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Pacific Heat #1
Double Play
Pace Martin is the ace pitcher for the Pacific Heat. He's got the arm, the experience and the wins. He's also got the pain, the pressure, and the possible end of his career looming over him. The last thing he needs now is a distraction, even if it comes in the form of a tough, beautiful, tell-it-like-it-is writer who sees past his defenses.
Holly Hutchins knows a good story when she sees one, and the tall, dark and slightly attitude-ridden Pace Martin fits the bill. But when she realizes there’s more at stake than just the win, she starts to notice the handsome broad-shouldered jock in a different light.
Pace and Holly begin a seductive game in which neither wants to drop the ball, but in the face of an unexpected betrayal and challenge, they’ll have to find the courage to swing for the fences…
Holly Hutchins knows a good story when she sees one, and the tall, dark and slightly attitude-ridden Pace Martin fits the bill. But when she realizes there’s more at stake than just the win, she starts to notice the handsome broad-shouldered jock in a different light.
Pace and Holly begin a seductive game in which neither wants to drop the ball, but in the face of an unexpected betrayal and challenge, they’ll have to find the courage to swing for the fences…
282 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 7, 2009
202 people are currently reading
8144 people want to read
About the author
Jill Shalvis
385 books13.8k followersJill Shalvis is a NYT, USA Today, and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of small-town romance and romcoms, known for big feels, found family, and plenty of shenanigans.
If you love small-town chaos, meddling friends and neighbors, sizzling chemistry, and heroes who fall hard for the one woman they absolutely did not plan on, you’re in the right place. Jill’s books blend laugh-out-loud moments with emotional gut punches, slow-burn tension, and deeply earned happily ever afters.
She writes the stories she loves to read: small-town romance and romantic comedies packed with heart, heat, second chances, grumpy/sunshine sparks, and the kind of found-family vibes that make you want to move right into the pages. Many of her series are perfect for binge-reading, and a number of her books are available in Kindle Unlimited and at major retailers.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably plotting new ways to torture her characters, avoiding laundry, or daydreaming about fictional men and the strong, complicated women who bring them to their knees—and then making them work for it.
You can follow Jill here on Goodreads to keep up with new releases, add her books to your shelves, and discover which small town you want to get lost in next.
If you love small-town chaos, meddling friends and neighbors, sizzling chemistry, and heroes who fall hard for the one woman they absolutely did not plan on, you’re in the right place. Jill’s books blend laugh-out-loud moments with emotional gut punches, slow-burn tension, and deeply earned happily ever afters.
She writes the stories she loves to read: small-town romance and romantic comedies packed with heart, heat, second chances, grumpy/sunshine sparks, and the kind of found-family vibes that make you want to move right into the pages. Many of her series are perfect for binge-reading, and a number of her books are available in Kindle Unlimited and at major retailers.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably plotting new ways to torture her characters, avoiding laundry, or daydreaming about fictional men and the strong, complicated women who bring them to their knees—and then making them work for it.
You can follow Jill here on Goodreads to keep up with new releases, add her books to your shelves, and discover which small town you want to get lost in next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
July 17, 2009
5 stars – Contemporary/Sports Romance
What a light, easy, breezy, fun, and sexy read! I loved everything about this book: Shalvis’s witty writing, the snappy dialogue, the hot, steamy, sweet romance, spunky reporter Holly Hutchins, and drop-your-panties-cause-he’s-so-damn-sexy, star pitcher Pace Martin. Or as Holly would say, “Holy hot tamales, Batman”.
I’m a fan of most sports, but baseball has never been a favorite. It’s just too slow, methodical, and boring for me, but go figure; I’ve always loved baseball themed movies, like Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, For Love of the Game (all yummy Kevin Costner by the way!), Major League, Fever Pitch, and so on. And I guess the baseball theme in contemporary romance works for me too because I found this story very entertaining.
The plot centers on major team Pacific Heat’s ace pitcher Pace Martin, who’s trying to lead his team to their first winning season, while suffering and hiding a bum shoulder. Razor-sharp reporter Holly Hutchins is hired to write a series of in-depth blog articles on the team to boost publicity, but she also hopes to expose the Heat’s secrets, especially when she senses that tough, private Pace is hiding something. Of course, there’s an unwitting, combustible attraction and explosive chemistry that Holly and Pace try mighty hard to ignore, and boy is it fun! Their snarky, saucy banter is hilarious, and the sparks that fly between them scorch the pages. They both have insecurities, fears, and trust issues to face and overcome to be together, more than ever when Holly’s responsibility as a journalist collides with her relationship with Pace.
So, if you enjoy contemporary romance that’s a fun, easy read on the hot side, particularly with a sports theme/hero, give Double Play a quick pitch! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Slow Heat, coming in February’2010. 5 stars!
What a light, easy, breezy, fun, and sexy read! I loved everything about this book: Shalvis’s witty writing, the snappy dialogue, the hot, steamy, sweet romance, spunky reporter Holly Hutchins, and drop-your-panties-cause-he’s-so-damn-sexy, star pitcher Pace Martin. Or as Holly would say, “Holy hot tamales, Batman”.
I’m a fan of most sports, but baseball has never been a favorite. It’s just too slow, methodical, and boring for me, but go figure; I’ve always loved baseball themed movies, like Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, For Love of the Game (all yummy Kevin Costner by the way!), Major League, Fever Pitch, and so on. And I guess the baseball theme in contemporary romance works for me too because I found this story very entertaining.
The plot centers on major team Pacific Heat’s ace pitcher Pace Martin, who’s trying to lead his team to their first winning season, while suffering and hiding a bum shoulder. Razor-sharp reporter Holly Hutchins is hired to write a series of in-depth blog articles on the team to boost publicity, but she also hopes to expose the Heat’s secrets, especially when she senses that tough, private Pace is hiding something. Of course, there’s an unwitting, combustible attraction and explosive chemistry that Holly and Pace try mighty hard to ignore, and boy is it fun! Their snarky, saucy banter is hilarious, and the sparks that fly between them scorch the pages. They both have insecurities, fears, and trust issues to face and overcome to be together, more than ever when Holly’s responsibility as a journalist collides with her relationship with Pace.
So, if you enjoy contemporary romance that’s a fun, easy read on the hot side, particularly with a sports theme/hero, give Double Play a quick pitch! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Slow Heat, coming in February’2010. 5 stars!
June 29, 2009
This was a very sweet, and sometimes hot read, especially for any baseball fans. For non-baseball fans, I'm not too sure if you would enjoy it as much, because even though it is a romance, it does spend some time on a lot of behind the scenes baseball stuff: groupie-stalkers, baseball superstitions, the media, drug scandals/testing, pressures to perform, career expectations, dealing with injuries, etc. Sports fans may find this interesting (as I did), but others may find that it takes away a bit from the romance.
The book centers around 28 year old reporter Holly Hutchins, and 31 year old star MLB pitcher Pace Martin. Holly writes a blog for an online magazine, and is assigned to write a series of articles about up-and-coming team the (Santa Barbara) Pacific Heat. The Heat have a good chance to make it to the World Series, especially if star pitcher Pace Martin has another great year. Holly's known as a writer who can ferret out secrets, and she's pretty sure she can find some on the Heat.
At first reluctant interviewee Pace is not all that impressed with Holly--he finds her rather ordinary looking and she's a reporter! But after spending some time around her, he starts noticing her pretty hair and amazing eyes, and finds her sharply funny and sharply smart. And of course Holly is attracted to Pace's physical beauty (the guy's an Adonis), but she doesn't want to be.
When Holly suspects that Pace may be hiding an injury and calls him on it, Pace fully expects that she will write an article and spill his secret. Pace has some issues with trust, and even though his relationship with Holly is heating up, he doesn't fully trust her. Pace's injury could be career threatening, and he equates his sense of self with being an athlete, and doesn't know what he would do with himself if his career suddenly ended. He's never thought about having a wife and family, or a life outside of baseball. In that instance he and Holly are alike, because her job is everything to her also. Because of a lousy childhood with a mother that she couldnt count on, she a bit of a loner, with no home, no roots, and only one real friend. Holly doesn't trust easily, abhors secrets, and is a bit cynical and jaded with her outlook on life and love. But there is this 'connection' with Pace, and the longer they're around each other, the more it grows. While Pace keeps his feelings pretty close to the vest, Holly's pretty direct with her feelings. And the more Pace begins to trust her (she keeps his secret), the more he starts opening up to her and realizing how important she is to him. But when a couple of his teammates are caught up in a potential drug scandal and Holly tells Pace that she'd like to investigate this and write an article about it, it drives a wedge between them. And when Pace is caught up in the scandal and his integrity is questioned and it looks like someone close to him may have betrayed him, will Holly stand behind him? Or will she be out to get the story? Can she put her feelings for Pace before her career?
I liked the relationship between Holly and Pace. I got the sense that they were two loners who really needed someone to connect with. They had some pretty serious, yet playful and flirty conversations, and you could just see that they were growing closer and closer the more time they spent around each other. I enjoyed the scenes they had with the underprivileged boys that Pace was secretly mentoring, and Holly's attempts to learn how to play baseball with them were pretty humorous. There was certainly a lot of chemistry between Holly and Pace, but the reader has to wait a while for them to actually 'do the deed'. But the scenes leading up to it were pretty hot, and the actual bedroom scenes (there were a few) were actually pretty steamy, but nothing too explicit.
Just a couple of things about the story bugged me. I found it hard to believe that the Heat was actually a major league team. The things that went on with the team and the way the players acted sort of gave off a "Bull Durham-like", minor league vibe. I mean, the manager butting into a major-leaguer's love-life, telling him that he can't have sex with his girlfriend until the season is over? And him not protesting (not much, anyway)? All because of some stupid superstition? Yeah, I can just see that happening! And there was one part in the book where Pace had a no-hitter going at seven innings, and they took him out to 'rest' him? Not too sure about that either. But these were relatively minor stuff, and although it caused me to raise my eyebrows, it wasn't a deal-breaker for me.
So, if you're looking for a pretty good sports romance that gives you a little insight into what professional athletes have to deal with, you may enjoy this romance. It wasn't quite outstanding, but good enough to entertain me and hold my interest. And I'll definitely be giving the follow-ups in this new series a look-see. 4 stars.
The book centers around 28 year old reporter Holly Hutchins, and 31 year old star MLB pitcher Pace Martin. Holly writes a blog for an online magazine, and is assigned to write a series of articles about up-and-coming team the (Santa Barbara) Pacific Heat. The Heat have a good chance to make it to the World Series, especially if star pitcher Pace Martin has another great year. Holly's known as a writer who can ferret out secrets, and she's pretty sure she can find some on the Heat.
At first reluctant interviewee Pace is not all that impressed with Holly--he finds her rather ordinary looking and she's a reporter! But after spending some time around her, he starts noticing her pretty hair and amazing eyes, and finds her sharply funny and sharply smart. And of course Holly is attracted to Pace's physical beauty (the guy's an Adonis), but she doesn't want to be.
When Holly suspects that Pace may be hiding an injury and calls him on it, Pace fully expects that she will write an article and spill his secret. Pace has some issues with trust, and even though his relationship with Holly is heating up, he doesn't fully trust her. Pace's injury could be career threatening, and he equates his sense of self with being an athlete, and doesn't know what he would do with himself if his career suddenly ended. He's never thought about having a wife and family, or a life outside of baseball. In that instance he and Holly are alike, because her job is everything to her also. Because of a lousy childhood with a mother that she couldnt count on, she a bit of a loner, with no home, no roots, and only one real friend. Holly doesn't trust easily, abhors secrets, and is a bit cynical and jaded with her outlook on life and love. But there is this 'connection' with Pace, and the longer they're around each other, the more it grows. While Pace keeps his feelings pretty close to the vest, Holly's pretty direct with her feelings. And the more Pace begins to trust her (she keeps his secret), the more he starts opening up to her and realizing how important she is to him. But when a couple of his teammates are caught up in a potential drug scandal and Holly tells Pace that she'd like to investigate this and write an article about it, it drives a wedge between them. And when Pace is caught up in the scandal and his integrity is questioned and it looks like someone close to him may have betrayed him, will Holly stand behind him? Or will she be out to get the story? Can she put her feelings for Pace before her career?
I liked the relationship between Holly and Pace. I got the sense that they were two loners who really needed someone to connect with. They had some pretty serious, yet playful and flirty conversations, and you could just see that they were growing closer and closer the more time they spent around each other. I enjoyed the scenes they had with the underprivileged boys that Pace was secretly mentoring, and Holly's attempts to learn how to play baseball with them were pretty humorous. There was certainly a lot of chemistry between Holly and Pace, but the reader has to wait a while for them to actually 'do the deed'. But the scenes leading up to it were pretty hot, and the actual bedroom scenes (there were a few) were actually pretty steamy, but nothing too explicit.
Just a couple of things about the story bugged me. I found it hard to believe that the Heat was actually a major league team. The things that went on with the team and the way the players acted sort of gave off a "Bull Durham-like", minor league vibe. I mean, the manager butting into a major-leaguer's love-life, telling him that he can't have sex with his girlfriend until the season is over? And him not protesting (not much, anyway)? All because of some stupid superstition? Yeah, I can just see that happening! And there was one part in the book where Pace had a no-hitter going at seven innings, and they took him out to 'rest' him? Not too sure about that either. But these were relatively minor stuff, and although it caused me to raise my eyebrows, it wasn't a deal-breaker for me.
So, if you're looking for a pretty good sports romance that gives you a little insight into what professional athletes have to deal with, you may enjoy this romance. It wasn't quite outstanding, but good enough to entertain me and hold my interest. And I'll definitely be giving the follow-ups in this new series a look-see. 4 stars.
September 9, 2009
I am a fan of Jill Shalvis; however, this one didn’t do much for me. I did enjoy the H & H, but felt the whole thing dragged on way too long. Holly is a reporter assigned to write a weekly blog about a major league baseball team. Her boss wants her to find a secret to expose. She ends up following the team around the country during the season, and getting to know and interview the team. Pace is the star pitcher of the Santa Barbara Heat, and is at first not interested in Holly at all. He hates reporters. He does start to fall for her, of course. I didn’t feel I got to know either person very well.
The story has a lot of detail about behind the scenes life of a pro team. From superstitions, loyalties, stimulants, drug testing, and figuring out what is really important in life, I think she covers it all.
There is a lot of sexual tension, which is Ms. Shalvis’s specialty. We don’t even get a love scene until ¾ through the book. There is one steamy scene in a dugout that was pretty good, however, that’s about it in that dept!
Overall, it is not a bad book and very quick read.
The story has a lot of detail about behind the scenes life of a pro team. From superstitions, loyalties, stimulants, drug testing, and figuring out what is really important in life, I think she covers it all.
There is a lot of sexual tension, which is Ms. Shalvis’s specialty. We don’t even get a love scene until ¾ through the book. There is one steamy scene in a dugout that was pretty good, however, that’s about it in that dept!
Overall, it is not a bad book and very quick read.
July 10, 2024
I’d never read a Jill Shalvis before despite there always being scads of her books at the used bookstore. But this one caught my eye because of that cover. WHAT A BACK. (I’m talking about the original paperback, btw, not the completely inaccurate and bland reissue.) I have also been into baseball romances lately due to KD Casey, so it was an easy decision.
And I really liked it! The writing was good and the characterization was, too. Holly is a driven and conscientious reporter who’s doing a series on baseball, specifically the Santa Barbara Pacific Heat (world’s worst team name), which throws her into the path of Pace Martin, the Heat’s hotshot pitcher.
Pace is sexy in a kind of grumpy, monosyllabic way, but it’s clear early on that he is a genuinely nice guy who even treats his stalker with kindness. I liked ol how Shalvis did this: she could have done some tropey enemy-to-lovers or grumpy-sunshine thing with Holly and Pace, and she could have made Pace’s friendship with a group of neighborhood kids saccharine, but it all felt very natural and realistic.
There’s another potentially tropey thing she handled well: the fact that after Holly and Pace shared a steamy kiss (Shalvis writes excellent kisses) in the shower room and then the Heat won, Pace’s teammates decided the kiss was good luck and Holly and Pace needed to do it in that exact way before every game. It could have felt stupid and forced, but again, it felt realistic; baseball players are notoriously superstitious.
There’s also good conflict here between Holly’s profession (truth telling) and Pace’s, where everything is run past PR.
Overall, Shalvis did a good job of showing the difficulties that arise when two people who are incredibly passionate about their jobs (and not in a LinkedIn way) also try to love each other.
Have I mentioned yet that it was also extremely hot? I don’t know why I didn’t expect that (possibly the terribly chaste reissue cover), but it was.
4.25 stars; I feel like the story got a little baggy toward the middle, but I still inhaled it.
And I really liked it! The writing was good and the characterization was, too. Holly is a driven and conscientious reporter who’s doing a series on baseball, specifically the Santa Barbara Pacific Heat (world’s worst team name), which throws her into the path of Pace Martin, the Heat’s hotshot pitcher.
Pace is sexy in a kind of grumpy, monosyllabic way, but it’s clear early on that he is a genuinely nice guy who even treats his stalker with kindness. I liked ol how Shalvis did this: she could have done some tropey enemy-to-lovers or grumpy-sunshine thing with Holly and Pace, and she could have made Pace’s friendship with a group of neighborhood kids saccharine, but it all felt very natural and realistic.
There’s another potentially tropey thing she handled well: the fact that after Holly and Pace shared a steamy kiss (Shalvis writes excellent kisses) in the shower room and then the Heat won, Pace’s teammates decided the kiss was good luck and Holly and Pace needed to do it in that exact way before every game. It could have felt stupid and forced, but again, it felt realistic; baseball players are notoriously superstitious.
There’s also good conflict here between Holly’s profession (truth telling) and Pace’s, where everything is run past PR.
Overall, Shalvis did a good job of showing the difficulties that arise when two people who are incredibly passionate about their jobs (and not in a LinkedIn way) also try to love each other.
Have I mentioned yet that it was also extremely hot? I don’t know why I didn’t expect that (possibly the terribly chaste reissue cover), but it was.
4.25 stars; I feel like the story got a little baggy toward the middle, but I still inhaled it.
April 28, 2010
I have never read a Jill Shalvis book and I had no clue what to expect. Not being a big baseball fan, I was some what leery of my reactions to this book. Surprisingly, I was knocked off my feet with this one. Jill Shalvis delivers enough energy, witt and romance to keep her readers entertain. What I loved the most was that while she threw in the sports stuff there was enough romance to keep me going.
Pace Martin is the star pitcher for the Pacific Heat. He’s going through a rough time. Once an arrogant player, Pace has humbled himself after an injury that left him questioning what’s next. Since baseball has been his whole life, he’s a little less confident. Dealing with the stress of the team and the unknown is hard enough but now he has to deal with Holly Hutchins, a nosy reporter that was sent to him by his own PR rep.
Holly hates that she is stuck writing a story on the Heat. She sucks it up as another challenge and starts after Pace Martin. Her initial encounter with Pace is confrontational and she doubts she can pull this off. Not one to back down, Holly pushes her way into Pace’s face and into his heart.
What I like was that Pace and Holly’s relationship was that there was this immediate connection but they did not act on it. Instead it builds up into full blown affair. As they test the waters of their relationship, someone is leaking information about the team to the press. All evidence points to Holly and she tries to convince Pace and the team that she is not the culprit.
Side characters Wade, Samantha and even crazy Tia provides enough entertainment. I am definitely interested in Samantha and Wade’s story.
I expect it to be just as hot!
Pace Martin is the star pitcher for the Pacific Heat. He’s going through a rough time. Once an arrogant player, Pace has humbled himself after an injury that left him questioning what’s next. Since baseball has been his whole life, he’s a little less confident. Dealing with the stress of the team and the unknown is hard enough but now he has to deal with Holly Hutchins, a nosy reporter that was sent to him by his own PR rep.
Holly hates that she is stuck writing a story on the Heat. She sucks it up as another challenge and starts after Pace Martin. Her initial encounter with Pace is confrontational and she doubts she can pull this off. Not one to back down, Holly pushes her way into Pace’s face and into his heart.
What I like was that Pace and Holly’s relationship was that there was this immediate connection but they did not act on it. Instead it builds up into full blown affair. As they test the waters of their relationship, someone is leaking information about the team to the press. All evidence points to Holly and she tries to convince Pace and the team that she is not the culprit.
Side characters Wade, Samantha and even crazy Tia provides enough entertainment. I am definitely interested in Samantha and Wade’s story.
I expect it to be just as hot!
June 1, 2015
2.5 stars
Ultra light and breezy - lots of dialogue. Entertaining with an scorching hot pitcher and a independent and capable (albeit classically nosy) journalist.
Pace is an ace pitcher in the middle of the season of his career, when a nagging shoulder problem threatens to derail his train. The last thing he needs is a woman to distract him from his focus on the game and therapy he needs for healing.
Holly is a journalist hired by the Heat baseball team to spread a little good publicity through a series of blog entries. Ultimately, her specialty is ferreting secrets while writing honest and compelling stuff that her readers eat up. When Pace puts on a brave face about a shoulder that is obviously causing him pain, Holly thinks she's found secret...until she starts falling for the kind and tough person he is on and off the field. Can she share a secret that may destroy the beginning of something good?
Both Holly and Pace are in it to win it, but in the game of love both commit errors. (I couldn't resist).
I thought the first half was good - really good! As a baseball fan myself, I loved all the talk about the game. Honestly, I think this book is more tailored to fan than not. But things started to unravel for me at about the halfway point.
It's just that one second they're talking about all their very valid, big feelings about career jeopardizing stuff and the next they're making out. It's like they have a little switch that says, "oh, yeah, we're supposed to be making out in this type of book - let's get to that". Plus, I thought there were plenty of drama in their relationship between his shoulder and her required story for her publisher without adding the unnecessary scandal of banned substances. It was too much personally and counteracted the rest of the story of these guys on the team being close and talented.
There were a lot of introductions to other single players on the team - which seems to indicate that there could have been a broader series that didn't pan out. I probably will read the next book however, because I liked the Heat's publicist, Samantha and her simmering, and possibly volcanic, relationship with Wade, the Heat's catcher.
It's baseball season, and I'm in the thick of the fever. Play ball!
Ultra light and breezy - lots of dialogue. Entertaining with an scorching hot pitcher and a independent and capable (albeit classically nosy) journalist.
Pace is an ace pitcher in the middle of the season of his career, when a nagging shoulder problem threatens to derail his train. The last thing he needs is a woman to distract him from his focus on the game and therapy he needs for healing.
Holly is a journalist hired by the Heat baseball team to spread a little good publicity through a series of blog entries. Ultimately, her specialty is ferreting secrets while writing honest and compelling stuff that her readers eat up. When Pace puts on a brave face about a shoulder that is obviously causing him pain, Holly thinks she's found secret...until she starts falling for the kind and tough person he is on and off the field. Can she share a secret that may destroy the beginning of something good?
Both Holly and Pace are in it to win it, but in the game of love both commit errors. (I couldn't resist).
I thought the first half was good - really good! As a baseball fan myself, I loved all the talk about the game. Honestly, I think this book is more tailored to fan than not. But things started to unravel for me at about the halfway point.
It's just that one second they're talking about all their very valid, big feelings about career jeopardizing stuff and the next they're making out. It's like they have a little switch that says, "oh, yeah, we're supposed to be making out in this type of book - let's get to that". Plus, I thought there were plenty of drama in their relationship between his shoulder and her required story for her publisher without adding the unnecessary scandal of banned substances. It was too much personally and counteracted the rest of the story of these guys on the team being close and talented.
There were a lot of introductions to other single players on the team - which seems to indicate that there could have been a broader series that didn't pan out. I probably will read the next book however, because I liked the Heat's publicist, Samantha and her simmering, and possibly volcanic, relationship with Wade, the Heat's catcher.
It's baseball season, and I'm in the thick of the fever. Play ball!
July 11, 2012
Oh my god, I honestly don't think that Jill Shalvis can write a bad book. Having read the Lucky Harbor series and loving it I figured I would try the Pacific Heat series and it didn't let me down. I may even love it more than the Lucky Harbor series. I know, gasp! Keep in mind, I love anything to do with sports, so this probably influences that thought.
Pace Martin is the pitcher of the professional baseball team the Pacific Heat. He's feeling old and afraid that the rest of the world is going to see it. On top of that, the team is in need of some good PR, so Pace is asked to play nice with a certain writer who is determined to get her interview. He wants to hate her, but grudingly becomes to respect her and even like her. But, love her? No thank you.
Holly Hutchins is a hard hitting writer for a blog titled Secrets. She has a knack honed by her own childhood in sniffing out what others are trying to hide. She's up front and honest about who she is, but not apologetic. She loves what she does and refuses to be sorry for exposing someone when they have truly done something wrong. She's not a tabloid whore, trying to ruin lives. Instead, focuses on actually seeing those that have done wrong exposed and brought to the public eye. Can she convince Pace that she isn't out to hurt him when she is showing kindness it's not a ploy to get information on his team?
Like all of Shalvis's books she starts each chapter with a quote. I love this! Definitely, give this series a try.
"Things could be worse. Supposed your errors were counted and published every day, like those of a baseball player."
Pace Martin is the pitcher of the professional baseball team the Pacific Heat. He's feeling old and afraid that the rest of the world is going to see it. On top of that, the team is in need of some good PR, so Pace is asked to play nice with a certain writer who is determined to get her interview. He wants to hate her, but grudingly becomes to respect her and even like her. But, love her? No thank you.
Holly Hutchins is a hard hitting writer for a blog titled Secrets. She has a knack honed by her own childhood in sniffing out what others are trying to hide. She's up front and honest about who she is, but not apologetic. She loves what she does and refuses to be sorry for exposing someone when they have truly done something wrong. She's not a tabloid whore, trying to ruin lives. Instead, focuses on actually seeing those that have done wrong exposed and brought to the public eye. Can she convince Pace that she isn't out to hurt him when she is showing kindness it's not a ploy to get information on his team?
Like all of Shalvis's books she starts each chapter with a quote. I love this! Definitely, give this series a try.
"Things could be worse. Supposed your errors were counted and published every day, like those of a baseball player."
September 20, 2021
Pace is the star baseball player on his team (he is the pitcher). He is nearing the end of his career (if memory serves, he is 31) and dealing with an injury. Holly is a reporter for a blog site and is tasked with doing a series on the Heat. She isn't really a baseball fan and has to read up on things, but she is a quick learner. Holly is also good at exposing secrets & do the Heat have one?
Pace and Holly have good chemistry and gradually each learns to trust the other. There is some focus on performance enhancing medications/herbals, and this is part of the story, but it doesn't drive the whole thing. I could understand Pace and where he was coming from and at the same time I wanted to slap him. I didn't like the secrecy he had with his injury. I get that he lives and breathes baseball, but ignoring his injury and not being honest about it are surefire ways to have something that is more minor become major and a career-ender. Holly was also relatable with a strong sense of justice.
Overall, this was satisfying and easy to read.
Pace and Holly have good chemistry and gradually each learns to trust the other. There is some focus on performance enhancing medications/herbals, and this is part of the story, but it doesn't drive the whole thing. I could understand Pace and where he was coming from and at the same time I wanted to slap him. I didn't like the secrecy he had with his injury. I get that he lives and breathes baseball, but ignoring his injury and not being honest about it are surefire ways to have something that is more minor become major and a career-ender. Holly was also relatable with a strong sense of justice.
Overall, this was satisfying and easy to read.
March 2, 2012
My friends and I trade e-books and I traded my Patricia Cornwell collection for a Jill Shalvis collection (and seriously doubting my sanity because of it). So I've been trying to tear through the collection so I can trade it in for something horribly smutty, which means I've basically read the same author for a week now. Not a good idea.
After a handful of DNFs where the tropes and cliches were so abundant it was almost parody, I've finished maybe 10 books? And now I'm starting to recognize phrases that aren't just used in two or three books, but damn near every one of them. And I am so not going back to look through 10+ e-books to offer you references, so you'll just have to deal with my sketchy memory.
When a girl orgasms, she suddenly sees a kaleidoscope of colors. Without fail, all these heroes have magical dicks that make you see shit when you come.
Everyone has wild monkey sex. Perhaps it's just my bad luck that 3 books in a row have used this phrase, but I know without a doubt that it will show up again. And it's killing me. Are there domesticated monkeys? Do they have sex in the missionary position under the covers with the lights off? Do they schedule sex for once a week and the male leaves his trouser socks on? I don't get it. Very rarely does the male lead throw a woman down and hump her into the floor before picking fleas and lice out of her hair. So I've yet to see any wild monkey sex, Jill Shalvis.
"I don't think-"
"Perfect. Don't think." *proceed with making out and/or finger-banging*
Another one found in at least three novels. What the hell? Cutting off somebody's protest in a situation like this always makes me wonder. Is the girl really protesting and trying to make the guy stop? No means no, except in fiction? If she had continued to protest, would he have continued? This feels weird.
All the books take place in the Sierra Mountains. This is the only place that exists.
As for this book, Double Play, I was surprisingly pleased with it. I expected to DNF (yes, it's a verb AND a noun) it because I tend to dislike female reporter characters. The authors tend to take the 'tenacious truth teller' thing a bit too far. But I really enjoyed Holly in this book. She was honest, fair, and didn't push too hard or too often. Pace was a good guy, his character came across as not only being under pressure but being up to the task of handling that pressure. I'd want one of him. The plot dragged a couple times, but only enough to make me skim a few paragraphs, not skip pages. I didn't feel like all the typical tropes were used or the plot was too formulaic, both of which surprised me since my latest complaints about Jill Shalvis were that the tropes were too common and the story too formulaic. Weird, eh?
It's a light read - my heart wasn't pumping, my gut didn't hurt from laughing, no tears did I shed. But by the end of the book, I wanted the characters to live happily ever after. Mission accomplished, Shalvis. All in all, I enjoyed this book. And after reading a shitload of books by this author, that's more surprising than finding an occupied glory hole in your bathroom stall wall.
I'd definitely recommend this book to my friends that like cute, mindless reads.
After a handful of DNFs where the tropes and cliches were so abundant it was almost parody, I've finished maybe 10 books? And now I'm starting to recognize phrases that aren't just used in two or three books, but damn near every one of them. And I am so not going back to look through 10+ e-books to offer you references, so you'll just have to deal with my sketchy memory.
When a girl orgasms, she suddenly sees a kaleidoscope of colors. Without fail, all these heroes have magical dicks that make you see shit when you come.
Everyone has wild monkey sex. Perhaps it's just my bad luck that 3 books in a row have used this phrase, but I know without a doubt that it will show up again. And it's killing me. Are there domesticated monkeys? Do they have sex in the missionary position under the covers with the lights off? Do they schedule sex for once a week and the male leaves his trouser socks on? I don't get it. Very rarely does the male lead throw a woman down and hump her into the floor before picking fleas and lice out of her hair. So I've yet to see any wild monkey sex, Jill Shalvis.
"I don't think-"
"Perfect. Don't think." *proceed with making out and/or finger-banging*
Another one found in at least three novels. What the hell? Cutting off somebody's protest in a situation like this always makes me wonder. Is the girl really protesting and trying to make the guy stop? No means no, except in fiction? If she had continued to protest, would he have continued? This feels weird.
All the books take place in the Sierra Mountains. This is the only place that exists.
As for this book, Double Play, I was surprisingly pleased with it. I expected to DNF (yes, it's a verb AND a noun) it because I tend to dislike female reporter characters. The authors tend to take the 'tenacious truth teller' thing a bit too far. But I really enjoyed Holly in this book. She was honest, fair, and didn't push too hard or too often. Pace was a good guy, his character came across as not only being under pressure but being up to the task of handling that pressure. I'd want one of him. The plot dragged a couple times, but only enough to make me skim a few paragraphs, not skip pages. I didn't feel like all the typical tropes were used or the plot was too formulaic, both of which surprised me since my latest complaints about Jill Shalvis were that the tropes were too common and the story too formulaic. Weird, eh?
It's a light read - my heart wasn't pumping, my gut didn't hurt from laughing, no tears did I shed. But by the end of the book, I wanted the characters to live happily ever after. Mission accomplished, Shalvis. All in all, I enjoyed this book. And after reading a shitload of books by this author, that's more surprising than finding an occupied glory hole in your bathroom stall wall.
I'd definitely recommend this book to my friends that like cute, mindless reads.
October 7, 2013
Did anyone find it at all plausible that Holly and Pace would make out in the shower room before every game for good luck? This would never happen in major league baseball!! I’m all for light hearted, fluffy romance but lets keep it in the realm of reality!! I highly doubt Pace’s team mates would just be like ‘yeah, you go ahead and suck face with this nosy reporter in our locker room while the rest of us get prepared for the game,’ and for that matter why would Holly (who is supposed to be a witty, intelligent and independent woman) subject herself to the cat calls and whistling of Pace’s team mates every game? I mean they all know what’s going on in the shower room!! Lowering herself to that level doesn’t make her a very respectable reporter and the guys on the team probably wouldn’t even give her the time of day if that was happening, thus she wouldn’t get any information for her blogs. DUMB.
Other than that and a few other small issues I enjoyed the book. It was a quick, very predictable and mostly entertaining read. I do have to say though that if you enjoyed this book you should definitely read Hard & Fast by Lisa Renee Jones. It's a harlequin novel with the same basic story line only done 10x better!!!
Other than that and a few other small issues I enjoyed the book. It was a quick, very predictable and mostly entertaining read. I do have to say though that if you enjoyed this book you should definitely read Hard & Fast by Lisa Renee Jones. It's a harlequin novel with the same basic story line only done 10x better!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2009
4.5 stars!!! I really enjoyed this book, but I am a baseball nut!!! I know for a fact that baseball players don’t mess with a streak, but come on, making out in a smelly shower before every game. This is what Pace and Holly were forced to do before every game by his manager. Now I fully believe there is a baseball god and that you must respect him, but this was a tad unbelievable that someone as smart and sassy as Holly would put up with this. And a bit annoying. I guess though it was necessary to the story in order to throw the H/h together.
I loved the sexual tension between Holly and Pace, in fact so much build up that they don’t even get together until after page 170. I think the story is better for it, and when they finally together, WOW!
This is a great summer read and a great book for baseball fans, well actually for anyone who likes a sweet romance with a good ol' happy ending.
I loved the sexual tension between Holly and Pace, in fact so much build up that they don’t even get together until after page 170. I think the story is better for it, and when they finally together, WOW!
This is a great summer read and a great book for baseball fans, well actually for anyone who likes a sweet romance with a good ol' happy ending.
February 4, 2012
I can't point to anything wrong with this book per se, I just found it really bland.
I was about halfway through with it thinking...I wish I were already done with this so I could read something else. Snap! I don't HAVE to finish this book! So, I didn't.
I had the same problem with the other Jill Shalvis book that I read, Instant Attraction, SB Sarah and the Dear Author gang talked it up big time for their "Save the Contemporary" hoo ha, and I just thought it was blah. Not bad. The writing was well executed, but there was just nothing for me to be excited about.
I was about halfway through with it thinking...I wish I were already done with this so I could read something else. Snap! I don't HAVE to finish this book! So, I didn't.
I had the same problem with the other Jill Shalvis book that I read, Instant Attraction, SB Sarah and the Dear Author gang talked it up big time for their "Save the Contemporary" hoo ha, and I just thought it was blah. Not bad. The writing was well executed, but there was just nothing for me to be excited about.
August 5, 2018
31 year-old Pace Martin is a star pitcher in the major league, playing for the Santa Barbara's Pacific Heat. He lives and breathe baseball. Halfway in their third season, he's having his best one to date, but he's also got injuries and pain that could compromise everything. And new this year is the presence of Holly Hutchins, a reporter who specialise in finding secrets to expose. Will she find one with this team ? And can she deal between the balance of the heart and the mind if need be ?
Pace have so much to deal with so the last thing he need is an interview. The Pacific is a team, but lots of people put the pressure on him for the wins and the losses. Add to that bruise, sprain and having to play when he's hurting and let's not forget about his crazy fan (more like stalker). But as unhappy as Pace is at the beginning, he'll quickly realize that Holly is not the annoying journalist he expected. She gets him like no one else, she's got objectivity, compassion and despite trust issues, she doesn't hide her feelings and she have an open heart. She just never met someone who put her first and made her feel important. Holly didn't expect to ever find love, nor that a baseball player would be the one to make her believe in it.
It's no secret I'm a big fan of Jill Shalvis. Double Play was one of the first books I read by this author and I liked it even more the second time and while it was good, with the quality that she accustomed us to, I can see how she improved her writing style over the years. You can see the Shalvis's touch, but I think that if she was writting this story now, she would go deeper with the emotions and how the background of the characters affected them and there'ld be just a little more humor. Having said that, I still felt in love with Holly and Pace and this was a pretty satisfying romance. What I liked best ? The honesty between Holly and Pace. In my book, honesty is sexy ;p
Pace have so much to deal with so the last thing he need is an interview. The Pacific is a team, but lots of people put the pressure on him for the wins and the losses. Add to that bruise, sprain and having to play when he's hurting and let's not forget about his crazy fan (more like stalker). But as unhappy as Pace is at the beginning, he'll quickly realize that Holly is not the annoying journalist he expected. She gets him like no one else, she's got objectivity, compassion and despite trust issues, she doesn't hide her feelings and she have an open heart. She just never met someone who put her first and made her feel important. Holly didn't expect to ever find love, nor that a baseball player would be the one to make her believe in it.
It's no secret I'm a big fan of Jill Shalvis. Double Play was one of the first books I read by this author and I liked it even more the second time and while it was good, with the quality that she accustomed us to, I can see how she improved her writing style over the years. You can see the Shalvis's touch, but I think that if she was writting this story now, she would go deeper with the emotions and how the background of the characters affected them and there'ld be just a little more humor. Having said that, I still felt in love with Holly and Pace and this was a pretty satisfying romance. What I liked best ? The honesty between Holly and Pace. In my book, honesty is sexy ;p
March 13, 2015
My recently re-found bad luck, strikes again; yet another book that started with too much promise, only it didn't deliver in the end.
Pace is a baseball star who's been recently having problems with his shoulder that he tries to keep secret since they'd have a huge impact on his career. Holly is a reporter sent to cover the progress of Heat (Pace's team) while trying to ferret out any juicy secrets she can. Holly very quickly finds out that Pace is more than a simple jock, but kindhearted and smart to boot. Pace at first isn't much impressed with Holly -he thinks of her as very average/unremarkable, but with some good curves on her- but soon discovers he likes her honesty and her not treating him as a hero or god like he's used to. Pretty soon there's enough chemistry between them that has to be dealt with somehow.... and guess what? IT DOESN'T.
That's where the book fell through with me; Pace and Holly are never, ever, alone in this book. In fact, they spend only one night together and a total of 8-12 hours alone, in the space of about 3 months where this story takes place. Even on their one and only date, they had chaperones. As a result, they're constantly interrupted from hot make out scenes, from important discussions, from huge revelations that were about to come out. And when they were together and had a fight or something, they didn't immediately follow through with a call or visit to each other's place: they both waited for an official reason to meet again, be it after 3 or 7 days' time. I don't know about other readers, but that doesn't convince me of an all consuming, deep, passionate and abiding love between the heroes, which is what I'm looking for in my romances. In this aspect, the book was a huge disappointment. Add to that the fact that suddenly all his co-players seem to find Holly hot as hell, where she was supposed to be completely unremarkable in the beginning of the book and without any makeover taking place, and you have one disgruntled reader. When I read a romance, I want my heroes to actually be together, spend time together, talk to each other, seek each other out... this didn't have it. It was fun, it was nicely written, it had likable heroes, but in the end, it failed to convince me that those two were meant to be together. Feels like a huge waste of talent and opportunity to me, but since I liked the writing style so much, I'm far from giving up on Jill Shalvis yet.
Pace is a baseball star who's been recently having problems with his shoulder that he tries to keep secret since they'd have a huge impact on his career. Holly is a reporter sent to cover the progress of Heat (Pace's team) while trying to ferret out any juicy secrets she can. Holly very quickly finds out that Pace is more than a simple jock, but kindhearted and smart to boot. Pace at first isn't much impressed with Holly -he thinks of her as very average/unremarkable, but with some good curves on her- but soon discovers he likes her honesty and her not treating him as a hero or god like he's used to. Pretty soon there's enough chemistry between them that has to be dealt with somehow.... and guess what? IT DOESN'T.
That's where the book fell through with me; Pace and Holly are never, ever, alone in this book. In fact, they spend only one night together and a total of 8-12 hours alone, in the space of about 3 months where this story takes place. Even on their one and only date, they had chaperones. As a result, they're constantly interrupted from hot make out scenes, from important discussions, from huge revelations that were about to come out. And when they were together and had a fight or something, they didn't immediately follow through with a call or visit to each other's place: they both waited for an official reason to meet again, be it after 3 or 7 days' time. I don't know about other readers, but that doesn't convince me of an all consuming, deep, passionate and abiding love between the heroes, which is what I'm looking for in my romances. In this aspect, the book was a huge disappointment. Add to that the fact that suddenly all his co-players seem to find Holly hot as hell, where she was supposed to be completely unremarkable in the beginning of the book and without any makeover taking place, and you have one disgruntled reader. When I read a romance, I want my heroes to actually be together, spend time together, talk to each other, seek each other out... this didn't have it. It was fun, it was nicely written, it had likable heroes, but in the end, it failed to convince me that those two were meant to be together. Feels like a huge waste of talent and opportunity to me, but since I liked the writing style so much, I'm far from giving up on Jill Shalvis yet.
July 4, 2016
This was my first book by Jill Shalvis, and I was pleasantly surprised by how wonderfully written and well developed each character was, since this book by most standards is a little short. She did a great job and her writing style is superb. If this is any indication of how the rest of the series is going to go and possibly her other book s then I can't wait to get my hands on them.
In this book you meet a multitude of great characters but the two who shine and make this book so great is Pace Martin and Holly Hutchins the designated HEA. They were the perfect pair for the first of this series. I have become enthralled with sports themed books in the past several years and when I come across a book that not only makes me love the book and not want to put it down till I finish it and at the same time get up watch a game tells me I'm reading a winner.
Pace Martin fit the bill when asking for the perfect male lead, he bottled his feelings and held them close to his chest, but still knew when to let it out. He had strong morals and a soft heart. Yet he wasn't perfect and he was well aware of it and wasn't ashamed to admit his flaws. Holly Hutchins was his exact equal she held her own and never faltered one bit in who she was. She did what she set out to do and did with the up most care. She was honest and loyal and never left Pace in the dark. I loved that they had issues and fought but always came back to the heart of what they were sharing with each other, and that there wasn't some crazy over dramatic push and pull from it each other. It was so human. The author did an amazing job make you feel as if Holly and Pace were real with real issues and not some crazy over the top I love you in two days story. It was given time to blossom and feel as if it were right.
There were so many things that I could tell you about this book but because I feel that it should be read by you and not told by me. I will say this. It has wonderfully tender, buckle over hilarious, and steamy scorch filled moments, which you are sure to fall in love with along with each and every character.
In this book you meet a multitude of great characters but the two who shine and make this book so great is Pace Martin and Holly Hutchins the designated HEA. They were the perfect pair for the first of this series. I have become enthralled with sports themed books in the past several years and when I come across a book that not only makes me love the book and not want to put it down till I finish it and at the same time get up watch a game tells me I'm reading a winner.
Pace Martin fit the bill when asking for the perfect male lead, he bottled his feelings and held them close to his chest, but still knew when to let it out. He had strong morals and a soft heart. Yet he wasn't perfect and he was well aware of it and wasn't ashamed to admit his flaws. Holly Hutchins was his exact equal she held her own and never faltered one bit in who she was. She did what she set out to do and did with the up most care. She was honest and loyal and never left Pace in the dark. I loved that they had issues and fought but always came back to the heart of what they were sharing with each other, and that there wasn't some crazy over dramatic push and pull from it each other. It was so human. The author did an amazing job make you feel as if Holly and Pace were real with real issues and not some crazy over the top I love you in two days story. It was given time to blossom and feel as if it were right.
There were so many things that I could tell you about this book but because I feel that it should be read by you and not told by me. I will say this. It has wonderfully tender, buckle over hilarious, and steamy scorch filled moments, which you are sure to fall in love with along with each and every character.
May 22, 2012
2 stars.
Yeesh. Thank god that's over with. I dunno what it is about Jill Shalvis but whilst everyone in the contemporary romance fandom seems to adore her writing, it leaves me only lukewarm. I remember feeling that way about her Lucky Harbour series... it's like there's no real depth to her stories, almost like they skim the surface.
I liked the baseball action in Double Play. The plot was a little boring - I didn't like the fact that Holly was an investigative reporter trying to uncover secrets and hidden agendas in Pace's baseball team. It just made me squirm. Holly herself also annoyed me.
I can't think of anything else nice to say about this one so I'm just gonna stop here.
Yeesh. Thank god that's over with. I dunno what it is about Jill Shalvis but whilst everyone in the contemporary romance fandom seems to adore her writing, it leaves me only lukewarm. I remember feeling that way about her Lucky Harbour series... it's like there's no real depth to her stories, almost like they skim the surface.
I liked the baseball action in Double Play. The plot was a little boring - I didn't like the fact that Holly was an investigative reporter trying to uncover secrets and hidden agendas in Pace's baseball team. It just made me squirm. Holly herself also annoyed me.
I can't think of anything else nice to say about this one so I'm just gonna stop here.
July 19, 2015
I tend to dislike sports based romances, but read this one 'cause I like Jill Shalvis so much. And it was actually pretty decent! I enjoyed it!
May 22, 2022
Disfrute de la pareja principal, me parece que deja traslucir la química de los personajes; me encantaron todas las citas y datos de béisbol; en resumen, una lectura entretenida.
Enjoy the main couple, I like their chemistry; I loved all the baseball quotes and facts; an entertaining read.
Enjoy the main couple, I like their chemistry; I loved all the baseball quotes and facts; an entertaining read.
August 17, 2018
Fun fun fun. I'm an aussie, I know nothing about baseball, it didn't matter. Strong characters. Interesting premise. Intelligent writing. Fun.
July 15, 2011
4.00 Star Contemporary Sports Romance!
Woah! What can I say; Jill Shalvis precisely acted like herself in writing another superb contemporary romance novel all over again! Well no, I ain’t complaining at all!
The ingredients of Double Play includes a witty, sexy romantic storyline, with an added twist of humor to proceed as a garnish! Making it one yummy novel to read! :D
She even made baseball interesting! And that’s saying a lot given my consistent loathing of this game. It features the story of Pace and Holly who are two lonely people in their lives struggling to get busy in their professional lives while ignoring their personal lives completely.
Pace Martin is a star pitcher of the Pacific Heat, a rising baseball team. He is uptight, strict, and arrogant with a tough attitude. He plays baseball for the love of it rather for the money and has zero tolerance for any reporters or journalists.
Holly Hutchins is a reporter, who knows how to get her work done and hence runs a very successful blog. She is particularly known by her boss to be a pro in uncovering secrets. She comes from a very humble background with a tight purse which is enough to make her take her work seriously. So she agrees when her boss announces that her new assignment is to do a three month series of blogs about the team and the players of Pacific Heat.
When these two meet Pace appears to be cold with Holly at first and instincts tell her immediately that he is hiding something from her. Pace is annoyed with Holly’s nosey, prying and inquisitive nature and wishes to keep a very good distance from her.
At first Holly decides Pace is a stuck-up arrogant celebrity who obviously hates reporters. But however, the more she gets to learn him she finds him a genuinely good guy with inane humbleness and a kind heart. She is immensely attracted to this sexy, handsome as sin athlete, but holds back thinking her to be a mediocre and plain in contrast to him and that he is nothing but an unwanted distraction at her line of work. On the other hand, Pace though not easily able to trust her completely, detects her fiery, carefree attitude and discovers an undeniable attraction towards her. At one point both of them finds it difficult to deny the much visible attraction that they are sharing. But, is it enough for him to trust her and open up to her? Is it sufficient for her to get over the secrets he keeps and give in to the temptation of love?
It is an inspirational, sweet romance full of flirtations, amusing arguments and one hot handsome hero and a sweet independent heroine. Also, the secondary characters are likeable and are added benefits to this beautiful novel. The readers will find not a single place for the book to be stalled. Every flavor and every little secondary anecdote that the book features were all enjoyable and were very much unique in their own domain.
The humor, the sexual tension, the characters were utterly, likable. It is highly recommended. The second book’s ( Slow Heat) patragonists Wade O'Riley and Samantha McNead, were also introduced in this book.
March 7, 2012
A review by Kati Dancy
Publisher: Penguin
4.25 stars out of 5
Holly Hutchins is a reporter, a darn good one. She’s got a very successful blog that is often picked up by major papers and television. Her specialty is uncovering secrets. And she’s won awards for it. When her boss informs her that her new assignment will be doing a three month series of blogs about the Pacific Heat, a baseball team that is rising in the chase for the Pennant and specifically to see what she can uncover about the team’s secrets. When she meets Pace Martin, the star pitcher of the Heath, she knows immediately that he’s hiding something – an injury. Pace, being no dummy, wants nothing to do with a reporter, certainly not one as nosey, interfering and persistent as Holly.
Holly finds herself traveling with the team, and being given unprecedented access to its players. And as she hangs out more and more with the players, the more she finds herself liking them. And the more she hangs out with Pace, she finds that he is a genuinely good guy. One who coaches an inner city little league team, one who takes her to the doctor after a mishap, one who checks on her and worries for her well being. But it’s not until the Heat hits a losing skid, and are counting on Pace to dig them out of their problem, that the heat between he and Holly really comes to light. Before the game, Pace and Holly share a very hot moment in the shower room of the Heat’s locker room. They have an earth shattering kiss, and Pace goes on to lead the team to a victory. Anyone who knows baseball players know they are a superstitious lot. Next thing you know, Holly must kiss Pace before every game, and each encounter is raising the stakes in their relationship. On top of that, Holly’s investigations into the team are leading to some unsettling discoveries of possible drug use and doping. Will the attraction between Pace and Holly be enough to overcome the secrets he is keeping?
Double Play is a refreshing, amusing romance with lots of flirting, witty banter, and genuinely likable characters. The sexual tension between Pace and Holly is very strong, but well into the book, they still haven’t consummated their relationship. When they finally do fall into bed, the scene is well worth the wait. I enjoyed the fact that neither of character had a ton of angst, and the reasons for the difficulty in their relationship are believable. The road to love isn’t always an easy one, but they seem to come to the realization that they can do it together at more or less the same moment, which was refreshing. I adore books about professional athletes. Ms. Shalvis has obviously done her research, especially addressing the issues behind doping in professional baseball, a topic that is very hot in sports news right now. The story itself is a pleasurable, breezy read that will provide the reader with a tremendously enjoyable afternoon (or more). I highly recommend Double Play as an entertaining contemporary romance.
*REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED AT ROMANCE NOVEL TV*
Publisher: Penguin
4.25 stars out of 5
Holly Hutchins is a reporter, a darn good one. She’s got a very successful blog that is often picked up by major papers and television. Her specialty is uncovering secrets. And she’s won awards for it. When her boss informs her that her new assignment will be doing a three month series of blogs about the Pacific Heat, a baseball team that is rising in the chase for the Pennant and specifically to see what she can uncover about the team’s secrets. When she meets Pace Martin, the star pitcher of the Heath, she knows immediately that he’s hiding something – an injury. Pace, being no dummy, wants nothing to do with a reporter, certainly not one as nosey, interfering and persistent as Holly.
Holly finds herself traveling with the team, and being given unprecedented access to its players. And as she hangs out more and more with the players, the more she finds herself liking them. And the more she hangs out with Pace, she finds that he is a genuinely good guy. One who coaches an inner city little league team, one who takes her to the doctor after a mishap, one who checks on her and worries for her well being. But it’s not until the Heat hits a losing skid, and are counting on Pace to dig them out of their problem, that the heat between he and Holly really comes to light. Before the game, Pace and Holly share a very hot moment in the shower room of the Heat’s locker room. They have an earth shattering kiss, and Pace goes on to lead the team to a victory. Anyone who knows baseball players know they are a superstitious lot. Next thing you know, Holly must kiss Pace before every game, and each encounter is raising the stakes in their relationship. On top of that, Holly’s investigations into the team are leading to some unsettling discoveries of possible drug use and doping. Will the attraction between Pace and Holly be enough to overcome the secrets he is keeping?
Double Play is a refreshing, amusing romance with lots of flirting, witty banter, and genuinely likable characters. The sexual tension between Pace and Holly is very strong, but well into the book, they still haven’t consummated their relationship. When they finally do fall into bed, the scene is well worth the wait. I enjoyed the fact that neither of character had a ton of angst, and the reasons for the difficulty in their relationship are believable. The road to love isn’t always an easy one, but they seem to come to the realization that they can do it together at more or less the same moment, which was refreshing. I adore books about professional athletes. Ms. Shalvis has obviously done her research, especially addressing the issues behind doping in professional baseball, a topic that is very hot in sports news right now. The story itself is a pleasurable, breezy read that will provide the reader with a tremendously enjoyable afternoon (or more). I highly recommend Double Play as an entertaining contemporary romance.
*REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED AT ROMANCE NOVEL TV*
December 24, 2010
Play Ball!!
This was a great contemporary romance. Since I happen to love Baseball myself, I had to read this book. Come to find out I would not be disappointed. Not only do you get the romance you get a view inside the baseball season.
Pace Martin does not need any distractions while in season. He's the star pitcher for the Santa Barbara Pacific Heat's baseball team. Fighting an injury that could end his career and trying to pitch the Heat to the World Series. With lots of pressure on him already, he doesn't need Holly Hutchinson interfering in his life. Holly Hutchinson is not only good at finding secrets, but she is asked to write about them. Attraction runs deep with the two and trying to fight it because both have jobs to do and don't want romance to get in the way. When tension runs high and trust issues come into play, you have to wonder if they are a match made in heaven.
Even before this book I wanted my own baseball player (*bats eyes at Derek Jeter*), but then after reading this I am wondering where to find one. I liked the fact that this book wasn't predictable. You never new when they were going to take things to the next level. Laughing out loud is a great quality in this book, although my husband kept looking at me like I lost my mind, I truly enjoyed this. It was a very fun read.
I loved Pace and the whole nice guy thing he had going on. The only thing that bothered me was my feelings for Holly in the beginning while she was speaking to her boss, but she didn't listen to him and kept trying to find out what the Heat was hiding. Way to go Holly! Holly pretty much expects everyone around her to hide things or lie, but she doesn't come off as completely cynical or hard. On the contrary, I found her tough choices when it comes to writing her articles, the secrets, and her relationship with Pace very real. I also loved that fact that she didn't do it to advance in her writing career. Pace being a private man whose life revolves around baseball and his career wasn't the jerk I would have been picturing. He could have been a self-centered athlete, but instead he is a giving, kind man and lets not forget hot!
The chemistry is wow. Shalvis can write some steamy scenes and she certainly did not disappoint on those in Double Heat. Even with just the kissing scenes can fog up any mirror. I loved the sexual tension between Holly and Pace, in fact so much build up that they don’t even get together until you read half the book but it is well worth the wait. Then when they finally together, WOW!!! I also fell in love with a few of the secondary characters and crossing fingers some more book will be written about them.
This is a great year around read and a great book for any baseball fans. Well, actually for anyone who just loves romance.
This was a great contemporary romance. Since I happen to love Baseball myself, I had to read this book. Come to find out I would not be disappointed. Not only do you get the romance you get a view inside the baseball season.
Pace Martin does not need any distractions while in season. He's the star pitcher for the Santa Barbara Pacific Heat's baseball team. Fighting an injury that could end his career and trying to pitch the Heat to the World Series. With lots of pressure on him already, he doesn't need Holly Hutchinson interfering in his life. Holly Hutchinson is not only good at finding secrets, but she is asked to write about them. Attraction runs deep with the two and trying to fight it because both have jobs to do and don't want romance to get in the way. When tension runs high and trust issues come into play, you have to wonder if they are a match made in heaven.
Even before this book I wanted my own baseball player (*bats eyes at Derek Jeter*), but then after reading this I am wondering where to find one. I liked the fact that this book wasn't predictable. You never new when they were going to take things to the next level. Laughing out loud is a great quality in this book, although my husband kept looking at me like I lost my mind, I truly enjoyed this. It was a very fun read.
I loved Pace and the whole nice guy thing he had going on. The only thing that bothered me was my feelings for Holly in the beginning while she was speaking to her boss, but she didn't listen to him and kept trying to find out what the Heat was hiding. Way to go Holly! Holly pretty much expects everyone around her to hide things or lie, but she doesn't come off as completely cynical or hard. On the contrary, I found her tough choices when it comes to writing her articles, the secrets, and her relationship with Pace very real. I also loved that fact that she didn't do it to advance in her writing career. Pace being a private man whose life revolves around baseball and his career wasn't the jerk I would have been picturing. He could have been a self-centered athlete, but instead he is a giving, kind man and lets not forget hot!
The chemistry is wow. Shalvis can write some steamy scenes and she certainly did not disappoint on those in Double Heat. Even with just the kissing scenes can fog up any mirror. I loved the sexual tension between Holly and Pace, in fact so much build up that they don’t even get together until you read half the book but it is well worth the wait. Then when they finally together, WOW!!! I also fell in love with a few of the secondary characters and crossing fingers some more book will be written about them.
This is a great year around read and a great book for any baseball fans. Well, actually for anyone who just loves romance.
January 27, 2014
Pretty good.
***Details***
3.5
DOUBLE PLAY was pretty good, but it didn’t rock my socks. I loved the witty banter between Pace and Holly.
With her being a reporter, there was a lot of mistrust between them at the start. It was great to watch to mistrust fade, despite Pace’s reluctance to admit it at times.
Holly shows up at the worst time for Pace. His team is on the verge of making history and he’s the lead pitcher, but his injured shoulder won’t be ignored for much long. Add that to Holly, the reporter, doing a writing series on them and Pace is determined to hold out of the interview she wants.
I really enjoyed Holly. She’s a fair reporter who doesn’t let ties keep her from finding the truth. The drug dirt she finally uncovers on the team doesn’t stop her from writing it, despite the strain it puts on her and Pace.
The time Pace and Holly spend together is great. I loved his work with at-risk boys and how Holly is quickly brought into the fold.
Pace’s injury and the drug scandal definitely keeps things interesting. I loved how Pace and Holly learned from the other. Pace needed to learn how to have a love outside of baseball and Holly needed to finally find a place to put down roots.
I wish the romance would have had a bit more oomph, however the proposal was amazing.
***Details***
3.5
DOUBLE PLAY was pretty good, but it didn’t rock my socks. I loved the witty banter between Pace and Holly.
With her being a reporter, there was a lot of mistrust between them at the start. It was great to watch to mistrust fade, despite Pace’s reluctance to admit it at times.
Holly shows up at the worst time for Pace. His team is on the verge of making history and he’s the lead pitcher, but his injured shoulder won’t be ignored for much long. Add that to Holly, the reporter, doing a writing series on them and Pace is determined to hold out of the interview she wants.
I really enjoyed Holly. She’s a fair reporter who doesn’t let ties keep her from finding the truth. The drug dirt she finally uncovers on the team doesn’t stop her from writing it, despite the strain it puts on her and Pace.
The time Pace and Holly spend together is great. I loved his work with at-risk boys and how Holly is quickly brought into the fold.
Pace’s injury and the drug scandal definitely keeps things interesting. I loved how Pace and Holly learned from the other. Pace needed to learn how to have a love outside of baseball and Holly needed to finally find a place to put down roots.
I wish the romance would have had a bit more oomph, however the proposal was amazing.
August 7, 2013
Well I am continuing my summer of baseball reads. I find that as I am reading these books I am like an Olympica figure skating judge... I am rating on technical merits & artistic merits.
The artistic merits is the general storytelling, romance and writing. Basically the 'romance bookery' of it all.
The technical merit is based on how much the book incorporates actual baseball. Either via playing, lore, history or a real sense that I get that the writer isn't just using the sport only as an excuse to trot out a ripped hero.
In this case the technical & artistic marks are both pretty good. I did think the baseball incorporation of the story was much more interesting than the overall romantic arc. Although I did like the hero and heroine.
I figured out one of the central plot points/conflicts really quickly, like in the first chapter, with the 'Checkhov's' gun' mention of the vitamin supplement water.
Love the chapter headings with the quotes from some baseball greats. Makes me want to go back and watch the Ken Burns special all over again.
fun fact, this is the third book in a row that I've read where the baseball star befriends some random hapless/sick/poor child. Still not caring about it.
The artistic merits is the general storytelling, romance and writing. Basically the 'romance bookery' of it all.
The technical merit is based on how much the book incorporates actual baseball. Either via playing, lore, history or a real sense that I get that the writer isn't just using the sport only as an excuse to trot out a ripped hero.
In this case the technical & artistic marks are both pretty good. I did think the baseball incorporation of the story was much more interesting than the overall romantic arc. Although I did like the hero and heroine.
I figured out one of the central plot points/conflicts really quickly, like in the first chapter, with the 'Checkhov's' gun' mention of the vitamin supplement water.
Love the chapter headings with the quotes from some baseball greats. Makes me want to go back and watch the Ken Burns special all over again.
fun fact, this is the third book in a row that I've read where the baseball star befriends some random hapless/sick/poor child. Still not caring about it.
June 8, 2010
Fun, sexy read, pitting an injured MLB Baseball pitcher against the straight-laced reporter who's been tasked to write a series of articles about his team. Shalvis did a great job of building the chemistry between these two to a fever pitch, and though none of the developments were particularly surprising, I felt compelled to keep on reading to see how things would work out. Looking forward to the second book in this series.
May 11, 2016
3,5
I found this book as recommendation after reading something else,but i must say that i'm a bit disappointed with Double Play. It supposed to be light and fun and it wasn't,( first chaphters were simple boring) well not for me. I admit that some dialogues are great and fun but i realy expected more.
I found this book as recommendation after reading something else,but i must say that i'm a bit disappointed with Double Play. It supposed to be light and fun and it wasn't,( first chaphters were simple boring) well not for me. I admit that some dialogues are great and fun but i realy expected more.
September 18, 2009
I'm beggining to wonder if i'm getting tired of this genre... This book started really good and very promising but it become very repetitive and boring. It wasn't bad but the author could have cut down a few chapters.
October 31, 2014
Breezy, sexy and completely delightful..The flirtatious banter and chemistry was off the charts! People who aren't baseball fans needn't be put off this one- the technical terms are at a minimum, instead the story focuses on the life and times of a sports team.
November 8, 2009
3.5 - 4 stars. A cute, light romantic read. A bit predictable, but still enjoyable.
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