Code of Conduct by Cheyenne Blue

Code of Conduct by Cheyenne Blue

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received an ARC of this book from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

This, my second full length work I’ve read by this author, is a sports story. Mixed in are several other things, like family, aging, and, most importantly, romance.

Genevieve ‘Viva’ Jones is a thirty-two year old professional tennis star from Australia. She’s spent most of her life, all of her adult life, living, and breathing, and consumed with tennis. Certain issues turn up, though, that causes her problems. Namely: professional athletes age rapidly, or, more exact, the ability for their bodies to remain at peak physical performance tends to rapidly lesson as they age. Or, more specifically in this case, Viva has a tendon issue in one of her arms which makes it very painful for her to continue being a professional tennis star. Or continue performing on the top tier, at least.

That’s not exactly how the book opens, though. No, the book opens roughly 2 years earlier with Viva playing in the US Open. Attempting to once again win that specific tournament. But a line judge makes certain calls, good or bad calls, which lead to Viva getting distracted and losing.

Then the book jumps to two years later with Viva diving back to her parents’ pub in Queensland Australia. Along the way she spots a car by the side of the road (actually, partially in the road), and a woman waving. Being that it’s dangerous to leave someone just stuck there like that, Viva stops to help. Gives a lift to her parents’ pub. Strange things happen in life, eh? That stranded woman is none other than that line judge who Viva blames for her losing the US Open. Gabriela . . . um, hmm, the book description doesn’t give her last name.

Gabriela Mendaro is a silver badge umpire. Second highest level umpire. She’s 37 (if I recall correctly), Spanish, and quite determined to follow the rules and regulations of her profession (which includes not getting involved with tennis players), and get to the next level, the gold badge level.

Both characters have point of views in this book.

The book follows Viva as she attempts to figure out if her career is over due to injury; while at the same time following the potential romance involving Gabriela and Viva. Though no romance can occur while Viva is still a player, an active player (to the extent that Gabriela sleeps outside and gets eaten by mosquitos instead of sleeping in Viva’s room on a cot).

One thing leads to another, and Viva finally accepts what several doctors tell her. She’s done. She has to retire. Which she tells Gabriela. So, with a great deal of reluctance on Gabriela’s part, they date.

Oopsie – Viva hadn’t told her agent about her retirement, the agent, informed by other means, sets up a ‘farewell tour’ kind of deal; Viva thinks hard about it and . . . .

The following, what, 75%? of the book follows Viva as she attempts to play in a few more tournaments, while still lusting after Gabriela; and follows Gabriela as she suffers from having been with Viva (professionally suffers), and suffers emotionally from not being with her now.

Main characters: Gabriela and Viva.

Side characters: Viva’s parents (Lindy and . . . whatever the father’s name was) & brother (Jack). Viva’s doubles partner (Michi). Derek (I’m not 100% certain I have his name right), her coach. Viva’s agent also has a few important scenes, but I forget her name now.

Long and short: I rather enjoyed this book and am quite happy I read it.

The romance story line was good and solid – I especially like the part where both parties realize that they might have something special, but don’t immediately assume love. The sports story-line was fun to see unfold.

Rating: 4.5

June 8 2018




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Outside the Lines (Girls of Summer, #3) by Kate Christie

Outside the Lines by Kate Christie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve very rarely read everything an author has written. Even when I love/favorite/whatever an author, there tends to be something I haven’t read (like, for example, I’ve read the most lesbian fiction books by Jae, yet there are still stuff I’ve not read by that author (rereading, that might be confusing. On the ‘Most Read Author’ list, Jae is on there at second place with 42 books read; actually, looking at the top ten, I haven’t read everything by any of those authors, heh.)).

Well, I’ve read everything by this author here. Not sure how that happened. Just did. 11 books read.

Well, I’m already on page 2 (I’m blind, I’m typing this in Microsoft Word with the font at size 28, so it’s page 2. Heh, mmphs), and have said nothing much. Mmphs.

This is the third book in an ongoing series about two soccer/football players. The series started as a young adult series, following two teenagers, but as the series advanced, so did the age of the main characters, and now both are closer to 27 than 17. As in, at least one mentioned turning 27.

The series has followed the two young women as they: 1) tried hard to make a living as professional soccer players; 2) make and stay on the National team; 3) date . . . others, though the reader ‘knew’ that the two mains were ‘fated’ to be together.

Well, this specific book has the two mains, Jamie Maxwell & Emma Blakeley, are finally a couple. A specific issue, though, test their relationship (well, in theory): distance and time together. Jamie plays for an English team & a USA team (I forget if she’s Portland or Seattle, but I believe she’s Portland as I recall Emma’s condo is in Seattle), while Emma plays for Seattle and the USA team. And, it appears, soccer is played 10 months out of the year (though that seems to be under-counting), so the two women rarely have much time together in the same city.

So – that’s the story. What, I haven’t said anything? Mmphs. You know, the part where two young women compete in sports, professionally, while attempting to have a relationship? Yeah, that’s the story here.

Enjoyable story. Fun. I look forward to book 4.

Rating: 4.75

June 7 2018




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