Zoe, the quiet writer, has a story she never plans to tell. Erik won't quit until he knows every word.
Falling in love is what I do professionally, not personally. And technically it’s not me falling in love. It’s my characters. I write novels that fly off the shelves, making up imaginary happily ever afters to fill the hole where my own should be.
Spoiler: I’m never going to have one of those.
Instead, I go to bed each night safely fantasizing about Erik, the sexy second baseman I have no intention of sleeping with because, like I said, I write romances, I don’t live them. *** For three years I’ve had a crush on a woman who wants nothing to do with me. And that’s fine. I don’t need the distraction of a beautiful, sexy, brilliant writer. I’m busy building a team to win a championship. I never expected to make it as a professional ballplayer and this is my one shot at a dream come true.
Aw, hell. Who am I kidding? I want the championship and I want the girl. I’m patient enough to wait for both. The moment Zoe decides she’s ready to date I’ll be the first one in line … and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to her I’m the only man she needs.
Ever again.
*Last Fall is the final book in the Wild Pitch series, a spin-off of The Storm Inside series. It is a standalone, slow burn, unrequited love, baseball romance for readers who enjoy their romances on the steamy side!
Alexis Anne writes page-turning romances that will leave you breathless and wanting for another happily ever after. Her new book KING OF WANDS is available now!
Fast. Volatile. Gorgeous. Those are the words they used to describe Kingston Reynolds on the first day of my internship. Well, it wasn’t so much of a description as it was a warning. Do not fraternize with the drivers if you want to keep your job.
“My very first Alexis Anne book and now I'm wondering what I've been waiting for. It was a real page turner!! Gripping, edgy and very exciting.” --Tish Cocktails and Fairytales
Erik Cassidy is a one woman kind of man, and he has had his sights set on Zoe Burke for three long years. Too bad she isn’t interested in him. His one time asking her out was a no-go and, she didn’t seem to even want to be friends with him, mostly ignoring him at friendly gatherings with their mutual friends. After a bit of advice from his friend and agent, however, Erik decides to give it one last try.
Zoe Burke has fled from her past and started a new life in Tampa. She’s a writer and often has her characters fall in love, but it’s not for her. She knows there is no happy ever after for her. Even though she won’t act on it, she secretly crushes on second baseman Erik Cassidy. No matter how bad she crushes, however, she knows that’s all it will ever be because she’s just fine being single and in control of her own destiny.
When Erik runs into Zoe at lunch, he stops to chat and lets her know just how interested he is in her. However, he can tell that she isn’t ready for anything more when she has a panic attack in front of him. After he helps to calm the woman who is usually a spitfire and not one that is running from her own shadow, he reassures her she is safe with him and that he’ll be waiting for her no matter how long it takes for her to be ready to be with him.
Last Fall was a simply gorgeous slow burn of a romance! Erik is a caregiver by nature and his patience waiting for Zoe to become comfortable in her own skin and with him was breathtaking. As a reader, you know he wants so much more, but he places her well being first at every turn. I also really enjoyed watching his interactions with the team and his family . . .he really is a great big old Papa Bear!
Zoe’s character is beautifully broken. She left an abusive situation and created a new life for herself. She’s got amazing friends and a very successful career, but is completely gun shy when it comes to going back into a relationship - especially with an alpha male of any kind. She refuses to feel owned or controlled again in any way, and rightfully so. Watching her learn to trust and open up to her feelings for Erik is like watching a flower bloom. This couple works so well together that even though it’s a slow burn, it’s an amazing tale as they find their way to one another.
I also want to give a shout out to Alexis Anne for the book’s ending. When Zoe needs Erik more than ever, she gets so much more than she ever could have imagined - it is like something Zoe would have written in one of her own romance novels!
5 Please let me unread so I can read it again stars!!!
I mean that. Legitimately. From the bottom of my heart
Zoe. Zoe. Zoe. You’ve loved her in so many books. A mystery. Skittish. A doer. Erik. Erik is why romance novels are written.
This is their story. I’m not a fan of slow burns as a rule. And everything I read said this is a slow burn. And while their courtship or desire for a relationship spans years, the way Alexis wrote this didn’t have my normal frustrations with a slow burn.
Lots of main character interaction. Lots of visiting past characters. Loved every single thing about this book.
Fav scene: all the team loads up on a plane to save the day! No spoilers. But that part... *dashes tear away*
If you like a dreamy, understanding hunk who really gets what his girl needs... and a heroine that learns herself and stays true to her by loving him... this is the story for you!!!
Highly recommend.
Side note: cannot wait for Jack & Berlin’s story!!!
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. I love Alexis Anne’s stories and have read many of them. Her characters are believable and intense. Last Fall is no exception. No spoilers here. This love story spoke of patience and selflessness. Erik is the kind of man you wish were real. Zoe was inspirational. What are you waiting for? Enjoy this read!!!
Last Fall (ARC) by Alexis Anne: ***** Sweet with a touch of dark This story starts out slow, as the relationship develops between Zoe and Erik, but then it becomes so much more. A heartwarming and good story with a nice HEA! Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book.
Even though Zoe doesn’t believe in love and happy ever after that doesn’t stop her from writing about them. She may have escaped her past, but the memories remain and no matter how sweet and sexy Erik may seem her judgment around men is not to be trusted.
For three years Erik has tried to become closer to Zoe but every time he makes a step forward she backs away and they end up farther apart. He is about to give up when he realizes there is much more to Zoe’s reluctance to be with him than first appears and he begins to show her that he can be trusted and they belong together.
Zoe presents a persona of confidence but underneath her past has damaged her and Erik is just the perfect man for her as he allows her to set the pace until bit by bit he crumbles the walls she has built around her. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Last Fall: A Storm Inside Novel (The Wild Pitch Series Book 3) By: Alexis Anne "Last Fall" Is A Great Read With An Intense Punch... Humour, Drama, DANGER, & ST€@M!! For THREE LONG YEARS... He's been Dancing with this Sweety, But for Every ONE Small Step Forward He makes... She takes TWO Huge Leaps BACK! She's the Author who Pens HEA's by the Bucketload, For ALL Her Readers to Devour! But doesn't believe IN them for HerSelf~ No matter how much Time & Effort He puts IN... Proving HimSelf! But that's okay! Cuz IN the END... The "Last Fall" will be Her HEART, As IT cracks & FINALLY tumbles Fall'n HARD for HIM! Until then... He'll WAIT... Steadfastly, Patiently, & Ever Hopefully! I was granted, via B00|{$P®0UT, an ARC of Alexis Anne's "Last Fall: A Storm Inside Novel (The Wild Pitch Series Book 3)." I recommend this book to others based upon its own recommendations. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given! Until next time... Happy Reading!
The characters were great, although I will say there are a lot of them. Zoe and Erik were wonderfully written, and while this book does have trauma in it, the author did a good job of not placing all of the focus on that trauma and being unable to grow from it. I have read a lot of stories that include abuse and a good portion of them focus on having a fixed minset, where characters are not allowed to grow, or their growth is extremely stunted and we as a reader are not connected enough to feel that pain and those emotions to be able to understand why that growth is stunted. We are often left mad at a character because we do not properly understand that abuse.
I think the author kind of knows how difficult it is to write that type of story, especially when the story is supposed to be longer and more fleshed out and she decided to go a different route and focus entirely on the growth of Zoe. This is a hopeful story and it doesn't have a lot of drama from the characters, nor does it have these large moments where emotion takes over and prevails over logic. This showed what felt to be a healthy relationship based on communication and talking with one another, and that is always a win.
Now, the one thing I did not particularly enjoy was the amount of characters in the story. We have mention of so many people, and yes this story can be read as a standalone, my problem is not with that. My problem is that all of these couples, all of these people are being mentioned. We have team members, siblings, couples, agents, etc. We have so many characters that are constantly being mentioned or they come out of nowhere and that can be overhwhelming to some people. I didn't get lost too much, but I got lost enough that I took notice.
All in all, this was a good story. It does have some typos, but they aren't so plentiful that they take away the enjoyment of reading about Zoe and Erik. If you want something sweet, with a very small amount of drama, I recommend giving this story a shot. It works.
I thought it was a good read. It wasn't my favorite in the series (Roman and June all the way), but it was a good kind of different from the other books. All the couples had a different feel to their story. This story in particular was about a protective "Bear" hero and a "running from the past" heroine. It's a good change of pace from book 2, which was more about a sex-driven relationship. Both characters are relatable and down to earth. It only lost half a star for me because I sometimes felt that the Zoe's reserve sometimes really ruined the pacing of the book. Also, I wished Zoe's past coming back was played out more. It had the makings of a good suspenseful part, but it got resolved so quickly.
Zoe and Erik have been attracted to each other for years, but due to Zoe's past causing her skittishness, Erik has been angling to get to know her as a friend first. When Zoe finally decides to leave her past behind by not hiding anymore and dating Erik, it seems the past is not quite put to bed yet.
This is book three of The Wild Pitch series. I have read all the books so far in the series but they could be enjoyed on their own. In this book we meet Zoe and Erik. Zoe is a writer, she writes these amazing love stories that fly off the shelves but does not have her own true love. In fact, Zoe has a story of her own that is more the dark and scary variety. Erik is a professional ballplayer that is busting his butt to have a championship team. He has not forgotten Zoe though but can he have both his career and a HEA? Can Erik get Zoe to open up and take a chance? Will Zoe take the chance? I was reading and cheering for Erik the whole way through. What an entertaining read and a great story to complete the series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Last Fall is the first book I have read by Alexis Anne and I don't think it will be my last. I really enjoyed the story of Erik and Zoe and the way they interact with each other and friends but with a whole lot more brewing underneath. They are both in love with the other but they each believe that the other wants nothing to do with a romantic relationship with them. Plus add in Zoe's issues with past that make it so she does not believe she will ever live the love that she wants so instead she writes about it. Erik is just biding him time until she is ready to date and then all bets are off. This was a really well written and engaging story with good characters. I look forward to reading other books by Alexis Anne
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
This book is EVERYTHING. It has humor, drama, danger, love and so much steam. I was in love with Erik from the start. He is the perfect man. He's so sweet and understanding and puts Zoe and his family first. Always. I felt like my heart was going to beat out of my chest the whole time I was reading this book. I was just so caught up and so invested in them. Even when my panties were set on fire, my heart was melting. These two have incredible chemistry. This was my first book by Alexis Anne and it won't be my last. I'm definitely a new fan!!
Read this book! It will leave you with a big smile on your face.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Erik and Zoe. This is a great continuation in the baseball series. Zoe is friends with June and Carrie. She's a romance writer who landed in Tampa after fleeing Texas. She never told anyone why she left it what happened. Erik had been admiring get from afar for the last two years. He's friends and a teammate with Carrie's husband Wes and June's husband Roman as well as a friends with everyone else in Zoe's life. They finally give in to temptation and kiss after a chance encounter at lunch. Great chemistry and HEA. I love how Erik takes the time to move at Zoe's pace and not rush her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Erik Cassidy, aka Papa Bear, second baseman for the Mantas has been dancing around Zoe Burke, aka Zoe Hyde, best-selling author, for three long years. He knows she came to Tampa to escape something. He doesn’t know what, but he’s determined to find out. He absolutely knows that she’s “the one.” He just has to get her on the same page.
Erik is sweet, steady, and every bit the Papa Bear. He has earned that nickname. Little by little as Erik draws Zoe out, she learns to trust him. She realizes that there are definitely lots of people in her court. This story is mostly a sweet romance, but there is some drama at the end that you know is coming, but AA times it just right. Last Fall is another good baseball story during the summer season.
I really enjoyed this story by an author that is new to me. Even though I have not read any of the other books in this series or the connected series it worked perfectly well as a standalone. Erik was absolutely lovely and a true gentleman who clearly saw the prize that Zoe would be. Zoe had escaped an abusive ex and her trust issues made it impossible for her to make new relationships. This story shows the patient Erik gently building their relationship while giving Zoe time and space to find herself. A beautiful story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Damn. Just blew through the Wild Pitch series in 3 days. (Would hAve done it in two if I didn’t have to attend my son’s college graduation - adulting for the win!). Of the three, Erik and Zoe were my favorite. The story line of her past abuse and his strong quiet patient love get you. Now I’m looking at all of the other series and wondering where to start. Kinda bitter about having to waiting for Mistletoe Key #3 to read about Jack and Berlin. At least now I have downtime plans. Thanks much!
Oh my goodness, Erik is the almighty in book boyfriends! All guys needs to read this and take note...*sigh* I swooned a little too much reading this. Not all women have suffered what Zoe went through, but I have unfortunately had some experience with it. The author writes about it well and what its like to overcome, eventually. Like Zoe, I found my hero too. This story is about two soul who connect on a level neither of them can ignore and its just beautiful to read. The characters are so believable and grounded. I kind of wish we all had a Mantas team around!
This is the most romantic book in the series. Erik should be a candidate for sainthood, not in the bedroom, but for the way he cares for Zoe. Zoe’s characterization seems to be very accurate. It is heartbreaking. I wanted to push her towards Erik but at the same time, her hesitation is understandable. The way the author has Erik and Zoe discussing their attraction is very mature and I think, is how relationships should be started. This is a slow-burn romance but once they fall, the steam sizzles. [I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.]
This is the third book in The Wild Pitch Series, and the story of Erik, and Zoe. Zoe is a Romance writer, she writes happy stories for her characters, but doesn't believe she will every have her own happy romance. Erik has been interested in Zoe for a while, but hasn't had any success in pursuing her, but he plans on waiting for her to ready. When these two eventually get together, it is sweet, and sexy, and these characters have such great chemistry. This is a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great story and characters ,very well written. Beautiful cover. Eric was charming and totally hot guy. Zoe was sweet, funny, smart. She’s been in abusive relationship and she is not ready for new one. It took some time for Eric to understand that is more to Zoe than he knew and being patient is the way to break the walls around Zoe heart A truly great read about a second chance at finding love and patience. I really enjoyed this book,very interesting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Erik and Zoe have known each other for a while and he's been in love with her since the first day he met her. Zoe just got out of an abusive relationship so it takes her a while to let Erik in but once she does sparks fly. I like that this was a slow burn and that Zoe and Erik didn't just rush into everything. Last Fall is book three and the final book in the Wild Pitch series and is a standalone filled with drama, heartbreak, humor, steam and a great ending. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
I think this might be my favorite "Wild Pitch" story. I hate it's ending. Erik and Zoe's story is very captivating! Two people could not be more perfect for each other. Just meant to be!!! Erik has his eyes set for the writer, for three long years. He is very patient and waits. Zoe is running from an abusive past and she thinks she is content to just write her stories and fantasize about the sexy ball player. I love how protective, caring and tender he is. Great story and wonderful chemistry with a great epilogue!
I just loved this one it might just be my favorite in the series This is Zoe and Erik's story he has been in love with her for as long as he has known her whenever he gets close to her she pulls even further away from him. When Zoe met him she has just escaped an abusive relationship will she be able to get past her fears before he gives up and walks away? I thought these two were just perfect for each other I loved Erik he was just such a sweetheart with her.
She was definitely shy of relationships. Both liked each other but did nothing about it until it could not be avoided. She opened up to him and allowed herself to let go and fall in love. He always felt something for her the whole time. He was not ready to deal with her a few years ago. Timing was perfect for them. It was meant to be.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story has a slow start, but later it develops into a very good one. The story follows Zoe who used to be a writer and Erik. Erik has a thing for Zoe and has had a thing for her for a very long time, but Zoe does not feel the same way. The question of course appears will they won't they.... you have to read the book. This was my first read from this author and I liked it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I gotta say, this book was everything and nothing like I expected. I could not put it down once I started it and did not want it to end when I got there. An emotionally charged and heartfelt story-line that grabs you right from the start, keeping you engrossed in the love aspect and on edge while you are rooting for the team at the same time!
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
A Super, Engaging Story I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. I really liked “Last Fall” by Alexis Anne, I couldn’t put it down and I found myself saying “just one more chapter” until I reached the end. I loved the Great, Entertaining well written Storyline and the characters’ engaging chemistry and interaction had me glued to their page turning story. This is an Enjoyable, Entertaining, Must Read Book