🐚 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 🐚

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: single mom, sport romance, strangers to lovers, friends to lovers, small town

This is the first book I have read written by this author, and I really liked it.

Palmer is a single mother of a 12-year-old boy with a very terrible dating history. She wants to have a complete family, but every move she makes must be well thought out so that her son does not suffer afterwards.

Cole is a retired baseball player who has come to town to spend time with his family. Compared to Palmer, Cole doesn't even know what he wants to do with his life. He has a connection with Ethan since they first met, although the conversation was short-lived.

The story of Palmer and Cole proves that despite the countless challenges that appeared in front of them, the two ended up forming the family that Palmer wanted and the peace, happiness and future that Cole found with her and Ethan.

Thank you Adriana Locke and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Guys. 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓. I got an arc, but I listened to the audiobook, and I have to say, this is one reason why I love single parents books so much. 🥹 𝐆𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐒. It's a small town, single mother, retired baseball player, and 𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵. ⁣
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Palmer is a single mother who is still coparent with her ex. Definitely a hard working mom. Cole is a retired baseball player, and came to town to visit his parents. He saw Palmer, and he constantly chased after her. Palmer tries to push Cole away as much as she can because she can't add anymore complications even when she's attracted to him. But the more she sees Cole interact with her son, Ethan, her wall starts to crumble more. ⁣
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Cole and Ethan together were so heart touching. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 🥹 Cause Palmer and Ethan were a package and Cole loves them 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘺. ⁣
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𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝.

This was a little long, but a good read overall.

Palmer does not succumb to Cole's charm upon first meeting. He definitely has to work for it.

While I did enjoy the story - I felt like it dragged a little bit. Cole also has a revealing secret that I would have liked the author to delve into and it is basically ignored in the last part of the story.

Adriana Locke always gives an entertaining read, but this one missed the mark for me to some degree.

I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy courtesy of the publisher via Net Galley.

The beginning of this book sucked me right in and the second half was kind of a disappointment as I found it a little bit repetitive. This was my first Adriana Locke so I do not know if that is common with her, but I enjoyed so much of this that I am willing to pick up another to see if it was just the pacing of this book. Cole was really just so sweet.

Unfortunately, while I enjoyed previous books I read by Adriana Locke, this one just didn’t work for me. There was too much drama and too much happening, and I didn’t really like the main characters, so I wasn’t invested in their story. I struggled to finish the book, and kept putting it away for a long time before I’d pick it up again.

I always look forward to diving in to a new book by this author and this one did not disappoint.

Palmer is a single mother, raising a 12 year old boy without help from her ex. Her ex only sees their son occasionally and usually with some additional drama attached. Palmer works hard to provide for her son and he is the basis for everything she does.

Cole is a recently retired baseball player. He's in town to visit his parents. He sees Palmer and tries to get a date with her but she turns him down. But he keeps running ino her around town. He meets her son and winds up agreeing to coach a baseball team to help him out.

Cole charms his way into Palmer's life but she's looking for a forever and that's not Cole. He more of a right now kind of guy and he had his reasons . But sometimes what you really need isn't what you thought.

Sweet, steamy small town charm. Adrianna Locke can always be count on to deliver the feel-good, tender romances, and Sweet Spot hit the spot...well, mostly. This small town, single parent romance has endearing and charming characters, from the sassy, strong single mother in Palmer to the retired all-star baseballer Cole. The chemistry is stellar, the secondary characters lovable, and the romance a sweet slow burn. I didn't love the pacing of the secret revelation, and I found the beginning of the story a bit slow to engage, but I loved this couple none the less, and the ending is just charming. Plus, the mother-son relationship in this is just chef's kiss- melted my heart.

Palmer is determined not to fall for the sexy baseball star breezing through town, no matter that he’s gorgeous and charming. Bad luck is might as well be her middle name for all the luck she’s had in love and she’s not making any more mistakes. She’s done with the losers and ready for her forever, which she won’t get flirting with Mr. Just-Visiting. Cole definitely wants to get to know her and the chemistry between them is combustible, but can he convince her to give him a chance?


I loved these characters as individuals and together. They’re both wrapped up in major life situations so the timing could be better, but the pull between them is too strong to defy. She’s hiding a lot of emotion under a thick armor of sarcastic wit but powerless to resist his charms. Cole wants nothing more than for Palmer to realize she can count on him and will do whatever it takes to show her. This one is sweet with a bit of steam and a well-deserved HEA.

I really enjoyed Cole and Palmer's story. Cole is so sweet and definitely a good book boyfriend. He was good for Palmer and I loved how great he was to her and her son.

I am a sucker for single parent stories. This one definitely kept me enthralled and I stayed up way too late reading it. The banter and back and forth was funny and kept the story going. Definitely worth the read.

This is such a great, sweet and heartbreaking read. The characters are perfect. I loved them right from the very first page.
Palmer is an amazing single mom. Everything she does is for Ethan.
She does so much for everyone she knows. But she does it all on her own. She doesn't ask for help.
Cole is a retired baseball player. He is exactly what she needs. She just doesn't know it yet.
He has something weighing him down though. He doesn't want to be a burden to anyone, especially Palmer.
These two learn what love truly is.
"Maybe it's not baseball. Maybe...maybe it's what baseball will lead you to."

5 Star Review The Sweet Spot by Adriana Locke

Another entertaining read from Adriana Locke. The Sweet Spot was an emotional, heart warming read that pulled a number of emotions from me whilst I was reading. I enjoy single parent stories and single mum Palmer Clark and retired baseball player Colson (Cole) Beck’s story was entertaining.

The last thing Cole expected when he decided to visit his parents was to meet a woman who would change the course of his life. I enjoyed the push and pull dynamic as Cole worked to convince Palmer to take a chance on him.

Cole was everything that Palmer wanted to avoid, convinced he would never settle down with her and her son Ethan. There were so many highs and lows in this emotional, romantic and well written story. I enjoyed the characters and it was wonderful to watch the development of the relationship between Cole and Ethan.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher thrugh Netgalley.

Such a good book! I just loved it. Cole and Palmer are great together and the rest of the family just made things even better.

Palmer is a single mum to her 12 year old son Ethan. She works hard to give him the stability every child deserves to have. She knows she needs to make up for his father’s lack of interest and presence in his life. He does see his dad but it’s always on his terms and he regularly lets his son down. Ethan is getting to age now where he is beginning to work things out on his own and he prefers his mum to give him honesty when it comes to his dad.

Cole has recently retired from professional baseball and is weighing up his future plans. He has a few great offers to consider but there are some personal matters he needs to deal with first. He is back home visiting his parents now that he has the opportunity to spend some quality time with them. He first meets Palmer when he is out at a local bar with his best mate and there is an instant spark between them.

Palmer thinks Cole is all kinds of hot but she is not into casual hook ups, no siree. Ethan comes first in her life and she has learnt from experience that it’s better not to date random guys. It doesn’t mean she wants to be alone though, it will take a special kind of person to become a permanent fixture in their lives.

‘The problem is… I’m too old to be doing this. I’ve played around enough in my life - kissed enough boys behind sheds. Now I’m thirty-two and have nothing to show for it except the best kid in the world that I’m fully and solely responsible for.’

When Ethan’s dad kindly signs him up for baseball, as usual it falls on Palmer to see it all through. Palmer works full time and is constantly trying to juggle her time but if this gets Ethan outside into the fresh air she is willing to support him. At the first practice she is surprised to see that Cole has volunteered to be the coach, it seems she can’t seem to get away from this guy.

Cole and Ethan click right away. It makes Palmer feel sad and frustrated that his own father can’t appreciate how incredible their son is. He is truly missing out on such an amazing boy. Palmer is hesitant at first to give into the attraction she is feeling for Cole but in the end there really isn’t any reason not to. She hasn’t felt this much excitement about anyone for as long as she can remember. He makes her feel wanted and beautiful. She is falling fast… and he is right there with her.

‘I look into his eyes and wish I could just pause time. This feeling is everything that I’ve ever dreamed. Supported. Appreciated. Wanted.’

Cole was not looking to meet someone. He has been so focused on his career and not really in the place to be settling down into a relationship. Being with Palmer has him rethinking his future, maybe he can relocate to Ohio, spend more time with his parents and be the man that Palmer and Ethan deserve to have in their lives.

‘Palmer Clark is a unicorn. There’s substance behind her beauty, a humbleness behind her swagger. She’s kind yet confident and has a vulnerability that eats at me in ways that it shouldn’t. She’s funny and also fierce, and watching her with her son pulls at something soul deep. She triggers something inside me that makes me want to protect her.’

As much as Cole wants to have a future with Palmer, there is still a bit of uncertainty in his life. He had a reason for retiring while was at the peak of his career and he isn’t ready to share that with Palmer. Lord knows she has enough on her plate every day and the last thing he wants is to be another burden she has to contend with. He knows he has a tough decision to make and hurting the girl he is falling in love with may simply be unavoidable.

‘I wish for the hope that he brought me, the light he shone on my life - the way things felt possible. Like there was something to look forward to. Like there was something in this life just for me.’

This story had all the feel goods I was in the reading mood for, I love it when that happens. Sure, there is a bit of angst but I loved all the cute moments, the romance, Cole being blindsided by this amazingingly fierce and passionate woman. Palmer is shining example of a single mum selflessly doing everything she can to raise her child the best way she can. Loved this!

If you love single parent romance look no further than single mum Palmer Clarke and retired baseball player Coulson ( Cole) Beck’s entertaining, sweet and heart warming journey. When Cole goes home to visit his parents he isn’t looking for Love or a relationship and he certainly never thought his life was about to be turned upside down.. But a meeting with Palmer and her son Ethan had him wanting to settle down but can he convince Palmer that he can change his player ways….. Palmer knows it’s going to take a special man for her to take a chance on and Cole was everything she normally avoided because she would never risk her son Ethan’s heart on a man she sees as a player. So can Cole prove he is the man she needs and wants in her life, can he show his love is worth taking a leap of faith on....one click now to find out This was an emotional and entertaining journey, it has adorable characters that you bond with instantly, it’s beautifully written and its a captivating story but what took this book to another level was watching Cole bond and form a relationship with Ethan. The Sweet Spot certainly ticked all my boxes and I highly recommend it to all romance lovers.

Y’all, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVED this book!! From the very start, I was so invested in each character individually. But very quickly became so invested in all of them together. Not only did I love all the characters, but I fell in love with the small town setting. Cole & Palmer’s relationship is one that will have you swooning for sure. But what I loved even more, was the dynamic between Palmer & her 12 year old son Ethan. His awareness and maturity for his age just blew me away. His relationship with his mom, and now Cole is one I will think about for years to come.

I absolutely loved this! It was such a sweet story between Palmer and Cole, as well as Ethan. I love how Palmer taught Cole he was more than just baseball and Cole taught Palmer she deserves more. This is a very heartwarming story of characters, including how the supporting characters play such role in the story and the evolvement. Highly recommend reading this book!

Cole Beck is literally the most perfect imperfect hero I've read in awhile. Palmer is a small town single mom who tries to do everything right but the world has other ideas. Once that 2 let their guards down watch or as the sparks fly.

Book: The Sweet Spot
Author: Adriana Locke
Series: Standalone
Age: 18+
Ratings: 5⭐ | 1🌶
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: •Single mother •Meet Cute •Small Town Romance •Sports •Secret Millionnaire •HEA •Pregnancy (Epilogue)
POV: Dual H/h
Cliffhanger: No
ARC: Yes
*N.B. Any Arcs received are reviewed with honesty.

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: •Health & illness •Alcohol abuse (recollection) •Child abuse (recollection) •Single mother •Deadbeat Father

Who is it for?: If you want a book that is cozy, easy, and happy, with a "Does exactly what it says on the tin" approach. Then this is for you.

~ "The sweet spot is the area on the barrel where it's most effective to hit the ball. It's the power source-the key to everything." ~

~ It's the sweet spot. And I'm never letting her go. ~

Thoughts:

This is, without a doubt, one of my top romance reads of the year. I usually prefer more spice than was offered here, but my heart and emotions were exploding everywhere from this. I smiled from ear to ear for the majority of the story. It was so heartwarming and cozy with some really beautifully written characters and story progression. There wasn't too much drama, which was honestly a relief, making this a relaxing read. We do have a couple of heart-wrenching moments and some real anger moments, but the story is so well balanced. It is my first book from the author, and I adored her conversational writing style.

My love for Cole, our hero of the story, knows no bounds. He is quintessential perfection. He is, of course, stunningly beautiful but has a real heart of gold whilst being absolutely wealthy... there isn't much more we could dream for. Palmer, our heroine, wow, what a character. She is such a powerful woman with some incredible morals and is a doting mother. I adored her and would love to have a friend like her. I think her story will resonate with so many single mothers. I genuinely cared about every single character. The dialogue and chemistry were incredible. Don't even get me started on Ethan, Palmers preteen son. He was a mature delight in a 12 year old body. Brilliant character. The chemistry between Ethan and Cole had me choking back tears, and I even ugly cried, something I rarely do when reading.
As you can see, it is very much a character-driven read, with most of them being in their 30s or older.

I can not recommend it enough.

✅ Likes

☆ The story itself is beautiful with some tropes that we all know and love. The authors handling of sensitive issues was incredible and had me very emotional.

☆ Mature dialogue. I despise miscommunication in books, and this, I'm relieved to say, avoided it. It was so nice to see mature conversation occur between characters.

☆ I loved every single character, and it's not often I say that. All of them were well written with their own personalities and amazing chemistry between each other. We have only one villain type in this story, and my anger for him is probably relatable to most people. Cole, Palmer, Ethan, and Val were all amazing and bounced off each other so well.

☆ The authors writing style is my idea of writing perfection. Conversational and nice and easy to sink into.

☆ The HEA was satisfying. The epilogue covers most of that. There is nothing worse than an anti-climactic ending. This was just perfect.

❌ Dislikes

☆ I found the overall story amazing but maybe a little too predictable in parts. There aren't really any twists and turns in this story.

☆ It's not a negative but maybe a "wishful thinking." I'd love to have seen a spin-off between Coles friend and Palmers friend. Maybe...

Happy Reading ❤

Bummer. This book has multiple tropes that I love to read, but it just didn't capture my attention the way I anticipated it would. I've read and loved books by Adriana Locke in the past, but The Sweet Spot just didn't hit the sweet spot for me. Shelved this one as DNF.

Overall Grade: 4.5 ⭐️

Tropes: single mom; former MLB baseball player with a secret; small-town romance; insta-attraction

One of my favorite parts of reading romance is reaching the end of a book and finding a fulfilling HEA or HFN, the kind that makes your heart swell and threatens to put a perma-smile on your face. This is the case with Adriana Locke’s The Sweet Spot. Adriana Locke has found her niche in the world of romancelandia, and she continues to create stories that make you pine for her characters even after the book has ended. In this newest story, Palmer and Cole simply and effectively steal your time because you hate to leave them to their love affair. There are some intentional and important choices that Locke has made in her story that make it effectively a time guzzler.

Palmer (what a great name for a heroine) has lived a life where the people in her past and present have stolen her hope. She lives her life raising a son who is a great citizen and human being, but his father has done very little to contribute. As many single moms know, it falls on her to bear the burden of raising her child. She does this with aplomb, but given her experience with an alcoholic father and an absentee ex, she isn’t hopeful that she would ever find a man to love her as she needs to be loved. She knows that she wants to marry a man and have another child, but she’s reticent to believe she will ever find what she needs. Palmer is every woman, and vulnerability and trust don’t come easy for her as it doesn’t for many of us.

What Locke does so brilliantly is craft a hero in Cole Beck who is not interested in relationships to act as a foil to Palmer. What’s profound about his characterization is he’s been raised to be a relationship-type of guy. His parents are incredible examples of love and marriage. He’s lived a fairly idyllic life, and he cares for people. Post-baseball, he doesn’t know himself. He also harbors a secret that Locke does well to hide for much of the book. Palmer and Cole’s character arcs side by side look like a potential trainwreck, but, with her writing prowess, Locke shows us how a single mom can grow hope through the careful actions of a stalwart hero. Together, they grow into each other, and their journey looks like a fairy tale. They are both loveable and extraordinary and likable.

Add to their pairing Cole’s parents, Palmer’s tween-age son, Ethan (by the way, probably the wisest person in the story), and Palmer’s best friend, Val. These people conspire to hold Palmer and Beck’s feet to the romance fire so to speak. They also provide carefully placed wisdom and humor to the story's plot. It would be fun in the future for Val and Ethan to receive stories in Locke’s idyllic small-town world, but The Sweet Spot is so good on its own that I feel replete at its end.

Adriana Locke is a small-town romance force of nature. Every time I enter her stories, I’m astounded at her ability to woo me with characters so loveable you want to know them in real life. This is definitely the case for The Sweet Spot. Using an oft-used baseball metaphor, she hit a home run with this one.