Busy Bean Book 6: Doubletalk by Teralyn Mitchell

Busy Bean Book 6

Basketball has always been his one love, until now . . .

Zeke Armstrong never imagined he’d be back in Vermont, but here he is, living in Colebury and trying to rehab an injury that could mean an early retirement from pro basketball. Running into his former classmate, Mallory Barrett, shouldn’t be a distraction. It shouldn’t mean anything, so why is he accidentally on purpose showing up at the coffee shop where the beautiful writer spends her time?

Mallory Barrett has met a guy. Well, she hasn’t met him yet, except for on the dating app she almost refused to download. “Coby” sparks her interest and gets her jokes--and gives the romance-novel heroes she loves so much a full-court run for their money. When their first date doesn’t work out, she decides to give him another shot . . . just as a man she despises reenters her life. While her interest in the mystery man on the app grows, she clashes constantly with Zeke in real life. She can’t forgive him for humiliating her in high school, yet she can’t deny she’s drawn to him now.

She’s somehow gone from confirmed bachelorette to the tie-breaker between two men. Meanwhile Zeke has a secret--one that will cost him the game if Mallory finds out . . .

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56280947-doubletalk

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Back into the Busy Bean series for the final stretch of books. Doubletalk follows Zeke and Mallory and boy was this story something. First off, right from the beginning you knew it would only be a matter of time until something blew up between them to threaten their relationship. It was just a matter of when and how. So Zeke and Mallory's story is along the lines of the one that got away and second chances. They grew up together and were best friends. But with the highs and lows that is high school, they friendship ceased due to a lot of hurt and let downs. They went on different paths but never forgot the other. So when Zeke returns to Vermont, he is both wary and happy to see Mallory again. He knows he messed up and all those feelings he had for her come rushing back. But will she give him the time of day? Mallory wasn't a fan of high school and follows the stubborn rule of never letting someone hurt her again. She knows how to hold a grudge. And with the horrible incident in high school, how can anyone blame her? But Zeke comes back into her life and despite the fact that she gives him the cold shoulder whenever he is around, he is slowly breaking her defenses. 

Now, the complicated part. Both Zeke and Mallory sign up for a dating app and don't use their real names before either realize the other is in town. Fate brings them together and they just click over this online messages. Perhaps something can happen between "Coby" and "Tasha". They agree to meet and when Zeke passes the Busy Bean and realizes Mallory is Tasha, he bolts. He knows if he goes in there, she won't give him the time of day. He wants to win her heart as Zeke. And as they get close to one another again. they both still reach out through the app when Mallory needs to talk and let her guard down and when Zeke is desperate for Mallory to let him in. So now you can see why the story has you on the edge of your seat as you wait for everything to blow up. However! That didn't mean the story wasn't good. It was good! Mallory has no filter and speaks her mind. Her friendship with her best friend, Stacey is hilarious. And you can't help but love Zeke and root for him to win Mallory back. These were great and interesting characters and the plot kept twisting and turning, taking you in unexpected directions. A great addition to this series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.