people that I may have yelled at as I was reading.
Most of the time, I really did feel that I wanted to scream at Ella to grow a set and tell the people in this town to STFU. The way she cowered from any confrontation - yes I kind of understood why, but knew that things would have been better if she fought back. Gah!
I adored Ella's boy Hayden - he really does steal the scene every time.
So whilst Curve Ball may have been a little tame for me, it is a cute and adorable romance.
May 16, 2017
God, you know what I really love? I love a story about real characters in real situations, just going through the motions of dealing with real life issues that real people face everyday. I'm a reader that prefers realism, even in my romantic fiction, and that's exactly what Mariah Dietz has created here with Curveball, a brutally honest story of finding love in the most unexpected place. I loved a lot of things about this book but what I appreciated the most was that it never felt over the top or contrived or dramatic for the sake of being dramatic. Ella and Coen are relatable, likeable, real characters and I connected with them both immediately. The natural progression of this romance, even though it was bumpy and slow burning and not without serious difficulties, never once felt over the top or forced. It was a fluid transition from strangers to friends to... more, and I loved every sweet, salty, infuriating moment.
I felt so many things while reading this book. Curveball is filled with humor and wit, with moments of heartbreak, frustration and anger, with satisfying contentment and delicious romance. Ella and Coen's story is the kind of love story all of us hope to find when we open a book. It's a beautifully unexpected love story of feeling accepted, of being seen for who we truly are beneath our faults and our flaws, our baggage and our pasts. This isn't a story where the reader is swept away by steamy scenes and cheesy one-liners. (Well, maybe a few... Coen will make definitely make you swoon!) This is a story where the reader will be swept away by completely relatable characters with relatable problems who are just trying to find happiness amongst all they've lost and all that tries to keep them down. It's a story that deals with real life issues (anxiety, split families, illness, friendship, loss, love, betrayal, family) with honesty and emotion that I wholly connected with.
I'm ashamed to admit that this was my first Mariah Dietz book. She's a beautiful writer, a lovely storyteller and she perfectly crafts a story every romance reader will enjoy. I'm officially a fan and I plan on reading her previous work immediately. This story is romantic and sweet, but peppered with perfectly timed heartache and difficulty, and a whopper of a curveball plot twist that seriously left me with my jaw hanging on the floor. This is a story for the romantics and a story for mothers. It's a story for those who've been betrayed and for those that just want to sit back and fall in love. Curveball is a beautiful, relatable, unputdownable story and the more I reflect on this book, the more perfect I think it is. I truly loved every bit of it.
I felt so many things while reading this book. Curveball is filled with humor and wit, with moments of heartbreak, frustration and anger, with satisfying contentment and delicious romance. Ella and Coen's story is the kind of love story all of us hope to find when we open a book. It's a beautifully unexpected love story of feeling accepted, of being seen for who we truly are beneath our faults and our flaws, our baggage and our pasts. This isn't a story where the reader is swept away by steamy scenes and cheesy one-liners. (Well, maybe a few... Coen will make definitely make you swoon!) This is a story where the reader will be swept away by completely relatable characters with relatable problems who are just trying to find happiness amongst all they've lost and all that tries to keep them down. It's a story that deals with real life issues (anxiety, split families, illness, friendship, loss, love, betrayal, family) with honesty and emotion that I wholly connected with.
I'm ashamed to admit that this was my first Mariah Dietz book. She's a beautiful writer, a lovely storyteller and she perfectly crafts a story every romance reader will enjoy. I'm officially a fan and I plan on reading her previous work immediately. This story is romantic and sweet, but peppered with perfectly timed heartache and difficulty, and a whopper of a curveball plot twist that seriously left me with my jaw hanging on the floor. This is a story for the romantics and a story for mothers. It's a story for those who've been betrayed and for those that just want to sit back and fall in love. Curveball is a beautiful, relatable, unputdownable story and the more I reflect on this book, the more perfect I think it is. I truly loved every bit of it.
May 12, 2017
I was asked by the author for an honest review.
Ella is a single mom searching for love while clinging to her past. Wanting to provide the best life possible for her son, she sacrifices her reputation, her happiness, and even her heart. Coen is a firefighter who moves to Ella's neighborhood and soon discovers that he wants to be a permanent part of Ella's life despite objections from local friends.
The story is creative and sweet. The idea is fresh with unexpected twists and turns. It starts a bit slow and some of the scenes felt a little superfluous to me. I found myself disappointed in some the characters. Ella and Coen's relationship develops naturally and was fun to watch unfold. I wanted Ella to be a little stronger and I would have loved for Rachel to have stood up to Patrick as well. There seemed to be some missed opportunities to strengthen the story.
Overall, the writing is good, I just didn't find enough drama and intrigue to propel it forward. I think the author has great potential with her creative plots. Three stars.
Ella is a single mom searching for love while clinging to her past. Wanting to provide the best life possible for her son, she sacrifices her reputation, her happiness, and even her heart. Coen is a firefighter who moves to Ella's neighborhood and soon discovers that he wants to be a permanent part of Ella's life despite objections from local friends.
The story is creative and sweet. The idea is fresh with unexpected twists and turns. It starts a bit slow and some of the scenes felt a little superfluous to me. I found myself disappointed in some the characters. Ella and Coen's relationship develops naturally and was fun to watch unfold. I wanted Ella to be a little stronger and I would have loved for Rachel to have stood up to Patrick as well. There seemed to be some missed opportunities to strengthen the story.
Overall, the writing is good, I just didn't find enough drama and intrigue to propel it forward. I think the author has great potential with her creative plots. Three stars.
May 10, 2017
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This book right here, Mariah Dietz's "Curve Ball," this brilliant, heart felt story reminded me why I love romance novels so much. I started Ella and Coen's book with the intention of reading a couple of chapters before bed but discovered very early on that this was going to be a gem of a love story that I would struggle to put down until I got a HEA. I was so invested in this beautiful (and at times ugly) journey both Coen and Ella found themselves on but I rooted for them every step of the way, both as individuals and as a couple.
From the age of seventeen, Ella had tried to do the right thing but the right thing had lead to her being an outcast, a pariah in a town where your business was everyone's business and ten years later, nothing had changed. I loved what Ella had managed to achieve on her own. I was in awe of the success she had made of her career and at the same time, how she had managed to raise a child single handedly, a beautiful, polite, adorable child who was the centre of her life and whom she fiercely protected and always put first. Ella's character is one that I completely got. I understood why she did what she did, why she behaved the way she did and how over the years she had managed to let others mould and manipulate her. I 100% got it and got her. Faults and all, Ella is definitely up there as one of my all time favourite heroines that's for sure and given the opportunity, I could gush about her all day!!!
Someone else I could gush about all day was Coen, oh my wasn't he just the perfect dream boat of a man. He was just so easy going and laid back. He didn't try and rail road his way into Ella's life but gently eased his way in like the perfect gentleman. Coen would fight Ella's corner all day if he could but he knew that there were some battles Ella needed to fight on her own if she was to move on with her life. I loved how he tried to get Ella to stand up for herself, to put herself first, to get her to see that she was worth so much more that what others had lead her to believe she was worth. He was the support Ella didn't know she needed. He really was pure gold and is a hero I definitely won't be forgetting in a hurry.
Sometimes you read a book where you just know straight away, two people belong together completely and wholly, come rain or shine, hell and high water, come mishaps and mayhem. Well for me, Ella and Coen were that couple. They were just perfect. I savoured every second of the slow building, beautiful friendship between the couple. It felt so fresh and new and so right. From the friendship came the lust and growing feelings of something more and then of course came love. God did these two give me butterflies. I prayed every step of the way that they would make it.
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This book right here, Mariah Dietz's "Curve Ball," this brilliant, heart felt story reminded me why I love romance novels so much. I started Ella and Coen's book with the intention of reading a couple of chapters before bed but discovered very early on that this was going to be a gem of a love story that I would struggle to put down until I got a HEA. I was so invested in this beautiful (and at times ugly) journey both Coen and Ella found themselves on but I rooted for them every step of the way, both as individuals and as a couple.
“I want to know your secrets,” she whispers."Curve Ball" was one of those books where right off the bat I flew the flag for the underdog. You know the one that's had a tough life but soldiers on regardless, taking each step forward despite the obstacles, despite the never ending shit storm and despite the onslaught of rumours, mud slinging and small mindedness. You know, that person who is so real and relatable and normal, you want nothing more than to have them as a friend so that you can protect and defend and fight for them? That person was Ella Chapman and I had so much respect for her. This brave, strong woman who had done nothing wrong but fall in love with the wrong person. How could my heart not go out to her.
I place my hand over hers, keeping it firmly against my chest. “I want to know yours.”
When you give your heart away there’s no way to fully get it back. Pieces will be left behind, lies will drill holes, deceit will cause cracks, and the feeling of being unwanted will create a doubt your heart was ever whole.
From the age of seventeen, Ella had tried to do the right thing but the right thing had lead to her being an outcast, a pariah in a town where your business was everyone's business and ten years later, nothing had changed. I loved what Ella had managed to achieve on her own. I was in awe of the success she had made of her career and at the same time, how she had managed to raise a child single handedly, a beautiful, polite, adorable child who was the centre of her life and whom she fiercely protected and always put first. Ella's character is one that I completely got. I understood why she did what she did, why she behaved the way she did and how over the years she had managed to let others mould and manipulate her. I 100% got it and got her. Faults and all, Ella is definitely up there as one of my all time favourite heroines that's for sure and given the opportunity, I could gush about her all day!!!
I close the space between us by wrapping my arms around him, knowing that as
I do it that I am choosing to do exactly what he proposed: break every last rule, even the ones I know I won't ever be able to recover from.
Someone else I could gush about all day was Coen, oh my wasn't he just the perfect dream boat of a man. He was just so easy going and laid back. He didn't try and rail road his way into Ella's life but gently eased his way in like the perfect gentleman. Coen would fight Ella's corner all day if he could but he knew that there were some battles Ella needed to fight on her own if she was to move on with her life. I loved how he tried to get Ella to stand up for herself, to put herself first, to get her to see that she was worth so much more that what others had lead her to believe she was worth. He was the support Ella didn't know she needed. He really was pure gold and is a hero I definitely won't be forgetting in a hurry.
Sometimes you read a book where you just know straight away, two people belong together completely and wholly, come rain or shine, hell and high water, come mishaps and mayhem. Well for me, Ella and Coen were that couple. They were just perfect. I savoured every second of the slow building, beautiful friendship between the couple. It felt so fresh and new and so right. From the friendship came the lust and growing feelings of something more and then of course came love. God did these two give me butterflies. I prayed every step of the way that they would make it.
"I've been looking at you like you're mine since I first saw you."Mariah Dietz's "Curveball" had so many magical ingredients that made it such a good read. It was funny and sweet and sexy but it was also angsty, emotional and heart breaking too. For some reason I initially gave it 4.5 hearts but for the life of me, I don't know why I dropped the 1/2 because it really was a ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ read for me. A definite must read for all you hopeless romantics out there.
May 12, 2017
I loved this book!!! It's emotional and sweet and frustrating and it had me totally wrapped up in it! Curveball is a lovely slow burn of a book, keeping me invested and on my toes from the beginning up until the very end.
Ella's been dealt a tough hand but she's managing it all with such grace, and much more dignity than I ever could have. Being treated as a pariah in the small town where she's raising her son so that he can be close to his father has not been easy on either of them, but she's determined to stick it out for his sake. She has her son, her best friend, and her job, and not much more and she's okay with that. Until Coen. When he shows up her carefully structured life veers off the path she's set forth, and while at first she's determined to continue with the status quo, he's a curveball she just can't ignore.
At times frustrating, heartbreaking, and inspiring, Curveball is really Ella's journey of self-discovery. Opening up to Coen has a ripple effect that filters through all aspects of her life. He seems to be such a happy, easy going man, but as they say, still waters run deep, and they definitely do with him. He's such a positive influence on both Ella and Hayden. I really loved the connection they shared. Before, Ella wasn't someone to make waves, she just took all the hate and judgement thrown her way. But with Coen she's finally allowed herself to see what's she been missing from life, and learning that things, and people, aren't quite what they seem.
Curveball is full of so much feeling and heart. I went in expecting this story to play out one way but like Ella, and the title suggests, I was thrown a curveball! It's really such a captivating book, with characters that will endear themselves to you.
Ella's been dealt a tough hand but she's managing it all with such grace, and much more dignity than I ever could have. Being treated as a pariah in the small town where she's raising her son so that he can be close to his father has not been easy on either of them, but she's determined to stick it out for his sake. She has her son, her best friend, and her job, and not much more and she's okay with that. Until Coen. When he shows up her carefully structured life veers off the path she's set forth, and while at first she's determined to continue with the status quo, he's a curveball she just can't ignore.
At times frustrating, heartbreaking, and inspiring, Curveball is really Ella's journey of self-discovery. Opening up to Coen has a ripple effect that filters through all aspects of her life. He seems to be such a happy, easy going man, but as they say, still waters run deep, and they definitely do with him. He's such a positive influence on both Ella and Hayden. I really loved the connection they shared. Before, Ella wasn't someone to make waves, she just took all the hate and judgement thrown her way. But with Coen she's finally allowed herself to see what's she been missing from life, and learning that things, and people, aren't quite what they seem.
Curveball is full of so much feeling and heart. I went in expecting this story to play out one way but like Ella, and the title suggests, I was thrown a curveball! It's really such a captivating book, with characters that will endear themselves to you.
September 27, 2018
You'd read the blurb and loads of reviews so pretty much you knew the basics. I liked Ella, she appeared as a strong woman and a supermum.I was however confused about her feelings towards her ex bf/her son's father..thankfully it was explained later in the book. As for her going out for dates, no thanks to her bff Rachel, that was not an issue as Ella had a good head, she practiced this baseball rule .. 3 strikes and you're out towards the bad dates. Now Coen, he was an absolutely amazing hero. Let me made a list on his perfections.
z. He was not a neanderthal
y. Ella and her son Hayden always come first to Coen.
x. He was great in his job, not only he was a firefighter, he had medical training too.
w. He never pushed Ella to do anything that will make her uncomfortable, always supported her and Hayden.
v. Being a great guy all around made Coen appeared extremely hot, cool and swoonworthy.
u. The conversation that Coen had with his Captain after Hayden's second incident was phenomenal.
Ella and Coen took their time to be in a relationship and the journey was portrayed interestingly.
Loved it 😀
z. He was not a neanderthal
y. Ella and her son Hayden always come first to Coen.
x. He was great in his job, not only he was a firefighter, he had medical training too.
w. He never pushed Ella to do anything that will make her uncomfortable, always supported her and Hayden.
v. Being a great guy all around made Coen appeared extremely hot, cool and swoonworthy.
u. The conversation that Coen had with his Captain after Hayden's second incident was phenomenal.
Ella and Coen took their time to be in a relationship and the journey was portrayed interestingly.
Loved it 😀
September 16, 2018
This was a really good story and I enjoyed it alot. It had a little bit of angst and a little dose of drama when an unexpected "curveball" towards the end came to light that I didn´t see coming.
Solid 4 stars for me.
Solid 4 stars for me.
May 22, 2017
Quando li a sinopse eu logo me interessei! Jurava que a melhor amiga era a mãe da protagonista, mas assim que corri para ler, nas primeiras páginas notei que eu estava errada.
Mesmo assim segui com a historia e curti bastante.
Em um dos dias que Ella está na casa de sua melhor amiga, elas conhecem Coen, o novo vizinho. Assim que bate os olhos no bombeiro, a melhor amiga se interessa pelo cara mas Ella não fica nada impressionada. Acontece que o Coen tem suas regras de não se envolver com quem mora nas redondezas e Ella também tem uma regra muito importante: Jamais se envolver com bombeiros. Tudo resolvido então: as duas moças estão fora de cogitação para ele e ele está fora de cogitação para Ella...
Ella é forte, uma boa mãe e traz consigo o peso de ter sido iludida ainda adolescente por um cara mais velho. Ela se deixa conduzir pela mãe e também pela amiga, embora seja obstinada. Quer sempre o melhor para o filho e desde que se tornou mãe se coloca em segundo plano, aceitando os encontros que as duas mulheres de sua vida organizam, e que não passam de tremendas ciladas. Além disso, ela encara de frente todo o falatório maldoso que rodeia ela e seu filho por conta do tal ex e pai de seu filho, que é um herói na cidade.
Coen é aquele cara gente boa que está em busca de um recomeço e um lugar para chamar de lar. Logo que bate os olhos em Ella, ele se torna faminto por conhecê-la. Junto da amizade surge também a chance de conviver com Hayden, o filho de Ella por quem se encanta e faz de tudo para vê-lo feliz.
Gostei da construção dos personagens e todas as características apresentadas. O conflito da história é mais suave, é uma espécie de relacionamento proibido, já que a amiga de Ella se interessa por ele e isso se mistura com o fato dela se permitir amar novamente, mesmo com medo de se machucar como no passado.
A escrita da autora é gostosa, flui bem e notei algo de diferente que estou acostumada: me pareceu que ela optou por mostrar ao leitor toda a verdade dos fatos antes da protagonista saber de tudo. Ela levanta as suspeitas e já no final tudo se revela mas o choque fica mais destinado aos personagens do que para o leitor.
O gostoso o livro é ver como a relação deles se desenvolve e cresce ao longo dos encontros e do tempo que passam juntos. Mesmo com as regras existentes em suas mentes, existe uma atracão mútua e uma química inegável.Aos poucos os três desenvolvem uma rotina digna de uma verdadeira família mas a apreensão dela pelo fato de sua melhor amiga se interessar pelo cara que ela tem sentimentos, pesa, além de também aparecer outros pequenos problemas na trama, como a relação de Ella com o ex e mais uns segredos que surgem.
Para quem está lendo, esses conflitos não pesam tanto, desde o início percebemos que nunca houve a mínima possibilidade de um romance entre Coen e sua vizinha, só na cabeça da tal amiga.
Ao longo das páginas acompanhamos como esse amor nasce e como eles resolvem os conflitos que os cercam, o ex dela , a amiga, o falatório da cidade, seu amadurecimento e as mudanças que surgem quando a pessoa certa surge na hora certa.
Senti falta no final de um pouco mais do casal, como sou uma romântica, achei o epílogo um tanto quanto rápido e superficial.
Esse foi o primeiro livro da autora que li e com certeza irei ler outros, suas capas são sempre lindas e despertam o interesse.
Arc getilmente cedido pela autora e Give-me books. Obrigada.
Mesmo assim segui com a historia e curti bastante.
Em um dos dias que Ella está na casa de sua melhor amiga, elas conhecem Coen, o novo vizinho. Assim que bate os olhos no bombeiro, a melhor amiga se interessa pelo cara mas Ella não fica nada impressionada. Acontece que o Coen tem suas regras de não se envolver com quem mora nas redondezas e Ella também tem uma regra muito importante: Jamais se envolver com bombeiros. Tudo resolvido então: as duas moças estão fora de cogitação para ele e ele está fora de cogitação para Ella...
Ella é forte, uma boa mãe e traz consigo o peso de ter sido iludida ainda adolescente por um cara mais velho. Ela se deixa conduzir pela mãe e também pela amiga, embora seja obstinada. Quer sempre o melhor para o filho e desde que se tornou mãe se coloca em segundo plano, aceitando os encontros que as duas mulheres de sua vida organizam, e que não passam de tremendas ciladas. Além disso, ela encara de frente todo o falatório maldoso que rodeia ela e seu filho por conta do tal ex e pai de seu filho, que é um herói na cidade.
Coen é aquele cara gente boa que está em busca de um recomeço e um lugar para chamar de lar. Logo que bate os olhos em Ella, ele se torna faminto por conhecê-la. Junto da amizade surge também a chance de conviver com Hayden, o filho de Ella por quem se encanta e faz de tudo para vê-lo feliz.
Gostei da construção dos personagens e todas as características apresentadas. O conflito da história é mais suave, é uma espécie de relacionamento proibido, já que a amiga de Ella se interessa por ele e isso se mistura com o fato dela se permitir amar novamente, mesmo com medo de se machucar como no passado.
A escrita da autora é gostosa, flui bem e notei algo de diferente que estou acostumada: me pareceu que ela optou por mostrar ao leitor toda a verdade dos fatos antes da protagonista saber de tudo. Ela levanta as suspeitas e já no final tudo se revela mas o choque fica mais destinado aos personagens do que para o leitor.
O gostoso o livro é ver como a relação deles se desenvolve e cresce ao longo dos encontros e do tempo que passam juntos. Mesmo com as regras existentes em suas mentes, existe uma atracão mútua e uma química inegável.Aos poucos os três desenvolvem uma rotina digna de uma verdadeira família mas a apreensão dela pelo fato de sua melhor amiga se interessar pelo cara que ela tem sentimentos, pesa, além de também aparecer outros pequenos problemas na trama, como a relação de Ella com o ex e mais uns segredos que surgem.
Para quem está lendo, esses conflitos não pesam tanto, desde o início percebemos que nunca houve a mínima possibilidade de um romance entre Coen e sua vizinha, só na cabeça da tal amiga.
Ao longo das páginas acompanhamos como esse amor nasce e como eles resolvem os conflitos que os cercam, o ex dela , a amiga, o falatório da cidade, seu amadurecimento e as mudanças que surgem quando a pessoa certa surge na hora certa.
Senti falta no final de um pouco mais do casal, como sou uma romântica, achei o epílogo um tanto quanto rápido e superficial.
Esse foi o primeiro livro da autora que li e com certeza irei ler outros, suas capas são sempre lindas e despertam o interesse.
Arc getilmente cedido pela autora e Give-me books. Obrigada.
May 12, 2017
This was such a wonderful story about personal growth, finding love again and taking a chance on it. I really enjoyed Ella's journey.
It has definitely been an emotional one but throughout it all she keeps being strong, not caring about what other people think of her. Ella has been affected by a love affair she had at seventeen which resulted in her having a son and she's still the focus point when it comes to gossip in her town.
Her relationship with her nine year old son Hayden is truly beautiful. I loved every moment of them together and how strong their love are. They're a unit and finding love is not easy for Ella even though she gets help from her bestie Rachel. She is the only friend she has in town and Rachel's also really close to Hayden.
Coen, Rachel's hot new neighbor is definitely swoon worthy. Not only because he's a firefighter but because he's genuinely a really good man with a pure heart. I loved how easy and comfortable he is with Hayden, who doesn't have a close relationship with his father.
Ella and Coen are great together. Especially how they become friends first. It's a slow process but it feels believable and organic because they slowly starts to need each other in their lives. From a texts, to phone calls and then visits. Coen is so patience when it comes to Ella and making her feel comfortable and ready for taking that next step.
Curveball is fabulous especially because of the relatable topics and amazing characters. I was entertained and was even surprised a couple of times. A beautiful story about taking risks, believing and trusting in not only yourself but also in others.
4 BadAssDirtyLoveAndRespectStars
Arc generously provided by the author and GMB for an honest review
It has definitely been an emotional one but throughout it all she keeps being strong, not caring about what other people think of her. Ella has been affected by a love affair she had at seventeen which resulted in her having a son and she's still the focus point when it comes to gossip in her town.
Her relationship with her nine year old son Hayden is truly beautiful. I loved every moment of them together and how strong their love are. They're a unit and finding love is not easy for Ella even though she gets help from her bestie Rachel. She is the only friend she has in town and Rachel's also really close to Hayden.
Coen, Rachel's hot new neighbor is definitely swoon worthy. Not only because he's a firefighter but because he's genuinely a really good man with a pure heart. I loved how easy and comfortable he is with Hayden, who doesn't have a close relationship with his father.
Ella and Coen are great together. Especially how they become friends first. It's a slow process but it feels believable and organic because they slowly starts to need each other in their lives. From a texts, to phone calls and then visits. Coen is so patience when it comes to Ella and making her feel comfortable and ready for taking that next step.
Curveball is fabulous especially because of the relatable topics and amazing characters. I was entertained and was even surprised a couple of times. A beautiful story about taking risks, believing and trusting in not only yourself but also in others.
4 BadAssDirtyLoveAndRespectStars
Arc generously provided by the author and GMB for an honest review
May 13, 2017
Curveball is my first from this Mariah Dietz and I now know it will not be my last! I wasn't sure how this story would unfold and at times I thought it might just fizzle out. But by the 50% mark I was hooked and so deeply involved with Ella's story that I couldn't put it down.
With her small town treating her like a piece of gum stuck at the bottom of their shoe, it's a wonder that she is such a great single mother to her son Hayden and such a kick arse employee at her marketing firm. Ella exhibits such strength in the face of the pure hatred towards her, only wanting to be back so her son could know his father. The man who seduced a young Ella and promised her the world only to be the two-timing married firefighter that the whole world adored. I wanted to give her a high-five throughout this book in addition to many hugs as I watched her get berated and for the most part ignored by the world around her. Yet she has such grace and the uncanny ability to put everyone and everything above her own needs.
Thank goodness Coen came into her life. The man with plenty of his own secrets, I loved how he took his time getting to know Ella. Getting to know and love her son Hayden. Pushing Ella to stand up for herself and shielding her from the town that only wanted her gone. Both ignoring their own 'dating rules' to give the other a chance. Their path to happiness is filled with potholes. Filled with self-doubt. Filled with denial. But there is that unmistakable heat that passes between them that can't and won't be put aside. The author brings just the right amount of passion, mildly alluding to sexual trysts and that was ok. I didn't need it being so entrenched in the emotional aspect of their romance. There are more than enough gut-wrenching scenes that practically broke my heart with Ella and Coen having their burgeoning love get tested time and again. But it is the love that finds it's way through, as delicate as it is glorious and I found myself hoping it could be enough.
I was completely satisfied by this book and loved that it wasn't the usual. It has a whole lot of heart and a very surprising twist I did not see coming. The secondary characters, whether I liked them or not, were the perfect compliment and didn't take away from the main story at hand. Hayden is a joyful little boy and his severe peanut allergy was a very real and important part of this book. A very relevant affliction that affects so many these days and was handled respectfully.
Coen is as swoonworthy as they come and his love for Ella is simply divine. Theirs was not an easy love but definitely one very worthwhile. I'm glad I took the chance.
A solid 5 stars!
With her small town treating her like a piece of gum stuck at the bottom of their shoe, it's a wonder that she is such a great single mother to her son Hayden and such a kick arse employee at her marketing firm. Ella exhibits such strength in the face of the pure hatred towards her, only wanting to be back so her son could know his father. The man who seduced a young Ella and promised her the world only to be the two-timing married firefighter that the whole world adored. I wanted to give her a high-five throughout this book in addition to many hugs as I watched her get berated and for the most part ignored by the world around her. Yet she has such grace and the uncanny ability to put everyone and everything above her own needs.
Thank goodness Coen came into her life. The man with plenty of his own secrets, I loved how he took his time getting to know Ella. Getting to know and love her son Hayden. Pushing Ella to stand up for herself and shielding her from the town that only wanted her gone. Both ignoring their own 'dating rules' to give the other a chance. Their path to happiness is filled with potholes. Filled with self-doubt. Filled with denial. But there is that unmistakable heat that passes between them that can't and won't be put aside. The author brings just the right amount of passion, mildly alluding to sexual trysts and that was ok. I didn't need it being so entrenched in the emotional aspect of their romance. There are more than enough gut-wrenching scenes that practically broke my heart with Ella and Coen having their burgeoning love get tested time and again. But it is the love that finds it's way through, as delicate as it is glorious and I found myself hoping it could be enough.
I was completely satisfied by this book and loved that it wasn't the usual. It has a whole lot of heart and a very surprising twist I did not see coming. The secondary characters, whether I liked them or not, were the perfect compliment and didn't take away from the main story at hand. Hayden is a joyful little boy and his severe peanut allergy was a very real and important part of this book. A very relevant affliction that affects so many these days and was handled respectfully.
Coen is as swoonworthy as they come and his love for Ella is simply divine. Theirs was not an easy love but definitely one very worthwhile. I'm glad I took the chance.
A solid 5 stars!
May 4, 2017
I loved this book so much! It was written beautifully, the flow was spot on, and the story line was different and refreshing. Not only did the synopsis pull me in from the start, but it also hit me on a personal level.
The story start with you meeting Ella. Ella is a single mom that hasn't had it easy. She fell in love with a man she shouldn't have. She is basically raising her son alone and still making good face for her son't father even when she should trash him. She has been coerced into the online dating scene by her best friend and her mother. She is picky but has every right to be. She doesn't want to date someone just to date someone. Some of these dates she has endured are funny but sad because as a single person who has ventured into online dating these stories are pretty much true in real life. By total surprise she meets Coen. Coen is a firefighter with a heart of gold. He has a large Italian family and really puts his whole heart into his job. Coen seems to have an instant connection with Ella. Their relationship is inspiring. They just have a great connection and friendship that who hope will group into more. You will have to read to find out more!
This book was everything to me! It hit home for me with some of Ella's struggles. She is a hard working with a big heart and lots of love to give. She suffers from anxiety and what life throws her way doesn't help. I look up to her for her fight in life. Mariah nailed this one. I have read all of her books and this is by far the best written and wonderful story in my opinion. Pick this one up and don't make plans because you will want to read this one from cover to cover in one sitting. 5 flaming love stars!
The story start with you meeting Ella. Ella is a single mom that hasn't had it easy. She fell in love with a man she shouldn't have. She is basically raising her son alone and still making good face for her son't father even when she should trash him. She has been coerced into the online dating scene by her best friend and her mother. She is picky but has every right to be. She doesn't want to date someone just to date someone. Some of these dates she has endured are funny but sad because as a single person who has ventured into online dating these stories are pretty much true in real life. By total surprise she meets Coen. Coen is a firefighter with a heart of gold. He has a large Italian family and really puts his whole heart into his job. Coen seems to have an instant connection with Ella. Their relationship is inspiring. They just have a great connection and friendship that who hope will group into more. You will have to read to find out more!
This book was everything to me! It hit home for me with some of Ella's struggles. She is a hard working with a big heart and lots of love to give. She suffers from anxiety and what life throws her way doesn't help. I look up to her for her fight in life. Mariah nailed this one. I have read all of her books and this is by far the best written and wonderful story in my opinion. Pick this one up and don't make plans because you will want to read this one from cover to cover in one sitting. 5 flaming love stars!
April 24, 2019
*Re-read this one to get ready for the next book and I still loved it. I love it even more knowing we get more of this couple in his brothers book. And I really hate rachel. Like she is the worst and I wish something worse happened to her in the book.
4.75 I really loved this book up until the very end. I thought it ended a little fast and was wanting more from them. Other then that I thought it was really good.
4.75 I really loved this book up until the very end. I thought it ended a little fast and was wanting more from them. Other then that I thought it was really good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2017
I am no stranger to the works of Mariah Dietz but this book has now become one of my favorites, not only from her but from all my books. A friends to lovers with a whole lot of heart. Ella, single parent living in a town that has branded her with a scarlet A meets Coen her best friends new next door neighbor. Coen has a rule that he never dates neighbors but what happens when his feelings for Ella are more than neighborly? Mariah has it all in this story - emotion, life threatening situations, humor, romance and don't judge any of these characters by your first impression because Mariah has included many twists and turns. Curveball includes baseball but it is not a sports romance. It is has something for everyone, including firemen.
May 18, 2017
If there is one thing I loooooove in my books, It's the deep, raw all consuming feeling you get when you you're wrapped in so much ANGST! I literally CRAVE it. The more gut wrenching the better and Mariah Dietz NAILED IT! For me CURVEBALL was OUT OF THIS WORLD! My heart pounded and ached, my breathing stopped then came really freaking quick. I swooned. I laughed. I shed tears. I became 100% invested in Coen and Ella. They have my heart.
What is it about Curveball that is so amazing?
It's was the realness. The power Mariah poured so effortlessly into her words. The tug of the descriptions used that just made everything so visible and clear. It was the all consuming feeling that you get when every word hits direct and deep to the soul. It was EVERYTHING.
I devoured this book. Nothing was going to stop me finishing it. I lived, breathed and felt every second and never wanted it to end. This was my first book by Mariah, it won't be my last. She has just landed herself a brand new stalker that has just gone and clicked every book she ever released.
Curveball, was unexpected and hella surprising. I don't think I could love it more if I tried! 5 all consuming stars!
What is it about Curveball that is so amazing?
It's was the realness. The power Mariah poured so effortlessly into her words. The tug of the descriptions used that just made everything so visible and clear. It was the all consuming feeling that you get when every word hits direct and deep to the soul. It was EVERYTHING.
I devoured this book. Nothing was going to stop me finishing it. I lived, breathed and felt every second and never wanted it to end. This was my first book by Mariah, it won't be my last. She has just landed herself a brand new stalker that has just gone and clicked every book she ever released.
Curveball, was unexpected and hella surprising. I don't think I could love it more if I tried! 5 all consuming stars!
May 22, 2017
After reading:
It was good. h needed a little backbone. Hated her best friend. Great H.
Before reading:
I wonder if I'm going to regret this.
It was good. h needed a little backbone. Hated her best friend. Great H.
Before reading:
I wonder if I'm going to regret this.
May 21, 2017
There are authors that write romance. And there are writers that write words that are simply the epitome of romance. This book. This author. She does that. Lyrical with her words. Poetic in prose. Compelling and beautifully written. I never wanted to put this one down.
Single mom, Ella is not new to heartbreak. But her mom and best friend Rachel insist on setting her up with men (usually blind dates) at every change they get. As a successful career woman and mom, all she’d rather do is concentrate on work and building a life for her amazing son. Enter Coen. Mysterious, drop dead gorgeous. And he saves lives. Including a life Ella considers her own. Their friendship becomes something they find genuine happiness in. Something neither one ever thought possible. Weighed by the past and unfortunate circumstance, they eventually find a light in each other. One that neither is willing to walk away from.
Coen is all the good in this world. He loves deeply. Fiercely. His love protects. Despite the burden carried, he loves wholeheartedly. Without abandon. Unwavering. Giving yourself to someone is trusting in them not to break you while giving them the power to do so. It was a sacrifice Ella and Coen were willing to make. So not only do they fall in love, but they also grow in love.. The circumstances they face are challenging, but they break down every wall with their love. Deep and bewitching, this is a love story that I will never forget.
“Will you keep looking at me like I'm yours if I tell you there's nothing to worry about?”
“You just haven't been paying attention. I've been looking at you like you're mine since I first saw you.”
As in normal Mariah Dietz fashion, the writing is simply brilliant. Her talent in crafting a romantic story of this magnitude is unmatched. Real and raw, she is unapologetic in her writing. She places the reader within the hearts of her characters so you live the story through their eyes. She writes with an honesty that does not go unnoticed as she executes a story with relevant issues that people face on a daily basis. Curveball is a brave and poignant story narrated with such meaning and purpose. True lovers of romance will truly resonate with this book. It’s characters. Their story. With the perfect balance of heartbreak, romance and humor, you will find yourself easily lost within its pages.
Single mom, Ella is not new to heartbreak. But her mom and best friend Rachel insist on setting her up with men (usually blind dates) at every change they get. As a successful career woman and mom, all she’d rather do is concentrate on work and building a life for her amazing son. Enter Coen. Mysterious, drop dead gorgeous. And he saves lives. Including a life Ella considers her own. Their friendship becomes something they find genuine happiness in. Something neither one ever thought possible. Weighed by the past and unfortunate circumstance, they eventually find a light in each other. One that neither is willing to walk away from.
Coen is all the good in this world. He loves deeply. Fiercely. His love protects. Despite the burden carried, he loves wholeheartedly. Without abandon. Unwavering. Giving yourself to someone is trusting in them not to break you while giving them the power to do so. It was a sacrifice Ella and Coen were willing to make. So not only do they fall in love, but they also grow in love.. The circumstances they face are challenging, but they break down every wall with their love. Deep and bewitching, this is a love story that I will never forget.
“Will you keep looking at me like I'm yours if I tell you there's nothing to worry about?”
“You just haven't been paying attention. I've been looking at you like you're mine since I first saw you.”
As in normal Mariah Dietz fashion, the writing is simply brilliant. Her talent in crafting a romantic story of this magnitude is unmatched. Real and raw, she is unapologetic in her writing. She places the reader within the hearts of her characters so you live the story through their eyes. She writes with an honesty that does not go unnoticed as she executes a story with relevant issues that people face on a daily basis. Curveball is a brave and poignant story narrated with such meaning and purpose. True lovers of romance will truly resonate with this book. It’s characters. Their story. With the perfect balance of heartbreak, romance and humor, you will find yourself easily lost within its pages.
May 6, 2017
What is it about men called DeLuca? First there was Brad (he's big and bad) and now Coen. Sigh. I love DeLucastyle.
You know those sexy men with big firm shoulders like they are chiselled out of rock? That is Coen, firefighter, lifesaver, pancake eating gorgeousness.
Beautiful, sweet Ella has the mental strength of an ox. She cares and loves her son Hayden fiercely. Sticks and stones may break her bones but she doesn't allow petty nasty gossip and name calling to hurt her. When the going gets tough she moves her furniture.
Curveball has comedy moments with Ella's online dating fails and heart bursting happy moments of love conquering nastiness. Something Mariah got absolutely spot on is how Ella refuses to allow Hayden to be a pawn in her relationship with his dad, Patrick and how Coen has to have Hayden's blessing to be a part of her life.
Oh and I loved the DeLuca family moments too.
Great book, and William Levy is my Coen. He even has baseball pictures. Perfect!
You know those sexy men with big firm shoulders like they are chiselled out of rock? That is Coen, firefighter, lifesaver, pancake eating gorgeousness.
Beautiful, sweet Ella has the mental strength of an ox. She cares and loves her son Hayden fiercely. Sticks and stones may break her bones but she doesn't allow petty nasty gossip and name calling to hurt her. When the going gets tough she moves her furniture.
Curveball has comedy moments with Ella's online dating fails and heart bursting happy moments of love conquering nastiness. Something Mariah got absolutely spot on is how Ella refuses to allow Hayden to be a pawn in her relationship with his dad, Patrick and how Coen has to have Hayden's blessing to be a part of her life.
Oh and I loved the DeLuca family moments too.
Great book, and William Levy is my Coen. He even has baseball pictures. Perfect!
May 9, 2017
This story is so good and so twisted, I had to really do a double take whenever all these bombs were being dropped. While I could relate to Ella on so many levels, her skeletons made me holler "WAIT WHAT?!" More than a few times. I could understand why she was the way she was trying to protect the most important thing in her life......her son, but there were times I was just like move on! Coen, Coen, Coen.....SWOON. There is nothing sexier than a man that is willing to step up to the plate when another man walks away. It can be rare to find a man that's willing to step in and take a child in as their own. But their road to be together is far from easy. Rumors, morals, and rules play a huge HUGE part in trying to figure out what's best for everyone. My biggest issue was the ending. The last 20% felt very rushed. And while I get some characters were jerks, their characters build ups weren't lead that way. I do like how it ended, but there were just some details that I didn't like.
May 20, 2017
It was good but not good enough. The story was very slow the first half of the book. I was waiting for the whole point of the story. I hated Ella. I know she was young but she was not some helpless little girl. She had a good job, a house, but one thing she didn't have was a backbone. Why stay in a place where you are verbally abused at every corner? Why have your son go through this all? How can a town full of people think of a 30 plus man as a local hero who had a kid with a 17 yrs old and then call that same young girl a slut or a home wrecker? Where were her parents in all this? Why didn't she have any support from them? So many unanswered questions, it just wasn't enough for me.
May 24, 2017
Not a Curveball but a big Mess
I couldn't enjoy this book. "Spoiler" Ella was 17 years old when she became pregnant by Patrick who was an older Married man, this is rape, he was a child predator, there was nothing romantic about that. Ella leaves her home with her son to move to the town where Patrick (the old goat) lives, she is befriended by Rachel and for years she believed Rachel (the bitter itch) is her friend, she finds out later that Rachel was messing around with Patrick (the OG ) when she was married during her friendship (with friend like that who needs enemies) with Ella, Rachel (the bb) also was the one to spread rumors about Ella, who by the way the town talked about here behind her back. The only saving grace was Coen who loved Ella and her son.
This book was a mess and I would not recommend it too anyone.
I couldn't enjoy this book. "Spoiler" Ella was 17 years old when she became pregnant by Patrick who was an older Married man, this is rape, he was a child predator, there was nothing romantic about that. Ella leaves her home with her son to move to the town where Patrick (the old goat) lives, she is befriended by Rachel and for years she believed Rachel (the bitter itch) is her friend, she finds out later that Rachel was messing around with Patrick (the OG ) when she was married during her friendship (with friend like that who needs enemies) with Ella, Rachel (the bb) also was the one to spread rumors about Ella, who by the way the town talked about here behind her back. The only saving grace was Coen who loved Ella and her son.
This book was a mess and I would not recommend it too anyone.
May 18, 2017
Wow! This book was not what I was expecting at all!! Curveball is the first book that I have read by Mariah Dietz, and it won't be the last! This story took me on an emotional journey through several twists and turns that left me completely shell-shocked! This story was very unique to me. I haven't read anything like it.
Ella is a single mother who loves her son, Hayden, something fierce. Being a single mother, Ella faces constant fears. She hardly ever sleeps for fear of someone breaking in or sneaking in her son's window. Hayden suffers from a severe peanut allergy and has had several bad allergic reactions. I don't know how Ella got through that the way she did. She was strong for her son. Ella has a job that she loves and is great at. She works all the time though, because she has to be the best at it. Ella is a perfectionist and her son takes after her in that. I love her relationship with her son. She always puts her son first and I love her because of that.
Coen is an awesome firefighter with medic training. He has one rule and that is not to date his neighbors. He has had some bad experiences with that. Meeting Ella, there was a huge connection right off the bat. But they both pretty much ignored it. Coen adored Hayden so much. I loved how he became a father figure in Hayden's life, teaching him baseball and just being there for him. I adored this man so much. He literally made me swoon. He is the absolute perfect boyfriend.
I loved seeing Coen and Ella slowly become friends. The chemistry built the more they hung out together. They got to be themselves with each other and that made their relationship so comfortable.
I loved how everything turned out, but I was kinda disappointed with how the story ended. The story ended abruptly for me. Seemed a little rushed at the end. I wanted more time of those two together. I was a little confused with the epilogue as well. I had to read it twice and I am still guessing on where they ended up. Wanted more information on Rachel as well.
Curveball was an amazing read that instantly pulled me in!!! I could not put this book down once I started it. The character development was spot on. Each character grew in some way by the end of the book. I loved that the characters felt so real and raw. What they faced every day, is something that we all face everyday. There were some twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. Then bang there was a huge twist that I didn't see coming at all!! That left me completely speechless!! I was in awe for a moment. This book is a MUST read everyone!!!
Ella is a single mother who loves her son, Hayden, something fierce. Being a single mother, Ella faces constant fears. She hardly ever sleeps for fear of someone breaking in or sneaking in her son's window. Hayden suffers from a severe peanut allergy and has had several bad allergic reactions. I don't know how Ella got through that the way she did. She was strong for her son. Ella has a job that she loves and is great at. She works all the time though, because she has to be the best at it. Ella is a perfectionist and her son takes after her in that. I love her relationship with her son. She always puts her son first and I love her because of that.
Coen is an awesome firefighter with medic training. He has one rule and that is not to date his neighbors. He has had some bad experiences with that. Meeting Ella, there was a huge connection right off the bat. But they both pretty much ignored it. Coen adored Hayden so much. I loved how he became a father figure in Hayden's life, teaching him baseball and just being there for him. I adored this man so much. He literally made me swoon. He is the absolute perfect boyfriend.
I loved seeing Coen and Ella slowly become friends. The chemistry built the more they hung out together. They got to be themselves with each other and that made their relationship so comfortable.
I loved how everything turned out, but I was kinda disappointed with how the story ended. The story ended abruptly for me. Seemed a little rushed at the end. I wanted more time of those two together. I was a little confused with the epilogue as well. I had to read it twice and I am still guessing on where they ended up. Wanted more information on Rachel as well.
Curveball was an amazing read that instantly pulled me in!!! I could not put this book down once I started it. The character development was spot on. Each character grew in some way by the end of the book. I loved that the characters felt so real and raw. What they faced every day, is something that we all face everyday. There were some twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. Then bang there was a huge twist that I didn't see coming at all!! That left me completely speechless!! I was in awe for a moment. This book is a MUST read everyone!!!
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