ANYTHING BUT MINOR (Balls in Play #1) by KATE STEWART :: REVIEW

“I’m not sure what you want me to think of you, Rafe.”
“I’m pretty sure I just want you to think of me, Alice.”

We were in a rom-com mood and couldn’t wait to dive into Anything But Minor to meet Baseball superstar Rafe Hembrey. From the synopsis, this book ticked all the boxes – sports themed romance, witty banter a hunky sports star and a nerdy, intelligent sweet heroine…oh yes, something to definitely put a smile on our faces.

“One song can change everything. Did you know that?”

Did Anything but Minor live up to its premise? It certainly did. Kate Stewart delivered a winner! We had a few giggles, a bit of swoon and not only that, we learned that we’ve been cleaning our bookcases the wrong way all these years! OMG! That scene had us in fits and Alice’s love for all things John Hughes made us want to break out our 80’s movie collection for a movie fest right along with the goofy, loveable Alice! So, yeah, it’s safe to say we really did enjoy this rom-com.

“Rafe?”
“Yeah?”
“Why me?”
“It could only be you.”

Alice Boyd is one clever cookie with an Aeronautics degree, a head full of useless information courtesy of her obsession with Google, however Alice realises she has been reading about life but hasn’t really been living it after being suffocated emotionally by her mother. She doesn’t socialise and has little else outside of her job. She decides to make a new start, moving to Charlestown to become a  flight instructor *queue the theme from Top Gun** and spread her wings deciding to throw herself head first into her new environment, which is no Top Gun scenario btw – her life isn’t without a few mishaps and giggle worthy moments.

It’s at a Baseball game that Alice claps eyes on the gorgeous Rafe Hembrey, the up and coming star pitcher who is looking to be called up to the Majors any minute.  There’s a definite chemistry between them, but on the surface these two appear to be complete opposites. She’s a bit of a goof and doesn’t know the first thing about sport. He’s the athlete for who his sport is his life, but when you scratch beneath the surface, you realise they do in fact have quite a bit in common emotionally.

“I’ve got you.
“I’ve got you, too.”

Even though he’s quite the alpha, Rafe has a prickly sensitive side and without a lot of social interaction, Alice doesn’t have much of a filter and is as blunt as a butter knife at times. Alice pretty much says whatever pops into her head, good or bad which has its consequences with Rafe, yet he’s pretty besotted with this sweet, sexy, honest and refreshing woman…she may just be his undoing.

“I trust you, Alice. I don’t trust the world, but I do trust you.”

Anything But Minor is a perfect summer read. There’s enjoyable and fun banter between Rafe and Alice,  and Alice’s Google information is comical “I was pretty sure she had Googled “how to be a hot as fuck girlfriend or something of that nature“. Alice is quite the goofball romantic who really just wants her ‘movie moment’ , but does Rafe have what it takes to give it to her? Well you’ll have a lot of fun and swoon finding out as  Rafe and Alice’s romance provides the perfect sweet and sexy escape.

“What has gotten into you, Rafe Hembrey?”
“I’m happy. For the first time in a long time, I’m happy.”