The Baller

Reading the last words of the epilogue left a big ol’ fat smile on my face. This book was a total winner for me. I love football, I love football players, I love spunky girl reporters who give alpha males a run for their money. This book had it! The character banter was outstanding, just what I was in the mood for. I can’t stand books where all the ‘conversation’ is internal dialogue: so boring. Brody and Delilah really put it out there and I laughed and laughed. ‘The Baller’ was like watching the pinball ding back and forth over the game board. ‘Every time I see you, I expose myself to you.’ He flashed me his trademark smile. ‘That’s how we show girls we like them where I’m from.’ ‘Where are you from, the jungle?’ ‘Brooklyn.’ ‘I want the interview done in my hotel suite.’ ‘Your hotel suite?’ ‘Don’t sound so worried. You’ll have a crew with you. I can’t attack you in front of them.’ ‘That’s true.’ ‘I’ll have to wait until they leave.’ ‘You’re spooning me? Brody Easton spoons?’ ‘Only you, baby. But don’t be surprised if you get woken up by my fork later.’ I loved these two to bits. Funny, funny, funny. It wasn’t all one-liners and jokes though. Brody has another love, she’s eighty years old and suffering Alzheimer’s. Marlene’s character was so lovely and loving. Brody is her legal guardian since her husband passed away and was abandoned by her drug addicted daughter and granddaughter. Brody lost his mother at the tender age of seven and Marlene stepped into the shoes he’d lost. We get to watch Brody grow up through her eyes, her flashbacks and Brody’s reactions to them, were insightful, funny and endearing. She brought out the best in everyone around her including Brody. His interactions with her brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. ‘They say blood is thicker than water, but that doesn’t mean $... Everyone needs water to live.’ He’s also dealing with a blast from the past. ‘I hated her so d… much, but I couldn’t make myself stop loving her.’ Delilah is caught in the past, a tragedy that won’t let her move on. ‘I’d given up hope after Drew.’ It’s dual point of view, my favorite! I love getting to read the whole story. Side characters or lack thereof can really make or break a book. ‘The Baller’ was superior on the side character front; we really get to see Brody and Delilah as people when they interact with other folks. Wonderfully done. Indie antagonizing Mr. CUM (Gah, that name, hehe) was hilarious. I want an Indie in my life pronto. Then there were all the scenes with Brody and Grouper playing ball in the hallway. Have I mentioned I love football?! These two had off the charts chemistry, yet the love scenes weren’t voluminous, overly lengthy and graphic to the point of gory which is another dart straight to the bullseye for me. I’m so sick of books that are half sex, snooze, I want a great story and steamy scenes that add to it. Nailed it. Was the ‘big problem’ predictable. Yes, I’d say it was, yet I didn’t care that it was. It’s how the characters handled it and made it through that made it a joy to read. Nothing super dramatic and the ‘female drama’ was, happily, absent. There weren’t a zillion misunderstanding and imaginary reasons to keep them apart. They trudged forward each keeping one eye on the other. ‘You’ll come around. But when you do, I think I’ll make you beg for another chance.’ My first read by Vi Keeland is going straight to my favorites list. It just hit the right spot. Lots of laughs, lots of character interaction, tears and a happy ever after. ‘My soul picked him, not my mind.’

4.5 stars The Baller has everything I look for in a sports romantic comedy: a ballsy heroine, a cocky athlete, banter up the wazoo, real integration of the sport, and a mature relationship. Placing a checkmark in all those columns makes it seem formulaic; however, the characters really help elevate this story. Delilah is a confident football sportscaster in an industry dominated by men. She is a smart and driven character who isn’t deterred by negative attitudes. The author’s love of football is clearly evident, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning the nitty-gritty of sports reporting. Brody is a Super Bowl MVP. He’s arrogant, aggressively flirtatious, and the first to admit he’s an a$s. Outward appearances can be deceiving though because he keeps the fact that he’s really a big softy under wraps. His trips to the nursing home are both touching and funny, and his sexy alpha male side is deliciously irresistible. Delilah, however, is not easily seduced. There’s something gratifying about making a famous quarterback – who is used to public adoration and willing women – work for it. I loved, loved, loved Brody and Delilah together. They’re funny, sexy, and thank goodness they don’t try to manipulate each other. Their connection both in and out of the bedroom is palpable. I liked that the author didn’t go the predictable route of making them hide their relationship because of her career. They both have painful pasts. That commonality strengthens their bond, but their histories affect them differently. Delilah seems stuck in the past and sometimes does a two steps forward, one step back dance that can be frustrating. For me, it’s a mild hiccup in the scope of the story, but when the big conflict arises – and you know there has to be one – I didn’t care for the way it’s handled. It’s the one sour note in an otherwise enjoyable story. The book isn’t all about football and romance. There’s a heartwarming side plot and some hilariously colorful characters to make things more entertaining. After a couple meh books, I was pleased to find The Baller so entertaining. The sweet nice was a sweet final touch. It’s definitely a win for me.

4.5 Stars If you're looking for a hot and sexy, yet sweet football romance, The Baller by Vi Keeland is the book for you! This cover alone sold me on this book, but after reading the synopsis, I knew I needed this book ASAP. I feel hard for Brody and Delilah's story. Brody is the Super Bowl MVP quarterback of the NY Steel and Delilah is the reporter in charge of interviewing him after the game. She knows he has a reputation, and he shows who he really is during their first interview when he strips off his towel and continues on with the interview. I loved how this story dealt with some hard issues, there's some definite ugly cry moments in this book, yet this book had some laugh out loud moments, some super sweet moments, and some down right sexy moments. Everything about this book is amazing. Delilah is a strong character that you can't help but relate to and admire, and Brody is sexy, charming and as sweet as can be. Both of these characters have had a rough time with past relationships, and are still holding on to the ones they love. Brody wants a fun time, and Delilah wants some sort of commitment. Watching both of them go back and forth waiting to see which one would give in first was awesome to read. Brody's sexual innuendo's had me laughing out loud multiple times during this book, but getting to see the sweet and softer side of Brody is what made me fall in love with him. This book has a few bumps in the road for these two amazing characters, and once we started getting another person's POV I was scared to death that things wouldn't work out for Brody and Delilah. I wanted nothing more for this feisty reporter and this bad boy quarterback to make it work, and for a while there, I wasn't sure it was going to happen. There was parts of this book that had me crying my eyes out. I was not expecting this book to be as emotional as it was, and for me to become so invested in the secondary characters as well. This was a beautifully written, fast paced, sexy, and emotional read. I highly recommend one-clicking The Baller by Vi Keeland today. This is one that definitely needs to be on everyone's TBR list!

As soon as I heard about this book I was pumped. I am a huge football and baseball fan and it is by far my most favorite to read in a romance. This is my first Vi Keeland novella though that I have read and I have to say I fell in love with both the book and the author. This book from the very beginning was great. Brody is arrogant, cocky, sexy, bad*** and he knows it. He is the quarterback on the Steels Pro Football Team and has taken them to the Super Bowl once already and won...he is known as the Super Bowl MVP. Brody has a reputation for starting trouble with reporters and when Dehlilah Maddox walks in ...he does no different but Dehlilah gives him a run for his money thought after that first encounter. Dehlilah is a woman fighting for a place in the busy world of sports broadcasting. On the first encounter Brody has every intention of keeping up with tradition. What he doesn't realize is for every thing he dishes out after that first encounter where he caught her off guard she dishes it right back. Dehlilah is a strong heroine. She doesn't need the looks and acts of Brody Easton in her life right now but they both soon discover that with every time they see each other it just draws them in even more. The chemistry between these two.....WHEW....SMOKING HOT!!! Through out this book these two face not only trials with working around their careers and trying to make something work between them. Brody isn't out for a relationship but Dehlilah wants something real....Brody soon realizes when it comes to Dehlilah he wants no other man around her. They also, not only have to deal with the present world, have to deal with their pasts. She and Brody both have troubling pasts that they both thought they had gotten past but soon see that they neither one can move forward til they deal with them first hand. I was hooked from the first page of this book. Brody's humor, arrogance, and no filter mouth had me the first round... As he says, "How can anyone resist his charm?" To only be able to be Dehlilah. Their banter was hilariously funny. You could tell they both where attracted to the other from the mere beginning. I literally felt like this story came to life. The young hipness of the storyline was capturing, the parts about the drugs with Willow and the altzheimer's disease that Willow's Grandmother faced are all part of real everyday situations and it showed us that these two things are a common now day trial many face. The loss in this book felt so real....just everything about this book was amazing. Vi Keeland has an exceptional way with words that just reach out and grab you and lock hold on you. This story is a 5 star read!!! You just need to one click it.....

Woah, this is a GREAT read. The Baller by Vi Keeland is a heart-melting and highly addicting read. I read it in one sitting as I simply could not tear my eyes off the pages for a minute. Once you meet Brody Easton, you will swoon for life! Not only is he cocky and arrogant, but he is devilishly sexy AND has a sense of humor. While many readers may get put off by a cocky attitude, this is not the case with Brody Easton. He is completely charming! Throughout the story I felt the strongest connection to Brody. Usually when I read a romance I find myself connecting more with the heroine, but with this one, I felt more connected to Brody than anyone else. I find this to be quite refreshing as I enjoyed his male point of view and the way he flirted around with everything in his life- including the lovely Delilah. I am really not sure exactly what it is that pulled me to Brody so much, maybe the fact that underneath his cockiness is a sweet and charming man who needs love like the rest of us, or simply because he is hilarious! But either way, he is the character that I found most endearing and relatable. I also liked Delilah, the heroine of the story. She fits in well in the “man’s world of sports” and certainly a strong character in this book. She, like the rest of us, fall fairly easily for Brody’s charms but she doesn’t give in so quickly- which is also refreshing. I like her feisty attitude and the way she handles all of the situations she finds herself in. In addition to this being a hot and sexy romance (yes, you get some spicy bedroom scenes that will ultimately make you blush) there is also some complexity to the book. You see, Brody has only loved one woman in his life and her name is Willow. Sadly, when they were together Willow turned to hard drugs which ultimately drove a wedge in their relationship and it ended. Years later, Willow shows back up. But this is not necessarily in a way that readers would first assume. There really is no scheming to try and win Brody’s heart, but there is a past that each need to get closure on before they are fully able to move on. This is difficult not only for Brody but for Delilah too. So readers will see some drama- it’s not all happiness and rainbows. Overall, this is a fantastic romance read that incorporates some wonderful things like football and humor. Readers will get a kick out of the things that come out of Brody’s mouth (he can be quite a pig) and find themselves laughing out loud at his antics. Not only this, readers will feel fully satisfied once they finish the story as it does have an HEA and quite a sweet one at that. If you haven’t picked this one up yet then you really should! It’s a great read!!!

I was in the middle of another book when this arrived on my Kindle, so I couldn't start it as quickly as I wanted to. The blurb and the reviews looked great, so I crossed my fingers and hoped it didn't disappoint. It didn't. *happy dance* Brody was just the right amount of arrogant, annoying, and aggressive. Changing the ratio of any of those things could take his character from being one that I liked a lot to one that I didn't like at all. I liked Brody. Delilah was great as the heroine. I thought she was smart, independent, and funny. In other words, not a doormat, which I detest in a main character. I really liked how she handled the men in her male-dominated profession, and then she went and did this to prepare for her first "date" with Brody: " Oversized navy corduroy blazer. Navy elastic waist polyester pants (pretty damn comfortable.) Cream-cotton-and-doily-lace button-up blouse, buttoned up to the top, of course. A string of fake pearls. Hair pulled back in a tight bun. Worn penny loafers. [...] I patted my bun and rolled on some bland, mauve lipstick, purposefully swiping some on my front tooth. 'You don't like my outfit?'" That scene was hands-down, one of the best scenes I have ever read!! It brought a tear to my eye it was that well written. I felt like applauding, but I was in my living room, alone, in the wee hours of the morning, so.....yeah. *mental applause* This author also gets points for Indie, who I thought was a great secondary character, and whose story needs to be told. Pretty please. Thank you

Summary Delilah Maddox is a newly promoted sports broadcaster. Part of her new job responsibilities includes locker room interviews. When her first experience lands her in the locker room with Steels star quarterback Brody Easton, it's lust at first sight. Brody does his best to make Delilah's first interview with him as uncomfortable as possible, but she stands her ground as best she can. Neither one of them is prepared for the undeniable attraction that engulfs them, but when their respective first true loves come back into the picture, will their new found connection stand a chance? What did I think? The book follows star quarterback Brody Easton and sports broadcaster Delilah Maddox. This book was going SO well. For the first 35-40% of the book, I was 5 starring this thing like nobody's business. But then, the rest of the book happened.. The first half of the book featured the perfect amount of angst. The build up was delicious. Our male lead, Brody, is sexy, funny, confident, but our female lead, Delilah, was tough to resist his charm. The banter between the two was wonderful and I laughed out loud a few times. She held steadfast in her determination to forego a casual relationship. She refused casual sex and stuck to it. Brody attempted to befriend Delilah thinking that would satisfy his longing for her. But in the end, his efforts at a platonic relationship fail. Their connection is simply too powerful to ignore. I have to say up to this point, I was digging this book. But then, a terrible thing happened. Tragedy struck in the form of a 3rd POV. And why? Sigh. Why oh why? One might never know.. The introduction to the 3rd POV did not prove relevant for me. I gave it to the end of the book before forming my final opinion. For me, it did not add to the book. At all.. We're privy to all this additional thought process and then when push comes to shove at the end, we lose that POV and are told what comes of it. So again, why waste our time with it?? In addition to this POV issue, the end of the book was unsettling to me. I won't go into detail, as I would not want to spoil the book, but I will vaguely add that the story line was at the very least reaching. Did he feel one way or another? Did she feel one way or another? And her feelings towards the end? Yeah. That felt like a cop out. And I didn't like it. Overall, the whole wrap up of this book was more disappointing than it needed to be. Anyway, before I conclude, the book is well written. I can recommend it for a quick vacation read. I liked it quite a bit before the 50% mark - and who knows, you may continue to like it past that point! Give it a shot. After all, it may be your cup of tea. Rating Legend: 5 star-loved it 4 star-liked it 3 star-it was okay 2 star-didn't like it 1 star-hated it

I've decided after reading The Baller that Brody should be our first cloning candidate. I really, really like him. The Brody is a smart bloke and knows how to get people on his side. A smile and a compliment to the ladies, a pat on the back and man talk for the lads. The Brody doesn't talk down to kids and is respectful to the older generation. There's a slight malfunction that might need to get tweaked in the cloning process though. The Brody turns into an arrogant jerk when a possible mating candidate comes into touching distance. His second brain also causes strife when said mating candidate is close. The Brody's second brain wants to escape from its cover and rise into attack position...in case mating candidate needs him urgently. The Brody's first brain also goes into a default setting of testing tolerance, by making the mating candidate put up with sexist drivel. Luckily, once mating candidate has been matched and successfully caught in The Brody's clutches, he reverts back to perfect, or near to perfect Brody. Delilah has a tough job. She works in an industry where it's a bit of a men's club and she's one of very few women who steps in to the club and dares to do the job as well, if not better. She isn't a stranger to the game. Her father was a star football player when she was growing up and because she takes her job seriously, goes out of her way to know as many statistics as possible about football and the players. As a sports reporter, one part of her job is to walk into the locker room after a game for an interview. Some of the players are respectful, while others go out of their way to make her uncomfortable. One of those players that do an excellent job of making her uncomfortable is the quarterback, Brody Easton. Brody has spent the last few years concentrating on his career. Football is a very important part of his life, but for awhile there, real life and issues intruded that nearly took it all away. After having a few seasons on the sidelines, he knows where his head needs to be. Women have a place in his bed, but relationships are not high on his list of priorities. His priorities change when a curly haired, beautiful woman tells him straight that she doesn't do hook ups. What's a bloke to do? Try and have a relationship of course. Brody is fond of walls. Especially if there's a woman between him and the wall. Especially, especially when that woman has her legs around his waist. Brody is a DIRTY TALKER. He does it extremely well. I was feeling extremely hot and bothered before the action even started...and the action definitely lived up to the words. Brody is also a sweetheart. He's been going to a nursing home to visit a woman every Tuesday for years. Marlene, was there for him throughout his life and now she has dementia. His dedication to her is only one of the many things that demonstrate how sweet he is. This review is mostly a dedication to Brody. I can't help myself, he was a bloody good character. He wasn't perfect, but he tried his hardest to be a good man and find goodness in other people. Delilah was also pretty cool. She has faced her own challenges and heartbreak, but by then end is stronger and confident in herself and the relationship between herself and Brody. There are interesting additional characters and some of them I loved. I would love to see Indie get her own story and maybe even Michael too...but not together. There were a few people we meet that didn't really have their stories finished and I kind of wanted to know what happened to them in the end. Maybe a story for them too. I'm thinking that I may be a new member of the fans of Vi club too. This will definitely not be my last story by this author.

It kind of kept me on my toes I do loved the book . Will for sure recommend it to the romantic ones

First of all I have to say "WOW" about the great cover choice!! You had me at "HELLO THERE"!!! Great choice Vi! Love the main character Cody so much! On the outside he's a "cocky" football star who falls for Delilah a sports reporter. On the inside Cody is actually very good hearted, as the book will explain. I love the first time they meet and she has to interview him and he drops his towel to intimidate her. Hilarious. So many good parts to this story, I am so happy that I had a chance to read it!! Highly recommend this book to everyone. I'm not a sports fan but this book was perfect!!! I will be reading all of Vi Keeland's books for sure!!!

I liked the way the story is told and the characters built.Its quite entertaining.Learnt quite some info about american football.

Eu estava bastante ansiosa para ler este livro e eu tenho que admitir que ele ficou um pouco aquém do que eu imaginava. O romance conta a estória de Brody e Delilah. Não vou me deter em descrever a trama, outos leitores já fizeram isto. Vi Keeland sabe como conduzir uma história e o início deste romance é prova disto. O início deste livro é sensacional, poucas vez eu me vi tão envolvida numa trama e tão apaixonada pelos protagonistas. A estória é contada alternando os pontos de vista de Brody e Delilah e realmente prende a atenção do leitor. O clima leve, romântico, brincalhão e sexy conquista e provoca simpatia imediata. Porém quando chegou o exato meio do livro, surgiu um terceiro personagem narrador. E não apenas isso, mas o clima leve, brincalhão e sexy, reflexo das personalidades de Brody e Delilah, transformo-se numa clima pesado e carregado de tensão e tristeza. Este recurso narrativo meio que quebrou o meu envolvimento com a história. Me perdoem a comparação, mas foi como se um romance de Helena Hunting (que eu adoro) estivesse, lentamente, se transformando num livro de Pepper Winters (que eu considero uma autora genial). A história somente me conquistou novamente nos últimos três capítulos, nos quais Vi permitiu que Brody brilhasse novamente.

I love love love Brodie Easton. His humour cracks me up. Such a beautiful story. A must read for everyone.