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Cessna U Wildcats #1
Swinging Strike
Meet Braxton Smith in this New Enemies to Lovers Romance.
Dating the hot athlete? Yeah, Been there, Done That…
Braxton Smith.
Cessna University’s baseball captain.
Naturally talented.
Sinfully gorgeous.
And exudes enough arrogance to fill a stadium.
That same cocky attitude is what landed him in my anonymous gossip column.
Believe me, I, Cara Gonzalez, don’t want anything to do with him.
But he’s everywhere.
In my class.
In my dorm.
In my mind.
I left this type of drama back home.
Transferring to Cessna University is my chance for a redo.
And regardless of his rock-hard abs and panty-dropping smile,
Arguing with an athlete isn’t one of my goals.
My instincts betray me, though.
This attraction feels different.
Stronger.
I have no choice but to stand my ground.
Because this time, I’m afraid I’ll not only be hurt.
I’ll end up gutted.
Book One in the Cessna U Wildcats series, Swinging Strike is an enemy to lovers, standalone romance. If you like sexy, hot baseball players, download Braxton Smith today.
Dating the hot athlete? Yeah, Been there, Done That…
Braxton Smith.
Cessna University’s baseball captain.
Naturally talented.
Sinfully gorgeous.
And exudes enough arrogance to fill a stadium.
That same cocky attitude is what landed him in my anonymous gossip column.
Believe me, I, Cara Gonzalez, don’t want anything to do with him.
But he’s everywhere.
In my class.
In my dorm.
In my mind.
I left this type of drama back home.
Transferring to Cessna University is my chance for a redo.
And regardless of his rock-hard abs and panty-dropping smile,
Arguing with an athlete isn’t one of my goals.
My instincts betray me, though.
This attraction feels different.
Stronger.
I have no choice but to stand my ground.
Because this time, I’m afraid I’ll not only be hurt.
I’ll end up gutted.
Book One in the Cessna U Wildcats series, Swinging Strike is an enemy to lovers, standalone romance. If you like sexy, hot baseball players, download Braxton Smith today.
390 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2020
1147 people are currently reading
2455 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Readnour
33 books904 followersKimberly Readnour lives in the Midwest with her husband and a very snuggly cat.
Having a true passion for romance and HEAs, she took the leap from the young adult genre to romance and never looked back.
Unexpected Love, book two of the Unforeseen Destiny Series, is a #1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in the Medical Romance. Her series, the Bad Boys Redemption, has spent many weeks on Amazon's sports fiction bestseller list.
Kimberly worked as a Registered Nurse for fifteen years before hanging up her stethoscope. When she isn't running her own business, you can find her tucked away writing.
You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyrea...
Having a true passion for romance and HEAs, she took the leap from the young adult genre to romance and never looked back.
Unexpected Love, book two of the Unforeseen Destiny Series, is a #1 Amazon Kindle bestseller in the Medical Romance. Her series, the Bad Boys Redemption, has spent many weeks on Amazon's sports fiction bestseller list.
Kimberly worked as a Registered Nurse for fifteen years before hanging up her stethoscope. When she isn't running her own business, you can find her tucked away writing.
You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyrea...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
February 19, 2020
Wow! I am not usually a huge fan of college-age stories, but WOW! Kimberly Readnour did an amazing job with this one! I am a sucker for sports romances, so I decided to take a chance with Swinging Strike and I am so glad I did! Braxton and Cara's story was everything for me! Watching them fall in love and overcome all the obstacles was everything I didn't know I wanted it to be! FIVE STARS!!
April 3, 2020
Author Kimberly Readnour knows how to write a fantastic baseball romance! This romance between Cara Gonzalez and Braxton Smith is a wonderful story! It starts out with a bitter vengeful act, and rolls into a heartfelt relationship. I loved the flow and the context of this story. The characters are great! I loved this author’s previous baseball series, and this Cessna U Wildcats series incorporates those characters into this one, which I love! This one has all the feels! If you want a great baseball/college sports romance…then grab this one! I am really looking forward to the next book in the series! 4.5 swinging stars! (rounded up to 5)
February 18, 2020
Baseball season is finally here again and that makes my heart happy! That being said, I am always excited to read a new baseball romance. I loved Swinging Strikes and the relationship between Braxton and Cara.
Cara is the baby sister of AJ Gonzalez from Kimberly’s Readnour’s last baseball series. She has transferred to a new college to get away from her ex, who was a major league baseball player. When she meets Braxton, she thinks he is just like her ex and vows to stay away from him. Braxton ends up being her lab partner in a class so they are forced to spend time together and she soon realizes she has misjudged him.
I loved Braxton. He had a depth that I wasn’t expecting and there was much more to him than being a hot baseball player. You could feel his struggle to fulfill his dream of finishing college and then playing major league ball or to please his father and enter the draft. He was so supportive to Cara even when he was upset with her and showed her a side that few others saw.
Cara was a great character. She was little insecure after her last relationship and watching her journey to rediscover herself was fun to watch. She made mistakes, but she owned up to them and did what she could to fix them.
Braxton and Cara together was magic. They had red-hot chemistry and every emotion they felt leapt off the page. This book knocked it out of the park and I cannot wait to read about the other guys on the team.
Cara is the baby sister of AJ Gonzalez from Kimberly’s Readnour’s last baseball series. She has transferred to a new college to get away from her ex, who was a major league baseball player. When she meets Braxton, she thinks he is just like her ex and vows to stay away from him. Braxton ends up being her lab partner in a class so they are forced to spend time together and she soon realizes she has misjudged him.
I loved Braxton. He had a depth that I wasn’t expecting and there was much more to him than being a hot baseball player. You could feel his struggle to fulfill his dream of finishing college and then playing major league ball or to please his father and enter the draft. He was so supportive to Cara even when he was upset with her and showed her a side that few others saw.
Cara was a great character. She was little insecure after her last relationship and watching her journey to rediscover herself was fun to watch. She made mistakes, but she owned up to them and did what she could to fix them.
Braxton and Cara together was magic. They had red-hot chemistry and every emotion they felt leapt off the page. This book knocked it out of the park and I cannot wait to read about the other guys on the team.
February 14, 2020
Book one in a new and from what I read with Swinging Strike, promising series from Kimberly Readnour. Cara, who we know from Bad Boys Redemption book 3, Bottom of the Ninth, is Aj’s sister. She is looking to start over at Cessna University where no one knows who she is. Unfortunately she catches the eye of hotshot 2nd baseman of the Cessna U Wildcats, Braxton Smith. Cara does everything she can to shake off the determined baseball player but she can’t help but like him. The two have an incredible spark but Cara is hiding something, the fact that she is the new gossip columnist that hasn’t exactly gotten on Braxtons good-side. The two navigate through the little bumps but get caught up on some bigger ones that threaten to put an end to their new relationship. With all the decisions Braxton has to make this year maybe Cara is the last thing he needs right now. Guess you will have to read to find out anymore. I’m excited for this series. I loved all the side characters and Readnour did a great job of getting me interested in their stories like Garret and Lexie are the or aren’t they or Noah and Shannon what’s going on there and who the heck is Dalton. So many questions I can not wait to get the answer to.
***I did receive a free copy of this book is exchange for a fair and honest review.***
***I did receive a free copy of this book is exchange for a fair and honest review.***
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December 30, 2020dnf @40%
too many lies and secrets. its like everyone is like to everyone, and thats not even the worst part. the worst part is that they are all lying to themselves smh
too many lies and secrets. its like everyone is like to everyone, and thats not even the worst part. the worst part is that they are all lying to themselves smh
May 28, 2020
I abandoned this book like 3 times. The first one, I was about 35% and really bored. But I told myself: If I read this much, then I should try and finish it. That's how I got to 55%, when I got really frustrated because of what was happening with the story. I left it once more, only to start reading again yesterday. By then, I had read more than half of it, and even when stuff started to annoy me, I managed to finish it.
I didn't like the main characters, and honestly believe they don't make sense as a couple. There were too many misunderstandings and fights between them. Also, their relationship felt kind of shallow, and mostly based on their physical attraction (pretty much like Cara fears).
I'm kind of in a streak of bad books, so maybe I'm part of the reason this book gets this rating. But, like I said, while I was reading I was either feeling bored or frustrated.
I didn't like the main characters, and honestly believe they don't make sense as a couple. There were too many misunderstandings and fights between them. Also, their relationship felt kind of shallow, and mostly based on their physical attraction (pretty much like Cara fears).
I'm kind of in a streak of bad books, so maybe I'm part of the reason this book gets this rating. But, like I said, while I was reading I was either feeling bored or frustrated.
February 2, 2025
College baseball
The story has a good draw and hook, but kind of felt a little forced at first. After realizing what Cara did he forgave a little too quickly, but a good guy. But then went from having sex to love, that part felt rushed. The aftermath was pretty good, I mean heartbreaking but good. For me the middle to end was a really good story, beginning rushed and forced.
The story has a good draw and hook, but kind of felt a little forced at first. After realizing what Cara did he forgave a little too quickly, but a good guy. But then went from having sex to love, that part felt rushed. The aftermath was pretty good, I mean heartbreaking but good. For me the middle to end was a really good story, beginning rushed and forced.
March 1, 2020
I loved this!
I'm a sucker for college sports romances, so I was totally on board for this book. Cara is an awesome girl, she's tough and not afraid to speak her mind. She's been burned by a guy before, but she still gives Braxton a chance and always tries to do what's right. Braxton is a sexy, amazing baseball player and I liked that he went at Cara's pace and tried to be there for her. He sticks up for his friends and they made a great match.
This was well paced and I was totally sucked in. There's so much room for more books and I can't wait to read about Braxton's teammates finding love! I also think a prequel about AJ and Mia getting together would be awesome!
I'm a sucker for college sports romances, so I was totally on board for this book. Cara is an awesome girl, she's tough and not afraid to speak her mind. She's been burned by a guy before, but she still gives Braxton a chance and always tries to do what's right. Braxton is a sexy, amazing baseball player and I liked that he went at Cara's pace and tried to be there for her. He sticks up for his friends and they made a great match.
This was well paced and I was totally sucked in. There's so much room for more books and I can't wait to read about Braxton's teammates finding love! I also think a prequel about AJ and Mia getting together would be awesome!
July 12, 2020
A homerun for the first in a new-to-me-author's new Cessna U Wildcats series. I really enjoyed not only the storyline of enemies-to-lovers, but the baseball team's addition to the character line-up. Two main characters that meet in a cute "pole" incident and continued in a chemistry lab partnership. There's plenty of banter, angst and college life, including a newspaper column that causes plenty of trouble. And a sweet and lovable dog who brings out the good in all involved.
Not going to add much more as the series continues as soon as I can download it and start reading.
Not going to add much more as the series continues as soon as I can download it and start reading.
February 20, 2020
*Thank you to the author and NABC for sending me an ARC of this book for me to read and leave an honest review. *
"I don't date or chase. Or, I never did until now. But this girl, I'd chase to the ends of the earth."
The past few books that I have read have (unintentionally) turned out to be sports romances, and it turns out (despite not being a sports fan myself), I quite like reading them! And this one was really well done. One thing I really liked in this particular story was that the female protagonist was a dedicated baseball fan, which is something I don't see often in these books.
"Will it be a mistake? I don't know. But it's my mistake to make."
This book was funny and romantic. Braxton is a good guy. He cares about his family, friends, and team. He worries so much about balancing what he truly wants (perhaps not even giving himself the chance to figure out what that truly is) and satisfying the expectations people have for him. Falling in love with Cara wasn't part of the plan, but it's exactly what he needed to realize what he wanted.
"That's fine. I'm fine. Them not knowing me or understanding me doesn't matter."
Cara is starting at Cessna U as a junior and is hoping to do well and get into a veterinary school. She is struggling to comeback after being hurt and making mistakes that have fueled new insecurities and fears. Cara wants a fresh start and wants to change the image that her family and friends have of her. Cara is determined not to give in to Braxton's charm (he doesn't make it easy of course), but Braxton sees how special and intelligent she really is. Maybe falling for Braxton wouldn't be another mistake?
I am happy to have been given the chance to discover this book. It's the first one in a new series and after reading Swinging Strike, I definitely plan on sticking around and reading the following books in the series. And while I wait for those to be released, there is also the author's Bad Boy's Redemption series which took place before this book and includes characters who were mentioned or appeared in Swinging Strike.
"I don't date or chase. Or, I never did until now. But this girl, I'd chase to the ends of the earth."
The past few books that I have read have (unintentionally) turned out to be sports romances, and it turns out (despite not being a sports fan myself), I quite like reading them! And this one was really well done. One thing I really liked in this particular story was that the female protagonist was a dedicated baseball fan, which is something I don't see often in these books.
"Will it be a mistake? I don't know. But it's my mistake to make."
This book was funny and romantic. Braxton is a good guy. He cares about his family, friends, and team. He worries so much about balancing what he truly wants (perhaps not even giving himself the chance to figure out what that truly is) and satisfying the expectations people have for him. Falling in love with Cara wasn't part of the plan, but it's exactly what he needed to realize what he wanted.
"That's fine. I'm fine. Them not knowing me or understanding me doesn't matter."
Cara is starting at Cessna U as a junior and is hoping to do well and get into a veterinary school. She is struggling to comeback after being hurt and making mistakes that have fueled new insecurities and fears. Cara wants a fresh start and wants to change the image that her family and friends have of her. Cara is determined not to give in to Braxton's charm (he doesn't make it easy of course), but Braxton sees how special and intelligent she really is. Maybe falling for Braxton wouldn't be another mistake?
I am happy to have been given the chance to discover this book. It's the first one in a new series and after reading Swinging Strike, I definitely plan on sticking around and reading the following books in the series. And while I wait for those to be released, there is also the author's Bad Boy's Redemption series which took place before this book and includes characters who were mentioned or appeared in Swinging Strike.
February 22, 2020
I was gifted a copy for an honest review.
This was an great start to a new series. Cara and Braxton had a connection from the get go. Both had been hurt previously and trust was an issue. They bounced off each other and were well suited. The secondary characters were great and loved Miller the dog. I look forward to the next one in the series.
This was an great start to a new series. Cara and Braxton had a connection from the get go. Both had been hurt previously and trust was an issue. They bounced off each other and were well suited. The secondary characters were great and loved Miller the dog. I look forward to the next one in the series.
May 31, 2020
A classic sport romance, I liked it at the beginning , how they met and what followed .
But I think that after the first half of the book most passages were rushed and weren't given the importance they deserved .
Maybe it was just my impression , I don't know
So i was stuck with this sensation and I couldn't bring myself to finish it , I made it until 70% of the book and that was enough .
I GAVE IT 3 stars
But I think that after the first half of the book most passages were rushed and weren't given the importance they deserved .
Maybe it was just my impression , I don't know
So i was stuck with this sensation and I couldn't bring myself to finish it , I made it until 70% of the book and that was enough .
I GAVE IT 3 stars
March 3, 2020
Love sports romance and even better an enemies to lovers romance, my favorites. Book 1 in the Cessna U Wildcats series and my first by this author and it won’t be my last. Cara and Braxton started out on the wrong foot but that didn’t stop him from falling for her at first sight. Loved them together. They had great chemistry. Wonderful story and great characters. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2020
wow i’m pleasantly surprised!! i randomly found this and it reminds me a lot of off-campus, but with baseball. this was super enjoyable and i’m even more excited to read shannon and noah’s story :’)
February 13, 2020
I usually skip books with college aged kids but I’ve read a lot of Kimberly Readnour other books and loved them so I decided to give this book a chance. I loved it! It brought back a lot of memories of college and young love and the insecurities that come with that age. I loved Cara and Braxton and I loved watching them grow up over the course of the book.
May 4, 2020
I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
This is the first book I've read from this author and i absolutely loved it! Cara and Braxton are awesome characters and are perfect together. I highly recommend this book. You will love to read about how this couple plows thru every obstacle that tries to bring them down and keep them from their HEA. You will also love to watch as they mature as a couple. There are a lot of ups and downs, lies, secrets, drama, and romance. Best of all, there's undeniable chemistry. This is book 1 in the Cessna U Wildcats series and i can't wait to read the next one. ❤
This is the first book I've read from this author and i absolutely loved it! Cara and Braxton are awesome characters and are perfect together. I highly recommend this book. You will love to read about how this couple plows thru every obstacle that tries to bring them down and keep them from their HEA. You will also love to watch as they mature as a couple. There are a lot of ups and downs, lies, secrets, drama, and romance. Best of all, there's undeniable chemistry. This is book 1 in the Cessna U Wildcats series and i can't wait to read the next one. ❤
January 8, 2020
Starting over at a new college, Cara has sworn off all athletes but especially baseball players. With one exaggerated news story and one handsome lab partner, Cara's thoughts change. But when Braxton finds out the truth behind the story the end result leaves Cara rethinking her plan. Can you fall in love with the wrong person and still make the relationship work? I fell in love with Braxton from the minute he comes into the story while at the same time laughing out loud at some of the baseball teams antics. This is so much more than just a college sports romance. It is truly a wonderful read to start off a new series and I look forward to reading more.
March 23, 2020
This was an amazing read by author Kimberly Readnour! It gave me the sport that I love in a time when there was no baseball. It was an immediate fix to my missing out - it was also accurate, fun and gave the reader a break from their real life!!
Braxton is the typical jock, full of attitude, ego and good looks...Cara is trying to get through college with little to no interruptions or distractions and when the two collide neither one of them can stay on the track that they set for themselves.
Cara has a lot of secrets that she is keeping, and those secrets will eventually be the undoing of their relationship...can they get past it and make things work? Will they be destined to just be friends? This book has a lot of ups, downs, twists, turns and curves that the reader never sees coming! This is a fast fun read that the reader zooms through alternating between wanting to know what happens next and not wanting the story to end!
I am ready for the next book in the series, I hope that it comes out sooner rather than later! I am having some withdrawals of baseball!! A great read!
** Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fan site at http://www.facebook.com **
Braxton is the typical jock, full of attitude, ego and good looks...Cara is trying to get through college with little to no interruptions or distractions and when the two collide neither one of them can stay on the track that they set for themselves.
Cara has a lot of secrets that she is keeping, and those secrets will eventually be the undoing of their relationship...can they get past it and make things work? Will they be destined to just be friends? This book has a lot of ups, downs, twists, turns and curves that the reader never sees coming! This is a fast fun read that the reader zooms through alternating between wanting to know what happens next and not wanting the story to end!
I am ready for the next book in the series, I hope that it comes out sooner rather than later! I am having some withdrawals of baseball!! A great read!
** Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fan site at http://www.facebook.com **
February 15, 2020
Cara is wanting a fresh start. A place to prove that she isn’t full of drama, and that everyone has her wrong.
Braxton has a lot of pressure on him. He hasn’t made a decision about his future, and the articles being written about him aren’t helping.
These two together have chemistry in spades, but there are several obstacles that stand in their way. Seeing them navigate these obstacles will have you wanting to hug them, strangle them, and will allow you to understand their insecurities more.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I’m a sucker for sports romances and this one was such a good read. I just wish the characters were able to experience more happiness with each other. There were moments of happiness and definitely a HFN, but I felt that so much happened in the book that they were never able to just relax and be a couple a little bit before it ended.
The secondary characters added just the right amount of mystery, and I’m excited to see how their stories unfold.
- An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
Braxton has a lot of pressure on him. He hasn’t made a decision about his future, and the articles being written about him aren’t helping.
These two together have chemistry in spades, but there are several obstacles that stand in their way. Seeing them navigate these obstacles will have you wanting to hug them, strangle them, and will allow you to understand their insecurities more.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I’m a sucker for sports romances and this one was such a good read. I just wish the characters were able to experience more happiness with each other. There were moments of happiness and definitely a HFN, but I felt that so much happened in the book that they were never able to just relax and be a couple a little bit before it ended.
The secondary characters added just the right amount of mystery, and I’m excited to see how their stories unfold.
- An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
February 21, 2020
Talk about he feels with these two. Cara has dated a baseball player in the past that left with her a bad taste towards jocks. Braxton is the star baseball player at her college and is clearly instantly smitten with her when he first runs into her. But Cara’s attitude was been there done that no thank you. This was a slow build but at the same time nothing was rushed and you get to see how their relationship builds from him being persistent, to their banters/insults, then of them no longer trying to deny their feelings. But this relationship wasn’t the easiest and came within lots of drama, ups and downs and secondary characters interference. They were moments that were so real and nothing was rushed to make things great again. The ending was great but there’s still more of Braxton and Cara left to discover. These two were opposites in a sense but also great for each other. Her relationship with her brother was beautiful.
June 9, 2020
This is a college sports enemies to lovers story with a lot of drama.
Cara struggles with her attraction to Braxton. He's the cocky, gorgeous, arrogant captain of the baseball team. Being lab partners doesn't help with her attraction to him.
Braxton knows what he wants and it's Cara. Her indifference to him makes it a challenge. It's Game On.
Cara is Mel G, the anonymous gossip columnist of Rumor Has It, targets Braxton as a playboy, the Heartburglar. Braxton is being endlessly teased by his teammates in the locker room. Braxton is determined to find out the identity of Mel G.
Braxton is feeling the pressure from his father, no relationships, keep your eye on the prize. A contract with a major league team.. He's one year away from graduating. What does Braxton really want? What will he do when it comes time to make his decision?
This story has it all! Fun, laughter, tears, jealousy, misunderstanding, secrets, drama. Not everything is as it seems, which causes trouble between Braxton and Cara..
Sarah Puckett and Chris Brinkley are perfect narrators for this story! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it! 🎧audiobookObsessionreviewer🎧
Cara struggles with her attraction to Braxton. He's the cocky, gorgeous, arrogant captain of the baseball team. Being lab partners doesn't help with her attraction to him.
Braxton knows what he wants and it's Cara. Her indifference to him makes it a challenge. It's Game On.
Cara is Mel G, the anonymous gossip columnist of Rumor Has It, targets Braxton as a playboy, the Heartburglar. Braxton is being endlessly teased by his teammates in the locker room. Braxton is determined to find out the identity of Mel G.
Braxton is feeling the pressure from his father, no relationships, keep your eye on the prize. A contract with a major league team.. He's one year away from graduating. What does Braxton really want? What will he do when it comes time to make his decision?
This story has it all! Fun, laughter, tears, jealousy, misunderstanding, secrets, drama. Not everything is as it seems, which causes trouble between Braxton and Cara..
Sarah Puckett and Chris Brinkley are perfect narrators for this story! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it! 🎧audiobookObsessionreviewer🎧
May 12, 2020
HI EVERYONE!!
Just so you know my review series on swinging strike is on Instagram at my account @bookwhoreforever!
Let’s just say this book BLEW MY MIND. I absolutely loved it and I’m so happy I ran across this.
I think this book had the perfect combination of baseball and romance.
I fell in love with Braxton so quickly 😍 and I love Cara’s need for independence especially with her overprotective mother and son. It is so fun to see her come into her own skin throughout the story, without attaching that to Braxton’s love for her.
The side characters also definitely make this book! I love Shannon and Dalton so much! I think they add to the plot perfectly and don’t take up as fluffer.
Overall, this book definitely exceeded my expectations! I can’t wait for more of Mrs.Readnour’s book.
-Bookwhoreforever
Just so you know my review series on swinging strike is on Instagram at my account @bookwhoreforever!
Let’s just say this book BLEW MY MIND. I absolutely loved it and I’m so happy I ran across this.
I think this book had the perfect combination of baseball and romance.
I fell in love with Braxton so quickly 😍 and I love Cara’s need for independence especially with her overprotective mother and son. It is so fun to see her come into her own skin throughout the story, without attaching that to Braxton’s love for her.
The side characters also definitely make this book! I love Shannon and Dalton so much! I think they add to the plot perfectly and don’t take up as fluffer.
Overall, this book definitely exceeded my expectations! I can’t wait for more of Mrs.Readnour’s book.
-Bookwhoreforever
February 16, 2020
Kimberly Readnour has hit a home run with this read. Damn it was a rollercoaster to devour but do worth it!
Braxton is a hot, well known, baseball player at college. He's heading for big things, despite his inner war at pushing to play ball professionally or finishing his degree. No one sees this other side to him except his best friend's/teammates, who I loved meeting!
Cara, having newly transferred and still holding anger towards her ex, she finds herself easily resorting to conclusions. These conclusions work well for the minor gossip column she has to work on, but when things come to light and she realises the lies she's told and how much pain it's been causing, Cara knows the right thing to do.
Braxton and Cara start not the right terms but both develop their relationship from flirting, to friends to more. However with ex's having pained them both in the past and the current people in their lives having no belief in their relationship, it's hard to trust one another easily.
They fight a losing battle, and to see their struggle and how they are still able to find themselves and come to the other side to be stronger was beautiful. It shows that love can win, even when everyone says it can't.
I would love to meet the other baseball team players as they were brilliant side characters and kept the story loose and light to read.
A brilliant first read of mine from Kimberly Readnour and I look forward to reading more from her.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Braxton is a hot, well known, baseball player at college. He's heading for big things, despite his inner war at pushing to play ball professionally or finishing his degree. No one sees this other side to him except his best friend's/teammates, who I loved meeting!
Cara, having newly transferred and still holding anger towards her ex, she finds herself easily resorting to conclusions. These conclusions work well for the minor gossip column she has to work on, but when things come to light and she realises the lies she's told and how much pain it's been causing, Cara knows the right thing to do.
Braxton and Cara start not the right terms but both develop their relationship from flirting, to friends to more. However with ex's having pained them both in the past and the current people in their lives having no belief in their relationship, it's hard to trust one another easily.
They fight a losing battle, and to see their struggle and how they are still able to find themselves and come to the other side to be stronger was beautiful. It shows that love can win, even when everyone says it can't.
I would love to meet the other baseball team players as they were brilliant side characters and kept the story loose and light to read.
A brilliant first read of mine from Kimberly Readnour and I look forward to reading more from her.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2020
Swinging Strike is book one in the Cessna U Wildcats Series by Kimberly Readnour. The genre is an enemies to lovers book which looks at the characters Cara Gonzalez and Braxton Smith. Cara has been hurt before and is looking for a fresh start at a new college, working as the anonymous gossip columnist of her college she has Braxton in her cross-hairs, thinking she knows who he is. As their relationship develops, Cara bumps into Braxton everywhere and feelings start to change, but secrets have a way of getting out and baggage gets in the way with these two strong willed characters.
Braxton Smith is the hot athlete at college who seems to have it all and we only see through his POV what type of man he is and how the past has defined him and his relationships. He likes to get on Cara’s nerves and knows how to push her. He seems to have a great group of friends and they certainly get up to some fun antics on his behalf when things come out in the gossip column. Braxton seems to have a lot of pressure put upon him and you really do feel it coming to a head for him partway through the book.
The two characters together have a lot of chemistry and at times can be really amusing together. The story-line was catchy and there was a lot going on, not only between Cara and Braxton, but also from secondary characters and story-lines which were all intertwined. There were times though that you wanted to shake both characters, either for preconceived notions they had about the other, but also because of the baggage and the drama that caused in their relationship.
This was a really good sports romance and you get to see what it would be like to play a sport at such a high level and the standards that are put onto you. Overall, a really good romance.
ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review 😊
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
Braxton Smith is the hot athlete at college who seems to have it all and we only see through his POV what type of man he is and how the past has defined him and his relationships. He likes to get on Cara’s nerves and knows how to push her. He seems to have a great group of friends and they certainly get up to some fun antics on his behalf when things come out in the gossip column. Braxton seems to have a lot of pressure put upon him and you really do feel it coming to a head for him partway through the book.
The two characters together have a lot of chemistry and at times can be really amusing together. The story-line was catchy and there was a lot going on, not only between Cara and Braxton, but also from secondary characters and story-lines which were all intertwined. There were times though that you wanted to shake both characters, either for preconceived notions they had about the other, but also because of the baggage and the drama that caused in their relationship.
This was a really good sports romance and you get to see what it would be like to play a sport at such a high level and the standards that are put onto you. Overall, a really good romance.
ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review 😊
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
March 1, 2020
*Thank you to both the author and NABC for proving me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
‘I don’t date or chase. Or, I never did until now. But this girl I’d chase to the ends of the earth’ - Braxton Smith
Rating 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)
Swinging strike is a stand-alone, sports enemies to lovers romance story that is both romantic and funny. It is also the first book in a new and from what I’ve read promising series.
Cara Gonzalez is a young women who has decided to transfer to Cessna University her junior year in the hopes of a fresh start. She was burnt in her previous relationship by a Major League Baseball player which is why she has sworn off all athletes especially baseball players; It’s also part of the reason why she targets Braxton Smith for her anonymous gossip column.
Braxton Smith is a young man who is also a junior at Cessna University, as well as the Captain of the university’s baseball team. He has a lot of pressures on him especially from his father, and the articles that have been targeting him aren’t helping.
After a chance meeting Braxton becomes determined to get to know Cara, only Cara is just as determined not to give into Braxton’s Charm. But would giving into him really be so bad ?
I loved watching these characters and their relationship evolve throughout this book. Not only did they give me butterflies but they made me laugh and also cringe at times. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
‘I don’t date or chase. Or, I never did until now. But this girl I’d chase to the ends of the earth’ - Braxton Smith
Rating 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)
Swinging strike is a stand-alone, sports enemies to lovers romance story that is both romantic and funny. It is also the first book in a new and from what I’ve read promising series.
Cara Gonzalez is a young women who has decided to transfer to Cessna University her junior year in the hopes of a fresh start. She was burnt in her previous relationship by a Major League Baseball player which is why she has sworn off all athletes especially baseball players; It’s also part of the reason why she targets Braxton Smith for her anonymous gossip column.
Braxton Smith is a young man who is also a junior at Cessna University, as well as the Captain of the university’s baseball team. He has a lot of pressures on him especially from his father, and the articles that have been targeting him aren’t helping.
After a chance meeting Braxton becomes determined to get to know Cara, only Cara is just as determined not to give into Braxton’s Charm. But would giving into him really be so bad ?
I loved watching these characters and their relationship evolve throughout this book. Not only did they give me butterflies but they made me laugh and also cringe at times. I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
February 24, 2020
I need more Cessna U Wildcats
Kimberly Readnour is a new to me author, but after this read I’m hooked on her and all things Cessna U.
For me personally, Swinging Strike took a bit to get into, but as I read I was gradually being drawn into the story and the characters to end on an I-just-can’t-put-it-down high. I wanted it all and I wanted more and the ending came way too quickly.
Not only did Kimberly make me feel invested in the main characters, she made me addicted to the side/supporting characters in the book and I am anxiously awaiting their stories as well.
Swinging Strike was THE perfect book for a start of a series, but it landed at a four stars for me because of how long it took to rope me into the book and also because at times I felt a bit confused. Braxton seemed like an all around great guy so sometimes I felt like who he seemed to be to me didn’t jive well with the things coming out of his mouth. I mostly got this feeling in the beginning of the book, but then the more I got to know him the less I believed he’d say the things he said—because of this there were times I felt like I was reading about two separate personalities and as a reader that’s always hard for me to get past.
Overall, the book made me a wildcats fan; I’m excited for Behind the Count because I’m dying inside for Noah and Shannon’s story.
Kimberly Readnour is a new to me author, but after this read I’m hooked on her and all things Cessna U.
For me personally, Swinging Strike took a bit to get into, but as I read I was gradually being drawn into the story and the characters to end on an I-just-can’t-put-it-down high. I wanted it all and I wanted more and the ending came way too quickly.
Not only did Kimberly make me feel invested in the main characters, she made me addicted to the side/supporting characters in the book and I am anxiously awaiting their stories as well.
Swinging Strike was THE perfect book for a start of a series, but it landed at a four stars for me because of how long it took to rope me into the book and also because at times I felt a bit confused. Braxton seemed like an all around great guy so sometimes I felt like who he seemed to be to me didn’t jive well with the things coming out of his mouth. I mostly got this feeling in the beginning of the book, but then the more I got to know him the less I believed he’d say the things he said—because of this there were times I felt like I was reading about two separate personalities and as a reader that’s always hard for me to get past.
Overall, the book made me a wildcats fan; I’m excited for Behind the Count because I’m dying inside for Noah and Shannon’s story.
February 27, 2020
I absolutely LOVE the fact that the amazingly talented Kimberly Readnour has released Swinging Strike (which is the start of a new baseball series) right at the time of baseball season starting. It got me a tad more excited about this new season when I originally was like meh. I've read her previous work about her bad boy baseball players, so I was delighted when they played some secondary roles here too. Cara, our heroine, is the baby sister of former bad boy player, AJ Gonzalez (Bottom of the Ninth), who has had to switch colleges to get a redo from her ex, a professional baseball player, as she wants no more drama. Cara is paired up with Cessna U's Baseball Captain, Braxton Smith as her lab partner. She's still dealing with some issues from that last relationship, so she believes Braxton is the same as that ex, and is determined to stay away from him. Let the chaotic fun begin! While I LOVED Braxton, at first, I got irritated with him a lot, but not everything is as it seems. They have serious heat going, so it was only a matter of time before it would ignite completely. I LOVED the start to this new series, and CANNOT WAIT for more, so join me on this new journey by hitting that one click button! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
February 21, 2020
Braxton and Cara definently get off to a rocky start in this book. Cara is AJ's sister from Bottom of the ninth this is her story about starting over after leaving Philly and her cheating ex Drake behind. When Cara sees Braxton the first time she believes he is just like her ex and decides to include him in her gossip column. Braxton is known on campus as the next Babe Ruth and is expected to be called to the draft this year. At first Cara refuses Braxtons advances too afraid to be sucked into the allure of another baseball played but soon their attraction to one another is too hard to ignore. However lies, omissions, and outside influences rip these two apart more than once in this book. These two pull at your heartstrings and also make you want to pull your hair out screaming do not do it. Of course these moments only lead to both of them learning how much they need each other. I loved these two as a couple and also individually. I can not wait to read the next book in the series I can already tell it is going to be amazing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 7, 2020
Braxton and Cara start out as enemies but he doesnt know it. Cara is roped into being the gossip columnists for the college newspaper. She inadvertently reports what she perceives as the truth about Braxton. That puts him on the warpath to find the culprit who is anonymous. Braxton and Cara have an intersting dynamic. She is coming from across the counrty to escape her ex and the toxic relationship they had to start new. Braxton wants to focus on his baseball career with no entanglements, meaning a girlfriend in particular. What they intend to happen doesnt. Oh and we cant forget about the girl who is friends with Braxton and wants more from him. She certainly throws some wrenches their way. I so enjoyed the pull and push that they had going on. Cara wants to be independent as much as possible and prove to herself that she doesnt need a man in her life to be successful. She also doesnt let Braxton walk all over her. She does bend a little. Braxton also has things going on in his life that he must get sorted out. His father being one pf them. His attitude toward his future was so mature and thought out. Together they can accomplish so much as long as they dont sabotage their relationship first.
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