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Announcing Trouble
I may know everything there is to know about baseball, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Or like him. Garrett Reeves: sidelined player and the embodiment of everything I've learned to hate about baseball. He's gorgeous, he's cocky, he's laser-focused on getting back in the game, no matter the cost.
When he convinces me to call games alongside him, our chemistry heats up the booth. We're good together, whether I want to admit it or not. I'm finding that I like baseball again, but even worse, I'm liking Garrett. A lot.
But when he has to decide between our future and a new shot at his dreams, I know baseball will win out every time.
Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book has tons of hilarious banter, lots of sexual tension, and a hero who will throw a wild pitch right at your heart.
When he convinces me to call games alongside him, our chemistry heats up the booth. We're good together, whether I want to admit it or not. I'm finding that I like baseball again, but even worse, I'm liking Garrett. A lot.
But when he has to decide between our future and a new shot at his dreams, I know baseball will win out every time.
Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book has tons of hilarious banter, lots of sexual tension, and a hero who will throw a wild pitch right at your heart.
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2019
104 people are currently reading
2214 people want to read
About the author
Amy Fellner Dominy
9 books258 followersHi! I write books for middle school kids, teens, and picture books for toddlers. Coming in 2026: a middle grade novel called MONSTER DOWN DEEP and a picture book titled A HOUSE WITH NO DOOR. For news, giveaways and sneak peeks, sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.amydominy.com/newsletter.
I live and sweat in Phoenix, Arizona with my hubby, a cat who thinks she's a dog and a dog who doesn't think about much except kibble. Thanks for following me here--and happy reading!
I live and sweat in Phoenix, Arizona with my hubby, a cat who thinks she's a dog and a dog who doesn't think about much except kibble. Thanks for following me here--and happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
August 16, 2023
HILARIOUS, WITTY, SWOON-WORTHY READ!!
I loved Josie Walter's sarcastic wit and Garrett's unfailing ability to keep up with her banter. I felt like I was watching a late night comedy routine whenever these two started sparring.
Don't miss this fabulous, highly entertaining read!
. . .
Announcing Trouble is a laugh out loud and engrossing story about choices, about taking chances and the consequences of following your dreams: Announcing Trouble is, for me, a 10 out of 5 star novel: truly a stellar read! (I almost broke a rib laughing!)
. . . . .
Josie Walters is strong-minded: love had burned her badly and now she is determined to follow her mother’s example and never let that emotion dominate her life again.
Josie and her mother had willingly followed her father all over the continent, moving from town to town and team to team, to support her father’s dreams of becoming a pitcher in the major leagues. Alas, he never made it to the big leagues, but when an opportunity to play in Japan was offered to him, he decided to go it alone, believing that the stresses of having a family had cost him his life’s ambition. Josie and her mother were left behind, deeply heartbroken and disillusioned.
Josie and her mother try to make the best of things and put down roots in a small town. They channel their energies into expanding their skin care business. After the divorce, Josie’s mother “surface” dates, never allowing her relationships to become meaningful. The scars are just too deep for her to take another risk on love – and Josie totally understands this. But then along comes Garrett Reeves, aka Blondie, and Josie has the fight of her life to keep Garrett from breaching the very high walls surrounding her heart.
Garrett lives for baseball, but a freakish injury has potentially sidelined his pitching career, so he takes a job as an on-line radio broadcaster, announcing the play by play action at his high school’s tournaments, just to stay close to the sport he loves. When Josie attends a game and hears the guest commentator, Nathan, botch a call on a play, she barges into the media room, gives him a piece of her well-informed mind, and suddenly finds herself giving the colour commentary in Nathan’s place for the rest of the game.
Garrett and Josie’s on-air chemistry is undeniable. Garrett is a charming rascal, but Josie is not about to let him storm her defenses. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments during the initial phase of Garrett’s determined courtship of his sassy new partner.
Garrett’s tactics had me howling with laughter in the end. What a guy!!! I didn’t think Amy Fellner Dominy could top A Matter of Heart, but Announcing Trouble is undoubtedly my new favourite.
This is not your typical, frothy YA read: Fellner Dominy is intelligent and insightful. Her characters are true to life and the dramas or conflicts in their lives don’t always have happy resolutions, but her characters all share one marvelous attribute - they are courageous and do not give up on life. They fight to the bitter end, and yes, sometimes they lose and may have to take a different route to happiness, but they ultimately end by winning in the battle of life.
So, so highly recommended!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. (Update: Currently on sale for 99 cents on Amazon so now is your chance to grab a spectacular read for a great sale price! )
I loved Josie Walter's sarcastic wit and Garrett's unfailing ability to keep up with her banter. I felt like I was watching a late night comedy routine whenever these two started sparring.
Don't miss this fabulous, highly entertaining read!
. . .
Announcing Trouble is a laugh out loud and engrossing story about choices, about taking chances and the consequences of following your dreams: Announcing Trouble is, for me, a 10 out of 5 star novel: truly a stellar read! (I almost broke a rib laughing!)
. . . . .
Josie Walters is strong-minded: love had burned her badly and now she is determined to follow her mother’s example and never let that emotion dominate her life again.
Josie and her mother had willingly followed her father all over the continent, moving from town to town and team to team, to support her father’s dreams of becoming a pitcher in the major leagues. Alas, he never made it to the big leagues, but when an opportunity to play in Japan was offered to him, he decided to go it alone, believing that the stresses of having a family had cost him his life’s ambition. Josie and her mother were left behind, deeply heartbroken and disillusioned.
Josie and her mother try to make the best of things and put down roots in a small town. They channel their energies into expanding their skin care business. After the divorce, Josie’s mother “surface” dates, never allowing her relationships to become meaningful. The scars are just too deep for her to take another risk on love – and Josie totally understands this. But then along comes Garrett Reeves, aka Blondie, and Josie has the fight of her life to keep Garrett from breaching the very high walls surrounding her heart.
Garrett lives for baseball, but a freakish injury has potentially sidelined his pitching career, so he takes a job as an on-line radio broadcaster, announcing the play by play action at his high school’s tournaments, just to stay close to the sport he loves. When Josie attends a game and hears the guest commentator, Nathan, botch a call on a play, she barges into the media room, gives him a piece of her well-informed mind, and suddenly finds herself giving the colour commentary in Nathan’s place for the rest of the game.
Garrett and Josie’s on-air chemistry is undeniable. Garrett is a charming rascal, but Josie is not about to let him storm her defenses. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments during the initial phase of Garrett’s determined courtship of his sassy new partner.
Garrett’s tactics had me howling with laughter in the end. What a guy!!! I didn’t think Amy Fellner Dominy could top A Matter of Heart, but Announcing Trouble is undoubtedly my new favourite.
This is not your typical, frothy YA read: Fellner Dominy is intelligent and insightful. Her characters are true to life and the dramas or conflicts in their lives don’t always have happy resolutions, but her characters all share one marvelous attribute - they are courageous and do not give up on life. They fight to the bitter end, and yes, sometimes they lose and may have to take a different route to happiness, but they ultimately end by winning in the battle of life.
So, so highly recommended!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. (Update: Currently on sale for 99 cents on Amazon so now is your chance to grab a spectacular read for a great sale price! )
July 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of this author. The writing style is catchy.
Baseball and Josie are a no go. They do not mix. Her best friend has developed a new crush. The no baseball rule is about to take a curve ball. Josies’s dad left them for the love of the sport. That leaves Joise with two things, an outstanding knowledge of baseball and a chip on her shoulder.
Garret is an injured player. He’s using his recovery time to commentate the game. His co-presenter is not on the ball and Josie cannot resist taking his spot.
Being on Garret radar was never her intention. He’s off limits but totally perfect for her. This is a will they/won’t they kind of story. 4 stars out of 5. Enjoyable
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Baseball and Josie are a no go. They do not mix. Her best friend has developed a new crush. The no baseball rule is about to take a curve ball. Josies’s dad left them for the love of the sport. That leaves Joise with two things, an outstanding knowledge of baseball and a chip on her shoulder.
Garret is an injured player. He’s using his recovery time to commentate the game. His co-presenter is not on the ball and Josie cannot resist taking his spot.
Being on Garret radar was never her intention. He’s off limits but totally perfect for her. This is a will they/won’t they kind of story. 4 stars out of 5. Enjoyable
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2023
✰ 3.75 stars ✰
“You never quit on the people who count on you, and you never quit on yourself. That was the lesson of baseball.
If it matters, if it’s important, then it’s worth everything you’ve got.”
When promising high school baseball star, Garrett Reeves asks Josie Walters to join him in Announcing Trouble - well, actually, simply co-host their high school baseball game's radio broadcasts, she's adamantly reluctant. 'Plans not passion' has been her guideline in life - she's never one to 'do things because they’re fun', and broadcasting is certainly nowhere near her life's game-plan.
For be a radio broadcaster for baseball games - whether in the major leagues or the minors - it's no easy feat; you really have to sell it to the audience. Make them believe in what they're hearing - use your words and voice to bring the game to life in their eyes and paint a clear picture in their mind. 🌸 But, somehow, the two of them make it work - they're so in sync on the air, that everyone tuning in 'is asking for more.' But, what Josie didn't expect for them to have the same explosive chemistry off the air waves - a push-pull wrought with tension, she doesn't know if she's ready to take a chance with something that that they both thought it might be good, but not this good'.
Amy Fellner Dominy wrote the story very well - very clear and direct and fluid - something I always appreciate while reading. 👌🏻👌🏻 She portrayed the heart of the teenagers with a lot of candor and honest affection. The high school energy that buzzed between Josie and her best friend, Mai, along with the sportsmanship of the other baseball players was captured perfectly. Baseball is in her DNA - it's in her genes; and while, it is a sensitive subject for her, Garrett is there to remind her - that it doesn't have to be that way. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
I loved how Garrett and Josie went from just mere acquaintances to something more. Garrett was so endearing and kind, very truthful and affectionate about his feelings for Josie. I loved how he slowly got under her skin - not literally, of course! - so much so, that soon enough, she couldn't help but fall victim to his kindness and good lucks (an added bonus, of course!) 🫠 😊 🫠
“He takes a breath and steps close again, his fingers tugging at mine until our hands are laced together.
“I just know that every minute we’re not together, I want us to be. And that kiss we didn’t have? It was the best kiss of my life.”
His words shred the last of my defenses.”
He knew exactly what to say at exactly the right moment - words that melted my heart and tickled my fancy - truly a first-class sweetheart. 🥹 🥹 His brand of humor was my kind of humor and his style of flirting was never over the top, which made me love him even more. Seeing their relationship progress at a very steady pace; the way they played off each other - how Josie slowly allowed herself to be vulnerable around him - to slowly accept that she might have feelings for him - it never felt forced to me. 🥰 Their intimate scenes were so very soft and so very careful, as if Garrett knew how much Josie was trusting herself with him - that he didn't ever want to overstep - that despite how much he likes her and wants her - he's never going to push too far - even if it went against his very nature.
“I don’t know how else to explain the way I feel when I’m not with you. I’ve been happy with girls before. But I’ve never been miserable without them.”
I squeeze his fingers. “That’s an awful way of saying that.”
“Thank you for critiquing my pronouncement of love.”
I smile into his smile.
“Don’t be so afraid,” he says softly.”
The two of them have both experienced personal pains that have led them to who they are and how they view life. Josie carries a lot of pain - a lot of sadness - rightfully so - that makes her so very distrustful of a faithful future that involves happiness and baseball. That as much as 'Garrett Reeves is a good guy. Just not the right guy,' she's so very hesitant to believe that what they have may be special, it'll never play out. Her doubts and distrusts are a chip on her shoulder, worse than the sports injury Garrett faced during his playing days. 🥺🥺
But it's the tender and firm ways that he reminded her that they're worth a fighting chance - that he's willing to fight for her - for them - was what warmed my heart so. 💜💜 It was so richly rewarding that as much as I felt that Josie's limitations were a bit extreme and a tad too much at times - that her qualms were unwarranted and unfair. He has his own personal demons to overcome, but with his steady resolve and beautiful belief in their possible hopeful future that made Josie see the light of a brighter tomorrow with him, he, in turn, had the fighting chance of his own happiness. And the fact that it all played out in such a believable way, made me enjoy the story even more so. 🤌🏼🤌🏼
“You’re like baseball, Josie Walters. Hard to get to know—lots of rules—but you bring out the best in me.”
The side characters also played a significant part in furthering along the development of their relationship - whether with a gentle nudge or a firm reprimand of getting them to realize how you don't have to let the past dictate your future. The life lesson that 'you never know. In sports. In life. That’s why you gotta play it out,' played out perfectly till the end. And while this may seem like a angsty read, it definitely had it's cute moments, as well - the cover was definitely another factor for picking this up! I mean, look at those happy faces! 🥰 Complete with delightful playful banter, some awfully affectionate scenes and just the right dosage of heart-breaking reveals, with a satisfying conclusion for all, it made reading this all the more worth the while. 🩷 🩷
“You never quit on the people who count on you, and you never quit on yourself. That was the lesson of baseball.
If it matters, if it’s important, then it’s worth everything you’ve got.”
When promising high school baseball star, Garrett Reeves asks Josie Walters to join him in Announcing Trouble - well, actually, simply co-host their high school baseball game's radio broadcasts, she's adamantly reluctant. 'Plans not passion' has been her guideline in life - she's never one to 'do things because they’re fun', and broadcasting is certainly nowhere near her life's game-plan.
For be a radio broadcaster for baseball games - whether in the major leagues or the minors - it's no easy feat; you really have to sell it to the audience. Make them believe in what they're hearing - use your words and voice to bring the game to life in their eyes and paint a clear picture in their mind. 🌸 But, somehow, the two of them make it work - they're so in sync on the air, that everyone tuning in 'is asking for more.' But, what Josie didn't expect for them to have the same explosive chemistry off the air waves - a push-pull wrought with tension, she doesn't know if she's ready to take a chance with something that that they both thought it might be good, but not this good'.
Amy Fellner Dominy wrote the story very well - very clear and direct and fluid - something I always appreciate while reading. 👌🏻👌🏻 She portrayed the heart of the teenagers with a lot of candor and honest affection. The high school energy that buzzed between Josie and her best friend, Mai, along with the sportsmanship of the other baseball players was captured perfectly. Baseball is in her DNA - it's in her genes; and while, it is a sensitive subject for her, Garrett is there to remind her - that it doesn't have to be that way. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
I loved how Garrett and Josie went from just mere acquaintances to something more. Garrett was so endearing and kind, very truthful and affectionate about his feelings for Josie. I loved how he slowly got under her skin - not literally, of course! - so much so, that soon enough, she couldn't help but fall victim to his kindness and good lucks (an added bonus, of course!) 🫠 😊 🫠
“He takes a breath and steps close again, his fingers tugging at mine until our hands are laced together.
“I just know that every minute we’re not together, I want us to be. And that kiss we didn’t have? It was the best kiss of my life.”
His words shred the last of my defenses.”
He knew exactly what to say at exactly the right moment - words that melted my heart and tickled my fancy - truly a first-class sweetheart. 🥹 🥹 His brand of humor was my kind of humor and his style of flirting was never over the top, which made me love him even more. Seeing their relationship progress at a very steady pace; the way they played off each other - how Josie slowly allowed herself to be vulnerable around him - to slowly accept that she might have feelings for him - it never felt forced to me. 🥰 Their intimate scenes were so very soft and so very careful, as if Garrett knew how much Josie was trusting herself with him - that he didn't ever want to overstep - that despite how much he likes her and wants her - he's never going to push too far - even if it went against his very nature.
“I don’t know how else to explain the way I feel when I’m not with you. I’ve been happy with girls before. But I’ve never been miserable without them.”
I squeeze his fingers. “That’s an awful way of saying that.”
“Thank you for critiquing my pronouncement of love.”
I smile into his smile.
“Don’t be so afraid,” he says softly.”
The two of them have both experienced personal pains that have led them to who they are and how they view life. Josie carries a lot of pain - a lot of sadness - rightfully so - that makes her so very distrustful of a faithful future that involves happiness and baseball. That as much as 'Garrett Reeves is a good guy. Just not the right guy,' she's so very hesitant to believe that what they have may be special, it'll never play out. Her doubts and distrusts are a chip on her shoulder, worse than the sports injury Garrett faced during his playing days. 🥺🥺
But it's the tender and firm ways that he reminded her that they're worth a fighting chance - that he's willing to fight for her - for them - was what warmed my heart so. 💜💜 It was so richly rewarding that as much as I felt that Josie's limitations were a bit extreme and a tad too much at times - that her qualms were unwarranted and unfair. He has his own personal demons to overcome, but with his steady resolve and beautiful belief in their possible hopeful future that made Josie see the light of a brighter tomorrow with him, he, in turn, had the fighting chance of his own happiness. And the fact that it all played out in such a believable way, made me enjoy the story even more so. 🤌🏼🤌🏼
“You’re like baseball, Josie Walters. Hard to get to know—lots of rules—but you bring out the best in me.”
The side characters also played a significant part in furthering along the development of their relationship - whether with a gentle nudge or a firm reprimand of getting them to realize how you don't have to let the past dictate your future. The life lesson that 'you never know. In sports. In life. That’s why you gotta play it out,' played out perfectly till the end. And while this may seem like a angsty read, it definitely had it's cute moments, as well - the cover was definitely another factor for picking this up! I mean, look at those happy faces! 🥰 Complete with delightful playful banter, some awfully affectionate scenes and just the right dosage of heart-breaking reveals, with a satisfying conclusion for all, it made reading this all the more worth the while. 🩷 🩷
August 11, 2019
Loved it! Amy Fellner Dominy had me turning the pages with this beautifully written YA romance. I don't know much about baseball, but this had me standing and cheering these characters on.
WE NEED GOOD GUYS LIKE THIS!!
Definitely a winner! If you're looking for a fabulous romance, I highly recommend you get your hands on this book. :)
WE NEED GOOD GUYS LIKE THIS!!
Definitely a winner! If you're looking for a fabulous romance, I highly recommend you get your hands on this book. :)
August 7, 2019
Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing, LLC (Crush), Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours, and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
"For most of my life, I loved baseball as much as I loved my dad. Now, I hate it as much as I hate my dad."
Joe "Josie" Walters (clearly) hasn't had an easy childhood. Forced to relocate every few years while her father chased his dream of playing professional ball, Josie was used to changing things up and spending lots of time at ballparks. And none of that ever bothered her one bit, until her father threw her a curve ball she never saw coming. Jilted by her hero, a man who chose the chance at the game over her, Josie vowed to never care for baseball -- or its players -- again.
Enter Blondie a.k.a. Garrett Reeves, the gorgeous (albeit clichéd) male lead who -- you guessed it -- plays baseball. Well, technically he's injured at the moment, but we'll overlook that for now. Josie stumbles (read: bursts) into Garrett's commentary booth one afternoon while serving as a wing woman for her BFF, Mai, because she cannot handle the crappy color commentary trickling from the booth. Effectively kicking out Garrett's ill-informed commentating partner, she quickly takes over and this crazy ride begins.
"I will never get involved with a guy chasing that dream..."
"...And I will never get serious with anyone until I'm done chasing."
If it was apparent from that adorable cover art, this YA contemporary centers on a budding romance between our will-they-won't-they leads. And I have to tell you, this is where Dominy clears shines. Not only is this novel full of butterfly-inducing banter, but it also accurately conveys the urgency and intensity that can only come from young love the season before high school ends. Beyond the fact that it made me extremely nostalgic for that frenzied time in my life, this sports-themed romance also read more mature than most novels targeted at this age group while remaining realistic and appropriate.
Part of Announcing Trouble 's success stems from the fact that Dominy fleshed out these characters with flawed parents, troubled backstories, doubt for themselves and their futures, all while keeping it light (for the most part) and relatable. Balancing these deeper and more serious topics with the punchline humor from the booth and the scene stealing kiddos from Josie's bookstore gig, and you can see why this book was such a joy to read.
"If you think about choices for too long, you can end up never making another one again."
Looking past a few minor issues (I'm looking at you Josie's mom), this novel was truly refreshing and exactly what I'm looking for in a summer romance. The characters felt real and left me smiling and swooning. I know you might make assumptions about this novel based off its cover art, synopsis, or publisher, but I'm here to tell you that "you've got to play it out," to see if this is your catch of the summer.
All quotes were taken from an advanced copy of this novel and may not match the final release.
"For most of my life, I loved baseball as much as I loved my dad. Now, I hate it as much as I hate my dad."
Joe "Josie" Walters (clearly) hasn't had an easy childhood. Forced to relocate every few years while her father chased his dream of playing professional ball, Josie was used to changing things up and spending lots of time at ballparks. And none of that ever bothered her one bit, until her father threw her a curve ball she never saw coming. Jilted by her hero, a man who chose the chance at the game over her, Josie vowed to never care for baseball -- or its players -- again.
Enter Blondie a.k.a. Garrett Reeves, the gorgeous (albeit clichéd) male lead who -- you guessed it -- plays baseball. Well, technically he's injured at the moment, but we'll overlook that for now. Josie stumbles (read: bursts) into Garrett's commentary booth one afternoon while serving as a wing woman for her BFF, Mai, because she cannot handle the crappy color commentary trickling from the booth. Effectively kicking out Garrett's ill-informed commentating partner, she quickly takes over and this crazy ride begins.
"I will never get involved with a guy chasing that dream..."
"...And I will never get serious with anyone until I'm done chasing."
If it was apparent from that adorable cover art, this YA contemporary centers on a budding romance between our will-they-won't-they leads. And I have to tell you, this is where Dominy clears shines. Not only is this novel full of butterfly-inducing banter, but it also accurately conveys the urgency and intensity that can only come from young love the season before high school ends. Beyond the fact that it made me extremely nostalgic for that frenzied time in my life, this sports-themed romance also read more mature than most novels targeted at this age group while remaining realistic and appropriate.
Part of Announcing Trouble 's success stems from the fact that Dominy fleshed out these characters with flawed parents, troubled backstories, doubt for themselves and their futures, all while keeping it light (for the most part) and relatable. Balancing these deeper and more serious topics with the punchline humor from the booth and the scene stealing kiddos from Josie's bookstore gig, and you can see why this book was such a joy to read.
"If you think about choices for too long, you can end up never making another one again."
Looking past a few minor issues (I'm looking at you Josie's mom), this novel was truly refreshing and exactly what I'm looking for in a summer romance. The characters felt real and left me smiling and swooning. I know you might make assumptions about this novel based off its cover art, synopsis, or publisher, but I'm here to tell you that "you've got to play it out," to see if this is your catch of the summer.
All quotes were taken from an advanced copy of this novel and may not match the final release.
August 5, 2019
Rating: 4.5 Stars
There was a famous baseball player from back in the day, who I need to steal a line from, because lately, baseball's been very, very good to me. I have recently read a quite a few fantastic baseball books, and I am adding Announcing Trouble to that list.
No lie, I was laughing and wearing a stupid grin for almost the entirety of this book, the other parts, I was wiping a few tears from my eyes. It was a really great emotional experience for me, and I attribute that largely to the wonderful characters and this fabulous set up.
Josie used to love the game, but her love turned to hate, when baseball seemed to rob her of so many things. Enter Garrett, a former star pitcher, who injured himself, but was willing to do almost anything to get back in the game.
In an effort to maintain some connection to the sport he loved, Garrett began broadcasting the games at school. Appalled by the terrible color commentary, Josie burst into the booth to show them how it was done, and a stellar partnership began.
These two together were a thing of beauty. Their rhythm and the way they played off each other was magical, and this was happening both inside and outside the booth. The banter and chemistry were off the charts fantastic. Though, this book leaned towards the lighter side, it was also quite an emotional story.
Both Garrett and Josie were dealing with big losses in their lives. Josie dealt with it by abandoning her dreams and settling, while Garrett was more willing to fight for his. The discussions these two and their friends shared regarding their passions, dreams, and futures were very thoughtful, and it was at times agonizing while I waited to see how it all panned out.
Dominy really built the case for why Josie should stay away from Garrett, but my heart was screaming for these two to get together. I was surprised by a few decisions that were made, but in the end, I was left feeling like like a kid in a puppy cuddle - all smiles and warm fuzzies.
Quick recap:
☑️ Fabulous characters
☑️ Adorable romance
☑️ Fantastic friendships
☑️ Great and loving parents
☑️ Smile inducing
☑️ Amazing banter
☑️ A grand gesture
This book sort of had it all for me, and it was done, in my opinion, really well.
I am hard pressed to believe that anyone, who reads this book could resist falling in love with Josie and Garrett. These two won my heart, and I was full-on rooting for them to achieve their dreams and get their HEA.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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There was a famous baseball player from back in the day, who I need to steal a line from, because lately, baseball's been very, very good to me. I have recently read a quite a few fantastic baseball books, and I am adding Announcing Trouble to that list.
No lie, I was laughing and wearing a stupid grin for almost the entirety of this book, the other parts, I was wiping a few tears from my eyes. It was a really great emotional experience for me, and I attribute that largely to the wonderful characters and this fabulous set up.
Josie used to love the game, but her love turned to hate, when baseball seemed to rob her of so many things. Enter Garrett, a former star pitcher, who injured himself, but was willing to do almost anything to get back in the game.
In an effort to maintain some connection to the sport he loved, Garrett began broadcasting the games at school. Appalled by the terrible color commentary, Josie burst into the booth to show them how it was done, and a stellar partnership began.
These two together were a thing of beauty. Their rhythm and the way they played off each other was magical, and this was happening both inside and outside the booth. The banter and chemistry were off the charts fantastic. Though, this book leaned towards the lighter side, it was also quite an emotional story.
Both Garrett and Josie were dealing with big losses in their lives. Josie dealt with it by abandoning her dreams and settling, while Garrett was more willing to fight for his. The discussions these two and their friends shared regarding their passions, dreams, and futures were very thoughtful, and it was at times agonizing while I waited to see how it all panned out.
Dominy really built the case for why Josie should stay away from Garrett, but my heart was screaming for these two to get together. I was surprised by a few decisions that were made, but in the end, I was left feeling like like a kid in a puppy cuddle - all smiles and warm fuzzies.
Quick recap:
☑️ Fabulous characters
☑️ Adorable romance
☑️ Fantastic friendships
☑️ Great and loving parents
☑️ Smile inducing
☑️ Amazing banter
☑️ A grand gesture
This book sort of had it all for me, and it was done, in my opinion, really well.
I am hard pressed to believe that anyone, who reads this book could resist falling in love with Josie and Garrett. These two won my heart, and I was full-on rooting for them to achieve their dreams and get their HEA.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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August 9, 2019
Rating: 4.5 stars
For a cold day in hell, it's unseasonably warm.
Announcing Trouble hooked me in from the very first sentence. That doesn't happen often. Something about it just clicked with me, maybe because I've been feeling like the world as a whole (and my own world) has taken a bizarre turn, but it's still summer. (But who are we kidding, this bizarre turn started back in 2016.) And it kept me on the line, both with witty banter and some solid girl power.
In Announcing Trouble, we have Josie and Garrett. Josie knows baseball inside and out, but she avoids it at all costs since it's tied to her douchebag, deserting dad. Garrett is a pitcher that's had to step back and focus on commentating ever since an injury. After Josie gets annoyed with Garrett's colour commentator at a game she reluctantly goes to and takes the guy's place, Garrett is determined to keep her around for her great knowledge and their even greater chemistry, both inside and outside of the box. And boy oh boy was this so much fun to read.
"Walters, you make my heart sing."
"Blondie, you're so full of shit."
Josie was a delight in the snarkiest way possible. She dished out sarcasm like a pro, and she had no qualms pushing back on Garrett's charms. Girl had more willpower than I would have, let me tell you. Garrett would have won me over very quickly with his warmth, helpfulness, and natural charisma. I'm pretty salty, but I'm also a hopeless romantic, so Josie and Garrett's relationship was right up my street. I could relate to Josie's distrust of certain men while also swooning over Garrett.
But it wasn't all sunshine and snark. This book had some pretty hard hits, complete with disappointing fathers and fights with mothers. Josie really had to open herself up to dreaming again, something she'd stopped doing years ago, and for good reason. Garrett really shone here, showing up time and again for her. I cried and swooned and cried some more. There were a few teary chuckles.
I did worry about the fact that I don't know much about baseball aside from there being nine innings and three strikes. And yeah, there was plenty of baseball talk going on, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. It showed that Josie really knew what she was talking about, or at least I'm assuming she did since I have no way of telling. Based off all the people Amy thanked in her acknowledgements, I'm pretty confident it was spot-on.
I'm going to try my hand here at some baseball terminology and call this a home run for Amy! This is a must-read for YA contemporary fans who love sports romances, feisty females, and a few tears.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 11, 2021
An Update for my Readers: First, a huge thanks to everyone who read ANNOUNCING TROUBLE and posted reviews. It's appreciated more than I can say!! For those of you who have asked about Mai's story--yes, she's got her own book.
HOW TO QUIT YOUR CRUSH is Mai's story and it might also be about a certain baseball player named Anthony. :) Download the book today and dive back into the world of ANNOUNCING TROUBLE for more romance, more laughs and more sighs.
Thanks!!
HOW TO QUIT YOUR CRUSH is Mai's story and it might also be about a certain baseball player named Anthony. :) Download the book today and dive back into the world of ANNOUNCING TROUBLE for more romance, more laughs and more sighs.
Thanks!!
August 16, 2019
Original review
This book was provided by the publisher through Chapter by Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Entangled: Crush and Chapter by Chapter!
Announcing Trouble is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance about Josie and Garrett. Josie has sworn off anything that has to do with baseball until Garrett… He changes everything for her.
Announcing Trouble is the first book I’ve read by Amy Fellner Dominy and I loved it! I love reading books about sports with a funny main character and a hot interest. This book has everything that I needed and Entangled Publishing never lets me down!
I really liked the main characters, Josie and Garrett. Josie is such a funny character, I loved reading in her perspective. And Garrett is so charming, it’s hard not to love him! Josie and Garrett have a flirty friendship even though that Josie wants to keep it ‘professional’. I love that their friendship turned into a relationship because they belong together!
I really liked Announcing Trouble, it was hard to put down and I even finished it in one sitting! The story and the characters were amazing, and I cannot wait to read another book by Amy Fellner Dominy!
This book was provided by the publisher through Chapter by Chapter in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Entangled: Crush and Chapter by Chapter!
Announcing Trouble is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance about Josie and Garrett. Josie has sworn off anything that has to do with baseball until Garrett… He changes everything for her.
Announcing Trouble is the first book I’ve read by Amy Fellner Dominy and I loved it! I love reading books about sports with a funny main character and a hot interest. This book has everything that I needed and Entangled Publishing never lets me down!
I really liked the main characters, Josie and Garrett. Josie is such a funny character, I loved reading in her perspective. And Garrett is so charming, it’s hard not to love him! Josie and Garrett have a flirty friendship even though that Josie wants to keep it ‘professional’. I love that their friendship turned into a relationship because they belong together!
I really liked Announcing Trouble, it was hard to put down and I even finished it in one sitting! The story and the characters were amazing, and I cannot wait to read another book by Amy Fellner Dominy!
June 1, 2020
“You…you met him?”
“This morning. He was here as I was setting up. I knew it had to be him even before he introduced himself. All that nice hair and boyish charm. He has a finger gun. Did you know that?”
I laugh in spite of myself. “It’s awful.”
This was great. Funny, charming, sweet and meaningful.
Two amazing, mature leads with heaps of chemistry between them, lots of hilarious banter and a touching love story to boot. A bunch of loveable side kicks that actually add something to the plot other than drama. No miscommunication, no bitchy exes or love triangle, but enough (reasonable) angst and conflict to keep me interested and rooting for these two.
There was a lot of Baseball talk, and I mean A LOT, and I don't know jack shit about Baseball, nor do I have the slightest interest in it. Still, it never bothered me, which is a feat in itself.
This is the first book I've read by Amy Fellner Dominy, but certainly not the last.
Signing off now with a happy smile on my face.
August 7, 2019
This has everything I like about YA, and I'm so happy I read it.
It has a sports oriented plot, yes, but with a refreshingly and unique angle. Josie seriously hates baseball, and Garrett is an injured baseball player, who might never play again. So instead of focusing on playing the game, it's about them collaborating on broadcasting games.
It was fun, adorable and contained some amazing banter between Garrett and Josie. Garrett's charm is of the chart while he tries to gain her trust.
☛ I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and I'm voluntarily making this review.
It has a sports oriented plot, yes, but with a refreshingly and unique angle. Josie seriously hates baseball, and Garrett is an injured baseball player, who might never play again. So instead of focusing on playing the game, it's about them collaborating on broadcasting games.
It was fun, adorable and contained some amazing banter between Garrett and Josie. Garrett's charm is of the chart while he tries to gain her trust.
☛ I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and I'm voluntarily making this review.
August 29, 2019
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
I've never really been someone who enjoys baseball - it's not really a thing that's played over here - but even so, when I first saw this book online, I was immediately intrigued and dove right in as soon as my request had been approved. Josie has always loved baseball, and knows the sport like the back of her hand. However, when her deadbeat dad left them to and regain some of his old glory as a mid life crisis, Josie was immediately turned off from the sport, and wants nothing to do with it. So when she goes to a game at school, just to support her friend who has a crush on one of the players, she finds herself angry with the announcers, who know nothing, and interrupts the commentary to basically take over, and do a proper job. This soon leads to Josie becoming one of the permanent colour commentators, along with injured pitcher Garrett, and though she doesn't want to get close to him, and be hurt like her mam was by a baseball player, she can't find it in herself to stay away, from him, or from the sport.
I really liked this book, and like I said, I'm a complete baseball novice, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment at all. Josie was one of the best main characters I've ever read, being witty and sarcastic, but also had a softer side, more vulnerable, that we saw come out as we learnt more about her family history. Being just her and her mam, Josie has always had a plan to go into business and stay as far away from baseball as possible, but now with the competition, and her realisation that her love for the game doesn't have to be tainted by her hatred of her father, Josie doesn't know what to do. I felt like this was probably the most realistic part of the book, as a lot of 17/18 year olds question their choices, when it comes to going to university, or getting a job, or something different, and Josie's internal struggles really seemed authentic.
The romance between Josie and Garrett was a nice, slow burn, with the chemistry being off the page from the get go. I loved the banter between them, how they played off each other, and both actively fought their attraction, but it was bound to happen. They really seemed to help each other too, get to grips with what they wanted to do with their lives, and stop lying to themselves about what they want, or what they are capable of doing. All in all, Announcing Trouble was a really cute read, and I look forward to reading more from this author in future.
I've never really been someone who enjoys baseball - it's not really a thing that's played over here - but even so, when I first saw this book online, I was immediately intrigued and dove right in as soon as my request had been approved. Josie has always loved baseball, and knows the sport like the back of her hand. However, when her deadbeat dad left them to and regain some of his old glory as a mid life crisis, Josie was immediately turned off from the sport, and wants nothing to do with it. So when she goes to a game at school, just to support her friend who has a crush on one of the players, she finds herself angry with the announcers, who know nothing, and interrupts the commentary to basically take over, and do a proper job. This soon leads to Josie becoming one of the permanent colour commentators, along with injured pitcher Garrett, and though she doesn't want to get close to him, and be hurt like her mam was by a baseball player, she can't find it in herself to stay away, from him, or from the sport.
I really liked this book, and like I said, I'm a complete baseball novice, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment at all. Josie was one of the best main characters I've ever read, being witty and sarcastic, but also had a softer side, more vulnerable, that we saw come out as we learnt more about her family history. Being just her and her mam, Josie has always had a plan to go into business and stay as far away from baseball as possible, but now with the competition, and her realisation that her love for the game doesn't have to be tainted by her hatred of her father, Josie doesn't know what to do. I felt like this was probably the most realistic part of the book, as a lot of 17/18 year olds question their choices, when it comes to going to university, or getting a job, or something different, and Josie's internal struggles really seemed authentic.
The romance between Josie and Garrett was a nice, slow burn, with the chemistry being off the page from the get go. I loved the banter between them, how they played off each other, and both actively fought their attraction, but it was bound to happen. They really seemed to help each other too, get to grips with what they wanted to do with their lives, and stop lying to themselves about what they want, or what they are capable of doing. All in all, Announcing Trouble was a really cute read, and I look forward to reading more from this author in future.
August 7, 2019
4 1/2 stars
Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy was so much fun to read. As a lifelong baseball and romantic comedy fan, this book hit all of the right notes.
Josie goes to her high school’s baseball game to provide moral support for her best friend who has a crush on one of the players. She hears all of the errors made by the color commentary and steps in, thus providing a very lively meet-cute between Josie and Garrett, an injured ballplayer who’s announcing the games while hoping to make a comeback. There’s an immediate attraction between Josie and Garrett and lots of witty sometimes sarcastic repartee between the two on air and off.
Dominy does a great job with characterization showing Josie’s confusion over her attraction for Garrett who is totally off-limits because he’s a baseball player and is so much like her absent father as well as Garrett’s need to be judged as his own person.
There were so many wonderful facets of this novel. I especially loved Josie’s interaction with the children at the bookstore and Garrett’s showing up and becoming known as the “cookie man.”
If you’re a baseball fan and YA novel lover, this one is definitely for you. If you love romantic comedies, you will probably love this one as Dominy shows a deft hand for witty dialogue.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2022
Just meh… it was boring, had no essence and the mc was annoying as hell
August 8, 2019
This is a delightful teen romance involving baseball, baseball players - and a young lady determined not to have anything to do with baseball players after her baseball playing father left to follow his baseball playing dreams, abandoning her and her mother. Oh, did I say it has a lot to do with baseball?
Josie Walters had shadowed her father and loved everything to do with baseball until he chose to follow the game rather than her. Now she's determined to keep herself safe and never have anything more to do with the game that had been her life. All that changes, however, when she agrees to go to watch a game to support her best friend who has a crush on one of the team. Listening to the commentary on the match she can't believe how many mistakes one of the commentators is making. She marches into the booth and lets him know just how inept he's being - and inadvertently ends up commentating instead of him. She's working alongside Garrett Reeves, a baseball pitcher who has been sidelined because of a serious arm injury and the rapport and banter make them a winning duo. Can she put aside her prejudices against athletes and work with him in an attempt to win a competition or should she let her head rule her actions and get as far away as fast as she can?
This is a story filled with great banter, plenty of humour and a growing romance. There are great characters, a determined hero and a heroine who learns to open her heart again. She has her safe life plans, with no risks and plenty of rules whilst he has lots of options but nothing certain. Can she learn to let fate intervene or will she keep her heart safe by keeping it locked away? It is an engaging, entertaining, fun and light-hearted read, just right to escape into when you want to relax.
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion after choosing to read this book and enjoying doing so.
Josie Walters had shadowed her father and loved everything to do with baseball until he chose to follow the game rather than her. Now she's determined to keep herself safe and never have anything more to do with the game that had been her life. All that changes, however, when she agrees to go to watch a game to support her best friend who has a crush on one of the team. Listening to the commentary on the match she can't believe how many mistakes one of the commentators is making. She marches into the booth and lets him know just how inept he's being - and inadvertently ends up commentating instead of him. She's working alongside Garrett Reeves, a baseball pitcher who has been sidelined because of a serious arm injury and the rapport and banter make them a winning duo. Can she put aside her prejudices against athletes and work with him in an attempt to win a competition or should she let her head rule her actions and get as far away as fast as she can?
This is a story filled with great banter, plenty of humour and a growing romance. There are great characters, a determined hero and a heroine who learns to open her heart again. She has her safe life plans, with no risks and plenty of rules whilst he has lots of options but nothing certain. Can she learn to let fate intervene or will she keep her heart safe by keeping it locked away? It is an engaging, entertaining, fun and light-hearted read, just right to escape into when you want to relax.
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion after choosing to read this book and enjoying doing so.
August 2, 2019
**OFF THE CHARTS**
**CASSIE'S REVIEW
Announcing Trouble came out of left field for me and I am so glad it did. I chose to sign up on a whim seeing it was a YA romance with baseball elements and I was intrigued from the first scene. Rather than focus on characters who actually play, we get almost all of the baseball action through the commentating booth. I haven’t come across a sports romance that dealt with the sportscaster type and that made this book new and exciting.
Josie would be the more scorned and broken of the two, mentally, but her smart mouth and quick wit stole the show (quite literally in the opening scene). Her battle of choosing her pride over the game she knows she has denied loving since her dad walked out was tricky and heartbreaking to witness, but out of it came character growth I feel like I only get in YA novels. It was fulfilling to see her chase her dreams by the end.
Garrett. His drive to succeed in whatever he does is unmatched. Honestly, it is more than drive; it is straight-up tenacity. His charming ways will have your face smiling and your heart laughing. He is confident, but never really shown as cocky which was a nice surprise.
This book is refreshing and will fill your soul with a delight only coming-of-age novels can.
**CASSIE'S REVIEW
Announcing Trouble came out of left field for me and I am so glad it did. I chose to sign up on a whim seeing it was a YA romance with baseball elements and I was intrigued from the first scene. Rather than focus on characters who actually play, we get almost all of the baseball action through the commentating booth. I haven’t come across a sports romance that dealt with the sportscaster type and that made this book new and exciting.
Josie would be the more scorned and broken of the two, mentally, but her smart mouth and quick wit stole the show (quite literally in the opening scene). Her battle of choosing her pride over the game she knows she has denied loving since her dad walked out was tricky and heartbreaking to witness, but out of it came character growth I feel like I only get in YA novels. It was fulfilling to see her chase her dreams by the end.
Garrett. His drive to succeed in whatever he does is unmatched. Honestly, it is more than drive; it is straight-up tenacity. His charming ways will have your face smiling and your heart laughing. He is confident, but never really shown as cocky which was a nice surprise.
This book is refreshing and will fill your soul with a delight only coming-of-age novels can.
June 27, 2019
This book was literally every single thing that I love about YA romance.
It. Was. Adorable.
And sweet.
And heartfelt.
And emotional in a way that I wasn’t really expecting, but that deeply resonated with me.
I was won over immediately by the banter. These are smart, funny, wholly relatable characters. I loved the chemistry between Josie and Garrett. I loved the way they connected and the authentically playful way they flirted, teased, and inevitably fell for each other. I loved how, even when I wanted to give them a good shake, I felt their conflict in my heart. I hurt for them and cheered for them and – not going to lie – swooned like crazy over them.
It's not even all about the romance. I also loved the way friendships were portrayed here. Some of the sweetest moments occurred between Josie and Mai. I love a strong sisterhood more than anything and these two were the best.
I smiled so hard for almost this entire story. It’s engaging and smartly written and honestly? It felt like good old fashioned YA romance perfection. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend! ~ Shelly, 5 Stars
It. Was. Adorable.
And sweet.
And heartfelt.
And emotional in a way that I wasn’t really expecting, but that deeply resonated with me.
I was won over immediately by the banter. These are smart, funny, wholly relatable characters. I loved the chemistry between Josie and Garrett. I loved the way they connected and the authentically playful way they flirted, teased, and inevitably fell for each other. I loved how, even when I wanted to give them a good shake, I felt their conflict in my heart. I hurt for them and cheered for them and – not going to lie – swooned like crazy over them.
It's not even all about the romance. I also loved the way friendships were portrayed here. Some of the sweetest moments occurred between Josie and Mai. I love a strong sisterhood more than anything and these two were the best.
I smiled so hard for almost this entire story. It’s engaging and smartly written and honestly? It felt like good old fashioned YA romance perfection. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend! ~ Shelly, 5 Stars
August 11, 2019
Josie hates baseball because her father left her for the sport. Now she’s accidentally back in baseball calling games with Garrett an injured player. Josie’s life plans do not include falling for an athlete.
ANNOUNCING TROUBLE is a cute, yet predictable story. Girl hates boy. Girl loves boy. I always enjoy Amy Fellner Dominy books but ANNOUNCING TROUBLE distracted me with anger for Josie. Her mother was horrible reinforcing the abandonment she felt to further create distrust in her daughter. Rather than encouraging reunification, her mom trashed her dad and any dreams Josie had that had any risk. I know her mom’s behavior came from a place of pain, but she treated Josie more like a girlfriend than a daughter who had a right to her own life. If not for the distraction I’d have rated ANNOUNCING TROUBLE higher.
ANNOUNCING TROUBLE is a cute, yet predictable story. Girl hates boy. Girl loves boy. I always enjoy Amy Fellner Dominy books but ANNOUNCING TROUBLE distracted me with anger for Josie. Her mother was horrible reinforcing the abandonment she felt to further create distrust in her daughter. Rather than encouraging reunification, her mom trashed her dad and any dreams Josie had that had any risk. I know her mom’s behavior came from a place of pain, but she treated Josie more like a girlfriend than a daughter who had a right to her own life. If not for the distraction I’d have rated ANNOUNCING TROUBLE higher.
August 8, 2019
I loved this book! That's no surprise; I love everything Amy Fellner Dominy has written. But it also IS a surprise, because it's (a) centered around sports and (b) is essentially a rom-com, which is not something I really associate with her.
It does have the things I do associate with her, though: a great story with characters it's impossible not to love and writing that is second to none.
Best of all, it's a sports book the way that Bull Durham is a sports movie: it's a major part of the plot, but at the same time, it's just as entertaining for non-sports fans.
This was a delightful read and it helped me get over a reading slump. I loved every sentence, and I hope that it's the start of a lot more romances from Amy Fellner Dominy.
Highly recommended.
It does have the things I do associate with her, though: a great story with characters it's impossible not to love and writing that is second to none.
Best of all, it's a sports book the way that Bull Durham is a sports movie: it's a major part of the plot, but at the same time, it's just as entertaining for non-sports fans.
This was a delightful read and it helped me get over a reading slump. I loved every sentence, and I hope that it's the start of a lot more romances from Amy Fellner Dominy.
Highly recommended.
June 4, 2020
This book wasn't bad. But I will say it started getting repetitive. The things her mom was putting in her head, was terrible. They need therapy. You are passing that thinking onto your daughter and making her feel as if it's a problem to take risks. It was really frustrating. And I understood her reasoning, but it started to become irritating. It was as if the main character didn't have any dreams or goals. I would have loved to see more of her dreams and goals and wish they talked more of her pursuing them. And this is a high school relationship. Goodness. The boy can't go play baseball or go to a different school? Smh. Other than that I enjoyed the other baseball players and her best friend. Was it ever even explained Mai and Alex's relationship more? I wanted to know what happened.
August 11, 2019
Announcing Trouble is my first book by Amy Fellner Dominy and I really liked it, both the story and the writing. Can't wait to read more by this author.
August 14, 2019
3.5 Stars
August 21, 2019
This was cute, and fun, and everything I was hoping it would be. Perfect summer read!
September 20, 2022
This was okay.
The MC is very abrasive, so it’s hard for me to truly love her or see why the hero is immediately head over heels for her.
Chemistry is low. The hero liked her and chased her from the very start. She played hard to get, which provided at least a blip of chemistry to the story. Although she overdid it. Her sarcastic, cutting remarks and pushy, argumentative personality were over the top and a big turnoff. Tbh, I can’t imagine a rational, normal HS guy thinking being treated like that is cute.
She’s the one standing in her own way when it comes to jumping into the relationship, and that kind of negative motivation can get tedious.
Also, she’s kinda a lame friend. She won’t even allow her brilliant BFF to flirt with a guy without getting all up on her, saying she shouldn’t throw away her dreams for a guy. It seems excessive to me. Why can’t the girl flirt and have fun in HS without her best friend stressing on her and making her feel guilty, or like she’s doing something bad? I mean, if they were talking about sex, then yeah- getting pregnant would definitely derail her life plans and that calls for some intervention, but she was just enjoying a crush. Geez, lady, lay off.
I’m quitting with 2 hours left because it’s kinda boring to listen to a romance with no chemistry.
Content-
Language- some swearing. One f-word. Some uses of “effing.”
Sex- lots of casual mentions of sex. No sex scene so far. And I don’t see one coming, tbh.
Cover- meh
Narrator- alright
I listened to this and read portions on Scribd.
The MC is very abrasive, so it’s hard for me to truly love her or see why the hero is immediately head over heels for her.
Chemistry is low. The hero liked her and chased her from the very start. She played hard to get, which provided at least a blip of chemistry to the story. Although she overdid it. Her sarcastic, cutting remarks and pushy, argumentative personality were over the top and a big turnoff. Tbh, I can’t imagine a rational, normal HS guy thinking being treated like that is cute.
She’s the one standing in her own way when it comes to jumping into the relationship, and that kind of negative motivation can get tedious.
Also, she’s kinda a lame friend. She won’t even allow her brilliant BFF to flirt with a guy without getting all up on her, saying she shouldn’t throw away her dreams for a guy. It seems excessive to me. Why can’t the girl flirt and have fun in HS without her best friend stressing on her and making her feel guilty, or like she’s doing something bad? I mean, if they were talking about sex, then yeah- getting pregnant would definitely derail her life plans and that calls for some intervention, but she was just enjoying a crush. Geez, lady, lay off.
I’m quitting with 2 hours left because it’s kinda boring to listen to a romance with no chemistry.
Content-
Language- some swearing. One f-word. Some uses of “effing.”
Sex- lots of casual mentions of sex. No sex scene so far. And I don’t see one coming, tbh.
Cover- meh
Narrator- alright
I listened to this and read portions on Scribd.
January 10, 2020
Fabulous YA romance
Abandoned at age 13 by her professional baseball player father, whom she adored, Josie has spent the last five years avoiding anything in her life that smacks of emotional risk. She doesn't have dreams, she has practical plans. Dreams are what her father had in his passionate pursuit of playing professional baseball at any cost. In their family, that cost has been the destruction of Josie's and her mother's lives. Her father taught Josie to love baseball, and then he proved that baseball meant more to him than anything else, including her.
From that point on, she wanted nothing to do with baseball. Until the day that her best friend Mai, a lovable geek with a big crush on a baseball player, drags Josie with her to watch their high school's talented baseball team play. Two high school boys are announcing the game, and one of them is absolutely terrible at it. Listening to him repeatedly blow it becomes more than Josie can bear, and she stalks into the announcers' booth to confront the awful announcer. His co-announcer, a boy named Garrett, admits the validity of her complaint and cheekily invites her to prove that she can do better. Unable to resist his challenge after the failed announcer storms out, Josie plops down, begins announcing and does a terrific job. She and Garrett have tremendous chemistry, and witty quips fly between them.
Garrett is a handsome, charming, fellow senior who used to be an extremely talented pitcher. He had the potential to ultimately go all the way to the major leagues until he was turfed out of his beloved game when he sustained a career destroying injury to his pitching arm a few months ago.. Though he is no longer able to play, he loves the game so much that he has taken up announcing his high school's baseball games as a way to continue to be part of the sport he loves.
Since Garrett and Josie are so good together as an announcing team, he pleads with her to continue volunteering with him as a co-announcer. She strongly resists, out of her driving need to avoid anything to do with baseball, until he informs her he wants the two of them to jointly enter a contest which offers the 1st prize winners both a bundle of cash and guaranteed entry into the broadcasting degree program of the University of Arizona's School of Journalism. This golden opportunity is a temptation that is impossible for Josie to resist.
Unfortunately, pursuing that exciting goal proves to be not only the risk of reliving excruciating memories associated with baseball by being around the game again, but a huge risk to her heart as well. Garrett turns out to be everything she wants in a potential boyfriend except for his fatal flaw. He is someone who loves baseball more than anyone or anything else in life, just like her father.
This young adult novel has an absolutely wonderful romance plot and a fabulous, classic, coming of age plot alongside it which is integral to the romance plot. I personally consider this a romantic dramedy. There is a great deal of hilariously witty banter between Josie and Garrett, which is my absolute favorite source of humor in a romantic comedy. In addition, there is compelling, and sometimes heart-wrenching drama in the form of Josie's growth arc across the book as she begins to consciously confront the emotional devastation she suffered due to her father's desertion. I found it extremely moving as she slowly and painfully reclaims her lost trust in herself and others and, most of all, reclaims her love of baseball. In spite of her sometimes unsympathetic, harsh rejection of Garrett due to her fear of abandonment, Josie has a very moving journey from distrust to trust across the length of this poignantly written novel.
Garrett is a fabulous romantic hero. Both vulnerable and strong, he is very compassionate and supportive toward Josie. His discipline and dedication to baseball is admirable, and the tremendous effort he goes to in order to create a relationship with Josie makes him ideal boyfriend material.
I very much enjoyed that Josie has a mutually loving and respectful relationship with her mother. But at the same time, her mother's inability to deal with her own abandonment issues after her bitter divorce from Josie's father has caused her to harmfully encourage Josie to be as risk averse in relationships as she herself is. The author does an outstanding job of seamlessly weaving together their mutual journeys of healing which are purposeful echoes of each other.
One of the most significant things that a romance novel can achieve is to prove the inherit premise of the romance genre, that the romantic protagonists are soulmates who have found true love in each other. A major way to achieve that goal is to portray the romantic protagonists making huge sacrifices for each other in order to be worthy of true love. Unfortunately that does not always, or even frequently, occur in romance novels. But this novel absolutely does offer inspiring mutual self-sacrifice and does it brilliantly.
I really enjoyed the overarching theme of baseball in this novel and the fact that it is such an integral part of the evolution of this romance. I am not a particular fan of baseball myself, but I believe the author wrote the baseball scenes extremely well, with enough baseball lore included to give believable color to the scenes, but not so much as to be overwhelming or boring to the uninitiated.
Overall, in every way possible, this is an outstandingly written young adult romance. I will definitely be reading this book again in the future, and it will be a treasured keeper in my Kindle library.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance plot: 5 stars
Baseball plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
Abandoned at age 13 by her professional baseball player father, whom she adored, Josie has spent the last five years avoiding anything in her life that smacks of emotional risk. She doesn't have dreams, she has practical plans. Dreams are what her father had in his passionate pursuit of playing professional baseball at any cost. In their family, that cost has been the destruction of Josie's and her mother's lives. Her father taught Josie to love baseball, and then he proved that baseball meant more to him than anything else, including her.
From that point on, she wanted nothing to do with baseball. Until the day that her best friend Mai, a lovable geek with a big crush on a baseball player, drags Josie with her to watch their high school's talented baseball team play. Two high school boys are announcing the game, and one of them is absolutely terrible at it. Listening to him repeatedly blow it becomes more than Josie can bear, and she stalks into the announcers' booth to confront the awful announcer. His co-announcer, a boy named Garrett, admits the validity of her complaint and cheekily invites her to prove that she can do better. Unable to resist his challenge after the failed announcer storms out, Josie plops down, begins announcing and does a terrific job. She and Garrett have tremendous chemistry, and witty quips fly between them.
Garrett is a handsome, charming, fellow senior who used to be an extremely talented pitcher. He had the potential to ultimately go all the way to the major leagues until he was turfed out of his beloved game when he sustained a career destroying injury to his pitching arm a few months ago.. Though he is no longer able to play, he loves the game so much that he has taken up announcing his high school's baseball games as a way to continue to be part of the sport he loves.
Since Garrett and Josie are so good together as an announcing team, he pleads with her to continue volunteering with him as a co-announcer. She strongly resists, out of her driving need to avoid anything to do with baseball, until he informs her he wants the two of them to jointly enter a contest which offers the 1st prize winners both a bundle of cash and guaranteed entry into the broadcasting degree program of the University of Arizona's School of Journalism. This golden opportunity is a temptation that is impossible for Josie to resist.
Unfortunately, pursuing that exciting goal proves to be not only the risk of reliving excruciating memories associated with baseball by being around the game again, but a huge risk to her heart as well. Garrett turns out to be everything she wants in a potential boyfriend except for his fatal flaw. He is someone who loves baseball more than anyone or anything else in life, just like her father.
This young adult novel has an absolutely wonderful romance plot and a fabulous, classic, coming of age plot alongside it which is integral to the romance plot. I personally consider this a romantic dramedy. There is a great deal of hilariously witty banter between Josie and Garrett, which is my absolute favorite source of humor in a romantic comedy. In addition, there is compelling, and sometimes heart-wrenching drama in the form of Josie's growth arc across the book as she begins to consciously confront the emotional devastation she suffered due to her father's desertion. I found it extremely moving as she slowly and painfully reclaims her lost trust in herself and others and, most of all, reclaims her love of baseball. In spite of her sometimes unsympathetic, harsh rejection of Garrett due to her fear of abandonment, Josie has a very moving journey from distrust to trust across the length of this poignantly written novel.
Garrett is a fabulous romantic hero. Both vulnerable and strong, he is very compassionate and supportive toward Josie. His discipline and dedication to baseball is admirable, and the tremendous effort he goes to in order to create a relationship with Josie makes him ideal boyfriend material.
I very much enjoyed that Josie has a mutually loving and respectful relationship with her mother. But at the same time, her mother's inability to deal with her own abandonment issues after her bitter divorce from Josie's father has caused her to harmfully encourage Josie to be as risk averse in relationships as she herself is. The author does an outstanding job of seamlessly weaving together their mutual journeys of healing which are purposeful echoes of each other.
One of the most significant things that a romance novel can achieve is to prove the inherit premise of the romance genre, that the romantic protagonists are soulmates who have found true love in each other. A major way to achieve that goal is to portray the romantic protagonists making huge sacrifices for each other in order to be worthy of true love. Unfortunately that does not always, or even frequently, occur in romance novels. But this novel absolutely does offer inspiring mutual self-sacrifice and does it brilliantly.
I really enjoyed the overarching theme of baseball in this novel and the fact that it is such an integral part of the evolution of this romance. I am not a particular fan of baseball myself, but I believe the author wrote the baseball scenes extremely well, with enough baseball lore included to give believable color to the scenes, but not so much as to be overwhelming or boring to the uninitiated.
Overall, in every way possible, this is an outstandingly written young adult romance. I will definitely be reading this book again in the future, and it will be a treasured keeper in my Kindle library.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance plot: 5 stars
Baseball plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
May 6, 2020
Uhhhhh....
This book went from laugh out loud to gut wrenching, heartbreaking fast😭
It's a good one. A really good one. Though there are times I want to smack Josie real hard. What she put Garrett through was kind-of unfair.
I was having a hard time wrapping my head around her issues.
Also, I wanna smack her mother too because she really was not helping the problem🙄
All in all, this book is not so cliche and though Garrett did some chasing at least Josie did some of her own too.
This book went from laugh out loud to gut wrenching, heartbreaking fast😭
It's a good one. A really good one. Though there are times I want to smack Josie real hard. What she put Garrett through was kind-of unfair.
I was having a hard time wrapping my head around her issues.
Also, I wanna smack her mother too because she really was not helping the problem🙄
All in all, this book is not so cliche and though Garrett did some chasing at least Josie did some of her own too.
June 20, 2021
Does this book deserve five stars, probably not. BUT, I’ve been on a mission to read all the YA books that have baseball as a main plot or character device and this one is my favorite so far. I loved the way the baseball was written and not too overdone. The plot was eh. But the dialogue was superior!!! Also extra points for not being problematic/toxic, which is typical in this sub genre unfortunately.
May 25, 2023
I listened to Announcing Trouble as an audiobook. It was a shorter audiobook, at 7 hours long, and I liked the narrator. I liked the story itself as well. I'm a sucker for a good YA romance story, and this was exactly what I like. It was really clean and wholesome. I'm by no definition a sports person, but that didn't stop me from loving this novel. If you love YA romance, I'd say that this is not one to miss!
December 5, 2020
This was so cute. The couple actually communicated and we could easily see why they fell for one another. It also felt so realistic? It was absolutely precious and I loved it. I gave it four stars cause there was no epilogue telling us if they last in the future or not 😭
February 7, 2022
Super cute and exactly what I was hoping to read!
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