Break the Rules

A Single Dad, Baseball Romance (Vancouver Tridents, Book 1)

De: Julia Jarrett

Narrado por: Angelina Rocca, Connor Crais

I have one rule: Never date a baseball player. But when I meet the sexiest single dad to ever play professional ball, that rule becomes impossible to obey.

It’s not easy being a woman working in a male dominated field. Add in the fact that my uncle owns the baseball team I work for, and proving I belong here is a constant battle. Dating a player was never an option. Not if I wanted to keep a shred of dignity and respect. Then Ronan Sinclair sits down next to me in first class with his alluring blue eyes and hard-to-resist dimples. To say nothing of his kindness and charm, or his determination to convince me that a steamy vacation fling is what we both need.

So, I give in to temptation, just this once. After all, he plays on the opposite side of the country, and he makes it clear he doesn’t want anything more than a few hot nights under the Hawaiian sun. We’ll leave this tropical paradise with nothing more than memories. Fate has a different plan, however. My vacation fling has just been traded to the Vancouver Tridents. My team. Now, Ronan is back in my life, making it clear he’s here not only to play ball…He’s here to convince me that some rules are meant to be broken.

©2024 Julia Jarrett (P)2024 Julia Jarrett

Great read! Loved it!

I really enjoyed this story! It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention the entire time. I had a lot of fun with it and loved the baseball aspect. I loved the way that Ronan pursued Willow and how he didn't give up on her and them but it didn't go too far and was done right. He makes it known that he is interested and not giving up but it was all very respectful and still following cues from Willow. It never went to creep factor but someone that was interested and was working on winning her over. It made me root for him and for Willow to take that chance and break her rule in order to be with him. He really went about it all so well with being flirty and open about wanting more and a chance but not pushing too far or too hard. He is a great father as well and that was another well done aspect of the story. Being a father takes priority for him, as it should, and that showed throughout the story and was really great. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed watching them figure things out and find their way to their happy ending and I can't wait for the next book in the series. We get some twists through the story with what is happening and how Willow and Ronan come together and bring their relationship out into the open. I loved how Ronan respected Willow throughout the story in the way that he listened to what she had to say and really heard her. We also get to know the other players and I am super excited for their stories as well! Great start to a new series!
The narrators did a great job with the story and brining it to life. They showcased the emotions and action happening really well and added that extra dynamic to it.

Single dad, pro-baseball player. Say no more!!

Ronan and Willow have one of the more original, yet awkward, meet-cutes I’ve seen in sometime. Their paths continue to cross while on vacation in Hawaii and from the beginning, Ronan is smitten. Willow is hesitant because she’s aware of his job as a professional baseball player. Her job is with a pro-team, so she has sworn off ball players. Well, her resolve is weakened, and they have some serious sparks when they give into their attraction. Months later, they are reunited when Ronan is traded to the team she works for. That’s where the story really begins.

There is so much I love about this story. I was hooked from the beginning and could not stop listening. Ronan tried to respect her feelings and keep his distance. However, he knew what he wanted and went for it and Willow couldn’t deny her feelings any longer. Both characters are just plain likable and have such high respect for each other. Ronan is downright swoony as the doting dad to Payton, the fierce protector of ‘his girls’ and the passionate partner. Willow is a boss babe and not to be messed with at work but her interactions and the love she has for Payton are heartwarming.

Narrated by Angelina Rocca and Connor Crais. Angelina has been in my ears a lot recently and I can see why. She was delightful as Willow. I will never complain about Connor as a single dad. Perfection. However, this story is based in Canada and small things like the pronunciation of certain words like sorry and about just prove how talented these narrators are. It’s subtle, but it’s those little details that show why they are some of the best in the business.

Overall, this book made me smile throughout. It’s a fun, low angst read with terrific characters, and I can’t wait for the rest of this series.

Enjoyed it!

Ronan and Willow are two strangers at the airport Willow is going on vacation and Ronan is going to a friend's destination wedding. First starts with an embarrassing situation going on in Willow's luggage that most people would be embarrassed but I love how she held her head up and embraced it. Ronan sees her and there is an instant connection but he can't find her after they go through security. But then there she is sitting next to him on the plane headed to the same place. I liked it I found this to be cute, sweet, sexy and funny. Willow can be a little bit insecure and a pushover sometimes especially when it comes to her boss Lydia. Ronan is a hunky single dad baseball player he is what I believe falls under a cinnamon roll kinda guy. Throw in an adorable little girl I love to listen to cute things kids say. Jabs and remarks from teammates always fun. This is the first book in the series and look forward to listening to the other books when they come out on Audio or if I can squeeze it in I just might read them.

❤️Ronan & Willow's story = ⚾️ a Homerun!

This is a great start to a new baseball series by Julia Jarrett (new to me author). It's a fun, family-first story, with humor (Willow going through airport security!), heat, and really likeable characters--MCs and 2ndary Cs alike. As a book boyfriend, Ronan "Sin" Sinclair "hits it outta the park" as a sexy, swoony, totally devoted single dad (1st)/ballplayer (2nd). And Peyton is his adorable 4 yr old daughter, who is the light of his life, and steals every scene she is in! I also loved the bits introducing Ronan's teammates--can't wait for future audiobooks about Maverik and Monty! And I loved the epilogue.
The dual narration performed by Angelina Rocca and Connor Crais was wonderful! Very easy to listen to and very enjoyable!. Connor is my absolute favorite for sports romances. Also love that the narrators used some Canadian pronunciations for words like sorry, tomorrow, couch, about, out, Toronto, etc. (I've been a hockey fan for 45+ years, so I noticed!)

I'M IN LOVE!!!

I'M IN LOVE!!! This is the first book I have read by Julia Jarrett and I'm in love with her writing. I was hooked from the beginning until the end. I didn't want to stop listening to this one because it was everything I love about a book.

Connor Crais and Angelina Rocca were the narrators for this audiobook and let me tell you these two were absolutely perfect for this book. I love their voices, they will hold you attention and keep you entertained throughout the whole book.

Willow and Ronan start a vacation fling in Hawaii that neither one can forget about, but life has a funny way of pulling them apart to get them back together. Fate definitely has a plan in all of this!!

Willow works for the Vancouver Trident Baseball team as a media relations member. Ronan is a single father and a baseball player. When he gets traded to the Vancouver Trident team he's surprised to learn that Willow works for the team. But he will do whatever he can to try to win her over. Willow vowed to never date a baseball player so will Ronan be able to change her mind?

This book was so much fun and I just had such a great time. I can't say that enough. This book will have you laughing, smiling, blushing, swooning and make your heart full! This is a beautiful story and I highly recommend this audiobook!

First listen to Julia Jarrett and I loved it!

Julia Jarrett is a new-to-me author, and I absolutely loved Ronan and Willow's story!

Break The Rules had me hooked from the moment Willow and Ronan met on an elevator at the airport. They were both en route to Hawaii — her for a much-needed solo vacation and him for his friend's wedding — and fate kept putting them together: in the airport, at the resort, on the hiking trail... and when Willow is forced to vacate her room but here are no others at the hotel. Ronan offers to let her stay in his suite, and that is when they finally give in to the sizzling chemistry between them. A family emergency with his daughter forces Ronan to leave without saying goodbye, but fate brings them together several months later....

Because Willow knew exactly who Ronan was, and he's now been traded to the baseball team she works for in media relations. Needless to say, Ronan is shocked to see his Cherry working for his new team. They both try to keep things completely professional between them, but the pull between them was just as strong in Vancouver as it had been in Hawaii. But as a female in a male-dominated industry, Willow has always been determined to not date a player.... Is she willing to break her rule for Ronan?

I also loved how dedicated a father Ronan was to Payton, and the sweet relationship that Willow developed with his little girl. Having been raised by a single dad herself, Willow kind of had a special place in her heart for them both, but she so easily fit into their family dynamic.

Connor Crais is a narrator I am very familiar with — I loved listening to his silky timbre. I am not as familiar with Angelina Rocca as a narrator, but I thought she did a fantastic job voicing Willow. It was so easy to get lost into this story listening to these two talented VO artists.

As with any series, there is a cast of supporting characters, and JJ dropped enough breadcrumbs about the rest of Ronan's teammates to pique my interest. I will definitely be checking out more from the Vancouver Tridents series. I received an advanced listener copy and voluntarily left a review.

It's Fate!

Fate, the other "F" word. Willow and Ronan seem to be Fate's favorite target in this story. After catching her eye in the airport en route to her long-needed vacation, Willow finds Ronan is her seatmate on the plane, only to end up at the same resort together. Willow recognizes Ronan right away as a pro baseball player, which is (usually) a big pass for her, but she just can't resist a little vacay fling. Ronan is a single dad to his 4 year old daughter and doesn't have plans outside of temporary fun either, then it's back to family and baseball.

Fate seems to be up to her tricks again when, several months later, Ronan gets traded to the Vancouver Tridents - the very team Willow works for and her uncle owns. The last thing she wants is for it to get out that she has had a relationship of any kind with a player. The plan is to keep their distance from each other, but, no matter how hard they try they just can't stay away from each other.

Ronan was truly a dream - sexy pro baller and devoted girl dad. Willow honestly is someone I could kinda relate to, and I would love to be friends with her in real life. She had her walls way up and she was zeroed in on her career goals - beyond hook ups, she had no interest in romance. Last, but certainly not least, 4 year old Peyton, Ronan's daughter, truly was a little show stealer. She had everyone's heart she met melting big time.

Great Story & Narration🎧Captivating & Enjoyable!

This is a fantastic single dad workplace sports romance novel, one that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings. Julia Jarrett is a gifted author, and I enjoyed her wonderful writing style and the fabulous characters and storylines she created. This first book of the “Vancouver Tridents” series is Ronan and Willow’s story, and what a story it is. The two met while on vacation, with Ronan spotting her at the airport on the way to Hawaii, and he felt an instant attraction to her. Willow works public relations for the Tridents, a professional baseball team, so she knew who Ronan was, a professional baseball player for another team, but he had not known who she and she did not share that information. With Willow’s boss is retiring soon, and her wanting that job, but only on her work merit, not because of nepotism and her relations, since her uncle runs the team. Because of this she is hesitant to get involved with another player, but seeing Ronan again at her hotel and then him coming to her rescue, it was hard to resist the undeniable chemistry between and she figures they would never see each other again, so giving into their passion for one another they had a memorable and steamy encounter. Except they see each other again, when he gets traded to the Tridents, and it surprised him to see her there and working for the team. Ronan was happy to see her again, but she did not share his sentiment because she saw him as a threat to everything she was trying to accomplish. Ronan respected her wishes, but he was not giving up on her. It was great to watch these two together and see them navigate a relationship that morphs into something more. He was amazing with his daughter and Willow was great with her, too. There is never a dull moment in this wonderfully plotted story, a story that has drama, a touch of angst, some charming moments, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. Julia Jarrett, thank you for this wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧  Connor Crais and Angelina Rocca are absolutely fantastic and they did an amazing job bringing the characters to life, and humanizing them with voices that were fitting. I loved how they took each role and owned it, sounding believable and just as I imagined the characters to sound. Rocca nailed it as Willow and was a natural in the role, grasping all aspects of her personality, her strength, determination and fierceness. Crais did the same in his role as Ronan, and was just as amazing, showcasing his personality perfectly. Both were fantastic voicing the secondary/side characters and performing their roles, including Rocket, Ronan’s little one. These two are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to.

A bases loaded home run!

Conner Crais & Angelina Rocca were incredible as Ronan and Willow. I couldn’t think of a more perfect duo to narrate one of my favorite book couples. The emotion and yearning they brought to these characters was a home run. If you've read and loved Break the Rules like me, this audiobook is a must listen. You will love this story and Willow and Ronan even more. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this story yet, I recommend jumping right into the audiobook. It was downright phenomenal.

My introduction to Julia Jarrett knocked it out of the park in a major way! Home run! I cannot wait to enjoy more from the Vancouver Tridents and Julia Jarrett! I will be immediately checking out her other books and meeting some of the side characters in Break the Rules. I am invested now and there's no going back.

I was all in from the very first chapter. I loved Willow and Ronans airport meet cute and subsequent run ins. Fate certainly made sure they kept crossing paths, and proved they were meant to be a part of each other lives.

Willow and Ronan had such a potent connection from the beginning, that far surpassed the physical. When Ronan was traded to the team Julia works for, fate reared her head again and said what's meant to be will be!

The way Ronan loved his daughter - how can you not swoon at that man? He is book boyfriend goals like no other. That man is perfection! Willow truly valued the love, admiration and respect that Ronan showed her. He always showed up and there is no resisting that. The challenges they faced made them stronger in the end. Ronan not only gave Willow the family she always dreamed of, he gave her an HEA that's envy worthy. I absolutely loved this book and couple and can't recommend it enough.

Steamy Baseball Romance…

This is the first book in the Vancouver Tridents baseball series, and also my first experience with a Julia Jarret book. At the center is a vacation fling turned secret relationship between single dad, first baseman, Ronan and Willow, the team’s assistant director of media relations. Their connection might put her job in jeopardy - at least that’s the way Willow sees things; but she can’t help but fall for him and his adorable daughter. These are familiar sports romance conventions, but Jarrett does a good job establishing the MCs and their relationship, which is as steamy as it is genuine. Ronan and Willow are great together and his daughter is super cute.

One aspect of Jarrett’s execution of the sports romance that I think could have been stronger was to team dynamic. I’d have liked to see more interactions between the team members, especially since this is the first in the series and setting up the dynamics of the players as teammates and friends is an important element of a first book in this romance sub genre. First in series have the added job of getting the reader invested enough to follow future players into their stories and I didn’t feel that as strongly with BtR. Monte and Maverick are somewhat intriguing, but I didn’t feel as much camaraderie among teammates or anticipation for what’s to come as in other sports romances I’ve read.

One aspect that does make me look forward to future installments is the narration. If further books are cast as well as book one, I would happily continue with the series. Connor Crais is the stand with his Ronan performance. He a great narrator choice, and does his usual fine work, providing the charisma for a romantic lead, but also the sweetness of the single Dad aspect. This is just another great job all around. Angelina Rocco made for a good Willow, fitting the character and her personality well, though I did find her slightly less compelling than her co-narrator. Still, the narration as a whole made added to the story and is definitely well worth listening to.

I’m grateful to have received an ALC copy of the audiobook via Home Cooked Books. I also read the book via KU. All opinions expressed are my own.