Colson “Cole” Beck has arrived in his parents’ new hometown in Ohio to decompress after suddenly retiring from Major League Baseball while he was on the top of his game. He figures he’d lie low for a little bit, while trying to figure out what the next stage of his life is going to look like.

Palmer Clark is a single mom to her amazing son Ethan. Her ex is barely in the picture for either of them. When Cole meets Palmer, he is immediately attracted to her. Palmer knows not to get too attached, since Cole will be leaving their small town at some point. But that doesn’t stop Cole from trying.

When Cole decides to stick around town to coach Ethan baseball team, all bets are off. They start to weave themselves into each other’s lives. That’s when Cole decides to face his reasons for retiring head on, just to see if there can be a future with Palmer and Ethan. But when he hears something he has been dreading, Cole realizes that he can’t put all of that on Palmer. So instead, he lies to Palmer, Ethan and his parents about a job offer back in LA that he can’t turn down.

Of course, this is not the end of Cole and Palmer’s story. You will need to read it yourself to see if Cole ever decides to come clean with Palmer. And will it be soon enough for Palmer to realize Cole did what he did for her and let him back into both hers and Ethan’s life.

This book is one of the reasons that Adriana Locke is the queen of Small Town Romance. She knows how to create characters that you grow to care about and want to have their Happily Ever After. You could say that small town romance is totally in her “sweet spot”.

Oh my! This gave me so many feels! And I think I just found my new favourite book boyfriend! This is a small-town, single parent, sports romance. It was such a wholesome read. I absolutely adored Palmer's relationship with her 12 year old son, Ethan. I can only hope my own daughters have a similar close relationship with me when they're older. I love how well Ethan handled the more adult situations. Cole, a recently retired baseball player, and Palmer's love interest, is just everything! As a mum myself, he would be everything I'd ever want in a man when it comes to how a guy is when he's around my children. Cole was so attentive, so genuinely interested in Ethan and wanted to spend time with him. He was amazing. Heck, I had dreams about this man!! I loved Palmer and Cole's chemistry. The only thing that frustrated me was how long it took for Cole to reveal his secret. Although, I'm glad it was resolved pretty quickly as my heart plummeted when he ran. Honestly, I loved this story so much. It's one of my favourite reads this year.

She wants forever. He plays it day by day. They’re both wishing for the best in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s charming and sexy hopefully-ever-after romance.

Single mom Palmer Clark will not be sidelined by the new man in town. Sure, the honey-tongued baseball legend is gorgeous, loves puppies, and has charmed his way into the community’s heart, but Palmer craves stability. Nothing about Cole says forever. So why is he so hard to resist?

Cole is swinging through town to visit his parents when he meets the kind of down-to-earth distraction he’s been looking for since retiring from the majors. True, his long-term relationship score is zero. But even though raising his average with Palmer seems impossible, it’s worth a shot.

As promising as the summer nights are, fate turns small-town dreams upside down, and some lessons are learned the hard way. But having faith in love and choosing hope over fear might get Palmer and Cole to the sweet spot they’re looking for.

Loved Palmer and Cole's story. This book had all the feels. Lots of chemistry between these two. I loved how good Cole was with Ethan. Beautifully written and heartfelt. Loved every page of this book and was sad when I finished it. Highly recommend!

I absolutely love books written by Adriana Locke. She writes with passion as well as realism. Her storylines grab me and her characters are easy to love. I didn't put this book down, reading into the early morning hours. My heart swelled with emotions as I read. Such a great HEA. I enjoyed this standalone so much that I bought myself a copy as well as the audiobook. I cannot wait to listen to it next.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC of this book. This is my voluntary and honest review.

The Sweet Spot was such a fun story to read. Cole and Palmer had the sweetest connection and I just couldn't get enough of it. Palmer was scared of being hurt again and had so much going on in her life that she didn't want to take the chance on Cole. But he was so caring and really tried to understand her and her struggles. I loved how he was there for her but didn't try to take over her life for her, instead he knew when to just sit back and let her handle things on her own and I really liked that.

Overall, this was an easy story to fall in love with and the characters were very lovable.

Palmer has always put her son Ethan first and always will so when his undependable father registers him for baseball she knows that she will be the one taking him to practice and watching his games. She didn’t expect that his new coach would be Cole, the man who has been pursuing her but has a life in California he plans to return to.

Cole has recently retired from baseball and to visit his parents. He is attracted to Palmer from their first meeting however he is deciding what his future will hold while she is looking for a man who will be there for her and her son. There is no denying the chemistry between them as they try to handle all the curveballs that life keeps throwing at them.

Palmer has always had to handle everything herself so I enjoyed seeing the town as well as Ethan and his family be there for her while Ethan is going through a challenging time and causes some turmoil until he realizes that as long as they are together there is nothing they can’t overcome. There is also a great cast of secondary characters that only make this heartwarming story even better.

Adriana Locke has hit "the sweet spot" with this small-town, single mom, low-angst, PERFECT love story between Cole and Parker (and Parker's son, Ethan, is ABSOLUTELY adorable!)

Parker is the sassy, knows-what-she-DOESN'T-want, feisty Momma bear who protects her son as much as she can....even though he knows exactly what's going on with his so-called "father" The heart wrenching scenes with Ethan tore my heart out, but Ethan is one terrific kid who is being raised the right way! As for Cole, the recently retired (due to a career-ending injury) baseball God, there's definitely something going on with him....he's visiting his parents while trying to figure out what his next steps should be and he KNOWS he'll be going back to Cali when he figures it out (or so he thinks!) He's not in a position to get involved with anyone, let alone a single mom with a son who has already grabbed his heart!

The path to Parker and Cole's HEA is a complicated jumble of emotions, what-if's, chemistry and fate! I LOVED this book and these characters HARD! I didn't want to put this one down!

Swoony, emotional and utterly consuming, The Sweet Spot is the kind of love story that stays with you, long after you’ve read the final word. Cole and Palmer were beautifully matched in every regard, and Ethan was the perfect foil to their developing relationship. I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend you give it a read!

This is a standalone book in a new world for AL. Palmer and Cole are in very different places in life, yet they meet up at just the right time.

Cole is a retired baseball player with a secret even he doesn’t know. Palmer is a single mom, carrying the load of too many people. They fit together even though they shouldn’t.

Loved:
* Each character separately, and their growth in learning to share their burdens.
* As always Mrs. Locke writes side characters worth caring about.

Overall enjoyable read.

I laughed, I cried, I fell in love. What more could I ask for? Pulled in from the first chapter, I adored the instant chemistry Cole and Palmer had and the way Palmer fought and fought against it. Lol. The characters in this book made the story work for me. Palmer’s resilience and the positivity that she maintained for her son, made it impossible for me to not root for her to finally get that happy ending, specifically with Cole. Cole was exactly the kind of guy I dreamed about coming into my life - kind, attentive, sexy, and charming with eyes only for Palmer - and when he showed his vulnerable side, I melted.

Cole is just starting his new and sudden retirement from the MBA and is visiting his parents in small town Ohio when he runs into the woman of his dreams. Cole has plans to head back to Cali soon but everything is paused now that Palmer is in his sights. And when her son, Ethan’s baseball team is going to be cut due to lack of coaching, Cole seizes the opportunity to stick around a little longer.

Palmer can’t catch a break when it comes to men. From her alcoholic father, to her absent baby daddy and her most recent commitment phobe of a boyfriend she is running out of optimism when it comes to the opposite sex. When Cole expresses interest she’s more than a little bit skeptical especially given his plans to leave. She wants it all the white picket fence and a male role model for her son and Cole has no interest in staying and slipping into the family man role. Can she keep her heart closed for a fling or will she and Ethan both end up with broken hearts this time?

I have been a long time fan of Adriana. She writes my fave small town romances and she always nails this fantastic big family dynamics but while this one is small town it’s such a different vibe from her usual. This is easily my new favorite book from her. Palmer is such an instantly likable and relatable heroine and even when she refuses to give into what she wants you can feel why she’s resistant. I love for strong female main characters and Palmer has strength and independence in spades.

Guy falls first is one of the greatest tropes of all time and Adriana did this one so right. Prepare your hearts for Cole Beck because he is Adriana’s most swoon worthy hero to date. His own personal struggles tugged at my heartstrings all while he loved and supported his girl and made her son feel valued and important for the first time. And the man could teach a master class in grovel

If you love small town, single mom, guy falls first, sports romance that is light on the steam but strong on heart then you’ll love this one.

Thanks so much to Adriana and Kandi Cane PR for providing me with an early copy to review!

Adriana did it again...this story is perfection. The depth of the characters is beyond.

Palmer is a single mom just trying to make it day by day...and waiting for her knight in shining armor to come and love her. She has past trauma that she is trying to navigate through and not let it hold her back...but also trying not to make the same mistakes over again and again.

Cole is a newly retired baseball player...and he's got secrets. Maybe it's self preservation but he's living in a world of denial. He goes to Bloomfield to spend time with his parents and ends up meeting Palmer.

Their attraction to each other is instant...but it's a slow process for Palmer to accept that maybe she should do something for herself for once...

Cole is the most swoon worthy MMC I've come across in a while...and he does it without even trying and just being his naturally charming self.

These two have the weight of the world on their shoulders...can they handle it together or ultimately go their separate ways?

READ THIS BOOK!

This book got me in the feels. I was alternating between smiles and tears. I loved the characters. The storyline was amazing. This was just a great read for me overall. Palmer and Cole just clicked for me.

Oh my sweetness!! I can’t say enough good things about this book!! The Sweet Spot was the latest perfection from Adriana Locke. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking!!

Palmer was a single mom who didn’t have the greatest track record in dating. So when she met Cole, he couldn’t be as perfect as he seemed, right?

Cole was just supposed to be in town visiting but when he met Palmer something clicked. Would he be able to get the girl or would he end up going back home empty handed?

These two!! Gah!! I absolutely adored their relationship. It was so much fun to watch Cole try his hardest but also shy away since everything was up in the air. I loved the epilogue but was so sad to say goodbye to them!

Note: I received a digital review copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Palmer and Cole have a great (cheesy lines galore) meet cute and this is just the beginning of their charming tale.

In small town Bloomfield, Ohio, single mom Palmer is just trying to keep it together and give the best life she can to her 12 year old son, Ethan. Enter Cole, a retired baseball star who is visiting his parents in the area. Cole is also dealing with a lot with retirement and not knowing “what’s next.”

Their relationship was a slow-burn due to issues with trust, and their personal growth throughout the story was satisfying to read. It was a little spicy, too!

Ethan was the star of the book - what a great kid.

Solid small town, sports romance from an author who writes these tales so well!

🚌 ALC/ ARC ⚾️
Review: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Steam: 2/5 🔥
Audio: 4.5/5 🎧

#thesweetspot is an all new standalone from @authoradrianalocke.

Cole needs to figure out what the hell he’s doing with his life since retiring from baseball. It was as if he left the game overnight at the height of his career. But he was plagued with a nagging injury. He’s now visiting his parents in a small town to regroup. As much as he thought it would be a quick trip and go back to California, he never expected a single mom to turn his world upside down. He didn’t just wanted to spend time with her, but also her son. As much as he misses the game, he’s also realizing there’s more to life than just baseball. Can he figure out a way to be happy in this small town, or does he need to get out before he gets in any deeper?

Palmer is a single mom who’s working her tail off to make a good life for her and her son. Not having many people who will help her, other than her best friend and boss, she’s constantly running on fumes. That’s until Cole. This man seems perfect in every way that she wants and deserves. But can she let herself fall for a guy who never planned to set down roots or will she swing for the fence and let fate guide her way?

@narratedbyteddyhamilton and @stellahunternarrator did a great job with this narration. They were able to capture the feelings of all the characters, not just Cole and Palmer, which was huge because Val and Ethan were essential in this story. I’d definitely recommend this audiobook.

I loved Cole. He was such a cinnamon roll who was just about perfect in every way. The way that he helped Palmer and Ethan, spent time with his parents and the kids in the community was amazing. Palmer was so strong for being a single parent. She wanted Ethan to have the life she never did while doing everything in her power to make it the best. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend the book to read or listen to.

The Sweet Spot is a small town romance that hits all the right notes.

Cole Beck arrives in town to visit his parents after he retires from professional baseball. He's a bit at loose ends and not sure where he wants to be or what he wants to be doing, so visiting Mom and Dad felt like the right thing.

Palmer Clark is a single mother who will do anything for her son. She has put men on the back burner to focus on Ethan and what he needs to flourish. When his Dad signs him up for baseball, Palmer isn't thrilled as she knows it's another thing she'll have to keep up with given her ex's penchant for being an absent father.

When Cole sees Palmer for the first time, he makes a play for her. Palmer being her strong self tries to pawn him off on her best friend, Val, but Cole isn't having it. He remains persistent and eventually they get together for an outing. Both of them know what the deal is and they have adult conversations about the fact that Cole will be leaving. Will that really be how it all plays out in the end though?

I'm a sucker for sports romances and I very much enjoyed this one. The connection between Cole and Palmer was evident early on, but I did appreciate how they handled Ethan and the other complexities that their relationship would present. I'm really glad I picked this one up!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I was provided an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. all opinions are my own. Thank you to Montlake and Candi Kane PR for providing me with an ARC for review.

Palmer is a hardworking single mom, who will do anything to protect her 12 year old son and provide him the stable home she never had growing up. She has an awesome best friend to help her out, but she doesn't have a big support network. Enter Cole, a retired baseball player who is staying with his parents in small town Ohio while he does some soul searching. He is immediately drawn to the small town life and when he meets Palmer he can't deny that there is something about her that screams for him to stay and start something a little more permanent. Not one for long term relationships, Cole doesn't want to mislead Palmer but he wants what she is willing to give him while he sticks around town.

This got pretty emotional at times. Palmer had a pretty rough childhood. Trigger warnings for an alcoholic and abusive parent. She also had some pretty questionable relationships with men who let her down. Despite all that she came out the other side a great person and a wonderful mom who raised an awesome kid. I liked that we got to see many sides of Palmer from the vulnerable mom and woman to the strong employee and boss that was trying to hold everything together for everyone else. We also get to see her speak up for herself and do what is best for her and her son. Cole has some stuff he is dealing with, and while it takes him quite a while for the reveal and for him to come to terms with it. I'm happy with the way the conflict was resolved. This was relatively low angst, there is some but it is short lived. There are some steamy parts, but not over the top.

Overall I loved this sweet small town romance.

Even if I liked the style of writing I didn't care for the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Sweet, small town story with some decent steam. Palmer has had her fill of men. She is done playing around and the next guy will be IT. No friends with benefits, no overlooking all the read flags. Cole is just in town to visit his parents and make some life altering decisions regarding his career. There are secrets being kept and while Cole has never had a serious relationship and isn't looking for one now, there is something about Palmer he can't stay away from. Will either of them be willing to move a little toward the middle in order to find out if there is something lasting in their future?