Touching sports romance about self acceptance

While listening to the first hour or so of this audiobook I assumed it would be a frivolous romance between two slightly jaded players. Boy was I wrong!!

While this story features two people who have an undeniable, fairly instantaneous, deep attraction, it is so much more. Before the protagonists can even consider a relationship, they need to address their own personal demons and resolve their sex additions. So this is a story about self discovery and self acceptance with a whole lot of baseball, a bit of suspense and a light touch of humour.

Rachelle Ayala does a fabulous job of gracefully incorporating some heavy topics in this book. She doesn't allow the characters to solve all their issues when the first hurdle is crossed. She keeps it real with the very human experience of taking several steps backwards while moving foward in the process of healing. It definitely makes the story more believable.

I enjoyed this story. Honestly, that first hour had me wondering if I would, but I quickly found myself committed to the characters and the story.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

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1 person found this helpful

Recovery Warriors

What a book! I loved how forgiving means love and healing. The story focuses around Jeanine and Kirk and their families. The subject of abuse is underlying in this book. Recovery gives hope. Rachelle Ayala did fantastic weaving this book, and Charley Ongel with Tor Thom added so much. I liked how this book is not the traditional romance recovery book, yet I don't like abuse of children. Jeanine overcame so much in this book. Fishing terms will never have the same meaning to me. Hearing tidbits of Brock and Marcia and Bianca from the book Playing Without Rules was a fun addition. I enjoy the fact that this book is a standalone listen and part of a series.

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Amazing story!

Every time I listen to a Rachelle Ayala book, I know I am in for a treat. She writes meaningful stories with strong characters, and it makes the book worthwhile. This installment of the Men of Spring Baseball brings together Jeanine and Kirk. Kirk is the catcher for our favorite team, the Rattlesnakes and Jeanine is the intrigued by him, but will not go home with him. Of course this peaks his interest and he finds himself falling for the girl. As he gets to know her better though, he realizes that she has some deep rooted problems from her childhood. Kirk is a man who does not give up, and the two stand together to fight their demons. Such childhood abuse is normally handled with kid gloves, but this story shows how such actions affect a person and their loved ones. It brings a sensitive subject to light and Ayala has told this horrific situation of sexual abuse in a foster home with care and compassion. I love that Rachelle brings real life to her books with well researched information and wonderfully caring stories.

Charley Ongel and Tor Thom voice this emotionally driven story with incredible feeling. Charley channeled herself into Jeanine and voiced her with the heart wrenching pain and confusion she was feeling, while Tor gave Kirk the understanding and compassion. It is a wonderful listen.

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