He’s a player. But she’s about to score. Opposites really do attract* as a sassy salesgirl turns a pro athlete’s life upside down in this supercharged standalone novel of seduction from the author of Bossed. Kelsey: My mom would tell you I’m quite the catch, but since my last boyfriend, I haven’t been dating much. Maybe it’s my rocker style or my lack of filter that intimidates the boys. So I’m … rocker style or my lack of filter that intimidates the boys. So I’m pleasantly surprised when Matt Stallworth waltzes into the indie record store where I work and gives as good he gets. Turns out Matt is a professional baseball player, which should mean he’s out of my league. But if he wants to hook up with me, he’s going to have to follow my rules.
Matt: After winning my MVP award, I learned that a guy can get used to having beautiful women practically throw themselves at you everywhere you turn. But everything changes the first time I see Kelsey Martin, and something just clicks. She’s hot, snarky, and whip-smart. I’ve got to see her again. Only problem is, she sees right through all my best moves. And I’m going to have to step up my game to convince Kelsey that I’m playing for keeps.
*And sexy times ensue—for mature audiences.
Praise for Scored
“Fresh and funny, full of witty banter and off-the-charts chemistry! I laughed out loud reading Scored.”—Delancey Stewart, author of Mr. Big
“Scored was a fun sports romance with great characters.”—A Novel Glimpse
“[Matt and Kelsey’s] story is fun, sexy, heartwarming and has a truly wonderful happily ever after.”—Book Reviews Janisf & Leisha
“Bottom line: I love a witty, sexy, banter-filled romance and once again, Sloane Howell delivers with Scored! From start to finish, the back-and-forth between Kelsey and Matt is top-notch and kept me laughing, sighing, and shaking my head at their antics.”—Rolo Polo Book Blog
“I really enjoyed this book! It was the follow-up story to Bossed. I enjoy Sloane’s writing style. I think it’s cool that a guy can write romance.”—Books According to Abby
This standalone novel includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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I really dig Sloane’s books! A male romance novelist is a rare thing and he really hits it out of the park! (Baseball pun intended!) I received an ARC for this book and so happy that I did. Scored is the story of Matthew and Kelsey. I am amazed at how Sloane can really get into the mindset of a female character and make it so believable and relatable. I loved Kelsey’s take no crap attitude and how she made Matthew work for it. Oh my Matthew! He was a dreamboat, a true southern gentleman. I really enjoyed the dialogue, it was funny, it was hot and it was real. Well done sir! Well done!
Matt and Kelsey are perfect for each other, who would think someone that has no interest in a sport would share such a connection with someone else that does it for a living. This is a sweet and funny sports romance from beginning to the end. All the stops are pulled out when Matt wants to make his point known and I adore that he’s such a gentlemen and momma’s boy. Great story that I highly recommend you one click and add to the top of your TBR list. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Cheeseburgers
It is rare for a romantic read that makes me giggle and have all the other delicious “feels” at the same time but that’s the beauty and charm of a romance written by the incomparable Sloane Howell. I particularly enjoy the slightly goofy, super witty, oh so sexy Dominant Alpha male protagonist that he writes in his romances. It is in his skill at writing this endearing character that you can feel the authenticity of emotions portrayed by this character and notice that there may be a bit of the author’s own person used in the crafting further adding to the believability.
“Scored” was simply the telling of a “love” story. It was scorchingly hot and there was great skill in its unfolding. The plot line may not have been scintillating but it takes a certain genius at knowing which buttons to push with the ardent romance reader that keeps their interest and has them entertained throughout.
Matt Stallworth is that beautiful creature known to womanhood as a professional baseball player. Now just think about this male beauty for a minute or maybe longer . He is tall well over 6′ and then those powerful forearms…and hands and chiseled abs oh and the equipment!!! Along with his physical beauty is his love of music and goofy personality. He is also quick witted with flirty banter and not afraid “to go there” with his quips.
All of this blessed male feels an inner tug toward Kelsey Martin. She is a singular beauty with honey colored eyes and a body that pleases his eye. She is a rocker chick with a distinct style all her own. She knows her mind and guards her heart. She has wit and a terrific sense of humor. Most of all, athletes are just not her type. She has always fallen for the lead singer of some up and coming band with her heart in tatters after he has taken his leave.
Their story begins with all the angst, uncertainty and insecurity that a first real date involves. As a reader we are caught up in the tale from this point forward. In the back of our minds we know that this is our favorite type of book, the typical romance. We can guess at the ending yet, we are still taken in by both characters and their drama.
Oh and the sex..the hot chemistry, the holding back, the exquisite tension of will they? When will they? How will they?
Ohhh and how will it feel for her? For him? How does it feel for a man? What really is his inner dialogue? Swoon worthy answers to be had…
Get ready to be surprised at how this author handles these questions and in the answering you are swept away to another place as we always hope our romantic reads will do for us. They remind us when we ourselves were once at this place and even have us hold on to the hope that we will go there again. And for the uninitiated, will this place be where I may hope to go?
I really need to add that the author kicks up the action a notch surprising us with a little of that irresistible dirtiness, dirty talk, dirty boy and dirty, dirty girl.
Now granted the author is not diving deep into the mind, psyche and soul of a super complicated hero or heroine. The story is what it is. For me it is delicious like a cheeseburger is delicious. Tasty, meaty, All-American and eaten lustily sometimes quickly but in the end, it is oh so satisfying.
Forgive me my easy metaphor, but this is what you can expect from this book… a well-written, oh so sexy a little dirty romance to take you away. There is a real craft to this type of read and because this book is so well crafted I choose the 5 star rating. That and it is by the irrepressible Mr. Howell and even I can’t take rating this book more seriously than eating a cheeseburger. Although from what I’m told some people take their handcrafted cheeseburgers very seriously.
By whatever measure, this is worth the tasting and digging in…I mean it’s worth the one click. One thing for certain is you won’t be left hungry .
Kelsey Martin can’t seem to stay away from the gorgeous professional baseball player. No matter how hard she tries. She finds herself drawn to him. Reluctant to commit to anything, she is happy in her own little world.
Matt Stallworth is determined to make an impression on the girl he can’t stop thinking about. He loves baseball but could there be more to life than that?
I loved this story line and am a sucker for men in baseball pants. This story is hot! The words flew off the page and kept my interest throughout. The only thing I could ask for is more…
The characters are down to earth and very realistic. Neither are without flaws but somehow that made them endearing.
This is the first I’ve read by this author though I’m hungry for more. I would definitely recommend this one to a friend.
Scored was just …Dayummm HOT! Sloane Howell took Sports Romance to a new level of hotness. The sexy scenes…..blew me away! I literally just finished reading Scored and had to get that off my chest. Temperature is still pretty hot in here.
Matt was my baseball sweetheart. He has so much swag and alpha hotness going for him, I wanted to lick him up and call him mine. I love the comradery he has with his two closest friends. He just oozed with confidence. Until he met Kelsey. I loved that she makes him work for it. She has wall up protecting her heart, but Matt does everything he can to bring them down. Until a little big secret eventually comes out and then the drama unfolds.
Scored give you so much more than the basic sports romance novel. As I mentioned earlier, this book will scorch your Kindles! You will start to love the game for so many different reasons. The storyline was great and I loved all the characters who you will recognize from Bossed. Sloane Howell is an amazing writer and I can wait to read more of what he has in store for us!
4 Totally Hot Scored Stars!
Scored is the second book I’ve read by Sloane Howell and I absolutely loved it! We first met Kelsey and Matt in Bossed during Jenny and Ethan’s story. Kelsey is Jenny’s best-friend would takes no crap from anyone and says what’s on her mine and Matt is Ethan’s best-friend and number one client.
Matt is a pro baseball player who has a crush on Kelsey and love her straight forward, smart ass ways. Kelsey has been hurt in the past and doesn’t want to start a relationship with Matt even though she is attracted to Matt, because doesn’t want things to get odd between her Matt due to Jenny and Ethan’s upcoming wedding. Kelsey works full time at a record store and also doesn’t think she will be able to fit into Matt’s world so she tries her best to keep him at arm’s length by just flirting. However little does Matt and Kelsey know that they have lot in common and can’t fight the chemistry and attraction that they both feel.
So if you’re looking for a funny, hot read with a super-hot baseball player and a wise ass witty chick then you may just want to pick up this book. I do however recommend reading Bossed first, even though this book can be read as a standalone, you really need to get Matt and Kelsey’s back story. Oh and if you have already read Bossed and want to know what Jenny and Ethan have been up then you need to read this book. They make regular appearances in Scored.
Scored is witty, fun, and off the charts sexy. If you’re looking for a deeper meaning and lots of hearts and flowers, you won’t find it here. What you will find, is an engaging and steamy tale that is loaded with snark and low on angst.
Kelsey comes across as a bit wishy-washy at first as she tries to decide whether or not to give Matt a chance, but there’s no denying the humor of her inner dialogue and her sarcastic wit kept her in my good graces. Matt is an all-around good guy and our snarky heroine certainly keeps him on his toes, but he takes it in stride and holds his own quite well with the chuckle worthy banter throughout this romance.
While I hesitate to call this a sports romance since we don’t really get any game play, Matt is a baseball player and has a tough decision to make – one that could have a huge impact on a relationship with the hesitant Kelsey. The angst of that decision is relatively low and the story primarily focuses on the pair getting to know each other, both in and out of the bedroom. Overall, Howell has given us an amusing and often quite humorous romance with lots of fan yourself sexy and some fantastic banter and wit between characters. And I have to add that the epilogue was pretty darn perfect.
Bossed was my first Sloane Howell book and I have been anxiously awaiting Matt’s story in Scored. Scored is the second book in the sports series, but you do not necessarily need to read Bossed to understand what’s going on. I do recommend reading it though as it will fill in a few things (and it was amazing)!
I am totally in love with Matt. He’s a professional athlete so you would expect a cocky asshole, right? NOT AT ALL. The man is down to earth, sweet and kind, humble and completely truthful. Matt is the quintessential book boyfriend.
Kelsey is the fun loving, loyal and loveable girl next door who works at a record store and just so happens to be best friends with Matt’s best friend Ethan’s girlfriend (say that 3x fast). Kelsey and Matt have an instant, undeniable chemistry that makes this story just jump off the pages. The build of their relationship, the good times they have together, how Matt just knew Kelsey was the one, was an adventure that I thought was amazing.
Oh, and the sex you ask?? It was off the charts HOT!!!! I loved the fact that even though you know Matt is an alpha….those sex scenes are where his alpha REALLY showed 😉
Kelsey and Matt took this book to a whole new level as far as sports romances go and I loved it. I laughed, I swooned and I truly loved the relationship between the couple. This was one of the best sports romances that I have read.
Instantly addicted! I read Scored in one day because I couldn’t put it down. I even read while I reheated my coffee in the microwave for 1 minute! If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is. This doesn’t happen very often. I have read a couple of Sloane’s books and loved his crazy humor, witty characters and great storylines. Scored was the best yet. Maybe because I love baseball so much.
I truly believe as a male author Sloane gives this story and Matt’s character a unique edge. Sexier, provocative and definitely more charming! I mean a hot professional athlete who is also a gentlemen through multiple dates with the woman who is the object of his desire. SWOON! Close to his family…my ovaries exploded!
Kelsey is sassy, feisty and total hoot. I love everything about her as well. She is guarded and struggles with very relatable insecurities. I easily identified with her. And got a kick out of her initial reactions to Matt. Their story is the perfect mix of sweet, steamy and just made me feel good.
I loved this everything about this book. If you’re in doubt, BUY THIS BOOK! It’s a fantastic read. And if you’re on social media, follow Sloane because he is hilarious and very down to earth and talented guy.
I was approved by the publisher for an advance copy of Scored via NetGalley. I am honored to give an honest review.