Review: HardBall by CD Reiss

Perfect ass.

Perfect arms.

Perfect swagger.

They call Dash Wallace the Diamond King.

He’s the hottest commodity in baseball and in the bedroom.

When he runs the bases, every woman’s eyes are glued to his stunning body and a smile that puts the night lights to shame.

I’m no queen. I’m a regular girl with a regular job. I just watch him on TV and from the bleachers, season after season.

Girls like me grab a guy like that one in a million times.

My number just came up, and he is as spectacular in bed as he is on the field.

But there’s not a woman in the world who can distract Dash Wallace from the game. Not for a moment. Not even me.

Until the night I do. And everything changes.

HardBall completely tugged at my heartstrings. Its funny, touching and goes beyond an unexpected romance. There are many facades to HardBall. It's not just another romance, it's a story of pushing past fears and idiosyncrasies, to discover what waits for you on the other side. It deals with contemporary social issues that give the story depth beyond it's intended genre. Yes, there are also plenty of hot scenes and comical relief that keep you turning the pages. CD Reiss outdid herself in taking contemporary romance and giving it multiple layers. 

"I was a public school librarian with a reading habit, and he was a mysterious and gorgeous athlete with the grace of the wind."     

Dash Wallace is a Sexy, Three Golden Gloves, Dodger Shortstop, who plays for the LA Dodgers. He's a bit of a mystery, he doesn't like to been on TV and he stays out of the tabloids. He also keeps hook-ups at his port-of-calls and doesn't move beyond simple flings. He's created a bubble of idiosyncrasies to keep his good luck intact. 

Vivian Foster is a dedicated librarian at a underprivileged public school. She lives at home with her step-father who is unable to work to do sever arthritis. She suffers from low self esteem from her past relationship. 

A trip to Dodger Stadium, a missing glove and a intense attraction bring together the most unsuspecting pair. 

I really enjoyed HardBall, I couldn't put it down. Literally, I walked into a wall while reading. I love the chemistry between Dash and Vivian. Vivian puts her heart on the line because she has a strong sense of responsibility, for her Step-Father, her job and for Dash. She will bend over backwards for the loves of her life. Dash has challenges that effect him deeply. He's found ways to cope but change comes at a cost. Vivian brings Dash just that a change and a new challenge. CD Reiss doesn't miss a step, the characters are well developed and evoke all the right emotions. 5++ Stars!