There’s no crying in baseball, apparently no reading either.
To me, it was a no-brainer. What better way to pass the time during the world’s most boring sport? If my best friend is going to guilt me into attending a Coyotes game with him, I’m definitely bringing a book. But who could have predicted star pitcher Carter Barlowe would spot me in the stands and give two flying fastballs that I was more interested in my novel than in his return to the mound? I had never heard of him before that day. Now, he’s made sure I know exactly who he is and what he wants. Me.
I read it ironically (hoping it would surprise me — it didn’t).
It starts off like any food 2014 Wattpad book, with a best friend dragging the mc somewhere she doesn’t want to go (in this case, a baseball game) and instead of engaging like a normal person, she reads a book. But because she’s so not like the other girls, our love interest catches her from the field and immediately falls in love with her. Whatever. Bad trope that I hate, but you know, we’re here for some LOLs.
Even after this disastrous start, the fmc is insufferable for the first half of the story. Like the love interest is a nice guy, truly just vibing out here and she’s like “we’re from different worlds. he might hurt me. he’s a JOCK. I’ve been burned before.” Like girl shut up. He’s literally done nothing to earn your ire, please chill.
But what’s worse is that the love interest proves her worries true at like the 75% mark? Like what was this character switch up BRO. It was so out of character I didn’t even understand it.
And there were so many random side plots that just are not developed. Like the fmc is a teacher and has this one kid who clearly has a hard life and it just pops up at the end like “oh he has an abusive dad let’s write one sentence about it and then give him a happy ending” sure. There’s the whole mmc’s dad being abusive and blackmailing players/the stadium ppl and all this other stuff(and honestly he needs to get a job at his big age). And finally the whole trauma of the fmc’s ex-bc who apparently is the reason she can’t trust any man, and he like appears for one second and is never heard from again. No closure or anything.
This has to be one of the worst and most inconsistent books I have ever read. The characters were flat and honestly constantly switching personalities to fit this nightmare of a plot. And it was so elementary, I just could not stand this book. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND.
honestly? shame on me for thinking instagram would recommend me a book called bE mY gAmE cHangEr and it would be an epic baseball romance like The Locker Room (i'm so sorry i disrespected u like this Meghan Quinn pls forgive me)
so here's a rundown of the cast of morons characters: avery- avid sports hater, brings books to baseball games and falls asleep, not like other girls carter- has daddy issues longer than the great wall of china (so original) cash- the daddy in question e.j.- mini-me version of carter bodie- avery's bff who is totes jel of her (and kinda wanted to sabotage her "relationship" with carter) presley- avery's sister and a pick me girl rhett- avery's broskie who is dumber than a pile of bricks tessa- avery's sister who cannot get a grip on her son finn(??)- avery's nephew who thinks its funny to write "buttface" on people with permanent marker (he is like 8 or something idk)
the whole book takes like 1,5hrs max to read, but it has 42 chapters (plus an epilogue).
avery is a history teacher at their local high school. carter signed on to play at that team, and avery's bff bodie (has a sports podcast with his brothers, apparently), brings her to carter's first game after his injury. avery doesn't like or know sports (naturally), so she brings a book to read. she catches the attention of carter, and he starts "stalking" her at her high school. she keeps refusing his advances (because why would a guy like him go for a girl like me), but our boy can't take no for an answer.
so they sleep together, and then idk i kinda lost interest. cash comes and sends tickets to avery, carter thinks she brought him to his game, they break up for all of 1 day because she thinks he was going to hit her (like cash did to his wife), and HE DOESN'T EVEN GROVEL TO GET HER BACK???? i knew that this book was a lost hope then. actually, no. it was when the author decided to think like a man and call a clit "her sex."
i won't lie, the book had potential to be really good. it just ended up being really shitty. 1.5 stars.
I seen a video description about this book on tiktok and i immediately bought it. It’s three hours later and i still can’t stop crying. Carter and Avery’s relationship was everything and then some. And that ending…it was ✨perfection✨ I will definitely be checking out more books by this author.
It's not that the storyline was bad, it's that the MFC is almost completely unlikeable. She is dismissive and rude towards this guy Carter (a hotshot baseball pitcher). So where in any world is it logical for him to keep pursuing her when there is absolutely nothing (besides maybe her looks) that recommend her. Just did not pass the sniff test and at 48% I was over it.
It was good. It was cute in parts but it was only 200 pages and the characters didn’t develop well. I don’t like slow burn but this almost needed to wait. Everything happens so fast but the ending was very cute
"I’m man enough to admit I crave the one that wants nothing to do with me."
This was a really cute sports romance. Avery meets Carter when she was dragged to a baseball game. After reading a book throughout the whole game and having pictures of her going viral, Avery wants nothing to do with Carter. Carter, on the other hand, is completely and utterly captivated by her.
Their love story was inspiring and sweet. Avery's character development throughout the book is great. Carter knows what he wants, and that's Avery. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I look forward to the author's other novels! Four stars!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
i saw the initial meeting from tik tok and was like omg that sounds amazing. so of course I downloaded it and the only part I truly enjoyed was that one scene. loved it. the rest of the story was very rushed. the characters at times would have such severe reactions to things that it felt completely out of character. honestly a lot of this just reminded me of the deal.
I saw this book on tiktok, and was convinced to read it.
However I was so disappointed with this book. There were so many plots that appeared out of the blue, that felt so rushed and just put in there for the sake of the book. This book was insanely short.
Avery is the main character who is a teacher, who doesn’t really like sports. Her best friend invited her to a game, where she ends up reading a book and falling asleep during the game.
Carter is also the main character since this is a dual pov. His father was a famous baseball player he has resentment AGANIST his father due to the abuse he got from him. Carter is on the field for the first time since his surgery, however during one of the his pitching, he notices the crowd and sees that out of the 40,000 people his eyes laid on someone who wasn’t paying attention to him. As the game continued this feeling starts to bother him on why she wasn’t paying attention.
Carter after the game goes to Avery to wake her up, and tries talking to her, but she’d refuses. Why bc her character is in different from other girls, and also hates jocks etc. The reasoning she hates jocks bc she dated one, which happened to be her best friend brother.
After Avery leaves carter, he is determined to get to know her. He decided on randomly visiting her at school. He brings in coffee and request that she gives him a tour of the school. Carter realizes that she is talking to him and considers this a “win.” This routine continues 3 more times. Each time they get closer. On the 4th time, Carter actually asks her out.
Now this is where I was like bitch wtf. Because carter had a signing, at Avery’s parents job. And I understood her opinion and why she was mad m, bc it felt like he was using her parents business to get closer. After this signing they go on their date. And things get spicy. They don’t do it actually, it was more of a make out and finger fucking.
What got me confused was Avery’s character bc before this her interaction towards Carter was very “ I don’t like you please leave me alone.” But now she makes out with him, and actually likes it and wants to do it more in the future??? Like huh.
Carter falls in love with Avery hella fast.
When they actually do it, the writing was terrible. Literally robbed. How can you give a better description when they make out but, doing it u can barely write it. I was reading it and was excited and next thing you know, carter leaves the bed to do something. I was so confused I was like did I miss something.
After they do it, everything becomes a shit show. Carter tells Avery the truth about his father, somehow they grow distant. Carter’s game is off, Carter’s dad invited Avery to one of his game, Carter turns feral, he screams at Avery saying are u part of his plan, this leads to a suspension, Cash (father of carter) gives a proposal to Avery, Carter realizes his father was behind everything: him getting on the team etc, Carter is so confused now, Carter apologizes to Avery about him screaming, a video gets leaked about what cash said to Avery, people now know about the abuse Carter went through, and than E.J a student of Avery calls him, regarding an emancipation, EJ’s father was an abusive alcoholic, and then Carter has a game, does his best and win, realizes his worth AGANIST his father, he says he loves Avery and then it moves to the epilogue.
Epilogue consists of the couple adopting Ej and his brother rather than him getting an emancipation. Carter than proposes to Avery and it ends with “damn this book has a good ending.”
I honestly wouldn’t recommend to read this. It was so rushed. I’m being generous with the 2. But don’t waste your time on this..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This sports romance packs quite an emotional punch! Avery is both a sweet and feisty young woman who has zero interest in sports. When her BFF Brodie asks her to go with him to a MLB game she is less than thrilled so she brings a book with her to the game.
Carter Barlowe/Lowe is thrown off kilter when he sees the beautiful brunette completely ignoring his pitching and the baseball game around her. When his agent helps discover her identity, he makes repeated efforts to charm and woo her.
Avery is completely hesitant to give Carter any chance, but he slowly wears her down and gains her affection. As the characters grow closer, Carter shares a closely guarded secret about his childhood. What he has been through and how it later comes back to haunt him is an emotional component I wasn’t expecting, but it definitely adds to the story and defines Carter as an amazing character. Avery was equally surprising, especially how she reacts when things get intense. She may seem sweet, but she has a bada$$ protective streak.
This was a very enjoyable story, and as a baseball fan I enjoyed the baseball setting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ok here we go. I didn't really understand why this book wasn't given a higher rating but now I know. It's very good story, classic romance if you will. Not really steamy more like a wholesome romance. Really the only "steamy" scene fell flat. You're left wondering did she get her big moment? Did he? I loved the fact that she wasn't really into sports but then she became one for him. Then of course they fell in love, I just didn't really care for how she pretended she wanted nothing to do with him. On top of that he didn't want this big secret out because he didn't want it to turn into this big thing but then, of course it does, & it's not. I would think with how big of a deal his dad was, it would have been. Just didn't really make sense. So yes it was a good book but with a lack of drama or fire, it was just kind of a snooze fest. Would only recommend if you need sleep. On to the next.
- baseball sports romance! Avery catches Carter’s attention because she’s reading at his game… instalove! - oh no, is she going to be a pick me? - no okay she’s not we’re okay - the female MC got on my nerves A LOT - E. J. 🥺 you have my heart - her best friend has a podcast… i’m going to be sick - Avery seriously stop pissing me off - i just don’t understand her motivations?? - like i don’t get why she put distance between them? - his dad is a cunt - the last 1/4 really picked up for me! it had much better pacing and it made me LOVE the characters - i wish we’d properly had Avery’s background about her ex?? it would of made me like her more - the epilogue was absolutely perfect😭
i read a sports romance. was it good? i don’t know haha
the connection between the FMC and MMC was hardly convincing and the miscommunication trope definitely comes out to play. i felt like the third act break up kind of came out of no where and i was very confused when they stopped talking. i know i’m not an avid reader of sports romance by a long shot, but baseball i actually enjoy so i’m a little disappointed by the choices made in the book. the epilogue was definitely one of those choices lol
BUT it was a super quick read and i still had some fun which i guess is really all that matters
also i am all the proof needed to show that social media marketing works lol
Avery is guilted into attending a baseball game by her best friend, and having no interest in the game, she spends it reading, not expecting the star pitcher Carter, to notice that she is the only person not watching the game. This is a well written flawless story which is fast paced, and with chemistry, family, drama, friendships, emotions, humor witty banter, and love, which leads to an entertaining page turner. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Okey this book got me out of my reading slump and it was pretty good! Did it has the best writing, plot, and development? No, it’s a sports romance book you can’t expect much from them but it did made me happy to read it and I had a great time with it.
I think this book he’s the potential to be even better only if more thought and time were placed into the story. I feel like it had a lot of plots that were just rushed over to get to the ending and I think there was definitely some need for more elaboration. But either way great book if you’re looking for a short romance!
Would definitely give this a 3.5 so very close to a 4 star! Loved the little bits of banter, would have just loved for some more. The romance is sweet and mostly smooth sailing (hence the slightly lower rating, just would have liked a bit more oompf to it all). Would recommend for any of my baseball loving friends out there!
This was cute, short, and sweet. She’s not a baseball fan, but gets invited to a game. When she is there, she has her nose in a book the whole time. The big shot pitcher notices her in the stands, and she has him curious.
Y'all this was so cute. If you're in need for a light, fluffy read then this is definitely it. This is reverse grumpy sunshine in the best possible way and it just warmed my heart. I will be sleeping on the road tonight.
it was going well until i reached halfway and it all went downhill. he really made me mad, not only because of what he did, but because he didn’t grovel AT ALL. also, if that happened to me, i would never forgive his ass.
Really intrigued by the premise of the story and the characters worked well together. I just felt like it was very rushed. Could have explored the plot more. While I enjoyed the relationship with the characters I needed more connection with them to get really into the story.
Avery wanted NOTHING to do with Carter but he didn’t give up hope. The first time he sees her is at his first game after surgery and she isn’t even watching, just reading her book. He’s not used to people not caring about the game or who he is, or who his family is.
Love Carter! Love his determination and strength. He was dealt a shitty hand with his family but Avery and her family make up for it. ❤️
Sweet and cute mixed in with some heavy heart moments. Carter is w good guy and his heart is in the right place. Romance read with a tiny , tiny dash of spice. Read on KU