Anything But Minor by Kate Stewart (Balls in Play #1)
Released: July 15, 2016
Contemporary Romance
Self Published

Reviewed by Mandi

Favorite Quote: “You called my penis Jake Ryan.”

“It’s the highest of compliments, I swear!”

Tori told me to read this one and we have very similar taste (except for when it comes to big, southern dramas – but that’s for another day). Has also recommend this and she is in my trusted reader circle. ALSO, this book is on Kindle Unlimited – how could I resist? (FYI – I dislike this cover!!)

So many times when I read a book, the first chapter or two is amazing, and then it starts to slow down and falls flat. I can’t count the number of times I’ve said something like that about a book in a review. In Anything But Minor, the opposite happens – the first couple of chapters I felt pretty non-committed to this one. It was okay, but kind of corny but, as I read, I fell more in love. It becomes super romantic. It made me laugh. I knew Tori would not fail me!

Alice is new to Charleston, having just taken a flight instructor position with Boeing. She loves to fly, and although this job has her teaching pilots about a new aircraft, she is excited for this new change. Alice is addicted to google – spending hours and hours googling everything she can think of. She prepares for her new town and job by google – but soon realizes there is more to learn than google can provide. Trying to take in the local culture, she ends up at a minor league baseball game, and befriends the woman next to her. Alice knows nothing about baseball, and Dutch gives her a crash course. It doesn’t hurt that the star pitcher, who is rumored to be heading to the majors soon, is super hot.

Rafe is so ready to be done with minor league ball and try his stuff at the major league level. He thinks his big break is coming soon. His focus will be tested though when he sees a petite, brown-eyed beauty in the stands. And then he sees her at a bar. And then he helps her in a rain storm. Soon Rafe reallllly wants to get to know Alice – in the naked way. Alice isn’t charmed by his man-whoring ways though – and plays hard to get.

There are so many cute moments in this book. As I said, it took me a bit to get into it, and then I was smiling throughout. Alice is more of a nerd, worries about a lot of things, but also up for new adventures. She also pees when she gets nervous. Like when she tries parasailing:

“Okay.” I pulled the last of my Red Bull into my mouth and crushed the can before throwing it at his feet. I bowed up to Rafe in my harness, fists clenched, teeth gritted, with a quick, “Let’s do this.” Rafe howled with laughter as I threw air punch after air punch in front of him to psyche myself up.

“What in the hell are you doing?” he asked, incredulous.

“Haven’t you seen Rocky?”

“Oh, Jesus,” Rafe mused as he checked my gear one more time.

“I’m going to make this my—Oh my GOD!!” Rafe pushed me just as I was lifted and rocked me back with a wink. As soon as I began to rise, a stream poured from between my legs. There was no stopping it.

I peed when I was nervous, excited, or scared.

Like a dog.

I peed.

And I was pretty sure I’d just slapped Rafe in the chest with it. I looked for and saw his reaction as I hovered above, screaming like a banshee, and he poured bottled water all over himself. I didn’t care how scared I was. I was never coming down.

She is obsessed with movies, especially those from the 80’s – there are a lot of references in this book that will make you smile. Plus she loves Jake Ryan. (Who doesn’t???)

JAKE RYAN. The ultimate man. The prince charming that had it all, but despite the fact that his life seemed perfect, he looked around, sought out and fell in love with the “different” girl. It was no secret why I loved that movie and Jake so much. It had always been my hope for me one day.

It’s sexy! Tori did a Smex Scene Sunday post you can go enjoy. It’s also “sexy funny.” Alice and Rafe have fun in bed and it made me giggle. I can’t help but add a few more quotes:

“It’s almost eleven. We knocked you out good.”

I stretched and then realized I was bare breasted. I pulled covers over me and clamped my mouth closed in fear of morning breath.

“We knocked me out?”

“Yeah,” he said as he lifted a brow and gestured to his crotch. “It was a team effort.”

I giggled like a four-year-old as he leaned in. “You. In. My. Bed,” he said on a deep groan. “I should lock you in here.” He stood and opened a dresser drawer and threw a Swampgators t-shirt at me. I pulled the shirt over my head. “Don’t move. I’m going to take a shower and then undress you again.” “Okay.”

“Wow, we made you agreeable, too.”

“Stop referring to your junk as another entity, Rafe. It’s creepy.”

“We’ll shut you up again soon.”

They fight as they work through their relationship. Both of them haven’t been in a long-term committed relationship so there are lots of bumps along the roads. Rafe’s best friend Alex has some drama that I thought added some good things to the story.

Overall just a fun, light-hearted, super sexy story.

Grade: B

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