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Big Shots #5
Catch Her If You Can
Madden Donahue, the newest catcher for the Yankees, has been in love with Eve Mitchell since high school, but for some mysterious reason, the burlesque club owner always turns him down. That never stopped him from being her self-appointed protector. Case in point, now that Eve’s sister has left Eve with her two children indefinitely, Madden steps in with a proposition—marry him for the much needed health benefits.
Eve has secretly harbored feelings for Madden all along, but there’s one problem—her best friend Skylar called dibs on him when they were fourteen. Eve has always put their friendship above all else, and she’s not willing to risk losing Skylar over a man. Raised by the local strip club owner, Eve is woefully short on friends and treasures the ones she has. But with Skylar happily paired off, Eve finds herself accepting Madden’s proposal—on the condition that their marriage remains strictly private. She’s not about to let her unique profession and maligned reputation destroy Madden’s shiny new career.
Madden won’t let Eve get away that easily, though. What starts as a marriage of convenience soon ignites into something much hotter, and now it’s up to Madden to convince Eve that their connection is far more than a business arrangement. As the passion builds, can their fake marriage become the real deal?
Eve has secretly harbored feelings for Madden all along, but there’s one problem—her best friend Skylar called dibs on him when they were fourteen. Eve has always put their friendship above all else, and she’s not willing to risk losing Skylar over a man. Raised by the local strip club owner, Eve is woefully short on friends and treasures the ones she has. But with Skylar happily paired off, Eve finds herself accepting Madden’s proposal—on the condition that their marriage remains strictly private. She’s not about to let her unique profession and maligned reputation destroy Madden’s shiny new career.
Madden won’t let Eve get away that easily, though. What starts as a marriage of convenience soon ignites into something much hotter, and now it’s up to Madden to convince Eve that their connection is far more than a business arrangement. As the passion builds, can their fake marriage become the real deal?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2026
1557 people are currently reading
42631 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Bailey
103 books67.7k followersNew York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 994 reviews
January 27, 2026
Love at first sight, second chances, a marriage of convenience, and a benefits-filled, undeniably steamy relationship—this sports romance has it all. Add in two genuinely adorable main characters, explosive chemistry, and yes, an unapologetically exhibitionist heroine, and you get a story where the pages are practically on fire. The chapters sizzle, with passion and intimacy driving the emotional core as much as the romance itself.
Eve Mitchell was raised by a single father who owned a strip club in a small, conservative, tightly knit town—a background that made her an easy target for bullies from a very young age. When she was fourteen, a new boy arrived in town: Madden Donahue, a charming Irish teen who had just moved in with his aunt. He was sixteen, instantly magnetic, and sparks flew between them almost immediately.
They meet through mutual friends—Eve is close to Skylar, while Madden befriends Elton, Skylar’s brother, after joining the baseball team. But despite the undeniable connection between Eve and Madden, she resists her feelings. Skylar is secretly in love with Madden, and Eve can’t bring herself to betray the only friend who has consistently stood up for her while the rest of the town mocked her because of her father’s profession. So instead, Eve buries her feelings and settles into years of friendship with Madden—despite sharing countless intimate, emotionally charged moments that blur every boundary.
In the present timeline, Eve inherits her father’s strip club and transforms it into a burlesque venue, determined to prove that the town can’t push her out—and that she can succeed on her own terms. And she does, creatively. Financially, however, the plan struggles. On top of that, Eve’s addict sister leaves her twin children in Eve’s care indefinitely, burying her under responsibilities no one her age should have to shoulder alone.
Enter Madden.
He confronts Eve, revealing that he’s always known why she held back her feelings for him all those years. When unexpected health issues and mounting insurance costs threaten to completely upend Eve’s life, Madden proposes a solution as bold as it is risky: a marriage of convenience. The arrangement helps him finally have the woman he’s always loved and gives Eve much-needed financial breathing room while she works toward launching a new music venue that could secure a future for the twins.
There’s only one rule: the marriage will last six months. It will remain a secret shared only among three trusted friends, protecting Madden’s rising Yankees career from scandal—especially since the media wouldn’t look kindly on him marrying a burlesque club owner shunned by her hometown for years.
Of course, what they don’t account for is that plans change. Feelings deepen. Love grows louder. And when love takes root this fiercely, it has a way of bulldozing every obstacle in its path.
Overall: I adored this book. I absolutely loved the twins, and the supporting cast—especially Full Blush Rhonda—added so much heart and humor. Madden and Eve are endlessly lovable together, and their connection feels both emotionally grounded and irresistibly hot. Elton was a fantastic sidekick, and I’m already excited to read his story next.
This is an engaging, steamy, and deeply heartwarming sports romance that I completely devoured. Easily one of my favorite books in the series.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon / Harper Voyager for providing a digital reviewer copy of one of Tessa Bailey’s most anticipated sports romances in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Eve Mitchell was raised by a single father who owned a strip club in a small, conservative, tightly knit town—a background that made her an easy target for bullies from a very young age. When she was fourteen, a new boy arrived in town: Madden Donahue, a charming Irish teen who had just moved in with his aunt. He was sixteen, instantly magnetic, and sparks flew between them almost immediately.
They meet through mutual friends—Eve is close to Skylar, while Madden befriends Elton, Skylar’s brother, after joining the baseball team. But despite the undeniable connection between Eve and Madden, she resists her feelings. Skylar is secretly in love with Madden, and Eve can’t bring herself to betray the only friend who has consistently stood up for her while the rest of the town mocked her because of her father’s profession. So instead, Eve buries her feelings and settles into years of friendship with Madden—despite sharing countless intimate, emotionally charged moments that blur every boundary.
In the present timeline, Eve inherits her father’s strip club and transforms it into a burlesque venue, determined to prove that the town can’t push her out—and that she can succeed on her own terms. And she does, creatively. Financially, however, the plan struggles. On top of that, Eve’s addict sister leaves her twin children in Eve’s care indefinitely, burying her under responsibilities no one her age should have to shoulder alone.
Enter Madden.
He confronts Eve, revealing that he’s always known why she held back her feelings for him all those years. When unexpected health issues and mounting insurance costs threaten to completely upend Eve’s life, Madden proposes a solution as bold as it is risky: a marriage of convenience. The arrangement helps him finally have the woman he’s always loved and gives Eve much-needed financial breathing room while she works toward launching a new music venue that could secure a future for the twins.
There’s only one rule: the marriage will last six months. It will remain a secret shared only among three trusted friends, protecting Madden’s rising Yankees career from scandal—especially since the media wouldn’t look kindly on him marrying a burlesque club owner shunned by her hometown for years.
Of course, what they don’t account for is that plans change. Feelings deepen. Love grows louder. And when love takes root this fiercely, it has a way of bulldozing every obstacle in its path.
Overall: I adored this book. I absolutely loved the twins, and the supporting cast—especially Full Blush Rhonda—added so much heart and humor. Madden and Eve are endlessly lovable together, and their connection feels both emotionally grounded and irresistibly hot. Elton was a fantastic sidekick, and I’m already excited to read his story next.
This is an engaging, steamy, and deeply heartwarming sports romance that I completely devoured. Easily one of my favorite books in the series.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon / Harper Voyager for providing a digital reviewer copy of one of Tessa Bailey’s most anticipated sports romances in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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November 7, 2025My expectations for this book are currently in the trenches 🫡
January 15, 2026
“𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒐.” 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆’𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒎. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. “𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕,”
The way I am shocked to say we are in book #5 of Tessa’s sports romance series, and I am still devouring every single one of them, makes this series a top read for me 🤯📚.
Tessa Bailey, I WAS ALREADY SCREAMING in Pitch Perfect for Eve and Madden’s story, so for them to finally have their chance was all I ever wanted 😭💖.
Madden and Eve is a friends-to-lovers story where Madden, the catcher of the Yankees, finally decides to do something about his crush 😌, and when the opportunity presents itself to marry Eve, he decides to propose it to her hehe. MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE!!! 💍🔥
This was insanely cute, both of them know each other since his high school years and the way Madden protects and cares for Eve since then is so obvious they have this unspoken tension for YEARS and me likey. Eve has a reputation in the town and doesn't want Madden to be affected by it, but Madden doesn't care and the way he proves it has me all giddy.
This was insanely cute 🥹 Both of them have known each other since their high school years, and the way Madden protects and cares for Eve since then is so obvious THEY DESERVE EACH OTHER OKAY. They have had this unspoken tension for YEARS, and me likey 😏✨ Eve has a reputation in town and doesn’t want Madden to be affected by it, but we see that Madden doesn’t care and PROVES IT over and over had me all giddy 😭
“𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒖𝒑. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑬𝒗𝒆.
The way Madden brings in protectiveness in such a soft way, but at the same time stands firm, especially post wedding with the whole “that’s my wife” 😮💨 delicious. He is nothing without her and yearns for her in so many ways. Not only that, but the way he shows up for her and truly cares for her… agh, I could keep talking about him because that’s how perfect he is for Eve 😭
And then there’s Eve ✨ the most badass woman who loves her job as a burlesque owner, even if it’s tied to a “bad” reputation. Doesn't think twice to take here of her sister's kids and understand is a huge responsibility. Not only that but the way she tries to hide her love for Madden, but at the same time gives in just a little bit throughout their early marriage, had me in a chokehold!!!!
This book overall brings such a unique angle because combining sports romance ⚾️ and burlesque 💃 elements hellooo?? Tessa knows no bounds. Bringing in Eve's sensual personality mixed with Madden’s obsession with her?? AGH I WAS DEVOURING IT ALL 😭🔥
You can read this as a standalone, but I highly suggest at least reading Pitch Perfect so you’re introduced to the characters and truly understand that the tension between them has been there from the start 😏
tropes
💛 sports romance
💛 marriage of convenience
💛 small town
💛 friends to lovers
Thank you Avon for my eARC!
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚⋅ Tessa oh Tessa they way I been dying for Madden and Eve story OMFG I CAN'T WAIT!!!
The way I am shocked to say we are in book #5 of Tessa’s sports romance series, and I am still devouring every single one of them, makes this series a top read for me 🤯📚.
Tessa Bailey, I WAS ALREADY SCREAMING in Pitch Perfect for Eve and Madden’s story, so for them to finally have their chance was all I ever wanted 😭💖.
Madden and Eve is a friends-to-lovers story where Madden, the catcher of the Yankees, finally decides to do something about his crush 😌, and when the opportunity presents itself to marry Eve, he decides to propose it to her hehe. MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE!!! 💍🔥
This was insanely cute, both of them know each other since his high school years and the way Madden protects and cares for Eve since then is so obvious they have this unspoken tension for YEARS and me likey. Eve has a reputation in the town and doesn't want Madden to be affected by it, but Madden doesn't care and the way he proves it has me all giddy.
This was insanely cute 🥹 Both of them have known each other since their high school years, and the way Madden protects and cares for Eve since then is so obvious THEY DESERVE EACH OTHER OKAY. They have had this unspoken tension for YEARS, and me likey 😏✨ Eve has a reputation in town and doesn’t want Madden to be affected by it, but we see that Madden doesn’t care and PROVES IT over and over had me all giddy 😭
“𝑰’𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒖𝒑. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑬𝒗𝒆.
The way Madden brings in protectiveness in such a soft way, but at the same time stands firm, especially post wedding with the whole “that’s my wife” 😮💨 delicious. He is nothing without her and yearns for her in so many ways. Not only that, but the way he shows up for her and truly cares for her… agh, I could keep talking about him because that’s how perfect he is for Eve 😭
And then there’s Eve ✨ the most badass woman who loves her job as a burlesque owner, even if it’s tied to a “bad” reputation. Doesn't think twice to take here of her sister's kids and understand is a huge responsibility. Not only that but the way she tries to hide her love for Madden, but at the same time gives in just a little bit throughout their early marriage, had me in a chokehold!!!!
This book overall brings such a unique angle because combining sports romance ⚾️ and burlesque 💃 elements hellooo?? Tessa knows no bounds. Bringing in Eve's sensual personality mixed with Madden’s obsession with her?? AGH I WAS DEVOURING IT ALL 😭🔥
You can read this as a standalone, but I highly suggest at least reading Pitch Perfect so you’re introduced to the characters and truly understand that the tension between them has been there from the start 😏
tropes
💛 sports romance
💛 marriage of convenience
💛 small town
💛 friends to lovers
Thank you Avon for my eARC!
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚⋅ Tessa oh Tessa they way I been dying for Madden and Eve story OMFG I CAN'T WAIT!!!
January 21, 2026
Allow me, i can finally rate it one star
In short (because my review is a mess and I’m deleting it) since this was a friends to lovers trope, I expected both the MMC and the FMC to be virgins; or, if not, then neither of them to be. I don’t like double standards. What I got instead was an MMC who was interested in the FMC during their teens, but as soon as he turned 18 and went to college, his interest disappeared and he slept around for two years. They met again when she turned 18 and he became interested in her again this time sexually and stayed celibate. Meanwhile, she’s more virgin than olive oil and so clueless about sex she clearly missed out on a lot of Wattpad during her teens. On top of that, this book can go to hell and so can the app that wouldn’t let me rate it beforehand.
-----
Tessa did the same shit as last time. But there’s a 7-year gap between the book releases, and time hasn’t taught her how to write a good friends-to-lovers trope. We’ll see MMCs trying to move on, but her FMCs never do. She literally has 29–30-year-old virgin FMCs because they couldn’t get over the MMCs. Saying I’m disappointed, that my head hurts, that I never want to read her again, and that my mom would be scared by my thoughts doesn’t even begin to cover it.
I’m on the floor, I need someone to pick me up. And I can’t even give it 1 star yet because this book hasn’t been released and Goodreads decided to screw us over like this. Lmao, starting my 2026 reading list like this is VIOLENT.
-----
do i have fear??? yes. absolutely. tessa, don’t make this book a copy of Sink or Swim. you’re better than that. don’t ruin us like that, you’ve done it before… i still have nightmares!
friends to lovers trope can be very good or very bad. very good if both stay virgins waiting for each other or at least, there’s no double standard; very bad if the mmc is the only one fully enjoying his single life while the fmc remains a virgin sighing over him.
In Sink or Swim we got the worst when tessa decided the mmc had to sleep with every woman while the fmc stayed a virgin at 29 and still pining for her best friend. Madden and Eve must be better than this.
On the other hand, i beg on my knees that mailer doesn’t get a book. this guy has no mmc material and neither does elton. like… both guys keep seeing other women afterward, a real mmc wouldn’t do that. give other characters a chance, that’s all.
In short (because my review is a mess and I’m deleting it) since this was a friends to lovers trope, I expected both the MMC and the FMC to be virgins; or, if not, then neither of them to be. I don’t like double standards. What I got instead was an MMC who was interested in the FMC during their teens, but as soon as he turned 18 and went to college, his interest disappeared and he slept around for two years. They met again when she turned 18 and he became interested in her again this time sexually and stayed celibate. Meanwhile, she’s more virgin than olive oil and so clueless about sex she clearly missed out on a lot of Wattpad during her teens. On top of that, this book can go to hell and so can the app that wouldn’t let me rate it beforehand.
-----
Tessa did the same shit as last time. But there’s a 7-year gap between the book releases, and time hasn’t taught her how to write a good friends-to-lovers trope. We’ll see MMCs trying to move on, but her FMCs never do. She literally has 29–30-year-old virgin FMCs because they couldn’t get over the MMCs. Saying I’m disappointed, that my head hurts, that I never want to read her again, and that my mom would be scared by my thoughts doesn’t even begin to cover it.
I’m on the floor, I need someone to pick me up. And I can’t even give it 1 star yet because this book hasn’t been released and Goodreads decided to screw us over like this. Lmao, starting my 2026 reading list like this is VIOLENT.
-----
do i have fear??? yes. absolutely. tessa, don’t make this book a copy of Sink or Swim. you’re better than that. don’t ruin us like that, you’ve done it before… i still have nightmares!
friends to lovers trope can be very good or very bad. very good if both stay virgins waiting for each other or at least, there’s no double standard; very bad if the mmc is the only one fully enjoying his single life while the fmc remains a virgin sighing over him.
In Sink or Swim we got the worst when tessa decided the mmc had to sleep with every woman while the fmc stayed a virgin at 29 and still pining for her best friend. Madden and Eve must be better than this.
On the other hand, i beg on my knees that mailer doesn’t get a book. this guy has no mmc material and neither does elton. like… both guys keep seeing other women afterward, a real mmc wouldn’t do that. give other characters a chance, that’s all.
January 22, 2026
Well that was fun!
This is my first Tessa Bailey book and 10/10 would read again.
Also does liking this make me a sports romance girlie now?
The spice was hot, there was just enough emotional depth to keep me invested, and the side characters were amazing. I desperately need more Veda she is amazing. TBH I’d read a book with Rhona as the FMC she seems like a delight!
| IG | TikTok |
I won this book in a giveaway from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is my first Tessa Bailey book and 10/10 would read again.
Also does liking this make me a sports romance girlie now?
The spice was hot, there was just enough emotional depth to keep me invested, and the side characters were amazing. I desperately need more Veda she is amazing. TBH I’d read a book with Rhona as the FMC she seems like a delight!
| IG | TikTok |
I won this book in a giveaway from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Read
February 4, 2025Ok but I thought this book would be about Reese but it has a baseball themed name… hmmm
January 31, 2026
Spoilers ahead ( This review had no right to be so damn long😂😂) would've been a damn 5 star read too
😭😭😭😭😭🤔
Wellllllllll huh tbh the ending of this disappointed me I just chucked this book aside and moved on to two others and forgot to complete my review 😩 hopefully I remember the things I needed to say because clearly while reading i *may* have been been having big feelings about this book.....just a little 🤭.
So if I recall correctly Madden moved to America and became friends with the brother of the h's vest friend. From the moment they met as teens they clicked but there was a two year age difference between them. Madden soon became popular but the h was the daughter of a strip club owner and suffered horrendous bullying because of this....enter Madden her defender and protector. Now in all of this the h's bestie Skylar had a crush on Madden and claimed him for herself, as the h did not have many friends she honoured her friends claim for years 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️. Now Madden left at 18 for college, the h would've been 16 he proceeded to fuck around during that time. Now they weren't together but he Knew hefelt different with her, he was already protective of her (but the author had to fuck my life up) but he moved on until he came back and they had a special moment and he decided no one else would do(he could've made this decision before the author decided to fuck me over but eh I digress) now the h had made her promise to her bestie and she stuck with it(dumbass) avoiding any hints of feelings developing between her and Madden or anything like that.
Fast forward to now, the h still lives in the same backwards town that hated her and bullied her, she's turned her father's strip club into a burlesque club as a middle finger to the haters but it's doing as well as she'd hoped. Then her sister asks her to take her kids as she needs treatment for substance abuse (I think) . Meanwhile Madden had been drafted as a catcher with a decent contract.......things come to a head when her nephew gets sick and Madden offers his bright and shiny health insurance in a 6 month marriage contract.
********
Things that irked me and lowered my rating
1)Madden not waiting, the way he loved her? nah middle finger to you author my boy would've waited 😒
2)The H suffered bullying in that town because of the strip club why would she stay there? what was there to prove? to whom? and when she got the kids did it not occur to her the same things she faced as a child could also happen to them given the shunning, the talk and her reputation still as an adult? she annoyed me for this shit.
3) Her sticking to the promise with her friend....mind you the friend was the h of a previous book so she's been getting dicked down but you've got my boy Madden on hold for some stupid teenage promise that even the friend admitted the h and Madden had something for years. So you're telling me y'all wasted years 😑
4) Her choosing to dance, given Madden's public image and the correlation to kids that was a big no for me. That fucking club was like an albatross around her neck and I just wanted her to toss it because bitch what? You just gave them everything they wanted and more besides because with the added publicity more ppl saw you naked. And Madden had already taken her off that stage meaning he didn't want her to do it whyyyyyy. I did not like this girl she very much gave dumb.
5)This is a me issue but I wanted babies 😫 by then I was irritated with the ending anyway but still 🤷🏾♀️
This series had great promise but ended up very disappointing. Tessa Bailey has been a favourite of mine but now I've got to side eye things a bit before I rush in. I'd love if Veda got her book next, hopefully without the H having slept with her sister but with this version of TB who knows 🤦🏽♀️😒
*******
no cheating
virgin h
H had sex during a 2 year period in college no others after he decided he wanted the h so 4 years of abstinence for him
thoughts while reading
omfggggggg my heart just cannot take Madden .....Tessa Bailey I've been a fan for years but I just may hate you a little rn for those 2 years because whyyyyyyyyy 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 y'all I've never once emailed an author but I'd like to know whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy??????????? The way he loves her is just such perfection 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫
“Drive carefully. My heart is your passenger.” Turning in a circle, he shouted, “If she doesn’t get to her car safely, I’ll get myself traded to Boston.”
Now tell me Ms. Bailey what's the difference between 2 years and 4??????? He was able to abstain for 4 fucking years why would you ruin it by having him fuck around those first 2?????? whyyyyyyyy???? what's the fucking point????? if he's able to wait 4 he would've waited 6,man I'm so fucking ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Why would you ruin a PERFECT fucking book by inserting this bullshit into it??? who beta read this??? who agreed and was like yesssssss girlllll nothing says true love and devotion like him fucking around a little first?!??? I want to literally throw something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just fucking KNOW the h is gonna be a virgin 😭😭😭😭😭
He’d had women on their knees before, but it had been a long time. Since those first two years in college, to be exact. When Madden left for college, Eve was still sixteen and he was doing his god’s honest best to pretend his infatuation with her didn’t exist. He’d had a blur of hookups in those first two years of college trying to drive her out of his head. That first visit home after her graduation, though, he’d almost begged her for forgiveness, even though they weren’t in a relationship. Even though she’d shown no interest in one.
They’d never even spoken to each other in a romantic sense before that night.
He’d asked her out and gotten turned down flat. But he hadn’t gone near another woman since they danced in that tent on the Pages’ front lawn. Once he admitted to himself that Eve was the end game, he didn’t look back, right, or left. Only forward.
Four years of cat and mouse had ensued, him trying to have contact with her in any way, shape, or form. He’d fucking pined for her. Lusted day and night. Missed her like hell. At times, he’d even felt flashes of resentment, confusion for being kept at arm’s length. Not even a friend did that, let alone someone he had a very clear connection with.
Now? He thanked god he’d waited.
No one in this world compared to Eve.
😭😭😭😭😭🤔
Wellllllllll huh tbh the ending of this disappointed me I just chucked this book aside and moved on to two others and forgot to complete my review 😩 hopefully I remember the things I needed to say because clearly while reading i *may* have been been having big feelings about this book.....just a little 🤭.
So if I recall correctly Madden moved to America and became friends with the brother of the h's vest friend. From the moment they met as teens they clicked but there was a two year age difference between them. Madden soon became popular but the h was the daughter of a strip club owner and suffered horrendous bullying because of this....enter Madden her defender and protector. Now in all of this the h's bestie Skylar had a crush on Madden and claimed him for herself, as the h did not have many friends she honoured her friends claim for years 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️. Now Madden left at 18 for college, the h would've been 16 he proceeded to fuck around during that time. Now they weren't together but he Knew hefelt different with her, he was already protective of her (but the author had to fuck my life up) but he moved on until he came back and they had a special moment and he decided no one else would do(he could've made this decision before the author decided to fuck me over but eh I digress) now the h had made her promise to her bestie and she stuck with it(dumbass) avoiding any hints of feelings developing between her and Madden or anything like that.
Fast forward to now, the h still lives in the same backwards town that hated her and bullied her, she's turned her father's strip club into a burlesque club as a middle finger to the haters but it's doing as well as she'd hoped. Then her sister asks her to take her kids as she needs treatment for substance abuse (I think) . Meanwhile Madden had been drafted as a catcher with a decent contract.......things come to a head when her nephew gets sick and Madden offers his bright and shiny health insurance in a 6 month marriage contract.
********
Things that irked me and lowered my rating
1)Madden not waiting, the way he loved her? nah middle finger to you author my boy would've waited 😒
2)The H suffered bullying in that town because of the strip club why would she stay there? what was there to prove? to whom? and when she got the kids did it not occur to her the same things she faced as a child could also happen to them given the shunning, the talk and her reputation still as an adult? she annoyed me for this shit.
3) Her sticking to the promise with her friend....mind you the friend was the h of a previous book so she's been getting dicked down but you've got my boy Madden on hold for some stupid teenage promise that even the friend admitted the h and Madden had something for years. So you're telling me y'all wasted years 😑
4) Her choosing to dance, given Madden's public image and the correlation to kids that was a big no for me. That fucking club was like an albatross around her neck and I just wanted her to toss it because bitch what? You just gave them everything they wanted and more besides because with the added publicity more ppl saw you naked. And Madden had already taken her off that stage meaning he didn't want her to do it whyyyyyy. I did not like this girl she very much gave dumb.
5)This is a me issue but I wanted babies 😫 by then I was irritated with the ending anyway but still 🤷🏾♀️
This series had great promise but ended up very disappointing. Tessa Bailey has been a favourite of mine but now I've got to side eye things a bit before I rush in. I'd love if Veda got her book next, hopefully without the H having slept with her sister but with this version of TB who knows 🤦🏽♀️😒
*******
no cheating
virgin h
H had sex during a 2 year period in college no others after he decided he wanted the h so 4 years of abstinence for him
thoughts while reading
omfggggggg my heart just cannot take Madden .....Tessa Bailey I've been a fan for years but I just may hate you a little rn for those 2 years because whyyyyyyyyy 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 y'all I've never once emailed an author but I'd like to know whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy??????????? The way he loves her is just such perfection 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫
“Drive carefully. My heart is your passenger.” Turning in a circle, he shouted, “If she doesn’t get to her car safely, I’ll get myself traded to Boston.”
Now tell me Ms. Bailey what's the difference between 2 years and 4??????? He was able to abstain for 4 fucking years why would you ruin it by having him fuck around those first 2?????? whyyyyyyyy???? what's the fucking point????? if he's able to wait 4 he would've waited 6,man I'm so fucking ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Why would you ruin a PERFECT fucking book by inserting this bullshit into it??? who beta read this??? who agreed and was like yesssssss girlllll nothing says true love and devotion like him fucking around a little first?!??? I want to literally throw something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just fucking KNOW the h is gonna be a virgin 😭😭😭😭😭
He’d had women on their knees before, but it had been a long time. Since those first two years in college, to be exact. When Madden left for college, Eve was still sixteen and he was doing his god’s honest best to pretend his infatuation with her didn’t exist. He’d had a blur of hookups in those first two years of college trying to drive her out of his head. That first visit home after her graduation, though, he’d almost begged her for forgiveness, even though they weren’t in a relationship. Even though she’d shown no interest in one.
They’d never even spoken to each other in a romantic sense before that night.
He’d asked her out and gotten turned down flat. But he hadn’t gone near another woman since they danced in that tent on the Pages’ front lawn. Once he admitted to himself that Eve was the end game, he didn’t look back, right, or left. Only forward.
Four years of cat and mouse had ensued, him trying to have contact with her in any way, shape, or form. He’d fucking pined for her. Lusted day and night. Missed her like hell. At times, he’d even felt flashes of resentment, confusion for being kept at arm’s length. Not even a friend did that, let alone someone he had a very clear connection with.
Now? He thanked god he’d waited.
No one in this world compared to Eve.
not-for-me
January 30, 2026SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
So over the virgin h with a previously manwhore H…
Especially when it’s friends to lovers
ESPECIALLY when she specifically wanted to save herself for him 🙄
Girl. What??? Move TF on!
All these women know what he looks like naked…
And don’t get me started on the strip club plot line
Not. For. Me.
So over the virgin h with a previously manwhore H…
Especially when it’s friends to lovers
ESPECIALLY when she specifically wanted to save herself for him 🙄
Girl. What??? Move TF on!
All these women know what he looks like naked…
And don’t get me started on the strip club plot line
Not. For. Me.
Read
August 15, 2025tessa bailey please don’t make me care about the yankees i can’t do it i won’t do it
Want to read
May 12, 2025I ALREADY KNOW WHICH COUPLE IN THIS ONE AND I AM GOING ABSOLUTELY FERALLL MOUTH FROTHING GRRR GRRRR GIMME GIMMEEEEEEE 👹👹👹 MOTHER BAILEY PLSSSSSSSSSS I BEG DONT FLOP THIS
January 22, 2026
1.5
One of the worst romance novels I've read.
First, we have 22 year old Eve, who has inherited a strip club at age 18, and hates that the town is constantly making jokes to her about "when is she going to get on the pole?" but then admits the thought of people seeing her is hot and she wants to strip in front of people? but then goes back to being offended about the comments? but then goes back to wanting to strip? Girl, pick one!
We have Madden (horrible name) who just got on at the Yankees, is hopelessly in love with Eve and has been since they were teens, convinces her to marry him for the health insurance.
Eventually, Eve admits feelings for Madden, and after sex, says she was a VIRGIN because she wanted to wait for him. **I am so tired of this trope with the experienced man and the woman who has never been dicked down (but deep throated this guy on the first night 🤨)
Half of this book, honestly, was just BAD sex scenes or leading up to the bad sex scenes. The other half was one of the main characters being an idiot, aye.
One of the worst romance novels I've read.
First, we have 22 year old Eve, who has inherited a strip club at age 18, and hates that the town is constantly making jokes to her about "when is she going to get on the pole?" but then admits the thought of people seeing her is hot and she wants to strip in front of people? but then goes back to being offended about the comments? but then goes back to wanting to strip? Girl, pick one!
We have Madden (horrible name) who just got on at the Yankees, is hopelessly in love with Eve and has been since they were teens, convinces her to marry him for the health insurance.
Eventually, Eve admits feelings for Madden, and after sex, says she was a VIRGIN because she wanted to wait for him. **I am so tired of this trope with the experienced man and the woman who has never been dicked down (but deep throated this guy on the first night 🤨)
Half of this book, honestly, was just BAD sex scenes or leading up to the bad sex scenes. The other half was one of the main characters being an idiot, aye.
January 11, 2026
rating: 3.75 ★
madden donahue is the newest catcher for the new york yankees and has been hopelessly in love with eve mitchell since the two crossed paths in high school. eve, being the daughter of the only strip club owner (now turned burlesque club) in town has always turned him down to protect her best friends feeling as well as him from the scrutiny she has endured her whole life. nevertheless, madden has always gone out of his way to protect her. now that he’s made it to the major leagues and eve finds herself caring full time for her niece and nephew he wants to protect her the best way he knows how: marrying her. this way the kids can have health insurance, and he has at least 6 months to convince her that the chemistry they have is real.
this book really felt different from the other books in the big shot series and in a really good way. the way that tessa wove flashbacks into the beginning of the book really built up their chemistry and relationship. i mean, we love a man who YEARNS am i right? 👀 and i’m talking yearning for years until she was ready. not to mention we really got to dig into the internal struggles of the main characters, which pulled me in from the very beginning.
“𝙞’𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝.”
on the flip side, all of the things that make tessa baileys book so enjoyable are still present and going strong. she never fails to make me laugh, i mean full bush rhonda? absolutely fucking sent me. 😭
also shoutout to tessa for having a child free couple in their book. 🥹
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🤍
madden donahue is the newest catcher for the new york yankees and has been hopelessly in love with eve mitchell since the two crossed paths in high school. eve, being the daughter of the only strip club owner (now turned burlesque club) in town has always turned him down to protect her best friends feeling as well as him from the scrutiny she has endured her whole life. nevertheless, madden has always gone out of his way to protect her. now that he’s made it to the major leagues and eve finds herself caring full time for her niece and nephew he wants to protect her the best way he knows how: marrying her. this way the kids can have health insurance, and he has at least 6 months to convince her that the chemistry they have is real.
this book really felt different from the other books in the big shot series and in a really good way. the way that tessa wove flashbacks into the beginning of the book really built up their chemistry and relationship. i mean, we love a man who YEARNS am i right? 👀 and i’m talking yearning for years until she was ready. not to mention we really got to dig into the internal struggles of the main characters, which pulled me in from the very beginning.
“𝙞’𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝.”
on the flip side, all of the things that make tessa baileys book so enjoyable are still present and going strong. she never fails to make me laugh, i mean full bush rhonda? absolutely fucking sent me. 😭
also shoutout to tessa for having a child free couple in their book. 🥹
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Happy Release Day!!
3.5 stars
Uber mixed feelings on this one.
As always, Tessa's writing is incredibly engaging and fun. Even when there are parts I dislike about her stories, I'm still enjoying myself immensely.
The MMC in this one is perfect. Silent and strong type, ridiculously loyal, and Irish. Perfect.
Which makes the issues I have with the FMC more glaring. She was a great character on her own, but I was never fully sold on her being the romantic interest. She's a great person, but I don't think we ever get to see why Madden was so down bad from the start. All we get over her when they're young is she is quite, vulnerable, and beautiful.
And not a fan of the ending. The juxtaposition of these two characters is right in your face with how they're dealing with issues and so I was really disappointed.
But much love to TB and her amazing story telling 💙
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars
Uber mixed feelings on this one.
As always, Tessa's writing is incredibly engaging and fun. Even when there are parts I dislike about her stories, I'm still enjoying myself immensely.
The MMC in this one is perfect. Silent and strong type, ridiculously loyal, and Irish. Perfect.
Which makes the issues I have with the FMC more glaring. She was a great character on her own, but I was never fully sold on her being the romantic interest. She's a great person, but I don't think we ever get to see why Madden was so down bad from the start. All we get over her when they're young is she is quite, vulnerable, and beautiful.
And not a fan of the ending. The juxtaposition of these two characters is right in your face with how they're dealing with issues and so I was really disappointed.
But much love to TB and her amazing story telling 💙
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
February 4, 2026
The audiobook itself is an easy 5 stars! The narrator’s are incredible!!! The MMCs Irish accent and tone?! So fucking hot. 🥵🔥 So if you are deciding between reading or listening, definitely listen.
The story itself, I’m going to rate 4 stars for now. I honestly enjoyed it up till the last 15%. Eve and Madden just handle things so differently and I didn’t agree with how Eve dealt with the conflict at the end. It honestly pissed me off because it felt self destructive. And Madden knew this but decided to support her anyways bc Eve’s decision was so public.
*Small spoiler below*
Also, one thing that did bother me in the beginning was that this is a friends to lovers romance, where both characters are been pining for each other for years. Yet Madden went off to college and fucked girls for 2 years while Eve remained a virgin. And once we saw her again, he never was with anyone again. My issue is with with this dynamic of him getting to be a manwhore while she stays pure just for him. In over this. She should have had other sexual experiences if he was able to as well. It just makes her love and devotion seem more true.
Anyways, the sex scenes were good. Tessa Bailey usually writes some pretty cringe dialogue during those moments but that didnt seem to be the case here. Granted, the narrator’s sexy accent might have made any cringe dialogue not so cringe, but nothing was glaringly terrible.
The story itself, I’m going to rate 4 stars for now. I honestly enjoyed it up till the last 15%. Eve and Madden just handle things so differently and I didn’t agree with how Eve dealt with the conflict at the end. It honestly pissed me off because it felt self destructive. And Madden knew this but decided to support her anyways bc Eve’s decision was so public.
*Small spoiler below*
Also, one thing that did bother me in the beginning was that this is a friends to lovers romance, where both characters are been pining for each other for years. Yet Madden went off to college and fucked girls for 2 years while Eve remained a virgin. And once we saw her again, he never was with anyone again. My issue is with with this dynamic of him getting to be a manwhore while she stays pure just for him. In over this. She should have had other sexual experiences if he was able to as well. It just makes her love and devotion seem more true.
Anyways, the sex scenes were good. Tessa Bailey usually writes some pretty cringe dialogue during those moments but that didnt seem to be the case here. Granted, the narrator’s sexy accent might have made any cringe dialogue not so cringe, but nothing was glaringly terrible.
January 30, 2026
I really need to implement DNF-ing books. Because this has to be one of the worst books I've ever read...
dnr
January 8, 2026Note: friends to lovers, virgin fmc / non-v mmc
Books with these tropes piss me off so much, i need to read something with a lot of omd to balance it out
Books with these tropes piss me off so much, i need to read something with a lot of omd to balance it out
December 1, 2025
The Big Shots series is the gift that keeps on giving. Every single book gives you something different but all with that Tessa Bailey charm (and spice). Book 5 is about Madden and Eve (who had fairly prominent roles in book 4 and I was very excited to have them be the main love interests in this book). Madden and Eve have loved each other since they were kids. But Madden thought Eve didn't like him and Eve thought Madden was destined to be with her best friend. Jump to current day where Madden is the catcher for the Yankees and Eve is trying to run her struggling burlesque club and raise her niece and nephew.
I really enjoyed this one and had a hard time putting it down. Having already met these characters in book 4, I was so ready to dive into their little marriage of convenience storyline. I think I connected with Eve a lot in this one because she's very quiet, doesn't really like hanging out with people, and is not the bubbly heroine we get in so many romcoms. Their relationship was believable, why they entered this marriage was believable, even the third act breakup made complete sense for me. The side characters were fun (including my favorite, Full Bush Rhonda). The only reason this didn't get 5 stars is I am not a fan of voyeurism spice, AND, I wish we had a little more with the baseball part of the storyline. Besides that, no notes.
Tessa is clearly setting us up for a Big Shots #6 and OH BOY am I excited for that one.
I really enjoyed this one and had a hard time putting it down. Having already met these characters in book 4, I was so ready to dive into their little marriage of convenience storyline. I think I connected with Eve a lot in this one because she's very quiet, doesn't really like hanging out with people, and is not the bubbly heroine we get in so many romcoms. Their relationship was believable, why they entered this marriage was believable, even the third act breakup made complete sense for me. The side characters were fun (including my favorite, Full Bush Rhonda). The only reason this didn't get 5 stars is I am not a fan of voyeurism spice, AND, I wish we had a little more with the baseball part of the storyline. Besides that, no notes.
Tessa is clearly setting us up for a Big Shots #6 and OH BOY am I excited for that one.
March 2, 2025
first review for this book & that’s on period💅🏽
Read
June 1, 2025Madden and Eva?
February 3, 2026
This was utter perfection FOR ME!
I have truly missed Tessa Bailey, but specifically when her books just connect with me. There was something so strong and reassuring about the MMC that made me feel safe and cared for. Look I get it, this is a fictional man but this is what I want when I read. Someone who makes me believe love could be real!
Safe to say I adored both FMC & MMC. I felt like they were well fleshed out even in such a short story. They had so many things going on in their own lives and while they could handle it on their own, that added help of a partner was just pure sweetness.
I laughed out loud and swooned – truly so happy I picked this one up!
I have truly missed Tessa Bailey, but specifically when her books just connect with me. There was something so strong and reassuring about the MMC that made me feel safe and cared for. Look I get it, this is a fictional man but this is what I want when I read. Someone who makes me believe love could be real!
Safe to say I adored both FMC & MMC. I felt like they were well fleshed out even in such a short story. They had so many things going on in their own lives and while they could handle it on their own, that added help of a partner was just pure sweetness.
I laughed out loud and swooned – truly so happy I picked this one up!
January 25, 2026
Ugh yikes. This is a generous 3⭐️ because I’m rounding up a 2.75⭐️ and a true bummer because I overall had fun reading this series. Although I’d say every other book was average at best. Fangirl Down and The Au Pair Affair were probably the only ones I actually had fun reading.
Where do I start? It’s took me well over 50% of the book to feel like this was going anywhere. It felt messy and all over the place and even having read the whole series, I was lost and confused and did not know what was happening.
I’ll admit, I’m hard to please when it comes to the friends to lovers trope. I find theme often unrealistic and shallow and well, here we are.
The FMC waited for him a virgin but he only did once he had his fill in college? I mean sure but for an independent, badass burlesque dancer, this made no sense. You’re also going to tell me he really had no clue she donated that kidney? Be so for real.
I did not buy one second his caveman tendencies, it felt like we were trying to force a trope on a character that did not fit. And most of the book just felt like a trope dump with no clear intention behind who the main characters truly were.
I felt like I was just bounced left and right on a rollercoaster with no end in sight, never reaching that endorphin spike.
Where do I start? It’s took me well over 50% of the book to feel like this was going anywhere. It felt messy and all over the place and even having read the whole series, I was lost and confused and did not know what was happening.
I’ll admit, I’m hard to please when it comes to the friends to lovers trope. I find theme often unrealistic and shallow and well, here we are.
The FMC waited for him a virgin but he only did once he had his fill in college? I mean sure but for an independent, badass burlesque dancer, this made no sense. You’re also going to tell me he really had no clue she donated that kidney? Be so for real.
I did not buy one second his caveman tendencies, it felt like we were trying to force a trope on a character that did not fit. And most of the book just felt like a trope dump with no clear intention behind who the main characters truly were.
I felt like I was just bounced left and right on a rollercoaster with no end in sight, never reaching that endorphin spike.
November 18, 2025
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eArc*
Tessa Bailey you will always be famous in my household!!! This series branched off in so many different directions and I kind of love how she just followed the characters she felt were interesting and compelling and landed here. I will say this book is a stunning return to form, as the last one wasn’t my favourite of the bunch, but we’re so back!!!
Tessa Bailey you will always be famous in my household!!! This series branched off in so many different directions and I kind of love how she just followed the characters she felt were interesting and compelling and landed here. I will say this book is a stunning return to form, as the last one wasn’t my favourite of the bunch, but we’re so back!!!
January 22, 2026
it feels like tessa was grasping for straws when writing this book
January 19, 2026
Super interested to get into Madden and Eve!
But also...what do I have to do for at least a couple of chapters or a novella about Mailer and Reese 😭😭😭😭
![](https://media.tenor.com/LLb8XNz_utIAAAAM/begging-cat.gif"/)
pls Tessa, I'm begging lol
3.75 stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon for the digital arc of Catch Her If You Can!
I truly enjoyed seeing the fake marriage trope and the romance play out for the newest catcher of the Yankees and a Burlesque club owner. Both Eve and Madden were so enjoyable to read with Eve and her own pride, being a girls’ girl and being there for others when times got hard. I adored how Madden loved her and the fact that these two showed their love to each other even before their “marriage” gave us a lot of depth into their relationship and own emotions. I also adored the addition of new side characters of Veda and Full Bush Rhonda along with having our favorites from Pitcher Perfect like Elton, Skylar and Robbie! The epilogue also wrapped up the Big Shots series well! I would love to have a couple of short stories or novellas about the other couples mentioned throughout the series but other than that I enjoyed this book very much!!
But also...what do I have to do for at least a couple of chapters or a novella about Mailer and Reese 😭😭😭😭
pls Tessa, I'm begging lol
3.75 stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon for the digital arc of Catch Her If You Can!
I truly enjoyed seeing the fake marriage trope and the romance play out for the newest catcher of the Yankees and a Burlesque club owner. Both Eve and Madden were so enjoyable to read with Eve and her own pride, being a girls’ girl and being there for others when times got hard. I adored how Madden loved her and the fact that these two showed their love to each other even before their “marriage” gave us a lot of depth into their relationship and own emotions. I also adored the addition of new side characters of Veda and Full Bush Rhonda along with having our favorites from Pitcher Perfect like Elton, Skylar and Robbie! The epilogue also wrapped up the Big Shots series well! I would love to have a couple of short stories or novellas about the other couples mentioned throughout the series but other than that I enjoyed this book very much!!
December 29, 2025
My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. As usual, Tessa Bailey knocks it out of the park. She creates vulnerable, relatable, and lovable characters. I’m just so sad this series is now concluded but glad we got a bonus couple.
January 25, 2026
Maybe I would have liked this book more if I'd read any others in the series? But I kind of gave up on this author after the Beat and Melody debacle. I heard this had a pining hero in it so I was all in but there was very little pining, it all felt very rushed as they got together almost immediately. A lot of it felt underdeveloped like her issues with her sister and the flashbacks sprinkled throughout made the whole thing feel more disjointed. There were some swoony moments but overall I found this super forgettable.
⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
Marriage Of Convenience
⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
Marriage Of Convenience
December 15, 2025
ARC REVIEW - Thank you to HarperCollins Australia and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
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I’ve really loved this series overall and have found every book fun and easy to read. While I still enjoyed this one, it didn’t quite hit the same level for me as some of the earlier instalments.
I was interested in Eve’s storyline, especially with her having custody of her niece and nephew, and
I liked the marriage-of-convenience setup. Eve is a layered character, and Madden is very much a classic Tessa Bailey hero, intense, devoted, and completely head over heels for his woman. That said, the romance felt a little rushed. Their feelings were pretty instant, which left little room for tension or a slower build. I was hoping for more yearning and a stronger “will they, won’t they” dynamic.
I also would have liked more depth in parts of the story. The past storyline felt underexplored, and I wished there had been more development in Eve’s relationship with her sister.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable and easy read. The Au Pair Affair and Pitcher Perfect are still my favourites in the series, but this one will appeal to readers looking for a lighter, easy romance and those keen to complete the series.
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I’ve really loved this series overall and have found every book fun and easy to read. While I still enjoyed this one, it didn’t quite hit the same level for me as some of the earlier instalments.
I was interested in Eve’s storyline, especially with her having custody of her niece and nephew, and
I liked the marriage-of-convenience setup. Eve is a layered character, and Madden is very much a classic Tessa Bailey hero, intense, devoted, and completely head over heels for his woman. That said, the romance felt a little rushed. Their feelings were pretty instant, which left little room for tension or a slower build. I was hoping for more yearning and a stronger “will they, won’t they” dynamic.
I also would have liked more depth in parts of the story. The past storyline felt underexplored, and I wished there had been more development in Eve’s relationship with her sister.
Overall, this was still an enjoyable and easy read. The Au Pair Affair and Pitcher Perfect are still my favourites in the series, but this one will appeal to readers looking for a lighter, easy romance and those keen to complete the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2025
I admittedly went into this one with low expectations because I wasn’t super interested in the characters from the prior book mentions. I was wrong to do so! I think this will be my second favorite of the series (nothing will beat Fangirl Down). This book was less silly and more serious for a Tessa Bailey book. It did take me a little bit to get into it but I ended up reading it in one sitting. The story was interesting and while things moved quickly like they always do in a Tessa Bailey book, it worked here because of some flashbacks and knowing the two of them were pining after each other without acting on it for so long.
🤍 single guardian
🥹 “it’s always been you”
💍 marriage of convenience
💭 flashbacks
⚾️ baseball
👏🏻 no third act breakup (in my opinion)
dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️
🤍 single guardian
🥹 “it’s always been you”
💍 marriage of convenience
💭 flashbacks
⚾️ baseball
👏🏻 no third act breakup (in my opinion)
dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️
April 12, 2025
Stfu ANOTHER baseball one? The way I am so sat oMG
November 27, 2025
What you can expect to find in Catch Her If You Can:
-friends to lovers
-she falls first
-burlesque dancer x baseball player
-marriage of convenience
-found family
-single parent
Madden Donahue didn't really feel like he truly belonged anywhere until he migrated from Ireland to the US to live with his aunt. That's where he made his first real friends and of course where he met Eve Mitchell. His group of friends and his love of baseball grounded him. But Madden always felt the need to protect Eve. Especially since the small town they lived in constantly gave her crap for being the daughter of the strip club owner.
But Eve has dreams and plans to turn that strip club to a Burlesque club. She's proud of who she is and wants to show the town she's capable of turning the strip club into something that embodies her. But when unforeseen circumstances leave Eve as the guardian of her sister's two younger children, Eve's not sure she can achieve her dreams while also giving the loving care her niece and nephew deserve. Madden proposes a solution for Eve - marry him and gain insurance to help take care of her niece and nephew. She reluctantly agrees, but only on the terms that it's a temporary 6 month solution and that no one knows about this "marriage." Eve doesn't want to taint Madden's image of being associated with her. But what happens when their marriage of convenience starts to feel all too real?
As soon as I read the synopsis and saw marriage of convenience I needed to read this book. And Tessa did not disappoint. The last few books by Tessa Bailey have been hit and miss for me, but I really enjoyed Catch Her If You Can. I loved how sweet both Madden and Eve were towards one another. Eve's always wanted Madden and vice versa but so many obstacles kept them apart. Madden wasn't about to let Eve go when he had her. I will always say that Tessa Bailey knows how to write the best spicy scenes and she definitely delivered in this book 👀.
Overall, a solid 4 star read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
-friends to lovers
-she falls first
-burlesque dancer x baseball player
-marriage of convenience
-found family
-single parent
Madden Donahue didn't really feel like he truly belonged anywhere until he migrated from Ireland to the US to live with his aunt. That's where he made his first real friends and of course where he met Eve Mitchell. His group of friends and his love of baseball grounded him. But Madden always felt the need to protect Eve. Especially since the small town they lived in constantly gave her crap for being the daughter of the strip club owner.
But Eve has dreams and plans to turn that strip club to a Burlesque club. She's proud of who she is and wants to show the town she's capable of turning the strip club into something that embodies her. But when unforeseen circumstances leave Eve as the guardian of her sister's two younger children, Eve's not sure she can achieve her dreams while also giving the loving care her niece and nephew deserve. Madden proposes a solution for Eve - marry him and gain insurance to help take care of her niece and nephew. She reluctantly agrees, but only on the terms that it's a temporary 6 month solution and that no one knows about this "marriage." Eve doesn't want to taint Madden's image of being associated with her. But what happens when their marriage of convenience starts to feel all too real?
As soon as I read the synopsis and saw marriage of convenience I needed to read this book. And Tessa did not disappoint. The last few books by Tessa Bailey have been hit and miss for me, but I really enjoyed Catch Her If You Can. I loved how sweet both Madden and Eve were towards one another. Eve's always wanted Madden and vice versa but so many obstacles kept them apart. Madden wasn't about to let Eve go when he had her. I will always say that Tessa Bailey knows how to write the best spicy scenes and she definitely delivered in this book 👀.
Overall, a solid 4 star read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
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