Curveball of Emotions: First Base Review

Publication Date: April 23, 2024

Author: Ally Wiegand

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

It was just a game… until the rules changed. Baseball photographer Maggie Redford is happy to watch life from the stands. At twenty-five, she’s already lost the love of her life and is content to focus on her job snapping shots of Chicago’s MLB team instead of her love life. But Maggie’s thrown a curveball when the team signs Tommy Mikals, a tattooed hotshot whose talent for making plays is matched by a playboy reputation. Tommy knows he was traded because his last team grew tired of his tabloid escapades, but he’s looking at this season as a chance at redemption. Vowing to give up his party-boy ways, he can’t afford to be distracted by the gorgeous team photographer. When a wild team outing leads to Maggie getting caught on the wrong side of the camera with Tommy, the photo goes viral—making Maggie look like just another of Tommy’s hook-ups. With his reputation and her job at risk, the PR team devises a fake a romance to convince the world that the two are an established couple. But as their pretend relationship plays out in the spotlight, real feelings come into play. Maggie’s already loved and lost, Tommy’s never learned to Can they even make it past first base?

Review

“First Base” by Ally Wiegand delivers a heartwarming and enjoyable romance that hits all the right bases. With a blend of sports, fake dating, and heartfelt emotion, this novel offers a delightful escape into the world of baseball and budding love.

Maggie Redford, a talented baseball photographer, finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight when the team signs Tommy Mikals, a notorious playboy player with a troubled past. Forced into a fake romance to save their reputations, Maggie and Tommy embark on a journey filled with unexpected twists and genuine emotions.

Wiegand’s writing effortlessly captures the chemistry between Maggie and Tommy, making their fake relationship feel surprisingly genuine. While the fake dating trope is a familiar one, the author infuses it with fresh energy and emotions, keeping readers hooked from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own insecurities and past traumas. Maggie’s journey of self-discovery and healing is particularly poignant.

Although the story could benefit from more depth in certain areas, such as Tommy’s involvement with the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, the overall pacing remains brisk and engaging. The inclusion of emotional moments, particularly those involving Maggie’s past relationship with Luke, adds depth and resonance to the narrative.

While the third-act breakup and miscommunication trope may feel predictable to some readers, Wiegand handles it with sensitivity and skill, allowing the characters to confront their fears and insecurities before finding their way back to each other.

In conclusion, “First Base” is a charming and heartfelt romance that will appeal to fans of sports-themed love stories. With its endearing characters, sweet romance, and emotionally resonant moments, this novel is sure to hit a home run with readers.