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Broken Bases
Shay Montero is a single mom working a couple jobs to get by. Her life is anything but easy, and she doesn't have time for guys. Especially not cocky, overly confident ones.
Luke Baker has it all, any girl he wants, a choice of college or the big leagues..he doesn't have time for a girl with a ton of baggage.
A story full of pain, heartbreak, and a little bit of love that spans across the years..will they find a way or does fate have other plans?
Broken Bases is book one in the Double Play Duet.
DISCLAIMER: Intended for readers 18 years and older due to mature content, abusive situations, and harsh language. May contain triggers for some readers. Please read with caution.
Luke Baker has it all, any girl he wants, a choice of college or the big leagues..he doesn't have time for a girl with a ton of baggage.
A story full of pain, heartbreak, and a little bit of love that spans across the years..will they find a way or does fate have other plans?
Broken Bases is book one in the Double Play Duet.
DISCLAIMER: Intended for readers 18 years and older due to mature content, abusive situations, and harsh language. May contain triggers for some readers. Please read with caution.
266 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2020
6 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews
March 2, 2020
What a phenomenal way to come onto to the writing scene! Nikki Pennington delivers a book that has me feeling so many emotions I’m not even sure which to tackle first. She has left me an emotional wreck and I’m not ok. Luke and Shay’s story is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Luke Baker is a hot as sin, baseball player with one thing on his mind, his baseball career. He wants to leave his small town in Illinois and never look back. He doesn’t have time for anything other than girls with no strings attached, commitment is not his thing. But the minute Shay Montero and all her smart mouth, sassy attitude, and baggage enter his life he sees nothing else.
Shay Montero is a seventeen year old mother, whose life has been anything but easy. If there’s an obstacle one has to face in life she has. Her only goal in life is to make a better life for her son, Ryder. She doesn’t have time for cocky, arrogant baseball players. She needs to distractions on her way out of Illinois
Shay and Luke’s story is full of heartache and pain. And I felt every bit of it in my bones. Even now writing my review I want to cry for them. Luke always trying to prove they should be together and Shay alway finding a reason to run. But no matter how far she runs fate always seems to bring them together, and fate doesn’t lie.
Broken Bases is filled is sorrow, and pain. It’s a reminder that sometimes we push people away out of fear, when we should really pull them close. No matter how many second chances life gives us, there may not always be another. Sometimes the most beautiful love stories are the most broken. Sometimes the most epic love stories are those that make us feel the most, and not just happiness and joy but an unbearable pain. Pennington reminds us that we may fears but we can’t let them run our life. When you find that person you have to hold on with everything you have. She touches on some real life issues that sometimes we overlook, or we don’t understand. Sometimes we don’t pay attention to the small things, or we choose not to. But what Nikki Pennington really makes us see is that sometimes one decision can change everything, sometimes one decision can change the life of everyone around you. Sometimes that one decision is the only one you get.
Nikki Pennington has delivered a fantastic debut novel that left me broken, crying and screaming at her. Broken Bases is well-written, with an amazing plot, and characters I fell in love with, and never want to let go of. Every person written on the pages of this book has a purpose and a place. Each and everyone of these characters has dug themselves a spot inside of me, some in that place in my heart where I house all the things I love, and others in that space where I keep things I don’t want to think about. (sorry, not sorry. I can’t love everyone). The emotional connection I was able to form with these characters is beyond words, and because of this I felt all of their love and pain deep in my heart. And I’m still feeling it now.
I have no doubt that Nikki Pennington will be leaving us emotionally wreck for a long time to come. And I could not be happier to see what she will bring us in the future starting with Stolen Bases.
And although I still may hate her I will be first in line to read Stolen Bases!
Luke Baker is a hot as sin, baseball player with one thing on his mind, his baseball career. He wants to leave his small town in Illinois and never look back. He doesn’t have time for anything other than girls with no strings attached, commitment is not his thing. But the minute Shay Montero and all her smart mouth, sassy attitude, and baggage enter his life he sees nothing else.
Shay Montero is a seventeen year old mother, whose life has been anything but easy. If there’s an obstacle one has to face in life she has. Her only goal in life is to make a better life for her son, Ryder. She doesn’t have time for cocky, arrogant baseball players. She needs to distractions on her way out of Illinois
Shay and Luke’s story is full of heartache and pain. And I felt every bit of it in my bones. Even now writing my review I want to cry for them. Luke always trying to prove they should be together and Shay alway finding a reason to run. But no matter how far she runs fate always seems to bring them together, and fate doesn’t lie.
Broken Bases is filled is sorrow, and pain. It’s a reminder that sometimes we push people away out of fear, when we should really pull them close. No matter how many second chances life gives us, there may not always be another. Sometimes the most beautiful love stories are the most broken. Sometimes the most epic love stories are those that make us feel the most, and not just happiness and joy but an unbearable pain. Pennington reminds us that we may fears but we can’t let them run our life. When you find that person you have to hold on with everything you have. She touches on some real life issues that sometimes we overlook, or we don’t understand. Sometimes we don’t pay attention to the small things, or we choose not to. But what Nikki Pennington really makes us see is that sometimes one decision can change everything, sometimes one decision can change the life of everyone around you. Sometimes that one decision is the only one you get.
Nikki Pennington has delivered a fantastic debut novel that left me broken, crying and screaming at her. Broken Bases is well-written, with an amazing plot, and characters I fell in love with, and never want to let go of. Every person written on the pages of this book has a purpose and a place. Each and everyone of these characters has dug themselves a spot inside of me, some in that place in my heart where I house all the things I love, and others in that space where I keep things I don’t want to think about. (sorry, not sorry. I can’t love everyone). The emotional connection I was able to form with these characters is beyond words, and because of this I felt all of their love and pain deep in my heart. And I’m still feeling it now.
I have no doubt that Nikki Pennington will be leaving us emotionally wreck for a long time to come. And I could not be happier to see what she will bring us in the future starting with Stolen Bases.
And although I still may hate her I will be first in line to read Stolen Bases!
April 12, 2020
Unfortunately I had to DNF as the writing style just wasn’t for me
February 7, 2020
Broken Bases releases on April 7th 2020! It’s book 1 in the Double Play duet.
Shay Montero is a single mom working a couple jobs to get by. Her life is anything but easy, and she doesn’t have time for guys. Especially not cocky overly confident ones.
Luke Baker has it all, any girl he wants, a choice of college or the big leagues...he doesn’t have time for a girl with a ton of baggage.
A story full of pain, heartbreak, and a little bit of love that spans across the years...will they find a way or does fate have other plans?
Shay Montero is a single mom working a couple jobs to get by. Her life is anything but easy, and she doesn’t have time for guys. Especially not cocky overly confident ones.
Luke Baker has it all, any girl he wants, a choice of college or the big leagues...he doesn’t have time for a girl with a ton of baggage.
A story full of pain, heartbreak, and a little bit of love that spans across the years...will they find a way or does fate have other plans?
May 24, 2020
A great debut novel. Luke and Shay had one hell of a rollercoaster ride. So many ups and downs I actually hurt for them both. I tore through this story because I needed to know how it all played out & whether they got their happily ever after. I wasn’t prepared for that cliffhanger. Great job Nikki!
April 3, 2020
This may be her debut but it will leave you speechless. I seriously need a minute to figure out how to review this book, because everything can be a spoiler and I don't want to spoil it for you. I want for you to go blind into it. All that I can anticipated about this story is that it stole a piece of my heart. And it was so unexpected, all at a sudden, I didn't see it coming, I didn't know what happened until I saw or better read it ! And I still can't believe it!!!!
Because it's nearly impossible to keep talking about Broken bases without spoiling, because it going to touch you deep! Till the point to leave a permanent sign on your heart ( so I won't say if that sign is more like a tattoo or a scar) but it's stuck there!
So let's focus on the characters otherwise I'm afraid I'll end by giving away some things about what this story is and how it is.
Okay. The characters. Right!
Let's start with him. Luke. God only typing his name get me into a storm of feelings. Okay . Let's see. It all started with him being an a**hole. Because he is aware of how good looking he is, and how amazing and skilled is. But he has a tender heart, and you'll see how much he can change. not only because he will find a reason to change, for love, for better, but also because he will want to be a better person for those who need him, who count on him. Obviously there will be ups and downs through the path. But...if there's a star that knows how to shine through the fog, through the dark is him! Okay, I can't more...
Let's talk about Shay. That girl is a fierce I swear. When another people would have fell down, because all that she has been through, well what she does? Dry her tears, and carry on, because again there's a huge reason to not let her break down. And she will fight, because of that reason, she will make some mistakes, but she will never stop to defend the ones who really matters for her. Life will be cruel with her, it will throw to her the worst challenge, but instead of breaking her, it will make her stronger than before, because in the end love is stronger and she will do everything for love...until the end!
I don't know if I told you this yet, but that's a sport romance. Well it's so much more than that....but again I can't give you more. Read it and you will understand it and what I felt!
*ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Because it's nearly impossible to keep talking about Broken bases without spoiling, because it going to touch you deep! Till the point to leave a permanent sign on your heart ( so I won't say if that sign is more like a tattoo or a scar) but it's stuck there!
So let's focus on the characters otherwise I'm afraid I'll end by giving away some things about what this story is and how it is.
Okay. The characters. Right!
Let's start with him. Luke. God only typing his name get me into a storm of feelings. Okay . Let's see. It all started with him being an a**hole. Because he is aware of how good looking he is, and how amazing and skilled is. But he has a tender heart, and you'll see how much he can change. not only because he will find a reason to change, for love, for better, but also because he will want to be a better person for those who need him, who count on him. Obviously there will be ups and downs through the path. But...if there's a star that knows how to shine through the fog, through the dark is him! Okay, I can't more...
Let's talk about Shay. That girl is a fierce I swear. When another people would have fell down, because all that she has been through, well what she does? Dry her tears, and carry on, because again there's a huge reason to not let her break down. And she will fight, because of that reason, she will make some mistakes, but she will never stop to defend the ones who really matters for her. Life will be cruel with her, it will throw to her the worst challenge, but instead of breaking her, it will make her stronger than before, because in the end love is stronger and she will do everything for love...until the end!
I don't know if I told you this yet, but that's a sport romance. Well it's so much more than that....but again I can't give you more. Read it and you will understand it and what I felt!
*ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
April 30, 2020
Um, I am speechless. That cliff hanger... wow, did not see that coming! My heart is hurting a little bit right now!
Shay and Luke’s love story is one hell of a rollercoaster ride. They’re up, they’re down and following the bumpiest ride ever! I loved the fast-paced chapters and how they jumped right into the action.
I hated Shay’s dad.
I hated Gunner.
I hated Jacob.
That’s a lot of hate for 3 characters, but when you read it you will see why.
I loved Shay.
I loved Luke.
I loved Jimmy.
See, balanced out that hate beautifully!
And now I need the next part because that cliff hanger has me wanting more!
Shay and Luke’s love story is one hell of a rollercoaster ride. They’re up, they’re down and following the bumpiest ride ever! I loved the fast-paced chapters and how they jumped right into the action.
I hated Shay’s dad.
I hated Gunner.
I hated Jacob.
That’s a lot of hate for 3 characters, but when you read it you will see why.
I loved Shay.
I loved Luke.
I loved Jimmy.
See, balanced out that hate beautifully!
And now I need the next part because that cliff hanger has me wanting more!
April 10, 2020
So it took me a really long time to write this review and I actually went back and forth on it.
So I originally read the arc of Broken Bases and I’m not going to lie, it was extremely hard to keep reading. It was a little repetitive in places and grammatically atrocious.
I then reread it on KU to see if the errors were fixed and from what I noticed they were so my review has nothing to do with that.
The story for this book is great. The books itself is a little fast paced and I kinda wish there was more dialogue and details. I need more descriptions then just this is what they did.
I really like Shay’s character. I like that she’s broken. Broken h’s are my bread and butter. Luke was a little hard to like in the beginning.
Now this is where my issue with the book comes into play.
Spoilers so don’t read from here if you don’t want them.
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Ok. So we have Luke, like whom I said was a little hard to like. He is the H, the male main character. We have his POV. He falls in love with Shay and she pushes him away and leaves. Time jump. He finally ends up back in her life and tries to fight to get her back. Unexpected stuff happens and they don’t get together. Time jump. After so long they finally get together. They are together all of 2 months? And he dies. Change of H to his best friend. I just can’t. I would get if maybe we had some POV from his best friend or if there was more detail of Shay and Jimmy’s relationship besides the little hints here and there. I just can’t. This messed with me. You can’t give us one H and have it all about him and how in love they are and then kill him off and have her be with the friend.
Maybe be if it was Shay and Jimmys POV and they were together at one point but you see her with Luke because they were more in love, then that could possibly work. I don’t know.
It’s a good book but the ending annoyed me.
Great job Nikki for your first novel. I know it’ll only get better from here.
So I originally read the arc of Broken Bases and I’m not going to lie, it was extremely hard to keep reading. It was a little repetitive in places and grammatically atrocious.
I then reread it on KU to see if the errors were fixed and from what I noticed they were so my review has nothing to do with that.
The story for this book is great. The books itself is a little fast paced and I kinda wish there was more dialogue and details. I need more descriptions then just this is what they did.
I really like Shay’s character. I like that she’s broken. Broken h’s are my bread and butter. Luke was a little hard to like in the beginning.
Now this is where my issue with the book comes into play.
Spoilers so don’t read from here if you don’t want them.
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Ok. So we have Luke, like whom I said was a little hard to like. He is the H, the male main character. We have his POV. He falls in love with Shay and she pushes him away and leaves. Time jump. He finally ends up back in her life and tries to fight to get her back. Unexpected stuff happens and they don’t get together. Time jump. After so long they finally get together. They are together all of 2 months? And he dies. Change of H to his best friend. I just can’t. I would get if maybe we had some POV from his best friend or if there was more detail of Shay and Jimmy’s relationship besides the little hints here and there. I just can’t. This messed with me. You can’t give us one H and have it all about him and how in love they are and then kill him off and have her be with the friend.
Maybe be if it was Shay and Jimmys POV and they were together at one point but you see her with Luke because they were more in love, then that could possibly work. I don’t know.
It’s a good book but the ending annoyed me.
Great job Nikki for your first novel. I know it’ll only get better from here.
April 7, 2020
A young, teenage mother. A cocky, baseball stud. Two lives that keep colliding at the wrong time for them to have a chance. Even though it is pretty obvious from the blurb that this will probably be an emotional read I still wasn't prepared for the gut wrenching, heart breaking tale that Nikki Pennington weaved.
The characters were real, raw, and relatable. Their stories were tragic with a little bit of hope sprinkled on top. I still haven't recovered from this book and it has been a few days since I finished it.
With this being Nikki's first book, I went into it with an open mind. The only problem I really had was how fast paced the book was. We didn't have a lot of time to wallow and marinate in one heartbreak before we were off and running to the next. Another thing I would add is maybe some trigger warnings. Nothing was super graphic but there is some sexual assault, domestic violence, and drug addiction/abuse that could make people uncomfortable if they didn't know it was coming. Like I said though it is far from graphic and I think you would be doing yourself a major disservice if you didn't read this book because of that.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4 out of 5) I loved Shay. I started to almost feel like an over protective friend through most of the story and may have sent some messages to the author about how mean she was being to Shay. I can't wait for Stolen Bases to see how this story continues.
The characters were real, raw, and relatable. Their stories were tragic with a little bit of hope sprinkled on top. I still haven't recovered from this book and it has been a few days since I finished it.
With this being Nikki's first book, I went into it with an open mind. The only problem I really had was how fast paced the book was. We didn't have a lot of time to wallow and marinate in one heartbreak before we were off and running to the next. Another thing I would add is maybe some trigger warnings. Nothing was super graphic but there is some sexual assault, domestic violence, and drug addiction/abuse that could make people uncomfortable if they didn't know it was coming. Like I said though it is far from graphic and I think you would be doing yourself a major disservice if you didn't read this book because of that.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4 out of 5) I loved Shay. I started to almost feel like an over protective friend through most of the story and may have sent some messages to the author about how mean she was being to Shay. I can't wait for Stolen Bases to see how this story continues.
March 9, 2020
I’m officially a fan! Baseball is my absolute favorite sport and I wanted to read this for the title alone. I was not disappointed. Luke and Shay’s story was heartbreaking and so real. I loved the way we followed them from high school to adulthood. The mistakes and lessons learned are honest and true. I need Stolen Bases. Broken Bases was a hit out of the park!
April 6, 2020
What an AMAZING story!!! Luke and Shay’s story will have you in all your feels. From start to finish you will be rooting for this couple. Their journey is so raw and real that your heart will be all its feels. That cliffhanger sure did leave me speechless, like I can’t believe it after everything.😭 I can’t wait to see where this duet goes.
May 20, 2020
Great book. Got a little frustrated with Shay occasionally but she finally got it together LOL. Not giving any spoilers here!! But that ending!! Anxiously awaiting book two. I gave it a four not because I didn't love the story or characters but the editing left a lot to be desired. Lots of typos and was even missing words in some sentences. Hopefully book two has better editing.
April 4, 2020
My heart broke so many times during this book but it’s soo good! ❤️❤️ I Loved it and can’t wait for the next one!
April 18, 2020
DNF @ 20%.
The writing style just wasn’t there for me on this one.
The writing style just wasn’t there for me on this one.
April 27, 2020
Painfull, angsty story, not for me :(
April 21, 2020
I really wanted to like this book as the story sounded right up my street and its the authors debut.
However, I found the pacing of the story way too fast. It needed a lot more description especially character development as I couldn’t connect with the main characters. It was just a case of this happens then this which causes this and so on. I also felt it just brushed over some very heavy topics. (Also I don’t remember there being a trigger warning about this at the beginning - apologies if I’m wrong an missed it!)
Then there is the ending... im not quite sure what happened there. There was a compete character reversal with regards to his actions. As said above with regards to character development, I didn’t quite understand why what happened happened as story needed to be developed and expanded.
On the positive note, I fee the author does have great potential as the concept of the story i loved (and also the cover!) She just needs to slow down her story telling.
However, I found the pacing of the story way too fast. It needed a lot more description especially character development as I couldn’t connect with the main characters. It was just a case of this happens then this which causes this and so on. I also felt it just brushed over some very heavy topics. (Also I don’t remember there being a trigger warning about this at the beginning - apologies if I’m wrong an missed it!)
Then there is the ending... im not quite sure what happened there. There was a compete character reversal with regards to his actions. As said above with regards to character development, I didn’t quite understand why what happened happened as story needed to be developed and expanded.
On the positive note, I fee the author does have great potential as the concept of the story i loved (and also the cover!) She just needs to slow down her story telling.
April 7, 2020
DNF at 31%
I feel so bad writing this review but I had to. I tried very hard to finish it, but good god was this book a nightmare. The whole book is a joke to the English language. So many errors. So much bad sentence framing. So many unnecessary commas and various other punctuations. I cringed, I REALLY cringed while reading. So so so bad. Not only was the story a copy of literally any other romance book out there, but it also felt like the author was so eager to release the book that she forgot to hire an editor. Also, the price of the ebook is unnecessarily high judging by how short the story actually is according to Amazon. This just shows how this "author" is writing for money and not because she wants to write books. So disappointed. Never going for this "author" again.
I feel so bad writing this review but I had to. I tried very hard to finish it, but good god was this book a nightmare. The whole book is a joke to the English language. So many errors. So much bad sentence framing. So many unnecessary commas and various other punctuations. I cringed, I REALLY cringed while reading. So so so bad. Not only was the story a copy of literally any other romance book out there, but it also felt like the author was so eager to release the book that she forgot to hire an editor. Also, the price of the ebook is unnecessarily high judging by how short the story actually is according to Amazon. This just shows how this "author" is writing for money and not because she wants to write books. So disappointed. Never going for this "author" again.
April 11, 2020
The pacing was a bit faster that what I usually like but with Broken Bases Nikki delivers a story of two people that are being kept apart when you just want to see them together and for that, you keep reading. The story of Shay and Luke spans years and with their struggles and heartbreak so clear on the page you want them to find a way to be together. I was expecting a cliff-hanger ending with this being a duet but I was not expecting what Nikki delivered and I’m still thinking about it days later. I look forward to seeing where she takes this story next and congratulations on the debut.
April 22, 2020
Nikki Pennington came out swinging! (See what I did there?) This debut novel was packed with emotion & realistic characters that I was not prepared for. I’m a sucker for tragic backstories & these characters had them. This book was fast-paced and I’m into that because I want to always get to the heart of the matter. Shay was the perfect strong female that we all love to read. Fair warning, there was a HUGE twist that I definitely was not prepared for (and might hold a small grudge against Nikki for haha) but all-in-all, I am excited to see what Nikki comes out with next!
April 12, 2020
I was not 💯 into this story. The timeline moves so quickly and big topics like addiction, assault and sexual assault were brushed over. Not to give the ending away but it’s impossible for a happily ever after and that’s a must in my book. Not my cup of tea!
May 21, 2020
Loved this!!! I couldn't put it down, it kept me wanting to see what happened next. The characters were so relatable. And talk about an ending...wow! Can't wait for the next one.
January 27, 2022
Wow. Was so not expecting that... u know when u purchased a book n put it off reading it n then become shocked n so drawn to the book... well this it one of them. I enjoyed the chemistry n relationship or so non or short relationship between Luke n Shay had. The twister at the end... OMFG!!!! n the tears 😢😭💔😪🤧 I cried... wow n then come along the second part... Ryder u r a sweet sweet sweetheart...
February 3, 2020
BROKEN BASES. GREAT BOOK.
April 26, 2020
Not being a self proclaimed book but this book kept me interested from the different points of views the story was told can’t wait to read the second part of the duet
November 12, 2023
Good story! Easy read! Was a little predictable is why it got 3 stars. Going to read the next one.
December 12, 2023
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