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Coming Up Clutch
College freshman Kelly “Razor” Mitchell boldly asked out senior star pitcher Ashton Sharpe and was crushed when Ashton turned her down. Seven years later, Ashton is one of the team’s coaches and shows up on Razor’s doorstep asking her to don her gear once more. Razor is cautious. She hung up her cleats early for a reason. But Ashton is very persuasive and as beautiful as ever, and Razor can’t help but hope the longing in her gaze has nothing to do with softball.
Ashton has few regrets, but one is turning down Razor’s request for a date back in college. Ashton can’t think about what-ifs now, or how great Razor looks, or her dormant feelings stirring. A crisis has left the university softball team without a catcher, and their best solution is the one person Ashton never expected to see again.
Ashton and Razor’s coach-player dynamic gets tricky as the sparks fly faster than a line drive. As they struggle with old feelings and new discoveries, the season seems endless. Plus, Razor is sure Ashton won’t want to explore romantic possibilities once she discovers the real reason Razor abruptly departed the team all those years ago.
Ashton has few regrets, but one is turning down Razor’s request for a date back in college. Ashton can’t think about what-ifs now, or how great Razor looks, or her dormant feelings stirring. A crisis has left the university softball team without a catcher, and their best solution is the one person Ashton never expected to see again.
Ashton and Razor’s coach-player dynamic gets tricky as the sparks fly faster than a line drive. As they struggle with old feelings and new discoveries, the season seems endless. Plus, Razor is sure Ashton won’t want to explore romantic possibilities once she discovers the real reason Razor abruptly departed the team all those years ago.
Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 13, 2025
3.75⭐️
As you maybe already know, I'm a sucker for sports romances. But here in Switzerland, softball isn't that big, and therefore I don't know much about it, and I can't judge the part about the game.
Kelly “Razor” Mitchell was a talented college softball player. When she quit her sport very suddenly, various rumors quickly circulated as to why. Ashton Sharpe had only played with Razor for one year before transferring overseas, and something she regrets to this day is that she didn't give Razor a chance to date back then.
Seven years later, Ashton is now one of the team coaches trying to solve a crisis in the team. She tries to convince Razor to play another season to help the team. And maybe there will even be a second chance for the two women.
What I really liked was the dynamic in the team and how it changed. How it initially consisted of individual players and only came together to form a real team after some time and some team activities. I know this from my own experience in the team sport of handball. And I also know how much better you play as a team when the atmosphere and camaraderie is good. The author also addresses important issues such as bullying, intrigue and attempted sexual assault, which unfortunately still happen in sport. The story is very realistic for the most part and I was drawn in right from the start by all the different levels that are well interwoven.
I especially liked Razor right from the start, she is an exciting, combative, and caring person, an absolute team player who we get to know really well over time. Ashton is also a good egg, caring, hard working, and lovable. Both take their responsibility for the team and their jobs very seriously and don't let their feelings for each other tempt them to break the rules. The second chance, slow-burn romance is very nice.
The supporting cast is very well integrated and brings a lot of depth to the story.
It looks like this is Anna Gram's debut novel, and I look forward to reading more of her stories.
An interesting and exciting sports romance.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC.
As you maybe already know, I'm a sucker for sports romances. But here in Switzerland, softball isn't that big, and therefore I don't know much about it, and I can't judge the part about the game.
Kelly “Razor” Mitchell was a talented college softball player. When she quit her sport very suddenly, various rumors quickly circulated as to why. Ashton Sharpe had only played with Razor for one year before transferring overseas, and something she regrets to this day is that she didn't give Razor a chance to date back then.
Seven years later, Ashton is now one of the team coaches trying to solve a crisis in the team. She tries to convince Razor to play another season to help the team. And maybe there will even be a second chance for the two women.
What I really liked was the dynamic in the team and how it changed. How it initially consisted of individual players and only came together to form a real team after some time and some team activities. I know this from my own experience in the team sport of handball. And I also know how much better you play as a team when the atmosphere and camaraderie is good. The author also addresses important issues such as bullying, intrigue and attempted sexual assault, which unfortunately still happen in sport. The story is very realistic for the most part and I was drawn in right from the start by all the different levels that are well interwoven.
I especially liked Razor right from the start, she is an exciting, combative, and caring person, an absolute team player who we get to know really well over time. Ashton is also a good egg, caring, hard working, and lovable. Both take their responsibility for the team and their jobs very seriously and don't let their feelings for each other tempt them to break the rules. The second chance, slow-burn romance is very nice.
The supporting cast is very well integrated and brings a lot of depth to the story.
It looks like this is Anna Gram's debut novel, and I look forward to reading more of her stories.
An interesting and exciting sports romance.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC.
April 10, 2025
I am always up for a sports romance. Ashton Sharpe and “Razor” Mitchell played one year of college softball together. Ashton graduated and went on to play in Japan. Now she is back as an assistant coach for a college team. After their star catcher is injured the head coach reaches out to Razor. She left college early and has one year left of eligibility. Razor decides to take up the challenge.
I like softball and understand the sport. There is tension between Razor and the star pitcher as they learn to trust each other. Razor also has guilt over an incident that happened when she was previously playing. And there are coaching issues as well. The story almost reads as a YA novel until almost the end. There are romantic sparks between Ashton and Razor but they choose to delay any actions until after the season.
Overall I enjoyed the story. I like that the couple doesn’t break rules to be together. The scheming felt far fetched but I went with it as part of the story. And I thought the team building and coming out storyline brought some added realism. This is seemingly a debut novel and I will look forward to what the author writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review. (3.5 Stars)
I like softball and understand the sport. There is tension between Razor and the star pitcher as they learn to trust each other. Razor also has guilt over an incident that happened when she was previously playing. And there are coaching issues as well. The story almost reads as a YA novel until almost the end. There are romantic sparks between Ashton and Razor but they choose to delay any actions until after the season.
Overall I enjoyed the story. I like that the couple doesn’t break rules to be together. The scheming felt far fetched but I went with it as part of the story. And I thought the team building and coming out storyline brought some added realism. This is seemingly a debut novel and I will look forward to what the author writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review. (3.5 Stars)
January 2, 2026
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
love a good sports story and this one didnt disappoint
razor has retired from softball so when she is approached by her crush ashton to play again... though she does refuse at first how can she turn down her crush.....
and as they begin to work together again feelings start to appear.....
but the team have a few issues that need sorting out plus is there someone close by who is causing trouble
its an interesting read and though i know nothing about softball i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author
love a good sports story and this one didnt disappoint
razor has retired from softball so when she is approached by her crush ashton to play again... though she does refuse at first how can she turn down her crush.....
and as they begin to work together again feelings start to appear.....
but the team have a few issues that need sorting out plus is there someone close by who is causing trouble
its an interesting read and though i know nothing about softball i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author
July 1, 2025
Kelly ‘Razor’ Mitchell runs her late mom’s business Slugfest, a softball batting cage in Walnut Ridge, a small town in Arkansas.
Ashton Sharpe is assistant coach for the Hornets, a university women’s softball team based at Jonesboro, only twenty minutes from Walnut Ridge.
This is quite a complicated story, based on mistakes and missed opportunities from the women’s past. There are also scenes of abuse which some readers may find difficult.
I knew nothing about softball before reading this, but now I have some general idea. It assumes the reader knows about softball and baseball, mostly only US sports. Something more to learn about!
A good story, a lot of trust between the two women and also the other very well portrayed players on the team.
Ashton Sharpe is assistant coach for the Hornets, a university women’s softball team based at Jonesboro, only twenty minutes from Walnut Ridge.
This is quite a complicated story, based on mistakes and missed opportunities from the women’s past. There are also scenes of abuse which some readers may find difficult.
I knew nothing about softball before reading this, but now I have some general idea. It assumes the reader knows about softball and baseball, mostly only US sports. Something more to learn about!
A good story, a lot of trust between the two women and also the other very well portrayed players on the team.
April 13, 2025
I enjoyed this debut novel by Anna Gram. The book had excellent chemistry from the beginning. There was angst outside of the MCs, but not directly relating to the MCs.
I enjoyed reading the growth of the MC. It is a good softball story that I will come back to read again.
For a debut novel, Gram excelled in telling her story. I see that there are areas of growth. I look forward to what she will bring us next.
I enjoyed reading the growth of the MC. It is a good softball story that I will come back to read again.
For a debut novel, Gram excelled in telling her story. I see that there are areas of growth. I look forward to what she will bring us next.
April 25, 2025
An interesting story about a group of softball players that learn to be a team...both athletically and emotionally. The emotional part played a big part in the story.
I liked how the jealousy, disrespect and laziness became friends, loyal and hardworking.
The romance was hot and scary because I kept worrying a scandal would arise. But we didnt get the typical 2/3's of the story break up. Thankfully the one lover didn't believe the negative stories or suggestive photos she was shown. More realistic.
But there is a shocking event. And it will make you scared, angry and feel helpless not to mention creepy. This brings the entire team and coaches together.
The story had a nice even pace, never a slow down. All characters are interesting and have side stories of their own. But the main character, Razor is the main focus. And how she got the nickname Razor is dangled throughout. Which makes you very curious. That was very clever.
Not your usual softball story. More about coming together as a team, rather than winning.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review
I liked how the jealousy, disrespect and laziness became friends, loyal and hardworking.
The romance was hot and scary because I kept worrying a scandal would arise. But we didnt get the typical 2/3's of the story break up. Thankfully the one lover didn't believe the negative stories or suggestive photos she was shown. More realistic.
But there is a shocking event. And it will make you scared, angry and feel helpless not to mention creepy. This brings the entire team and coaches together.
The story had a nice even pace, never a slow down. All characters are interesting and have side stories of their own. But the main character, Razor is the main focus. And how she got the nickname Razor is dangled throughout. Which makes you very curious. That was very clever.
Not your usual softball story. More about coming together as a team, rather than winning.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review
May 20, 2025
Cute Second Chance Romance!
Razor was crushed when Ashton turned her down, but now she has the opportunity to join a softball team Ashton coaches, and she cannot say no to Ashton. It’s not ideal, but Ashton has to ignore the regrets her past self-made regarding Ashton, but it’s getting tricky with Razor being so kind, and a great influence on the team.
Loved this! Sports romances always need a delicate balance to make sure they are not too heavily focused on the romance or the sport, and Anna achieved the perfect balance. It was about the people and the team, especially when it wasn’t just Ashton involved in the team who Razor had past connections with. Razor had reason to be wary, and she was very aware of the events that happened that made her stop playing softball early in the first place. Despite how she felt and her wariness, she put her heart and soul into mentoring and helping the other members of the team to excel, which made me love her.
Ashton was a bit of a mystery, but as she reconnected with Razor all the truth about the past for both of them was being revealed and process of healing had started. Even though she had heart Razor in the past, Ashton was determined to try and be better this time, starting by trying to avoid her feelings to save them from any complication that could harm the team, then learning she was only harming herself by holding back. The feelings she had for Razor was stronger than she seemed to think, and Razor’s willingness and commitment to the team was clearly factoring into making her fall even further for her.
I enjoyed every moment of the story and when it all started to blow up with drama and scandal that threatened to take Razor out of Ashton’s life again, I loved her commitment to making sure Razor didn’t carry the hurt and blame this time. They had a strong, solid connection that I adored, and couldn’t wait for them to get the happy ending they deserved.
Razor was crushed when Ashton turned her down, but now she has the opportunity to join a softball team Ashton coaches, and she cannot say no to Ashton. It’s not ideal, but Ashton has to ignore the regrets her past self-made regarding Ashton, but it’s getting tricky with Razor being so kind, and a great influence on the team.
Loved this! Sports romances always need a delicate balance to make sure they are not too heavily focused on the romance or the sport, and Anna achieved the perfect balance. It was about the people and the team, especially when it wasn’t just Ashton involved in the team who Razor had past connections with. Razor had reason to be wary, and she was very aware of the events that happened that made her stop playing softball early in the first place. Despite how she felt and her wariness, she put her heart and soul into mentoring and helping the other members of the team to excel, which made me love her.
Ashton was a bit of a mystery, but as she reconnected with Razor all the truth about the past for both of them was being revealed and process of healing had started. Even though she had heart Razor in the past, Ashton was determined to try and be better this time, starting by trying to avoid her feelings to save them from any complication that could harm the team, then learning she was only harming herself by holding back. The feelings she had for Razor was stronger than she seemed to think, and Razor’s willingness and commitment to the team was clearly factoring into making her fall even further for her.
I enjoyed every moment of the story and when it all started to blow up with drama and scandal that threatened to take Razor out of Ashton’s life again, I loved her commitment to making sure Razor didn’t carry the hurt and blame this time. They had a strong, solid connection that I adored, and couldn’t wait for them to get the happy ending they deserved.
March 3, 2026
I LOVE a sports romance, but when you pair it with a slooooow burn, it’s just 😙🤌🏼 so good! The chemistry between the MCs was super believable, and kept me interested from start to finish. This book did touch on some heavy subjects, and the author handled them with grace. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥 (but you gotta waaaaaait for it)
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥 (but you gotta waaaaaait for it)
March 16, 2025
In Coming Up Clutch we meet Kelly “Razor” Mitchell, a former college softball player who left the sport seven years earlier and her former teammate, Ashton Sharpe. Back in their playing days, Ashton had turned down Razor’s bold attempt at asking her out and this has become one of Ashton's biggest regrets in life. When the two women are brought back together as a result of a crisis in the university softball team, the sparks are still there. The problem is that Ashton is now staff at the university and an assistant coach on the team while Razor has been brought back onto the team as a player. This new dynamic makes it problematic for anything to happen between them but this certainly doesn’t stop the sparks from flying.
On top of this there are tension in the team including other players who do not initially warm to the idea of Razor coming on board, Razor’s struggle to be a team member and not try to coach her teammates, and other characters plotting in the background to foil Razor’s return to the sport, much of which follows on from the initial incident seven years earlier which drove her away from playing in the first place.
What follows is a story of the developing reconnection between Ashton and Razor in an atmosphere full of jealousy, distrust, power plays and scheming. The question is whether the two women can balance their growing attraction with the need to protect Ashley’s career and to salvage Razor’s reputation. I was drawn in from the very start of the story and found it very difficult to put the book down until it was finished. I’m really hoping that there will be more works from this author in the future and I will certainly be looking out for them.
I am grateful to Anna Gram, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of Coming Up Clutch and am leaving this review voluntarily.
On top of this there are tension in the team including other players who do not initially warm to the idea of Razor coming on board, Razor’s struggle to be a team member and not try to coach her teammates, and other characters plotting in the background to foil Razor’s return to the sport, much of which follows on from the initial incident seven years earlier which drove her away from playing in the first place.
What follows is a story of the developing reconnection between Ashton and Razor in an atmosphere full of jealousy, distrust, power plays and scheming. The question is whether the two women can balance their growing attraction with the need to protect Ashley’s career and to salvage Razor’s reputation. I was drawn in from the very start of the story and found it very difficult to put the book down until it was finished. I’m really hoping that there will be more works from this author in the future and I will certainly be looking out for them.
I am grateful to Anna Gram, Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of Coming Up Clutch and am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 17, 2025
Coming up clutch, is a story about softball. Now I am not an expert nor really know anything about softball so if you enjoy the sport this is definitely for you as really this is central to the story. We meet Razor who gets an opportunity to retell her story as a catcher on her uni softball team.
Razor is a really interesting character she is troubled and tormented by a sexual assault (not to her and not on page) that ended up getting her shut out by her team for doing the right thing. We learn about her past, who she is and rightly what she stands for.
There is a wide range of characters, coaches, teammates, family and new friends but the romantic focus is on Ashton where the dual POV starts. It is definitely not a solid sports romance but it has its moments but is strictly professional until the last few chapters where honestly it felt very YA prior to that point, I would have liked more but the real focus is softball and in reality mental health caused by trauma. There is further trauma caused including some questionable choices by a further coach which that have a deep impact on Razor and the team.
It is an enjoyable read but for me felt too long and in places slow, I really wanted the book to hurry up and get to the point! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an opportunity to read prior to realise on the 15th April.
Razor is a really interesting character she is troubled and tormented by a sexual assault (not to her and not on page) that ended up getting her shut out by her team for doing the right thing. We learn about her past, who she is and rightly what she stands for.
There is a wide range of characters, coaches, teammates, family and new friends but the romantic focus is on Ashton where the dual POV starts. It is definitely not a solid sports romance but it has its moments but is strictly professional until the last few chapters where honestly it felt very YA prior to that point, I would have liked more but the real focus is softball and in reality mental health caused by trauma. There is further trauma caused including some questionable choices by a further coach which that have a deep impact on Razor and the team.
It is an enjoyable read but for me felt too long and in places slow, I really wanted the book to hurry up and get to the point! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an opportunity to read prior to realise on the 15th April.
March 28, 2025
What a delightful read! The story is about Razor's journey back to the softball field seven years after walking away. It is fraught with tension and chemistry between Razor and Ashton and the outside forces that are against Razor's success.
What I loved most about this story is the dynamic between Razor and Ashton. Both ladies have regrets about the past. Ashton regrets turning down Razor, and Razor regrets pushing her friend to seek legal action for her abuse when she wasn't ready, which left Razor being ostracized from her former team. Both have become successful in their own right, but seeing each other again stirs up all kinds of emotions. Their awkward tension as they navigate their coach/player dynamics feels so authentic, and the push and pull of old feelings against new feelings is well done. As we go deeper into the story, the stakes rise. The slow burn between Razor and Ashton is palpable, and though they wanted to take things slow for the sake of the game, I was ready for them to get with it! The connection isn't just physical. It's emotional and deep.
Sports romances are not my usual go-to, but this one is beautifully written. The games are exciting, and the team coming together is sweet to see. I was so glad when the "instigator" was finally revealed! You could spot them from a mile away.
Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC.
What I loved most about this story is the dynamic between Razor and Ashton. Both ladies have regrets about the past. Ashton regrets turning down Razor, and Razor regrets pushing her friend to seek legal action for her abuse when she wasn't ready, which left Razor being ostracized from her former team. Both have become successful in their own right, but seeing each other again stirs up all kinds of emotions. Their awkward tension as they navigate their coach/player dynamics feels so authentic, and the push and pull of old feelings against new feelings is well done. As we go deeper into the story, the stakes rise. The slow burn between Razor and Ashton is palpable, and though they wanted to take things slow for the sake of the game, I was ready for them to get with it! The connection isn't just physical. It's emotional and deep.
Sports romances are not my usual go-to, but this one is beautifully written. The games are exciting, and the team coming together is sweet to see. I was so glad when the "instigator" was finally revealed! You could spot them from a mile away.
Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC.
April 7, 2025
I first want to thank Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for giving me the opportunity to read Coming Up Clutch by Anna Gram. This review is solely my own opinion. I LOVED this book! Coming Up Clutch reminded me why I absolutely love sports romance stories. The story follows Kellie "Razor" Mitchell, a softball sensation that suddenly leaves the game and doesn't look back. Then there's Ashton. She was a pitcher who played in Japan after leaving college and now coaches a college softball team while working on her PhD. Razor and Ashton briefly played on the same softball team, and during this time, Razor asked Ashton out. Ashton, not so gentlely, told her no. 5 years after Razor abruptly leaves the sport, Ashton needs her help. She is going into the season without a catcher. Razor agrees to help, and their feelings for each other rekindle from there. The story was great, a great mix of sports, romance, and other subplots. I definitely recommend this read. I will most likely purchase when it gets released this month on the 15th. I gave this book 5 stars.
April 15, 2025
Coming Up Clutch by Anna Gram is a compelling sapphic romance that skillfully blends heartfelt emotion with darker, more complex themes. Set against the backdrop of personal growth and evolving relationships, the novel offers a well-written narrative that captures the highs and lows of navigating love, identity, and adversity.
Gram’s prose is engaging, and the character development stands out as a highlight of the story. The protagonists grow not only in their relationship with each other but also in how they confront personal struggles, making their journey feel both authentic and deeply rewarding. The romance is tender and genuine, but what sets this book apart is its willingness to explore challenging moments, giving the story emotional depth and resonance.
Coming Up Clutch is a strong addition to the sapphic romance genre—both heartwarming and unafraid to tackle real, difficult issues. Readers looking for a meaningful, emotionally layered love story will find a lot to admire here.
Gram’s prose is engaging, and the character development stands out as a highlight of the story. The protagonists grow not only in their relationship with each other but also in how they confront personal struggles, making their journey feel both authentic and deeply rewarding. The romance is tender and genuine, but what sets this book apart is its willingness to explore challenging moments, giving the story emotional depth and resonance.
Coming Up Clutch is a strong addition to the sapphic romance genre—both heartwarming and unafraid to tackle real, difficult issues. Readers looking for a meaningful, emotionally layered love story will find a lot to admire here.
September 4, 2025
Coming Up Clutch is a college softball team romance focused on former teammates Ashton and Razor who are now coach and catcher respectively. The machinations required to put Razor back on the college team as catcher are a bit convoluted and perhaps best not examined too closely.
The story arc does a decent job exploring the many factors required to pull a cohesive team together. Some of the team building activities succeed a little too quickly, but that is a minor point. Off the field there are multiple story threads, encompassing several characters from a well-developed supporting cast.
On the darker side, there are multiple incidents of assault, both past and present. The fear and frustration in bringing charges, and making them stick, are critical plot points. However, the message is somewhat blunted by melodrama when Razor’s vindication hangs in the balance when a key witness is delayed by a cow going into labor.
Theatrical moments aside, this is an engaging tale with likable main characters and a satisfying conclusion.
The story arc does a decent job exploring the many factors required to pull a cohesive team together. Some of the team building activities succeed a little too quickly, but that is a minor point. Off the field there are multiple story threads, encompassing several characters from a well-developed supporting cast.
On the darker side, there are multiple incidents of assault, both past and present. The fear and frustration in bringing charges, and making them stick, are critical plot points. However, the message is somewhat blunted by melodrama when Razor’s vindication hangs in the balance when a key witness is delayed by a cow going into labor.
Theatrical moments aside, this is an engaging tale with likable main characters and a satisfying conclusion.
March 17, 2025
This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it for the most part. I love softball so this captured my attention from the start, but fell short of what I was expecting.
Kelly "Razor" Mitchell left softball behind 5 years ago after a series of incidents and is now focused on her business and everything that entails until Ashton Sharpe waltz's back into her office and her life and gives her a chance to play again if only for a season.
Ashton Sharpe has a lot of regrets, but not giving Razor a chance was one of the biggest. When she has a chance to be back in Razor's life, she jumps at the opportunity, but its not all sunshine and rainbows for either of them.
I do think there should be a warning for assault even though its only talked about for the most part. This a super super slow burn with a decent amount of angst and revolves around softball which I love. It dragged on and on in some parts, but it did have some suspense woven throughout.
Kelly "Razor" Mitchell left softball behind 5 years ago after a series of incidents and is now focused on her business and everything that entails until Ashton Sharpe waltz's back into her office and her life and gives her a chance to play again if only for a season.
Ashton Sharpe has a lot of regrets, but not giving Razor a chance was one of the biggest. When she has a chance to be back in Razor's life, she jumps at the opportunity, but its not all sunshine and rainbows for either of them.
I do think there should be a warning for assault even though its only talked about for the most part. This a super super slow burn with a decent amount of angst and revolves around softball which I love. It dragged on and on in some parts, but it did have some suspense woven throughout.
April 1, 2025
I had high hopes for this book. I'm a sucker for sports romances and this is the first softball one I had seen. While not a bad story, I feel the writing was more wattpad than published (a lot more tell vs show). I believe this is the author's first book, so I'm sure that could change as they continue their craft. The one thing that truly bothered me was when Ashton (one of the main characters) was at the batting cage, she said "For the first time in her life, she'd hit a softball." If she was a decent enough college pitcher that she made it to Japan, she would have hit a softball before (likely by age 5). I liked the realism of the dramas they were facing. I liked how there was representation of sports psychology. I appreciated they waited (sort of) to start their relationship until the semester was up so they weren't caught having inappropriate relations between coach & player. Thanks for the opportunity NetGalley & the publisher.
June 2, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the digital review copy.
This is more about Razor learning how to exist in the aftermath of everything than it is a romance, which I appreciated. The softball details are strong—realistic without being overexplained—and Razor’s arc is handled with a lot of care. You can tell Gram actually understands the sport and the weight it can carry for someone who’s stepped away from it.
Some plot points required a bit of buy-in—Razor being brought back into the team dynamic that quickly didn’t totally track for me—and the romance didn’t hit as hard as her personal growth or the stronger relationship threads elsewhere. A few of the side characters felt underdeveloped.
Still, it’s a steady, emotionally honest read with a main character who feels layered and real.
This is more about Razor learning how to exist in the aftermath of everything than it is a romance, which I appreciated. The softball details are strong—realistic without being overexplained—and Razor’s arc is handled with a lot of care. You can tell Gram actually understands the sport and the weight it can carry for someone who’s stepped away from it.
Some plot points required a bit of buy-in—Razor being brought back into the team dynamic that quickly didn’t totally track for me—and the romance didn’t hit as hard as her personal growth or the stronger relationship threads elsewhere. A few of the side characters felt underdeveloped.
Still, it’s a steady, emotionally honest read with a main character who feels layered and real.
March 18, 2025
This was a sweet romance, that I’d be tempted to classify as second-chance adjacent. We meet Ashton and Razor, who played softball for the same university but only fleetingly overlapped during their time in university, only now Ashton is a coach and Razor returns to fill an opening on the team. The dynamic between these two characters is good, and both characters seemed realistic and relatable. I’m not an athlete so can’t speak to how realistic the whole scenario about Razor returning to play is. Overarching spotlights on trauma, grief, mental health, and recovery/retirement all were covered with care. I would enjoy reading another book set in this same universe.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
March 16, 2025
Despite not knowing much about softball I was prepared to give this book a chance, perhaps the story around the game was worth the time I spent reading the book. Unfortunately, more than 80% of the book was about details about the game, 10% about a Person trying to destroy everything for Razor and 10% about the love story between Razor and Ashton that in my mind should have much more of a focus. On top of that the writing really was dragging and I had a hard time to finish the book.
If you are really interested in softball this book may be worth to read but if not, it is probably not the book for you.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.
If you are really interested in softball this book may be worth to read but if not, it is probably not the book for you.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.
March 24, 2025
This second-chance romance is an absolute home run! The chemistry between Razor and Ashton is electric, with tension crackling from the moment they reunite. As they navigate old regrets and a rekindled connection, unexpected betrayal and jealousy from a trusted friend add even more emotional stakes, making their journey even more intense. The sports backdrop adds an exciting layer, but at its heart, this is a story about love, growth, and second chances. Every stolen glance and heated exchange feels incredibly real, and the mix of passion, angst, and drama makes this book impossible to put down!
March 22, 2025
Before I get into my review of “Coming Up Clutch”, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC.
This book has some really important themes (trauma, SA (not on the page), mental health, etc. so make sure to check TWs before reading!
This book felt kind of YA-ie to me for a while until towards the end, which I kind of enjoyed!
As someone who knows absolutely nothing about softball, I still enjoyed this book!
This book has some really important themes (trauma, SA (not on the page), mental health, etc. so make sure to check TWs before reading!
This book felt kind of YA-ie to me for a while until towards the end, which I kind of enjoyed!
As someone who knows absolutely nothing about softball, I still enjoyed this book!
May 30, 2025
Razor, a former college softball player, is surprised to be asked to be a fill in for the local team. She would have turned it down, but her former crush Ashton is the one asking.
Ashton has always regretted shooting down Razor back in the day, and she's a excellent player. But as they get closer, something dangerous is happening in the background.
Good read, but the villain reveal felt weird. Especially the big infodump at the end.
Ashton has always regretted shooting down Razor back in the day, and she's a excellent player. But as they get closer, something dangerous is happening in the background.
Good read, but the villain reveal felt weird. Especially the big infodump at the end.
April 18, 2026
This is a beautifully written second chance, slow burn novel that leaves a fulfilled feeling in the reader. A love that lasts despite the time that's passed. This novels depicts a transformation in both a main character; Razor must overcome her own limitations where she feared making the wrong decisions, whilst Summer had to learn to trust people. These interwoven stories give depth to the authors ability to write multidimensional novels. A great read!
April 4, 2025
This one is perfect for anyone that loves the sport. It’s a heavy focus and not enough focus in the romance. It’s sad because I think there is a good book here but it needs the focus to shift to the growing attraction and relationship between the characters.
Thanks to NetGallery and the Publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGallery and the Publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
April 8, 2025
Coming Up Clutch by Anna Gram delivers a compelling second-chance romance with genuine, hopeful interactions between Razor and Ashton. The story thoughtfully addresses trauma-related mental health and past sexual abuse with sensitivity. Strong plot progression and well-developed characters make this an engaging and emotionally resonant read.
April 17, 2025
Great read of all Softball fans!
I haven’t read a fiction book about College Softball that has been so spot on what players are truly facing everyday. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. If you have followed College Softball within the past ten years Razor is a great example of what some of these young women have had to live through.
I haven’t read a fiction book about College Softball that has been so spot on what players are truly facing everyday. I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. If you have followed College Softball within the past ten years Razor is a great example of what some of these young women have had to live through.
June 9, 2025
Totally Worth Reading
I love stories about different sports. One of the reason this book is amazing is because there wasn’t a huge fight between the MCs. There was faith and trust in each other. I also loved the growth and self forgiveness this book showed. Amazing work. I look forward to any other books this wonderful author comes out with.
I love stories about different sports. One of the reason this book is amazing is because there wasn’t a huge fight between the MCs. There was faith and trust in each other. I also loved the growth and self forgiveness this book showed. Amazing work. I look forward to any other books this wonderful author comes out with.
August 12, 2025
Complexe and well rounded caracter
Well written and easy to read
Interesting side caracters
Exploration of trauma that dont over do it but dont down play it either
Wish the attraction and romance would have been more explore, its appear secondary in the story and wish it could have been explored and build up more.
Well written and easy to read
Interesting side caracters
Exploration of trauma that dont over do it but dont down play it either
Wish the attraction and romance would have been more explore, its appear secondary in the story and wish it could have been explored and build up more.
March 30, 2025
I really loved learning about softball. Razor having tension with the team was so real. I loved Ashton character, she was really understanding and knew how to talk about her feelings. This is not miscommunication trope.
May 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Anna Gram. The story was well crafted. The characters were multidimensional with interesting backstories. I look forwarded to more from this author.
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