Kimberly van Dorn arrives at LaGuardia Airport dressed in a fancy evening gown and spike heels, looking more like a hooker wearing sunglasses than a traveler. With her heel caught in the conveyor belt, baseball hopeful Bojangles "Bo" Crutcher comes to her rescue -- only to be yelled at. Kim, a sports publicist, is running away after Lloyd Johnson, her boyfriend and biggest client and star of the Lakers, broke off their relationship and fired her, all in the same evening.

Kim arrives at her widowed mom's home, Fairfield House, and soon finds that Bo and AJ, the 12- year-old son he's never seen, rents the top floor of Fairfield. AJ's mom, Yolanda, is being deported to Mexico for lack of documentation and has no one to care for her son but Bo. Bo promises AJ he will find a way to reunite him with his mother. Bo is given another chance at trying out for the Yankees, but now has the added responsibility of being a father to a boy who wants nothing to do with him.

Since it's mandatory for Bo to attend training camp, he convinces Kim to work as his media trainer in lieu of going, so he can remain with AJ. This is a challenge for Kim, who has sworn off athletes -- especially Bo. As trials present themselves in juggling a new son, working to release Yolanda and training for the pitching career of his life, Bo falls head-over-heels in love with Kim and she with him. As a last resort, AJ suggests Bo marry his mother to allow her back in the states. Bo faces the difficult decision of walking away from the woman he loves to keep his promises to AJ.

I loved Susan Wiggs' heartwarming, amusing story. The conflict of becoming a father to a child conceived of two teens reveals the heartfelt feelings of both the child, who thought he was unwanted by his father, and the father who desired to connect with the child, but wasn't allowed to. The bond they finally share is so warm and loving that this story will leave you with a warm, toasty memory. I would recommend this cleverly written book to everyone who has a place in their heart for a child. I hope I have the opportunity to review more of Ms. Wiggs' novels.

Book Summary

Baseball hopeful Bo Crutcher is about to get his shot at the majors. That is, until life throws him a curveball. When AJ, the son he's never met, lands on his doorstep, Bo's life becomes a whole new ball game. He needs help — fast.

Enter Kimberly van Dorn. Hired to smooth Bo's rough exterior for the media, she expects the kind of shallow pro athlete she's used to handling. But Bo is willing to sacrifice everything for his vulnerable son. Kim can train him to hit a home run with the press, but over a breathtaking winter on frozen Willow Lake, she realizes he has far more to teach her about the game of life…and putting love first.