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"Hard Fall"

That's what my mom is always saying: "The bigger you are, the harder you fall." She's talking about love—I've never been in it myself, but that doesn't stop me from secretly matchmaking for my friends. Who would suspect me, a world class athlete, of meddling in other people's love lives? I love Love, especially when it’s not me who’s doing the falling…

"No Thanks."

That's what Hollis Westbrooke said when I asked her on a date. Well, propositioned her, actually—but it was all a big joke; one she doesn't think is funny. My stomach is in knots since I might actually like this girl so the joke is on me. Hollis’s father is my boss—and she doesn't date players.


The bigger they are, the harder they fall—especially when biggest player is me.

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2020

1033 people are currently reading
2235 people want to read

About the author

Sara Ney

89 books6,629 followers
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latte's, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 553 reviews
Profile Image for Christy.
4,542 reviews35.9k followers
August 16, 2020
4 stars

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I need a girl I can bring home to my mother, and Hollis Westbrooke is perfect in every way. Other than the fact that she hates me…

Reading Hard Fall was such a blast. Seriously, this one was so much fun to read. I enjoyed the first book in this series a lot, but I think I liked this one even more. Buzz was such a hilarious hero and I loved getting his perspective. 


Trace ‘Buzz’ Wallace meets Hollis Westbrooke at the stadium he plays ball and naturally, he hits on her. He has no idea she’s his team managers daughter but once he finds out it doesn’t stop him. She needs to get her ex off her back and he needs to bring a girl home to make his mom happy. They are exactly what each other needs.

Oh my goodness Buzz Wallace might be the funniest and sweetest hero I’ve read about. He’s such an oddball but I loved him so much. Hollis couldn’t resist his crazy charm as much as she tried. My favorite parts of this book were when they were around Buzz’s family and when Hollis started to see him for the kind of man he really is, not the guy he appears to be at first.

Honestly, the only thing I would change about this book would be to make it longer. I wanted more from Buzz and Hollis, especially once they got together. This was an odd combo of slow burn/friends to lovers and a bit of insta love once they realized their feelings but it really worked for me.

The first two books of this series have been wins for me and I’m looking forward to seeing where Sara Ney goes with the next. I kind of hope it’s about Buzz’s brother, even though he’s not a baseball player (he plays football) because I want more of the Wallace family. If you’re looking for a sports romance that will make you laugh out loud and that’s sweet and steamy, pick up Hard Fall.

Profile Image for Syndi.
3,711 reviews1,038 followers
December 24, 2020
This is fun. I feel so entertained by Wallace. He is super cute. Perfect boyfriend material. I love how persistent he is pursuing Hollace. Miss Ney brings this book to a different level. Instead of man whore, we got commited hero.

What a fresh breath of air. Hard Fall is the first book I read in this series. Hopefully I can get copy of other books.

Very entertaining reading to start Christmas holiday.

4 stars
Profile Image for Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️.
2,942 reviews2,674 followers
July 25, 2024
Great characters!



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🖤💙❤️💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 🙂🥰☺️😎😂
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

The heroine: Hollis Westbrooke - Her grandfather owns the Chicago Steam professional baseball team, and her father is the general manager. Hollis works as a junior editor for a publishing house. Her father has been trying to talk her into working for him like her sister and brother. Though her father is overbearing, and she doesn’t want to be under his thumb. She recently dated Marlen, the first baseman and broke up with him after he borrowed her car and was photographed soliciting a prostitute. So, Hollis is not hot on hanging out at the baseball stadium where she could run into him.

The Hero: Trace “Buzz” Wallace - He is a professional baseball player who plays for the Chicago Steam. His brother Tripp, is a professional football player and their younger sister True, works at a sports agency for high school and college athletes. He is the kind of grown man that often acts like a young kid, especially when he is around his family. He flips houses in the off season. He is also an amateur matchmaker, which basically means he is all up in everyone’s love lives without them knowing.

The Story: Hollis meets Buzz as she was leaving the stadium after a visit with her father. He immediately hit on her and she was having none of it. He followed her and tried his luck with getting to know her. He liked her “good girl” looks and wanted to get her to agree to a date. Hollis thinks he was such a douche but admits that he is hot when she talks to her friend about it later on. Buzz finds out who she is and thinks better of trying to date her, especially if he wants to keep his job.



I really liked Buzz in the other books I have read. He is a man-child most definitely, but he is hilarious, and you can’t help but like him. Hollis is actually kind of perfect for him since she is so down to earth and strait laced. I loved the fact that he rescued her when her ex-boyfriend was being a jerk to her. I thought Hollis might be a bit boring, but she was actually a great character, she loved how funny Buzz was and held her own against his antics.

This audiobook was told in dual points of view via dual narration and was narrated by Alexander Cendese and. I do really like Alexander Cendese, he has a great voice and puts a ton of emotion into his narration. Though, he does have a terrible female voice. So would really be better in duet narration. Sarah Puckett was much better than the last narrator I listened to Hard Luck, book four in this same series. Sarah Pucket has a soft, feminine voice which is very pleasant. For some reason her voice reminds me a bit of Sophia Bush.

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Profile Image for Lacey (laceybooklovers).
2,144 reviews12k followers
November 1, 2021
Okay, Trace and his entire family were HILARIOUS. This is the kind of Sara Ney romance I’ve been missing! I laughed so much during this. Trace is a total DORK but he grew on me. I enjoyed the fake dating/forbidden aspect too. Hollis is the daughter of the GM of Trace’s baseball team and he saves her one night by pretending to be her boyfriend, and things spiral from there. It’s really fun and entertaining!
Profile Image for Halle Reads.
997 reviews184 followers
August 19, 2020
4.5 Stars 🌟

20200819-211410

Hard Fall is the 2nd book in the Trophy Boyfriends Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a laugh out loud romantic comedy between a professional baseball player and the daughter of his Boss with a fake dating element to it.

When it comes to rom coms and any sort of sports romance I have a very specific type of hero I'm always drawn to and Trace 'Buzz' Wallace checks all the boxes. He is loud, obnoxiously funny, a little dorky, he has no boundaries but is a sweetheart, super supportive and a total hopeless romantic. He is basically part labrador, part man child with a heart of gold. He reminds me a lot of my fave man child Blake Riley and I. Am. Here. For. It. I don't know what it is about this type of hero but I can't help but love them. I pretty much spent the entire book smiling and laughing at every single thing he said or thought. I must've highlighted the entire book with all things Buzz Wallace.

And we can't forget our main girl Hollis Westbrooke as I also loved her a lot. She is sassy, independent, kind and so very loveable. She is somewhat guarded and cautious when letting new people in having been used before due to her families connections and money and doesn't always know if people's interest in her is genuine. The first time she meets Buzz he can't help but hit on her and she is not into it at all. She doesn't date baseball players especially ones on the team run by her father. Having trouble with an ex who doesn't know when to back off she is swiftly rescued by Buzz which then leads them into sort of fake dating and shenanigans ensue, many many shenanigans.

Also can we take a second to appreciate the brillance that is Hollis Wallace 😅💕

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was highly entertaining and very reminiscent of Sara Ney's earlier work. I only wish the book's in this new series were longer as I'm sure I could read about these couples all day and I'm looking forward to the 3rd book.

《book aesthetic made by me. I do not own the pictures, all found via pinterest》

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Profile Image for Carmen Rae.
1,683 reviews187 followers
November 2, 2020
I was super excited to see that the second book in the Trophy Boyfriends series was Trace “Buzz” Wallace. I loved him so much in the previous book and I was hoping he would meet his match and cop a heap of trouble from Noah and Miranda as payback for all the Buzzness he put them through because man is he a character and a half.

Even in his own story he was larger than life. In a way that felt like it would be painful if you didn’t know how absolutely caring and sincere he could be. Everything about Trace has you either wanting to smack him in the head or tear his clothes off and climb on. And his relationship with Hollis was on point.

Hollis was utterly unique in her world. She had spent so much time being on the outside but close enough to know how it all worked and to know that she wanted more. And Trace was so much more. I could honestly wax poetic about how much I loved this couple. Although I do have to admit I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t get more of Mirada and Noah. And I was really hoping for a little more drama from his craziness but then again what I got was pretty perfect so I am not complaining just wanting more.

Of course, getting Trace 2.0 in his brother Tripp’s story next should be just as entertaining. And we can only hope that his family will be slightly more hilarious especially since I am sure Trace will give him a hard time for coming second. I really can’t wait.
Profile Image for Jen ♥.
1,750 reviews965 followers
September 1, 2025
He's sooo dramatic, ridiculous, goofy, a dork, and I liked it. 😂 But tbh, I can't imagine Buzz/Trace as boyfriend material. I dunno, I see him more like an energetic younger sibling who's high on sugar. I can't imagine him as a romantic partner; idk why, though. 🫣

But I could see myself befriending someone like him irl. His humor is contagious and so childlike, and he can definitely make any room somewhat happier and lighter. 😂

I liked Hollis too. I kind of get where she's coming from with all her stereotyping of athletes, but she wasn't always mean and was quick to backtrack when she thought she was crossing some lines. She was funny too in her own way. I think they really complement each other. 🤭

They were crazy together, and their banter was top-notch. 😂 I don't know what their ages are, and this actually feels like NA. I even thought they were in college with the way they talked and acted. But I had no complaints; I'm here for good times anyways. 😊

Tbh, this is very superficial. If readers are not into insta-love, they probably might not like this. They dropped the ILY after two weeks of knowing each other, then another week before they got engaged. These two really moved so fast. 😂

Overall, this was an entertaining read. Had fun with the MCs and their shenanigans. 🤭
Profile Image for Meredith Wilson.
383 reviews44 followers
August 19, 2020
Hard Fall is the second book in the Trophy Boyfriends series by Sara Ney. Told in dual perspectives, this is Trace 'Buzz' Wallace and Hollis Westbrooke's story.

Now while I enjoyed the first book in this series a lot, I liked this one even more. It was a barrel full of laughs and so much fun to read. Buzz was such a sweet and hilarious hero. His antics in trying to win over the team's general manager's daughter were highly entertaining. The adorableness of these two slayed me, and I can't see anyone not absolutely loving their story.

Hollis meets Buzz when she goes to the stadium to visit her father. She accidentally gets off on the wrong floor, and this is where the two cross paths. He has no clue that she's his team's general manager's daughter, but once he finds out, that doesn't scare him off. His mom has been on his back about his love life and wanting grandbabies, and Hollis, being the girl next door type, is exactly who he needs to bring home to mom. Not to mention, he's exactly what she needs to get rid of her pesky ex.

Their mutually beneficial fake relationship was a hoot, and in time, turned into something so much more. I absolutely loved each and every second spent with these two - the banter, the sass, the laughs, the swoons. I recommend this to anyone who loves a slow burn, friends-to-lovers, sports romance that will win over your heart. Five stars for Hollis, Buzz and Hard Fall!

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Profile Image for Elisabetta Veneziani.
879 reviews39 followers
July 9, 2022
3/4 ⭐️
Lettura molto leggera ma carina e divertente, Buzz me lo aspettavo completamente diverso ma mi ha fatto ridere molto 😄
Profile Image for Inna.
1,678 reviews372 followers
September 22, 2020
4 stars...This book had me literally laughing out loud. It's full of goofball comedy gold, and I loved almost all of it. There were some parts at around the half way point that I'm still giggling about.

The hero and heroine meet and enter into a fake relationship. He's a professional baseball player and she's the GM's daughter. She doesn't want to date another baseball player because the last one she dated was a total d-bag and left her feeling used. It's a little predictable in the beginning, but gets so much better. The hero then poses as her bf when the heroine's ex approaches her at an event. He's very interested in her and cajoles and manipulates the situation to get her to go with him to a team event. He then convinces her to go with him to meet his family and pose as his gf. She does all of this under a bit of duress...but it's all very funny.

“Oh my god your mother is adorable,” Hollis is saying. “Jesus, I hate lying and I hate you right now. Look how excited she is, you asshole.” She pushes her car door open and steps out. “Mrs. Wallace, hiiiiii!”

Women. I’ll never understand them.


The humor just keeps getting better and better from there. Seriously, this is a funny book and very worth the read.

Safe; it's a little unclear when the hero was a manwhore...was it yesterday or years ago? I'm not sure. He claims to have been celibate for a while, but some of the things he says are a little questionable (maybe just passing comments about the past). I wasn't really sure what to think. Either way, heroine wasn't a virgin, and hero is pretty awesome overall. Heroine's ex tries to cause some drama, but nothing major.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Raine.
2,463 reviews53 followers
February 9, 2023
Trace is too much!!!

I absolutely LOVE this book! I didn't think too much of Trace in the first book, but in his book he was outstanding. We get to see more sides of Trace than the freeloading friend of Harding. I'm surprised at the many layers of Trace that is unexpected and adorable. I also really like Hollis, but for me, in this book, Trace stole the show. Cute romance and utterly hilarious!
Profile Image for Jenn Amy.
910 reviews82 followers
March 18, 2021
4.5⭐️

This is the Sara Ney I LOVE. This book is laugh out loud funny. Trace ‘Buzz’ Wallace is one of my favourite hero’s of all time. He made me laugh one minute and swoon the next. He is serious at all the right times, super sweet, funny and just the whole package. He pursued Hollis with so much confidence and never wavered in his pursuit of her.

Hollis Westbrooke is the daughter of the GM for the baseball team Buzz plays for. She is sassy, and sweet and the sexy, flirty banter between her and Buzz was the BEST! I love her outlook on life and refusal to live under her fathers thumb.

The scenes with Buzz’s family were my absolute favourite and I CANNOT wait for his brother, Tripp’s book next.

If you love sports romance with humor and steam this is your book! Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Giorgia Reads.
1,331 reviews2,238 followers
October 13, 2020
3.5 stars

Better than the first book. I liked the male lead, he was such a ... i have no idea what word would describe him. But unique is one. He was childish but mature when it mattered.
It was a short, sweet read.
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,863 reviews1,564 followers
August 13, 2020
I love Sara Ney's stories! They are always banterific and full of sass and swoons. But while I thought Hollis and Trace's story was really cute with funny laugh out loud moments, Hard Fall was a bit of a mixed bag for me.

I enjoyed Hollis' sass, independence and wit and the endearing role reversal in the story where we see the hero's vulnerability and how he wore his heart on his sleeve. I just wish I felt more of a connection between the couple. I never really felt the swoons and butterflies in my stomach like I have with Ney's previous stories. Overall, while this story wasn't what I was expecting, I am intrigued by Tripp's story and the reason he is the way he is. 3.5 stars ~Ratula 

***

In my review of Hard Pass I said of Buzz:

I wasn't sure what to make of Buzz at first but, much like Miranda, I adored him for the lovable buffoon he was in the end. He was like a giant, overly-excitable golden retriever. Obnoxious and slobbery, but pure heart of gold. I can't wait to get my hands on his story.

Holy cow, was that description apt.

A giant, lovable golden retriever, indeed.

This guy. Equal parts perplexing and endearing, he took a bit for me to get used to. In fact, I would imagine that my emotional processing of Buzz was similar to Hollis's emotional processing of Buzz. There wasn't an immediate connection. But over time, he won me over. He was sweet and heartfelt. He was immature and buffoonish, but also steadfast and sincere. And paired with Hollis's own quirks and sassy, down-to-earth personality, it's easy to buy into their happily ever after.

That said, I didn't feel this book the way I wanted to. Here we had two likable characters in all their banterific, playful glory. But the chemistry was off for me. I enjoyed their story, but it felt like it stayed on a superficial level for me. No butterflies, no delicious ache in my heart. I think I might have liked a little more depth or complexity to these characters. It all happened so quickly and so neatly - and while I enjoyed it, it wasn't quite the emotional experience I was looking for.

Criticism aside, there were still plenty of smiles delivered over the course of this storyline, and a setup for more quirky, offbeat antics to come, and I can't wait to see what's in store! ~ Shelly, 3 stars
Profile Image for M.
726 reviews310 followers
September 5, 2020
4.5 ⭐

I wasn't very fond of Trace (aka Buzz) in Hard Pass. He came across cocky and a jerk. A player that every woman would want and if you didn't something was obviously wrong with you and not him.

Man OH MAN did he make me fall for him in this book though. He was a swoony and funny baseball player. He wanted to earn the love of his perfect lady. His family was so fun and meddled in everything in his life. The banter between him and his brother was awesome!

Hollis was just that for him... Perfect! They fit together like a a baseball mitt and ball. It took her a bit to realize that Trace was different from all the athletic players she knew, like her ex boyfriend... but once she understood that was in it for the long haul and not just the easy play, it was on.



I do feel like the end was a bit rushed though. I wanted to see a bit more relationship development. I think both characters deserved that. There chemistry was great, but I wanted a bit more depth. They were worth it my opinion.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this sassy rom-com and can't wait until book 3!



Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,667 reviews4,489 followers
January 7, 2022
If I didn't already have some books I loved by this author...

I don't know if I would ever read another one.

Like... WTF was this book?

Nope. Nope. NOPE.

2.5/5 stars
Profile Image for Maud.
251 reviews3 followers
August 21, 2020
Buzz is the book boyfriend I hadn’t expected… But now he is my soulmate *swoon*

When I was reading Hard Pass, I liked Buzz, I thought he was funny and cutely annoying, but I couldn’t imagine an epic love story for him, I was seeing him as too much of a goof or a flirt. How wrong was I…. Trace (aka Buzz) is the ultimate romantic! He is so darn cute and sensitive while being HILARIOUS, you could make a joke book with only the nicknames he gives to Hollis, but the funniest thing is not what he says, but what he does (read the book and you’ll get it). Hollis… She is so sassy but so sweet at the same time, she is a book lover and Trace knows exactly what to do to win the heart of this junior publisher.

When I first read their “meet-cute” (that was sarcastic FYI), I had no idea that their story was actually going to be pretty darn cute! I think that what I love the most in Sara Ney’s books is how naturally the love story develops. There is no big revelation or the characters do not magically change for the best, they are just who they are and they fall in love (and let me tell you, Trace does not change one bit from the first page of the book to the last, you just learn so much about this big goof).

For people who adore drama in romance, you might be disappointed. For the others who are OBSESSED with Sara Ney’s low drama books? You’ve just found your next favourite read. I absolutely hate drama, I believe some books would be so much better without it, so you can only imagine how much I love all of Sara Ney’s romance stories.

For a tiny bit of criticism, as for Hard Pass, it was way too short! Sara?! How can you do this to us? I needed at least 200 more pages of Trace and Hollis!

Therefore, if you are looking for a story that will melt your heart and your panties… Hard Fall and Trace Wallace are made for you!

*ARC reveived in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for AJ.
3,243 reviews1,070 followers
August 17, 2020
4.5 stars!

Oh, what a fun read! Sweet, sexy and laugh-out-loud funny, this playful sports romance is a great read with a gorgeous love story, and I loved it!

Trace “Buzz” Wallace was introduced in the first book of this series as the annoyingly over-familiar best friend to Noah (but note that this book can easily be read as a standalone). Trace is a professional baseball player who is as well known for playing off the field as he is for his skill on the field. He doesn’t have the greatest reputation, but deep down he’s a sweet guy who has had enough of the sports groupies and is trying to move on from his past, and who wants to find a nice girl to bring home to his mother and build a life with.

Hollis Westbrooke is the daughter of the General Manager of Trace’s baseball team. She has a difficult relationship with her father and has removed herself from the family business as much as she can. When she first meets Trace, she is less than impressed, and she rejects him when he hits on her. But later, he comes to her rescue by pretending to be her boyfriend, and she gets sucked into this sort-of fake relationship, sort-of friendship dynamic which is fun and hugely entertaining – especially because she wants nothing to do with ball players, and Trace is about to get all up in her life.

Trace is freaking hilarious. An overgrown man-child, he’s immature in so many ways, but he’s also so sweet with the biggest heart, and he totally wears his heart on his sleeve. I laughed over and over at his antics with Hollis, and with his family, but at the heart of him is a man who wants a family, he wants to settle down, and he wants to win Hollis’ heart.

These two are a fantastic match. Their dynamic is fun, flirty, and full of teasing, they don’t hide their attraction, they’re open about what they want and what they don’t want, and though Hollis may not necessary want a relationship with Trace, she doesn’t resist too strongly. Things progress naturally and easily between them, watching them navigate their situation and all that they’re feeling is so entertaining, and I loved their dirty/sexy/playful relationship.

“I’m very fertile,” Hollis informs me, flipping her hair back. “You should stay as far away from these ovaries as you can unless you want me showing up on your doorstep in nine months.” She rubs her belly in slow circles and I feel myself hardening.
I’ll fucking put a baby in that sexy stomach.
“Is that supposed to be a turn-off? Because I just came in my pants twice.” Pause. “Congratulations, you’re having twins.”

But there is also a lot of emotion there, and those moments where you can see just how deeply they care for each other are just beautiful!

It’s a great set-up, and watching it all unfold is so much fun. I laughed so much while reading this book, and I could feel Trace and Hollis gradually falling for each other, which was beautiful to watch.

Noah and Miranda from the first book appear, and we get to see lots of Trace’s brother, Tripp, who will be the hero in the next book of the series. Equally immature but way more serious and closed off, I’m really looking forward to his story.

This is a great read. Lots of fun with a fantastically funny romance and lots of heart, I loved it.

4.5 stars!

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.


Profile Image for Treena.
1,343 reviews83 followers
September 9, 2020
This book was just what I needed to get over my Ilona Andrews-Emerald Blaze hangover. And that's all because of Trace, the hero in this book. Trace is an adorable goofball and I just loved him! Oh man, he made me laugh so much.

This story was so totally different from Emerald Blaze and had just the right amount (imo) of absurd comedy without resorting to hi-jinks or stupid situations that I hate. Just great, witty and funny banter between and because of the MC's.

I thought it was the perfect low-angst, light rom com!


Profile Image for Sam I AMNreader.
1,649 reviews332 followers
January 17, 2021

I know that maybe some of you are perplexed with why I keep reading Sara Ney. ME too! I mean, seriously, the height and weight of her athletes should be frustrating enough that I have given up all together (here a 6'3 pitcher tipping the scales at 260, just like his brother (a football player, position TBD), but to be quite honest, she wrote an NA book that has remained one of the stickiest I've ever read in a good way. So I feel like between that and her quick reads, I'll probably always give her a chance. Because of Zeke and Violet.

The hero of this book, Trace, is more like an Oz, but a little less...asshole/douchey? He's a super annoying gregarious type, but he has a heart of gold and an earnest desire for a family. He's lonely, he loves his family, and he pretty much just wedges himself into people's lives.

Hollis is not my favorite Hollis, because that's this Hollis but I did like this one quite a bit too. She played a nice complement without being totally overshadowed by Trace, which is no small feat.

So this was pretty satisfying all-in-all. If you read Sara Ney, you'll probably already realize they are very couple-centric, to the the detriment of her storytelling overall. This is okay but I always want a little more characterization outside the couple. still, this was effervescent in that way that made me happy and let me escape for a few hours, and reminded me why I keep reading this author. It was cute. And ridiculous.
Profile Image for Sabrina Fornero.
1,428 reviews25 followers
November 14, 2022
3 stelle e 1/2

💋Recensione per il blog New Adult e dintorni💋

Una vecchia conoscenza dello sport Romance, Sara Ney torna con la serie Ragazzi trofeo. Il baseball diventa hot con un protagonista che avevamo bramato durante la lettura del primo capitolo della serie, sfrontato e peccaminoso. Buzz ci regala un’imprevedibile storia d’amore con la figlia del suo dirigente, la nerd Hollis.

Trace Wallace è da tutti conosciuto come Buzz, alquanto invadente, rude ma terribilmente sexy si diverte a fare il Cupido tra i compagni di squadra. Ma cosa succede quando lui stesso sperimenterà l’amore con la A maiuscola? Non verrà preso sul serio, soprattutto perché la fortunata è la figlia del capo dei Chicago Steam. Non potrebbe essere più diversa da lui Hollis, ma è tutta apparenza perché lui ha tutte le carte in regola per essere un insospettabile perfetto fidanzato. Grazie anche a una passione per la lettura che lo renderà così attraente agli occhi del topo da biblioteca che è Hollis.

‘Un giocatore. Ecco cos’è Trace “Buzz” Wallace, e farò bene a ricordarmelo. Tuttavia, ha sul serio provato a essere il mio cavaliere dall’armatura scintillante... peccato che fosse avvolto nella carta d’alluminio.’

Hollis Westbrooke è una editor junior per una piccola casa editrice ed è contenta di camminare sulle sue gambe, il padre è un borioso ricco dirigente che non la degna di affetto, per lui son importanti solo le apparenze. Ha una brutta esperienza alle spalle con un giocatore di baseball, quindi quando si imbatte nel quartier generale del padre nel troglodita Buzz si allontana senza voltarsi indietro. Ma il destino per loro ci mette lo zampino e una finta liaison sarà l’occasione per lei per andare oltre e vedere nel pallone gonfiato Buzz molto ma molto di più di quello che tutti vedono.

‘Hollis è la mia miglior partita. Una che non devo giocare.’

L’aspettavo, Buzz mi aveva incuriosita e non vedevo l’ora di conoscere la sua storia e di come la Ney l’avrebbe reso ancora più sexy e divertente. Diciamo che le aspettative sono state solo in parte ricompensate. Buzz si è confermato un ragazzo con la testa sulle spalle, pronto a fare le cose sul serio con la ragazza giusta e anche se lei l’ha respinto più di una volta lui ha tenuto duro e alla fine ce l’ha fatta a conquistarla. Mi è mancata la parte divertente che si era intravista precedentemente e dalla Ney mi aspetto di più. Sì, quando Buzz battibecca con il fratello Tripp ci sono parti esilaranti ma il tutto rimane un po’ superficiale e il sorriso non si estende alle risate. Anche la parte hot, emblema di quest’autrice, con lui poteva raggiungere l'apoteosi invece è rimasta ad un livello più che sufficiente ma niente di più.
Insomma non un giudizio entusiastico il mio, una lettura veloce, senza pretese.
Nel prossimo capitolo ci sarà proprio il fratello Tripp, gloria del football, altro sportivo sexy e rude, vedremo.
Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,670 reviews3,283 followers
Want to read
August 20, 2020
5 The Best Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
What makes a book feel like the best, one that causes you to have a smile on your face the entire time you are reading it. The one that makes you laugh out loud and want to text someone about how terrific this book is.

Sarah Ney hits this out of the park on every level for me.
It had heart, humor, enough depth, and steam. I really was so taken by it from the start. Trace and his entire family was over the top but worked with the type of cray cray they were. Hollis' family issues made sense and worked to provide a contrast to Trace's.

If you love rom/com and sports, then this is your series.


Hard Pass (Trophy Boyfriends, #1) by Sara Ney Hard Pass (Trophy Boyfriends, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hard Fall (Trophy Boyfriends, #2) by Sara Ney Hard Fall (Trophy Boyfriends, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hard Love by Sara Ney Hard Love (Trophy Boyfriends, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


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Profile Image for Courtney.
1,976 reviews208 followers
August 18, 2020
Hard Fall is the second book in Ney's Trophy Boyfriends. It's Trace "Buzz" Wallace's story and can easily be read as a standalone.

I truly enjoyed reading this story. Literally laughed and smiled my whole way through this one. It is chocked full of humor with a perfect blend of romance and baseball. The humor was never over the top and fit these characters so well and rounded out the plot perfectly.

Buzz and Hollis meet at the stadium unexpectedly. They don't exactly have the best run-in but it's hilarious to watch play out. This whole book was chocked full of hilarious moments and really getting to see there is more than surface level to people.

Buzz is not your typical baseball player and readers will see that when they read this story. Hollis is a bit abrasive but it's not off-putting. These two are truly one of my favorite couples to read. If you have read any of my reviews before, you already know this but I am not a fan of insta-love. But Hard Fall – it's impossible to not see it and believe it.

Hard Fall is fast paced read but it's so authentic and comes across so real. I loved Buzz and Hollis and their interactions so much. There isn't a thing that I would change about this book. I love how Sara ends all her stories – we get an epilogue but it's not too far off in the future and keeps it real.

Profile Image for nikki.
795 reviews106 followers
August 18, 2020
After meeting Trace Wallace in HARD PASS I couldn’t wait to get to his book, and I have to telly you that it was everything I’d hoped it to be and more. Trace is a funny one...he come across as a bit of an airhead and a lot slutty, but once you really get to know him you can’t help but fall in love with the person that he really is.

HARD FALL had me laughing so hard and I adore the banter between Trace & Hollis. I’m a huge fan of Sara Ney’s “How to Date...” series, but honestly, I think this has become my new favourite.
Profile Image for Mia.
2,867 reviews1,049 followers
September 25, 2020
I really enjoyed Hard Fall Hollis and Trace are funny and cute and I'm excited for 3th book.
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