This was probably more of s 3.5 for me, mostly because most of the book was spent rehashing memories and emotions over and over, with the main character getting drunk repeatedly to deal with his problems. It finally got good for about the last fifth of the book, and then I enjoyed it more! I'm just not sure I was in the mood to read a book so heavy on the emotional journey side.

Home Run by Travis Thrasher
This book is based on a movie that I've never seen but I think the book has a lot more details and feelings described then what you'd get from an onscreen showing.
Cory, the oldest and Clay the youngest are raised in OK and their dad drinks heavily and hopes one day they will hit the baseball he throws at the barn and sometimes them. He has beaten them til Cory is old enough to get away and is able to join a baseball team.
He is a really good hitter and he tips the bottle a lot, just like his father. He has a manager, Helene that gets him out of many scrapes but some things she can't undo and he is forced to pay the price for his own actions.
There was no reason for him to hit the batboy because on his way to 3rd base he neglected to touch it. He ends up back in OK to make amends with Clay and in the Corvette they crash, after he's been drinking all morning. The only way to right this wrong is for him to coach his brother's baseball team.
He's been fined and needs to go on a 12 step program soon as he's also on a 8week suspension from the game.
There are alternating chapters where we learn of how they were raised and berated and the next chapters are about his baseball life with chapter names relating to baseball.
Glad I got this book to read because spring is when I start thinking of baseball, years gone by and marvel at the game playing involved.
Especially like all the baseball technical terminology.
The story also follows Emma who was his high school sweetheart. She did move on and marry another, had a baby and the father died in the war.
All Cory can think about is Emma, he had left her pregnant, avoiding the draft and going to play college baseball instead.
The 12 step program is mandatory meetings at night where there are principles to be learned from the minister.
Emma is hiding secrets and Cory needs to deal with his past first...

I received this book from The Bookclub Network www.bookfun.org via David Cook Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimers:I received an electronic copy of this novel for review from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not obligated to write a good review nor am I receiving any compensation for writing this review.

An Overview of the Novel: This novel is told from the perspectives of Cory Brand, a famous baseball player who's life is spiraling out of control, his brother Clay who desperately wants to see his brother get his act together, and Emma the woman he left behind.

When Cory gets suspended from baseball and sent to his hometown for eight weeks, he is furious. His brother hopes that this might finally get Cory to change his life around, and Emma is determined to avoid him. Their relationship had been dead for dead years and she wasn't about to get involved with him again.

Cory doesn't need to change. He might be addicted to alcohol, but that's perfectly fine. He's a screw-up anyway and doesn't think he's good enough for anybody. But if Cory will just give it a shot, he'll learn about true redemption and the power of new beginnings. However, in order for that to happen, Cory has to want to change.

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I went into this novel with high expectations. I don't know why but I just thought this one was going to be incredible. Maybe it's because I love reading about new beginnings or characters who embark on serious journeys of self-discovery or maybe it was because I love reading about sports (if they are done correctly, that is.)

The point is that I went in expecting this novel to be great. It exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect this novel to inspire me to change and to make me want to be better. I didn't expect to fall in love with Cory, Clay, and Emma, but I did. All of these characters felt so real to me. I felt like I really understood where each character was coming from and I loved that.

I also loved how the novel helped you understand why Cory was the jerk he was today. Cory's childhood and the belief that he would only screw-up everything he touched cut deep into his soul and helped readers understand the true battle he was waging. I just loved everything about this novel—the plot, the characters, the writing style, the overall organization of the novel, etc.

This novel does involve Christian elements, but I believe that it's an inspirational story that can cross boundaries and touch anybody who wants to change their life around. The novel centered on an athlete, but I think that even people who hate sports will love this novel.

This novel is one of the more inspiring novels I've read and one that will stick with me long past I turned the last page.

Seriously go buy this book today. You won't regret it. (Amazon Link).

So why 5 stars? In case you couldn't already tell, I loved this novel. It was inspiring. Any novel that transforms into words on a page to a story that makes me want to change automatically is one I love. The story was well-written and was engaging. It was entertaining, inspiring, and an engaging read. Rarely do I find a novel that is all of those things.

In Summary: Travis Thrasher's Home Run is just that a home run. His novel is one of the most inspirational books I've ever read, but it was also entertaining, and engaging. I loved this novel and definitely recommend it to anybody and everybody. Rarely do I read a book and want to tell all of my friends to go buy it, but with this book that's exactly what I'm doing.

The Wrap-up: Wow! I can't even begin to express how much I loved this book. It was just incredible in every aspect. This novel will be a memorable read and one that I'm seriously tempted to buy.

Love,

Danica Page

It's funny, at one point, one of the characters says it feels like a Hallmark movie, but it isn't. Oh, well, yes it was! That's ok. Good story, happy ending and good message. It's Christian fiction and addiction fiction.

Home Run is the story of a man who comes to the end of himself and must reach out to God for help. While the details vary, Cory's story could be any Christian's story. It is when we come to the end of ourselves that we realize how badly we need a Savior.

Throughout most of the book, Cory is a rather unsympathetic character, which makes his conversion that much more powerful. I especially appreciated that Cory's problems didn't magically end once he cried out to God for help—he still had to face his addiction, but he didn't have to do it on his own. Celebrate Recovery (a biblically-based recovery program found in many churches throughout the country) is featured prominently throughout the book, as that's the recovery program Cory has to attend. I think that seeing how the program works might prompt some people who are leery of recovery programs to give it a try.

The narrative is incredibly compelling, and I devoured the book. The one aspect I didn't particularly appreciate was the chapter dividers, which are flashes of Cory's life. While these flashes give background, they really served to pull me out of the story, and I came to the point where I just quickly skimmed over them. But overall, I really enjoyed Home Run, and now I can't wait to watch the movie, which hits theaters April 19.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from David C. Cook. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Home Run by Travis Thrasher

Cory Brand is well-known for hitting home runs in the Major Leagues. Cory left home after high school to join the Major Leagues and never looked back leaving his family and girlfriend behind. During his years in the Major Leagues, he has partied and lived a reckless life style. It all catches up with him when he is arrested for DUI. Part of his punishment for the DUI is coaching a little league team in his home town. Coming back home, Cory begins to face his demons and learns forgiveness and the healing of God.

This novel is the companion to a soon to be released movie by the same name. I could not put the book down. The characters are well-developed and the plot is fast-moving. The authentic character of Cory is such that readers can't help but root for him to get himself back on the right track and get his life back in order. The novel touches upon the Christian step program, Celebrate Recovery and shows that this program is not just for people with alcohol problems but for those who are struggling with all kinds of hurts, addictions and hangups. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a story with good character development, and a fast paced plot. I have not read any of Mr. Thrasher's previous novels but having enjoyed Home Run, I will be placing them on my to read list.



Note: I received an electronic version of this title through Net Galley and the publisher, David C. Cook

Absolutely beautiful, read it in one sitting. Just hated that it had to end.

Okay so this may be cheating, but I technically didn't read the book - I watched the movie, but in this scenario I think it is okay, because the NOVEL is based on the MOVIE not the other way around. It was excellent. I definitely recommend it (either the movie or book, but not both because that would be too redundant!)

I thought this book was based on a true story. As I don't care for sports, and this was not true, I quickly lost interest in it.

I am so not a baseball fan – honestly I don’t know why anyone would want to pay their hard earned money just to have it given to someone who plays for a living and blows it on ‘stuff’. That being said you’d probably think I hated this book – but that couldn’t be further from the truth – this book was great and a fast page turner. One really doesn’t like Cory Brand as they begin this book, I mean he is a spoiled, over payed ball player, whiner, drunk and well your typical baseball jock and not to mention dead beat dad. So when he ends up back in his home town, near his son and his ex-girlfriend as well as his brother, adopted nephew and sister in law – it leaves you wondering if Cory will end up ruining all the good people and things around him.

This book kept me turning the pages and since there wasn’t any sex stuff or cussing – well it says things like “he cursed” but it doesn’t say what he said, thankfully – it was a good, quick read. I loved reading Cory’s story, especially as he learns he has to quit looking at himself as the victim – he needs to grow and mature and be an adult. The road to redemption is rough for Cory Brand, as it is for most of us who have hit bottom and think that there is no where else to go except death, and this book will speak, I think, to even the most hardest hearts and whether you’re Christian or not. I’m not sure if I’ll see the movie, as I’m usually left disappointed even when the book is based on the movie not vice versa – but the book is one I can recommend without second guessing myself.


“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”