BLOG TOUR - REVIEW: FULL COUNT by LYNN STEVENS

 

Title: Full Count

Westland University #1

Author: Lynn Stevens

Genre: NA Sports Romance 

Release Date: June 19, 2017

 

 

In Full Count (Westland University #1) by Lynn Stevens, to avoid academic probation, Aaron Betts must pass the one subject he hates. - Modern American History. Asking Mallory Fine to tutor him isn't easy, but she agrees. However, the more time they spend together, the more Aaron wants to get to know Mallory on a more personal level, yet she's determined to keep things strictly in the tutor and student zone. But when Aaron discovers the truth about why she's so closed off and realizes what he's doing to get back to playing baseball quicker is wrong, will she be able to forgive his stupidity or will Aaron lose the woman he loves?

 

This had all the makings of a five-star read for me until I got to the final chapter, and it ended in a way that left me disappointed. Still, Ms. Stevens has delivered an interesting and entertaining read with the rest of this story, which started off with me feeling sorry for the hero due to what he is going through. Not only does he have his injury, but if he doesn't begin to understand the things his professor is teaching in his Modern American History class then he has no hope of getting back out on the diamond to play again. Will Mallory be able to help him? Will he learn enough to be able to pass the class?

 

As for the dialogue, it was riveting due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the heroine. She's lost everyone she's ever loved, and believes that getting close to anyone isn't worth the heartbreak for fear of losing them. Will Aaron be able to change her way of thinking? The dialogue was also intense due to the situation with Aaron's ex who is determined to cause trouble between the pair by making Mallory jealous, what Aaron is doing to get back onto the diamond quicker that Mallory will hate him for, and what happens to the hero towards the end that had me concerned for him.

 

Both the main characters had me hooked due to their growing relationship and whether Aaron would win Mallory over. However, they also had me captivated because Mallory's back story isn't a happy one, and what Aaron is doing to recover from his injury quicker will make her so disappointed with him. Enough so she'll believe that baseball will always take his number one spot as the thing he loves most. Will he be able to make things right between them when their relationship falls apart?

 

Moreover, the heroine is strong and brave in giving the hero a chance and I liked how she finally opened up to him about why she was scared to give him a chance. I also liked how kind, caring and determined she was to win Aaron's family over when she meets them. Certainly, she finds a way by what she asks the grandmothers to tell her. While the hero, I liked how he handled things when it came to his ex and that he didn't allow her to worm her way back into his life. I also liked that he didn't push the heroine until the moment where he thought he was losing her to another guy; a guy that has been in her life a lot longer. Furthermore, he's determined to do whatever it takes to get the chance to play again as quickly as he can, and I felt sorry for him for how things turned out. Because it goes to show that trying to recover quickly from his injury in an illegal way can lead to serious consequences; consequences not just for his college life, but for his future.

 

Overall, this was a really good read where the chemistry between this couple was intense and illustrates how much Mallory trusts him. However, although I enjoyed this story, the ending frustrated me because of how things ended between Mallory and Aaron. It ALMOST felt like a cliffhanger, and  certainly wasn't the happy ever after I was expecting. Will Mallory ever be able to forgive Aaron? However, I did like that Mallory was finally able to let go of the past and forgive those that she believed did wrong by her. I would recommend Full Count by Lynn Stevens, if you enjoy second chance romances, sports romances, or books by authors Cindi Madsen, Robin Bielman, Shae Ross or Rebecca Yarros.

 

 

 

 

Anyone who says they’re having the worst day hasn’t met me. My girlfriend cheated, I blew out my knee, and probably trashed my chance of going pro. All in one day. Then my jerk professor tells I’m almost on academic probation.

 

Awesome. Now I get to find a tutor.
 

Enter Mallory Fine, quiet, a little intense, and my kind of gorgeous. Who also happens to hate baseball and any guy who plays it.
 

Hello, curiosity.
 

I tell myself this will be nothing more than a tutoring relationship. I’m a liar. I want this girl. How hard can her secrets be to unravel? It might be a challenge, but so is getting back on the ball field and I’m determined to make that happen—no matter the cost.

 

 

 

“Hey,” I said, drawing her attention back to me.

She tried to soften her expression, but her eyes darted back to the game. “I just wanted to apologize for earlier. One of the freshmen had a meltdown that would rival Three Mile Island.”

“Three mile what?” I asked, searching my brain and coming up empty. “Wait isn’t that an Eminem song?”

“Dr. Monroe was right, you didn’t pay attention in class today.” She shook her head as a grin lifted her cheeks.

--

Mallory: What makes you think I’m reading anything?

I chuckled quietly.

Me: Just a hunch. 

Mallory: Don’t judge me, but it’s a romance.

Me: A romance? Let me guess, a hot teacher falls for a sexy baseball player?

Mallory: It’s not a book of advice.

--

Shaking off the feeling of disappointing my father again, I took my computer out of my bag and powered up. The first email I saw was from MFine. I laughed at Mallory’s last name. She was pretty fine with that pixie face and hair a guy could get lost in. I opened it and smiled.

Dear Mr. Betts,

I hope you made it back to campus without any problems. We will meet in the library on the third floor by the microfiche. Nobody uses those except history majors and the area is always quiet. I’d like to meet on Mondays at three, Wednesdays at five, and Fridays at three. Our sessions will go no longer than an hour and a half; although I doubt we will need that entire time. Most of my tutoring sessions only last an hour, but I always schedule in extra time in case we hit a particularly difficult stretch. If these times are not going to work for you, please let me know immediately.

Sincerely,

M. Fine

I hit respond, amused by her formality. It was like talking to a character out of one of Chelsea’s silly historical romances. Not that I would know anything about that. Okay, not that I’d ever admit to reading one. Once. 

Dear Ms. Fine,

Those times are acceptable. For now. In a few weeks, I’ll start physical therapy so we may need to make adjustments depending on the doctor. Is there anything you want me to bring to the sessions?

Sincerely,

Aaron #4

I waited less than a minute for a response.

Dear Mr. #4,

Bring your books and your brain.

Leave your brain, and we may need the entire hour and a half.

Mallory

Maybe this girl wasn’t as stiff as she pretended to be.

Lynn Stevens flunked out of college writing her first novel. Yes, she still has it and no, you can't read it. Surprisingly, she graduated with honors at her third school. A former farm girl turned city slicker, Lynn lives in the Midwest where she drinks coffee she can't pronounce and sips tea when she's out of coffee. When she's out of both, just stay away.

 

 

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