Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for Game On (from Goodreads):
Rule of reporting 101– don’t bang your subject.

Sophie Hall has just gotten the opportunity of a lifetime–to profile Nathan Ryder, the hottest baseball player since A-Rod, for her first solo assignment as a reporter. Rumor has it Nathan is going to be drafted to the Major league, and yet he still fits an intense training regime around volunteering at a animal shelter. He’s a prodigy with a heart of gold, as American as apple pie and has an ass that deserves a trophy all its own. He may be the country’s heartthrob, but Sophie isn’t going to fall for that. She just has to remain objective and cover the story.

But she didn’t bet on Nathan’s gorgeous green eyes or the way his arms flex with muscle when he’s holding a bat. And she certainly didn’t think he’d be witty and smart and caring. Nathan is completely untouchable, but she can’t help it if those lingering gazes turn into something more. How could she not fall at the thought of the hottest guy she’s ever met devoting his limited free time to saving puppies?

When Sophie’s scoop turns into Nathan’s scandal, Nathan needs her more than ever. With both of their careers on the line will they strike out – or hit a home run?

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Author to Watch
Author: Katie McCoy
Genre: New Adult, Sports, Romance, Contemporary
Heat Rating: really warm
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: October 21, 2015
Source & Format: Provided by Author–eBook  Thank you Katie McCoy!

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I was contacted by Katie McCoy to read a copy of her debut novel and when I read the synopsis, I immediately jumped on the opportunity. As you may or may not know, Canada has Blue Jay fever right now thanks to the Toronto Blue Jays making the playoffs in baseball for the first time in over 20 years. It’s a really exciting time for us, especially those who live in Toronto like I do.

Anyways, reading about a swoon worthy pitcher when I am already developing crushes on certain players (I’m looking at you Pillar and Tulowitzki) seemed like a great idea; especially when I needed to escape from my midterms.

The Plot:

I really appreciated that this book wasn’t overly complicated when it came to the plot. It’s simple but effective. Everything builds at a great pace despite the shorter time-frame of the story (ie things happen in a matter of days). You have a bit of everything that makes a story enjoyable to read: the drama, the romance, and the character development. It’s all there in a great balance I think.

Plus, this book is just a lot of fun! It isn’t a dark, tragedy filled book; rather the characters light-hearted and are highly entertaining. There’s plenty of sexual tension and some great character growth so it makes reading this book very enjoyable.

The Characters:

I will admit I was really worried that I wasn’t going to like Sophie. I didn’t want her to be some airhead or even worse, a lust-crazy girl who can’t act normally because some attractive male is in her proximity–but that was NEVER the case! Sophie was actually very entertaining. Her heart is always in the right place but I love that she doesn’t let people walk all over her–that she strives to independent and prove to others that she is more than her outward appearance.  But at the same time, she isn’t egotistical about it or standoffish–I feel like she is very approachable and I’m sure most girls reading this can relate to her in some way. I found her to be rational and funny (whether intentional or not) and I really liked her development as the story progressed.

I really, really liked Nathan. I will admit I have a bit of a crush on him. He is completely swoon-worthy and a genuinely nice guy. He isn’t some girl-playing jackass that thinks he is the best thing to happen to professional sports in years and I found that very refreshing. Liking him (and Sophie) made it super easy to read this.

As for the rest of the cast, I thought they all did their jobs perfectly. They added to the story but didn’t take away from it and I really liked that.

The Romance:

When you like the two leads, it’s easy to root for them to be together. I thought I would struggle with the quickness of the romance as it happens in a matter of days but I found that wasn’t the case. Sure, it wasn’t ideal but I really could see how these two would work in the long term–which made it easy for me to support the romance.

My Rating: 4/5

If you want a break from the darker New Adult reads out there, this is the perfect read for you! It was fun and sweet and totally swoon-worthy! Compared to other baseball NA reads I’ve read, this one is probably my favourite. Overall, a solid debut!

Read if You Like: books about athletes, New Adult romances
Avoid if You: want darker drama

• Whatever Life Throws at You by Julia Cross
• The Perfect Game by J Sterling (The Perfect Game Series #1)
• Game for Anything by Bella Andre (Bad Boys of Football Trilogy #1)