Review: Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey’s Pitcher Perfect delivers exactly what you’d expect from her Big Shots series: fast-paced banter, high-heat chemistry, and plenty of sports-fueled antics. This one pairs Robbie Corrigan, a rookie NHL playboy, with Skylar Paige, a Division I softball pitcher immune to his usual charm.
This is a classic fake-dating, sports romance with a heavy dose of insta-lust. The setup is fun—Skylar has spent years pining after her brother’s best friend, while Robbie volunteers to be her “fake boyfriend” and wingman during her family’s competition week. It’s a clever way to throw them together and set sparks flying.
The romance itself is very fast burn. Robbie is smitten from the start, and Skylar pivots from pining for someone else to giving him a chance almost too quickly. If you like Bailey’s signature whirlwind passion, you’ll enjoy the ride. If you prefer a slower burn or more gradual character development, this may feel a bit rushed.
Where the book stumbles is believability. The sports timelines don’t hold up—an NHL rookie wouldn’t have time off in April during playoffs, and Skylar’s softball season would still be underway. Add in a brother supposedly chasing the majors (yet somehow with a free week in Rhode Island), and you really have to suspend disbelief. The third-act conflict also felt forced, and the resolution leans more Hallmark than heartfelt.
That said, Robbie and Skylar are likable together, and Bailey knows how to deliver sharp banter and steamy scenes. The audiobook, narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Callie Dalton, is excellent—I’d actually recommend listening over reading. Hamilton nails Robbie’s cocky-but-sincere tone, and Dalton adds warmth to Skylar’s voice.
Overall, Pitcher Perfect is a fun, fast-moving palate cleanser—best enjoyed if you lean into the over-the-top premise and don’t mind suspending reality for the sake of romance hijinks. Not my favorite Bailey, but Robbie and Skylar’s dynamic (plus the audio narration) made it worth the listen.
Rating: 3/5
Trope Breakdown:
Fake Dating – Robbie pretends to be Skylar’s boyfriend to help her get her crush’s attention.
Sports Romance – Hockey hero + softball heroine.
Rivals to Lovers – She initially dislikes him for being a playboy.
Player Falls First – Robbie is instantly obsessed with her.
Hero Helps Heroine Get Another Man – He coaches her on how to win her crush.
Close Proximity / Competition Setting – They’re stuck together during her family’s competition.
Planner Girl / Organized Heroine vs. Chaotic Hero – Skylar’s all structure, Robbie’s spontaneous.
Fast Burn / Insta-Lust – Their chemistry heats up right away.
Reformed Playboy – Robbie wants to prove he’s more than his reputation.
