THE CHANGEUP

THE CHANGEUP                                       RHONDA SHAW
Posted:  April 28, 2014

 Playing for keeps
After nine years of striking out in the dating department, Maddie Hamlin is throwing in the towel. But just as this mom resolves to remain single, she meets sweet and sexy pitching phenom Chase Patton at a family dinner. He’s perfect for her--aside from the fact he’s only twenty-two.
Chase knows he should be focusing on his rookie year with the Detroit Rockets, but he can’t stop thinking about Maddie. He doesn’t care that the beautiful school counselor is twelve years older, and he’s already lost his heart to her adorable daughter. When an incredible date leads to an incredible night of passion, he knows he never wants to let her go.
But dating in the media spotlight is a whole new ball game. Maddie quickly discovers that not everyone accepts their unconventional relationship and that finding love may mean losing everything else.

MY REVIEW:

     What a riveting story of a pure innocent love a 22 year old young man, Chase Patton, feels for older single mother, Maddie Hamlin.  She is 12 years older than him, making her 34 years old and if that wasn’t enough her daughter is nine years old adding to the whole situation.

     The difference with their relationship that is different is Chase is a professional baseball player and so much more mature, just ask anyone.  In fact he is one of the highest paid young athletics paid directly out of high school.  He is such a good pitcher and has such control on the ball and control of the head on his shoulders (and the other one too.)  He is not one to go out drinking or partying.  No wild women or staying out real late in fact they call him “Grandpa.”  For this he only stayed in the minors for a very short while.  When he met Maddie it was love at first sight.  He knew what he wanted and he went after it just like baseball.  Bree was a bonus as far as he was concerned an awesome one. 

     So, once he came off the road trip he was on, he started making a point of dropping by.  Which was easy since they were neighbors.  His teammate, “Smutty,” and he have a condo they share a couple of doors down.  After a few visits he got his nerve up and asked her out.  She didn’t think it was a good idea due to their age although she was highly attracted to him.  He kept talking she finally agreed.  One thing led to another and bang they are a couple.  It is not an easy the road is not smooth and she is shaky to begin with.  He goes on another road trip and all hell breaks loose on her while he is gone.  She is forced to break up with him.  Not of her making and their lives are at their lowest emotionally, spiritually and his job is paying for it.  She is force to break up with him though to keep what she has safe and protected.  See what happens.  You do not want to miss it.  It was tastefully done and taps on a lot of issues that a relationship of this type would come up against. Truthful as well as insightful.

     I loved, loved, loved this book.  Emotions are amazingly pure, sexy as hell, and I love Chase.  You have to read, “The Ace” you will love it too.  Karen and Smutty are wonderful characters and they are so funny together but there is also a lot of emotions in that one too. 5 stars.  Provided by Net Galley.   Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com

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