Chasing Headlines: A Review of Chasing Victory #1
When I first heard about Chasing Headlines by J. Rose Black, I was intrigued. The premise promised a dramatic enemies-to-lovers romance wrapped in the chaotic world of baseball. As someone who loves a good slow-burn romance and the thrill of competitive sports, I thought this could be my new favorite read. However, what I found was an experience that left me feeling more exasperated than enchanted, earning it a meager 2 stars. Thank you to J. Rose Black and BookSirens for the ARC!
Let me just start by saying: WHEW. I really tried with this one, I did. But it wasn’t long before I felt myself dragging through the pages, hoping for a glimpse of the engaging story I hoped to find. At over 500 pages, this book could have shed at least 150 without losing the essence of the narrative. The pacing was painfully slow, and it took me three long days to finish it—three! You all know I devour books like candy, so that’s a major red flag for me.
The characters? Unfortunately, they left much to be desired. Olivia, the protagonist, came off as insufferable; her endless inner monologues and dramatic tendencies overshadowed any potential for empathy. Breslin, while somewhat likable, didn’t carry enough weight to anchor the story. Their romance was so background that I nearly forgot it was supposed to be central to the plot. If you promise me an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, I expect some delicious tension, not an unsettling lack of chemistry.
And let’s talk about spice—or the conspicuous absence thereof. I’m not a spice-obsessed reader, but when a story repeatedly hints at heat through dreams and thoughts, only to deliver a completely dry experience, it’s a frustrating tease. This isn’t YA, and it certainly isn’t closed-door romance; a bit of heat here and there would have gone a long way!
As for the baseball element, it felt overpowering. Instead of immersing me in a beautifully blended narrative of sports and romance, I felt more like I was reading Baseball and Feelings—not quite what I signed up for! And then there’s the ending—oh, the ending. It was rushed and left me feeling like I had slogged through the mire of the story only for it to culminate in a hasty wrap-up that felt unsatisfying. Not cool, Black, not cool.
While I recognize that some readers may thrive on slow burns and baseball, the vibes just didn’t align with my expectations. The only character I genuinely connected with was Dottie; she brought a refreshing spark to an otherwise sluggish narrative.
In conclusion, if you’re a baseball buff who relishes painstakingly slow romance with a sprinkle of drama, perhaps Chasing Headlines will work for you. But for those seeking depth, pace, and satisfying character arcs, I’d suggest looking elsewhere. This reading journey was an uphill battle for me, and while I’m not continuing the series, I’m grateful for the lessons learned along the way. Read at your own risk, my friends!
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