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The Curve cover art

The Curve

By: Leslie Pike
Narrated by: Joe Arden, Maxine Mitchell
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Summary

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
  • Series: Swift, Book 1
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance

What listeners say about The Curve

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Sweet and spicy start to the perfect series

This fabulously fun and flirty sports romance by the amazingly talented Ms Leslie Pike and is a perfect short and sweet story that is packed full of heat.
I was completely captivated right from the very start and fell hard and fast for Atticus Swift, a catcher for the Memphis Mavericks who is out of the game recuperating from an injury. Atticus is used to women falling at his feet so when he tries to get a woman’s attention at an event and she pretty much ignores him, this only piques his interest in her even more. And despite his brother Brick warning him off her, Atticus is drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
Charlotte Bay is a seamstress, hairdresser, and single Mum to a thirteen-year-old daughter Mallory, who has been struggling with her confidence so has drawn into herself as the result of a terrible accident left her both physically and mentally scarred.
Seeing not only Atticus and Charlotte’s relationship not only blossom and bloom into something very deep and loving was beautiful but the way he took Mallory under his wing and the bond he formed with her too was extremely moving.
Narrated by the insanely talented, powerhouse duo Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell. Every time I see these two paired together, I let out a happy, contented sigh as you can always guarantee the story and characters are in safe hands and my goodness, they perform out of their skim as Atticus, Charlotte, and sweet Mallory.
If you love a baseball romance with a hot, hunky catcher, a single mum who is totally devoted to her daughter, gorgeous family picnics, Firefly Ball with magical, romantic steamy times on a white canopy bed in the woods under the stars, drunken fun with a bottle of Jack and the most perfect HEA, then you’ll want to grab yourself a copy of this asap.
I can’t wait to see what Leslie has in store for the rest of the Swift Series when we get a peak into Brick and Bristol’s lives.

Leslie Pike is fast becoming one of my favourite authors after falling in love with the Lyon Family Series and Ms Pikes’ beautiful writing style. I am super excited for more from this incredibly talented lady.

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Bored and disconnected.

This is #1 of the Swift Series and I am sorry to say that it left me cold and for some reason I just couldn't connect with the characters.

Atticus is a baseball player who breaks his arm and sees Charlotte across the room and that's it. She, on the other hand, is a single mum and is reluctant to have an affair with him.

I found it weird that her 13 year old daughter who didn’t like going out due to being scarred and having been bullied suddenly meets Atticus and this isn't mentioned again.

I found the story too unbelievable, so sadly I won't be continuing with this series.

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Loved it

What an enjoyable listen! Book 1 in the Swift series and it hit my single parent love right away. I especially enjoyed how Atticus falls in love with Mallory also. That ending had me swooning. I loved it so hard. At first, I thought I was going to get a semi-sweet story but man that steam was anything but. I had to fan myself to get past it. Oh, my. Charlotte is one strong heroine and I loved her. Her strength as a single mom had me from the get go. There was even a point where I wanted to cry so bad, so you could say this story really hits all the emotions in one amazing roller coaster. I highly recommend and can't wait for more Swift siblings!

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Great listen

I really enjoyed the book, the story was good, great pace, it doesn't drag much, and little drama is involved. I loved that what started as a challenge and something just for "fun" for Atticus it soon turn into something he wanted more that a good time and he starts doing everything he can to make Charlotte give them both a chance to explore what they can have together. Charlotte is a strong and independent woman and I liked that she doesn't let Atticus fame or "scandals" affect her and doesn't jump into unnecessary conclusions making drama of it, instead she just asks Atticus about it, being able to make their relationship work and growth.

The narration was amazing, both Joe Arden and Maxin Mitchell did a fantastic job with this story, they're amazing narrators that never disappoint with their performances.

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Short, sexy, but not easily dismissed

Since it’s only a novella, everything is speeded up, so instalove it is. But at least the author takes her time and Atticus actually has to work to convince Charlotte to give him a chance.

Mostly, it’s because Charlotte is a single mother and her daughter is her priority. It doesn’t help that Mallory is a teenager with a physical flaw that make her a victim of bullying. It’s always a mystery how an author will deal with a heavy topic. Sometimes, it’s barely brushed. Here, the emotional burden of bullying, both for the victim and the people who love them, is well treated, and heartwrenching. I felt for that girl. And the author goes as far as offering solutions, all coming from people supporting each other while taking a stance. Powerful.

I loved how Atticus acted with Mallory. She wasn’t just a way for him to seduce her mother. He really liked her, and wanted the best for her. And, like any parent, hovering between wanting to protect their child, and teaching them how to be strong on their own while letting them make their own mistakes. Not exactly a book about what parenting entails, but close enough.

No, the real focus of the story is of course the romance between the playboy athlete and the single mother. And it was a sexy story, right from Atticus’s solo scene.

The narrators were well cast. The female narrator’s trembling voice was perfect for Charlotte’s emotional breakdowns, while the male narrator gave the right energy for Atticus. Short, sexy, but not easily dismissed, it was a nice listen.

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Loved this book!

I was gifted this book via an Aural Fixation competition and this is my voluntary review.

Book one of the Swift series by Leslie Pike focuses on Baseball star Atticus who plays baseball for the Mavericks. He's completely enamoured by hot single momma Charlotte when her kid Mallory goes to get her baseball signed. He's got to know more about this beautiful woman with the shy scarred covered daughter. A second chance romance is the farthest thing from the hot single mothers mind. Charlottes been used to being her kids entire everything, mum, dad and grandparents. Its always just been the two of them since Mallorys father opted out years ago, shes reluctant to trust her heart to this warm, protective & obsessive handsome man.

This story was very well written, and expertly narrated by Maxine Mitchel and Joe Arden.
I really enjoyed it.

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She’s h3llfire & holy water

I loved that Charlotte, with no interest in baseball, ends up the object of Atticus Swift’s attention. Charlotte is a single mom to Mallory, a really special young teen. Loved the characters, who were brought to light by the fabulous narrators Maxine Mitchell & Joe Arden. A great, heartfelt story all around.

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What a journey!

Loved loved loved this book!
It’s a book about a MLB player, a mum and her daughter. Atticus & charlottes journey is so lovely and heartbreaking all at the same time. Kids can be so cruel but this is a story that tackles in a great way!
So worth your time to listen! Live a sports romance!

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Homerun!!

Leslie Pike writes romances that make it impossible not to fall in love with the hero. Just in time for the start of baseball season, this gem is released and I am totally in love with Atticus Swift! Yes, even injured, the playboy has moves. And when he sees single mother, Charlotte at an event, he is immediately taken with her. She does whatever it takes to keep the man at arm's length, but he eventually worms his way into her life along with her daughter, Mallory. And our fun begins. Atticus is sweet and caring, and despite his reputation, has truly won my heart. Charlotte is guarded and rightfully so. I love her mom instincts and how she puts Mallory above everything. Mallory has had it tough, and the relationship she is forging with Atticus is just what she needs. Pike writes the story with a compassion for Mallory, but doesn't take it too easy. It feels real and just the kind of story perfect for a weekend listen. I love it!

Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell once again use their incredible chemistry to create Atticus and Charlotte. Atticus is a little arrogant, but Arden is able to keep him in line with his inflections, keeping him real. Charlotte is guarded and Mitchell brings her in this way with her nuances, but we are able to hear the change by the changes in her voice. What a team, it is a wonderful listen.

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Sweet, short and provided all the feels!

This is a single mum and sports star romance centring around Atticus and Charlotte. Atticus is the famous catcher in his baseball team and Charlotte is the single mum, whom at the beginning doesn’t even know a thing about baseball. There’s instant attraction between both parties at the beginning, but they both lead such different lives, so getting together would be very complicated.

(What I liked about the book) Atticus’ characterisation was unexpected, but I love it. I loved how he loved Charlotte and took care of her. I also loved his new found friendship with her daughter, Mallory. Their friendship came together very authentically.

I was especially impressed with how Mallory’s issues were handled in the book. Although the book is mostly low angst, it also dealt with some heavier topics surrounding Mallory’s bullying both online and in school. This didn’t just affect Mallory and Charlotte, but it also affected how Atticus would fit into the family.

Honestly, the entire relationship between Atticus’ family and Charlotte’s family was adorable; I loved how the entire family came together. The banter was such fun. This book was honestly just soo cute.

This is the point where I talk about my dislikes and any thing I feel could have been improved. But, I don’t even think I have any dislikes about this book. It was honestly perfect (it even got upgraded to my favs bookshelves).

I really, really loved the narration. Narrated by Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell, both narrators did an excellent job. The voices were perfect, I honestly could listen to them all day. The complemented each other very well.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It provided all the feels and I highly recommend it, especially the audiobook version.

I was provided a free audio copy of this book. However, all opinions shared are my honest thoughts about this book.

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