A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Big thank you to the publisher and Tessa Bailey for the ARC - I love a Tessa Bailey book and this one really didn't disappoint.

It's an insta love type story with a bit of fake dating in there. We also love a sports romance and I really enjoyed the hockey/softball twist.

It's a fun, steamy, sports romance that's an easy read. Really enjoyed it.

So.... I can't remember the name of the book, but I've read almost this exact story before. Family trip, competition, fake dating... except they were staying in a little secluded cabin instead of an upstairs bedroom.

The characters in this felt really wooden -- very much telling and not showing. It was more of a frustrating read and I wasn't enjoying it at all. I'm sorry. I love Tessa Bailey, but this one was a miss for me.

Hmm. This really wasn’t great. I normally like TB books for a nice easy read, but this just didn’t do it.

The relationship is ridiculous. He basically falls in love with her in about 40 pages and decides to change his entire personality for her. She’s ‘in love’ with her brothers best friend who she’s known for like 10+ years but can’t stop staring at him and acting like a moron even though her liking him is a ‘secret’.

Her family are awful to her. His friends are awful.

This one just missed the mark unfortunately.

2.75/5, rounded up

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

This felt very insta love to me which is never really a trope I love. The enemies to lovers point doesn’t really count because they aren’t actually enemies just more so annoyed with each other before hooking up? Very mixed feelings about this

Pitcher Perfect is the fourth novel in Tessa Bailey’s Hot Shots series. Despite owning the first three, this is the first in the series I’ve read, though you can be sure I’ll be readdressing that balance soon! Pitcher Perfect is everything you’d expect from a Tessa Bailey fake dating novel and I loved it for that.

In Pitcher Perfect we meet NHL rookie Robbie who is living his best bachelor lifestyle, that is until he meets pitcher Skylar at a hockey vs baseball grudge match. Skylar immediately pegs Robbie as a playboy and wants nothing to do with him, but after he wins a bet to take her out and her teammate for her families upcoming games drops out, the pair hatch a plan. Robbie will help Skylar at the Page Stakes and be her guide on wooing her long time crush (her brother’s best friend!) whilst trying to reform her view of him. Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control.

This book was honestly so much fun. I’m a big fan of duel POV and it worked perfectly here. Our man Robbie had it bad for Skylar pretty much from the get go, whilst she was most definitely wary, and yet boy does he prove himself to her. The Page Stakes were wild, and completely unhinged, the best part though was seeing what a great team Skylar and Robbie made. The longer they spent together, the more real things began to feel between them, with Madden becoming a second thought rather than Skylar’s main focus. I really liked how the pair tried to encourage one another and brought out the best in each other too. It was also only when they were together that they really felt they could be themselves which worked so well.

I love Tessa Bailey and totally enjoyed this one. Now I’m going to go back and read the others.

Fabulous! A fake boyfriend/ girlfriend story at the heart and yet the book covers so much more. It rooms through family dynamics and confidence and what happened when you feel the odd one out in your family. The book is also a little frenetic and mad with special family olympics where teams compete in bizarre medically unsound games which is fun but also a tiny bit sad. The sporting prowess of the characters is well told but t(e sport itself isn’t made too much of. The book 8 about relationships and where to go when you need love and care.

A rounded up 3.75 ⭐️

Having read the three previous books in this series you know you’re walking into something that’s going to border on unhinged (still reeling over the back door play in book 1) however, this book stepped up!

I loved Robbie and Skyler’s story - insta-love Robbie is swoonworthy. I would have liked to see more build up to the week long event, even just some initial convos to set the scene on how they planned to approach going from complete strangers to “dating”, I’m shocked that there was no warm up to build tension - feels like a missed opportunity. Especially when Elton acts like a protective sibling, did he not think it was a radical flip for his straight laced, by the book sister to meet someone in a rivalry game, who made a pretty poor first impression, who she reluctantly goes for OJ & Coffee with, and then instantly falls for him so much that she decides to take him to her family event? Haven’t they heard of stranger danger?? Not only that, Skylar has met Robbie ONCE ahead of sharing a room with him 😒 wow.

However, Robbie *steps up*, Robbie is the basis of this 3.75⭐️ review, in fact, he probably deserves 5⭐️ - he’s a reformed playboy, acts immediately on his feelings, doesn’t shy away from a challenge and *literally* saves his “girlfriend” from drowning - Robbie, sir, take a bow, you’ve earned it!

Also, the third act (sort of) break up - I wanted Skylar to be the one to chase him, Robbie had don’t *NOTHING* to cause her doubt, sure he had a past, she literally met him while he was talking about his encounters but she sees it on a website, it gets a little real and she’s hopping in Madden’s truck for a “friendly” drink? 🤔 and when she gets cold feet and returns home, Robbie’s there and she simply says “I’m sorry” and leaves it at that 😲🤯

Thankfully, again, Robbie saves the day and shows up once again to show how committed he is and that then spurs Skylar on to make her grand gesture - it’s about damn time! 👏👏

And we, finally, get our HEA, thank you!

I liked the Madden/Eve set up, these side characters have got so much potential, I’m here for it!

This is exactly what I've come to expect from Tessa Bailey.

Insta attraction+character development+a lot of spice

Robbie and Skylar were cute, and I liked that they were both athletes in this one. They were equally as pivotal to each other in terms of becoming better people. I just had a hard time believing characters could change that much or love so deeply over the course of a couple of days. Even if they knew each other from social circles in Boston would help me buy in a bit more.

this book, like all of Tessa Bailey's, is the best version of a man down BAD. if you are looking for a fantastically funny fake dating, brother's anti-best friend, reformed playboy, do yourself a favor and pick this up. you're welcome.

Actual rating 3.5 stars!

When a friendly bet leads to a date, Robbie gets caught up in helping Skylar catch her childhood crush, Madden (her brother's best friend). What starts out as a fake dating ploy quickly turns into something more real, especially when they team up for a family competition and realise their bond runs a lot deeper than they expected.

Tessa Bailey really knows how to write those classic tropes like fake dating and opposites attract. And this was a fun read!

That said, while the setup was promising, the romance felt a bit rushed, especially Robbie's side, which leaned into insta-love territory. Their journey from strangers to "soulmates" in less than a week, while Skylar's still hung up on someone else, made their emotional connection feel a little unearned, especially with the minimal buildup or conflict.
I also missed the friendship dynamic between Robbie and Mailer, which was such a standout in earlier books but felt almost nonexistent here. Even Skylar's best friend Eve and her relationship with Madden, felt very stagnant and it would have been cool to see them as more fleshed out characters.

Still, the story had its adorable and funny moments. I liked seeing Skylar gain more confidence, and Robbie's slow transformation from a player to a head over heels teammate While it wasn't my favorite in the series, if you're a lover of sports romance and light-hearted rom-coms then you'll enjoy this one.

Thanks so much to Harper360 for the review copy via
NetGalley - all opinions are my own!

This is hands down my favorite book in the series so far. It had all the tropes I adore—enemies to lovers, only one bed, fake dating, sports romance—basically everything I could ask for.

Robbie totally won me over. He started off as a major player (okay, a huge one), but he really came through in the end and redeemed himself. And Skylar? She was incredible—strong, fearless, and exactly the kind of fierce female lead I love rooting for.

A solid 5 stars from me, I hope there will be another one in the series!

Pitcher Perfect is a cheeky, fast-paced enemies-to-lovers romance packed with heat, humour and heart. Tessa Bailey delivers another delightful escape into the world of sports romance, with a charmingly cocky NHL rookie and a fierce Division 1 softball pitcher at its centre.

Robbie Corrigan is living the high life as a Boston Bearcats rookie—handsome, popular and never short of admirers. Enter Skylar Paige, a no-nonsense athlete with a mean pitch and zero interest in Robbie’s reputation or flirtatious charm. Their dynamic is snarky, sizzling and addictive from the get-go.

When Robbie finds out Skylar is hopelessly in love with her brother’s best mate, he should walk away. But instead, he signs up as her fake boyfriend-slash-love coach at a family wilderness retreat, where her long-time crush will also be competing. Naturally, things spiral from fake dating into something far more real.

I loved the way Bailey used the wilderness setting to force these two strong-willed characters to work together. The team challenges are fun, and they give Robbie and Skylar the space to develop trust and vulnerability, even while their banter and chemistry are dialled all the way up. The romantic tension simmers beautifully until it inevitably boils over into some seriously steamy moments.

Robbie’s transformation from reformed playboy to emotionally invested partner is sweet without being saccharine, and Skylar’s refusal to compromise her boundaries makes her a standout heroine. Their romance is bold, sexy and full of heart.

✨ Tropes you’ll love:
• Enemies to lovers
• Fake dating
• Sports romance with a hockey and softball twist
• Brother’s best friend crush
• A love coach setup with some serious sizzle

If you’re in the mood for a fun, steamy sports romance with heart and heat in equal measure, Pitcher Perfect hits a home run.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Listen, Tessa Bailey can do no wrong in my eyes. I'm yet to be disappointed after reading one of her books and this one hit the mark.
Skylark and Robbie AKA Rocket and Redbeard were introduced in the earlier books in this series and their chemistry is off the charts!
This book included some of my favourite romance tropes:
* fake dating
* enemies to lovers
* he falls first
* sports romance

“Every part of me, inside and out, is yours. Every fucking day of the week.”

This was sooooooo cute! I would say definitely read dream girl drama before this though because it starts off at the baseball game. I loved Robbie and Skylar together. Two competitive athletes and fake dating… say less. Overall, it was a quick fun read and I loved how both of the main characters developed and opened up throughout the book!

Tropes:
⚾️Fake Dating
⚾️Opposites Attract
⚾️Enemies To Lovers
⚾️He Falls First

Pitcher Perfect was everything I want in a fake dating romance fun, flirty, and full of unexpected heart. Robbie and Skylar's chemistry practically jumped off the page, and I was completely charmed by the chaotic family games, tender moments, and all the swoony steam Tessa Bailey is known for.

One of the more light-hearted, fun-filled and less angsty of Bailey's Big Shots sports romances, this was a delightful fake dating, forced proximity romance between hockey playboy Robbie Madigan and Skyler the college baseball pitcher who steals his heart when he was least expecting it. Fast-paced, full of laughs and of course tons of SPICE. This had more heart than I was expecting and it put a smile on my face from start to finish. I have my fingers crossed that Madden and Eve's story will be next!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I'm new to sports romances and was really surprised by how much I liked this book. Great characters - I loved Skylar and a really fun story. I'll definitely be reading more Tessa Bailey!

When I read my ARC of Dream Girl Drama back in November of last year, I remember specifically saying I hoped we got books for the Orgasm Donors™ and fast forward a couple months and here we are! The premise of this book being fake dating to make someone else jealous is a tale as old as time but so fun nonetheless. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Robbie and Skylar; “enemies” to lovers and sprinkle in a heavy dose of sexual tension and some competitions and you have the recipe for the perfect match. They perfectly complimented each other and were both able to learn from each other and grow as people from who they were in the beginning to the end. Character development always adds more layers to a story (especially romance) and allows for the reader to connect more with the characters and bond more of an emotional attachment with them and therefore when the “third act breakup” happens, they’re less likely to get annoyed and more likely to understand where the characters are coming from and understand their perspectives. I loved both the FMC and MMC separately as well as a couple and loved the side characters! Definitely feels like a more well rounded story than some of other TB’s works and I really commend her for constantly stepping up to the plate.

Tessa Bailey could have written the bible but could God have written Pitcher Perfect? No.

"I didn't expect Skylar. She's clever, funny, driven, cool, and... God, she's fucking beautiful… I'm here for her. No other reason. She's reason enough."

I love a reformed playboy and throughout this series I’ve wanted to see the Orgasm Donors redemption. So glad we got Robbie’s story.

Fake Dating will never not do it for me. Tessa Bailey will never not do it for me.

I loved that the book not only showed Robbie and Skylar’s personal growth and relationship growth, but I loved that Robbie also encouraged Skylar’s family to grow.

Read Time ⏱️ 3.25 hours


“I wouldn't tell you I know how to listen to yes and no, then lie to you in the same breath."

"I'm worried I'll be half asleep and... touch you without thinking… I mean, Christ. It takes concentration not to touch you when I'm awake."

“You going to let me be your boyfriend, Skylar?”

“You taught me to trust what I'm feeling and stop laughing everything off. So I can't laugh at this. I can't pretend I'm not feeling judged and punished when I just came here to love you."