What a perfect name for this sweet romantic baseball and single mom small town romance. While there are three primary characters that standout the supporting characters put the icing on the whole cake.

Palmer Clark is a single mom of a twelve year old son named Ethan. Together they have an awesome relationship that will truly warm your heart. Throughout the story they have many conversations to include some difficult ones concerning broken promises ie her ex/his father and even Cole, illness and heartbreak. They face the ups and downs of life in such a realistic healthy way.
Colson Beck a recently retired professional baseball player for the San Diego Swifts. He is at a turning point in his life where he has to face many uncertainties that are weighing him down but one he is certain about is his desire to get to know Palmer and her son. She has a way to make him think about something other than his first love baseball.

You won't be disappointed when you choose to grab this wonderful book.

I received an uncorrected proof ARC through NetGalley and I'm voluntarily leaving my review.

Five heartwarming and feelgood ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Sweet Spot by Adriana Locke is about an overworked single mother, Palmer, and a retired baseball player, Cole.
Palmer wants to find true love. She wants someone who will put her first and take care of her while she takes care of everyone else. Cole is enamoured by Palmer, but he has plans to head back to California after a month, so definitely no long term plans of staying in a small town in Ohio. Yet they're both very drawn to each other. Palmer tries her very best to stay away, while Cole tries his very best to hook Palmer. Eventually, she gives in and so the story goes.
The banter and text exchanges between Palmer and Cole were probably the best part of their budding relationship. The relationship between Cole and Palmer's son was just the sweetest thing EVER.
Adriana Locke pretty much hits a homerun with The Sweet Spot.

Today I’m here sharing my advance review of Adriana Locke’s next small town, single mom, friends to lovers contemporary romance: The Sweet Spot. Having read a decent number of Locke’s backlist through Kindle Unlimited I was excited to get my hands on this one!

As always huge thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC, spoilery-thoughts below are my own, enjoy!

Friends, where to begin with this one? I gotta tell you I have sat here for an inordinate amount of time trying to sort out how I feel about this one. First let’s start with things I liked.

Palmer’s 12 year old son Ethan was just super freaking cute the entire read. I thoroughly enjoyed how Locke wrote him, and was pleasantly surprised how nuanced he was. So often my groan inducing eye roll, happens when books that feature kids are written either way too young or too old, and in this Locke nails it.

The relationship between Ethan and his mom Palmer again, was a real stand out for me. I loved how much she loved him. And, I loved how much he saw her. So often children are written in romance as these cardboard-eqsue plot devices and I never once felt that Ethan and Palmer were anything but a really solid team of two. Strong us against the world vibes. The small town setting also gave me some lovely cozy vibes, but at times felt a little one dimensional. Lawrence and Casey (Cole’s parents) are a treat too, folks will enjoy being welcomed into their home and table, I’m sure of it.

And the main love story, well ok here’s where I am feeling a little torn. So the meet cute off the top was light-hearted, and full of chemistry, I was admittedly feeling it. It was equal parts earnest, witty and charged with hot guy gets turned down, but respectfully will be persistent.

From there Cole and Palmer continue to (thank you small town) bump into each other. While the attraction is instant, Palmer is emotionally intelligent enough to know that this man is a season of her life (he’s JUST stopping by!) and not forever. And Cole is a freshly retired future-hall-of-famer MLB catcher who has abruptly retired from the game. He’s processing, and withholding some pretty big revelations.

And this my sweet babies is where I found myself disconnecting. Spoilers ahead, please proceed with caution.

The entire length of the novel, we are repeatedly fed the verbal and non verbal background that Palmer (god bless her) is a CAREGIVER, she is selfless, she is a nurturer, she is protective, and never ever rests or takes care of herself. Okay cool. And Cole is perfect. He is in-tune with himself, he communicates with her and loves her son. He is never ruffled by anything, he totally accepts her and they are like this low drama low angst couple.

Then, at like 87% of the novel comes the revelation: Cole has MS.

Record scratch. Yes, you read that correctly.

He has MS and that is the reason he retired early. I want to be clear, chronic illness is normal its wonderful to write about and represent and give voice to characters that experience it, but for me this felt like a vehicle for forced conflict and not something that is shaping his character or decision.

He also decides to dump her because he overhears her say to her ex (who calls from jail, y’all when I tell you I said OF COURSE out-loud), that she can’t take care of anyone else. And let’s remember this entire novel they have been communicating BRILLIANTLY. I dunno, I was ready to call it, but I had read so much of the book I decided to trudge through.

On top of all this, I found myself deeply uncomfortable with the throw-away lines that included joking about sending and being able to read smoke-signals, and suggesting Cole sage his house to cleanse it.

So where does that leave us? Great question. I like parts of this and the idea of this book a lot (it felt like it had all the right ingredients) but, for me there was a little-too much going on, and that revelation at the end didn’t land with me. Not to say it won’t work for you, The Sweet Spot is landing in store and online November 29, 2022, grab it wherever you get your books!

Thank you to Montlake Publishing for our copy of The Sweet Spot by Adriana Locke. This book publishes on November 29, 2022

Rating: 4 to 4.5 star
Genre: Romance

I picked this one up because I thought this looked like a cute, small-town romance. Something to fill the time; however, it was much more than that. This book has heavier themes of illness and single parenthood. I ended up really loving this one and thought it had some beautiful, deep messages. This will for sure be a Kindle Unlimited hit!

Read this if you like:
-Small - town romances
-A main character that is a professional athlete
-Single parent romance
-Romance books with deeper themes

This story was a home run! Small town romance, single mom and baseball! Truly incredible story line and characters written with such depth and details that made for a really enjoyable reading experience.

I don’t typically like singl parent books. Too close to reality for me I guess-not sure. However, not only is Palmer realistic, but she is relatable. The exhausting life of parenting and working full time is wearing even if you have a partner. Palmer shows the less glamorous side and how she loves being a mother any way. Then comes Cole. I love her rationale for staying away. It is so real.

I have to say-the way Cole falls for this hot mess mom-flaws and all, but wants to sacrifice his happiness for hers is swoon worthy!

I loved this book!
Without spoilers I see a lot of myself in the main character, a people pleaser. Someone who’s always got a lot on her plate and who does anything for anyone!

I just adore this book!

"Adriana Locke pulled no punches when it came to the feels in The Sweet Spot. Heat and heart wrapped in a shell of hope, fighting fate, and deep characters, The Sweet Spot is everything I love in a romance!"

In my opinion, nothing is better than the combination of baseball and romance, and once again Adriana Locke knocks it out of the park. Palmer and Cole's love story cannot be more honest and true. Each and every chapter brings them closer to getting their HEA that they rightfully deserve. But is would not be an Adriana Locke masterpiece with out something that they will have to overcome and only come out stronger in the end. True romance starts and ends right here with Cole and Palmer. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars.

Adriana Locke has written another great story. She is never disappointing. This is the story of single mother Palmer and her son Ethan. Palmer doesn't always make the best choices when it comes to men but she has decided she won't settle for less anymore. She wants a man who puts her first and a family. Enter Cole, he is a retired baseball player who is in town visiting his parents. They meet and there is instant chemistry. Cole works hard to get Palmer to go out with him and even though she is very attracted to him she puts him off because she knows he is leaving town. As Cole and Palmer spend more time together they finally give in to there attraction. Various struggles occur with each other, but they mostly are honest about things. Sweet story - son steals the show some of the time and is wise beyond his years.

A great easy read. The perfect summer read for those seeking positive vibes. The smiles and laughter can be felt in the book as well as seen through you. So many times I caught myself snickering and smiling at parts. You fall in love with Cole and his parents. They mimick the good American family while Palmer is the opposite. She is a single mom struggling to make ends meet. Whether it's worrying about her son, friends/family, job, or so on. She is a strong independent woman who is trying to hold everything together while not letting the struggle so to her son. The story of these two characters colliding is super good.

I fell in love with Palmer and Cole’s love story from the get go. The Sweet Spot started with Cole trying to get a date with Palmer to win a bet with his friend. Her quick wit and sarcasm kept Cole on his toes and kept the story entertaining. As the story progressed, and the characters each dealt with big issues, I became more engrossed in their lives. I did not want to put the book down and read it within a day. I loved it and would highly recommend The Sweet Spot to any romance lover. Adriana Locke has a new fan.

Once again Adriana delivers on a well written story that takes you through all the emotions. You have 3 characters who bring you laughter, love and and a sense of pride in how they go about different scenarios within this story. If you love kind, decent & of course hot male characters, along with strong, sassy & stellar single mum characters you will love this book!! Also, we won’t forget about our third character, the smart & awesome son! A great read that I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

“The Sweet Spot” is just that, a sweet romance between a retired baseball player and a single mom in a small town. This was the first book I’ve read from this author and it was very well done. I found myself wanting to get back to the story in between breaks, which is always a good sign. Its high on emotion and feels, low on steam, and sweet like hallmark movie without the cheesiness.

Palmer, a single mom works her butt off to make sure everyone around her is taken care of, she’s been burned by men her whole life and isn’t trying to take a risk on another one.
Cole, doesn’t know what to do with the rest of his life, now that he’s retired, he certainly wasn’t trying to get into a relationship, but Palmer grabs his attention from day one and makes him think about things besides his first love, baseball.

Enter great a supporting cast, baseball analogies and an immature baby daddy, and you’ve got a small town romance guaranteed to make you laugh…and maybe cry a little.

I haven’t read one of the author’s books in quite a while now and I grabbed this one as soon as it became available.
I enjoyed the family drama, the banter and chemistry, all the interactions between them and the steam that was so well placed at the right moments.

A beautiful written romance with great characters and a love story that will stay with me for a while.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

The Sweet Spot gives you that bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, tie ball game, the batter swings and knocks it outta the park feels.

Cole and Palmer’s story is what makes me believe in love. It brings you the flirty, giddy feeling that romance is made of. It also shows you how somethings are just meant to be no matter how much you fight it. Did I mention Cole’s friendship with Palmer’s son? Ovary. Explosion.

It’s the perfect feel good, small town, single mom meets her match romance. I highly suggest this one!

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Montlake.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

This charming small town romance that only this writer can give. It will hold a special place in your heart as a new book boyfriend favorite is born.

Single mom who still believes in forever meets sweet talker baseball legend and woman magnet. He is not the type to settle down until he meets her. Soon he will be change his ways as the two collide.

This standalone story will crave your need for HEA.

A sweet story about a just retired baseball star and a single mom in a small town. This was a pleasant read with a plot that wasn't hard to figure out. I wasn't blown away but neither was I disappointed. Good characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have loved everything I have ever read by Adriana Locke. This book was magnificent. Single Parent tropes seem to be my favorite. It is just so special when a character can find a person to step in amd not only love them but their child too.

Palmer pushed Cole away at first, even though it was perfectly obvious that wouldn't happen for long. They were the perfect fit, amd their relationship was so easy. Palmer's son fit so perfectly into the mix, and Cole's parents were so accepting. The story was heartwarming with an ample amount of heat. I feel blessed to read it early.

I loved reading The Sweet Spot. It is about a single mother, Palmer, and a retired baseball player, Cole. How their relationship develops while they are both at a crossroads in life was a great story. Ethan, Palmer's preteen, isn't lost or forgotten in the book. I laughed out loud while reading and wiped tears to.