Weekly Reads: September 1 to 7, 2025

Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey (2025)

Contemporary romance. Book 4 of the Big Shots series. This book was quick and punchy and steamy and I loved it. Skylar is a college softball pitcher who is dragged to an impromptu ball game between her baseball player brother and a bunch of hockey players. Of course, she overhears Robbie, a rookie hockey player, saying some sexist bullshit before the game and gets all indignant about it. And he is smitten at first sight. Somehow, this all turns into Robbie inviting himself to her house over Spring Break to be her partner in her family’s chaotic outdoorsman challenge and also be her fake boyfriend so she can make her brother’s best friend notice her. Oh, and then she decides to ask him for flirting lessons while they’re at it. I loved how fast-paced this was, even if totally unrealistic, and it’s very clear that he fell first and harder.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley.

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Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti (2025)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 3 of the Belvoir’s Library series. Something suspicious is going on when two anonymous writers are publishing very similar gothic novels. Lady Georgiana is ready to fight this woman who is quite possibly copying her, but then gets all tongue-tied when she finds out it’s her teenage crush and former family butler’s daughter Catriona. They spend most of the book bickering and misunderstanding each other’s circumstances and there’s a huge element of self-denial for Georgiana who believes herself the cause of harm for the people around her. The banter and flirting is great though and I loved this awkward crush and slow-burn romance. There’s a bit of underlying mystery plot at a creepy manor house they’re visiting, so expect some problem solving from our Belvoir’s crew at some point. Overall, loved this book.

Advance ebook provided by St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. Advance audiobook provided by Libro.fm.

Vivid by Beverly Jenkins (1995)

Historical romance. Post-Civil War Michigan. Book 1 of the Grayson Family series. A female doctor in this era is a tough sell, but Dr. Viveca Lancaster (Vivid to her family) is ready to prove herself in a small town in Michigan. It doesn’t help that the town sorta-mayor Nate is skeptical of her wanting to stick around. He’s got his own hang-ups after his city-bred wife divorced him. But Viveca fits right in and definitely shows her competence to all the townsfolk. Of course the angry bickering between Nate and Viveca turns into flirting and so much more. Not much in the way of external plot for most of the book, but once we have our sights on a villain, Ms. Bev makes sure they get their comeuppance.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun (2025)

Contemporary romance. Standalone novel. Sadie has the pushiest family ever, forcing her on dates with men she’s not into, and basically making her feel bad for working hard to keep her inherited antiques business afloat. So she takes advantage of her travel blogger sister’s injury and goes on a walking tour of the Camino. But of course, having never traveled before, she freaks out during some rough airplane turbulence and word vomits onto her seatmate Mal and is totally embarrassed. Bonus, Mal is also on the Camino tour and has her own issues with a recently deceased estranged father and an inheritance she doesn’t want. It’s a wild ride of self-discovery and learning to let go of all your hangups along this trip, plus a great cast of side characters along the way. Awkward Sadie learns to be a lot less awkward and we get to journey right alongside her discovering her newfound queerness.

Advance ebook provided by Atria Books via NetGalley. Audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Earl That Got Away by Diana Quincy (2025)

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 2 of the Sirens in Silk series. We start with an awkward first re-meeting between Naila and Hawk at the pre-wedding ball of her sister and his friend. Basically, everyone is surprised to see each other after 8 years, especially since Naila had rejected Hawk all those years ago due to his lack of title and fortune and now he’s a wealthy earl. And somehow the situation is made more sad by the fact that Naila has turned into a drab spinster who has been heartbroken all these years and regretting her mistake. We get this story told in flashbacks interspersed with their present-day experiences. So much angst and underlying resentment for Hawk and underlying guilt for Naila. We just need to be patient and see Hawk’s walls eventually come down.

Advance ebook provided by Avon Books via NetGalley.