Hot Corner

by Charlotte Russell

AJ Donohue, the Phoenix Sidewinders star third baseman, has two problems. His minor but immediate need: a pet sitter. His major, more comprehensive need: fix his not-so-stellar performance at the plate. A community college dropout with no other skills, AJ believes his career rides on signing a huge contract at the end of the season.

Carolina Markland-Contreras is back in town, trying to repair her academic reputation after an ex-boyfriend embroiled her in a cheating scandal that forced her to leave her dream university. Enrolled in a local university’s doctoral program in statistics, she finally feels like she’s back on track. When her sexy neighbor needs a favor, she’s happy to care for his pet. When she discovers he’s a baseball player in need of statistical assistance, she steps up to the plate.

As AJ coaches Carolina on the nuances of baseball and she works the numbers for him, their attraction for each other grows exponentially. But AJ is worried about striking out with super smart Carolina and she’s unsure if his interest goes any further than her calculating mind.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2021

About the author

Charlotte Russell didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. At one point she had grand plans to be an architect, until she realized she couldn’t draw anything more complicated than a stick figure. So, she enrolled at the University of Notre Dame and studied her first love—history. Now she puts all that historical knowledge to good use by writing romances set in Regency England. When not pounding on the keyboard or tending to one husband, two cats, and three children, she is privileged to serve the people of her community at the local library. She’s resided in numerous locales, including Indiana, Mexico City, Phoenix and Seattle but currently calls the heartland of the USA home.

Reviews

[Tracey Cramer-Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book when the H/H had sex at 20% after nothing more than some texting. There was no emotional bond yet, and it seemed like a stupid thing for two smart people to do and especially in light of Carolina’s recent experience with men. (I’m still not convinced it needed to go that far.) However, the author showed both characters’ vulnerabilities and yeah, I fell a little in love with AJ because of his insecurities while at the same time owning his feelings. I liked that the heroine was Latina and the dialogue was peppered in Spanish (but not so much that I couldn’t follow along) and that AJ could speak and understand some of it as well. Good conflict that pushed the characters to assess what they thought they wanted. And when AJ showed that he was still willing to support Carolina as a friend even after he’d laid his heart out there and she rejected it… sigh! Great HEA.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun ,entertaining story with strong characters in AJ and Caroline. The author moves the story quickly and smoothly and delivers a sweet sports romance. I enjoyed reading their story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Ingrid Vermeulen-Quakernaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really like sports romances but this book has shown me that a good sports novel is more than hitting a ball.

The celebrated baseball player who is having a difficult season after his mother's sudden death meets his neighbor when he is in need of a cat keeper. Overwhelmed by his request to take care of his cat in the 10 days he's been away, she agrees. Not knowing that he is a famous baseball player, she responds to him the way she does to any man, with restraint. After she burned her fingers hard by trusting a man who then used her work to benefit himself and took her reputation through the mud.
But AJ is so sweet, respectful, funny. And he appreciates her intelligence almost as much as her curves.

Even though AJ himself doesn't have any degrees from school, he's not stupid. But never enough for his father and sister who are both successful intilectuals and never miss an opportunity to tell him that sport is not something to have a career in, even if he makes millions. This makes him feel insecure around very smart people like Carolina.
When she helps him with statistics about his game, they understand each other more and something fantastic blossoms between them. But the insecurities of both of them about starting a relationship would make them almost miss their chance.

I thought AJ was a great sensitive tough man. His strength was in his ability to be vulnerable.
Caroline seems like a tough nut to crack, but it is her previous relationship that makes her not dare to open up to AJ

Highly recommended

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

AJ Donohue, the Phoenix Sidewinders star third baseman, met his neighbor Carolina Markland-Contreras when she agreed to pet-sit for him when his sister Kelsey refused to give up her date to watch his cat. The cab was on its way to pick him up for the airport. How would he find a pet sitter in the next few minutes? The impatient cab driver honked the horn, then recognizing AJ, told him he would wait. AJ finally remembered the woman’s name, and she agreed to watch the cat.

Carolina is in town to house-sit for her parents, and to clean up her academic reputation from a cheating scandal her ex-boyfriend created. Later, finding out AJ is a baseball player who can use her statistical expertise, she again agrees to help him. The two become closer as their attraction deepens. But AJ, a community college dropout, is afraid she is way smarter than he is, and she is afraid he might only need her for her statistics skills and nothing more. With their insecurities kicking in, will they have the courage to tell each other how they feel? Or will they remain silent and walk away from what might be a very significant relationship?

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book very much. Sports romance is always fun, plus if you add the smart girl vs jock twist it just adds that much more.
Standalone with no cliffhangers.
Carolina is a super smart statistician going for her PhD, but she has had a slip-up with an ex that has rocked her confidence. Now she has to deal with the hot guy next door and his high maintenance cat.
AJ is a third baseman in the majors in a bad slump when it comes to hitting. He needs all the help he can get, not more trouble in the form of his hot neighbor.
There is just the right amount of family drama go keep you guessing.
Now the part i struggled with. I dont know if the author has race issues or if she wanted Carolina to come off racist but skin color seemed very key to her view points of people. One line in the second chapter put a bad taste in my mouth.
"And for not being overtly racist, at least not yet, though the statistical probability that this purebred white boy didn't harbor some prejudices was very low."
Other then skin color being pointed out all the time i did enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining sports romance. I laughed at Carolina and AJ's first meeting. I don't think Carolina knew what happened! AJ turned out to be areally sweet guy who is sensitive, and actually quite insecure considering his line of work. Carolina is a strong and sassy individual who stands up for what she things is right until it is personal and really matters. They happen to bring out the best in each other but there are so many personal deep-rooted issues that they will need to overcome to get to their HEA.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my fair and honest opinion.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Phoenix Sidewinders series a well written story. Carolina Markland-Contreras is a woman blamed for doing something she did not do, and AJ Donohue, the Phoenix Sidewinders star third baseman is a man not sure of where he fits in. I enjoyed reading this story and I want to read more in this series. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Esme Greiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

AJ is a baseball player for the Phoenix Sidewinders and in need of a pet sitter. Carolina is back in town to get back on track with her education and agrees to help AJ with pet sitting. She finds out he needs help with statistics and offers her help. As they spend more time together they get closer. Will they finally tell each other how they feel?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good, and enjoyable romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tburbr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read filled with an entertaining story line and endearing characters. The perfect read for a long lunch.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! It has baseball players and pets so how could it go wrong? I found myself sad when I finished this one. Great story

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Frances Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ & Carolina

Such a beautiful story with ups and downs like most romances. They both persevered to get what they wanted in life & a relationship. And baseball love is a unique love! Very nice HEA!!

[Coco.V]

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