Diving Catch

Tennessee Terrors #1

by Lauren Runow

Evan
For the past few years, the only consistent thing in my life was getting my hair cut every few weeks. Grinding my way through the minor leagues meant spending many days on the road and moving at the drop of a dime. I never cared though. I was living my dream and playing the game I love.

When I finally make it to the show, I should have known my sister was up to something when she found me a hairstylist and even went as far as scheduling my appointments for the next few months.

Christy
I had no clue who would walk through the salon’s door after a woman called to schedule an appointment for her brother. She’d completely left out the fact that he had just moved to Nashville to play for the Tennessee Terrors baseball team as their new rookie left fielder.

Of course I notice the athletically fit, handsome man sitting in my chair, but I swore off dating any of my clients after the last one left me pregnant and alone.

My son is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I love that it’s just the two of us.

When the Terrors have an open batting session inviting families to come watch, catching a ball is the most exciting thing I think will happen, but when the cute guy on the field comes over to talk to my son, I see it's the same guy who sat in my chair today.

Diving Catch is the first book in a series of books with ten amazing authors about the Tennessee Terrors baseball team. All books have crossover characters but are stand-alone novels and can be read in any order.

Diving Catch is a single-mom, baseball romance that is sure to make your toes curl and put a smile on your face.

Genres: Sports Romance, Romance, Sports, Baseball, Rom Com, Contemporary Romance

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels. When Lauren isn't writing, you'll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!

Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She is a proud Rotarian and was awarded Woman of the Year from Congressman Garamendi. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.


You can also stay in touch through the social media links below.

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/laurenjrunow

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BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laure...

Twitter at https://twitter.com/LaurenRunow

Join her reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/16285...

or sign up for her newsletter at http://bit.ly/2NEXgH1

Reviews

[Kay Hertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swooooooony, slightly spicy, and oh-so sweet!!!

Swooooooony, slightly spicy, and oh-so sweet!!!

Evan is every green flag ever while definitely still being ALL man... ❤️

Overall: 4⭐
Plot: 5📌
Spice: 2🫦
Laughter: 3😂

Meddling big sisters, massive hearted younger siblings, an orchestrated meet-cute and instant attraction are definitely the themes of this not-quite closed-door definitely more of a fade to gray swoony, adorable romance!

Evan and Christy are two of just the absolutely nicest people you'd ever met and watching their sweet and swift fall for one another is nothing short of giggle-kicking-you feet-happy squeals!

Remember those massive, cheesy smiles you got back in high school over your first massive crush?? Get ready to relive that feeling ready this story!

Nolan, Christy's little boy, makes perfect appearances to lighten moods, is written to age-appropriate perfection, and he wins over the reader just as much as Evan and Christy do!

This was SO close to being a perfect 5 stars for me save for a final sentence/scene that contradicted a prior moment entirely. But not enough to totally detract from the overall story.

I am SO incredibly excited to read the rest of the series as the Tennessee Terrors each fall for their girl! ❤️❤️

Thank you to Lauren Runow & WordSmith Publicity for the opportunity to read and review this book!

All opinions are my own.

Check out my full list of 4+ Star Reviews of 2025!
https://amzn.to/4gTe2y0

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series and this is Evan and Christy’s story.
Evan is living his dream by playing baseball, while Christy is a single mom. Evan’s matchmaking sister makes him scheduled appointments with a hairstylist, which is Christy.
This is a well written fast paced, easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, humor, witty banter, engaging and realistic characters, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and fun, addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diving Catch was a sweet slow burn.
The end was the best part. A good book to start this series off.

[Alecia (The Staircase Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4½ stars***

Diving Catch by Lauren Runow is the first book in the Tennessee Terrors Series. If you love series that introduce new authors with each book that is published, this may be the series for you. If you love swoony heroes and baseball, this is DEFINITELY the series for you! There was something about Evan and Christy’s story that had me hooked from the very first page! So let’s dive into this review!

First off, let me tell you a little bit about this novel. First off, it’s told from both Christy and Evan’s point of views and it’s a single mom romance with just a hint of angst. The majority of this novel is sweet, cute, and heartwarming!

Evan is new to town, and new to the Tennessee Terrors baseball team. He’s finally made it to the big league and he’s made it his mission to put his all into his craft. That is until Evan walks into a salon for a haircut his sister scheduled and meets Christy, a single mother he has no business getting involved with. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and Evan’s heart wants to be a part of Christy’s life. Son and all.

Christy never thought she’d find her happily ever after within a client, let alone a major league baseball player. But here she is quickly falling head over heels in love with the charismatic man. After her last relationship left her scorned, humiliated and a single mother, Christy has a wall built around her heart and Evan may just be the person to knock that wall down.

My Thoughts:

What a great way to start a new series! Lauren Runow brought all the feels to Diving Catch, and I was here for it! I have to say, it’s been a long time since I last dove into a novel that was focused on good vibes and less on angst. I felt Christy and Evan’s story was a breath of fresh air! I loved their connection from the very beginning!! Christy needed a man who was understanding and who would let her set the pace to a relationship. Evan was so understanding and did everything he could to make Christy comfortable. But, he also wasn’t afraid to softly tell her where he saw things going! EEK! I loved this man, and I loved reading this relationship. It had my heart fluttering!

Let’s not forget about the adorably hyper little boy in this novel. Nolan! I adored Christy and Nolan’s mother/son relationship. But there was something about Nolan and Evan that spoke to my heart. I loved how the puzzle pieces seemed to fit so perfectly. It was like Evan was meant to be Nolan’s father. He may not be biologically his, but Nolan is Evan’s son and this concept nearly brought a tear to my eye. I loved it so much!

And then we have the meddling sisters on both sides of the table. I loved the strong family ties this novel had to offer and I loved the meddling sisters!

Now for the reason why I dropped a ½ star rating. I adored every aspect of this novel, but somewhere towards the end, I would have loved to see a relationship blossom more between Nolan and his grandparents.

Overall, I adored this novel and Lauren Runow for writing a great slow build romance. I loved feeling the emotions these characters felt, I loved seeing a friendship bloom between Christy and Evan before turning into something more. I loved the fact that Evan let Christy set the pace in order to make her comfortable in a relationship. And last, but certainly not least, I loved baseball! I loved how Nolan (Christy’s little boy) loved baseball even before they met Evan! And I loved witnessing Evan step into the role of a proud father! Diving Catch by Lauren Runow touched my heart and awakened my soul! I couldn’t get enough of this novel!

_________



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[Ann Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy tears ending 😢🥰

What a wonderful story! Evan meets Christy, thanks to his sister, when he goes in for a haircut and the chemistry is instantaneous. I love how down to earth his character was and the connection he develops with her son. Such a sweet, heartwarming story with just a touch of drama and an ending that made me tear up.

[Jessica O'Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable

This was too cute! Such a sweet romance and match up for these two. Interesting to figure out who the real dad is. Love the bond Evan creates with Nolan throughout the story too. Very heartwarming

[Wonder Tre Reads -Tre Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A single mom, baseball romance is exactly what the heart needed. This story is filled with passion, excitement and a whole lot of love. Christy’s character is a strong independent woman that surrounds herself with those who love and support her. Evan is a man that follows his dreams and continues to stay down to earth through it all. These two together with Nolan too will pull at your heartstrings throughout this story. A book that I couldn’t and wouldn’t put down, beautifully written, wonderfully told and highly recommended to one click and read right away.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

This book was quick! Everything happened so fast and I get why, but I wish there was a little more relationship building. I love that they both were able to be themselves and were able to find love and happiness with each other and Nolan. It was definitely insta-love which is fine but it kind of paralleled a previous relationship in the book and could have taken a weird turn. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and the set up for the next books in the series!

[Lou Li Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evan has just been called up to play for the Tennessee Terrors baseball team as their newest recruit. In a sweet meet cute (where his sister has played match maker) he meets single mum Christy, who will now be his hairstylist as his appointments have already been scheduled for the next five months by his sister. Undeniable chemistry from the get go for these two, from furniture shopping to date nights at a concert, I love how easy their relationship is. Little bit of drama when we find out who Nolan’s dad really is, but it’s a great plot twist. Enjoyable read and looking forward to the series!

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own

[CONNIEBENNETT26 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Evan and Christy’s Story.
Lauren Runow has penned such a sweet and well written love story.
Love will always find a way. All characters from Evan , and Christy and her son ,Nolan will not only steal home plate, but your heart too.!
Excited to read more from Lauren Runow in the future.

“He first kissed me after saying he only plays games on the field, and then he kissed me goodbye.”

[Emily Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving Catch by Lauren Runow is a baseball, single mother romance between Evan, who has just been called up to the majors and his hairstylist and single mother Christy.
This one was very cute and was pretty short and I smashed it out in one day

[Ruthie Henrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woo hoo! I love love baseball books, and Evan and single mom Christy bring charm, sweetness, and heat to the backdrop of the big league ball park. I can’t wait to read the rest of the Tennessee Terrors series lineup!

[David Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this read. Great storyline.

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving Catch is the first instalment in a new series centered around the Tennessee Terrors baseball team, brought to life by ten talented authors. Each book is a standalone, yet part of a larger world filled with crossover characters—and if this debut by Laura Runow is any indication, we’re in for a home-run series.

This sweet, swoony single-mom romance hit all the right notes for me. Evans, the newly traded baseball player in town, is starting fresh with a new team and an empty condo. His one constant? A haircut every three weeks. When his sister—playing long-distance matchmaker—sets him up with a new hairdresser, sparks fly the moment he meets Christy.

Christy absolutely stole my heart. A hardworking single mom with a bright spirit and a lot of love to give, she’s the kind of heroine you root for from the very first page. And Evans? Total book boyfriend material. His instant connection with Christy’s son, Nolan, melted me. There’s something magical about watching a tough athlete become putty in a child’s hands, and it made my heart smile more than once.

The chemistry between Evans and Christy is undeniable, and the slow build of their relationship had just the right amount of steam, heart, and charm. The twist? Totally caught me by surprise—and gave the story an extra emotional punch. The ending? Pitch-perfect.

If you’re a fan of heartfelt sports romances with strong heroines, lovable heroes, and just enough heat to curl your toes, Diving Catch is a must-read. Laura Runow has delivered a feel-good love story that sets the stage beautifully for what promises to be an unforgettable series.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet single mom read. It will completely captivate you from the start as it keeps you turning the pages. I loved the characters, the banter and the sizzling chemistry. It’s an entertaining and heartwarming story. A must read.

[Trystan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This being the first book of the series is such a a shock to me. But in all the best ways💕


I’m a sucker for a single parent romance and this one did not disappoint! Christy and Evan.

Christy is such an amazing character. She is written as a fierce, strong and independent women. She holds her own as a mother and does anything for her son. Literally loved her from the start 😍

Evan is such a down to earth person and such a great man. He respects women and he respects Christy’s boundaries as a mom. A literal dream 😍


I really devoured this book within hours and was so sad when it was over such a great read.


ADD IT TO YOUR TBR! 📚 ⚾️ 💙

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and cute read. I enjoyed it. The no third act breakup was just what I needed.

[Becca Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad I stumbled upon this series … I love this book just like I have loved all her books and I’m so excited to dive into more of this series … some of my fave authors are part of this series.. I instantly fell in love with Evan …. I was in awe of Christy… and I wanted to squish Nolan’s cheeks …. Single parent is my jam so this was right up my alley!!! I hope the rest of the books have this amazing little family in it…

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This couple was adorable. Evan was amazing and Christy was the sweetest. Together their chemistry was fire. And his sister was so much fun. It was a sweet story with equal amount of heat and sweet and just enough drama. Loved it!

[Kamila Mykhailiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. Amazing characters and wonderful plots. Very beautifully written and easy to read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of the Tennessee Terrors Series!

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

Diving Catch by Lauren Runoff is an emotionally charged sports romance that blends the excitement of a rookie baseball player with the heartfelt struggles of a single mother. This enemies-to-lovers story is brimming with chemistry, humour, and an undercurrent of personal healing.

Evan, a newly drafted baseball player for the Tennessee Terrors, has spent years working his way through the minor leagues, living his dream but sacrificing stability. When his sister sets him up with a hairstylist, he has no idea that this decision will change the course of his life. Enter Christy, a strong, independent woman who’s swearing off romance after a painful past that left her to raise her son on her own. She’s not looking for love—especially not with a handsome, charming, and very famous athlete.

The connection between Evan and Christy is immediate and undeniable. However, Christy’s protective instincts for her son, and the emotional scars from her past, create a compelling conflict that keeps the readers invested. Her decision to keep her distance from Evan while trying to figure out her own feelings feels very real and relatable.
What works best in Diving Catch is the slow burn of their relationship. As the tension builds between them, the story naturally unfolds into a blend of sweet moments and heated exchanges. There’s a strong emotional depth to both characters as they navigate the realities of balancing personal aspirations, family responsibilities, and the vulnerability that comes with opening up to someone new.

The baseball backdrop adds a fun dimension to the story, giving readers a glimpse into the world of professional sports while staying grounded in the human side of the characters. Evan's sweet interactions with Christy’s son are particularly heartwarming, making it clear how much he’s willing to sacrifice for a chance at true happiness.

If you enjoy sports romance, second-chance love, and stories where healing and growth are just as important as love itself, Diving Catch is the perfect read. It’s charming, heartfelt, and offers a wonderful balance of tenderness and passion, with a heroine who will tug at your heartstrings and a hero who makes you believe in second chances.

[Book Nerdy 2020 · Rating 3 out of 5]

DIVING CATCH By Lauren Runow


Evan
For the past few years, the only consistent thing in my life was getting my hair cut every few weeks. Grinding my way through the minor leagues meant spending many days on the road and moving at the drop of a dime. I never cared though. I was living my dream and playing the game I love.
When I finally make it to the show, I should have known my sister was up to something when she found me a hairstylist and even went as far as scheduling my appointments for the next few months.

Christy
I had no clue who would walk through the salon’s door after a woman called to schedule an appointment for her brother. She’d completely left out the fact that he had just moved to Nashville to play for the Tennessee Terrors baseball team as their new rookie left fielder.
Of course I notice the athletically fit, handsome man sitting in my chair, but I swore off dating any of my clients after the last one left me pregnant and alone.
My son is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I love that it’s just the two of us.
When the Terrors have an open batting session inviting families to come watch, catching a ball is the most exciting thing I think will happen, but when the cute guy on the field comes over to talk to my son, I see it's the same guy who sat in my chair today.

😊What i liked -

✔ Insta Love/Single Parent/Sports.
✔ I loved Evan and Nolan's relationship. It was so cute to read about it.
✔ Christy was a fun character.
✔ I laughed so hard when both the sisters were shipping them so hard and weren't even subtle about it.
✔ I loved the heartwarming end.
✔ It was a quick and sweet read.

🤔What could have been better-

✔ I left the book was a bit rushed. I would have liked to see a bit of a build-up in their relationship.

📚Who Should read :
👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover
💏Insta Love Romance
⚾Sports Romance

📈My Rating : 3.5/5

Thank you, Lauren Runow and Wordsmith Publicity, for a copy.

[Samantha Bosnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read, who doesn't love a sport romance, then you throw in a single mom and the world changes.

Evan is a happy single man, doing what he wants and loves, baseball. He lives for himself, no commitments except to Tennesse Terrors. Well, his sister didn't agree and secretly set him up to meet someone, he needed his hair cut, it was wild, so she made an appointment for him where he meets Christy, his new stylist. Christy is a single mom, her son Nolan, she is doing the best she can raising her son. One day at work guess who walks in Evan, and Christy does recognize this sizzling hot baseball player, but no she can't go down that road again, no dating clients, hence why she has Nolan.

They end up meeting again, as Christy and her son are at a game, and when she looks, she sees her son talking to a Tennesse Terror player, oh no, it's him, Evan. Evan falls in love with Christy and Nolan so flawlessly, it felt right. He just needed to show Christy that they could make this work.

The story flowed fast, well written and their story didn't feel rushed, and he is no longer mad at his sister anymore she made a good diving catch for him. You need to read, lovely love story.

[neus.dreamybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of a new sports romance series (baseball) and each book is written by a different author and can be read as standalones.

Evan is new in town and in the baseball team so when he goes to cut his hair no one knows him. Christy is his new hairstyler and a gorgeous single mom of a baseball mini player.

When she goes to an open batting session of the Tenessee Terrors with her son and her sister's family she can't believe that the new baseball player is the man who was in her chair earlier.

They start to chat and he invited her and her son to his first game in the suite with his family. She was nervous but his sister was who called and made the appointment to the saloon so they hit it off.

This romance is fast paced, specially being her a single mom but Evan is great with her and her son and he is often on the road so they start to try to spend as much time as they can soon.

There's a little plot twist but there are clues since the beginning about it so it's easy to see it coming.

I really enjoyed their story because it's spicy, funny and a feel good kind of story. I read it really fast because I couldn't put it down.

- ARC read-

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! I love a sweet novel! I have read other novels by this author and really enjoyed them. This novel did not disappoint. I love a slow burn love story and throw in a sports theme and you can count me in. This novel checked so many boxes for me. I love a strong single mom who is protective and willing to do whatever she needs to for her child. From the first chapter this novel captured my attention and it held it for the entire novel. I loved Evan and Christy. I loved Evan and how focused he was on making it to the big leagues, but I loved that once he met Christy and Nolan he was determined to make them his family. I loved Christy and despite being so cautious after being hurt in past relationships she slowly opens her heart to Evan. I loved their chemistry. So so good! I loved Evan and Nolan's relationship. Once I started reading this novel I didn't want to put it down. It was such a fun sweet novel to read. Loved it! I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next.

[Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evan's dream has always been to play baseball. Playing in the league and making it big. When all his hard work finally pays off, he can't be more than excited. The only other constant in his life is his need to get his haircut every few weeks. When his sister finds a new stylist in the town he's not playing in, he doesn't realize it's about to become more than that. Christy is a single mom and a hairstylist just trying to make it through the day sometimes. She's busy with the salon and her son and doesn't need any distractions. Well, sadly for her, one just walked in to sit in her chair. Evan and Christy hit it off, and when she finds out that he's a professional baseball player, well, her life is about to go topsy-turvy. These two definitely would love to get to know each other, and they do, but someone is trying to sabotage it all. And when that truth is revealed, it will be shocking. Evan, though, will fight tooth and nail to keep Christy and her son. Will she let him be there for them when the dust settles?

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and charming romance. Evan is 100% book boyfriend material. Sweet and kind, didn’t let making to the big leagues get to his head. Christy is a strong mom when it comes to having raised her son, Nolan, on her own. But that relationship she had with his father really hurt her and I felt for her and understood her hesitancy. Trust is earned. But when you can’t trust yourself or are left to believe you’re not worth it, that stays with you no matter how often others tell you that you are. Evan was full on supportive to be there for her no matter what, to take things as slow as possible. This book was not only about finding love again with another person, but I felt it was also about finding love of yourself. This was a feel good, heart warming cute romance that held some rediscovery of oneself worth through the eyes of someone that never gave up. I felt this was a beautiful story and think everyone should give it a chance.

Thank you to @lauren_runow and @wordsmithpublicity for the review copy.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
What a way to kick off this multi author series. I love baseball and some of my favorite authors are a part of this so I knew I was going to really enjoy this series. This first book just proved that thought right. A single mom romance to kick it off, yes please. This was such a great make you feel good romance. So much heart and feels. I couldn't put it down. Evan is so going to make you swoon. The one thing that stood out to me the most was how considerate Evan is of Christy's son Nolan. Having been raised by a single mom I know how her children are her number one so that Evan gets that especially because his sister was a single mom is everything. There is also plenty of humor as well. I appreciated the playful camaraderie with the players especially with Evan as the new rookie. Nolan is such a little cutie. The instant bond between him and Evan was a favorite part of mine. This is is a must read! Can't wait for more from these Tennessee Terrors.

[Ria · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf

It’s a lot of telling and not a lot of showing. It’s 90% dialogue with only a few introspective or narrative or even descriptive parts. The writing paints a clear picture but despite the laughter of the characters on the page, it all still falls a bit flat. The picture is clear but black and white. A lot of times, esp at the start since i didn’t bother finishing this, when the characters are laughing with each other, I don’t feel the joy they feel. It’s almost like reading, “he said a joke. She laughed.” End of story. That’s what it felt like.

I didn’t feel the giddyness one would feel when the main characters’ chemistry goes off the charts. It was all just blah. Even when the problem/climax happened, I just felt underwhelmed… maybe not even whelmed at all.

So yeah. I liked the premise but the writing is mid. I’m sorry to the author for saying that, but I’m sure they’ll write better next time.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy is a single mother to her seven-year-old son Nolan who loves baseball so when the professional teams holds an event for the fans they attend. The last person she expected to see was Evan, a new client whose hair she has recently cut.

Evan has achieved his dream of being promoted from the minor to the major league team. He was attracted to Christy when they first met, and he appreciated the fact that she wasn’t impressed by the fact that he was an athlete. As he gets closer to Christy and Evan he knows that he wants a future with them and will do whatever is necessary to make that happen.

The feelings between Christy and Evan were strong from the beginning and they never wavered. It was great to see them always put what Nolan needed first and let their relationship unfold at a pace that worked for all of them.