This book falls into my New Author Reading Challenge.
I wasn't sure if I'd like this book, as I'm not a baseball fan (although I do know more about baseball than hockey), but it had gotten great reviews and I was looking for a good contemporary read when this arrived on my doorstep. This is apparently the 2nd book in a series. I did not read the first (I think it's Double Play?)
Samantha McNead (Sam) is a PR whiz who works for a Major League Baseball team, the Santa Barbara Heat. Sam was born into baseball - her father was one of the owners of the team and her uncle was part owner of their sister team. Apparently her brother was also a PR rep but there was a scandal and he was forced to leave.
Wade O'Riley is the team's catcher. He's got a bit of a reputation as a playboy, and there's been a scandal involving a woman with a false claim that she's pregnant with his child. The Heat's Powers That Be have decided Wade needs some good PR and Sam is enlisted to pose as his girlfriend for a month. What they don't know is Sam and Wade had one drunk night together that neither of them has forgotten.
This story was fun. Wade was a easy-going, hungry guy who really seemed to be down-to-earth despite his fame. He was a very likeable hero. Sam was a bit more uptight, but you could tell she genuinely liked her job and cared about all the players. Her reasons for fighting a relationship with Wade were valid, but he sure was pesistent! I enjoyed Sam and Wade's interaction together - lots of sexual tension going on,, but there were some tender spots too that brougth out the "awww". I was frustrated with their misunderstandings about the nature of their relationship but I think that's what it's like in real life, so I got it. There were several laugh out loud moments.
There were a few surprises for the main characters down the line that shook things up a bit; I liked Sam's nephew Tag, but didn't really see the point of Wade's father's storyline. I still don't get why he had to come see Wade - I don't think I'm giving up any big plotlines when I say it was weird he insisted he needed to be with Wade but ended up leaving anyway.
Slow Heat was a fun, sexy read that kept me turning the pages; I really enjoyed it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimer: I won this book from Pearl at Quick 'n' Dirty Romance Reviews. Thanks Pearl!
Glad you enjoyed this one girl! I loved it!!! Wade is SO yummy! ;o) I love Jill Shalvis she seriously rocks!!! Have you read her Instant books yet?
ReplyDeleteI've heard great things about Jill Shavis..I actually have her books on my Kindle..one day I will get to them!
ReplyDeleteI picked up SLOW HEAT based on the strong reviews but I have mixed feelings about it.
ReplyDeleteThe heroine, Samantha, was simply too passive-aggressive for my taste. There was a little too much "I don't want you-I want you-I don't want you-I need to rip your clothes off..." It got tiresome after awhile and I actuallly started to feel that she didn't even deserve Wade!
The second half got better and I will try Shalvis again.
We'll see what I think about it - I read the first book, and this one's sitting on my couch right now.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason baseball doesn't do it for me either. I rarely read contemporaries where the main hero is an athlete.
ReplyDeleteCool, so you moved on to baseball now :D
ReplyDeleteWhen comes Nascar?
I 'met' Wade and Sam in Double Play but I haven't read this one yet. I think I will though. The first book was funny and I enjoyed it despite the baseball stuff ;) It was a bit tame in the love scene department, but the witty writing made up for that!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, hon :)
Monroe - I'm going to read the first book soon! I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteMandi - I like her writing style and am looking forward to reading book 1.
Scorpio - It was fun and I'm looking forward to more of her books.
Chris - what did you think of book 1?
SHB - I usually shy away from athletes but now I'm obsessed with hockey and while I'm not obsessed with baseball I did like the story.
Blodeuedd - While I never say never, I'm sayin' never to NASCAR!!
Janna - I liked it, I'm looking forward to catching up with Double Play.
I just went and borrowed this book from the library!
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling in the mood for another sport romance since reading Sean Kennedy's 'Tigers and Devils'.
Glad to know you liked this one. Great review!
It was ok. Baseball books aren't really my thing, either.
ReplyDeleteDanielle - I hope you like it - I'm getting ready to read the first book. Tigers and Devils? I may have to check that out!
ReplyDeleteChris - Baseball isn't my thing either - it's kind of boring actually. BUT, I did like the book!
I gotta agree with Scorpio M. I thought that Sam was a bit too passive-agressive. It's unfortunate because I really liked Wade. I liked Tag as well, but his storyline and Wade's dad, meh.
ReplyDeleteWhile baseball was present, I don't think it overwhelmed the book, so that was okay :)
Hummm.. what a wonderful review Patti!
ReplyDeleteI have not read this series yet... notice the key word there... yet!
Hope all is well honey!
I'm loving your sports romance reviews! You're going to be don with the contemporary romance challenge in no time! I'm so far behind on it.
ReplyDeleteafter reading 2 books from ms. shalvis, i think i found a new fave author.
ReplyDeleteafter reading double play (you should read that one too!), can't wait to read this one! great review :)