ARC Review: Stealing Home by Nicole Williams

Book Title: Stealing Home
Author: Nicole Williams
Series: Standalone
Release Date: July 10th, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

Being the only woman working for a professional baseball team isn’t easy. As the San Diego Shock’s newest athletic trainer, Allie knows all about long hours, endless travel, and warding off players’ advances. Given she’s already the subject of a handful of rumors about how “lucky” she was to have earned such a coveted position, she can’t so much as flutter an eyelash a player’s way if she wants to be taken seriously.

But number eleven is doing more than fluttering eyelashes Allie’s way. Far more. Luke Archer is at the top of his game and doesn’t let the fear of striking out keep him from swinging. This is a motto he applies both on and off the field, but Allie appears immune, seeming to view Luke as nothing more than caution tape on legs.

He’s a player, and in Allie’s experience, they’re all the same. She won’t risk her job or her heart to another one, no matter how different this one claims to be. But as Allie gets to know him, she discovers the number eleven the public thinks they know is very different from the real Luke Archer. He seems too good to be true.

And maybe he is.

Allie will have to confront the stories attached to a player of Luke Archer’s stature and decide who she’ll put her faith in—The man she’s falling for? Or the rumors?

I've got to admit the book-cover to Stealing Home was a sure eye catcher for me. Couple that with a baseball themed book blurb and I was a sure thing reading this book!

Stealing Home is a love story set deep within the MLB team the Shock. Star player of the Shock is Luke Archer. There isn't a pitch he can't hit. With one of the highest batting averages in the game, he's got his fair share of offers...from teams AND women. But one thing is for sure- living the life of a professional ball player doesn't bode well for committed relationships. Never sleeping in the same bed more than a few nights in a row coupled with endless games in the hundreds per season, it just doesn't work. 

So he's chosen to go without women because none of them understand the business. Until he set eyes on his team's new sports trainer...the lovely Allie Eden. Maybe, maybe for once, he's found someone that would "get it." To understand the pressure and stakes a career like this has and could work with a relationship within the throws of it.

Allie (aka Doc) knows firsthand that being a beautiful athletic trainer for a professional ball team comes with perks. But the last thing she wants is rumors to circulate that she got this job from being on her knees...or flat on her back. She doesn't entertain that kind of servicing...or massages. If you get my drift

“You know how this game works. I know how.” 

He paused, letting that settle in the space between us. “You just have to decide if you want to play.” 

“Because you have decided?” His bat pressed deeper into my back, drawing me impossibly closer to his body. His arousal settled hard into the side of my stomach. “Doc, I’m already playing.”

Stealing Home was just an easy paced, hot, fairly low in angst and drama, sports romance. Both Luke and Allie have a mutual connection they'd like to pursue but Allie stands to lose a lot she's built over the years- her reputation. Can they build a relationship hidden from not only teammates but the cameras of paparazzi and squeezing Luke Archer fans?

Luke was one of those heroes that, on the surface, appears like the typical jock with it all. But deep down, his exterior persona starkly contrasts with what's hidden inside. Being on the road, playing hundreds of games a year around thousands of people can be painfully lonely. To find a person who understands it and to have her be as attracted as he is to Allie is almost too good to be true. Or isn't it?

So, I gotta say this. Baseball is my guilty pleasure. My hubby thinks I'm all into the games on TV, which sometimes that's kinda true. But sometimes, it's all about the tight pants, eye black, and raw athleticism of the players that really peaks my libido interest. That'll be our little secret. And Luke? This guy was my baseball sex fantasy kind of player. I'm thinking, he looks a bit like this...

Hot dayum, I'm a sucker for eye black...

But I digress...

The last 30% of this book was the absolute highlight for me. With a big ramp up in drama, I flew through to the conclusion. I'd highly recommend this book for fans of easy summertime reading. And obviously for fans of the great sport of baseball! Another home run for Nicole Williams! (Sorry, I couldn't resist)

Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write romance because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. 

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