Review: A League of Her Own by Karen Rock

A LEAGUE OF HER OWN

by Karen Rock

Publication Date: December 1, 2014

Published by Harlequin

Pages: 312

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

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He was attractive, talented…and way off limits.

Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college pitcher and a top university coach, but she's a rank amateur when it comes to managing the Falcons, her father's struggling minor league team. And when it comes to managing her aggravating attraction to Garrett Wolf, their talented new pitcher. It's going to be difficult enough to make it as the first female manager in the league and prove to her overly critical father she's worthy. No distractions. No missteps. And certainly no romances with players. Everything stands between them—including their troubled pasts—even as Heather's world falls apart and Garrett's the one who's there to catch her…

My Thoughts

The title A League of Her Own immediately makes me think of the movie A League of Our Own about the all-female baseball league and the important role of women played in sport of baseball. While Heather, the main character of A League of Her Own no longer plays ball, she, like the women in the movie (and in history) is trying to make her way in a predominately male-run industry. 

I enjoyed reading about Heather and Garrett. In many ways Heather is someone to be admired. Her strength of character shines through in decisions that she makes. She wants what is best for the team and strives to make the players better. Garrett has a lot going for him too. He is trying to recover from a rocky past and makes an effort to be better. They are on parallel paths to prove they were good enough and deserved their successes. They showed doubts and struggles that I related to and that made me want to read more about them.

There is an undeniable attraction between Heather and Garrett. There is a level of admiration of their athletic capabilities (well there is after Heather has to show Garrett what's up), but they both are hesitant to act on their attraction. Heather's role as manager and Garrett's past make the both keep their guard up. Through her writing, Rock creates just enough tension to make me wonder: Are they ever going to figure a way to make this work?

As in Rock's previous books, I like that the story is set in a small town. In A League of Her Own, we read about the struggles of a town that relies on industry in order for the community to not just thrive but to simply survive. Without a major money maker, the town will cease to exist. Heather understands the importance of the baseball team and the impact its success and the influence it has on the community. 

Rock is an author whose stories I really enjoy. They are human, relatable, and a new go-to when I want to read a sweet romance. I look forward to the stories Karen Rock gives her readers next.

Disclaimer:  I requested this e-ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.