Double Play by Jill Shalvis

I actually finish this book in July, last month. I just never got around to posting my review until now (August)...sorry.


Jill Shalvis website
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Pub. Date: July 2009
ISBN-13: 9780425228685
Sales Rank: 2,584
304pp






Back Blurb
Getting to first base is a cinch...but getting home will take a grand slam...

Pace Martin is the ace pitcher for the Pacific Heat. He's got the arm, the experience and the wins. He's also got the pain, the pressure and the possible end of his career looming over him. The last thing he needs now is a distraction, even if it comes in the form of a tough, beautiful and tell-it-like-it-is writer who sees past his defenses.

Holly Hutchins knows a good story when she sees one, and the tall, dark and slightly attitude challenged Pace Marin fits the bill. But when she realizes there's more at stake than just a win, she starts to see the handsome, braod-shouldered jock in a different light.

Pace and Holly begin a seductive game, but in the face of unexpected betrayal and challenges, they'll have to find the courage to swing for the fences...
End Back Blurb

At the beginning we see reporter, Holly observing Pace practicing at the Heat stadium. As she watch she notice that he seem to be having trouble with his pitching and wonder if he had hurt his arm. She wanting a interview with Pace for the American Online Living weekly blog. So she is there to get the truth, the secret dirt on him because he is the most popular guy everyone want to know. She is slowly getting more information on Pace because he avoid putting his personal life out there, in public. Even his team avoid mention anything personal about Pace too. Holly want him to trust her enough to feel comfortable to tell her the truth. But she soon learn a sweet side of him that no one have seen of, behind his private life. What she seen of him, she wanted to show to public eyes. But she began to be attracted to Pace and fell in love too.

I like that Pace had two side of him. He tried not to let anyone know it. But it show in the way he acted. He is a tough, cocky but not too pompous and he down to earth kind of guy. I like that even though he try to avoid given Holly any info on him or his team, he respect Holly as person. And yet he afraid to get too close to her or even let her know his feeling about her.

Holly - Is insistent as a reporter when she try to push for insider secret dirt on not only Pace but his team. But she respected the players as a person and doesn't push for an answers when they avoid it after she asked for a one on one interview with them. She is up front of what she want and not afraid to tell Pace how she feel for him. Then there have been a leak about the Pacific Heat team and everyone is aware and caution of saying anything to the reporter. When she discover who the leaked was, she didn't know how to tell Pace or his team about it because she afraid to lose their respect and their friendship. Most important she didn't want to lose Pace, the one guy who she loves.

There wasn't anything I dislike about the book, except for the players being too superstitious and the things they do or made Holly and Pace do to superstitious their luck before each games, was annoying. The first time was cute and funny but after awhile it get really annoying for me. Because I was eager for the couple to get intense and built up their steamy side *LOL* I did chuckle a few times at some of the scenes in the book. Mostly between Holly and Pace. I think it work out the best for them both even if they have their different on the issues. Beside the main characters, I thought the team was likable too. We get a little inside look of each individual in the team and watch them interacted with each other. There is secondary characters, that will soon have their own story.

I've always been enjoying reading sport series. Over the years I read SEP's Chicago Star series (football), Kate Angell's Richmond Rogue series (baseball) Dierdre Martin's New York Blade (Ice Hockey). I'm now update with all these series. When I discover that Jill Shalvis is writing a baseball series, I was excited and didn't hesitated to buy my copy of the first book! What I love about all these sport series is that you don't have to have the love for sport or understand it in order to enjoy these series book. The story focus more on the characters, their romance, their lives or their problem and issues.

Double Play is a fast pace read that kept you reading until the end. It might be a little predictable but it's witty, sweet and charming. Likable characters and emotions. I truly enjoy this good book, so pick up a copy and read it :)

Grade: 4 1/2 stars

The second book, Slow Heat will be release on February 2010