Thank you to Tessa Bailey, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely LOVED this book! Fangirl Down was one of my top books last year, and then I hated The Au Pair Affair and was kinda meh about Dream Girl Drama. So I went into this book with low expectations, which was unwarranted because this book was amazing! I loved Robbie and Skylar so much. This book had everything I love about a Tessa Bailey book: the silliness, the goofiness, the good time vibes. I ate it up. Fake dating is a top tier trope and I loved the way it was used here!

THE ARC GODS WERE ON MY SIDE, AND TESSA BAILEY DELIVERED.

I loved Skylar and Robbie. I loved that Skylar didn’t take any shit from the male athletes and she was such a type A personality. It countered Robbie’s trying to be a reformed playboy persona really well. While this is an insta-love story from Robbie’s POV, I genuinely liked Skylar’s slower-to-love feelings for Robbie, given their first interaction at the park for a game of baseball. While I’ll keep a lot of spoilers about the book to myself, just know that Robbie is down bad and pining for his girl, while teaching her how to flirt for a good 60% of the story.

After a bit of a disappointment from Dream Girl Drama, this book restored my faith in this series. A HUGE thank you to the publishers for the advanced reader copy! I cannot wait for this book to hit the shelves.

Classic Tessa Bailey writing. I don’t have too much experience with this series of hers but it was fun. The insta-love may not be for everyone but this is a man who would lay down his life for his girl. If you’re a fan of Tessa’s, you’d have a fun time with this one.

I loved this book so much! I love Tessa's writing, how funny she is but how she can also make you feel all kinds of things from empathy to kindness to hate and loss and love and all of that so perfectly. Pitcher Perfect was almost perfect for me.

My only problem with the book is a spoiler about the overall last 50 pages of the book so I am not going to get into detail about it.

It was a very enjoyable book with a dirty mouthed man as always in Tessa's books. You'll laugh and get mad and then get emotional and love this book when you are done.

ARC provided on NetGalley

While this was a cute book and a good time to read, I’ll admit it’s probably a little forgettable in the long run of Tessa’s library.

This book includes:
🥎 fake dating
🥎 loath to love
🥎 he falls first, and harder
🥎 golden retriever boy
🥎 type A girl
🥎 dating “lessons”
🥎 a Cheesecake Factory cameo
🥎 multiple open-door spicy scenes
🥎 endearing nicknames
🥎 “good girl”

This was a fun, easy read. One thing that I like about Tessa’s books is that she plays up the early 2000s romcom vibes of characters getting in cooky scenarios that would never happen. And while that’s the context of how this book started I really didn’t feel like any of the scenes had me in a choke hold of entertainment. I still enjoyed the characters and their dynamic. The conflict was a very rational one, and had a fairly reasonable solution that they came to.

I know in RomComs we ignore the timelines, but I couldn’t get over the fact that the entire book happens in about two weeks. 😂 I’ll also note that while I have mixed feelings on epilogues this one wasn’t worth it.

I am a little perplexed about which character is getting the next book…. I think I understand who it is after this one.

I will read whatever Tessa Bailey writes always and I will usually say that her books are all pretty similar. This one felt a little different though. I loved the concept of the family games and the fake dating. I loved all of the tropes in this book. But most of all I really loved the character growth we got - even if it was within a weekish which feels crazy - but if anyone can make it work it's Tessa Bailey. I am so excited for Eve and Madden's story as well as Mailer and the owner of the team.

Pitcher Perfect is another spicy, banter filled addition to Tessa Bailey’s sports romance world, but for me, it didn’t quite hit the same high notes as the rest of the series. While the premise had promise: an enemies to lovers, fake dating romance between a cocky NHL rookie and a no nonsense softball pitcher, the execution fell a bit flat.

This was marketed as enemies to lovers, but there was barely any tension or hate between Robbie and Skylar. Instead, it leaned heavily into instalust, and I found myself missing the slower burn buildup that usually makes Bailey’s romances so satisfying. The emotional stakes felt underdeveloped, and some of the plot points veered into cringey and unrealistic territory.

That said, it is Tessa Bailey, and with that comes her signature witty banter and top tier steam. Robbie has his moments as a charming, over the top golden retriever MMC, and Skylar is strong and grounded enough to balance him out... most of the time.

Overall, while Pitcher Perfect had its fun and spicy moments, it didn’t quite live up to the rest of the series for me. A decent read, but not a standout.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon for the eARC of this book.

Thank you to Avon for the ARC via NetGalley.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! I couldn’t get enough of the banter and tension between the MCs in this book 😍

I was able to read this book early through Net Galley. I did not know what to expect when I started reading about Skylar and Robbie, but I really enjoyed it. I was expecting a light hearted easy read, and it was that and more. It made me laugh out loud and not want to put the book down. I was left wishing I could have more of this love story.

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/9626a3c8-e140-4639-88fa-302a6be60672

Favorite tropes in this book
🏒 he falls first
🥎 spicy lessons
🏒 fake - ish dating because really, who were you fooling here? NOT ME!!
🥎 nick names

first off, lets talk main characters. I LOVEEEE Skylar. As a fellow softball girlie who loves baseball I relate to her passion for the sport and competition in general. I love that softball/baseball was so important to the main characters even though Robbie was the “professional” Skylar’s career and passion never came second and i cannot stress enough how much that made me swoon. Skylar is a badass and I would very much like to be her friend and teammate.

Robbie is a golden retriever and everyone deserves to be loved with as much heart that he does. Everything that man did was a green flag.

This is a top Tessa Bailey favorite for me
Thank you NetGalley , Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC

Thanks a bunch to Avon and Harper Voyager, Net Galley and Tessa Bailey for the ARC of the latest in the Dream Girl Drama Series!

I was feeling kind of icky after the third one only because I really couldn’t get over the whole step sibling relationship. I know there’s nothing inherently “wrong” but it definitely felt like it so I was glad to have the opportunity to read the next one shortly after!

Pitcher Perfect may be my new favorite in the series—I’m still debating between Fan Girl Down and this one. It was really nice to see one of the rookies get a redemption story!! Skylar was also such a cute FMC and veryyy relatable (at least for me). Having the two of them team up in Skylar’s family competition was a super fun way to bring them together and I loved every second of it. It really appealed to my competitive side and brought out some fun tropes—forced proximity, fake dating, etc.

The relationship obviously moved super quick, almost unrealistically so, but if you can breeze past that you’ll enjoy this one as much as I did! Robbie and Skylar have undeniable chemistry and it was nice to see the two of them grow as individuals and together. There was the classic Tess Bailey spice you come to expect out of her novels so be prepared for that🌶️ Overall, this was one was quick and fun and definitely recommend if you’re looking for a short & spicy sports romance. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!! I’m assuming it will be Madden and Eva?!

If you like:
🏒Mutual Pining,
🥎Fake Dating
🏒AthletexAthlete
🥎GoldenRetrieverxBlackCat
🏒Reformed Playboys
🥎and FMCs who don't take shit
then you are going to love Pitcher Perfect.

I need Tessa to stop putting narcotics in her books, because I swear to the book gods I'm gonna fail a drug test if she keeps this up. Okay, but for real. I fell head over heels for Robbie and Skylar's story. If you thought you knew Robbie Corrigan, one half of the Orgasm Donors, think again. Robbie Corrigan is not all he seems. All he needed was to be knocked down a peg by a stunning D1 All-American softball pitcher, while simultaneously being reminded of the kind if person he wanted to be. Skylar Page meets Robbie blow for blow, and gives him the wake-up call he didn't know he needed.

We got a preview of their first meeting in Dream Girl Drama, and I knew I'd be sold from the first time they were on the page. Watching Robbie do a full 180, not just for Skylar, but for himself as well was both a 10/10 reading experience and laughable to see his teammates' and family's reactions. The love and support that Robbie provides for Skylar that she reciprocated in turn was *chef's kiss*. I am literally obsessed with them. I also LOVED the preview to Big Shots #5, and am so excited for that (possibly?) final installment.

I will say that I am typically a 3rd act break up hater, but this one I didn't mind. Mostly because they didn't really break up, they were just kind of in a fight, but it served its purpose well! The reunion was worth every minute of stress and me yelling at my kindle that they just need to communicate better.

Pitcher Perfect has made its way onto my Tessa Bailey must reads, and I fear may replace Fangirl Down as my Tessa comfort read.

5 stars – Adorable, steamy, and perfectly paced!

Pitcher Perfect is an utterly charming rom-com that had me smiling from start to finish. Tessa Bailey delivers lovable, down-to-earth characters with sparkling chemistry and a plot that’s equal parts sweet and steamy.

The romance develops organically with just the right amount of tension and spice, and the emotional beats feel genuine without ever dragging the pace.

This one hits it out of the park (this is me making a joke) ;)

I never get tired of Tessa baileys writing. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole book. I loved seeing the more serious side to Robbie and loved how Skylar put him in his place

This was a really enjoyable read. I really loved Robbie and Skylar and Robbie, and Robbie, oh and did I mention I loved Robbie??
I literally don’t know why but he has stolen every part of my soul.(my poor husband)

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve adored much of this series so I was definitely looking forward to this.

Skylar is in long time love with her stepbrother’s best friend who doesn’t view her as anything other than his friend’s little sister.

Enter Robbie, one of the players (in more ways than one) from previous books in the series who wears the o donor shirt and is also a rookie hockey player.

Fake dating commences and in almost no time at all, Skylar stops thinking about anyone other than Robbie.

It’s instalove, and he falls first. She’s obsessed with planners, he’s obsessed with her.

Secondary characters felt thin in this one, and I really didn’t like how Robbie’s character evolution didn’t include an ephiphany on how to treat women other than Skylar.

I look forward to reading future books by Ms Bailey, but this one wasn’t for me.



Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the DRC

I absolutely loved this book! It took me a little bit to get all the characters straight at first, but once I did, I couldn’t stop reading. The enemies-to-friends dynamic was done so well—filled with tension, banter, and just the right amount of heart. I also really enjoyed the layered family dynamics, which added depth and warmth to the story.

What I didn’t realize going in was that this is part of a series—and now I have to go back and read the first three books! Tessa Bailey has such a talent for creating vivid characters and emotional connections. This one hit all the right notes for me.

Highly recommend to fans of small-town romance, found family vibes, and those deliciously slow-burn relationships!

Tessa just keeps killing it with this sports romance series. I love a sweet MMC and love seeing Tessa represent women and their interest in sports. I loved the glimpses of the side characters in this one and the combination of side characters and family dynamics made this one extra fun. This is a perfect quick paced romance read for a rainy Sunday, beach day, or anything in between.

Whatever you thought you knew about Robbie Corrigan from the previous books in Tessa Bailey’s Big Shots series… throw it all out the window. In Pitcher Perfect, Robbie Corrigan is this unexpectedly super sweet man who falls head over heels in love with Skylar Page, a softball pitcher and sister of Robbie’s baseball rival, Elton. We get to witness who we knew as a rather immature playboy grow up in real time. He’s smitten with Skylar from the moment he lays eyes on her, and despite her resistance, they have a connection from the start. The two of them have an innate ability to see each other for who they truly are, seemingly without any effort.

I didn’t enjoy the 3rd act breakup. Do I understand why it happened? Yes. Was it necessary for the plot? Yes, probably. Still hate 3rd act breakups.

“I’m playing the long game.”

“I’ve never wanted anyone to know me so f—king bad and like what they see.”

The yellow kite 💛🪁

🏒 Fake dating
⚾️ Brother’s rival
🏒 Unrequited crush… until it isn’t
⚾️ Badass FMC
🏒 Reformed playboy
⚾️ Sexy lessons
🏒 “Mine”
⚾️ Slow burn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

A Five-Star Sports Romance That Scores Big on Heart, Heat, and Humor

Tessa Bailey’s Pitcher Perfect is a grand slam of a romance novel—equal parts steamy, funny, and heartfelt. With her signature blend of laugh-out-loud banter and emotional depth, Bailey crafts a story that will charm fans of enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and found family tropes from page one to the last pitch.

At the heart of the story is Robbie Corrigan, a rookie NHL player whose life seems pretty perfect: he’s just made it to the pros, has a reputation as a charming “orgasm donor,” and enjoys the attention that comes with it. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige—a no-nonsense softball pitcher who sees right through his player persona. Skylar is laser-focused, highly organized (with actual itineraries for her personal goals!), and completely uninterested in being another name on Robbie’s long list of flings.

The tension between Skylar and Robbie is electric from the start. Their initial interactions are full of witty, fast-paced dialogue and that delicious friction that only great enemies-to-lovers stories can deliver. But Bailey doesn’t stop at the surface-level tension. As the two are thrown together in a fake relationship—complete with a wilderness competition and Skylar’s not-so-secret crush on someone else—they begin to peel back each other’s emotional layers. What starts as a favor turns into something deeper, something real, and watching them slowly come to terms with their feelings is immensely satisfying.

One of the standout aspects of this novel is the emotional growth both characters undergo. Robbie is more than just a flirtatious hockey star; beneath his charm is someone deeply loyal, protective, and yearning for something real. Skylar, too, has to navigate what she really wants in a relationship, and her journey is equally compelling. Bailey handles their individual arcs with tenderness, humor, and just the right amount of angst.

And then there’s the spice—Pitcher Perfect delivers. The intimacy between Skylar and Robbie is not just physically charged but emotionally resonant. Every steamy moment is layered with meaning, vulnerability, and care, making their connection feel incredibly genuine.

The supporting cast only adds to the story’s appeal. From the chaos of the family wilderness competition to the cameos by characters from the previous books in the series, there’s a sense of community and warmth that deepens the reading experience. Robbie’s friendships, Skylar’s family, and even the unexpected appearances from familiar faces all make the world feel rich and lived in.

In the end, Pitcher Perfect is a romance that delivers on every front: it’s funny, flirty, deeply emotional, and thoroughly enjoyable. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Tessa Bailey or new to her work, this book will remind you why she’s a standout in the contemporary romance genre.

If you’re looking for a sports romance that brings the heat while also tugging at your heartstrings, Pitcher Perfect is a must-read.