Pitcher Perfect (Big Shots #4) by Tessa Bailey Book Review: A Steamy, Home Run of an Enemies-to-Lovers Romance
- Joao Nsita
- Sep 10
- 9 min read
What happens when the queen of spicy romance pens a brand-new enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating sports romance? Pure, unadulterated magic. Tessa Bailey, the #1 New York Times bestselling author who has rightfully earned her crown, is back with Pitcher Perfect, the fourth installment in her beloved Big Shots series. Dropping right on time to become the must-read romance of the season, this book is a masterclass in sizzling chemistry, witty banter, and heartfelt emotion. It’s a story that takes the irresistible premise of a playboy hockey rookie and the one woman completely immune to his charms and throws them into a high-stakes situation of forced proximity and romantic coaching.
This new release is a testament to why Bailey remains a powerhouse in the genre. She delivers a story that is not only incredibly steamy and fun but also surprisingly tender, exploring the vulnerability that hides beneath a confident exterior. It’s a character-driven romantic comedy that feels both classic and refreshingly modern, a perfect blend of laugh-out-loud moments and swoon-worthy romance. For fans of hockey romance, sharp dialogue, and a hero who falls first and hard, Pitcher Perfect is an absolute home run. This is not just a book; it’s an experience, a page-turner that will have you hooked from the very first chapter.
For more fantastic books that will sweep you off your feet, be sure to check out the amazing titles in our Romance Book Recommendations.
Book Summary
Meet Robbie Corrigan: a rookie for the Boston Bearcats, a rising star in the NHL, and one-half of the team’s infamous "orgasm donor" duo. He’s living a life of easy goals, endless parties, and the adoration of the women of Boston. His charm is a superpower, and it has never failed him. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige. Skylar is a force of nature in her own right—a disciplined, fiercely focused, and incredibly talented Division 1 softball pitcher. She has no time for games, especially not with a notorious playboy like Robbie. Where others see charm, Skylar sees a walking red flag, and she pegs him as a filthy player from the moment they meet, making her the one woman completely immune to his advances.
The central conflict is set in motion by a classic rom-com premise. When Robbie discovers that the badass pitcher is nursing a serious and unrequited crush on her brother’s best friend, his protective and competitive instincts kick in. He can’t stand to see Skylar flounder in her romantic quest. So, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse: he will be her love coach and her fake boyfriend for an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will also be in attendance. His plan? To teach her how to get her man while simultaneously proving to her that he’s not the shallow player she thinks he is.
What follows is a delicious exercise in forced proximity and a slow burn of epic proportions. Through a series of hilarious and often challenging team contests, Robbie and Skylar are forced to rely on each other, breaking down the walls they’ve built. The sizzling "lessons in sensuality" quickly blur the lines between what’s fake and what’s breathtakingly real, leading to a fiery, undeniable connection that neither of them saw coming.
Author's Style and Craft
Tessa Bailey’s writing is a shot of pure adrenaline. Her style is instantly recognizable for its fast pacing, its razor-sharp dialogue, and its incredible ability to generate palpable, off-the-charts chemistry between her characters. In Pitcher Perfect, she is at the top of her game. The novel is told from a dual point-of-view, a narrative technique that is essential for a successful enemies-to-lovers story. This allows the reader to get inside both Robbie's and Skylar’s heads, witnessing their internal monologues and the gradual, often hilarious, shift from mutual annoyance to deep, emotional longing.
The banter is the star of the show. The verbal sparring between the cocky Robbie and the no-nonsense Skylar is electric, filled with witty one-liners and laugh-out-loud moments. Bailey is a master of crafting heroes who are cocky on the outside but absolute cinnamon rolls on the inside, and Robbie Corrigan is a perfect example. Through his point-of-view, we see the sweet, vulnerable man hiding beneath the playboy persona, a man who is completely dazzled by Skylar’s strength and intelligence. The character development is fantastic, as both protagonists are forced to confront their own preconceived notions and insecurities. The structure of the novel is tight and effective, using the wilderness competition as a perfect vehicle to push the characters together in a way that feels both fun and organic. The book's charm and wit are infectious, a quality we also loved in our review of The Love Hypothesis.
Themes and Deeper Meaning
Beyond the steamy romance and hilarious premise, Pitcher Perfect explores several deeper themes that give the story its emotional weight. The most prominent theme is the danger of judging a book by its cover. Skylar has built an entire narrative around Robbie based on his public persona as a "filthy player," while Robbie is initially just drawn to the challenge of the one woman he can’t charm. Their journey is about dismantling these first impressions and discovering the real, complex, and vulnerable person underneath. It’s a powerful reminder that the stories we tell ourselves about other people are often a reflection of our own fears and insecurities.
The novel also delves into the theme of performance versus authenticity. Both Robbie and Skylar are high-achieving athletes who are used to performing for an audience. Their fake relationship is, in itself, a performance. Their emotional journey is about learning to be authentic with each other, to drop the masks they wear for the world and show their true selves. This exploration of vulnerability is where the book finds its heart. It’s a story about the courage it takes to let someone see the real you, flaws and all, and the profound, life-changing magic of finding someone who loves that person unconditionally. The story’s focus on building a genuine connection is a beautiful one, a theme at the core of our review of The Demon Inside.
Strengths
The number one, undeniable strength of Pitcher Perfect is the sizzling, off-the-charts chemistry between Robbie and Skylar. This is a Tessa Bailey novel, and as the "queen of spice," she delivers a romance that is both incredibly steamy and deeply emotional. This is an explicit open door romance, and the intimate scenes are written with a passion and intensity that will leave readers breathless. The transition from their "lessons" to their real moments of passion feels both earned and explosive.
Another major strength is the perfect execution of the "he falls first" trope. From the moment he meets her, Robbie is completely captivated by Skylar’s strength and her refusal to be impressed by him. His internal monologue is a hilarious and endearing stream of consciousness of a man who is trying to play it cool while being completely and utterly down bad for the girl. The witty banter is, as always with Bailey, a highlight. This exchange perfectly captures their dynamic:
“Are you going to be this annoying the entire time?” Skylar asked, glaring at him over her shoulder. Robbie gave her his most charming grin. “Sweetheart, I’m just getting warmed up. This is world-class, grade-A annoyance. You’re getting the best.”
The combination of a hero who is head-over-heels, a strong and capable heroine, and dialogue that crackles with energy makes this book an absolute joy to read. For more stories with this kind of winning formula, check out our review of Funny Story by Emily Henry.
Areas for Improvement
While Pitcher Perfect is a top-tier romantic comedy, readers who prefer a plot with high external stakes might find the central conflict outside of the romance to be relatively light. The "family wilderness competition" is a wonderfully fun and creative vehicle for forced proximity, but it doesn't carry a lot of genuine, life-altering weight. The primary focus of the novel is, and always remains, the internal and emotional journey of the two protagonists. This is a massive strength for romance lovers, but those who need a heavy dose of external plot or action might find the story a bit one-note.
Additionally, the third-act conflict, a common feature in the romance genre, follows a somewhat predictable path. While it is emotionally effective, seasoned romance readers may see the misunderstanding coming from a mile away. However, the resolution is so satisfying and emotionally cathartic that this minor predictability does little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel. It’s a book that knows exactly what it is and delivers on its promise of a fun, steamy, and heartfelt romance with expert precision.
Comparative Analysis
Within Tessa Bailey’s own incredible catalogue, Pitcher Perfect shares the most DNA with her iconic Bellinger Sisters series, particularly It Happened One Summer. Both books feature a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, a hero who falls hard and fast, and a perfect blend of laugh-out-loud humor and high-heat spice.
In the incredibly popular hockey romance subgenre, this book will be an instant hit with fans of Hannah Grace’s Icebreaker. Both novels feature charming, confident hockey player heroes and strong, athletic heroines, creating a fantastic dynamic of two equals who are at the top of their respective games.
The fake-dating plot is a beloved trope, and Pitcher Perfect executes it with flair. It will be a surefire hit for readers who loved the tension and slow burn of Elena Armas’s The Spanish Love Deception. Both books use a fake relationship as a catalyst to force two antagonists to see the real, vulnerable person underneath the surface. The dynamic between the protagonists in both books is fantastic, a quality we also praised in our review of The Dead Romantics.
Target Audience
This book is a must-read for adult (18+) fans of contemporary romance who are looking for a story that is both funny and incredibly steamy. It is specifically recommended for readers who love the sports romance subgenre (especially hockey romance), and for anyone who is a fan of the enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, grumpy/sunshine, and he falls first tropes. If you are an established fan of Tessa Bailey, this is an auto-buy.
Content Warning: This is a spicy romance with multiple, explicit, on-page sexual scenes. It is an explicit open door romance intended for mature audiences.
Personal Impact
Pitcher Perfect was the perfect escape. It was a joyful, hilarious, and incredibly sexy read that had me smiling from the first page to the last. Robbie Corrigan is a new top-tier book boyfriend, and the witty banter between him and Skylar was pure perfection. It was a beautiful reminder of the pure, unadulterated fun that a well-written romance novel can provide.
Conclusion
Tessa Bailey has once again proven why she is a titan of the romance genre. Pitcher Perfect is a masterful blend of sizzling chemistry, laugh-out-loud humor, and genuine, heartfelt emotion. It’s a fun, fresh, and incredibly steamy take on some of our most beloved tropes. This book is a five-star, home-run of a read that is destined to be one of the most talked-about romance novels of the year.
Get your copy of Pitcher Perfect on Amazon today!
For more fantastic books that will sweep you off your feet, be sure to check out the amazing titles in our Romance Book Recommendations.
About the Author
Tessa Bailey is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She is known as the "queen of spice" for her signature high-heat love scenes, but is equally beloved for her witty banter, her hilarious and heartfelt characters, and her incredible ability to write heroes who are the perfect blend of dirty-talking alpha and sweet cinnamon roll. She is the author of several massively popular series, including the Bellinger Sisters duology, which began with the BookTok sensation It Happened One Summer. She lives on Long Island, New York, with her husband and daughter.
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FAQ Section
What are the main tropes in Pitcher Perfect? The main tropes are enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, sports romance (hockey player and softball pitcher), love coach, he falls first, and forced proximity.
Is this book spicy? What is the heat level? Yes, it is a very spicy romance intended for mature audiences. It is an explicit open door romance, with a steam level rated 4 out of 5.
Do I need to read the first three Big Shots books to understand this one? No, this book can be read as a complete standalone romance. While some side characters may be familiar to series readers, the central love story is self-contained.
Who are the main characters? The story follows Robbie Corrigan, a playboy rookie for the Boston Bearcats NHL team, and Skylar Paige, a disciplined and talented Division 1 softball pitcher.
What is a "he falls first" romance? This is a popular romance trope where the male protagonist falls in love with the female protagonist before she falls for him. His perspective often shows him being completely smitten while trying to win her over.
Where can I find more books like this? If you love the fake dating trope, you might enjoy our review of The Love Hypothesis. For another great sports romance, check out our thoughts on The Right Move.
What is Tessa Bailey’s most famous book? Her most famous book is arguably It Happened One Summer, which became a massive viral sensation on BookTok and a New York Times bestseller.
Is there a lot of sports detail in this book? Tessa Bailey's sports romances tend to focus more on the characters and their relationships than on the technical details of the sport. You do not need to be a fan of hockey or softball to enjoy this book.
Who is this book recommended for? It's recommended for adult readers (18+) who enjoy contemporary rom-coms with a high heat level, and who are fans of the enemies-to-lovers and fake-dating tropes.
When was Pitcher Perfect published? The book was published on September 9, 2025.
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