Review (DNF): The Sweet Spot by Stephanie Evanovich

 The amazing Stephanie Evanovich returns with The Sweet Spot, the sizzling story of everyone’s favorite couple from her New York Times bestseller Big Girl Panties: hunky professional baseball player Chase Walker and his sassy wife Amanda

When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets Amanda at her restaurant, it’s love at first sight. While Amanda can’t help noticing the superstar with the Greek-god-build, he doesn’t have a chance of getting to first—or any other—base with her. A successful entrepreneur who’s built her business from scratch, Amanda doesn’t need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. And a curvy girl who likes to cook and eat isn’t interested in being around the catty, stick-thin herd of females chasing Chase and his teammates.

But Chase isn’t about to strike out. A man who isn’t interested in playing the field, he’s a monogamist who wants an independent woman like Amanda. His hopes rally when she discovers that squeaky-clean Chase has a few sexy and very secret pre-game rituals that turn the smart, headstrong businesswoman on—and into his number one fan.

Then a tabloid discovers the truth and turns their spanking good fun into a late- night punch-line. Is Amanda ready to let loose and swing for the fences? Or will the pressure of Chase’s stardom force them to call it quits?

Goodreads | Source: ARC provided via Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review

Review:It takes almost a herculean effort for me to DNF a book. No matter what’s going on, I feel compelled to see how it ends. Even if I just skim. But this book made me so mad that I just couldn’t continue.

Let me backtrack a little.

I grabbed this book off Amazon Vine for review because it seemed like the fun, chick-lit type of book that I enjoy most. Within the first few chapters I already knew the writing style wasn’t for me with the abrupt POV changes, and almost all the interactions are telling not showing, but I did enjoy the characters so I let it go to see where it might lead.

Then the hero starts making little comments about “bratty women” and how Amanda’s ass is big enough for his hand – alluding to spanking. Hey, I’m fine with that kink. I’ve read a lot worse and enjoyed it. It was the “brat” comments that irked me. But again, whatever…the romance as Chase tries to woo a reluctant Amanda into giving him a chance was cute and sometimes it takes a while to develop a character.

Then I get to the sex part and NO. NO. NO. I have a thing about safe sex and discussing protection beforehand – not in the throes of passion where you are distracted by six pack abs. I’ve read many books where there’s no mention of condom use or they equate birth control with safe sex. Which is not the same thing. Not getting pregnant doesn’t mean being protected from STD’s. Blah…blah…getting ranty now…

So anyway – this book crosses a line that just had me fuming. I’ve since read multiple 1 and 2 star reviews on Goodreads that mostly concern the hero and the spanking element of this book (I never made it that far so I won’t comment), so I’ll discuss what was my deal breaker scene that no one else (that I saw) mentioned.

They are having sex for the first time. This is where Chase tries to talk Amanda out of using a condom.

I'm going to quote the passage that pushed me over the edge, it’s a spoiler, so I’ll give you the option to click the button if you wish to see it – or ignore if you still want to pick the book up to read.

“Amanda,” he said in a rush, “I use one of these every time. I don’t want to use one now. I promise I’m disease-free. Are you protected and safe, and do you trust me?” Chase didn’t actually care if she was protected or not. He couldn’t think of anything he’d like better than holding the shotgun at the wedding. He didn’t really care if she was safe either: the seed had already been planted in his mind that he’d be willing to die for her. But her trusting him meant everything.

AREYOUF*CKINGKIDDINGMERIGHTNOW? No Amanda – you should not trust this man.

So, epic irresponsible handling of sexual safety by the hero – and a heroine who is too distracted by a hot body to think clearly. That’s a total turn off for me so I didn’t continue.

There are several 4-5 star reviews for the book and those reviewers seemed to like the witty banter between the characters, the alpha hero that brings out Amanda’s naughty side, a full figured heroine and humor – so ya know – I just can’t recommend this book myself but to each his own and maybe it will work better for you.

Some people can overlook things like that but it just takes away all my respect for the hero and ruins the romance for me.