double sports romance ftw. spicy and funny, as you'd expect from Tessa. the 3rd act fight could've been a little stronger but it didn't bother me that much.

Giggling and kicking my feet the entire time.

The more Tessa Bailey books I read, the more outlandish I think they get. Was there anything realistic about Skylar’s family’s ridiculous summer competition that Robbie joins to save her from having to compete in alone? Was there anything realistic about either of them falling desperately in love after three days (overcoming both Skylar’s years-long crush on her brother’s best friend and Robbie’s partying antics)? Not at all.

Was it incredibly enjoyable anyway? Yes. No further questions.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

I LOVED Pitcher Perfect. Some of Tessa’s best writing yet, carried by two incredibly likeable and relatable main characters - Skylar and Robbie.

Robbie and Skylar meet during a feud between her baseball player brother and members of the local hockey team (a fun throwback to Dream Girl Drama). And let’s just say it wasn’t love at first sight - well at least not for Skylar. But a bet gone wrong quickly lands her in a fake dating situation with Robbie, all in the interest of making her longtime childhood crush jealous. Totally uncomplicated right?

This was such a fun and unique faking dating plot. Half Wedding Crashers and half the Gellar Cup episode of Friends. So basically my dream book. And the banter and witty one liners had Tessa’s signature all over them. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time.

Tessa Bailey is my ultimate queen of spice so I had high expectations for the steamy scenes. And, boy did she deliver. The spicy moments were both HOT and impactful to connection between Robbie and Skylar. Chef’s kiss 🥵

But my favorite part? THEY FREAKIN’ COMMUNICATED. Thank you Tessa for creating these two mature and respectful main characters. So refreshing for major plot points to not revolve around a miscommunication trope.

My favorite of the series and one of my favorite reads of the year!

4.25/5


Thank you, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ever since Robbie saw Skylar, who seemed to hate his guts, he knew she was the one. When he learned that she was in love with her brother's best friend, he leaped at the chance to fake a relationship and teach her a few tricks to make him jealous.

Skylar didn't want anything to do with a womanizer from a hockey team, but after losing a bet, she began to see a different side of him. With her family's annual competition looming close and her needing a partner, she agreed to fake a relationship with Robbie, hoping someone else might notice her. And when she so desperately needed to learn how to flirt and please a man - and who better to teach her than the guy who had no trouble with women?

So what, that Robbie was a giant who kissed like she was the last bit of water in the desert, and he was dying for more. So what that his touch was possessive, and with each new lesson, her walls crumbled down more and more until nothing was left? She couldn't possibly love Robbie, right?

I have to admit: I didn't care about Robbie in the previous books. I disliked his 'orgasm donor' persona and I was glad that he decided to change his behaviour in this book; he became a much more sympathetic character.

I love me a man who worships the ground his woman walks upon.

Skylar was a firecracker who put Robbie in his place again and again and he begged for more. I love a pathetic man who can't exist without a woman he loves, while she couldn't be less bothered.

The relationship between them was very fast-paced - it was only a week, after all, but somehow, it made it believable. I usually dislike insta-love, but Tessa has surprised me again, and I loved it in this book. I believed that they loved each other and wanted to move in so fast. I loved how protective Robbie was over Sky and how he read her family a riot act about their behaviour.

The spice was so hot I had to fan myself, and was this, perhaps, the first book without butt stuff? After all, as Queen Sabrina Carpenter says, never enter through the back door.

I loved this book, although not as much as Chloe and Sig's. Though I appreciate that there was less angst!

I can't wait to read Madden/Eve book, and perhaps, in the future, Elliot's book too! I want to know who the woman was in the picture he was looking at with such sorrow.

Tropes:
- fake relationship
- forced proximity
- love coach
- sports romance
- insta love (one sided)
- he falls first
- partners in crime
- strangers to lovers
- enemies to lovers (one-sided)

Pitcher Perfect
By Tessa Bailey
Book four in Big Shots series

This is a fake relationship trope.

Skylar is an excellent pitcher, but she's could use some assistance in the romance department. She's just never seen what all the fuss is about. Her limited encounters did not impress her. And she's rather be pitching or organizing. Now she's ready to take some guidance, from the most unexpected source, Bearcats rookie and proclaimed "O" donor. Just one teeny little things, she needs him to be her fake boyfriend while participating in an insane family competition. What could possibly go wrong?

Robbie Corrigan sails through life on his talent and his way with women. But after he's faced with his actions and realizes that he may have met his match he's determined to be the man he was meant to. No more locker room antics and he's ready to be more than the laughable guy. Now he wants to get the girl and keep her for himself.

Loved this! It's such a fun romance! It has fake dating, dating lessons, and amazing chemistry. I love Tessa Bailey's writing and this does not fall short. While a bit insta love, thus the 4 stars, it's such a good read, and I highly recommend it if you enjoy a good romcom.

4.5/5 ⭐️

I didn't think Tessa would get me to not only like Robbie but be rooting for him and Skylar by the end but I should have known that this would be great. It took a bit to get going and it's kind of a slow burn but it's worth it. Also any book that has BU love is always a winner.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon and Harper Voyager for my early access to this.

Tessa Bailey hits a home run (haha get it)

Tessa always has a way with not only a compelling relationship dynamic, but every character feels different and unique.

Robbie was like a player and yet a golden retriever.

Skylar was a take-no-prisoners.

Watching the dynamic between them was a joy to witness. Skylar was biting and Robbit was immediately taken by her. Then they became almost like teammates into something more.

The end I didn’t expect, I thought I knew how it was going to go, but then Tessa Bairley threw me for a loop. As always, though, she soothes any angst with a beautiful HEA.

PITCHER PERFECT – Tessa Bailey
Big Shots, Book 4
Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-338083-7
September 9, 2025
Romantic Comedy

Boston & Rhode Island – Present Day

Skylar Page comes from a competitive family, yet she feels like a failure. Everyone in her family got accepted into Brown University, but she was rejected and had to settle for Boston University. She’s a college softball pitcher phenom, but her family isn’t too impressed. This is why she looks forward every year to the family “games” where they compete against each other. But Skylar’s partner (and best friend) had to bow out, leaving her to find someone else. When she loses a bet against cocky hockey player Robbie Corrigan during a game between baseball and hockey players, she is stunned even by herself when she asks him to be her fake date to her family home in Rhode Island to help her win the family “trophy.” Robbie already knows that she carries a torch for her brother’s best friend, Madden. Plus, he is an athlete, so he can help her win the coveted prize. Along the way, Robbie will teach Skylar the fine art of seduction and sex. But will she lose her heart to the big hockey player? What she doesn’t know is that Robbie is falling for her. Can he win her away from Madden?

PITCHER PERFECT is a fun little romance about two young adults falling in love. Robbie is a rookie with the Boston Bearcats hockey team, and he is known for being cocky and loud. Well, one day his cockiness helped him and his friends get into a shouting match with a group of baseball players, and they agreed to a baseball game to decide the winner. One can imagine Robbie being confident that his team of hockey players could outplay those sissy baseball players. Well, the baseball players had a secret weapon in Skylar Page, who is a softball pitcher for her college team. Her brother and his friend, Madden, were part of the baseball team. Robbie caught her sneaking looks at Madden and figured she was trying to get his attention. Well, he did a little side bet with Skylar; she lost, but he won by having coffee with her, where he learned about her needing a plus one for the family competition in Rhode Island. Act like they’re in love, and maybe Madden will get jealous. Perfect…or not?

Both Robbie and Skylar are fun to get to know in PITCHER PERFECT. He might be a macho man, but he has a soft side to him, plus he has his own fears. Skylar feels she can’t show any weakness, especially in front of her family, but deep down, she is hurt that they think she is a lesser person because she didn’t get into Brown University. In this tale, will the family finally learn how they misjudged Skylar? Will Skylar and Robbie win the competition, or will there be complications? Skylar has a list of “things to do” while she and Robbie are in Rhode Island. It’s all about seduction and sex. Will they skip a few things on the list and get to the main event? Once the week is over, will Robbie and Skylar still be together, or will something break them up? Along the way, readers will laugh and cry with them.

PITCHER PERFECT is an entertaining tale right from the first chapter, and all the way to the end. Readers are treated as a couple used to being sassy and always on top, get a bit of comeuppance as they fall in love. Don’t miss this sizzling and fun tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

4.25 stars

God, i love Tessa Bailey!!!! Her books are so fun and flirty and so hot!!!! i love the reformed rake trope and it just proves that if you give a guy a soulmate they will do anything for their girl!

i loved skylar and robbie's relationship and how trust and consideration grew and blossomed so beautifully between them in the throes of a fake dating scheme!! fake dating is one of my favorite tropes bc of the angst and "is this real" moments and this book was chockfull of them!!! i also love a man obsessed and robbie was THE man obsessed! Tessa Bailey is the queen of the obsessed man trope and i thank her for her service every time!

also both robbie and skylar are professional athletes and it was so cute seeing them bond over the love of their respective sports and their competitive streak! they complement each other perfectly!

if you're looking for a fun and spicy time, look no further! she writes the more fun books and i just love them so much!!

thank you Avon for the galley of this book!!!! it's out everywhere on 9/9

GAHHHH- ROBBIE!!! This man was SO unexpected and SO wonderful. I was going into this book wondering how we were going to go from the playboy rookie to a man committed. This man just needed the right woman! Isn't that always the case LOL. I loved how none of his "usual" stuff worked with Skylar. I loved how she immediately made him want to be better, be the man he was raised to be. She helped him switch his perspective. He was hot when he was trying to help her win over her "dream man," but once he realized that he was IN- his hotness went up like 1000%. This was a man DOWN BAD yall. The whole whimpering when things are happening because of how much he wants this while still making sure his dirty mouth gets her where she needs to be. I loved the setting! I loved the confidence that Robbie had to go to this stranger's family competition to help her. I loved their connection. I loved Skylar! I loved how much she was NOT expecting Robbie and how much he really changed her perspective. How he made her feel like the queen she was. How he SAW her. How he helped her family realize the wrongs they had been doing her. How Robbie was in her corner EVEN knowing she wasn't all the way in yet. I loved how crazy hilarious they both were while also being so honest I laughed out loud several times. I just absolutely LOVED them!!!

Skylar has found herself pitching in a baseball game against hockey players. How is she here? And how has she now been roped into going on a quick date with the worst one of them- the one that is of course super hot and who she has dubbed Redbeard. The one she heard talking about his escapades to his teammates. And yet he seems ashamed when she mentions that behavior is not cool. There is something about him that keeps her interested. So when he offers to be her teammate in her family's competition next week she agrees. She of course sets an agenda. She warns him of the competition. Oh and there is the small matter of having a HUGE crush on her brother's best friend Madden. Robbie agrees to help her with her game and to help get Madden to notice her. What she doesn't expect is to stop really noticing Madden the more she is around Robbie. She wasn't expecting this attraction she has to him. She wasn't expecting to ENJOY hanging out with him and getting to know him and getting to kiss him and getting "lessons" from him. But now he is all she can think about. No one has ever been in her corner like this man has. No one has ever called her family out for being them and standing up for her like he has. And yet this is all fake right? Wrong because when he comes back from practice and confesses that he wants MORE. She finds herself saying yes but being hesitant. This man is experienced. Why is interested in little old her? She finds herself looking forward to him showing her that he is serious. Especially when he talks to her the way he does. Especially when she has already fallen so hard for him. But then his past comes to the forefront and Skylar spirals. Even after everything he has done, she spirals. Now she is determined to prove to him that she DOES trust him. Enough to give him her whole heart. She just hopes he will forgive her for her mistake.

Robbie is a one track mind kind of man. He is great at hockey and women love him. He has been in party mode for a minute. Never been interested in one woman. There hasn't been one to catch his attention. Until Skylar. Especially with how irritated she seems by him. And how none of his charm seems to work on her. He is beyond intrigued. Which is how he finds himself agreeing to be her teammate in her family's competition while also trying to get her crush to notice her. He is convinced he will be able to walk out of his unscathed. Even though he so wants her crush to be on him. This is all ok. He will take what he can get when it comes to her. But then he realizes she really doesn't see how amazing she is. She doesn't see what he sees. And yet everything about him and her seems so natural. There isn't this need to only hookup. He wants to KNOW her. He wants HER. And now he is freaking out because she doesn't seem interested. But then he realizes he has never backed down from a competition and all is right with her in his life. So now he is determined to make her his. He will do whatever she needs to make sure she understands how IN he is. There is no one else. Just her. Which is only emphasized when they finally hook up- it is the best he has ever had hands down. The connection. The rhythm. The way they read each other. He feels like he is winning her over. She doesn't freak when he calls her his girlfriend. Her family likes him. But then she freaks out for a minute. She takes a beat about his past but despite that he is willing to work through this because there is no world where he is happy without her in it.

I was a little disappoint in Sig and Chloe's book so wasn't sure what was going to happen with this one. But yall I think this and Fan Girl Down are my favs in the series so far :) I absolutely LOVED this two- how they found themselves with each other. How they helped make each other better. I also LOVED Robbie's mouth- GAH I blushed so hard. I loved how much he empowered Skylar while also being firmly in control. I loved the snippets we got of future books- I hope we get to hear about Elton and the girl from the pic :) And Mailer and the GM. Looking forward to Madden and Eve- that one sounds JUICY!! I HIGHLY recommend this series AND this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Enemies to lovers? Yup. Fake dating? Yup. He falls first? Yup yup yup!
Pitcher Perfect is the fourth book of the Big Shots series and it miiiiiiight be my favorite of the series. We met Skylar and Robbie previously in the series and it's fun to go back to the baseball game where they first met.
Skylar is a collegiate softball pitcher and she loses a bet to Robbie (pro hockey player) and they go on a coffee/orange juice date. She then realizes she can learn something from of his playboy ways and they fake date so she could get her childhood crush to fall for her. But of course, Robbie has other plans. Oh this was so cute and in true Tessa Bailey style, the spice is SPICY. Please enjoy.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for giving me my first ARC!

*Review posted to linked Goodreads, Fable & Storygraph. Instagram post to follow.*

Robbie and Skylar might just be her swooniest couple yet. The way that this man goes from a play
boy to literally obsessed in a matter of seconds was so hot. From whipped cream parties to suddenly picturing Skylar in a wedding dress and their kids playing little league. He's her literal biggest fan and watching him show up for her again and again, and watching him stand up for her made me fall absolutely head over heels for him. He's so freaking sweet underneath all that bravado and I adore him endlessly.

And Skylar is such a fun FMC. She's sporty but she's still girlie and she's such a perfectionist and only wants to make her family proud but she lacks so much confidence at the start and to see her find that confidence, to find herself as Robbie allows her to finally let down her walls was so beautiful to see. And while she has her doubts and does let them get to her occasionally, at the end of the day it's because she loves him so deeply in a way that no one else has and it scared her. She didn't want to lose him and luckily she never will.

All I need now is an extended epilogue. Tessa Bailey, I will beg. I need to see these two as parents with their sporty kids, keeping them busy with how many sports they have them enrolled in. So much talk of that family schedule board and I need to see it come to fruition.

Probably one of my favorite Tessa Bailey books of all time. A home run... even though Skylar would probably object to that metaphor considering she's a pitcher 😉

Who knew this whirlwind romance started with a simple “F*** you”. Skylar Page has lived her life aiming for perfection and loving the thrill of competing and sports. She’s only missed out on two things so far- Brown University and catching the eye of her brother’s best friend Madden. Enter Robbie Corrigan, Skylar’s polar opposite, he understands the thrill of competition being a professional hockey player, but he also is able to find good company and fun any chance he gets. In a rash decision, Skylar and Robbie decide that they’ll work together to help Skylar win the contest for Madden’s heart.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this read! The characters were likable and their banter was enjoyable. While it did feel almost too quick, this is definitely a good example of he falls first along with the fake dating trope. I really enjoyed the family dynamics behind the main romance as well. Although I’ve read the first book in this series, I hadn’t gotten a chance to read the second or third. Nevertheless, this story was independent enough that I liked it regardless but will definitely be going back to catch up on what I missed 😊

Tessa Bailey does it again!

There are so many puns I could use…

Robbie and Skylar are two very competitive athletes that get thrown together through a friendly bit of team rivalry. Immediately Robbie is interested, but when he finds out Skylar has eyes for another man, he creates a plan to help Skylar get his attention (out of the goodness of his heart of course) while also helping her win her families crazy annual games. He gets to spend a week with her, so it’s obviously a win right? There’s no way this could backfire.

I loved the playfulness in Robbie. He was hilarious, charming, sweet, and dirty. Skylar was dedicated, loyal, and shy, but not in the way that “I don’t think I’m pretty” types are usually. She was understandable, relatable, mature, and cool. I loved their dynamic, I loved the switches in POV, I loved Robbie’s interactions with her family. It was all done really well. This book is the perfect end of summer book. You will devour it and thank Tessa Bailey for gifting you with a two sport romance. A home run and slapshot all in one.

I've adored each book in the series so far (while I truly love all sports romances, its hard to pick a favorite but Tessa definitely set the bar for this series, with golf of all things!!) Ultimately i couldn't wait to dive into the latest!

When Robbie immediately takes not of Skylar at a hockey v. baseball game in the park, he also notices her admiration for someone else. When he bets her a date (and wins) it somehow turns into her needed a plus one for her annual family summer game/contest and him playing her fake BF to make her brothers bestie jealous.

Except Robbie caught real feelings, real fast. And also maybe Skylar did too? And all of a sudden his playboy ways went swiftly out the window because she was the only one for him.
While a little insta love, this was such a sweet story with all the classic Tessa elements and she hit it out of the park (pun totally not intended). And i cannnnot wait to read Madden and Eve's story!!!


Thank you Netgalley, and Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Whenever I need something playful and funny to read Tessa Bailey is my girl. Pitcher Perfect was right up my alley. Robbie and Skylar were a match that I didn’t see coming but ended up loving. It always starts with “fake dating” and then of course they fall in love. I would say if you are just looking for a fun read with some spice this should be one you definitely pick up! And of the course audiobook was EXCELLENT! And brought the story to life.

Pitcher Perfect was a quick, fun, and spicy read that delivered everything I look for in a Tessa Bailey romance. Skylar and Robbie’s banter was great from the beginning and their evolution from fake dating to more felt genuine. I was also pleasantly surprised by the amount of character development and emotional depth that was packed into such a quick read!

Definitely a win if you’re a fan of sports romances, fake dating, or anything else Tessa Bailey has written!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the review copy. All opinions are my own!

If I’m being honest I was skeptical about this book because while I have an undying love for Fangirl Down, the rest of the series hasn’t hit the same way but this one got very close!! I love Skyler and Robbie! They are just so cute! I never pictured Robbie to be a love at first sight kind of guy but I love it for him and I love how apprehensive Skyler was at first especially because Robbie had an image. I love how he was so willing to protect Skyler no matter the cost and would defend her even to her family! I also love just how effortless their love was and that it grew from pure friendship and just enjoying each others company. Also be still my heart whenever Robbie mentions his Grandfather, the emotions were definitely felt though the page!!!

5⭐️♾️: This book was perfect! It had me 😂😍🥹🥺😢🥰. I loved Skylar and Robbie so much!! Robbie was such a goofball and so charming in an endearing way. I loved him immediately 😍. He was goofy but also had this intense/smoldering side. It was such a good balance. The way he paid attention to anything and everything Skylar was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. Robbie standing up to her family was 👌🏻. The chemistry between them was just so so good. That feeling when you find the person who sees you for you was everything 🥹. It’s definitely a slow burn but the pay off was 🥵😮‍💨. This was such a fun read and I could not put it down! Love this series so much!