Meet Braxton Smith in this enemies to lovers romance.Dating the hot athlete? Yeah, been there. Done that…Braxton Smith.Cessna University’s baseball captain.Naturally talented.Sinfully gorgeous.And exudes enough arrogance to fill a stadium.That same cocky attitude is what landed him in my anonymous gossip column. Believe me, I, Cara Gonzalez, don’t want anything to do with him.But he’s … cocky attitude is what landed him in my anonymous gossip column.
Believe me, I, Cara Gonzalez, don’t want anything to do with him.
But he’s everywhere.
In my class.
In my dorm.
In my mind.
I left this type of drama back home.
Transferring to Cessna University is my chance for a redo.
And regardless of his rock-hard abs and panty-dropping smile,
Arguing with an athlete isn’t one of my goals.
My instincts betray me, though.
This attraction feels different.
Stronger.
I have no choice but to stand my ground.
Because this time, I’m afraid I’ll not only be hurt.
I’ll end up gutted.
Book One in the Cessna U Wildcats series, Swinging Strike is an enemy to lovers, standalone romance. If you like sexy, hot baseball players, download Braxton Smith today.
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Swinging Strike is a sports romance with a kind of an Enemies to Lovers vibe. Braxton is a cocky athlete and Cara is in school to be a veterinarian. Full disclosure: I hate hate hate arrogant cocky alphas in the “I’m going to throw my Kindle into ongoing traffic” kind of way. However, that is my personal preference, and I know there are lots of readers who adore a cocky jerk and the give-and-take tension they provide between the hero and heroine. In the beginning, Cara walked into a pole and Braxton kept calling her Pole Girl despite her repeatedly telling him not to. As for me, I’d have been done with the guy after that. But! I did read on and Braxton eventually chilled out and was not a bad guy overall. This book had a good love story and an engaging plot, plus I like the fact that the heroine was in school to be a veterinarian and the author seemed to have done some actual research on the classes and labs one needs for that, which was refreshing. Bottom line, if you love cocky arrogant jerks, you will enjoy this start to finish. If you hate them, stick it out, don’t throw your Kindle, and you’ll probably have a good time anyway. I had no problem rating this book five stars because the author executed the book perfectly – like I said, my hatred of cocky alphas is a personal preference, and the writing was quite good.
Swinging Strike (Cessna U Wildcats Book 1)
Kimberly Readnour
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I am now a huge fan. I loved everything about this book. I was drawn in from page 1 and did not want to put it down until I was finished. These characters drew me in, and they were so true to life. Cara transferred to Cessna U and wanted to start over and did not want people to know who her brother is. She also had sworn off dating athletes, especially baseball players after her ex really did a number on her. Braxton is team captain of the baseball team, and he is so drawn to Cara. She is forced to write articles that she does not want to, and as she gets to know Braxton she is so torn. I liked that the book was told from both of their point of views. Cara and Braxton both had crappy exes that gave them trust issues. Is Cara right about Braxton or is she projecting her past experiences on to him? The more they spend time and work together in their Bio lab – the closer they become and the more they both realize the other isn’t what they thought they were. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. Can they overcome all the obstacles thrown at them? Yes there were times in the book that I wanted to knock both of them in the head and say what are you thinking? The takeaway from all of this is to always communicate, and be honest – even if you were not entirely honest in the beginning own up to your mistakes or errors. Cara was forced to do some things for her class that she didn’t want to, but when stuff happened, she did all she could to fix it. Braxton is an amazing guy and will do anything for those he loves. Sometimes he does too much for friends (Izzy anyone). But even when he was upset with Cara, he usually came through for her. I liked that this had so many real life scenarios in it. I fell in love with the supporting characters and can’t wait to read their stories as well. This was an amazing start to a new series, and since I just found out, AJ and Cara were in another series, I am now going to have to go read that one. I am now a huge fan of this author and look forward to reading what is already out there and her future releases.
This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by Kimberly Readnour. I really enjoyed this book and didn’t want to pause the story. It was well written with a great storyline. I became completely invested in all the characters. I was not ready for Braxton and Cara’s story to be over. I hope we get more of them in the future. I will follow through with reading/listening to the rest of the books this series as well as look for more from her.
Sarah Puckett and Chris Brinkley were excellent narrators. Their performance was spot on and made this book run like a movie through my head. They were so easy to listen to for longer periods of time. Great voices, great performances.
#AudiobookObsessionReviewer
Cara transfer school to get away from her ex the a baseball player and she want to stay quiet and leave her past in the past ..Braxton a baseball player that has a great career in the future ..Braxton bump in Cara and he has a eye on her but each time he hit on her she decline and that make him even more determined that he want her . .Cara want nothing to do with brat on but here in lab who show in classe and sit in front of her …. ..I Love how they have a chemistry that they keep denying it’s so hot …will cara be able to resist him or will se cave to his charm ..hurry and get this book you won’t regret.. i hope we get to read more of these characters.
Yes, yes, yes……..this book was just what I needed after completing an assignment. This is my first book by this author but it certainly won’t be my last. I really enjoyed reading this book from begining to the end and I could not out it down. Great characters and story line. Fantastic read and definitely recommended.
Braxton and Cara start out as enemies but he doesnt know it. Cara is roped into being the gossip columnists for the college newspaper. She inadvertently reports what she perceives as the truth about Braxton. That puts him on the warpath to find the culprit who is anonymous. Braxton and Cara have an intersting dynamic. She is coming from across the counrty to escape her ex and the toxic relationship they had to start new. Braxton wants to focus on his baseball career with no entanglements, meaning a girlfriend in particular. What they intend to happen doesnt. Oh and we cant forget about the girl who is friends with Braxton and wants more from him. She certainly throws some wrenches their way. I so enjoyed the pull and push that they had going on. Cara wants to be independent as much as possible and prove to herself that she doesnt need a man in her life to be successful. She also doesnt let Braxton walk all over her. She does bend a little. Braxton also has things going on in his life that he must get sorted out. His father being one pf them. His attitude toward his future was so mature and thought out. Together they can accomplish so much as long as they dont sabotage their relationship first.
I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and i absolutely loved it! Cara and Braxton are awesome characters and are perfect together. I highly recommend this book. U will love to read how this couple plows thru every obstacle that stands in their way and keep them from their HEA. U will also love to see them and their relationship mature throughout the chapters. There are a lot of ups and downs, lies, secrets, drama, and romance. Best of all, there’s undeniable chemistry. This is book 1 in the Cessna U Wildcats series and i can’t wait to read the next one!
Cara has transferred colleges and is looking for a fresh start that doesn’t involve athletes. Unfortunately for her baseball captain and over all campus hottie Braxton is invading her new start.
The chemistry and banter between these two is off the chart. Add the angst and the slow burn transition from enemies to lovers for a great read.
Enjoyed these characters as they got to know each other. Great read for a time when you need to get sports in a book.
Cara switched schools to get away from the past that has caused so much pain it haunts her. Now she is trying to focus on her studies and try to ignore the hard bodies that are in her classes. She is here to finish her degree. And a side job of the secret rumor mill is an odd thing to have, but she took what she had to.
Braxton is immediately attracted to Cara. He does not know why she is so standoffish to him. Most women fall at his feet. She interests him more than the other girls he knows. He is a bit gun shy after his previous girlfriend and all her lies. He wants an honest relationship, if there is such a thing.
This book just kept popping out surprises! I found it to be fast paced, interesting, and full of wonderful content. The story was a deep and provocative. With every turn of the page, I was sucked in just that much more. I cannot wait to read the next installment to this fun Cessna U Wildcats series.
Im not really into baseball but I have to say this story really kept me reading. Cara was starting at the school as a Junior and was planning to get into Veterinary school. Braxton was a star baseball player and was trying to figure out what he wanted in life. Both had been hurt so trust was an issue. This was funny in stops and full of romance but also working together to get what they both wanted and needed. Great Chemistry..
I am a huge fan of sports romance stories, and this one does not disappoint. Cara is at a new college and trying to find her way as she finds out who she is and what is most important to her. I loved her character development throughout this book, and it was neat to see her accept her past, yet strive to be a better person for the future. Braxton’s character held so much more depth than just being a hot jock. Reading about his relationship with Cara blossoming was emotional and hot. I can’t wait to read more from this series!
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It had a slow start for me, especially feeling like I wanted more answers to some questions I had from the start.
Once I got into the middle of the story, it picked up, and I found myself rooting for Cara and Braxton. They had a lot of obstacles in their way, which I was glad to see them overcome.
Cara and Braxton’s story is really great. Cara is a strong college student who sticks to her guns. Braxton is the baseball player who loves the chase. They have great chemistry, even with a few bumps along the way. Looking forward to reading Noah and Shannon’s story!
This book was great. Cara was a transfer when she ran into a pole and met Braxton. The next babe Ruth on campus. She had a goal of not dating anyone that played sports. Not jump fully in without thinking, but it doesn’t last. Cara and Braxton become a couple fast but they are both hiding a past that is affecting them. Cara’s is hiding her ex boyfriend who cheated and who her brother is and that she’s writing gossip for the paper. It’s eating her up but she doesn’t know how to stop and keep everyone clear. Braxton is dealing with a lot of pressure from family and friends on what is he going to do when he gets the call. Past mistakes come back to haunt him. Will these two stay together or will it just end?
Cara and Braxton is a great read. Their characters are well developed and engaging and and the chemistry is undeniable. The storyline flowed smoothly from beginning to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cara is over the gorgeous athlete boyfriend. She’s moved to another college to start fresh. Braxton is a hot baseball player with charm. He’s never run into another woman like Cara. The two are enemies but an attraction exists that’s undeniable. A good enemies to lovers sports romance.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am leaving a review.
Love sports romance and even better an enemies to lovers romance, my favorites. Book 1 in the Cessna U Wildcats series and my first by this author and it won’t be my last. Cara and Braxton started out on the wrong foot but that didn’t stop him from falling for her at first sight. Loved them together. They had great chemistry. Wonderful story and great characters. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Baseball season is finally here again and that makes my heart happy! That being said, I am always excited to read a new baseball romance. I loved Swinging Strikes and the relationship between Braxton and Cara.
Cara is the baby sister of AJ Gonzalez from Kimberly’s Readnour’s last baseball series. She has transferred to a new college to get away from her ex, who was a major league baseball player. When she meets Braxton, she thinks he is just like her ex and vows to stay away from him. Braxton ends up being her lab partner in a class so they are forced to spend time together and she soon realizes she has misjudged him.
I loved Braxton. He had a depth that I wasn’t expecting and there was much more to him than being a hot baseball player. You could feel his struggle to fulfill his dream of finishing college and then playing major league ball or to please his father and enter the draft. He was so supportive to Cara even when he was upset with her and showed her a side that few others saw.
Cara was a great character. She was little insecure after her last relationship and watching her journey to rediscover herself was fun to watch. She made mistakes, but she owned up to them and did what she could to fix them.
Braxton and Cara together was magic. They had red-hot chemistry and every emotion they felt leapt off the page. This book knocked it out of the park and I cannot wait to read about the other guys on the team.
“Swinging Strike” by Kimberly Readnour is an awesome baseball romance! I fell in love with Cara and Braxton. Braxton pursues a relationship with Cara and despite her hesitation and against her better judgement she agrees to it. They both have their own issues, drama and obstacles to overcome but the are wonderful together and just work. So far, everything Kimberly Readnour has written I have loved. This book has been the best yet!
Kimberly Readnour is a new to me author, but after this read I’m hooked on her and all things Cessna U.
For me personally, Swinging Strike took a bit to get into, but as I read I was gradually being drawn into the story and the characters to end on a I-just-can’t-put-it-down high. I wanted it all and I wanted more and the ending came way too quickly.
Not only did Kimberly make me feel invested in the main characters, she made me addicted to the side/supporting characters in the book and I am anxiously awaiting their stories as well.
Swinging Strike was THE perfect book for a start of a series, but it landed at a four stars for me because of how long it took to rope me into the book and at times I felt a bit confused. Braxton seemed like an all around great guy so Sometimes I felt like who he seemed to be to me didn’t jive well with the things coming out of his mouth in the beginning of the book and the more we got to know him the less I believed he’d say the things he said—because if this there were times I felt like I was reading about two separate personalities and as a reader that’s always hard for me to get passed.
Overall, the book made me a fan. I’m excited for Behind the Count because I’m dying inside for Noah and Shannon’s story.