Review: Her Best Catch

Her Best Catch

About the Book:

Allison Doll's mother is rebelliously turning fifty, her two best friends have started dating and a gorgeous injured relief pitcher named Ashton Boyd has joined her Sunday school class, rocking her world into confusion, heartache and temptation, places she hasn't visited in a long time, much less all at once.

But with the help of family, old friends she really hasn't lost, a new friend she really can count on, and God, she begins to find out whether she'll always be a girl waiting for life to happen or a woman who's ready to commit to her best catch. 

My Comments:

It's funny, this book has a lot of qualities that usually turn me off, but in this book, they work.  No, it's not a literary masterpiece, but it is a fun Christian romance where everyone lives happily ever after.  

What don't I usually like?  Well, despite the fact that I read a lot of Christian fiction, I tend to like those books on the less religious end of the spectrum, unless they are focused on a character's spiritual journey.  In other words, I don't mind a lot of religious content if the plot line is about someone coming to faith, or fighting God or something along those lines, but generally speaking if a book is pretty much a straight romance, I really don't need to go to church with the characters or read that they said the blessing before they ate.  The main characters in Her Best Catch are all members of the same Sunday School class and all go on a mission trip together.  Given that connection, what in other books would be an excess of religion seems more natural, though we get several Sunday school lessons, read about several blessings before meals and are otherwise frequently reminded that it is a Christian book.

The story is told in the first person by 28 year old Allison and we hear her tell us what is going through her mind when this hot former relief player for the Braves (and they live in Atlanta) joins their Sunday School class  and turns his eye on her.  It works in this book; whereas often I find it doesn't.  

The other interesting relationship in the book is between her and her two best friends (who have recently started dating each other).  While not really a comedy (which is a good thing, because I'm not a big fan of comedy), it had its funny moments.

In short, it is a cute Christian (emphasis on the Christian) romance and if that appeals to you, I think you'll like this one.  It probably isn't the book for someone who puts up with some religion for an otherwise special story.  Grade:  B

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.