I liked this one better than the prior two books in the series. But we’ve gotten so far from the first book that there is no longer a mention of Wells and Josephine. This book was spicy but also had some of the best character development in this series so far. A great ending and epilogue too.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

Pitcher Perfect had a bit of a rocky start for me. The POV kept switching between Skylar Paige and Robbie Corrigan, and at first I was honestly confused about whose head I was supposed to be in. By around chapter four it started to click, and once I got into the rhythm of it, the story became much easier to follow and more enjoyable.

Skylar does not like Robbie in the beginning at all. He comes across as your typical cocky hockey player, bragging about hookups and giving off every reason to avoid him. But when her best friend can’t make it to her family’s yearly adventure competition, Skylar asks Robbie to step in as her fake boyfriend and teammate. And her main goal? To make her longtime crush Madden jealous. We all know how that usually turns out.

What I loved was how the competition pushed them closer. Their banter turned into late-night conversations, and slowly Skylar stopped focusing on Madden altogether. Robbie really grew on me too. The way he defended Skylar when her family was being harsh was such a standout moment, and I adored how protective he was without being overbearing. It made their connection feel so genuine.

If I had one complaint, it’s that the ending felt rushed. That being said, the epilogue tied everything together in a really sweet way and left me with a smile on my face when I finished.

Pitcher Perfect, is the fourth installment in the series. Here we meet Robbie, a rookie NHL player who’s fully embracing the bachelor lifestyle. Until he meets Skylar, a softball pitcher who isn’t impressed by his charm or flirtatious ways. She has eyes for her brother's best friend, Madden. Robbie knowing this, proposes to fake date to get Madden's attention. She agrees to fake date Robbie, only if he gives her lessons.. In the bedroom..

I enjoyed my time with this book. I know it's advertised as an enemies to lovers.
I would say this is a soft enemies to lovers and insta love. Some people love/hate the trope...I'm indifferent. The enemy's part felt too light. I wanted more rivalry, clashes, and witty fighting to build up the tension. But, I did love their comedic banter and nicknames for one another. Which gave them a charming and lovable dynamic. Also love the sneak peak into what's to come for the next book.... I'm excited!! Overall the book was a sweet, fun and enjoyable read.

I want to thank Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book is the DEFINITION of kicking your feet giddy!!!!!

I did not want this one to end. The way I was smiling like a fool and cracking up the whole way through. We get it all: sports romance, fake dating, enemies to lovers, one bed, forced proximity - all in a story that makes you hang on every word and fall in love with the characters. I would trust Tessa Bailey with my LIIIIFFFEE!

Boston is one of my all time favorite cities and it truly came to life in this book.

Something I love about Tessa's books is how I completely am not a sports girl at ALLLLL and yet while reading her books I become so enthusiastic about the characters sports!

I also did not realize this is book 4 of the Big Shots series and it didn’t impact my experience! I read book 1 but have not read books 2 and 3, and I still will be inhaling them because her books are truly chicken soup for the soul.

"Here's a lesson for you, Rocket. A guy doesn't choose to spend a week with a girl's deranged family unless he's into her. Like, really fucking into her. Maybe I lied to myself about doing this for noble reasons-and yeah, fine, that was part of it. I wanted to show you and myself I'm not a tool. But at the heart of it, Skylar, I wanted so badly to be with you. I was afraid of not seeing you again. And now? Now, I'm petrified of that. I couldn't actually do it."

I thinkk this might just be my favorite Tessa Bailey romance?! I just adored Robbie with my whole heart and soul and Skylar I just want to be her bestie I can stand up and defend (like come on now Eve, you get her family talk her down like that for YEAR at those games?! I think not). 

I loved the premise of the the play-boy hockey rookie falling for the softball/ baseball girl that could care less about him and gives him shit upon first encounter (we love a quality level of sass from our FMC in this reading account). The family games aspect was so fun and the "teach me" moments ramped up the spice. I liked this book so much that I left my buddy reading group in the dust by 

"I didn't expect Skylar. She's clever, funny, driven, cool, and…. God, she's fucking beautiful." Had his stomach gotten stuck in his windpipe? "I'm here for her. No other reason. She's reason enough."

💙Fake Relationship 
🏒Pro-Hockey MMC x College Softball FMC Player 
❤️Black Cat x Golden Retriever

The cross over for the other three books isn't super crazy either that you could probably read as a standalone - but I really liked Fangirl Down nd Dream Girl Drama soooo give them a chance too! 


Final Rating: 4.75⭐, 3🌶️

Side note, Tessa did an amazing job teasing Eve and Madden's storyline! I realized their story was next before we got to that point in the book so I was a bit bummed with the spoiler of it but also duh of course Skylar was gonna fall for Robbie and Madden needed a new purpose. 

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This may be my favorite Tessa Bailey booked I've read. Robbie the reformed playboy was perfect the athletic Skylar. I loved their dynamic throughout the entire book.

Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a 3rd person, dual POV, hockey romance with the following tropes: fake dating, one bedroom, love triangle (sort of), reformed playboy, and found family.

If you like a light and smutty contemporary romance, then this is the book for you. Our main characters, Robbie and Skylar, are both competitive people with a soul-deep need to be seen and understood. There was a lot of cute banter in this book as well as deeper themes around having our needs met by the people in our lives and being seen for who we really are.

This was overall a fun read! I've read Fangirl Down, but now I am looking forward to reading the other 2 books about Sig and Burgess.

4.25 ⭐️ || 4 🌶️
Tessa Bailey, our chaotic spice queen, has done it again. I've been enjoying the Big Shots series and particularly loved Skylar and Robbie's book! I didn't see how Corrigan (aka offensive sweatshirt wearer and whip cream connoisseur) could have gotten an entire love story of his own, but I appreciated the growth of both main characters along their journey of fake dating, insane family competitions, and learning the spark was between the two of them all along.

Who would have thought a softball x hockey sports romance would have been a grand slam?

A HUGE thank you to Net Galley, Avon and Harper Voyager for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Tropes: fake dating, forced proximity, opposites attract, sports romance, rivals to lovers

I keep expecting Tessa Bailey to disappoint me, and I don’t know why. Today she got me to fall in love with a himbo who was previously known in other books for wearing an Orgasm Donor sweatshirt.

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Big Shots character series. Book 4.

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle.

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Sports romance

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Opposites attract, himbo MMC, hockey, softball, fake dating, intimacy lessons, other man drama.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Skylar and Robbie first meet at an impromptu pickup softball game. But when she shows her ultra competitive side, Robbie immediately fans head over heels. Now he’s fake dating her, helping her to learn to flirt to impress another guy, all at the expense of his own heart.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I’m ashamed to say I’ve had this ARC since the spring. And I put off reading it because I wasn’t sure I’d love it. Because I’m kind of dumb, apparently.

By now I should know that Tessa Bailey has the power to make me fall in love with unconventional main characters. Robbie Corrigan is that guy - he’s an air head, and on the surface simplistic… but Tessa Bailey made him literally irresistable.

Skylar held her own, too. I love an organized, opinionated, fierce queen. And I love that Robbie got her to be vulnerable.

As always… great plot, solid spice, absolutely unhinged dirty talk. I cried as Robbie cried into his lasagna. It was perfect.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey was a lighthearted and flirty read with Bailey’s signature charm woven throughout. The banter was fun, the chemistry between the characters was undeniable, and the baseball backdrop added a unique touch that made the romance stand out.
That being said, while I enjoyed the playful dynamic, I found some pacing issues and moments that felt a little rushed, leaving me wanting more depth in certain areas. Still, it delivered on the laughs, spice, and swoony moments that Tessa Bailey fans know and love.
Overall, this was a fun and entertaining romance—perfect for readers looking for something easy to devour in a single sitting!
Thank you to Tessa Bailey and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, this could have been a 5-star book. It was so close! Up until about 75%, it was. I absolutely adored Skylar, and especially Robbie, who just turned into a loyal little puppy around Skylar. But it got to a point where they were a bit... reckless. With their relationship and their lovemaking! That made me a bit uncomfortable. Oh, and the epilogue was super cheesy!

So I guess Au Pair Affair remains in my top spot for the series, but Pitcher Perfect is now a close second.

Loved, loved, loved this sweet sports romance. My new favorite Tessa Bailey book and perfect for anyone looking for a fun, flirty read.

My only issue with this story was the timeline seemed rather short for complete strangers to fall in love. Also, the Redbeard nickname did not work for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC.

Tessa Bailey knocked this one out of the park! HOMERUN FOR TESSA BAILEY! Specifically, Fenway Park because it's Boston babe. The main characters were so different than the other installments because they were about hockey and golf. The side characters did not feel overwhelming to me. The romance was so believable, likable, and well-developed as was the pacing and plotting. I adore the preview of previous characters. The pacing was easy to read and relatable. The plot kept thickening and made me want a hot dog or popcorn just like you're watching a game in real life.

Perfect if you like:
Sports Romance (but you don't have to read the series to love it)
Boston Babe!
Fake dating
Enemies to lovers
So many sports
Forced Proximity

I know there will be more from this author, and I am intrigued to what she writes next but already hints but no spoilers but Yankees?! Thank you so much to the author, Tessa Bailey the publisher Avon/Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this arc! You can send me the next ARC ASAP!

Tessa Bailey knocks it out of the park (pun intended) with Pitcher Perfect, the fourth installment in her Big Shots series. This sports romance is far more than the playful cover suggests—it’s spicy, swoony, and bursting with heart. Robbie, the cocky rookie NHL player with golden retriever energy, meets his match in Skylar, a perfectionist collegiate softball pitcher. What starts as a fake-dating scheme at a family wilderness competition quickly turns into lessons in love, growth, and vulnerability.

Bailey blends laugh-out-loud banter with emotional depth, delivering a story that balances spice with genuine character development. Robbie’s transformation from reformed playboy to devoted partner is irresistible, while Skylar’s strength and insecurities make her easy to root for. Their chemistry? Off the charts.

If you love fake dating, “he falls first,” competitive sports banter, or just a good old-fashioned golden retriever hero who gives it all for his girl, this book will leave you grinning. Despite a slightly bumpy third act, the payoff is worth it—especially the charming epilogue.

4⭐️- I Love It

What to Expect
    •    Fake dating & forced proximity
    •    Enemies to lovers
    •    Golden retriever MMC × competitive softball FMC
    •    “Teach me” trope
    •    Spicy lessons & only-one-bed tension

Release Date: September 9, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley, author Tessa Bailey and Avon and Harper Voyager for this electronic ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback. All thoughts opinions expressed are my own

Tessa Bailey rom coms are the perfect quick, fun, hilarious reads and this one is my new favorite of hers. Her MMCs are always total simps and I love it. Robbie is absolutely gone for Skylar from the jump and it’s nice to just read a story where they’re totally obsessed with each other and not ashamed of it. I loved this story in particular because of the family competition. It was funny, ridiculous, and something I could see my own family doing. It made the book fast paced and interesting while also lighthearted and low-stakes. If you love sports romances, fake dating, trying to make someone jealous, flirty banter, dating practice, family dynamics, competitive characters, reformed play-boys, or cute nicknames you’ll enjoy this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly I don’t know how she does it but with each book made I fall more and more in love with these characters and this series!! They have continuously been so good and I’m loving them. This was such a fun read, I was excited for Robbie’s book and Skylar couldn’t be more of a perfect heroine for him! They had the greatest banter and chemistry, and I’m a sucker for the fake dating trope. Continuing to see the other couples from the series throughout the books is my favorite too!

Thank you to Tessa & netgalley for the arc!

Format - EARC (netgalley)

Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Spice- 🌶 🌶

Series- Big Shots #4

Troupes- Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake dating, mutual pinning, he is crazy for her.


Did you wonder how a manchild who wears a orgasm donor shirt un-ironically and goes by Robbie was gonna be a hero in a romance novel? Me too! I really had no idea what I was getting into as I now do not read the blurbs on Tessa’s books I just dive in knowing she’s very likely to get it right. And damned if she did it again with this one! I went from actively wanting to push Robbie into traffic to rooting for him to get the girl.

Speaking of girl I loved ever single second of Sky giving him the what for and tearing down his dude bro mask to show the golden retriever, exclamation mark on the inside. She is the hammer needed to beat some sense into Robbie and I was living for it.

The Fake dating “teach me how to get the guy” lessons is a favorite and Tessa knows how to make those fictional men do it right. The Spice is spicing and the banter was witty and bantering. We also got some great hen talk with out previous Bearcats heroes which is always fun!

This is a great addition to this series! But Wells and Josephine still hold the top spot!

Thank you Tessa Bailey, Avon and netgalley for the advanced copy, it had no bearing on my opinions on this book.

<b>Robbie was a side character who’d walked into a love story already in progress.</b>

Pitcher Perfect is the absolute perfect read if you’re looking for a hero that’s down bad from the start and a heroine who could not be less interested from the jump. Robbie and Skylar meet at a baseball/hockey throw down set on a baseball field. That’s where Skylar shines. Robbie is obsessed from first glare, but once she pitches he just knows he’s gotta know her.

Unfortunately for Robbie, Skylar is already in love. So he does what any normal person would do and offers to help her make the guy she really loves jealous and to help teach her how to do relationship things… I think we can all guess how well that works out. We’ve got tension, an angst filled family athletic competition that includes Skylar’s dream guy, and a hero that’s just trying to show the heroine that the moment he met her he changed and how he could be so much better for her than her long time crush.

The relationship absolutely builds quickly and while Skylar takes a bit to be convinced, it’s not that much longer. They have good chemistry, they connect on a level they didn’t expect, and honestly this was the first Tessa Bailey book I was truly invested in and couldn’t stop reading since Hook, Line, and Sinker. It’s horny and it has some heart behind it all.

As always, another great book from this author! It’s a fun, cute, “pretend boyfriend” troupe type of book but also has some spice! Highly recommend and can be read as a standalone but also highly recommend the other books in the series.

I’m a Tessa Bailey fan — always — and this is another classic TB book. Fast paced, witty, smutty. If you’re looking for sports, *he falls first!*, and forced proximity - look no further 😎 I loved the role reversal of the FMC being a bit of a grump and the MMC being sunshine (really more like big dopey golden retriever energy!) and I enjoyed seeing a female athlete as the center of the story (her sporting was much more of the focus than his even though he is an NHL player) Loved it!