eARC Review of Heartthrob

Robin Bielman

Tule Publishing

May 7, 2019

Blurb:

He likes a challenge…

Here’s the deal: I’m the best center fielder in the major leagues. I’m also the guy who cost his team the championship game and acted very unsportsmanlike. So, when the team hires a social media manager to repair the damage to my reputation, I don’t argue. But then I meet Chloe Conrad, and I suddenly understand what people mean when they say they have an instant connection to someone. Which means I’m in serious trouble. Chloe’s a smart, sexy distraction I can’t afford, but one date can’t hurt, right? Only she turns me down. And just like that, it’s game on.

She’s sworn off love…

Finn Auprince is the hottest player in the major leagues. Look up “It Factor” in the dictionary and there’s his handsome face. He’s also my biggest client and I don’t care how easy it is to talk to him or how fun it is to manage his social media accounts, I will not give in to his charms. Then one drunken night, I tell him about my curse: all my previous boyfriends have found their soul mates while dating me. One more heartbreak, and I’ll never recover. But Finn doesn’t believe in curses–he believes in me. Professionally and personally. He sets out to prove the universe isn’t against me, and that his one true love isn’t waiting around the next corner.

The problem is…can we play the game of love and both come out on top?

SASCHA DARLINGTON’S REVIEW

My favorite team sport is baseball. My favorite romance genre is romantic comedy. When you put them together, you’ve made this reader an ecstatic camper–happy just doesn’t describe it.

Heartthrob by Robin Bielman is almost the perfect romantic comedy. It has Finn, a sexy, vulnerable center fielder, one of the best in baseball, who’s not short on ego, rightly so (although I admit to being worried he was going to be one of those guys at the beginning). He’s such a nice, sigh-worthy guy, which I far prefer in a male main character. And it has Chloe, a smart, sweet woman who knows baseball and knows how to use social media and who has the misfortune of having had a string of boyfriends who always find the “right one” while dating her.

I loved both main characters; they were perfect together. I loved the background characters. I loved Finn’s prickly observant grandmother, his brothers, well, his entire family. And, I loved Chloe’s dad and their most excellent relationship. And there was a puppy! So much love!

He hands me one of the kabobs. “You’re not allergic to beef, are you?”

“Not your beef.” Oh my God. I can’t believe I said that out loud. I almost poke myself in the eye with the kabob trying to recover. “I mean, not yo beef.” Shoot me now! “Yo.” I make a gesture with my arm across my body like I’m so hip-hop artist.

Also, I now cannot get the picture of that little old lady on the fast-food restaurant commercials saying “Where’s the beef?” out of my head.

Amidst all of the fun and steaminess, there are serious issues, although no angst, thank you very much. The serious issues are dealt with in an intelligent, considerate manner.

Bielman’s writing flows, is as descriptive as it needs to be, and made me want more.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

rating:

4 butterflies and a ladybug out of 5 butterflies

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Excerpt:

“Smooth,”I say with a shake of my head. He no doubt compliments every woman he meets. “But overused.” I put out my palm. “Hand over your phone. I’ll take the picture.”

He looks like he’s ready to yank the sling off his arm and throw it across the parking lot, but instead he gives in to my request. I put the card down on the hood of my car and snap the photo. After checking to make sure it’s a clear shot, I say, “Would you mind letting me know the cost of fixing your car before we go through insurance companies? I may pay out of pocket.”I hate the idea of depleting my savings account, but it might be the better option in the long run.

“Sure.” His fingers brush mine when I give him his phone back, and a surge of heat charges up my arm. Our eyes lock. Hold. “I should also get your digits then—” he glances down at the photo “—Chloe Conrad.”

His saying my name shouldn’t make me weak in the knees, but it does. We’re no longer strangers, not that he’ll remember me or give me any thought beyond fixing his car.

I snag the phone back and type in my number. Then I call myself. My phone rings from the car. “Now I’ve got your number, too.” I never answer my phone if I don’t know who’s calling.

“Would you like a name to go along with it?”

“That’s okay.” I hand back the phone.

His blue eyes dance. “You already know it.”

“Why would I know it? Are you famous or something?” I turn to go before he can see the truth on my face. “I’ll wait to hear from you and uh, sorry about hitting you. I don’t think I said that.”

“No worries.”

I wish. Life isn’t exactly going to plan at the moment. At least my next job assignment should be easy. My boss said it was a perfect fit and I’d get the details on Monday.

“Oh, and Chloe?”

I pause before sliding into my car and look at Finn.

“Nice try.” He tips his head toward my front bumper and winks. Actually winks! Normally I find winking cheesy, but not when Finn does it. His wink is like a calling card for let’s get naked and run our hands and mouths all over each other.

Then it hits me. My license plate frame. It says Baseball…The Perfect Game. Shit. Can’t a girl catch a single break?

“See you around, Webster.”

No, he won’t. Not if I can help it.

About Robin Bielman

Robin Bielman is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen novels. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, frequent coffee shops, and spend time with her husband and two sons.

Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can’t live without jumpstarts most of her story ideas. She writes with a steady stream of caffeine nearby and the best dog on the planet, Harry, by her side. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. She dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch at all of her social media spots!