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Mascot Matchups #1

Howls and Home Runs

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The Westland Wolves are known for three a winning record, hot shot rookies, and Wilder, their wolf mascot.

After some unfortunate circumstances, the team rebrands to move forward. With a new and improved mascot suit, revamped stadium, and a new handler, the Westland Wolves are sure to make a comeback.

Wilder
I’m not sure when I became whatever this is, but I’ve been this way for a while now. I sit in my locker awaiting a new season and then one day she opens my locker. Sunshine In human form, lighting up the emptiness inside of me.

Lainey
Running from my past, I end up in a new town applying for a mascot handler position for the Westland Wolves. Being the famous Wilder’s handler is not what I expected. Can I make this work? Or will I end up running from this town, too?

Howls and Home Runs is book one of Mascot Matchups—a standalone novella series about sentient mascots. This book is intended for audiences 18 years and over. It contains intimate relations between a sentient mascot and his human handler.

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2024

27 people are currently reading
157 people want to read

About the author

Biblio Barbie

8 books228 followers
Biblio Barbie is a Colorado native, monster lover, and purveyor of spicy, slightly unhinged romance. When she’s not writing about sentient mascots or pickles with passion, she’s probably curled up with her husband, an iced tea, and an idea that definitely shouldn’t be allowed to become a book, but will. Author of Howls and Home Runs and Gagged by the Gherkin, Biblio Barbie is here to make you laugh, blush, and question your grocery list.

Catch her on Instagram @biblio.barbie where she’s usually rating books with bizarre meters, chatting about Shrek, thirsting over monsters, and probably... hot dogs. Look, we don’t ask questions.







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5 stars
92 (45%)
4 stars
53 (26%)
3 stars
40 (19%)
2 stars
12 (5%)
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5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Profile Image for monsterinthepages.
99 reviews40 followers
October 12, 2024
AHHHH!!!! I feel so damn HONOURED that I was given the opportunity to read Biblio Barbie’s debut novella early 🥹 and when I say that I fell completely head over heels for Wilder & Lainey…that’s putting it LIGHTLY! 💖

‘Howls and Home Runs’ is such a sweet story about a sentient wolf mascot and his sunshine-in-human-form handler Lainey—with whom he falls utterly in love with. Wilder is the biggest cinnamonroll of a MMC who I both want to wrap up in a big hug and never let go…as well as allow his detachable head and knotty peen to have their entire way with me 🤣

This is such a wonderful and I can’t wait to see what lies in the future for this author! 💖💖💖

Also…ummm…where can I order a sentient Wilder mascot suit? Asking ENTIRELY for a friend 👀🤣💖💖
Profile Image for Robyn G.
Author 1 book48 followers
October 27, 2024
Wow this was so much more than I was expecting!
Wilder was actually pretty fleshed out and has a backstory and he was traumatised by it.
Lainey was so cute too, was all sunshine and joy for our Wilder.
This was so easy to read and I'm so surprised this is Danelle's first book because the writing flowed perfectly.
If you love sentient object romance then you definitely need to read this!
Profile Image for Ellie Schlosser.
3 reviews5 followers
November 12, 2024
Omg I love Wilder and Laney so much!! This was so amazing! Perfect combo of sentient object/ monster/ wolf knotty smut!🐺 The PTSD rep, and little bit of darkness worked so well. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and other works you gave us a sneak peak of at the end there Danelle!! 🫶💖
Profile Image for Unfortunate Reads.
Author 10 books208 followers
October 24, 2024
I was so lucky to read this very early on and honestly who wouldn’t want to f*ck a sentient mascot? Maybe this makes me a furry now but here we are. Poor Wilder just wanted to love and be loved, but like Lennie in Of Mice and Men he just didn’t know his own strength. Lainey is the perfect match for him. This is Biblio Barbie’s first work and I can’t wait to read more!

Spoiler warning ⬇️

The mofo took off his head to eat her out from behind when she was on her knees for him!
Profile Image for Dana.
Author 6 books61 followers
November 15, 2024
Biblio Barbie's debut novel about a sentient baseball mascot suit was a home run. I cared about wilder and Lainey immediately. I loved how Wilder was learning about emotions through his handlers and then eventually learning about love with Lainey. It was a sweet and spicy love story and TBH at times I forgot he was a wolf costume! Definitely a fun little short story and I can't wait to read more books by her in the future!
Profile Image for Cindy dawson.
132 reviews13 followers
November 13, 2024
I just… I don’t even know 😂

If anyone was going to pop my sentient object smut cherry, I’m glad it was Danelle.

This story was fun and fast paced but with lots of heart. I will neither confirm nor deny if I enjoyed the smut 😅😅😂😂 but the readers who get it, get it… just like Lainey.

For a debut this was great. It flowed and felt like you got so much for how short it was.

I can’t wait to see what Biblio Barbie comes out with next!
Profile Image for Elaine.
44 reviews
October 20, 2024
I was given a chance to read this early and I absolutely loved it! I thought Lainey and Wilder were super cute. It’s a sweet & spicy fast read with dual POV and the touch her and die trope. Also HEA which I love in a book.
404 reviews9 followers
November 13, 2024
This book was so fun! I loved the characters and the aspect of the suit coming to life but also enjoying being worn. 😂 The spice scenes were hot 🥵🔥 and the cover is super adorable. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a short fun read.
Profile Image for Cassandra Griffin.
6 reviews5 followers
October 23, 2024
Funny, cute and….sexy?! I guess I’m a monster lover now 🤷🏻‍♀️😂😏
Profile Image for Racy_Reviewer.
169 reviews18 followers
March 11, 2025
I love Barbie her IG content is awesome I wish I read this sooner. I’m not a big fan of SI but Barbie did an awesome job with this books approach. It was a magical read with lots of feels! Wilder was created and lively due to human emotion and that’s a unique dynamic I thought made me connect to his character. He was really brought to life to me through this view.
Profile Image for Adrianna.
242 reviews7 followers
November 15, 2024
Easily a 5 star read.
It's funny and cute with plenty of spice. The plot was super interesting too and kept my attention the whole time!
Profile Image for Racheal.
664 reviews12 followers
October 23, 2024
With this being my first sentient object romance, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I adored the sentient aspect of this story. Suffering from past trauma, Wilder was someone that I instantly just loved. His past trauma really made me feel for him! Combined with how genuine and feeling his is, you can't help but love him! I also loved his nickname for Lainey!
Speaking of Lainey, she was just as sweet, accepting and completely perfect for him. I wasn't expecting to be as attached to these characters as I was. Considering how short this novella is, it was so well written and all bases were covered!😉 Speaking of bases, the spice in this story was hawwwt!🥵
And oh my gosh, that ending!😭🩷 Biblio Barbie hit right in the feels! While it was the perfect ending for Lainey and Wilder, it seriously pulled at each and every one of my heartstrings!
Overall, this story was such a sweet, tender and spicy read, with a baby pinch of darkness and an HEA ending that'll bring happy tears to your eyes.🥹🩷

Thank you Bibliob Barbie for the opportunity to read this ARC and my first sentient objects romance!🫶🏻🩷 My thoughts and opinions are my own in this review.
Profile Image for Hannah.
188 reviews3 followers
October 30, 2024
✨Early Review✨

When I found out that my friend was writing a sentient mascot romance I was THRILLED. I love monster romance, I love sentient object romance… this was the best of both worlds!

Lainey and Wilder brought so much emotion out of me that I wasn’t expecting. They’ve each been through some pretty traumatizing experiences, and it was lovely to see them balance each other out through that. The ending had me fighting tears so hard.

Danelle, I’m beyond proud of you and excited to see what you do next! I GASPED when I saw my tag mentioned in your acknowledgment’s 🥲 You’re a rockstar!! Thank you so much for letting me read an early copy of your book!

Read this if you enjoy:
🐺 Copious fluids
☀️ Sentient (mascot)
🐺 Touch him/her and d!3
☀️ Knotting

“I won't leave Wilder. He needs me and I need him.”

“Careful Lainey, I'm a big bad wolf remember?”

“She was a firework exploding in the sky, lighting up the darkness with bursts of happiness and color.”
Profile Image for Miriam.
248 reviews
November 11, 2024
“…let’s just say there’s a flash flood warning in Pantyville now.”

This was my first sentient object romance and it did notttt disappoint! Wilder’s origin story was much more emotional that I was expecting, and his inner monologue cracked me up! Him and Lainey together were crazy and wild, but also so cute and adorable (and don’t forget spicy 😜💦)

I really wasn’t sure how I’d feel about sentient object books, but you’ve converted me. Now I have to expand my horizons.

Also that epilogue made me tear up a little not gonna lie. I love them. 🥹

This was such a fun intro to sentient object romance, and I’m so so proud of you, Danelle!! I can’t wait to read more 💖

Read this if you like:
⚾️Sentient Object (Mascot) Romance
⚾️Protective MMC
⚾️Anxiety Rep
⚾️Head is Functional While Detached (😇)
⚾️Cozy w/ Some Darkness

Thank you so much to Biblio Barbie for sending me a copy for an honest review! 💖
Profile Image for Dakota Cockaday.
Author 31 books103 followers
November 13, 2024
Our MMC, Wilder, is a mascot suit that slowly gains sentience over time until he meets the love of his life, his new handler, Lainey. Lainey, to her credit, takes the walking, talking fur suit in stride and jumps right into a relationship, with just the slightest bit of hesitation. Their relationship is the perfect mixture of both sweetness and smexiness. Wilder's adoration for Lainey is complete, and by the end, he's proven he'd do anything to keep her.

Honestly, I went into this like I do all Sentient Object Romances--a little too worried about logistics. What about matted fur and potential hybrid mascot babies? Thankfully, we are on the same wavelength, because BB came ready with all the answers and no plot holes.

If you haven't picked it up, stop what you are doing and add it to your TBR, if for nothing else than the sweetest epilogue ever.
Profile Image for Alisha Cottingham.
156 reviews5 followers
October 18, 2024
Oh my lanta....Biblio Barbie's debut book was so freaking perfect! Sentient mascot smut, Knotting and humor...yes please! I am so blessed to be Danelle's friend and had the opportunity to get an early look into this one.

Wilder and Lainey are so freaking cute and their back stories had me feeling all the emotions! Plus the humor was perfection, especially the head scene 😆.

Wilder's past has so much emotions and heartache. He just wants to be real and feel everything. He needs to be truly protected at all cost. Plus when he turns feral...omgggfg 🤤🥵

Lainey has a fucked up past and just wants to feel loved. She finds that in the most unusual way and embraces it full on. She will protect her good boy...forever!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for amber nicole.
175 reviews4 followers
October 19, 2024
Yall, I had the BEST TIME reading Danelle's debut!

Wilder is a mascot who, over the years, has slowly become sentient from the use of previous handlers. He's not sure how or why or how long he's been like this, but none of that matters when he meets his new handler, Lainey.

Lainey is the definition of sunshine in a person, and Wilder is obsessed from the first day.

This is a super fun and short dual pov novella that had me giggling and kicking my feet one second and then wanting to find a way to obtain my own wolfy mascot for REASONS the next 🫣👀😈

I was graciously gifted a review copy of this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own! Thank you, Danelle, for bringing Lainey and Wilder into my life 🥹🦊
Profile Image for Aria Maze.
Author 2 books24 followers
October 20, 2024
I wouldn’t say I’m a sentient romance expert but dammit each one I read has just been better and better. Wilder is introduced to us and we learn that he has been gaining his sentience slowly but surely as he goes through various handlers. He gains emotions but more importantly, he gets a cock. And the ability to cum. 😏

Lainey is sunshine and happiness and is more than happy for some alone time with our good boy. Girl is so right, it would be just like the werewolf books we read and love, but made of foam and soft fur instead. 😮‍💨

And that ending? Oh my gosh. I love when the epilogue completes the story but when I say I sobbed?? Such a beautiful ending and very well rounded debut in general.
Profile Image for Bec.
143 reviews3 followers
November 11, 2024
Ha this was awesome. I laughed out loud so many freaking times. The head on the floor? IYKYK. I LOVED IT. I couldn’t put it down.

Some of my favourite moments:

* I refrain from rolling my plastic eyes.
* Panty status: soaked.
* My panties were soaked before, but the moment I saw Wilder’s thick shaft… let's just say there's a flash flood warning in Pantyville now.
* Wow. That was… amazing. I didn’t expect oral with a mascot wolf to be like that. Though, I never expected to give oral to a fur suit either.

“On the bench.” I growl.

“Wait! Put my head behind you.”

“Are you going to be a good boy for me, Wilder?”

"Don't stop. Need your knot."

"Such a needy girl. Stay right there for me."
Profile Image for Michaela Taylor.
107 reviews2 followers
November 2, 2024
Are you looking for a new favorite author? If so, look no further!! Biblio Barbie is absolutely amazing and so talented! Howls & Homeruns is the first book in her Mascot Matchups series. This book is EVERYTHING! It is silly, sweet and spicy while being surprisingly emotional! She created such wonderful characters with awesome depth and a super sweet journey of finding themselves and falling in love. I adore Wilder and his sunshine girl, Lainey SO much!! I loved getting to see them figure out their crazy life together and don’t even get me started on the epilogue!! It was incredibly sweet and meaningful. You’re going to want the read the whole book just for that ending! I cannot wait to meet the next Mascot Matchups couple!
Profile Image for christy - pr0bablyreadingsmut.
409 reviews
October 24, 2024
thank you danelle for the honor of ARC reading your debut!!! i was NOT disappointed.
wilder and lainey are so dang sweet together. wilder is the goodest of boys and lainey is the epitome of sunshine. i loved their dynamic and what a fresh take this was on sentient object romance (hot mascot suit, hello???? yes please). i really enjoyed the darker aspects and how both mcs feel like real people. that epilogue got me SOOOO TEARY EYED (‘: what a beautiful, fun, steamy story.

five furry stars
Profile Image for Tayler.
551 reviews14 followers
October 29, 2024
Biblio, biblio, biblio.

When she said she was writing this, being the queen of monster dong, I knew I had to read it and for her FIRST EVER BOOK?!?! Shut the hell up.

This was amazing, I need more. There's good boys, and murder, and spice. OH LORD THE SPICE.

I am excited to see more from this author and if you haven't read this yet (because it's an ARC for me) please do so on release day. It's 80 pages and it's well worth the small amount of time you'll take to read it.
Profile Image for Danielle.
48 reviews
November 25, 2024
Whaaatt!?!? (But in a good way)

I did have a moment of “I can’t do this” at the beginning cause I’m not a dog person but I’m so glad I did!! This was such a sweet fricken book and dare I admit that I got teary eyed at the end? I absolutely did!!!

Also the term “My sunshine girl” will go down as one of my favorites ever!!!
Profile Image for Stephanie.
67 reviews11 followers
December 26, 2024
I am in absolutely NO way a pro on sentient romance. When my girl, Biblio Barbie (been following her since the beginning of my Booksta journey) announced she would be releasing her very own debut… I just knew I would be here for it! You go girl! I had a fun little chuckle getting in your mind and experiencing a lil’ mascot smut! Heehee!!! I am proud to have this trophy on my shelf! 🐺⚾️🧢😍🔥
Profile Image for RogueMarina.
165 reviews11 followers
October 21, 2024
Quick read, light and cozy. Great for those who love monster and/or sentient object romances. Also great for those who want to dip their toes in sentient object romances. Both characters were likeable and the story's plot with prologue made it an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Coco.
120 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2024
this was my first sentient book & I loved it! these two are so cute together. & I absolutely love Wilder, he's such a good boy. HIS NICKNAME FOR HER IS ADORABLE. this is a spicy but cozy read, I really enjoyed it and I love the ending they got.

"A wolf suit can be hot right? Because Wilder is definitely hot."

⭐️𝟻
🌶️𝟹
Profile Image for Amiee.
146 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2024
This hit every emotion, I think I love them as much as they love each other ♡ This was such a cute read, even with the dark parts - which were done so well, the flashbacks and MH struggles were handled with care and the spice... was JUICY. When Danelle said fluids, she was not wrong ♡
Profile Image for Rach at Monstrous.LoveBites.
30 reviews2 followers
November 11, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

Biblio Barbie knocked it out of the park with her debut novella!
It has all the wild spice, and sweet silly moments I just knew we would get from her, while also managing to have me all up in my feels in ways I did not expect from a sentient mascot romance.
Wilders' journey into sentience brings his team to a rebrand, along with a new mascot handler for him.
The first time he sees Lainey and she climbs inside him, Wilder is left feeling something he never has before.

I am so absolutely in love with Wilder and Lainey's story and will be thinking of that epilogue for the rest of forever...

Expect:
⚾️ Perks to a detachable head
❤️ Wolfie knotting
⚾️ Flash floods
❤️ To be crying up in the book clurb
134 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2024
ah-wooooooo

I love Lainey and wilder! This was so much more than what I was expecting! A sentient mascot of course, but with a tragic backstory where you actually feel for him? Was not ready for that! Excited to see what comes next in this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews

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