Review: This one is a hit out of the park!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 6, 2014
4.5 StarsSometimes you read an author for the first time and you know you are going to have a long and happy relationship with her or him and that’s exactly what I’m feeling after reading Rhonda Shaw’s The Changeup. I loved her attention to detail, the fact that this book centers around the best sport in the world, that she wrote an older heroine with a younger hero, the fact that even though her hero is a professional athlete he isn’t a man-whore, and best of all she showed that there are young men out there that can be mature even at a young age. Yes, that’s a whole lot of plusses for Ms. Shaw and I’m so happy to add her to my must read author list. The Changeup is flat out an entertaining May-December romance with a hero who knows his mind and won’t allow the heroine to use her hang-ups and issues to keep them from being together.Divorced for 9 years single-mom Maddie Hamlin has decided to give up dating. As much as she’d love a man in her life and one to be a good male role model for her daughter, she’s tired of the hassles and disappointment of dating. When her niece brings rookie pitching sensation Chase Patton to a family dinner she’s amazed at how he relates to her daughter and visa versa. She also thinks her body has gone haywire when she begins to experience some lust for this much younger man. However, Chase seems to have some trouble dealing with his sensual thoughts as well.I honestly don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a younger man character as much as I have Chase. I love that he respects his family but he makes up his own mind about his life. The way he jumps in with Maddie’s daughter, Bree, amazes me and they bond they form early on shows what a caring guy he is. He impressed me with his acceptance of the age difference and the way he worked to get back all of Maddie’s trust issues and break down all of her reasons for them not being together. This is a young man who has his head on straight which is a testament to his parents and his work ethic.Maddie is a little bit of a mess but given her creep of an ex-husband and her witch of a sister, it’s no wonder she lacks self esteem and feels worthy of anything. She is a great Mom there is no doubt of that and would do anything for her daughter which at times makes her forget about her own happiness. She’s one of those people who doesn’t make waves and avoids confrontations which is why people tend to walk over her must to Chase’s objection.Excuse me for going there but holy hell their intimate scenes are World Series hot! Proving that age has no place in the bedroom, if the heat and attraction is there it can’t help but be good!Filled with emotions, some drama on and off the field, well meaning friends, meddling family members, and some good old fashion lust that turns to love makes The Changeup one hell of a grand slam offering from author Rhonda Shaw. I can’t wait to see who is up next in this series, I’m warming the bench waiting!Review copy provided for an honest review.