*I received a free copy of Too Hot to Handle from Loveswept via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Series: The Boys of Summer #2
Published by Loveswept on 27 January 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 240
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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Nikki Case is no fan of baseball. Her ex gambled away a fortune on the sport, and now her PR firm has tasked her with cleaning up the league’s most notorious bad boys. The New Jersey Sonics are known for wild womanizing and booze-fueled brawls, so Nikki expects the worst. Her first stop in the battle to win hearts and minds is star hitter Jake Baldwin—a legendary ladies man so smokin’ he threatens to melt her tough-girl armor.
Although his teammates prank her without mercy, Jake admires the way Nikki gives as good as she gets. She may be the queen of frost, but there’s kindling beneath those sultry curves—and he’s just the man to ignite it. But when a PR nightmare lands the Sonics in headlines across the country, Nikki is ready to walk. Only then does Jake realize how important she is to the Sonics’ success—and that winning the love of a good woman is no game.
Too Hot to Handle was a great read, especially because Nikki got pranked just as much as the players did, and Jake just couldn’t stay away from her.
My Too Hot to Handle review:
Too Hot to Handle gave a little more character growth and insight to the various guys playing baseball. Jake intrigued me in Bring on the Heat, because while he was a good looking guy, I thought he was definite trouble. And boy, was he! Not the way I thought – but still! Nikki was brought on board with the New Jersey Sonics to save the team’s public image, and the players plus the on-staff marketing guy did everything they could to make life difficult for her. Adding to the fact were both Jake trying to flirt with her, and also that pesky little thing in her past that made her not enjoy baseball even a little bit.
I really enjoyed how Nikki was so professional, she knew how to get things done, and she had the knowledge of different kinds of media to make sure the players were seen in the best light; even when they were completely goofing off and acting like big children. Too Hot to Handle could describe both Jake and Nikki, because I think they both felt too hot for the other. Jake was used to women falling into his lap, and was surprised at how much he enjoyed it when Nikki turned him down. And Nikki definitely didn’t want to mix business with pleasure. She wanted to use the Sonics like a spring-board to further her own career. However, she stayed and worked hard, even when the going got tough! Working from a distance when she felt like that was the only way she could handle things.
Too Hot to Handle is written in past tense, third person with lots of spicy and humorous dialogues. If you enjoy a romance that is fast-paced and that involves more than ‘just’ the romance, you should try this! I have never watched a game of baseball in my life (yeah, no baseball teams in Europe!) but I till really enjoyed Too Hot to Handle, the practice, the way the guys interacted and had each others’ backs, and how the grudgingly came to respect Nikki for her skills with the media.
Some of my favorite Too Hot to Handle quotes:
Impossibly, she looked even hotter all outraged. Her cheeks blazed pink and she bit her lip, unconsciously redding it. All he could picture was taking that mouth with his own, peeling off that conservative power suit, and making her come with the same intensity she flashed at him now. Fascinated, he had to shake off his thoughts to continue.
Nikki leaned against the wall, finally able to breathe. What the hell had just happened? Nothing, she reminded herself. Other than the fact that the man seh was secretly drooling over had just stopped by and invited her to a romantic dinner on the beach.
Over the next few weeks, he was certain she would do everything within her power to put as much distance between them as possible. Given the time to think, she’d decide that since he was not willing to be her personal Chippendale, it was time to move on.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
I’m definitely going to check out this series, Lexxie. 🙂 I really like the sound of the characters plus you know I like it when the couples refuse to believe they just might belong together. 😉 And like I said, I like a story set around baseball. Guess what I’m going to have you do next May while we’re in Chicago? Yep, watch a little baseball. 😉 Happy Monday, my dear! I hope your week is off to a great start! *BIG HUGS*
I think you’ll enjoy these baseball guys, Brandee! And I would love to check out some actual baseball in Chicago next May 😀 That would be kind of like travelling by the book for me 😀
My week started off pretty good – I didn’t get to crunch any numbers, as I had to delete stuff off my computer before it would actually work… so I went to watch Inside Out with the kids instead 😀
*BIG HUGS*
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
Not much for sports romances but it sounds good. 🙂 Looks hot too! 😉
I actually enjoy the sports romances because they bring another level to the story and the romance, Stormi 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I’m not that into sports romances either, but this one sounds good. And baseball is one of my favorite sports.
You should check it out, Majanka 😉
I thought I’d posted a com but apparently, I clicked wrong ! So, to sum it up, this one looks better than the previous, I’ll give it a try – thanks for sharing 🙂
It was a lot better than the first one, Iza. It was pretty hot, and quite humorous, too 🙂
I love a hero that screams trouble!! They are also so fun. I don’t watch much baseball, but I love sport romances.
LOL Renee, I’ve never watched a baseball game, but this story still appealed to me in every way 🙂
I read a couple of sports romances that were about baseball players. Love the game and enjoyed those stories. This sounds like a great read for the summer:)
Yeah, it was a great and hot read, and it would work both on and off the beach, Laura 😉
Twitter: talksupeblog
Ooh but I love tropes like this where the dude has to really work his way to the chick’s heart. It’s so full of romantic tension, it’s always swoony!
I agree, Braine! And he had to be very inventive 😉
I like a good sports romance when it’s done well, and this sounds wonderful. A strong female character, who’s strong enough to stay focused on her career is awesome and who wouldn’t love a hot star with a little growing to do. Really enjoyed the review! Hugs…Ro
I agree, sports romances are awesome! And yes, Nikki was a very good and strong character, Ro 🙂
I really want to read this one. I love new adult sport books with bad boys! This is right up my element haha I’ll have to check out this series. I hadn’t heard of it before.
You should, Gen, it’s really good! And if you enjoy sport romances, you should check out Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series as well, if you haven’t read it yet 🙂