AB
Alicia Brouwer
📍 Netherlands
I love all sorts of genres. I read a lot and I love to help authors to get te most out of te stories they are writing.
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★★★★★
A heartfelt story about ambition, love, and finding your place even when the world makes it difficult.
I had the opportunity to read The Analyst and the All-Star by Mel Walker as an ARC, and this was a story that left me with mixed feelings in a thoughtful way.
The book follows Daria, a baseball analyst trying to build her career in a male-dominated industry where she constantly has to fight to be taken seriously. At the same time, we meet Isiah, a professional baseball player whose life is shaken after witnessing a traumatic accident during a game something that leaves a lasting impact on his mental health.
One of the strongest aspects of this story, for me, was how real and relevant it felt. Daria’s experience in a male-dominated space was both powerful and, at times, frustrating to read because it reflects situations many women still face today... It added an important layer to the story that went beyond romance.
I also really appreciated the way the author explored themes like mental health, trauma, and even addiction. Seeing a male character struggle emotionally and not have all the answers felt refreshing and meaningful.
The connection between Daria and Isiah develops very quickly going from zero to one hundred in just a few days. While their bond is intense and emotional, it felt a bit unrealistic to me at times, which made it harder to fully connect with their relationship.
Much of their relationship unfolds long-distance, through phone calls and emotional conversations. There is something very sweet about how they look forward to speaking to each other every day, and those moments added warmth to the story.
Daria as a character was strong and driven, but at times I found her reactions a bit intense... I did appreciate how her friend Aaliyah called her out later in the story it added balance and growth.
Overall, this is a soft, emotional story that focuses more on character and feelings than big plot twists. It’s an easy, steady read that explores important themes while telling a romantic story at its core.
Reading is such a personal experience, and while not everything fully worked for me, I could clearly feel how much heart the author put into this story! What didn’t fully connect for me might be exactly what another reader will love.
This book is for you if you enjoy:
– character-driven stories with emotional depth
– themes like mental health, trauma, and gender inequality
– slow, relationship-focused storytelling
– a softer, sweeter romance without major plot twists
If I had to put a rating on it, I’d say this sits around 3.5 stars for me.
Thank you to the author for trusting me with this story : these are my honest thoughts.
I had the opportunity to read The Analyst and the All-Star by Mel Walker as an ARC, and this was a story that left me with mixed feelings in a thoughtful way.
The book follows Daria, a baseball analyst trying to build her career in a male-dominated industry where she constantly has to fight to be taken seriously. At the same time, we meet Isiah, a professional baseball player whose life is shaken after witnessing a traumatic accident during a game something that leaves a lasting impact on his mental health.
One of the strongest aspects of this story, for me, was how real and relevant it felt. Daria’s experience in a male-dominated space was both powerful and, at times, frustrating to read because it reflects situations many women still face today... It added an important layer to the story that went beyond romance.
I also really appreciated the way the author explored themes like mental health, trauma, and even addiction. Seeing a male character struggle emotionally and not have all the answers felt refreshing and meaningful.
The connection between Daria and Isiah develops very quickly going from zero to one hundred in just a few days. While their bond is intense and emotional, it felt a bit unrealistic to me at times, which made it harder to fully connect with their relationship.
Much of their relationship unfolds long-distance, through phone calls and emotional conversations. There is something very sweet about how they look forward to speaking to each other every day, and those moments added warmth to the story.
Daria as a character was strong and driven, but at times I found her reactions a bit intense... I did appreciate how her friend Aaliyah called her out later in the story it added balance and growth.
Overall, this is a soft, emotional story that focuses more on character and feelings than big plot twists. It’s an easy, steady read that explores important themes while telling a romantic story at its core.
Reading is such a personal experience, and while not everything fully worked for me, I could clearly feel how much heart the author put into this story! What didn’t fully connect for me might be exactly what another reader will love.
This book is for you if you enjoy:
– character-driven stories with emotional depth
– themes like mental health, trauma, and gender inequality
– slow, relationship-focused storytelling
– a softer, sweeter romance without major plot twists
If I had to put a rating on it, I’d say this sits around 3.5 stars for me.
Thank you to the author for trusting me with this story : these are my honest thoughts.
Reviewed 6 months ago
★★★★★
I read this book as an ARC reader, and I absolutely loved it! From the very first pages, the story pulled me in and never let go. The characters are incredibly likeable and show just enough depth to make you truly care about them.
The writing flows so smoothly that the book is impossible to put down…
I finished it in just two days!
The plot is engaging, fast-paced, and simply a joy to read. I found myself fully immersed in the world and genuinely excited to keep turning the pages. This was one of those books that reminds you why you love reading in the first place.
I enjoyed every moment of this story and I cannot wait to see where the series goes next!
The writing flows so smoothly that the book is impossible to put down…
I finished it in just two days!
The plot is engaging, fast-paced, and simply a joy to read. I found myself fully immersed in the world and genuinely excited to keep turning the pages. This was one of those books that reminds you why you love reading in the first place.
I enjoyed every moment of this story and I cannot wait to see where the series goes next!
Reviewed 6 months ago
★★★★★
I recently read *The Trickster’s Deception* by Serena Knights and… not to be dramatic, but this book pulled me OUT of my reading slump ...
POV: you haven’t been able to focus on a single book and then suddenly: this one just clicks.
The story follows a human who gets TELEPORTED into a magical world (yes, instantly hooked), and from the start it’s such an easy, fun ride. The plot is creative but super accessible, so you can just relax and enjoy the adventure without overthinking anything!
And the characters?? So likeable. Not overly complex, just the kind you immediately connect with. It felt really refreshing to read something where I didn’t have to “work” to get into it: I could just vibe with the story.
The writing style is smooth, engaging, and honestly addictive. I kept turning pages without even realizing it, which says a lot because I’d been struggling to stay focused on reading lately. This book genuinely brought that joy back for me.
This is definitely more of a lighter, feel-good fantasy and that’s exactly why it works so well. Not every book needs to be heavy. Sometimes you just want something magical, comforting, and FUN 💫
If you’re looking for:
✨ magical world escapism
✨ accidental teleportation trope
✨ likeable, easy-to-follow characters
✨ cozy, feel-good fantasy vibes
✨ a true reading slump cure
this is your sign to pick it up 🫶
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5) easy, fun, and exactly what I needed at the right time.
POV: you haven’t been able to focus on a single book and then suddenly: this one just clicks.
The story follows a human who gets TELEPORTED into a magical world (yes, instantly hooked), and from the start it’s such an easy, fun ride. The plot is creative but super accessible, so you can just relax and enjoy the adventure without overthinking anything!
And the characters?? So likeable. Not overly complex, just the kind you immediately connect with. It felt really refreshing to read something where I didn’t have to “work” to get into it: I could just vibe with the story.
The writing style is smooth, engaging, and honestly addictive. I kept turning pages without even realizing it, which says a lot because I’d been struggling to stay focused on reading lately. This book genuinely brought that joy back for me.
This is definitely more of a lighter, feel-good fantasy and that’s exactly why it works so well. Not every book needs to be heavy. Sometimes you just want something magical, comforting, and FUN 💫
If you’re looking for:
✨ magical world escapism
✨ accidental teleportation trope
✨ likeable, easy-to-follow characters
✨ cozy, feel-good fantasy vibes
✨ a true reading slump cure
this is your sign to pick it up 🫶
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5) easy, fun, and exactly what I needed at the right time.
Reviewed 6 months ago