Straddling the Line (Play-By-Play, #8)

by Jaci Burton

Trevor Shay has it all—a successful football and baseball career, and any woman he wants. But when he finds out his college mentor’s daughter is in trouble, he drops everything to come to her aid.
 
Haven Briscoe has finally landed a dream job as a sportscaster for a major network. But she hasn’t been able to move past the recent death of her beloved father, and it’s affecting her career. A plum assignment following the daily life of sports superstar Trevor Shay might be just the inspiration she needs…
 
Trevor will do anything to spark life back into Haven, including letting her into every aspect of his world. The chemistry between them flames higher than one of Trevor’s home runs and faster than his dashes to the end zone. But as they grow closer, Haven stumbles onto Trevor’s closely guarded secret, one he’s hidden his entire life. And despite his protests, now it’s Haven’s turn to put everything on hold to help Trevor. Will he let her in and trust her with a secret that could blow his professional and personal world apart? 

• ISBN10: 0425262995
• ISBN13: 9780425262993
• Publish Date: 1 July 2014
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780425262993

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

Another solid addition to the Play by Play series. I may be in the minority, but I like how this series has evolved, and for me, gotten better. When I started reading this series, there was a lot of sex and a little story. Now, I feel like Burton spends more time building a story, and there is still sex (don't worry), but it is not the bulk of the book any longer.

As always, Burton gave us two likable MCs, who are a little wounded. Haven is a sports broadcaster, who is still recovering from her father's death. Trevor is a dual sports star with a secret, that is keeping him from forming meaningful relationships. He requests an in depth story about his past, present, and future be assigned to Haven, in an attempt to rescue her from her depression. Her past feelings and his present attraction result in sparks and lots of heat.

We also get to revisit past couples, which is a personal favorite, AND Burton introduces a few new characters, who will be showing up in future books.

I have read other reviews, and I do agree with some of the criticisms. The conflict was revealed quite late in the story, and then was hastily resolved. Because of that, the ending seemed abrupt. I do know that we will get a peek into what Trevor and Haven have been up to in future books, but we never got the solid ending that we usually get.

Overall, I enjoyed this, as I always enjoy these books. I was invested and entertained. I laughed and had to fanned myself due to the heat coming off the page. I was entertained, and that is why I read.

[Cocktails and Books]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, but the later books in the series don't compare to books 1-3. Those Riley boys and Ty were D-I-R-T-Y and weren't afraid to show their women. I've missed that. STRADDLING THE LINE gets closer to that original formula. The characters and their relationship is still the main focus, but the author also brings sex back in as a secondary character. For me, that secondary character is important because during sex seems to be the only time Haven and Trevor are honest with their feelings (as was the same with Mick/Tara, Gavin/Liz and Jenna/Ty). And it's through sex that forge the bonds that build on their relationship.

Still one of my favorite sport romance series and one that will continue to be on my auto-buy list.