The Curve

Swift Series, Book 1

By: Leslie Pike

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Maxine Mitchell

From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Pike comes a heartfelt sexy sports romance about the way life sometimes throws you a curveball when you least expect it.

The thing about the curveball is that its entire purpose is to knock the hitter off balance. They’re tough to hit, and not so easy to catch, either. But catching them is part of my job, and being good at my job is what got me where I am.

The curve I’m having a tough time catching is Charlotte Bay, the gorgeous single mom who pretends she doesn’t need anything. Especially a man.

She’s protective of her daughter - I get that. I come from a close knit family too. Only I sense that she’s got good reason to protect Mallory, if the scars on her face are anything to go by.

They’re both sweet and vulnerable, and there’s something about Charlotte that makes me want to promise to take care of them both. Maybe forever.

I just have to convince Charlotte that I’m not playing games. And that if this was a game – she’s already won.

©2018 Leslie Pike (P)2022 Leslie Pike

Feel-good, swoony romance!!

The Curve by Leslie Pike was such a feel-good, swoony romance that made my heart super happy! This single mom/ hunky baseball player story hooked my attention right from the start, and I didn’t want it to end! I simply adored every aspect of Atticus and Charlotte’s world in Memphis, including all of Atticus’ family and Charlotte’s daughter Mallory.

This audiobook is narrated by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell, and I just love when these two are paired together. Joe Arden was spot on and super dreamy conveying Atticus’ confidence, charming, and determined sides as he put aside his playboy ways and fell hard for Charlotte. Maxine Mitchell is a decadent delight in her performance of Charlotte. In her narration, you can feel all of Charlotte’s vulnerabilities, love for her daughter, and yearning to let her guard down to love and trust Atticus. The way Joe and Maxine portray Atticus and Charlotte’s instant magnetic chemistry will make you happy sigh.

Overall, I loved this book! If you are a fan of a baseball romance with a hot persistent catcher, a single mom who puts her daughter first, a loving dedicated family, picnics with homecooked meals, a Firefly Ball, costume parties, magical steamy times in the woods (white canopy bed = swoon), tipsy times with Jack Daniels, supporting the ones you love, Memphis Mavericks baseball games, and a HEA that will curve your heart in all the best ways, then you will love Atticus and Charlotte’s story. I am so excited for Brick and Bristol’s stories next in Leslie Pike’s Swift series.

Great Narration, Fun Story, Some Problems

Thank you to Home Cooked Books for the free copy of this audiobook.

Atticus Swift is a celebrity baseball player, but he’s been injured and is temporarily sitting out. Charlotte is a single mom, raising her daughter Mallory. And Mallory, who has burn scars on her face, has struggled with bullying her whole life. Atticus feels a connection to both mother and daughter. But Charlotte isn’t interested - not in baseball, not in dating, and definitely not in dating Atticus. But he’s persistent and wears her down, and Charlotte is easily smitten.

First and foremost, I will listen to anything narrated by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell. These two narrators are at the top of the romance audiobook game for a reason. Both do an excellent job with building emotion, pacing and character differentiation. I could listen to either of them read anything and be happy about it.

As far as the story itself, there were many things I enjoyed about it. I love that Atticus finds love in a single mom, but not to the exclusion of her daughter. I love his bossy side, and how thoughtful Charlotte is, especially with Atticus’s family. The two compliment each other and it’s adorable. The steamy scenes are hot, but not too long. It was easy to get caught up in listening to the story, and, if anything, I thought this story was a little too short.

The one thing that knocked this book down a peg for me was the conversation about Mallory’s bullying. When she sobs over being made fun of for her appearance - including her weight - part of the response is “it’s okay, you’ll lose weight as you grow, I bet you’ve lost five pounds already.” And then there is another comment about her weight loss and how much more attractive she is at the end of the book. There’s nothing wrong with a woman wanting to lose weight, but encouraging someone that they will be better when they weigh less feels gross. That may not be what the author intended, but, unfortunately, that’s how it came across to me when listening.

Fabulous narration for a quick, fun stand alone

Maxine Mitchell and Joe Arden did a fantastic job bringing the story to life.

The Curve is a cute, fun, quick listen and you don’t have to know much about baseball to enjoy the story. Charlotte is a single mom with a teenage daughter, and I liked that the author included some parent-of-a-teenager struggles as well (especially regarding the way kids treat each other). There was some advice given to the teenager that seemed questionable to me, but it wasn't the only advice and the situation turned out well so I look at it as a bonus topic to discuss with book club members.

I received a copy of this book at my request, and the opinions here are my own.

Great listen

I loved this book! The story was sweet and the narrators were perfect. The fact that teenage angst and bullying and the way Charlotte was proactive with the school on her daughter's behalf was a big part of the book was great. A little real life to go along with our fiction.

Delightful, feel-good sports romance

I am a sucker for a sports romance, especially baseball, and The Curve was absolutely delightful!! This was my first book by Leslie Pike and it won’t be my last. This charming sports romance was sweetly adorable and downright swoonworthy.

Charlotte is a devoted single mother who always puts her daughter first. When Atticus spots her across a crowded room, he’s instantly drawn to her and her daughter. Despite her best efforts, Charlotte is unable to resist Atticus’ charm and soon finds herself falling under his spell.

The effortless chemistry and playfulness between Charlotte and Atticus was so much fun to read. They got to know each other first before they became intimate and took the next steps in their relationships. I loved how supportive and in awe Atticus was of Charlotte and Mallory. He immediately steps up to become the man that they need in their lives. Together these two could tackle any problem that came their way.

Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell narrated the audio of this story and they were perfection. They made me fall in love with the story. Every nuance and inflection in their voice stirred up the emotions the characters were feeling and made me feel like I was living the story.

Full of so much charm, heat, and heart and low on the angst, this feel-good story will have you grinning from ear to ear and will warm your heart. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.