I know I've said it a few times recently, but I LOVE the athlete/nanny stories that have been coming out lately! I am here for it. I have thoroughly enjoyed the majority of those I've read. So it's of no surprise that I fully enjoyed The Setup and the Substitute by Jiffy Kate. This baseball romance just released on September 16, and I highly suggest that you go pick it up.
Imagine falling in love, having a couple of children, and then the woman you're with decides she is done. She up and leaves the family, which just decimates everything. With time, you find yourself signing a contract with baseball team out of New Orleans, uprooting your family, and eventually all is going in the right direction. Until your nanny quits. It is shortly there after, during pickup at your daughter's school, that you are introduced to a substitute teacher. Her temporary assignment is almost up, and she is wondering where she'll go next. Naturally your daughter throws out the suggestions that she could be the new nanny! You ignore it, until you realize that maybe your kid is on to something. That is what happens with Owen and Sophie. They were brought together by his kids needing a nanny, and her needing a stable job. They were no expecting to fall for each other. Yet there is a spark. Things are going smoothly until a familiar face appears.
I loved this book. I loved every.single.part of it. From how the first relationship ended (difficult to read about, but necessary), to the new beginnings in New Orleans, to meeting Sophie, to Sophie falling for the kids, to the eventual relationship between Owen and Sophie. But THEN when that person shows up, game changer. This appearance added that extra little bit that just made this story soar a bit higher. It made me love it that much more. I said it in a previous review that i wanted something like this to happen in that book, but it didn't. So when it did in The Setup and the Substitute, I was oh so happy! That was the drama I needed in the story, and it was so good.That whole scenario then brought on the big moment of conflict for Owen and Sophie, and oh what a conflict it was. Yeah. It was a lot. But the way everything was handled had me loving it. Seriously.
Loved the book. Loved the setting. Loved the characters. All of it was so dang good. Kudos to Jiffy Kate on a fantastic story. I highly recommend you pick up The Setup and the Substitute. It was a quick and easy read, and you'll get your HEA at the end.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts. I greatly appreciate it.
Laura
He’s a single dad trying to make it in the Major Leagues and she’s a substitute teacher looking for her next adventure.
Owen Thatcher has been ghosted by his ex, leaving him to pick up the pieces of their family in the midst of being traded to a new team. After striking out with nanny after nanny, he’s desperate to create a stable life for his two kids.
Sophie Callahan comes from an affluent family but this free spirit is nothing like the stereotypical trust fund baby. While she waits on the perfect job to open up, she’s making it work as a substitute teacher.
But a ruggedly handsome baseball player makes her an offer she can’t refuse.
And it’s a whole new ball game when these attractive, available adults are under one roof.
Jiffy Kate is the joint pen name for Jiff Simpson and Jenny Kate Altman.
Together, they spend their evenings and weekends spinning tales and hoping one day they hit a best-sellers list.
You can connect with them and follow along with their shenanigans on social media.
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