What do you think?
Rate this book
Catching the Coach
Kessler Davis has only one thing on his mind; making it back from a career ending injury and squeezing a few more years out of the one thing he's ever loved. He doesn't have time for any distractions. That is until he meets a sexy as sin little league coach, who wants nothing to do with him.
Lucy Carver has all she needs in her life, a job she loves, her son and his little league team, and of course her best friend. When professional baseball player, Kessler Davis, sets his eyes on her, she says thanks, but no thanks. She's been down that road.
When Kessler inserts himself into her life and unexpectedly shows up for her son, Lucy's walls start to weaken. The more time Kessler spends with Lucy and her son, the more he realizes baseball might not be all there is in life.
But Lucy has a secret. One that will threaten not only her relationship with Kessler but with her son as well.
Lucy Carver has all she needs in her life, a job she loves, her son and his little league team, and of course her best friend. When professional baseball player, Kessler Davis, sets his eyes on her, she says thanks, but no thanks. She's been down that road.
When Kessler inserts himself into her life and unexpectedly shows up for her son, Lucy's walls start to weaken. The more time Kessler spends with Lucy and her son, the more he realizes baseball might not be all there is in life.
But Lucy has a secret. One that will threaten not only her relationship with Kessler but with her son as well.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 26, 2023
Kessler Davis is a star catcher for the MLB. He is coming back from a serious injury that almost ended his career.
Lucy Carver is one of the head coaches for her son, Hudson’s, little league teams, a physical therapist, and obviously a single-mom that’s killin it.
These two happen to meet one night after a game and it is love at first site. Kessler can’t take his eyes of Lucy and Lucy can’t fight the butterflies she feels around him. Kessler has to have more of her so he offers to help coach for a day for Hudson’s little league team and absolutely starts stealing Lucy’s heart.
The love these two have is so swoon-worthy. There is no messing around. Kessler wants what he wants and he gets it 🤌🏻🥵 he is so protective of Lucy and Hudson and treats them as if they had always been his to love.
I loved all the aspects of this amazing debut novel. Who doesn’t love a handsome man who plays baseball, treats his lady like a Queen, and protects her son like he’s his own…? Like you can’t not love this book.
Add this to your TBR besties because it’s an emotional rollercoaster you WANT to be on.
Tropes:
•single mother/pro-baseball player
•Insta love
•he falls first & harder
•KESSLER’S FILTHY MOUTH IS 🤌🏻🤌🏻🥵
•protective mmc
♾️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5
Lucy Carver is one of the head coaches for her son, Hudson’s, little league teams, a physical therapist, and obviously a single-mom that’s killin it.
These two happen to meet one night after a game and it is love at first site. Kessler can’t take his eyes of Lucy and Lucy can’t fight the butterflies she feels around him. Kessler has to have more of her so he offers to help coach for a day for Hudson’s little league team and absolutely starts stealing Lucy’s heart.
The love these two have is so swoon-worthy. There is no messing around. Kessler wants what he wants and he gets it 🤌🏻🥵 he is so protective of Lucy and Hudson and treats them as if they had always been his to love.
I loved all the aspects of this amazing debut novel. Who doesn’t love a handsome man who plays baseball, treats his lady like a Queen, and protects her son like he’s his own…? Like you can’t not love this book.
Add this to your TBR besties because it’s an emotional rollercoaster you WANT to be on.
Tropes:
•single mother/pro-baseball player
•Insta love
•he falls first & harder
•KESSLER’S FILTHY MOUTH IS 🤌🏻🤌🏻🥵
•protective mmc
♾️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5
January 16, 2024
ehh DNFed
I got maybe 40% through and had to DNF. It was too insta lovey for me. And the character development was like “hey this is the characters past. Okay developed next” and then his family was way too much into their stuff. It was just a no for me. Maybe as like, the rough draft or first draft to show the idea of the story that will then me developed on but then they forgot to do the developing?
I got maybe 40% through and had to DNF. It was too insta lovey for me. And the character development was like “hey this is the characters past. Okay developed next” and then his family was way too much into their stuff. It was just a no for me. Maybe as like, the rough draft or first draft to show the idea of the story that will then me developed on but then they forgot to do the developing?
October 3, 2024
Kessler + Lucy
-baseball romance
-single mom
-he falls first
-protective cinnamon roll mmc
-instalove
these two were super cute & hudson was adorableee!!
-baseball romance
-single mom
-he falls first
-protective cinnamon roll mmc
-instalove
these two were super cute & hudson was adorableee!!
November 28, 2023
✨️⚾️ARC BOOK REVIEW⚾️✨️
What a debut novel that was. It was so good, and I instantly fell right in love with the characters and the plot. I am so glad I got an ARC for this book, and I can't wait for more people to read this book and love it as well.
Kessler Davis is a star MLB catcher and is back on the field after recovering from an injury that could have ended his professional career overall. Lucy Carver and her little league baseball team are there catching the game, and they meet the players after it ends, where Lucy's son Hudson is extremely excited to meet his idol who happens to be Kessler But when Kessler meets Lucy, it's as if his heart and mind fall into place and choose her.
I love the single parent trope and D.B. Axtell wrote it so well in this book, and really showed Lucy's struggles with trusting someone knew after being screwed over and abandoned by so many people in her life before and did everything to prevent that from happening to Hudson so that he would have a better childhood than she ever did. And damn did she, Lucy cared so much, and I could really see the strong bond between her and Hudson and that she had done it all right.
Kessler had to try very hard with Lucy to just get a date, and after a while, she says yes. They had a very fast-paced relationship at the beginning I feel and at the parts there was definitely some miscommunication from this. But I loved seeing their relationship grow stronger every day, and for all of them to become a family was just heartwarming.
Kessler also has such a dirty mouth as well, and I loved that so much. There was quite a bit of smutvin this book as well, and although often it didn't get completely descriptive at times, it was still utterly amazing to read.
The ending for the book was perfect for them, and i loved reading it so much. I can't wait to see what else this author has in store and to see who will get a book in this series.
What a debut novel that was. It was so good, and I instantly fell right in love with the characters and the plot. I am so glad I got an ARC for this book, and I can't wait for more people to read this book and love it as well.
Kessler Davis is a star MLB catcher and is back on the field after recovering from an injury that could have ended his professional career overall. Lucy Carver and her little league baseball team are there catching the game, and they meet the players after it ends, where Lucy's son Hudson is extremely excited to meet his idol who happens to be Kessler But when Kessler meets Lucy, it's as if his heart and mind fall into place and choose her.
I love the single parent trope and D.B. Axtell wrote it so well in this book, and really showed Lucy's struggles with trusting someone knew after being screwed over and abandoned by so many people in her life before and did everything to prevent that from happening to Hudson so that he would have a better childhood than she ever did. And damn did she, Lucy cared so much, and I could really see the strong bond between her and Hudson and that she had done it all right.
Kessler had to try very hard with Lucy to just get a date, and after a while, she says yes. They had a very fast-paced relationship at the beginning I feel and at the parts there was definitely some miscommunication from this. But I loved seeing their relationship grow stronger every day, and for all of them to become a family was just heartwarming.
Kessler also has such a dirty mouth as well, and I loved that so much. There was quite a bit of smutvin this book as well, and although often it didn't get completely descriptive at times, it was still utterly amazing to read.
The ending for the book was perfect for them, and i loved reading it so much. I can't wait to see what else this author has in store and to see who will get a book in this series.
May 6, 2024
Should have DNF’d
Predictable plot.
Predictable plot.
November 25, 2023
Catching the Coach was the cutest debut and a great way to start this new series. Lucy is a single mom who coaches her son’s little league team. When they go to a pro game and she meets catcher Kessler Davis, there’s an instant attraction. Lucy has sworn off relationships, especially with baseball players, but Kessler is relentless in his pursuit.
First of all, single mom romance is a top tier trope for me. I related to Lucy’s hesitance to let a man in and the worries that come from not having dated for so long. I loved how Kessler refused to let her hide or walk away from the chemistry they had; he wasn’t pushy, but he knew he had to prove how badly he wanted to explore a relationship with Lucy and her son. I also loved his family and how welcoming and accepting they were to Lucy and Hudson.
There’s a little angst thrown in surrounding Hudson’s father, but overall, this was lighter read. The side characters were excellent, and I’m fully invested in seeing Kessler’s teammates, his brother, and Lucy’s best friend all get their own stories told in the future!
First of all, single mom romance is a top tier trope for me. I related to Lucy’s hesitance to let a man in and the worries that come from not having dated for so long. I loved how Kessler refused to let her hide or walk away from the chemistry they had; he wasn’t pushy, but he knew he had to prove how badly he wanted to explore a relationship with Lucy and her son. I also loved his family and how welcoming and accepting they were to Lucy and Hudson.
There’s a little angst thrown in surrounding Hudson’s father, but overall, this was lighter read. The side characters were excellent, and I’m fully invested in seeing Kessler’s teammates, his brother, and Lucy’s best friend all get their own stories told in the future!
January 26, 2024
4.5
This was such an amazing single mom romance and I'm so happy it was a baseball romance.
I felt very connected to Lucy and her son Hudson as my mom was a single mom for a short while and she used to coach my softball team. So it just made this story so much more special to me.
And then there's Kessler. The catcher for the Silverbacks returning from a serious injury. He meets Lucy and feels an immediate pull towards her and her son. And from that point he does everything he can to win them over.
I don't care that this one was insta-lovey. It fits perfectly with this story. And even so, Lucy still has her reservations and constantly questions if it's all happening too fast while letting her past fears keep her from being truly happy.
And it doesn't hurt that Kessler is a cinnamon roll MMC with a possessive side and a dominant nature in the bedroom.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.75
Tropes/themes
✨Single mom
✨ MLB player
✨Insta-love
✨Found family
✨Little league coach
✨Cinnamon roll MMC
✨He takes care of them
✨He falls first and hard
✨Past fears and insecurities
This was such an amazing single mom romance and I'm so happy it was a baseball romance.
I felt very connected to Lucy and her son Hudson as my mom was a single mom for a short while and she used to coach my softball team. So it just made this story so much more special to me.
And then there's Kessler. The catcher for the Silverbacks returning from a serious injury. He meets Lucy and feels an immediate pull towards her and her son. And from that point he does everything he can to win them over.
I don't care that this one was insta-lovey. It fits perfectly with this story. And even so, Lucy still has her reservations and constantly questions if it's all happening too fast while letting her past fears keep her from being truly happy.
And it doesn't hurt that Kessler is a cinnamon roll MMC with a possessive side and a dominant nature in the bedroom.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.75
Tropes/themes
✨Single mom
✨ MLB player
✨Insta-love
✨Found family
✨Little league coach
✨Cinnamon roll MMC
✨He takes care of them
✨He falls first and hard
✨Past fears and insecurities
December 5, 2023
Wow. I loved this book. The banter, the love, the family relationships, the friendships, the nicknames. It was so dang good. I almost cried at parts, I was laughing out loud at parts, and 100% giggling and waving my hands taking a breather from reading at parts!
This eARC I received was great and I highly recommend this to anyone that wants a feel good rom com with sports as a main focus. A single mother, not riddled with insecurities but a few skeletons in her closet, meets a man and goes through a plethora of push back from her previous relationship. They work together, communicate and have a few struggles. I mean what more could you ask for?
I think the writing is good and the story is great! Thanks for giving me a chance to read your book early and I can’t wait to see what you write next!!
This eARC I received was great and I highly recommend this to anyone that wants a feel good rom com with sports as a main focus. A single mother, not riddled with insecurities but a few skeletons in her closet, meets a man and goes through a plethora of push back from her previous relationship. They work together, communicate and have a few struggles. I mean what more could you ask for?
I think the writing is good and the story is great! Thanks for giving me a chance to read your book early and I can’t wait to see what you write next!!
December 15, 2023
Indie author debut! This was a super sweet, low angst, fast paced sportsmance. Returning from a near career-ending injury, Kessler and his fellow teammates meet a local little league team being hosted my his team’s organization. He is instantly attracted to Lucy, the single mom and coach! Despite an equal attraction, Lucy remain aloof. Kessler is determined to show up and pursue and woo her. And boy does he!
Kessler is perfection! He comes from a wonderful family, is a solid and humble famous athlete, and after almost losing the thing he holds most dear he realizes he wouldn’t mind having someone to share his life with. And meets Lucy at the perfect time in his life; he falls first, fast, and hard! He is protective and caring, and with his actions he shows up and proves to Lucy she is it for him. And he loves her kid and claims them both as his own immediate. But even when his perfection is slightly blemished by his reaction to the situation, he was swoony and came back swinging and fighting for his family!
Lucy had been a single mom, going at life all on her own for a long time. She is a devoted mother who has dedicated herself to loving, raising, and supporting her son. And despite her own attraction to Kessler, she is determined to keep her distance. Thankfully she has a wonderful BFF who reminders her it’s ok to put herself first. Sometimes to be the best mom or caretaker or partner is put yourself first! Kessler makes it easy to trust in him and their relationship because he steady and strong and shows up for her and her son. And Kessler’s family becomes part of her extended found family.
Overall, a wonderful debut book! And it’s the first in a series!
⚾️Dual POV
⚾️Single Mom Little League Coach x Cinnamon Roll MLB Catcher
⚾️He Falls First and Fast
⚾️3rd Act “Pause” No, this was not a Friends’ “we were on a break” pause
⚾️Found family
⚾️Grand Gestures
Kessler is perfection! He comes from a wonderful family, is a solid and humble famous athlete, and after almost losing the thing he holds most dear he realizes he wouldn’t mind having someone to share his life with. And meets Lucy at the perfect time in his life; he falls first, fast, and hard! He is protective and caring, and with his actions he shows up and proves to Lucy she is it for him. And he loves her kid and claims them both as his own immediate. But even when his perfection is slightly blemished by his reaction to the situation, he was swoony and came back swinging and fighting for his family!
Lucy had been a single mom, going at life all on her own for a long time. She is a devoted mother who has dedicated herself to loving, raising, and supporting her son. And despite her own attraction to Kessler, she is determined to keep her distance. Thankfully she has a wonderful BFF who reminders her it’s ok to put herself first. Sometimes to be the best mom or caretaker or partner is put yourself first! Kessler makes it easy to trust in him and their relationship because he steady and strong and shows up for her and her son. And Kessler’s family becomes part of her extended found family.
Overall, a wonderful debut book! And it’s the first in a series!
⚾️Dual POV
⚾️Single Mom Little League Coach x Cinnamon Roll MLB Catcher
⚾️He Falls First and Fast
⚾️3rd Act “Pause” No, this was not a Friends’ “we were on a break” pause
⚾️Found family
⚾️Grand Gestures
December 12, 2023
This debut was full of heart, sweetness and plenty of spice. Lucy & Kessler were great - Lucy with her walls up, and Kessler like a golden retriever all in on her. He was sweet on the single mom from the minute he saw her, and stopped at nothing to get her to trust him as more than just “another” baseball player. I loved their banter and how this book had the single mother trope with a twist (Kessler immediately bonds with her son, & she’s the Little League coach!) Fun sports romance debut that will definitely entertain!
December 12, 2023
I wish I could rate this higher than 5 stars! As a debut author, I have to say I will be a lifelong reader. This story captured me from the very beginning and I fell in love with Lucy and Kessler. I love the witty banter back and forth between them and the way Kessler is able to break down her walls after not being involved with someone for quite a well. And the relationship that develops between Kessler and Hudson is next level.
D.B. went above and beyond on this one. Oh, and the spice... **chefs kiss**
I received an ARC of this book, and my review is entirely my own.
D.B. went above and beyond on this one. Oh, and the spice... **chefs kiss**
I received an ARC of this book, and my review is entirely my own.
May 24, 2025
This is such a fun, feel good romance that I really enjoyed. I loved the friendship between Lucy and Kara and how their kids were best friends too. When Lucy and Kessler meet, it was adorable the reaction that Hudson had and I really enjoyed the little league aspect too. My favorite though was how hard Kessler fought for Lucy and how he did everything to show her she was it for him. This was just such a light, fun, sweet read that made me smile and laugh throughout.
TROPES:
🖤Baseball Romance
🖤Single Mom
🖤Instalove
🖤Protective MMC
🖤He Falls First
TROPES:
🖤Baseball Romance
🖤Single Mom
🖤Instalove
🖤Protective MMC
🖤He Falls First
November 30, 2023
4.5/⭐️
3/🌶️
Thank you D.B Axtell for sending me this as an arc. And all the opinions are my own.
I loved this quick read, single mom, pro athlete book.
Lucy is single mom to a 11 year old, as well as a coach to her son’s baseball team. And this woman. Rocked. It. She was so supportive and lovingly to her son and so great with all the kids. I love seeing good wholesome moms in books.
Kessler is a catcher for a professional baseball team, and is a sweet and charming man. With a very over eager mom, who is hell bent on making him fall in love. But he doesn’t need any help once he meets And he pulls out all the stops when he meets and falls for Lucy. And let me tell you, them sweet boys really are the dirtiest of them all 🥵
This was very fast paced, with a instalove, which isn’t usually my go to reads. But I was in love with these characters and really enjoyed this story.
3/🌶️
Thank you D.B Axtell for sending me this as an arc. And all the opinions are my own.
I loved this quick read, single mom, pro athlete book.
Lucy is single mom to a 11 year old, as well as a coach to her son’s baseball team. And this woman. Rocked. It. She was so supportive and lovingly to her son and so great with all the kids. I love seeing good wholesome moms in books.
Kessler is a catcher for a professional baseball team, and is a sweet and charming man. With a very over eager mom, who is hell bent on making him fall in love. But he doesn’t need any help once he meets And he pulls out all the stops when he meets and falls for Lucy. And let me tell you, them sweet boys really are the dirtiest of them all 🥵
This was very fast paced, with a instalove, which isn’t usually my go to reads. But I was in love with these characters and really enjoyed this story.
December 8, 2023
4⭐️
2.5🌶️
⚾️ He falls first
⚾️ Found family
⚾️ Dual POV
⚾️ Single mom
⚾️ Cinnamon roll MMC
This is a debut novel and it was a good first book! I enjoyed reading the story of Kessler and Lucy and finished it in a matter of hours. While I think that the relationship moved a bit quick, it was still a fun read and had tons of storyline to it. I wanted to know more about Lucy’s baby daddy and what all happened between them. The ending was adorable and perfect.
2.5🌶️
⚾️ He falls first
⚾️ Found family
⚾️ Dual POV
⚾️ Single mom
⚾️ Cinnamon roll MMC
This is a debut novel and it was a good first book! I enjoyed reading the story of Kessler and Lucy and finished it in a matter of hours. While I think that the relationship moved a bit quick, it was still a fun read and had tons of storyline to it. I wanted to know more about Lucy’s baby daddy and what all happened between them. The ending was adorable and perfect.
December 22, 2023
This was such a great sports romance read. I am more of a hockey fan for watching but I do enjoy reading a good baseball romance and this one did not disappoint. The story and characters are beautifully written. I hope she continues to writes stories in this series because I would love to read more on these characters in this world. I do recommend reading this book if you love reading sports romance.
May 29, 2024
great story, good spice.
Loved the story and most of the chatacters! I assumed that given her story, I would relate more but instead found her a little frustrating. But still I’m so happy for their HEA. The spice was yummy and definitely worked for me, though it’s not the spiciest I’ve ever read. I hope the next book shows up glimpses of their future as well. I need to know what happens for Kara and Judd!! Not necessarily together, just in general.
Loved the story and most of the chatacters! I assumed that given her story, I would relate more but instead found her a little frustrating. But still I’m so happy for their HEA. The spice was yummy and definitely worked for me, though it’s not the spiciest I’ve ever read. I hope the next book shows up glimpses of their future as well. I need to know what happens for Kara and Judd!! Not necessarily together, just in general.
January 30, 2024
great story and spice!!
I’m not typically a sports romance reader and lean more towards dark romance but I LOVED this book. The story of a pro baseball player falling for a little league couch playing hard to get had me kicking my giddy feet and smiling. A fun, cute and spicy read 💕
I’m not typically a sports romance reader and lean more towards dark romance but I LOVED this book. The story of a pro baseball player falling for a little league couch playing hard to get had me kicking my giddy feet and smiling. A fun, cute and spicy read 💕
December 2, 2023
I adored Kessler Davis and the way he literally swoons over Lucy. Lucy is a hesitant single mom, and little leagues baseball coach. Kessler is a MLB player, which Lucy swears she will NEVER date again. However, Kessler makes it pretty dang hard to say no to with all his grand gestures to try to win her.
I love that Kessler respects her wishes as well as builds a bond with her son, Hudson. He is the sweetest and most thoughtful. Not only does Kessler show up for Lucy, but he continues to show up for Hudson as well ♥️
I love that Kessler respects her wishes as well as builds a bond with her son, Hudson. He is the sweetest and most thoughtful. Not only does Kessler show up for Lucy, but he continues to show up for Hudson as well ♥️
February 11, 2024
slow burn romance
First off it was a bit of a slow burn but the plot is why I stayed. I enjoyed the romance between Kessler and Lucy. Their relationship was super sweet and overall a refresher from the typical mc in most romance stories. I hope there will be more of their story!
First off it was a bit of a slow burn but the plot is why I stayed. I enjoyed the romance between Kessler and Lucy. Their relationship was super sweet and overall a refresher from the typical mc in most romance stories. I hope there will be more of their story!
April 30, 2024
oh my wow!
First let me say I NEED an extended epilogue please! What an incredible love story! Strong, caring, independent, single mom FMC and an intense, hilarious, loving MMC… their HEA stole my heart!
First let me say I NEED an extended epilogue please! What an incredible love story! Strong, caring, independent, single mom FMC and an intense, hilarious, loving MMC… their HEA stole my heart!
October 4, 2024
Lucy & Kessler
Single Mum
He falls first
Cinnamon roll MMC
These two were just so cute!!
This book is an adorable sport romance and I love it!
Hudson is also great!
Excited to see who's book we get next!
Single Mum
He falls first
Cinnamon roll MMC
These two were just so cute!!
This book is an adorable sport romance and I love it!
Hudson is also great!
Excited to see who's book we get next!
October 16, 2024
This book was so good!! It had me wanting more the entire time! I don’t want to put it down! I love the relationship and how it grew! This was such a sweet story with loads of spice!🥰🥰 Kessler is boyfriend goals for sure!!😍🤤
December 11, 2023
3.5-4 stars from me
December 12, 2023
2.75⭐️
No entendí porque tanto drama con lo del papá de Hudson.
No entendí porque tanto drama con lo del papá de Hudson.
December 19, 2023
3.75⭐️
1.5🌶️
1.5🌶️
January 19, 2024
A cute Rom-Com Baseball read.
It’s a cute and quick single mom baseball story. You will love it.
-he falls first
-single mom
- baseball (major league)
-found family
It’s a cute and quick single mom baseball story. You will love it.
-he falls first
-single mom
- baseball (major league)
-found family
June 12, 2024
The idea that we met/fell madly in love in 3 weeks or less is absolutely insane.
August 15, 2024
This was fine, very insta love and unrealistic but it was cute I guess
March 20, 2025
A little too cheesy for me. Super cute moments but it just felt like the whole book was rushed.
October 9, 2025
Es literalmente la definición de instalove. A la semana de conocerla ya le estaba jurando amor eterno y quería adoptar al hijo. A little too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews