The Baller: A Down and Dirty Football Novel

I’d been hearing great things about this book; even hearing about it before it was published. I had had other things on my plate and couldn’t get to it until a couple of days ago, but…it was worth the wait!Brody Easton – yum! Really and truly a yummy character. This guy is gorgeous, of course. But he’s also really funny; I never knew what was going to come out of his mouth next and whatever it was, it was usually really witty! He’s loyal; he not only pays for the care of a woman who has always been there for him in her old age, but he goes over to the ritzy care-home she lives in and spoils her with gifts and more importantly, the gift of his time to make her feel special. He’s friendly with the staff, not only there (at the care-home), but also at the stadium where his professional football team practices and hosts home games. He knows the guard’s daughter recently broke her arm, knows her name, and asks after her when he sees the security-guard. He’s smart and got an engineering degree while he played college ball and he was last-year’s Super Bowl MVP! Just an all-round cool guy and completely book-boyfriend material (despite being a total playboy and not settling down with one woman until the right one comes along, but then, most of the best BBFs are)! During an interview with our heroine (who just happens to be a completely competent sports reporter), she asks…(excerpt)“Last question.” “Shoot.” “Available or taken?” I explained the question, trying not to be personally invested in his answer. “Every woman will want to know the answer.” He looked at me in the eyes when he answered, “Neither.”Now, our heroine, Delilah, the sports reporter, is pretty cool too. She’s the daughter of a former, famous pro-football quarterback herself so she knows the drill. She’s grown up watching her dad play the sport and has been in the stadiums and “backstage” all her life. She knows football stats like she’s got them tattooed on the back of her eyelids. She was recently hired as the staff football sports reporter over the thirty men who applied; she was more qualified – not a popular decision (even with her immediate boss). They all blamed the decision on her having a magical vagina, but she knows better and blows them all off. She’s spunky and knows her own mind. She’s beautiful but she’s not full of herself. She just wants to do her job and do it well.The moment Brody lays eyes on Delilah in the locker room, he feels an instant attraction to her. But imagine his surprise; the popular, gorgeous quarterback whom no woman ever turns down, meeting his match in our Delilah…(excerpt)“Congratulations on the win today, Brody. How is you knee feeling after your first game back?” I lifted my microphone high, knowing Nick was filming in close. “I feel. . .” He nonchalantly reached to the towel wrapped around his waist and tugged at the corner. The towel fell to the ground. “Great. I feel great. And how about you? It’s your first trip into the locker room, isn’t it? Do you like what you see so far?” His lips curled up into a full-blown wicked smile…”Umm. . .the locker room is. . .ummm. . .nice.” I sounded like a total ditz. On air. The jackass continued interviewing me. “Is it as big as you thought it would be? “Ummm. . .it’s much bigger than I imagined.” His smile grew wider…And let the antics between these two begin! But where a lot of books would possibly carry this to extremes before the characters might get together – these antics were creative. He danced right up to the line of pushing the limit but never completely crossed that line (with the possible exception of locker room towels)! He made me laugh out loud several times as I was reading this book. When he finally convinced Delilah to go out to dinner with him, ostensively for a “business meeting,” he can’t help but be his usual charming, albeit, cocky self…(excerpt)The waitress returned before I could respond. “Would you like dessert?” Brody pointed to the menu. “Bring us one of everything, please.” She justifiably looked confused. “You want one of every dessert?” He looked at me. “That’s right. She needs more courtship. Bring us one of everything.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “See,” he said when Siselee [the waitress] had gone. “I’m entertaining, too. I’m making you laugh. And you think I’m hot. This is a great courtship. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Excuse me? I never said I thought you were hot.” “You don’t have to. I feel it. It’s in the air when we’re near each other. You’re as attracted to me as I am to you.”….I’m not sure how to really explain to you how charming he is in such a “Brody” way. Sure, he’s cocky. But when push comes to shove and things get serious, he’s all over that too. He can be sweet and considerate and perceptive.Once these two did get together, my amusement continued; this couple didn’t get boring. Once, when she returned from covering an away-game for another team, she found him waiting for her in her apartment (this was not a surprise, just for the record, he was an invited guest)…(excerpt)“I’m in here.” The door was open. I stopped in my tracks as I entered. The visual was one of the funniest things I’d ever seen. “What are you doing?” “Exactly what it looks like I’m doing.” “You’re. . .you’re taking a bubble bath?” Brody was sunk down into my tub, his head lolling back against the tile wall. The full length of his tall body didn’t quite fit – his legs were sticking out over the rim. Bubbles overflowed from the tub onto the floor. The entire room smelled like scented bath soap. “No tub at my place. I like to soak. Feels good on my muscles.” “And you usually soak in a bubble bath?” I could barely contain my laughter. “I don’t have any of this crap. The directions on the pink s***. . .” He pointed to a large plastic bottle that had been full when I left but was now half empty. “. . .said it was good for soothing muscles.” “You only need to use a capful.” “I was really sore.”….This book, as I said, made me laugh out loud multiple times as I read it. I did, however, feel my eyes well up with tears at one point, there were times the story got much deeper. There were also times the author could have gone off on a tangent or take the book somewhere I didn’t want it to go – the opportunities were there but she didn’t take them. She stuck to the story; and it completely worked!When I picked up this book to read it, I had just read two completely intense, darker stories and I wanted to read something that would entertain me and be lighter. This fit the bill, and yet, with its deeper parts, it satisfied my need for the book to have substance as well. I’m not a big fan of fluff and this was not fluff, it was simply just a very good book that captured my interest and didn’t let it go.I’ve been a fan of Vi Keeland since I read her very first book, First Thing I See. After that one, I’ve read each of her books as they’ve been released and have enjoyed each of them. I am looking forward to reading more from her as each of her books are released; I have definitely become a fan!

This may to be the first time giving Vi Keeland five stars. ⭐This was a good read and it kept taking unpredictable turns. It's engaging and veered away from predictable tropes.Yes we know there is a HEA. However, there was more to this one that this reader appreciated. Then to throw in Willow's voice mid chapter was crafty.I love hearing multiple perspectives in a story of first person.I actually hate, despise 3rd person narratives. How can this mysterious person, entity,angel, not sure, hover above telling what others are doing and thinking. I cannot connect to stories that way.This book had you get to know three individuals. Vi Keeland is a pretty good writer and though, I find some of her books a bit slow, this one was more fast pace, fun and got to the points quickly.I recommend

I really enjoy vi keeland books, this was no different. A really cute and simple love story with just enough drama to keep you entertained. Only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of it's simplicity

I've decided after reading The Baller that Brody should be our first cloning candidate. I really, really like him. The Brody is a smart bloke and knows how to get people on his side. A smile and a compliment to the ladies, a pat on the back and man talk for the lads. The Brody doesn't talk down to kids and is respectful to the older generation. There's a slight malfunction that might need to get tweaked in the cloning process though. The Brody turns into an arrogant jerk when a possible mating candidate comes into touching distance. His second brain also causes strife when said mating candidate is close. The Brody's second brain wants to escape from its cover and rise into attack position...in case mating candidate needs him urgently. The Brody's first brain also goes into a default setting of testing tolerance, by making the mating candidate put up with sexist drivel. Luckily, once mating candidate has been matched and successfully caught in The Brody's clutches, he reverts back to perfect, or near to perfect Brody.Delilah has a tough job. She works in an industry where it's a bit of a men's club and she's one of very few women who steps in to the club and dares to do the job as well, if not better. She isn't a stranger to the game. Her father was a star football player when she was growing up and because she takes her job seriously, goes out of her way to know as many statistics as possible about football and the players. As a sports reporter, one part of her job is to walk into the locker room after a game for an interview. Some of the players are respectful, while others go out of their way to make her uncomfortable. One of those players that do an excellent job of making her uncomfortable is the quarterback, Brody Easton.Brody has spent the last few years concentrating on his career. Football is a very important part of his life, but for awhile there, real life and issues intruded that nearly took it all away. After having a few seasons on the sidelines, he knows where his head needs to be. Women have a place in his bed, but relationships are not high on his list of priorities. His priorities change when a curly haired, beautiful woman tells him straight that she doesn't do hook ups. What's a bloke to do? Try and have a relationship of course.Brody is fond of walls. Especially if there's a woman between him and the wall. Especially, especially when that woman has her legs around his waist. Brody is a DIRTY TALKER. He does it extremely well. I was feeling extremely hot and bothered before the action even started...and the action definitely lived up to the words.Brody is also a sweetheart. He's been going to a nursing home to visit a woman every Tuesday for years. Marlene, was there for him throughout his life and now she has dementia. His dedication to her is only one of the many things that demonstrate how sweet he is.This review is mostly a dedication to Brody. I can't help myself, he was a bloody good character. He wasn't perfect, but he tried his hardest to be a good man and find goodness in other people. Delilah was also pretty cool. She has faced her own challenges and heartbreak, but by then end is stronger and confident in herself and the relationship between herself and Brody.There are interesting additional characters and some of them I loved. I would love to see Indie get her own story and maybe even Michael too...but not together. There were a few people we meet that didn't really have their stories finished and I kind of wanted to know what happened to them in the end. Maybe a story for them too. I'm thinking that I may be a new member of the fans of Vi club too. This will definitely not be my last story by this author.

Delilah Maddox is a sports reporter and when she comes face to face with Brody Easton in the locker room, she gets more than she bargained for! Brody feels an instant attraction and standards as flirting becomes something entirely different! When their pasts intrude into their future, can they find a way to step forward? Will the past year them apart or bring them closer together? This was an addictive read that I couldn't wait to see what happened. The chemistry between them and the banter with other characters was fabulously written . Just wish I could give more than five stars!

The Baller by Vi Keeland was my first book by this author but as a sports romance fan, I was intrigued to read this and let me tell you, it definitely didn’t disappoint me, nor will it be my last book by this author. I couldn't put this book down from start to finish, it was addicting. Definitely going on my favourites list!The sizzling chemistry between Delilah and Easton is right there from the start and soon ignites into something special when they decide to take a chance on each other. While the two characters have sizzling chemistry, I love it when an author can get a good balance of not turning the whole book into what can feel like just constant sexy scenes, somethings Vi Keeland manages perfectly.Also, I loved how I felt the characters handled things, especially Delilah with the actions she took in regards to Michael; it’s so common in books today to question a character’s morals where they are supposedly into one person but yet they will still go out with another and lead them on. It’s refreshing to read romances, even if the main characters have issues to overcome, where it feels like they are handled in a responsible, adult way. Adding in the relationship between Easton and Marlene added another dimension to portray Easton and his past; the handling of Marlene’s dementia was written brilliantly (having personally experienced dementia with my own grandmother) and it was so heartbreaking at times.The quality and at times witty writing gives the perfect style of writing to this book that is addicting to read. I felt the book flowed at a nice, steady pace and the way the relationship is developed gives a more believable aspect; you knew both characters were ready to take that step. Adding another point of view, other than just Delilah and Easton, gives a different angle to the whole story, especially into Easton.Finally, I personally like stories that have an epilogue that rounds off a story and in The Baller we get a sweet epilogue that summed up any lingering questions and get a small glimpse of Easton and Delilah’s future, allowing for an extra sweet HEA ending.It’s so rare to find genuinely great, HEA standalone sports romance books but do not hesitate to give this book a read - you won’t regret it!

Halfway through this book, this review was going to be a 5*. A proper 5*. I haven't given a 5 in a while, and was quite looking forward to it. The writing was tight, the scenes between the protagonists full of tension. I liked both characters. There was just enough football background.Unfortunately, the author lost her way shortly after. Maybe she liked the initial scenario, and after they got into bed she moved on to another project? I've checked out a few of this author's other novels and found this seems to be the pattern: start strong, lose interest.Why focus so much on his ex's life? I was thinking she would have her own novel, but that doesn't appear to be the case. The second half was drowned out by extraneous information. Their relation didn't progress, and the drama was alarmingly predictable.I've been dithering between a 3 and 4. To drop to a 3 is one hell of a slump, that's how disappointing it became. I'll reread it again soon to check if this is a little harsh.

I enjoyed this, even if it’s not going down as a favourite of mine. I found the Willow POV chapters frustrating. I respected the author’s choice to try and make her into something other than a plot device, but I just wasn’t interested in her.Sometimes the book came off a little too Mills and Boon for me, but I did enjoy the bit of tension towards the end.

Couldn't put it down! Great humour!"The table seated twenty, and the chairs were three rows deep. Sixty pairs of eyes turned to look in my direction."Like... LOL!!!I was surprised to get the 3rd person POV so suddenly out of nowhere... but as with other books I felt as I was cheated on the end like a quick wrap up of the story with epilogue and BAM THE ENDThere was so much of W but then suddenly she just vanished no idea what did she say and what E's reaction really was would like but more explanation bit more in the end that's why I couldn't give it 5 stars as I did with other books otherwise I really enjoyed it a lot!