Laura’s Review of Hard Ball by C.D. Reiss

 Synopsis

Perfect ass.

Perfect arms.

Perfect swagger.

They call Dash Wallace the Diamond King.

He’s the hottest commodity in baseball and in the bedroom.

When he runs the bases, every woman’s eyes are glued to his stunning body and a smile that puts the night lights to shame.

I’m no queen. I’m a regular girl with a regular job. I just watch him on TV and from the bleachers, season after season.

Girls like me grab a guy like that one in a million times.

My number just came up, and he is as spectacular in bed as he is on the field.

But there’s not a woman in the world who can distract Dash Wallace from the game. Not for a moment. Not even me.

Until the night I do. And everything changes.

What I Loved

I love C.D. Reiss and I was excited to see what other hot romance she could cook up next, and then to mix sports into it made it all the more exciting for me and I was not disappointed in the least! The story begins with an overworked, tired librarian helping her underprivileged students enjoy a day out with the LA Dodgers when she happens upon one very hot Dodger in particular, Dash Wallace.  Although some sparks may fly a little, the chemistry isn’t exactly instant but the curiosity certainly is and of course the romance grows from there!   

          I kind of liked Dash’s mild stalking of Vivian in the beginning, he had good reason to which added more to the plot and to his overall character.  I loved that he wasn’t just some stuck up player who thought very highly of his skills on and off the field.  There was definite depth to him and his background as a human and as baseball player.  That sucked me right into this story because it gave the plot a lot more depth than just a typical romance and made me more emotionally involved in the story. 

      Also I get that Dash’s thoughts are very scattered and run together at times but there were times that from Vivian’s point of view it became that way too.  Her feelings to me towards the end just never felt resolved or addressed.  They felt more scattered and desperate rather than concluded, but that’s just me.  Of course there was a happy ending and I was happy about that so I can’t complain too much.

Not So Much

          I really don’t have a ton of complaints about this book it truly was a joy to read.  There were some aspects I didn’t particularly like though.  You know that Dash likes dominance and BDSM because he talks about it a lot but it’s not really ever displayed or gone into detail when it comes to Dash’s and Vivian’s sex scenes.  There are definitely sex scenes in the book but not really BDSM ones, it’s too glossed over for me. 

          Also I get that Dash’s thoughts are very scattered and run together at times but there were times that from Vivian’s point of view it became that way too.  Her feelings to me towards the end just never felt resolved or addressed.  They felt more scattered and desperate rather than concluded, but that’s just me.  Of course there was a happy ending and I was happy about that so I can’t complain too much.

To Sum It All Up!

        I really enjoyed reading this book! It’s been a long time since I’ve read a sports romance and this story reminded me why I love reading them so much.  Dash’s character was so multidimensional and he gave the plot so much depth it sucked me into the story instantly.  Vivian was a girl who dedicated her life to her father and her job but she still had a strong personality and sucked me into her world.  Dash might’ve swooped in and changed her life but at the end of the day he needed her just as much as she needed him and I loved her.  The chemistry between them sizzled which made the sex scenes pretty damn hot! 

 

          The way this book was written was definitely unique but refreshing, it put a nice spin on a romance which kept my attention.  Their constant texting and Dash’s love for Shakespeare definitely shook things up and put a smile on my face the entire time.  This was a quick easy but fun and definitely steamy read!  I loved it from beginning to end so if you’re in the mood for a fun romantic standalone that involves a sports hottie then this is the book for you!

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