As a fan of sports-themed romances I've fallen for the men of the New York Kings baseball team with all their ups and downs on the field and off. With this latest installment, Game Winner by Collette West, the rock star world invades to amp up the emotions even more. Keep reading to get a tantalizing glimpse of this book, along with my impressions of it, and then add it to your bookshelf. In honor of this book make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $10 Amazon GC, a signed print copy of this book, and a Kings ball cap too!
Playing center field for the New York Kings, Jake Woodbury has one of the most prestigious jobs in all of sports. To the world, he's the good-looking, soft-spoken minister's son who’s survived celebrity without a hint of scandal. But, inside, he's reeling from a secret that seems destined to haunt him forever.
Scarlett Moore is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, famous for singing about her celebrity ex-boyfriends. The CEO of her record label has carefully honed her provocative image since she was fifteen. Sex sells, and Scarlett’s well aware that it takes more than talent to stay on top.
One thing is clear: She’s the last thing Jake needs. And he’s the do-gooder jock she should avoid at all costs. But when the game begins, all bets are off.
Scarlett Moore is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, famous for singing about her celebrity ex-boyfriends. The CEO of her record label has carefully honed her provocative image since she was fifteen. Sex sells, and Scarlett’s well aware that it takes more than talent to stay on top.
One thing is clear: She’s the last thing Jake needs. And he’s the do-gooder jock she should avoid at all costs. But when the game begins, all bets are off.
EXCERPT:
"Hey! Where are you going?" Scarlett cries when I hastily start pulling on my clothes. "You can't leave. Not now. Please, Jake. Don't run away from me."
But I don't stop. I shove one leg into my boxers and then the other before hoisting them up and over my butt. My cheeks burn because I know she's watching me, and after what we just did, it shouldn't matter that she's seeing me naked, but I feel embarrassed all of a sudden. I let her get too close, let her see too much of me.
The dark parts, the ugly parts, the parts no one should ever have to see.
That's why I have to get out of here.
I don't know what came over me, spilling my guts to her about things my teammates don't even know about. I was horny, and I acted on impulse, something I really have to stop doing.
I slide my shirt over my arms, buttoning the cuffs around my wrists, and only now do I begin to breathe a little easier.
I always take great care in keeping my tats covered, wearing wristbands out on the field and, for the most part, long-sleeve shirts whenever I’m out of uniform.
The guys think it's because I'm all about presenting a put- together appearance to the world that I'd never be caught dead in anything but my Sunday best. But, on the days I do forgo my usual dress code and don a polo shirt or ratty, old tee, I stack on at least three inches’ worth of charity bracelets on both wrists, showing my support for every cause imaginable, from autistic children to breast cancer survivors, my thick, black crosses hidden beneath a rainbow of colored plastic.
That's just who everyone expects me to be: the good guy, the one who's always there for everyone else. But, when you're that guy, it turns out more often than not that no one's ever there for you. Not even God.
But I don't stop. I shove one leg into my boxers and then the other before hoisting them up and over my butt. My cheeks burn because I know she's watching me, and after what we just did, it shouldn't matter that she's seeing me naked, but I feel embarrassed all of a sudden. I let her get too close, let her see too much of me.
The dark parts, the ugly parts, the parts no one should ever have to see.
That's why I have to get out of here.
I don't know what came over me, spilling my guts to her about things my teammates don't even know about. I was horny, and I acted on impulse, something I really have to stop doing.
I slide my shirt over my arms, buttoning the cuffs around my wrists, and only now do I begin to breathe a little easier.
I always take great care in keeping my tats covered, wearing wristbands out on the field and, for the most part, long-sleeve shirts whenever I’m out of uniform.
The guys think it's because I'm all about presenting a put- together appearance to the world that I'd never be caught dead in anything but my Sunday best. But, on the days I do forgo my usual dress code and don a polo shirt or ratty, old tee, I stack on at least three inches’ worth of charity bracelets on both wrists, showing my support for every cause imaginable, from autistic children to breast cancer survivors, my thick, black crosses hidden beneath a rainbow of colored plastic.
That's just who everyone expects me to be: the good guy, the one who's always there for everyone else. But, when you're that guy, it turns out more often than not that no one's ever there for you. Not even God.
The men of the New York Kings return in this sweet and sexy tale of opposites attracting where stereotypes play a big role in the rocky road to HEA for the Choir Boy of baseball, Jake Woodbury, and pop seductress, Scarlett. It's an unexpected journey forged over their mutual love of music that gets put through the emotional wringer courtesy of melodramatic actions from an unlikable ex and a manipulative manager that is well worth all the tears.
Jake's been in the background throughout the series, the kindhearted and sweet young man unlucky in love. He's seen as pious and is the one you can count on when it comes to charity work. His family is seeped in religion and he's always tried to live his life accordingly. Unfortunately he feels as though he's living a lie as one tragic event has torn his life apart and left him unable to grieve the loss without tarnishing his "perfect" persona. I ached for everything Jake went through and felt as he truly deserved happiness. He desperately wanted to make his family proud and lived the kind of pious life they wanted but the more he failed the darker his emotions became. Meeting Scarlett was like seeing sunshine for him as her voice soothed his battered soul. Though he knew their personalities and lives were different he couldn't ignore the freedom from his darkness she brought him. I enjoyed his crackling connection with her as it teemed with sexual tension but was also fun and flirty. I liked that he was less experienced than her in matters of sex as it gave a fresh spin on the usual romance tropes. Jake was easy to fall for and I admired how hard he tried to live up to other's expectations but ultimately gave his life over to the power of love in a richly satisfying conclusion.
Scarlett's the reigning Princess of Pop, the equivalent of Taylor Swift, for her catchy songs dedicated to her exes. She's tired though of this kind of music, and way of living, and desperate to make something more meaningful. A complicated relationship with her manager leaves her feeling stuck and unsatisfied, desperate to break away. Meeting Jake gives her a chance at freedom, at least for a little while, as their relationship takes center stage over the music. As she gets closer to him their connection releases his past demons and brings forth feelings she never thought she'd experience. When a life-altering event befalls them it shakes their burgeoning romance and leads to frustrating moments of melodrama. For the most part I liked Scarlett as she told it like it was. She was a supportive sounding board to Jake when he needed it most and I enjoyed their scorching relationship that was full of witty and playful banter.
This was a satisfying read with two very likable characters. I enjoyed seeing Jake's teammates, getting caught up on what's happened to them, and their deepening bond after all the fallout from their corrupt General Manager. It has me excited to see the other players we got glimpses of here as each are unique in their personalities. The world of baseball and music was nicely depicted here too, warts and all, and helped immerse readers into the action. My only frustrations with the story revolved around Jake's ex Roberta and her very sour disposition. She was extremely cruel to him, heaping her own pain on him, and I hated every scene she was in. Scarlett's manager was equally awful with his morally questionable relationship with her when she was younger and his ethical threats as her relationship with Jake progresses. He's creepy and his actions felt way over the top. All in all though this was another satisfying installment in a series that continues to entertain with its sexy and sporty Boys of Summer and I look forward to what comes next!
Jake's been in the background throughout the series, the kindhearted and sweet young man unlucky in love. He's seen as pious and is the one you can count on when it comes to charity work. His family is seeped in religion and he's always tried to live his life accordingly. Unfortunately he feels as though he's living a lie as one tragic event has torn his life apart and left him unable to grieve the loss without tarnishing his "perfect" persona. I ached for everything Jake went through and felt as he truly deserved happiness. He desperately wanted to make his family proud and lived the kind of pious life they wanted but the more he failed the darker his emotions became. Meeting Scarlett was like seeing sunshine for him as her voice soothed his battered soul. Though he knew their personalities and lives were different he couldn't ignore the freedom from his darkness she brought him. I enjoyed his crackling connection with her as it teemed with sexual tension but was also fun and flirty. I liked that he was less experienced than her in matters of sex as it gave a fresh spin on the usual romance tropes. Jake was easy to fall for and I admired how hard he tried to live up to other's expectations but ultimately gave his life over to the power of love in a richly satisfying conclusion.
Scarlett's the reigning Princess of Pop, the equivalent of Taylor Swift, for her catchy songs dedicated to her exes. She's tired though of this kind of music, and way of living, and desperate to make something more meaningful. A complicated relationship with her manager leaves her feeling stuck and unsatisfied, desperate to break away. Meeting Jake gives her a chance at freedom, at least for a little while, as their relationship takes center stage over the music. As she gets closer to him their connection releases his past demons and brings forth feelings she never thought she'd experience. When a life-altering event befalls them it shakes their burgeoning romance and leads to frustrating moments of melodrama. For the most part I liked Scarlett as she told it like it was. She was a supportive sounding board to Jake when he needed it most and I enjoyed their scorching relationship that was full of witty and playful banter.
This was a satisfying read with two very likable characters. I enjoyed seeing Jake's teammates, getting caught up on what's happened to them, and their deepening bond after all the fallout from their corrupt General Manager. It has me excited to see the other players we got glimpses of here as each are unique in their personalities. The world of baseball and music was nicely depicted here too, warts and all, and helped immerse readers into the action. My only frustrations with the story revolved around Jake's ex Roberta and her very sour disposition. She was extremely cruel to him, heaping her own pain on him, and I hated every scene she was in. Scarlett's manager was equally awful with his morally questionable relationship with her when she was younger and his ethical threats as her relationship with Jake progresses. He's creepy and his actions felt way over the top. All in all though this was another satisfying installment in a series that continues to entertain with its sexy and sporty Boys of Summer and I look forward to what comes next!
My rating for this is a B+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.
Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as manygames as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right.
But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.
She is the author of the New York Kings series which includes: NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER, GAME ON, PERFECT GAME, INSIDE GAME and GAME WINNER.
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