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Over the Fence #3
Catching to Win
Kelsey O'Brien is the definition of a free spirit. She goes where she wants, when she wants, and takes to bed who she wants. And when she arrives back at Grover University after eight months on an African animal preserve, its her newly hunky best friend that has caught her eye. As their friendship turns physical, Kelsey begins to form feelings she swore she'd never have for anyone. But when the past she's not ready to face finds her, she must make a decision whether to stop running, or confront the truth.
The first time Clint Bellows laid eyes on Kelsey, he fell hard. Too bad she looked right through him. A year and countless hours in the gym later, she's back and hardly recognizes him and his new body. After a drunken encounter takes them over the line of friendship, Clint agrees to Kelsey's proposal of a benefits-added relationship. Only he's playing for keeps, and is willing to round all of the bases trying to score the self-proclaimed gypsy.
She's running from her demons. He's committed to winning her over. Can he catch her in time, or will she be out of his grasp before he can blink?
The first time Clint Bellows laid eyes on Kelsey, he fell hard. Too bad she looked right through him. A year and countless hours in the gym later, she's back and hardly recognizes him and his new body. After a drunken encounter takes them over the line of friendship, Clint agrees to Kelsey's proposal of a benefits-added relationship. Only he's playing for keeps, and is willing to round all of the bases trying to score the self-proclaimed gypsy.
She's running from her demons. He's committed to winning her over. Can he catch her in time, or will she be out of his grasp before he can blink?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2015
103 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Aarons
63 books2,991 followersAuthor of romance novels such as Fleeting and Love at First Fight, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. Her stories are fueled by vanilla lattes, meloncholy music, and copious amounts of candles.
When she isn't writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She lives in farm country with her husband, two children and ninety-pound rescue pup.
When she isn't writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She lives in farm country with her husband, two children and ninety-pound rescue pup.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 23, 2015
I can always count on Carrie Aarons to get me out of any reading slump or book hangover I'm in. It's almost like she knows when I'm having a reading slump/hangover and her new book is out. So thank you so much Carrie! Catching to win is another book that helped me out of the horrible reading slump I was in.
Catching to win was one of the books I was waiting for in the series. I just knew Clint was the polar opposite of our other leading men in the series.
Clint was probably my favorite in this book. He was an actual gentlemen, he was caring, loving, and an athlete who truly plays with his heart. I really enjoyed his points of view although there were times they were often repetitive specifically about his weight loss.
Kelsey was a bit harder to connect to because she was just so spirited and I’m not. So her character was a bit harder for me to connect to. I did love her gypsy spirit and her love for animals I thought that was absolutely amazing to have that much passion for animals. There were times I found her to be a bit of a drama queen but she was a pretty decent character.
The Romance
I really liked the fact that they had an actual friendship. They talked even before Catching to Win and you could see snippets of the build up of their relationship over time. I also liked that they had actual conversations about the future, about serious topics. I thought it was nice to see a real relationship for once.
Overall,
Over the Fence series is becoming my go to series to get me out of a reading slump. Each title reflects the position the player plays (that is so awesome).
It’s a quick and light read with just the right amount of feels and sexy times.
Catching to win was one of the books I was waiting for in the series. I just knew Clint was the polar opposite of our other leading men in the series.
Clint was probably my favorite in this book. He was an actual gentlemen, he was caring, loving, and an athlete who truly plays with his heart. I really enjoyed his points of view although there were times they were often repetitive specifically about his weight loss.
Kelsey was a bit harder to connect to because she was just so spirited and I’m not. So her character was a bit harder for me to connect to. I did love her gypsy spirit and her love for animals I thought that was absolutely amazing to have that much passion for animals. There were times I found her to be a bit of a drama queen but she was a pretty decent character.
The Romance
I really liked the fact that they had an actual friendship. They talked even before Catching to Win and you could see snippets of the build up of their relationship over time. I also liked that they had actual conversations about the future, about serious topics. I thought it was nice to see a real relationship for once.
Overall,
Over the Fence series is becoming my go to series to get me out of a reading slump. Each title reflects the position the player plays (that is so awesome).
It’s a quick and light read with just the right amount of feels and sexy times.
September 11, 2016
4.5 stars!
Other than a few grammatical errors, this book was really good. I loved Clint and Kelsey's story and how different it was from most sports romance centered stories. For one, Clint wasn't a manwhore, but an all around great guy. He was committed to doing the right thing and the right person. Kelsey is a strong woman who is commitment-phobic and someone who is a bit of a free spirit. Both seem like opposites but fit really well.
I loved their somewhat slow progression from friends to lovers, a lot of which happened in the other two books in this series. I also loved how Clint never put pressure on Kelsey for anything, but was just there for her. I felt like it was the best way to show her he was serious about her without spooking her. When it came to the story, I found it really easy to understand why Kelsey was so set on doing things the way she did. I really did not like her parents.
While with this book, three best friends have couples with three best friends, I'm really hoping Carrie will write a book featuring Parker, the fourth original room mate the guys had in their house. I feel like there is something there. I mean he's blunt, surly, and hot. I feel like he'd make a great hero of his own book.
I've really enjoyed reading the Over the Fence Series. I read all the books back to back, which is telling, because I rarely do that.
Other than a few grammatical errors, this book was really good. I loved Clint and Kelsey's story and how different it was from most sports romance centered stories. For one, Clint wasn't a manwhore, but an all around great guy. He was committed to doing the right thing and the right person. Kelsey is a strong woman who is commitment-phobic and someone who is a bit of a free spirit. Both seem like opposites but fit really well.
I loved their somewhat slow progression from friends to lovers, a lot of which happened in the other two books in this series. I also loved how Clint never put pressure on Kelsey for anything, but was just there for her. I felt like it was the best way to show her he was serious about her without spooking her. When it came to the story, I found it really easy to understand why Kelsey was so set on doing things the way she did. I really did not like her parents.
While with this book, three best friends have couples with three best friends, I'm really hoping Carrie will write a book featuring Parker, the fourth original room mate the guys had in their house. I feel like there is something there. I mean he's blunt, surly, and hot. I feel like he'd make a great hero of his own book.
I've really enjoyed reading the Over the Fence Series. I read all the books back to back, which is telling, because I rarely do that.
December 27, 2015
Catching To Win by Carrie Aarons is the third book in the Over the Fence Series and I think my favorite by far! I love a good baseball romance and this book by Carrie Aarons did not disappoint! This book was a 3.5 star read for me and I highly recommend this series to everyone!
Kelsey was living a life on her own terms, she was a modern day gypsy, not answering to anyone or anything, the came in and out of the picture as she pleased, fleeting off to all areas of the world to work with the wild animals that she loved so much. Kelsey did not do boyfriends, only having hookups when and where she pleased without answering to anyone, because love wasn't something she had experience with or wanted to have in her life.
Clint was officially in love from the moment Kelsey walked into his life and spent two years to get her to look at him as more than a friend. Being in the friend zone sucked big time for him, but his love for Kelsey and her feisty, blunt but funny personality never wavered. Officially the best friend of the girl he loved, until the one day when they crossed a line, he knew he would never be able to return from. Boy was every minute worth it, to be with the objection of his affection, something he waited for a long long time.
When Kelsey's world begins to crumble around her in more ways than one, she pushes away the one person who she knows would be there for her no matter what. But the feelings that she begins to have for Clint go beyond friendship at this point which scares her more than anything. Will Kelsey be able to move past her hang-ups of not being in a relationship or will her past hold her hostage to a hook up only, loveless existence? you will have to read to find out!
And as a side note, I hope that there is more from this series, because I would love to see Parker's story!
Kelsey was living a life on her own terms, she was a modern day gypsy, not answering to anyone or anything, the came in and out of the picture as she pleased, fleeting off to all areas of the world to work with the wild animals that she loved so much. Kelsey did not do boyfriends, only having hookups when and where she pleased without answering to anyone, because love wasn't something she had experience with or wanted to have in her life.
Clint was officially in love from the moment Kelsey walked into his life and spent two years to get her to look at him as more than a friend. Being in the friend zone sucked big time for him, but his love for Kelsey and her feisty, blunt but funny personality never wavered. Officially the best friend of the girl he loved, until the one day when they crossed a line, he knew he would never be able to return from. Boy was every minute worth it, to be with the objection of his affection, something he waited for a long long time.
When Kelsey's world begins to crumble around her in more ways than one, she pushes away the one person who she knows would be there for her no matter what. But the feelings that she begins to have for Clint go beyond friendship at this point which scares her more than anything. Will Kelsey be able to move past her hang-ups of not being in a relationship or will her past hold her hostage to a hook up only, loveless existence? you will have to read to find out!
And as a side note, I hope that there is more from this series, because I would love to see Parker's story!
December 2, 2015
Catching To Win lights up the scoreboard with stubborn angst and fiery passion. Kelsey and Clint are sweetly but oppositely matched. Clint’s the former heavy baseball player who decides to change his life – and his looks – after one glance at Kelsey.
Kelsey’s a bit of hard person to get a handle on. She’s definitely an animal lover and she’s also as skittish as a cat – picking up and running away whenever things get tough. She’s a bit narcissistic and shallow, but a lot of girls are at her age so that didn’t turn me off as much as I had expected it to.
Clint may be sexually inexperienced but he’s like a strong anchor in Kelsey’s stormy world. What Kelsey starts as a friends with benefits arrangement quickly spirals into so much more than she thinks she can handle. Somewhat silly and occasionally worthy of a roll of the eyes, Kelsey’s not always the quickest lion in the pack, but she is the most loyal – to those who have earned her trust.
Clint is hot, sweet and romantically inclined. When he falls – he falls hard. I loved his willingness to take on Kelsey’s whirlwind life and his big heart that so quickly filled with all of Kelsey.
Catching To Win is New Adult romance meets baseball gloriousness. I mean, who doesn’t love hot men in tight white pants getting all sweaty and uhhhh yea. I most certainly do. YES, PLEASE. 4.25 stars!
[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]
This review looks prettier on my blog: http://obsessedwithmyshelf.com/2015/1...
Kelsey’s a bit of hard person to get a handle on. She’s definitely an animal lover and she’s also as skittish as a cat – picking up and running away whenever things get tough. She’s a bit narcissistic and shallow, but a lot of girls are at her age so that didn’t turn me off as much as I had expected it to.
Clint may be sexually inexperienced but he’s like a strong anchor in Kelsey’s stormy world. What Kelsey starts as a friends with benefits arrangement quickly spirals into so much more than she thinks she can handle. Somewhat silly and occasionally worthy of a roll of the eyes, Kelsey’s not always the quickest lion in the pack, but she is the most loyal – to those who have earned her trust.
Clint is hot, sweet and romantically inclined. When he falls – he falls hard. I loved his willingness to take on Kelsey’s whirlwind life and his big heart that so quickly filled with all of Kelsey.
Catching To Win is New Adult romance meets baseball gloriousness. I mean, who doesn’t love hot men in tight white pants getting all sweaty and uhhhh yea. I most certainly do. YES, PLEASE. 4.25 stars!
[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]
This review looks prettier on my blog: http://obsessedwithmyshelf.com/2015/1...
November 20, 2015
Carrie Aarons has hit a hat trick! Oops that's hockey but seriously Catching to Win book 3 in the Over the Fence series is spectacular! This is the friends to lovers story of Clint & Kelsey who met when Kelsey's best friend started dating Clint's best friend. (Book 1 of the series). Can be read as a standalone but better enjoyed in series order.
Clint, the catcher for Grover University baseball team, has been in love with Kelsey since the day met her two years ago and had to fight for her attention since he was over weight and more the best friend type than roll in the sheets type. Kelsey has always been a free spirit, come as you go nothing holds her down. When she returns from Africa suddenly she finds her best male friend is a hottie. But can she go there? She doesn't want a relationship and would rather be free to leave at a moments notice or is she running from something?
This book gave me everything I was looking for: well rounded flushed out characters, emotional scenes, a great plot twist and some hot sex. I laughed, I cried and did I ever smile a lot while reading this book. Carrie I tip my hat to you (I think that's what they do in baseball?) on an amazing series everyone should give a chance. 5 Stars for Carrie Aarons Catching To Win!
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
Clint, the catcher for Grover University baseball team, has been in love with Kelsey since the day met her two years ago and had to fight for her attention since he was over weight and more the best friend type than roll in the sheets type. Kelsey has always been a free spirit, come as you go nothing holds her down. When she returns from Africa suddenly she finds her best male friend is a hottie. But can she go there? She doesn't want a relationship and would rather be free to leave at a moments notice or is she running from something?
This book gave me everything I was looking for: well rounded flushed out characters, emotional scenes, a great plot twist and some hot sex. I laughed, I cried and did I ever smile a lot while reading this book. Carrie I tip my hat to you (I think that's what they do in baseball?) on an amazing series everyone should give a chance. 5 Stars for Carrie Aarons Catching To Win!
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
December 1, 2015
I Was Provided A ARC By The Author
(Possible Spoilers)
Romantic, entertaining & sexy. A great friends to lovers story.
Clint & Kelsey, what a pair these two are. The wild, free spirited, take no bull**** Kelsey, she craves adventure and to run free. She doesn't believe in relationships, love and hearts. Growing up with the parents she did, has made her see love not working out for her. Clint, the shy giant athlete. He has many insecurities, having been over weight most his life, before changing his body drastically, is not the quick fix to having confidence. He doesn't have as much experience as Kelsey. But he works hard to show Kelsey that their friendship, their bond, could become so much more.
Kelsey & Clint, with their extremely different personalities, but deep connection, makes for such a fun book. You really get see their friendship change and grow through each chapter. And so do Clint and Kelsey. The grow, and become stronger versions of themselves, with one another's help.
I love this series. Each book is fun and sexy, with lots of angst and intriguing characters. These friends know drama, laughs, secrets, and love.
Catching to win is a must read. Kelsey & Clint, their friends, are ones to read again and again.
*JordansBookReviews*
(Possible Spoilers)
Romantic, entertaining & sexy. A great friends to lovers story.
Clint & Kelsey, what a pair these two are. The wild, free spirited, take no bull**** Kelsey, she craves adventure and to run free. She doesn't believe in relationships, love and hearts. Growing up with the parents she did, has made her see love not working out for her. Clint, the shy giant athlete. He has many insecurities, having been over weight most his life, before changing his body drastically, is not the quick fix to having confidence. He doesn't have as much experience as Kelsey. But he works hard to show Kelsey that their friendship, their bond, could become so much more.
Kelsey & Clint, with their extremely different personalities, but deep connection, makes for such a fun book. You really get see their friendship change and grow through each chapter. And so do Clint and Kelsey. The grow, and become stronger versions of themselves, with one another's help.
I love this series. Each book is fun and sexy, with lots of angst and intriguing characters. These friends know drama, laughs, secrets, and love.
Catching to win is a must read. Kelsey & Clint, their friends, are ones to read again and again.
*JordansBookReviews*
December 22, 2015
Yowza! Okay let me just stop, before I say anything else. Anyone want to agree with me about that cover? :D
Catching to Win is the third book in Carrie Aarons "Over the Fence" series. Same as the first two, it has an HEA, no cliffy and can be read as a standalone. It's told from alternating POVs between the main characters.
I had a really hard time of a toss up with our hero, Clint, here. I love him, he's book boyfriend material. I just also wanted to shake him for thinking he had to completely change himself to get noticed. You'll read this in the synopsis, so I'm not considering it a spoiler... This guy loses a ton of weight and gets ripped, for a girl. SO she'll notice him. Yes, it is all addressed in the book and while I was cringing at first... it's handled extremely well. This guy is so giving that you just can't help but root for him.
Kelsey, our heroine, may sound a bit shallow due to the above, she's really not. This girl is scared of love and to be loved. She doesn't even comprehend how love works, truth be told. Then you have Clint there, and all he wants to do IS love her.
These two do overcome more than a few obstacles. All in all, this book made me frown, it made me sigh and it made me a ball of mush.
Catching to Win is the third book in Carrie Aarons "Over the Fence" series. Same as the first two, it has an HEA, no cliffy and can be read as a standalone. It's told from alternating POVs between the main characters.
I had a really hard time of a toss up with our hero, Clint, here. I love him, he's book boyfriend material. I just also wanted to shake him for thinking he had to completely change himself to get noticed. You'll read this in the synopsis, so I'm not considering it a spoiler... This guy loses a ton of weight and gets ripped, for a girl. SO she'll notice him. Yes, it is all addressed in the book and while I was cringing at first... it's handled extremely well. This guy is so giving that you just can't help but root for him.
Kelsey, our heroine, may sound a bit shallow due to the above, she's really not. This girl is scared of love and to be loved. She doesn't even comprehend how love works, truth be told. Then you have Clint there, and all he wants to do IS love her.
These two do overcome more than a few obstacles. All in all, this book made me frown, it made me sigh and it made me a ball of mush.
December 2, 2015
I received a ARC in exchange for a honest review.
4* read.
Friends to lovers story between Kelsey and Clint. Kelsey is a free spirit who takes no s*** from anyone, Clint is more reserved and shy. Complete opposites in every way but their friendship and deeper connection really made these two perfect for each other. A great all round book that gave you laughs as well as emotion.
4* read.
Friends to lovers story between Kelsey and Clint. Kelsey is a free spirit who takes no s*** from anyone, Clint is more reserved and shy. Complete opposites in every way but their friendship and deeper connection really made these two perfect for each other. A great all round book that gave you laughs as well as emotion.
January 17, 2021
Love the ultimate prize!
Kelsey O'Brien is a free spirit who goes wherever she wants and didn't like to be tied down! Clint Bellows has been in love with her from the moment they met! Becoming friends whilst she roamed the world, was the only way Clint could be a part of her world. What happens when they hook up? What happens when they realise they want more? What happens when secrets come out and Kelsey gets the urge to run? Carrie hit it out of the park with this book. Kelsey and Clint are perfect for each other and their chemistry is hot and heavy! A great read that had me looking for my next book from Carrie
Kelsey O'Brien is a free spirit who goes wherever she wants and didn't like to be tied down! Clint Bellows has been in love with her from the moment they met! Becoming friends whilst she roamed the world, was the only way Clint could be a part of her world. What happens when they hook up? What happens when they realise they want more? What happens when secrets come out and Kelsey gets the urge to run? Carrie hit it out of the park with this book. Kelsey and Clint are perfect for each other and their chemistry is hot and heavy! A great read that had me looking for my next book from Carrie
November 7, 2019
Spanish:
“Catching to Win” de Carrie Aarons es el tercer libro perteneciente a la serie “Over the Fence”. Este libro es un romance new adult, con un romance universitario, con nuestro jugador de beisbol. Está escrito desde ambos puntos de vista muy diferentes con unos amigos a amantes con algunos complejos.
Kelsey O'Brien regresa de Africa donde a pasado ocho meses y tendrá a su lado a Clint Bellows. Ella tan independiente, pero en momentos falta de cariño, ese mismo que Clint esta deseando enseñarle desde la primera vez que se fijo en ella. Kelsey se fijaba en chicos muy diferentes a Clint, y ahora mantiene una buena amistad con Clint, pero ahora con la vuelta de Kelsey, muchas cosas cambiaran.
Ya con el prólogo ya se me rompió el corazón con la historia Clint. Es un personaje que me dio la intención de estar triste, solo, pero no conforme con una parte de él que desea cambiar para que los demás le vean de otra manera, para que Kelsey se fije en él.
Pero no todo se queda ahí, Clint es un caballero, enamorado de Kelsey que ahora es su mejor amiga, que no le ve con los mismos ojos, o eso cree él. Con la vuelta de Kelsey de Africa y numerosos momentos en intimidad hará que comiencen una relación de amigos con beneficios, sin olvidarnos de lo difícil que es mantener una relación sentimental con tu mejor amig@.
"Pero somos amigos, Kels. Quiero follarte, no sabes cuánto lo quiero ahora mismo. Pero esto también podría arruinarlo todo".
Todo ello me pareció al principio que les iba a estallar en la cara, porque las cosas podían salir o muy bien o muy mal. Además, si le añadimos los problemas que tiene Kelsey con su familia, era como una bomba de relojería. Pero los amigos de Clint, Owen y Minka, y Miles y Chloe, estaban ahí para ayudar y mostrarles como es estar con la persona que más quieres a tu lado y comenzar una familia.
"Te lo digo porque quiero que seas feliz. Tienes una verdadera oportunidad de encontrar el amor aquí. Es verdad, amor decente con una persona honesta. Te lo digo porque quiero que dejes de huir. Para dejar de esconderse. Deja que alguien te ame, Kelsey".
⚜Rate: ★★★★★
English:
"Catching to Win" by Carrie Aarons is the third book in the "Over the Fence" series. This book is a new adult romance, a university romance, with a new baseball player. It is written from both povs with friends to lovers and body issues.
Kelsey O'Brien returns from Africa where she spent eight months and will have Clint Bellows at her side. She is so independent, but in moments of lack of affection, the same that Clint is wishing to show her from the first time he saw her. Kelsey was interested in boys very different from Clint, and now has a good friendship with Clint, but with Kelsey's return, many things will change.
The prologue already broke my heart with Clint's story. He is a character who gave me the intention of being sad, alone, but not satisfied with a part of him that he wants to change . And also that others see him in another way and Kelsey notices him.
But not everything stops there, Clint is a gentleman, in love with Kelsey who is now his best friend, who doesn't see him with the same eyes, or so he believes. With the return of Kelsey from Africa and many moments in intimacy will start a relationship of friends with benefits. Without forgetting how difficult it is to keep a relationship with your best friend.
“But we're friends, Kels. I want to fuck you, you don’t know how badly I want that right now. But this could also fuck everything up.”
All this seemed to me at first that it was going to explode in their faces because things could go either very well or very badly. Also, if you add the problems Kelsey has with his family, it was like a time bomb. But Clint's friends, Owen and Minka, and Miles and Chloe were there to help and show them what it's like to be with the person you love most and being a member of this family.
“I’m telling you this because I want you to be happy. You have a real shot of finding love here. True, decent love with an honest person. I’m telling you this because I want you to stop running. To stop hiding. Let someone love you Kelsey.”
⚜Rate: ★★★★★
January 15, 2016
Over the Fence series is Carrie’s first series with Pitching to Win as her debut novel. I stumbled across the first book because of a Facebook sports book group that I am in and someone had mentioned its release. I looked it up, was intrigued by the synopsis and am so glad that I one-clicked it because it has been an amazing journey reading every book Carrie has published thus far.
In book three, we are introduced to Clint and Kelsey that light up the pages with their humor, vulnerability, and inability to just give into their fears.
Clint and Kelsey have a unique history right off the bat. Kelsey like casual hook-ups, ones that she doesn’t have to stick around for in case she gets the itch to pick up and run.
Clint has never wanted a casual hook-up. He’s a relationship kind of guy, but the only girl he wants to be in a relationship with is his best friend Kelsey.
But this isn’t your typical best-friends-turned-lovers story. Oh no. This is a story of a man overcoming his insecurities, working toward a healthy lifestyle, and a complete body transformation, all in the name of getting the girl to notice him.
Kelsey is the type of girl that gets what she wants when she wants it and it has never been Clint. He has been overweight the entire time she’s known him, but she hasn’t really seen him in nine months since she’s been in Africa. When she shows up at his house to surprise her friends that she is back and she instantly wants to sink her claws into the new hot guy sitting on the porch, imagine her surprise when she realizes it’s her BFF.
Kelsey doesn’t know what to think especially when she is, for the first time ever, attracted to Clint. But she can’t be because they are best friends and she doesn’t want to lose that. She knows him better than anyone else. Clint wants a relationship because that’s the type of person he is (and he deserves it), but it’s not how Kelsey does things.
Her family life has proven to be difficult for her to accept the fact that anyone could love her and she never wants to be in the same relationship her parents a legally in: a marriage with no emotion and based on scientific compatibility. Kelsey has never known love except for when she’s working with the animals on her family’s preservations and that just doesn’t cut it in the relationship realm with humans.
Clint is the king of his domain, sitting behind home plate as the catcher for his college’s baseball team. He sees everything, watches everything, and does everything in his power to protect it all. Clint takes the same approach with Kelsey. He knows her better than she knows herself and he will do everything in his power to protect her. It becomes nearly impossible though when she decides that running is the only thing she can do in life, trusting no one. Especially when life gives her bad handouts time and time again.
As Clint and Kelsey’s relationship grows, life finally lays them both out with not one, but three devastating blows to Kelsey and her life, her perception of Clint, and is back to running.
But Clint won’t have it. Kelsey has been his world since she first walked into his life and he isn’t about to let her go that easily.
There are a various number of elements that piece this story together and without one of those elements, it wouldn’t be the amazing journey of Clint and Kelsey. Sometimes I wondered if I could take any more of it - the heartbreak, the hope, the lingering feeling of something about to go terribly wrong – but that’s just life and it is clearly portrayed throughout Catching to Win.
Being the end of the series, the ending just melts the heart.
#BookReviews @ fictionmusings.com
In book three, we are introduced to Clint and Kelsey that light up the pages with their humor, vulnerability, and inability to just give into their fears.
Clint and Kelsey have a unique history right off the bat. Kelsey like casual hook-ups, ones that she doesn’t have to stick around for in case she gets the itch to pick up and run.
Clint has never wanted a casual hook-up. He’s a relationship kind of guy, but the only girl he wants to be in a relationship with is his best friend Kelsey.
But this isn’t your typical best-friends-turned-lovers story. Oh no. This is a story of a man overcoming his insecurities, working toward a healthy lifestyle, and a complete body transformation, all in the name of getting the girl to notice him.
Kelsey is the type of girl that gets what she wants when she wants it and it has never been Clint. He has been overweight the entire time she’s known him, but she hasn’t really seen him in nine months since she’s been in Africa. When she shows up at his house to surprise her friends that she is back and she instantly wants to sink her claws into the new hot guy sitting on the porch, imagine her surprise when she realizes it’s her BFF.
Kelsey doesn’t know what to think especially when she is, for the first time ever, attracted to Clint. But she can’t be because they are best friends and she doesn’t want to lose that. She knows him better than anyone else. Clint wants a relationship because that’s the type of person he is (and he deserves it), but it’s not how Kelsey does things.
Her family life has proven to be difficult for her to accept the fact that anyone could love her and she never wants to be in the same relationship her parents a legally in: a marriage with no emotion and based on scientific compatibility. Kelsey has never known love except for when she’s working with the animals on her family’s preservations and that just doesn’t cut it in the relationship realm with humans.
Clint is the king of his domain, sitting behind home plate as the catcher for his college’s baseball team. He sees everything, watches everything, and does everything in his power to protect it all. Clint takes the same approach with Kelsey. He knows her better than she knows herself and he will do everything in his power to protect her. It becomes nearly impossible though when she decides that running is the only thing she can do in life, trusting no one. Especially when life gives her bad handouts time and time again.
As Clint and Kelsey’s relationship grows, life finally lays them both out with not one, but three devastating blows to Kelsey and her life, her perception of Clint, and is back to running.
But Clint won’t have it. Kelsey has been his world since she first walked into his life and he isn’t about to let her go that easily.
There are a various number of elements that piece this story together and without one of those elements, it wouldn’t be the amazing journey of Clint and Kelsey. Sometimes I wondered if I could take any more of it - the heartbreak, the hope, the lingering feeling of something about to go terribly wrong – but that’s just life and it is clearly portrayed throughout Catching to Win.
Being the end of the series, the ending just melts the heart.
#BookReviews @ fictionmusings.com
December 1, 2015
I am a new fan of Carrie Aarons, and I LOVE her Over the Fence series so much. Catching to Win is fantastic.
Kelsey O'Brien is a free spirit that refuses to have any ties to anything or anyone. She is a one and done kind of girl, and makes no apologies about it. After she gets back from the 8 months she spent on an African animal preserve, she sees she's missed some things. Clint Bellows wanted Kelsey the first time he set eyes on her, but she looked right past him, so he became her best friend instead. While she was gone, he got rid of all the weight that he felt bad about, and turned into a hottie she didn't recognize. A drunken night has them crossing the line, and they sleep together. Kelsey then proposes a friends with benefits, and he agrees so he can eventually win her over. Can he catch her in time before she takes off again?
I love love love this story. The character development is great, and I LOVE all primary and secondary characters. Clint is a dream, but I did get upset with Kelsey quite a bit, and that's rare because I tend to champion the female. But Kelsey has some issues that almost made her cruel to him, and while I understood why, I still wanted to choke her out from time to time. The fast paced, well written story line flows very well, and I was rolling with the well placed humor. Carrie Aarons has a talented writing style that pulled my emotions to the surface, and I had tears in my eyes. The sexy scenes are HOT HOT HOT, and the beautiful love explodes out of my kindle. Baseball scenes made it a perfect sports romance so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Kelsey O'Brien is a free spirit that refuses to have any ties to anything or anyone. She is a one and done kind of girl, and makes no apologies about it. After she gets back from the 8 months she spent on an African animal preserve, she sees she's missed some things. Clint Bellows wanted Kelsey the first time he set eyes on her, but she looked right past him, so he became her best friend instead. While she was gone, he got rid of all the weight that he felt bad about, and turned into a hottie she didn't recognize. A drunken night has them crossing the line, and they sleep together. Kelsey then proposes a friends with benefits, and he agrees so he can eventually win her over. Can he catch her in time before she takes off again?
I love love love this story. The character development is great, and I LOVE all primary and secondary characters. Clint is a dream, but I did get upset with Kelsey quite a bit, and that's rare because I tend to champion the female. But Kelsey has some issues that almost made her cruel to him, and while I understood why, I still wanted to choke her out from time to time. The fast paced, well written story line flows very well, and I was rolling with the well placed humor. Carrie Aarons has a talented writing style that pulled my emotions to the surface, and I had tears in my eyes. The sexy scenes are HOT HOT HOT, and the beautiful love explodes out of my kindle. Baseball scenes made it a perfect sports romance so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
January 17, 2016
So, here we go. The one thing I loved the most about this book is the hero.
Clint Bellows is a class act, he was overweight and was always the friend, the wingman but never the guy getting the girls. The day he meets Kelsey O'Brian is the day he decides to transform his life and his body.
Kelsey is an animal lover an a bit of a runner, she runs from relationships, her parents, her friends, the only thing she doesn't turn her back on is the animals she loves and cares for.
I loved the premise of the book and like I said before I loved, loved, loved Clint. He's a gentleman through and through and his love and understanding for Kelsey was a beautiful thing to watch.
Kelsey is a whole different story, I just couldn't relate to her, I found her to be a bit of a spoiled child, immature and it made me mad at times just seeing her play with Clint's feelings. More than once I wanted to smack the girl outside the head and tell her to suck it up buttercup because there are worse things in life than your little drama queen world. She redeem herself somewhat the last part of the book but not even that made me change my feelings for her (I know I'm being a bit harsh but that's just the way I feel.)
The fact that their relationship started as real friendship, made this story a bit more real for me, I really liked their "friendship stage" it made it look more real between Kelsey and Clint.
The dynamic of the story was good as well as the flow. The fact that I didn't like the heroine that much doesn't mean that other people will enjoy the story and make it one of their faves.
This was a 3.5 book for me. I will definitely check out other books by this author.
Clint Bellows is a class act, he was overweight and was always the friend, the wingman but never the guy getting the girls. The day he meets Kelsey O'Brian is the day he decides to transform his life and his body.
Kelsey is an animal lover an a bit of a runner, she runs from relationships, her parents, her friends, the only thing she doesn't turn her back on is the animals she loves and cares for.
I loved the premise of the book and like I said before I loved, loved, loved Clint. He's a gentleman through and through and his love and understanding for Kelsey was a beautiful thing to watch.
Kelsey is a whole different story, I just couldn't relate to her, I found her to be a bit of a spoiled child, immature and it made me mad at times just seeing her play with Clint's feelings. More than once I wanted to smack the girl outside the head and tell her to suck it up buttercup because there are worse things in life than your little drama queen world. She redeem herself somewhat the last part of the book but not even that made me change my feelings for her (I know I'm being a bit harsh but that's just the way I feel.)
The fact that their relationship started as real friendship, made this story a bit more real for me, I really liked their "friendship stage" it made it look more real between Kelsey and Clint.
The dynamic of the story was good as well as the flow. The fact that I didn't like the heroine that much doesn't mean that other people will enjoy the story and make it one of their faves.
This was a 3.5 book for me. I will definitely check out other books by this author.
December 1, 2015
There are times sacrifices have to be made and I'm proud of Kelsey the girl is sticking to her promise even if she wants to commit murder, "I slap on my morning l patch and grumble. Why the hell did I agree to this? “Looking sexy, babe.” Clint winks at me and I pretend to be annoyed as I sit on the edge of his bed. My stomach dips when he calls me babe." I loved this book it was sweet and sexy.
June 29, 2016
Great Read!
I love sports romance. I read all three books in just a few days! Loved the story line. I recommend this book and series to the romantic at heart and sports romance readers. The author knows her baseball. She has a way of making you feel like you are the character. Feel the emotions they are feeling. The ups and downs.
I love sports romance. I read all three books in just a few days! Loved the story line. I recommend this book and series to the romantic at heart and sports romance readers. The author knows her baseball. She has a way of making you feel like you are the character. Feel the emotions they are feeling. The ups and downs.
January 16, 2021
Spanish & English Opinion :: 4.5 🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭
ESP ::
¡Mi historia favorita de la serie! La pareja ahora la forman Kelsey y Phil.
Ella es muy chistosa. Me gusta que la personalidad es lejos de la típica heroína. Phil es encantador. Me gusta mucho cómo lleva a cabo un cambio que, aunque el último motivador es ella, es algo que él buscaba hacer.
Cada personaje tiene un background profundo y conocerlo, nos ayuda a entender mejor reacciones y actitudes. También fue una gran sorpresa el desenlace de la pareja. Me encantaron. Pensé que no iban a ser mis favoritos y sin duda, lo fueron.
ENG ::
My favorite story from the series! Kelsey and Phil were not the typical MCs but that’s why I love them!
She’s a very different heroine. She’s free, does as she pleases. She’s funny! And Phil is The guy. He goes through a transformation that as a final straw, is related to Kelsey but it’s so much more than that. He was always looking for this.
I though they were not going to be my favorites, but absolutely were!
ESP ::
¡Mi historia favorita de la serie! La pareja ahora la forman Kelsey y Phil.
Ella es muy chistosa. Me gusta que la personalidad es lejos de la típica heroína. Phil es encantador. Me gusta mucho cómo lleva a cabo un cambio que, aunque el último motivador es ella, es algo que él buscaba hacer.
Cada personaje tiene un background profundo y conocerlo, nos ayuda a entender mejor reacciones y actitudes. También fue una gran sorpresa el desenlace de la pareja. Me encantaron. Pensé que no iban a ser mis favoritos y sin duda, lo fueron.
ENG ::
My favorite story from the series! Kelsey and Phil were not the typical MCs but that’s why I love them!
She’s a very different heroine. She’s free, does as she pleases. She’s funny! And Phil is The guy. He goes through a transformation that as a final straw, is related to Kelsey but it’s so much more than that. He was always looking for this.
I though they were not going to be my favorites, but absolutely were!
July 16, 2019
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The Wild Child Nomad and The Baseball Star Catcher
These two characters are utter perfection. I loved their individual goals and unique personalities. These two characters have such depth that they seen like real people. This book is a friend's to lovers with a dash of sports romance thrown in. If you haven't already read the other two books in this series you better get started!
The Wild Child Nomad and The Baseball Star Catcher
These two characters are utter perfection. I loved their individual goals and unique personalities. These two characters have such depth that they seen like real people. This book is a friend's to lovers with a dash of sports romance thrown in. If you haven't already read the other two books in this series you better get started!
October 16, 2019
Catching to Win is the third and final full length novel of the Over the Fence series. I loved this story, but I have to admit, I was not enjoying Kelsey for a good portion of the book. I absolutely loved Clint though!
Clint is best friends with Owen and Miles and has been in love with Kelsey since she first walked into his life two years before. While she was away in Africa, they became best friends, always talking and chatting with each other when she could.
Kelsey is best friends with Chloe and Minka, since elementary school. She is a free spirit, loves sex, doesn't believe in love, and doesn't do relationships. But what happens when things progress?
While it took a while, I began to like Kelsey more and really just couldnt get over Clint's character. He was sweet, thoughtful, and even though he was the nicest person ever, he wasn't a push over.
I am excited for the box set and Parker's novella!
Clint is best friends with Owen and Miles and has been in love with Kelsey since she first walked into his life two years before. While she was away in Africa, they became best friends, always talking and chatting with each other when she could.
Kelsey is best friends with Chloe and Minka, since elementary school. She is a free spirit, loves sex, doesn't believe in love, and doesn't do relationships. But what happens when things progress?
While it took a while, I began to like Kelsey more and really just couldnt get over Clint's character. He was sweet, thoughtful, and even though he was the nicest person ever, he wasn't a push over.
I am excited for the box set and Parker's novella!
July 26, 2021
Kelsey walks into a frat house party and Clint sees her and knows she is the one. Problem is Clint is overweight and Kelsey doesn’t give him a second look. Kelsey is a free sprit and goes where the animals are, so off to Africa she goes. Clint has become a friend so they start Skyping and e mailing each other. What she doesn’t know is that Clint has been working hard to lose weight and get to the point where she will give him a chance. When she finally comes home she and Clint do hook up and become more then friends.
She has a ton of problems with letting people get close and keeps trying to push Clint away. It doesn’t work because he keeps pulling her to him.
They have more ups and downs but work through them all so they can find the HEA they both deserve.
This was my favorite of the three.
She has a ton of problems with letting people get close and keeps trying to push Clint away. It doesn’t work because he keeps pulling her to him.
They have more ups and downs but work through them all so they can find the HEA they both deserve.
This was my favorite of the three.
April 6, 2020
Free spirit Kelsey has never let anything get her down and stop her from living each day to the fullest and from the first time Clint saw her he was in love. Being overweight has put him in the friend zone and he will take what he can get. When Kelsey comes back from her year long trip, Clint no longer looks the same. The buff and handsome catcher now looks like the rest of the team. But will Kelsey keep him in the friend zone? Or will his secret pull her in or push her away? I fell in love with Clint from the first book and honestly could feel his self-esteem take a big hit. But when Carrie Aarons wants a character to come full circle she does it with grace and love. This pair is one that were destined for great things - no matter what road blocks are put in place.
September 26, 2018
Bit of a trudge
Just couldn’t get excited about this series conclusion. Seemed a lot like writing by the numbers.A wild child nomad returned home and was tamed almost immediately.Are retiring fat boy who shed the pounds and muscled up to claim the girl. Pretty shallow stuff. Just enough there to keep slogging to the end.
Just couldn’t get excited about this series conclusion. Seemed a lot like writing by the numbers.A wild child nomad returned home and was tamed almost immediately.Are retiring fat boy who shed the pounds and muscled up to claim the girl. Pretty shallow stuff. Just enough there to keep slogging to the end.
October 8, 2019
Catching to Win is the story of Clint and Kelsey. (5 stars) Carrie Aarons flipped the script on the sweet friends to lover’s story and reversed the roles of the characters. You will have to read it to see what I mean because I am not ruining this one for you!
January 19, 2019
I loved the main hero but wasnt as impressed by the main female lead. It was still a great story id re read a lot.
Read
August 17, 2020dnf @ 58. %
March 28, 2021
Definitely the best of this series! Loved this one!
December 18, 2015
It's here! Are you ready for Clint?!
Buy now on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1MxTxlz
Excerpt:
When we got inside, the blaring hip hop music was only coming from one corner of the house. Kelsey's corner.
I waved the guys off, signaling that I would take care of the problem. As I got closer, I could make out the lyrics, "Drunk in loveee. We be all night! Loveee. Loveee. We be all night!"
Chuckling to myself on her choice of song, I knocked on the door. Waited a few seconds, nothing. This time I banged my entire fist in an effort to rattle the wood on its hinges. Still nothing.
"Roo..." I opened her door, letting myself in, and stopped dead at the sight in front of me. Kelsey was in the middle of the room, her hair piled on the top of her head like some fiery tornado, a glass filled to the brim with red wine in her hand. And she was dancing like a mad woman.
She donned a white tank top that exposed the sides of her breasts and entirely-too-large grey sweatpants that pooled over her feet, making her look like a dwarf. She was utterly adorable and fucking mouthwateringly sexy.
At the creek of the door she turned, her naturally red lips splitting in a megawatt smile.
“Hi!”
I could tell from her dancing and the slight blush of her cheeks that she was tipsy. It made her even cuter.
“Hi yourself. What’re you doing there?” I couldn’t help her infectious smile from spreading across my face too.
She shook her hips wildly as the song changed to something faster. Pitbull maybe. But I was never good with music. “I had a long, hard day. Kickass, but fucking hard! So I’m dancing.”
Kelsey makes this more evident by raising the wine glass to her lips, taking a huge swig, and then raising it above her head and twirling in circles.
I drop my baseball bag on her floor and toe my sneakers off. Then I join her in the middle of the floor, and begin to move.
She gives a happy shout and moves closer to me, joining her free hand with mine and swinging both of our arms.
“I had my fingers up a zebra’s ass today. Well technically, it was a whole fist!” She announces this like it's the most normal thing in the world while I pull quickly out of her grasp. Kelsey giggles at my repulsion.
“Oh my god, bro! Don’t worry I had gloves on. But I did have to juggle her placenta in there...”
“Kels, stop. I am going to throw up.”
She did that sexy little giggle again and raised the glass to her lips. As she took it away and swallowed, she then raised it to mine. I let her pour some into my mouth, watching her cinnamon eyes over the brim. I knew the instant desire sparked in them, and I could feel myself harden in the mesh shorts I wore.
Reaching up, I held the delicate stem in my fingers and pried it out of her hand. Setting it down on the desk, I began to stalk toward her like she was the meal and I was ravenous.
Buy now on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1MxTxlz
Excerpt:
When we got inside, the blaring hip hop music was only coming from one corner of the house. Kelsey's corner.
I waved the guys off, signaling that I would take care of the problem. As I got closer, I could make out the lyrics, "Drunk in loveee. We be all night! Loveee. Loveee. We be all night!"
Chuckling to myself on her choice of song, I knocked on the door. Waited a few seconds, nothing. This time I banged my entire fist in an effort to rattle the wood on its hinges. Still nothing.
"Roo..." I opened her door, letting myself in, and stopped dead at the sight in front of me. Kelsey was in the middle of the room, her hair piled on the top of her head like some fiery tornado, a glass filled to the brim with red wine in her hand. And she was dancing like a mad woman.
She donned a white tank top that exposed the sides of her breasts and entirely-too-large grey sweatpants that pooled over her feet, making her look like a dwarf. She was utterly adorable and fucking mouthwateringly sexy.
At the creek of the door she turned, her naturally red lips splitting in a megawatt smile.
“Hi!”
I could tell from her dancing and the slight blush of her cheeks that she was tipsy. It made her even cuter.
“Hi yourself. What’re you doing there?” I couldn’t help her infectious smile from spreading across my face too.
She shook her hips wildly as the song changed to something faster. Pitbull maybe. But I was never good with music. “I had a long, hard day. Kickass, but fucking hard! So I’m dancing.”
Kelsey makes this more evident by raising the wine glass to her lips, taking a huge swig, and then raising it above her head and twirling in circles.
I drop my baseball bag on her floor and toe my sneakers off. Then I join her in the middle of the floor, and begin to move.
She gives a happy shout and moves closer to me, joining her free hand with mine and swinging both of our arms.
“I had my fingers up a zebra’s ass today. Well technically, it was a whole fist!” She announces this like it's the most normal thing in the world while I pull quickly out of her grasp. Kelsey giggles at my repulsion.
“Oh my god, bro! Don’t worry I had gloves on. But I did have to juggle her placenta in there...”
“Kels, stop. I am going to throw up.”
She did that sexy little giggle again and raised the glass to her lips. As she took it away and swallowed, she then raised it to mine. I let her pour some into my mouth, watching her cinnamon eyes over the brim. I knew the instant desire sparked in them, and I could feel myself harden in the mesh shorts I wore.
Reaching up, I held the delicate stem in my fingers and pried it out of her hand. Setting it down on the desk, I began to stalk toward her like she was the meal and I was ravenous.
July 12, 2016
After reading the first 2 books in the Over the Fence series I was expecting a lot out of this book considering I really enjoyed the first two, especially considering the virgin great guy angle for Clint in this third book.
Unfortunately there was ZERO character development for Kelsey in this book. She was extremely selfish and immature from the very start of the book until the last second. I was really expecting her to grow up, think about someone else, anything. Nope. Right until the bitter end it was about her disappointments, her family, her trust, her friends, her poor rich girl act, her her her.
Its easy to "beat demons", aka literally just walk away from your parents, when you have a) a trust fund to fall back on, b) you run away from every single problem in the world (which her running from situations and immaturity in general spans 3 entire books), and c) have approximately 5 people in your life that enable that kind of behavior.
Maybe I expected too much out of this book, but the abrupt ending (yet again selfish acts on her part; i.e. not telling Clint or even giving him a chance before he begged her for a chance, running around the US (because everyone has the potential to do that); feel sorry for herself after 20 years and multiple opportunities to suck it up buttercup.
Two things really sealed the deal for me with this book.
1.) Where is Clint's self respect?! Come on, we get it, you would do anything for this girl and you love her. But looking past all the SHIT she says and does to you, the general disrespect and selfishness is just too much. At the end I really wanted him to just tell her one time that she was a selfish immature little jerk that needed to think about maybe one other person in her life, just once. Not once in this entire book, no matter who told her the same thing (that she was wrong and selfish), did this girl own up to her actions or words. No accountability at all.
2.) In about 2 paragraphs Kelsey blamed all of her actions on first her mom, then her whole family, then because she was 'raised by robots', then because she was lied to her whole life, then because her mom isn't emotional; if she had any of these things she would be a better person, not messed up, and she could learn how to love. COME ON. At this point the book is almost over and enough is enough. Your grown enough to sleep with anything that moves and have a great support system in your friends. Live and learn, but to keep blaming mommy and daddy? Because you treat people like shit? Not okay.
I would not recommend this book to a friend!
Unfortunately there was ZERO character development for Kelsey in this book. She was extremely selfish and immature from the very start of the book until the last second. I was really expecting her to grow up, think about someone else, anything. Nope. Right until the bitter end it was about her disappointments, her family, her trust, her friends, her poor rich girl act, her her her.
Its easy to "beat demons", aka literally just walk away from your parents, when you have a) a trust fund to fall back on, b) you run away from every single problem in the world (which her running from situations and immaturity in general spans 3 entire books), and c) have approximately 5 people in your life that enable that kind of behavior.
Maybe I expected too much out of this book, but the abrupt ending (yet again selfish acts on her part; i.e. not telling Clint or even giving him a chance before he begged her for a chance, running around the US (because everyone has the potential to do that); feel sorry for herself after 20 years and multiple opportunities to suck it up buttercup.
Two things really sealed the deal for me with this book.
1.) Where is Clint's self respect?! Come on, we get it, you would do anything for this girl and you love her. But looking past all the SHIT she says and does to you, the general disrespect and selfishness is just too much. At the end I really wanted him to just tell her one time that she was a selfish immature little jerk that needed to think about maybe one other person in her life, just once. Not once in this entire book, no matter who told her the same thing (that she was wrong and selfish), did this girl own up to her actions or words. No accountability at all.
2.) In about 2 paragraphs Kelsey blamed all of her actions on first her mom, then her whole family, then because she was 'raised by robots', then because she was lied to her whole life, then because her mom isn't emotional; if she had any of these things she would be a better person, not messed up, and she could learn how to love. COME ON. At this point the book is almost over and enough is enough. Your grown enough to sleep with anything that moves and have a great support system in your friends. Live and learn, but to keep blaming mommy and daddy? Because you treat people like shit? Not okay.
I would not recommend this book to a friend!
May 19, 2016
I like this book the least out of the three in this series. The writing is just as engaging as the previous two books, but I just really couldn't stand the h in this one.
What I liked:
1) The writing was engaging.
2) The dual povs. I liked hearing from both of them, and Clint actually sounded like a guy, until the end anyway.
3) Clint, the H. He is the perfect guy- sweet, classy, genuine, down to earth. He's definitely my favorite H of the series. He tries so hard to not let Chloe push him away. I felt bad about his pining in the beginning of the book. How often does the H pine for the h without trying to get her out of his head by having tons of casual sex? Gotta love an H who isn't a manwhore.
4) Parker. You don't see him a lot, but my favorite scene of the whole book is when he tells Kelsey off big time. I can totally appreciate a guy who's a loyal friend.
5) There isn't too much angst. Most of it was in the beginning of the story and, to be honest, it was hard to read how much Clint suffered.
6) No cheating or any other stupid jealousy related incidents.
7) I liked seeing what the other two couples were up to. Very sweet.
What I didn't like:
1) The h. I know she has her reasons for being the way she is, but she's just selfish. I feel bad for her situation. I really do. Her family life sucks. Her parents haven't shown her any attention or love, and haven't taught her to be any better than who she is. I get that. But she is really horrible toward Clint. She knew he was in love with her, and went after him anyway, knowing that he wouldn't be able to keep it casual. If a guy did that with a girl, he'd be labeled a bastard. If a girl did that, she's empowered? That's a bunch of crap.
2) The drama with the h's family was a little OTT. I think that it's balanced out by the utter lack of drama from the H, but still.
3) I guess since this is my third book by this author, it's become a little formulaic for me. One or both the MCs have family issues; they're either neglected, verbally abused, manipulated into doing what the parents want, etc. The dysfunction spills over into their relationships or lack of relationships, and voila, you have the basis for your story.
What I liked:
1) The writing was engaging.
2) The dual povs. I liked hearing from both of them, and Clint actually sounded like a guy, until the end anyway.
3) Clint, the H. He is the perfect guy- sweet, classy, genuine, down to earth. He's definitely my favorite H of the series. He tries so hard to not let Chloe push him away. I felt bad about his pining in the beginning of the book. How often does the H pine for the h without trying to get her out of his head by having tons of casual sex? Gotta love an H who isn't a manwhore.
4) Parker. You don't see him a lot, but my favorite scene of the whole book is when he tells Kelsey off big time. I can totally appreciate a guy who's a loyal friend.
5) There isn't too much angst. Most of it was in the beginning of the story and, to be honest, it was hard to read how much Clint suffered.
6) No cheating or any other stupid jealousy related incidents.
7) I liked seeing what the other two couples were up to. Very sweet.
What I didn't like:
1) The h. I know she has her reasons for being the way she is, but she's just selfish. I feel bad for her situation. I really do. Her family life sucks. Her parents haven't shown her any attention or love, and haven't taught her to be any better than who she is. I get that. But she is really horrible toward Clint. She knew he was in love with her, and went after him anyway, knowing that he wouldn't be able to keep it casual. If a guy did that with a girl, he'd be labeled a bastard. If a girl did that, she's empowered? That's a bunch of crap.
2) The drama with the h's family was a little OTT. I think that it's balanced out by the utter lack of drama from the H, but still.
3) I guess since this is my third book by this author, it's become a little formulaic for me. One or both the MCs have family issues; they're either neglected, verbally abused, manipulated into doing what the parents want, etc. The dysfunction spills over into their relationships or lack of relationships, and voila, you have the basis for your story.
January 14, 2016
Catching to Win is my first Carrie Aarons read and I have to say, I have become a fan.
After reading this story I really wished I would have started with the first book in the series, even though it's not necessary but somehow all the characters from the previous stories leave a lasting impression.
I absolutely adored Clint Bellows, it was so refreshing to read a story where the hero is a perfect gentleman and a amazing friend. Clint has issues with his weight and his inexperience with women, once he lays his eyes on Kesey O'Brien he realizes that countless hours at the gym will be the best way to get her attention. A year later, Clint is every girls dream but his heart is still set on one woman Kelsey who now is his best friend.
Kelsey O' Brien is a handful, she is free-spirited and is also carefree when it comes to drinking and men. Kelsey, has secrets that keep her running and afraid to find love.
When it comes to Kelsey and Clint their friendship takes a turn when Kelsey offers a proposal of friends with benefits. In this story of friends to lovers, Clint knows who he wants and is not willing to give up. Kelsey on the other hand, fights all these new feelings for her best friend, she just has to face the demons of her past and stop running. Hopefully, Clint will still be around when she realizes that she can love and have everything that she wants.
I love this story and I am definitely going to find time to read the first two books in this series. Catching To Win had everything I needed in a story strong characters, love, hate, passion, heartache and humor.
After reading this story I really wished I would have started with the first book in the series, even though it's not necessary but somehow all the characters from the previous stories leave a lasting impression.
I absolutely adored Clint Bellows, it was so refreshing to read a story where the hero is a perfect gentleman and a amazing friend. Clint has issues with his weight and his inexperience with women, once he lays his eyes on Kesey O'Brien he realizes that countless hours at the gym will be the best way to get her attention. A year later, Clint is every girls dream but his heart is still set on one woman Kelsey who now is his best friend.
Kelsey O' Brien is a handful, she is free-spirited and is also carefree when it comes to drinking and men. Kelsey, has secrets that keep her running and afraid to find love.
When it comes to Kelsey and Clint their friendship takes a turn when Kelsey offers a proposal of friends with benefits. In this story of friends to lovers, Clint knows who he wants and is not willing to give up. Kelsey on the other hand, fights all these new feelings for her best friend, she just has to face the demons of her past and stop running. Hopefully, Clint will still be around when she realizes that she can love and have everything that she wants.
I love this story and I am definitely going to find time to read the first two books in this series. Catching To Win had everything I needed in a story strong characters, love, hate, passion, heartache and humor.
January 17, 2016
This is the third book in the series. I'm a fan of new adult romance then throw in a baseball playing hero whose a catcher you've got my attention. I really enjoyed this book. It's written in first person, but you get both characters points of view. I like the back and forth between the two points of view. In this one I can relate more to Clint then Kelsey. I know how it is to be the overweight, shy person. Right away Clint has a piece of my heart and I can't help, but want him to get a HEA. Then you have Kesley whose parents have really influenced how she lives her life hooking up with any random guy and her wandering itchy feet.. Lucky for her she has Clint in her corner. He can be the one that shows her what a real relationship is like. Question is can her wear her down, because Kesley is NO relationship kind of gal. This is uncharted territory for the both of them. Kelsey and Clint may seem like an unlikely pair, but they both have what the other needs. I was hooked through the whole book. I have to say I absolutely LOVED the epilogue. It had just the right touch to end this one on after the journey that this couple has been on.
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