The Change Up by Elley Arden

The Change Up (Arlington Aces, #1)

by Elley Arden

Commercial real estate mogul Rachel Reed followed her workaholic father's footsteps to success, so when he's diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she vows to rise to the occasion. She'll help her father get the Arlington Aces independent professional baseball team up and running, then sell the franchise off to recoup their investment. It's a tall order, but Rachel knows one thing for sure: a few acres of trees aren't going to stand in her way of building the facility they need.

Landscaper Sam Sutter is surprised to find his brother's high school girlfriend lurking in the woods behind his secluded log house. This former minor leaguer's even more upset to learn "his" trees are on her chopping block. There's no way he'll help her erect a painful reminder to his failed career in his backyard. But butting heads with the beautiful businesswoman proves to be a tricky task, and before long, he finds himself heading up the grounds keeping crew at her father's stadium.

Working under Rachel's watchful--smoldering--eyes might be Sam's undoing. Can he cut into her plans without felling their chances at a home run in love?

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Reviewed by Lynn on

4 of 5 stars

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The Change Up is so much more than a baseball-themed romance in my first book by Elley Arden.

Sam Sutter retired from playing baseball ten years ago and now works as a landscape gardener in his father's business. During a walk near his secluded property, he's angered when his brother's former girlfriend is negotiating with a contractor to cut down trees that border onto his property. Driven by his late mother's passion for this wooded area, he sets about challenging Rachel Reed with many unexpected results.

Rachel Reed, just shy of forty years old when her father announces he's got Alzheimer's. He gets Rachel to sign a power of attorney, giving her explicit instructions on what business he wants her to conduct on his behalf; a baseball team he bought, that he now wants to sell as quickly as possible.

Rachel isn't instantly likeable. She's a focused business woman, driven to succeed. Yet, as we get to know more about her, you can't help but feel sorry for her as she's sacrificed so much in her personal life to be the 'son' her father always wanted. As she reconnects with her family and gets to know Sam, she's torn between honouring her father's instructions or following her heart to reach a decision that will be the best outcome for everyone she knows. Equally, Sam has his own issues to overcome; torn between playing safe and concentrating on helping his father expand their business or to cease an unexpected opportunity to play baseball again.

The relationship between the protagonists is a slow burn as distrust for each other overshadows their mutual attraction as they initially lock horns over the trees that meant so much to Sam's deceased Mother. I liked them together as they make compromises, which then allows then to explore their lustful feelings in a fling that will be over as soon as Rachel has finished up her work commitments in Arlington. Neither realising they want more for their lives including each other. The author does a great job of highlighting the difficult issues faced by people like Rachel, dealing with a loved one who has Alzheimers. From personal experience, the portrayal of Danny Reed was heartbreakingly accurate.

Overall I enjoyed Rachel and Sam's story but would have preferred more romantic interaction between them.

3.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Crimson Romance via NetGalley***

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 30 April, 2016: Finished reading
  • 30 April, 2016: Reviewed