Off the Record

by J. Rose Black

On the record, she's the world's most annoying reporter.
Off the record, she's the one he can't let get away.

Breslin Cooper worked his whole life for a chance to play in the big leagues. On the fateful day of his Major League Baseball debut, the talented rookie is reunited with the one who got away: Olivia Milline, a woman with big dreams of her own.

Genres: Romance, Baseball Romance, Sports

25 pages, ebook

About the author

J. Rose Black weaves stories about redemption and the transformational power of love - with a few side-helpings of snark. Now an award-winning and Amazon Top 300 chart-topping author, Rose writes about broody alpha males and plucky, no-nonsense women ready to fight for what they believe in. Her novels have been praised for their realistic mental health representations, with narratives offering a unique balance of romance, humor and tougher, real-world issues.

When Rose isn’t deeply immersed in her latest manuscript, she’s working in cyber security and thwarting the next generation of internet bad guys. Out of the office, she’s #Shipping with friends over her favorite, swoon-worthy couples, heading to the gym to battle the great evil that is Unmovable Baby Weight, or complaining about her husband’s addiction to 3D printing. Also: nagging her children to eat something other than cheese.

Reviews

[Alwaysreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this copy for my honest review.A fun short story! I haven’t read a romance involving a baseball player before and I loved it. Well written and great characters. Would love to read more.

[Tameaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little baseball romance novella! You know this girl loves her baseball!

Thanks to the author for providing a copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Off the Record” by J Rose Black

A fun short-story about a rookie baseball player, Breslin, and his old flame, a ravenous reporter, Olivia. After jolting Breslin, Olivia reappears at his first game in the MLB and wants the scoop. Breslin is caught off-guard by Olivia’s appearance after their past and demands answers. Was Olivia really just after the story all-along? Or did she distance herself from him intentionally? You’ll breeze through their steamy story, just wish it was longer!

[Rob T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story about a reporter, Olivia, and a Major League Baseball player, a rookie named Breslin. They have a history. Olivia irritates Breslin but not in the way the voids his attraction to her. It’s whimsical and light and oh so touching.

[Sharon Singletary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good short story. I wished it was a little longer.

[Charrisa Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun novella about a baseball player and a girl who knows her baseball and may have got away or did she??? Great ARC read ,honestly a cute read

[Erika Ankeny · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the record, she’s the reporter who drives him crazy. Off the record, she’s the one he never stopped loving.

Breslin Cooper finally makes it to the big leagues, but fate throws him a curveball when his first major league post-game interview is with Olivia Milline…his college crush turned sports reporter. 🎥

Sparks fly fast, feelings revealed, and before long… they’re stealing more than just bases 👀⚾️

It’s a super short, sweet, and a lovers-enemies-lovers read with some strong feelings. I wished it were longer of course, but it still gave me that heartwarming second-chance swoon feeling!🩷

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️.5

[Jes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved so much about this short story!

The characters, their voices are so natural and believable! I adore the witty banter, and the clear attraction they have for one another.

The setting, I love baseball! And Rose's descriptions of Breslin's inner war with himself, and how he viewed it, so naturally like parts of the game, just felt so perfect!

Everything about this story felt like slipping inside a fully formed world. These are characters I immediately loved and would gladly read more about!

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making it Right for a Second Chance -
I absolutely loved reading this clean, heart warming short story, with lovable characters and definitely no drama. I was hooked on the story from the first page and didn’t take a break until it was over and I was still thirsting for more. The book may be a few pages, but it had everything to make it an enjoyable read. This is the first book that I have read from this author, but definitely won’t be the last.

I received a copy of this book free and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jamie aka TacoGoddess Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved reading this short romance story, Even though it was a short story and read; I loved it so much it was heartwarming the fact it was drama free I love those types of books, don’t get me wrong I love Drama in books but this short read was so great and what I needed right now! I mean a baseball player romance checkmark, I love me some baseball!
It was short and cute and absolutely loved it !

Thank you again to the author for sending me a copy for a voluntary review, this is my own opinion.

[Erica Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute short store pro baseball ⚾️ I love the banter. Definitely I want to read more . This is out of my genre I loves this read. Little heart ache inner battle because she just left. But she’s still in love with him ❤️ this is as an arc read thank you so much j Rosie black for letting me read your store and the opportunity to share ❤️

[Jamie Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and it pulls you in but also ends on a cliff hanger .

[Anitaloves_her_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story. I wish it could have been a little longer. J. Rose Black managed to do a good job getting everything she needed into the few pages she did write..

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this quick novella about liv and Breslin. To continue the story. I recommend reading chasing headlines.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Nicolette Palazzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A short sports romance story about Breslin and Olivia, the two main characters. I hadn't read the other book in the series, not sure if I was supposed to first. Breslin is a baseball player and Olivia is a sports reporter. This is a 27 page steamy novella that shows them at first discussing the game/their lives, but then turns into more than that as any sports romance story does. There also was a cliffhanger at the end and I want to know Olivia's response to Breslin's question/statement!

I wish it were a longer read, but I added the other book about these characters, "Chasing Headlines" to my TBR to read more about these them and their stories.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness what can I say about this book? This is so so good it really kept my interest and attention! I would recommend you read this and tell everyone that loves romance that they need to read this book! I definitely will be reading more of her books 😊

[Katherine Cannone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story!

[kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off the record, I hate how short this is. ON the record, so freaking cute of a novella! I honestly enjoyed this so much that it makes me want to know more about baseball and its players to have my own Breslin (sorry hubby 🤭).

It's only 25 pages but it has me craving for more. I need their story of how they met and how it continues after this!!

4/5 ♡

[Menthie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute short story. It does a good job of timeline jumping to give you a full story in so few pages.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breslin and Olivia reconnect after getting their hearts broken. She's ready for more; he's sure she's playing some game with him. This is a very cute short story.

[Chapters_with_VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born in St Louis, MO which means I was hard wired at birth to love Major League Baseball. So, when I heard about this romance with a baseball setting, I was excited to read it. And, it did not disappoint. J Rose Black has crafted wildly appealing characters in Livvie and Breslin and a compelling story line that draws you in. It’s a short story with a lot of steamy romance. If you’re looking for a fast, fun story, this is the book for you.

[Lillymai · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a cute little story of liv and Cooper. I want to see more of their story, and I'll be reading breaking headlines, too.

[Karen Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, romantic and cute novella.

Breslin is a premier league baseball player. Olivia is his long lost college crush and a budding professional reporter. After interviewing Breslin their lust for each over soon shows and brings them together.

I wish this was a longer story but it was a nice read.

[Athena Chew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so cute, but I wish it was longer.

[Samm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this ARC. This was such a fun and cute short story of rookie baseball player, Breslin and old flame reporter, Olivia. You'll fly through this story of second chance at love. I loved reading this clean story with no drama. I want more of them and their banter. Very much looking forward to reading more about them.

[Elaine Crookes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was a super super short novella that just made me want more. Can’t wait to find out what happens next

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say thank you to the author for the copy of this book! I am giving an honest review. It's a lovely short romance that I breezed through in no time at all. I loved the characters loved the steamy story between them.
The only problem is I wished it was longer, I was left wanting more

[Faithe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Off the record by J. Rose Black is a short baseball Novella. The book centers around Breslin Cooper a Baseball player, who just turned pro and Olivia, a sports reporter.
The two clearly have a history, but it feels like so much is being packed into this short story that the time isnt taken to flush it out more. The story is told from Breslin's point of view, and I think it would have benefited from having Olivia's point of view as well.
The two go from Baseball player and reporter to possibly engaged in a few pages. I think it is a good concept for a story but needs to be flushed out more.

[Asulley4785 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Scandalous, Sophisticated Romance You Can’t Put Down


Off the Record by J. Rose Black is the perfect blend of forbidden attraction, emotional depth, and intoxicating chemistry. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into this story of secrets, ambition, and passion set against the backdrop of high society and journalism.


The characters feel real—flawed, complex, and magnetic. The tension between them simmers with every glance and every word, making it impossible not to root for their connection even when you know it could destroy everything. J. Rose Black has such a refined, cinematic writing style that brings every scene vividly to life.


This book isn’t just a romance—it’s a slow burn filled with power dynamics, vulnerability, and heart-wrenching choices. If you love stories with intelligent banter, forbidden love, and a touch of danger, Off the Record is an absolute must-read. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!


I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.

[Isabelle Gorton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great novella to read after finishing Chasing Headlines! I loved seeing the new dynamic between Olivia and Breslin and the hit at where their future might lie. With Chasing Headlines ending on a cliffhanger as to the status of their relationship, the insight into where they might be in a 2-4 year time jump really makes me eager to read the next in the series!

* Received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only