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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?
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 20, 2026
1479 people are currently reading
41587 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Bailey
96 books67.6k 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 749 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
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
Read
August 15, 2025tessa bailey please don’t make me care about the yankees i can’t do it i won’t do it
Currently reading
January 27, 2026Spoilers , currently reading 😭😭😭😭😭🤔
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
March 2, 2025
first review for this book & that’s on period💅🏽
Read
June 1, 2025Madden and Eva?
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!!!
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.
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!!
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.
not-for-me
January 29, 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 to 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 to 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.
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.
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.
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.
January 22, 2026
I am a sucker for an accent
January 12, 2026
⚾️ Baseball Player
🪭 Burlesque Club Owner
⚾️ Pining, so much pining
🪭 Marriage of convenience
This books timing couldn’t have been more accurately planned with the release of Life of a Showgirl - that’s Skylars album folks.
There is so much yearning in this book I almost couldn’t cope (positive). I’d been excited for Maddox’s story since Pitcher Perfect and it felt so uniquely Tessa Bailey than I devoured it within a day!
With someone having published as many books as Tessa I am honestly amazed at her ability to create a fresh unique story every time. We had plenty of cameos/mentions of other characters in the series without overtaking the story and it was so lovely to see Skylar’s character growth and journey as she came to love herself.
My only critique is I feel the ending was rushed and Skylar lost her narrative and independence slightly, I would have liked her to stand up for herself more towards the end!
🪭 Burlesque Club Owner
⚾️ Pining, so much pining
🪭 Marriage of convenience
This books timing couldn’t have been more accurately planned with the release of Life of a Showgirl - that’s Skylars album folks.
There is so much yearning in this book I almost couldn’t cope (positive). I’d been excited for Maddox’s story since Pitcher Perfect and it felt so uniquely Tessa Bailey than I devoured it within a day!
With someone having published as many books as Tessa I am honestly amazed at her ability to create a fresh unique story every time. We had plenty of cameos/mentions of other characters in the series without overtaking the story and it was so lovely to see Skylar’s character growth and journey as she came to love herself.
My only critique is I feel the ending was rushed and Skylar lost her narrative and independence slightly, I would have liked her to stand up for herself more towards the end!
January 22, 2026
it feels like tessa was grasping for straws when writing this book
January 28, 2026
Two “strong, emotionally stunted silent types” can finally stop pining for each other with a marriage of convenience that helps them both get out of their own way.
Eve Mitchell has been in love with Madden Donahue since she first saw him at age 14, but her best friend’s crush on him kept her from following her own heart. Now the owner of a strip club-turned-burlesque club with custody of her sister’s two kids (while she is in rehab), bills are piling up and Madden, her self-appointed protector, gives her a marriage offer she can’t refuse. She gets the health benefits for her niece and nephew AND they get to finally put a label on their relationship and give in to their long-withheld feelings. Madden has always wanted Eve right back (after she turned 18 and their two-year age gap didn’t matter so much anymore), but he never knew why she always seemed to turn him down - her friendship with Skylar was far too precious to risk. But with Skylar happily paired off, Eve accepts his proposal on the conditions that their marriage last for six months and remains a secret. Privacy is the only way she will stop Madden’s reputation from being tarnished by her own at the start of his shiny - and very public - new career as the catcher for the NY Yankees. Used to being shunned by her town, Eve doesn’t want to risk the media frenzy that would cause him. They’ve always looked out for one another at a distance but maybe now, as feelings deepen and plans change, they’ll be able to keep the love that’s been a decade in the making.
Spoilers coming up…
It was engaging and steamy, but lacked emotional depth for me. Everything I write next is going to sound so negative, but overall I did enjoy it - I just wanted more!
“The combination of lust and idolization was a potent one” and being obsessed with one another was all the intimacy we got. I’m all for a protective, obsessed, Irish MMC who would do anything for his girl, but it could read as creepy at times, honestly. It felt like his caveman tendencies came out of nowhere and were extra intense from the moment he could call her “my wife.” For example: ‘“You’ll get no distance from me, Eve Donahue,” he rasped against her mouth, keeping her jaw in his hand while delivering a firm, meaningful look.’ This was after she said she reminded him that she still wanted their marriage to be temporary… tell me that doesn’t sound like a threat!!! 😳 Their moments could’ve been so much more sweet and romantic, especially with their history and yearning, but instead we got some red flags disguised to look pink.
In that vein, the focus on Eve’s exhibitionism and Madden’s possessiveness was over the top and seemed like an attempt to make them stand out from other sports romances. Performing their private acts in public places was something that didn’t land for me, especially with how these two are supposed to care so deeply about protecting one another from negative attention. Something that really frustrated me was how Madden seemed not to really care that he was Eve’s first time EVER up against a wall outside of her apartment building. 🫨 WTF! There were moments he was painted as so sensitive and devoted then others he seemed to care about nothing but his own desire.
The friends to lovers trope doesn’t quite fit this couple, in my opinion, because they were never really friends. They both had high school crushes and didn’t act on them, which created years long obsessions with one another and made them always wonder ‘what if?’ Then the marriage of convenience takes away all the yearning and there wasn’t any will they/wont they tension because they admitted their feelings pretty immediately. They get honest and physically intimate really quickly but stay stuck in ‘let’s keep it a secret’ territory for the sake of Madden’s image, which made it hard to understand why they wouldn’t just… be together. I get that Eve cared a lot about Madden’s reputation and the hit it would take by being associated with her, but that being the only basis for them not being together felt weak when their commitment was obviously so strong.
A missed opportunity for more depth and emotion would have been to explore Eve’s relationship with her sister. We know she has custody of her niece and nephew and we get just enough of them to really build her character, but a sister relationship would’ve added more heart. Dropping a line at the end of the epilogue about Eve and Madden not wanting kids was also a surprise without much elaboration, especially considering how much Eve seemed to have enjoyed the chaotic but special time with Landon and Lark.
This may sound odd, but I wanted the Irish narration to be better? Sometimes having an Irish MMC really slaps (Nolan in Good Spirits and all of the Kane brothers from Brynn Weaver’s books), but his feels subtle and I realized it’s because he is actually American. I LOVED Jason Clarke’s narration of Soul Searching and think he’s awesome, but when there is an Irish MMC, I want an IRISH MMC. 🍀
Final thought: How is Veda too young for Elton at 21 but Eve isn’t too young for Madden at 22? 🧐 I thought we might get another book about Veda and Elton, but I think they were just a cherry on top of this one. Also, Eve pushing the club onto Veda without any prior conversation and then bouncing after a ‘you’ve got this, babe’ is absolutely unhinged, right?!
Actual final thought: I also wanted more baseball ⚾️
Eve Mitchell has been in love with Madden Donahue since she first saw him at age 14, but her best friend’s crush on him kept her from following her own heart. Now the owner of a strip club-turned-burlesque club with custody of her sister’s two kids (while she is in rehab), bills are piling up and Madden, her self-appointed protector, gives her a marriage offer she can’t refuse. She gets the health benefits for her niece and nephew AND they get to finally put a label on their relationship and give in to their long-withheld feelings. Madden has always wanted Eve right back (after she turned 18 and their two-year age gap didn’t matter so much anymore), but he never knew why she always seemed to turn him down - her friendship with Skylar was far too precious to risk. But with Skylar happily paired off, Eve accepts his proposal on the conditions that their marriage last for six months and remains a secret. Privacy is the only way she will stop Madden’s reputation from being tarnished by her own at the start of his shiny - and very public - new career as the catcher for the NY Yankees. Used to being shunned by her town, Eve doesn’t want to risk the media frenzy that would cause him. They’ve always looked out for one another at a distance but maybe now, as feelings deepen and plans change, they’ll be able to keep the love that’s been a decade in the making.
Spoilers coming up…
It was engaging and steamy, but lacked emotional depth for me. Everything I write next is going to sound so negative, but overall I did enjoy it - I just wanted more!
“The combination of lust and idolization was a potent one” and being obsessed with one another was all the intimacy we got. I’m all for a protective, obsessed, Irish MMC who would do anything for his girl, but it could read as creepy at times, honestly. It felt like his caveman tendencies came out of nowhere and were extra intense from the moment he could call her “my wife.” For example: ‘“You’ll get no distance from me, Eve Donahue,” he rasped against her mouth, keeping her jaw in his hand while delivering a firm, meaningful look.’ This was after she said she reminded him that she still wanted their marriage to be temporary… tell me that doesn’t sound like a threat!!! 😳 Their moments could’ve been so much more sweet and romantic, especially with their history and yearning, but instead we got some red flags disguised to look pink.
In that vein, the focus on Eve’s exhibitionism and Madden’s possessiveness was over the top and seemed like an attempt to make them stand out from other sports romances. Performing their private acts in public places was something that didn’t land for me, especially with how these two are supposed to care so deeply about protecting one another from negative attention. Something that really frustrated me was how Madden seemed not to really care that he was Eve’s first time EVER up against a wall outside of her apartment building. 🫨 WTF! There were moments he was painted as so sensitive and devoted then others he seemed to care about nothing but his own desire.
The friends to lovers trope doesn’t quite fit this couple, in my opinion, because they were never really friends. They both had high school crushes and didn’t act on them, which created years long obsessions with one another and made them always wonder ‘what if?’ Then the marriage of convenience takes away all the yearning and there wasn’t any will they/wont they tension because they admitted their feelings pretty immediately. They get honest and physically intimate really quickly but stay stuck in ‘let’s keep it a secret’ territory for the sake of Madden’s image, which made it hard to understand why they wouldn’t just… be together. I get that Eve cared a lot about Madden’s reputation and the hit it would take by being associated with her, but that being the only basis for them not being together felt weak when their commitment was obviously so strong.
A missed opportunity for more depth and emotion would have been to explore Eve’s relationship with her sister. We know she has custody of her niece and nephew and we get just enough of them to really build her character, but a sister relationship would’ve added more heart. Dropping a line at the end of the epilogue about Eve and Madden not wanting kids was also a surprise without much elaboration, especially considering how much Eve seemed to have enjoyed the chaotic but special time with Landon and Lark.
This may sound odd, but I wanted the Irish narration to be better? Sometimes having an Irish MMC really slaps (Nolan in Good Spirits and all of the Kane brothers from Brynn Weaver’s books), but his feels subtle and I realized it’s because he is actually American. I LOVED Jason Clarke’s narration of Soul Searching and think he’s awesome, but when there is an Irish MMC, I want an IRISH MMC. 🍀
Final thought: How is Veda too young for Elton at 21 but Eve isn’t too young for Madden at 22? 🧐 I thought we might get another book about Veda and Elton, but I think they were just a cherry on top of this one. Also, Eve pushing the club onto Veda without any prior conversation and then bouncing after a ‘you’ve got this, babe’ is absolutely unhinged, right?!
Actual final thought: I also wanted more baseball ⚾️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don't know what Tessa Bailey is doing with this series, but it is working! Big Shots started off rocky for me, but these last two books have been so much fun. Sure, you have a little mellow drama, but would it be Tessa Bailey without it?
I was pleasantly surprised to discover a story where our main couple behaved in fairly reasonable ways with rationale behind their actions. Honestly, the worst thing about this book is that you would only marry a pro-athlete (and a Yankee, no less) for health insurance in the United States.
We first met Eve and Madden in the previous book in the series, where they played beguiling yet absolutely gorgeous side characters. Now, they are center stage, baggage and all. Eve is a knockout who suffers from the stigma of her father owning a strip club which she now runs. Madden is a transplant Irishman who got strong armed into playing America's game only to tragically discover that he's actually quite good at it. He is also absolutely coocoo for cocoa puffs about Eve. We get some lovely flashbacks to their time in high school, where Madden manages to toe the line of being Eve's protector without bringing a complete tool.
Eve is forced into quite a predicament when her nephew, who she is raising alongside his twin sister whilst their mother is in rehab, is diagnosed with asthma. As any self-employed person facing a health crisis in the US health care system can vouch, Eve does the only sensible thing and agrees to marry a pro-athlete. The fact that they're absolutely bonkers for each other is beside the point.
This story was surprisingly heartwarming. We see a couple who genuinely care about each other. We witness a pairing who work to support each other without losing their heads (which is a step forward with Tessa Bailey). There is a subplot about female empowerment. To think that we could have skipped the au pair and step-sibling nonsense and gone straight here!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for this digital ARC!
I was pleasantly surprised to discover a story where our main couple behaved in fairly reasonable ways with rationale behind their actions. Honestly, the worst thing about this book is that you would only marry a pro-athlete (and a Yankee, no less) for health insurance in the United States.
We first met Eve and Madden in the previous book in the series, where they played beguiling yet absolutely gorgeous side characters. Now, they are center stage, baggage and all. Eve is a knockout who suffers from the stigma of her father owning a strip club which she now runs. Madden is a transplant Irishman who got strong armed into playing America's game only to tragically discover that he's actually quite good at it. He is also absolutely coocoo for cocoa puffs about Eve. We get some lovely flashbacks to their time in high school, where Madden manages to toe the line of being Eve's protector without bringing a complete tool.
Eve is forced into quite a predicament when her nephew, who she is raising alongside his twin sister whilst their mother is in rehab, is diagnosed with asthma. As any self-employed person facing a health crisis in the US health care system can vouch, Eve does the only sensible thing and agrees to marry a pro-athlete. The fact that they're absolutely bonkers for each other is beside the point.
This story was surprisingly heartwarming. We see a couple who genuinely care about each other. We witness a pairing who work to support each other without losing their heads (which is a step forward with Tessa Bailey). There is a subplot about female empowerment. To think that we could have skipped the au pair and step-sibling nonsense and gone straight here!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for this digital ARC!
December 8, 2025
I’m not ashamed to admit that as the pub date has gotten closer, I’ve been basically stalking NetGalley’s “recently added” tab, hoping this would be up for request. Thank you Avon/Harper Voyager for coming through with this ARC just as I was looking to fill my weekend reading plans!
In this marriage-of-convenience / friends-to-lovers installment, we follow Madden and Eve, who have been mutually pining for each other for years but perceived each other as off-limits. The story follows predictable events within the tropes, and we get Tessa’s characteristic fast-paced style, silliness, and spice. But don’t fret! There’s also a unique twist to the spice in this one (no spoilers), which gave it a fun distinctness from her previous ones. I liked that the barriers to the relationship were external things they could work through together. I also enjoyed that Eve wasn’t the typical “outgoing/bubbly” FMC, and I was here for how Down Bad Madden gets and sees her, despite the negative assumptions people have about her. The side characters (Rhonda!) were a hoot! Another solid addition to the series.
Ms. Tessa, I immediately suspected that you were laying groundwork for a 6th book. This is the series that keeps giving, and I’m ready.
Pub date: 1/20/26
In this marriage-of-convenience / friends-to-lovers installment, we follow Madden and Eve, who have been mutually pining for each other for years but perceived each other as off-limits. The story follows predictable events within the tropes, and we get Tessa’s characteristic fast-paced style, silliness, and spice. But don’t fret! There’s also a unique twist to the spice in this one (no spoilers), which gave it a fun distinctness from her previous ones. I liked that the barriers to the relationship were external things they could work through together. I also enjoyed that Eve wasn’t the typical “outgoing/bubbly” FMC, and I was here for how Down Bad Madden gets and sees her, despite the negative assumptions people have about her. The side characters (Rhonda!) were a hoot! Another solid addition to the series.
Ms. Tessa, I immediately suspected that you were laying groundwork for a 6th book. This is the series that keeps giving, and I’m ready.
Pub date: 1/20/26
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