Bottom Of The Ninth: Major League Series

by Haylee Trew

Raelyn Monroe is a woman running from her past. After being abused at a young age, she fled the confines of her ‘glamourous’ life. At eighteen, Rae thought she was in love with her twenty-year-old boyfriend, Cooper Lee. The couple traveled the United States together while Cooper tried to make his run in the country music industry. Unfortunately for Rae, he left her with nothing but a heaping pile of debt and a broken heart. She’s convinced love doesn’t exist.

Bailey Hudson is a heartthrob MLB shortstop. He’s in his final season with the Golden Mine Diggers and will be entering the Hall of Fame. Despite his current elaborate lifestyle, Hudson grew up with absent and abusive parents. He lived the stereotypical baseball lifestyle. That’s when Rae walked into his life. The white picket fence, and a house full of kids he once dreamed was seemingly possible now that he had met the woman he wants to live it out with, but that dream will not be reality without overcoming some unforeseen obstacles.

Genres: Dark Romance

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2024

Reviews

[taylor coffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
3.5 but rounded up because I was entertained during the read!
At the end of the day, I was left wanting a lot from this book that I didn’t get. I wish we could’ve seen Rae at a baseball game, got to witness and understand their love for one another a little better and not on such a sped-up timeline. For it being a 200-300 page book, I felt like it could’ve been explored better than it was. AND THATS OKAY. Was I entertained even though I could see spoilers coming from a mile away? Yes. I feel that the author brought a lot of different elements to this genre, but I have a lot of “Why?” left with no answer. Why does an MLB player need an IT guy? Make that make sense. Hudson has known this girl a week and he’s ready to murder for her without having a violent bone in his body until now? Why?
I will say the spice was a key motivator for the story and possible what will sell spice readers to this specific book.

[Sara J [saras kindle era] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one so much!

I love when a MMC falls first & falls HARD, & Hudson is that in spades! He is down bad for Rae from the moment he meets her & I’m here for it! He has some *slight* stalkerish tendencies, but who doesn’t love their fictional men with some red flags?😉 But honestly, he has more green flags than red. This man is a consent KING & he would burn the world down for Rae!! He also helps Rae face her past & demons, & I just love the way he loves her!

Rae is so strong, choosing to live her life on her terms, but her trauma is no joke. I just want to hug her! She is so skeptical & hesitant to let anyone close, but her chemistry with Hudson is off the charts, & I love how she lets him in to take care of her, which no one has ever done. Her love with him is so meaningful!

Can’t wait for more in this series, I’m fingers crossed Hayden & Jess are next👀

[Carly Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC copy.

Wowwww- loved this book.

Baseball star falls first for a woman who has a ton of baggage & works two jobs just to survive.

So much trauma, healing, character growth & spice! 🔥

I loved Hudson & Rae together. They were soo good for one another.

I flew through this book.. I loved the writing style.

So many times I was like “what the f”.. this can’t be happening!

[Maggie | MagReadsBooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at 54%

Writing style and content were not for me.

[Ravin · Rating 4 out of 5]

-ARC REVIEW-

Huddy and Rae stole my heart from the first page. After running from her past for so long, meeting Bailey Hudson was the last thing she wanted in life. Hudson respected all boundaries that she set and asked any and everytime he wanted to touch Rae and it was just the cutest thing to me. When finding out what happened to her that made her run at 18 years old he did what he had to do and got rid of the problem..
i absolutely devoured this book and will be patiently impatiently waiting for Hayden and Jess’s story next :)
Also will be recommending this to all my friends 🥰

[Emily Scheel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like... Baseball? Sexy men? Morally grey? But he does it to protect his woman?

Hudson falls for Rae as soon as he sets his eyes on her. Can you blame him? She's gorgeous! She doesn't know it of course but he lets her know real quick. This book has twists and turns, up's and down's, Oh No's! and many more reactions to keep you gripped and guessing.

I like when an FMC is the apprehensive and elusive one. 'I can't let him in I'm too damaged and he's too perfect' ( he IS perfect). So it can leave you a little mad at Rae at times but when you finally find out why she's running you accept it. No spoilers here!

It is a bit of a fast burn which can have it's pro's and con's but if you're looking for a get into it and devour it kind of book this is for you. Which for me as much as I have the anxiety and "hurry up and get into it" I appreciate a bit of slowness.

I think Haylee does an excellent job on the spice, unique details, good length of a scene and enough sprinkled throughout the book. Don't read in public unless you're a dirty little birdy!

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this book via an ARC. I look forward to any more from Haylee and any more from Rae and Hudson. Happy reading!

[TJ | TheEclecticBookFairy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of love and healing where fate intervene's abd brings together two people who compliment each other so well.

FMC comes from a dark traumatic past, shes been running from her life for 12 years living under the radar. Working two jobs she meets Mr. Hudson and this chance encounter will change her ability to feel again! After 1 night she wakes to a message that causes her to run again. After starting out again in another new place she meets Hayden the nice guy who reminds her of Hudson...

MMC Mr. Hudson is a pro baseball player that is travelling for work, while getting somewhere to stay he is instantly obsessed with the receptionist (after all when your famous who doesn't love it when someone doesn't know who you are)
And so it begins.. with the help of some semi-stalker moments and knowing when to treat her like a queen and when not to😉 she reveals the truth of her past and he serves justice for her except more comes to light that will change both their lives..

There is triggers guys, so pay attention to the warning at the start of the book! Its not just a MBL lovey romance.

Told in dual POV this well written story will have you smiling and angry and wanting to see revenge dished out!

Well done Haylee this book is fantastic!!

[Makenzie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Smutty: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Bailey Hudson embodies a strong MMC that is willing to sacrifice what he needs to in order to protect the one he loves. I LOVE the fact that he fell first with Rae. I loved that the book had aspects of sports but wasn’t overwhelming where I felt like I had to learn the sport.

Raelyn was a great mixture of sweet and strong. She made it easy to fall in love with her and see yourself in her shoes.

Do you love spice? A take action MMC?
This book is for you then! It had me sucked in and I would recommend to anyone!

Favorite Quotes:

“Earn my trust. Let me stand right here and take my clothes off while you show me that you have the strength to not touch me. I need to know that not every man will take from me. I want it to be you who shows me that. Please.”

“I’ve been in love with you from the moment I first laid eyes on you. This is where you belong – with me, safe.”


An e-ARC was provided by the author in exchange for and honest review. All thoughts and opinions remain my own

[Meredith Burkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is OH MY GOSH.....YESSSSSS. I love when the MMC falls first and HARD. 100% touch her and die vibes (LITERALLY). Hudson and Rae reeled me in the moment I started this book. I was a goner when he said "Such a good girl doing what you're told". The twists and turns of the book kept the flame alive and that ending was not what I expected at all. Not much relating to baseball wise other than him being a professional player, so I'm hoping there will be a second book with some scenes set at the ballfield for Hayden and Jess (please, please, please). I can't wait to see how this series continues. If you're looking for smut you've found the right book!!

Note to the Author: Haylee your dedication touched my heart so deeply. I can't wait to add a physical copy of this book to my collection!

[Dolores Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Smokes, yall!!!! I don't think I have ever read such a beautifully written sweet as can be romance. The trials Rae has gone through her whole life make it hard to trust anyone. Insert Hudson, and swoon! It's insta-love for them, I swear. It's an emotional ride, but it sure is a beautiful one. The twists and turns throughout this book had me reeling. But the one thing that stuck with me is how much of a true gentleman Hudson is. He never takes from her. She's dealing with her trauma, and he understands. He stands true to his word and keeps his hands to himself. I will be buying this book and rereading it because it's become a comfort read for me. My favorite quote was, "Revenge is bittersweet when it’s for the person you love."

[Cherin Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be one of my favorite sport romance books to date! The story is beautifully written. I can relate to Rae, and her struggles after being abused for so long. This book was so well written you felt her emotions through each page.

Rae is running. Running from her fear, her parents and hiding a secret she has only ever shared (partially) with her now ex boyfriend. (Who’s a POS I might add) Bailey Hudson (Huddy) is a famous baseball player who is looking to retire. He meets Rae when he stays at the hotel she works at. From that first look it was all over. Can Rae let her walls down? Can she fall in love? Will Hudson protect her at all costs?

[Kelsey Davage · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, the MMC Hudson is *chefs kiss*. This book shows that consent can be sexy without taking away from the spice.

Rae’s character growth throughout this book was great as well. She found her power and kept getting stronger as the book went on.

I do wish the book was longer, personally I felt that Rae and Hudson jumped into everything too quickly which made it seem rushed at the beginning . However, as the book went on, it got better, lots of twists and turns so I never guessed what would happen next. But would have liked to see more at the beginning to give more background on the characters and build it out to create some tension.

[Miranda • Darkenchantedchapters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin with this book?

It’s been a while since a non fantasy book has grabbed my attention from the very first page. This book had me captivated to the point I didn’t want to put it down and it consumed my thoughts entirely.

Rae and Hudson I absolutely loved through out this book. The way Hudson was towards Rae was my absolute favorite. The way that he always protects her no matter what was my favorite. He would literally kill for her. Rae deserves everything Huddy can give her.

This book is everything I excepted it to be and more. The plot twists you never even seen coming that would keep you on your toes. Then that ending was absolutely perfect.

[jules clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO GOOD!! I don’t follow baseball, but I’m more of a hockey girlie, but I thought I’d give this book a go (and I’m glad I did!). I wish there was more of a baseball gameplay aspect, because I enjoy that in my hockey books, but otherwise I thought the book was nicely written, easy and fun to read and stay present in the story and not DNF it lol. I loved the 🌶️ scenes and the otherwise lovey 🩷 scenes and I was honestly SHOOK when I read the chapter where Hudson went on a lil… trip (IYKYK) because it was NOT something I expected to be in a book like this but 🫦

[Kaylila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bottom of the ninth is one of those books where you think you know exactly how it will go but it totally blows your mind with the twists and turns throughout the story! It kept me on my toes in the best way. The plot kept you engaged in the story and wanting to know what happens next. The side characters supported and loved the main characters so well. The MMC was truly the best and completely gentlemanly even during spicy times but not without taking away from the spice! The spice was spicing and gave me so many butterflies! I wish I could read this for the first time again! I can’t wait to get a physical copy ❤️‍🔥

[Christy Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't jump to leave my review fast enough. I loved Rae and Hudson. Both characters went through a growth period, and the spice was spicing! There is nothing better than a man respecting a woman's boundaries!

There were plenty of twists and turns that left you guessing, and there was the perfect amount of darkness. The secondary characters added sweetness and banter as well. I can't wait to read more from Haylee!

[Emily Bunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start, GO GIRL!!! I’m so proud of Haylee for taking on a whole BOOK and rocking it in every aspect. I’m so happy I was able to read this and be a part!

Rae was a character that some may relate to (read your TW).. I loved Rae’s character because she continued to show growth and power over her past throughout this read.

Hudson is a man for the ladies… in all aspects. 🌶️ I love that Hudson was kind and gentle with Rae from start to finish. The darkness really leveled up the spice for me!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC read! I’m deeply honored to have been chosen.

Do you love a morally grey MMC? One who will do anything for the woman he loves? He falls first? Touch her and die?

Well I do and Bailey Hudson is now my new book boyfriend! This book has everything! There isn’t a part of this book that I didn’t love! This book is absolutely amazing! I love the way it was written and I’ve loved getting to know the author behind this beautiful story.

[Caitie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the lovely Haylee for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was super enjoyable! I loved Rae and Hudson and seeing their relationship bloom. Hudson is huge on consent and that was so freaking good to see, because you really often don't! I am used to darker books, and I wouldn't call this a dark romance at all, but it definitely scratched the itch and I finished this so so quickly lol.

I can wait to read more from Haylee going forward! A really great debut :)

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the ARC Team as the authors debut novel.

This book is super unique! I haven’t read a baseball novel like this. I love me some dark romance. I enjoyed both characters and the storyline. There was too much character verbalization for my liking but this is a solid debut novel and I could see the series building!

[Cody Housley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haylee!! You have a true gift and you certainly know how to tell a great story. This book was SPICY! I loved Rae and Hudson and I can’t wait to read your next one! If you love a good spicy romance this book is for you. Definitely in the top 3 spiciest books I’ve ever read. Go girl!

[April Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This boook- AMAZING!

I could definitely go for a 2nd book!

Rae is such a strong and powerful woman!

Hudson is the man of all dreams 😍

I couldn’t put this book down, the turning points kept me wanting more and held my attention the entire time!

[Rachel Sloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how well this book was written. It throws in the perfect amount of turns and surprises to keep you on the edge of your seat without feeling like it spoiled your view of the characters. Here’s to hoping there’s a second book based on another couple in the book.

[Brookelyn Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good smutty, dark romance! The spice was definitely top notch in this one and I really enjoyed the plot. I do wish the plot was a little more delved out and a little less insta-lovey, but overall a really good book. I can’t wait for the second one! I’m hoping it’ll be about Hayden 🤞

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book is great. Loved Hudson and Rae's relationship throughout the book. Loved all the twists and turns that happen. Make sure to read what the book is about so you aren't surprised by anything. But I can't wait for the next book!

[Ciara Lugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not what I expected out of this book! I watched a video of the authors & knew I had to read it. It was honestly amazing. I’m so sad that there’s no physical copy for me to buy because it was so amazing! Such a good read & quite spicy & a little dark too! I loved it!

[Mads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My very first ARC and no spoilers here but this one was spicy, steamy and full of TW. Can’t wait to read again….and again.

[Tabitha Heileman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow! The passion the touch her and die! The love the trauma the transformation of both! The love you see playing out! I need Hayden’s story now!!

[Book Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun debut novel!

Do you like baseball boys and dark romance? Well, then this is for you! Hudson is a great MMC who would do anything for his girl!

[Mackenzie Gaetano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing!! The perfect mix of dark romance and spice!! A must add to your TBR list!!