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Curve Balls & Second Chances
Small towns never forget. Neither do first loves.
Rose McAllister thought she had her life figured out—coaching her women’s softball team, running her business, and keeping her heart under lock and key. But when Acen Wheeler returns to Pickwick Bend after twenty years, the past comes rushing back with him… and he doesn’t come empty-handed. A Polaroid from their youth. A confession that shakes her carefully guarded world.
As if that weren’t enough, Briana—the girl who once stole both Acen and Rose’s trust—shows up polished, poisonous, and ready to stir the town gossip mill. And then there’s Declan, the steady newcomer who makes Rose laugh when she least expects it, offering the kind of safe and easy affection she’s never known.
Now Rose is caught between what was and what could be, between a love that scarred her and a chance at something new. With old wounds reopened, small-town whispers growing louder, and playoff season on the line, Rose must decide whether she can forgive the boy who broke her heart—or if it’s finally time to choose a different path.
Rose McAllister thought she had her life figured out—coaching her women’s softball team, running her business, and keeping her heart under lock and key. But when Acen Wheeler returns to Pickwick Bend after twenty years, the past comes rushing back with him… and he doesn’t come empty-handed. A Polaroid from their youth. A confession that shakes her carefully guarded world.
As if that weren’t enough, Briana—the girl who once stole both Acen and Rose’s trust—shows up polished, poisonous, and ready to stir the town gossip mill. And then there’s Declan, the steady newcomer who makes Rose laugh when she least expects it, offering the kind of safe and easy affection she’s never known.
Now Rose is caught between what was and what could be, between a love that scarred her and a chance at something new. With old wounds reopened, small-town whispers growing louder, and playoff season on the line, Rose must decide whether she can forgive the boy who broke her heart—or if it’s finally time to choose a different path.
- GenresSports Romance
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2025
12 people want to read
About the author
Susan Boles
20 books260 followersSusan is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of the Pickwick Pirate Queens Ladies Softball Romance Books, the Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery Series and a contributing author to the Brotherhood Protectors World.
Stay in touch for upcoming releases!
Susan writes mysteries and set in the big city of Memphis, TN and the fictional small towns of Pickwick Bend, TN and Mercy, Mississippi.
Stay in touch for upcoming releases!
Susan writes mysteries and set in the big city of Memphis, TN and the fictional small towns of Pickwick Bend, TN and Mercy, Mississippi.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 14, 2025
From the first chapter of Curve Balls and Second Chances, you know you have stepped into a small southern town, with all the scenes, sights, scents, and sounds. The southern dialogue rings true, making the story people come alive on the page.
I was rooting for Rose and the Pickwick Pirate Queens softball team every step of the way, and wanted Acen and Rose to have a happy ever after, but also wanted to see Declan happy, too. He's every bit as hero-worthy as Acen is. How do you decide between two good men? Rose has a dilemma.
As to Brianna, I wanted to see her get her comeuppance.
No spoilers here, you'll have to read for yourself to find out what happens.
Though I've never played on a women's softball team, the story was written so well, I could follow along and never felt lost.
If you are trying to decide which Susan Boles book to read first, I suggest starting with this one, as it is one of her best.
I'm looking forward to reading book two.
I was rooting for Rose and the Pickwick Pirate Queens softball team every step of the way, and wanted Acen and Rose to have a happy ever after, but also wanted to see Declan happy, too. He's every bit as hero-worthy as Acen is. How do you decide between two good men? Rose has a dilemma.
As to Brianna, I wanted to see her get her comeuppance.
No spoilers here, you'll have to read for yourself to find out what happens.
Though I've never played on a women's softball team, the story was written so well, I could follow along and never felt lost.
If you are trying to decide which Susan Boles book to read first, I suggest starting with this one, as it is one of her best.
I'm looking forward to reading book two.
September 6, 2025
I loved this book! It feels good when the protagonist is such a nice person and can win at life! Small Southern town, hot summers, rumors that hurt, summer softball and good things happening to good people!
December 23, 2025
Favorite quote:
"Maybe it isn't about easy or hard. Maybe it's about who shows up when the mess hits. Because life in Pickwick Bend isn't ever gonna be neat, sis. You just need the one who'll sit on this porch with you after the dust settles."
I'm not usually much of a fan of
"second chance" romances, but l honestly enjoyed reading Curve Balls & Second Chances. The romance was slow and tender, which made it feel so genuine and heartfelt.
I loved how the story didn't rush the relationship, allowing the characters to grow and heal in realistic ways. Some parts genuinely took me by surprise and kept me eager to keep turning the pages-I couldn’t help but get invested in their journey. The small-town setting added so much charm, and l adored seeing how the friends and family constantly had the main characters back.
Their support made the story feel warm, authentic, and full of heart. The writing is engaging, easy to read, and beautifully captures both the emotional highs and the challenges of opening your heart again.
Overall, this book is a perfect mix of romance, growth, and hope. lt's uplifting, wholesome, and impossible not to root for the characters. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, inspiring story about second chances and the power of love and community.
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ Has language in the book, like...
B***h, d**n, a*s
"Maybe it isn't about easy or hard. Maybe it's about who shows up when the mess hits. Because life in Pickwick Bend isn't ever gonna be neat, sis. You just need the one who'll sit on this porch with you after the dust settles."
I'm not usually much of a fan of
"second chance" romances, but l honestly enjoyed reading Curve Balls & Second Chances. The romance was slow and tender, which made it feel so genuine and heartfelt.
I loved how the story didn't rush the relationship, allowing the characters to grow and heal in realistic ways. Some parts genuinely took me by surprise and kept me eager to keep turning the pages-I couldn’t help but get invested in their journey. The small-town setting added so much charm, and l adored seeing how the friends and family constantly had the main characters back.
Their support made the story feel warm, authentic, and full of heart. The writing is engaging, easy to read, and beautifully captures both the emotional highs and the challenges of opening your heart again.
Overall, this book is a perfect mix of romance, growth, and hope. lt's uplifting, wholesome, and impossible not to root for the characters. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, inspiring story about second chances and the power of love and community.
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ Has language in the book, like...
B***h, d**n, a*s
September 7, 2025
Curve Balls and Second Chances: Pickwick Pirate Queens Softball Romance by Susan Boles is a delightfully charming well written sports romance. But it's so much more than that!
I loved this small-town southern sports romance.
Rose McAllister is such a well written protagonist that I can relate to, except the coaching her softball team part, LOL! She is not open to romance after being hurt too many times.
But along comes her ex, Acen back to their small town of Pickwick bend, and its been 20 years.
It's a hard NO for Rose, but Acen comes with a picture and a confession. Is 20 years too late?
Then Briana turns up a frenemies from the past, filled with drama and gossip. Ugh, I did not like her at all, but I know she was made to be an unlikeable character. SO MUCH DRAMA.
Finally, we have Declan, the new man in town who makes her smile and forget about the past.
I absolutely loved this romance. The characters are complex, well fleshed out, and flawed.
The dialogue is fantastic. The plot is perfectly paced, kept me turning the pages.
Highly recommend!
I loved this small-town southern sports romance.
Rose McAllister is such a well written protagonist that I can relate to, except the coaching her softball team part, LOL! She is not open to romance after being hurt too many times.
But along comes her ex, Acen back to their small town of Pickwick bend, and its been 20 years.
It's a hard NO for Rose, but Acen comes with a picture and a confession. Is 20 years too late?
Then Briana turns up a frenemies from the past, filled with drama and gossip. Ugh, I did not like her at all, but I know she was made to be an unlikeable character. SO MUCH DRAMA.
Finally, we have Declan, the new man in town who makes her smile and forget about the past.
I absolutely loved this romance. The characters are complex, well fleshed out, and flawed.
The dialogue is fantastic. The plot is perfectly paced, kept me turning the pages.
Highly recommend!
October 1, 2025
This is the first in a new series.
Rose thought her life was figured out, and she is content as the coach of the women’s softball team and running her own business. Acen who broke Rose’s heart, returns home after being away for 20-years, and Declan, who is a newcomer in town, and who makes her laugh when she least expects it. Can Rose make a choice between Acen and Declan, her past and the present?
This is a well written easy to read story, family, friendships, emotions, gossiping, heartbreak, rumours, taking chances, trust, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from these authors’ whose work I recommend.
Rose thought her life was figured out, and she is content as the coach of the women’s softball team and running her own business. Acen who broke Rose’s heart, returns home after being away for 20-years, and Declan, who is a newcomer in town, and who makes her laugh when she least expects it. Can Rose make a choice between Acen and Declan, her past and the present?
This is a well written easy to read story, family, friendships, emotions, gossiping, heartbreak, rumours, taking chances, trust, humour, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from these authors’ whose work I recommend.
September 23, 2025
This was such a great read, and had everything you would think surrounding a small town.
This story is centred around Rose who coaches the womens softball team and Acen her school sweetheart who left the town of Pickwick and 20+ years later returned home.
As small towns go, the rumourmills started the moment Acen arrived back home and although Rose was aware she tried to ignore the whispered words and the sudden ache in her heart that reopened as if it was yesterday..
Rose is torn between starting a new life or giving Acen a second chance.
I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read more in this series!
5 stars
This story is centred around Rose who coaches the womens softball team and Acen her school sweetheart who left the town of Pickwick and 20+ years later returned home.
As small towns go, the rumourmills started the moment Acen arrived back home and although Rose was aware she tried to ignore the whispered words and the sudden ache in her heart that reopened as if it was yesterday..
Rose is torn between starting a new life or giving Acen a second chance.
I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read more in this series!
5 stars
September 25, 2025
Rose's story. A story set in a small town that invovles resolving past issues, making choices, and taking chances. Includes emotions, interactions, softball, small town rumor mill, second chances, romance, competition, choices, and finding one's HEA.
September 7, 2025
When her first love and bitter ex bestie return to her small-town one after the other, Rose's life takes a turn she didn't see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews