Synopsis: After her family’s scandal rocks their conservative small town, 17-year-old Parker Shelton goes overboard trying to prove that she won’t turn out like her mother: a lesbian. The all-star third-baseman quits the softball team, drops 20 pounds and starts making out with guys–a lot. But hitting on the hot new assistant baseball coach might be taking it a step too far…especially when he starts flirting back.
Thoughts: Miranda is one of those writers that just gets it. She creates stories that are so perfect for her characters. They have fun, they screw up, and they ultimately become a better person in the end. Stealing Parker is everything I could have asked for in a book and more.
After her mom announced she was a lesbian and left town, Parker Shelton’s world turned upside down. Rumors were started, Parker quit being the softball star, lost 30 pounds, and started hooking up with guys just to prove she could. Then at the request of her best friend Drew, she decides to become the manager of the boy’s baseball team and they’ve got a hot new assistant coach. Parker and Coach Brian Hoffman start to become closer than intended, but hooking up with this one may be taking it a little too far.
I just loved this book to pieces. Firstly it revolves around the topic of baseball which I have always loved and I played softball for 12 years. So, in that aspect I completely connected to Parker and the others. Then throw in family issues, friend issues, self-reflection, romance, and laughs and you get one heck of a book. Miranda crafted this book so beautifully and as it built up I kept finding myself falling more and more in love with this story and the characters.
When Parker’s mom left, she slightly lost her way. She turned into a different person but not necessarily for the worst. She especially shows us that everything happens for a reason, that if people are truly your friends they will always be there for you, that family is important, that you need to always do what’s right for you and never, ever give up on something you love. I honestly loved Parker’s character and watching her go through her ups and downs because if she didn’t she wouldn’t have ended up where she did.
Then there is her best friend Drew, Will Whitfield aka “Corndog”, and coach Brian Hoffman. I love all three of these boys for different reasons. I didn’t hate Brian like I think most people maybe did by the end. He is a good coach, a sexy guy, and some one very easy to talk to. He was attracted to Parker, so what? I think Parker and he both needed each other to end up where they did in life. Then there’s her best friend Drew. Drew is one of those friends who you always want at your side. Someone to stick by you through thick and thin and someone to sit around and watch Harry Potter movies with you all night. Everyone needs some one like that. Finally, Will Whitfield. I. Love. This. Kid. Will is smart, sexy, fantastic at baseball, a hard worker, good to his family, and the ultimate sweet guy with a good head on his shoulders. He is a guy I’d always want by my side to hold me tight. I loved his and Parker’s banter right from the start, and as their chemistry grows I continued to love him even more.
Overall, Miranda hit another home run with this one (pun totally intended). And Catching Jordan fans… don’t worry Sam Henry is back with loads of laughs. Stealing Jordan is everything I could have asked for and I absolutely loved it.
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