I thought I was helping a friend, but instead I only managed to get myself in a heap of trouble which left me with two options. Coach little league as part of community service…or face jail time. So here I am…coaching little league, a project I wasn’t looking forward to—that’s until I see Stella at the field with her son. Unfortunately for me it takes a lot longer than I’d hoped for her to give … her to give me the time of day.
Yet, now that I’ve caught her attention, things are much more complicated than I thought. Who knew juggling a struggling friend, community service, a team bully and a girlfriend would be this hard?
But I won’t let it get me down. Someone once told me the secret to success, and come hell or high water I’ll show everyone around me that I…
…refuse to lose.
more
Trystan and Stella will touch your hearts in this amazing story. Trystan was caught driving while intoxicated and as a result given an ultimatum coach a little league baseball team or spend six months in jail. It had its benefits one which was meeting the waitress at the diner he frequented and bonding with a group of children and adults that would change the outcome of his life while helping build a team that would form friendships that also changed the behaviors of troubled kids as well. Stella had her moments as well she learned to put aside her grief to build a better future for her son as she and Trystan took the next step in their relationship. Over all this is a story about loss, love and hope and how two individuals find themselves in the process.
This book is very different from any other book this author has ever written. I loved every aspect of this story, from the beginning until the end. Trystan and Stella’s story was so beautifully written and I felt like I was part of their journey. The mom squad rocks and DJ too. This is a must read, get your copy today.
This book is so much more than a romance. It’s about overcoming loss, small town living, friendships and life lessons. I enjoyed the complexity that Alison Mello delivered with this book! Every page seemed to have something new to bring.
There was definitely slower than normal development between Stella and Trystan which I appreciated as I haven’t seen that in a while. I greatly enjoyed the fact Stella was strong and sassy! Seeing a female lead have those qualities always makes me happy. I also developed quite the crush on Trystan because Alison really delivered on making him more than just a coach. The author really focused on character development and more than just the main characters. I could tell she put time and effort into make sure each character throughout her book shined. There was also significant world building; it felt like stepping right out onto Main Street in a small town, USA.
Prepare for a journey and more than a romance, reading this book was like stepping into a conversation with a long lost friend. This is my first book by the author and only my second sports romance novel but she’s made a convert out of me! Highly recommend!
A team who refused to lose
Refuse to Lose by Vivian Fiano
This is the first book in the author’s A Second Chance Sports Romance series
I loved the book about Trystan and Stella giving both love and second chances. My rating is 5 stars and I can’t wait to read the next book.
Stella and her son DJ have decided to leave New Your for somewhere safer after her husband’s death. packing only a few boxes. They’re looking for a new start for the both of them. When Stella reaches a small town in West Virginia she knows this is where her new start will be. It takes only one stop to find a job and their new home. DJ even finds a friend and baseball team. Will this be her second chance of finding peace and happiness?
Trystan is the hometown hero who came back after his military service but one night he made a bad choice to drive buzzed getting his friend home. He’s assigned community service as a coach of the Little League team. The kids will come from all types of homes but even though they’re misfits he knows they can all work hard as a team. But his old girlfriend will stop at nothing to get Trystan back but Stella’s up for the challenge.
I am a fan of Alison Mello’s (which she now goes by Vivian Fiano) books. This book is beautifully written. All of the characters are relatable. You have this small town with “every knows everyone vibe”. The ups and downs that the characters go through just makes a stronger friendship bond to where everyone feels like family.
Stella has had a horrible loss. She decides she and her son need to feel safe and move on. Trystan made a mistake, but it was the best thing to happen to him. As Stella and Trystan date, she is also embraced by a wonderful group of ladies and are dubbed the mom squad. Trystan learns that things happen and what once seemed awful can turn out to be amazing. The author really highlighted the children in this book which was great. She really showed how everyone, especially the kids are affected by loss, divorce, and bullying. Great book of second chance love and moving on without forgetting lost loved ones
This was a really sweet second chance at love type novel. I loved Stella and seeing her move on from her loss. Trystan was a hottie. That’s the best thing I can call him. He was a sweet guy and seeing him coach the kids just made him that it’s more appealing. It was an easy read overall and I really enjoyed it. There is some ex drama and while it ended with a bang, it wasn’t something that took away from the overall feel of the story. I can’t wait to dive into the second book. This is my first book by this author but I could tell she really planned out this book and that makes me excited for what’s to come. 4 stars #2OCCJD
Refuse to Lose is a perfect title for this story, in more than one way. It’s a cute story of a mom and her son starting over and the people they meet. I liked the characters and the building of relationships. There were some good lessons learned, children and adults alike. The story has a little drama, just like life. Didn’t quite have the WOW factor for me, but I did enjoy the story overall.
Ok, to start I don’t usually read sports romance, no reason why not just never had the urge to. I had to read this one, I’ve loved all of Alison Mello’s books, knew this would be good also.
Stella was in no way a disappointment to me, this one had all the right stuff. Trystan was the perfect blend of bad boy, honorable yet loving to the people he cared about…..just the best book boyfriend material.
We get sadness, tears, laughter and a bit of sexiness but the best part was watching these people come to life in my head, I love it when it’s like a movie in my head, weird I know but that’s how I am. If you can’t relate to the characters how you gonna enjoy the story?
And no, I didn’t give any details, I don’t want to spoil it, but just letting people know, not a sports romance to me……just an amazing read that covers all the bases. (My cheesy humor attempt, sorry)
I must say that this is a very good book. A romance that is jam packed with sweetness, love, hope, and bits of humor. Book provides a deep emotional storyline that deals with grief, fresh starts and some drama. Characters are well developed and easily steal a bit of your heart.
First book in Coach’s Love series. You get introduced to the newly formed Mom Squad that you will love! I love these ladies!! This book the boys play baseball and the how t new coach draws one woman in. This book has heat, love and all the feels. I loved this book and can’t wait for more.
Refuse to Lose by Alison Mello is an excellent book. This is the first book in A Coach’s Love series. This is the story of Trystan and Stella. After being caught driving under the influence, Trystan was sentenced by the Judge to coach a boys baseball team. He used to be in the National Guard. Stella is a widowed single mother and new to town. She decided to leave NY after her husband was killed. Trystan and Stella meet when her son, DJ, signs up to play baseball and Trystan is his coach. They have a strong chemistry from the start. They start dating. Trystan’s ex, Sophie, wants to get him back so she starts trying to cause problems between them. Will Trystan let Sophie come between him and Stella? Will Stella let her past come between them? Will they overcome all the obstacles before them to get their HEA? You will need to read the book to get the answer to these questions. I definitely recommend this book and can’t wait to read Alison’s next book.
Stella has decided to move her son, DJ, out of New York to West Virginia after the murder of her husband, Dylan. Luckily she finds herself a job a the Shawmut Diner working for Misty and she knows she has made the right choice for them.
Trystan Shepard made a very bad decision one night and found himself arrested for drinking and driving. Now he must decide between coaching Little League or going to jail for 6 months – the choice is easy.
When Stella and Trystan meet sparks fly but Stella is hesitant to get involved with Trystan when she hears the rumours about him being a ladies man. Can Trystan prove to Stella that he is in it only for her?
This was such a great book filled with a few twists and turns and some serious issues that really make you think.
I really liked Stella and loved that she knew she had to get away from New York due to her fears that began to affect DJ. I thought it was great how she was able to find a job and place to live so quickly and things began to fall into place and her friendship with Misty and her son Mason was so great for both Stella and DJ.
Trystan was a good guy who made a really bad decision one night but at the same time he did it for the right reason. I hated to see his relationship with Billy go sideways because of it but I loved that Trystan really realized the mistake he made.
The chemistry between Stella and Trystan was great and I loved how things slowly progressed between them. I also really liked how both Stella and Trystan included DJ in everything that was going on and respected him. The two were HOT!!!
I liked that the author put in the issues with Billy and how his friends finally recognized that he was suffering and were there for him to help him move on from his grief and addiction.
Trystan’s ex Sophie was crazy and it was ironic that she only wanted him back once he had moved on. She was definitely a wacko and I was glad that Stella had the courage to stand up to her but I was still shocked at everything that happened!
The end was awesome and I was so happy for everyone involved – especially DJ!
Looking forward to the next book! – By Rebecca
Jesse is a father whose wife had over dosed and he is raising a son Gabe and a daughter Grace with the help of his Mom .
Karen is in the process of a divorce from her husband and is raising her son Jason .
After signing him up for a football league she sees Jesse who she went to High School with .
This is well written and I totally enjoyed the story . When I thought I might know what would happen the story took a turn and lead us in a new direction . I loved the Mom Squad and they my boys being in sports I could relate to them . I had not read book 1 and totally got into this story .
I have yet to read a book of Alison’s that I didn’t like. This one is no different. This a wonderful sweet 2nd chance romance. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series. I loved it!
This was a sweet book. I really liked Stella and Trystan. While it’s a good book, with a good plot, it read a little too fast for me. That being said, I found the secondary characters intriguing, and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Reviewed by: Clare M.
This book will take you on a amazing love story that will grab your heart and make it melt. This story will have you hooked from the very first page tell the very ending. Must read to this series.
A book must be able to do a few things in order for me to call it a good book. These things include making me laugh, tear up, want to throw the book but at the same time be on the edge of my seat until the last page. Let me tell you Refuse to Lose did all that and so much more!
Wow, what a great Second Chance sports romance! Alison Mello surly knocked this one out of the ballpark for an easy home run. This book has all the emotions, love, hate, sadness and so much more.
Trystan and Stella the main characters in this book are written beautifully. With all that has happened to them, they make it all work. I love the Mom Squad aspect of this book as it deals with kid’s baseball. Refuse to Lose is written as if you are part of it. I could not put this book down once I started it. I recommend this book as a must-read. You all need to check it out today.
I’m not really big into sports romance but I do love Alison Mello’s books so I decided to read this one. Glad I did because it was a wonderful story of second chance love. Sweet and sexy but not without problems cropping up. Trystan tried to help a friend but got caught. His punishment is to either spend some time in jail or coach a little league team that needs a coach. He’s a home town hero and he reluctantly decides to try and coach the team. One of his players mom catches his eye. Stella left the big city with her son after her husband was murdered. Settling in a quiet little town is what they need and when she meets her son’s baseball coach, sparks start. I like how the build up to the romance is easy going and while the reader will get all the sexy feels, this is still a very sweet and loving story. When Trystan’s ex shows up and tries to make a play for him, Stella has some decisions to make. I was rooting for this couple all the way and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
Refuse to Lose by Alison Mello is a sweetheart of a romance! Stella, a widowed mother of little league baller. Trystan, the hometown hero/bad-boy doing community service as the little league coach. School yard bullies, crazy exes. All of this comes together for a sweet and sexy HEA!