Always enjoy a Tessa Bailey book, and this one was no exception. Robbie and Skylar started out in entertaining fashion and the hate-to-love aspect of their relationship was done very well.

I really enjoyed the characterisation of both protagonists, and seeing how they grew over the course of the story, although I would’ve loved to have seen more of a reunion/showing up by her parents, and perhaps seeing her loosen up a little bit.

I’m not a huge lover of “insta-love” so it was hard at times to buy into the fact the characters were desperately in love within about a week since meeting each other, so I almost wish there had been more time between when things kicked off. Similarly, I felt like Eve was a bit of a throw away character and I didn’t really feel like she was adding much to the plot - outside of a potential sequel.

Still, despite that, I thought the romance was well written, the plot was entertaining and I loved the family dynamic. Seeing Robbie champion Skylar to her family, truly see her and show up for her, made my heart melt.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey and Harper Collins for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC for this book!

So this was sadly not my favourite Tessa Bailey book.

Robbie meets Skylar towards the end of Dream Girl Drama, the previous book in the Big Shots series. There's immediately a connection between the pair, though not necessarily a positive one. Pitcher Perfect starts from that point, with the two main characters going on a date together after Robbie wins a bet. He finds himself agreeing to help her get the attention of her brother's best friend, Madden, who she's had feelings for forever. Although Robbie, a perpetual player, senses there's something special about Skylar, he takes this chance to help her find romance with another man. Any opportunity to spend more time with her is a good idea in his books. After a week of competition with Skylar's family bonds them, Robbie and Skylar both realise there's more to their relationship than Robbie tutoring Skylar in attracting Madden. But Robbie's past complicates things, he's never settled down before, and anyway, isn't Skylar in love with someone else?

I did enjoy some elements of this book, namely the classic fake dating and teacher / tutee dynamic which I think Tessa has mastered in her books. I also loved the cameos from the previous Big Shots characters. Chloe & Sig and Tallulah & Burgess are welcome in any books from now on honestly.
Perhaps following on from those two novels (which I LOVED) is why I didn't enjoy this one so much.

Which takes us to the less than positive aspects. I'm not a fan of insta-love which is totally personal preference - but it seemed like love at first sight for Robbie and Skylar really wasn't that far behind.
Following on from the previous two books which featured Robbie and Mailer, I was hoping to see some of their friendship explored a little. But there was maybe two interactions? And they didn't give me best friend vibes at all - just slightly disappointed because they were some of my favourite interactions in the previous novels, though small, they were funny and showed the characters' personalities.

Lastly, and I'll be honest, I'm being quite picky here! There were quite a few modern slang / modern language used throughout the book that are going to age like ice cream left in the sunshine. Aka, not going to read well in about 5 years. It kind of took me out of the story a little when I kept noticing these references to phrases that I think are used predominantly on social media.

That said, if you like Tessa Bailey's other works I'm sure you'll enjoy this. As always, she delivers on the smut. Just not my favourite, and definitely not the best in this series. I'll be intrigued to read the Mailer romance when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper360 for the invite to read this eARC.