I read another review that said the whole Willow thing ruined it for her and I have to agree! I don't know if VK meant for it to seem like Brody still loved Willow but it came across that way to me as I read. I would have enjoyed it so much more with less Willow and more Brody/Delilah. Brody was certainly a super hot hero!! I really liked the banter between them....lots of LOL moments for me. I would actually give it 3.5 if we could rate with 1/2's. I just felt too much frustration that Brody would forgive Willow so easily after all the angst she had caused most of his life! He was so angry when he saw her the first time at Marlene's and I really wanted him to hang on to that. I felt after all the Willow business the romance between Brody and Delilah lost it's heat. One chapter of Willow would have been plenty for me! ( )

Every year I try to read some football inspired smut leading up to the superbowl. This had been sitting on my shelf begging to be read. Delilah is a female sports reporter trying to prove herself in a man's world - when she is sent to do the locker room interviews with the New York Steel she is ready for anything - that is until star quarterback, Brody, takes his towel off mid-interview. She somehow manages to finish the interview but she is pissed. And of course as the New York Steel start to dominate she finds herself over at the football field, facing that sexy QB more and more often. Will the two fall for each other (you know they will). But as Delilah is letting go of her past, something from Brody's is entering his present. Can they make it work? Steamy and improbable. ( )

Really good read. First book I have read from this author. Made me laugh out loud a few times. ( )

The best description for this book/series in 10 words or less:
"Cocky football player woos girl with trust issues."

This book is different than many of the books in the genre it resides in. It's really neat how it uses the idea of sportscaster and a football player. The main characters are really interesting. Delilah Maddox has been single for a good amount of time and has no intention of looking since she has had her heart broken by someone she truly loved. She is brand new to the newscaster world, but it's a man's world so that means she has to prove herself. She is spunky and really funny as she gives inappropriate names to people that she doesn't particularly like. Brody Easton is a force to be reckoned with. He is a cocky football player and likes to give people a hard time especially female sportscasters. He doesn't let anyone in because he has been hurt by someone else just like Delilah has. He doesn't take "no" for an answer which makes the dynamic between him and Delilah pretty humorous.

The relationship that blossoms between Delilah and Brody is far from easy. Their first encounter was humorously inappropriate as Delilah tries to get an interview from Brody from the locker room after the game. They have to learn to depend on each other as any couple needs to do.

I like how the names of the football teams aren't real football teams but sound similar to ones that are real football teams. Brody is on the New York Steel team. It's like the Pittsburgh Steelers but modified.

The issue of drugs and alcohol is represented in the book and how it could ruin everyone you love (not only yourself). It is probably the most realistic part of the book and it wasn't hidden at all. The book seemed to repeat the same issues over and over again. It felt like the issues were being beaten to death. It became a little annoying and made the read a little difficult. It took me a little longer to get through this one than it probably could have been.

Refer to my blog for a different view of this review:
https://axarr.blogspot.com/2017/09/review-wednesday-baller-by-vi-keeland.html

Check out other books in my personal library for reviews and recommendations:
https://literarymary.libib.com/ ( )

“They say blood is thicker than water, but that doesn’t mean shit. Everyone needs water to live.”

The Baller is my first book by Vi Keeland. It was a fun story that provided a nice break from what I routinely read. The language was occasionally too much, but it wasn't unbearable. (I'm not against swearing, but it seemed to be the bulk of Brody's vocabulary.)

I liked their story well enough, especially the ending (adorable!), and thought Brody's relationship with his ex-girlfriend's ailing grandmother was sweet. It allowed us to see a different side of him. However, the addition of Brody's ex-girlfriend was odd at times and didn't always flow with the rest of the story. She wasn't there, then she was, but then she had her own perspective for a few chapters...

If you're looking for something short and entertaining to read, this might be worth looking into! It was enjoyable, but not very memorable.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on January 20th 2018
http://www.doyoudog-ear.com/2018/01/the-hating-game-by-sally-thorne-baller.html ( )