REVIEW: No Time to Explain by Kate Angell

In No Time to Explain by Kate Angell, Joe Zooker, left-fielder for the Richmond Rogues baseball team, is about to start spring training. On the prowl for women with his teammates, he meets Stevie at a bridal show on the beach. Having been warned away from the baseball players by her cousin, DJ, she tries to keep him at arm’s length. Her sarcastic attitude, however, attracts Joe even more. When Stevie needs a fake fiancé for a photo shoot at Unleashed, her aunt’s doggy day care center she’s running while her aunt is recovering from a broken leg, and Joe needs a place for him and his Rottweiler, Turbo, to stay after being kicked out of the hotel room due to Turbo’s behavior, the pair strike a deal.. But once Joe realizes who Stevie’s cousin is, will their newfound relationship be able to survive?

Initially Stevie comes across a full of attitude, which confuses Joe, who is used to women throwing themselves at him.

“When it comes to wedding gowns, large men should stay away from ruffles and layers. I can picture you in plain silk. Ivory, maybe. Or blush. Go full-length, to cover the roll at your waist. Flabby thighs. Better choose low heels. You’re plenty tall.”
Lastly, “You might also consider a manicure. Your nails look rough. Manscaping would clean you up.”
Shave his chest and pubic hair? Not happening. Lady was a fusion of sarcasm and sweet smiles. He didn’t know how to take her. Her suggestions sucked. Along with her attitude. She confused the hell out of him.

She uses her attitude to try to push him away. It’s not that she’s not interested, but she wants to honor her cousin’s request that she stay away from the baseball players. She’s actually a nice person, donating her hair to a foundation that makes wigs for children, and helping her aunt out.

Joe is a bit of a player. He has his own party posse, a group of women he partied and slept with. But when he meets Stevie, he realizes there’s more than having one night stands. I loved his relationship with Turbo; it was clear he really cared about him, and the dog hated to be separated from him.

Turbo finds love himself, with a bulldog named Etta owned by Dean Jensen, a minor-league player trying to get Joe’s job. The interactions between the pair throughout the book are cute.

Another pass by the bulldog. Etta side-glanced Turbo. The rottie strained against his leash. “She’s flirting with my boy.”
“Not flirting. She’s making sure he’s secured.”
“Who’s her owner? Maybe I could set up a private playdate between the two.”
“Or not.” Pause. “She belongs to Dean Jensen.”
Shit. The Triple-A asshat. Of all the female dogs at the doggy day care, Turbo had to go after his adversary’s pet.

Not having any of the previous books, I didn’t even realize this was part of series. It works that well as a standalone, so if you’re like me and haven’t read the others, you’ll be fine to jump in with this one.

No Time to Explain is a fun read filled with humor, romance, sports, and dogs, mixed in with just a tiny bit of drama. It’s definitely worth adding to any reading list.

Book Info:

Publication: September 26, 2017 | Kensington | GC,

Richmond Rogues’ left-fielder Joe “Zoo” Zooker has his own ritual for the start of spring training—a weekend of pure pleasure, including as many pretty faces and curvaceous bodies as he can charm into his bed. After that, he’s all about baseball, especially with hungry minor leaguers eager for their own shot at the majors, just waiting for him to strike out. But when a beautiful woman with a smart mouth brushes off his flirting, he’s determined to go to bat as often as it takes to win a smile aimed only at him.

Stevie may be new to the beach town of Barefoot William, but she’s seen plenty of charmers like hot and hunky Zoo before. Managing her aunt’s doggie daycare business, she’s up to her ears in rowdy puppies—and she doesn’t need a lifelong hound like Zoo breaking her heart. Still, there’s no denying the attraction between them, and as spring training heats up, lust suddenly begins to look a lot like love .