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The Perfect Game #2
Benching Brady
FAST BALLS. FAST CARS. FAST WOMEN.
They are how I've learned to cope.
But then life throws me a curveball.
And I may never play the game I love again.
Then I meet her.
She represents everything I've lost.
In the best and worst of ways.
She may be the only one who can get me back into the game.
And I'm not just talking about baseball.
Samantha Christy's collections:
The Mitchell Sisters series
Purple Orchids
White Lilies
Black Roses
The Stone Brothers series
Stone Rules
Stone Promises
Stone Vows
Standalones
Be My Reason
Abstract Love
Finding Mikayla
They are how I've learned to cope.
But then life throws me a curveball.
And I may never play the game I love again.
Then I meet her.
She represents everything I've lost.
In the best and worst of ways.
She may be the only one who can get me back into the game.
And I'm not just talking about baseball.
Read this sexy romance now!
Benching Brady is a standalone romance. It is Book Two in The Perfect Game Series.
Books one is Catching Caden. Book three is coming soon.
Benching Brady is a standalone romance. It is Book Two in The Perfect Game Series.
Books one is Catching Caden. Book three is coming soon.
Samantha Christy's collections:
The Mitchell Sisters series
Purple Orchids
White Lilies
Black Roses
The Stone Brothers series
Stone Rules
Stone Promises
Stone Vows
The Perfect Game series
Catching Caden
Benching Brady
Stealing Sawyer (coming fall of 2018)
Standalones
Be My Reason
Abstract Love
Finding Mikayla
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2018
3752 people are currently reading
1801 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Christy
44 books3,551 followersDespite the fact that she is a romance writer, Samantha Christy's favorite television show of all time is The Walking Dead.
And contrary to the fact that her heroines drink things like wine and Cosmos, she prefers Bud Light.
She also loves fan mail and answers all of it.
She went to college and all that, getting a degree in something she never uses. She's also got a gaggle of kids (4) and a pretty decent husband.
And contrary to the fact that her heroines drink things like wine and Cosmos, she prefers Bud Light.
She also loves fan mail and answers all of it.
She went to college and all that, getting a degree in something she never uses. She's also got a gaggle of kids (4) and a pretty decent husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 497 reviews
May 3, 2024
4.5 Beast or Barracuda stars
Loved it! Brady was such a broken man that hid it well, he endured the most tragic and horrific loss very early in his adulthood that shaped him into the man he is today. Riley was a fabulous heroine - strong, sassy and she totally got Brady. There was a fair bit of pushing away towards the end, but she had her child to think of so I got where she was coming from, and she made Brady work for it.
Benching Brady, like Catching Caden is in the world of baseball and I was totally drawn into that world. Brady is recovering from a potential career ending injury and Riley is is PT. Their relationship wasn't rushed, Riley definitely controlled the pace there.
I really do love Samantha Christy's writing and this one is no exception. After the peek I got at Sawyer, I can't wait to read his book because ..... Demons!
Loved it! Brady was such a broken man that hid it well, he endured the most tragic and horrific loss very early in his adulthood that shaped him into the man he is today. Riley was a fabulous heroine - strong, sassy and she totally got Brady. There was a fair bit of pushing away towards the end, but she had her child to think of so I got where she was coming from, and she made Brady work for it.
Benching Brady, like Catching Caden is in the world of baseball and I was totally drawn into that world. Brady is recovering from a potential career ending injury and Riley is is PT. Their relationship wasn't rushed, Riley definitely controlled the pace there.
I really do love Samantha Christy's writing and this one is no exception. After the peek I got at Sawyer, I can't wait to read his book because ..... Demons!
July 5, 2020
BORING!! DNF@ 23% Where are all the 5 stars from?.?>?
August 22, 2019
Catching Caden (Perfect Game #1) 4 stars
Benching Brady (Perfect Game #2) 2 stars.
Brady was a 6'5" major league NYC baseball pitcher sent to
team's Florida training camp for intense physical therapy
(PT) after a surgery for an elbow injury. Rylee served as his
all-business PT. His injury could be career-ending. Brady
+ teammates played 162 baseball games each yr, about 1/2
of these as away games. He had a regular groupie in each
city. A STD magnet & vice versa?
Sorry to say the author didn't do her homework. PT
addresses gross motor skills, related to the legs and hips
IE ambulating, transferring (chair to bed, on/ off the toilet)
sitting to standing& vice versa. Occupational therapy (OT)
addresses fine motor skills: improving functioning of
shoulders, arms, elbows & hands. So it would be more
accurate for Ry to be an OT. The OT would obtain an MD
order, assess Brady, develop a plan of care, assign him days
to receive OT, then give him exercises to do at his temporary
abode. An OT & PT are not interchangeable. A patient may
need both, OT (to build upper body strength/ stamina) in
order to do PT (walk again after an injury/ stroke/surgery).
Also the strength guy told Brady he reported to the h. More
accurate: he'd report to the MD.
Unlikely an OT such as Ry would risk her job/ OT license
for sight-seeing and drinking with the patient (hero) and
eventually having sex with him.
My friends suggest I suspend belief when I read a novel.
But this story was way off the mark & closer to a fairy tale.
Brady saw a challenge to objectify and conquer woman, b/c
he could. He assumed Ry had an OM f--k-buddy (untrue).
I did not trust his maturity or fidelity w/ Ry going forward.
Caden was light-years beyond Brady in his thinking/ actions
toward women. This story had unrealized potential. What a
letdown.
Benching Brady (Perfect Game #2) 2 stars.
Brady was a 6'5" major league NYC baseball pitcher sent to
team's Florida training camp for intense physical therapy
(PT) after a surgery for an elbow injury. Rylee served as his
all-business PT. His injury could be career-ending. Brady
+ teammates played 162 baseball games each yr, about 1/2
of these as away games. He had a regular groupie in each
city. A STD magnet & vice versa?
Sorry to say the author didn't do her homework. PT
addresses gross motor skills, related to the legs and hips
IE ambulating, transferring (chair to bed, on/ off the toilet)
sitting to standing& vice versa. Occupational therapy (OT)
addresses fine motor skills: improving functioning of
shoulders, arms, elbows & hands. So it would be more
accurate for Ry to be an OT. The OT would obtain an MD
order, assess Brady, develop a plan of care, assign him days
to receive OT, then give him exercises to do at his temporary
abode. An OT & PT are not interchangeable. A patient may
need both, OT (to build upper body strength/ stamina) in
order to do PT (walk again after an injury/ stroke/surgery).
Also the strength guy told Brady he reported to the h. More
accurate: he'd report to the MD.
Unlikely an OT such as Ry would risk her job/ OT license
for sight-seeing and drinking with the patient (hero) and
eventually having sex with him.
My friends suggest I suspend belief when I read a novel.
But this story was way off the mark & closer to a fairy tale.
Brady saw a challenge to objectify and conquer woman, b/c
he could. He assumed Ry had an OM f--k-buddy (untrue).
I did not trust his maturity or fidelity w/ Ry going forward.
Caden was light-years beyond Brady in his thinking/ actions
toward women. This story had unrealized potential. What a
letdown.
April 4, 2018
Benching Brady is the second book in Samantha Christy's The Perfect Game Series and I must say, as much as I loved Caden, Brady was everything! His internal battles will destroy you, his passion will seduce you, and his connection with Rylee will leave you breathless in all the right places! The attention to detail that Samantha writes about the game of baseball makes this story so believable and the pages consume you like you are right there in the crowd cheering the guys on! This amazing book will have you laughing with the characters out loud, feel all the passion through their eyes with the alternate POV's, and then BOOM! The story will flip and you'll want to scream at Brady...take a breather, and then finish the story for the HEA. Another amazing story! A Perfect Game! Never stop writing Samantha! EVER!
nope-nope-nope
December 28, 2018I dont really like books where the hero loved before and the heroine never did. It makes her feel like second best. I think every woman deserves to feel love that is untainted by a woman he will constantly compare her too....in my romance books at least.
February 16, 2021
Riley and Brady's story is a read so worth reading.
One pitch and everything in Brady's life comes to a screeching halt. An operation and now rehab. A rehab he has severe doubts will return him to the profession he loves as one of the game's best pitchers. This is how he meets Riley, his new, sexy, Physical Therapist. She has 100% believe she can get him back on the mound as good or better than he was. He doubts it but loves her optimism.
As they work together interest grows, but she is 100% against anything happening. She is juggling enough balls that she doesn't need to add a few more by being with him, but she can't stay away.
Things are going good as a friendship then as more until a few proverbial monkey wrenches blow it all up. What happens next? Not telling, read the book, no, read the series, it's all superb to great reads.
January 21, 2021
January 2020
I think I liked this better the second time. I really liked the epilogue - kind of a variation on the "in the future" thing. These characters really appealed to me.
And Erin Mallon still annoys me with the way she draws out the last word of a sentence. I hate that. I put up with it because of the story - but I've stopped reading books she narrates because I just don't like that thing she does. It's distracting enough to pull me out of the story and that's probably the number one thing that a narrator should never do. Personal preference, I guess, because she literally does everything else so well. But that one thing - bugs the heck outta me. Zach Webber, however, can pretty much do no wrong -
February 2019
This was really sweet. Enough complications to make it interesting and likable characters. The romance took time and that made it believable.
Zach Webber was great on the audio - but Erin Mallon has started to bug me with the way she draws out her words at the end of a sentence. Seems unnecessary, although that might be just her personal style.
I think I liked this better the second time. I really liked the epilogue - kind of a variation on the "in the future" thing. These characters really appealed to me.
And Erin Mallon still annoys me with the way she draws out the last word of a sentence. I hate that. I put up with it because of the story - but I've stopped reading books she narrates because I just don't like that thing she does. It's distracting enough to pull me out of the story and that's probably the number one thing that a narrator should never do. Personal preference, I guess, because she literally does everything else so well. But that one thing - bugs the heck outta me. Zach Webber, however, can pretty much do no wrong -
February 2019
This was really sweet. Enough complications to make it interesting and likable characters. The romance took time and that made it believable.
Zach Webber was great on the audio - but Erin Mallon has started to bug me with the way she draws out her words at the end of a sentence. Seems unnecessary, although that might be just her personal style.
October 10, 2018
Too long , Too sweet , too repetitive , too predictable .
I usually like parents stories . I didn't feel anything to anyone .
If you are not familiar with baseball roles , like me , you will have trouble imagining what exactly going on on the field . I could looked it up on google , I just didn't care enough .
I usually like parents stories . I didn't feel anything to anyone .
If you are not familiar with baseball roles , like me , you will have trouble imagining what exactly going on on the field . I could looked it up on google , I just didn't care enough .
April 29, 2018
Brady. Hot baseball player
This is the second book in this series and just as good as the first. I love Brady.I felt bad for his pain. They say with a good woman at your side you can accomplish anything. I love reading Samantha Christy books and will absolutely read more
This is the second book in this series and just as good as the first. I love Brady.I felt bad for his pain. They say with a good woman at your side you can accomplish anything. I love reading Samantha Christy books and will absolutely read more
June 30, 2018
So I liked the two characters a lot and the story of their romance was good.
But I think this author is treating her readers as thickos.
It’s absolute nonsense to say that his past would not be known. Just not true no matter who he paid what to. And when the actual incident was revealed towards the end it was even more unlikely that a big sports star could hide such a secret. Even a non successful player couldn’t hide it. Ludicrous, it ruined what should have been a 5 star read.
As for all these gym owners, football stars, Hollywood actors and famous photographer types and their wives who keep popping up in this series. (I guess they are from past books) Yes they would meet someone and be best friends straight away. Of course they would
But I think this author is treating her readers as thickos.
It’s absolute nonsense to say that his past would not be known. Just not true no matter who he paid what to. And when the actual incident was revealed towards the end it was even more unlikely that a big sports star could hide such a secret. Even a non successful player couldn’t hide it. Ludicrous, it ruined what should have been a 5 star read.
As for all these gym owners, football stars, Hollywood actors and famous photographer types and their wives who keep popping up in this series. (I guess they are from past books) Yes they would meet someone and be best friends straight away. Of course they would
May 7, 2018
Right off the bat, I knew this story along with its characters was going to steal my heart. With a perfect blend of sizzling romance, angst, humor, and heart all wrapped into a riveting tale of love, loss, hope and redemption, Samantha Christy wowed me with the second book in her Perfect Game Series.
SO, LET’S PLAY BALL! This game goes to Brady Taylor who outplayed Caden from the series opener! I wasn’t sure it could be done, but thecoach author made it happen. I fought the idea of liking Brady Taylor until he ripped himself wide open exposing a treasure trove of surprises, and then my heart burst with emotions. On the surface Brady appears to have it all going for him. He’s the bad boy of baseball. He’s the star pitcher for the New York Nighthawks and is on his way to pitching a perfect game. That is until he’s struck by a line drive hit that causes what could be a career-ending injury. Underneath all the glory and fame, Brady's a man burdened by a haunting past which raises this one to the level of bittersweet and tear-inducing. With the bases loaded and his demons nipping at his heels, will Brady walk or realize that happiness is within reach, even when love has thrown him a treacherous curveball?
Rylee Kennedy is the physical therapist who works with Brady toward a full recovery, so he can return to the pitching mound. She is one determined young woman -- one who doesn't have any desire to become the sexy pitcher's next one-night stand. But she might prove to be Brady Taylor’s game changer and the second chance to have it all – if he can convince her that he's worth the risk. And if he does, will he be able to hold on to it? Because Rylee is hanging onto a big secret herself -- and one that will be a direct hit to Brady's heart.
Through dual POVs from both Brady and Rylee, their beautiful, hard-won journey to finding love is unraveled. They are both adorable and so easy to love. I found Brady's character believable, while Rylee's wasn't quite as convincing. Her big secret didn't pack much of a wallop as I expected and was easily identified long before it was delivered. The "secret" wasn't explained to my satisfaction and was confusing as to why she would choose to keep it hidden anyway. Even so, it added another dimension to the growing relationship and one that presented a real deal-breaker while proving to be an especially tender and momentous addition to their story.
I loved Caden and Murphy’s story in the first book in this series, Catching Caden. It was good to see them both again as they stepped back onto the pages to lend a helping hand. The story brings back other lively and lovable characters as well, who are there to support Brady and, in turn, befriend Rylee. While you don't have to read the first book to enjoy Brady and Rylee's story, I recommend that you do.
Root Root Root for the home team when Sawyer Mills, the short stop for the Hawks, is up next in the third installment! There’s no doubt he’s hiding something – he’s way too closed off and mysteriously secretive. I am eager to know all the details. Stealing Sawyer, the third book in the Perfect Game Series will be released sometime in the Fall of 2018.
Two books in and this is probably the best baseball romance series I’ve read. Samantha Christy does her research and writes an exciting, believable and entertaining story. A game of love with a perfect pitch from start to finish and an extra inning with a fabulous Epilogue that crosses home plate for Brady and Rylee. Stats are in and this is a pennant winning series.
SO, LET’S PLAY BALL! This game goes to Brady Taylor who outplayed Caden from the series opener! I wasn’t sure it could be done, but the
Rylee Kennedy is the physical therapist who works with Brady toward a full recovery, so he can return to the pitching mound. She is one determined young woman -- one who doesn't have any desire to become the sexy pitcher's next one-night stand. But she might prove to be Brady Taylor’s game changer and the second chance to have it all – if he can convince her that he's worth the risk. And if he does, will he be able to hold on to it? Because Rylee is hanging onto a big secret herself -- and one that will be a direct hit to Brady's heart.
Through dual POVs from both Brady and Rylee, their beautiful, hard-won journey to finding love is unraveled. They are both adorable and so easy to love. I found Brady's character believable, while Rylee's wasn't quite as convincing. Her big secret didn't pack much of a wallop as I expected and was easily identified long before it was delivered. The "secret" wasn't explained to my satisfaction and was confusing as to why she would choose to keep it hidden anyway. Even so, it added another dimension to the growing relationship and one that presented a real deal-breaker while proving to be an especially tender and momentous addition to their story.
I loved Caden and Murphy’s story in the first book in this series, Catching Caden. It was good to see them both again as they stepped back onto the pages to lend a helping hand. The story brings back other lively and lovable characters as well, who are there to support Brady and, in turn, befriend Rylee. While you don't have to read the first book to enjoy Brady and Rylee's story, I recommend that you do.
Root Root Root for the home team when Sawyer Mills, the short stop for the Hawks, is up next in the third installment! There’s no doubt he’s hiding something – he’s way too closed off and mysteriously secretive. I am eager to know all the details. Stealing Sawyer, the third book in the Perfect Game Series will be released sometime in the Fall of 2018.
Two books in and this is probably the best baseball romance series I’ve read. Samantha Christy does her research and writes an exciting, believable and entertaining story. A game of love with a perfect pitch from start to finish and an extra inning with a fabulous Epilogue that crosses home plate for Brady and Rylee. Stats are in and this is a pennant winning series.
October 16, 2018
I felt absolutely nothing while reading this book. Everything just felt so artificial. The things they laughed about were not funny and I didn’t feel like they had a connection on any level. I often found myself thinking about other things I could be doing and would put the book down. I had zero desire to continue on. Two things I found weird about this was the relationship between Murphy and Brady. It made me feel uncomfortable. I wouldn’t want my fiancé staying in a hotel room with my best friend, I don’t care if I’ve known her since we were babies. I also thought it was strange that the reader didn’t see the relationship between Stryker and Rylee until the 63% Mark. Overall, I was just going through the motions as I was reading this. It was too wordy and emotionless. The story probably could have been told with 100 pages deleted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2019
Oh. My. Gosh. First of all, baseball has always been my favorite sport to watch men play. I "grew up" on the Dodgers because we lived in Southern California, so I went to the games when they were literally $1 in the upper rows. LOL (Yes, but don't try to guess my age!) I watched some of the GREATS play, some from opposing teams and I loved watching them steal bases. Then one of my sons played baseball and was the star pitcher, but sadly he gave it up in high school. So anything baseball I tend to like. Then I got wind of this series that a friend recommended to me and I love it!
In Benching Brady, he is a friend of Caden's from book 1, and something awful happens to Brady that could cause him his career. When the reader mees Brady, he is closed off to love (but not women), he is one of (if not the) best looking ball players, and he has a sadness in his life that we don't find out about until later in the book. So when he meets Rylee (love the name and spelling), it's awkward for him because she is different! She doesn't throw herself at him like most women, and in other ways that I'll let you (hopefully) discover. However, he keeps her at an emotional distance.
Other characters return, like Murphy, her sister-in-law, and a couple others who are friends of Caden's and Murphy's. It's just so fun to see (read) how they interact, how they've grown in relationships, and so on. There's so much I want to say about this book (like the entire story) so that you'll understand why it made me cry! But I won't because it is too good of a book to spoil.
I truly hope that if you haven't read book 1, that you will. If you have read it, you'll surely love book 2 and should read it soon. I'm picking up book 3 Stealing Sawyer tomorrow!
In Benching Brady, he is a friend of Caden's from book 1, and something awful happens to Brady that could cause him his career. When the reader mees Brady, he is closed off to love (but not women), he is one of (if not the) best looking ball players, and he has a sadness in his life that we don't find out about until later in the book. So when he meets Rylee (love the name and spelling), it's awkward for him because she is different! She doesn't throw herself at him like most women, and in other ways that I'll let you (hopefully) discover. However, he keeps her at an emotional distance.
Other characters return, like Murphy, her sister-in-law, and a couple others who are friends of Caden's and Murphy's. It's just so fun to see (read) how they interact, how they've grown in relationships, and so on. There's so much I want to say about this book (like the entire story) so that you'll understand why it made me cry! But I won't because it is too good of a book to spoil.
I truly hope that if you haven't read book 1, that you will. If you have read it, you'll surely love book 2 and should read it soon. I'm picking up book 3 Stealing Sawyer tomorrow!
April 4, 2018
I loved this second installment of the Perfect Game Series. When I read a new Samatha Christy book, I know the story is going to be amazing! Benching Brady is written so well. Brady and Rylee's road to love is heart breaking and beautiful. I thought Caden and Murphy (from Catching Caden) were amazing, but Brady and Rylee have them beat by a mile!
April 6, 2018
Beast or Barracuda...... this bit had me in hysterics
This was one we were all waiting for and Samantha Christy did not disappoint. I knew I was going to love this book and I did.
Rylee Kennedy is a physical therapist and she treats injured athletes. Little does she know that 1 particular athlete is about to blow her mind....
Brady Taylor has suffered a serious injury and fears he will never be able to pitch again. He is one of the best and if he cannot play again... he will forever be lost. He thought she was to tiny to give him what he needed....She was not going to be strong enough to push him the way he needed to be pushed but boy was he wrong. Feisty and direct is what she was not to mention beautiful!
Rylee doesn't want the complications that go along with being involved with men and fights like hell to avoid any feelings toward Brady. She has her reasons but I can’t spoil that for you by telling you.
Brady has his own demons and avoids the possibilities of getting to close to a woman. He has only ever loved once in his life and that will forever be lost when he lost them... Rylee is everything he didn’t know he needed....She is his strength, his focus and he is slowly losing the battle when it comes to loving again. Will he open his heart again? Will she be the rock he once lost? Will she be his future?
Rylee needs to be sure he can handle her secret. Will it be too hard for him to see through the past hurt? She can’t take the chance unless he is sure and can overcome the pain of the loss he endured. There is so much more I can say but I would be spoiling it for you. So please read this book! It is a MUST read!!!
Samantha Christy digs deep! She captures us with her perfect tails of love, passion and sorrow. Samantha teaches me about things in her books too. E.g. places, sports, and so much more. The details are epic! Her books are so well thought through.
I love her mind and what she produces! I love that we have a duel P.O.V although Brady was the first part of the book and Rylee the second, I still got to know and feel what the other was thinking. I am used to reading a character a chapter (if that makes sense) and although I enjoy it that way, I still loved reading every bit of the way this story was put together. This book is full of sass, laughter, tears, compassion, love and so much more.
As always Samantha has only made us hungry for more. I cannot wait to ready Sawyer‘s story. I know it is going to be epic!!!
I rate this 5 out 5 stars!!! Worth every star!
Thank you Samantha for giving us yet again a mouth-watering read.
This was one we were all waiting for and Samantha Christy did not disappoint. I knew I was going to love this book and I did.
Rylee Kennedy is a physical therapist and she treats injured athletes. Little does she know that 1 particular athlete is about to blow her mind....
Brady Taylor has suffered a serious injury and fears he will never be able to pitch again. He is one of the best and if he cannot play again... he will forever be lost. He thought she was to tiny to give him what he needed....She was not going to be strong enough to push him the way he needed to be pushed but boy was he wrong. Feisty and direct is what she was not to mention beautiful!
Rylee doesn't want the complications that go along with being involved with men and fights like hell to avoid any feelings toward Brady. She has her reasons but I can’t spoil that for you by telling you.
Brady has his own demons and avoids the possibilities of getting to close to a woman. He has only ever loved once in his life and that will forever be lost when he lost them... Rylee is everything he didn’t know he needed....She is his strength, his focus and he is slowly losing the battle when it comes to loving again. Will he open his heart again? Will she be the rock he once lost? Will she be his future?
Rylee needs to be sure he can handle her secret. Will it be too hard for him to see through the past hurt? She can’t take the chance unless he is sure and can overcome the pain of the loss he endured. There is so much more I can say but I would be spoiling it for you. So please read this book! It is a MUST read!!!
Samantha Christy digs deep! She captures us with her perfect tails of love, passion and sorrow. Samantha teaches me about things in her books too. E.g. places, sports, and so much more. The details are epic! Her books are so well thought through.
I love her mind and what she produces! I love that we have a duel P.O.V although Brady was the first part of the book and Rylee the second, I still got to know and feel what the other was thinking. I am used to reading a character a chapter (if that makes sense) and although I enjoy it that way, I still loved reading every bit of the way this story was put together. This book is full of sass, laughter, tears, compassion, love and so much more.
As always Samantha has only made us hungry for more. I cannot wait to ready Sawyer‘s story. I know it is going to be epic!!!
I rate this 5 out 5 stars!!! Worth every star!
Thank you Samantha for giving us yet again a mouth-watering read.
April 12, 2018
Brady is the poster child for play boy with a haunted past. When we met him in Catching Caden he was whoring his way around the country doing everything in his power to avoid his feelings about his past and developing any real feelings for another female. He was doing a great job until an unfortunate accident ends his season early and sends him to Tampa for extensive rehab where he meets the sassy and sexy PT Rylee. It doesn't take long to realize there's something special about her. But Rylee has things from her own past that she's hesitant to talk about and that are keeping her from seeking anything beyond the physical. Which makes for the perfect friends with benefits arrangement for them. What they don't expect is to fall fast and hard. It's a bit of an emotional roller coaster with the will they or won't they. There are parts that will make you swoon. there are parts that will make you cry. And there are parts that will make you feel actual pain in your heart. This has been one of the best baseball series I have read. I'm looking forward to the next book that will focus on Sawyers story. another that will no doubt be just as heart breaking and wonderful as Benching Brady.
April 16, 2018
I love sports romances, and Samantha Christy continues her baseball series with one amazing love story! Brady Taylor is the epitome of a man-whore with a different lover in each state that he plays in, and it takes him getting injured and relying on physical therapist Rylee Kennedy to finally change his ways. Brady and Rylee have great chemistry together, but it’s Brady’s past that keeps him at arm’s length when he knows he can’t take anything further than just a sexual relationship. And, Rylee is keeping a secret also, which triggers more of a distance when Brady finds out what it really is. Will these two end up together? Or, will Brady’s past get in the way so their relationship can’t move on?
Such an excellent story! I couldn’t put it down! At times I did tear up. But, the smiles came too. This was one emotional read, but the ending couldn’t have been more perfect as the Taylor family celebrated with a most fitting epilogue...
Such an excellent story! I couldn’t put it down! At times I did tear up. But, the smiles came too. This was one emotional read, but the ending couldn’t have been more perfect as the Taylor family celebrated with a most fitting epilogue...
May 1, 2018
Amazing as always!
This writer is consistent with writing story's that draw you in and keeping you hooked! I loved this book! I can't wait for stealing Sawyer is published in the fall!!!!
This writer is consistent with writing story's that draw you in and keeping you hooked! I loved this book! I can't wait for stealing Sawyer is published in the fall!!!!
April 4, 2018
Loved this book! Another hit from Samantha Christy. I loved Caden and Murphy in the first book of this series but I love Brady and Rylee even more I think. Loved watching their story and relationship develop. And without giving too much away I loved that she brought in characters from her previous books into the story. Perfect amount of drama, love story and sex :) Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
April 4, 2018
Get ready to laugh and cry because this book has all the feels. You can’t help but love the characters and feel their emotions along with them. It’s a great story of perseverance and proving that nothing is broken beyond repair, but that maybe we just need someone to believe in ourselves more than we do. Get ready to follow Brady in his journey of healing, in more ways than one.
February 23, 2019
4.5 stars!
March 1, 2019
This is a sweet series.
December 24, 2021
Pitcher Pitcher 😳😍😩
Let’s start off with triggers. I was expecting to have to mention them nevertheless warn people but this book took. Turn I wasn’t expecting. While it is not a dark book some of the subjects are. Please check them before you red this book.
Brady is a broken man that does his best to hide it. Never dating anyone he has “friends” in the different cities his team travels to. When he gets injured during a game he is sent to Tampa for rehab where he meets his PT Riley. They build a friendship while Riley helps him to recover from his injury and shows him around Tampa. Eventually their friendship turns into more. They go thru multiple trials and tribulations thru out this book dealing with his dark past and hers.
This book like I said before has some subject matter that is dark but over all this is a sweet story. The spice is great.I definitely recommend
Let’s start off with triggers. I was expecting to have to mention them nevertheless warn people but this book took. Turn I wasn’t expecting. While it is not a dark book some of the subjects are. Please check them before you red this book.
Brady is a broken man that does his best to hide it. Never dating anyone he has “friends” in the different cities his team travels to. When he gets injured during a game he is sent to Tampa for rehab where he meets his PT Riley. They build a friendship while Riley helps him to recover from his injury and shows him around Tampa. Eventually their friendship turns into more. They go thru multiple trials and tribulations thru out this book dealing with his dark past and hers.
This book like I said before has some subject matter that is dark but over all this is a sweet story. The spice is great.I definitely recommend
October 4, 2018
זהו הספר השני בסדרה שנקראת The Perfect Game, סדרה שהספרים בה הם סטנד אלון ולכן ניתן לקרוא אותם שלא לפי הסדר. יחד עם זאת, כדאי לקחת בחשבון שבספר השני (זה שאני סוקרת כרגע) מוזכרים כמה אירועים מרכזיים מהספר הראשון ואנו גם פוגשים את הדמויות (הגיבורים) בשלבים מתקדמים יותר של היחסים שלהם, כך שזה בהחלט יכול להוות ספוילר, בייחוד למי שלא רוצה לדעת שום דבר לפני שהיא מתחילה לקרוא.
הסיפור על רגל אחת - בריידי הוא שחקן בייסבול מקצועי, שנאלץ להיות ״מקורקע״ למשך תקופה מסוימת בעקבות פציעה. ריילי היא פיזיותרפיסטית, שעובדת באחד ממרכזי הטיפול של קבוצת הבייסבול שלו והיא מקבלת את בריידי לטיפולה. במהלך הפגישות היומיומיות שלהם, בריידי וריילי מתקרבים, מגלים שהם נהנים זה מחברתה של זו ולהיפך ונוצרת ביניהם ידידות. כמו בכל רומן שמכבד את עצמו, ברור לכולנו שרגשות נוספים לא יאחרו לבוא, אלא ששניהם חוששים, לשניהם יש הרבה מה להפסיד ויש גם כל מיני שלדים בכל מיני ארונות, שמאיימים לחבל במה שיכול אולי להיות.
אז למה כדאי לקרוא את הספר הזה?
א. מאחר והוא לגמרי אחד החמודים והכיפיים שקראתי.
רומן רומנטי במיטבו! זוכרות את The Dael? זה היה ספר, שבעקבותיו כולנו הכרזנו: וואו, איזה קטע! הגיבור לא מניאק והוא גם לא לחלוטין קלישאה מהלכת. הוא דווקא ממש ממש חמוד ועדיין מצליח להישאר סקסי ומדליק. אז ככה זה גם בספר הזה, לפחות באופן שבו אני חוויתי אותו.
ב. מלבד גיבור מקסים, יש לנו גם גיבורה מאד מתוקה ונעימה. היא לא וונדר-וומן והיא גם לא עלה נידף. היא בחורה ״רגילה״, עם פחדים וחששות וחוסר ביטחון כמו לכולנו, ויחד עם זאת, יש לה עמוד שדרה, עקרונות ודברים שחשובים לה והיא לא מוותרת עליהם. היא גיבורה שקל לאהוב.
ג. אם אתן חובבות רומני ספורט, אז זה בהחלט אחד המוצלחים שקראתי. הוא היה מרגש ומעניין, עם הסתבכויות ופרפרים במקומות הנכונים, אבל בלי דרמות גרנדיוזיות מאולצות, או מחוות מפוצצות, שלא קשורות למציאות. לא, הסופרת הזאת מצליחה לקחת את מה שנראה במבט ראשון כעוד סיפור כמו עשרה אחרים, כעוד ״רומן סטנדרטי״ ולכתוב אותו טוב. בעיניי אפילו ממש טוב. אז נכון, היא לא המציאה כאן שום גלגל, אבל היא כתבה סיפור אהבה מקסים ומרגש.
ד. כי בכל אחד מהגיבורים יש יותר ממה שנראה לעין מלכתחילה, הן אישיותית והן מבחינת ההיסטוריה שלהם.
ה. וסעיף אחרון - לבריידי יש פוטנציאל להיות הגיבור השבור האולטימטיבי ובמידה רבה הוא גם כזה. אלא שבאופן שלא צפיתי, הוא התגלה כהרבה יותר חזק ממה שחשבתי שהוא יהיה. במילים אחרות: על אף שיש לו את כל הסיבות הטובות, הוא דווקא לא נשבר כל כך בקלות. אז הוא כן עושה את ה״פרפרים״ הנכונים בהרבה מאד
מובנים, אבל אל תצפו לקיידן, לוגאן ושות׳ 😉
אז לסיכום - בקטגורית הקלילים והמהנים הוא מקבל אצלי 5 כוכבים!
הסיפור על רגל אחת - בריידי הוא שחקן בייסבול מקצועי, שנאלץ להיות ״מקורקע״ למשך תקופה מסוימת בעקבות פציעה. ריילי היא פיזיותרפיסטית, שעובדת באחד ממרכזי הטיפול של קבוצת הבייסבול שלו והיא מקבלת את בריידי לטיפולה. במהלך הפגישות היומיומיות שלהם, בריידי וריילי מתקרבים, מגלים שהם נהנים זה מחברתה של זו ולהיפך ונוצרת ביניהם ידידות. כמו בכל רומן שמכבד את עצמו, ברור לכולנו שרגשות נוספים לא יאחרו לבוא, אלא ששניהם חוששים, לשניהם יש הרבה מה להפסיד ויש גם כל מיני שלדים בכל מיני ארונות, שמאיימים לחבל במה שיכול אולי להיות.
אז למה כדאי לקרוא את הספר הזה?
א. מאחר והוא לגמרי אחד החמודים והכיפיים שקראתי.
רומן רומנטי במיטבו! זוכרות את The Dael? זה היה ספר, שבעקבותיו כולנו הכרזנו: וואו, איזה קטע! הגיבור לא מניאק והוא גם לא לחלוטין קלישאה מהלכת. הוא דווקא ממש ממש חמוד ועדיין מצליח להישאר סקסי ומדליק. אז ככה זה גם בספר הזה, לפחות באופן שבו אני חוויתי אותו.
ב. מלבד גיבור מקסים, יש לנו גם גיבורה מאד מתוקה ונעימה. היא לא וונדר-וומן והיא גם לא עלה נידף. היא בחורה ״רגילה״, עם פחדים וחששות וחוסר ביטחון כמו לכולנו, ויחד עם זאת, יש לה עמוד שדרה, עקרונות ודברים שחשובים לה והיא לא מוותרת עליהם. היא גיבורה שקל לאהוב.
ג. אם אתן חובבות רומני ספורט, אז זה בהחלט אחד המוצלחים שקראתי. הוא היה מרגש ומעניין, עם הסתבכויות ופרפרים במקומות הנכונים, אבל בלי דרמות גרנדיוזיות מאולצות, או מחוות מפוצצות, שלא קשורות למציאות. לא, הסופרת הזאת מצליחה לקחת את מה שנראה במבט ראשון כעוד סיפור כמו עשרה אחרים, כעוד ״רומן סטנדרטי״ ולכתוב אותו טוב. בעיניי אפילו ממש טוב. אז נכון, היא לא המציאה כאן שום גלגל, אבל היא כתבה סיפור אהבה מקסים ומרגש.
ד. כי בכל אחד מהגיבורים יש יותר ממה שנראה לעין מלכתחילה, הן אישיותית והן מבחינת ההיסטוריה שלהם.
ה. וסעיף אחרון - לבריידי יש פוטנציאל להיות הגיבור השבור האולטימטיבי ובמידה רבה הוא גם כזה. אלא שבאופן שלא צפיתי, הוא התגלה כהרבה יותר חזק ממה שחשבתי שהוא יהיה. במילים אחרות: על אף שיש לו את כל הסיבות הטובות, הוא דווקא לא נשבר כל כך בקלות. אז הוא כן עושה את ה״פרפרים״ הנכונים בהרבה מאד
מובנים, אבל אל תצפו לקיידן, לוגאן ושות׳ 😉
אז לסיכום - בקטגורית הקלילים והמהנים הוא מקבל אצלי 5 כוכבים!
October 8, 2019
3.75 Stars
The first part of the book is from Brady's pov and then the second half is from Rylee's pov. It was engrossing enough that I didn't skim too much.
Brady is a baseball pitcher and has a different girl in every city but makes it clear there are no expectations with them because of the tragedy of losing his wife and 3 yo son several years ago. When he injures his elbow, he has to go into intense physical therapy where he meet Rylee. She's his PT and he becomes interested in her although he knows she's a marrying kind of girl. Because he's stuck in town for a few months, he and Rylee start hanging out on Friday nights so that Rylee can show him around. He enjoys spending time with her and it's not long before they get physical.
What Rylee hasn't mentioned before is that she has a 3 yo son. When an incident happens at a hospital and he finds out, he can't cope and leaves. Rylee takes that as goodbye and shortly afterwards moves states to be closer to her mom with dementia and is in an assisted living home.
Months later Brady happens to see her at her new job that she got through a mutal friend of theirs. Brady doesn't want to let her go and wants to date her, even though she doesn't know about his past and he has a hard time evening looking at her son (Stryker).
Rylee agrees to a trial run but he has to prove to her that he's serious and won't mess around with other girls. So over the course of two months they hang out when they can, Brady spends time with her and Stryker, and he tells all of his hookups in each city that he's off the market.
After the trial run, Rylee agrees to date him and Brady tries to become more comfortable with Stryker. Meanwhile, Brady keeps asking her to marry him. Rylee wants to but is still wants a sign that he's serious about her and that he's healing from his past, ready to move on but not forget.
When he changes from wearing the t-shirt under his uniform that was a good luck charm from his deceased wife and wears a concert t-shirt that Rylee got him, she knows that that's the sign.
The first part of the book is from Brady's pov and then the second half is from Rylee's pov. It was engrossing enough that I didn't skim too much.
Brady is a baseball pitcher and has a different girl in every city but makes it clear there are no expectations with them because of the tragedy of losing his wife and 3 yo son several years ago. When he injures his elbow, he has to go into intense physical therapy where he meet Rylee. She's his PT and he becomes interested in her although he knows she's a marrying kind of girl. Because he's stuck in town for a few months, he and Rylee start hanging out on Friday nights so that Rylee can show him around. He enjoys spending time with her and it's not long before they get physical.
What Rylee hasn't mentioned before is that she has a 3 yo son. When an incident happens at a hospital and he finds out, he can't cope and leaves. Rylee takes that as goodbye and shortly afterwards moves states to be closer to her mom with dementia and is in an assisted living home.
Months later Brady happens to see her at her new job that she got through a mutal friend of theirs. Brady doesn't want to let her go and wants to date her, even though she doesn't know about his past and he has a hard time evening looking at her son (Stryker).
Rylee agrees to a trial run but he has to prove to her that he's serious and won't mess around with other girls. So over the course of two months they hang out when they can, Brady spends time with her and Stryker, and he tells all of his hookups in each city that he's off the market.
After the trial run, Rylee agrees to date him and Brady tries to become more comfortable with Stryker. Meanwhile, Brady keeps asking her to marry him. Rylee wants to but is still wants a sign that he's serious about her and that he's healing from his past, ready to move on but not forget.
When he changes from wearing the t-shirt under his uniform that was a good luck charm from his deceased wife and wears a concert t-shirt that Rylee got him, she knows that that's the sign.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2018
I struggled to give this a three star rating, it felt more like a 2 to 2.5 but as I have liked all the other author's books and her writing is good, I gave it 3 stars. I was super annoyed by the heroine, Rylee in this book. Her character felt a little to Pollyanna to me and wasn't realistic, she was a single mother at a young age and became a major PT with practically no help from others (or that was glossed over in the book) and while her mother was suffering Alzheimer's? I call bs (yes it is fiction and not reality but hard to buy for me in this story). And for me, as a mother, she seemed to place her child second to her new "fling" while in Tampa - although she comes to her senses in New York and then tells Brady that her child is her first priority ..."Okay" but then proceeds to feel bad about how Brady will feel about him given his history. Excuse me for the rant...:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2018
Didn't connect
I really like the plot in this book and I like how the story was half written from Brady's POV, and then from Rylee's. However, something about the way this book was written didn't connect with me. It deals with some heavy, emotional subject matters, but I didn't feel the emotion in the writing. It felt a little flat. I thought that the dialogue was a little stop/start at times, and even a little cheesy and cringey. I generally fall in love with characters that have gone through traumatic events in their life, but I just didn't with these for some reason, and I really wanted to.
I really like the plot in this book and I like how the story was half written from Brady's POV, and then from Rylee's. However, something about the way this book was written didn't connect with me. It deals with some heavy, emotional subject matters, but I didn't feel the emotion in the writing. It felt a little flat. I thought that the dialogue was a little stop/start at times, and even a little cheesy and cringey. I generally fall in love with characters that have gone through traumatic events in their life, but I just didn't with these for some reason, and I really wanted to.
June 26, 2018
Can’t say that I loved this one. I think this author is too formulaic for me. Quite a few of her other books were added to my favorite romance shelf but I was just bored with this one. I started it and stopped it a few times. Sorry not sorry....but don’t let that discourage you from reading it. This is just my opinion.
February 14, 2022
Brady is the playboy of baseball. Too many cars, too many women, too much wasted money... That's how he learned to cope with a horrible tragedy in his life. He's the star pitcher for the New York Nighthawks and he's playing THE perfect game... and he gets injured. And injury that could be career ending. He's sent to the training facility in Tampa, where he's getting top notch physical therapy. And his therapist, Rylee, is so very different from all the women he is used to.
While Rylee shows him the city, they become fast friends and soon it turns into more.
But Brady is emotionally unavailable and Rylee needs someone who will be able to accept her with everything that comes with her.
This is a very touching story and your heart will break with all that Brady has gone through. Although this can be read as a standalone, Caden and Murphy from book #1 have a strong presence in this one because Murphy has become Brady's close friend too.
I loved it, but I don't want to get into many details because anything I comment will be spoilerish. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
Narration: this is an interesting dual narration. The first half of the book is narrated by Zachary Webber, the second half by Erin Mallon, with Zachary returning for the epilogue (set 18 years in the future). This book proves why Zachary is my all time favorite narrator. An emotional performance that I confess Brough tears to my eyes in several moments. Erin is also perfect as Rylee and gives out an astounding performance too.
Highly recommend this book and I am off to read book #3 because I'm dying to know what the deal is with Sawyer!
Possible triggers (SPOILERISH): death of a spouse, death of a child, stalker fan
While Rylee shows him the city, they become fast friends and soon it turns into more.
But Brady is emotionally unavailable and Rylee needs someone who will be able to accept her with everything that comes with her.
This is a very touching story and your heart will break with all that Brady has gone through. Although this can be read as a standalone, Caden and Murphy from book #1 have a strong presence in this one because Murphy has become Brady's close friend too.
I loved it, but I don't want to get into many details because anything I comment will be spoilerish. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful.
Narration: this is an interesting dual narration. The first half of the book is narrated by Zachary Webber, the second half by Erin Mallon, with Zachary returning for the epilogue (set 18 years in the future). This book proves why Zachary is my all time favorite narrator. An emotional performance that I confess Brough tears to my eyes in several moments. Erin is also perfect as Rylee and gives out an astounding performance too.
Highly recommend this book and I am off to read book #3 because I'm dying to know what the deal is with Sawyer!
Possible triggers (SPOILERISH): death of a spouse, death of a child, stalker fan
April 13, 2025
In book one, Catching Caden, we also see quite a bit of his best friends and teammates, Brady and Sawyer. Each one has had something happen in their past..and now we get to read about Brady. Whew…grab a tissue.
You may know what that tragedy is, but I’m not going to spoil it. Brady has sworn off relationships, much like his Friends. He just goes through the motions each day. He loves baseball and that is pretty much all he lives for. So when something happens, he finds himself in rehab and not in a good place. His Physical Therapist is Rylee, and they hit it off right away. She has her own secrets and story to tell. The more time Brady and Rylee spend with each other the closer they become. But they both know it can’t go too far…or can it?
Such great stories. These start off light and fun..the baseball world created is lots of fun to read about. They guys are great friends and have a lot of banter amongst them, yet at the same time they protect each other and care about each other fiercely. The ladies are also all close and very supportive. As we learn about the issues and tragedies..grab a tissue or ten. But it’s very uplifting and encouraging to see them from start to finish, fighting for what they want and for what’s important.
You may know what that tragedy is, but I’m not going to spoil it. Brady has sworn off relationships, much like his Friends. He just goes through the motions each day. He loves baseball and that is pretty much all he lives for. So when something happens, he finds himself in rehab and not in a good place. His Physical Therapist is Rylee, and they hit it off right away. She has her own secrets and story to tell. The more time Brady and Rylee spend with each other the closer they become. But they both know it can’t go too far…or can it?
Such great stories. These start off light and fun..the baseball world created is lots of fun to read about. They guys are great friends and have a lot of banter amongst them, yet at the same time they protect each other and care about each other fiercely. The ladies are also all close and very supportive. As we learn about the issues and tragedies..grab a tissue or ten. But it’s very uplifting and encouraging to see them from start to finish, fighting for what they want and for what’s important.
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