Single by Collette West
Stockton Beavers #1
Publication Date: April 22, 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Sports
Underdog Luke “Single” Singleton is yearning to make a comeback. After getting hit in the neck with a pitch—an injury that nearly cost him his life—he has one last chance to play for his hometown team, the Stockton Beavers. But his mom has Alzheimer’s, and he’s all she has to depend on. How can he pursue his career, much less someone special? Personal care aide Roberta Bennett is done dating baseball players. Having had her share of heartbreak, she heads to Stockton hoping for a fresh start. But after she finds Luke’s mom outside, lost, and alone, she can’t refuse when he hires her on the spot. Unbeknownst to Luke, Roberta is all too familiar with the violent tendencies of the pitcher who hit him. Now that they’re living under the same roof, the last thing either of them is looking for is a relationship. But it’s not long before they find themselves drawn to each other. And right when Luke is thinking about finally making a change to his single status, a secret from Roberta’s past emerges with the power to tear them apart.
But I'm not about to let her blow me off so easily, not when
we were finally starting to enjoy ourselves. This time, I pull on the corner of
her scarf and end up drawing it down over her shoulder, spinning her around. I
have her off-balance, trying to find her footing, when she falls into my arms.
Her eyes never stray from mine when her hand comes to rest
on my neck at the exact spot where I got hit. I swallow hard, never believing
anything in the world could feel as good as this. If given the choice, I'd go
through all the pain and rehab all over again just to have her do what she's
doing to me now. She glides her fingers along my jaw and across my goatee
before lightly skimming them over my lips, making me shudder with pleasure. I
lean in, and she lowers her hand, her eyes burning into me. Intent on capturing
her lips with mine, I’m close enough to feel her warm breath on my face when
suddenly she pushes me away from her, taking a step back.
Holding a hand to her forehead, she’s unable to look at me.
"Sorry… I tripped and—"
"Roberta," I gasp, struggling to catch my breath.
"It's okay. I—"
Yet all she says is, "C'mon," before turning and
leaving the alcove.
I run a hand across my face, trying to make sense of what
just happened. I almost kissed her…
And for a split second, I could've sworn by the fire in her eyes that she'd
really wanted me to. God, could she
possibly have feelings for me? No… That's just crazy. She probably didn't
want to hurt my feelings, and to save
me the embarrassment, she graciously backed away before anything could happen.
Yeah, that sounds more like it. Now we can just pretend like she tripped and I
caught her and go on our merry way. My fingers stray to my neck, right where
hers were. Because that's what she wants,
right?
This is a series but it would appear each book will be about a different player.
If you haven't read her other baseball series The New York King's you are missing out.
This is sort of a spin off series from that and some of the characters will appear in this book too.
I would give this book a 4 stars and highly recommend to others.
This isn't your typical buff baseball player gets the girl.. this is sort of the underdog takes his chance.
Collette definitely knows what she is doing when she writes these baseball stories.. and the sexy scenes are fantastic too!
This story is about Luke and Roberta... Luke is coming back from what was thought to be a career ending injury to try out again for the big leagues, but even though his health is better he has another problem to deal with as well.. but he keeps it a secret and knows that his chances of playing ball are over because of this secret. But when a girl from his past blows back in to town she may just be the savior he has been looking for.. but can he trust her?? Roberta is trying to start a new life for many reasons.. so she is moving away to a small town but she doesn't expect to fall in love.. or find herself with a job... and a tempting baseball player named Luke. When she unconsciously finds out Luke's secret what will happen next.. and not only does he have a huge secret she does as well and will do anything to keep it hidden... when he finds out her secret what will happen?
Get to one clickin' and find what will actually happen.. and see if the underdog will finally get the HEA.
Luke got injured playing ball when he took a pitch to the neck. This would have made most players quit the game, but not him. He battled back and wouldn’t let anything stop him, but during his recovery things at home changed. Now he was left alone to help care for his mother who has Alzheimer’s and he is doing everything he can to keep anyone and everyone from finding out that secret. But when he is asked to come back and play for the local team in Stockton, Roberta makes it to where he can’t exactly say no.
Finding out his secret, Roberta will do anything and everything she can to help him, but will she lose her heart in the process? She has had a bad experience in the past and if Luke knew her secret, she is sure he will hate her. Can these two find a way to get over their past and work on their future?
Single isn’t only about what goes on the field, but also what goes on in the home. Alzheimer’s isn’t an easy topic to write about or deal with, but Collette West does it in such a way that she doesn’t demean it, but brings awareness to the disease. On top of that, Luke and Roberta find something in each other that they have been missing. They both have their issues and Roberta is scared, but Luke is nothing if he isn’t tenacious in both love and baseball. 4.5 stars!! You have to one click today!
