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Chicago Anchors #2
Catch the Kiss
Meeting Bolan Adler, professional baseball catcher and single dad, is a complicated story.
One involving a one-time kiss when I was young and silly. And a two-time tryst as some kind of midlife breakdown moment.
Anyway, in the game of baseball, three strikes mean: you’re out.
I thought my third one might happen when Bolan Adler is the newest client of the sports management agency I work for.
The same business that just promoted me to agent status when I haven’t asked for the position.
Also, the ridiculous company that wrote up a reputation repair report for the newest member of the Chicago Anchors which includes:
Bolan Adler needs a wife.
He’s decided I’m it. Only this isn’t a game of tag.
Hearts are on the line when I meet Bolan’s sweet sixteen-month-old, and my role goes from babysitting the bad boy of baseball to bonus-mom for his precious daughter.
Complicated, like I said.
Add in when my fake husband starts tossing out real emotions about love, marriage, and another baby, and I’m just hoping to stay out of the strike zone. Because the obvious opponent on the field is love.
Will it win or lose at the end of the season?
One involving a one-time kiss when I was young and silly. And a two-time tryst as some kind of midlife breakdown moment.
Anyway, in the game of baseball, three strikes mean: you’re out.
I thought my third one might happen when Bolan Adler is the newest client of the sports management agency I work for.
The same business that just promoted me to agent status when I haven’t asked for the position.
Also, the ridiculous company that wrote up a reputation repair report for the newest member of the Chicago Anchors which includes:
Bolan Adler needs a wife.
He’s decided I’m it. Only this isn’t a game of tag.
Hearts are on the line when I meet Bolan’s sweet sixteen-month-old, and my role goes from babysitting the bad boy of baseball to bonus-mom for his precious daughter.
Complicated, like I said.
Add in when my fake husband starts tossing out real emotions about love, marriage, and another baby, and I’m just hoping to stay out of the strike zone. Because the obvious opponent on the field is love.
Will it win or lose at the end of the season?
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2025
208 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
L.B. Dunbar
97 books3,273 followersL.B. Dunbar loves sexy silver foxes, second chances, and small towns. If you enjoy older characters in your romance reads, including a hero with a little silver in his scruff and a heroine rediscovering her worth, then welcome to romance for those over 40. L.B. Dunbar’s signature works include women and men in their prime taking another turn at love and happily ever after. She’s a USA TODAY Bestseller as well as #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Later in Life Romance with her Sterling Falls, Lakeside Cottage, and Road Trips & Romance series. L.B. lives in Chicago with her own sexy silver fox.
To get all the scoop about the self-proclaimed queen of silver fox romance, join her on Facebook at Loving L.B. or receive her weekly newsletter, Love Notes.
To get all the scoop about the self-proclaimed queen of silver fox romance, join her on Facebook at Loving L.B. or receive her weekly newsletter, Love Notes.
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April 17, 2025DNF
In theory, this book sounded amazing. The trope checklist? Chef’s kiss. The blurb hooked me. The cover? Gorgeous. It looked like the kind of swoony, emotionally rich romance I live for. But what we got? A bait-and-switch into pure cringe territory. I couldn’t even finish chapter two before I rage-closed the book. This book was actual secondhand embarrassment in written form. I physically could not get past chapter two—and I tried.
It starts off deceptively okay in the prologue, where the two main characters participate in a “kiss experiment.” There’s a spark, some tension, and they like the kiss enough to want to know more about each other. But the experiment has a rule: no contact for a year. Intriguing setup, right?
Chapter one jumps 15 years later and the FMC starts things off by randomly thinking, "Weird that I remembered that. Why did I?" That line alone killed any emotional weight the prologue had built. Like girl, same—why did we remember it?
Her husband (whom she’s apparently been with since right after the experiment) died just a year ago, and yet when she randomly runs into the MMC again—he doesn’t recognize her, by the way—they speak maybe three words before having sex in an empty ballroom. He finds her by a window, says a few sentences, and boom. Clothes off.
And then he says, “Your petals are so wet.” Like. With his whole chest. That line alone should’ve been illegal.
On top of that, in every interaction, she’s on the verge of randomly crying. No emotional buildup, no clear reason—just vibes and tears. And she mentions she’s only ever been with her late husband, and has never seen a man put on a condom before... so you were raw-dogging it your entire marriage and now you’re out here banging a stranger in public?? Make! It! Make! Sense!
I DNF’d when they met again the next night and were about to have sex on a balcony. I couldn't do it. The emotional logic was nonexistent, the pacing was wild, the writing was awkward, and the dialogue felt like a parody. What could’ve been heartfelt and slow-burn turned into the equivalent of a bad fanfic someone wrote at 2am and never edited.
Beautiful cover, solid premise, great tropes—and completely misleading. This book tricked me. Don’t let it trick you too.
In theory, this book sounded amazing. The trope checklist? Chef’s kiss. The blurb hooked me. The cover? Gorgeous. It looked like the kind of swoony, emotionally rich romance I live for. But what we got? A bait-and-switch into pure cringe territory. I couldn’t even finish chapter two before I rage-closed the book. This book was actual secondhand embarrassment in written form. I physically could not get past chapter two—and I tried.
It starts off deceptively okay in the prologue, where the two main characters participate in a “kiss experiment.” There’s a spark, some tension, and they like the kiss enough to want to know more about each other. But the experiment has a rule: no contact for a year. Intriguing setup, right?
Chapter one jumps 15 years later and the FMC starts things off by randomly thinking, "Weird that I remembered that. Why did I?" That line alone killed any emotional weight the prologue had built. Like girl, same—why did we remember it?
Her husband (whom she’s apparently been with since right after the experiment) died just a year ago, and yet when she randomly runs into the MMC again—he doesn’t recognize her, by the way—they speak maybe three words before having sex in an empty ballroom. He finds her by a window, says a few sentences, and boom. Clothes off.
And then he says, “Your petals are so wet.” Like. With his whole chest. That line alone should’ve been illegal.
On top of that, in every interaction, she’s on the verge of randomly crying. No emotional buildup, no clear reason—just vibes and tears. And she mentions she’s only ever been with her late husband, and has never seen a man put on a condom before... so you were raw-dogging it your entire marriage and now you’re out here banging a stranger in public?? Make! It! Make! Sense!
I DNF’d when they met again the next night and were about to have sex on a balcony. I couldn't do it. The emotional logic was nonexistent, the pacing was wild, the writing was awkward, and the dialogue felt like a parody. What could’ve been heartfelt and slow-burn turned into the equivalent of a bad fanfic someone wrote at 2am and never edited.
Beautiful cover, solid premise, great tropes—and completely misleading. This book tricked me. Don’t let it trick you too.
November 17, 2025
Nobody is as shocked by this rating as I am.
After LOVING book 1, I thought for sure this one was going to be just as charming. I enjoy the premise, and the idea of a clandestine relationship is cute... in theory.
But it's ruined by a sex metaphor and a woman with massive trust issues.
The MMC calls the FMC flower for some reason upon their second meeting (the first was a brief kiss when she was 18, 15 years ago, and hardly counts but it nonetheless an important plot point) - not the best nickname, but I've DEFINITELY heard worse, so fine. I was gonna roll with it.
THEN, he fingers her and eats her out like 30 seconds after meeting her and the orgasms he gives her she describes like a blooming flower and I couldn't do it.
He leaves no drop unsavored until I blossom a second time. Blooming like the flower he's taken to calling me.
🤢🤮
I can handle a lot of cringy, nauseating things in books. But for some reason, this gave me the ick so bad. I never wanna hear the phrase "blossom, baby" again for the rest of my life. Or "my slick petals" or "ripe channel", either. Barf.
Was it too much to hope for that this weird flower metaphor be relegated only to this first tryst?
Yes. Yes it was.
Because make no mistake, this metaphor follows Ruthie and Bolan throughout the book. The talk of her blooming or blossoming is constant. From her perspective, as well as his.
In fact, this whole book's written differently from book one. Almost to the point where I had to wonder if the same author wrote it. The language in book 1 was forthright, there were no bells and whistles, no frills. We were reading about hot flashes and too-tight shapewear and pit stains and nearly peeing oneself in chapter 1 for crying out loud. It wasn't glamorous, but it was real and I appreciated the HELL out of that.
In this book the language is whimsical and flowery (no pun intended). These clandestine meetings and the metaphors and discussions of fate... Blegh.
I mean, MAYBE, if I'd read this book first. Maybe if I hadn't been expecting something so VASTLY different. Maybe then this book wouldn't have shocked me so bad. Maybe I'd have been willing to roll with the frilly way it's written. Maybe I wouldn't have balked at the silly descriptions of a woman's sex.
It's like being in your pastor's house and viewing a Georgia O'Keeffe painting, and realizing to your dawning horror that it's not a flower you're looking at.
Part of what made book 1 so great for me is that the emotional intimacy happened WAY before the physical intimacy ever even became an option. Ross fell in love with who Vee was as a person, before he ever got inside her vagina. When he said he needed her, it had nothing to do with fucking her - he needed her ear and her opinions, he needed her kindness and the way she made him feel. Sex was almost a bonus.
In this story - because Rosie and Bolan have this tryst so early on, a lot of the shine of the actual relationship is dulled for me.
Add in that all of the important conversations get interrupted before Bolan and Ruthie can finish them and I'm frustrated as well as grossed out.
And of course, Ruthie's going to take everything Bolan says the wrong way - this isn't a new phenomenon, as Vee did something similar in book 1. But Christ, the amount of mental gymnastics these women go through to TRY to be upset and offended by the men they want astounds me.
The amount of times Ruthie gets angry that women hit on Bolan and then BLAMES HIM FOR IT, like those women aren't functioning human beings capable of making their own decisions ground my gears almost to dust. It's literally NOT his fault women find him attractive. He's not being unfaithful when he turns them down publicly in favor of being with his WIFE AND CHILD. What kind of insane bullshit was that???
And when he tells Ruthie that the fans asking him for a good time were "nobodies", Ruthie's IMMEDIATE thought is always "am I also a nobody?"
Fucking hell woman he married your dumb ass, clearly you're different, shut the fuck up.
This happens early on in the story and that's one thing - after all, they've only just agreed to marry.
But there's another at the end that really ruffled my feathers. A woman hits on Bolan at a bar and he literally races outside away from her like his pants are on fire and he immediately calls his wife. He chooses to wait to tell her until they're together again, but that's not good enough for Ruthie. He tells her straight up that he doesn't want anyone else and that he didn't do anything with that woman that he didn't touch her, but Ruthie keeps comparing him to her dead husband who used to fuck around on her. She gets all up in her feelings while he's panicking that she's upset when he did NOTHING WRONG.
And she knows he didn't - she can't blame him for infidelity, so she gets mad that he didn't tell her immediately when they were STATES away from each other. And he tells her he didn't want to do it over the phone because he knew she'd overreact - just like she's doing right then, when he's RIGHT beside her.
Like, they've been talking about and literally TRYING to get her pregnant at this point. This man's been showing her and telling her for MONTHS now that he wants her and wants her to be happy. That he lives and breathes for her and for his kid.
And she STILL doesn't trust him around other women. Blames him when he's hit on, like it's HIS fault. Thinks that if another woman expresses interest his pants are gonna fall off and he's going to be FORCED between another woman's legs.
😒🙄
If you're THIS rattled by your man telling you the TRUTH of what happened, you need to go to therapy. And you DO NOT need to be in a relationship. If you can't trust your partner - if your trust issues are SO deeply rooted that your partner can't tell you that another woman blinked both eyes in their direction without you breaking down into sobs and thinking the worst - you need serious, clinical help.
If you're that damaged - and this is a PSA to anybody in this position - I'm coming from a place of love, I promise. Please go get help.
Why is it BOTH Vee from book 1 and now Ruthie are widowed women of shitbag men who have the exact same personality and reactions when their men open their mouths to speak? I hated this about book 1, and I hated it here, too. In this way, the 4 characters felt the EXACT same. Why did I pick up a second book when the woman's insecurities and blatant trauma is identical? What's the point of reading another 400 pages when the dynamic and emotional bullshit is the exact same?
If you have to make your FMC's literal lunatics in order to create drama in your book, you're doing it wrong.
Last gripe, I swear - Bolan's "song" is A Bar Song: Tipsy by Shaboozey. I wish I was kidding.
Whew. Okay. I've bitched enough. There's some really good stuff in this book too, I promise.
Tulane is adorable. I love the relationship Ruthie cultivates with the little girl. I also love how openly Bolan loves the kid. They're both great parents to her.
I also appreciate the representation of mental disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD. The fact that Bolan is so open about them give his character depth. It also could explain a lot about his past.
I also LOVE that Ruthie takes this information in stride and actively works to help Bolan out. She wanted to be a teacher before she started working for the sports management company, and it showed. The way she immediately tried to make Bolan's life more comfortable was heartwarming.
When she's not overreacting, Ruthie and Bolan actually have pretty good communication. She holds things back and hides things from him (the secret of their first meeting being a big one), but when it comes to the important things - like that her deceased husband was serially unfaithful to her, she explains to him why she's so jumpy when it comes to his past relationships with other women and why she overreacts.
And I loved that Bolan's reaction to Ruthie's confession about her ex galvanizes Bolan into proving that he can be the man she needs and deserves.
It's these moments that help them build their bond and I was grateful that neither of them bottle things up.
The Japanese connection and the omamori that Bolan wears was great. I LOVE this sort of stuff. This kind of fate-direction I can get behind. And despite how I complained above, I enjoyed this bit of storytelling.
Finally, I loved that Bolan encourages Ruthie and supports her decision to do what she loves - to step out of obligation and pursue her passion.
I'm certain that not everybody is going to have the same issues I did with this story.
Some of y'all may find the things I found cringy to be beautiful. Some of y'all may enjoy the drama of a woman who reads negativity into everything a man says.
Alas, there's no excuse for the Shaboozey thing. 😒
After LOVING book 1, I thought for sure this one was going to be just as charming. I enjoy the premise, and the idea of a clandestine relationship is cute... in theory.
But it's ruined by a sex metaphor and a woman with massive trust issues.
The MMC calls the FMC flower for some reason upon their second meeting (the first was a brief kiss when she was 18, 15 years ago, and hardly counts but it nonetheless an important plot point) - not the best nickname, but I've DEFINITELY heard worse, so fine. I was gonna roll with it.
THEN, he fingers her and eats her out like 30 seconds after meeting her and the orgasms he gives her she describes like a blooming flower and I couldn't do it.
He leaves no drop unsavored until I blossom a second time. Blooming like the flower he's taken to calling me.
🤢🤮
I can handle a lot of cringy, nauseating things in books. But for some reason, this gave me the ick so bad. I never wanna hear the phrase "blossom, baby" again for the rest of my life. Or "my slick petals" or "ripe channel", either. Barf.
Was it too much to hope for that this weird flower metaphor be relegated only to this first tryst?
Yes. Yes it was.
Because make no mistake, this metaphor follows Ruthie and Bolan throughout the book. The talk of her blooming or blossoming is constant. From her perspective, as well as his.
In fact, this whole book's written differently from book one. Almost to the point where I had to wonder if the same author wrote it. The language in book 1 was forthright, there were no bells and whistles, no frills. We were reading about hot flashes and too-tight shapewear and pit stains and nearly peeing oneself in chapter 1 for crying out loud. It wasn't glamorous, but it was real and I appreciated the HELL out of that.
In this book the language is whimsical and flowery (no pun intended). These clandestine meetings and the metaphors and discussions of fate... Blegh.
I mean, MAYBE, if I'd read this book first. Maybe if I hadn't been expecting something so VASTLY different. Maybe then this book wouldn't have shocked me so bad. Maybe I'd have been willing to roll with the frilly way it's written. Maybe I wouldn't have balked at the silly descriptions of a woman's sex.
It's like being in your pastor's house and viewing a Georgia O'Keeffe painting, and realizing to your dawning horror that it's not a flower you're looking at.
Part of what made book 1 so great for me is that the emotional intimacy happened WAY before the physical intimacy ever even became an option. Ross fell in love with who Vee was as a person, before he ever got inside her vagina. When he said he needed her, it had nothing to do with fucking her - he needed her ear and her opinions, he needed her kindness and the way she made him feel. Sex was almost a bonus.
In this story - because Rosie and Bolan have this tryst so early on, a lot of the shine of the actual relationship is dulled for me.
Add in that all of the important conversations get interrupted before Bolan and Ruthie can finish them and I'm frustrated as well as grossed out.
And of course, Ruthie's going to take everything Bolan says the wrong way - this isn't a new phenomenon, as Vee did something similar in book 1. But Christ, the amount of mental gymnastics these women go through to TRY to be upset and offended by the men they want astounds me.
The amount of times Ruthie gets angry that women hit on Bolan and then BLAMES HIM FOR IT, like those women aren't functioning human beings capable of making their own decisions ground my gears almost to dust. It's literally NOT his fault women find him attractive. He's not being unfaithful when he turns them down publicly in favor of being with his WIFE AND CHILD. What kind of insane bullshit was that???
And when he tells Ruthie that the fans asking him for a good time were "nobodies", Ruthie's IMMEDIATE thought is always "am I also a nobody?"
Fucking hell woman he married your dumb ass, clearly you're different, shut the fuck up.
This happens early on in the story and that's one thing - after all, they've only just agreed to marry.
But there's another at the end that really ruffled my feathers. A woman hits on Bolan at a bar and he literally races outside away from her like his pants are on fire and he immediately calls his wife. He chooses to wait to tell her until they're together again, but that's not good enough for Ruthie. He tells her straight up that he doesn't want anyone else and that he didn't do anything with that woman that he didn't touch her, but Ruthie keeps comparing him to her dead husband who used to fuck around on her. She gets all up in her feelings while he's panicking that she's upset when he did NOTHING WRONG.
And she knows he didn't - she can't blame him for infidelity, so she gets mad that he didn't tell her immediately when they were STATES away from each other. And he tells her he didn't want to do it over the phone because he knew she'd overreact - just like she's doing right then, when he's RIGHT beside her.
Like, they've been talking about and literally TRYING to get her pregnant at this point. This man's been showing her and telling her for MONTHS now that he wants her and wants her to be happy. That he lives and breathes for her and for his kid.
And she STILL doesn't trust him around other women. Blames him when he's hit on, like it's HIS fault. Thinks that if another woman expresses interest his pants are gonna fall off and he's going to be FORCED between another woman's legs.
😒🙄
If you're THIS rattled by your man telling you the TRUTH of what happened, you need to go to therapy. And you DO NOT need to be in a relationship. If you can't trust your partner - if your trust issues are SO deeply rooted that your partner can't tell you that another woman blinked both eyes in their direction without you breaking down into sobs and thinking the worst - you need serious, clinical help.
If you're that damaged - and this is a PSA to anybody in this position - I'm coming from a place of love, I promise. Please go get help.
Why is it BOTH Vee from book 1 and now Ruthie are widowed women of shitbag men who have the exact same personality and reactions when their men open their mouths to speak? I hated this about book 1, and I hated it here, too. In this way, the 4 characters felt the EXACT same. Why did I pick up a second book when the woman's insecurities and blatant trauma is identical? What's the point of reading another 400 pages when the dynamic and emotional bullshit is the exact same?
If you have to make your FMC's literal lunatics in order to create drama in your book, you're doing it wrong.
Last gripe, I swear - Bolan's "song" is A Bar Song: Tipsy by Shaboozey. I wish I was kidding.
Whew. Okay. I've bitched enough. There's some really good stuff in this book too, I promise.
Tulane is adorable. I love the relationship Ruthie cultivates with the little girl. I also love how openly Bolan loves the kid. They're both great parents to her.
I also appreciate the representation of mental disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD. The fact that Bolan is so open about them give his character depth. It also could explain a lot about his past.
I also LOVE that Ruthie takes this information in stride and actively works to help Bolan out. She wanted to be a teacher before she started working for the sports management company, and it showed. The way she immediately tried to make Bolan's life more comfortable was heartwarming.
When she's not overreacting, Ruthie and Bolan actually have pretty good communication. She holds things back and hides things from him (the secret of their first meeting being a big one), but when it comes to the important things - like that her deceased husband was serially unfaithful to her, she explains to him why she's so jumpy when it comes to his past relationships with other women and why she overreacts.
And I loved that Bolan's reaction to Ruthie's confession about her ex galvanizes Bolan into proving that he can be the man she needs and deserves.
It's these moments that help them build their bond and I was grateful that neither of them bottle things up.
The Japanese connection and the omamori that Bolan wears was great. I LOVE this sort of stuff. This kind of fate-direction I can get behind. And despite how I complained above, I enjoyed this bit of storytelling.
Finally, I loved that Bolan encourages Ruthie and supports her decision to do what she loves - to step out of obligation and pursue her passion.
I'm certain that not everybody is going to have the same issues I did with this story.
Some of y'all may find the things I found cringy to be beautiful. Some of y'all may enjoy the drama of a woman who reads negativity into everything a man says.
Alas, there's no excuse for the Shaboozey thing. 😒
April 14, 2025
I never usually notice any nuisances in the writing in books. Maybe a repetition of a word one too many times or little things like that. But this book? I was on page 39 and already tired of the metaphors and similes. Specially while that first spice scene was going on. It took me straight out of the zone and turned me into a 45 yr old English teacher grading a paper. And it went on and on. This book would have been much shorter if you’d take out half of those.
Also, the flower nickname was…alright, but combing it with the sex aspect was cringey. Saying “you are ready to blossom” because she’s wet?? Or “your petals are so wet” while he fingers her? No thank you.
In a personal note, I disliked the names of the main character beyond belief, but again, that’s on me.
Bolan was a mess. He doesn’t know how to communicate at 36 years of age? Doesn’t know how to be responsible? How to ask things before accusing? He didn’t feel like a veteran guy, he felt like a rookie thrown into fatherhood (veteran and rookie as in life not the game). He had sweet moments and he was dedicated to Ruth. Down bad for her. It annoyed me a little that he dismissed the thought of “I know you from somewhere” by chapter 5 and didn’t bring it up again until close to the end.
Ruthie was a doormat. Plain and simple. Her double personality thing of “responsible Ruthie” and “reckless Ruthie” was annoying. Protecting the memory of a despicable men, staying in a job she hated, not standing up for herself with her dad… She needed therapy, more than what she said she got, because none of that was healthy. Her relationship with Bolan was also kind of in reverse. Her remembering but never being honest was also annoying, it’s such an innocent thing, so why not say it? Also, she’s 33, and it sounded like she gave up on life…girl stand up and stop being a pushover.
I’m not a fan of when characters are their own worst enemy, literally the only thing blocking the perfect future is themselves. And Ruthie was the perfect example of that. She put a timer on things when Bolan was trying his hardest to make her want him and make her happy as a husband. She kept thinking “when this ends…” “how many moments can I get?” Like this man wasn’t setting a “revisiting the permanence of the contract” with the only intention of keeping her more time with him and his daughter.
This was in the end a cute book, a little corny, but not bad. The flower methaphors, especially during sex were off putting and the rest of the metaphors were just too many in too little space.
The “reveal” moment was so stupid and him getting mad at her was so unnecessary and made no sense. But I liked how they resolved it like adults.
Thanks to The author agency and the author for the e-arc!
Also, the flower nickname was…alright, but combing it with the sex aspect was cringey. Saying “you are ready to blossom” because she’s wet?? Or “your petals are so wet” while he fingers her? No thank you.
In a personal note, I disliked the names of the main character beyond belief, but again, that’s on me.
Bolan was a mess. He doesn’t know how to communicate at 36 years of age? Doesn’t know how to be responsible? How to ask things before accusing? He didn’t feel like a veteran guy, he felt like a rookie thrown into fatherhood (veteran and rookie as in life not the game). He had sweet moments and he was dedicated to Ruth. Down bad for her. It annoyed me a little that he dismissed the thought of “I know you from somewhere” by chapter 5 and didn’t bring it up again until close to the end.
Ruthie was a doormat. Plain and simple. Her double personality thing of “responsible Ruthie” and “reckless Ruthie” was annoying. Protecting the memory of a despicable men, staying in a job she hated, not standing up for herself with her dad… She needed therapy, more than what she said she got, because none of that was healthy. Her relationship with Bolan was also kind of in reverse. Her remembering but never being honest was also annoying, it’s such an innocent thing, so why not say it? Also, she’s 33, and it sounded like she gave up on life…girl stand up and stop being a pushover.
I’m not a fan of when characters are their own worst enemy, literally the only thing blocking the perfect future is themselves. And Ruthie was the perfect example of that. She put a timer on things when Bolan was trying his hardest to make her want him and make her happy as a husband. She kept thinking “when this ends…” “how many moments can I get?” Like this man wasn’t setting a “revisiting the permanence of the contract” with the only intention of keeping her more time with him and his daughter.
This was in the end a cute book, a little corny, but not bad. The flower methaphors, especially during sex were off putting and the rest of the metaphors were just too many in too little space.
The “reveal” moment was so stupid and him getting mad at her was so unnecessary and made no sense. But I liked how they resolved it like adults.
Thanks to The author agency and the author for the e-arc!
April 21, 2025
This book left me feeling slightly conflicted with how I felt about it overall. It is a second chance, sports, marriage of convenience romance. I loved how it started with the kiss experiment and their connection. Immediately you are like “ohh! Yes! Let’s do this.” Then the tone of the book drastically changes. Their lives both went on separate wild rides during the 15 years that passed, neither of which has worked out well. She married someone who wasn’t a good husband and became a widow, he went on to be a professional baseball player who ends up instantly becoming a single parent after finding out he had a secret baby he never knew about. They end up meeting years and years later, totally by chance, neither one knowing who the other is right away. From there the wild ride just continues on. Lots of emotional moments that left me feeling heavy and sorry for the characters without much change throughout the book. I wanted more personal details to their histories and why things were the way they were. We get little bits of detail but i didn’t feel like it was enough backstory for me. Some SUPER sleazy characters who totally effed over Both Bolan and Ruthie, without any sort of justice before the book ends. Which to me personally, felt like we needed it, without it the book ending felt kind of rushed and not totally
complete. I can see where the author wanted it to go for the reader it just didn’t get there for me.
I know lots of people will love this book but it just wasn’t my favorite and that is ok. Not every book is for every person.
complete. I can see where the author wanted it to go for the reader it just didn’t get there for me.
I know lots of people will love this book but it just wasn’t my favorite and that is ok. Not every book is for every person.
April 9, 2025
A second chance romance with a marriage of convenience. Yes, please! Bolan and Ruth meet at a time when both of their lives are changing. He needs to reset his image as a playboy baseball player and she's dealing with the loss of her husband and the secrets he kept. There is an instant attraction and they feel as if they've met before. Turns out she works for the new agency he's been assigned to and when he needs a wife to portray his as a family man, he wants Ruth.
She agrees and begins to fall in love with him and his daughter, and he feels the same. She has trust issues from her former husband but Bolan proves he's not the same. Secrets are revealed and people try to come between them. Can they work together to keep their relationship strong?
She agrees and begins to fall in love with him and his daughter, and he feels the same. She has trust issues from her former husband but Bolan proves he's not the same. Secrets are revealed and people try to come between them. Can they work together to keep their relationship strong?
April 21, 2025
I have been reading L.B. Dunbar for years and have always enjoyed her books. Sadly though Bolan & Ruth’s story was not for me. There were moments that I enjoyed, but overall I never got hooked in.
I am looking forward to what L.B. Dunbar comes up with next.
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
I am looking forward to what L.B. Dunbar comes up with next.
I voluntarily reviewed this book.
April 15, 2025
ARC review
This was my first LB Dunbar book so I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
It was a different take on a marriage of convenience which I liked other than the normal trope of the people knowing each other. Bolan needs a wife to help clean up his image so his new team will keep him on longer term, securing a future for himself and his daughter. Ruth who spent her last 2 years mourning the loss of her husband, is ready for a fresh start and to live life on her own terms. When Bolan proposes it is to be Ruth or no one as his new wife, it forces both of them to look at what they really want in life.
I liked that Bolan acknowledges that he has made a lot of mistakes in his past but he is trying to be a better person. His love for Tulane was so sweet and he gave great clumsy golden retriever vibes.
Ruth was a very sweet FMC. It was nice to see her slowly come out of her shell and do the things she wanted after so many years of people pleasing. The way she took on the caretaker role of Tulane but also Bolan was really sweet. She showed how much she cared by little gestures.
Some of the metaphors were a bit much for me and took me out of the moment and their chemistry. There was also things that could have been easily solved with better communication but I loved that Ruth was a more mature FMC who didn’t just up and leave whenever there was issues.
Overall a good easy read - 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
This was my first LB Dunbar book so I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
It was a different take on a marriage of convenience which I liked other than the normal trope of the people knowing each other. Bolan needs a wife to help clean up his image so his new team will keep him on longer term, securing a future for himself and his daughter. Ruth who spent her last 2 years mourning the loss of her husband, is ready for a fresh start and to live life on her own terms. When Bolan proposes it is to be Ruth or no one as his new wife, it forces both of them to look at what they really want in life.
I liked that Bolan acknowledges that he has made a lot of mistakes in his past but he is trying to be a better person. His love for Tulane was so sweet and he gave great clumsy golden retriever vibes.
Ruth was a very sweet FMC. It was nice to see her slowly come out of her shell and do the things she wanted after so many years of people pleasing. The way she took on the caretaker role of Tulane but also Bolan was really sweet. She showed how much she cared by little gestures.
Some of the metaphors were a bit much for me and took me out of the moment and their chemistry. There was also things that could have been easily solved with better communication but I loved that Ruth was a more mature FMC who didn’t just up and leave whenever there was issues.
Overall a good easy read - 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
April 13, 2025
Loved it
This book was not what I was expecting (in the best possible way).
Ruthie is such a great character. She’s supposed to be mourning her husband, but the grief she’s carrying isn’t what people assume. She’s been holding in so many secrets that she’s isolated herself emotionally, until one night at a party when she meets a sexy stranger and decides, for once, to let go and just feel something real—with someone who doesn't treat her like she’s breakable.
Bolan is a brand-new single dad doing everything he can to give his daughter the world. His love for her is fierce. She is his world and he’s willing to sacrifice anything for her happiness. But for the first time in nearly a year, he chooses to take something just for himself.
And that’s where the magic begins.
The reasons we’re all here:
⚾ Marriage of Convenience
💞 Second Chance Romance
⚾ Single Dad Baseball Catcher MMC
💞 Widowed / Non-Nanny FMC
⚾ ADHD & Dyslexia Rep
💞 Workplace Romance (Player + Agent)
⚾ Later-in-Life Romance
💞 Homeruns of Heat
The college tie-in to their first meeting? Chef’s kiss. These are the second-chance romances I live for. Equal parts swoon, spice, chaos, and heart. Ruthie and Bolan needed each other more than either realized, and watching them build something meaningful was so satisfying.
Also, I loved that this story happens at the same time as Elevator Kiss (Coach Ross Davis #1)! I haven’t read that one yet (though it’s been on my kindle), and now I’m extra hyped to dive in and see how everything overlaps. If you have read it, seeing their story from this POV will be fun!
Huge thanks to LB Dunbar and The Author Agency for the ARC 💛
This book was not what I was expecting (in the best possible way).
Ruthie is such a great character. She’s supposed to be mourning her husband, but the grief she’s carrying isn’t what people assume. She’s been holding in so many secrets that she’s isolated herself emotionally, until one night at a party when she meets a sexy stranger and decides, for once, to let go and just feel something real—with someone who doesn't treat her like she’s breakable.
Bolan is a brand-new single dad doing everything he can to give his daughter the world. His love for her is fierce. She is his world and he’s willing to sacrifice anything for her happiness. But for the first time in nearly a year, he chooses to take something just for himself.
And that’s where the magic begins.
The reasons we’re all here:
⚾ Marriage of Convenience
💞 Second Chance Romance
⚾ Single Dad Baseball Catcher MMC
💞 Widowed / Non-Nanny FMC
⚾ ADHD & Dyslexia Rep
💞 Workplace Romance (Player + Agent)
⚾ Later-in-Life Romance
💞 Homeruns of Heat
The college tie-in to their first meeting? Chef’s kiss. These are the second-chance romances I live for. Equal parts swoon, spice, chaos, and heart. Ruthie and Bolan needed each other more than either realized, and watching them build something meaningful was so satisfying.
Also, I loved that this story happens at the same time as Elevator Kiss (Coach Ross Davis #1)! I haven’t read that one yet (though it’s been on my kindle), and now I’m extra hyped to dive in and see how everything overlaps. If you have read it, seeing their story from this POV will be fun!
Huge thanks to LB Dunbar and The Author Agency for the ARC 💛
April 17, 2025
5 ⭐️
📕 Catch The KISS by L.B. Dunbar
Why you’ll love this book!!
Baseball Romance
Reformed Bad Boy
Single Dad
Marriage Of Convenience
Homeruns Of Heat
Author L.B. Dunbar hit this one out of the park !!! This is my first book by L.B. And it won’t be my last!! I was hooked at the kissing experiment .. Bolan the star baseball player in college that goes pro .. Ruthie the girl trying to find herself after her first relationship that didn’t go that great try a sixty second kiss experiment where sparks ignite!! Bolan needs a fake wife he is a single dad and bad boy baseball player.. Ruthie now a widow for work for her in laws.. I need to read the other books connected to this one
April 17, 2025
Catch The Kiss by L.B. Dunbar was a fantastic story and continuation of the Chicago Anchors series. I loved how sweet Bolan was towards his daughter, he was a swoon single dad! The way he cared for Ruthie was romantic. This story hit all the right elements for each trope in the story. I couldn't put this book down! My only qualm was that I personally couldn't get behind Bolan's pet name for Ruthie and the way it was then used with innuendos. Overall, Catch The Kiss is a swoony single dad, marriage of convince, baseball sports romance!
April 17, 2025
This author never disappoints! I loved this story so much!
"Staring at her, I bet a woman like her could wreck me."
I found Bolan and Ruthie absolutely thrilling! They had such a connection and so much chemistry. I loved that Bolan was pretty much all in and determined to make Ruthie fall in love with him and his daughter, Tulane. His nicknames for them both were cute and sweet.
"She's been bottled up for years, at least a decade or more, and the thing she'd been holding onto was me. My kiss."
I loved Bolan for Ruthie. She'd led a pretty unhappy life for quite a long time and, when he proposes a marriage of convenience, she's realises it's her chance to start over. I adored the relationship she built with Tulane as well as Bolan, and how much he made her feel seen, heard, and cared for. In turn, she took care of him, too. Their relationship was beautiful! Loved every bit of this book and can't wait for the next one!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3CMTOE...
"Staring at her, I bet a woman like her could wreck me."
I found Bolan and Ruthie absolutely thrilling! They had such a connection and so much chemistry. I loved that Bolan was pretty much all in and determined to make Ruthie fall in love with him and his daughter, Tulane. His nicknames for them both were cute and sweet.
"She's been bottled up for years, at least a decade or more, and the thing she'd been holding onto was me. My kiss."
I loved Bolan for Ruthie. She'd led a pretty unhappy life for quite a long time and, when he proposes a marriage of convenience, she's realises it's her chance to start over. I adored the relationship she built with Tulane as well as Bolan, and how much he made her feel seen, heard, and cared for. In turn, she took care of him, too. Their relationship was beautiful! Loved every bit of this book and can't wait for the next one!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/R3CMTOE...
October 1, 2025
The use of metaphors and similes made this so cringe that I had to DNF.
May 14, 2025
This book is a cheese fest with endless flowery metaphors on top. I'm starting to think that this new series is not for me. I miss the old L.B. Dunbar when her books were less sweet, had more depth and were a lot more unpredictable. I'll take Sexy Silver Foxes or Lakeside Cottage series over this any day.
October 3, 2025
I rarely start reviews with a #twitch, but … flower? No. Just, no. Also, 113 times. NO. However, it wasn’t lost on me that his daughter’s nickname was tulip, so I soldiered on even tho it was just weird. LOL But then things got cringe when things were wilting and petals became wet and other such weird things were being said in the midst of intimate moments in chapter one lol and it was just a lot. I felt no endearment whatsoever and it only served to pull me out of the story because every time I just looked up and said “stop it” out loud. LOL
But I digress, let’s chat about Bolan and Ruthie’s journey for a bit…
I got “over” the whole twitchiness of the terms of endearment and phrases really quick when the story started to unfold. If I had to pick one word to describe this journey, I wouldn’t be able to do it because I’d say it was “emotionally kismet in the best possible way” and that’s a whole lot more than one word, but it fits. There’s not much to not like about the story itself, in fact, it’s well written with good character growth and development. I love that they both individually grew, and they grew as a couple. I like that their age isn’t the norm for an LB Dunbar story but because they had “lived” longer than their years, it was just the same. Their meet-cute (well, technically there is two lol) was a great hook (both of them) and really had me rooting for them from that point forward.
I really like the Chicago Anchors series and I’m looking forward to experiencing all of their journeys! I’m especially looking forward to having these stories in my ears, sooner rather than later! (hint hint lol)
But I digress, let’s chat about Bolan and Ruthie’s journey for a bit…
I got “over” the whole twitchiness of the terms of endearment and phrases really quick when the story started to unfold. If I had to pick one word to describe this journey, I wouldn’t be able to do it because I’d say it was “emotionally kismet in the best possible way” and that’s a whole lot more than one word, but it fits. There’s not much to not like about the story itself, in fact, it’s well written with good character growth and development. I love that they both individually grew, and they grew as a couple. I like that their age isn’t the norm for an LB Dunbar story but because they had “lived” longer than their years, it was just the same. Their meet-cute (well, technically there is two lol) was a great hook (both of them) and really had me rooting for them from that point forward.
I really like the Chicago Anchors series and I’m looking forward to experiencing all of their journeys! I’m especially looking forward to having these stories in my ears, sooner rather than later! (hint hint lol)
April 18, 2025
Universal
Ruthie's kiss experiment back then must not have much of an impact on Bolan because it's years later and he doesn't recognize her. She recognizes him, though, and it's part of why she's giving into her attraction with him here at the gala. But will she marry him for convenience when he asks?
Bolan's reputation is well deserved, but that's in the past. His present is all about his newly discovered daughter, to do what's best for her. That means staying on his team. But to do that he needs a wife. Who better than the woman he shared a blazing hot tryst with? One who seems familiar for some reason...
All I needed to see is marriage of convenience and single dad, and I was in. But the added second chance twist gave the story an even better angle, and these two made it work, with so much chemistry! Bolan's daughter Tulane is adorable, and the way he's such a devoted dad is swoon worthy. When the Chicago Anchors fall, they fall hard, and I can't wait for the next one to find love now.
ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.
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April 17, 2025
Yes, there is such a thing as love at first sight. And a soulmate. If you don’t believe me, just read something written by author L. B. Dunbar. It might not be the first person you’re with or the only one you love. And you can’t force it, because . . . timing. You can’t wait for the exact right time. Maybe a moment passes and you think you’ve missed it. Maybe the old trite “all things happen for a reason” is actually true. But when all things come together and that person is right there in front of you, and will continue to be there, nothing in the whole world feels better and sweeter.
And nothing felt better and sweeter than reading Catch the Kiss. I’m always completely hooked after about the first two paragraphs of any new L. B. Dunbar book, but with Catch the Kiss, after reading the prologue there was no way I was putting this book down until I finished it. The prologue was just . . . words can hardly describe it. It was powerful, sweet and made me feel so much. Anger at that jerk Clifton. Sympathy and a sense of protectiveness for Ruthie. Curiosity about “the guy” who was sexy and cocky but also tender and as instantly smitten as Ruthie. Hopes and expectations that these two anonymous people had the universe on their side and would be together. Irritation at the stupid rule of no contact for a year. That prologue was just about perfect. But a college experiment is just that and there are rules. And life goes on.
I groaned out loud when I learned Ruthie had married Clifton. No. No. No. No. How had she ended up with him? He made her so unhappy, so unsure of herself when she was eighteen. How had he ever become worthy of her? It’s fifteen years later and she’s been a widow for eighteen months. We don’t immediately get much information about her life with Cliff, but it doesn’t sound like all her memories are good ones. She’s still close to her former in-laws Nylah and Jared, though, working for their company, Imperial Sports Management (ISM). She’s unsettled. She doesn’t expect more from life, but is this really all there is?
Until the night before an event honoring the life of Nylah’s best friend who has passed away. Needing a break to settle herself, Ruthie goes into an empty ballroom and serendipity or fate or destiny finally decide to make an appearance. A man stumbles into the room, just needing to get away himself, and while it’s certainly unusual there’s some flicker of attraction between them. And when he kisses her? Whoa, she’s felt that kiss before. A long time ago, but the feelings it ignited never left her. This is “the guy.” The Kiss Experiment guy. Bolan Adler. BMOC on campus all those years ago. Yeah, she figured out who he was then but could only think why would a guy like him ever want a girl like her? But this kiss now? Nothing has ever been better. Ruthie is never reckless, but tonight? Yes, yes, yes.
Bolan is here to give a little speech about the deceased woman being honored, his mother. They weren’t close, but it’s his duty. Just as it’s his duty to try and rehabilitate his crazy baseball player reputation. And his duty to raise the 18-month-old daughter he didn’t know he had until a few months ago. So he’s feeling a little overwhelmed and fatalistic. He doesn’t go into that deserted ballroom looking for anything other than to be alone. But this women . . . she is mesmerizing, elusively familiar and his attraction to her is strong. They surrender to the attraction for that one night in that ballrom, and that’s it. They won’t be seeing each other again. But fate isn’t just into the sweet, romantic stuff. Nope, fate wants to complicate things a bit.
ISM has taken on the job of fixing Bolan’s reputation problems, partially through getting him a wife so he can appear to be a settled, reformed family man; his new position with the Chicago Anchors baseball team depends on it. Ruthie is stunned to see him at ISM, stunned to see he has a daughter, and vehemently opposed when Jared assigns her to be his agent.
One thing leads to another. Ruthie becomes the fake wife he needs and they go to Spring Training in Florida and then to the team’s home in Chicago. And Catch the Kiss just takes off. Author Dunbar puts so much in this story to delight you and keep you on the edge of your seat hoping fate is going to give them the happy-ever-after they deserve. Well-written, fast paced, sweet and hot and tender and heartbreaking, funny and romantic, impossible to put down. Bolan and Ruthie’s growing relationship is entertaining and often confusing. Ruthie’s relationship with little Tulane is heart-warming. It’s all so hopeful, but there’s a lot that can happen to mess this up.
Catch the Kiss is amazing, and one of the best things is how Dunbar so expertly keeps the focus on Bolan and Ruthie while weaving in scenes and characters from her books Sterling Streak and Elevator Pitch. All three books take place simultaneously and it’s a joy to revisit characters you already love from a slightly different point of view. I absolutely loved this book and recommend it and everything else Dunbar writes without hesitation. Whenever Ruthie would tell Bolan to “catch all the catches” and whenever they would both “catch the kiss” my heart would go pitter-patter and yours will, too. I received an advance copy of Catch the Kiss and voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
And nothing felt better and sweeter than reading Catch the Kiss. I’m always completely hooked after about the first two paragraphs of any new L. B. Dunbar book, but with Catch the Kiss, after reading the prologue there was no way I was putting this book down until I finished it. The prologue was just . . . words can hardly describe it. It was powerful, sweet and made me feel so much. Anger at that jerk Clifton. Sympathy and a sense of protectiveness for Ruthie. Curiosity about “the guy” who was sexy and cocky but also tender and as instantly smitten as Ruthie. Hopes and expectations that these two anonymous people had the universe on their side and would be together. Irritation at the stupid rule of no contact for a year. That prologue was just about perfect. But a college experiment is just that and there are rules. And life goes on.
I groaned out loud when I learned Ruthie had married Clifton. No. No. No. No. How had she ended up with him? He made her so unhappy, so unsure of herself when she was eighteen. How had he ever become worthy of her? It’s fifteen years later and she’s been a widow for eighteen months. We don’t immediately get much information about her life with Cliff, but it doesn’t sound like all her memories are good ones. She’s still close to her former in-laws Nylah and Jared, though, working for their company, Imperial Sports Management (ISM). She’s unsettled. She doesn’t expect more from life, but is this really all there is?
Until the night before an event honoring the life of Nylah’s best friend who has passed away. Needing a break to settle herself, Ruthie goes into an empty ballroom and serendipity or fate or destiny finally decide to make an appearance. A man stumbles into the room, just needing to get away himself, and while it’s certainly unusual there’s some flicker of attraction between them. And when he kisses her? Whoa, she’s felt that kiss before. A long time ago, but the feelings it ignited never left her. This is “the guy.” The Kiss Experiment guy. Bolan Adler. BMOC on campus all those years ago. Yeah, she figured out who he was then but could only think why would a guy like him ever want a girl like her? But this kiss now? Nothing has ever been better. Ruthie is never reckless, but tonight? Yes, yes, yes.
Bolan is here to give a little speech about the deceased woman being honored, his mother. They weren’t close, but it’s his duty. Just as it’s his duty to try and rehabilitate his crazy baseball player reputation. And his duty to raise the 18-month-old daughter he didn’t know he had until a few months ago. So he’s feeling a little overwhelmed and fatalistic. He doesn’t go into that deserted ballroom looking for anything other than to be alone. But this women . . . she is mesmerizing, elusively familiar and his attraction to her is strong. They surrender to the attraction for that one night in that ballrom, and that’s it. They won’t be seeing each other again. But fate isn’t just into the sweet, romantic stuff. Nope, fate wants to complicate things a bit.
ISM has taken on the job of fixing Bolan’s reputation problems, partially through getting him a wife so he can appear to be a settled, reformed family man; his new position with the Chicago Anchors baseball team depends on it. Ruthie is stunned to see him at ISM, stunned to see he has a daughter, and vehemently opposed when Jared assigns her to be his agent.
One thing leads to another. Ruthie becomes the fake wife he needs and they go to Spring Training in Florida and then to the team’s home in Chicago. And Catch the Kiss just takes off. Author Dunbar puts so much in this story to delight you and keep you on the edge of your seat hoping fate is going to give them the happy-ever-after they deserve. Well-written, fast paced, sweet and hot and tender and heartbreaking, funny and romantic, impossible to put down. Bolan and Ruthie’s growing relationship is entertaining and often confusing. Ruthie’s relationship with little Tulane is heart-warming. It’s all so hopeful, but there’s a lot that can happen to mess this up.
Catch the Kiss is amazing, and one of the best things is how Dunbar so expertly keeps the focus on Bolan and Ruthie while weaving in scenes and characters from her books Sterling Streak and Elevator Pitch. All three books take place simultaneously and it’s a joy to revisit characters you already love from a slightly different point of view. I absolutely loved this book and recommend it and everything else Dunbar writes without hesitation. Whenever Ruthie would tell Bolan to “catch all the catches” and whenever they would both “catch the kiss” my heart would go pitter-patter and yours will, too. I received an advance copy of Catch the Kiss and voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
May 2, 2025
Trigger Warnings include:
mentions of cheating (not betweens MCs), death of a spouse, an absent parent, an alcoholic parent; discussions of suicide, sexually transmitted diseases, the struggles of dyslexia and ADHD, verbal sexual harassment (occurs on page)
Author’s note:
Catch the Kiss is loosely based off a short story I wrote called “The Red Dress Affair”.
Ruthie needs some fresh air, Bolan needs a new contract and a nanny. Getting married seems like the perfect fix all. Picking Ruthie was his idea. The perfect excuse to get more time with her. And even then, it was never enough. Man was obsessed, attached, and down bad. This situation was the perfect fit for Ruthie. She can start over, start living her life for herself, move on from the heartbreak of her past. Falling in love with Bolan and his little girl was just the perfect added bonus! They’re both just trying to prove that they are capable, good enough. And along the way, they become each other’s greatest supporters. I loved every second of them figuring life out together! And them playing (not really playing) house was precious. I absolutely enjoyed their vulnerability, not to mention Bolan Adler’s need to make Ruthie feel confident and respected.
My issues with the book will not lower my star rating, nor will it hinder me from recommending this book. BUT the wording during sex scenes because he calls her "Flower" as a nickname were...not enjoyable. I ended up skimming a couple because it became too much to even try to enjoy. Also, the use of her trauma to create a third act break up could have been skipped. I would have rather her work through it during the book instead of barley touching on it and then it hurting Bolan for no reason.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I haven’t earned the kind of kisses I want yet.”
• “When you’re ready for me. I’m right here, baby.”
• “Catch all the catches.”
• “Let me take care of you.”
• “You’re safe with me.”
• “You wore white when we got married, and I swear I could breathe for the first time in a year. Maybe the first time ever.”
• “Want to drag you to a corner of this bar and just have my way with you.”
• “Everything with you feels reckless.”
• “Is my wife needy? Does she want me to fill her up? Stuff her full of my fingers, and then my c!ck?”
• “I’m yours, and I wish I was there to show you how much I’m yours.”
• “I want to give you what you want most. Let me be the one to do that for you.”
• “I told you I’m yours. You’re mine. We’re going to work this out. You and me.”
• “Want to f!ck you with this jersey on. But also want to see every inch of you.”
• “I only have eyes for you. Your eyes. Your kiss. Your heart. I’m all yours. Only yours.”
• “F!ck me like you love me.”
• “You are my home.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Fake Relationship
4/10 Forced Proximity
5/10 Friends to Lovers
7/10 Marriage of Convenience
6/10 Second Chance
9/10 Single Parent
5/10 Slow Burn
8/10 Sports Romance
6/10 Series
This is my review for Elevator Pitch
mentions of cheating (not betweens MCs), death of a spouse, an absent parent, an alcoholic parent; discussions of suicide, sexually transmitted diseases, the struggles of dyslexia and ADHD, verbal sexual harassment (occurs on page)
Author’s note:
Catch the Kiss is loosely based off a short story I wrote called “The Red Dress Affair”.
Ruthie needs some fresh air, Bolan needs a new contract and a nanny. Getting married seems like the perfect fix all. Picking Ruthie was his idea. The perfect excuse to get more time with her. And even then, it was never enough. Man was obsessed, attached, and down bad. This situation was the perfect fit for Ruthie. She can start over, start living her life for herself, move on from the heartbreak of her past. Falling in love with Bolan and his little girl was just the perfect added bonus! They’re both just trying to prove that they are capable, good enough. And along the way, they become each other’s greatest supporters. I loved every second of them figuring life out together! And them playing (not really playing) house was precious. I absolutely enjoyed their vulnerability, not to mention Bolan Adler’s need to make Ruthie feel confident and respected.
My issues with the book will not lower my star rating, nor will it hinder me from recommending this book. BUT the wording during sex scenes because he calls her "Flower" as a nickname were...not enjoyable. I ended up skimming a couple because it became too much to even try to enjoy. Also, the use of her trauma to create a third act break up could have been skipped. I would have rather her work through it during the book instead of barley touching on it and then it hurting Bolan for no reason.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I haven’t earned the kind of kisses I want yet.”
• “When you’re ready for me. I’m right here, baby.”
• “Catch all the catches.”
• “Let me take care of you.”
• “You’re safe with me.”
• “You wore white when we got married, and I swear I could breathe for the first time in a year. Maybe the first time ever.”
• “Want to drag you to a corner of this bar and just have my way with you.”
• “Everything with you feels reckless.”
• “Is my wife needy? Does she want me to fill her up? Stuff her full of my fingers, and then my c!ck?”
• “I’m yours, and I wish I was there to show you how much I’m yours.”
• “I want to give you what you want most. Let me be the one to do that for you.”
• “I told you I’m yours. You’re mine. We’re going to work this out. You and me.”
• “Want to f!ck you with this jersey on. But also want to see every inch of you.”
• “I only have eyes for you. Your eyes. Your kiss. Your heart. I’m all yours. Only yours.”
• “F!ck me like you love me.”
• “You are my home.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Fake Relationship
4/10 Forced Proximity
5/10 Friends to Lovers
7/10 Marriage of Convenience
6/10 Second Chance
9/10 Single Parent
5/10 Slow Burn
8/10 Sports Romance
6/10 Series
This is my review for Elevator Pitch
April 15, 2025
BEST BOOK BOYFRIEND EVER!!!
Can one kiss with a stranger, change your life?! It’s a kiss Ruthie never forgot. It started out as a college psychology experiment. One kiss lasting one minute with no contact for one year.
Ruthie had only kissed one man before this experiment. Her partner for the day is Bolan, a college jock, made to participate or he’d flunk his psychology class, rendering him not able to play baseball. He’s ticked, she’s apprehensive, but once their lips connect, it’s magic, it’s golden…and you just want the story to go on from there. But, DARN that one year no contact stipulation!
Fast forward 15 years later and Ruthie and Bolan reconnect at a charity event for Bolan’s mom. Ruthie has been widowed for 18 months now and Bolan is the bad boy of Japan’s baseball scene. His dream is to come back to Chicago to play for his grandfather’s beloved Chicago Anchors. His in, is to be married and clean up his reputation. The Anchors are just coming off of a bad scandal and aren’t looking for another one. A marriage of convenience had been arranged with his lawyer’s niece, but Bolan wants Ruthie to be his “wife for a year” instead.
Did I mention that Bolan has an 18 month “surprise” daughter, Tulane, that he’s raising on his own? She’s the light of Bolan’s life and he’ll do anything to secure her future.
I have to say that my first impression of Bolan in NOT favorable. He comes across as entitled and smarmy, but as the story unfolds, Bolan has a heart of gold and his dyslexia and ADHD contributes to some not great off the cuff decisions that do not put him in a favorable light with baseball fans. From Bolan’s makeshift gin and tonic kit, so that Ruthie can see he’s a good guy and isn’t one to spike her drink, as she suggested, to his catching air kisses from Tulane and Ruthie, will have you swooning over this reformed bad boy of baseball.
I enjoyed watching Ruthie evolve from a quiet, mousey character to a strong-willed woman, making a plan for her future, putting her wants and needs first for a change, ultimately deciding to cut her emotionally abusive father out of her life for good.
Bolan is just one swoon worthy single dad who will do anything to protect his woman, which includes off color remarks from his nasty teammate, Romero, who, if you know this series is the douchebag that slept with his teammate’s wife. Saying this is a series is not quite accurate because the stories occur simultaneously to each other.
Warning, this is one binge-worthy spicey romance. Once you start, you won’t be able to put it down until the last page.
I am not one to reread books, but hearing about Ford and Ross from Dunbar’s previous baseball stories makes me want to go back and visit these teammates again in their own novels.
Troups: baseball romance, second chance romance, marriage of convenience, single dad, widowed female main character.
Thank you L.B.Dunbar for providing me with an arc copy.
Can one kiss with a stranger, change your life?! It’s a kiss Ruthie never forgot. It started out as a college psychology experiment. One kiss lasting one minute with no contact for one year.
Ruthie had only kissed one man before this experiment. Her partner for the day is Bolan, a college jock, made to participate or he’d flunk his psychology class, rendering him not able to play baseball. He’s ticked, she’s apprehensive, but once their lips connect, it’s magic, it’s golden…and you just want the story to go on from there. But, DARN that one year no contact stipulation!
Fast forward 15 years later and Ruthie and Bolan reconnect at a charity event for Bolan’s mom. Ruthie has been widowed for 18 months now and Bolan is the bad boy of Japan’s baseball scene. His dream is to come back to Chicago to play for his grandfather’s beloved Chicago Anchors. His in, is to be married and clean up his reputation. The Anchors are just coming off of a bad scandal and aren’t looking for another one. A marriage of convenience had been arranged with his lawyer’s niece, but Bolan wants Ruthie to be his “wife for a year” instead.
Did I mention that Bolan has an 18 month “surprise” daughter, Tulane, that he’s raising on his own? She’s the light of Bolan’s life and he’ll do anything to secure her future.
I have to say that my first impression of Bolan in NOT favorable. He comes across as entitled and smarmy, but as the story unfolds, Bolan has a heart of gold and his dyslexia and ADHD contributes to some not great off the cuff decisions that do not put him in a favorable light with baseball fans. From Bolan’s makeshift gin and tonic kit, so that Ruthie can see he’s a good guy and isn’t one to spike her drink, as she suggested, to his catching air kisses from Tulane and Ruthie, will have you swooning over this reformed bad boy of baseball.
I enjoyed watching Ruthie evolve from a quiet, mousey character to a strong-willed woman, making a plan for her future, putting her wants and needs first for a change, ultimately deciding to cut her emotionally abusive father out of her life for good.
Bolan is just one swoon worthy single dad who will do anything to protect his woman, which includes off color remarks from his nasty teammate, Romero, who, if you know this series is the douchebag that slept with his teammate’s wife. Saying this is a series is not quite accurate because the stories occur simultaneously to each other.
Warning, this is one binge-worthy spicey romance. Once you start, you won’t be able to put it down until the last page.
I am not one to reread books, but hearing about Ford and Ross from Dunbar’s previous baseball stories makes me want to go back and visit these teammates again in their own novels.
Troups: baseball romance, second chance romance, marriage of convenience, single dad, widowed female main character.
Thank you L.B.Dunbar for providing me with an arc copy.
April 30, 2025
Overall Grade: B
Tropes: second chance romance; marriage of convenience; pro baseball MMC; single dad; forced proximity; insta-attraction
In the second installment of L.B. Dunbar's Chicago Anchors series, Catch the Kiss delivers a compelling second-chance romance between Ruthie and professional baseball player Bolan. Set against the backdrop of Chicago's vibrant sports scene, their story unfolds a decade after their initial meeting, offering readers a satisfying exploration of growth, redemption, and unexpected love.
The novel opens with an ingenious meet-cute that immediately captivates, despite its questionable premise as a legitimate psychological study. This creative introduction establishes the foundation for Dunbar's narrative with remarkable efficiency, setting up the characters' initial connection in a way that feels both unique and memorable. When their paths cross again years later, the groundwork for their second chance is already firmly established in readers' minds.
Bolan's character arc stands as one of the novel's greatest strengths. His transformation from playboy athlete to devoted husband unfolds with a charm that makes him increasingly endearing as the story progresses. What proves particularly compelling is that Bolan falls first, dedicating himself completely to making their marriage of convenience succeed. His commitment to Ruthie and his daughter showcases a depth of character that transcends the typical sports romance hero.
Equally engaging is Ruthie's journey, which mirrors the familiar struggles many women face after early marriage failures—the challenge of reclaiming one's identity and purpose. Through Bolan's genuine interest and eventual love, she discovers her own space as a mother to his daughter, finding both her voice against manipulative in-laws and her path to profound happiness. Her evolution feels authentic and emotionally resonant, offering readers a protagonist whose growth is as satisfying as the romance itself.
While Dunbar's storytelling shines in character development and emotional depth, her reliance on an obvious baseball metaphor throughout the narrative occasionally feels heavy-handed and unnecessary. This running motif, while thematically relevant, sometimes detracts from the natural power of Ruthie and Bolan's story. This tendency toward overly explicit metaphorical frameworks appears to be a recurring element in Dunbar's writing style.
Despite this minor critique, Catch the Kiss succeeds in creating engaging, relatable characters whose second-chance journey proves both heartwarming and satisfying. Dunbar's Chicago Anchors series continues to demonstrate her talent for crafting contemporary romances with emotional substance and authentic character growth. Readers will undoubtedly look forward to future installments featuring the compelling personalities introduced in this Chicago-based world.
Tropes: second chance romance; marriage of convenience; pro baseball MMC; single dad; forced proximity; insta-attraction
In the second installment of L.B. Dunbar's Chicago Anchors series, Catch the Kiss delivers a compelling second-chance romance between Ruthie and professional baseball player Bolan. Set against the backdrop of Chicago's vibrant sports scene, their story unfolds a decade after their initial meeting, offering readers a satisfying exploration of growth, redemption, and unexpected love.
The novel opens with an ingenious meet-cute that immediately captivates, despite its questionable premise as a legitimate psychological study. This creative introduction establishes the foundation for Dunbar's narrative with remarkable efficiency, setting up the characters' initial connection in a way that feels both unique and memorable. When their paths cross again years later, the groundwork for their second chance is already firmly established in readers' minds.
Bolan's character arc stands as one of the novel's greatest strengths. His transformation from playboy athlete to devoted husband unfolds with a charm that makes him increasingly endearing as the story progresses. What proves particularly compelling is that Bolan falls first, dedicating himself completely to making their marriage of convenience succeed. His commitment to Ruthie and his daughter showcases a depth of character that transcends the typical sports romance hero.
Equally engaging is Ruthie's journey, which mirrors the familiar struggles many women face after early marriage failures—the challenge of reclaiming one's identity and purpose. Through Bolan's genuine interest and eventual love, she discovers her own space as a mother to his daughter, finding both her voice against manipulative in-laws and her path to profound happiness. Her evolution feels authentic and emotionally resonant, offering readers a protagonist whose growth is as satisfying as the romance itself.
While Dunbar's storytelling shines in character development and emotional depth, her reliance on an obvious baseball metaphor throughout the narrative occasionally feels heavy-handed and unnecessary. This running motif, while thematically relevant, sometimes detracts from the natural power of Ruthie and Bolan's story. This tendency toward overly explicit metaphorical frameworks appears to be a recurring element in Dunbar's writing style.
Despite this minor critique, Catch the Kiss succeeds in creating engaging, relatable characters whose second-chance journey proves both heartwarming and satisfying. Dunbar's Chicago Anchors series continues to demonstrate her talent for crafting contemporary romances with emotional substance and authentic character growth. Readers will undoubtedly look forward to future installments featuring the compelling personalities introduced in this Chicago-based world.
April 17, 2025
“Catch the Kiss” is the second book in L.B Dunbar’s Chicago Anchors series. This story runs on a parallel timeline as “Sterling Streak” and “Elevator Pitch”. I ARC read both of those stories and I highly recommend both, but it is not necessary to have read either prior to this story.
Ruthie and Bolan meet in college with one of my FAVORITE micro-tropes: a 60 second kiss with a stranger. The hitch? They couldn’t exchange any information and couldn’t interact with each other for an entire year. This whole prologue scene is magical and sets the stage for the electricity of the entire story.
The time jump of 15 years features a widowed Ruthie and a career struggling, baseball bad boy Bolan. Ruthie is unsettled in so many ways, and I love how L.B has written her as a woman who yearns for more in her solitary life and feels listless in every way that matters. Bolan is working through similar struggles; his frustration is an undercurrent that he hasn’t been able to rise above. Happenstance puts them back in each other’s playing field and their chemistry reignites at a fever pitch that is now unavoidable.
The plot of the story really gains heat when it’s found out that Bolan is trying to get a coveted spot on the Chicago Anchors baseball team after years of playing in Japan. The team wants him to portray the image of a family man, because his reputation does hang around him like an inescapable shadow. He’s a single dad (mom relinquished all rights) and when it is discovered Ruthie works for the team…well, this fake marriage trope steps up to the plate and KNOCKS. IT. OUT. OF. THE. PARK.
I really love that these two characters have a prior connection. As the story progresses Ruthie bonds with his sweet 16 month old daughter Tulane with a natural ease. Bolan has a possessive energy that is hot (when she shows up wearing a team t-shirt she bought at Target with another man’s number because his isn’t available yet…) and he has a sureness about him that makes you want this relationship to work.
I really loved all the small moments in this story. His nickname for Ruthie and his daughter are reminiscent of a special connection he had to his grandfather, Ruthie wholeheartedly loves his daughter with a fierceness that matches her true maternal instinct, and each character has reasonable conflict to overcome separately in order to give this relationship a real chance.
You won’t strike out with this one. Just like I felt with “Elevator Pitch”, I will be thinking of this story long after I’ve closed the book.
Ruthie and Bolan meet in college with one of my FAVORITE micro-tropes: a 60 second kiss with a stranger. The hitch? They couldn’t exchange any information and couldn’t interact with each other for an entire year. This whole prologue scene is magical and sets the stage for the electricity of the entire story.
The time jump of 15 years features a widowed Ruthie and a career struggling, baseball bad boy Bolan. Ruthie is unsettled in so many ways, and I love how L.B has written her as a woman who yearns for more in her solitary life and feels listless in every way that matters. Bolan is working through similar struggles; his frustration is an undercurrent that he hasn’t been able to rise above. Happenstance puts them back in each other’s playing field and their chemistry reignites at a fever pitch that is now unavoidable.
The plot of the story really gains heat when it’s found out that Bolan is trying to get a coveted spot on the Chicago Anchors baseball team after years of playing in Japan. The team wants him to portray the image of a family man, because his reputation does hang around him like an inescapable shadow. He’s a single dad (mom relinquished all rights) and when it is discovered Ruthie works for the team…well, this fake marriage trope steps up to the plate and KNOCKS. IT. OUT. OF. THE. PARK.
I really love that these two characters have a prior connection. As the story progresses Ruthie bonds with his sweet 16 month old daughter Tulane with a natural ease. Bolan has a possessive energy that is hot (when she shows up wearing a team t-shirt she bought at Target with another man’s number because his isn’t available yet…) and he has a sureness about him that makes you want this relationship to work.
I really loved all the small moments in this story. His nickname for Ruthie and his daughter are reminiscent of a special connection he had to his grandfather, Ruthie wholeheartedly loves his daughter with a fierceness that matches her true maternal instinct, and each character has reasonable conflict to overcome separately in order to give this relationship a real chance.
You won’t strike out with this one. Just like I felt with “Elevator Pitch”, I will be thinking of this story long after I’ve closed the book.
April 11, 2025
✦Series: Chicago Anchors #2
Catch the Kiss is an interconnected standalone in the series which takes place simultaneously to Elevator Kiss (Coach Ross Davis) and Sterling Streak (Ford Sylver).
✦POV: Dual first-person
Ruthie and Bolan were strong, multilayered MCs with good growth through the story. They each have past trauma and support each other to heal with compassion.
✦Spice: Explicit, open door
L.B. Dunbar never disappoints by masterfully creating tension that delivers on that ‘snap’ moment. There’s plenty of spice with darkening eyes, growled dirty talk, hand necklaces, and homerun swoony charm.
» The story was addictive with clever plotting. It lost me a bit near the end with a couple plot holes that didn’t totally make sense to me, but which didn’t affect my overall enjoyment.
» L.B. Dunbar’s writing is descriptive and often, beautifully poetic. She injects humour where it’s needed, and emotion is believably conveyed.
✩ Ruthie’s helpful solutions to help Bolan manage ADHD and dyslexia were thoughtful; I loved that she leveraged her education to promote positive outcomes for him.
♡ I loved Catch the Kiss and recommend it to readers who love steamy sports romances, FMCs who are strong and resilient, and possessive, protective, single dad MMCs with an alpha streak. HEA guaranteed!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½
✨ Thank you to L.B. Dunbar and The Author Agency for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Connect with me on Instagram for more bookish content!
Catch the Kiss is an interconnected standalone in the series which takes place simultaneously to Elevator Kiss (Coach Ross Davis) and Sterling Streak (Ford Sylver).
✦POV: Dual first-person
Ruthie and Bolan were strong, multilayered MCs with good growth through the story. They each have past trauma and support each other to heal with compassion.
✦Spice: Explicit, open door
L.B. Dunbar never disappoints by masterfully creating tension that delivers on that ‘snap’ moment. There’s plenty of spice with darkening eyes, growled dirty talk, hand necklaces, and homerun swoony charm.
❝I go off like the perfect hit. A line drive to centerfield, only I’m headed out of the ballpark. This is so much more than a grand slam. It’s fireworks over the stadium.❞
» The story was addictive with clever plotting. It lost me a bit near the end with a couple plot holes that didn’t totally make sense to me, but which didn’t affect my overall enjoyment.
» L.B. Dunbar’s writing is descriptive and often, beautifully poetic. She injects humour where it’s needed, and emotion is believably conveyed.
❝I never want to break Ruthie. I want to help her mend her fractured parts. I want her to give me the broken places and trust that I’ll hold them together. Like the Japanese art of Kintsugi, Ruthie and I form something beautifully imperfect and rare.❞
✩ Ruthie’s helpful solutions to help Bolan manage ADHD and dyslexia were thoughtful; I loved that she leveraged her education to promote positive outcomes for him.
♡ I loved Catch the Kiss and recommend it to readers who love steamy sports romances, FMCs who are strong and resilient, and possessive, protective, single dad MMCs with an alpha streak. HEA guaranteed!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½
✨ Thank you to L.B. Dunbar and The Author Agency for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Connect with me on Instagram for more bookish content!
April 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I don’t think LB Dunbar could ever write a book I don’t love. She has been an auto buy author for me for some time and her books continue to pull me in, root in my heart, and bring me joy. Her second book in the Chicago Anchors series, Catch the Kiss, is a feel good, romantic, second chance story with the threads of baseball metaphors and team energy humming throughout. From the time our MCs first met to the time they were reintroduced, so much has changed for both. Huge life changes have changed them at their core, but the attraction is still there. I loved watching these two carve their own paths that thankfully led back to each other.
Ruth is a loveable, sweet FMC who has been in mourning for the past two years. Mourning the loss of her husband, but even more the person she lost while married. I felt for Ruth in her heartache of missing her husband, but was so proud of her for realizing toxic traits and working on changing those. Her zest for living life on her own terms is felt throughout the book and watching her fall in love with herself again was amazing.
Bolan has just found out he’s a dad, a daughter he never knew he had until recently, and life has just pushed them together due to terrible circumstances. I really liked the way LB writes about Bolan's growth from playboy baseball player, to being responsible for someone else and having to change his lifestyle. It may seem quick, but there are clues throughout the book how hard it’s been for him. When he needs help to fully turn his image around, he doesn’t trust anyone but Ruth to help him.
LB is wonderful at writing layered and dynamic characters who play so well off each other. Her passion for her characters is always evident in her writing and the heart she has for creating these stories is beyond obvious. With Bolan and Ruth, LB really focused on the theme of second chances and finding someone who fits you as you are. Being true to and loving yourself is just as important as being a strong partner to someone else. A wonderful story that I highly recommend!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
⚾Baseball Romance
💗Single Dad MMC
⚾She Falls First
💗He Falls Harder
⚾Second Chance
💗Work Romance
⚾One Night Stand to More
💗Marriage of Convenience
I don’t think LB Dunbar could ever write a book I don’t love. She has been an auto buy author for me for some time and her books continue to pull me in, root in my heart, and bring me joy. Her second book in the Chicago Anchors series, Catch the Kiss, is a feel good, romantic, second chance story with the threads of baseball metaphors and team energy humming throughout. From the time our MCs first met to the time they were reintroduced, so much has changed for both. Huge life changes have changed them at their core, but the attraction is still there. I loved watching these two carve their own paths that thankfully led back to each other.
Ruth is a loveable, sweet FMC who has been in mourning for the past two years. Mourning the loss of her husband, but even more the person she lost while married. I felt for Ruth in her heartache of missing her husband, but was so proud of her for realizing toxic traits and working on changing those. Her zest for living life on her own terms is felt throughout the book and watching her fall in love with herself again was amazing.
Bolan has just found out he’s a dad, a daughter he never knew he had until recently, and life has just pushed them together due to terrible circumstances. I really liked the way LB writes about Bolan's growth from playboy baseball player, to being responsible for someone else and having to change his lifestyle. It may seem quick, but there are clues throughout the book how hard it’s been for him. When he needs help to fully turn his image around, he doesn’t trust anyone but Ruth to help him.
LB is wonderful at writing layered and dynamic characters who play so well off each other. Her passion for her characters is always evident in her writing and the heart she has for creating these stories is beyond obvious. With Bolan and Ruth, LB really focused on the theme of second chances and finding someone who fits you as you are. Being true to and loving yourself is just as important as being a strong partner to someone else. A wonderful story that I highly recommend!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
⚾Baseball Romance
💗Single Dad MMC
⚾She Falls First
💗He Falls Harder
⚾Second Chance
💗Work Romance
⚾One Night Stand to More
💗Marriage of Convenience
April 6, 2025
⚾, Picturebaseball romance
⚾, Picturereformed bad boy
⚾, Picturesingle dad
⚾, Picturemarriage of convenience
⚾, Picturehomeruns of heat
Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
L.B. Dunbar brings the heat—and the heart—with Catch the Kiss, the second book in her Chicago Anchors series. This sports romance is packed with swoony moments, laugh-out-loud lines, and just the right amount of emotional chaos to keep you hooked from first pitch to final page.
Bolan Adler is the bad boy of baseball, a professional catcher, and a single dad whose reputation needs a bit of a polish. Enter Ruthie - newly promoted to agent status at a sports management agency that seems to have its own dramatic flair, including a PR report that suggests Bolan needs a wife. The catch? Bolan’s decided that she’s it. Which would be less complicated if they hadn’t shared a one-time kiss years ago… and a two-time tryst more recently.
As she’s suddenly juggling a fake marriage arrangement, a reluctant promotion, and the irresistible charm of Bolan’s sixteen-month-old daughter, things get messy fast. But it’s the kind of mess you can’t look away from—especially when real emotions start creeping into what was supposed to be all for show. Bolan wants more—a real marriage, real love, and maybe even another baby—and the heroine finds herself wondering if she’s about to strike out in the biggest game of all: love.
The chemistry between the leads is magnetic, and the pacing keeps the story moving at a satisfying clip. Bolan is a dreamy mix of cocky and caring, and his daughter adds genuine heart to every scene she’s in. While some tropes feel familiar, L.B. Dunbar delivers them with warmth and originality, making it easy to get swept up in the romance.
If you’re a fan of fake relationships that turn all too real, single dad stories, or simply love a sports romance that brings the emotional stakes along with the steam, Catch the Kiss is a solid win. A home run for Dunbar and a lovely addition to the series.
⚾, Picturereformed bad boy
⚾, Picturesingle dad
⚾, Picturemarriage of convenience
⚾, Picturehomeruns of heat
Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
L.B. Dunbar brings the heat—and the heart—with Catch the Kiss, the second book in her Chicago Anchors series. This sports romance is packed with swoony moments, laugh-out-loud lines, and just the right amount of emotional chaos to keep you hooked from first pitch to final page.
Bolan Adler is the bad boy of baseball, a professional catcher, and a single dad whose reputation needs a bit of a polish. Enter Ruthie - newly promoted to agent status at a sports management agency that seems to have its own dramatic flair, including a PR report that suggests Bolan needs a wife. The catch? Bolan’s decided that she’s it. Which would be less complicated if they hadn’t shared a one-time kiss years ago… and a two-time tryst more recently.
As she’s suddenly juggling a fake marriage arrangement, a reluctant promotion, and the irresistible charm of Bolan’s sixteen-month-old daughter, things get messy fast. But it’s the kind of mess you can’t look away from—especially when real emotions start creeping into what was supposed to be all for show. Bolan wants more—a real marriage, real love, and maybe even another baby—and the heroine finds herself wondering if she’s about to strike out in the biggest game of all: love.
The chemistry between the leads is magnetic, and the pacing keeps the story moving at a satisfying clip. Bolan is a dreamy mix of cocky and caring, and his daughter adds genuine heart to every scene she’s in. While some tropes feel familiar, L.B. Dunbar delivers them with warmth and originality, making it easy to get swept up in the romance.
If you’re a fan of fake relationships that turn all too real, single dad stories, or simply love a sports romance that brings the emotional stakes along with the steam, Catch the Kiss is a solid win. A home run for Dunbar and a lovely addition to the series.
April 6, 2025
Catch the Kiss
(Chicago Anchors #2)
By L.B. Dunbar
From the sixty-second kiss experiment to the crazy in the Anchor’s team locker room, I spent a few hours with two people I am so glad that I met! Bolan Adler and Ruth Avery, along with sweet little Tulane kept me smiling, laughing worrying and loving this entire story!
Bolan has a smile that could light up a dreary day and he used that smile and those dimples often. Back in the US after a few years in the Japanese league Bolan is hoping to close out his career with the Chicago Anchors. Yes he’s getting a little creeky, but that man can hit a home run (Silver Bat contender?) and throw a mean ball from his position as catcher. Right now though, he wants to catch Ruthie Avery!
Ruth has had eighteen months of crap! Only she knew how bad her life had been. Her not so dearly departed husband was not the wonderful man he looked like he was…yes he had his problems and it always seemed to fall on Ruth’s shoulders to keep those problems from the world. When Bolan Adler appeared (like a kiss fairy) she wondered could they work together get Bolan what he wanted (the job behind home plate) and would they be able to use that season to see how compatible they are? They had a bit of a past, a bit of beautiful night and a sweet little girl to see it they would strike out or hit a grand slam!
Not only to the Anchor’s have hot bats, they are no comparison to the heat and steam that keep Bolan and Ruthie working out in the bedroom whenever little miss Tulane gives them a break during nap time!
Seeing an old friends, Ford Sylver, Coach Ross Davis brought back some good and one very bad Anchor memories.
To all you little leaguer moms…teach your babies how to Catch the Kiss when they go out on the field and to fellow readers, check out those grown up catchers, it’s all part of watching a ball game.
Now, where do I get a Bolan shirt, I want to wear number 12 when I go to the next home game!
(Chicago Anchors #2)
By L.B. Dunbar
From the sixty-second kiss experiment to the crazy in the Anchor’s team locker room, I spent a few hours with two people I am so glad that I met! Bolan Adler and Ruth Avery, along with sweet little Tulane kept me smiling, laughing worrying and loving this entire story!
Bolan has a smile that could light up a dreary day and he used that smile and those dimples often. Back in the US after a few years in the Japanese league Bolan is hoping to close out his career with the Chicago Anchors. Yes he’s getting a little creeky, but that man can hit a home run (Silver Bat contender?) and throw a mean ball from his position as catcher. Right now though, he wants to catch Ruthie Avery!
Ruth has had eighteen months of crap! Only she knew how bad her life had been. Her not so dearly departed husband was not the wonderful man he looked like he was…yes he had his problems and it always seemed to fall on Ruth’s shoulders to keep those problems from the world. When Bolan Adler appeared (like a kiss fairy) she wondered could they work together get Bolan what he wanted (the job behind home plate) and would they be able to use that season to see how compatible they are? They had a bit of a past, a bit of beautiful night and a sweet little girl to see it they would strike out or hit a grand slam!
Not only to the Anchor’s have hot bats, they are no comparison to the heat and steam that keep Bolan and Ruthie working out in the bedroom whenever little miss Tulane gives them a break during nap time!
Seeing an old friends, Ford Sylver, Coach Ross Davis brought back some good and one very bad Anchor memories.
To all you little leaguer moms…teach your babies how to Catch the Kiss when they go out on the field and to fellow readers, check out those grown up catchers, it’s all part of watching a ball game.
Now, where do I get a Bolan shirt, I want to wear number 12 when I go to the next home game!
April 13, 2025
ARC Review
Catch The Kiss by LB Dunbar
Release Date: 4.17.25
OVERALL RATING
4⭐️/5
4🌶️ /5
* SERIES: Chicago Anchors, Book 2 - could be read as a standalone and takes place simultaneously to book one, Elevator Pitch
* POV: First Person Dual - I love both Ruthie and Bolan, but I absolutely adore Bolan! Both MCs were lovable, multidimensional, and had great growth throughout the story - each had past trauma and they helped guide each other through hitting that element of “found family” I love so much in a good romance story. But man, Bolan, I wish I could 3D print this man! He was so sweet - with Ruthie, with his daughter Tulane, I loved every bit of it!
* SPICE - Open Door, Explicit - In true LB Dunbar fashion the spice was 🔥🤤 so well done! Bolan was such an attentive partner, always taking care of Ruthie’s needs first - and his mouth was so hot! I did read Elevator Pitch first and some of the similarities between the “spicy scenes” seemed reused, but I still loved it!
THOUGHTS -
This story line was addicting, there were so many intertwining elements from her past history with her late husband and parents to his bad boy past and issues growing up with his family, add in the fact they had met in college previously and you get a whole lot of drama that makes for a wonderful, dimensional plot! If I had the time to do nothing but read all day I wouldn’t have put this down!
I loved the ADHD and Dyslexia representation and how Ruthie did little things for Bolan to help make these things easier to deal with!
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a spicy sports romance that is bigger than just the spice! This book has a plot and characters you will absolutely adore! And a guaranteed HEA!
Thank you to the author, L.B. Dunbar, Author and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
#arcreview #arcreader #marriageofconvienence #lbdunbar #sportsromancebooks #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #readingrecs #newbooks #singledaddybooks
Catch The Kiss by LB Dunbar
Release Date: 4.17.25
OVERALL RATING
4⭐️/5
4🌶️ /5
* SERIES: Chicago Anchors, Book 2 - could be read as a standalone and takes place simultaneously to book one, Elevator Pitch
* POV: First Person Dual - I love both Ruthie and Bolan, but I absolutely adore Bolan! Both MCs were lovable, multidimensional, and had great growth throughout the story - each had past trauma and they helped guide each other through hitting that element of “found family” I love so much in a good romance story. But man, Bolan, I wish I could 3D print this man! He was so sweet - with Ruthie, with his daughter Tulane, I loved every bit of it!
* SPICE - Open Door, Explicit - In true LB Dunbar fashion the spice was 🔥🤤 so well done! Bolan was such an attentive partner, always taking care of Ruthie’s needs first - and his mouth was so hot! I did read Elevator Pitch first and some of the similarities between the “spicy scenes” seemed reused, but I still loved it!
THOUGHTS -
This story line was addicting, there were so many intertwining elements from her past history with her late husband and parents to his bad boy past and issues growing up with his family, add in the fact they had met in college previously and you get a whole lot of drama that makes for a wonderful, dimensional plot! If I had the time to do nothing but read all day I wouldn’t have put this down!
I loved the ADHD and Dyslexia representation and how Ruthie did little things for Bolan to help make these things easier to deal with!
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a spicy sports romance that is bigger than just the spice! This book has a plot and characters you will absolutely adore! And a guaranteed HEA!
Thank you to the author, L.B. Dunbar, Author and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
#arcreview #arcreader #marriageofconvienence #lbdunbar #sportsromancebooks #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #readingrecs #newbooks #singledaddybooks
April 15, 2025
I’m loving this author’s books a lot! She appeals to the older characters, they are usually in their thirties or forties, and supposed to have figured out their lives. But no such thing, they still have issues to resolve and an HEA, or second HEA to achieve. It’s fun to read these characters, because the men are kind and the women sassy, which makes for a very entertaining read.
Ruthie and Bolan met in a kiss experiment in college, which resulted in sparks and fireworks between them, but they weren’t allowed to have contact during the next year. So, they moved on and forgot. Eighteen years later, they meet again, Ruthie is a widow, Bolan just back from Japan. Years ago, he was sent to Japan in disgrace for making a mess of his life with his bad boy ways. Now he has a baby daughter, the mother is not in the picture, and he’s determined to be a good father to his baby girl.
He needs a wife in order to be contracted to the Chicago Anchors due to a recent scandal in the team. Ruthie and Bolan met again in a charity ball in honor of his mother, and later on, at the sports agency where he is a client. He requests to have Ruthie as his fake wife, and Ruthie sees this as a way to break out of the chains of her previous life. So they get a marriage in convenience, with a beautiful baby girl that enthralls both, and more of the same chemistry they had all those years ago.
I loved their story and their attraction and how they couldn’t help getting involved again. Ruthie had many regrets from her marriage, one of them not having kids. Now she has a ready-made baby, and a husband who is supportive of her dreams and pushes her to go get them. Bolan is honest about his past bad boy actions and how he wants a different life for his baby girl.
It was sweet and steamy, I loved how thoughtful Bolan was, and loved that Ruthie at last has a chance at happiness after a crappy last husband. It was lovely to see Ruthie get kindness from a man at long last!
Ruthie and Bolan met in a kiss experiment in college, which resulted in sparks and fireworks between them, but they weren’t allowed to have contact during the next year. So, they moved on and forgot. Eighteen years later, they meet again, Ruthie is a widow, Bolan just back from Japan. Years ago, he was sent to Japan in disgrace for making a mess of his life with his bad boy ways. Now he has a baby daughter, the mother is not in the picture, and he’s determined to be a good father to his baby girl.
He needs a wife in order to be contracted to the Chicago Anchors due to a recent scandal in the team. Ruthie and Bolan met again in a charity ball in honor of his mother, and later on, at the sports agency where he is a client. He requests to have Ruthie as his fake wife, and Ruthie sees this as a way to break out of the chains of her previous life. So they get a marriage in convenience, with a beautiful baby girl that enthralls both, and more of the same chemistry they had all those years ago.
I loved their story and their attraction and how they couldn’t help getting involved again. Ruthie had many regrets from her marriage, one of them not having kids. Now she has a ready-made baby, and a husband who is supportive of her dreams and pushes her to go get them. Bolan is honest about his past bad boy actions and how he wants a different life for his baby girl.
It was sweet and steamy, I loved how thoughtful Bolan was, and loved that Ruthie at last has a chance at happiness after a crappy last husband. It was lovely to see Ruthie get kindness from a man at long last!
April 16, 2025
Marriage of convenience with a splash of second chance romance. The book called my named after reading the first in the series. Bolan a playboy baseball player in need of resetting his image. Ruth a woman dealing with a great loss. Both enter each other's lives in a time for need, but for very different reasons. there is attraction, there is palpable lust, but feelings and emotions are also help back out of respect for one another. I absolutely loved Ruth genuine and sweet, shy at first but eventually came out of her sell a bit more. Bolan, was he perfect no, but he loved Tulane whole heartedly and love Ruth from afar till she was ready. He's caring and sweet. Together they fit each other perfected and complement one another. This was a wonderful read and I look forward to more.
Blurb:
Meeting Bolan Adler, professional baseball catcher and single dad, is a complicated story.
One involving a one-time kiss when I was young and silly. And a two-time tryst as some kind of midlife breakdown moment.
Anyway, in the game of baseball, three strikes mean: you’re out.
I thought my third one might happen when Bolan Adler is the newest client of the sports management agency I work for.
The same business that just promoted me to agent status when I haven’t asked for the position.
Also, the ridiculous company that wrote up a reputation repair report for the newest member of the Chicago Anchors which includes:
Bolan Adler needs a wife.
He’s decided I’m it. Only this isn’t a game of tag.
Hearts are on the line when I meet Bolan’s sweet sixteen-month-old, and my role goes from babysitting the bad boy of baseball to bonus-mom for his precious daughter.
Complicated, like I said.
Add in when my fake husband starts tossing out real emotions about love, marriage, and another baby, and I’m just hoping to stay out of the strike zone. Because the obvious opponent on the field is love.
Will it win or lose at the end of the season?
Blurb:
Meeting Bolan Adler, professional baseball catcher and single dad, is a complicated story.
One involving a one-time kiss when I was young and silly. And a two-time tryst as some kind of midlife breakdown moment.
Anyway, in the game of baseball, three strikes mean: you’re out.
I thought my third one might happen when Bolan Adler is the newest client of the sports management agency I work for.
The same business that just promoted me to agent status when I haven’t asked for the position.
Also, the ridiculous company that wrote up a reputation repair report for the newest member of the Chicago Anchors which includes:
Bolan Adler needs a wife.
He’s decided I’m it. Only this isn’t a game of tag.
Hearts are on the line when I meet Bolan’s sweet sixteen-month-old, and my role goes from babysitting the bad boy of baseball to bonus-mom for his precious daughter.
Complicated, like I said.
Add in when my fake husband starts tossing out real emotions about love, marriage, and another baby, and I’m just hoping to stay out of the strike zone. Because the obvious opponent on the field is love.
Will it win or lose at the end of the season?
April 19, 2025
This book was such a surprise to me. I fell for Bolan from the beginning, but Ruthie felt like every other heroine I have read about lately that lost a husband and didn’t know what to do with herself anymore. I wish she had a little more gumption to her. For instance, why didn’t she want to tell her in laws about her son??? Why was there no telling them that they were her people and she didn’t want to lose them? Maybe even just the chapter where she went home and resigned??? IDK, I was missing it. My favorite part of the book was the color game them played with their emotions and when they were safe and reckless. Loved them!
Bolan is without a doubt, one of my favorite heroes from the LB Dunbar world. He is such an adorable hero that trips, yet has great dancing rhythm. He is the most selfless father to his little “tulip” and the most genuine caring man Ruthie could ever ask for. Cyrus, I wish we had gotten more of him. I wanted to know what was wrong with him and Lacey and if Ruthie was going to be there for them, but there just wasn’t enough about them. Let alone their 3 boys…..next book maybe????? Quotes I adored from this book that resonated with me, 1) “Catch all the catches!” 2) “Next Course.” AHHAHA, this one had me going for a while. 3) I love you flower. You’re my first pick. Every time. Like kids picking other kids for sandlot teams. I’ll always want you on my side.” OMG, such swooning going on with this one. and lastly, 4) “Love her through the thick and thin. Because there will be thin moments that test everything in you, but thick moments that remind you why you picked her in the first place. Why you love her. Most of the time, it’s because she still loves you during the thin.” Good Lord, this one was my OMG, I want a Cyrus book…..he needs to tell us what is wrong with his marriage and why he still loves Lacey through the thin…….PLEASE tell their story, theirs will be EPIC.
Bolan is without a doubt, one of my favorite heroes from the LB Dunbar world. He is such an adorable hero that trips, yet has great dancing rhythm. He is the most selfless father to his little “tulip” and the most genuine caring man Ruthie could ever ask for. Cyrus, I wish we had gotten more of him. I wanted to know what was wrong with him and Lacey and if Ruthie was going to be there for them, but there just wasn’t enough about them. Let alone their 3 boys…..next book maybe????? Quotes I adored from this book that resonated with me, 1) “Catch all the catches!” 2) “Next Course.” AHHAHA, this one had me going for a while. 3) I love you flower. You’re my first pick. Every time. Like kids picking other kids for sandlot teams. I’ll always want you on my side.” OMG, such swooning going on with this one. and lastly, 4) “Love her through the thick and thin. Because there will be thin moments that test everything in you, but thick moments that remind you why you picked her in the first place. Why you love her. Most of the time, it’s because she still loves you during the thin.” Good Lord, this one was my OMG, I want a Cyrus book…..he needs to tell us what is wrong with his marriage and why he still loves Lacey through the thin…….PLEASE tell their story, theirs will be EPIC.
April 14, 2025
3 strikes and you're out....NAAAH........LBD has hit the HOME RUN with this smashing story of finding love when you least expect it.
Much like baseball victories. Bolan Adler is a player on the field and an accidental single father off it. His management agency assigns him a monitor....sorry "agent" and it's his kinda sister in law - Responsible Ruth Avery
"Bolan Adler. Star college athlete. Man about campus. My sixty-second kiss experiment partner."
Oh yeah, they had a "Kiss Experiment" once and the funeral of her MIL's mother turns out a chance to frisk again. Obviously she's out of her elements but she wants a breath of fresh life so she goes with the passion flow I guess.
Next day, turns out she's right in midst of a family.
And married With a single father, no less.
She'd been reckless twice and her red dress personality sparkles bright against his loyal White.
How adorable to see a hero who's not callous, or rude, or obnoxious.
Just caring, gracious human being.
Dunbar charms with her unique flair of creating believable, sensible characters with real problems and intelligent prose. I'm her ardent reader and live for her stories.
It's as thrilling as alive game, euphoric highs, heart melting how's and all the craziness in between.
5stars for The Red Dress Affair
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
Much like baseball victories. Bolan Adler is a player on the field and an accidental single father off it. His management agency assigns him a monitor....sorry "agent" and it's his kinda sister in law - Responsible Ruth Avery
"Bolan Adler. Star college athlete. Man about campus. My sixty-second kiss experiment partner."
Oh yeah, they had a "Kiss Experiment" once and the funeral of her MIL's mother turns out a chance to frisk again. Obviously she's out of her elements but she wants a breath of fresh life so she goes with the passion flow I guess.
Next day, turns out she's right in midst of a family.
And married With a single father, no less.
She'd been reckless twice and her red dress personality sparkles bright against his loyal White.
How adorable to see a hero who's not callous, or rude, or obnoxious.
Just caring, gracious human being.
Dunbar charms with her unique flair of creating believable, sensible characters with real problems and intelligent prose. I'm her ardent reader and live for her stories.
It's as thrilling as alive game, euphoric highs, heart melting how's and all the craziness in between.
5stars for The Red Dress Affair
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
April 17, 2025
Catch all the catches with Bolan and Ruthie.
Hello, Flower.
Over the past year or so, I have learned to trust that when a new LB Dunbar book is released, I am going to like it. I love that her characters are more experienced and have lived life. Her 30+ year old MMCs are not chasing fresh out of college FMCs. Catch the Kiss is another fresh LB Dunbar book that has lived up to my expectations. If you appreciate well written characters that have some life experience, then I think you will like Catch the Kiss.
~~~~~
Why you will love this book:
⚾baseball romance
⚾reformed bad boy
⚾single dad
⚾marriage of convenience
⚾homeruns of heat
Meeting Bolan Adler, a professional baseball catcher and single dad, is a complicated story. One involving a one-time kiss when I was young and silly. And a two-time tryst as some kind of midlife breakdown moment.
Anyway, in the game of baseball, three strikes mean: you’re out.
I thought my third one might happen when Bolan Adler is the newest client of the sports management agency I work for.
The same business that just promoted me to agent status when I haven’t asked for the position.
Also, the ridiculous company that wrote up a reputation repair report for the newest member of the Chicago Anchors, which includes:
Bolan Adler needs a wife.
He’s decided I’m it. Only this isn’t a game of tag.
Hearts are on the line when I meet Bolan’s sweet sixteen-month-old, and my role goes from babysitting the bad boy of baseball to bonus-mom for his precious daughter.
Complicated, like I said.
Add in when my fake husband starts tossing out real emotions about love, marriage, and a baby, and I’m just hoping to stay out of the strike zone. Because the obvious opponent on the field is love.
Will it win or lose at the end of the season?
#lbdunbar #theauthoragency @theauthor.agency
Hello, Flower.
Over the past year or so, I have learned to trust that when a new LB Dunbar book is released, I am going to like it. I love that her characters are more experienced and have lived life. Her 30+ year old MMCs are not chasing fresh out of college FMCs. Catch the Kiss is another fresh LB Dunbar book that has lived up to my expectations. If you appreciate well written characters that have some life experience, then I think you will like Catch the Kiss.
~~~~~
Why you will love this book:
⚾baseball romance
⚾reformed bad boy
⚾single dad
⚾marriage of convenience
⚾homeruns of heat
Meeting Bolan Adler, a professional baseball catcher and single dad, is a complicated story. One involving a one-time kiss when I was young and silly. And a two-time tryst as some kind of midlife breakdown moment.
Anyway, in the game of baseball, three strikes mean: you’re out.
I thought my third one might happen when Bolan Adler is the newest client of the sports management agency I work for.
The same business that just promoted me to agent status when I haven’t asked for the position.
Also, the ridiculous company that wrote up a reputation repair report for the newest member of the Chicago Anchors, which includes:
Bolan Adler needs a wife.
He’s decided I’m it. Only this isn’t a game of tag.
Hearts are on the line when I meet Bolan’s sweet sixteen-month-old, and my role goes from babysitting the bad boy of baseball to bonus-mom for his precious daughter.
Complicated, like I said.
Add in when my fake husband starts tossing out real emotions about love, marriage, and a baby, and I’m just hoping to stay out of the strike zone. Because the obvious opponent on the field is love.
Will it win or lose at the end of the season?
#lbdunbar #theauthoragency @theauthor.agency
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