Lori Wilde’s got a brand new series!
Back in the Game (Stardust, Texas #1)
by Lori Wilde
Synopsis:
Wanted: ghostwriter. Must be female, a baseball fan, and have a great pair of legs.
Ex-pitcher Rowdy Blanton never saw a woman he couldn’t conquer or a team he couldn’t beat. And now that he’s off the field he’s ready to tell all about when he played the field. So he chooses Breeanne Carlyle to do the job—she’s got the requirements, but more important, there’s something about her that makes him want to be a better man.
Convinced there’s more to Rowdy than a good fastball, a wicked smile, and a tight pair of pants, Breeanne can’t help but be tempted. After all, it’s boring always being the good girl, and Rowdy dares her to be just a little bad. The stakes are high, but win or lose, this time Breeanne’s breaking all the rules playing the game of love.
Review:
Well, there’s a fantastic proposal–it leans on the too good to be true side, but definitely dreamy. I liked the idea behind this one–the former ballplayer with the deep, dark secret and the mousy ghostwriter who he inexplicably chooses to write his autobiography–but felt the execution was somewhat lacking. Breeanne was over-the-top with the sweet and innocent virgin bit, and Rowdy…well, his almost two-month plan for taking her virginity was just silly, if he was truly not planning on having a real relationship with her. Why else would three whole weeks be spent on just kissing? That’s definitely not a “we’re just having sex” plan. The mystical bent–the maybe-magical hope chest that may or may not have brought the two together–was an interesting twist. That at least has me interested to see what it’ll do for Jodi, the sister that Breeanne gifted the chest to at the end.
I really wasn’t crazy about the narration on this one. She had different voices for Rowdy and Breeanne, but didn’t always remember when to use which one. We’d be in Rowdy’s head and she’d say something in her Breeanne voice, and vice versa. It threw me out of the story temporarily every time.
Verdict: Okay, but not great. 3 stars / C-
I received an e-book copy in exchange for an honest review, but due to time restraints ended up buying an Audible copy so I could get my review in by the deadline. I don’t see myself listening to it a second time, however, though I may take a glance through the ebook before or while reading book 2 to refresh my memory as needed…