Book Review – The Baller by Vi Keeland

The Baller: A Down and Dirty Football Novel
Another fun read by author Vi Keeland, and I just realized I’m starting to rack up a nice little review repertoire of her books. I’m noticing that she’s one of my favorites and it’s so easy to see why. In fact, this book was #1 in ALL of Kindle books on Amazon, and made the NYT Best Seller’s list and the USA TODAY Best Sellers list. That’s not for nothing. 😉

Great writing, absorbing personal (and relatable) stories and characters.  Best of all, the smooth flow of her stories, that have that authentic feel. Nothing rushed, nothing too eye-rolling, and yet still that *oomph* that keeps the reader both comfortable and on the edge of her emotional seat! Believable, realistic (and often hilarious) dialogue, and she’s got her “bad boys” down to a T.

Doesn’t matter if they’re sports stars or rock stars, they are genuinely sweet, endearing and cocky. A little selfish and a lot selfless. Gorgeous and self assured, yet, when it comes to that special someone… a little bit of insecurity and jealousy can’t help but show it’s face. But no matter what, her heroes are so easy to get attached to, and Brody was no exception.

Fabi:  I haven’t stopped laughing for a single minute. I’m talking about can’t help myself embarrassing laugh out out while everyone is sleeping laughs.

Michelle:  I’m totally enjoying The Baller – HOT and fun, just what I needed right now 

He had me blushing and grinning with glee at some of the stuff that came out of his mouth (and other things) *snort*. Mind you… a few of in our crew wanted extra… connection (or should I say hotter steam) *grins* and some found it plenty warm in there. 😉

Kristina: Baller literally had me hot…my face turned red and i kept thinking it’s just hot in here! Nope the writing really made you feel. You ladies are always right! Now I just keep looking for some athletes! Lol.

Sharon: I am a reading The Baller and like it. Did you see the cover? Ok . . . Stop what you are doing and look at the cover. Closely. Do you see what I see? Yep, I see a lot of Brody. But you know what? It’s just not living up to the cover. It’s not nearly descriptive enough for me. Its just not wowing me like I want it to. I mean, I want to know how they feel when they are intimate. It just doesn’t do it. I will finish it and I am sure I would recommend it. But something is missing. I blame those darn hockey players. And you cannot start a book with dropping a towel, later to describe subway and not confirm. Dirty rant over.

 Oh. I didn’t… notice… that.  Tee hee!!!!

Anne: I agree about The Baller. The intimate times between the H/h needed more description not because I like smut but because I needed to see their connection during those times. But I still loved this book and Brody.

So I thought I’d include a bit from both perspectives… might help you gauge the “sexy-time” levels. Some of us found it super-hot… and some of us wanted more.

BUT!!!!!

His reactions. He may have just been my favorite of her men, yet. *swooooooon* and *snort* 😛

So what’s it about?

Sports reporter Delilah is obliged to enter the locker rooms after big games and of course… interview the towel-clad sports stars. This will be her first time… and while she’s nervous, she’s determined to her own amongst the male-dominated industry.

Even though I’d worked eighty hours a week the last few years to get where I was, the men who worked thirty were the first ones to blame my success on my magical vagina. Screw them.

Of course, having to interview the cockiest of all cockies <— (tee hee! Oh yes… I went there 😛 ), and knowing that he’s had his skirmishes with female reporters in the past, she’s not entirely surprised when he drops his towel mid interview with a smirk.

Well… oh she’s *surprised* ’cause OMG what the heck is THAT?!! And… she kind of loses it, live on air (and yes… it phases her), to his delight,

“It’s your first trip into the locker room, isn’t it? Do you like what you see so far?” His lips curled up into a full-blown wicked smile.

Before I could catch myself, my eyes dropped to his naked lower half. Sh*t. He was dangling in the wind. I totally got distracted by just how low the thing dangled. Subway. The nickname was damn well suited. It was probably a full minute before I responded to his question. A full minute of dead air time. Great.

…but there’s something about their interaction that has him wanting to know more. And while he unabashedly pursues this new reporter, and she insists on not going there, especially with a guy like him… it’s hard to resist his charm.

“You have a funny way of showing that you like me. Every time I see you, you try to sabotage my interview.”

“Every time I see you, I expose myself to you.” He flashed me his trademark smile. “That’s how we show girls we like them where I’m from.”

“Where are you from, the jungle?”

“Brooklyn.”

LOL!!!!!!

No seriously… yes you’ve read this kind of cocky character before, but trust me, there is SO much more to him then his public persona, and as we go with him behind the sport star scene to the things that matter most to him, you will adore him.

“So this is it? This is my courtship? A dinner, which you basically made me come to in order to get an interview for my job, and now I’m supposed to have sex with you?”

“By the tone of your voice, I guess I shouldn’t answer yes to that question?”

The waitress returned before I could respond. “Would you like dessert?”

Brody pointed to the menu. “Bring us one of everything, please.”

She justifiably looked confused. “You want one of every dessert?”

He looked at me. “That’s right. She needs more courtship. Bring us one of everything.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“See,” he said when Siselee had gone. “I’m entertaining, too. I’m making you laugh. And you think I’m hot. This is a great courtship. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

And she ends up adoring him, too.

I was totally falling for him. There was no way to stop it at this point. I just had to hope that when this fall was over, Brody was there to catch me.

And just like I love in my romance books, this one brings it. There is that touch of angst (just enough to have you heart breaking and racing, simultaneously). Definitely an OH OH moment or three (yep!)…

Michelle: 50% in The Baller and uh oh, didn’t expect that ‘addition’ to the story

…that will have you biting your lip for them.

Fabi: Fabi: Baller, 77%, end of Chapter 32. *minor/major freakout* What is wrong with you people? I am bawling my eyes out. I have a 3pm meeting and no makeup left on my face, a bright Rudolph nose, and an ache in my chest. I may have to come after every one of who said there was no angst in this book. *freakout done* I still love y’all. You’re just a whole lot tougher than I am.

Lisa: You are getting to the twisty bit *waggles eyebrows*. And I want to know what you think.

Fabi: I just finished Baller. Vi Keeland wrote the perfect book boyfriend.   …I thought both characters were pretty perfect too. It wasn’t a light read for me, but had just enough emotional upheaval for a CR to make my tummy twist and turn.

Michelle: The Baller was fun, sweet and sexy but yeah not much angst just some emotional parts. I really enjoyed it – Brody was perfect! I enjoyed The Baller Fabi but yeah my angst meter is getting pretty high. I barely teared up *shrugs*

Lisa: enjoyed the book and finished it quickly but it doesn’t replace Beat or Throb for me.

Of course, I can take my angst, angstier (much angstier, in fact) but this one gave me a good jolt, nonetheless, and quite a few in our crew felt it, BIG TIME!!

Jacee: My favorites were The Score and Baller. There’s something about confident, hot alpha males.

Stacy P: I started this week reading The Baller and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s was amazing

Cheryl: overall I loved it and the “feels” I got from reading it.

Over all, an easy, lighthearted, fun, and super-steamy read, that had enough emotional depth, and a few powerful moments to keep me entrenched… and entertained.

4 stars!

P.S. Thank you to the author for sending me a review copy!!