Review: The Game Can't Love You Back by Karole Cozzo

The Game Can't Love You Back
by Karole Cozzo

May 15, 2018

320 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
Eve is used to being the odd woman out. As the only girl on her school's baseball team, she knows exactly how to put sweaty, macho baseball players in their place, and she's focused on one thing and one thing only—being the best pitcher she can be.

But when a freak accident forces her high school to be absorbed by the neighboring town, Eve has to contend with a new group of guys who aren't used to having a woman on their team. And the new team's star pitcher, Jamie, has no interest in being ousted from his throne. He can't afford to give up his starting slot to a new pitcher—even worse, to a girl.

As the competition between Jamie and Eve starts to heat up, so does their attraction to each other. Can they keep their heads in the game, or will they end up getting played?

Review

I'm a huge sucker for sports romance. Add in the enemy-to-lover storyline I was more than game to read The Game Can't Love You Back! Pun totally intended ;)

With contemporary books I'm used to just breezing through the pages. The writing in The Game Can't Love You Back felt a little choppy so it took some time to get into the story. I loved the dual POV. It was informative being inside both Eve and Jamie's head. Seeing things in each of their perspectives helped me understand their fears and worries.

I really enjoyed Eve's character. Despite being surrounded by guys she never let them intimidate her. She braved all the crap said to her face and the numerous side glances thrown her way. Eve was a tough cookie. She might have judged Jamie a little quickly but it was her competitive nature kicking in. Jamie was no different with his unfair assumptions about Eve. What I liked about him was that he owed up to everything he did. Sometimes he even took on a little more than he needed to without needing the credit.

With their common interest and similar stubborn personality it wasn't hard to imagine Eve and Jamie getting together. Even though the two started off with hostility towards each other there was no denying the pull tugging them towards each other. Their shared love for baseball eventually morphed their antagonism into something more. Something better. Eve was new to the dating field so it was kind of cute to see her panic and to witness the opposite with Jamie. His smooth confidence really rounded out her inexperience.

I am used to contemporary books finishing in a cute if not cheesy happily ever after so the ending of The Game Can't Love You Back kind of blindsided me. Not to say it wasn't an HEA but the story didn't feel complete? I really thought we'd see a bit more than what we got. Things felt a little unfulfilled but that could just be me.

Although I prefer my endings to be more solid The Game Can't Love You Back was fun and full of girl power. Having enjoyed my first Karole Cozzo book I know it's time to pick up some of her backlist titles!

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way.