This book missed the mark by a long shot. The pace was SO fast that there wasn’t adequate time for any sort of proper lead up into the storyline. The author really just jumped right in with both feet. We were given zero background on Josh and Gretchen and suddenly BAM they are making moves. They meet in an airport, have a one night stand, catch feelings and are basically in love in two days. Um…what?!? Im missing much needed details here!!

With that being said, there was not enough lead up to find their chemistry believable and natural. Honestly, there was barely any dialogue between them, and what there was, wasn’t substantial. How do you base a relationship off of lack of communication? I guess their “mind blowing sex” was enough?

And can we just talk about the sex scenes for a second. I think this book was trying to be open door, but it was just SO bland. Josh and Gretchen had A LOT of sex, but as a reader, I found it super boring, not steamy.

My feelings on this book…I’m glad it’s over.

As someone who lives for celebrity crushes, Out of His League has me wanting to buy any type of celeb that I see a coffee. This was a heartwarming read that all romance readers will enjoy and would be the perfect book/wine club pick. The connection between Gretchen and Joshua was equal parts sweet and steamy!
Thank you to Netgalley and Wattpad Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC in return for an honest review.

This was a cute and fun read, with the main characters meeting in an airport. I was drawn to this book due to the cute illustrated cover and the fact that it's a sports romance, both of which I am always instantly drawn to. However, I found it a little lackluster. Gretchen and Joshua were a cute pair but I didn't exactly fall head over heals with the two. The storyline felt a little rushed and overall slightly jumpy, which left me wanting more.

Overall it was a cute read, but I'm not sure it's something I'd reach for again.

I loved this idea of falling for your celebrity crush, and I am always a fan of anything with sports romances. This book was cute and an easy read, but I did not like the miscommunication and insta-love trope. Throughout the book, it felt like the two characters never really connected emotionally, just physically; even during their arguments, it felt resolved after they took it to the bedroom. I did not feel any connection to the characters which takes some starts off of my review. I do hope that there is more by this author because I was intrigued by the side character's relationships! The author definitely has potential and I would read other stories written by them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a ARC e-book in return for an honest review.

I’m getting on a plane to Vegas right freaking now. The second I opened this book I could not stop until I was finished. It has everything. Baseball butts, best friends, wine, heartbreak, and SPICE. Joshua and Gretchen have undeniable chemistry which makes you want to buy a flight to vegas and have a whirlwind romance that starts with coffee. It is a must-read, definitely something I will be recommending to everyone!

I was extremely excited to read this book. I am a huge baseball fan and a rom-com book enthusiast. The premise was cute and had great potential. Any time sports or baseball is involved in a novel – sign me up! Out of his League centers around a professional baseball player Joshua Malvern, and sommelier Gretchen Harper. Both are on the same plane headed to Vegas and it’s obvious that Josh has had a bad day. Gretchen buys Josh a coffee – being a fan girl she knows his order – and they begin a conversation and a weekend romance.

Unfortunately, I found the best friend, Sharla, to be overbearing and some of her actions would have removed her from “best friend status” for me quickly. In addition, Harv was too selfish, and I couldn’t understand why Josh and Gretchen continued to defend the other characters so much.

However, factually some baseball items in the book were misstated which bothered me a little. For instance, at one of the home Sixers Baseball games, the Sixers batted first. The home team always bats last and always has the chance to win the game with a walk-off at home. The away team bats first. This is a baseball book and simple baseball terminology should be correct.

Next, I am an attorney. Simple legal jargon and definitions should be semi-correct in a novel, with basic research done. In one someone is arrested and there are criminal court proceedings. The person who is arrested is referred to as the Plaintiff numerous times. Plaintiffs are individuals who bring a civil case against someone else – there are no Plaintiff’s in criminal cases whatsoever. The case should be referred to as The State vs. (insert name so there are no spoilers), and the person is a Defendant. Reading “the plaintiff box” just irked me – since there is literally no such thing. (A Plaintiff may be a person suing for money or compensation from a car crash, contract dispute etc., they are not charged with a crime.) Lastly, the Judge’s actions at the Arraignment – which is the first time a defendant appears in court – would never happen. Three things happen at an arraignment, (1) you are told of the charges against you; (2) you are told of your constitutional rights; and (3) you are told an attorney will be appointed for you if you cannot afford one. The charges are brought by the State, not by a Judge. Bail can be set, a defendant can be released by their own recognizance, or the defendant can be sent back to jail but that’s it at that hearing! This is simple research and people who watch Law & Order should even know these basics.

As much as I loved the storyline, and wanted to continue reading to know the ending, I feel like this book feel short for me. At times I felt like the author was trying to hard on the chemistry and romance between Josh and Gretchen, and I don’t understand why Gretchen had to cry all the time! I also wanted more in the ending; there were so many open story lines and opportunities for the characters which I wish would have been stated in the Epilogue.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own!

Very cute rom-com. I started this while sitting in the airport when my plane was delayed. I loved the meet-cute at the airport and the will-they, wont-they of the story. It was a light, fast read with plenty of cute moments. Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to this book because it’s a sports romance with a cute illustrated cover, which I’m always a sucker for. Unfortunately I didn’t fall in love with the book. It’s a insta-love romance which, at times, I struggled to believe. A main problem I had was a lack of plot. Things seemed to work out a little too well or conflicts would resolve themselves quickly with little to no effort from the main characters. It felt like there wasn’t a lot going on, and at times the connection between the couple felt shallow, especially in the first half of the book. I found myself caring more about Sharna and Kevin than about Joshua and Gretchen.

Overall, it was a cute and quick sports romance but not one I would reach for again.

A very cute romance that had me turning the pages! I had to know what would happen, and my heart was bursting with happiness at the end. Loved it! Definitely read this if you are looking for something to make you happy this holiday season!

Got this early on NetGalley and was super excited to dive right in. Gretchen sees her favorite baseball player in the airport and instead of asking him for an autograph she buys him a cup of coffee once she senses his mood. They travel together to Vegas and have a fun, sexy weekend until things go south and Josh gets traded to Dallas and she goes back to Toronto. After a run in at a game, they realize they are in love and find a way to make it work. I really wanted to love it but to me it was just ok. I was left underwhelmed with the character development and arc. The casual thrown in story line with her best friend which was never fully realized. (Not sure if this is supposed to carry into another book) It was a sweet story with some good smut and I would recommend it to my friends as a want to read not a must read.

3.25 stars

Cute story with a really interesting premise! While on the way to a wine competition in Vegas, sommelier Gretchen, meets her favourite baseball player, Joshua Malvern, at an airport. Instead of freaking out like a typical fan, asking for an autograph and selfie, she notices that he looks upset and approaches him with a coffee instead. Turns out he’s having a less than stellar season, just got downgraded to the minor leagues and needed a little pick-me-up by way of a pretty blonde stranger.

Their first encounter is very much insta-lust, hot and heavy within the first 12 hours of meeting. This is extremely out-of-character for both Gretchen and Joshua, but they decide to go for it anyway, choosing to live in the present and not bothering with the what-ifs. Obviously—as anyone who reads romance knows—this isn’t just any one night stand. They fall in love, learn to navigate their feelings and a long distance relationship.

In spite of the whirlwind nature of their relationship, I do feel like there is good chemistry between Gretchen and Joshua. This story is very sweet and full of good character internal monologues which relay a lot of their shortcomings, insecurities and dreams.

The initial misunderstanding and conflict caused by Gretchen’s best friend (and over-protective guard dog) Sharla was pretty annoying. I wasn’t so sure about the other subplots too, they ultimately ended up being unimportant and dragged the story out a little. In spite of that, I liked that the author found ways for Gretchen and Josh to be on page together (by infiltrating each other’s thoughts) even when they were physically apart.

Overall, an easy read if you enjoy good steam, low angst and sports romances—baseball, in particular. It is obvious Caroline Richardson loves the sport and knows it well.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wattpad Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Out of His League by Caroline Richardson was a cute sports romance that left me wanting more.

I may be a little biased since I been reading ALL the contemporary sports romances and this one left me wanting more. There was not a lot of buildup and Gretchen and Joshua's relationship was too insta-love for me. I was looking for more development between the two.

I feel like this story has tons of untapped potential and could have benefitted from a little more fleshing-out at the beginning of the story.

Thank you to Net Galley and Wattpad Books for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review

This is actually more of a 2.5 for me. I'm not a fan of insta-love. I need a bit more depth to the character's relationship if you want me invested.

"Best cup of coffee I ever bought." The meet-cute had such potential. Gretchen sees her favorite baseball player at the airport having an obviously awful day., and orders him a coffee instead of hounding him for an autograph. They begin chatting and *BAM* instantly crazy about each other. And that was where the plot lost me. From there it was insta-love and smut. I hung in there and finished the book but was not impressed.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free e-ARC.

This was a cute sports live novel and I’m a sucker for baseball men! I thought it was a quick and fun lighthearted read but I do wish that their feelings didn’t develop so rapidly, I’m just a lover of the slow burn I guess!

I was given the opportunity to arc read this book. I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not want to put it down. I loved the main characters. It had steamy parts throughout the book. I felt like it was love at first sight at the airport after Gretchen gave Josh a cup of coffee. They were both Conveniently going to Vegas. Gretchen was going to a wine convention and Josh was sent down from the major leagues.

I felt like this book needed one more edit. I think a couple of more scenes of development before the sex would have been a big benefit. The tensions felt legitimate, but the situation did not. This romance developed too quickly both in sex and feelings.
It was still sweet and enjoyable, but felt less complete than other romances I have read of late.

Regrettably, we’re here to leave a disappointing review for this book.

We had high hopes for this short read based on the sports romance theme, unique storyline/characters and adorable cover but unfortunately, this didn’t work for us and is one we will neither re-read nor recommend.

The insta-love felt a bit forced and under-developed to us, the conflict/drama read as an afterthought, the sport itself was under-researched and lead to inconsistencies and we just couldn’t become invested in or relate to the characters.

Some positives: we appreciated that Josh recognized Gretchen as an equal and didn’t think less of her or disrespect her for being a fan. As well, his emotional intelligence and prioritizing his physical health over performance was really refreshing to read.

Our thanks to Netgalley for providing us with an eARC in exchange for our honest thoughts.

Out of His League
Caroline Richardson
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

"Gretchen Harper didn't expect to meet her favourite baseball player, Joshua Malvern, on her way to Vegas for a wine event, especially seeing as he's not headed there by choice. Having been sent down from the major leagues, Joshua is worried about the future of his career, but as they get to know each other over the course of one weekend, there's no denying the fire between them burns hot. But they're from completely different worlds and their affair isn't meant to last. With his career up in the air and her job her primary focus, can they find a way to round the bases towards love?”

Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

The plot of this novel is my dream scenario (falling in love with your favorite baseball player after a hot and heavy weekend in Vegas, okay??), and I was actually pleasantly surprised by the story! We’re not winning any literary awards with this one, but I thought it was enjoyable for what it was - a quick, steamy read with a premise that I loved. The relationship between our two MCs actually had more depth than I was originally anticipating which was a pleasant surprise. If you heart insta-love, steam-on-the-verge-of-smut and celebrity/athlete storylines, give this one a try! If you're not into sports/baseball, this might be one that you skip.

Gretchen notices her favorite baseball player in the airport and decides to buy him a cup of coffee to cheer him up over the bad day he's having. That kind gesture surprises Josh and leads to them spending the entire flight from Toronto to Vegas together, where their connection is undeniable. But they come from two different worlds. Can they make a difference in life work and build a relationship?

I liked Josh. He was down to earth with a sense of humor, yeah, totally my liking. I really liked the way the sports aspect was interwoven in such an easy and casual way that it wasn’t overpowering. I didn't connect much with Gretchen, I feel had there been more character development for her it might’ve helped me

I do wish there was more development of the plot. Overall, it's a quick and easy read, but it would be great to see some depth added to the characters more than just their instalike which I have a hard time with books.

Loaded with open door love scenes, this sexy novel follows independent sommelier Gretchen as she meets her favorite baseball star Josh. Will their steamy weekend in Vegas lead to something more?