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Richmond Rogues #2
Curveball
The bad boys of baseball, they are the top power hitters of the Richmond Rogues, and the team's best hope for a shot at the World Series. But when all three have to be benched for brawling, it's the beginning of a whole new ball game, and the opposing team could win something more than a trophy--these ladies are after their hearts.
At the top of the ninth, with the bases loaded, each man realizes that happiness is just within reach, even when love throws a...Curveball.
At the top of the ninth, with the bases loaded, each man realizes that happiness is just within reach, even when love throws a...Curveball.
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
27 people are currently reading
1196 people want to read
About the author
Kate Angell
37 books591 followersUSA Today bestselling author Kate Angell lives in Naples, Florida. She’s an animal lover, avid reader, and sports fan. Bookstores are her second home. She takes coffee breaks at Starbucks. Her philosophy: Out of chaos comes calmness. Enjoy the peace.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
September 24, 2009
LOVED it! I've got no better way to say it except I loved it! I fell for the characters (all 6 of them), the storyline, the humor sprinkled throughout the book--enjoyed seeing three big bad alpha athletes who could get any woman they wanted fall to their knees for three women who (at first) didn't seem all that interested in them. I loved how each of the athletes had separate and distinct personalities, with good traits and bad boy traits, had different experiences growing up (some really heartbreaking), but how they all had great big soft hearts.
This is the second book in the Richmond Rogues MLB series, and takes place 5 years after the first book (Squeeze Play) when the Rogues last won the World Series. The team now is in a bit of a disarray and lacks unity--because of the salary cap and free agency, new players have been brought in but all the different personalities haven't quite meshed on the field (or in the clubhouse) and makes for a less than cohesive team. A big, fist swinging pre-season scuffle between newly acquired star pitcher Chris Collier and established star and one of the members of the legendary "Bat Pack", RF Cody "Psycho" McMillan, results in Psycho and the other two members of the Bat Pack, 3B Jesse "Romeo" Bellisaro, and catcher Chase "Chaser" Tallan being suspended for 13 games at the start of the season. This is equivalent to a death sentence for the three players, because they live and breathe baseball and the lifestyle that goes with it. But this helps to set up the book and establish their relationships off the field with the three women who will change their lives forever.
The author establishes relationships for all three members of the Bat Pack at the same time, and the book skips from chapter to chapter to the different player. At times this got confusing (and a little frustrating, especially when things started heating up), because just when you were getting involved with one player's story, KA switched to another player whose story was happening at the same time. Sometimes it was hard to keep all the facts straight, like... who was the nudist, who was dating the former ballerina, who was considered the 'sexiest man in baseball', who has a tattoo above his groin that says "Legendary" (all the players have the tats--it's part of a rookie initiation), etc. But as the story went on and I learned more and more about the players and their girlfriends, a clearer picture of each one was established in my head. I must say, I don't know how Kate Angell managed to pack so much detail about each of the three couples, making me feel like I knew them so well and having me rooting for their love stories to turn out well, all in just 292 pages. A lot of authors can't do that with one couple in that amount of space, but Angell wastes no time with filler or even extraneous love scenes. She's got a story to tell and characters to sell, and she does it so well.
So each player gets his own story, and they all develop while the players are suspended at the start of the season, and run the course right up to the World Series.
I liked all three stories, but the one I liked best was the one involving the complicated Psycho and wanna-be house restorer, Keely Douglas. Thirty-two year old Psycho (I can't believe that he was actually 27 when he was acting like a crazy ass in "Squeeze Play"!) lives in an historic, rundown Colonial that needs restoring, and Keely's the 27 yr. old petite blue-eyed blonde who bluffs her way into getting the job of restoring the old mansion. I loved everything about their romance. I loved how Keely (who had a similar background to Psycho) was able to get under the skin of the wild and impulsive Psycho and help calm him down. I loved how she turned this ladies' man who doesn't do "special" or "long term" into a one woman man. I loved his big heart--loved how he made every day her "birthday". Psycho didn't lose all his wicked, bad boy ways with Keely, but she brought out the best in him and helped tone him down a notch. I especially loved his 'proof of love' ending with Keely--very sweet and touching, which of course later turned into hot!
The blond and blue eyed, stylish Romeo, who never met a woman he didn't love, and who women flock to, meets his match with an attractive, chestnut haired sports reporter determined to resist him. Although Emerson Kent is wildly attracted to the blond Adonis (who isn't?), she likes being in control, and darn if being around Romeo doesn't mess with her control. Romeo is intrigued by the one woman who doesn't fall at his feet, and is determined to win her. They end up making a bet about a rival team and how many wins they will achieve: for every win over 100 that the other team gets, Romeo will pay her favorite charity $1,000. And if the rival team (her pick to win the pennant over the Rogues)wins less than 100, she'll sleep with him. Okay...
Their story was sexy and hot, and Emerson leads Romeo on a merry chase. Lots of sexual tension in this one, and when Em finds herself falling for Romeo, she gets scared and pulls back, and nearly breaks Romeo's heart. It was good to see Romeo having to do the pursuing for a change, and I liked them as a couple. Well done story.
Chase's story was a (long time) friends-to-lovers story. Chase's neighbor and childhood best friend is back in town after a long time spent in NY as a ballerina. Thirty-two year old, tall, beautiful Jen Reid is back running her late father's concession business at the Rogue's ballpark. Her best buddy Chase wants to see her happy, and insists on fixing her up with one of his friends. Chase has always adored Jen, but they grew up together, are best friends, and even though there's definitely a spark between them, he doesn't want to do anything to mess it up. Until he goes on a double date with her and the 'fix-up', and realizes that yes, he does want Jen for himself, and he sets out to get her.
Nice and steamy story, with well drawn, likable characters and some very hot moments. Loved it.
Well, I can't get enough of these bad-boy Richmond Rogues, and I have one more to go (Strike Zone) before I get all caught up. Angell's style is incredibly quick paced, and is filled with humor, great story telling, and characters that you fall in love with. And she doesn't skimp on the heat, either. There's a nice build up of sexual tension, which makes everything that much more believable when the characters finally hit the sheets, and the payoff is worth the wait. You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this series (in fact, you can easily skip the few ballpark scenes and not miss anything), but those who are baseball fans will surely enjoy it even more. I hope there's many more tales to come, because I'm already a Rogues fan for life. As long as KA can keep coming up with interesting bad boys, I'll be reading their stories. 5 stars
This is the second book in the Richmond Rogues MLB series, and takes place 5 years after the first book (Squeeze Play) when the Rogues last won the World Series. The team now is in a bit of a disarray and lacks unity--because of the salary cap and free agency, new players have been brought in but all the different personalities haven't quite meshed on the field (or in the clubhouse) and makes for a less than cohesive team. A big, fist swinging pre-season scuffle between newly acquired star pitcher Chris Collier and established star and one of the members of the legendary "Bat Pack", RF Cody "Psycho" McMillan, results in Psycho and the other two members of the Bat Pack, 3B Jesse "Romeo" Bellisaro, and catcher Chase "Chaser" Tallan being suspended for 13 games at the start of the season. This is equivalent to a death sentence for the three players, because they live and breathe baseball and the lifestyle that goes with it. But this helps to set up the book and establish their relationships off the field with the three women who will change their lives forever.
The author establishes relationships for all three members of the Bat Pack at the same time, and the book skips from chapter to chapter to the different player. At times this got confusing (and a little frustrating, especially when things started heating up), because just when you were getting involved with one player's story, KA switched to another player whose story was happening at the same time. Sometimes it was hard to keep all the facts straight, like... who was the nudist, who was dating the former ballerina, who was considered the 'sexiest man in baseball', who has a tattoo above his groin that says "Legendary" (all the players have the tats--it's part of a rookie initiation), etc. But as the story went on and I learned more and more about the players and their girlfriends, a clearer picture of each one was established in my head. I must say, I don't know how Kate Angell managed to pack so much detail about each of the three couples, making me feel like I knew them so well and having me rooting for their love stories to turn out well, all in just 292 pages. A lot of authors can't do that with one couple in that amount of space, but Angell wastes no time with filler or even extraneous love scenes. She's got a story to tell and characters to sell, and she does it so well.
So each player gets his own story, and they all develop while the players are suspended at the start of the season, and run the course right up to the World Series.
I liked all three stories, but the one I liked best was the one involving the complicated Psycho and wanna-be house restorer, Keely Douglas. Thirty-two year old Psycho (I can't believe that he was actually 27 when he was acting like a crazy ass in "Squeeze Play"!) lives in an historic, rundown Colonial that needs restoring, and Keely's the 27 yr. old petite blue-eyed blonde who bluffs her way into getting the job of restoring the old mansion. I loved everything about their romance. I loved how Keely (who had a similar background to Psycho) was able to get under the skin of the wild and impulsive Psycho and help calm him down. I loved how she turned this ladies' man who doesn't do "special" or "long term" into a one woman man. I loved his big heart--loved how he made every day her "birthday". Psycho didn't lose all his wicked, bad boy ways with Keely, but she brought out the best in him and helped tone him down a notch. I especially loved his 'proof of love' ending with Keely--very sweet and touching, which of course later turned into hot!
The blond and blue eyed, stylish Romeo, who never met a woman he didn't love, and who women flock to, meets his match with an attractive, chestnut haired sports reporter determined to resist him. Although Emerson Kent is wildly attracted to the blond Adonis (who isn't?), she likes being in control, and darn if being around Romeo doesn't mess with her control. Romeo is intrigued by the one woman who doesn't fall at his feet, and is determined to win her. They end up making a bet about a rival team and how many wins they will achieve: for every win over 100 that the other team gets, Romeo will pay her favorite charity $1,000. And if the rival team (her pick to win the pennant over the Rogues)wins less than 100, she'll sleep with him. Okay...
Their story was sexy and hot, and Emerson leads Romeo on a merry chase. Lots of sexual tension in this one, and when Em finds herself falling for Romeo, she gets scared and pulls back, and nearly breaks Romeo's heart. It was good to see Romeo having to do the pursuing for a change, and I liked them as a couple. Well done story.
Chase's story was a (long time) friends-to-lovers story. Chase's neighbor and childhood best friend is back in town after a long time spent in NY as a ballerina. Thirty-two year old, tall, beautiful Jen Reid is back running her late father's concession business at the Rogue's ballpark. Her best buddy Chase wants to see her happy, and insists on fixing her up with one of his friends. Chase has always adored Jen, but they grew up together, are best friends, and even though there's definitely a spark between them, he doesn't want to do anything to mess it up. Until he goes on a double date with her and the 'fix-up', and realizes that yes, he does want Jen for himself, and he sets out to get her.
Nice and steamy story, with well drawn, likable characters and some very hot moments. Loved it.
Well, I can't get enough of these bad-boy Richmond Rogues, and I have one more to go (Strike Zone) before I get all caught up. Angell's style is incredibly quick paced, and is filled with humor, great story telling, and characters that you fall in love with. And she doesn't skimp on the heat, either. There's a nice build up of sexual tension, which makes everything that much more believable when the characters finally hit the sheets, and the payoff is worth the wait. You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this series (in fact, you can easily skip the few ballpark scenes and not miss anything), but those who are baseball fans will surely enjoy it even more. I hope there's many more tales to come, because I'm already a Rogues fan for life. As long as KA can keep coming up with interesting bad boys, I'll be reading their stories. 5 stars
April 7, 2011
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2011/03/21/...
Many of you may already know that I am obsessed with Sports Romance books. I love them. I go out of my way to find them, and I gobble them up whenever I get the chance. Susan Elizabeth Philips Chicago Stars, Rachel Gibson’s Chinooks Hockey Team, Carly Phillips’ Hot Zone and Jaci Burton’s Play by Play are amongst my favorites. I’ve recently added Kate Angell’s Richmond Rogues Series to the list. If you have any others that you love, PLEASE… let me know!!
I received the first book in her series as a freebee from Kobo (I think…) and after reading through the first one, immediately bought books two through four. The 2nd book in the series, Curveball was by far my favorite, and so fun to read. It follows the three all stars of the “Bat Pack” who are the hardest hitting all stars of their team. They work hard, they play hard, and they party hard.
The three guys: Psycho, Romeo and Chaser start off the book on a suspension for in team fighting, and have to deal with the hardest sentence of all, sitting out of the first few weeks of the season. But as these guys struggle with their suspension, they all also have to deal with the introduction of each of their lucky ladies. And let me tell you, they all have a wild ride ahead of them!
Psycho is a nudist, and with the recent purchase of his home, has been hounded to renovate it to its former glory. Enter Keely, the down on her luck designer who weasels her way into the role of Psycho’s designer. As they work side by side restoring his home, they also find a way to heal both of their souls. I really enjoyed the story between these two. They were both from somewhat disadvantaged childhoods, and yet they found a way to really come together and find comfort and a home within each other. I loved Psycho, and I thought that Keely fit him perfectly.
Romeo is the smooth talker in the group. He never has a problem with women, and they tend to fawn all over him. When he tried to apologize to Emerson, female reporter, he finds himself smitten with the one woman who didn’t instantly fall at his feet. Romeo for the first time ever has to chase after a woman he wants, and is constantly thrown by the fact that Emerson doesn’t fall easily. I loved the slow build of their relationship and the way that Romeo had to fight to prove to Emerson that she was exactly what he wanted. The slow and tension filled build of their relationship was so fun to watch unfold.
Chaser is the more subdued of the Bat Pack. His lifelong best friend Jen is home for good, and after one almost kiss, the two realize that there might be more between them. Jen wants to settle down, and Chaser tries to set her up on date after date, putting himself through hell as he watches her date other men. I’m a HUGE fan of friends to lovers stories, and Chaser and Jen got the least amount of page time, which was a disappointment to me. These two danced around each other, not sure if the other would be committed to taking their relationship to the next level, yet dying on the inside watching each other date the wrong people. I wish we could have had more of them, but it was easy to see just how easily they were able to fall in love.
The only thing that disappointed me about Curveball was the length. It was somewhat short for a novel that tells three romance stories in one. Although I was completely satisfied with the progression of each of the Bat Pack’s journey to love, I wish there would have been more.
All in all, I give Curveball a B+!
Many of you may already know that I am obsessed with Sports Romance books. I love them. I go out of my way to find them, and I gobble them up whenever I get the chance. Susan Elizabeth Philips Chicago Stars, Rachel Gibson’s Chinooks Hockey Team, Carly Phillips’ Hot Zone and Jaci Burton’s Play by Play are amongst my favorites. I’ve recently added Kate Angell’s Richmond Rogues Series to the list. If you have any others that you love, PLEASE… let me know!!
I received the first book in her series as a freebee from Kobo (I think…) and after reading through the first one, immediately bought books two through four. The 2nd book in the series, Curveball was by far my favorite, and so fun to read. It follows the three all stars of the “Bat Pack” who are the hardest hitting all stars of their team. They work hard, they play hard, and they party hard.
The three guys: Psycho, Romeo and Chaser start off the book on a suspension for in team fighting, and have to deal with the hardest sentence of all, sitting out of the first few weeks of the season. But as these guys struggle with their suspension, they all also have to deal with the introduction of each of their lucky ladies. And let me tell you, they all have a wild ride ahead of them!
Psycho is a nudist, and with the recent purchase of his home, has been hounded to renovate it to its former glory. Enter Keely, the down on her luck designer who weasels her way into the role of Psycho’s designer. As they work side by side restoring his home, they also find a way to heal both of their souls. I really enjoyed the story between these two. They were both from somewhat disadvantaged childhoods, and yet they found a way to really come together and find comfort and a home within each other. I loved Psycho, and I thought that Keely fit him perfectly.
Romeo is the smooth talker in the group. He never has a problem with women, and they tend to fawn all over him. When he tried to apologize to Emerson, female reporter, he finds himself smitten with the one woman who didn’t instantly fall at his feet. Romeo for the first time ever has to chase after a woman he wants, and is constantly thrown by the fact that Emerson doesn’t fall easily. I loved the slow build of their relationship and the way that Romeo had to fight to prove to Emerson that she was exactly what he wanted. The slow and tension filled build of their relationship was so fun to watch unfold.
Chaser is the more subdued of the Bat Pack. His lifelong best friend Jen is home for good, and after one almost kiss, the two realize that there might be more between them. Jen wants to settle down, and Chaser tries to set her up on date after date, putting himself through hell as he watches her date other men. I’m a HUGE fan of friends to lovers stories, and Chaser and Jen got the least amount of page time, which was a disappointment to me. These two danced around each other, not sure if the other would be committed to taking their relationship to the next level, yet dying on the inside watching each other date the wrong people. I wish we could have had more of them, but it was easy to see just how easily they were able to fall in love.
The only thing that disappointed me about Curveball was the length. It was somewhat short for a novel that tells three romance stories in one. Although I was completely satisfied with the progression of each of the Bat Pack’s journey to love, I wish there would have been more.
All in all, I give Curveball a B+!
August 7, 2015
This book was harder for me because I felt like I was having a brain overload and I would shut down at any time, I loved the bat pack. I all the story and once my brain got in to jump mode I went smoother for me. But now I have to say this because I truly feel that Psycho should have gotten his own book, I mean wow he was just so complex and found it hard to believe that his story was going to able to be summed up in his part of the actually small book. I would say that his my favorite character from the series with a close run behind him by Zen. Still all the stories were cute, fun, and the Girls were just so dead on for the guys in terms on being an equal match.
May 1, 2012
I'm going to break down the review into three parts since this story is about the Bat pack which consist of Baseballs toughest players Romeo,Psycho, and Chaser.
Psycho & Keely
5/5
Psycho is used to being the most unlike Baseball player in the series, he doesn't take any bullshit from anyone he's in your face crazy. But he's attitude earns him a 11 week suspension for hitting one of his teammates so now Psycho doesn't know what to do with his time so he decided to remodel his old Colonial home and that's when he meets Keely. Keely is used to having nothing and wants a chance to be someone so when she hears that Psycho is looking for a Interior decorator Keely knows her time to shine has come and she will do anything for a chance to decorate his house. But Keely and Psycho find that more is at stake than just decorating his house.
I absolutely love their story the most it seemed like they actually grew as the story unfolded and the chemistry they had was just hot! The only complain I have was that there story was to short and I wish Kate would have given Psycho a full book he deserved it.
Romeo and Emerson started out at the wrong foot when Romeo accidentally bumped into Emerson during the fight that broke out between Psycho and the team and Emerson was caught in the crossfire. Now Romeo has to come up with a way to make it up to the sexy reporter and hopefully put him in her good side. But Romeo will find out that his charming looks don't work on emerson and no matter what he does Emerson doesn't seem to be affected when he's around. For the first time in his life Romeo is faced with a female who can resist him,but what make it worst is that Emerson is the only women Romeo has ever seen himself settle with. Will Emerson see pass his good looks and see the real man or will she let Romeo go?
Romeo & Emerson
3/4
Hmmm...
there story had potential but it was way to short and I felt like something was lacking in both characters I wanted to love Romeo but I just couldn't something about him bored me at times. I think there story had a potential to be a 5 star if there story would have been developed more.
Chaser & Jen
2.5/5
There story was way to short basically it was about chaser discovering that he has been in love with his best friends and he is ready to move on to the next step and marry her. That was the whole story to them and I wish they would have ad a longer story as well. Like I said before there story had a potential to be a 5 star rating but a the plot was lacking and I can't even remember anything about Chaser and Jen other than they have the hots for each other.
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Psycho & Keely
5/5
Psycho is used to being the most unlike Baseball player in the series, he doesn't take any bullshit from anyone he's in your face crazy. But he's attitude earns him a 11 week suspension for hitting one of his teammates so now Psycho doesn't know what to do with his time so he decided to remodel his old Colonial home and that's when he meets Keely. Keely is used to having nothing and wants a chance to be someone so when she hears that Psycho is looking for a Interior decorator Keely knows her time to shine has come and she will do anything for a chance to decorate his house. But Keely and Psycho find that more is at stake than just decorating his house.
I absolutely love their story the most it seemed like they actually grew as the story unfolded and the chemistry they had was just hot! The only complain I have was that there story was to short and I wish Kate would have given Psycho a full book he deserved it.
Romeo and Emerson started out at the wrong foot when Romeo accidentally bumped into Emerson during the fight that broke out between Psycho and the team and Emerson was caught in the crossfire. Now Romeo has to come up with a way to make it up to the sexy reporter and hopefully put him in her good side. But Romeo will find out that his charming looks don't work on emerson and no matter what he does Emerson doesn't seem to be affected when he's around. For the first time in his life Romeo is faced with a female who can resist him,but what make it worst is that Emerson is the only women Romeo has ever seen himself settle with. Will Emerson see pass his good looks and see the real man or will she let Romeo go?
Romeo & Emerson
3/4
Hmmm...
there story had potential but it was way to short and I felt like something was lacking in both characters I wanted to love Romeo but I just couldn't something about him bored me at times. I think there story had a potential to be a 5 star if there story would have been developed more.
Chaser & Jen
2.5/5
There story was way to short basically it was about chaser discovering that he has been in love with his best friends and he is ready to move on to the next step and marry her. That was the whole story to them and I wish they would have ad a longer story as well. Like I said before there story had a potential to be a 5 star rating but a the plot was lacking and I can't even remember anything about Chaser and Jen other than they have the hots for each other.
Check other reviews
http://contemporary-romance-lover.blo...
June 11, 2010
Curveball is the second book in Kate Angell's Richmond Rogues Series. The Rogues are a major league baseball team and Curveball is a fun romantic comedy of three romances that revolve around Psycho, Romeo and Chaser, Rogue teammates better known as the "Bat Pack". Psycho develops a relationship with his interior decorator, Keely Douglas, when she unexpectedly shows up on the front porch of his historical colonial home. Romeo has it bad for Emerson Kent, the sports reporter for the local newspaper whom he accidentally mows down in a sideline brawl. Chaser finally notices the girl who he has lived next door to since they were kids is now a woman.
Curveball is different from most romances that I have read in that instead of featuring one hero and heroine there are three. Each romance gets about the same amount of billing time in the book. My favorite thread was the romance between Psycho and Keely. Psycho is from the wrong side of the tracks. He grew up with practically nothing and made something of himself by sleeping, eating and breathing baseball. He right away notices how threadbare Keely's clothes are and how desperately she needs this job as his interior decorator. On the outside he is abrasive and cutting, but on the inside he is a big softy and he definitely has a huge soft spot for Keely.
I had a little trouble getting into Romeo and Emerson's romance. Emerson is very controlling and stand-offish. She continually holds Romeo at bay and I just didn't like her personality. It seemed to me that Romeo was too good for her and I didn't understand what about Emerson appealed so much to him. Chaser and Jen's romance was a friends to lovers theme and I always enjoy reading about that.
Curveball was a very fast read. The characters were enjoyable and the plotting was simple. The drawback to having three romances was that I didn't get to spend enough time on each one. I really enjoyed Psycho and almost wish that he could have gotten his own book. Really, the author is just scratching the surface of these characters. The writing and storyline was definitely good enough to draw me in and make me want more. I would recommend this book to those who want something light and funny when they need a quick read. At just under 300 pages, I was able to read this in less than a day. You might want to bring it to the beach!
Curveball is different from most romances that I have read in that instead of featuring one hero and heroine there are three. Each romance gets about the same amount of billing time in the book. My favorite thread was the romance between Psycho and Keely. Psycho is from the wrong side of the tracks. He grew up with practically nothing and made something of himself by sleeping, eating and breathing baseball. He right away notices how threadbare Keely's clothes are and how desperately she needs this job as his interior decorator. On the outside he is abrasive and cutting, but on the inside he is a big softy and he definitely has a huge soft spot for Keely.
I had a little trouble getting into Romeo and Emerson's romance. Emerson is very controlling and stand-offish. She continually holds Romeo at bay and I just didn't like her personality. It seemed to me that Romeo was too good for her and I didn't understand what about Emerson appealed so much to him. Chaser and Jen's romance was a friends to lovers theme and I always enjoy reading about that.
Curveball was a very fast read. The characters were enjoyable and the plotting was simple. The drawback to having three romances was that I didn't get to spend enough time on each one. I really enjoyed Psycho and almost wish that he could have gotten his own book. Really, the author is just scratching the surface of these characters. The writing and storyline was definitely good enough to draw me in and make me want more. I would recommend this book to those who want something light and funny when they need a quick read. At just under 300 pages, I was able to read this in less than a day. You might want to bring it to the beach!
May 12, 2009
I have to admit, I was disappointed when I started this book. I adored Risk, Jacy, Zen and Stevie from the first book, and I was rather bummed when I discovered Kate Angell moved on to the love lives of other team players.
The book centered around the Bat Pack – Pyscho, Romeo and Chaser. While I can understand why she combined then all into one book, there was just too much story for one book, and so things jumped around.
I thought each of their relationships was super cute (especially Psycho's), but I just wanted more detail...and more sex.
The book centered around the Bat Pack – Pyscho, Romeo and Chaser. While I can understand why she combined then all into one book, there was just too much story for one book, and so things jumped around.
I thought each of their relationships was super cute (especially Psycho's), but I just wanted more detail...and more sex.
June 3, 2009
Three bad boys of baseball, known as the Bat Pack, each meet the woman who will reform him and make him want to be *gasp* monogamous! Basically, the book is how each woman achieves what she wants, the guys are convinced they did the convincing, and there's just enough baseball involved to say it's definitely a sports story about love, or love stories about sports. It was a cute story and moved at a good pace AND (a plus for me in a contemporary) was not loaded with off-color or foul language.
December 29, 2012
I have read the first novel, and an disappointed with the ready of the series. I found that the romances were good set ups, but there was very little flow. Making it hard to follow along. Also by halving three groupings of characters all with sufferer experiences that can't be tied together bakes the book feel like there were three different stories framed into one. Ebb and flow needs to be tweaked. I would have scored higher if it had better flow to it, but I cant cus it's not there :
November 15, 2022
I picked up this book because it was billed as being written by the Susan Elizabeth Phillips of baseball. Although I enjoyed the baseball, the rest of the book lacked the depth of Ms. Phillips and was a bit disappointing. I may try another to see if Ms. Angell develops some.
May 2, 2017
Nada del otro mundo, no sé ni porque le doy 3 estrellas
January 22, 2025
หนังสือหลายเล่มมักแต่งให้ตัวเอกเป็นนักกีฬาชื่อดัง นั่นก็เพราะว่าความนิยมในกีฬาในอเมริกามามาก นักกีฬามีสถานะไม่แตกต่างจากดาราชื่อดัง นักกีฬามักมีร่างกายแข็งแรงสวยงาม เงินทองใช้เหลือเฟือ ดังนั้นจึงไม่ต่างอะไรกับเศรษฐีกรีกที่มักจะเป็นพระเอก
สิ่งที่ยากก็คือ เศรษฐีกรีกในนิยายมักไม่ต้องทำอะไรมาก ส่วนใหญ่จะถูกบรรยายว่าเก่ง แต่คนอ่านก็ไม่เคยเห็นพวกนี้ทำงานเลยสักวันในชีวิต (เอาแต่ไล่หึงเมียที่เป็นอดีตคนทำงานทำความสะอาดออฟฟิสที่เป็นสาวใสวัย ยี่สิบเอ็ด บริสุทธิ์ผุดผ่อง หัวใจทอง ไร้เดียง --- แม็กซ์พูดครบไหมเนี่ย) แต่การเขียนเรื่องโรแมนซ์ที่ตัวเองเป็นกีฬาให้เวิร์ค คนแต่งจำเป็นจะต้องเอาส่วนประกอบในด้านกีฬาของพวกเขาเข้ามาผูกในเรื่องให้ ได้
แม็กซ์อ่านหนังสือมาเยอะที่พระเอกเป็นควอเตอร์แบ๊ค แต่คนแต่งไม่รู้ด้วยซ้ำว่า ฮัดเดิ้ล คืออะไร นั่นเป็นวิธีการทำลายหนังสือที่ดีที่สุดวิธีหนึ่ง เพราะบังเอิญนอกจากหนังสือแล้ว กีฬาเป็นความลุ่มหลงอีกอย่างของแม็กซ์
กีฬาที่แม็กซ์รักที่สุด แต่แทบไม่เคยเจอนักเขียนคนไหนที่ดีพอจะผสมผสานให้ลงตัวกับโรแมนซ์ได้ ก็คือเบสบอล กีฬาที่คนไทยแทบจะไม่รู้จัก ยกเว้นจากการ์ตูนญี่ปุ่น
แต่สำหรับหนังสือของเคท แองเกิ้ลที่เขียนเรื่องผู้เล่นในทีมริชมอนด์ โร้ค (ที่จนบัดนี้แม็กซ์ก็ยังไม่เข้าใจว่า ทำไมเมเจอลีกถึงยอมให้ริชมอนด์มีทีมเบสบอลได้ --- เป็นจินตนาการที่ไม่เอาไหนของคนแต่ง อยากน้อยก็น่าจะเลือกเมืองใหญ่กว่านี้นะ) ที่เริ่มจาก Squeeze Play มาจนถึง Curveball เล่มนี้ ในส่วนของเบสบอลถือว่าสอบผ่านฉลุยค่ะ คนแต่งมีความรู้เรื่องกีฬาชนิดนี้จริง การบรรยายฉากจบในเวิร์ดซี่รี่ย์ อ่านแล้วสนุก เหมือนกะได้ดูของจริงเลยด้วยนะ
แล้วโรแมนซ์ล่ะเป็นไงบ้าง ก็ถือว่าโอเคใช้ได้ในระดับหนึ่ง เพราะ Curveball (ซึ่งแปลเป็นไทยหมายถึง วิธีการขว้างลูกเบสบอลชนิดหนึ่งที่พิชเชอร์ขว้างโดยลูกจะโค้งขว้างมือแค ชเชอร์ --- คนที่อ่านที่แม็กซ์อธิบายไม่เข้าใจ ก็ไม่ต้องอ่านเรื่องนี้นะคะ เพราะเบสบอลเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของเนื้อเรื่องมาก ถ้าคุณไม่เข้าใจเบสบอล คุณก็จะพลาดส่วนนี้ไป) มีตัวละครหลักสามคู่ นั่นก็คือ สามแสบแห่งริชมอนด์ โร้ค
ไซโค ก็ตามชื่อเป็นผู้เล่นที่ชอบความรุนแรง และใช้อารมณ์ เขาเป็นต้นเหตุให้ตนเองและเพื่อนอีกสองคนโดนห้ามลงสนาม เนื่องจากไปชกต่อยกับผู้เล่นในทีมเดียวกัน ด้วยภูมิหลังที่ยากจนมาก่อน ทำให้เขาเข้าใจคีลี่ อดีตพนักงานเสิร์ฟที่ต้องการเปลี่ยนแปลงชีวิตมาเป็นสถาปนิคได้เป็นอย่างดี เขาให้โอกาสเธอในการตกแต่งบ้านให้เขา ถ้าไม่คิดว่า พนักงานเสิร์ฟกลายเป็นสถาปนิคได้โดยไม่จำเป็นต้องเสียเวลาเรียนมหาวิทยาลัย ความรักของคู่นี้ถือว่าน่าอ่านและสนุกดีค่ะ คีลี่เป็นนักโกหกที่โชคดีพอที่เจอผู้ชายที่เหมาะกับเธอมากที่สุด นั่นเพราะไซโคทำทุกอย่างเพื่อให้คำโกหกของเธอเป็นความจริงขึ้นมา
โรมิโอ ก็ตามชื่อเช่นกัน เขาเป็นนักรัก ด้วยส่วนผสมของแม่ผมบลอนด์ตาสีฟ้า และพ่อเชื้อสายอิตาเลียน เขาหล่อเหลา และรู้ตัวดี ความสัมพันธ์ของเราเริ่มต้นกับนักเขียนคอลัมท์กีฬาเอ็มเมอร์สัน (ที่เป็นผู้หญิงนะจ๊ะ-- ไม่ใช่เรื่องเกย์) ที่เขาชนจนหกล้มระหว่างที่ไซโคมีเรื่องกับเพื่อนร่วมทีม เอ็มเป็นผู้หญิงเพียงคนเดียวที่ทานเสน่ห์เขาได้ และดูเหมือนเป็นการสั่งสอนโรมิโอ เพราะเขาเป็นคนสุดท้ายในกลุ่มสามแสบที่มีเซ็กซ์กับนางเอกของตัวเอง
เชสเซอร์ พบรักกับสาวข้างบ้าน ผู้หญิงที่เขาเรียนอนุบาลมาด้วยกัน ผู้หญิงที่รู้จักเขาดีกว่าตัวเขาเองเสียอีก ความรักที่เกิดขึ้นอย่างไม่รู้ตัว ผ่านความใกล้ชิด เป็นความรักที่ลงเอยง่ายที่สุด เพราะมันเริ่มตั้งแต่ก่อนเรื่องนี้จะเริ่มต้นเสียอีก
และเพราะมีพระนางถึงสามคู่ เวลาในเรื่องจึงถูกแบ่งออกไป คนอ่านไม่ได้ข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับตัวละครแต่ละตัวมากนักหรอก หรือเข้าไปรู้เห็นว่าความสัมพันธ์ของพวกเขาพัฒนากลายเป็นความรักอย่างลึก ซึ้งนัก แต่แม็กซ์ชอบที่คนแต่งยังทำให้แม็กซ์เชื่อได้ว่า มีความรักเกิดขึ้น ด้วยหน้ากระดาษเพียงไม่กี่หน้า
หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นการเล่าเรื่องผ่านมุมมองของตัวละครผู้ชาย บรรดานางเอกก็มีบ้าง แต่น้อยมาก แม็กซ์ถือว่าทำได้ดีค่ะ
แต่ก็คงต้องบอกตามตรงว่า คนที่คาดหวังมากกว่าความสน���กในเวลาสั้น ๆ ก็คงไม่สมหวังกับการอ่านเรื่องนี้หรอกค่ะ Curveball เหมาะกับการอ่านฆ่าเวลา หรือเพื่อใช้ปรับอารมณ์ (ในกรณีของแม็กซ์ ที่เพิ่งอ่านหนังสือที่น่าประทับใจมาก ๆ จบไป)
ลงตัวที่ 70 ค่ะ สำหรับการอ่านที่สบายใจ และถือเป็นหนังสือเกี่ยวกับเบสบอลอีกเล่มที่คะแนนสูงมาก (เพราะเล่มอื่นมันห่วยค่ะ) เทียบกับ Squeeze Play ที่ได้ 67
สิ่งที่ยากก็คือ เศรษฐีกรีกในนิยายมักไม่ต้องทำอะไรมาก ส่วนใหญ่จะถูกบรรยายว่าเก่ง แต่คนอ่านก็ไม่เคยเห็นพวกนี้ทำงานเลยสักวันในชีวิต (เอาแต่ไล่หึงเมียที่เป็นอดีตคนทำงานทำความสะอาดออฟฟิสที่เป็นสาวใสวัย ยี่สิบเอ็ด บริสุทธิ์ผุดผ่อง หัวใจทอง ไร้เดียง --- แม็กซ์พูดครบไหมเนี่ย) แต่การเขียนเรื่องโรแมนซ์ที่ตัวเองเป็นกีฬาให้เวิร์ค คนแต่งจำเป็นจะต้องเอาส่วนประกอบในด้านกีฬาของพวกเขาเข้ามาผูกในเรื่องให้ ได้
แม็กซ์อ่านหนังสือมาเยอะที่พระเอกเป็นควอเตอร์แบ๊ค แต่คนแต่งไม่รู้ด้วยซ้ำว่า ฮัดเดิ้ล คืออะไร นั่นเป็นวิธีการทำลายหนังสือที่ดีที่สุดวิธีหนึ่ง เพราะบังเอิญนอกจากหนังสือแล้ว กีฬาเป็นความลุ่มหลงอีกอย่างของแม็กซ์
กีฬาที่แม็กซ์รักที่สุด แต่แทบไม่เคยเจอนักเขียนคนไหนที่ดีพอจะผสมผสานให้ลงตัวกับโรแมนซ์ได้ ก็คือเบสบอล กีฬาที่คนไทยแทบจะไม่รู้จัก ยกเว้นจากการ์ตูนญี่ปุ่น
แต่สำหรับหนังสือของเคท แองเกิ้ลที่เขียนเรื่องผู้เล่นในทีมริชมอนด์ โร้ค (ที่จนบัดนี้แม็กซ์ก็ยังไม่เข้าใจว่า ทำไมเมเจอลีกถึงยอมให้ริชมอนด์มีทีมเบสบอลได้ --- เป็นจินตนาการที่ไม่เอาไหนของคนแต่ง อยากน้อยก็น่าจะเลือกเมืองใหญ่กว่านี้นะ) ที่เริ่มจาก Squeeze Play มาจนถึง Curveball เล่มนี้ ในส่วนของเบสบอลถือว่าสอบผ่านฉลุยค่ะ คนแต่งมีความรู้เรื่องกีฬาชนิดนี้จริง การบรรยายฉากจบในเวิร์ดซี่รี่ย์ อ่านแล้วสนุก เหมือนกะได้ดูของจริงเลยด้วยนะ
แล้วโรแมนซ์ล่ะเป็นไงบ้าง ก็ถือว่าโอเคใช้ได้ในระดับหนึ่ง เพราะ Curveball (ซึ่งแปลเป็นไทยหมายถึง วิธีการขว้างลูกเบสบอลชนิดหนึ่งที่พิชเชอร์ขว้างโดยลูกจะโค้งขว้างมือแค ชเชอร์ --- คนที่อ่านที่แม็กซ์อธิบายไม่เข้าใจ ก็ไม่ต้องอ่านเรื่องนี้นะคะ เพราะเบสบอลเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของเนื้อเรื่องมาก ถ้าคุณไม่เข้าใจเบสบอล คุณก็จะพลาดส่วนนี้ไป) มีตัวละครหลักสามคู่ นั่นก็คือ สามแสบแห่งริชมอนด์ โร้ค
ไซโค ก็ตามชื่อเป็นผู้เล่นที่ชอบความรุนแรง และใช้อารมณ์ เขาเป็นต้นเหตุให้ตนเองและเพื่อนอีกสองคนโดนห้ามลงสนาม เนื่องจากไปชกต่อยกับผู้เล่นในทีมเดียวกัน ด้วยภูมิหลังที่ยากจนมาก่อน ทำให้เขาเข้าใจคีลี่ อดีตพนักงานเสิร์ฟที่ต้องการเปลี่ยนแปลงชีวิตมาเป็นสถาปนิคได้เป็นอย่างดี เขาให้โอกาสเธอในการตกแต่งบ้านให้เขา ถ้าไม่คิดว่า พนักงานเสิร์ฟกลายเป็นสถาปนิคได้โดยไม่จำเป็นต้องเสียเวลาเรียนมหาวิทยาลัย ความรักของคู่นี้ถือว่าน่าอ่านและสนุกดีค่ะ คีลี่เป็นนักโกหกที่โชคดีพอที่เจอผู้ชายที่เหมาะกับเธอมากที่สุด นั่นเพราะไซโคทำทุกอย่างเพื่อให้คำโกหกของเธอเป็นความจริงขึ้นมา
โรมิโอ ก็ตามชื่อเช่นกัน เขาเป็นนักรัก ด้วยส่วนผสมของแม่ผมบลอนด์ตาสีฟ้า และพ่อเชื้อสายอิตาเลียน เขาหล่อเหลา และรู้ตัวดี ความสัมพันธ์ของเราเริ่มต้นกับนักเขียนคอลัมท์กีฬาเอ็มเมอร์สัน (ที่เป็นผู้หญิงนะจ๊ะ-- ไม่ใช่เรื่องเกย์) ที่เขาชนจนหกล้มระหว่างที่ไซโคมีเรื่องกับเพื่อนร่วมทีม เอ็มเป็นผู้หญิงเพียงคนเดียวที่ทานเสน่ห์เขาได้ และดูเหมือนเป็นการสั่งสอนโรมิโอ เพราะเขาเป็นคนสุดท้ายในกลุ่มสามแสบที่มีเซ็กซ์กับนางเอกของตัวเอง
เชสเซอร์ พบรักกับสาวข้างบ้าน ผู้หญิงที่เขาเรียนอนุบาลมาด้วยกัน ผู้หญิงที่รู้จักเขาดีกว่าตัวเขาเองเสียอีก ความรักที่เกิดขึ้นอย่างไม่รู้ตัว ผ่านความใกล้ชิด เป็นความรักที่ลงเอยง่ายที่สุด เพราะมันเริ่มตั้งแต่ก่อนเรื่องนี้จะเริ่มต้นเสียอีก
และเพราะมีพระนางถึงสามคู่ เวลาในเรื่องจึงถูกแบ่งออกไป คนอ่านไม่ได้ข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับตัวละครแต่ละตัวมากนักหรอก หรือเข้าไปรู้เห็นว่าความสัมพันธ์ของพวกเขาพัฒนากลายเป็นความรักอย่างลึก ซึ้งนัก แต่แม็กซ์ชอบที่คนแต่งยังทำให้แม็กซ์เชื่อได้ว่า มีความรักเกิดขึ้น ด้วยหน้ากระดาษเพียงไม่กี่หน้า
หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นการเล่าเรื่องผ่านมุมมองของตัวละครผู้ชาย บรรดานางเอกก็มีบ้าง แต่น้อยมาก แม็กซ์ถือว่าทำได้ดีค่ะ
แต่ก็คงต้องบอกตามตรงว่า คนที่คาดหวังมากกว่าความสน���กในเวลาสั้น ๆ ก็คงไม่สมหวังกับการอ่านเรื่องนี้หรอกค่ะ Curveball เหมาะกับการอ่านฆ่าเวลา หรือเพื่อใช้ปรับอารมณ์ (ในกรณีของแม็กซ์ ที่เพิ่งอ่านหนังสือที่น่าประทับใจมาก ๆ จบไป)
ลงตัวที่ 70 ค่ะ สำหรับการอ่านที่สบายใจ และถือเป็นหนังสือเกี่ยวกับเบสบอลอีกเล่มที่คะแนนสูงมาก (เพราะเล่มอื่นมันห่วยค่ะ) เทียบกับ Squeeze Play ที่ได้ 67
May 26, 2019
I LOVE the bat pack! Great stories for all three couples :)
July 7, 2020
dnf at 80% couldn’t take this shit anymore
October 27, 2020
Registered on Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/6...
November 12, 2010
The Richmond Rogues baseball team is getting ready for the season, but a brawl between teammates during the organization's Media Day event paints a very unpleasant picture of team chemistry and personnel issues. Instigated by Cody "Psycho" McMillan - though he blames pitcher Chris "Wimbledon" Collier - and backed up by his two musketeers, Chase "Chaser" Tallan and Jesse "Romeo" Bellisaro, the melee injures thirteen people and earns the three men an equally painful thirteen day suspension.
For the Bat Pack, the group nickname for Psycho, Romeo, and Chaser, best friends and the team's heavy hitters, thirteen games at the beginning of a potential World Series season is untenable, unthinkable, and unfortunately...unalterable. They'll be lucky if they don't go crazy before their suspension is up...though it's a pretty short trip for Psycho.
Their punishment - as hated as it is - at least forces them to fill their time in other ways. Psycho has been pushed to renovate his dilapidated colonial home by one skinny but wily, down on her luck and blatantly untruthful interior designer, Keely Douglas. Romeo, ordered to make restitution to female sports reporter Emerson Kent, practically trips over his tongue the first time the reporter smiles at him, but for the first time in his life a woman is not only not throwing herself at his feet and begging all manner of naughty delight, but is actually disdainful and completely disinterested in him. And wooing her to his fan base is going to take some time. Chaser spends some of his free time hanging out with his best friend and life-long next door neighbor, Jen Reid. She's been back in town after giving up a rising career in New York City as a ballerina when her father got sick. Now that he's gone, she owns and runs several concession stands in the Rogue's stadium. They've been buddies forever, but one turned head...one fateful lean in...and their lips accidentally brushed for the first time since they were teens. And suddenly friendship is a lot hotter than it used to be.
Angell's second in the Richmond Rogues series brings a delightful sports triple header romance with a team's worth of charming and endearing characters and a plethora of pleasure reading. We first met the Bat Pack in the first of the series, Squeeze Play (Richmond Rogues, Book 1), and their quirks and egos were nifty treats that aided that book. Now, about five years later, they're hungry for another World Series win and the suspension affects them all. Their playboy reputations are well earned, but it's three women who catch their attention and hold it as they struggle with warming the bench. Three unique women who draw the men like moths to their flame. Watching the Pack fall away from their womanizing ways was a lot of fun.
Definitely a light romance, there's little depth to this fun book, and none of the three relationship pairings get a lot of page time. I didn't count pages, but was left with the impression that Romeo and Emerson's relationship had the most room to develop, with Psycho and Keely a close second. Childhood chums Chaser and Jen were very perfunctorily developed, but their history allowed for that to be more of a feel good short short that still felt complete. I credit Angell for that.
As I said in my review of Squeeze Play, I'm not at all a fan of baseball. While there is more baseball in Curveball than in that first book, it didn't detract from the fun of the romances for me. There's little to complain about, but there's also little to discuss. The strength of the book is the appeal of the characters, and these guys have a lot of appeal. So do their women. I was charmed by feisty Keely and composed Emerson, and Jen seemed perfect for Chaser.
If you don't fret the details and enjoy light sports romances with some comedy, some sexy heat, some sweet poignancy, and even some tender moments, then I can't recommend any better than the Richmond Rogues. Points for seeing Risk and Jacy from Squeeze Play. I love catching up with characters from previous books in the series to see how their HEA is working out for them and I wasn't disappointed here.
I'll be continuing the series with Strike Zone (Richmond Rogues, Book 3) - and have to admit, I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It's flat out light fun. Not, of course, that I wouldn't be even happier if we were talking about a football team and its players. A girl's gotta be true to her sports.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
For the Bat Pack, the group nickname for Psycho, Romeo, and Chaser, best friends and the team's heavy hitters, thirteen games at the beginning of a potential World Series season is untenable, unthinkable, and unfortunately...unalterable. They'll be lucky if they don't go crazy before their suspension is up...though it's a pretty short trip for Psycho.
Their punishment - as hated as it is - at least forces them to fill their time in other ways. Psycho has been pushed to renovate his dilapidated colonial home by one skinny but wily, down on her luck and blatantly untruthful interior designer, Keely Douglas. Romeo, ordered to make restitution to female sports reporter Emerson Kent, practically trips over his tongue the first time the reporter smiles at him, but for the first time in his life a woman is not only not throwing herself at his feet and begging all manner of naughty delight, but is actually disdainful and completely disinterested in him. And wooing her to his fan base is going to take some time. Chaser spends some of his free time hanging out with his best friend and life-long next door neighbor, Jen Reid. She's been back in town after giving up a rising career in New York City as a ballerina when her father got sick. Now that he's gone, she owns and runs several concession stands in the Rogue's stadium. They've been buddies forever, but one turned head...one fateful lean in...and their lips accidentally brushed for the first time since they were teens. And suddenly friendship is a lot hotter than it used to be.
Angell's second in the Richmond Rogues series brings a delightful sports triple header romance with a team's worth of charming and endearing characters and a plethora of pleasure reading. We first met the Bat Pack in the first of the series, Squeeze Play (Richmond Rogues, Book 1), and their quirks and egos were nifty treats that aided that book. Now, about five years later, they're hungry for another World Series win and the suspension affects them all. Their playboy reputations are well earned, but it's three women who catch their attention and hold it as they struggle with warming the bench. Three unique women who draw the men like moths to their flame. Watching the Pack fall away from their womanizing ways was a lot of fun.
Definitely a light romance, there's little depth to this fun book, and none of the three relationship pairings get a lot of page time. I didn't count pages, but was left with the impression that Romeo and Emerson's relationship had the most room to develop, with Psycho and Keely a close second. Childhood chums Chaser and Jen were very perfunctorily developed, but their history allowed for that to be more of a feel good short short that still felt complete. I credit Angell for that.
As I said in my review of Squeeze Play, I'm not at all a fan of baseball. While there is more baseball in Curveball than in that first book, it didn't detract from the fun of the romances for me. There's little to complain about, but there's also little to discuss. The strength of the book is the appeal of the characters, and these guys have a lot of appeal. So do their women. I was charmed by feisty Keely and composed Emerson, and Jen seemed perfect for Chaser.
If you don't fret the details and enjoy light sports romances with some comedy, some sexy heat, some sweet poignancy, and even some tender moments, then I can't recommend any better than the Richmond Rogues. Points for seeing Risk and Jacy from Squeeze Play. I love catching up with characters from previous books in the series to see how their HEA is working out for them and I wasn't disappointed here.
I'll be continuing the series with Strike Zone (Richmond Rogues, Book 3) - and have to admit, I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It's flat out light fun. Not, of course, that I wouldn't be even happier if we were talking about a football team and its players. A girl's gotta be true to her sports.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
September 25, 2010
4 stars for the Psycho story – enjoyable and fun with a few chuckles. 3 stars for the other two stories.
STORY BRIEF:
This is the second of several books about the Richmond Rogues baseball team. This book includes three interspersed short stories about three baseball players and the women they end up with. The Bat Pack is the nickname given to three top power hitters for the Rogues, described below.
Psycho is a nudist and into extreme risk taking. He bought a run down Colonial home that reminded him of the run down neighborhood he grew up in. It had been partly demolished by a previous owner who didn’t finish the remodeling job. Psycho is being badgered by the Daughters of Virginia who want him to restore Colonel William Lowell’s childhood home. Keely wants Psycho to hire her to oversee the remodeling job even though she has no training or experience in decorating. However she is a history buff. Psycho watches her make up lies on the spot to impress the Daughters of Virginia. He’s intrigued with her lies and hires her. She lost her parents at an early age and was passed around among uncaring relatives and foster care. She’s tried a variety of minimum wage jobs, but never lasted more than six months.
Romeo is like cat nip to women. He is never turned down until he meets sports reporter Emerson. Emerson knows he will break her heart if she lets him, so she fights her own desires and refuses to date or have a relationship with him. He offers to take her to charitable events that he and other baseball players attend. She agrees but only because it provides material for her sports writing. He makes bets with her about which teams will win. The stakes include getting a kiss.
Chaser is the team’s catcher. He grew up living next door to Jen. Jen moved to New York to dance as a ballerina. After her father died, she gave up dance and returned to Richmond to take over the family business of running concession stands at the Rogues’ stadium. Chaser chose to continue living in his parents’ home next door to Jen. He and Jen have always been best friends. Chaser arranges a couple of double dates for Jen to find a guy. Soon they both realize they are attracted to each other for more than friendship. But for most of the story they deny their feelings for each other.
REVIEWER’S OPINION (WITH MILD SPOILERS):
This is fun, light reading, similar to the first book. If you’re looking for a light sports romance, this should do. My favorite story was Psycho’s – he’s such an interesting character and fun to read about. He’s the reason to read this book. I had some chuckles with his story.
The other two stories about Chaser and Romeo were weak. There was almost no plot and no relationship development. The least interesting was the Chaser story. They were life long friends, and then all of a sudden moved it to the next level. I would have liked knowing more about why Romeo liked Emerson. It seemed the only reason was because she didn’t want him. Even though these two stories were lacking technically, I enjoyed a lot of the book. I liked all the characters, and I liked being in this baseball world for awhile.
DATA:
Story length: 292 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene pages: 15. Setting: current day Virginia. Copyright: 2007. Genre: contemporary sports romance, baseball.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve reviewed the following Kate Angell books. Dates are copyright dates.
Boys of Summer (Richmond Rogues baseball team):
4 stars. Squeeze Play (Book 1) 2006
4 stars. Curveball (Book 2) 2007
3 stars. Strike Zone (Book 3) 2008
5 stars. Sliding Home (Book 4) 2009
3 stars. Ho, Humbug, Ho (in anthology Santa, Honey) 2009
2 ½ stars. Sweet Spot (Book 5) 2012
Other:
1 star. Calder’s Rose 2003
2 stars. Crazy For You 2005
STORY BRIEF:
This is the second of several books about the Richmond Rogues baseball team. This book includes three interspersed short stories about three baseball players and the women they end up with. The Bat Pack is the nickname given to three top power hitters for the Rogues, described below.
Psycho is a nudist and into extreme risk taking. He bought a run down Colonial home that reminded him of the run down neighborhood he grew up in. It had been partly demolished by a previous owner who didn’t finish the remodeling job. Psycho is being badgered by the Daughters of Virginia who want him to restore Colonel William Lowell’s childhood home. Keely wants Psycho to hire her to oversee the remodeling job even though she has no training or experience in decorating. However she is a history buff. Psycho watches her make up lies on the spot to impress the Daughters of Virginia. He’s intrigued with her lies and hires her. She lost her parents at an early age and was passed around among uncaring relatives and foster care. She’s tried a variety of minimum wage jobs, but never lasted more than six months.
Romeo is like cat nip to women. He is never turned down until he meets sports reporter Emerson. Emerson knows he will break her heart if she lets him, so she fights her own desires and refuses to date or have a relationship with him. He offers to take her to charitable events that he and other baseball players attend. She agrees but only because it provides material for her sports writing. He makes bets with her about which teams will win. The stakes include getting a kiss.
Chaser is the team’s catcher. He grew up living next door to Jen. Jen moved to New York to dance as a ballerina. After her father died, she gave up dance and returned to Richmond to take over the family business of running concession stands at the Rogues’ stadium. Chaser chose to continue living in his parents’ home next door to Jen. He and Jen have always been best friends. Chaser arranges a couple of double dates for Jen to find a guy. Soon they both realize they are attracted to each other for more than friendship. But for most of the story they deny their feelings for each other.
REVIEWER’S OPINION (WITH MILD SPOILERS):
This is fun, light reading, similar to the first book. If you’re looking for a light sports romance, this should do. My favorite story was Psycho’s – he’s such an interesting character and fun to read about. He’s the reason to read this book. I had some chuckles with his story.
The other two stories about Chaser and Romeo were weak. There was almost no plot and no relationship development. The least interesting was the Chaser story. They were life long friends, and then all of a sudden moved it to the next level. I would have liked knowing more about why Romeo liked Emerson. It seemed the only reason was because she didn’t want him. Even though these two stories were lacking technically, I enjoyed a lot of the book. I liked all the characters, and I liked being in this baseball world for awhile.
DATA:
Story length: 292 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene pages: 15. Setting: current day Virginia. Copyright: 2007. Genre: contemporary sports romance, baseball.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve reviewed the following Kate Angell books. Dates are copyright dates.
Boys of Summer (Richmond Rogues baseball team):
4 stars. Squeeze Play (Book 1) 2006
4 stars. Curveball (Book 2) 2007
3 stars. Strike Zone (Book 3) 2008
5 stars. Sliding Home (Book 4) 2009
3 stars. Ho, Humbug, Ho (in anthology Santa, Honey) 2009
2 ½ stars. Sweet Spot (Book 5) 2012
Other:
1 star. Calder’s Rose 2003
2 stars. Crazy For You 2005
April 5, 2012
3.5/5 (B-)
My first impressions: For some reason, I really liked this book... probably for the characters. I don't think that most of you will find it as enjoyable as much as I did. Again, we follow 3 couples. The three main guys were introduced in Squeeze Play, but I read that book afterwards... Unfortunately, I don't think that the author did as good as a job in this book intertwining the three relationships with the events. I guess it would have been better if each player had their own book, but all three books happened at the same time... understand what I mean?
1) Psycho (Cody McMillan) and Keely Douglas (his decorator): Psycho is the crazy one, the dangerous one, the one no one can predict... he's also a confirm nudist. In Squeeze Play, he was a funny PITA, but he comes across much more dangerous in this book. I liked him... as Keely says, "Mr. McMillan says and does what he pleases. He doesn't give a damn. That fascinates ppl." I totally agree :) As for Keely, she's the poor girl, fed up of small job and trying out as a decorator. It's kind of unbelievable that she pulled it off, but aside from that, I liked her. I guess because she can stand on her own and even say no to Psycho, without being too ass-kicking... Personally, I think they were my favorite couple... there's just something about Psycho :)
2) Romeo (Jesse Bellisaro) and Emerson Kent (a sport reporter): Romeo is the playboy, the one with way too many women buzzing around him. Emerson is a sport reporter and she intrigues Romeo, mainly by not falling at his feet. Basically, I don't have much to say about them, because I think this one was the most boring out of all three couples and their story was the most cliché...
3) Chaser (Chase Tallan) and Jen Reid: Jen is Chaser childhood friend and neighbour. Basically, they're still living next to each other and after a surprise kiss, sparks fly and they realized that the person they've been looking for was there all along. Seriously, who doesn't like the whole best friends turn lovers plot? The only problem was this was way, way, way too short. We were introduced to them, they kiss and then, didn't appear for awhile. Then, went on a couple of blind dates and realized that they want to be together, had sex and then, we didn't see them anymore, at all! I mean, come on... why write their story then?
So obviously, there were some problems; however, the book wasn't all that bad. The characters were fun and I enjoyed seeing professional players outside of sports. All the charity activities they participate in and their interaction, that I liked. Still, I'd have like them to have all their own books.
My first impressions: For some reason, I really liked this book... probably for the characters. I don't think that most of you will find it as enjoyable as much as I did. Again, we follow 3 couples. The three main guys were introduced in Squeeze Play, but I read that book afterwards... Unfortunately, I don't think that the author did as good as a job in this book intertwining the three relationships with the events. I guess it would have been better if each player had their own book, but all three books happened at the same time... understand what I mean?
1) Psycho (Cody McMillan) and Keely Douglas (his decorator): Psycho is the crazy one, the dangerous one, the one no one can predict... he's also a confirm nudist. In Squeeze Play, he was a funny PITA, but he comes across much more dangerous in this book. I liked him... as Keely says, "Mr. McMillan says and does what he pleases. He doesn't give a damn. That fascinates ppl." I totally agree :) As for Keely, she's the poor girl, fed up of small job and trying out as a decorator. It's kind of unbelievable that she pulled it off, but aside from that, I liked her. I guess because she can stand on her own and even say no to Psycho, without being too ass-kicking... Personally, I think they were my favorite couple... there's just something about Psycho :)
2) Romeo (Jesse Bellisaro) and Emerson Kent (a sport reporter): Romeo is the playboy, the one with way too many women buzzing around him. Emerson is a sport reporter and she intrigues Romeo, mainly by not falling at his feet. Basically, I don't have much to say about them, because I think this one was the most boring out of all three couples and their story was the most cliché...
3) Chaser (Chase Tallan) and Jen Reid: Jen is Chaser childhood friend and neighbour. Basically, they're still living next to each other and after a surprise kiss, sparks fly and they realized that the person they've been looking for was there all along. Seriously, who doesn't like the whole best friends turn lovers plot? The only problem was this was way, way, way too short. We were introduced to them, they kiss and then, didn't appear for awhile. Then, went on a couple of blind dates and realized that they want to be together, had sex and then, we didn't see them anymore, at all! I mean, come on... why write their story then?
So obviously, there were some problems; however, the book wasn't all that bad. The characters were fun and I enjoyed seeing professional players outside of sports. All the charity activities they participate in and their interaction, that I liked. Still, I'd have like them to have all their own books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2014
This was so badly written. It was more telling than showing and the dialogue was horrible and painfully stilted. For example, a dialogue between Jen and Chaser I think their names was, they are childhood friends and are talking about some baseballgame they went to togeter when they were young. It went something like this:
"You remember that game we went to when we were young?"
"Oh, you mean that game with "Professional-baseball-player-name-here", where his team almost lost but then at the fifth inning he performed a double helix slide and that saved the game. He then proceeded to hit three home runs and the spectators were on fire. The ball went up into the air and landed in the stands. It was your first baseball game. You mean that game?"
(That isn't a quote, it was just an example of how the conversation went and how it felt. He was there, there was no need for her to give such a detailed recount of how it went. It was just annoying to read).
I don't know anything about baseball obviously and I seriously doubt anyone reads these books only because of their great love for baseball and so I just think it's wasted to give so much information on the game and stats and all that. It was soooo boring having to read all that. Maybe the author wanted to show that she knew her stuff when it comes to baseball but putting in long infodumps are not the way to show that.
And the ending. It took a really long time to finish the book because it just felt like a chore to read it, but finish it I did. The whole book built up the "will they win the world series?" The answer to that was obvious from the start but the last games including the final game was over in like two pages. It all felt very wham-bam-now-it's-over. After all the tedious infodumps about players and games and whatnot the final games went:
And then they played this team, they won. They needed this many point to wint, yaay, they got it. The tension was high, they were in the final. They were on fire. They played like madmen. It was nothing but telling, no showing whatsoever.
I don't recommend this. It had potential but even the relationships were handled badly in my opinion. The whole book runs along the same telling-not showing line. It should be a mix of both or just done better than this at least.
"You remember that game we went to when we were young?"
"Oh, you mean that game with "Professional-baseball-player-name-here", where his team almost lost but then at the fifth inning he performed a double helix slide and that saved the game. He then proceeded to hit three home runs and the spectators were on fire. The ball went up into the air and landed in the stands. It was your first baseball game. You mean that game?"
(That isn't a quote, it was just an example of how the conversation went and how it felt. He was there, there was no need for her to give such a detailed recount of how it went. It was just annoying to read).
I don't know anything about baseball obviously and I seriously doubt anyone reads these books only because of their great love for baseball and so I just think it's wasted to give so much information on the game and stats and all that. It was soooo boring having to read all that. Maybe the author wanted to show that she knew her stuff when it comes to baseball but putting in long infodumps are not the way to show that.
And the ending. It took a really long time to finish the book because it just felt like a chore to read it, but finish it I did. The whole book built up the "will they win the world series?" The answer to that was obvious from the start but the last games including the final game was over in like two pages. It all felt very wham-bam-now-it's-over. After all the tedious infodumps about players and games and whatnot the final games went:
And then they played this team, they won. They needed this many point to wint, yaay, they got it. The tension was high, they were in the final. They were on fire. They played like madmen. It was nothing but telling, no showing whatsoever.
I don't recommend this. It had potential but even the relationships were handled badly in my opinion. The whole book runs along the same telling-not showing line. It should be a mix of both or just done better than this at least.
February 16, 2012
I fell in love with the Richmond Rogues in Squeeze Play. I love baseball, I love baseball players. So, I had to devour this next book in the series. The Bat Pack - what a great group of guys to focus a book on. Love them! Something about the bad boys, or even just the "player"- but I enjoyed reading about these guys more than Risk and Zen. Their women were awesome, as well. I loved Keely and Emerson, their independence, their determination not to be "fan girls", how they wanted more from the guys than just a quick roll in the hay, and held out. I also liked Jen, but felt like we really didn't get to know her as well. Maybe because she's always been in Chaser's life - there wasn't the getting to know each other phase of their relationship. The sexual tension is rampant throughout the book. And there is much hot sex to be had... sweet, hot, sex. This book is strictly romance.
I'm going to be nit-picky. Baseball is my favorite sport, and while I'm not as observant as the woman in the bar who could tell the players had had sex by the swivel of their hips, I do know the sport. So, some of the little baseball details throughout the book weren't always perfectly logical along the lines of the game of baseball. But, I suspended my disbelief - or however that literary term goes, and I immersed myself in the world of the Richmond Rogues, and loved it! Can't wait to read the other installments.
I'm going to be nit-picky. Baseball is my favorite sport, and while I'm not as observant as the woman in the bar who could tell the players had had sex by the swivel of their hips, I do know the sport. So, some of the little baseball details throughout the book weren't always perfectly logical along the lines of the game of baseball. But, I suspended my disbelief - or however that literary term goes, and I immersed myself in the world of the Richmond Rogues, and loved it! Can't wait to read the other installments.
April 3, 2015
This is a unique format for a romance book. You have three couples. It is almost like you have three short stories, but they are intertwined with each other. The guys and girls seem rather formulaic, but the book is sexy, fun and sweet. You get a point just for the fun.
The boys, The Bat Pack, have been suspended for 13 games for fighting with their own team. Management is not happy, to say the least. The boys are not happy either. There are some real problems, personality wise, that need to be addressed on this team in order for them to focus and win.
Cody McMillan, "Psycho", has a tattoo - Stands on Command, is a right fielder and man slut. His romantic interest is Keely, his designer who is to renovate his historical colonial. It remains to be seen if she can renovate him too.
Jesse Bellisaro, "Romeo" has a tattoo - Legendary, is third base and he endeavors to live up to his nickname. His romantic interest is a reporter, Emerson Kent. She is going to have a difficult time keeping him in line and herself out of his bed.
Chase Tallan, "Chaser" has a tattoo - Slidin' Home, is a catcher. His romantic interest is Jen Reid. she runs three of the concession stands at the fields and has known Chaser forever. The girl next door is going to have to shake up the ballplayer to get her HEA.
The boys, The Bat Pack, have been suspended for 13 games for fighting with their own team. Management is not happy, to say the least. The boys are not happy either. There are some real problems, personality wise, that need to be addressed on this team in order for them to focus and win.
Cody McMillan, "Psycho", has a tattoo - Stands on Command, is a right fielder and man slut. His romantic interest is Keely, his designer who is to renovate his historical colonial. It remains to be seen if she can renovate him too.
Jesse Bellisaro, "Romeo" has a tattoo - Legendary, is third base and he endeavors to live up to his nickname. His romantic interest is a reporter, Emerson Kent. She is going to have a difficult time keeping him in line and herself out of his bed.
Chase Tallan, "Chaser" has a tattoo - Slidin' Home, is a catcher. His romantic interest is Jen Reid. she runs three of the concession stands at the fields and has known Chaser forever. The girl next door is going to have to shake up the ballplayer to get her HEA.
November 17, 2014
synopsis:
the bat pack of the richmond rogues get in trouble with their fans and their team and are suspended for 13 games. with not much to do, they go their separate ways and meet their separate women. psycho remodels his home, and hires keeley, even though she has never been an interior designer but is down to her last hope. romeo has to do some public relations and runs into emerson, who isn't impressed. chaser has always been friends with jen, the girl next door, but a kiss opens his eyes to the true nature of his feelings.
what i liked: not a lot. the heroines were all right, although jen gets the least exposure.
what i didn't like: the three-for-one aspect of the story. it felt as though each player was shorted for not having their own story. it would have been interesting to learn more about their individual backgrounds, as well as the backgrounds of their respective love interests. the story wasn't really well told, i basically didn't really care about any of the characters, except for maybe jen, and that was only because she and chaser got the fewest number of pages.
the bat pack of the richmond rogues get in trouble with their fans and their team and are suspended for 13 games. with not much to do, they go their separate ways and meet their separate women. psycho remodels his home, and hires keeley, even though she has never been an interior designer but is down to her last hope. romeo has to do some public relations and runs into emerson, who isn't impressed. chaser has always been friends with jen, the girl next door, but a kiss opens his eyes to the true nature of his feelings.
what i liked: not a lot. the heroines were all right, although jen gets the least exposure.
what i didn't like: the three-for-one aspect of the story. it felt as though each player was shorted for not having their own story. it would have been interesting to learn more about their individual backgrounds, as well as the backgrounds of their respective love interests. the story wasn't really well told, i basically didn't really care about any of the characters, except for maybe jen, and that was only because she and chaser got the fewest number of pages.
June 14, 2013
After the introduction of the Bat Pack in Squeeze Play, i have looked forward to reading Curveball, and it did not disappoint.
We were able to get a sneak peak of the Bat Pack's personality in the previous book, and can i say i love them more now? =)
I liked Psycho's story the best, coz his relationship with Keely provided the most heart. In fact, i wouldn't have minded if Curveball was all about him, as i would have liked more moments from these two.
The build-up of Romeo and Emerson's relationship felt a little abrupt. Though there was immediate attraction, Em's resistance to Romeo's advances made me think she's more annoyed than cautious of her feelings, and Romeo's persistence comes off as a bit cocky than romantic.
Maybe it's because Squeeze Play already featured friends-to-lovers Risk and Jacy, that's why Chaser and Jen's relationship felt a little redundant. It's a good thing theirs is the least highlighted story.
As a whole, Curveball is highly entertaining, with more laughs (courtesy of the Bat Pack's come-ons and punchlines), and romantic.
We were able to get a sneak peak of the Bat Pack's personality in the previous book, and can i say i love them more now? =)
I liked Psycho's story the best, coz his relationship with Keely provided the most heart. In fact, i wouldn't have minded if Curveball was all about him, as i would have liked more moments from these two.
The build-up of Romeo and Emerson's relationship felt a little abrupt. Though there was immediate attraction, Em's resistance to Romeo's advances made me think she's more annoyed than cautious of her feelings, and Romeo's persistence comes off as a bit cocky than romantic.
Maybe it's because Squeeze Play already featured friends-to-lovers Risk and Jacy, that's why Chaser and Jen's relationship felt a little redundant. It's a good thing theirs is the least highlighted story.
As a whole, Curveball is highly entertaining, with more laughs (courtesy of the Bat Pack's come-ons and punchlines), and romantic.
June 5, 2010
Biasanya gw gak demen kalo nvl yg hero-heroine nya lebih dr 2 pasang (ky anthology githu)
Nah Kate Angell top bgt d, bikin crita ttg ni 3 couple..
The Bat Pack dr nvl pertama = Psycho, Romeo n Chaser nemu soulmate mrka di buku ini.
1. Psycho n Keely
gw suka bgt ide Kate ttg ultah tiap hari..
Jd mrka bdua ngerayain ultah tiap hari! So sweet!
Psycho si nudist, nude mania, gw gak nyangka dia H.O.T bgt...
Salut ma Keely -yg jauh bgt dr tipe cwe2nya- bs dapetin Psycho!
2. Romeo n Em
Playboy numero uno ini takluk ama Em reporter yg sering bgt mengkritik dia dan tim nya...!
Ampe Romeo bikin taruhan gak bakal ngelirik cwe laen, n kalo dia n tim nya menang Em mesti kasi dia kiss!
Hwuhuhuhuhu, mupeng!
3. Chaser n Jen
Couple yg ini sweet bgt..
Dr temen jd demen...
Tipe boy next door seksi n yummie!
Nah Kate Angell top bgt d, bikin crita ttg ni 3 couple..
The Bat Pack dr nvl pertama = Psycho, Romeo n Chaser nemu soulmate mrka di buku ini.
1. Psycho n Keely
gw suka bgt ide Kate ttg ultah tiap hari..
Jd mrka bdua ngerayain ultah tiap hari! So sweet!
Psycho si nudist, nude mania, gw gak nyangka dia H.O.T bgt...
Salut ma Keely -yg jauh bgt dr tipe cwe2nya- bs dapetin Psycho!
2. Romeo n Em
Playboy numero uno ini takluk ama Em reporter yg sering bgt mengkritik dia dan tim nya...!
Ampe Romeo bikin taruhan gak bakal ngelirik cwe laen, n kalo dia n tim nya menang Em mesti kasi dia kiss!
Hwuhuhuhuhu, mupeng!
3. Chaser n Jen
Couple yg ini sweet bgt..
Dr temen jd demen...
Tipe boy next door seksi n yummie!
August 29, 2011
CURVEBALL by Kate Angell is #2 in The Richmond Rogue series and was a very easy and fun read. If you like steamy sex with your romance and a little baseball, this one is for you. This book is about Psycho, Chaser and Romeo and the girls they find to fall in love with. It had humor as well as a nice romantic comedy story line. The boys are major league baseball players that have women dropping their drawers for them all over the place, but that isn't exactly what these players want.
Jacy and Risk play a minimal part in this 2nd book, but the quirky pair are still a part of the team in Richmond.
This book was one that I had on my Kindle and I think I bought it because it had a baseball theme. It was certainly a change of pace and if you like romance and sports, this will not disappoint.
More reviews at http://conniesbookshelf.com/wordpress/
Jacy and Risk play a minimal part in this 2nd book, but the quirky pair are still a part of the team in Richmond.
This book was one that I had on my Kindle and I think I bought it because it had a baseball theme. It was certainly a change of pace and if you like romance and sports, this will not disappoint.
More reviews at http://conniesbookshelf.com/wordpress/
February 19, 2017
The Bat Pack get their HEA ..... awwwwwwwwwww , sigh :)
I really love Kate Angell's writing and stories. The H/h in each of these stories complemented each other VERY well and the storyline chosen for each Hero was also perfect for them.
I only have two problems with this book. First, I found the stories to be a bit short. Because I really enjoyed all the characters, I would have loved to have read more about their developing romance. And second, I think Chaser's story REALLY took a backseat and should have been told more throughly and Jen's 'attack' should have been dealt with better. It was as if it was swept under the rug and that's is never ok. Even in fluffy fiction. So the book lost major points with me because of that.
But do not take the 3 stars to mean I do not love Kate Angell and this series, because I do, very much so.
I really love Kate Angell's writing and stories. The H/h in each of these stories complemented each other VERY well and the storyline chosen for each Hero was also perfect for them.
I only have two problems with this book. First, I found the stories to be a bit short. Because I really enjoyed all the characters, I would have loved to have read more about their developing romance. And second, I think Chaser's story REALLY took a backseat and should have been told more throughly and Jen's 'attack' should have been dealt with better. It was as if it was swept under the rug and that's is never ok. Even in fluffy fiction. So the book lost major points with me because of that.
But do not take the 3 stars to mean I do not love Kate Angell and this series, because I do, very much so.
March 1, 2012
Another great book from Kate Angell, but there were a few things I had issue with. I thought Chaser and Jen were really an afterthought. Their part of the story was minimal and seemed to wrap up the moment they had sex. I didn't particularly like Emerson and felt Romeo could have done better. And Psycho and Keely should ahve had their own book. The other thing I wasn't fond off was the way the moment things started happening with one couple, the story would bounce to another couple. I would have preferred the stories to be separate - like three short stories! They were three sshort stories in essence, just spread out and mixed up throughout one book.
That being said, I did really like the book and I look forward to the next one!
That being said, I did really like the book and I look forward to the next one!
May 24, 2016
I did not give 2 stars because of the story, those were ok. I've given 2 stars because of the editing. Book includes 3 different stories which can fulfill a book one-by-one. Despite someone tought it is a brilliant idea to horribly cut them and push to 1 book. Up on this, excuse me but were there anyone who read it before print? Or it is just me who is totally disturbed by the idea of the rush??? Seems like the author started to write and after 75% of the book someone told, finish it now! The first few chapters are well written, detailed but in the last ones the time is running. 4 months passes in 1 line!
So my 2 stars is that because the ends of the stories are totally very cheap work. Sorry.
So my 2 stars is that because the ends of the stories are totally very cheap work. Sorry.
June 24, 2014
good book, I liked that there were 3 stories in the one book. The Bat Pack...they got into trouble together, they cared for sick kids together , they played baseball together & the fell in love together to 3 totally different women. They looked for trouble & found it often but after being benched for 13 games for brawling with their own team mates the Bat Pack finally cleaned up their act so to speak. The women they fell for were not looking for love with them. Individually they each succumbed to the heart when they realized that life with these women would be so much better than what they were living now. Definitely recommend.
May 4, 2011
What fun! This second in the series is going to be great for anyone who loves the boys of summer. Since it is three full romances for members of the baseball team, it shouldn't work, but does. A quick read an real page turner, Angell somehow has time for plenty of character development, although she uses most of it for the romance between 'Psycho' and Kaylee, and plot advancement for the players themselves in their teams seasons.
My one complaint is that one of the romances seemed to have more complex characters they could have had their own book. Other than that, great fun.
My one complaint is that one of the romances seemed to have more complex characters they could have had their own book. Other than that, great fun.
April 25, 2011
I love light, fun romance books and Curveball did not disappoint. The story follows the love lives of 3 baseball players known as The Bat Pack. Maybe it's just because I have a weakness for athletes, but it was IMPOSSIBLE for me not to fall for each and every one of the men in the book. Psycho, Chaser, and Romeo were all insanely attractive, talented, and still soft-hearted. I could not put this book down once I started it and am craving more. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series so I can get lost in the world of baseball, heat, and love.
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