Chasing Headlines: A Hard Pitch That Missed the Mark
When I first heard about Chasing Headlines by J. Rose Black, I was immediately intrigued. An enemies-to-lovers romance set against the backdrop of baseball? Sign me up! I love a good slow burn, and with so much buzz surrounding its release, it felt like a book I should jump into headfirst. However, my experience turned out to be less of a home run and more of a bittersweet strikeout.
From the get-go, I wanted to root for the protagonist, Olivia, but her over-the-top drama and incessant inner monologues quickly wore me down. It often felt like I was caught in a lengthy game of baseball that was losing its excitement. Did the book really need to clock in at over 500 pages? I found myself wondering if it could have been trimmed by at least 150 pages—there was just so much filler. While I appreciate character development, the drawn-out scenes and repetitive drama made for a painfully slow read. I usually breeze through books, so taking three days to finish this one was a major red flag for me as I love to devour stories.
Then there’s Breslin, the love interest, who seemed almost like an afterthought. Their chemistry lacked the spark I was hoping for. If you’re promising me an enemies-to-lovers romance, I want that “lovers” part to shine, not just linger in the background. I was left hanging, wondering when the romance would pop off and provide the payoff I craved.
And let’s talk about the anticipated spice. I wouldn’t call myself a spice-obsessed reader, but when a story tantalizes you with hints of passion in dreams and inner thoughts only to deliver nothing in reality, disappointment sets in. Seriously, where was the heat? It’s not YA or closed-door, so I expected more than just muted feelings. I wanted tangible romance, something to sink my teeth into.
All of this built up to a rather rushed ending that left me frustrated after wading through so many pages. I had braved the slow plotting, only to reach a conclusion that felt abrupt and unsatisfying. I’ve seen some reviews saying Chasing Headlines resonated with readers, especially those who are baseball fans or enjoy super slow burns. But for this reader, it felt more like “Baseball and Feelings” rather than a compelling romance novel.
Now, there were elements I liked, like Dottie, who stood out as a vibrant character amidst the more forgettable cast. She was the only one who kept my interest alive during those lengthy stretches.
In conclusion, if you absolutely love baseball or appreciate slow-building relationships, you might find something here to enjoy. For me? The vibe just missed the mark, and I’m honestly a bit miffed I didn’t choose to DNF it. While this book had potential, it was too long, too slow, and felt more tedious than it should have. I’m giving Chasing Headlines a 2-star rating. Would I recommend it? Proceed at your own risk—this adventure might be more lemon than lemonade.
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