I loved this story! Another successful addition to Tessa Bailey’s sports romance endeavor. I really liked both MCs, especially Robbie. My only detraction is this was a little insta lovey, despite aiming for a more fake dating focus. But didn’t detract much, I was very into the story and finished it in a day! I hope we get Madden and Eve’s story next.

Tessa books are always hilarious and PITCHER PERFECT does not disappoint. We have our typical hero, who is down bad immediately (my favorite trope) AND there's great character development with his character. Tessa's sports books really hit the spot and I can't wait for her other books (esp Mailer and Elton!!!!)

Read this one so fast!! Insta-love, fake dating, obsessed MMC (he falls first) - what more could you want! I also really loved the character development in this book.

You definitely should read dream girl drama first since this starts off at a setting in that book.

Pitcher Perfect was a fun ride from beginning to end. Robbie and Skylar’s relationship had this chaotic, competitive spark that made every scene between them full of tension and teasing. The fake dating setup gave just the right amount of forced closeness and emotional slip-ups, and I loved watching Robbie go from cocky to completely undone. He’s funny, loyal, and clearly way in over his head, and that made his softer moments land even harder.

Some of the emotional beats felt a little rushed, and I wouldn’t have minded more time for Skylar to process things on her own. But the balance between steam and story was solid, and their connection felt genuine despite the speed. The family wilderness competition added a great backdrop and gave the romance space to breathe without losing momentum.

What stood out most was how much heart this story had beneath all the banter and heat. It’s not just about fake dating and flirtation- it's about showing up for someone, proving you're more than a first impression, and figuring out what real love looks like when it catches you completely off guard. Check this one out if you have the chance!

Ummmmm. I had told myself I would stop reading Tessa Bailey books because this whole series has been flop city for me. At first I thought this would be different, but I was wrong. It's the same. They're all the same. The smut is now completely cringe because it's ALL THE SAME. And what's his face kept referring to Skylar as "the girl" and "this girl" during the scenes and I hated it.

Tessa Bailey challenge: write a different man from any of the other men she's written, level: impossible.

Just to give some background, I am a huge Tessa Bailey fan. I find her characters to be vulnerable and likable.
Although this was a really fun book to read, it was not my favorite book of hers. I found the romance to be too instant. There wasn't much of a build-up. I also felt like so much of the book was building an Eva/Madden storyline. That being said, I love the Hot Shots series, and would still recommend that fans of the series read Pitcher Perfect.

Pitcher Perfect is a fun, fast-paced romance that unexpectedly packs a lot of heart in the story. Even though I'm not a big fan of insta-love, I found Robbie's feelings especially endearing, and given what we uncover about Skylar's background throughout the story, it's really not surprising at all that she fell so fast and hard for Robbie when he showed up for her in the ways that he did.

My one real gripe with the book is that there are a few instances where she writes as if the story is being told from the future and not as if we're going through things with them ("But it wouldn't be long before she found a weak spot. She never expected to be responsible for it.") This happens at least three times and it's jarring as hell because the rest of the book isn't written this way. It just feels sloppy. There's also a line in one of the earlier sex scenes where Robbie says "college girl pussy" which feels gross in a way that also seems to conflict with all this sudden growth Robbie's got going on.

Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes he falls first. Not sure if there's enough sports for it to feel like a sports romance to me, and even though this is literally fake dating, it didn't hit the spot for that trope for me.

This was a “read now” title I clicked on and unfortunately it is a DNF - this book is absolutely insufferable. 😭

My favorite Tessa Bailey to date!!!

This book had me squealing in ALL the ways and as someone with a weakness for gingers, thank you!! And then you add my favorite sport (baseball/softball) with my favorite sports romance (hockey) AND the fake dating / teaching tropes????? My kryptonite. Binge read this book in four hours. My poor friends will be sick of me talking about this book and the "lessons" Redbeard teaches Rocket long before the books release in September.

I REALLY hate to say it, but I think it's time Tessa Bailey and I take a break. Her books have been super hit or miss for me. The ones I enjoyed, I LOVED, and the ones I didn't enjoy, I REALLY didn't enjoy. I adored Fangirl Down, the first in this series, but since that book, this series has been a miss for me. I can totally get down with cringy scenes with the right romance, but this one just didn't do it for me.

I might take a Tessa Bailey break, let her crank out some books, and try my luck with the ones that rise to the top. Again, I am SO sad these haven't been working for me because I ADORE Tessa Bailey as a human, the books just haven't been working for me!

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC!

WOW. oh my god WOW - this is now one of my favorite books in the series. robbie and skylar's chemistry in this book was absolutely amazing, she's a take-no-bullshitter, and he's just in love with everything about her. "who could have guessed the girl whose first words to him were 'fuck you' would end up becoming his everything?"

i loved robbie and skylar's story so much, especially how he's willing to change everything about his infamous reputation he has with mailer just to be with her. (which btw, will be sat for mailer's story when he finally realizes what his best friend & teammates have found.) something about robbie determined to prove to skylar how much he loves her followed by her wanting to reciprocate those exact same feelings even when she's nervous it's not enough really showed how much of a great match they were.

tessa bailey ate with this book ... what an amazing pairing. the storyline, their relationship, the setting, the CONTENT and SPICE?? astounding. astronomical. amazing. this was my very first arc that i've read ever, and i am extremely happy. i loved the writing and how the two first have a rocky start that leads to robbie offering her his help in securing "the guy," but in the end HE becomes THE guy and wins her over (he already had her in the first place.)

Thank you so much for the advanced copy of Pitcher Perfect. I absolutely loved this book. I didn't think that it could get better than Sig & Chloe in this series, but this one was an instant page turner. The chemistry and banter that started from their first meeting throughout the entire book was sensational. I loved the reformed rake turned swooning male lead, Robbie. It also showed how well people like Skylar and mask their insecurities and anxieties by outwardly showing their Type-A qualities. This book also took a little bit of the role reversal and didn't show Skylar distraught and eating ice cream out of the container, sad about their fight, it showed a grown man on his couch with his friends, his face in a lasagna.. and I liked that. It captured how much he felt for her and the toll that their fight took on him. I truly believe that this is the best book Tessa has written since "It Happened One Summer" and cannot wait for this one to be on the shelves of my store!

Tessa Bailey did it again! I loved this addition to the Big Shots series. Robbie didn’t stick out to me in the Dream Girl Drama but he sure made himself known in this novel. He is the sweetest, dirty talking golden retriever that I’ve encountered and I’m obsessed. Skylar is a girl after my own heart with her love for softball and awkwardness around men. 5/5 stars for Pitcher Perfect and it’s rom com, awkward, fake dating vibes. Thank you for allowing me to read early with an ARC!

This was a classic Tessa, so fun! We are still following the Bearcats hockey team, and this time rookie and womanizer Robbie is getting his time to shine. The moment he meets Skylar he knows something is different about her, and that she is worth giving up his bachelor lifestyle.

This had fake dating and dating lessons which I always have a great time reading, so I definitely recommend!

Overall 3.5/5 rounded up

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for a review copy of this book, all opinions my own!

I love a good fake dating sports romance, and this one had all the right pieces. Hot hockey player, spicy female lead (she's a softball pitcher), family shenanigans, fabulous friend group, reformed rake turned perfect boyfriend, hilarious banter, great sexy times, and that "falling for each other on the page in real time" feeling that makes you want to kick your feet. I will absolutely be buying a shelf trophy copy of this one on publication day, because just thinking about it makes me smile.

I received a review copy from netgalley (thanks to the publisher and author!), but this opinion is 100% my own.

Unfortunately this one just wasn't for me (and that's OK). Tessa Bailey's writing style just doesn't click on my end, so unfortunately I had to DNF this one.

This book is the next in Tessa Bailey's Big Shots series and it's Robbie and Skylar's story. I am a sucker for enemies to lovers, so I immediately loved their "meet cute" and I was hooked from there! I especially loved the golden retriever/black cat energy that we get from Robbie and Skylar.

Robbie has my whole heart. Things start a little rocky for him, but he falls so hard and so fast that you just can't wait for Skylar to finally see his big heart and deep ability to love. I absolutely love Skylar (she reminds me of me) with her need to please and inability to trust someone's love for her.

As with most of Tessa's books, I could not put this one down. It's sweet, spicy, heartfelt, and funny. Just what I needed for a rainy weekend at home.

I can't wait for the next book in the series! I really hope it's Madden and Eve's book! I'm so invested in their story already!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.

Every time I read another "Big Shots" book I think it's my new favorite of the series and this was no exception! Loved watching Robbie turn from a comedic playboy into a man IN LOOOOOVE. The story and romance was very sweet, and the evolving family dynamics added some depth to both the main characters. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

I love Tessa Baileys books. Her latest, Pitcher Perfect hit it out of the park! It was a five star book!

Pitcher Perfect is the next book in Tessa Baileys Big Shot series of interconnected stand-alone romances. Our boy Robbie finally is brought to his knees by powerhouse D1 softball pitcher Skylar. And boy does he have it bad enough that he agrees to fake date her so she can draw the attention of her brother's best friend.
What I loved: the pinning during fake dating, the inner monologues of both characters in third person, how Robbie immediately sees Skylar’s value and resets her families opinions of her.
Like all Tessa Bailey novels, there are outrageous comedic scenes that will have you laughing out loud.
This installment might be best in the series.
A world of thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this e-arc.