this definitely read like a debut novel. while i enjoyed parts of it, there were definitely some blips in the writing that could use work and also parts that i didn’t particularly agree with.

the overall plot is a romance between dakota, a new team photographer for a major league baseball team, and calloway, the pitcher for the team (who also happens to be dakota’s best friends adopted older brother). i personally didn’t think there was much chemistry between dakota and callaway as it was more of lust at first sight and infatuation that was the driving force behind their interactions. there were factors that prevented them from being together but i still didn’t think that they got to know each other enough to fall as hard as they did. there was some emotional depth to each character that we got insight on but it still felt a bit surface level because there was so much focus on their physical attraction that i didn’t think there was enough vulnerability either character really had a chance to show and grow on.

i do think that the author has potential to grow. despite my own personal problems, this was a solid foundation for the author to build on and can only get better from here!

what worked:
- the cover is stunningggggg
- i appreciated how callaway knew that he wanted dakota and didn’t shy away from making it known to literally everyone. he wanted her, he wanted to make her his, and nothing was going to stop him (even if he did come off a bit strong in the beginning).
- i really enjoyed callaway and navy’s relationship as siblings, especially because they are adopted siblings and met later in life. they genuinely care deeply about each other and always supported one another!
- the found family aspect with the baseball team was definitely a highlight - i loved the friendships between the players and also the friendship that dakota formed with kingston, callaway’s best friend.
- DYING to get bodhi and navy’s story because i can just already tell from the little glimpses we got from them, there’s going to be some angst and tension!
- i don't know a single thing about baseball but the author made it easy to follow along with the sport

what didn't work:
- there were some inconsistencies with the writing in terms of the actions of the characters and what they said. for example; dakota wanted to go to a nightclub for a night out on the town to relieve some stress and even had to convince navy to be her wingwoman, but when callaway asks her later what brought her out, she says "you can blame your sister for my appearance here tonight" even though it was her idea to go out.
- both dakota and callaway came off as misogynistic at times (surprisingly, more dakota than callaway??). callaway claimed to be “team woman” and was raised to to treat a woman properly, but in his inner monologue when he is thinking about his emotions and feelings towards dakota, he thinks that he’s “acting like a chick”. i also am not a fan of the word chick and it was used quite often in this lol. dakota was even worse - at a (naked) team photoshoot, there is a woman assisting with the shoot and we barely introduced to her when dakota immediately says “not sure who this high and mighty itty bitty titty chick is, but her presence is not exciting me in the slightest”. yikes. furthermore, when it looks like this itty bitty titty chick is flirting with the baseball players (and i'm assuming her only role as a character was to cause a reaction from dakota), dakota says, "what i was not expecting, though, was to be accompanied by ms. barbie who looked like a diva with her long blonde hair and tight body, leaving nothing to the imagination". definitely not a girls girl, lol. i literally cringed at these statements.
- there were certain times with the dialogue between dakota and callaway felt a bit corny and forced, not cohesive at all.

i definitely had a hard time reading certain parts. i think as a debut novel, the author has some things to improve on and i'm hoping the next book in the series for bodhi and navy will be even better!