Binding Arbitration (Chicago Sports Romance Book 2)

"God works in mysterious ways, He does.""Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."This book definitely joins my top 10 all time favorites, and 5 stars is not enough to do it justice. I loved this book, I adored it, I savoured it. I laughed some and I cried some, and then I laughed some more and cried some more. It was a book about love, forgiveness, redemption, second chances, acceptance and healing.It had a lot of moments when I was laughing out loud but it also had moments when I cried out loud. Once I've reached certain point in the book, I couldn't stop myself. Seriously, it was - snot inducing, I have to make a break cause I can't breathe, I can't see the letters - kind of cry. I was bawling like a baby. But it was so wonderful, though sad, truly awesome, I can't even find proper words to describe how good this book was.The characters were phenomenal, the writing exquisite and the story heart-wrenching. And here's the thing, I won't tell you what the story is about. I believe you have to go blind in this case, if you want to truly enjoy it.Libby, she was strong, stubborn and intimidating on the one hand, and tender, loving and caring, on the other. As a mama bear myself, I sincerely appreciated her devotion to Cass - her son.After reading the short prequel Cutters vs. Jocks, which btw is free on amazon, I remember thinking that Aidan will have to grovel so much to redeem himself. He sure did not disappoint. I didn't expect to fall for him the way I did. And it weren't the words he used, he never actually begged for forgiveness, it were all the things he did. He really outdid himself, it was classical example of "actions speak louder than words." The way he was always there for Libby and Cass, the way he took care of them, the way he fought for them, the way he showed them love....I was simply in awe. And in the end, when I didn't even need the words from him anymore, his declarations of love made my heart flutter."The first thing I think of in the morning is you and Cass, and you're my last thought at night. I dream of you, and I have since the first moment I laid eyes on you. I know exactly what you smell like, how your skin feels, the texture of your hair, and what you taste like. I care about your happiness before mine. I want you, and more importantly, I need you, and I've never needed anyone before."I could tell you to read this book because it was beautiful. I could tell you to read this book because it was unique. I could tell you to read this book because it made me laugh and it made me cry. I could tell you to read this book because though it left me wrecked, it also made me enormously happy reader. .... But I won't. I will tell you this: if you ever decide to read it, after having done so, you will see for yourself that it was one of the best decisions regarding books ever made. Go ahead, I promise, you will not regret a single page!

This story was riveting! I don't think I've laughed, loved, cursed, or cried so much in a long time. Every once in a while I stumble onto a book that will stay with me for weeks to come... this is one of those times.Libby met Aidan when they were in college. She wanted to go to Harvard Law and Aidan was a jock who was going to be signed to the major leagues soon. She tried not to fall in love with him because she knew that a relationship between a cutter and a jock was very unlikely. She knew he would leave her as soon as he got what he wanted most. But all her planning couldn't have prepared her for what would happen when Aidan finally decided to touch her and love her the way he's been wanting to all this time. She couldn't resist but was filled with regret when she woke up with him in the "boinking room" named by his roommates.Aidan couldn't understand why he felt this way. Libby was nit the kind of girl he thought he'd want to be with but there was something about her that he couldn't ignore and before he knew it he couldn't stand to be away from her. But he was a jock and Libby couldn't bring herself to trust him. But the night they spent together had big consequences, Libby got pregnant and Aidan didn't know what to do. He was scared and angry... he'd worked so hard for many years in his baseball and was about to be signed by the major leagues. Surely he couldn't take care of a wife and baby if he wanted to make it big and not disappoint his parents. What could he do?Cass is a very special 6 year old boy with an old soul, loved by all the people around him. Libby has done a great job with him but even all her love can't save him. He has Leukemia and he needs a bone marrow transplant. The best match would come from someone that is blood related such as a parent. So Libby grudgingly reaches out to Aidan even if it kills her because there is nothing she wouldn't do to save her son... even facing the demons of her past.This is a story of mistakes made in the past, regrets and making up for them, of love and forgiveness. Of knowing that the one thing you wanted most was there all along. If only you had the courage to say how you feel. Cass has something to teach everyone in a different way. He will bring people together in such an easy but strong way it can't be denied. You will fall in love with this little boy. Cass will wiggle himself info the middle of your heart and by the time you realize it it's too late (not that you'd mind though), Cass takes after his Daddy and is quite the flirt and just like his Daddy he'll flash you a dimpled smile that will catch your heart.A beautiful story that will break your heart but mend it in many other ways. You will not regret reading it! Fall in love with Band-Aid Palowski, with Cass and Libby.

Those who know me, have long accepted the fact that I tend to have a knack for talking the hind off a donkey and it's a novelty when, in those rare moments, anything renders me speechless. Well that novelty reared its little head today by the time I finished reading Binding Arbitration by Elizabeth Marx.I have been sitting here looking at a blank screen for ten minutes, trying to decipher words that can give any credit at all to the myriad of emotions this book invoked in me, and recognition to an author who has been a friend for over two months, and yet I had no idea how amazingly talented she is.This full length novel continues on from the prequel, Cutters vs. Jocks, however it is now six years later. Libby is now a very successful criminal defence lawyer working for a respectable firm, and Aidan is an A-list Baseball Player, renowned for playing the field with the fairer sex, as well as pitching his game.While filming a commercial he receives a phone call from the one woman he never expected to hear from again, the Mother of his child, Libby Tucker. The love of his life, whom he walked away from after Graduation and never looked back.After an uncomfortable reunion, tainted with anger and a lot of swallowed pride, Libby has the painful task of telling Aidan, the biological Father of her beloved Son, Cass, that he is suffering with Leukaemia and his only hope of continued survival is a bone marrow transplant.Aidan believed Libby had given their child up for adoption, and is angered that she had lied, until that anger turns to regret, guilt and despair at the reality of the situation. After a couple of days to digest the information, he knows what must be done, however, explaining to Libby that he wants the chance to help put things right and get to know his son, was a completely different ball-game...Libby is a tough cookie, and her defiance at times as a reader could be a little grating. However, I love a feisty female and even though at times I wanted to push her in the other direction to where she was headed, I knew Aidan had to work hard to put right his past undoings, and so it was only fair that he had his work cut out.Cass, their six year old son on the other hand will remain in my heart forever, his wise little words and his angelic charm welded its way into my heart and made this book not only good, but undeniably great!The sub plot scenarios were enough to keep this book gripping and give it a good pace. The case of the Colombian single mother running from a drug baron with her son was a nice derivation to the rest of the story, and Aidan's ex-fiancé' was so ditsy and pathetic, I couldn't wait to see what karma plans would come into effect, I wasn't disappointed. ;)However, I wasn't prepared for the last 20% of this book; it hit me like a sledgehammer, train wreck and a volcanic eruption all thrown into one. I felt my own face drain of blood at one point, and immediately regretted that I didn't invest in shares at Kleenex.Libby and Aidan both shared their own voice within the pages, which made me understand the characters and helped with the reading experience when it came to their own emotions, thoughts, fears and concerns, which gave this story substance and full believability.The best way to describe this novel is that it is a journey, it's a comfortably long read that takes you on a voyage you will never forget. An emotional journey that will steer the reader through momentous insights of anger, regret, jealousy, despair, grief and an overwhelming sense of peace, forgiveness and unconditional love. There are not many books out there that can incorporate so many of these things and still make for a gripping read, so I can only attribute that to the incredible talent that is Elizabeth Marx. Her ability to write a book that covers, at times, upsetting subject matters and to be able to deliver it with honest angst with a poetic thrall is something that many writers lack. This book will remain one of my favourites of all time.

The hero was very cruel abandoning our heroine when he got her pregnant at college. She contacts him for bone marrow for their child years later. He suddenly decides he wants them both. He gives an explanation for his actions which does not justify what he did by any means. This book needed more grovelling apologies and our heroine should have made him work much harder to get back into her affection given what he did. There was also a sense of boasting about the numerous women he had slept with since (with details including a video of him having sex with his fiancé- yuck) whereas our heroine had remained faithful. It was too uneven to be good, but I did finish it.

This is a difficult book to review.I actually found it quite hard to follow at times and there were periods that were possibly long winded and dragged out. However, I have to say that by the last page , I was like wow - that was great. Can I explain this - no so this review may be of no help at all but I would say persevere with this book. For me, this was ultimately an emotionally heart wrenching tale that will break your heart but then put it back together again.

Wow. All I can say is make sure you have a box of Kleenex at the ready! This book had me crying my face off at times, and smiling like a loon at others, it was beautiful and heart-wrenching and real.The only thing I have a small problem with, is when there will be another book! There were a few integral characters with stories that were left with loose ends, some important parts of the plot that I assume will be tied up in another book. Where are Enrique and Manny? What will happen with Evita and Tony? Will Andy be able to help Avery get his own happy ending, hopefully with Ollie? And what about Steve and Madi, I hope they get a happy ending also!These are all questions I'd like answered Elizabeth Marx!Please?

The 3 stars are for the first 75% - 80% of the book, after that it went seriously downhill for me. I can't go into too much detail without spoiling the plot but it was like another author came in and completely took the book in another more paranormal direction?! I almost DNF at 92% it annoyed me that much.