I liked this book even more than I anticipated. Aaron is a well-developed character with several storylines and a close relationship with his sister.
While I love a happy ending, it was also somewhat satisfying to not have a pat ending Aaron's use of steroids, neither in his relationship nor his career. It was in interesting conclusion that he did it due to greed. It is certainly a different way of looking at a person's desire to achieve their dreams. It was nice to have him take responsibility for his actions and also call out the guy who dealt the drugs.

This book completely stands alone and *does not* end on a cliffhanger. There is both cursing and a couple of on-screen sex scenes in this book, so if those would cause you to leave a bad review, you should skip this one. But if you do that, you'll be missing one heck of a book.

Wow. That was my first reaction after reading this book. As a die-hard baseball fan, I picked this book up with some trepidition expecting it to be a sexy little love story with some sketchy baseball stuff thrown into the background as a plot device. Instead of a fluffy love story, this book was a really beautifully written, incredibly realistic story of two damaged characters who slowly build a beautiful relationship together and a character who makes one bad decision that ripples down and changes his whole life. It was also evident that this author didn't just do baseball research – Ms. Stevens very obviously knows and loves the game of baseball. Seriously, there wasn't a baseball term used improperly or anything said about the game that wasn't factual – her knowledge shown through in every baseball-related passage. That NEVER happens in sports-themed romance novels and I loved it.

Another thing that I loved about this book was that although it was told in the male POV (which I loved) and Aaron was a sports star, he wasn't the stereotypical swaggering, sex-obsessed 20-something jerk who gets labeled an “alpha male” that often dominates sports-related romance novels. He was a seriously good guy who didn't treat women as objects meant just for his sexual gratification, he was a smart guy who treated not only women, but *himself* with respect and I LOVED that. His patience with in his pursuit of Mallory was incredible, and his devotion to her never wavering was swoon-worthy. (My kingdom for an epilogue!) *SLIGHT SPOILERS to the end of paragraph* And even though there was a hopeful ending, there was no white-washing the things that happen in this book. There was no fakey-fake happy ending where everything turns up sunshine and rainbows. It was realistic and it absolutely perfectly fit this story.

Mallory was a tough cookie, but her walls and hesitation made total sense. I had complete respect for the way she conducted herself, not so much the throwing up the walls, but the way that she kept herself safe and didn't just fall for Aaron's charm from the start. Although I was frustrated with her toward the end, I understood where she was coming from and her hurt made total sense.

If you're a baseball fan, I PROMISE you that you can read this book without cringing every time baseball is mentioned. If you like a love story that develops over time in a very organic way, and a happily ever after that is hard-earned and might make you shed a few tears along the way, you should definitely give this one a read. I am so glad that I did. I very much look forward to reading more books by this author.

This review is verified on Amazon because although I requested and was granted an ARC of this book, I enjoyed it so much that I spent the last of my monthly book budget to purchase it.

Angsty, deep and a well developed romance - I really enjoyed this book! This was more than I was expecting in all the best ways. I love the character development in this book - both Aaron and Mallory are interesting characters. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author!

3.5 Stars
I did enjoy this one. I was gravitated towards this book because Aaron is a college baseball player on the cusp going into the draft. Then of course life happens and he is probably at his lowest point and looks like lady luck has abandoned ship. I really liked Mallory. I loved she knows so much about baseball. The baseball trivia she Aaron gives her reminds me of how my grandpa does that with me. I will say this book takes a turn the I never expected. It does bring awareness to a growing problem in the sports world. I liked how Aaron uses the experience in the last chapter shows you what kind of man he is.

“This wasn’t good. Not at all. Either I was desperate for any chick’s touch, or this woman was more dangerous than I imagined.”

Aaron Betts is recovering from a broken heart and a serious injury. He’s also failing Modern American History. He approaches Mallory Fine to tutor him. When he meets her in person, he’s completely blindsided by her beauty. However, Mallory has a thing against baseball players. She’s smart, straightforward but skittish, and even though she detests baseball players, she seems to know the game inside out. Aaron finds her a fascinating enigma.

“I really like you, Mallory. You don’t put up with my bullsh*t. I don’t have enough people in my life like that. If that means I can only be your friend, I’m okay with it. But I’d like to be something, anything you want me to be. We can take our time. Get to really know each other.”

In spite of being burnt in love by an ex-girlfriend, Aaron finds himself drawn to Mallory. He wants to know her and he desires her. He’ll take her any way that he can have her. He’s willing to wait. What he’s not willing to wait for is his injury to heal, which leads him to make bad decisions. When Mallory starts to open up to him, revealing her secrets to him, he finds himself in a terrible situation withholding his own secrets from her, which could ruin their burgeoning relationship.

“I’m no saint, Mallory…but I’ll f*cking burn the world to make this right between us.”

This was an interesting story – I found it took a turn down a path that I wasn’t expecting at all. Yes, it’s a sports romance. Yes, it’s a jock and girl-nerd story. However, it was surprisingly intense and angsty. Aaron is a pretty thoughtful guy with infinite patience. I found Mallory quite hot and cold, which she completely acknowledges, but there’s a quirkiness and vulnerability to her that I found endearing. I loved how much she came to trust Aaron.

Overall, this was a great slow burn romance, dealing with a problem fairly common in the sports world. My only issue with the story was that I felt the ending was a little bit abrupt. I'm not clear if there's supposed to be sequel? I hope so or, at least, a novella about the couple.

Loved, loved, loved this one. No insta-love, no everything works out perfectly. Just a great story and a message that sometimes life gets messy, stupid decisions are made, and you just have to own it and move forward. The author tackled a very delicate subject and handled it superbly. This is absolutely a book I would recommend.

Aaron Betts had his life all planned out. Perfect girlfriend, star of the college baseball team, on his way to the big leagues. Then "poof" gone! Girlfriend's a cheater, knee's blown out, possibility of playing in the spring slim. Oh and his professor has it out for him for now he's searching for a tutor. That's where Mallory Fine comes into his life and nothing will ever be the same.

I was completely charmed by the blurb on this book, and more than a little drawn in by the cover. Unfortunately, what I found on the pages didn't appeal to me quite as much. I felt like this read a bit like an after school special. It felt heavy handed and sometimes a bit stiff. I never connected with Aaron and Mallory as a couple and I struggled to really feel a connection with them individually as well. There was a lot packed into this book - between Mallory's issues, Aaron's family issues, the PED issues, and team/knee/health issues - it just felt like SO MUCH and at some point I found myself skimming because it all felt a little...overdone.

I did skim most of the book. Despite the fact that I couldn't really connect to the story, I did want to know what happened. In the end, I chose not to finish this one though I do think that perhaps a younger reader, or an angst junkie may have an appreciation for it!

This book knocked my socks off and then some! It had me running the full range of emotions.
This may be a book about two college students but the dialogue and interaction reads very much adult, so don't by shy. Jump right in.

The book takes off fairly quickly with Aaron playing a pick up game of soccer with his baseball teammates and ending up with a career threatening injury, requiring surgery. Add to that he's on academic probation and won't be able to play unless he passes his history class and his girlfriend has just dumped him. (the girlfriend dumping him was a blessing, you'll see that). He needs a tutor and he needs the best. So he meets with her, Mallory Fine on line where she interviews him. She won't take on a student who's going to waste her time. She talks to Aaron about 3 minutes and shuts him down, especially after hearing he's a baseball player, but she takes him on. She sets the schedule and he is expected to fall in line.

Aaron's injury and subsequent therapy is grueling, his Dr visits are rough and he's a bright guy, but history just stumps him. Aaron's over his ex, who is now dating a football player, for the moment.
Mallory comes up with some hilarious comebacks about her and her type, when the girl is nasty to her. Mallory is very closed off and with good reason. She doesn't mind when Aaron shares and he tells her things to try and get her to open up only to have her change the subject. Mallory is an expert at baseball which they all find out the night they watch the world series and she's calling the pitches.
Mallory's history is a rough one. You have to read the book, but it effects everything she does and how she behaves. Her reluctance to let anyone close etc. There's often friction between the two.

As time goes on the two grow closer, Aaron is frustrated that he's not improving fast enough so he makes a bad judgement call, thinking he can control things. Baseball is his life, he's got his whole life planned out, now including Mallory and needs to be ready for the new season because the scouts are watching him. No doubt, he's a great player. His own Dad played balled until an injury took him out his first year of college. There are some dynamics that go on in Aarons family too, his younger sister, who I loved and the two Grandma's who were totally sassy.

When the story starts to spiral out of control it does so almost gracefully, but very emotional as well.
It's sad, just damn sad. Lynn wrote these characters so well you almost felt like you knew them, you got a great sense of who both Aaron and Mallory are as people as well as together as a couple.
Lynn wrote an amazing book. I'd give it 10 stars. It is so much more than just a story about two college kids or a baseball player. I loved the dialogue and the reality checks she puts in here.
Read this book, I guarantee you will love it.

Great book Lynn, it's got it all going on!

**arc from NetGalley and Entangled in exchange for a fair review**

This book is really good and wasn't at all what I was expecting. It was raw and emotional; I couldn't put it down. The relationship between Mallory and Aaron isn't an easy one. They're very different people but have one thing in common: baseball. It's what ultimately brings them together and tears them apart. I loved the realness and honesty of this story. I was, however, disappointed with the ending. After such a strong story, the ending didn't do this book justice. I don't know if that's just the ending or if it's a cliffhanger but be warned-it's not satisfying. That's why I couldn't give this book five stars. It was so abrupt and there was no closure. I'm hoping there's more to Aaron and Mallory's story.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Really loved it, but I felt like the hero needed to grow up a little bit And the end left me with a lot of questions.. Is it a cliffhanger or Does the book really end?

another day, another sports romance, or is it? it's actually kind of hard to categorize this new adult story, because while there is romance, it's not really all sunshine and rainbows. this one has a lot of dark clouds.

full count is about up-and-coming baseball star, aaron betts, a star player on the westland university baseball team who is injured in a pick up game welcoming rookies to in his junior year. aaron has a plan, and a knee injury seriously intereferes with those plans. all of a sudden he's battling academic probation, dealing with a break-up with his high school girlfriend, and facing the possibility that he won't play his junior year and will miss the draft.

to deal with the academic probation piece, aaron hires mallory fine as his history tutor. she isn't a fan of baseball players, but also seems to know an awful lot about the sport, moreso than the average fan. aaron is interested in mallory from the get-go, but she is hesitant and pulls away anything things get too serious between them.

their romance is definitely a slow burn. aaron is pretty much all-in, but it takes him a long time to win over mallory.

a third of the way through the novel though, aaron makes a morally questionable choice. and this choice drags down the story. i spent the entire rest of the book waiting for that shoe to drop and wondering how the writer was going to write herself out of this. because it's almost irredeemable. and so this was my struggle, because as a character i loved aaron. he's a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, and i just felt like he was smarter and better than the choices he makes. and he was being so extraordinarily stupid.

and after so much build up and so much stressing about that shoe dropping, when everything does blow up, there's almost not enough time to deal with the consequences. and as the book closes, it's not entirely clear where things will end up between the characters. which is fine, except this romance was already such a slow burn, to end up with only some embers that could possibly spark something or possibly die out feels like a letdown. so actually it's almost better to think of this as fiction, rather than a romance.

Aaron knows how to treat a lady, “no buts, Mallory. I’m walking you to your car.” With a grin, I added, “Deal with it.” Aaron like to give his girl options, “you know, I can think of a way to help you process this situation.” I pressed my lips against her neck. “The cab of the combine is bigger than you think.” Mallory’s head fell back and a moan escaped her lips. “There’s a hayloft we can explore.” I kissed along her jaw. “And Dad’s office has a couch, too.” I liked this book, but the ending left a little more to be desired.

If You like J Lynn and Jamie McGuire you will love this book



let me just put this out there i absolutely love Mallory and Aaron

<i>some semi spoilers ahead</i>

<b>Things i liked</b>

-the way Lynn Stevens handled the whole HGH stuff

-the way she handle the way Mallory's character handles grieve or getting to close to people for the fear of them leaving you (i related to her more because of that)

- All the baseball stuff (im a huge St Louis Cardinals and a even bigger Yankee's fan

<b>Things i didnt like</b>

-the ending. Why? because i never wanted it to end

This book is one of those books that is hard to rate. I looked the author up this appears to be her first book.
Here are my pros:
1.Well written book
2.Likeable characters
3.Very good plot and story

Now that I have said what I liked here is what I didnt.
1. This is an all male viewpoint. We never hear a word from Mallory. It is all Aaron all the time. Is he interesting? Yes but I usualy am not a fan of an all male POV and 2nd I like hearig from both major characters. So this part of storyline I did not love.

2. The ending sucked. It was beyond bad. We get a hi and then it ends. After all the reader goes thru in this story with Aaron we deserve more than a hello.

3. HCG and steroids are huge part of this story and its not a topic that I like reading about. It is a popular theme in college-sports stories and the wayit was done here did not have any big surprises.

This is the story of a college baseball player, Aaron who gets dumped by his girlfriend of 4 years just before he gets injured and is trying to recover from his injury. He is flunking a history class and so he gets a tutor. Enter Mallory.

Mallory is a sweet and kind girl and she really is great with Aaron. But she hates baseball and refuses to date Aaron. Her hatred of baseball while being a huge baseball trivia fan is a mystery Aaron wants to uncover.It kept the book interesting.

There are times you request an arc and you think you know what the story will be like. Well... not this one. Of course, you meet Aaron, the star-to-be baseball player, when he had a really, really bad day. Losing his girlfriend, hurting his knee and almost getting flunked in history by his professor.

And we meet Mallory, the girl he hires to be his tutor. She reluctantly agrees to help him tutor, because she really hates baseball and she doesn't want anything to have to do with guys who play baseball.

Since Aaron is up for a challenge, he tries to find out why Mallory is so determined to steer away from baseball. But the more he pushes, the more she closes up. Until he finally finds a crack in her armour. What he doesn't realize, is that when he opens up her secrets, he may have to hide some of his own.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review and without revealing all the secrets and twists in the story, I must say that this story kept me on edge. Lynn Stevens manages to touch some very relevant issues about baseball, peer pressure and using drugs.

So, why not five out of five stars, but only four? Basically because of the ending of the book. It was too sudden and too flat for me. The story build up nicely with several unexpected plots and then suddenly, the story was over. But still, a recommendable read. Thank you Netgalley for providing the ARC.