Playing Fastball (Men of Spring Baseball, #4)

Playing fastball is a no holds barred journey into proving to others and yourself that you are more than you have become. Nothing about this story was easy. In fact, it was so hard to watch the beautiful main characters struggle, fall, and climb their way back from the darkness of labels, assumptions, and their own self-made trouble. I wept and hurt for them throughout every step, and then I held my breath at pivotal times so see what they would choose and which way they would go. It was a journey of great patience, genuine hard work, and never-ending determination. It is a story of hope beyond the jeers and discouragement of others. It is a hand to hold onto while you pull yourself out of your own pit of despair and degradation. Above all, it is a story of love proving to us once again that we are ALWAYS more than we appear.

Tina sees herself as one who lacks the courage to live. Her biggest fight is with herself. She doesn’t feel that she is able to stand on her own feet. More than anything, she wants to prove that she can be productive, helpful, and whole in spite of her past. Just like a magnet, she finds that her sticky past continues to haunt her in spite of her new life goals. Timmy is determined that he will finally achieve everything he wants this year. Both a long coveted baseball award and a wild and fun social life. First, he has some changes he wants to make to the friends his Father hangs out with. His father’s money will not go to some unknown and questionable woman. As Timmy begins to fight this “nobel” battle, he discovers that he might have been completely wrong from the beginning. Can Tina fix her life while being sabotaged at every corner, and will Timmy find something more worthwhile to concentrate his attention on than a baseball award this year?

Tina and Timmy seems like a most unlikely pair if you have been following the Ayala’s Men of Baseball series. In fact, you might be reading this and already be lost to laughter, but you have to realize that there is more to either character that we haven’t seen yet. Tina’s background isn’t beautiful or filled with wealth, and Timmy is missing more than just the Cy award in his life. Tina wants to prove to the world that she has changed. She isn’t who she used to be. While Timmy needs to fill a yawning black void in his life. He needs someone real and true, and as he gets to know Tina he sees just how brave and real and stunning she really is. They learn so much about themselves as they get to know each other. I honestly loved and couldn’t get over just how amazing these two characters are! They are so much more than I ever imagined.

This is such a wonderful heartwarming masterpiece by Rachelle Ayala! When little is expected from one and everything is taken for granted by the other what entails is a journey full of child-like wonder, unlikely surprises, and spectacular revelations. Time is precious and life is fragile so never take either for granted.

Timmy has it all, but Tina does not. In fact, Tina comes from a very rough background which makes it hard for someone to trust her. An unlikely couple to fall in love. A good plot and characters.