baseball – Z. Elizabeth

The Sweetest Game (#3) – J.Sterling

Posted on January 11, 2014January 9, 2014 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

This is the third (and final) installment in Jack & Cassie’s story!

“It’s one hell of a sledgehammer to the chest when your baseball career comes to an end. It’s like you finally realize that baseball never loved you back. All the sleepless nights, the hours spent at the gym trying to stay fit, the conditioning, the training, the mental preparation, the holiday’s missed, the birthday’s passed, the memories you didn’t get to make with your family…all for what? It’s not like baseball lost any sleep over you. She didn’t stay awake for nights on end trying to figure out how to make you a better player. She didn’t care. Baseball’s a business. A sport. A game. And as much as my entire life has been wrapped up in it, it’s time to let it go.”
– Jack Carter

4 out of 5 stars

My Review of The Perfect Game

My Review of The Game Changer

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My Review

The Sweetest Game is the perfect conclusion and ending to an amazing, and frustrating series! (We all know what happened in The Perfect Game) Jack Fucking Carter is like marmite and you will either fall for him completely, forgive him for his mistakes or you will never see past them…

The third and final book is about family and overcoming situations they have no control over… You watch our favourite characters grow in themselves and together, watch them actually grow up, fall and stay in love, have arguments, start a family and watch their lives end in the sweetest way ever. The final installment cements the love of Cassie and Jack, cements that they truly are each others souls mates, that they would do whatever for each other, and i am so sad its over but so completely happy to have this series in my life, to know about this series.

J. Sterling has made us go through the motions but i wouldnt have it any other way. I loved all the trials and tribulations everyone went through, loved the drama, loved the banter, the love of their friends and family and most importantly, the love of Cassie and Jack overcoming everything that has been put in their way to challenge them.

I have to say, at the beginning of the book, when something big happens, i wanted to smack the living shit out of Jack. Okay, so i can understand why he was so down and depressed but to take it out on Cassie, to make her feel small, to make her so upset over his action. No, that was never okay for him to do and i really wanted to punch him and kick him in the balls and tell him to grow a pair. Okay, okay, he had a right to be down, but never take it out on the woman you love with everything and never act like a total bitch when all she was trying to do was understand and love you like hell.

But once he realized what he was doing, I, along with Cassie, learned to forgive him for his action. I could see how much he was affected by what happened, and why he was acting out and i knew he knew what he was doing yet he just couldnt stop it. But once they get back to being them, you can really see how strong they are as a couple, how in love they are and that they have found their one, regardless of how ‘young’ they were, love as no age limit.

I admired Cassie in this book. She would move heaven and earth for that boy, to be with him wherever he was and to since putting up with so much shit in the past two books, you knew she loved Jack that much to overcome it, to power through and just be with Jack. She gave up something she loved and you could see that although she was sad, Jack was more than enough for her and wherever Jack was, she was.

I loved watching them grow up, i loved seeing them through the years, seeing them still in such a strong relationship, still turning each other on like madness, still needing to touch and hold and be close to one another and still supporting each other. Cassie supported Jack with his baseball, seemingly putting her dreams on hold for him and now it was Jack;s time to get Cassie back to her dream. These two are a team and even if you cant see past the things in book one, you need to finish reading this series because i adored knowing their story, knowing what became of them and knowing where they are now.

It hasnt been an easy ride at all, but to come through so much, and with so much love for each other, you know that whatever challenges they come across they will deal with them together.

I also enjoyed Dean and Melissa’s journey too. From being best friends to hooking up and getting together – which we all knew would happen eventually. It wasnt a smooth ride at all…oh hell no it wasnt but they got there in the end and i loved that although it took years, they are really happy now and have everything they ever wished for…together.

I’m definitely sad their story has come to an end, but Jack Fucking Carter will always stay with me. I hope there will be spin-off series with the little kiddie winkles some day in the future. I loved reading the epilogue and i know that any kid of Jack’s and Dean’s will prove themselves and turn out to be just like their dads.

PS. Jack Fucking Carter is way HOTTER than Harry Fucking Potter 😉

J. Sterling

The Game Changer (#2) – J. Sterling

Posted on January 9, 2014January 9, 2014 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Jack appeared at my door last night after six months of no communication wearing a Mets jersey and holding a dozen red roses. He told me he was sorry, that he loved me, and that he would earn my trust again. It took everything in me to not fall apart at the mere sight of him. I wanted to take him back into my life, but I needed to know that this time it would be forever…

In J. Sterling’s highly anticipated follow-up to her USA Today bestselling novel The Perfect Game, Jack and Cassie quickly realize that their new lifestyle can often be cruel and unforgiving. Their happiness is put to the test as the past is never truly far behind.

How do you stay together when the world’s trying to tear you apart?

4 out of 5 stars

My Review of The Perfect Game

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My Review

“When you figure out love is all that matters after all, it sure makes everything else, seem so small.” So Small – Carrie Underwood

We all know what went down in The Perfect Game, the heartache we endured, the shouting at our Kindle at Jack Fucking Carter and then he (kind of) mended it at the end, proving just how much he loves Cassie, how he needs to to forgive him and how he can’t imagine his life without her in it.

The Game Changer has new challenges, about dealing with the pressure of being in the public eye, especially for Cassie. It’s about whether she can deal with everything that comes with it, whether its enough to just be with Jack….it makes her evaluate her life and you know you will be hooked, needing to know this story, needing more of these two in your life and before you know it, you’re at the end, grinning like a buffoon.

Books about fame and dealing with the pressure of being in the limelight are ones that I enjoy…although they do give me a hernia! And The Game Changer was no different. The pressure is on Cassie and Jack right from the start. The pressure about their life together, the made-up stories, the lies, photographs that don’t paint the full picture, the bitchiness online, everything boils down to the pressure of the media world and although they don’t want it to affect their relationship, its bloody hard for it not to.

I felt for Cassie so badly. She took the brunt of everything really – harsh words from the fans, the baseball wives being bitches, the ‘fans’ online spouting shit and of course, the magazines posting lies. It’s enough to make anyone feel even more insecure about themselves, about their relationship, about even stepping foot outside. More so its uncomfortable knowing that you have eyes watching you everywhere. Cassie couldn’t even pop out to get some food without people posting where she was. Her job was so important to her and in a way, held the only normality she had in this new world of fame. It kept her grounded, it kept her busy and you can see just how much photography means to her. It’s her life, and like Jack’s she wouldn’t know what to do without it.

I admired Cassie throughout this book. Despite all the set backs, the harsh words and of course, the one MAJOR shitfest that went down, she was as strong as she could be. Dealing with the shit thrown at her, of course she faltered but she stood her ground, trying not to let anyone see her vulnerable side, especially Jack but he knows exactly when something is wrong with her. I hated seeing her crack, her down but you know what, she turns it around. It’s like something switches in her and she knows that no one will ever match up to Jack, she doesnt want them too and she learns to deal with all the bullshit, if only to have Jack in the end….and that’s what she got.

I enjoy watching Jack redeem himself throughout this book. He actually puts his heart and soul into gaining Cassie’s trust, to being a better man for her, to proving to her every day she is the one, the one who stole his heart and the one person he wants forever. And now he has her again, he’s never letting her go.

I loved hearing the stories about the six months without Cassie, how he was battling the bitch, how he wanted to fight for Cassie when all that drama was over and not drag her into it anymore. He wanted a fresh slate to be with her, to win her back and not having the baggage, I actually commend him for that. Despite feeling like shit and loving the crap out of Cassie, if I was her and he turned up still with the baggage, I’d tell him to get rid of it then come back.

He’s where he wants to be now, with Cassie, and you damn well know that he will try to protect her from everything, starting with the fans at the games. You can see how much he’s stressing and afraid of everything Cassie is going through, but you know that he cant focus on worrying as it will effect his game. As long as shes safe and comes to him after every game, he is okay.

Of course, Cassie and Jack have their struggles, as every couple do but they also find their way back to each other, their love overpowering and it makes them stronger. Yes the fame is the major change in their relationship, but once they actually talk everything out, you know that love is all that matters. Its the one constant that will prevail and that is definitely what you can see between these two. To go through everything and still feel so strongly, you know they will go the whole way.

The Perfect Game and The Game Changer certainly make you go through the motions but I love watching Cassie and Jack’s relationship, like knowing that despite the major shit that Jack did, that he still has Cassie’s love and her heart and that together, they can go through anything that is thrown their way, and they bleeding well have!!

Now its to read the last book of their journey – The Sweetest Game!

Book Tours

BOOK TOUR: Indelible – Bethany Lopez

Posted on July 18, 2013July 14, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Today is the tour stop on The Book Lovers for Indelible – Bethany Lopez. I will be giving you my review of the book.

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Synopsis

After a year of partying, Sam decides to buckle down and focus on college. Things are going great until a one-night stand leaves her pregnant and alone. Raising a child while going to school isn’t easy, but Sam is determined to be strong for her daughter. She doesn’t have time for guys or relationships, and takes great care to protect her child and her heart.

Judd doesn’t fit the mold of a college ballplayer. His long hair and tattoos may fit the life he’s created for himself, but baseball is the one thing he takes seriously. When he meets Sam, he’s immediately drawn to her curves and refusal to put up with his crap. When Judd learns the truth, can he handle the responsibility that comes with loving a single mother?

Sam yearns for the fire that Judd fuels in her, but her child’s needs have to come first. Can two people at different stages in their life find a way to make a life together?

3 / 5 stars

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My Review

Indelible is the first book I have read by Bethany Lopez. I do have the Friends and Lovers trilogy on my Kindle but I have yet to get to it. When I had see this book on GR and read the synopsis, I just had to add it to my TBR list and when I saw there was a tour for it, I really wanted to be a part of it.

I actually read the book in a day. It was an easy read, I pretty much flew through the pages. Bethany writes with an ease, a way in which you don’t stop reading and suddenly you are right at the end, wondering where the time has gone because it only felt like a few minutes since you started the book.

The reason for my three stars is due to my confusion. It probably is crystal clear to other people but my confusion is over the timeline of the story. When everything happened. Was it over a few weeks? Especially when Judd was meeting Sam’s daughter, Karrie for the first time. After everything Sam said about not introducing anyone to Karrie or letting them know about her because she didn’t want guys coming in and out of her life, she certainly introduced Judd to her so soon. Or was it so soon? To me it was, but perhaps to you, it was weeks later. See, I couldn’t get my head around the timeline.

The other fact was the insta-love. One minute Sam doesn’t want anything to do with Judd then the next it’s all rainbow and glitter. But I dont read a lot of books about insta-love so is that what is it?

But despite all my confusion, I did enjoy the book. I liked the strength of Sam – the young mother. The single young mother, whom not only has to care for her two year old daughter, Karrie but she takes classes and is determined to become an art teacher. I was in awe of her, at juggling her daughter and school but she did a great job in doing so. Add in trying to have a relationship too, and you just felt so proud of her for everything she has accomplished in her life. It must be so hard to be a single mother, but she was brilliant. She had help off her parents and her friends so it wasn’t like she was alone in raising Karrie.

Bethany really showed us (Who have no children) just how it is like to deal with a two year old. The tantrums, the tiredness, the not knowing what is wrong with your child. It really puts into perspective just how hard it is for single mothers/fathers bringing up their child(ren) alone. I applaud every single parent out there.

There is a point near the end where i was so proud of Sam. For doing what she thought was right for her and Karrie and for Judd too. She was so courageous in what she did despite the hurt it caused her but what she did was the right thing to do no matter what either of them wanted to do.

Judd was pretty much amazing too. Not your typical baseball player, he has long hair, tattoos and a motorbike yet baseball is something that he cherishes and its important to him. You see him go from a bit of a player to falling in love and being responsible. One night he spots Sam in the local bar with him friend James (a girl) and he knows there is something about her. But she rejects him. The second time is much more nicer and that’s when he wants something more with her. Something that isn’t just a onetime thing. Despite not wanting a relationship – the same as Sam, they pretty much fall into one. As someone who doesn’t read a lot of insta-love stories, I just couldn’t really get my head around the fact that neither of them wanted a relationship yet it ended that way pretty damn fast, but who am I to say what is right or wrong?

He is a sweetheart when introduced to Karrie and you can instantly see how much she will and is becoming a big thing in his life. He treats her with respect and plays with her and you just fall in love with him that little bit more over the fact that although its not his kid, he treats her like his.

Although I didn’t understand why he went from not wanting a relationship to wanting one, I could see him transform throughout the book, as I’ve already mentioned. He turns into someone who is extraordinary. Who is always there for Sam and Karrie and always will be. It was actually really nice to see.

There is a twist in the book that I actually didn’t even guess and I suppose you might not either. But I was so proud of the way Sam and Judd handled it. Albeit they were both angry, they spoke about it, and dismissed this person right away for the way they acted. It was very brave of Judd to do that.

Molly and James – both Sam’s friends were such great characters. They were funny, gave great advice to Sam and Judd (James did) and were there for the two of them, especially little Karrie who was a doll. It’s great when you have friends who will support you and be there for you when things get tough, especially when you have a kid to look after too.

Although I did give this book 3 stars, it is a cute love story. A love story about finding someone who won’t disregard you because you have a kid, who will change because they have found that one they want to spend their life with and the one who will treat someone else’s kid as their own.

Judd and Sam and Karrie are such a cute family that it’s hard to not love the three of them.

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Follow the tour here
http://wp.me/p20ttU-1Na

J. Sterling, New Adult

The Perfect Game – J. Sterling

Posted on December 30, 2012December 30, 2012 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

He’s a game she never intended to play.
And she’s the game changer he never knew he needed.

The Perfect Game tells the story of college juniors, Cassie Andrews & Jack Carter. When Cassie meets rising baseball hopeful Jack, she is determined to steer clear of him and his typical cocky attitude. But Jack has other things on his mind… like getting Cassie to give him the time of day.

They’re both damaged, filled with mistrust and guarded before they find one another (and themselves) in this emotional journey about love and forgiveness. Strap yourselves for a ride that will not only break your heart, but put it back together.

Sometimes life gets ugly before it gets beautiful…

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My Review

“You’re both so screwed up alone that together you’re like the perfect mess.”

I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve had The Perfect Game on my kindle for a few weeks now, and every time I have gone to read it, I have been scared and chosen another book. The reason? When I download books, I read reviews, as do many other people, but I read one review that said something really bad happens and if you follow me on twitter or have read some of my reviews, you know I become too emotionally attached to books, the storylines and the characters, and I knew, if I read this book, I’d probably have my heart ripped out and throw my kindle away from me. And that is exactly what I did reading this book. But it was worth every second because I fell head over heels in love with this book from the beginning.

College junior Cassie Andrews and her best friend and roommate Melissa end up going to a frat party and that is when Cassie and Jack meet. Jack is your typical manwhore who gets any women he wants until he meets Cassie who is turned off by his charms and won’t give him the time of day. Jack’s cocky and always gets what he wants but when Cassie bites back, something switches in him and he pursues her until she relentlessly gives in to a date with him. Only one date though, and then he’ll leave her alone. But things aren’t always that easy when it comes to Jack when she gets to know him, the real him over dinner and that’s when everything changes for the both of them.

You find out that Jack isn’t all that cocky and deep down he’s been burnt badly by his parents leaving him and his brother when they were younger and that he has major trust issues, hence why he only sleeps with a girl once and lets them pursue him. He’s way out of his comfort zone with Cassie, but he knows there is something different about him than all the other girls. She doesn’t care that he’s an athlete, she only cares about him as a person and that’s when he knows he wants something more with her. She asks him to prove it, and that’s exactly what he does. Proves he can be a one women man, especially for Cassie.

Their relationship started off great, apart from the group of girls constantly making snide comments about Cassie. Things are perfect for them but they both have major trust issues especially Cassie. Her issues stem from her Dad who never follows through with his promises and so because of this, Cassie finds it hard to trust any man. Jack’s issues are from his parents leaving and the fact he’s never been in a relationship so he keeps telling Cassie he will screw up eventually. But together, they both refuse to let anyone get in-between them; they are determined to make this relationship work.

To see Jack change for Cassie was beautiful. She’s the one girl who sees Jack for who he really is and not the cocky, manwhore that everyone else sees. He’s real with her and it seemed that he needed Cassie as much as she needed him. As their relationship blossoms and they have been through a lot to get through to the other side, Jack has been drafted for his Baseball and is travelling and Cassie is doing well in college and has earned herself a photography internship. Things are going great but as any great book, nothing good ever lasts too long and things change dramatically over night between them when they are apart.

I screamed, shouted and threw my kindle away from me while I took in what I had just read. Then when I got my breathing back to normal and read the next page few pages, I did it all over again. To say I was affected was an understatement. I just couldn’t believe what I had read. It made me hate Jack for what he had done to Cassie after telling her he would never hurt her. I couldn’t condone what he had done, but then I felt remorse towards him. He felt so sorry and guilt was eating him up that he knew the right thing was to own up to Cassie about it, even though he knew he would lose her and that’s what he never wanted to do – she was his life. Then the way he handled it, going to the extreme of what he did, even when everyone was telling him not to, it got me frustrated and angry at him again. I know he wanted to make things right, but to do that? There was really no need, but in a way I could see his reasoning’s but it was definitely the wrong way to go as it backfired on him.

I am really glad that you get to see Jack’s POV in certain chapters. If we didn’t, I would have definitely hated him throughout the book, wondering if it was a bet or something to try and be with Cassie but alas, don’t worry, it’s not and he truly does want Cassie forever, which I thought was amazingly sweet.

This book goes through a journey. A journey of love, changes, breaking down barriers, heartbreak and friendship. There is a happy ending for both Jack and Cassie and after everything that they went through; the way he apologized would clinch at my heartstrings too. The ending was positively perfect in my opinion and although after everything that happens between the pair and many would probably not forgive him; it seemed the right choice for Cassie to do so. I, for one, am so excited to read book two The Game Changer, when it is out in 2013. Please hurry up and release it J.Sterling!!

Romance, Sarah Schofield, YA

Solo – Sarah Schofield

Posted on November 7, 2012December 3, 2012 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

As a military brat, Eliana Davis is no stranger to moving from place to place. However, moving in the middle of her sophomore year to the small Oregon town where her parents grew up is something she never expected. Knowing she will only be there for a year, she is torn between making new friends or keeping to herself. Will she listen to her heart or keep flying solo?

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My Review

I’d had this on my kindle for two months, and this morning, after trying to decide which book to next read, I looked up the synopsis and decided that THIS book was definitely worth a read.

The synopsis kind of gives off the wrong impression of the book in my opinion. As part of a Military family, Eliana has lived all over the world, following her dad to wherever he is based, but although they move a lot, she is very close to her parents, especially her mother.

The book starts off with the family living in California and Eliana’s parents telling her that her dad has been deplored overseas for a year so her and her mum are moving back to her parent’s childhood town, Myrtle Creek in Oregon, to live with her mums parents. As you can see, if doesn’t bode well at all with Eliana as she loves Cali and doesn’t want to be uprooted yet again and moved away.

Anyway she and her mum moved in with her grandparents. Her grandma seems off with her but her granddad welcomes her with open arms, and it was so nice to see her relationship with him blossom over the course of the book.

Deciding that because it’s only a year, she won’t grow close to anyone or let anyone see the real her, because what is the point if she’s going to be moving away in a year? I could see her point in thinking this, as it must be hard to keep moving around, especially when you keep leaving the friends you have made and have to make new ones everywhere you go. It must get depressing repeating this scenario all the time.

But what she didn’t plan on was that she would make new friends, have an enemy, have a love interest and over the course of the months fall in love with Myrtle Creek. As her granddad said “Home is where you hang your hat.”

Casey and Lucas were wonderful characters to read about. Casey, although one of the populars at the school befriended Eliana and their friendship was so touching and nice to read about. Casey wasn’t your usual stuck-up popular and over the course, you see Casey’s true colours shine through and that was lovely to read.

Lucas – Eliana’s love interest. When they first meet and become friends, Eliana did annoy me when she kept going to him “just friends” but the heart wants, what the heart wants, and their relationship was lovely to read. At points it did infuriate me, mostly on Eliana’s part as Lucas just wanted to help, but all relationships are like that, so it was a good representation of a teenage affair.

Eliana, over the course of the book, kept her ‘real’ self away from everyone apart from her mother and grandparents. She has always loved to dance and she loves to run, so when she stumbles upon a secret location she can relax at, that’s when she can show her true self.

There is so much more going on in the book and I loved the way it was written. All the little dates that Lucas took Eliana on, the meeting of parents and grandparents in Eliana’s case, prom and the talent show. I couldn’t put the book down and as I’ve said, I started it this morning and finished about an hour ago.

If you’re looking for a fun, heart-warming read about friendship, love and finally being your true self then this is definitely the book for you. More importantly, the sequel ‘DUO’ is out soon, after the release date was pushed back, so we get to read more Eliana, Casey and Lucas!