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All's Fair in Love and Sports #4
Basketballs and Mistletoe
Too many basketballs and not enough kissing.
All Matt Bailey wants is to focus on his position as starting point guard for the varsity basketball team. When an epic kiss and a social media scandal forces him into the arms of the beautiful and spunky Trina Wynter, he finds himself in a fake relationship with a girl just crazy enough to think she can take on the world.
When Trina gets cut from the girls’ basketball team, she thinks her senior year is wasted, until a closetful of basketballs and two hundred sprigs of mistletoe bring every athlete in Grand Haven High School together for a good cause, and a great excuse for more kissing.
All Matt Bailey wants is to focus on his position as starting point guard for the varsity basketball team. When an epic kiss and a social media scandal forces him into the arms of the beautiful and spunky Trina Wynter, he finds himself in a fake relationship with a girl just crazy enough to think she can take on the world.
When Trina gets cut from the girls’ basketball team, she thinks her senior year is wasted, until a closetful of basketballs and two hundred sprigs of mistletoe bring every athlete in Grand Haven High School together for a good cause, and a great excuse for more kissing.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2019
83 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 4, 2020
(11/2020 re-read):
I listened to this on audiobook and adored it almost more than when I read it, especially in this year of COVID. I loved how the characters worked to do a good service for other teens in Africa. I also loved that although dreams were dashed and disappointment abounded, Matt and Trina made the best of their situations and adapted. Such good lessons for the times we currently live in, as well as a fun, entertaining diversion.
*****************************************
(12/2019)
I love basketball and basketball players, and what better to have them star in a holiday romance? Matt and Trina both have something in common with their dreams for senior year, but sometimes that's all dreams are--dreams. I loved the way Trina was able to think outside herself and turn her dream into a community-wide service opportunity.
I also love fake relationships, especially when they develop because of a spark of attraction and a misunderstanding situation, just as this one did. I loved the way this one played out, even in such a short amount of pages.
I did have a few mixed feelings. The story and characters were a little juvenile at times, but I can excuse that because it's YA, so of course they're true to the age. But there was a major issue thrown into the mix and although it was hinted at once or twice, I didn't feel that the full complication fit into a story so short.
Overall, this was a fun escape and these YA Christmas books are great because they always seem to take me back to a fun and memorable time in my life.
Content: mild romance
I listened to this on audiobook and adored it almost more than when I read it, especially in this year of COVID. I loved how the characters worked to do a good service for other teens in Africa. I also loved that although dreams were dashed and disappointment abounded, Matt and Trina made the best of their situations and adapted. Such good lessons for the times we currently live in, as well as a fun, entertaining diversion.
*****************************************
(12/2019)
I love basketball and basketball players, and what better to have them star in a holiday romance? Matt and Trina both have something in common with their dreams for senior year, but sometimes that's all dreams are--dreams. I loved the way Trina was able to think outside herself and turn her dream into a community-wide service opportunity.
I also love fake relationships, especially when they develop because of a spark of attraction and a misunderstanding situation, just as this one did. I loved the way this one played out, even in such a short amount of pages.
I did have a few mixed feelings. The story and characters were a little juvenile at times, but I can excuse that because it's YA, so of course they're true to the age. But there was a major issue thrown into the mix and although it was hinted at once or twice, I didn't feel that the full complication fit into a story so short.
Overall, this was a fun escape and these YA Christmas books are great because they always seem to take me back to a fun and memorable time in my life.
Content: mild romance
December 31, 2019
Pages: 83
My rating: 3
Read other books by this author in the future: yes
A Short romance, where both MC’s can’t play Basketball and do something else. The story is sweet and entertaining but it also contains two serious topics . But for such serious issues they are just briefly explained or mentioned.
August 13, 2023
I love Matt and Trina but I don't like Aiden and Amberlyn and I really really really wish the author had just left them out. This story is supposed to be about Matt and Trina I don't want to hear about Aiden and Amberlyn.
I just skipped over all of Aiden or Amberlyn's POV for the rest of the book and just read Matt and Trina's story.
Content: talks about condoms, teenage pregnancy, kisses
I just skipped over all of Aiden or Amberlyn's POV for the rest of the book and just read Matt and Trina's story.
Content: talks about condoms, teenage pregnancy, kisses
November 5, 2020
Another delightful story of seniors Matt and Trina. Their focus and dreams are on basketball when misfortune happened for both of them. Together they found of how they could help one another with other things that maybe bothering them.
A school project of sending things to Africa, was a good idea of teaching the kids to reach out and help others. Have read others in this series and have enjoyed all of them. Enjoyable with good narration
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
A school project of sending things to Africa, was a good idea of teaching the kids to reach out and help others. Have read others in this series and have enjoyed all of them. Enjoyable with good narration
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
January 7, 2020
Well the name of the book is fitting for this story..
Well, the name of the book fits for this story...
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2020...
***Not many spoilers but there may be some***
This book was pretty interesting, though; towards the end, I realize I read this book out of order. Even though it can be read probably In any order. At least I got the order correct in the next three books to this series lol.
Other than that... it’s crazy how she (Trina) didn’t make the team. Then Matt hurt his ankle (sprang/broke), and couldn’t play. I think it was meant for them to be together since he had a thing for him. & vise versa.... as I was reading this book though; I was like why is this girl complaining about herself being fat when 9 out of 10 she’s probably not fat....it was annoying...
But learning that she had an eating disorder. I am like ahh I see now because that can be a series probably no matter your size you can have one. I don’t think she was skinny, though, and she has an eating disorder. I remember learning that two sisters had an eating disorder. I said to myself it’s good that she has Matt and her friends there for her to push for and let him (Matt) know it’s not him; it’s her.
Not only that, she did a good job with her friend Ariane with shipping equipment overseas to Africa because they didn’t have enough... getting the community and schools among other places together to help was an excellent idea. I think a lot of kids need to learn to do that while in school. I know for a fact the schools where I live wouldn’t.
But I liked Trina's idea and was glad Matt was on board with her. Besides that, I was dying when those false allegations about them doing the Mcnasty and the kiss and her being pregnant. I was like those kids can spread rumors like wildfire, and Matt and Trina didn’t help themselves any. 🤣🤣 He even had the doctor on his case when he went to the ER.
Well, the name of the book fits for this story...
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2020...
***Not many spoilers but there may be some***
This book was pretty interesting, though; towards the end, I realize I read this book out of order. Even though it can be read probably In any order. At least I got the order correct in the next three books to this series lol.
Other than that... it’s crazy how she (Trina) didn’t make the team. Then Matt hurt his ankle (sprang/broke), and couldn’t play. I think it was meant for them to be together since he had a thing for him. & vise versa.... as I was reading this book though; I was like why is this girl complaining about herself being fat when 9 out of 10 she’s probably not fat....it was annoying...
But learning that she had an eating disorder. I am like ahh I see now because that can be a series probably no matter your size you can have one. I don’t think she was skinny, though, and she has an eating disorder. I remember learning that two sisters had an eating disorder. I said to myself it’s good that she has Matt and her friends there for her to push for and let him (Matt) know it’s not him; it’s her.
Not only that, she did a good job with her friend Ariane with shipping equipment overseas to Africa because they didn’t have enough... getting the community and schools among other places together to help was an excellent idea. I think a lot of kids need to learn to do that while in school. I know for a fact the schools where I live wouldn’t.
But I liked Trina's idea and was glad Matt was on board with her. Besides that, I was dying when those false allegations about them doing the Mcnasty and the kiss and her being pregnant. I was like those kids can spread rumors like wildfire, and Matt and Trina didn’t help themselves any. 🤣🤣 He even had the doctor on his case when he went to the ER.
April 15, 2022
I think this is the one I've enjoyed the most from this series. I'm listening to this series out of order, so I'm used to most of the names being kind of confusing except for the ones the story focuses on. In this case, we have Matt and Trina, and how despite both of them being basketball players, they find themselves working on a different project (a fundraising campaign for shipping sports equipment to Africa), thanks to the comment of an international student from there, as well as their being out of Basketball season for different reasons. The chemistry is off the charts between these two, and it's not long before their fake relationship develops some real feelings. Still, everything's not light and fun since this book deals with the topic of eating disorders and body image.
I think part of my enjoying this story more than the others in the series is because this is the first time I really liked the male voice (in this case, for Matt) from the beginning. I think there's room for improvement in the French accent and/or fluidity since even though it was supposed to be the international student's native language, it seemed like her second language instead. Besides that, she did great with all the other voices and nuances from the different conversations, whether the characters were teenagers or adults.
Overall, a nice addition to the series, perfect for a quick read (since it's a novella) with plenty of kisses and mistletoe. Perfect for fans of the author, the series, and/or the Sweet YA Romance genre. ~ 4 stars
Content:
Sex: none, but there are some passionate kisses. One of these ends up inspiring the rumor that snowballs so fast people end up talking about a pregnant girlfriend. Still, it leads to conversations about teenage pregnancy between teenagers and their parents (as well as a doctor, who ends up sending said teenager with a bag of protection). There are also jokes (innuendo?) from their peers about this couple having sex everywhere.
I think part of my enjoying this story more than the others in the series is because this is the first time I really liked the male voice (in this case, for Matt) from the beginning. I think there's room for improvement in the French accent and/or fluidity since even though it was supposed to be the international student's native language, it seemed like her second language instead. Besides that, she did great with all the other voices and nuances from the different conversations, whether the characters were teenagers or adults.
Overall, a nice addition to the series, perfect for a quick read (since it's a novella) with plenty of kisses and mistletoe. Perfect for fans of the author, the series, and/or the Sweet YA Romance genre. ~ 4 stars
Content:
Sex: none, but there are some passionate kisses. One of these ends up inspiring the rumor that snowballs so fast people end up talking about a pregnant girlfriend. Still, it leads to conversations about teenage pregnancy between teenagers and their parents (as well as a doctor, who ends up sending said teenager with a bag of protection). There are also jokes (innuendo?) from their peers about this couple having sex everywhere.
November 11, 2020
This book wasn't really my cup of tea. I usually avoid teen romance books for that reason but I love audio books and was really in the mood for a Christmas book so the title won out. Unfortunately, it was all about the teen romance and zero about Christmas. The mistletoe is just another excuse for teens to make out at the holiday ball. For my own enjoyment I'd rate it two stars but since I know that other people will enjoy the story I added a star.
Things I liked: I liked that Matt is more interested in Trina as a person that he is in what she looks like. However, since he thinks she is beautiful that might not be saying much. I liked that the story handled Trina's eating disorder with delicacy but also that it is something serious that needs to be taken seriously. I liked that parents were able to have frank discussions with the kids. I liked that the kids were willing to take on a service project.
Things I didn't like: I hated pretty much anything that was of a sexual nature in the book. There is a lot of making out, talk about sex, social media exploding over the course of an hour from a kiss in the hall to rumors of her being pregnant. Kids telling each other good job for having sex. I also felt like the author underplayed the magnitude of taking on the service project in such a short time period. That seems pretty unrealistic.
So, while this wasn't my kind of book, I know there are many who will love it. And the narration was pretty good.
Sex: making out, talk about sex, kids cheering each other on when they think they've had sex, but no actual sex on the page. (One teen couple in the background are pregnant and engaged).
Language: no
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary audio-book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Things I liked: I liked that Matt is more interested in Trina as a person that he is in what she looks like. However, since he thinks she is beautiful that might not be saying much. I liked that the story handled Trina's eating disorder with delicacy but also that it is something serious that needs to be taken seriously. I liked that parents were able to have frank discussions with the kids. I liked that the kids were willing to take on a service project.
Things I didn't like: I hated pretty much anything that was of a sexual nature in the book. There is a lot of making out, talk about sex, social media exploding over the course of an hour from a kiss in the hall to rumors of her being pregnant. Kids telling each other good job for having sex. I also felt like the author underplayed the magnitude of taking on the service project in such a short time period. That seems pretty unrealistic.
So, while this wasn't my kind of book, I know there are many who will love it. And the narration was pretty good.
Sex: making out, talk about sex, kids cheering each other on when they think they've had sex, but no actual sex on the page. (One teen couple in the background are pregnant and engaged).
Language: no
Violence: no
*I received a complimentary audio-book and voluntarily chose to review it.
December 2, 2019
I loved this short story! Perfect for Christmastime! What I loved about it was the awkward moments that just ended up being so funny. Some moments had me laughing out loud, some had me gasping, and some were touching. I just had all the feels! The story is fast paced, with just enough detail to get me into the characters and to love how everything unfolds. Some great one-liners. I seriously love all the lines! And I love how straightforward the scene with the doctor was. This is a funny, yet candid novel. So between the awkward lol moments, and the warm fuzzes, and the oh nos! I loved every second.
January 12, 2020
This is a delightful story. It has some of my most favorite chapters written within its pages. It also has a touchy topic touched on with depth yet simply understood. Both athletes have mishaps happen in their selected sport, which leads to serving someone else. Discovering the depth of an eating disorder gown through "high school excepted body types" and misunderstand. In the end, people grow, love develops, and service abounds. Under the mistletoe of course. Well written, enjoyable and real. Well done.
December 25, 2020
I’ve listened to several in this series. I was surprised that although it had basketball athletes in the book it had little to do with basketball games. It was more about a service project involving sporting equipment. It also was a friends to lovers themed book. Two friends who hadn’t had romantic feelings for each other suddenly realize they are attracted to each other. A few funny scenes happen in the beginning of the book that made me laugh. It was only a few hours to listen and I easily finished it the same day I started it.
November 19, 2019
Matt comes upon a crying Trina and now their year changes. Loved these two together and how they supported each other when faced with trials and disappointments. Also loved how they handled the ridiculous rumors. Working together to help support someone else was a great story line especially for YA readers - not just about teen love. Of course there was some angst and it was a little heavy but I thought the author handled it really well.
December 31, 2019
This was my first book to read from this author and I sure loved the diverse characters in this quick-paced story. It gives you a bit of dram and what goes around in a typical high school. I loved that the author brought two unique characters together, opposites attract kind of situation and had them falling for one another. It was cool adding in a foreign student to the mix. I will read more of this author's work for sure.
December 4, 2020
There was so much I liked about this book... but so many things I felt were left unfinished! I hope they are resolved in the rest of the series. It was a fun quick read! Not as “Christmasy” as I thought it would be- but one I’ll certainly tell my daughters they should read! Overall I liked it!
It does deal with eating disorders which can be triggering for some- but I felt like it was done well.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
It does deal with eating disorders which can be triggering for some- but I felt like it was done well.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2020
Basketballs and Mistletoe is a sweet and clean YA romance. I appreciate that the author celebrates service and recognizes the difference youth can make when their eyes are opened to the problems of others. The characters are adorable, interesting and show depth. The narrator gave a delightful performance.
December 27, 2021
This is a cute and quick read with some underlying more serious topics. But it had some truly funny moments and made me smile. This is the first book by Julie L. Spencer I've read, but I have more books from the series already on my TBR.
February 18, 2020
Cute
This is a cute, short, young adult novella and my first from this author. It is a sweet, clean romance.
This is a cute, short, young adult novella and my first from this author. It is a sweet, clean romance.
January 18, 2023
So delightful. Gla the author chose to point out some great information with this fabulous story
Read
December 9, 2023DNFed at 25%. Yikes!
March 21, 2022
Good but super short
This was a good sweet YA romance. I feel there were a lot more details that could have put in to further development the plot and characters. It was a really fun quick read though.
This was a good sweet YA romance. I feel there were a lot more details that could have put in to further development the plot and characters. It was a really fun quick read though.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews