What do you think?
Rate this book
The Art of Catching Feelings
A professional baseball player and his heckler prove that true love is worth going to bat for in the next swoony romance.
Daphne Brink doesn’t follow baseball, but watching “America’s Snoozefest” certainly beats sitting at home in the days after she signs her divorce papers. After one too many ballpark beers, she heckles Carolina Battery player Chris Kepler, who quickly proves there might actually be a little crying in baseball. Horrified, Daphne reaches out to Chris on social media to apologize . . . but forgets to identify herself as his heckler in her message.
Chris doesn’t usually respond to random fans on social media, but he’s grieving and fragile after an emotionally turbulent few months. When a DM from “Duckie” catches his eye, he impulsively messages back. Duckie is sweet, funny, and seems to understand him in a way no one else does.
Daphne isn’t sure how much longer she can keep lying to Chris, especially as she starts working with the team in real life and their feelings for each other deepen. When he finds out the truth, will it be three strikes, she’s out?
Daphne Brink doesn’t follow baseball, but watching “America’s Snoozefest” certainly beats sitting at home in the days after she signs her divorce papers. After one too many ballpark beers, she heckles Carolina Battery player Chris Kepler, who quickly proves there might actually be a little crying in baseball. Horrified, Daphne reaches out to Chris on social media to apologize . . . but forgets to identify herself as his heckler in her message.
Chris doesn’t usually respond to random fans on social media, but he’s grieving and fragile after an emotionally turbulent few months. When a DM from “Duckie” catches his eye, he impulsively messages back. Duckie is sweet, funny, and seems to understand him in a way no one else does.
Daphne isn’t sure how much longer she can keep lying to Chris, especially as she starts working with the team in real life and their feelings for each other deepen. When he finds out the truth, will it be three strikes, she’s out?
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2024
389 people are currently reading
29153 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Thompson
10 books1,450 followersAlicia Thompson is a writer, reader, and Paramore superfan. As a teen, she appeared in an episode of 48 Hours in the audience of a local murder trial, where she broke the fourth wall by looking directly into the camera. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.
Annotations:
Also currently under consideration for other superfan distinctions, including but not limited to: Juliet, Naked (the movie), Phoebe Bridgers, Crash Bandicoot, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Tegan and Sara, the audiobook for Sophie Kinsella’s I’ve Got Your Number, and taking really long naps
Does this sound creepy? You should’ve seen my face. It was really creepy.
Yes, I’ve seen an alligator in a neighborhood retention pond.
https://www.aliciathompsonbooks.com/
Annotations:
Also currently under consideration for other superfan distinctions, including but not limited to: Juliet, Naked (the movie), Phoebe Bridgers, Crash Bandicoot, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Tegan and Sara, the audiobook for Sophie Kinsella’s I’ve Got Your Number, and taking really long naps
Does this sound creepy? You should’ve seen my face. It was really creepy.
Yes, I’ve seen an alligator in a neighborhood retention pond.
https://www.aliciathompsonbooks.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,600 reviews
July 17, 2024
Daphne Brink is on the brink of a slightly nervous breakdown after her recent divorce. When she has the chance to outdo her ex and score free tickets to watch a baseball game from the most convenient seats, she gladly accepts the prize. Despite not knowing much about sports, she figures it's better to spend some time alone and wallow in self-pity.
With the help of IPAs and the company of her best friend, everything starts to feel better until the moment she finds herself heckling Carolina Battery player Chris Kepler with a Winnie the Pooh reference. And guess what? The star player doesn't know the famous rule: "There's no crying in baseball," as mentioned in "A League of Their Own." Daphne's words may have struck a nerve, making Chris cry in the middle of the game. When she sobers up, she feels ashamed and decides to write a message to Chris to apologize, conveniently leaving out the detail that she was the heckler who pushed him to a nervous breakdown.
Their communication is flawless, and Daphne finds herself starting to work for the team while dealing with the guilt of lying about her identity. She also discovers herself falling for Chris Kepler. However, the looming question remains: What if the truth comes out? Will the deep connection they've built dissipate as she returns to her broken-hearted, miserable life?
I must admit I'm not a big fan of sports romance. While I love soccer and basketball games in daily life, baseball never really captivated me. That's why Ms. Thompson achieved something unexpected: she made me enjoy the world of sports, and, of course, the best book boyfriend she created played a significant role in enhancing the experience. I can't deny it – I loved Chris more than Daphne.
This sweet, sensitive, and caring guy is a dream for all women, and I'm certain many readers will be swooning as they read about him. It's nearly impossible not to fall for this character. His dealing with grief and suffering from panic attacks are portrayed so realistically. I found myself wanting to jump inside the book, give him a hug, and assure him that things will get better, or at least more tolerable, with each passing day.
Overall, this is a sweet, engaging sports romance that I wholeheartedly enjoyed and highly recommend to readers.
A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this sweet book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
With the help of IPAs and the company of her best friend, everything starts to feel better until the moment she finds herself heckling Carolina Battery player Chris Kepler with a Winnie the Pooh reference. And guess what? The star player doesn't know the famous rule: "There's no crying in baseball," as mentioned in "A League of Their Own." Daphne's words may have struck a nerve, making Chris cry in the middle of the game. When she sobers up, she feels ashamed and decides to write a message to Chris to apologize, conveniently leaving out the detail that she was the heckler who pushed him to a nervous breakdown.
Their communication is flawless, and Daphne finds herself starting to work for the team while dealing with the guilt of lying about her identity. She also discovers herself falling for Chris Kepler. However, the looming question remains: What if the truth comes out? Will the deep connection they've built dissipate as she returns to her broken-hearted, miserable life?
I must admit I'm not a big fan of sports romance. While I love soccer and basketball games in daily life, baseball never really captivated me. That's why Ms. Thompson achieved something unexpected: she made me enjoy the world of sports, and, of course, the best book boyfriend she created played a significant role in enhancing the experience. I can't deny it – I loved Chris more than Daphne.
This sweet, sensitive, and caring guy is a dream for all women, and I'm certain many readers will be swooning as they read about him. It's nearly impossible not to fall for this character. His dealing with grief and suffering from panic attacks are portrayed so realistically. I found myself wanting to jump inside the book, give him a hug, and assure him that things will get better, or at least more tolerable, with each passing day.
Overall, this is a sweet, engaging sports romance that I wholeheartedly enjoyed and highly recommend to readers.
A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this sweet book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
April 1, 2024
✨Chris Kepler can take me out to the ballgame and then just take me 😮💨✨
TL;DR: The Art of Catching Feelings was a really great read—both for baseball fans and non fans alike—but my review comes with a pretty big JUST HEAR ME OUT. The majority of the plot and relationship are centered around lying and hidden identity, which I know is pretty polarizing so…JUST HEAR ME OUT. The romance was HOT with fantastic tension—I mean, hey, lying’s at least good for that!—and I was hooked from the first.
But…I definitely got tired of Daphne chickening out from telling Chris the truth…but I do also understand that once she got to a certain point, they were too deep into the season to do much. Baseball players are very superstitious and you should probably not drop bombshell news on a starting MLB player mid season…but you should also maybe not lie! But also part of me ate up that drama, so who’s to say?? All I guess I’m saying is that yeah the miscommunication was a dark cloud over the book, but there was still a lot of light within and it would be a shame to write this one off!
✨
Okay, let’s get this out of the way, if you—like me—dislike plots that rely heavily on lying, concealing the truth, miscommunication…just take a deep breath and trust the process. I was curious but also SCARED to see how it was going to resolve, so I think this will make a fabulous reread, seeing as I know now how everything shakes out and I won’t have to stress. Because stress I did.
The lying was definitely a giant piano hanging overhead of literally 80% of the book. It had some You’ve Got Mail vibes, especially at the beginning, which was fun but also a bit frustrating. I’ve noticed that the “I wanted it to be you so badly” of it all is always lost whenever books play on that plot. Because the hidden identity doesn’t cause a fight (in either The Shop Around the Corner or You’ve Got Mail)!! That’s why it’s a comfort movie to me!!
So it seemed like a bit of a missed opportunity to wait until the very end to have Daphne reveal her deception, because literally everything was tainted by us knowing he was going be SO hurt. And I mean everything. Including the VERY HOT SEX. It was so hot!!! Like mutual masturbation over the phone hot!!! But it was also so not hot when Daphne kept avoiding the truth.
There were so many times she could’ve revealed herself but chose not to, and by the third or fourth one I was like GIRL please give us something!! If the big reveal would’ve happened around 50%, it would’ve a. still given him time to be angry (warranted!!) b. been an unexpected and very welcome twist (good) and c. left a lot of time for more relationship development WITHOUT the looming downfall (hot).
Because now I have to preface this review, and probably any time recommend the book, with a big BUT. Because I know this setup—especially how it played out here—is a turn off for a lot of readers. And I LOVED so much of this book, so I’m just a bit sad that the romance was partly (and I have a feeling for future readers, will be) overshadowed by the lying.
✨
But aside from that, I really had a wonderful time. The story was fast paced, the writing was charming, and I got so enamored by the fantasy of it all. Sure, I was stressed about the lies, but don’t get it twisted, I was LIVING for the drama. There was something so satisfying about the story turning into a workplace romance—with it being a bit forbidden and his teammates knowing he wanted her when he thought it was soooooooo secret. And that also being obvious LIVE ON AIR.
I love baseball—and I know Alicia does too—so it was very fun to be in the headspace of Daphne, who could literally care less about the sport. I’m sorry, but if my brother worked for an MLB team and I had the opportunity to casually be near the players??? All bets would be off. I feel her though, because I too have brought a book to the ballpark on more than one occasion.
As for Chris Kepler—an ode to the starting right fielder for the Minnesota Twins, and my personal angel baby boy, Max Kepler—he was literally a dreamboat. We got his POV, and I really appreciated the nuances of his character. He wasn’t a playboy, but he wasn’t timid either. To sum it up, I was very into his whole ~thing.
Do I think any baseball player would actually be such perfect boyfriend material in real life? Absolutely not, and frankly I try to think about players off the field as LITTLE as possible, because the athlete lifestyle ₛₜᵣₑₛₛₑₛ ₘₑ ₒᵤₜ in a very non hot way. So much so that I was actually surprised how much I did, in fact, love this book!!
I think it’s a great romance for baseball fans and non baseball fans alike. I read it FAST, so I can’t wait to savor it with a reread during the summer aka baseball season. Also, this is the first book I’ve been officially acknowledged in??? Like “Hannah @fringebookreviews” is officially in a published book??? I literally cried.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶️🌶️.75/5
CWs: Panic attacks, suicide of a loved one (recounted)
I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.
TL;DR: The Art of Catching Feelings was a really great read—both for baseball fans and non fans alike—but my review comes with a pretty big JUST HEAR ME OUT. The majority of the plot and relationship are centered around lying and hidden identity, which I know is pretty polarizing so…JUST HEAR ME OUT. The romance was HOT with fantastic tension—I mean, hey, lying’s at least good for that!—and I was hooked from the first.
But…I definitely got tired of Daphne chickening out from telling Chris the truth…but I do also understand that once she got to a certain point, they were too deep into the season to do much. Baseball players are very superstitious and you should probably not drop bombshell news on a starting MLB player mid season…but you should also maybe not lie! But also part of me ate up that drama, so who’s to say?? All I guess I’m saying is that yeah the miscommunication was a dark cloud over the book, but there was still a lot of light within and it would be a shame to write this one off!
✨
Okay, let’s get this out of the way, if you—like me—dislike plots that rely heavily on lying, concealing the truth, miscommunication…just take a deep breath and trust the process. I was curious but also SCARED to see how it was going to resolve, so I think this will make a fabulous reread, seeing as I know now how everything shakes out and I won’t have to stress. Because stress I did.
The lying was definitely a giant piano hanging overhead of literally 80% of the book. It had some You’ve Got Mail vibes, especially at the beginning, which was fun but also a bit frustrating. I’ve noticed that the “I wanted it to be you so badly” of it all is always lost whenever books play on that plot. Because the hidden identity doesn’t cause a fight (in either The Shop Around the Corner or You’ve Got Mail)!! That’s why it’s a comfort movie to me!!
So it seemed like a bit of a missed opportunity to wait until the very end to have Daphne reveal her deception, because literally everything was tainted by us knowing he was going be SO hurt. And I mean everything. Including the VERY HOT SEX. It was so hot!!! Like mutual masturbation over the phone hot!!! But it was also so not hot when Daphne kept avoiding the truth.
There were so many times she could’ve revealed herself but chose not to, and by the third or fourth one I was like GIRL please give us something!! If the big reveal would’ve happened around 50%, it would’ve a. still given him time to be angry (warranted!!) b. been an unexpected and very welcome twist (good) and c. left a lot of time for more relationship development WITHOUT the looming downfall (hot).
Because now I have to preface this review, and probably any time recommend the book, with a big BUT. Because I know this setup—especially how it played out here—is a turn off for a lot of readers. And I LOVED so much of this book, so I’m just a bit sad that the romance was partly (and I have a feeling for future readers, will be) overshadowed by the lying.
✨
But aside from that, I really had a wonderful time. The story was fast paced, the writing was charming, and I got so enamored by the fantasy of it all. Sure, I was stressed about the lies, but don’t get it twisted, I was LIVING for the drama. There was something so satisfying about the story turning into a workplace romance—with it being a bit forbidden and his teammates knowing he wanted her when he thought it was soooooooo secret. And that also being obvious LIVE ON AIR.
I love baseball—and I know Alicia does too—so it was very fun to be in the headspace of Daphne, who could literally care less about the sport. I’m sorry, but if my brother worked for an MLB team and I had the opportunity to casually be near the players??? All bets would be off. I feel her though, because I too have brought a book to the ballpark on more than one occasion.
As for Chris Kepler—an ode to the starting right fielder for the Minnesota Twins, and my personal angel baby boy, Max Kepler—he was literally a dreamboat. We got his POV, and I really appreciated the nuances of his character. He wasn’t a playboy, but he wasn’t timid either. To sum it up, I was very into his whole ~thing.
Do I think any baseball player would actually be such perfect boyfriend material in real life? Absolutely not, and frankly I try to think about players off the field as LITTLE as possible, because the athlete lifestyle ₛₜᵣₑₛₛₑₛ ₘₑ ₒᵤₜ in a very non hot way. So much so that I was actually surprised how much I did, in fact, love this book!!
I think it’s a great romance for baseball fans and non baseball fans alike. I read it FAST, so I can’t wait to savor it with a reread during the summer aka baseball season. Also, this is the first book I’ve been officially acknowledged in??? Like “Hannah @fringebookreviews” is officially in a published book??? I literally cried.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶️🌶️.75/5
CWs: Panic attacks, suicide of a loved one (recounted)
I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.
January 17, 2025
... I tried. I really genuinely did. But I gotta dnf this. (31%)
rtc
______________
⌞Pre-read:⌝
I need to balance out my ToG reread with something light, fluffy, funny and slightly brainless. I feel like this might fall into those criteria(idk actually, it was the first book I saw on my kindle hehe)
rtc
______________
⌞Pre-read:⌝
I need to balance out my ToG reread with something light, fluffy, funny and slightly brainless. I feel like this might fall into those criteria(idk actually, it was the first book I saw on my kindle hehe)
May 16, 2024
3.25 stars
ughh i just wish daphne said something earlier
ughh i just wish daphne said something earlier
June 29, 2025
ੈ♡˳ rating: 2 ⭐
ੈ♡˳ summary:
after a public scandal upends daphne’s life, she’s trying to rebuild—quietly and on her own terms. enter chris, a former mlb player trying to figure out what’s next. when daphne starts posting as someone else on a popular baseball message board, things spiral as her connection with chris deepens… while he doesn’t know who she really is.
ੈ♡˳ thoughts:
this book had so much potential… and yet it just didn’t deliver for me. it honestly felt like nobody in this book—besides chris—was rooting for daphne, and that made it such a hard read. like, how are you gonna make your main character feel so isolated, unsupported, and borderline disrespected for most of the story? i get that the conflict had to happen somehow, but damn, give the girl a break.
and then chris. sweet, emotionally intelligent, deeply lonely chris. i loved him. he was truly the highlight of the book for me. it felt like no one in his life had his back either, and it made sense that these two wounded souls found comfort in one another. it’s a classic slow burn, and while i normally eat that up, this time it dragged.
now let’s talk about daphne. girl. girl.
you are over 30. divorced. going through a rough patch. and your plan is… catfishing a man online to make yourself feel better? what in the lack of therapy is going on here?? i hate a miscommunication trope and this wasn’t even a minor moment—it was the entire premise of the book. it wasn’t quirky. it wasn’t romantic. it just made me cringe. i wanted so badly to root for daphne, but she kept making choices that were hard to get behind.
i know some readers probably found this messy and relatable, but it just made me want to put the book down. the emotional payoff wasn’t worth the frustration of watching two grown adults talk around their problems for 300+ pages.
ੈ♡˳ tropes:
ꕥ slow burn
ꕥ miscommunication (heavy)
ꕥ online anonymity/catfishing
ꕥ redemption arc
ꕥ messy adults with pasts
ੈ♡˳ fave quotes:
✿ “he made me feel seen, like there was nothing about me that needed to be fixed to be worthy of love.”
✿ “sometimes being alone feels safer, but it’s also lonelier than you expect.”
✿ “i didn’t mean to fall for him, but i did—and now i have to live with what i’ve done.”
———
pre read: i’ve heard mixed reviews about this book, but i love baseball & i love romance. so i’m gonna give it a shot. 🧍🏾♀️
ੈ♡˳ summary:
after a public scandal upends daphne’s life, she’s trying to rebuild—quietly and on her own terms. enter chris, a former mlb player trying to figure out what’s next. when daphne starts posting as someone else on a popular baseball message board, things spiral as her connection with chris deepens… while he doesn’t know who she really is.
ੈ♡˳ thoughts:
this book had so much potential… and yet it just didn’t deliver for me. it honestly felt like nobody in this book—besides chris—was rooting for daphne, and that made it such a hard read. like, how are you gonna make your main character feel so isolated, unsupported, and borderline disrespected for most of the story? i get that the conflict had to happen somehow, but damn, give the girl a break.
and then chris. sweet, emotionally intelligent, deeply lonely chris. i loved him. he was truly the highlight of the book for me. it felt like no one in his life had his back either, and it made sense that these two wounded souls found comfort in one another. it’s a classic slow burn, and while i normally eat that up, this time it dragged.
now let’s talk about daphne. girl. girl.
you are over 30. divorced. going through a rough patch. and your plan is… catfishing a man online to make yourself feel better? what in the lack of therapy is going on here?? i hate a miscommunication trope and this wasn’t even a minor moment—it was the entire premise of the book. it wasn’t quirky. it wasn’t romantic. it just made me cringe. i wanted so badly to root for daphne, but she kept making choices that were hard to get behind.
i know some readers probably found this messy and relatable, but it just made me want to put the book down. the emotional payoff wasn’t worth the frustration of watching two grown adults talk around their problems for 300+ pages.
ੈ♡˳ tropes:
ꕥ slow burn
ꕥ miscommunication (heavy)
ꕥ online anonymity/catfishing
ꕥ redemption arc
ꕥ messy adults with pasts
ੈ♡˳ fave quotes:
✿ “he made me feel seen, like there was nothing about me that needed to be fixed to be worthy of love.”
✿ “sometimes being alone feels safer, but it’s also lonelier than you expect.”
✿ “i didn’t mean to fall for him, but i did—and now i have to live with what i’ve done.”
———
pre read: i’ve heard mixed reviews about this book, but i love baseball & i love romance. so i’m gonna give it a shot. 🧍🏾♀️
November 29, 2024
I swear if I read this physically and not audiobook this rating would of been different 65% of the book was text message exchange loool RTC
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ why hello audiobook that libby has as available now, let’s give this a try😏
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ why hello audiobook that libby has as available now, let’s give this a try😏
June 20, 2024
The Art of Catching Feelings is a sweet and emotional romance following Chris, a struggling baseball player, and Daphne his one-time heckler. The story is full of charm with so much humor, tension, and emotion laced throughout the engaging plot and writing. Daphne and Chris were beautiful together and separately, their conversations led to so much charged chemistry, and the slow buildup to them coming together was perfect. I loved how they were so soft with each other yet willing to share all of their raw and gritty sides; the deep topics never got too heavy but added a needed layer of dimension. I absolutely recommend this warm and vulnerable romance and cannot wait to explore more from Alicia Thompson!
Read If You Like:
⚾Sports Romance⚾
⚾Friends w Benefits⚾
⚾Slow Burn⚾
⚾Hidden Identity⚾
⚾Mental Health Rep⚾
⚾Dual POV⚾
⚾Workplace Romance⚾
~Many thanks to Berkley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read If You Like:
⚾Sports Romance⚾
⚾Friends w Benefits⚾
⚾Slow Burn⚾
⚾Hidden Identity⚾
⚾Mental Health Rep⚾
⚾Dual POV⚾
⚾Workplace Romance⚾
~Many thanks to Berkley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2024
deceit. dishonesty. catfishing. whatever you want to call this book, it wasn’t true love. if we are 70% through the book and you’re still lying to the person you’re falling in love with (instantly, might i add) then it’s not my kinda story!
i wasn’t the biggest fan of alicia’s books before but her writing…is not it brothers. my god. i deeply despise daphne the deceiver as a whole, the fact that chris was practically in a relationship with two women and could switch off??? (i would feel like shit if that happened to me irl) and i was promised that i’d give a shit about baseball at the end of this but i didn’t even pass gas ✋😐
i wasn’t the biggest fan of alicia’s books before but her writing…is not it brothers. my god. i deeply despise daphne the deceiver as a whole, the fact that chris was practically in a relationship with two women and could switch off??? (i would feel like shit if that happened to me irl) and i was promised that i’d give a shit about baseball at the end of this but i didn’t even pass gas ✋😐
August 30, 2024
3.75 stars
Let me start by saying the entire premise of this book is completely bonkers but I enjoyed it anyways.
After having just signed her divorce papers, Daphne attends a baseball game and gets drunk with her friend and ends up heckling a baseball player... to the point where he begins to cry. Feeling horrible, Daphne sends an apology to him on instagram, but the part where she admitted she was the heckler was omitted and Chris has been replying not knowing who she is. As time goes by she wants to admit to him who she is, but doesn't want to ruin a good thing.
Insane. Insane I tell you! This premise, if anyone did this in real life it wouldn't be a romance it would be a true crime documentary. But somehow, it works! I had a lot of fun listening to this weird little book, knowing Daphne was making every single wrong decision but still somewhat rooting for her and Chris anyway. It was actually a really fun baseball romance and just a fun sports romance all around. This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm glad I gave her a second chance because this book was a good time.
Let me start by saying the entire premise of this book is completely bonkers but I enjoyed it anyways.
After having just signed her divorce papers, Daphne attends a baseball game and gets drunk with her friend and ends up heckling a baseball player... to the point where he begins to cry. Feeling horrible, Daphne sends an apology to him on instagram, but the part where she admitted she was the heckler was omitted and Chris has been replying not knowing who she is. As time goes by she wants to admit to him who she is, but doesn't want to ruin a good thing.
Insane. Insane I tell you! This premise, if anyone did this in real life it wouldn't be a romance it would be a true crime documentary. But somehow, it works! I had a lot of fun listening to this weird little book, knowing Daphne was making every single wrong decision but still somewhat rooting for her and Chris anyway. It was actually a really fun baseball romance and just a fun sports romance all around. This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm glad I gave her a second chance because this book was a good time.
July 2, 2024
If The Little Mermaid, You’ve Got Mail, and, I don’t know, Bull Charlotte Durham had a baby, it would be this book. Daphne had a bad day and heckled Chris until he cried, a classic love story if ever I’ve heard one. Then her sister-in-law gets pregnant and Daphne has to take over her job (you’ve heard it a million times). Chris is still chilly on the whole “you made me cry at bat” thing but apparently Daph has spectacular tits so all is forgiven. If you can get over Daphne lying to Chris’s face for 80% of the book, you’ll probably enjoy it; I found this a difficult landscape to traverse, but even I found the story itself charming. I also know nothing about baseball so the descriptions of Daphne’s eyes glazing over during games was relatable. The Art of Catching Feelings: come for the sports romance, stay for the… reluctant-but-magical oral.
January 15, 2024
Below is my official blurb but my unofficial blurb is more like GSJDHSKSHDBALSBD I LOVE THEM/THIS BOOK/ALICIA
I’m an Alicia Thompson fan first and a human second, and The Art of Catching Feelings is a shining example of why. Chris and Daphne’s achingly vulnerable, hot slide into love was so masterfully crafted with intimacy and care that I was tempted to go right back to the first page once I finished (fine, and maybe I did). With her signature effortless prose and deeply insightful musings on life and love, this is Alicia Thompson at the top of her already spectacular game.
I’m an Alicia Thompson fan first and a human second, and The Art of Catching Feelings is a shining example of why. Chris and Daphne’s achingly vulnerable, hot slide into love was so masterfully crafted with intimacy and care that I was tempted to go right back to the first page once I finished (fine, and maybe I did). With her signature effortless prose and deeply insightful musings on life and love, this is Alicia Thompson at the top of her already spectacular game.
July 4, 2024
The only good thing about this book is that I was the first person to check it out at the library so it was a brand new, never been opened crispy paperback. All the words inside were stupid though.
July 4, 2024
This was fun! To be fair, I do love a good messy romance. And make it baseball!? Yes. I know a lot of people don't like this because the heroine keeps her true identify a secret from the hero, but I thought that added a lot of depth to the plot and the romance and I couldn't stop reading!
September 26, 2024
Cute baseball romance!! Loved the plot
June 20, 2024
From the cover, I was expecting a lighthearted read, but the book does deal with some pretty heavy themes, which I thought the author did a great job of balancing with the romance. The spice was also very strong here👀🤭
The MMC Chris was without a doubt the highlight of the book for me. I completely fell in love with him and I honestly wish I met a man like him in real life. He was so sweet, caring and sensitive. He just said all the right things and I loved how he went after what he wanted. As for the FMC Daphne, she did aggravate me at times with the decisions she was making and how hypocritical she could be. It took her so long to come clean and I wished it had happened sooner. I did like the growth she experienced regarding her job and self-confidence though.
The pacing of the plot was pretty good, but I did find that the characters developed feelings too quickly after a few text messages. The author could have done a better job of slowly showcasing how Daphne and Chris caught feelings for each other. The shift was not very gradual. The chemistry and tension between Daphne and Chris does kind of made up for that though. I also don’t know much about baseball so all the lingo and jokes completely flew over my head.
All in all, this was a really fun and entertaining romance. It was heartwarming and put a smile to my face several times. I would highly recommend this book if you’re looking for your next sports romance!
The MMC Chris was without a doubt the highlight of the book for me. I completely fell in love with him and I honestly wish I met a man like him in real life. He was so sweet, caring and sensitive. He just said all the right things and I loved how he went after what he wanted. As for the FMC Daphne, she did aggravate me at times with the decisions she was making and how hypocritical she could be. It took her so long to come clean and I wished it had happened sooner. I did like the growth she experienced regarding her job and self-confidence though.
The pacing of the plot was pretty good, but I did find that the characters developed feelings too quickly after a few text messages. The author could have done a better job of slowly showcasing how Daphne and Chris caught feelings for each other. The shift was not very gradual. The chemistry and tension between Daphne and Chris does kind of made up for that though. I also don’t know much about baseball so all the lingo and jokes completely flew over my head.
All in all, this was a really fun and entertaining romance. It was heartwarming and put a smile to my face several times. I would highly recommend this book if you’re looking for your next sports romance!
July 9, 2024
Chris Kepler, I want better for you.
June 18, 2024
A top read of 2024!
Daphne and Chris’ love was so organic, and the author’s writing was easy to read. And my mind usually can’t process third person unless I really love the book, but I ate this up!
Daphne and Chris' love story as an unorthodox start. Daphne and her bestie are at a baseball game, drunk to forget about her finalized divorce. She's not a sports girl, but had the tickets and nothing else to do. A few drinks and some animated fans leads Daphne to try her hand at heckling one of the players. Turns out she heckles Chris, one of the home team players, and clearly what she said struck a nerve because it makes him emotional.
Given that Chris didn't get a great look at Daphne, she thinks the best way to appease her guilt is to apologize via Instagram DMs, to which Chris responds. The only catch? Somehow Daphne forgot to mention she herself was the heckler, and we can all guess where this is going to go. Especially when Daphne starts working with the journalism/behind the scenes team, where Chris is not a fan of in-person Daphne once he realizes she's the heckler.
I'm normally not a fan of hidden identity storylines, but this one made it work, in that we got to see two people essentially fall in love with each other twice. One on hand, we have them anonymously in the DMs, and in the other we have the dislike to lovers storyline in real life. Their journey was the epitome of love can spring from anywhere, especially when you realize that Daphne has brought Chris out of his shell in a way that he hadn't been able to do since he experienced a recent loss. Daphne was able to connect with someone who accepted her for who she is, despite how shaken her confidence was after being married to her douchebag of an ex-husband.
This was one of those romances that snuck up on me. It highlighted Daphne and Chris' connections, without there being a bunch of drama/side plots to distract the reader. I am definitely interested in reading more from this author, because this book was just so pleasant and warm to read!
Daphne and Chris' love story as an unorthodox start. Daphne and her bestie are at a baseball game, drunk to forget about her finalized divorce. She's not a sports girl, but had the tickets and nothing else to do. A few drinks and some animated fans leads Daphne to try her hand at heckling one of the players. Turns out she heckles Chris, one of the home team players, and clearly what she said struck a nerve because it makes him emotional.
Given that Chris didn't get a great look at Daphne, she thinks the best way to appease her guilt is to apologize via Instagram DMs, to which Chris responds. The only catch? Somehow Daphne forgot to mention she herself was the heckler, and we can all guess where this is going to go. Especially when Daphne starts working with the journalism/behind the scenes team, where Chris is not a fan of in-person Daphne once he realizes she's the heckler.
I'm normally not a fan of hidden identity storylines, but this one made it work, in that we got to see two people essentially fall in love with each other twice. One on hand, we have them anonymously in the DMs, and in the other we have the dislike to lovers storyline in real life. Their journey was the epitome of love can spring from anywhere, especially when you realize that Daphne has brought Chris out of his shell in a way that he hadn't been able to do since he experienced a recent loss. Daphne was able to connect with someone who accepted her for who she is, despite how shaken her confidence was after being married to her douchebag of an ex-husband.
This was one of those romances that snuck up on me. It highlighted Daphne and Chris' connections, without there being a bunch of drama/side plots to distract the reader. I am definitely interested in reading more from this author, because this book was just so pleasant and warm to read!
August 17, 2025
the art of me being obsessed with alicia thompson
October 4, 2024
The Art of Catching Feelings is my first time reading this author and I can't wait to read the rest of her books. This story was SO cute!!
Read this if you like
•Slow burns
•Dual POV
•Mistaken identity/secret romances
•Friends with benefits
•Open door spice
•Hot baseball players
•Cinnamon roll MMC
4 stars
Read this if you like
•Slow burns
•Dual POV
•Mistaken identity/secret romances
•Friends with benefits
•Open door spice
•Hot baseball players
•Cinnamon roll MMC
4 stars
July 5, 2024
I re-read this upon publication after reading an earlier version and now I’m sad it’s over all over again 😭 This is such a messy, romantic, sexy, well-crafted baseball romance and I just love both Daphne and Chris so much!!!
December 17, 2024
The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson is a new standalone contemporary romance novel. The story in The Art of Catching Feelings is one that does change the point of view between the main characters giving both sides of the story.
Daphne Brink is just finishing up her divorce when she decides she’s going to attend a baseball game, mainly to keep the tickets out of her ex’s hands. As Daphne tries to fit in with the fans around her and let’s admit also to entertain herself watching a sport she doesn’t understand she begins to heckle the players the way those around her do.
When Carolina Battery player Chris Kepler is up and Daphne tosses out one of her new heckling jabs Chris ends up crying on the field. Mortified that her actions hurt someone like she had Daphne tries to private message Chris and apologize but she accidentally deletes the important part of the apology, her admission of guilt, and instead strikes up a friendship over text with Chris instead.
I will admit the whole sports romance thing is not usually one that appeals to me but having read several books by author Alicia Thompson in the past and enjoying them I couldn’t help but take a chance on this one. When finished I was completely happy that I had picked this one up and it was definitely a story I fell into enjoying quickly and didn’t want to put down. The story was humorous while also being heartwarming as the couple navigates their obstacles and I was onboard all the way for it.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Daphne Brink is just finishing up her divorce when she decides she’s going to attend a baseball game, mainly to keep the tickets out of her ex’s hands. As Daphne tries to fit in with the fans around her and let’s admit also to entertain herself watching a sport she doesn’t understand she begins to heckle the players the way those around her do.
When Carolina Battery player Chris Kepler is up and Daphne tosses out one of her new heckling jabs Chris ends up crying on the field. Mortified that her actions hurt someone like she had Daphne tries to private message Chris and apologize but she accidentally deletes the important part of the apology, her admission of guilt, and instead strikes up a friendship over text with Chris instead.
I will admit the whole sports romance thing is not usually one that appeals to me but having read several books by author Alicia Thompson in the past and enjoying them I couldn’t help but take a chance on this one. When finished I was completely happy that I had picked this one up and it was definitely a story I fell into enjoying quickly and didn’t want to put down. The story was humorous while also being heartwarming as the couple navigates their obstacles and I was onboard all the way for it.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
May 15, 2025
catfishing at her grown age… wrap that one up!
March 20, 2024
I really like Alicia Thompson - I subscribe to her newsletter, even. I loved With Love, From Cold World. But this just wasn't it for me.
The basic premise drew me in, but I figured there was no way in the year 2024 we are still propping a whole story up on a miscommunication that is so easy to remedy. Daphne's lie goes on for entirely too long, to the point I didn't want Chris to forgive her. The fact that the character tells herself repeatedly that she's going to tell him and then just doesn't was incredibly frustrating.
All of this is to say, the premise hindered a real romance from blooming and from me believing these two people have a connection. The part with Chris and Daphne as Duckie stopped abruptly and then the parts with Chris with Daphne as herself felt only physical. Neither one was able to show a real connection between the two people and I never bought that there was chemistry or anything between them.
And that is a strike out when it comes to reading a romance novel.
The basic premise drew me in, but I figured there was no way in the year 2024 we are still propping a whole story up on a miscommunication that is so easy to remedy. Daphne's lie goes on for entirely too long, to the point I didn't want Chris to forgive her. The fact that the character tells herself repeatedly that she's going to tell him and then just doesn't was incredibly frustrating.
All of this is to say, the premise hindered a real romance from blooming and from me believing these two people have a connection. The part with Chris and Daphne as Duckie stopped abruptly and then the parts with Chris with Daphne as herself felt only physical. Neither one was able to show a real connection between the two people and I never bought that there was chemistry or anything between them.
And that is a strike out when it comes to reading a romance novel.
June 19, 2024
Daphne is just newly divorced and in order to prevent her ex from getting baseball tickets from her brother she decided to go to the game with her best friend. Daphne gets too drunk and yells an insult that hurts Chris (one of the players)’s feelings and makes him tear up. Feeling bad about her behavior she decides to slide into his DMs to apologize, except she forgets to mention she is his heckler and an unlikely friendship starts.
This book is so much fun! I could not put it down! I read the whole thing in one sitting. There were some parts that made me cringe so hard but it was what the author intended. I thought the love story was incredibly fun but I love a cinnamon roll MMC.
This book does have some really serious topics so protect yourself if the mention of depression and unaliving is too much for you.
Overall the book was so fantastic! I highly recommended!
Tropes: cinnamon roll mmc, miscommunication, rivals to lovers, work place romance
Thank you to netgalley, Berkley publishing, Berkley romance, and Alicia Thompson for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book is so much fun! I could not put it down! I read the whole thing in one sitting. There were some parts that made me cringe so hard but it was what the author intended. I thought the love story was incredibly fun but I love a cinnamon roll MMC.
This book does have some really serious topics so protect yourself if the mention of depression and unaliving is too much for you.
Overall the book was so fantastic! I highly recommended!
Tropes: cinnamon roll mmc, miscommunication, rivals to lovers, work place romance
Thank you to netgalley, Berkley publishing, Berkley romance, and Alicia Thompson for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 1, 2024
I'm fairly new to loving baseball, so I really appreciated this premise.
I really liked Daphne and Chris. Their meet cute isn't so cute and I thought it was a clever start to the story. Daphne and Chris are both smart, loyal, struggling. They find something in the other while messaging that resonates and it was a delicious unfolding in the story.
Plot wise it was good. I'm not usually a fan of the catfishing slash secret identity thread, but this one felt like an innocent accident that spiraled out of control. I loved reading them text and then see the juxtaposition of the in-person actions. Of course there's blowback, but there needed to be. And while I wanted more from the epilogue, it was set up to tell me where they're going.
Overall, this fell like a sort of love letter to baseball and it was easy to root for these characters.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I really liked Daphne and Chris. Their meet cute isn't so cute and I thought it was a clever start to the story. Daphne and Chris are both smart, loyal, struggling. They find something in the other while messaging that resonates and it was a delicious unfolding in the story.
Plot wise it was good. I'm not usually a fan of the catfishing slash secret identity thread, but this one felt like an innocent accident that spiraled out of control. I loved reading them text and then see the juxtaposition of the in-person actions. Of course there's blowback, but there needed to be. And while I wanted more from the epilogue, it was set up to tell me where they're going.
Overall, this fell like a sort of love letter to baseball and it was easy to root for these characters.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
June 29, 2024
It was okay. I feel like I’m too old and have lost patience for certain things. I feel the dishonesty went on way too long and was making me kinda upset. It was just okay for me.
February 7, 2025
well, this is just about a guy n his lying girlfriend.. the end 🥱
December 1, 2024
This book was CUTE! It was the perfect mix of baseball and You’ve Got Mail (which is my favorite movie!). There was some cheesiness, some spice and some overall deep emotional topics. It was a good pallete cleanser book that I just had a good time reading!
July 4, 2024
Wow, yet another romance where the author makes you HATE THE WOMAN!!!!!
This is a story that should’ve worked, but the characterization of the fmc was so TERRIBLE that it negatively affected the whole story.
Daphne gets drunk at a baseball game and heckles the home team and ends up sending a dm to the player she heckles to apologize. Fine. They end up talking and sort of becoming friends through the messages, and eventually they sort of like each other, but through IG. Fine!
She ends up getting a sub job w the team to help her sister in law and she has to interview Chris, the player she heckled. Fine! They start to get to know one another and like each other irl, and this is where it goes left. He invites Duckie (her IG name) to a game, and she ghosts him because obviously she’s at fucking work as DAPHNE and instead of choosing that moment to be like “this is the truth…” she just says nothing lmao.
It’s so obvious that Chris really liked Duckie, but Daphne literally NEVER admits that she’s the girl??? Like even after they start fucking irl!!!!! Like the lengths she goes to avoid being found out instead of just telling him the truth is insane to me. She won’t give him her phone number, won’t text him…like wtf are you doing here. The catfishing was so crazy to me. Like it’s so bizarre that they literally have phone sex as Chris and Duckie, and she won’t speak to him on the line. She replies to his questions through text. HUH???
And I feel like I could’ve overlooked it if she had admitted earlier in the story, but I kid you not, she doesn’t get revealed until the 78% mark. And to add to that, she doesn’t even actually tell the truth. He finds out bc she slips up and mentions something he never told her in person, only on IG.
So I’m sitting here wondering how tf you’re trying to convince me of this romance where the fmc is LYING for almost the entire book about her identity to this man that she claims to be in love with ? Like I’m sorry, we would be pissed off if a man did this. It’s also not romantic??? It’s not romantic to have dual personalities when dating someone. Because she continued to text him as Duckie for while into their real life relationship. WHY???
And then trying to make me as the reader feel bad for her when Chris is rightfully pissed lol. It’s a joke.
Poor Chris tbh! Like everything about this would’ve been perfect. The romance, the sports, the hot baseball player with some emotional turmoil, but she really ruined the entire story with the deranged cat fishing plot. Like I cannot emphasize this enough. It really soured the entire story for me to the point that I’ll never tell anyone to read it. Not that my word means anything, but like why did you write that????
Tbh, she didn’t get enough smoke for the lying she did for no reason, but it’s not my story. I was actively rolling my eyes every time she had a moment to be truthful and chose to keep lying. Like enough is enough. I’m not the morality police by any means, but how do you expect me to believe in this relationship when it’s built on straight up catfishing 😭
Ugh. I’m obsessed w Chris, but pissed that this book was ruined by a stupid plot line that could’ve been resolved at the beginning of the book which would’ve allowed the romance to be even better.
This is a story that should’ve worked, but the characterization of the fmc was so TERRIBLE that it negatively affected the whole story.
Daphne gets drunk at a baseball game and heckles the home team and ends up sending a dm to the player she heckles to apologize. Fine. They end up talking and sort of becoming friends through the messages, and eventually they sort of like each other, but through IG. Fine!
She ends up getting a sub job w the team to help her sister in law and she has to interview Chris, the player she heckled. Fine! They start to get to know one another and like each other irl, and this is where it goes left. He invites Duckie (her IG name) to a game, and she ghosts him because obviously she’s at fucking work as DAPHNE and instead of choosing that moment to be like “this is the truth…” she just says nothing lmao.
It’s so obvious that Chris really liked Duckie, but Daphne literally NEVER admits that she’s the girl??? Like even after they start fucking irl!!!!! Like the lengths she goes to avoid being found out instead of just telling him the truth is insane to me. She won’t give him her phone number, won’t text him…like wtf are you doing here. The catfishing was so crazy to me. Like it’s so bizarre that they literally have phone sex as Chris and Duckie, and she won’t speak to him on the line. She replies to his questions through text. HUH???
And I feel like I could’ve overlooked it if she had admitted earlier in the story, but I kid you not, she doesn’t get revealed until the 78% mark. And to add to that, she doesn’t even actually tell the truth. He finds out bc she slips up and mentions something he never told her in person, only on IG.
So I’m sitting here wondering how tf you’re trying to convince me of this romance where the fmc is LYING for almost the entire book about her identity to this man that she claims to be in love with ? Like I’m sorry, we would be pissed off if a man did this. It’s also not romantic??? It’s not romantic to have dual personalities when dating someone. Because she continued to text him as Duckie for while into their real life relationship. WHY???
And then trying to make me as the reader feel bad for her when Chris is rightfully pissed lol. It’s a joke.
Poor Chris tbh! Like everything about this would’ve been perfect. The romance, the sports, the hot baseball player with some emotional turmoil, but she really ruined the entire story with the deranged cat fishing plot. Like I cannot emphasize this enough. It really soured the entire story for me to the point that I’ll never tell anyone to read it. Not that my word means anything, but like why did you write that????
Tbh, she didn’t get enough smoke for the lying she did for no reason, but it’s not my story. I was actively rolling my eyes every time she had a moment to be truthful and chose to keep lying. Like enough is enough. I’m not the morality police by any means, but how do you expect me to believe in this relationship when it’s built on straight up catfishing 😭
Ugh. I’m obsessed w Chris, but pissed that this book was ruined by a stupid plot line that could’ve been resolved at the beginning of the book which would’ve allowed the romance to be even better.
June 17, 2024
to be perfectly transparent, this is one of the most confounding books I have ever read. as a lifetime lover of baseball (go mets, even though they stink this year), it was so exciting to gain access to a sports romance centered around the sport. as we know, hockey romances are all the rage, it's nice to see other athletes get their due now and then.
3.5 ★
however, this is my warning to future readers: much of the plot of the art of catching feelings centers around a major miscommunication-slash-catfishing situation, one that is consciously continued by daphne and supported by some in her life. this presented a real moral dilemma for me as someone who hoped to root for chris and daphne. while the pair did share nice moments and I found the book engaging overall, it felt wrong to support their romance for much of the story because the foundation of it was a lie. though her intention was not to do wrong or harm chris, the length of time she allowed him to believe something negated that for me.
since this is the third alicia title I have read, I do believe to be a talented writer. it just feels unfortunate that this was the story chosen for this couple. when you are asked to turn a blind eye to the actions of one character to support a romance, it's tough to feel a true investment in their journey. having said all of that, the book was readable and well-written, so it didn't feel right to drop my rating too much.
thanks to berkley and alicia thompson for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 ★
however, this is my warning to future readers: much of the plot of the art of catching feelings centers around a major miscommunication-slash-catfishing situation, one that is consciously continued by daphne and supported by some in her life. this presented a real moral dilemma for me as someone who hoped to root for chris and daphne. while the pair did share nice moments and I found the book engaging overall, it felt wrong to support their romance for much of the story because the foundation of it was a lie. though her intention was not to do wrong or harm chris, the length of time she allowed him to believe something negated that for me.
since this is the third alicia title I have read, I do believe to be a talented writer. it just feels unfortunate that this was the story chosen for this couple. when you are asked to turn a blind eye to the actions of one character to support a romance, it's tough to feel a true investment in their journey. having said all of that, the book was readable and well-written, so it didn't feel right to drop my rating too much.
thanks to berkley and alicia thompson for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,600 reviews