Review ♥ The Baller by Vi Keeland

The Baller: A Down and Dirty Football Novel by Vi Keeland
Published by Self-Published on January 17th 2016
Pages: 285


Amazon

From New York Times & USA Today Bestseller, Vi Keeland, comes a sexy new standalone novel.

The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men's locker room. 
It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster.
The famed quarterback decided to bare all.
And by all, I don't mean he told me any of his secrets.
No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first question. On camera.
The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby--screwing with me.
When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me.
But I don't date players.
And it's not because I'm one of the few women working in the world of professional football.
I'd date an athlete.
It's the other kind of player I don't date.
You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid.

Brody Easton was the ultimate player.
Every woman wanted to be the one to change him.
But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for.
Turned out, I was that girl.Simple right?
Let's face it. It never is.
There's a story between once upon a time and happily ever after...
And this one is ours.

Author's note - The Baller is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

The Baller has everything I look for in a sports romantic comedy: a ballsy heroine, a cocky athlete, banter up the wazoo, real integration of the sport, and a mature relationship. Placing a checkmark in all those columns makes it seem formulaic; however, the characters really help elevate this story.

Delilah is a confident football sportscaster in an industry dominated by men. She is a smart and driven character who isn’t deterred by negative attitudes. The author’s love of football is clearly evident, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning the nitty-gritty of sports reporting.

Brody is a Super Bowl MVP. He’s arrogant, aggressively flirtatious, and the first to admit he’s an ass. Outward appearances can be deceiving though because he keeps the fact that he’s really a big softy under wraps. His trips to the nursing home are both touching and funny, and his sexy alpha male side is deliciously irresistible. Delilah, however, is not easily seduced. There’s something gratifying about making a famous quarterback – who is used to public adoration and willing women – work for it.

I loved, loved, loved Brody and Delilah together. They’re funny, sexy, and thank goodness they don’t try to manipulate each other. Their connection both in and out of the bedroom is palpable. I liked that the author didn’t go the predictable route of making them hide their relationship because of her career.

They both have painful pasts. That commonality strengthens their bond, but their histories affect them differently. Delilah seems stuck in the past and sometimes does a two steps forward, one step back dance that can be frustrating. For me, it’s a mild hiccup in the scope of the story, but when the big conflict arises – and you know there has to be one – I didn’t care for the way it’s handled. It’s the one sour note in an otherwise enjoyable story.

The book isn’t all about football and romance. There’s a heartwarming side plot and some hilariously colorful characters to make things more entertaining. After a couple meh books, I was pleased to find The Baller so entertaining. The sweet nice was a sweet final touch. It’s definitely a win for me.

 

Recommended for fans of:
Career women
Football
First loves

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