Summary
Besides her family, Lacey Robinson’s only other love is baseball. She’s on top of the world when Arizona State University approaches her to discuss a scholarship. To play for a college boys’ team is beyond what she has ever dreamed. Her fastball is impeccable, her slider equally as good, and her curveball annihilates anyone who dares to step in the batter’s box. But fate has its own way of throwing curveballs. When she loses her mother and sister to a home invasion, baseball and her dreams die with them. Tragedy has a way of seeping deep into her psyche, causing nightmares, panic attacks and blackouts. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her psychiatrist recommends a change of scenery and picking up the things that she loved to do, and for Lacey that is baseball.
After a move clear across the country, only two things matter to Lacey—overcome her PTSD and make Kensington High’s baseball team. But trying out for the team comes with complications—the captain, Aaron Seever, doesn’t want a girl on the team.
Adding to her new life, she never counted on meeting someone who wants her as badly as Kade Maxwell. The tall, sexy and drool-worthy bad boy has a magical touch that awakens her feminine side, and a kiss that slowly erases her nightmares. But getting involved with him may be dangerous when Kade’s arch-nemesis returns to town to settle a vendetta.
To complicate matters, her PTSD has taken a turn for the worse. She has to find a way to push away the demons otherwise she may not have a chance at anything in life.
What I loved:
Every now and then, a story comes along that just hits you. Like an immediate gut stab. Dare to Kiss, hit my gut hard and beautifully. The characters, even though in high school, experienced things that most may never experience in a lifetime. Lacey and Kade have a connection that is not typical for high school these days. It is more reminiscent of a different time when high school sweethearts were bred.
Lacey-Determined. Courageous. Smart. Short-tempered. Kick-ass ball player. These are the words I think of immediately when I think of Lacey Robinson. I connect with Lacey in many ways. Being relatable in a story that deals with such an extremely delicate condition like PTSD took careful and deliberate work. S.B. took a mental issue that plagues so many people and brought it to the forefront. Lacey fights her way through many different obstacles, but she doesn’t always do it perfectly and this makes her human. I can’t wait to see more from this powerful survivor.
Kade-Playboy. Angry. Responsible. Brothers. Protective. These words apply to Kade Maxwell. Kade is the hot bad boy at school. He is viciously protective of his family, and now Lacey. He has his own demons that Lacey helps him heal as well. I really won’t give anything away because you need to read this story, but Kade is the high school guy we all wish we had. His heart is so big but he needs to be reminded of that. He is an important part of helping Lacey realize her dreams.
What I didn’t Love:
It ended. And I am impatient and have to wait for book 2. I want more Kade and Lacey and I want it now! LOL
Overall:
Everyone who has ever experienced a life-altering event, should read this story. It gives hope and its a testament to a woman’s determination, whether 18 or 50. Also, Lacey can play baseball better than most of the guys on the team. You can’t help but root for her. Remember that there is always help for any type of mental illness. Please seek it.
**Note** There is a poem at the end of this book written by Wendy Kupinewicz. Read it. Think about it and yourself, then read it again. Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing with the world.
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Top reviews from other countries
D Calvert
A cute and fluffly read that has really meaningful characters! Loved it!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2015