The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game #1) by J Sterling

The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game #1) by J Sterling

Released October 2012

Spoiler Free Review by Krystal

"He's a game she never intended to play. 
And she's the game changer he never knew he needed.

The Perfect Game tells the story of college juniors, Cassie Andrews & Jack Carter. When Cassie meets rising baseball hopeful Jack, she is determined to steer clear of him and his typical cocky attitude. But Jack has other things on his mind... like getting Cassie to give him the time of day. 

They're both damaged, filled with mistrust and guarded before they find one another (and themselves) in this emotional journey about love and forgiveness. Strap yourselves for a ride that will not only break your heart, but put it back together. 

Sometimes life gets ugly before it gets beautiful..."

This is a roller-coaster ride! Seriously! I've never read something that made me feel like a bipolar.  I really really liked this book. I would give the first half 3 stars. Once I hit a little past half way, I could not put this book down!


Cassie. I love this girl. Though she had some moments when she had to deal with her trust issues, but she made it through. Very strong and forgiving. It's no joke how much her heart got broken, not to mention how many times but damn if this girl can't forgive. And I love that she does it without coming out as desperate. She is strong-willed and i love her personality.

Jack Carter, the infamous baseball player. egotistical, cocky, a typical player...I hate him. No, I love him. No, no...I REALLY hate him. No wait...I love him.I couldn't make up my mind. Jack was the type of jerky, swoon-worthy, bad boy I adored for the first half of the book. Baseball is Jack Carter's first love. That is, until he meets Cassie Andrews. All of a sudden, the playboy who never sleeps with the same girl twice is falling head over heels and giving a serious relationship a shot. He had his faults, but he was trying really hard to be a different person for Cassie, to show her he loved her. 

"What does your heart tell you?"
"Who cares? My heart's dumb! It believes anything," I said, clutching at my chest above my left breast.
He laughed, his eyes glued to my hand. "Fine. What does your head tell you then?"
"My head questions everything and believes nothing."

Jack and Cassie are both emotionally damaged by their parents. They have an issue with trust and letting someone in for fear that they will get hurt. Jack deals with it by being a man whore and never "dating" anyone. Cassie deals with hers by pretty much shutting herself off from everyone. But that all changes one night at a frat party. Jack immediately feels something for Cassie that he feels compelled to explore. After much persuasion on his part, Jack finally convinces Cassie to go on one date with him. During the date they both share the reasons behind their insecurities. By the end of it they have both realized that maybe they might just be able to fix each other.

"You're my game changer, you know that?"
"Game changer?" I shook my head, unsure of his meaning.
"The one girl who changes everything. The one you'd give it all up for."

I thought the quarters thing was really cute and a part of me melted whenever it was mentioned. My heart went out to Jack because of the things he went through with his parents but, for me, they did not excuse some of the events that would occur in this story and he lost some of the swoon.

A big event occurs in this book and for those of you who have already read this, you probably know what I am talking about. 

At this point...I was DONE...I was NOT going to read this book any further. I will not pass go, I will not collect $200....DONE. But after talking to my book besties...I was urged to go on...

"This doesn't change anything"- Cassie
"It changes everything"- Jack"Prove it"- Cassie

I loved ALL of the secondary characters....Melissa, Dean Gran and Gramps. ALL Wonderful and very influential characters. I need to hear Dean and Melissas story!!!!!!!

The story was exactly what this book describes. It is a tale of love and forgiveness. They face the obstacles that come with wading through the uncharted territory of a relationship. One that is tested by Jack's status as a well known ball player first in college and then when he is drafted. They must endure weeks apart with nothing but phone calls, emails and text messages to get them through. Will they survive? 

The emotions in this book are so well developed and I felt like I was sitting right there with Cassie as she experienced the ugly and with Jack as he experienced the fallout of his decisions. Even though I was extremely mad at Jack for the decisions he made, that didn't stop me from wanting to know what happened. And I HAVE to read the next book!!!!!

The Perfect Game is not a standalone written in both Cassie & Jacks POV, I mean, I GUESS it could be read as one...but  I wouldn't suggest it. I had to read the second book before I wrote this review because I was giving it such a poor rating....so before you rate this book....go ahead and get book 2...The Game Changer, it is going to be a Game Changer and probably make you re-think your opinion of Jack.

The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game #1)

Purchase Link ♥ Amazon ♥

 

The Game Changer (The Perfect Game #2)

Purchase Link  ♥ Amazon ♥