Interference (Book 1)
* I wrote part 1 before even opening part 2. Xoxo 😉
There is something remarkable about someone who will protect those they love with feral ferocity. Not possessive yet with infinite potential of destruction, nonetheless. Dallas and Soot. An unlikely pair to begin with. Books and baseballs. Pictures and pitches. In each other's corner, through thick and thin. A hand to hold, an ear to listen, a shoulder to gather tears. Years side by side lends to a rock solid foundation.
“You’re everything. Have I ever told you that? I should tell you that more often. I promised myself I wouldn’t wait to tell people.” - Brayden Ross
The thing about foundations though? Unless they are cared for, they can crack and crumble. Lies and broken trust seep in, producing fissures. Breaches, of which the smallest can grow exponentially in the blink of an eye. Rifts fit to lose oneself in.
And when a beacon of light comes, attempting to lead you home. Desperately seeking to follow it before the damage has healed can have catastrophic consequence.
Book one leaves us on a bit of a cliff hanger. But thankfully, this duet is complete! I'm not sure about you, but it's always exciting for me to find out that the next book is already available. Especially when there are so many raw edges left at the end of the first.
Stealing Home (Book 2)
I must fully admit, where Interference left off, I felt a little broken. Disconnected. Left behind. The story of Dallas and Soot was not an easy one to swallow. There was so much angst and uncertainty plaguing their younger selves. And picking up some 1468 days later, they are still electric. Call the fire department because they are going to end up burning that old boathouse to the ground. (Not actually, that's not a spoiler.. Metaphorically speaking 😉)
Their love runs so deep its almost painful to watch. Brayden and Ashley brought me to tears more than once. With her fierce determination and unwavering sense of duty. With him being (to borrow from The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants) single-minded to the point of recklessness and unable to wait on the sidelines. They are so very clearly put into this world to be them, but so much forgiveness must precede that fate. And I must say that I did audibly gasp on more than one occasion. Not only because of their spark. But also at the poignancy with which their story was written.
"What does it say?” she asked tentatively.“It’s French,” I replied. “Le pardon est gagné.”“What does it mean?”“Forgiveness is earned.” - Brayden Ross
I urge you to jump with both feet. Their story is one of love and loss, in some super unexpected ways. It tells of home, in all its meanings. It lends perspective from a hurting boy, who so badly wants to be seen. And a girl who sees all of him, down to the stars in his soul. A journey of self-discovery and outward realizations. These characters grow in such remarkable ways.
*****
Book Boyfriend: 8/10 (he's got a lot of issues, but almost none of them are his fault. so don't discount him yet. 😍)
Flow: 9/10 (amazing! except for a perspective jump threw me, dramatically)
Plot: 10/10 (let's just say, they should be a "find yourself someone who ______ meme)
Overall: 9/10 - read it! (because can you really go wrong with baseball pants and some friends to lovers, plus best friend's sister action? 😘)
Go, get lost in these characters. And let me know how it goes. Harlow blew me away with so much reality in this story. So much truth about the human condition and the church of baseball. I need to go back through now and jot several pages of quotes down that resonated with me on a soul deep level. ❤️ *Side Note: Another character that gained depth in this second installment, was Nathan. The big brother. The best friend. His arc is beautiful and I sincerely feel he needs his own story to be told thoroughly.... 😁
- Ruminations of an Insomniac
Synopsis:
I’m a goddamn prodigy. It’s true. Ask anyone.
I threw my first curveball the day I was born.
The whole town is waiting on me.
To live up to my father’s famous name. To reach for the stars.
All I want to reach for is her.
But Ashley is the sweet addiction I can’t afford. She’s my best friend’s sister. Hell, she’s practically my little sister. For years, I’ve protected her from guys that want one thing. What happens now that I’ve turned into one of them? Who’s gonna shield her from the way I was made, from my little white lies and from what I’m about to become?
My game plan sounds simple: Pitch my way into the Major League draft and stay out of Ashley Foster’s pants. That first part may be statistically difficult.
The second feels damn near impossible.
ASHLEY
From the moment we met, I knew he was trouble.
The kind my mother sent me to find.
The type that ruins you for any other brand.
When we were young kids, I didn’t know what to call the frogs and butterflies that danced in my belly whenever Brayden came near. Now I know they have a name.
Those three little words that could heal or destroy him.
Before Brayden, my life was normal. And then it wasn’t. It couldn’t be. Ever again. How was I to know stealing his seat would change all our lives?
Anger and forgiveness share two halves of the same coin.
Our story might make you choose sides.
TO WHAT LENGTHS WOULD YOU GO TO EARN FORGIVENESS? WOULD YOU BEG? WOULD YOU BORROW? WOULD YOU STEAL?
ASHLEY
I’ve given up. On my childish dreams.
On getting out of this town. On love. On him.
On everything.
I’m barely treading water.
BRAYDEN
I’m the man with it all.
The pinstriped jersey covering my back garners easy cash, flashy cars and fast women. My gilded name drapes over the city in neon. I have everything. Everything, except the thing I crave most. Ashley Foster.
There’s one addiction I never tried to beat.
They say you can never go home again. I’m out to prove them wrong. But what if returning requires facing all the things you destroyed? To what lengths would you go to earn forgiveness?
Would you beg? Would you borrow? Would you steal?
Stealing home is the riskiest move in baseball. But the reward... If it works? Winning her back is a chance I’m finally ready to take.
My pockets are filled with stars. It’s time to follow them home.
This time, I don't want to steal all her firsts, I want to lay claim on all her lasts.
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