Baseball has never been sexier in an all-new novel by New York Times Bestselling Author, K. Bromberg.Easton Wylder is baseball royalty. The game is his life. His passion. His everything.So, when an injury threatens to end Easton’s season early, the team calls in renowned physical therapist, Doc Dalton, to oversee his recovery. Except it’s not Doc who greets Easton for his first session, but … Doc who greets Easton for his first session, but rather his daughter, Scout. She may be feisty, athletic, defiant, and gorgeous, but Easton is left questioning whether she has what it takes to help him.
Scout Dalton’s out to prove a female can handle the pressure of running the physical therapy regimen of an MLB club. And that proof comes in the form of getting phenom Easton Wylder back on the field. But getting him healthy means being hands-on.
And with a man as irresistible as Easton, being hands-on can only lead to one thing—trouble. Because the more she touches him, the more she wants him, andshe can’t want him. Not when it’s her job to maintain the club’s best interest in regard to whether he’s ready to play.
But when sparks fly and fine lines are crossed, can they withstand the heat, or is one of them bound to get burned?
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WOW…GRAND SLAM! OUT OF THE PARK AMAZING! I am completely in LOVE with this novel!!! From the witty and flirty banter, to the insta-lust. From the push and pull to the downright sexy moments. From the more serious moments to the sappy #swoonwothy moments and everything in between….it was all PERFECTION! K (aka Kristy) Bromberg, came out in true Bromberg fashion with this novel. She brought everything she had to the plate (baseball pun intended *wink*). THE PLAYER exceeded all of my expectations!
Baseball royalty, the Austin Ace’s catcher, Easton Wylder, has been taken out of the game he loves, due to a dirty play during a game. In the moments after the injury occurred, in the blur of pain and suffering, he signed paperwork, without thoroughly reading through it, which stated he had to rehab and be back on the field, in 100% playing condition, by a certain date. Now he’s forced to abide by the parameters of that contract or risk never playing again or being traded. After refusal of working with the first physical therapist (PT) the club provided, he is at risk of breaching that contract. The club has generously brought in the renowned physical therapist, a man whom is requested by all the teams to rehabilitate their injured players, Doc Dalton. He is just who Easton needs to get back into playing form, but instead of finding Doc when he walks into the therapy room, he is shocked to see a woman there instead. Thinking this is just a prank by his colleagues, he pushes her to admit she’s not really a physical therapist, but he learns quickly that the feisty, gorgeous and intelligent woman is indeed a physical therapist and she can play his game and can give as good as she gets. She is also Doc Dalton’s daughter. Easton, “The throwback baller. The All-American do-gooder. And the notorious prankster” has finally met his match. Easton has his rehab to focus on. He needs to get back to the field, but his new rehab therapist proves to push him in ways he didn’t realize he needed to pushed in. She challenges him to show his true self and get past his fears.
Scout Dalton, is driven by two things: fulfilling her father’s aspirations and establishing a positive reputation. She’s got three months to rehabilitate Easton Wylder. He alone holds the ticket to achieving her goals. If she can get him back to 100% before August 1, she has the ability to lock in her father’s wish: getting the Austin Ace’s long term rehab contract and cementing a reputation that a woman CAN work in an industry dominated by men. Easy enough, right? This isn’t her first PT job, nor is her first time dealing with locker room talk. She’s got the experience and she has been trained by the best of the best, but right from the get-go, Easton proves to be a challenge she never expected. “If you’re going to bust my chops Wylder, you should know that I can give as good as I get.” –Scout. She has finally met her match. She’s found someone that tests her professional and personally. But Scout has a job to do. A reputation to build, but Easton is making her push her boundaries and testing her “hard heart” with every encounter. He’s determined to prove to her that she can let someone in.
But when contracts are involved, professional lines are blurred, careers are at stake, can these two find love?
“Duty wars against desire.
Promises made battle against personal wants.
Responsibility clashes against recklessness.
Selflessness is pitted against selfishness.” -Scout.
After reading THE PLAYER, I learned real fast, that this story is SO MUCH more than just baseball. It was about “never letting the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game”. Fears only hold you back from extraordinary possibilities. It was about allowing yourself to feel. Feel the craving, wanting, and lusting. Feel the rush of finding love in the most unexpected of places. #HaveADay. Being vulnerable: “To love is to be vulnerable.” #ClearMindHardHeart. To allowing yourself to breakdown those barriers that has you keeping everyone out and finally allowing someone in, even with no absolute certainties. It was about taking the risk. And then, on the other side of the proverbial fence, it was also about parent/child relationships and how, no matter how old you are, that little child in you, is still begging for approval and praise. Looking up to your parents for love and encouragement. All those aspects were in this novel.
Then another thing that was fascinating to read, was how Scout and Easton’s lives paralleled. Both live in the shadows of their father’s, determined to prove their own. They both grew with the help of the other. They both were able to break each other’s walls down, but it took persistence. “That hard heart of mine doesn’t seem to be hard any more. Not when it comes to Easton Wylder, at least.” –Scout. Easton’s ability to pull Scout out of her norm was beautiful to read. He had me swooning more than once! #TopBBFmaterial. And Scout’s strength was awe-inspiring. I love reading about strong heroines in a novel and Scout was resilient and everything I expect in Kristy’s novels!
When it comes to Kristy, there’s just that special something about her writing that pulls me in EVERY. TIME. and THE PLAYER was no different. From that deeper meaning to the story. To the growth and development of the characters. Then the unique storyline. Her stories easily become my everything when I read them and for these reasons, I come back time and again. I know deep down that THIS story will stay with me for a very long time. I know I will come back to re-read this novel time and again and with that kind of ending, I know I will be patiently (not so patiently) waiting for the final installment, THE CATCH, to come out in June! My theories are endless! I need to know what happens next!!!
I would HIGHLY recommend this novel to anyone that loves romance…it’s that simple.
5++ “out of the park” stars!
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/vgrey14/the-player-by-kristy-bromberg/
This book is the first in a duet. While I’m not a fan of cliff hangers (and there definitely is one in this book) it was a good read. There is a hot baseball player as well as a tough as nails physical therapist in the lead, as well as a bad guy. Lots of secrets, as well as action. I was interested from beginning to end. The only downfall to the story, for me, was the fact that the story ends on a cliff hanger, and there was no resolution, either in the relationship or the other issues in the story.
Scout Dalton has one purpose to fulfill her father’s Doc Dalton’s last wish only problem is she has treat cocky Easton Wylder who mistakes her for a prank. Through fighting against the grain in a male dominated world she knows she can do this, but all her well planned out goals may be destroyed by the one man she never expected. This book was so great and the audio narrating was so amazing. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up all night listening to it. Another hit from Author K. Bromberg.
K. Bromberg spreading her wings into sports romance has made me super excited! I enjoy all types of stories, and I was excited to see her put her own spin on this genre of romance.
Meeting Scout & Easton, both of them come from a lineage of prestigious baseball history. Although from different aspects of the game, each of them have lived their lives dedicated to baseball itself. When they meet, it is only on a professional level – Scout is injured and Easton offers the cure. From the very start I KNEW something big was going to happen between these two, as well as having this feeling in my heart that something awful was about to happen.
What I loved about each of these characters was their complexity. Trying to balance life with career is something I understand all too well. To see these two in the midst of finding love, but still staying loyal to their family & their career dreams was an all to real struggle. I felt that Scout and Easton were genuine characters and I found myself totally invested in what was happening with them.
This is not the end, though. Throughout this entire story I found myself not trusting ANYONE. There is so much going on, and such a great story behind the scenes, that you’ll be on the edge of your seat with every page turn. There is definite uncertainty between Scout and Easton, with their professional responsibilities, but there is even more uncertainty circling around them.
I loved this new venture for K. Bromberg. If you’re a fan, or a fan of sports romances, make sure you give it a try. I’m SO excited I got the opportunity to read this one
K. Bromberg writes damn good books. I was a little late to the game but I thoroughly enjoyed The Driven Series along with everything else she’s written. I just recently read Sweet Rivalry, Holy Hotness! That book was amazing! Needless to say, I really enjoy a good K. Bromberg book. But, I was a little worried about The Player. I hate to say it with my Cleveland Indians going to the World Series and all last year but I’m not a baseball fan. At all. I would rather watch paint dry than go to a baseball game.
Ms. Bromberg has changed my mind. Completely. This book was written so beautifully I’ve actually started to watch baseball, much to the joy of my husband and son!
I fell in love instantly with this book.
Easton Wylder is baseball royalty. His father is a legend and expects great things from Easton, which he has accomplished up until now. A dirty play injures Easton’s arm and he is on the disabled list for the time being. However, this cocky player is determined to get back to the field sooner than later and will be working hard to make that dream a reality.
Scout Dalton is about to turn his life upside down.
Scout is a PT who is following in her father’s footsteps. She knows all too well how players “play” and she refuses to succumb to their advances. And there are plenty of them tossed her way…the guys just can’t seem to stay away from the hot woman PT.
Scout is in for the experience of a lifetime trying to hold her own against Easton and he will do whatever he needs to get back into the game he loves. However, they both have so many issues their relationship may sink before it even truly starts.
“I’m putting myself out on a limb for a woman who wants to run, when for the life of me, I’ve never been one to stay. But I’m not going anywhere.”
The chemistry between Scout and Easton is incredible. The push and pull from both of them, WOW. She can give it back to him as good as he gives it. The build of their relationship, from Scout being his PT, to their friendship, to an actual relationship is written so flawlessly, I was mesmerized with every single word. It was a nice change of pace to see the heroine who wants to run while the hero patiently waits for the woman he loves.
“But, I want tomorrows with someone. I want yesterdays, tomorrows, and next years with someone because I’ve never gotten that chance before.”
The Player is an excellent read. I cannot recommend it enough. I enjoyed every single aspect of this book…. along with the cliffhanger ending (and what a cliffhanger it is)!! I cannot wait to see how Easton and Scout’s story comes to an end in The Catch!
Love, love, love Bromberg’s writing!!!
I love pretty much anything K Bromberg writes and this was no exception!
“Right now, I’m going to kiss you senseless, Scout, and I want to fucking enjoy it. So, for the love of God, woman, use those lips of yours on me and not on words.”
The Player blew me away with its steamy scenes, romantic gestures, and lovable characters. Even if you aren’t a big fan of baseball, this is a home run you can’t miss.
Easton Wylder is the son of a baseball legend, and everyone expects him to join the greats. But when his shoulder gets injured from a dirty play, his road to success is put on hold.
Scout Dalton is the daughter of one of the best physical therapist for competitive athletes. Her goal is to get a permanent contract with the Austin Aces, so everything depends on her ability to get Easton Wylder back into perfect shape.
She’s been around athletes all her life, but her attraction to Easton is something she can’t fight. Their professional relationship doesn’t stay professional very long, but will their relationship be able to survive?
In true K. Bromberg style, the scenes are extremely hot and erotic! The characters are all likable, and I couldn’t put this down. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2.