So apparently guys DO know what women want. Or is it only Sloane Howell? Because let me say that he definitely knows how to put the heat in romance! You won't be able to read his books without blushing and wishing that you had a man just like his heroes in your life! Frankly, I think that the cover model looks too innocent to perfectly represent Matt Stallworth. Matt is a hero who knows what he wants and he isn't afraid to go after it.

Matt is one of the star players of the Texas Rangers. He has been playing with the Rangers for most of his life and is happy to be living in his hometown. However a major offer has been made, by none other, than the New York Yankees. Even though he doesn't want to leave his team or Texas, the amount that they are offering his big enough to change his life and even the lives of his grand grand children. However, there is an even bigger reason for him not wanting to leave and that his Kelsey Martin. Ever since meeting her, she has been constantly on his mind. And even though Kelsey won't give him the time of day, he is determined to change her mind. All he has to do now is convince her that he is more than just a star athlete.

Kelsey loves her life and working at the record store. Music is her life. She has always dated musicians and knows that she will someday end up with one. What she doesn't want is to be the plaything of a hotshot baseball player who seems to change girlfriends as often as he does underwear. But determined as she is to keep her distance from him, even she can't deny the attraction that she feels for him. Especially when she sees that there is more to him than meets the eye.

Even though this book is said to be a standalone, I would strongly recommend that Bossed be read before reading this book. Ethan and Jenny play a pivotal role in Matt and Kelsey's relationship and there are a number of references to events that occurred in the past and can be better understood by reading the first book. Yes, you can still enjoy this book without reading Bossed, but I feel that it completes the story.

I have to say that I am very impressed by Sloane Howell's writing, especially when considering that he is a guy. I don't want to sound sexist, but I absolutely love the idea of a male romance writer and the way he writes is absolutely mouthwatering!!! I can't wait to read more from him!

This was a cute, fun read.
Matt and Kelsey are characters that first appeared in Bossed, but come into their own here. Their relationship centers around the physical, but there are several touching emotional moments as well.
The author’s style seems to allude to the relationship building vs letting the reader see it, but it works for these characters.
My only complaint comes toward the end of the book. There is a conversation between Matt and Kelsey that alludes to her feelings about something, but the issue had never been addressed earlier in the book. It worked for the conclusion of the story, but seemed a little awkward at the time.
Overall, this was an entertaining read and a perfect escape story.

This is the first book by this author that I've read and I'll definitely be reading more. This book has witty banter between the characters and lots of chemistry. This book had me hooked from the first page till the last one. The characters were well developed and so enjoyable to read. The ending to this story is just perfect. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

I really enjoyed Bossed when I read it, and was intrigued by Kelsey and Matt. But Scored hit it out of the ball park. Matt was such a sweet, good guy. He made a ton of money doing what he did, and had to make a decision that could easily set him and future generations of his family up for life. His decision wasn't easy, and his feelings for Kelsey made it even harder to decide.

Kelsey thought she had Matt pegged when she met him, and I loved watching her realize there was so much more to him that just being a dumb jock. I loved the dates Matt took her on and the thought he put into everything for her. I loved their banter, and the way they both got along with their friends. Twilight was hilarious and Ethan and Jenny were great, solid friends anyone would be blessed to call their own.

I love the humor this author uses. The characters always feel so real, their quirkiness something that always gets me laughing. He also has a way of infusing real emotion into his words. This is my favorite of all Howell's books so far, it was fantastic!

3.5 Stars

I haven't read Bossed but I didn't feel lost by jumping in with Scored.

Matt is a professional baseball player. He's played in his hometown for his entire career and now that he's a free agent, he has some big decisions to make. Kelsey has had a ton of bad luck with men that has left her mostly distrustful. Matt is nothing like her regular type of guitar playing music enthusiasts but his persistence to give them a chance eventually breaks her down.

Matt's pursuit of Kelsey made his such an endearing character. I like Kelsey and their chemistry. There was just something about this book that didn't click with me. I liked it but I can't put my finger on why I didn't love it. The characters are cute and the book was a pretty quick read.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance

Kelsey and Matt are the typical “opposites attract” couple. It's a story that is written a lot and the twist in this book is that Kelsey and Matt love the same type of music.

Kelsey is a kind of quirky woman who I thought was more guarded than what we as readers, would have understood why. There were hints at something in her past, but nothing super concrete. I did find her reluctance to let Matt in a little tedious.

Matt is a pro-athlete and I did like his teasing personality. He was loyal to his friends, but he also was always wanting everyone to be happy around him. His relationship with his family is ideal and I love how he and his brother banter back and forth.

The dance that Matt and Kelsey do is the normal dance with the normal conflict. I enjoyed their relationship and they did tear up the sheets. I just wish that there had been some from Kelsey's perspective towards the end. The ending felt too rushed and despite the conflict, there wasn't really any dialogue about it – it simply was.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆
This one just really didn’t do it for me. I absolutely loved the previous book, Bossed, but this book doesn’t hold a candle to it. I don’t feel like you can read this as a standalone, the roles have already been established and I think not having read the previous book would make it difficult to get into.

Matthew is a baseball star who is highly sought after by both the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. Texas has always been home for Matt but the Yankees are offering an outrageous amount of money to get him to go there. The decision about which team to go to literally drags out through the entire book and is one of the reasons I’m giving a low-star rating. Matt meets Kelsey and the attraction is immediate, but it takes a bit of convincing to get Kelsey to agree to a date. Once they begin dating though, things steam up very quickly and the story really picks up. Though Matt is open about having been a bit wild in his younger years, when Kelsey finds out the details she freaks out and ends things, prompting a domino effect of crazy decisions. Plus, the entire story pretty much revolves around Matthew not telling Kelsey about having the choice between Texas and New York.

My favorite part of this story was the epilogue – it really tied the story up nicely and was such a cute way to end the story. I wasn’t a huge fan of Kelsey’s character, she’s very wishy-washy with what she wants in life and was quick to jump to conclusions on several occasions. I like Matthew’s character though, he’s tough and he and his agent/best friend’s interactions had me cracking up. All in all, this was an okay read, it just didn’t really pick up until almost 50% through the book.


Ruthie – ☆☆
2.5* of just not fulfilling the promise of Bossed

Having really enjoyed Bossed, I kept reading Scored to the end, because I wanted to get to the bit which made it all make sense. If I am honest, it did not happen for me. I am a huge sports fan, and was pleased that this did not follow an often tread path of injury, drama, etc., but the item on which the whole plot kind of stuck was just a non-issue as far as I could see, and just didn't work for me. It was fun that Matt was the one who was so sure that Kelsey was his future, and that he had to make her understand that. I enjoyed that they both had a rude, sarcastic sense of humour. I loved that they were both such good friends to Jenny and Ethan (the stars of Bossed) and how they separated work from friendship.

Having looked at the average review score, I realise I am in a minority, but I tell it how I read it, and for me, this just missed the bat.

I read the first book in the series and was eagerly waiting this one and it did not disappoint. Also have to say that I am fairly new to this author and am super happy that I found him! I enjoyed the glimpses we caught of Matt in the first book and certainly Kelsey stepped up when her friend needed her so it was so much fun to see them both have their story and HEA. Love the way Matt pursued her, they way he protected her. But sometimes Kelsey came across as a little annoying, she pushed him back so far that I sometimes thought he would just stop coming back. However, they end up making a great team! Loved it and cant wait for more.

I was putty in his hands as soon as he voiced objection to that northern NY team. That this one is set in the baseball off season in Texas only added to the allure.

While not usually a fan of multi viewpoint reads, I did enjoy Matt's perspective in this one. And Kelsey with her trust issues-- thanks to her musician exes!

A fun read with a of naughty, on the phone and otherwise, and the kind of talk you'd expect from a pro athlete. They know what they want and aren't shy about getting it.

And if you're gonna dream worth when talking contracts, then by all means, dream big or go home.

A fun read from a male writer. not what one expects from a former college player. Who knew!

ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

Book Review
Title: Scored
Author: Sloane Howell
Genre: Sports Romance, Romantic Comedy
Publication Date: October 17, 2017
Cliff Hanger: No
4 Stars

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains explicit scenes and language intended for adults 18+

Synopsis:
He’s a player. But she’s about to score.

Opposites really do attract as a sassy salesgirl turns a pro athlete’s life upside down in this supercharged standalone novel of seduction from the author of Bossed.

Kelsey: My mom would tell you I’m quite the catch, but since my last boyfriend, I haven’t been dating much. Maybe it’s my rocker style or my lack of filter that intimidates the boys. So I’m pleasantly surprised when Matt Stallworth waltzes into the indie record store where I work and gives as good he gets. Turns out Matt is a professional baseball player, which should mean he’s out of my league. But if he wants to hook up with me, he’s going to have to follow my rules.

Matt: After winning my MVP award, I learned that a guy can get used to having beautiful women practically throw themselves at you everywhere you turn. But everything changes the first time I see Kelsey Martin, and something just clicks. She’s hot, snarky, and whip-smart. I’ve got to see her again. Only problem is, she sees right through all my best moves. And I’m going to have to step up my game to convince Kelsey that I’m playing for keeps.

My Thoughts:
This is the first time I have read this author and it won’t be my last. I absolutely fell in love with Matt. He is such an honest to goodness great guy. He loves music. He has eclectic taste that spans genres. He cares about the baseball team he plays for, his teammates and the fans. So when he is up for free agency, he has an offer from the Yankees that is hard to turn down. They have outbid everyone else, including his team that he has played for since he was drafted. Matt grew up in Texas, went to college in Texas and he wanted to continue to play in Texas. His family that he is close with live in Texas. He had a big decision to make. Did I tell you he has hated the Yankees since he was a kid playing little league? He didn’t need a complication like a relationship to get in the way, but there is something about Kelsey that intrigues him and she is always on his mind.

Kelsey has always loved music. She works in a record store owned by an old stoner that used to be a hippie. I think he still is. He comes in every morning eating his donuts that are laced with pot. Kelsey loves him like a father and he is quite the character that always has some sage advice that needs to be deciphered due to his hippie like explanations. I laughed my way through his parts in the book. Kelsey met Matt through their mutual friends Ethan and Jenny. Ethan is close friends with Matt and he is also his sports agent. Jenny and Kelsey are best friends. Matt and Kelsey have flirted, but that was the extent of it until Matt decided it was time to ask her out. After some convincing, he got Ethan to tell him where Kelsey worked and Matt marched down to the record store and asked her out to a concert. Their mutual love of music made them really connect and Kelsey realized that Matt was a really good guy and not just some jock. That’s where I am going to leave it. You have to read the book to find out how the story progresses.

I enjoyed Kelsey and Matt's journey. Their witty banter, Matt’s sweet but very alpha side, Kelsey’s snarky responses. Their chemistry was off the charts and the secondary characters added a great vibe to the book. There were bumps in the road that made me want to shake the characters. I loved that each chapter started with a quote from a song; I would stop and play the song before I would read the next chapter. I also love music so this was right up my alley.

I highly recommend this funny, sweet and smoking hot sports romance.

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

A really enjoyable read. I couldn't put it down once I got into it!

Scored by Sloane Howell was sexy and fun to read. Lots of chemistry and steamy scenes with great banter between the characters. Kelsey and Matt met through mutual friends. They have chemistry and have been flirting on and off for a while. But Matt is ready for more with Kelsey.

Kelsey has not dated in a while, but when Matt shows interest in her, she takes notice. I liked Kelsey, she was smart, feisty and gave as good as she got, but she could be indecisive at times. But after being hurt in the past, she learned to guard her heart.

Matt Stallworth is professional baseball player. He is loved on and off the field. But after meeting Kelsey, she seems to take a permanent space in brain. Something about her calls to him and he decides he wants her, now he just has to convince her to play along! I loved Matt! He was strong, cocky and very charming!

Matt and Kelsey have good chemistry, though they may be a bit of the opposites attracts sorts, they meshed well. This was a good sports romance about opposites who are attracted to each other. It was fun seeing Matt and Kelsey’s relationship develop, even if she frustrated me at times. But you could understand why she was so guarded. It was fun to see Matt break down her walls.

I liked the characters and the story flowed well. The story was easy to read and was full of chemistry. No crazy drama, just two people finding their way with each other.

I fell in love with Matt and Kelsey in Bossed. And I fell more in love in Scored. They are perfect characters. Their story panned out perfectly. No rushing, no crazy expectations. It was such a believable story. And they were so hot together, whew. And appearances from Ethan and Jenny were great. And Twilight was a gem. An all around perfect romance!

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

This was a super light and easy story but really lacked in the excitement department, and I lost count of the number of times I rolled my eyes. It was quick (maybe because I found myself skimming the pages on more than one occasion) and fun, at times, but just didn't hit the spot for me.

I really enjoyed Bossed, so had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately Scored was really lacking and I struggled. I kept going, hoping it would pick up, but it just didn't...

I love a good steamy scene as much as the next person but these were just far too over the top and all the name calling just didn't work for me!!

The whole story was just a little bit predictable for me! There were a few humorous moments, and I enjoyed seeing the secondary characters from Bossed again, so that helped!!

Wish I could give it more!

This book is my second book of Sloane's and I laughed, I giggled and I devoured the entire book. This in my opinion is not the best book of his I've read. I preferred Bossed but I did enjoy reading and I felt the characters were three dimensional and at least relatable. So in that respect this book was good!

Scored is absolutely excellent! I love Matt. He's perfect bbf material. He's sweet, but still alpha. I love the way he chases Kelsey. The banter is absolutely great, I love how Sloane Howell incorporates music with each chapter, the chemistry is freakin hot, and Matt is the ultimate dirty talker. Like I said, bbf material!! This story just sucks you in and doesn't let go. The writing is brilliant. Definitely a must read!! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I went to the bitter end with this book. Why? I don't know..maybe I hoped it would get better. One thing is that Matt didn't look like the guy on the cover. The other was that Kelsey was too damn whiny and immature. As a female, I can understand being hurt in previous relationships. However, the fact that she needed to be coddled and Matt was afraid to tell her about his baseball gig was too much. She was so fragile about Matt's past. But yet Google's him after he told her about his past. I didn't like her character at all. And she spent too much in her and playing mind games. The only saving grace in this book was Matt. I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was so excited to get my hands on this book! And I was sooooo not disappointed!

Scored is the second book in this series and can be read as a standalone, but trust me, you will want to read Bossed, book one, in this series.

This was a light, sassy, read with lots of sexy times. I love the witty banter and could not get enough of these awesome characters!

Matt and Kelsey had chemistry in spades. And while it was love at first sight for him, it took her a bit to let down her walls because of her past hurts. I loved that he was patient and so kind and down to earth considering his status.

I loved both of the main characters....eventually. The push and pull from Kelsey was somewhat annoying, but when she finally gave in to her feelings for Matt I was so happy. His cocky alpha ways did it for me too! Holy hot!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what Mr. Howell has in store for us next.

Kelsey Martin can't seem to stay away from the gorgeous professional baseball player. No matter how hard she tries. She finds herself drawn to him. Reluctant to commit to anything, she is happy in her own little world.

Matt Stallworth is determined to make an impression on the girl he can't stop thinking about. He loves baseball but could there be more to life than that?

I loved this story line and am a sucker for men in baseball pants. This story is hot! The words flew off the page and kept my interest throughout. The only thing I could ask for is more...

The characters are down to earth and very realistic. Neither are without flaws but somehow that made them endearing.

This is the first I've read by this author though I'm hungry for more. I would definitely recommend this one to a friend.

Matt is a professional baseball player. He's an all round good guy and everyone likes him. Kelsey is the fun-loving music lover whom lacks a filter, and doesn't easily fall for Matt's charming personality. She doesn't date athletes, but Matt is willing to change her mind; make her see that he's a good guy. However, there is something that he's keeping from her. Kelsey is already skittish about starting a relationship with Matt. What will happen when she finds out his secret?

Ever since their introduction in Bossed, I wanted more of Matt and Kelsey. I thought they were interesting characters. Matt makes the perfect book boyfriend. He's a hot alpha with a sweet side, has a big penis and knows how to use it– total swoon worthy. I loved his interactions with his family. Those scenes were funny. Another thing that I loved was the way the Kelsey didn't turn into a puddle of hormones whenever she was around Matt. She made him work for her attention. I also loved Kelsey's lack of filter, though I wish there were more of this in Scored. It did took me a few chapters to get into the story, but I think it was more because of my preference in books.

Overall, this is a great sport romance. It has good pacing, characters are likable, it's funny and witty. I completely love Matt. Mr. Sloane has set unrealistic standards for men in the real world.

4.25