What do you think?
Rate this book
Holiday Home Run
Event planner Julia Fernández is in Chicago for an internship that she hopes to turn into a full-time job. She’s ready to live on her own, out from under her familia’s expectations that she take over their catering business in Puerto Rico and away from their year-round baseball fever thanks to her three ball-playing brothers. Ex-MLB pitcher Ben Thomas knows what it’s like to have different dreams than your family intends for you, but since his injury-caused early retirement, he’s been struggling to find the sense of family baseball once brought him. When he volunteers as the emcee for Julia’s big holiday fundraiser for a local youth center, he finally begins to find a sense of purpose working with the kids and alongside Julia.
She’s focused on organizing the best holiday event the youth center has ever seen, not on romance. But Ben…he’s got a game plan for them that includes both.
She’s focused on organizing the best holiday event the youth center has ever seen, not on romance. But Ben…he’s got a game plan for them that includes both.
129 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
30 people are currently reading
1875 people want to read
About the author
Priscilla Oliveras
13 books1,474 followersPRISCILLA OLIVERAS is a USA Today bestselling author and Tall Poppy Writers member who writes stories that stir your heart. Proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage, she brings authenticity to her novels by sharing her Latine culture with readers. Her books (including His Perfect Partner, Island Affair, and West Side Love Story) have earned Starred Reviews and praise from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, O, The Oprah Magazine, the Washington Post, New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and more. Priscilla earned her Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and now serves as adjunct faculty in the program while teaching the online class “Romance Writing” for ed2go.com. A long-time romance enthusiast, Priscilla’s also a sports fan, beach lover, and Zumba aficionado, who enjoys practicing the art of hammock napping and never says no to a slice at her favorite Brooklyn neighborhood pizzeria.
Find out more about her at https://prisoliveras.com and catch up with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/prisoliveras or on Instagram and other social media via @prisoliveras.
Find out more about her at https://prisoliveras.com and catch up with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/prisoliveras or on Instagram and other social media via @prisoliveras.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
December 8, 2020
2020 Jingle Books Bingo (#JingleBooks🎄): Low-Steam Romance
Cute kisses-only holiday romance with an event planner and ex-baseball star. I prefer Oliveras’s full-length novels, but it was fun to see the Fernández family again. Read via library.
Cute kisses-only holiday romance with an event planner and ex-baseball star. I prefer Oliveras’s full-length novels, but it was fun to see the Fernández family again. Read via library.
October 12, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book early. This one was pretty cute. No real wow factor but a nice sweet romance. Fast read and fast romance.
December 5, 2020
Adorable holiday novella ❤️
November 16, 2021
Very sweet! Christmas, baseball, family. Likable main and side characters. Very nice little story. Happy reading!
October 31, 2020
Holiday Home Run by Priscilla Oliveras was a fun, light hearted, and quick read! If you need a cute book to get into the holiday spirit, this would be a quick way to do that! This is a story about a young holiday romance, sports, the holidays, and Puerto Rican culture. It's sweet, well written and easy to thoroughly enjoy. For what it is, a sweet novella, it is adorable.
October 7, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for a arc for a honest review. Holiday Home Run was such a fun read, I loved how they put spanglish into the store.. I highly recommend this book. 5 star read
Happy Reading
Lisa
Happy Reading
Lisa
October 23, 2020
This was a super cute christmas story that made my heart warm. Ben was a gentleman, i adored him, and the sweet happy ending.
December 24, 2020
Fun little holiday (and baseball!) novella. I would have liked to read a longer story about these characters.
November 29, 2020
3.5/5 stars
As is the case with many novellas, the main issue here was it was just too short. I would have liked to see more exploration of Ben’s injury-induced retirement and adjustment to being out of the clubhouse, other than just saying he missed being part of that clubhouse family. I did like where the characters ended up given the length of the novella and the length of time they’d known each other. I thought that fit well with the progression of their relationship. All in all, a fun read, just one I would have liked extended a bit.
As is the case with many novellas, the main issue here was it was just too short. I would have liked to see more exploration of Ben’s injury-induced retirement and adjustment to being out of the clubhouse, other than just saying he missed being part of that clubhouse family. I did like where the characters ended up given the length of the novella and the length of time they’d known each other. I thought that fit well with the progression of their relationship. All in all, a fun read, just one I would have liked extended a bit.
October 27, 2020
Review: 🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️/5
I swear Priscilla Oliveras could write anything, and I’m going to follow her until the end of the earth. I feel like she’s my tía, so anything she writes, it’s like we’re having café she’s just telling me an awesome story.
This story was short, and while I’m sad it’s over, I do think it worked well being so short. But, uh, can a gal get a sequel or something because I adore these characters. (I did just buy all the Matched to Perfect books because I wasn’t ready to let the Fernández family go just yet) I think that even in the short amount of time we had, we had great character development and their relationship was formed organically. There wasn’t any super fast, “oh, were doing this now” kind of relationship. I laughed and blushed at their small talk. Julia was such a likable character!
Overall, I loved this book. I know it’s a short story, but I want more. I need more. Thank you so much Kensington & NetGalley for the gifted copy. This one is out today and everyone needs this y’all.
I swear Priscilla Oliveras could write anything, and I’m going to follow her until the end of the earth. I feel like she’s my tía, so anything she writes, it’s like we’re having café she’s just telling me an awesome story.
This story was short, and while I’m sad it’s over, I do think it worked well being so short. But, uh, can a gal get a sequel or something because I adore these characters. (I did just buy all the Matched to Perfect books because I wasn’t ready to let the Fernández family go just yet) I think that even in the short amount of time we had, we had great character development and their relationship was formed organically. There wasn’t any super fast, “oh, were doing this now” kind of relationship. I laughed and blushed at their small talk. Julia was such a likable character!
Overall, I loved this book. I know it’s a short story, but I want more. I need more. Thank you so much Kensington & NetGalley for the gifted copy. This one is out today and everyone needs this y’all.
October 11, 2020
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
3.5 stars.
A fast read with two very likeable characters, particularly the hero who is a true gentleman, so considerate with the heroine and everyone in general, “Holiday Home Run”, by Priscilla Oliveras (Kensington/Zebra Books), takes place in Chicago and gives an interesting insight into “Latinx culture” and community.
Ben is such an amazing hero, a baseball player who had to give up his career recently, and is still trying to find himself after the loss. His earnestness and thoughtfulness are really attractive.
I liked that Julia tried to resist the charming and famous athlete and I enjoyed her down-to-earth posture. The problems and fears related to her dual heritage felt realistic.
3.5 stars.
A fast read with two very likeable characters, particularly the hero who is a true gentleman, so considerate with the heroine and everyone in general, “Holiday Home Run”, by Priscilla Oliveras (Kensington/Zebra Books), takes place in Chicago and gives an interesting insight into “Latinx culture” and community.
Ben is such an amazing hero, a baseball player who had to give up his career recently, and is still trying to find himself after the loss. His earnestness and thoughtfulness are really attractive.
I liked that Julia tried to resist the charming and famous athlete and I enjoyed her down-to-earth posture. The problems and fears related to her dual heritage felt realistic.
October 27, 2020
Thank you Priscilla Oliveras, Netgalley, and BuzzBuzz.net for choosing me to review this ARC for you in exchange for my honest review!
This is the first adult Christmas-themed book I've read that is also under Own Voices! Oliveras takes us to the Puerto Rican community of Chicago, Illinois (a rare divergence! Most authors take us to the Puerto Rican community of The Bronx, New York but never write about their non-New York State communities) where her protagonist, an expat from The Island herself, wants to escape from the overbearing pressure of her family to takeover their business. She's strong, steadfast, and confident in her job and personal life, even when famous Baseball player Benjamin "Ben" Thomas enters her life as emcee for her employer's Black-tie Holiday fundraiser party. Yes, this is an insta-romance, which can be annoying if written unreality, but Julia Fernandez - the protagonist - doesn't say cringy "swoon-worthy" lines or bored me with incessant conversations of "I-can't-love-him-but-I-do-now-what-?!?" speeches; she knows what she wants and controls herself accordingly, even if she's tempted to do the opposite.
I liked Ben, he's respectful, doesn't push her to make up her mind right away regarding their relationship, and is an overall gentleman, but he felt a little too flat for me. His character could've had more development to make me at least excited when he enters from his point of view; I don't feel anything emotionally when he's present. Also, Julia's explanation of her wish to forge her own future with her love for her family wasn't explained easily. I know she didn't want to take over her family's business, she loves her family, and she loves baseball but she hates the fact her brothers' baseball games had priority over her own wants, such as her birthday party delayed a month for their playoffs. But her anger towards their overbearing attitude outside of business and her love for them wasn't explained clearly, especially during the ice skating scene. What exactly were they overbearing about, specifically regarding her lifestyle? It's all resolved and happily ever after towards the end but that plothole is just left there. The romance also left more to be desired with a better conclusion. Julia doesn't know if Ben's work will affect their blossoming romance but it's shrugged off with the it-is-what-it-is attitude that isn't helpful at all. Yeah, it's fiction but you'll encourage your friend or relative to continue dating someone if there's a chance it won't last? And to top it all off, the sensual parts are completely out of place! This is written as a clean romance so why are there sensual parts bordering on sexual?
Overall if you're looking for a light-hearted Christmas romance this will fit the bill, especially if you usually abhor romance novels like me! But the abovementioned faults made me take a star off.
This is the first adult Christmas-themed book I've read that is also under Own Voices! Oliveras takes us to the Puerto Rican community of Chicago, Illinois (a rare divergence! Most authors take us to the Puerto Rican community of The Bronx, New York but never write about their non-New York State communities) where her protagonist, an expat from The Island herself, wants to escape from the overbearing pressure of her family to takeover their business. She's strong, steadfast, and confident in her job and personal life, even when famous Baseball player Benjamin "Ben" Thomas enters her life as emcee for her employer's Black-tie Holiday fundraiser party. Yes, this is an insta-romance, which can be annoying if written unreality, but Julia Fernandez - the protagonist - doesn't say cringy "swoon-worthy" lines or bored me with incessant conversations of "I-can't-love-him-but-I-do-now-what-?!?" speeches; she knows what she wants and controls herself accordingly, even if she's tempted to do the opposite.
I liked Ben, he's respectful, doesn't push her to make up her mind right away regarding their relationship, and is an overall gentleman, but he felt a little too flat for me. His character could've had more development to make me at least excited when he enters from his point of view; I don't feel anything emotionally when he's present. Also, Julia's explanation of her wish to forge her own future with her love for her family wasn't explained easily. I know she didn't want to take over her family's business, she loves her family, and she loves baseball but she hates the fact her brothers' baseball games had priority over her own wants, such as her birthday party delayed a month for their playoffs. But her anger towards their overbearing attitude outside of business and her love for them wasn't explained clearly, especially during the ice skating scene. What exactly were they overbearing about, specifically regarding her lifestyle? It's all resolved and happily ever after towards the end but that plothole is just left there. The romance also left more to be desired with a better conclusion. Julia doesn't know if Ben's work will affect their blossoming romance but it's shrugged off with the it-is-what-it-is attitude that isn't helpful at all. Yeah, it's fiction but you'll encourage your friend or relative to continue dating someone if there's a chance it won't last? And to top it all off, the sensual parts are completely out of place! This is written as a clean romance so why are there sensual parts bordering on sexual?
Overall if you're looking for a light-hearted Christmas romance this will fit the bill, especially if you usually abhor romance novels like me! But the abovementioned faults made me take a star off.
October 27, 2020
This is a sweet and charming holiday romance! Quick to read and even quicker to enjoy.
I couldn't help but smile at this romance novella that has everything from holiday soirees to ice skating to parrandas! There's no shortage of holiday fun to usher these characters towards an endearing and promising HFN.
Because of the story's brevity, the romance has to hit off fast, and I was pleasantly surprised by how genuine the connection between Julia and Ben felt. I appreciate that Ben's initial attraction to Julia isn't because of how she looks, but because of how capable and confident she is at work. And similarly, Julia is drawn to Ben because he's an extremely kind and thoughtful guy.
There's tension between them because of Ben's celebrity status as an ex-MLB star and Julia's life-long vow to never, ever date a baseball player (of course), but it was nice to see them break down each other's barriers. Both Ben and Julia recognize a sadness or longing within one another and know that they're just the person to counterweight it, and that made their relationship all the more charming.
Of course, because this is a novella, it does move fairly quickly and montages over what could have been some very promising scenes, but that is to be expected. There was enough meat here to flesh this out into its own novel, but I appreciate the bite-sized rush of holiday fun all the same. With a hearty helping of cheesy baseball puns, Puerto Rican traditions, and holiday hallmarks, Holiday Home Run is a solid addition to any romance lover's holiday reading plans!
I couldn't help but smile at this romance novella that has everything from holiday soirees to ice skating to parrandas! There's no shortage of holiday fun to usher these characters towards an endearing and promising HFN.
Because of the story's brevity, the romance has to hit off fast, and I was pleasantly surprised by how genuine the connection between Julia and Ben felt. I appreciate that Ben's initial attraction to Julia isn't because of how she looks, but because of how capable and confident she is at work. And similarly, Julia is drawn to Ben because he's an extremely kind and thoughtful guy.
There's tension between them because of Ben's celebrity status as an ex-MLB star and Julia's life-long vow to never, ever date a baseball player (of course), but it was nice to see them break down each other's barriers. Both Ben and Julia recognize a sadness or longing within one another and know that they're just the person to counterweight it, and that made their relationship all the more charming.
Of course, because this is a novella, it does move fairly quickly and montages over what could have been some very promising scenes, but that is to be expected. There was enough meat here to flesh this out into its own novel, but I appreciate the bite-sized rush of holiday fun all the same. With a hearty helping of cheesy baseball puns, Puerto Rican traditions, and holiday hallmarks, Holiday Home Run is a solid addition to any romance lover's holiday reading plans!
November 26, 2020
A good story that is a quick read. Julia Fernandez wants a life as an event planner and also wants to live in Chicago away from her mother’s catering business that she wants here to take over. But what really takes over her life in Puerto Rico is her brother's baseball games. Wanting to be away from all of that is the appeal of a shot at working for a top event planner and now is her time to put on the event and shine.
Problem one she is also going to be working with ex-MLB pitcher Ben Thomas who blond hair and blue eyes. Yes because of her brothers she knows all of his stats and why he had to retire. What she was not expecting was being attracted to him when one of her rules is now professional athletes. Makes it difficult though when everyone likes him and he is the same with people watching or not. He also speaks her language which surprised her and does not need to go to five-star restaurants. He does want to be with her but she keeps him at arm's length. A few twists like when he brings her mother to Chicago from Puerto Rico. A really sweet book just some kissing. Overall a good story for Christmas. Received this book from Netgalley.com Gave it 4 stars Follow us at
www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Problem one she is also going to be working with ex-MLB pitcher Ben Thomas who blond hair and blue eyes. Yes because of her brothers she knows all of his stats and why he had to retire. What she was not expecting was being attracted to him when one of her rules is now professional athletes. Makes it difficult though when everyone likes him and he is the same with people watching or not. He also speaks her language which surprised her and does not need to go to five-star restaurants. He does want to be with her but she keeps him at arm's length. A few twists like when he brings her mother to Chicago from Puerto Rico. A really sweet book just some kissing. Overall a good story for Christmas. Received this book from Netgalley.com Gave it 4 stars Follow us at
www.1rad-readerreviews.com
November 23, 2020
Thank you to Kensington, Zebra Books, and Netgalley for my eARC copy of Holiday Home Run, in exchange for an honest review.
At under 100 pages, this is one of the most fast paced romances I have read in a hot minute, and it was exactly what the (love) doctor ordered to get me out of my reading slump. Kicking off holiday season with a bang, this read was a solid 3.5-4 stars.
This romance follows Puerto Rican event planner, Julia Fernández. Julia's entire life has revolved around her brother's and families love of baseball, and she is longing to make her mark in the event planning industry in Chicago. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime in Chicago, and begins planning a festive benefit holiday fundraiser. All is going to plan, until one of the benefit's funders turns out to be a famous baseball player, AKA the only kind of man Julia is sworn off dating.
Will they come together by the holidays? Will Julia get over her sworn pact of ball players? Will ex-MLB Ben find the "home" and family he has been longing for? I think we all know the answers, but you better read it just in case (easily done in one sitting).
At under 100 pages, this is one of the most fast paced romances I have read in a hot minute, and it was exactly what the (love) doctor ordered to get me out of my reading slump. Kicking off holiday season with a bang, this read was a solid 3.5-4 stars.
This romance follows Puerto Rican event planner, Julia Fernández. Julia's entire life has revolved around her brother's and families love of baseball, and she is longing to make her mark in the event planning industry in Chicago. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime in Chicago, and begins planning a festive benefit holiday fundraiser. All is going to plan, until one of the benefit's funders turns out to be a famous baseball player, AKA the only kind of man Julia is sworn off dating.
Will they come together by the holidays? Will Julia get over her sworn pact of ball players? Will ex-MLB Ben find the "home" and family he has been longing for? I think we all know the answers, but you better read it just in case (easily done in one sitting).
October 19, 2020
I feel so conflicted about this book/story.
First of, it feels as a short story because it is incredibly short and it doesn't go into depth anywhere. There is little to no chemistry between characters, we only get to know our main characters on a superficial bases and there is no actual plot to work around.
I gave three stars because I do think this story has potential. It was a fun and light read and I thoroughly enjoyed the Latin influences in the story. It was so nice to experience a different culture from mine in a book but the author could've done so much more with it. I feel like Julia and Ben are acquaintances but after reading a book the characters should either be your friends or enemies or etc. You need to feel a connection or something but it's impossible when you barely get to know them.
I wouldn't recommend this story because I think it leaves the reader a tad disappointed. .
First of, it feels as a short story because it is incredibly short and it doesn't go into depth anywhere. There is little to no chemistry between characters, we only get to know our main characters on a superficial bases and there is no actual plot to work around.
I gave three stars because I do think this story has potential. It was a fun and light read and I thoroughly enjoyed the Latin influences in the story. It was so nice to experience a different culture from mine in a book but the author could've done so much more with it. I feel like Julia and Ben are acquaintances but after reading a book the characters should either be your friends or enemies or etc. You need to feel a connection or something but it's impossible when you barely get to know them.
I wouldn't recommend this story because I think it leaves the reader a tad disappointed. .
December 18, 2020
The author of one of my favorite romcoms of the year published a short novella for Christmas called Holiday Home Run. The perfect short story length that’s under 100 pages!
Julia leaves Puerto Rico for a dream job in Chicago when she meets Ben, a former MLB player who is easy on the eyes. Ben had just started his baseball retirement after getting injured and is dealing with life post sports career. He volunteers to emcee Julia’s big volunteer fundraiser and sparks fly when they begin to work together!
This novella was so sweet and fun. It’s a quick read between holiday baking, wrapping presents, and hallmark movies!
Julia leaves Puerto Rico for a dream job in Chicago when she meets Ben, a former MLB player who is easy on the eyes. Ben had just started his baseball retirement after getting injured and is dealing with life post sports career. He volunteers to emcee Julia’s big volunteer fundraiser and sparks fly when they begin to work together!
This novella was so sweet and fun. It’s a quick read between holiday baking, wrapping presents, and hallmark movies!
October 1, 2020
This was the cutest book!! I would recommend this story to anyone who loves a nice happy ending. Julia is working with a nonprofit company doing a huge event!! A very macho retiring baseball player comes to help with the event. Ben instantly finds Julia attractive, especially when he sees all that she has done for the fundraiser. Will Julia let her family know that she wants to stay where she is become an event planner? Will Julia come around and find love with Ben? If you like wondering how the heroine will change her life by the end of the book, this one is for you.
December 13, 2021
Julia has big dreams of leaving her island (Puerto Rico) and family expectations (they own a catering business and Julia is expected to take it over) to make her own life in Chicago. Ben was a professional pitcher and injuries forced an early retirement. They meet when Julia's (event planning) company is putting together a charity benefit for the holidays. Julia is leery because Ben is a former pro athlete (her 3 brothers were all into baseball and baseball effected everything growing up).
This was nicely paced. Clean, some kissing.
This was nicely paced. Clean, some kissing.
November 1, 2020
Two different people are trying to find their purpose and prove people their worth crossed each other's path at the most unexpected time. Will they love to prosper? I love The Island Affair, and so it was not that hard to pick up this book. It is a quick read but a charming and romantic read. Priscilla did it again, fantastic story setting, beautiful characters, and a very relatable holiday read. I highly recommend it!
December 27, 2020
Holiday Home Run is a festive short read from ‘Island Affair’ author Priscilla Olivera. I really enjoyed Island Affair when I listened to it on audio earlier this year so when I saw this on Amazon I knew I had to buy it!
The story is all about event planner Julia and ex pro baseball player Ben. Julia has grown up around baseball so dating a ball player is her worst nightmare. For Ben, Julia is everything he didn’t know he was looking for!
One thing I loved about Island Affair was the culture tie in throughout and it was great to see it so prominent again in this festive read - really celebrated.
The story is just a quick read so perfect for an afternoon to lose yourself in this love story between two gorgeous characters.
The story is all about event planner Julia and ex pro baseball player Ben. Julia has grown up around baseball so dating a ball player is her worst nightmare. For Ben, Julia is everything he didn’t know he was looking for!
One thing I loved about Island Affair was the culture tie in throughout and it was great to see it so prominent again in this festive read - really celebrated.
The story is just a quick read so perfect for an afternoon to lose yourself in this love story between two gorgeous characters.
December 3, 2020
It was a sweet, cozy, fast read. I mean, the book has less than a 100 pages. I liked that it wasn't insta-love depite the shortness of the story.
December 7, 2020
This was ok. I think my main issue is that the dialogue felt stilted and that made it really hard to see the chemistry between the main characters.
December 29, 2025
I just wasn’t impressed or engaged with this story. So much talk of the FMC’s job for how little time we had with these characters. I wanted more romance and less easily solved conflict (that the FMC doesn’t think will be easily solved 🙄).
December 30, 2021
Que delícia de conto levinho <3
Feliz de ter conseguido terminá-lo mesmo numa semana tão difícil e cheia.
Feliz de ter conseguido terminá-lo mesmo numa semana tão difícil e cheia.
June 15, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington and Zebra Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This novella was just what I needed to get in the holiday spirit. With so much in the air this year with how we'll all celebrate the holidays this somehow tapped into that feeling without being a book about CO-VID
I would recommend if you're looking for
-sports romance
-friends to lovers
-slow burn
-light on the steam
-holiday romance
Originally part of an anthology and now being released as a standalone this was a sweet, short read.
This novella was just what I needed to get in the holiday spirit. With so much in the air this year with how we'll all celebrate the holidays this somehow tapped into that feeling without being a book about CO-VID
I would recommend if you're looking for
-sports romance
-friends to lovers
-slow burn
-light on the steam
-holiday romance
Originally part of an anthology and now being released as a standalone this was a sweet, short read.
March 30, 2021
Featuring an event planner who has sworn off dating athletes and a retired baseball star, this story was filled with everything I love. It had great Christmas vibes, a fun extended family, a heroine chasing her dreams, and a handsome hero who is crazy about the heroine. I also loved the Chicago setting. In my opinion this was the perfect Christmas novella and I will definitely be trying more from Priscilla Oliveras.
Thanks to netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thanks to netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
December 6, 2021
REREAD DECEMBER 2021: THE FOREARM PORN. That’s what got me this time round :)
ORIGINAL REVIEW DEC 2020: Something about Priscilla's writing, burrows straight into my heart. This novella had me crying twice. Twice in 95 pages. So needless to say, Priscilla'gets' me. Not to mention, her heroes always have me drooling. Here, Ben is a former MLB pitcher, and the forearm porn is A+.
A sweet, just kissing, holiday novella.
ORIGINAL REVIEW DEC 2020: Something about Priscilla's writing, burrows straight into my heart. This novella had me crying twice. Twice in 95 pages. So needless to say, Priscilla'gets' me. Not to mention, her heroes always have me drooling. Here, Ben is a former MLB pitcher, and the forearm porn is A+.
A sweet, just kissing, holiday novella.
October 11, 2020
RATING: 4/5 STARS
Holiday Home Run by Priscilla Oliveras is a delightful Christmas novel/novella that will melt the hearts of readers as they witness the budding holiday romance between a down-to-earth ex-baseball player and an event planner with a heart of gold. Throw in a few holiday dates and a group of adorable children caroling and you've got yourself a lighthearted read that will leave you smiling just in time for the holidays!
In a nutshell, Julia escapes to Chicago as an event planning intern, hoping to create a career for herself without the influence of her family back in Puerto Rico. Ben Thomas is an ex-baseball player who is searching for his purpose as he volunteers as an emcee for Julia's holiday fundraiser. When their worlds collide, Julia must face the truth about what it is she truly wants in her career and love life as sparks start to fly.
This was such an adorable holiday read and I absolutely loved the characters and the overall premise of the story. I loved the cultural aspect of this story the most, and whenever Julia described the traditions or little things about her home back in Puerto Rico, I swear I could visualize it along with her! I also loved reading the conversations between Ben and Julia. I honestly wish their story was a little bit longer so I could learn a little bit more about the other characters and get a little more invested in the story. I love a lighthearted read but I would've loved to see the author dive deeper into some of the plot lines. However, I think the next novel is going to be about Julia's cousin's story, so I'm really excited to read her story as well!
My main complaint is that I didn't really think Julia's reasons for building some walls up around Ben made sense. Her reasoning behind it just seemed like a throwaway excuse, especially because it was mentioned maybe twice throughout the story. Additionally, since most of the character growth and plot related to Julia, I think it would have made more sense for the book to be purely from her POV instead unless the author also added some story development on Ben's end. Other than that, I don't have any complaints! It was well written and the characters, both the main ones and the side characters, were just utterly adorable!
If you're looking for a super quick holiday read with a ton of Puerto Rican flair, then definitely give this story a go! I'm excited for future releases from this author!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this story!
Holiday Home Run by Priscilla Oliveras is a delightful Christmas novel/novella that will melt the hearts of readers as they witness the budding holiday romance between a down-to-earth ex-baseball player and an event planner with a heart of gold. Throw in a few holiday dates and a group of adorable children caroling and you've got yourself a lighthearted read that will leave you smiling just in time for the holidays!
In a nutshell, Julia escapes to Chicago as an event planning intern, hoping to create a career for herself without the influence of her family back in Puerto Rico. Ben Thomas is an ex-baseball player who is searching for his purpose as he volunteers as an emcee for Julia's holiday fundraiser. When their worlds collide, Julia must face the truth about what it is she truly wants in her career and love life as sparks start to fly.
This was such an adorable holiday read and I absolutely loved the characters and the overall premise of the story. I loved the cultural aspect of this story the most, and whenever Julia described the traditions or little things about her home back in Puerto Rico, I swear I could visualize it along with her! I also loved reading the conversations between Ben and Julia. I honestly wish their story was a little bit longer so I could learn a little bit more about the other characters and get a little more invested in the story. I love a lighthearted read but I would've loved to see the author dive deeper into some of the plot lines. However, I think the next novel is going to be about Julia's cousin's story, so I'm really excited to read her story as well!
My main complaint is that I didn't really think Julia's reasons for building some walls up around Ben made sense. Her reasoning behind it just seemed like a throwaway excuse, especially because it was mentioned maybe twice throughout the story. Additionally, since most of the character growth and plot related to Julia, I think it would have made more sense for the book to be purely from her POV instead unless the author also added some story development on Ben's end. Other than that, I don't have any complaints! It was well written and the characters, both the main ones and the side characters, were just utterly adorable!
If you're looking for a super quick holiday read with a ton of Puerto Rican flair, then definitely give this story a go! I'm excited for future releases from this author!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this story!
October 27, 2020
I’m a pretty big fan of Priscilla Oliveras’ books, so it’s no surprise that I’d actually already read this novella when it first came out in an anthology. But I jumped at the chance to revisit it because I had fond memories of it. And it still holds up as a sweet holiday romance.
Julia is an event planner and the cousin of the sisters from the Matched to Perfection series. She grew up in Puerto Rico helping her mom run her catering company and dealing with her baseball-obsessed brothers. While she loves her family, she, too, feels suffocated by their expectations that she take over the family business, so she’s looking at making the move to Chicago. The linchpin of her plan is pulling off the best holiday soiree fundraiser for the Chicago Youth Association that the town has ever seen in the hopes of landing a permanent job there. If only the fundraiser didn’t come with a certain handsome retired baseball player involved…
At first, Ben is seemingly only interested in Julia because she doesn’t seem starstruck around him. Gradually, though, as they work together on the fundraiser, the spark turns into something more. Julia, however, has zero interest in dating an athlete after spending her whole life submerged in baseball, even if Ben is kind, compassionate, a good listener, and did I mention handsome? The big problem, though, is that Ben doesn’t understand why she wants to move away from her family, when he’s so desperately missing the family he found in his baseball team. Watching the two of them work it out was so sweet and at times heart wrenching. I also loved the touches of Puerto Rican holiday traditions, though I did finish the story hungry for pernil and arroz con gandules! It’s definitely more of a HFN than an HEA, but with novellas, that’s perfectly fine for me.
Overall, another great story from Ms. Oliveras, and another sweet novella for Christmas!
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Julia is an event planner and the cousin of the sisters from the Matched to Perfection series. She grew up in Puerto Rico helping her mom run her catering company and dealing with her baseball-obsessed brothers. While she loves her family, she, too, feels suffocated by their expectations that she take over the family business, so she’s looking at making the move to Chicago. The linchpin of her plan is pulling off the best holiday soiree fundraiser for the Chicago Youth Association that the town has ever seen in the hopes of landing a permanent job there. If only the fundraiser didn’t come with a certain handsome retired baseball player involved…
“Sometimes, a move away from the place where we’re the most comfortable allows for the best kind of growth.”
At first, Ben is seemingly only interested in Julia because she doesn’t seem starstruck around him. Gradually, though, as they work together on the fundraiser, the spark turns into something more. Julia, however, has zero interest in dating an athlete after spending her whole life submerged in baseball, even if Ben is kind, compassionate, a good listener, and did I mention handsome? The big problem, though, is that Ben doesn’t understand why she wants to move away from her family, when he’s so desperately missing the family he found in his baseball team. Watching the two of them work it out was so sweet and at times heart wrenching. I also loved the touches of Puerto Rican holiday traditions, though I did finish the story hungry for pernil and arroz con gandules! It’s definitely more of a HFN than an HEA, but with novellas, that’s perfectly fine for me.
Overall, another great story from Ms. Oliveras, and another sweet novella for Christmas!
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews