I’ve planned well, studied hard, and dreamed of my future. It keeps me alive, ignoring the things from my painful past. The thing about life is that it can throw a curveball into your path that you can’t anticipate, and plan accordingly.But life’s cruel. It offers both good and bad, and no time for the right reaction.My junior year of college should be one of the best but my chance run-in with a … chance run-in with a loner freshman that harbors deep secrets soon pulls me into her mysterious world. Unfortunately, her omissions of truth find me in a dangerous place.
Then, I meet Blake Angel. He is one of those curveballs of life…easy on the eyes, and every time we touch, sparks fly. But I can’t. I won’t. I have a game plan, a play-by-play for my future.
Before I realize it, everything has changed. The hidden secrets and lies only confuse me more. Worse, I may not be able to save myself, Samantha Sawyer, from those that now hunt me—and I have no idea why.
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When I started reading Up to Bat, I really had no idea of the plot. I did not read the blurb when I purchased it. This book and author was recommended by a different author I follow. OMG, I stayed up way past my bedtime turning the pages. I was surprised by every twist and turn in the story. Every one of them! Fun, mysterious and sexy. Such a great combination. I can’t wait to read more.
4 Cranky Stars
This book wasn’t what I expected. I seriously had a confused look on my face for most of the book. Not in a bad way just a totally confused as to what was happening way. I thought despite reading the synopsis that this was a college romance with some mystery. Well let’s take out college for the last leg of the book and replace it with a safe house and so many confusing variables.
Sam has been dealt a tragic hand. Having lost her brother in the 9/11 attacks she has never truly been the same. She’s very regimented and refuses to deviate from her plan. She befriends a quite and timid girl and that’s when her life spirals out of control. She starts bumping into Blake more and she doesn’t think it’s a coincidence.
Blake has secrets. He’s not who he seems and is trying to maintain a college career. When things start to spiral and he realizes it’s because Sam bears a striking resemblance to a mousy girl he knows he starts putting two and two together. When they are thrust together feelings develop and keeping her safe becomes his number one priority.
I liked this book but it was a lot going on. So many unanswered questions such as who is the mole and why does Adrianna always carry that teddy bear. Ok well I think I know the answer to that one. It wasn’t what I expected and I’m glad I have book two on hand because that ending left me with more questions then answers.
This book is filled with intrigue and anticipation. I loved this book! I kept trying to guess the mystery by what was not being said, which kept me turning the pages with excitement. The book is so well written I felt all the emotions of sadness, grief, fear, and love, to name but a few, that the characters experienced.
I love Sam’s ansty personality along with her moodiness and stubborness, along with the process of how she was dealing with her grief.
The story is in line with the title, but also so different to it in such a good way…..and I wasn’t expecting that ending!
Can’t wait to read book 2 in the Diamond Series, The Playbook.
Samantha Sawyer has experienced heartbreak, that she carries with her every day. She’s a hard working college student, who is asked to help out a new and shy student Adriana. Although Sam finds her a bit weird they soon become friends. This story is mysterious and suspenseful and had me flicking the pages, dying to find out more. A love story starts to spark between Sam and Blake one of the new Grad Students, That leads to more secrets and scandal and to finding out people and things arnt really what they seem. So looking forward to the next book in this series.
“Will you stay with me tonight?”
“I want to, I’m not sure I could just hold you and not want to do more.”
Have you ever heard the expression, “you think you know a person….”? Well, there’s a lot of this in this book as well as mystery, danger and suspense. Add in a little steam and it makes for a great read!
Samantha “Sam” Sawyer is dedicated to her plan. Study hard. Graduate. Get her dream career in sports medicine. Well, even the best laid plans still go off the rails. Her new friendship with Adriana has brought more to her life than just a running buddy. Now, she finds herself with a target on her back and running for her life. To top that off, the handsome man she’s falling for isn’t who he seems to be either. Blake always seems to show up where he’s least expected, and their conversations are guarded at best. What is he not telling her?
Now, in danger, Sam is thrown into a life she’s only seen in those crime dramas on TV. Who is after her? And why? And, what is the connection between Blake and Adriana? At this point, nothing in her life is making sense and she needs to figure it out before she ends up dead. Can she trust Blake to keep her safe, or is he a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
I really enjoyed this story! This is book 1, so it does end in a cliffhanger but it just made me really want book 2!
This is a suspense romance with elements of sports sprinkled in. The story focuses on Sam a sport trainer student and her campus life. I enjoyed this read, Maggie Jane knows how to seed the story to keep you reading to find out what happens next. Me being an impatient reader I wanted slices of bread instead of the well placed bread crumbs, but that’s just me wanting the mystery in full bloom! I really enjoyed Blake and his flirting but I was frustrated with Sam and her emotional shield, all work and no play attitude, I wanted her to drop it and jump him, come on he’s a walking breathing Thor, how could she resist him! But all these elements make it an interesting read. The biggest draw back is it ends in a cliffhanger, a really intense scene..waiting is so hard, but don’t let that prevent you from starting this book it’s worth it!