Book Review — The Baller by Vi Keeland

“I can do exclusive. Hell, the thought of you with anyone else makes me fucking insane… The relationship part, I’m probably going to need you to bear with me on. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one. I’ll probably fuck up and piss you off a lot, but I’d like to try.”

• Buy THE BALLER (Kindle)
• Buy THE BALLER (Paperback)

Sports romance fans! If you’re looking for a fun, sexy, addictive new book with awesome banter and just enough angst to keep you flipping those pages, you have to try this!

I’m gonna admit, it was the blurb that totally sold me on the book. Here, see for yourself:

The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men’s locker room. 

It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster.
The famed quarterback decided to bare all.
And by all, I don’t mean he told me any of his secrets.
No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first question.
On camera.
The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby–screwing with me.
When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me.
But I don’t date players.
And it’s not because I’m one of the few women working in the world of professional football.
I’d date an athlete.
It’s the other kind of player I don’t date.
You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid.

 

Brody Easton was the ultimate player.

Every woman wanted to be the one to change him.
But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for.
Turned out, I was that girl.
Simple right?
Let’s face it. It never is.
There’s a story between once upon a time and happily ever after…
And this one is ours.

Teehee! Seeeeee??

I loved that even though this was a hot and sexy romance, it still had a really strong story at it’s core. I loved that they they didn’t just jump straight into bed together without a second thought. I loved that she set her standards and kept them. I loved that he showed himself to be such an amazing guy over the course of the book. They began as opposites — she was looking for something more than just a fun night, and that was pretty much exactly what he was offering. But the more she refused him, the more he began to realize that he cared for her enough to want a little more. It was a fun transition to watch! Especially given how they kept running into each other professionally in their roles of reporter/player.

“Does dinner mean sleeping with you?”

“Hopefully when it’s over. But if you want to switch things up a bit and get to the f*ckng first, I’m happy to oblige.”

“No, thanks.”

“Relax, I’m joking. Dinner means dinner. You know, I take you out to some overpriced restaurant where we share a meal and I tell you how great I am.”

“Gee. How can I turn that invitation down?”

He winked. “That’s what I thought. I am sort of irresistible.”

“If you don’t say so yourself.”

Now normally, I’d be a little annoyed at the heroine for pushing the hero away that much at first, but I gotta say that in this case, I was firmly on her side of the line. I understood her concerns. They were valid and made sense, because as much as a hot and dirty night with a famous sports player might sound good in theory, I can totally see why she’d want either more or nothing. I got her.

Naturally though, this forced him to face the fact that what he wanted from her was genuinely more than just a quick lay and it made him realize that he’d have to offer up more of himself if he ever actually wanted a chance with the girl he couldn’t stop thinking about.

“I don’t think women want romance as much as they think they do.”

I cackled. “You don’t know women very well.”

“Oh, but I think I do. I think most women, especially women who work hard and have a lot on their mind, prefer a man to come home, lift her off her feet and take her against the wall rather than hand her some bullshit flowers and pussyfoot around with sweet gestures all night.”

“We like bullshit flowers and sweet gestures.”

“Then you haven’t been fucked properly against a wall.”

I also really liked that even though it was a more light-hearted type of romance, there was a bit of a more serious backstory to do with his past. I though this was very well balanced and helped give the story more depth as we found out more of his past in bits and  pieces over the book when he slowly began to open up to her over their dates and nights together.

There is a wee bit of a triangle scare — but it doesn’t go anywhere. I was worried it would (which is why I didn’t say anything about this book until I was done reading) because Brody’s past comes back into his life in a big way — but I actually really loved the way he handled it. Even though I’ll admit that I actually wasn’t fond of this part of the story and did get frustrated with it. But I understand it’s purpose in creating tension and admittedly it did keep me flipping those pages. Honestly I think most readers would be totally fine with it though and looking back on the book now, it doesn’t bother me. So basically, if you’re reading and you’re not a fan of triangles and you get worried… this is just me reassuring you. It’s all good.

I have to say though that this book was really addictive. I read it in one sitting and didn’t want to stop reading. It was fun and flirty, hot and sexy, and laced with feels that tugged my heart strings. Not to mention that the epilogue was reeeeeally sweet. This was definitely a really great read!

“So you really don’t have anything against women in the locker room?”

“I have something against you in the locker room.” He pulled me from sitting to lying on top of him.

“Why?”

“Because the only dick I want you seeing these days in mine.”

“That’s an oddly sweet statement.”

“I’m an oddly sweet kinda guy. Now shut up and kiss me.”

If you’re a fan of hot, addictive sports romance, then this book is a must-read!

Rating: 4 — 4.5 stars. Standalone sports romance.

• Buy THE BALLER (Kindle)
• Buy THE BALLER (Paperback)