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Sports #3
The Unexpected Dream
Sports Series Book #3.
Mia Landis was so close to being an Olympian. Instead, she watched the Tokyo Olympics and her would-be-team from home with her one-year-old daughter. When Mia heard about a serious professional softball league starting up in the US, she thought it would be crazy to try out. After being convinced, though, she gave it a shot and ended up moving her entire life across the country.
Skylar Donahue lived for the game. Softball had been her entire world until an injury took away her shot to play in the Olympics. She resigned herself to coaching until she heard about a new league starting up. When she made the local team, she had no idea that a new woman in town would completely change her entire world.
Both women dreamed of representing their country in the Olympics. Neither of them thought their lives would take the turn they’d taken. But if they can see past what they thought their lives would be, and look at where they ended up, they might find a whole new dream; one that could last a lifetime.
Books in the series:
Book #1 - Always More
Book #2 - A Shot at Gold
Book #3 - The Unexpected Dream
Mia Landis was so close to being an Olympian. Instead, she watched the Tokyo Olympics and her would-be-team from home with her one-year-old daughter. When Mia heard about a serious professional softball league starting up in the US, she thought it would be crazy to try out. After being convinced, though, she gave it a shot and ended up moving her entire life across the country.
Skylar Donahue lived for the game. Softball had been her entire world until an injury took away her shot to play in the Olympics. She resigned herself to coaching until she heard about a new league starting up. When she made the local team, she had no idea that a new woman in town would completely change her entire world.
Both women dreamed of representing their country in the Olympics. Neither of them thought their lives would take the turn they’d taken. But if they can see past what they thought their lives would be, and look at where they ended up, they might find a whole new dream; one that could last a lifetime.
Books in the series:
Book #1 - Always More
Book #2 - A Shot at Gold
Book #3 - The Unexpected Dream
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2020
139 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Pyland
81 books826 followersNicole Pyland is a bestselling author of lesbian romance stand-alone novels and series like Chicago Series, Holiday Series, Royalty Series, Sports Series, and more. Since 2017, she’s published over 60 novels (not including her What Happened After shorts), and more books are on their way.
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a startup. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter
Nicole grew up in Indiana, studying English & Film and then getting a MS in Behavior Analysis and moving to California, working by day as a Head of Training at a startup. She lives with her wife and their opinionated cat, who spends his evenings helping her write stories by occupying half the chair.
Newsletter: nicolepyland.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 3, 2020
My favourite in the sports series so far. This book has no angst at all and yet it didn't get boring. The MCs have great chemistry. I loved their domestic scenes and Hazel is the cutest baby ever.
How is Nicole Pyland able to write so fast and somehow the quality doesn't suffer. The next book has friends to lovers trope and I can't wait!
How is Nicole Pyland able to write so fast and somehow the quality doesn't suffer. The next book has friends to lovers trope and I can't wait!
September 5, 2020
Content warnings: divorce, biphobia
The Unexpected Dream is a softball romance, which should totally be a trope.
Mia Landis (30, bisexual) accidentally got pregnant and misses her chance of playing at Tokyo Olympics. Used to be a prodigy pitcher on the national team, her life now revolves around handling her divorce, caring for her two-year-old daughter Hazel, and coaching softball at her old high school. When a player mentions tryouts for a professional league, Mia decides to give it a try. Skylar Donahue (25, lesbian) also wanted to play at Tokyo but had injured her wrist weeks before the games. She ends up being the pitching coach when all she wants is to be a player. With her lingering injury, she cannot pitch but just might make the team in the new league as a catcher.
I used to play softball and baseball for my university, and everything in The Unexpected Dream has brought back memories of the thrill of running on red clay. Also, I think it is very relevant to know that pitcher-catcher chemistry is important in the games.
One thing that first struck me as unusual was how the pair didn’t meet until one-fourth into the book. I personally love this choice. As readers, we have the time to establish them as two complete individuals sharing the Olympic dream before really seeing them together as an item.
Maybe it is because I am the exact same age as Sky, it was easy for me to relate to her. Let’s be honest: Most student athletes have sustained some sort of lasting injury while playing sports. How many times have we pretended our shoulders or knees weren’t hurting even though they totally were? I was never a fraction as good as Sky, but I understand why she pushed herself despite feeling pain all the time. I also adore how honest and straightforward she is when talking about her own future.
Mia is amazing. She is a single mother and a professional softball player. This story delivers an honest depiction of her as a mother wanting to realize her dream while worrying about her daughter at the same time. She seems very tired energy-wise and it is so very true for single parents.
Their attraction is somewhat insta-lust but not insta-love. Maybe this kind of negatively impacted how I feel about their relationship, but Mia and Sky are really wonderful for each other. I had no idea I wanted a pitcher-catcher romance until I read this. It’s a beautiful on-field relationship and off-field romance, a wonderful teammates-to-friends, and friends-to-lovers story.
Sky calls Mia Number One because she thinks of her as the starting pitcher. I don’t understand why, but in baseball/softball scorekeeping, pitcher position is denoted as number one (catcher is number two). I just pretend that is the reason, even though Sky is likely talking about jersey numbers. And of course there are baseball/softball sex jokes involving bases.
There are no miscommunication once they started dating. Everything is so sweet and wonderful. I love how both Mia and Skylar are a little insecure about themselves and how vulnerable Sky is in front of Mia. Side characters apart from Hazel aren’t fully established, but for this story, having full focus on Mia and Sky works great. And every single scene with Sky and Hazel is so adorable. I just tear up seeing them bond. There are so many “family” moments that made me awwwwed.
Pyland’s epilogues are different from most other authors’ I have read. She often includes a little more lovely drama and leaves future developments of the main relationship hopeful and open for interpretation. I absolutely love the closing paragraph of The Unexpected Dream. It is beautiful, cinematic, and purposeful. Everything comes full circle, or in this case, full diamond.
This is the third book in the Sports series but can definitely be read as a standalone. Wyatt Wicked from book one Always More is mentioned a few times for winning in volleyball and the love department, but not knowing her backstory does not take anything away from this book.
The Unexpected Dream is a pitcher/catcher romance with a bisexual single mother lead. It was such a joy to read and is a guaranteed treat for anyone who enjoys baseball/softball as well as some cute family dynamics. It is a quick, light, and sweet story that left me smiling upon finishing.
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Unexpected Dream is a softball romance, which should totally be a trope.
Mia Landis (30, bisexual) accidentally got pregnant and misses her chance of playing at Tokyo Olympics. Used to be a prodigy pitcher on the national team, her life now revolves around handling her divorce, caring for her two-year-old daughter Hazel, and coaching softball at her old high school. When a player mentions tryouts for a professional league, Mia decides to give it a try. Skylar Donahue (25, lesbian) also wanted to play at Tokyo but had injured her wrist weeks before the games. She ends up being the pitching coach when all she wants is to be a player. With her lingering injury, she cannot pitch but just might make the team in the new league as a catcher.
I used to play softball and baseball for my university, and everything in The Unexpected Dream has brought back memories of the thrill of running on red clay. Also, I think it is very relevant to know that pitcher-catcher chemistry is important in the games.
One thing that first struck me as unusual was how the pair didn’t meet until one-fourth into the book. I personally love this choice. As readers, we have the time to establish them as two complete individuals sharing the Olympic dream before really seeing them together as an item.
Maybe it is because I am the exact same age as Sky, it was easy for me to relate to her. Let’s be honest: Most student athletes have sustained some sort of lasting injury while playing sports. How many times have we pretended our shoulders or knees weren’t hurting even though they totally were? I was never a fraction as good as Sky, but I understand why she pushed herself despite feeling pain all the time. I also adore how honest and straightforward she is when talking about her own future.
“But while I like the sound of your laugh, it’s more that I love what it symbolizes.”
“What’s that?”
“That you’re happy. And if I made you laugh, I got to be a part of that.”
Mia is amazing. She is a single mother and a professional softball player. This story delivers an honest depiction of her as a mother wanting to realize her dream while worrying about her daughter at the same time. She seems very tired energy-wise and it is so very true for single parents.
Their attraction is somewhat insta-lust but not insta-love. Maybe this kind of negatively impacted how I feel about their relationship, but Mia and Sky are really wonderful for each other. I had no idea I wanted a pitcher-catcher romance until I read this. It’s a beautiful on-field relationship and off-field romance, a wonderful teammates-to-friends, and friends-to-lovers story.
Sky calls Mia Number One because she thinks of her as the starting pitcher. I don’t understand why, but in baseball/softball scorekeeping, pitcher position is denoted as number one (catcher is number two). I just pretend that is the reason, even though Sky is likely talking about jersey numbers. And of course there are baseball/softball sex jokes involving bases.
There are no miscommunication once they started dating. Everything is so sweet and wonderful. I love how both Mia and Skylar are a little insecure about themselves and how vulnerable Sky is in front of Mia. Side characters apart from Hazel aren’t fully established, but for this story, having full focus on Mia and Sky works great. And every single scene with Sky and Hazel is so adorable. I just tear up seeing them bond. There are so many “family” moments that made me awwwwed.
Pyland’s epilogues are different from most other authors’ I have read. She often includes a little more lovely drama and leaves future developments of the main relationship hopeful and open for interpretation. I absolutely love the closing paragraph of The Unexpected Dream. It is beautiful, cinematic, and purposeful. Everything comes full circle, or in this case, full diamond.
This is the third book in the Sports series but can definitely be read as a standalone. Wyatt Wicked from book one Always More is mentioned a few times for winning in volleyball and the love department, but not knowing her backstory does not take anything away from this book.
“I’m talking about toe-curling; fingers gripping the sheets with white knuckles, sweat covering your skin and their skin because you’ve been going at it for hours. You can’t keep your hands from their skin, and they can’t keep theirs from yours, so they just keep touching and stroking and licking and sucking and kissing until you come again and again. And, eventually, you lie there completely sated, thinking you’ll never need another orgasm again, but then, they reach over and touch you, because they can’t not, and it’s like you can’t live without it again all of a sudden.” — Skylar
The Unexpected Dream is a pitcher/catcher romance with a bisexual single mother lead. It was such a joy to read and is a guaranteed treat for anyone who enjoys baseball/softball as well as some cute family dynamics. It is a quick, light, and sweet story that left me smiling upon finishing.
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2025
An unexpected pregnancy broke Mia’s dream to win Olympic gold and now she has the chance to try again on a new Softball League. She’s a single parent who only wants the best for her daughter, but maybe hunting her dreams is the way to do it. Even if she’s older and not as fit as she used to be, there is nothing that can stop her from pursuing her last chance. She never expected to achieve so much more than a teenager dream.
Skylar’s only focus has always been softball. An injury stopped her from being on the team and it’s threatening to do it again. Skylar doesn’t care if she has to change her position on the field, play through pain or gamble another injury. Or she didn’t. Until Mia and her daughter made Sky question what her dreams really looked like.
I ADORE books about female athletes so it wasn’t unexpected how much I cared about both Mia and Sky. I especially loved Sky’s character; not only because her flirting was so hot, but because I couldn’t stop seeing myself in her. Swimming used to be my main focus, the same way softball was Sky’s. I know what it is to be afraid an injury can spoil more than your chances of going professional. But, more than anything, I understood how you can find something else you love as much as you did racing, and decide it’s time to change goals.
I found Mia’s character a bit more bland than Sky’s: she wanted to win again for both her and her daughter, and tried her best to be an athlete and a single mother. There wasn’t a lot of change in her character, and that’s the only thing I would have changed and having more pages because i wasn’t ready to say goodbye
The romance started slowly, two teammates training together in this new team, getting to know each other to improve their chemistry on the field-because off the field there was nothing to improve. Strangers to friends to lovers is starting to become my favorite trope, I love seeing the development of their trust, the slow burn that comes with being friends to lovers, but with less risk of feeling they were better as friends. I also adored Sky’s bond with Mia’s daughter, they were the cutest thing together.
Overall, The Unexpected Dream is one of those romances that are able to give you all, from character arc to a slow burn and spice in a bit more than a couple hundred pages. I would highly recommend it if you enjoy the single-parent trope and sports romances.
Skylar’s only focus has always been softball. An injury stopped her from being on the team and it’s threatening to do it again. Skylar doesn’t care if she has to change her position on the field, play through pain or gamble another injury. Or she didn’t. Until Mia and her daughter made Sky question what her dreams really looked like.
I ADORE books about female athletes so it wasn’t unexpected how much I cared about both Mia and Sky. I especially loved Sky’s character; not only because her flirting was so hot, but because I couldn’t stop seeing myself in her. Swimming used to be my main focus, the same way softball was Sky’s. I know what it is to be afraid an injury can spoil more than your chances of going professional. But, more than anything, I understood how you can find something else you love as much as you did racing, and decide it’s time to change goals.
“Sky, I need…”
“Me.” Skylar spread Mia’s legs. “You need me, babe. And I need you.”
I found Mia’s character a bit more bland than Sky’s: she wanted to win again for both her and her daughter, and tried her best to be an athlete and a single mother. There wasn’t a lot of change in her character, and that’s the only thing I would have changed
The romance started slowly, two teammates training together in this new team, getting to know each other to improve their chemistry on the field-because off the field there was nothing to improve. Strangers to friends to lovers is starting to become my favorite trope, I love seeing the development of their trust, the slow burn that comes with being friends to lovers, but with less risk of feeling they were better as friends. I also adored Sky’s bond with Mia’s daughter, they were the cutest thing together.
Overall, The Unexpected Dream is one of those romances that are able to give you all, from character arc to a slow burn and spice in a bit more than a couple hundred pages. I would highly recommend it if you enjoy the single-parent trope and sports romances.
“I’m wondering if you’ve ever had truly mind-blowing sex before, Mia. () I’m talking about the toe-curling, fingers gripping the sheets with white knuckles, sweat covering your skin and their skin because you’ve been going at it for hours. You can’t keep your hands from their skin, and they can’t keep theirs from yours, so they just keep touching and touching and stroking and licking and sucking and kissing until you come again and again. And, eventually, you lie there completely sated, thinking you’ll never need another orgasm again, but then, they reach over and touch you, because they can’t not, and it’s like you can’t live without it again all of a sudden.”
December 1, 2025
3.25⭐
Okay, I have no idea what Nicole's plan was with this one.
It's way too short, moves way too fast and way too much tell rather than show, which hasn't really been the case with the other books I've read by her.
It was cute once they got together but the whole build up fell kinda flat for me.
Characters weren't my favorite either.
Okay, I have no idea what Nicole's plan was with this one.
It's way too short, moves way too fast and way too much tell rather than show, which hasn't really been the case with the other books I've read by her.
It was cute once they got together but the whole build up fell kinda flat for me.
Characters weren't my favorite either.
February 18, 2021
Wow! Everything I need in a book - I really love Nicole Pyland's books, has hardly written a dud. (I'll draw a veil over the San Fran series!) - and this one is spectacularly good. One of the best series I've read. Thank you.
September 11, 2020
Soooo cute!
I was melting by the end of the book.
I don't understand anything about softball, but that wasn't a problem, you can totally read anyway.
Hazel is so cute, how could Gregg do that?
I love stories with kids, they are always heart warming.
Sky and Mia are terrible hiding their relationship 😂😂
Tori was kind of a nice ex, I would be really pissed if I was in her place, I mean, she and sky had just broke up, that must have felt terrible.
I loved the epilogue, really amazing!
F/f explicit and slow burn
I was melting by the end of the book.
I don't understand anything about softball, but that wasn't a problem, you can totally read anyway.
Hazel is so cute, how could Gregg do that?
I love stories with kids, they are always heart warming.
Sky and Mia are terrible hiding their relationship 😂😂
Tori was kind of a nice ex, I would be really pissed if I was in her place, I mean, she and sky had just broke up, that must have felt terrible.
I loved the epilogue, really amazing!
F/f explicit and slow burn
September 21, 2020
Stunning! I did love all her sports series and I don't know how Nicole Pyland manages to write a book with different sports beyond the horizon. All the characters seem lovely to me except Mia ex-husband. Honestly, this is an easy reading book and I do recommend this book for those who need a light reading and in the same time involve some romance. :)
June 2, 2024
Very good
I enjoyed this book very much but I hate how much Pyland days the woman, it v takes me out of the scene every time. Sky and Mia were great mcs and this was well written otherwise, but in every book I've read by Pyland, she writes the woman. I'm sorry, but I've read almost all the books and it's in every single one so far.
I enjoyed this book very much but I hate how much Pyland days the woman, it v takes me out of the scene every time. Sky and Mia were great mcs and this was well written otherwise, but in every book I've read by Pyland, she writes the woman. I'm sorry, but I've read almost all the books and it's in every single one so far.
August 24, 2024
I read this whole series, each as good as the other.
Mia thought she retired after she got pregnant, but then she got the opportunity to play softball again in the newly formed womans league and she had to take her shot. She got her chance but her life and that of her daughter changed for the better from there on out. Mia and Skylar met and had a bit of a rough start at the beginning, but ended up working so well together on and off the pitch.
Mia thought she retired after she got pregnant, but then she got the opportunity to play softball again in the newly formed womans league and she had to take her shot. She got her chance but her life and that of her daughter changed for the better from there on out. Mia and Skylar met and had a bit of a rough start at the beginning, but ended up working so well together on and off the pitch.
August 11, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. I was biting my nails during some of the game scenes. I found the main characters to be very genuine. Mia is always putting being a mom first and to show her daughter that dreams are worth fighting for. Skylar was all about the game and didn't think anything could be more important, until she meets Mia. They work so well together on and off the field. I think Nicole really nailed it with this sports series. I highly recommend all three books.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
September 4, 2020
I’m a huge fan of USA Softball, so this book was definitely in my ballpark. Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I might sound a bit biased, so bear with me, but I loved the story, characters, descriptions of games. Oh yeah, there was some romance in there too. See—softball. I could even imagine Smitty and Mendoza calling the games in my head. Pyland develops her characters very well in a story of dreams, personal setbacks and dedication, joys and triumphs, love and family. A sports romance—nuh-uh, you thought I was going to give you more—nope, no spoilers. If I have only one drawback here, it was that I wanted more at the end. I felt it was building to a more profound end, but it left me waiting and wanting for something more. Just sayin’.
October 4, 2020
I am not going into detail on a review. I do think this is my favorite one out of all the Sports series romances this far. This is book 3. So far I haven't been super impressed with this series as a whole when I compare it to Tahoe, San Fran and Chicago. Of course this was well written with loveable characters. I just need more from Pyland. I am use to making a connection with her romances and so far this series I haven't really done that. I think this was like like a 3.5 to 3.75 romance. It was good but I just need more.
September 3, 2020
This is a lovely story set in the world of Softball. Mia was on her way to the olympics until she got accidentally pregnant. Sky lost her chance when she got injured. This is the story of two women whose love of softball brought them together. Well written, with an interesting plot that will keep you interested until the end.
September 19, 2020
Romantic and cute!
This sports series has been the best, I got hooked since book one with Wyatt and Everly! This is a light romantic reading, I have to confess that at the end I was like “What? That’s it and now?” lol The relationship between Sky and Mia goes beyond chemistry is just connection! Totally recommend it! 🥰💯
This sports series has been the best, I got hooked since book one with Wyatt and Everly! This is a light romantic reading, I have to confess that at the end I was like “What? That’s it and now?” lol The relationship between Sky and Mia goes beyond chemistry is just connection! Totally recommend it! 🥰💯
January 2, 2024
God I love Nicole Pyland
September 15, 2020
No fault of the writing skill but just not into the whole sports theme.
September 4, 2020
This is a tale of two athletes. Skyler holding onto the past and her dream of becoming an Olympian, while a pitching coach for team USA. An injury pretty much halted her career as a professional softball pitcher and she’s doing all she can to play even through constant pain. Mia, once considered to be the best pitcher to ever play the game for team USA, walked away and no one seemed to know why. These two collide in what feels like their last chance to prove something both to themselves and to others who thought their best playing days were behind them. Trying to start a sustain a new professional softball league is going to be difficult trying to make ends meet when the players have to work multiple jobs to support themselves and in Mia’s case, her daughter. Skyler is not a particular likable character from the starting gate, but she gets to a point in her life where she has to decide what is more important and you see her mature in a relatively short amount of time. Mia is ready to move on with her like after a cheating jealous husband, that really doesn’t want anything to do with her or their daughter. This is a relatively average story and a quick read. It is part of a series, but each book could be read as a standalone. Interestingly, because of this book, I realized the author is not going in the direction I thought she was going, to tie everything together at the end of the series.
January 23, 2022
“She needed to remain focused on her game, focused on whether or not Mia could be a fit for the national team, and focusing on the first season of this new league. She did not need to be thinking about how beautiful Mia Landis was as they lay next to one another in a tent at some lame team-building event.”
29 year old Mia Landis was supposed to be an Olympian. Then she suddenly retired from the game and welcomed a beautiful baby girl. Now nearly two years later a professional softball league is being formed and she decides to take a chance to make a better life for themselves. She never thought she would be the star pitcher for the Oklahoma Boomers and on the radar for becoming a member of the national team. While she is stretched thin with team obligations and being a single mom, it’s her teammate 25 year old Skylar Donahue that comes to the rescue. The two of them have been ignoring a connection that has been simmering under the surface since they first met.
Yep. Yep. Yep. Everything was working in this one. Second chances at dreams. Making family that matters. Very likable characters. The epilogue wrapped everything up with a bright shiny bow.
Cliffhanger – no (book #3 in series)
POV - Skylar & Mia
29 year old Mia Landis was supposed to be an Olympian. Then she suddenly retired from the game and welcomed a beautiful baby girl. Now nearly two years later a professional softball league is being formed and she decides to take a chance to make a better life for themselves. She never thought she would be the star pitcher for the Oklahoma Boomers and on the radar for becoming a member of the national team. While she is stretched thin with team obligations and being a single mom, it’s her teammate 25 year old Skylar Donahue that comes to the rescue. The two of them have been ignoring a connection that has been simmering under the surface since they first met.
Yep. Yep. Yep. Everything was working in this one. Second chances at dreams. Making family that matters. Very likable characters. The epilogue wrapped everything up with a bright shiny bow.
Cliffhanger – no (book #3 in series)
POV - Skylar & Mia
September 5, 2020
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. There was one realism/research error that really bugged me. Towards the beginning of the book, the ex husband just signs away his rights to the kid to...no one. Then he doesn't have to pay child support. In no way is that a thing. You can sign your rights away to a new person, the step parent or something, or the state can take away your rights in cases of extreme abuse, but you can't just decide to not be legally responsible for your kid. No judge in any state would okay it, and there is no way out of child support.
I actually thought this would have been a better story if they'd have been dealing Gregg's biphobia and manipulation here and there, and if he'd finally agreed in the end to sign his rights over to Sky.
I get that this is fiction, but this bugged me the entire book.
But, despite that, I was super into the characters, and I really liked everything else about this as a feel-good light-read romance. I will definitely be eagerly awaiting the next book.
I really enjoyed this book. There was one realism/research error that really bugged me. Towards the beginning of the book, the ex husband just signs away his rights to the kid to...no one. Then he doesn't have to pay child support. In no way is that a thing. You can sign your rights away to a new person, the step parent or something, or the state can take away your rights in cases of extreme abuse, but you can't just decide to not be legally responsible for your kid. No judge in any state would okay it, and there is no way out of child support.
I actually thought this would have been a better story if they'd have been dealing Gregg's biphobia and manipulation here and there, and if he'd finally agreed in the end to sign his rights over to Sky.
I get that this is fiction, but this bugged me the entire book.
But, despite that, I was super into the characters, and I really liked everything else about this as a feel-good light-read romance. I will definitely be eagerly awaiting the next book.
February 10, 2024
Another Home Run In Nicole Pyland’s Sports Series!
Oh my gosh! I didn’t expect that ending!
This is a beautiful gentle love story about two women with matching dreams, who’d both lost shots at their dreams because of other issues. But they both get second chances and in those second chances they also find each other.
There are a lot of stories where budding lovers stumble with difficulties between each other but it’s rarer to see sapphic love stories where the couple instead leans into each other instead of away from each other.
And Skylar’s realization about Mia’s importance to her, her choices, and the resulting ending of this book form a perfect conclusion, at least for me, in this third volume of the Sports Series.
Thank you, Nicole Pyland, for an entertaining lovely story.
Oh my gosh! I didn’t expect that ending!
This is a beautiful gentle love story about two women with matching dreams, who’d both lost shots at their dreams because of other issues. But they both get second chances and in those second chances they also find each other.
There are a lot of stories where budding lovers stumble with difficulties between each other but it’s rarer to see sapphic love stories where the couple instead leans into each other instead of away from each other.
And Skylar’s realization about Mia’s importance to her, her choices, and the resulting ending of this book form a perfect conclusion, at least for me, in this third volume of the Sports Series.
Thank you, Nicole Pyland, for an entertaining lovely story.
September 2, 2020
I have liked this series so far. Each book can be read as a standalone, but I enjoy the fact that they deal with women's sports and the struggles that each sport faces just to get recognized as legit. (That is a complete aside, but I thought it was worth mentioning).
I thought this book was believable, and both Skylar and Mia were wonderful characters. I also enjoyed the fact that it was a friends to lover trope, which is a personal favorite of mine. It also dealt with softball, which is just one more thing that drew me in.
Overall, this storyline had me engaged from the beginning. I loved the Love & Basketball vibe, and I think if you are looking for a sweet and believable book that also has some humor mixed in, The Unexpected Dream would be a good choice.
I thought this book was believable, and both Skylar and Mia were wonderful characters. I also enjoyed the fact that it was a friends to lover trope, which is a personal favorite of mine. It also dealt with softball, which is just one more thing that drew me in.
Overall, this storyline had me engaged from the beginning. I loved the Love & Basketball vibe, and I think if you are looking for a sweet and believable book that also has some humor mixed in, The Unexpected Dream would be a good choice.
November 19, 2020
“The Unexpected Dream” was an unexpected surprise. This is the first book I’ve read by an author I’d not heard of before. A friend lent it to me after comparing her to another lesrom author whose books I love. The characters are realistic and likable, the plot is solid and well structured, the chemistry between the two players is palpable and the love scenes were a pleasure to read. In a way, they actually helped further the story. As a reader who typically begins skimming as soon as characters get naked, in this case I found myself reading every word. This was my first book by Nicole Pyland, but it won’t be my last.
November 30, 2020
Amazing story
This third volume in the Sports Series is really a special story. The characters are fantastic, with wonderful development and chemistry. The storyline is great as well, even though, like the first volume in the series, it does rely upon a certain amount of fantasy elements with the professional league plot line. The way the leading ladies are clearly falling in love with each other over the first portion of the story, when they are not dating, yet some of the other characters recognized what is happening and attempt to either call them out on it or encourage them to pursue it, is superb.
This third volume in the Sports Series is really a special story. The characters are fantastic, with wonderful development and chemistry. The storyline is great as well, even though, like the first volume in the series, it does rely upon a certain amount of fantasy elements with the professional league plot line. The way the leading ladies are clearly falling in love with each other over the first portion of the story, when they are not dating, yet some of the other characters recognized what is happening and attempt to either call them out on it or encourage them to pursue it, is superb.
March 28, 2021
When everything you dreamed comes up against everything you want
“I don’t just want someone to care about me. I want someone to love me; to be madly in love with me. I want someone who wants me how I want them.”
+ • + • + • +
When everything you always dreamed of comes up against everything you want, what would you choose to sacrifice?
This was one of the best stories thus far, not incredible tales of awesomeness but ordinary people, flawed & familiar, chasing the dream every one of us athletes had at some point in our lives.
“I don’t just want someone to care about me. I want someone to love me; to be madly in love with me. I want someone who wants me how I want them.”
+ • + • + • +
When everything you always dreamed of comes up against everything you want, what would you choose to sacrifice?
This was one of the best stories thus far, not incredible tales of awesomeness but ordinary people, flawed & familiar, chasing the dream every one of us athletes had at some point in our lives.
September 9, 2020
This was another really good one with a great telling of the characters and I loved Mia's daughter, Hazel, the most out of all of the characters. I did love Skylar and Mia, of course. I was hoping that Wyatt would've made a surprise entrance into the story, but, unfortunately, that didn't happen. I feel like the little nods to the other books characters are fun, but they leave me wanting more of Wyatt Wicked.
June 27, 2021
Wonderful story!
Like the protagonists in this book, softball was one of the great loves of my life. My softball years predated the era of inclusion in the Olympics, but from childhood to my forties the game was a fundamental in my life. The author presented that sentiment in her book and told a beautiful love story as well.
Like the protagonists in this book, softball was one of the great loves of my life. My softball years predated the era of inclusion in the Olympics, but from childhood to my forties the game was a fundamental in my life. The author presented that sentiment in her book and told a beautiful love story as well.
January 30, 2024
The books in this series have been hit or miss with me and I have liked book 2 the best, by far. As much of a sports fan as I am, I don't tend to like sports romances, so it's probably just me. But I was really put off by one of the MCs for the first half? third? of the book and then I struggled with her quick turn around. There were things I liked, so maybe 3 stars is too harsh.
November 27, 2020
Always a great read
I never miss a Nicole Pyland story. It’s a great mental vacation from all the wackiness and bs. Sweet romance and the sexiest of love scenes — both live in her stories. That’s why I keep coming back for more.
I never miss a Nicole Pyland story. It’s a great mental vacation from all the wackiness and bs. Sweet romance and the sexiest of love scenes — both live in her stories. That’s why I keep coming back for more.
November 27, 2021
Nicole Pyland is one of my favorite writers. Enjoyed the Unexpected Dream. Loved the characters, the story and the entire series so far. Can't wait to finish this series and move on to the next series. Loved, loved, loved it!
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