Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins and Tessa Bailey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pitcher Perfect is classic Tessa Bailey at her finest—funny, flirty, and full of characters I couldn’t help but root for.

We’ve got Robbie Corrigan, the rookie hockey player with a bit of a reputation, and Skylar Paige, a determined Division 1 softball pitcher who’s all about focus and discipline. Their worlds collide in the most awkward way. Skylar overhears Robbie bragging about his latest conquest, and instantly files him under “absolutely not.”

But when Skylar needs a fake boyfriend to help win over her family during their annual Page Stakes competition, Robbie volunteers. He also offers to be her “love coach” to help her catch her real crush—her brother’s best friend. Cue the forced proximity, competitive challenges, witty banter, and slow realisation that maybe the real romance isn’t with her original crush at all.

⸻

💭 My Review

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This one was exactly what I was hoping for—a fun, fast-paced, sports romance with the perfect balance of banter, competitiveness, and steam.

I was immediately invested in both Robbie and Skylar. Robbie is the kind of hero who starts as a loveable rogue but quickly reveals his soft, loyal, and surprisingly self-aware side. Skylar’s determination, sass, and subtle vulnerability made her the perfect match for him. Their chemistry was electric, and their snarky back-and-forth had me grinning constantly.

And the spice? Tessa Bailey does not disappoint. Every intimate moment had the perfect mix of heat and emotional connection.

The side characters (and cameos from the rest of the Big Shots series) added to the fun and made the world feel alive. I also loved how the competition element kept the pace quick and gave them moments to bond outside of purely romantic scenes.

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⭐ Overall

If you love:
• Fake dating with real feelings sneaking in
• Playful sports rivalry
• Humour and heat in equal measure
• A cocky hero who turns out to be soft for one person only

…then you’ll devour this.

For me, Pitcher Perfect delivered exactly what I come to Tessa Bailey for—laughs, lovable characters, a great dose of spice, and that warm, giddy feeling that makes you want to reread your favourite scenes the moment you finish.

Tessa Bailey has hit it out of the park with this book!

Redbeard and Rocket are one of my favourite couples. I cannot wait for everyone else to be able to experience this cute love story.

From enemies/rivals to lovers, to absolute perfection.

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25 STARS

God does Tessa Bailey know how to write a fun and spicy read!

Just like all her other books, Pitcher Perfect is pretty lighthearted, easy to read and very mid-2000s romcom.

Im never too critical about how factual and realistic sports romances are but I wouldn't recommend this if that is something that would stop you from being able to enjoy Pitcher Perfect.

- Hockey star (MMC)/college softball (FMC)
- Fake dating
- He falls first
- INSTA LOVE (y'all better watch out 👀)

Thankyou to Tessa Bailey, HarperCollins and NetGalley of an ARC of Pitcher Perfect.

Hilariously funny, with a deranged family? Sign me up.

This book was fun from start to finish. The reformed Playboy meets his dream girl who takes absolutely none of his shit.

He says he’s changed, but she doesn’t believe him so he sets out to prove her wrong and show him how right he is for her!
* Insert the fake dating plan* she’s in love with her brother’s best friend so they devise a plan for her annual family games to fake date to make him jealous. Will it all work out? 🤷🏼‍♀️

There’s lessons on how to flirt. Hunger games type family bonding 😂 and a whole lot of banter ❤️‍🔥

I devoured this book, another Tessa fav for the shelf 🤩

Tropes
🥅 Hockey Player
⚾️ Enemies to Lovers
🥅 Opposites attract
⚾️ Fake Dating
🥅 Reformed Playboy

*3.5 stars.

This was a cute read - nice and quick and easy to read.

Was it my favorite in the series? No - but I didn't mind it.

I liked how the FMC came off strong and held her ground, and then there is Robbie's mouth... gosh!

I love a little fake dating turn romance book - this was a nice palate cleanser.

You can’t go wrong with this Tessa Bailey series! I eagerly await every release and I have never been a fan of sports romance (I know, crazy!). Robbie and Skylar are both wonderful characters who bring so much joy each time you switch from one POV to the other. You can absolutely start the series from here and enjoy backtracking a wonderful cast of characters.

"He said I'd meet a girl one day and she'd read me like a book, including the chapters that came before her"

As always, Tessa Bailey delivers a fun ride of a Rom-Com. The latest installment of her Big Shots series follows Skylar, a D1 softball pitcher and hockey star, Robbie.

It was so much fun seeing Robbie as a reformed rake. There's just something so enjoyable about a man taken off guard by the right woman. Skylar's struggles with living up to her family's expectations and making her own way as an athlete, made her relationship with Robbie shine when he was there to validate and support her.

There was plenty of humour and antics, but also the signature sizzle you'd expect from a Tessa Bailey story. I had a great time!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🥎 She's a softball pitcher
🏒 He's a hockey player
❤️ Reformed rake
🏆 The both want to win!
🌶️ Yes

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for the eARC of "Pitcher Perfect"

My favourite book in the series so far. A 4.25 star to be specific. I got sucked in so quickly. I loved both of the main characters they were absolutely perfect for each other. 🪁

Thank you kindly NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a make or break read for me in regards to Tessa Bailey and I think unfortunately might be my last of her books.

This book was okay, I liked the plot idea (it’s one ever read and loved a thousand times) but I personally just don’t enjoy Tessa Bailey’s writing anymore. I found it choppy and very insta love considering the MC’s spent maybe a week together? The conflict was predictable and I didn’t gel with the MC’s at all.

I think if people enjoy Tessa’s writing then I would suggest they read this one, but unfortunately isn’t something I would go out of my way to recommend.

TROPES:
Fake Dating
Hockey x softball
Golden retriever boyfriend

Overall Pitcher Perfect wasn't a bad book it just wasn't necessarily a book for me. Having the male lead be introduced harassing the female lead and her chastising him for me isn't a great start for a romantic relationship I'm supposed to buy into. It also threw me Robbie instantly liked Skylar and wanted to throw away all his playboy ways and be her boyfriend after one singular meeting where all she really did was reject him. It felt less like insta love and more like insta lust, which didn't help that there was my least favourite trope which was shes basically one step away from being a blushing virgin. Yeah shes had sex but only one or two times and it wasn't good and she didn't orgasm so The Man can show her what sex and blow jobs are really like he can teach her how it's done.

The third act conflict felt very contrived and forced, there had been little to no issues between them the entire book then suddenly in the last 20% they had a fight that's completely blown out of proportion that they can't just very easily have one conversation about.

I did however find this book very easy to read. Tessa Bailey has a very strong writing style where I can easily get into one of her books regardless if I'm enjoying it. Her characters are very clear cut and scenes are well paced. I do think this books definitely does have an audience I'm just not sure it was me, I have however enjoyed her other books in the past so this isn't a knock against her forever for any future books she releases.

This was my first Tessa Bailey read, and definitely not my last! While it's in the same universe as some of her other books, it reads perfectly as a standalone.

Fake dating ✅
He falls first ✅
Spicy lessons ✅
Female athlete FMC ✅
I flew through this one in under 24 hours - it’s a fast-paced, feel-good, trope-filled gem.

Robbie, your classic athlete playboy, falls HARD and FAST for Skylar, and I was so here for it. I loved watching him support her career - buying merch, standing up for her against her family, being her biggest fan. Skylar is an absolute powerhouse and so good at what she does. We need more female athlete leads like her!

The pacing is quick, but once you’re in, it’s such a fun ride you won’t even mind. If you're after an easy, spicy, and sweet romance - Pitcher Perfect knocks it out of the park.

Thankyou so much HarperCollins Australia and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was a good palate cleanser but didn't read like the other 3 books in the series. Extremely quick read but I have been reading fantasy for the past couple of weeks.

Skylar Page es una talentosa lanzadora de softball D1 All-American, organizada hasta el último detalle y con una rutina perfectamente planeada. Robbie Corrigan es un jugador de hockey profesional, mujeriego empedernido, irreverente y con una reputación que habla por sí sola. Cuando un enfrentamiento improvisado entre jugadores de hockey y beisbolistas universitarios los pone cara a cara, Skylar y Robbie inician una apuesta inesperada: si él logra llegar a base, ella aceptará salir con él. Para sorpresa de ambos, Robbie gana la apuesta... y lo que comienza como una cita obligada pronto se convierte en una alianza fingida cuando él se ofrece a acompañarla a su casa en Rhode Island y hacerse pasar por su novio, todo con la intención de provocar celos en el verdadero objeto del afecto de Skylar: su amigo de toda la vida, Madden.

Sin embargo, conforme pasan los días entre competencias familiares y momentos compartidos, lo que empezó como un juego toma un rumbo mucho más emocional. Skylar descubre en Robbie a alguien que la valora por lo que es, y Robbie, acostumbrado a relaciones superficiales, se ve enfrentado a sentimientos genuinos que jamás esperó experimentar.



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Me encantó cómo se manejó el tema de que Robbie fuera un mujeriego. En el primer capítulo de este libro y también en el anterior, nos muestran lo peor de él: arrogante, engreído y enfocado en las conquistas. Pero una vez que conoce a Skylar, todo cambia. No existen otras mujeres, y llega a decir que si pudiera, borraría todo su pasado solo para que ella fuera la única en su historia. Me encantó esa evolución en su personaje y cómo fue evidente que, desde que la conoció, Skylar fue su única prioridad.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

Thank you so much to Harper Collins Australia and NetGalley for letting me read this!

This was my first Tessa Bailey book and I’d heard so much about her lighthearted and fun romances. This was no exception and it was a fun and easy read. Although it was part of a series it could definitely be read as a standalone and I didn’t feel lost which I loved!

I’m such a sucker for fake dating and having practice lessons was the cherry on top! I liked the combination of baseball and hockey from the two leads. Robbie started off as an insensitive jock and then I loved how he fell first and became a golden retriever around Skylar. He was so sweet in helping her see her worth, be confident in her needs and stand up to her family. His internal monologue was so good, the mouth on him and the spiiice was on point.

Would definitely recommend to anyone who is after a fun and swoon worthy sports romance. Will definitely be reading more Tessa Bailey books.

✨ARC Review✨

Baseball/softball x hockey wasn’t a mix I knew I needed until this book.

Talk about a fantastic FMC, Skylar has a badass side that is competitive, take no bs but also a soft side that’s vulnerable and just wants to be loved. It made her relatable and added a lot of depth to her character.

Robbie mf Corrigan… the man you are!!! Honestly this man does a full 180 from pre skylar lifestyle to someone he is proud of and someone Skylar can be proud of. I can’t not tell you how much I love this man in words.

Overall, the plot was actually interesting. It kept me entertained and had things I hadn’t seen in a sports romance before. I love the fake dating trope cause it sets up some great opportunities for “duck” it moments on both sides. There is some insta-love but it’s one sided where he falls first (which again I love).

5 Stars

I should have known better than to start this at 9pm on a school night. I meant to just read a bit before bed, but next minute it was 2am and I’d consumed it in the one sitting. Worth it though.

This was such an anticipated read for me and I’m glad to say that it didn’t disappoint.

Pitcher Perfect followed on from Dream Girl Drama’s set up with the rivalry with the baseball guys and Skylar’s first meeting with Robbie during their game. Her first impression of him, as a chauvinist ladies man, and her ruthless dressing down of him, leaves him desperate to prove her wrong and win her over. But when he releases she’s got a long time crush of her brother’s best friend, Madden, they strike up a deal: he’ll help her make Madden jealous.

So, Robbie goes home with Skylar for a week of ‘friendly’ family competition in an annual competition with Madden, her brother and parents, and the fake dating very quickly starts to feel way too real.

Like I said, I ate this up. The angsty was *chefs kiss* and Robbie’s golden retriever antics, Skylar’s naivety, and Madden’s truth (that I saw coming a mile away) led for some wonderful popcorn reading. It was funny, very romantic and very hot and scratched exactly the itch I wanted from it. I had a great time start to finish and was very satisfied with how it ended.

Bonus points for the HSM references, the yellow kite metaphors, and the two golden retrievers at the end.

TB’s set up two really strong possibly next books here and I’m curious which one we’ll get first - because porqué no los dos?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the eARC - this is my honest review*

🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 Pitcher Perfect
✒️ Tessa Bailey
💫💫💫

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Tessa Bailey book and it was a fun and easy read!

I finished this book in 2 days, and was exactly what I needed to split up the heavy fantasy and romantasy.
Firstly we meet Skylar, the softball pitcher that has been in love with her brother best friend for years as they take on a bunch of NHL rookie players in what was to be a battle of egos. Enter Robbie, the insta-love has entered the chat and he has eyes for one pitcher. When Skylars bestie bails on the family tradition, Robbie steps up to be the best wing-man to gain the eyes of the love of Skylars life and what could possibly go wrong?

I liked Skylar a lot, she is very head strong and doesn't take anything from anyone. Robbie on the other hand, gives me the ick. He was instantly head over heels, which is okay but guy was pinning over her two sentences in.

I enjoyed the banter a lot, it was natural and flowed easily throughout the book. I just wished it fluffed out a bit and not rushed, but I would read another Tessa Bailey.

What a fun surprise of a book! I have read a lot of Tessa Bailey and they're always a good read but Pitcher Perfect was exceptional.

Skylar is a pitcher and in love with her brothers best friend but can't get him to notice her as more than a friend. Enter Robbie, a Bearcats hockey player that agrees to be Skylar's fake boyfriend/teammate in her family's annual wilderness competition as well as teaching her to date. Obviously they end up falling in love.

The chemistry in this book is insane. The characters are well written with fleshed out backstories and they overlap with the previous books in the series but you could absolutely read this as a stand alone without missing anything.

This is my favourite Tessa Bailey book so far and I'm very grateful to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy.

Thank you Harper Collins and NETGalley for this ARC of Pitcher Perfect!!!!

Move over book boyfriends.... there's a new MMC in town!
Robbie Corrigan.... need I say more!
This man had me FERAL!
His POV was my favourite, I loved his redemption arc!
This was a 4.5 star read for me, just wish it was longer!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is book number 4 in the Big Shots series and follows softball player Skylar and hockey player Robbie (who has cameoed in 2 previous books). As a big fan of the fake dating trope, I devoured this light hearted romance. It also featured lessons (iykyk) with a golden retriever MMC who falls first. Definitely a fun and spicy read for those that love a sport romance.