HARDBALL by CD REISS

‘I didn’t know how to exist inside my own contradictions.’

It’s no secret that we absolutely love CD Reiss’ writing style. She just has this way with words that we find absolutely addictive as it never fails to evoke vivid imagery and at times makes us envious of her vocabulary. Once more her hero and heroine both won us over – equally so – as both had a multifaceted personality yet hearts of pure gold. There’s strength in vulnerability and vulnerability in strength.

‘She wasn’t completely broken or completely whole. She was guileless without being naïve. Vulnerable and strong at the same time. A locked box with a tiny window that let me see something shiny inside.’

Vivian was a beautiful character. She lives alone with her stepdad and we absolutely fell in love with their relationship, loving their banter and mutual love for one another. Working as a librarian, Vivian shows her nurturing caring side which translates into her personal life mixed with scepticism and realness. Vivian is an independent realist yet her hearts wants what it wants and overrules her head when it comes to Dash. Though not without a fight.

‘I wanted his soul inside me, a melding of skin where we touched, an unbroken circle of pulsing attention and awareness.’

Dash Wallace is a conflicted soul; a reluctant sports hero who shines on the baseball field and shies away from the limelight. Ruled by routine and superstition he lives a life believing outcomes are dependent on actions. It broke our hearts and whilst some may think this was a sign of arrogance or a disregard of others for personal benefits and gains, we saw it as a vulnerability of personal distress. We fell in love with this sexy well-read hero.

“I was good. I was at home with baseball. But I set my routines, and I need them. I can’t…I can’t play without them.”

We really enjoyed this novel from CD Reiss; although different to what we’ve read before by her and we have to mention that the synopsis does not do this book any justice. It kept us riveted whilst we swooned, laughed and truly felt for the characters. The passion, chemistry and moments of intensity was off the charts! We definitely recommend HardBall.