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Hometown Heroes #5
Travis
Travis Oak dreamed of making it into The Show before three broken ribs ended his career as a pitcher. Now relegated to the sidelines, Travis teaches Phys Ed while he waits for his next chance to make it into the major leagues—this time as a coach. He gets a rare a chance to mold raw talent when a fight at his school forces widowed mom Courtney Smith to choose between expulsion or Little League for ten-year-old Josh.
There’s just one problem. The slim blonde with a baby on one hip and desperation in her blue eyes doesn’t want anything to do with baseball...or the men who play it.
To prove he has her boy’s best interests at heart, will this former minor league baseball player become a major league dad?
*This book was previously published in 2014.
There’s just one problem. The slim blonde with a baby on one hip and desperation in her blue eyes doesn’t want anything to do with baseball...or the men who play it.
To prove he has her boy’s best interests at heart, will this former minor league baseball player become a major league dad?
*This book was previously published in 2014.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2008
About the author
Leigh Duncan
40 books250 followersLeigh Duncan is an Amazon best-selling author and a National Readers' Choice Award winner, the author of more than two dozen novels, novellas and short stories. However, the biggest thrill of her career--so far!--came when she saw her book, Journey Back to Christmas, featured on the Home and Family Show after Hallmark Publishing chose Journey to introduce its new line of romance novels. Her newest Hallmark Publishing release, A Simple Wedding, and her upcoming A Cottage Wedding (6/2/20) are the first of several books in Leigh's Heart's Landing series. These sweet, contemporary romances take place in a small town known as America's Top Wedding Destination, and each book centers on one couple who fall in love in Heart's Landing.
Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she loves to stay in touch with readers through social media. Find her at www.facebook.com/LeighDuncanBooks, or visit her website at www.leighduncan.com.
Leigh lives on Central Florida's East Coast where she loves to stay in touch with readers through social media. Find her at www.facebook.com/LeighDuncanBooks, or visit her website at www.leighduncan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 24, 2019
An urge to be there for every minute of them shook him.
Was that what he wanted? To settle down with Courtney and raise her kids as his own?
He dug deep, demanding an honest answer, and nearly stumbled when he couldn't envision a future without Courtney in it. pg. 158
SO. This was pretty good. Duncan is a good writer and the story also progressed nicely. The hero showed character development, which is always nice.
SUMMARY
Courtney and children live in the improbably named Cocoa Village. I was scoffing at this, but it turns out to be a real place in Florida. Courtney used to be the rich, pampered wife of famous baseball player Ryan. He was an abysmal father and a horrible husband who cheated on her umpteen times and also ran her into debt. He died in a car crash with one of his lovers. The paparazzi were very cruel to her and she also had run out of money, so she put her son and daughter in an old beat-up sedan and drove to Cocoa Village, where she hopes to eke out a living opening up a coffee shop.
Her son, Josh, age 10, is getting into a lot of fights at school and has an attitude problem. The principal is going to expel him, but our hero - the improbably named Travis Oak - suggests that he be allowed to stay in school as long as he joins the Little League.
Now, the fact that Josh's father is a big ballplayer is supposed to be a huge secret through the whole book. I found this hard to believe, but it's the way Duncan wants to play this.
ANALYSIS
First off, Duncan is a good writer. I like her writing. It's not boring and it's not dumb.
Secondly, I liked the character development here. Travis starts off as an egotist whose brain short-circuits when he discovers a straight woman isn't sexually interested in him.
"Courtney." He paused, half expecting the flicker of interest he usually got from members of the opposite sex. His self-confidence took a small hit when the prettiest pair of blue eyes he'd seen in a long time remained indifferent. pg. 26
He couldn't remember the last time he'd been shot down. He was pretty sure no one had ever done it with such finality. Except for the tiniest spark when their eyes met, the woman hadn't shown so much as a flicker of interest.
...
...there'd been a time when a raised eyebrow was all it would have taken to summon something soft and willing to his bed. pg. 36
He also keeps coming up with excuses as to why they can't be together. Which is frankly hilarious since she has no interest in him. It's like, "She's not interested in me... Good! Because it would never work out anyway. I'm going to coach pro ball..." etc. etc. etc. Sour grapes kind of deal.
Not that he considered himself a CATCH or anything, but women usually put some effort into earning his attention. pg. 66
About halfway through the book, things start to change. Travis (who has honestly been amazing with the children from Day One) stops seeing her son and her infant daughter as 'stumbling blocks' and starts to think of them as children that he loves and sees as his own.
Was that what he wanted? Did he want to have it all with Courtney? The house, the white picket fence, the two - maybe three - children playing in the backyard?
Josh and Addie didn't deserve an UNCLE Travis in their lives. A man who stopped by between road trips. No, they needed a real dad. ....
Was he willing to be that man? To settle for teaching school and coaching Little League for the rest of his life?
For the first time ever, saying no to the Cannons didn't feel like settling. It felt right. pg. 130
By page 190 I was asking myself in a shocked voice if Travis was an actual mensch. How could it be? I was blinded by his huge ego in the beginning, but by the end of the book he won me over. He's amazing with children. He's patient, easy-going, and even-tempered. He takes unexpected events in stride. I don't think he's perfect - I'm debating whether to award him mensch-status or not - but the very fact that I'm considering it is shocking. He definitely earned my respect and affection by the end of the novel.
I also want to point out that he's a very typical-suburban dad, traditional values, kind of guy. The kind of man usually featured in commercials on TV. He won't allow himself to cry, his dreams involve teaching his son to play baseball and 'protecting' his daughter, having bbqs in the backyard and being a married father. There's nothing wrong with that, but I just want to point it out in case readers aren't interested in this kind of man.
Josh, Courtney's 10-year-old son, has some character development as well. He goes from being a sullen, problematic fifth-grader who is eager to scrap to being a happy, well-adjusted little boy. Duncan never errs on the side of making Josh 'too bad' or 'too good.' It's a believable and actually pretty subtle story arc. I enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed Courtney's struggle with Josh's parentage. She's very against him playing baseball. She associates baseball players with cocky, unfaithful, hot-tempered spendthrifts. She anxiously watches her son for signs of having her husband's worst traits. I thought this was realistic and touching. She loves her son and doesn't want him to become like his father. I know this sounds overbearing and horrible, but it's not.
She does tolerate some backtalk from Josh that never would have flown in my house (!) but I think part of the idea Duncan is floating here is along-comes-a-male-role-model and Dad-orders-the-children-to-obey-Mom type of deal. As I said, very heterosexual suburban dad traditional values type of scenario. That's Duncan's intent and perhaps American Romance's as well, IDK.
Another positive thing I can say is that, despite the beginning, it really seems like Travis is interested in Courtney as a person. He wants to be her helpmeet. He wants to be a father to her children (biologically they are not his). He wants to have a loving, mundane life with her. NOT because he wants to possess her or own her. NOT because 'she's hot!' (note: she is hot according to Duncan). I find I don't enjoy romances as much when the reason that the man ends up with the woman is because a.) he wants to claim her as his possession and/or b.) she's hot and he wants to fuck her. To me, this isn't romance. It's only romance when the people care for each other as human beings.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex, sadly. No one has sex in this novel.
TL;DR Ended up surprisingly good despite a rocky start. I thought it was cute. I thought it was sweet. I liked that both Josh and Travis grow as people or at least are presented in a different light by book's end. I thought Courtney was relatable.
Disappointingly, this book was sexless. That is a big drawback for me.
FOR A SEXUAL VERSION OF THIS BOOK, CHECK OUT: Cleat Chaser by Celia Aaron.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Sports Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine
Widow Heroine
He's a P.E. Teacher and a Little League Coach; She Runs a Coffeeshop / Restaurant
NAMES IN THIS BOOK:
Was that what he wanted? To settle down with Courtney and raise her kids as his own?
He dug deep, demanding an honest answer, and nearly stumbled when he couldn't envision a future without Courtney in it. pg. 158
SO. This was pretty good. Duncan is a good writer and the story also progressed nicely. The hero showed character development, which is always nice.
SUMMARY
Courtney and children live in the improbably named Cocoa Village. I was scoffing at this, but it turns out to be a real place in Florida. Courtney used to be the rich, pampered wife of famous baseball player Ryan. He was an abysmal father and a horrible husband who cheated on her umpteen times and also ran her into debt. He died in a car crash with one of his lovers. The paparazzi were very cruel to her and she also had run out of money, so she put her son and daughter in an old beat-up sedan and drove to Cocoa Village, where she hopes to eke out a living opening up a coffee shop.
Her son, Josh, age 10, is getting into a lot of fights at school and has an attitude problem. The principal is going to expel him, but our hero - the improbably named Travis Oak - suggests that he be allowed to stay in school as long as he joins the Little League.
Now, the fact that Josh's father is a big ballplayer is supposed to be a huge secret through the whole book. I found this hard to believe, but it's the way Duncan wants to play this.
ANALYSIS
First off, Duncan is a good writer. I like her writing. It's not boring and it's not dumb.
Secondly, I liked the character development here. Travis starts off as an egotist whose brain short-circuits when he discovers a straight woman isn't sexually interested in him.
"Courtney." He paused, half expecting the flicker of interest he usually got from members of the opposite sex. His self-confidence took a small hit when the prettiest pair of blue eyes he'd seen in a long time remained indifferent. pg. 26
He couldn't remember the last time he'd been shot down. He was pretty sure no one had ever done it with such finality. Except for the tiniest spark when their eyes met, the woman hadn't shown so much as a flicker of interest.
...
...there'd been a time when a raised eyebrow was all it would have taken to summon something soft and willing to his bed. pg. 36
He also keeps coming up with excuses as to why they can't be together. Which is frankly hilarious since she has no interest in him. It's like, "She's not interested in me... Good! Because it would never work out anyway. I'm going to coach pro ball..." etc. etc. etc. Sour grapes kind of deal.
Not that he considered himself a CATCH or anything, but women usually put some effort into earning his attention. pg. 66
About halfway through the book, things start to change. Travis (who has honestly been amazing with the children from Day One) stops seeing her son and her infant daughter as 'stumbling blocks' and starts to think of them as children that he loves and sees as his own.
Was that what he wanted? Did he want to have it all with Courtney? The house, the white picket fence, the two - maybe three - children playing in the backyard?
Josh and Addie didn't deserve an UNCLE Travis in their lives. A man who stopped by between road trips. No, they needed a real dad. ....
Was he willing to be that man? To settle for teaching school and coaching Little League for the rest of his life?
For the first time ever, saying no to the Cannons didn't feel like settling. It felt right. pg. 130
By page 190 I was asking myself in a shocked voice if Travis was an actual mensch. How could it be? I was blinded by his huge ego in the beginning, but by the end of the book he won me over. He's amazing with children. He's patient, easy-going, and even-tempered. He takes unexpected events in stride. I don't think he's perfect - I'm debating whether to award him mensch-status or not - but the very fact that I'm considering it is shocking. He definitely earned my respect and affection by the end of the novel.
I also want to point out that he's a very typical-suburban dad, traditional values, kind of guy. The kind of man usually featured in commercials on TV. He won't allow himself to cry, his dreams involve teaching his son to play baseball and 'protecting' his daughter, having bbqs in the backyard and being a married father. There's nothing wrong with that, but I just want to point it out in case readers aren't interested in this kind of man.
Josh, Courtney's 10-year-old son, has some character development as well. He goes from being a sullen, problematic fifth-grader who is eager to scrap to being a happy, well-adjusted little boy. Duncan never errs on the side of making Josh 'too bad' or 'too good.' It's a believable and actually pretty subtle story arc. I enjoyed it.
I also enjoyed Courtney's struggle with Josh's parentage. She's very against him playing baseball. She associates baseball players with cocky, unfaithful, hot-tempered spendthrifts. She anxiously watches her son for signs of having her husband's worst traits. I thought this was realistic and touching. She loves her son and doesn't want him to become like his father. I know this sounds overbearing and horrible, but it's not.
She does tolerate some backtalk from Josh that never would have flown in my house (!) but I think part of the idea Duncan is floating here is along-comes-a-male-role-model and Dad-orders-the-children-to-obey-Mom type of deal. As I said, very heterosexual suburban dad traditional values type of scenario. That's Duncan's intent and perhaps American Romance's as well, IDK.
Another positive thing I can say is that, despite the beginning, it really seems like Travis is interested in Courtney as a person. He wants to be her helpmeet. He wants to be a father to her children (biologically they are not his). He wants to have a loving, mundane life with her. NOT because he wants to possess her or own her. NOT because 'she's hot!' (note: she is hot according to Duncan). I find I don't enjoy romances as much when the reason that the man ends up with the woman is because a.) he wants to claim her as his possession and/or b.) she's hot and he wants to fuck her. To me, this isn't romance. It's only romance when the people care for each other as human beings.
HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?
No sex, sadly. No one has sex in this novel.
TL;DR Ended up surprisingly good despite a rocky start. I thought it was cute. I thought it was sweet. I liked that both Josh and Travis grow as people or at least are presented in a different light by book's end. I thought Courtney was relatable.
Disappointingly, this book was sexless. That is a big drawback for me.
FOR A SEXUAL VERSION OF THIS BOOK, CHECK OUT: Cleat Chaser by Celia Aaron.
ROMANCE CATEGORIES
Contemporary Romance
Sports Romance
Non-Virgin Heroine
Widow Heroine
He's a P.E. Teacher and a Little League Coach; She Runs a Coffeeshop / Restaurant
NAMES IN THIS BOOK:
March 2, 2014
I loved this book. Courtney has moved to town with her two kids to start a new life. Her son is having a hard time with the move and has been getting into fights. After his last fight she is given a choice of either signing him up to play baseball or having him expelled. She doesn't want him playing baseball but she's out of options. Travis is the Little League coach and a former ball player himself. He has plans of his own that don't include a family, but he has a hard time staying away from this one.
I liked Courtney a lot. She is the kind of mother that puts her kids needs before her own and is determined to do what is best for them. After the death of her ball player husband she has moved to a new town to start fresh. Her husband had been an excellent player but a terrible husband and father. At the time of his death he was deeply in debt and had been guilty of many infidelities. Courtney blamed much of it on the baseball lifestyle as none of the management or other players had done anything to help but had only covered it up. She doesn't want Josh playing the game but has no choice if she wants him to stay in school. Finding out that the coach is a former player himself makes it hard for her to trust him. If Josh has to play, she is determined to keep a very close eye on Travis. That isn't too hard for her because he is very easy on the eyes. She also discovers that she is attracted to him but when she finds out he is trying to get a professional coaching job she is determined to keep her distance. As the weeks of the season go on she realizes that Travis is nothing like the other players she has known and is very impressed with the way he handles the boys on his team. The attraction to Travis is mutual and they get closer as Travis spends more and more time with them. But she has never told him who her husband was and she is afraid of what his reaction will be when he finds out.
Travis was an excellent minor league pitcher until he got hurt. Now he spends his time as a PE teacher and coach while applying for jobs as a professional coach. He is aware of all the good that being part of a sports team can do for a troubled kid and offers a spot on his team to Josh. He doesn't understand Courtney's dislike of the game but manages to talk her into giving him a chance to work with Josh. He is really interested in her, but a family is not in his plans for the future if he wants to get back into baseball. In spite of his wariness he can't stay away from Courtney and her family. I loved seeing him get more involved with them, right down to caring for the baby. One of the things that impressed me most about Travis was the way he emphasized how important school is. He is also the type of coach that encourages the kids and doesn't say mean things to them. He is a fantastic role model and Josh's hero worship is completely understandable. Travis falls for Courtney and wonders what will happen if he gets the coaching job he has applied for. When he finds out Courtney's secret he's hurt that she didn't tell him and has a bit of trouble believing that she could actually feel anything for him when her life had been so different. I loved seeing the way that his goals and dreams changed and found the ending to be really moving.
I liked Courtney a lot. She is the kind of mother that puts her kids needs before her own and is determined to do what is best for them. After the death of her ball player husband she has moved to a new town to start fresh. Her husband had been an excellent player but a terrible husband and father. At the time of his death he was deeply in debt and had been guilty of many infidelities. Courtney blamed much of it on the baseball lifestyle as none of the management or other players had done anything to help but had only covered it up. She doesn't want Josh playing the game but has no choice if she wants him to stay in school. Finding out that the coach is a former player himself makes it hard for her to trust him. If Josh has to play, she is determined to keep a very close eye on Travis. That isn't too hard for her because he is very easy on the eyes. She also discovers that she is attracted to him but when she finds out he is trying to get a professional coaching job she is determined to keep her distance. As the weeks of the season go on she realizes that Travis is nothing like the other players she has known and is very impressed with the way he handles the boys on his team. The attraction to Travis is mutual and they get closer as Travis spends more and more time with them. But she has never told him who her husband was and she is afraid of what his reaction will be when he finds out.
Travis was an excellent minor league pitcher until he got hurt. Now he spends his time as a PE teacher and coach while applying for jobs as a professional coach. He is aware of all the good that being part of a sports team can do for a troubled kid and offers a spot on his team to Josh. He doesn't understand Courtney's dislike of the game but manages to talk her into giving him a chance to work with Josh. He is really interested in her, but a family is not in his plans for the future if he wants to get back into baseball. In spite of his wariness he can't stay away from Courtney and her family. I loved seeing him get more involved with them, right down to caring for the baby. One of the things that impressed me most about Travis was the way he emphasized how important school is. He is also the type of coach that encourages the kids and doesn't say mean things to them. He is a fantastic role model and Josh's hero worship is completely understandable. Travis falls for Courtney and wonders what will happen if he gets the coaching job he has applied for. When he finds out Courtney's secret he's hurt that she didn't tell him and has a bit of trouble believing that she could actually feel anything for him when her life had been so different. I loved seeing the way that his goals and dreams changed and found the ending to be really moving.
December 8, 2018
This has been in my TBR pile for awhile. I'm so glad I picked it up! It had an amazing hero in Travis. He's a guy who never quite made it to the Major League playing baseball, but he's in a small town couching Little League and teaching elementary gym classes until he gets the call to coach in the Majors.
Enter Courtney, a woman who is trying to keep her small family afloat after her Major League husband's death put an end to her less than perfect marriage. If it weren't for her son needing something to keep him out of trouble, she'd have nothing to do with Travis or baseball.
Could they be just what the other never knew they were looking for?
This was a book that left me feeling so good inside--just a great read.
Enter Courtney, a woman who is trying to keep her small family afloat after her Major League husband's death put an end to her less than perfect marriage. If it weren't for her son needing something to keep him out of trouble, she'd have nothing to do with Travis or baseball.
Could they be just what the other never knew they were looking for?
This was a book that left me feeling so good inside--just a great read.
August 11, 2015
I had been wanting to read this book for MONTHS! Ever since I saw the cover, I knew one day I had to read this book. (But as a reader, you know that you put a thousand books on your To Be Read list per week, and you soon become somewhat buried alive in your own To Read pile.)
I was more than eager to finally read Second Chance Family.
It did not disappoint.
After a horrible experience with being married to a professional baseball player, Courtney Smith is not only extremely fed up with ex-husbands and baseball, she's fed up with the male species altogether. Courtney has two children to raise and a business to keep afloat. She does not need any sort of male drama in her life.
But one male in particular finds his way in to her life anyway.
Travis Oak has always dreamed of becoming a professional player in the major leagues, but for now, he is just trying to survive successfully coaching a little league team in his hometown in Florida. Especially since his main focus is trying to keep one of his kids on the straight and narrow and not get expelled.
This child just happens to be Courtney's son.
Can a little league coach, two children, and a woman who would be more than happy to stay away from baseball as much as possible come together and win the championship game? Or will someone have to take a long break in the dugout for good?
My favorite Leigh Duncan book has to be The Daddy Catch (so far), but I would have to say the Second Chance Family follows pretty closely behind along with Rodeo Daughter. (Which are all American Harlequin Fatherhood Romances... I'm starting to see a pattern here.)
Second Chance Family was sweet, realistic, and most of all, extremely satisfying. I like to look at this book as a puzzle. When you first start it, you can slightly see the possible outcome of what its finished product is supposed to look like. But when you reach that turning point, that "aha!" moment, the level of satisfaction that settles in your very core is indescribable.
Sometimes you just need a really good, happy book to scratch that literary itch, and Leigh Duncan most certainly provides that book. I know that when I'm in a reading lull, I can always rely on Leigh Duncan's books to pull me back out.
I was more than eager to finally read Second Chance Family.
It did not disappoint.
After a horrible experience with being married to a professional baseball player, Courtney Smith is not only extremely fed up with ex-husbands and baseball, she's fed up with the male species altogether. Courtney has two children to raise and a business to keep afloat. She does not need any sort of male drama in her life.
But one male in particular finds his way in to her life anyway.
Travis Oak has always dreamed of becoming a professional player in the major leagues, but for now, he is just trying to survive successfully coaching a little league team in his hometown in Florida. Especially since his main focus is trying to keep one of his kids on the straight and narrow and not get expelled.
This child just happens to be Courtney's son.
Can a little league coach, two children, and a woman who would be more than happy to stay away from baseball as much as possible come together and win the championship game? Or will someone have to take a long break in the dugout for good?
My favorite Leigh Duncan book has to be The Daddy Catch (so far), but I would have to say the Second Chance Family follows pretty closely behind along with Rodeo Daughter. (Which are all American Harlequin Fatherhood Romances... I'm starting to see a pattern here.)
Second Chance Family was sweet, realistic, and most of all, extremely satisfying. I like to look at this book as a puzzle. When you first start it, you can slightly see the possible outcome of what its finished product is supposed to look like. But when you reach that turning point, that "aha!" moment, the level of satisfaction that settles in your very core is indescribable.
Sometimes you just need a really good, happy book to scratch that literary itch, and Leigh Duncan most certainly provides that book. I know that when I'm in a reading lull, I can always rely on Leigh Duncan's books to pull me back out.
August 10, 2018
A great second chance at love story that is well written and makes you feel immersed into the story as you read along.
Travis Oak is a Phys Ed teacher at Citrus Elementary and happens to be the one close by to intervene when 10 year old Josh Smith gets himself into trouble. Travis can see that the boy has had some hard times in the last year, so he goes to bat and makes a deal with the Principal to stop him from being expelled.
Courtney Smith is at her wits end with her son's behavior, but has a big chip on her shoulder when baseball is brought into the mix of how to help him. She only agrees to let him work with Coach Oak in Little League because she's given no other option.
Travis is waiting on the call to go coach for the Minor Leagues. It's all he's dreamed about since an injury took away his future hope of moving up from Minors to pitch for the Majors. Now, he's seeing that living the life he's living isn't half bad. Will he decide to settle down and stay put ... especially when he and Courtney start to show interest in each other? And will Courtney be able to look past Travis' dream and trust him or will she continue to let her past betrayals by her Major League former husband taint her?
Travis Oak is a Phys Ed teacher at Citrus Elementary and happens to be the one close by to intervene when 10 year old Josh Smith gets himself into trouble. Travis can see that the boy has had some hard times in the last year, so he goes to bat and makes a deal with the Principal to stop him from being expelled.
Courtney Smith is at her wits end with her son's behavior, but has a big chip on her shoulder when baseball is brought into the mix of how to help him. She only agrees to let him work with Coach Oak in Little League because she's given no other option.
Travis is waiting on the call to go coach for the Minor Leagues. It's all he's dreamed about since an injury took away his future hope of moving up from Minors to pitch for the Majors. Now, he's seeing that living the life he's living isn't half bad. Will he decide to settle down and stay put ... especially when he and Courtney start to show interest in each other? And will Courtney be able to look past Travis' dream and trust him or will she continue to let her past betrayals by her Major League former husband taint her?
June 2, 2014
In Second Chance Family by Leigh Duncan, Courtney Smith want nothing to do with baseball. After the death of her husband who was a major league and learning about his betrayal and the lies not only from him but also from people she considered friends she had enough. Not only that, the media was trying to paint her as only interested in money and not caring about what he did, her so-called friends turned their backs on her, and her son was being judged and judged in school too. So she ran away with the little resources she had left and decided to make a new life for her and her children in Cocoa Beach.
Travis Oak is a world away from what he dreamed about, which was to be a professional pitcher. But after an injury, he can no longer pitch for the major leagues, so for now he is a physical education teacher and a Little League coach, as he dreams of being able to pitch in the major leagues. Read More...
Travis Oak is a world away from what he dreamed about, which was to be a professional pitcher. But after an injury, he can no longer pitch for the major leagues, so for now he is a physical education teacher and a Little League coach, as he dreams of being able to pitch in the major leagues. Read More...
February 1, 2014
Once again author Leigh Duncan stirs my emotions with the heartwarming story Second Chance Family. When widow Courtney Smith is given the choice put her son in baseball or he will be expelled from school for fighting, she chooses baseball even though she detests the game. Couch Travis Oak, a minor league player who was injured finds Courtney attractive, but two kids don't fit into his future plans, or do they.
Beautifully written! If you haven't read Leigh Duncan's previous books you should. This author puts her heart and soul into every word on the page and never disappoints her readers.
Second Chance Family is a wonderful story. Whether your a baseball fan, or someone who isn't into sports at all, it will appeal to all types of readers. When life throws Courtney and unexpected curve, she needs to embrace a second chance at love.
February 23, 2014
Second Chance Family by Leigh Duncan is a very good book. Travis is a P.E. teacher and baseball coach. He was a baseball player until he had to stop because of an injury. Courtney moves to town with a troubled son,Josh, and a baby girl. She opens a coffee shop. Josh gets in trouble at school. Travis gets Josh into baseball, not knowing Josh father was a star baseball player who died in a car accident. Lots of twist and turns in the story line. A good book to read even if you don't like baseball.
June 10, 2017
Good story. The hero is a minor league ball player determined to make it back to the "bigs." The heroine is the widow of a big league player who betrayed her and their family before dying in trouble. She wants nothing to do with major league sports or players. She doesn't even want her son to play little league, even though he has a lot of natural talent. But when he gets in trouble at grade school, the principal will only give him a break if he plays on the team the hero is coaching. And the story begins. It's a nice one. I enjoyed it.
August 11, 2018
A single mom with a rebelious son needs help. Travis steps in as a coach and comes out winning the biggest 'game' of all--a future with a family he loves. I appreciated the importance of real life values that are dealt with in this story. It's not all about winning at sports. Thoroughly enjoyable.
August 10, 2018
Fantastic read! Leigh Duncan knocked this out of the park. This book is heartfelt and heartwarming. Travis makes you swoon. I love Courtney's character. She has been through hell and has come out stronger while raising 2 kids. Travis is so perfect for Courtney. I highly recommend this book.
April 26, 2014
Enjoyed this story very much.
August 7, 2016
Very enjoyable, fast paced sweet romance, with never a dull moment.
March 30, 2015
good read!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I personally love baseball so definitely liked that element was strong in the novel. Will definitely read more from the author!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I personally love baseball so definitely liked that element was strong in the novel. Will definitely read more from the author!
December 16, 2017
A delightful tale even if one does not particularly care for baseball, it kept me up FAR past my bedtime two nights in a row.
I was given a copy and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
I was given a copy and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
December 11, 2018
Travis review
Travis is the fourth romantic book in The Hometown Heroes series written by author Leigh Duncan. This is a sweet story.
Travis is the fourth romantic book in The Hometown Heroes series written by author Leigh Duncan. This is a sweet story.
December 24, 2018
Great read!
August 21, 2023
Was looking for a book with a single mom and a coach… let’s call it an itch I felt like scratching bibliography speaking.
Whelp… this book is exactly that. Which is technically fine. It just didn’t bring anything else to the table… and the spice level was basically non-existent.
All in all - a perfectly fine book that just needed something extra to bump it from 2 stars to 3.
⚾️
Whelp… this book is exactly that. Which is technically fine. It just didn’t bring anything else to the table… and the spice level was basically non-existent.
All in all - a perfectly fine book that just needed something extra to bump it from 2 stars to 3.
⚾️
October 24, 2015
A great second chance at love story that is well written and makes you feel immersed into the story as you read along.
Travis Oak is a Phys Ed teacher at Orange Blossom Elementary and happens to be the one close by to intervene when 10 year old Josh Smith gets himself into trouble. Travis can see that the boy has had some hard times in the last year, so he goes to bat and makes a deal with the Principal to stop him from being expelled.
Courtney Smith is at her wits end with her son's behavior, but has a big chip on her shoulder when baseball is brought into the mix of how to help him. She only agrees to let him work with Coach Oak in Little League because she's given no other option.
Travis is waiting on the call to go coach for the Minor Leagues. It's all he's dreamed about since an injury took away his future hope of moving up from Minors to pitch for the Majors. Now, he's seeing that living the life he's living isn't half bad. Will he decide to settle down and stay put ... especially when he and Courtney start to show interest in each other? And will Courtney be able to look past Travis' dream and trust him or will she continue to let her past betrayals by her Major League former husband taint her?
Travis Oak is a Phys Ed teacher at Orange Blossom Elementary and happens to be the one close by to intervene when 10 year old Josh Smith gets himself into trouble. Travis can see that the boy has had some hard times in the last year, so he goes to bat and makes a deal with the Principal to stop him from being expelled.
Courtney Smith is at her wits end with her son's behavior, but has a big chip on her shoulder when baseball is brought into the mix of how to help him. She only agrees to let him work with Coach Oak in Little League because she's given no other option.
Travis is waiting on the call to go coach for the Minor Leagues. It's all he's dreamed about since an injury took away his future hope of moving up from Minors to pitch for the Majors. Now, he's seeing that living the life he's living isn't half bad. Will he decide to settle down and stay put ... especially when he and Courtney start to show interest in each other? And will Courtney be able to look past Travis' dream and trust him or will she continue to let her past betrayals by her Major League former husband taint her?
April 10, 2014
This is my first time reading this author. I liked the characters and the story. It had the potential to be really good, but somethings were a little predicable. I thought Travis and Courtney relationship grew too fast, without the reader feeling some of their emotion. Courtney had several occasions that she could talk to Travis about her past, but backs down. Better communication would have helped the book along. Also, I have a pet peeve about children/babies as characters. I want the author to stay consistent with the ability of the child. In this case, Addie starts out sounding like a toothless, bottle drinking 10 month old that can talk 1-2 word vocals. By the end of the book you find that she is actually around 3, which explains her vocal abilities, but she wouldn't be toothless and most likely not still on the bottle. Josh was very likable for a 10 yr old. All in all, I enjoyed the book, but it could have been better. I would read this author again.
July 28, 2018
One son to keep from getting expel from school, to play in Little League. Thought any parent, especially a mom would like that the coach had been a minor league player, teaching it. Wrong, her husband had been in the major league.and she didn’t want any thing to do with it. It went beyond that to drugs, gambling, philandering ways. She couldn’t but she had no choice, her son playing ball. He lost his temper, now he couldn’t play. Except, coach tells her, all kids learning how to control their temper and frustration was all part of playing the game. This was a winner for the author, loved his thoughts of what to teach the kids, that it was more than a game. The attraction for the mom and little Addie was also a plus for Josh. Or was getting back to professionals, still the number one in his life.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
November 19, 2020
'I don't need fancy, I just need you'
Travis and Courtney are at very different points in their life, they both have plans for their future, but in no way do they even cross, never mind converge!
However, the more time Travis spends with Courtney, Josh and Addie, the more he realises his plans may be blinkered and he may want more from his life. Travis will steal your heart, he is confident but humble, approachable but in control, calm in a crisis and totally falls for all three of the Smiths. This is a very sweet romance with both Travis and Courtney taking a journey of discovery and finding their true hopes and dreams.
This is book four in the series, all of which are available on Kindle Unlimited and all of which are heartwarming, family based romances.
Travis and Courtney are at very different points in their life, they both have plans for their future, but in no way do they even cross, never mind converge!
However, the more time Travis spends with Courtney, Josh and Addie, the more he realises his plans may be blinkered and he may want more from his life. Travis will steal your heart, he is confident but humble, approachable but in control, calm in a crisis and totally falls for all three of the Smiths. This is a very sweet romance with both Travis and Courtney taking a journey of discovery and finding their true hopes and dreams.
This is book four in the series, all of which are available on Kindle Unlimited and all of which are heartwarming, family based romances.
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June 30, 2016Miniseries: Fatherhood
"Leigh Duncan has done a wonderful job creating endearing, believable characters in this heart-warming story. ... I couldn't put this book down, plot, pacing and characterization were all spot on!" from a review posted by an harlequin.com community member. To read more, go HERE
"Leigh Duncan has done a wonderful job creating endearing, believable characters in this heart-warming story. ... I couldn't put this book down, plot, pacing and characterization were all spot on!" from a review posted by an harlequin.com community member. To read more, go HERE
July 24, 2016
Great story! This book made me a Little League baseball fan. Wonderful hero, who mentors a young boy coping with the loss of his dad and a move to a new town. Strong heroine who starts a new business to support her two children.
April 2, 2021
Really enjoying this series!
I almost passed on this book, my idea of sports is rodeo or other horse involved things, my I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! Loved little Abby, and the way Travis taught his kids! Well written storyline!
I almost passed on this book, my idea of sports is rodeo or other horse involved things, my I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! Loved little Abby, and the way Travis taught his kids! Well written storyline!
January 8, 2015
A heartwarming tale about the widow of a baseball star, and the little league coach who teaches her that not all baseball players are the same.
August 23, 2020
Good story
February 1, 2021
Review of Travis: The Coach and The Single Mom
I really enjoyed this book and this series. I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She is a good writer.
I really enjoyed this book and this series. I will recommend her books to anyone who loves romance novels. She is a good writer.
March 29, 2020
This was okay. I felt like things weren't really moving forward for the characters, but then in the last 5% of the book things just moved way too fast. I think there were some issues with pacing. The writing was definitely a bit too much with too much detail on tiny, mundane things, which wasn't needed. This made the book a bit draggy and a long at parts. Overall though, I liked the characters and the overall premise of it.
April 21, 2022
Tender and touching
If you Love Cinderella stories, this book is for you. The Prince happens to be a Little League coach and a role model for the son of a cheating, but dead father. With the deck stacked against them, Cinderella and the Prince find their happy ever after on a Little League baseball diamond.
If you Love Cinderella stories, this book is for you. The Prince happens to be a Little League coach and a role model for the son of a cheating, but dead father. With the deck stacked against them, Cinderella and the Prince find their happy ever after on a Little League baseball diamond.
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