I ended up not finishing this book,
I just couldn't get into the story and how the layout was for it

This is the first book I've read by this author and I am excited to read more. This book is really heavy on the baseball but is interesting as it follows a family of three generations of men.

This book isn’t bad by any means I think it’s just not for me and I wasn’t in the mood for it. If you’ve seen all the baseball romance books I’ve picked up recently and instead want something more lit fic I think this will appeal to you. This is also pretty baseball heavy so if you wanted more baseball in your baseball book I think this will appeal to you.

M/M, coming out, multigenerational family drama/legacy, Jewish, character based
Must love baseball - it is very heavy in terminology, teams and mechanics.

Jess is a rookie pitcher, who's father also was a famous MLB pitcher. There's a secret and it's not fully reveled but we're kept guessing.

A lot of this writing felt 'unfinished' in the way that I wanted more - more resolution, more backstory, more context.

I love baseball. And you pretty much HAVE to love baseball to enjoy this book. A rookie pitcher making it to the show with the support of his grandfather and parents. Oh, and his dad was also a famous MLB pitcher in his day. Something happened to get him suspended and although the suspension was lifted, we never really got the full story.

And therein lies my biggest issue with this book. It was packed full of different stories. First wives who were sent to a psych facility and never came out. Some big baseball scandal 25 years ago. Cancer. An octogenarian love story. A wife with a secret that the husband doesn't want to know. A rival middle reliever. Being Jewish. And in the center is Jess. Rookie pitcher with a wicked curve ball, a legacy to continue and a closet to hide in. But almost none of them were resolved! Including death threats!

The relationships between grandfather, father and son were interesting. A lot isn't said about Joe (Jess' father) and how he was raised by Jack (Jess' grandfather), just the lingering animosity of The Scandal. Without Jess, I don't know that Joe and Jack would still have a relationship. The intergenerational play was pretty fascinating to see.

I wanted more of Jess coming to terms with his sexuality. Because he told NO ONE. And then with no warning- BAM!- he's in bed with a man floating in the afterglow. No warning, no lead up, no hints, nothing. This happened more than a few times where there was just no transition at all. Warm us up a little please.

And as I said, baseball. There is A LOT of baseball. So if you don't enjoy it- especially the math in figuring out the post season- your eyes will glaze over. I don't know how the author got permission to use real teams and real players, but I did enjoy that. But I love baseball.

So much was left undone. So much. We didn't even get an epilogue. I feel a little cheated.

First a disclaimer I am a brit who has not got a clue about the game of Baseball, but this did not stop me enjoying this story. Following the lives of 3 generations of the Singer men, Jess the grandson, trying to make it big as a pitcher, not only had the stress of following in his father's footsteps to become a major league pitcher, but he also had to keep the secret he was gay. Jess never once let his status get to him, he was humble and hard working and even when he was up against it, he always showed he was the bigger man. The interaction with Jess and Rah showed true friendship and I enjoyed reading their journey.
Joe, Jess' dad was a retired pitcher whilst there was a story behind his retirement I would have liked to know more and whilst Jess was trying to make it big, he never once came over as a pushy parent, but by Joe's side was Fran a sportsperson in her own right and one of the strongest women I have read about in a while. She was the one to get the whole family through all the drama that occurred throughout the book.
Finally Jack, the granddad who was a bit of a player, but was Jess' biggest fan, he took no nonsense but even he had his secrets
Overall this was a good book, the story was well paced and even though I did not understand most of the baseball terminology I really enjoyed following the Singer's journey, if you are a fan, you will definitely enjoy it. As a new to me author. I am interested to read more by this author.

This is a story with a lot of heart. The book is about 3 generations of Singer men – Jack, the retiree; Joey, the former baseball star; and Jess, an upcoming player trying to make it to The Show. Over the course of approximately 8 months, it follows them and their relationships with each other and their significant (or not) others. This is a carefully constructed character study that explores the ways we fail the important people in our lives, but also the ways we can absolutely get it right and be exactly what someone else needs at the perfect time.

In the background of the struggles they have to communicate as family members, is the context of the toxic masculinity, homophobia, and anti-Semitism which shaped the older men’s lives and continues to define Jess’s experiences. While it is certainly the case, as Joe notes at one point, baseball has changed and progressed, it also the case that in 2024 we have a sporting environment in which the NHL has backtracked their support for inclusion and diversity initiatives like Pride jerseys and football players who feel entitled to make misogynist and homophobic commencement addresses to graduating college students for a second year in a row. My heart breaks for the real-life closeted players who, like the character of Jess, suffer the aching loneliness of feeling like they have to hide part of themselves away in order to be able to fulfill their career ambitions.

This is the third baseball book I’ve read in May and it definitely felt the most sports heavy. Not being a fan myself, there were sections where I felt the level of detail was unnecessary but for fans it perhaps will add some tension. Another irritant was Jess’s nickname and particularly the unnecessary apostrophe which was used the whole way through.

All in all, I enjoyed this – especially the second half of the book where the characters really come into their own and the plot picks up. Some readers (like me) may struggle with Jack’s early POV but I assure you it is worth persevering and that there are many redeeming and complex aspects to this character and his interactions with others which were not immediately evident.

Thank you to NetGalley and Post Hill Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5⭐️
I read a lot of sports romance and this one has some interesting things going for it. I liked the kind of three for one storyline with grandfather Jack, dad Joe, and grandson Jess. They all have their own unique relationship with baseball which the author brings together in an entertaining way. I enjoyed the backstory from Joe and Jack’s playing days, and I would have loved some closure with Joe and his story. You get the sense of what happened but not the full picture. There is a similar issue with the romance side. I liked this couple but the author seems to rush through some key relationship moments so Jess and Rah don’t really feel like the focus either. The author does have an original and engaging writing style, it has an almost old time-y feel that makes it stands out. The characters are quirky and charming and there is a real love for baseball, fathers and sons, and New York in the writing - which I loved a lot.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

4/5

Started on 11/05/2024
Finished 19/05/24

ARC provided by Netgalley.

It took me a while to really be in the story and understand the place of each characters. It was really entertainning to see how the each concept of baseball was used in this book. I love how each relationship has a different shade and meaning. I loved Jess so much. I would have loved to see more of him and Rah. I would have loved a glims of Rah's point of view. It was a beautiful story to read.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Post Hill Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

While this book had an interesting premise and was clearly well-researched on the topic of baseball, I was not a fan of the dual POVS. Not only did I have trouble figuring out which POV parts of this book where supposed to be from, but I also found myself bored when reading certain POVS.

Curveball is a bit of a mess. The baseball parts rang true, the gay characters rang true but lacked depth, the coming out seemed well done, but where was the gay community? What didn't work for me at all was the intergenerational parts where religion was brought in for little purpose and too much emphasis was placed on the senior citizens sex lives.
As for reading the story, scenes would change without warning, often mid-paragraph! All in all, this novel needs a rewrite.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

I really wanted to like this book, especially as a queer baseball fan, but it wasn’t doing it for me and I eventually had to DNF. I’ve been a follower of baseball since I was a kid, but I found this book to be jargon heavy in a way that distracted me and detracted from the story. Beyond that, I wasn’t invested in the multiple stories taking shape. Ultimately, there wasn’t enough to hook me into finishing this book.

The baseball aspect was done well and as someone who has a basic knowledge of baseball I was comfortable following it. The only part I had a hard time with was the changing POV sometimes mid chapter, but overall it was an enjoyable read and i would recommend it to someone who's looking for a sports romance.

honestly i wanted to really like this story because the premise sounded like something i would be invested in... sadly this book just did not work for me, it got to the point i just did not really care about it because it felt dragged beyond belief. that does not mean it was a badly written book, just not what i needed to read at the moment. the writing and background was interesting but the kindle format kinda confused me *for chapters* i felt very taken back 3/5 stars

"Curveball" by Eric Goodman presents a sports-themed narrative centered on Jess, a minor league pitcher, and his catcher Rah. The story delves into Jess's personal journey, including his struggle with his hidden sexuality and the dynamics of his relationships, particularly with Rah and his father.

One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of the camaraderie and challenges within the sports world. Goodman captures the essence of athletic competition and the emotional highs and lows that come with it, making the sports elements of the story feel authentic and engaging.

However, while the book succeeds in creating a compelling sports backdrop, I found that certain plotlines, such as Jess's relationship with his father, could have been explored more deeply. The dynamics between Jess and Rah, although touching, could also benefit from further development to fully capitalize on their emotional complexity.

Overall, "Curveball" offers an enjoyable read for fans of sports-themed stories, with its authentic depiction of athletic life and heartfelt explorations of friendship and personal growth. I rate it 3.5 stars, appreciating its strengths while acknowledging areas where additional depth could have enhanced the narrative further.

Thank you to the publisher and net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this story! I look forward to seeing what else Eric Goodman writes!

This was definitely a #baddecisionsbookclub book - DO NOT START BEFORE BED. I fell in love with all of the characters and the love stories occuring at all ages. It ends, not really on a cliffhanger, but one of those books where to tell the final result would spoil the story - but you're still frustrated that you don't know - DID THEY WIN?

“Curveball” by Eric Goodman offers a compelling narrative intertwining the dreams and struggles of Jess, a talented minor league pitcher, and his catcher and best friend, Rah. Their journey, colored by Jess’s hidden sexuality and unspoken feelings for Rah, is both heartwarming and hopeful. However, while their dynamic is engaging, the book falls short in fully exploring their relationship, leaving readers yearning for more depth and insight into their connection.

The subplot involving Jess’s father, Joe, and his strained relationship with his own father, Jack, adds layers of complexity to the story. Joe’s fall from grace due to gambling accusations, juxtaposed with his unwavering silence, raises questions about loyalty and sacrifice. Yet, despite its potential, this aspect of the narrative feels underdeveloped and at times, distracting. The repeated references to Jack as “the bookie” hint at deeper intrigue, but the lack of exploration leaves readers wanting.

Moreover, the inclusion of an additional storyline centered on Jess’s father feels extraneous and detracts from the main narrative. While it hints at familial secrets, it fails to significantly impact Jess’s journey, serving as a mere distraction that slows the pacing of the book. This subplot, feels disconnected and unnecessary within the broader context of Jess’s story.

Overall, “Curveball” offers a touching portrayal of friendship, identity, and the complexities of familial relationships. While it excels in depicting Jess and Rah’s bond, the narrative falters in fully capitalizing on its secondary plotlines. Despite its shortcomings, Goodman’s novel leaves readers with a sense of optimism and a desire for deeper exploration of its characters’ lives.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206099994-curveball" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Curveball" src="https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/111x148-bcc042a9c91a29c1d680899eff700a03.png" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206099994-curveball">Curveball</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14134984.Eric_Goodman">Eric Goodman</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6376453141">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />

What an outstanding experience for my first ARC review. A multi-generational tale akin to a condensed version of Eugenides' Middlesex, this book follows the perspectives of the Singer patriarch: one of them gay, two of them older than your average literary protagonist, and all three Jewish. This certainly laid out a unique frame for a baseball-centric story. Not only do we experience Queerness in a hyper-masculine public spotlight, we also see complex family dynamics, realistic responses to major health diagnoses, and the soothing cradle of good support systems. I'm impressed this book was somehow able to retain a lighthearted and hopeful portrait despite its heavy topics. Not going to lie, I was totally expecting an absolute whump fest by the second chapter, but was pleasantly surprised to see the characters actually given positive experiences in such touching ways that I could feel the impact too. Did I cry? None of your business.<br />
Unlike a baseball game, the pacing of the story was reliably energetic. Each character had their own hardships, but the rendering of their stories remained intertwined throughout. You couldn't go a page or two without our protagonists interacting with or thinking about each other. Unfortunately, the fluid switching between narrators took some time to adjust to and caused some confusion, especially in the beginning stages of the book. Though I loved the cohesiveness, I fear the mid-chapter unannounced narrator switching was a bit overzealous. <br />
Even with my minimal knowledge or interest in baseball, I was enraptured by the grip this book had on the direction of these characters and their lives. Can’t say it’s convinced me to buy Mets tickets anytime soon, but it’s cute that it tried. The subtle insertion of Jewish culture and traditions was something that really elevated this book for me (though they were by no means especially devout- one of our mains flew in a plane during Rosh Hashanah… the chutzpah!). It was that crucial piece that bound the characters and their circumstances together, filling the gaps where time and distance between them could have created emptiness. My absolute favorite scene has the characters throwing bagel bits into the Hudson river for Tashlich to cast away their sins, a perfect setting for a heartfelt resolution. I wasn’t the only one who cried!<br />

Fantastic release, will be keeping up with Goodman for future releases! Read this book, k bye<br />
<br/><br/>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/141524597-charlie-and-books">View all my reviews</a>

In this fresh and unique book, Jess's baseball career is just getting started. His father and grandfather have been involved in his development, and the difference in the way they show support makes this a complicated and genuine family story as well as a romance.

firstly, I’ve got to admit that the formatting wasn’t the best to read from, but this is certainly something that will not affect the book in the grand scheme of things.

I have never been really attracted to sports romances, but then again I’m always open to trying out new things. I’ve really enjoyed the characterization and story overall, but I’ve got to admit that I was a little lost at times when it comes to the actual sport, because the descriptions were very pointy and most certainly accurate, which sometimes lost me a little as a casual reader.

overall however; this was a lovely book!