⭐️ARC Read⭐️
Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey was so freaking cute! As a die-hard hockey romance girl, I couldn’t wait to head back to Boston and the Bearcats hockey team—this time, for rookie Robbie Corrigan’s story.

We’re also introduced to D1 softball pitcher Skylar Paige, and let me tell you, the rivals-to-lovers and fake dating combo did not disappoint. Tessa Bailey delivers her signature witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and plenty of steam. 🔥

Robbie is fun, free-spirited, and impossible not to love, while Skylar brings a more serious, closed-off vibe. Watching their dynamic evolve from fake to something real was the best kind of slow burn.

If you love your sports romances light, flirty, and full of heart, this one’s a must-read. Mark your calendars—Pitcher Perfect hits shelves on September 9, 2025!
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Tropes you’ll love:
🏒 Reformed playboy
🥎 Rivals to lovers
🏒 Fake dating
🥎 Grumpy x sunshine
🏒 Sports romance
🥎 Slow burn that pays off

First off, thank you to NetGalley and AvonBooks for this ARC copy to read and give my honest review.
Wow, WOW! I loved this book! This is probably my second favorite in Tessa’s Hot Shots series (Wells and Josephine still have my heart). A fake dating enemies to lovers romance that brought the heat and the comedy?! I loved Robbie “Redbeard” Corrigan and Skylar “Rocket” Page together, they had great banter, Robbie had some memorable hilarious quips, and the two of them were heating up the pages quick.

I loved the setting of the Page family’s house and crazy games in Rhode Island, it gave this book the perfect summer camp style vibes even if Skylar’s family was a little crazy. Robbie fell hard and first for Skylar and I enjoyed seeing his character growth from his casual side character boyish qualities from earlier in the series to this man who was willing to grow up and change for the better on his own terms to prove his affections for Skylar. Meanwhile, Skylar’s growth was more subtle, she held her own but inside was hurting and had some serious self doubts, she needed a confidence boost and to have someone show her how amazing she really is and Robbie gave her that.

The spice was hot and heavy per usual with a Tessa Bailey book and yet also had some serious heart in it as well, this felt like a good build up of a relationship between our two lovers and felt natural. I was rooting for these two from the start and loved watching their relationship grow and blossom, I mean that man saved her from drowning and did ridiculous things with her family for her, if that’s not love, I don’t know what is! Overall, if you enjoy Tessa Bailey books and have enjoyed the Hot Shot Series, this book is a must read.

Big thanks to the universe (and Tessa’s publisher) for putting Pitcher Perfect up for Read Now, and to Ash for having lightning-fast fingers 😉

“He wore himself out. He wants a bath and a lasagna.”
Same, Robbie. So much same.

Redbeard and Rocket for the win. This book was so sweet and so hot. Ugh. I think what I loved most was seeing a different (or maybe the real) side of Robbie. He was kind, honest, and an absolute dream. Who knew all that was hiding under an orgasm donor # 1 hoodie? I will never look at OJ’s or speedo bathing suits the same again. I was also genuinely proud of him as a main character. And the scenes around 80 percent? My heart.

Skylar is basically me. Not in the sports sense, but I did stare at my journal supplies halfway through and decide I needed more. Her family dynamic? Owe. Right in the feels. She is so strong and I’m glad she got the love she deserves in the end.

This book gave me all the giggles, all the swoons, all the feelings. It was easy, hot, and full of heart, and now I’m sad it’s over. I highly recommend it and the books before.

xx

Definitely a 5 ⭐ read for me!! This book was so damn good!! Ugh probably my favorite Tessa Bailey book so far!! The humor and the spicy were perfection!! This is one of the more rare books I've read where I adored both of the main characters too.

When Tessa Bailey announced this was available one NetGalley. I ran over here and snagged up so fast. I loved all her books so far. Thanks to Tessa Bailey, her publisher and NetGalley. This one was so cute. Robbie is big hot shot hockey player in NHL. Skylar Page is pitcher. She loves it.
It has some fake dating into lovers. He falls first but too scared to admit it to her. It was a fun sports romance book. I high recommend to move forward in the series.

My favorite book so far in the series! The banter between Robbie and Skylar is top tier and so fun! This book had everything I’ve come to expect and love from a Tessa Bailey book: a spicy and witty love story where you can’t help but fall in love with the characters.

This series continues to be great and this book delivers for fans of the existing books. Really enjoyed it and I know my romance book club will too!

The writing style of this book makes you want to keep reading but the main characters were a bit meh. The story was predictable, which most romances are, but there wasn’t anything super special about either of the characters.

It was a good book but only an average rating for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

This took me a bit to get into, because let’s be honest the MMC does not come off great from the beginning. But I do love the redeemable playboy trope, especially when he falls first and boy does he fall hard. I loved seeing a FMC being a top athlete in Softball, it was a fun change from Ice Skating or Gymnastics. Skylar and Robbie’s competitiveness made their connection feel more real, and a way to see each other in ways that others overlooked. This ended up being a great way to spend my lazy Saturday. Now I just want that Madden and Eve book…

For the most part, a fun and light sports romance--perfect for fans of the fake dating trope. The couple seemed cute enough, but it did seem like things were happening so fast. The story takes place over a much more compressed timeline than I'd expected from the blurb; other than the epilogue, it's about three weeks from the time "Rocket" and "Redbeard" meet until they are completely loved up. Two of those weeks they are barely together, and she spends much of the week in which they are together convinced that she's in love with someone else. It's virtually insta-love on his side of things, and he does a ton of things that make him quite lovable to her. It makes sense she'd fall for him...just maybe over a slightly longer period.

Fans of the series will appreciate appearances from the Boston Bearcats we've seen in earlier books. And based on breadcrumbs here, there will be at least two more books in the series.

This one’s a deliciously addictive ride from Tessa Bailey, packed with her signature sharp wit and scorching chemistry. I loved how the romance slowly builds from their fiery clashes to something tender and honest. The way Robbie and Skylar push each other to grow while battling their own vulnerabilities felt so authentic. I’m all about romances where the characters are flawed but fiercely determined to be better for each other, and this delivered that beautifully. The writing style is witty yet tender, with dialogue that feels natural and sparks with chemistry. I found myself rooting for them hard and laughing out loud at their banter. Overall, this book left me glowing and happy.

Cheesy at times, but I love a romance where the guy falls first and falls so much harder. He was obsessed from the start and I was here for it. The third act break up felt weak to me and I could've done without it. It also set up some side plots for future stories, which is expected in romances, but it their inclusion felt kind of sloppy and half hearted - there was some serious opportunity for adding depth to the story and making a strong base, but instead since the main characters didn't really seem to care, it made them seem like terrible friends.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! I have enjoyed this series and was excited to see that she focused on Robbie and Skylar. I loved that it blended the previous books storyline and gave us their perspective in that moment. I loved the dynamic they had - both super competitive athletes and great banter. I really enjoyed all the different relationships. The dialogue and actions within those relationships seemed pretty realistic. I did feel like the progression seemed unrealistic but it didn’t necessarily take away from the story. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and I am excited to see where the next book in the series goes.

Enemies to lovers, Fake dating, Hockey Romance and MMC falls first… sign me up! I absolutely loved the chemistry between Skylar and Robbie. I loved their dual POVs. I loved seeing an MMC that showed real vulnerability and knows how to do a true romantic gesture to get the girl. Chefs kiss! Tessa Bailey really delivered with this one. Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley for this ARC!

Tessa’s books are an interesting thing to me. I like the ideas behind the plot, but the payoff usually doesn’t land hard for me. Fake relationship to make someone else want them is a fun trope, but Robbie’s insta love for Skylar wound up being too much for me. They barely knew each other. I’m glad though that it looks like we are getting a book for Madden and Eve.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

In the fourth book of this series, we are re-introduced to one of the rookie “orgasm donor” hockey players from the second & third books, Robbie! We also meet the sister of the guy that flirted with the girl from book 3, Skylar! This book is an enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating sports romance. It combines the sports of baseball and hockey! I loved this book so much, Tessa is so great with writing spicy scenes but also developing the characters! Skylar brings home Robbie for their annual family games to help Skylar with flirting and other training sessions to get her childhood crush to finally notice her. I loved how Robbie integrated himself into the family and made them see Skylar for who she is!

I really enjoyed this one. It was very sweet and fun! And the spice was plenty good. My only complaint was the insta-love. Still a great read!

When I say I love Tessa Bailey books, THIS is what I’m talking about. So steamy and fun! The rookies have been my favorite side characters since The Au Pair Affair, so I was pumped to get Robbie’s book. Skylar is a refreshing Tessa FMC. A determined, witty, college athlete with a relatable relationship with her planner. I enjoyed the effortless understanding and respect they had for each other’s needs and lifestyles surrounding their sports.

Do I think the speed of their feelings and reforming of his playboy antics were unrealistic? Yes. Do I care? Absolutely not. Robbie had it BAD and I ate it all up, no crumbs. “I’ll give you as many as you can fucking stand, Skylar. Swear to god, just set me loose.” 🫨🫠🥵

If you love Tessa’s books, add this to your TBR! Pub date Sep 09 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC! 🫶🏻

Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey, the fourth book in the Big Shots series, features a fun fake dating romance between a pitcher and a hockey player. It’s a great mix of competition and banter, and I loved seeing a female athlete story in the mix.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey follows a pro hockey player and a D1 softball player who embark on a fake dating fiasco to help make her brother's bff jealous, but slowly leads to the duo falling for each other instead!

Such a unique storyline that I absolutely fell in love with and honestly think is an underused trope! This was such a fun ride that I couldn't put down and the banter between the two characters made it even more engaging. Tessa Bailey continues to impress and I continue to eat up each new installment to the Big Shots series!

To the shock of no one, I rated this five stars and absolutely will shout to the rooftops that you need to add this series to your TBR. It only gets better and better!