Smart, multilevel, and satisfying sum up this book. June is the star (and really only) pitcher on her baseball team. Her late mother was also a super athlete in softball. Her dad is still stuck in unresolved grief, and constantly pushes June to work harder and throw faster, pretty much oblivious to her growing questioning of whether she has any say in her life.
Ivy has different pressures on her, in part because her older brother who wanted to be a doctor, died of cancer a few years ago. Even with a new toddler brother, who she sees at times as a replacement baby, her parents, particularly her mother, are hounding her to apply to colleges, pick a major, and give up on her dream. That dream is her becoming good enough as a referee and umpire so she can follow her idol to the NFL as a female referee.
When the owner of the sports complex where she referees soccer games asks her to do him a favor and umpire baseball games, she's willing and studies film and rule books so she won't look like a fool.
Then when she umpires her first game, June is the pitcher and takes issue with some of her calls even throwing a pitch at her. Ivy tosses her from the game. Ivy uses the officials lounge to shower and dress after the game. She opens the door to find June already there. Harsh words are exchanged, but when Ivy notices June wincing as she elevates her throwing arm, she can't help but ask if June's hurting. She is, but is stubborn, However Ivy persists, and the moment she starts rubbing Biofreeze on June's injured shoulder, sparks start flying and butterflies fill the room. It's the beginning of a superb, although flawed romance that's woven through the stress each is feeling, through a breakup, and on to a very neat ending. This book is a thorough delight. ( )