The Baller

I believe I was too excited to read this one. Was I too hasty? I finished it in three hours, one sitting, which is the maximum time taken by a modern light fiction if you ask me.I am neutral. The story was nothing special. Flirtatious and playful talks entertained me for a bit, but all in all, I could not say "Wow" for this one. After seeing such great reviews on site, I was under the impression that something massive and sensuous will come to strike me with, but nothing sort of that happened.What is it with exciting stories now? Where is the beauty of something which will make a reader all hot and bothered, and will make them want to go back to it?

Delilah Maddox is a sports reporter and when she comes face to face with Brody Easton in the locker room, she gets more than she bargained for! Brody feels an instant attraction and standards as flirting becomes something entirely different! When their pasts intrude into their future, can they find a way to step forward? Will the past year them apart or bring them closer together? This was an addictive read that I couldn't wait to see what happened. The chemistry between them and the banter with other characters was fabulously written . Just wish I could give more than five stars!

The Baller by Vi Keeland was my first book by this author but as a sports romance fan, I was intrigued to read this and let me tell you, it definitely didn’t disappoint me, nor will it be my last book by this author. I couldn't put this book down from start to finish, it was addicting. Definitely going on my favourites list!The sizzling chemistry between Delilah and Easton is right there from the start and soon ignites into something special when they decide to take a chance on each other. While the two characters have sizzling chemistry, I love it when an author can get a good balance of not turning the whole book into what can feel like just constant sexy scenes, somethings Vi Keeland manages perfectly.Also, I loved how I felt the characters handled things, especially Delilah with the actions she took in regards to Michael; it’s so common in books today to question a character’s morals where they are supposedly into one person but yet they will still go out with another and lead them on. It’s refreshing to read romances, even if the main characters have issues to overcome, where it feels like they are handled in a responsible, adult way. Adding in the relationship between Easton and Marlene added another dimension to portray Easton and his past; the handling of Marlene’s dementia was written brilliantly (having personally experienced dementia with my own grandmother) and it was so heartbreaking at times.The quality and at times witty writing gives the perfect style of writing to this book that is addicting to read. I felt the book flowed at a nice, steady pace and the way the relationship is developed gives a more believable aspect; you knew both characters were ready to take that step. Adding another point of view, other than just Delilah and Easton, gives a different angle to the whole story, especially into Easton.Finally, I personally like stories that have an epilogue that rounds off a story and in The Baller we get a sweet epilogue that summed up any lingering questions and get a small glimpse of Easton and Delilah’s future, allowing for an extra sweet HEA ending.It’s so rare to find genuinely great, HEA standalone sports romance books but do not hesitate to give this book a read - you won’t regret it!

Halfway through this book, this review was going to be a 5*. A proper 5*. I haven't given a 5 in a while, and was quite looking forward to it. The writing was tight, the scenes between the protagonists full of tension. I liked both characters. There was just enough football background.Unfortunately, the author lost her way shortly after. Maybe she liked the initial scenario, and after they got into bed she moved on to another project? I've checked out a few of this author's other novels and found this seems to be the pattern: start strong, lose interest.Why focus so much on his ex's life? I was thinking she would have her own novel, but that doesn't appear to be the case. The second half was drowned out by extraneous information. Their relation didn't progress, and the drama was alarmingly predictable.I've been dithering between a 3 and 4. To drop to a 3 is one hell of a slump, that's how disappointing it became. I'll reread it again soon to check if this is a little harsh.

I enjoyed this, even if it’s not going down as a favourite of mine. I found the Willow POV chapters frustrating. I respected the author’s choice to try and make her into something other than a plot device, but I just wasn’t interested in her.Sometimes the book came off a little too Mills and Boon for me, but I did enjoy the bit of tension towards the end.

Couldn't put it down! Great humour!"The table seated twenty, and the chairs were three rows deep. Sixty pairs of eyes turned to look in my direction."Like... LOL!!!I was surprised to get the 3rd person POV so suddenly out of nowhere... but as with other books I felt as I was cheated on the end like a quick wrap up of the story with epilogue and BAM THE ENDThere was so much of W but then suddenly she just vanished no idea what did she say and what E's reaction really was would like but more explanation bit more in the end that's why I couldn't give it 5 stars as I did with other books otherwise I really enjoyed it a lot!