The Perfect Date

What a delightful book. It was an easy read with a good plot ... and some twists ... and a happy ending. The two main characters, Angel and Caleb, are both dealing with personal challenges. After a chance meeting, their lives become more intertwined. With each others help and help from respective friends, they are able to conquer the challenges. I enjoyed that it takes place in New York City and that Caleb is a New York Yankee. I look forward to reading more from the authors.

This book was a surpring treat. I really enjoyed reading it and it hooked me quickly. As a previous watcher of Basketball Wives, and a fan of Evelyn Lozada, I could hear her in my head as I read the story. I think it was well put together and didn't leave any loose ends. The romance between Angel and Duke built nicely and I also appreciated the maternal friendship between Angel and Gabriella. I would definitely read another book by Evelyn. Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this in advance in exchange for an honest review.

*thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this free copy in exchange for an honest review*

Angel is a young mother who is trying to finish college to make a better life for herself and her son. She goes to school and works as a bartender at a club to try and make ends meet. Cue Duke: pitcher for the NY Yankees with a serious axe to grind against the world. The two meet and eventually have to decide if they want to start “a thing” or let the chance pass by.

I have been loving cutesy romances lately and this one stepped up to the plate and delivered!

I really really liked this book. It was less quick fun romcom and more adult romance drama. And it’s about POC written by a Poc woman!

I love the premise of baseball player needing a fake girlfriend to hide his injury. Angel is a badass Latina mom who will do anything for her child. Which I understand greatly. She works two jobs with some shitty bosses but handles her situations as best as she can. It shows how men in powers of position do deplorable things to women.
Everything about this book just seems so real. Even Angels friends are just so loving and wonderful.

Duke. Ah man. He has so many issues that he has to work on and I loved that Angel didn’t take any shit from him. Duke has a problem he has to fix and people in his life that do bad things. It’s the life of a celebrity shown very well.

It shows problems about race and women dealing with sexist men and more. They’re just so many real issues in this book. I couldn’t wait to finish it.

My only tiny problem is that she calls him by his baseball name instead of his real name which I guess might just be a sports thing I don’t get lol but overall i really liked this book!

What a great book! This fast paced story gives the reader a glimpse into the world of a hard working single mother. She works to support her son and complete her education and along the way meets someone who can change her life...while changing his own. This smart, endearing story is a must read, for sure! Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.

I loved, loved, loved this book! For one thing, I love books that have New York City as its background. Since I am a bord and bred New Yorker. But this story right here took me to another level. Caleb and Angel both have their own baggage along with people who are trying to use them. Filled with drama and of course love. It was one roller coaster ride and I was sad to see the book and get off the ride. Let me say this one more time..I loved this book! I would love to read more from this author. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

✨Book Review🎆

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I just finished this book and I was pleasantly surprised given the reviews I had read from other readers. In this book Angel is a single mother working to provide a better life and better medical treatment for her son. Angel is close to finishing nursing school and is working two jobs to make ends meet. One day she runs into Duke at work, but now's not the time to get distracted by a guy (regardless of how hot he is). Caleb "The Duke" Lewis is the star pitcher for the New York Yankees and is trying to recover from a traumatic night last year that left him with a career threatening injury. Will these two find a way together or will the obstacles keep them apart?

This is definitely a romcom book that you can easily work your way through (I read it in one day). It has everything from interesting POC main characters to gossip following Duke's rich friends. I love Angel's friends that are more like family and her ability to stand up for herself. I wish there was a bit more quality time spent between Angel and Duke, but I can see how it was hard to work it into their schedules. Overall I enjoyed this book and it kept me engaged while reading. If you are looking for a light, quick read, this is the book for you. Look for it in June of this year!

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for an advanced digital copy of this book

Charming ~ Tender ~ Refreshing
tl; dr: Aging ballplayer needs a ruse to revive his career

I have a sports-romance addiction despite having avoided most sport. I skew more hockey hotties, but when you need a fix, baseball will do. The Perfect Date includes a few common tropes--single mom, fake boyfriend, aging player. But, it deviates from the banal in important ways. The storyline deals with race and class honestly and appropriately. This story is grounded in truthfulness, which I definitely appreciated. Most importantly, the characters feel real, their emotions on the page. You root for the characters and you feel awful when illness strikes. I particularly liked the ending, which while happy is not unrealistic. Very enjoyable, even uplifting, romance novel. HEA included.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Angel and "The Duke"'s relationship prove that the journey to perfect involves a lot of hitches along the way, and when one person is at their best chances are the other will not be, but if anything they can always support each other.
I loved Angel. Her personality, struggles, fears and hopes spilled out of the pages. This is a contemporary romance and I believe readers of romance would relate to it. Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

This story will make you smile. The characters are fun and engaging. You won’t Want to put this book down until you finish it!

I have to admit I am shocked by the number of negative reviews for this book. This book is raw and this book is real. If you are looking for a fluffy romance novel, look away. If you are wanting an engaging read with real characters, many unlikable at times and some who make huge mistakes, read and enjoy. This book was an extremely quick read for me. I cheered for Angel. I loved how strong she was and how she always stood by exactly what she believed in. She is a true heroine and "The Duke" is lucky she saw the integrity and kindness in him and let him win her heart.