Pitching for her Heart: A Sweet, Swoony, College Sports Romance

by Cata Ree

When I kiss my best friend in a burst of joy, I’m struck by the surprising truth—love is the wildest curveball of all.

Meet Cage the star pitcher of our university baseball team, a total Greek god in the making, and—unfortunately—my childhood best friend.

And then there’s me, Hazel the official team photographer, a proud introvert, and a hopeless mess when it comes to Cage.

To Cage, I’m still the girl next door he used to play water balloons with. To me, he’s the lingering ache I’ve carried for years trapped in the friend zone. It all changes after we win the regional game. Something shifts, and suddenly, he’s not JUST my best friend anymore.

But when every win counts, will Cage finally pitch for my heart, too? Or is this one game I’ll have to lose?

If you enjoy the friends to lovers trope with a pining hero and a blushing heroine, then you’ll fall for Cage and Hazel. This sweet, swoony, clean college sports romance with an HEA will give you all the feels.

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2025

About the author

Cata Ree is a new breed called a nerdy-jock. She lives for her books and her sports. She often can be found either swooning over bat swinging, hockey stick wielding athletes on TV or writing about them.

She loves the clicking sound of the keyboard, a new book smell, or the way her kindle hits her face as she falls asleep during reading.

Cata Ree lives in Cochrane, AB, Canada surrounded by the beautiful Canadian Rockies with her beautiful family .

When she’s not writing, or reading, she can be found running after her gang of hooligans, also knowns as her children and husband.

Cata Ree can be reached at her email: catareeauthor@gmail.com

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

This was a very clean and good short story. I really like this author. She writes a cute story. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This couple in this book were so cute together. His father sure was a piece of work.

[erica.reads.a.lot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had the potential to be a sweet short story, but fell a little flat for me. Their relationship was inconsistent - the opening scene sounds like they used to be friends as kids but aren’t anymore and she’s invisible; a few pages later, he flirts with her and she pretends he’s an annoying jock; then she’s invisible again, then suddenly they’ve been close friends this whole time. Seems like the author wasn’t sure how to write their friendship so started, changed her mind and didn’t go back to rewrite the earlier parts of the book. There was definitely a lack of emotional intelligence/maturity, but they are college kids, so I should probably give them a little more grace there!

[Sarah Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, swoony friends to lovers romance that delivers all the right emotions. Hazel is an endearing, relatable heroine, and Cage is the kind of charming, devoted hero you can’t help but root for. Their slow shift from lifelong friendship to real romance feels natural, sweet, and full of quiet tension. Set against the backdrop of college baseball, the story is light, heartfelt, and uplifting, making it a clean feel good read with a truly satisfying happily ever after.

[Ashley E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute and loving read. We all aspire to have a love so pure and good intentioned. I love that it was a short read because sometimes you need a break from such a large commitment. It is perfect for a short roadtrip or short flight. Even something between your next huge undertaking of a series or even just on a lunch break at work when you need a happy escape!

[TravelKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

Cute friends to lovers story. Clean romance of college age adults. Easy, quick read. Would have loved an epilogue in the book without signing up for a newsletter. Low drama story.

[Dollface_sinner01 · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved

Cute and sweet romance .. sometimes you gotta let go of the fear and let your heart win. Can the jock and the photographer find their happy endings. Childhood love leads to happily ever after.. if only you speak up

[Ramona Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was going so well then the writing and the characters just fell down hard. It didnt make sense at all. It probably would if it wasn't a short read and there were 100 pages more. The female leads apprehension to not being taken advantage of was really weird

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute quick read

[Jen Wycech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable cute and fun read. Easy writing style to read. Sweet romance.

[Miriam C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet!

Really great story about lifetime friends to love! Plus no bitchy girl! I hate the mean girl tropes. This is just a simple love story.

[vanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Cary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not awful but due to the novella length,it misses the description and depth of characterization that could have made it much better.

[Aussie · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is very short story but it is soo good as i couldn't get enough of this one . I cant wait till i see more from Cata

[Line · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was okay

But honestly, in my opinion, this story needs some meat on it... It was way too short and felt more like a resume than a full story

[MissyLynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

No spice what so ever. Had I realized this was a clean romance I doubt I would have read it. I kept waiting for them to end up in bed at some point since Cage turns Hazel down since she was drunk the one time. Disappointing.

The author gives a heads up about the last/bonus chapter where the couple live in the same house and sleep in the same bed. Really?! That too much for the pearl clutchers? Yet, we have the female character drunk and throwing herself at the guy.

[Amanda Davanzati · Rating 4 out of 5]

so cute!

This was such a cute and quick read! I enjoyed the simplicity of it and the characters. I enjoyed the author’s writing. I am curious to see if any of the other characters featured have a book. I definitely recommend this for all to read.