From New York Times & USA Today Bestseller, Vi Keeland, comes a sexy new standalone novel.
The first time I met Brody Easton was in the men’s locker room.
It was my first interview as a professional sportscaster.
The famed quarterback decided to bare all.
And by all, I don’t mean he told me any of his secrets.
No. The arrogant ass decided to drop his towel, just as I asked the first … towel, just as I asked the first question. On camera.
The Super Bowl MVP quickly adopted a new hobby—screwing with me.
When I pushed back, he shifted from wanting to screw with me, to wanting to screw me.
But I don’t date players.
And it’s not because I’m one of the few women working in the world of professional football.
I’d date an athlete.
It’s the other kind of player I don’t date.
You know the type. Good looking, strong, cocky, always looking to get laid.
Brody Easton was the ultimate player.
Every woman wanted to be the one to change him.
But the truth was, all he needed was a girl worth changing for.
Turned out, I was that girl.
Simple right?
Let’s face it. It never is.
There’s a story between once upon a time and happily ever after…
And this one is ours.
Author’s note – The Baller is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
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Everything Vi Keeland writes, I love, I love, I love.
The Baller: A Down and Dirty Football Novel is a standalone, adult sports/romance novel written by Vi Keeland. The first main scene suggests a storyline filled with a cocky hero who is determined to score some major bow chicka wow wow with a hard-to-get sports reporter. And… that’s a big part of the first couple chapters but this book includes so much more than just romance. There is a sports element (duh) and a strong family piece that is really lovely. Also, as the characters’ backgrounds are fleshed out, themes addressed include elder care, co-dependency, addiction, neglect/abuse, and the challenges women face while trying to succeed in a male dominated field.
At first I thought this was a simple and sexy romance but it turned out to be much more than I expected. It’s not perfect but I enjoyed my reading experience and I give the author a lot of credit for moving the story beyond the bedroom. This is my second book by Ms. Keeland and this author is a winner in my book. Check it out!
My favorite quote:
“I finally realized peace wasn’t about avoiding things. It was about making the choice to live life with all its chaos around you, and in the midst of it all, having calm in your heart.”
So…I wish i could give a half star because I’d actually rate this a 3.5. I can’t say enough about the first half of the book. Brody is hysterical. He’s kinda…outrageous to the point of adorable. He’s like a golden retriever in hot man form. Just unapologetically enthusiastic about life.
The FMC is Delilah and she has an amazing friend named Indie who stole the limelight every time she was on the page. I loved the first half of the book (after a little bit of a rocky open).
And then…the middle happened and it felt like it was a whole other book.
***SPOILERS***
The story involving Brody’s past lover, Willow, who struggles with addiction and essentially ruined his life once…really ruined the story for me. We’re basically tricked into thinking she’s dead, but then at the mid-point, Willow shows up, very much alive, and very much trying to get Brody back.
We essentially stop having Brody POV at that point too, and instead get Willow and Delilah’s POVs. It just…it felt like it took an amazing story and really killed my buzz. I never truly believed that Brody didn’t love Willow. And the epilogue was really…sad to me. It fast forwards to Delilah pregnant with twins and playing a word game with Brody…which was Brody and Willow’s thing.
I don’t know. Overall, I loved the humor and banter of the first half so much I can’t give it less than three stars, but the ending of the book was a massive buzz kill. I want more and I know this is an author who can deliver SO MUCH. Maybe she rushed this one a tick?
Brody wow! Talk about a sexy, cocky, dirty mouthed quarter back All Star football player. Oh he will make you melt in less than 10 sec. flat. The Baller is an excellent book by an author that is new to me and I can’t wait to read more of her books to see if the rest of them are as hot as this one.
I absolutely loved The Baller. The characters and the storyline was amazing. There is no way to read this story and not fall in love with Delilah, Indie, Brody, Grouper and Marlene; they were definitely my favorites. I even enjoyed Willow a little. I enjoyed the back and forth banter between Delilah and Indie as much as I enjoyed it between Delilah and Brody. Indie, Brody and Grouper were hilarious and they kept me smiling and/or laughing out loud the whole story. The ending was EVERYTHING!!! This story was sweet, funny, heartfelt, steamy and left me with a ridiculous smile on my face. I loved every moment of it. I’m definitely looking forward to my next read from this author.
Everyone loves a baller
Delilah loves football. It’s been her life for as long as she can remember. Her job gives her the chance to enjoy the action on a regular basis.
Her first locker room interview becomes a disaster when the “player” of the team does the unexpected. Brody Easton is an assh@le. He admits it but he can’t get her off his mind. If that means he needs to be a bigger ass to get her attention, apparently he’s up to the challenge.
Getting Delilah to agree to go out with or under him will be hard, but trying for more….
There’s an opportunity to change, will they take it?
A story about the cocky baller chasing the reporter that’s too hot to not handle. Sarcasm is not their only weapon. A fun story, of course, that gives you warm fuzzies.
This is my first read for this author and I really enjoyed the story. Great descriptions, good details, a couple inconsistencies, hot chemistry, and a little bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Based on the summary of the book, I was on the fence if I would like it; however, the summary doesn’t do the book justice for all the feels you get. So glad I took a chance with this book. There’s a curve ball in the story that will have your mind running different scenarios on how the book could end. Also while both main characters have tragedy in their past, it doesn’t fully define them nor do they constantly linger on it. There is a good balance in how the good and bad times are handled.
Vi is definitely one of my favorite authors. This book is why. I absolutely loved it. Of course, I’m kind of biased towards sport romances cause they are my favorite ones, but this one was so fun to read. I love Brody. He’s so cocky that you can’t not love him. And Delilah? He met his match with that one. These two together really made a great story. And the writing was beautiful. Love this book.
Great book!! Love the sports books!
I so loved Brody & Delilah’s story! It was sweet, sexy and much less angsty than most romances these days. Brody was swoon-worthy: sweet, a little dirty and funny. Delilah was smart, strong & independent. Thank you Vi for a great story.
I’m not a huge fan of sport reads but there was something about this blurb that piqued my interest and made me want to read this book.
Brody is a hot, sexy, cocky, arrogant quarterback who charms you with his flirting ways, he likes to tell Delilah a sportscaster how he wants it.
He accidentally drops his towel as she’s interviewing him asking her ‘is that how big you thought it was.
Delilah doesn’t know how to takes this guy assuming he does this to every woman with a pulse.
He shamelessly flirts with her, flipping a coin he tells her ‘heads you give me it, tails I get yours. Told you shameless.
He’s hilarious in how he flirts with her lots of sexual innuendos, funny moments and more Brody making her freaking swoon. Sometimes his remark may off as crossing the line but I thought it was endearing. This is a great read that I’m pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed.
This was my first book by Vi. The hype was crazy around this book and some of my close friends suggested it. It’s very hot , sexy , sports romance. Brody Easton is as good in playing the game on the field , as off the field. He’s smooth, Sassy, sexy, hot footballer who meets sports journalist , Delilah Maddox and they have sizzling chemstry together. But the both have exes with that force them to reexplore their feeling.
Test of time- they pass or fail
read it to find out
Love The Baller! Sexy banter, dirty talking, alpha HOT football player #subway Brody Easton. Sexy fun read with a bit of angst. Highly recommend reading.
I really enjoyed this one. I wasn’t sure where it was going at first but it was a really good read with just enough angst and sweet/steam to keep me flipping through pages.
I have recently discovered Vi Keeland and I have loved the few books I have read. This book was no exception and I will continue to read through her list of books.
I cannot believe I have not read this book before now….What the Hell is wrong with me.!
The Balller By Vi Keeland is an exceptional read and NOT what I was expecting.
First of all I never expected to get so emotional at some points in the book,but I did because Vi’s words were so beautiful.
I really Loved Brody he is now one of my Favourite characters he was funny,cocky in the best way,romantic,confident,loves deeply and was so patient with Delilah…He was so persisitant in persuing Delilah and finally trying to keep her, I thought it was so sweet.Also he is Super duper SEXY and a delicious dirty talker.
Delilah had no chance against Brody’s adoration because once she caught his eye in the locker room while she tried to interview him after a football game,all bets were off and it was game on for him to break down those walls around Delilah’s heart.
There is more to this story though than meets the eye,as they both have past relationships that invade their present,and makes commitment to eachother very difficult.Well not for Brody he seemed to be the one who wore his heart on his sleeve,it was Delilah that tried to sabotage their relationship.
This book was just phenomenal I honestly could not put it down and like I said it was not what I thought it would be.It was such a pleasant, enjoyable surprise and I absolutely LOVED it.
Vi Keelands writing is incredible.
I Highly recommend it.
5 magnificent Stars.
This is one of those books that make you believe in Happy ever after. Delilah is a great character but Brody steals the show. Even though he is a top notch FB player he still has his humanity. He has t given it all over to the fame. I read this many years ago and loved it. There is fun, charm and hot sexy kisses. So I figured I would give it a go on audio. The narrators here…well Mackenzie Cartwright does extremely well helping me envision Delilah and Brody. Sean Crisden (first time I remember listening to him) did not do justice to Brody. Mostly he makes him sound like an old man. Not a sexy swagger filled, hot as heck player. I almost cringed when he had his scenes. Which thankfully wasn’t often. In my opinion this would have been better using a single narrator. Ms Cartwright did wonderful on all characters.
Delilah, a newly appointed sports journalist meets Brody, the star quarterback of the Steel, in the locker room and the fun begins. I totally enjoyed the sexy banter between Brody and Delilah. Their relationship grows steadily and they seem to really enjoy each other. Little insecurities and jealousies creep up on Delilah but, she manages to deflect them.
Brody’s relationship with Marlene, the woman who is like a mother to him, is so sweet and heartwarming. I love how he interacts with Grouper and the nurses at the nursing home. He is so much fun with them that it seems to help with the realities of aging.
The return of Willow is a struggle for Delilah to deal with. Willow is Brody’s first love and she is back in his life. Delilah’s first love died in an accident several years earlier and Willow’s re-appearance triggers some deep emotions.
Brody and Delilah’s story is a great read!
Once again…another great story. Steamy, funny, some drama with a little bit of everything thrown in. Body and Delilah both had histories (not with each other) but with other people in their lives that made them what they were in the beginning. Overcoming obstacles that started in the past, made each one stronger and they found they were better together than apart. I liked the secondary story, which was his past, with Willow and her grandmother. By including that secondary story, it helped to understand him and why he was carrying the weight he was. Delilah also had a secondary story as well, but it didn’t play as much in to the overall book…but it did. The length Vi’s books are perfect and just like reading them. This is the 3d in a week.
This was my first solo Vi book I’ve read and I really enjoyed it! From the beginning, I knew that Brody was going to be a hilarious character and he sure proved me right throughout the book. I like a guy who knows exactly what he wants and Brody knew that he wanted Delilah. Brody on the other hand was the last thing Delilah wanted or needed, but man was he persistent. These two were great together and I really loved reading about them. I also enjoyed seeing them interact with all the secondary characters throughout the book! The Brody and Marlene moments were some of my favorites!
I will admit that I enjoyed the beginning and middle of the book way more than the end. I know there is typically a hurdle that couples face towards the end of every book and this one was no different. But I did find myself struggling with it more than others. It felt a bit off with the way the characters handled everything and there was a different POV thrown in there that made me a little uncomfortable reading. I felt it created a bit of unnecessary drama within the book and there wasn’t much clear resolution after it. I also felt that we got more of Brody’s backstory and not enough of Delilah’s which really impacted my feelings towards her character towards the end. I will definitely reread this book in the future because I absolutely adore Brody, but I will probably avoid those chapters in the future.
Other than that I really enjoyed this book. Delilah and Brody have lots of chemistry and there are tons of banter moments throughout the book. It isn’t a boring read by far and I completely flew through it! Overall, I think this book was a really good read and I can’t wait to read more from Vi Keeland!