Kristie J’s review of Crossing Hearts (Atlanta Skyline, Book 1) by Rebecca Crowley
Contemporary Romance published by Lyrical Shine 21 Mar 17
Knowing that soccer, or football as it’s really called, is the No. 1 sport in the world and being a watcher of sports, I’ve tried watching soccer, I really have. But I just don’t enjoy watching it on the telly because the field is so large, most of it shown from quite a distance. And, let’s be honest, part of the allure of soccer is very fine players, but we don’t get to see them close up that much. On top of this, and forgive me all fans, I just find it, well, boring. Being raised watching hockey, which is kind of a comparison, except that hockey players play on skates and inside arenas and wear a lot more equipment and it’s (brrrrr) cold, hockey is a much faster moving game.
Nevertheless, my lack of enthusiasm for the game doesn’t keep me from reading a sports romance in which the hero plays the sport. So when I saw the price of this one, I decided to give this book and this new-to-me author a try. And much to my delight, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hero is adorable and I really like the heroine.
Rio Vidal is from Chili and has come to Atlanta to play for their professional soccer team. This is quite a move up for him. He does have a slight problem, though. He doesn’t speak English. For this he needs a translator. Enter Eva Torres, who is one of the official translators the team has hired. She’s worked as a translator in the past and has been less than impressed with those she’s worked with. But she can tell right from the beginning that Rio is different. He’s very respectful of her and grateful for the help she gives him, since a lot of what he hears around him is just noise until he starts picking up some English.
The outline is pretty self-explaining, so I don’t have much more to say without giving away spoilers. But Rio is the real deal. He grew up poor, and, considering he’s a hero in his native country, he’s very down to earth. He’s built different than the normal soccer player; he’s smaller than many others, but because he grew up poor and played for years in bare feet (can we say ouch), he’s learned to compensate and even excel. He’s not jaded or full of himself like many athletes of his caliber can be. Rather, he’s quite humble and this makes him very appealing. Oh, he knows he’s great at soccer, but the rest of him is, well, unassuming.
The more Eva gets to know him, the more she is attracted to him, but she sees any kind of relationship a real conflict of interest and she doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize her career with the team. Plus, she’s had a relationship or two in the past with athletes she’s worked with and it didn’t work out so well.
While I’m not sure this book will change my enjoyment of soccer itself, I sure did appreciate reading about it and am most happy to give my thumbs up on it. I’ve purchased and read the next book in the series – review coming soon – and I’ve pre-ordered the third. I’ve also picked up a few other books by this author, since I was so pleased with this story.
Grade: B+
Summary:
New to the U.S. soccer scene, not to mention the English language, compact yet explosive Chilean soccer legend Rio Vidal is driven to define a role on his new team, Atlanta Skyline. But he must also adapt to a new culture—and accept that he can’t do it alone. His beautiful interpreter, Eva, has been his voice, his refuge. But she is becoming so much more. If only he could convince her he isn’t like the other men she’s worked with, players on—and off—the field.
As a translator for pro athletes, Eva Torres is used to dealing with self-interested super stars. But Rio seems different, and she’s blindsided when he locks eyes with her across a church pew. By now, after weeks of close contact with the endearing athlete with whom she shares a language, her thoughts are far from holy. She must remind herself flirtation is probably just his default style. Plus, she’s the only one he can really talk to. But when his ambition threatens to derail his career—and their deepening connection—they’ll both have to lay their hearts on the center line . . .
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
