*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This book left me a little confused, my brain not up to speed with what I just read. I can partly blame it on the fact that I was expecting to dive into a romantic comedy about a pro baseball player that falls for a young, single mother and tries to romance his way into her life and heart. SPOILER ALERT: This is not that story.

“The Duke” Caleb Lewis is the star pitcher of the New York Yankees, A.K.A. one of baseball’s bad boys who drags Angel Gomez into his problems, whether she wants to be dragged there or not.

Lewis isn’t charming, in fact, I found him quite the opposite. By the end of the book, I wasn’t really sure how I was supposed to be feeling. I was almost disappointed that Gomez ended up with him in the end. But I guess this story was supposed to be his journey from bad boy to good boy. So happily ever after?

My biggest issue with this book (and I’m not sure if it’s an ARC thing or not) but the editing in this book IS. NOT. GOOD. This book is told through dual POVs (which I absolutely love) but the transitions between these POVs is lacking in clarity from start to finish.

I found myself re-reading previous paragraphs just to figure out when the POV / setting changed. I wish in the ARC there had at least been some spacing or paragraph breaks. **I’m putting these thoughts out there in the hope that when it’s published, this won’t be an issue.**

Overall, I just didn’t feel the depth or romance that I wanted to feel with this read. Between the fake-dating / real-dating / doctor drama / baseball drama, it was all too much thrown out to you at once. I needed there to be more build-up, more connection, and something to keep me racing to the finish. This is a great quick read if you’re lounging out by the beach or pool, but it doesn’t make it into my top reads.

The perfect date is the total opposite of a perfect date. The drama level in the story is off the charts. I actually gasped out loud while reading this one. The whole thing felt like a telenovela with the outrageous twist and turns.
Duke is a guy under a lot of pressure due to situations in his life that he makes the worst by not doing the right thing. Don't get me started on his friends and the bad behaviours. Angel is a do-gooder nurse who attached herself to the sinking ship that is a duke. I personally wasn't a fan of the way each character spoke. The language was off and didn't feel authentic. The constant need for a dramatic twist and turn took away from the characters love story. This book based on the description had so much potential and unfortunately, it fells flat for me

Evelyn Lozada was a cast member in a reality series “Basketball Wives” as well as a participant in other reality television shows. She now works as a model, marketer, and media personality. She has also been listed as lead author on other co-written books about wives of sports stars, similar to the theme in this story.

The main character in “The Perfect Date” is Angel Gomez, 22, a single mom who is studying for her nursing exam as well as working nights as a bartender. She needs extra money to help care for her seven-year-old boy Jose’s asthma condition. But both work environments are extremely stressful; she has to put up with bosses who would like more from her than her work skills.

Angel’s narration is alternated with that of Caleb “The Duke” Lewis, a pitcher for the Yankees who suffered an injury to his ankle in a shooting at a bar the year before. The Duke lost his best friend that night, and he still had nightmares about it, as well as the tendency to drink too much to forget it. But the ankle is of more import: if he can’t stand steadily on the mound the Yankees will replace him, and baseball is his whole life, not to mention - his only source of income.

Thus he went to a clinic in the middle of the Bronx instead of the Yankee’s medical facility to get something to help the pain for his ankle; it was critical no one found out. This was of course the clinic in which Angel worked for the sleazy Dr. Collins, who was willing to treat Duke for a lot of cash.

Duke was immediately attracted to Angel. He was surprised to find, later on, while drowning his sorrows in a nearby bar, that she worked there as well. Their encounter wasn’t so friendly, but when he had to go back to the clinic and the press followed him, he asked Angel to pretend to be his girlfriend, giving him an excuse to be there other than his ankle. She capitulated, and later agreed to go to a fancy party with him as his “date.”

This party was full of ball players and their wives and girlfriends, not only throwing around a lot of money, but acting very badly: taking drugs, having hook-ups in back rooms with people other than their partners, and being nasty to Angel, because she clearly didn’t have their “status.” But Angel and Duke got along, and she spent the night with him after the party.

Thereafter, the problems in Duke’s and Angel’s lives accelerate. Both of them face ultimatums, and find their moral compasses heavily challenged. And the “fake” relationship - is it real, or are they fooling themselves? When Jose’s life is in danger, each of them has an epiphany about what is actually important.

Discussion: Character development is skimpy in this book, and the “bad” guys are total caricatures. There are a lot of stereotypes that get too much of a workout in this story, and the writing is decidedly prosaic. But the worst part is the totally off-the-wall unrealistic ending. I can’t imagine it would even pass muster for a television show.

Evaluation: I suspect Evelyn Lozada has a lot of stories from which to draw for an interesting book. Perhaps a better co-writer would help.

It was a quick read, pretty standard chick-lit. If it had been much longer I don’t think I could have finished it. I didn’t really care about the characters and it seemed very soap opera-ish. I love a good love story, but this just seemed like it was reaching. I don’t think it was bad, a good quick read that isn’t too heavy.

This is just not my month. Almost every ARC I've reviewed has been two-stars??????? It's been rough. But you know what, at the very least I can see this book being adored by other people. It just wasn't for me. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry; and the male love interest was a jerk. I liked the relationship between the female protagonist and her son!!! But other than that, this wasn't the book for me.

Full review to come on my blog closer to publication date.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to.

After reading the description I was super excited to read this book. Unfortunately I was not a huge fan of the book itself. One thing I did like is the general storyline of the single mom and the star athlete. I love sports romances and this was a pretty fresh plotline in that genre. However, I did not like the main character (Angel). I respected her working hard for her son but she was a bit too dramatic for me. You could chalk it up to her being 23, but if that's the case should she really be looking for a permanent HEA? I also found some of Caleb's (The Duke) actions super unbelievable for a star professional athlete. I think there is a lot of potential for this story but it just did not do it for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St.Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for an an honest review.

Angel is a mother, student, friend, bartender and all around caregiver. She takes care of everyone around her and does not do much for herself. She is just about to finish nursing school when she meets The Duke who comes into the clinic she is working at to get his ankle checked out. Turns out the Duke is a professional baseball player and can not leave the clinic without the press getting ahold of the information and letting the world know he is injured. Angel gets trapped into helping him and pretending he is just there to see her, his new girlfriend. The story takes you through many ups and downs. Overall I did not enjoy this story as much as I had hoped. The story had too many stories within one story and at times it was confusing to follow. I was also disappointed because I thought Angel was going to be a strong independent female character and yet Duke does many things wrong countless times and she always takes him back no questions asked. The ending was also a VERY far stretch and somewhat odd.

I loved, loved, loved this book! For one thing, I love books that have New York City as its background. Since I am a bord and bred New Yorker. But this story right here took me to another level. Caleb and Angel both have their own baggage along with people who are trying to use them. Filled with drama and of course love. It was one roller coaster ride and I was sad to see the book and get off the ride. Let me say this one more time..I loved this book! I would love to read more from this author. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

2 stars
This book has "maid in Manhattan" vibes, single mother working very hard to provide for her only son. Along comes a handsome rich man that sweeps her off her feet. It has the struggling single mother.
There is drama, romance and tension, however it's uncomfortable. The storyline didn't flow at all.
Thank you to netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Angel is a single mother, trying to get her nursing degree and help her son who is asthmatic. Duke is a pitcher with the NY Yankees, and is struggling to overcome an injury. Overall, the book has more parts I liked than disliked, and the characters have redeeming qualities. Didn't like the creepy doctor, and wish the sleazy ex girlfriend would have had more exposure at the end. Overall I would probably rate this 3.5. I enjoyed it but felt it could have been a bit stronger.

This one was enjoyable. More of a fun read for the sports romance lover. All the twists and turns came together although several of the characters felt cartoonish to overemphasis their role in the story.

✨Book Review🎆

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I just finished this book and I was pleasantly surprised given the reviews I had read from other readers. In this book Angel is a single mother working to provide a better life and better medical treatment for her son. Angel is close to finishing nursing school and is working two jobs to make ends meet. One day she runs into Duke at work, but now's not the time to get distracted by a guy (regardless of how hot he is). Caleb "The Duke" Lewis is the star pitcher for the New York Yankees and is trying to recover from a traumatic night last year that left him with a career threatening injury. Will these two find a way together or will the obstacles keep them apart?

This is definitely a romcom book that you can easily work your way through (I read it in one day). It has everything from interesting POC main characters to gossip following Duke's rich friends. I love Angel's friends that are more like family and her ability to stand up for herself. I wish there was a bit more quality time spent between Angel and Duke, but I can see how it was hard to work it into their schedules. Overall I enjoyed this book and it kept me engaged while reading. If you are looking for a light, quick read, this is the book for you. Look for it in June of this year!

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for an advanced digital copy of this book

Angel and "The Duke"'s relationship prove that the journey to perfect involves a lot of hitches along the way, and when one person is at their best chances are the other will not be, but if anything they can always support each other.
I loved Angel. Her personality, struggles, fears and hopes spilled out of the pages. This is a contemporary romance and I believe readers of romance would relate to it. Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

Personally I’m not a fan of sexual books, so keep that in mind for this review. I really liked how the character Angel was built. I feel like she was very relateabke for anyone who had gone through something tough. The author’s style of writing was really good and I am a big fan of books were the point of views switch back and forth. Anyway, I am more of a sweet romantic book fan verse sexual romantic book fan. But if you do enjoy those books than this one is for you. Keep in mind it’s not like 50 Shades of Gray type it just includes some more sexual content and jokes.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Skip this book! I really thought I would like this story but as I read on, the star rating went lower and lower. I was going to settle on at least two stars because this book offers a good amount of diversity but nope. There's not one likable character in this whole book except maybe the child. Angel is studying for the nursing exam and The Duke is a baseball player who is recovering from a shooting. Angel has a serious temper and she blows up at the drop of a hat. She does have an excuse with BOTH her bosses being sexist jerks but otherwise, it's too much and too quickly. The Duke ignores the advice of doctors and keeps playing on his messed up ankle and the people he hangs out with are all terrible. It's not even until the very final pages that you're even contemplating liking or rooting for the characters. The villain of this book doesn't even get a satisfying finish nor are they fleshed out enough in the first place.
It's not a straight romcom about fake dating. It's a complicated drama that isn't well thought out or established well enough to get excited about it. The characters haven't known each other long enough to get into the situations they do and actually care what happens.
The editing in this book is NOT good. The transitions between character POVs is terrible and lacking clarity in every chapter. I found myself having to go back multiple times because I didn't realize the setting had changed after a couple sentences. Dual POVs is fine with me in books but there's literally no spacing or chapter breaks to discern between them. There needed to be more build-up to the proposition of fake-dating as well as the time between fake-dating and real dating. It was all too much too soon. Very little about this book will stand out as memorable. The only good thing about this book is that it was a quick read. Definitely do no recommend.

I did not like this book at all, I thought it was very fragmented and the villain of the story did not get the consequences she deserved in my opinion. basically, everything did not tie up in a nice little bow.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a early digital copy of The Perfect Date.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it could be that I was expecting a cute romantic comedy about a baseball player that falls for a young single mother and essentially tries to woo her. But what this book actually is, is a romantic drama about a young single mother who becomes entangled with one of baseball's bad boys - the star pitcher of the New York Yankees who goes by "the Duke". There's little wooing here, the Duke is hardly charming and I'm not quite sure how I'm supposed to feel about this book.

Let's start positive though, and focus on what was done well here. Lozada is absolutely in her element creating a narrative with dramatic flair. The swanky parties and high brow clubs teem with the sort of drama you'd expect from a sports drama - only without any actual talk about sports. The whole thing is reminiscent of a reality TV program. It's super compelling if that's your thing. I'll admit it was entertaining to me.

Drama and expectations aside, my one complaint about this book would be that it could have been edited more. Descriptions of characters become repetitive, elements of the storyline could have been honed a little more, the entire thing seemed to lack some direction and polish that could have come from more editing. I realize that these are picky things, but when it comes to this genre I feel that editing makes a huge difference between cliched/tired and something new and memorable. While this isn't perfect, I think there is definitely an audience for it. I read this in a day, was entertained - and I'm sure there will be others who will be too. Overall it was a fair attempt at a distracting, escapist romantic drama.