Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

The Game Can't Love You Back 

Author: Karole Cozzo

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Pub Date: May 15th, 2018

Eve is used to being the odd woman out. As the only girl on her school's baseball team, she knows exactly how to put sweaty, macho baseball players in their place, and she's focused on one thing and one thing only—being the best pitcher she can be.

But when a freak accident forces her high school to be absorbed by the neighboring town, Eve has to contend with a new group of guys who aren't used to having a woman on their team. And the new team's star pitcher, Jamie, has no interest in being ousted from his throne. He can't afford to give up his starting slot to a new pitcher—even worse, to a girl.

As the competition between Jamie and Eve starts to heat up, so does their attraction to each other. Can they keep their heads in the game, or will they end up getting played?~Goodreads

Sign me up for the baseball team, y'all, 'cuz the camaraderie is freakin' everything! Also, please, put me on the boy's team because, HELLOOOO BOYS PLAYING SPORTS AND BEING CUTE! AND LIKE HAVING YOUR BACK!? TEAM SPIRIT?! Yes, please!

Ahem...Enough about the boys. Our main character, Eve, is a force to be reckoned with; she's a sports phenom! Eve is smart, she's multi-talented, she's kick-ass, and she's definitely a take no b.s. kind of gal. With Eve being the only girl on a team full of dudes, she has to deal with a crap ton of harsh criticisms. Yet she breaks through the barrier of girls in sports with grace and class. That's not to say she doesn't struggle along the way or that things don't necessarily go according to her plan; yet that just made her more real. I adored her point of view! 

Then we have Mr. Super-Star Stud, Jamie. He is the school bad boy and PLAYER extraordinaire, both on and off the field. He's also snarky and kinda sorta sweet, which was obviously super adorbs.  

{{My only, ONLY, small small complaint about this book is the fact that neither Eve nor Jamie's families were integrated into the story enough. Especially his. Jamie's sister shows up from time to time, which, she was a cute character and I would've liked to see more of her! Yet, she really only appears to set Jamie up to look like the protective big brother type. I'm all about a protective older brother, IF, the relationship is authentic and not just convenient.}}

BUT THANK GOD EVE AND JAMIE'S CHEMISTY IS A HOME RUN. Their sassy banter is EVERYTHING. Let me just touch on a few game book highlights here:  

• TEAM SKIVVY RUN.  
• LASER TAG. 
• CAR WASH. 
• KISSIES. 
• TUTORING SESH.
• FLIRTIES. 
• BANTER GALORE. 
• TENSION. 

Karole Cozzo hits it out of the ball-park (see what I did there?) with this sexy, rivalry romp! If you're looking for a fun, fast read, The Game Can't Love You Back is for you!