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Batter Together
Single mom Kaitlyn is all set for her daughter Natalie's spring chorus concert—until she learns at the last minute that she's supposed to bring several dozen brownies for the bake sale that will be set up in the lobby during the concert.
Natalie suggests enlisting the aid of their neighbor, Eric, who owns a bakery. But . . . things have been awkward for Eric and Kaitlyn after a failed love connection last fall. The last thing Kaitlyn wants to do is ask him for a giant favor right now. But she can't disappoint Natalie.
With hope for a second chance at romance, Kaitlyn brings Eric her problem . . . and her heart.
The original version of this short story first appeared in the anthology Recipes for Romance, released by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, in January 2025. It has since been edited.
Natalie suggests enlisting the aid of their neighbor, Eric, who owns a bakery. But . . . things have been awkward for Eric and Kaitlyn after a failed love connection last fall. The last thing Kaitlyn wants to do is ask him for a giant favor right now. But she can't disappoint Natalie.
With hope for a second chance at romance, Kaitlyn brings Eric her problem . . . and her heart.
The original version of this short story first appeared in the anthology Recipes for Romance, released by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, in January 2025. It has since been edited.
24 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
23 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Katie Fitzgerald
33 books257 followersKatie Fitzgerald is the author of over 50 published pieces of short fiction, most of which are clean contemporary romance. Her short stories and flash fiction appear online at Havok Publishing, Syncopation Literary Journal, Painted Pebble Lit Mag, Spillwords.com, Spark Flash Fiction and Micromance Magazine. Her serial romance, "The Plus One Pact" appears quarterly in Clean Fiction. She has also been published in Woman's World. Her stand-alone ebook short romances and anthologies including her work can be found on Amazon.
She is a 2024 Sparkie Award recipient for Best Romantic Suspense, a 2024 nominee for the Pushcart Prize, and was a finalist in three categories of the 2025 Cupid Prize. She was also the winner of Spark Flash Fiction's 2025 contest. A graduate of Vassar College and a trained librarian, Katie resides in Maryland with her family.
She is a 2024 Sparkie Award recipient for Best Romantic Suspense, a 2024 nominee for the Pushcart Prize, and was a finalist in three categories of the 2025 Cupid Prize. She was also the winner of Spark Flash Fiction's 2025 contest. A graduate of Vassar College and a trained librarian, Katie resides in Maryland with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 7, 2025
2.5⭐️ | clean romance | 11+
୨୧ ❝ ‘I’ll be here after,’ Eric said, lifting his eyes to meet Kaitlyn’s, apparently letting her know this promise was for her, as well. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’ ❞ ୨୧
꒰🎶꒱ иσω ρℓαуιиg: » Better Together ⇾ Descendants: Wicked World «
🎶the road could be hard, and the night could be dark
like a jewel, we'll shine brightly wherever we are
if we stick to the dream, we'll never fall apart
because we're better together, stronger side-by-side🎶
I like that these short stories I’m reading are about finding love in broken people or families, and have a strong family message, so that’s a plus. I just wasn’t as connected to this one as I was with Welcome Home by Melissa Cate. it’s still cute, and pretty clean too!
I feel like I might’ve enjoyed this better if it had been told from Eric’s POV. I did love the baking aspect, though! and I loved Eric’s incredulity when Kaitlyn brought dollar store brownie mix. ahh! the horror! I would’ve reacted the same way 😂
but hey, I’m counting this toward my reading goal! (shh! it doesn’t matter if it’s 24 pages! goodreads counts it as a book, so I do too! 🌝)
─────୨♡୧─────
content warning┆🍩 ‧₊˚ ⋅.
➸Christian content:
none
➸spiritual content:
none!
➸sexual content:
1 semi detailed kiss
a mention of Eric being all over Angie (his previous girlfriend); a few mentions of an almost kiss
➸language:
1 ‘thank God’
➸drugs/alcohol/smoking:
none!
➸lgtbq+:
none!
➸magic/witchcraft:
none!
➸violence:
none!
➸other:
Kaitlyn’s husband left her
➸possible triggers:
none!
─────୨♡୧─────
quote┆🍊 ‧₊˚ ⋅.
➸ Holding up a box of dollar-store brownie mix as though it were the corpse of a rodent, he said, “I’m sorry, did you bring a box mix to my bakery?”
୨୧ ❝ ‘I’ll be here after,’ Eric said, lifting his eyes to meet Kaitlyn’s, apparently letting her know this promise was for her, as well. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’ ❞ ୨୧
꒰🎶꒱ иσω ρℓαуιиg: » Better Together ⇾ Descendants: Wicked World «
🎶the road could be hard, and the night could be dark
like a jewel, we'll shine brightly wherever we are
if we stick to the dream, we'll never fall apart
because we're better together, stronger side-by-side🎶
I like that these short stories I’m reading are about finding love in broken people or families, and have a strong family message, so that’s a plus. I just wasn’t as connected to this one as I was with Welcome Home by Melissa Cate. it’s still cute, and pretty clean too!
I feel like I might’ve enjoyed this better if it had been told from Eric’s POV. I did love the baking aspect, though! and I loved Eric’s incredulity when Kaitlyn brought dollar store brownie mix. ahh! the horror! I would’ve reacted the same way 😂
but hey, I’m counting this toward my reading goal! (shh! it doesn’t matter if it’s 24 pages! goodreads counts it as a book, so I do too! 🌝)
─────୨♡୧─────
content warning┆🍩 ‧₊˚ ⋅.
➸Christian content:
none
➸spiritual content:
none!
➸sexual content:
1 semi detailed kiss
a mention of Eric being all over Angie (his previous girlfriend); a few mentions of an almost kiss
➸language:
1 ‘thank God’
➸drugs/alcohol/smoking:
none!
➸lgtbq+:
none!
➸magic/witchcraft:
none!
➸violence:
none!
➸other:
Kaitlyn’s husband left her
➸possible triggers:
none!
─────୨♡୧─────
quote┆🍊 ‧₊˚ ⋅.
➸ Holding up a box of dollar-store brownie mix as though it were the corpse of a rodent, he said, “I’m sorry, did you bring a box mix to my bakery?”
August 6, 2025
⭐️ 4/5 | Book Review: Batter Together by Katie Fitzgerald
This was such a sweet and easy read — exactly what I needed as a palette cleanser after tackling a few heavier books. Batter Together is the perfect warm-and-fuzzy story that makes you smile from start to finish.
It’s a short, charming second chance romance with just the right amount of heart and sweetness (and yes, baked goods!). If you love rekindled love, lighthearted stories, and feel-good moments, this one is a must-add to your TBR. 💕
Because honestly… who doesn’t love a second chance done right?
This was such a sweet and easy read — exactly what I needed as a palette cleanser after tackling a few heavier books. Batter Together is the perfect warm-and-fuzzy story that makes you smile from start to finish.
It’s a short, charming second chance romance with just the right amount of heart and sweetness (and yes, baked goods!). If you love rekindled love, lighthearted stories, and feel-good moments, this one is a must-add to your TBR. 💕
Because honestly… who doesn’t love a second chance done right?
August 10, 2025
I really felt for the mother when she suddenly finds out that she has to make 12 dozen brownies for a bake sale her daughter neglected to tell her about until the last minute. Then someone suggests she should get her friend Eric, who owns a bakery, to help her. Funny moment when she shows up with boxed brownie mix and he tells her what he thinks of that idea. Short, sweet second chance story with a little romance, hope solidarity and friendship. Quick, short story that I enjoyed reading very much.
June 22, 2025
So sweet
This was a super short sweet story about second chances. Great job Katie 😊 Definitely recommend this book if you're short on time but yet wanna read a good romance book!
This was a super short sweet story about second chances. Great job Katie 😊 Definitely recommend this book if you're short on time but yet wanna read a good romance book!
September 1, 2025
SUPER CUTE!
I love when cute stories are actually cute and have sweet moments and though this is a short book it could definitely be a full length novel and I'd for sure read it!
I love when cute stories are actually cute and have sweet moments and though this is a short book it could definitely be a full length novel and I'd for sure read it!
January 12, 2026
Super cute palette cleanser! I love a good short and sweet story between everything else I read and it was perfect! I didn’t realize it’s a little series so I’m definitely going to be reading more of them.
May 27, 2025
With many thanks to the author for allowing me to read ‘Batter Together’ in exchange for an honest review.
What happens when you aren’t given the notice about the brownies you are meant to be baking for your kids bake sale?!
‘Batter Together’ is a short but sweet story, much like a brownie, warm, soft and leaves you with a good feeling!
The ingredients three lovely characters, a little romance, friendship, hope and solidarity.
It’s cute. It’s cosy and just right if you like a little story for a dose of happiness or a quick pick me up.
Much recommended.
What happens when you aren’t given the notice about the brownies you are meant to be baking for your kids bake sale?!
‘Batter Together’ is a short but sweet story, much like a brownie, warm, soft and leaves you with a good feeling!
The ingredients three lovely characters, a little romance, friendship, hope and solidarity.
It’s cute. It’s cosy and just right if you like a little story for a dose of happiness or a quick pick me up.
Much recommended.
August 3, 2025
Kaitlyn and Eric’s story was very sweet and very easy to follow. This is an enjoyable short read!
July 31, 2025
Enjoyed reading this short story 🫶
July 30, 2025
Short sweet romantic story with a happily ever after. Loved it.
July 28, 2025
The book is really good, a sweet short story about second chances that is just on point. There is nothing but kisses and it's really good to just turn of your brain and enjoy your time with the characters. 24 pages of pure joy.
September 16, 2025
Cute little read. Perfect for an in-between novel, read.
November 8, 2025
A clean, quick and delightfully charming novella that will break any reading slump and still be deliciously satisfying.
This is the second short story I've read by this author, and I loved it just as much as the first. This time around, we see a single mother who is too busy running the risks of letting someone new into her and her daughter's lives to see that she already has, and allowing herself to have a second chance might be as easy as pie...or brownies, in this case. Twelve dozen, to be exact! I can't think of anything sweeter.
This is the second short story I've read by this author, and I loved it just as much as the first. This time around, we see a single mother who is too busy running the risks of letting someone new into her and her daughter's lives to see that she already has, and allowing herself to have a second chance might be as easy as pie...or brownies, in this case. Twelve dozen, to be exact! I can't think of anything sweeter.
January 4, 2026
''I can't do that amount of baking on this short notice. You'll have to tell your teacher we'll bring napkins or something instead.''
''Natalie shook her head right back. 'She said no napkins. I head her say sixteen moms signed up for napkins last time. Now the school will have them out.''🤣
Well, looks like I’m on a streak of reading short stories. This one, though, was quite different, it had all the aspects of being a longer book.
We have a single mom trope + a hot neighbor best friend trope + FORCED PROXIMITY. Kaitlyn is a single mom to her 12 y/o daughter Natalie, and we have Eric, the best friend neighbor who apparently Kaitlyn's been avoiding but stalking, like, I mean literally stalking, like out the window when he mows the lawn kind of stalking AHAAHAHA🤣
I actually had a nice time reading this story, because in such a short amount of pages, you already know they have chemistry, but a sort of “miscommunication” kept them apart, but in reality, I would not have called that miscommunication, but growth.
One was left scared of starting a relationship and having everything fall apart because of her baby daddy walking out on her and her daughter, and one who dated someone else because the girl he loved was too scared to get into anything serious.
I know y’all would say, how would you call that growth? Well, when each poured their feelings out, you could see how much they wanted each other, but one was scared and the other too stupid to reach out. But still, I loved Eric's personality.
The tropes I mentioned + baking would have been an incredible book, and I KNOW IT😩
Also, one last thing, how did neither of them realize Nat had an orange in her backpack before it went completely rotten? Like, huh😭
''Natalie shook her head right back. 'She said no napkins. I head her say sixteen moms signed up for napkins last time. Now the school will have them out.''🤣
Well, looks like I’m on a streak of reading short stories. This one, though, was quite different, it had all the aspects of being a longer book.
We have a single mom trope + a hot neighbor best friend trope + FORCED PROXIMITY. Kaitlyn is a single mom to her 12 y/o daughter Natalie, and we have Eric, the best friend neighbor who apparently Kaitlyn's been avoiding but stalking, like, I mean literally stalking, like out the window when he mows the lawn kind of stalking AHAAHAHA🤣
I actually had a nice time reading this story, because in such a short amount of pages, you already know they have chemistry, but a sort of “miscommunication” kept them apart, but in reality, I would not have called that miscommunication, but growth.
One was left scared of starting a relationship and having everything fall apart because of her baby daddy walking out on her and her daughter, and one who dated someone else because the girl he loved was too scared to get into anything serious.
I know y’all would say, how would you call that growth? Well, when each poured their feelings out, you could see how much they wanted each other, but one was scared and the other too stupid to reach out. But still, I loved Eric's personality.
The tropes I mentioned + baking would have been an incredible book, and I KNOW IT😩
Also, one last thing, how did neither of them realize Nat had an orange in her backpack before it went completely rotten? Like, huh😭
September 20, 2025
Cute
A poignant romantic comedy that explores the intricate dynamics between two close friends, navigating the delicate balance between emotional connection and the fear of potential heartbreak. This compact narrative offers a profound glimpse into the complexities of human relationships, challenging preconceived notions about love and vulnerability. With its concise yet powerful storytelling, the tale reminds readers that matters of the heart cannot be constrained by logic or doubt, ultimately celebrating the transformative power of genuine emotional bonds.
A poignant romantic comedy that explores the intricate dynamics between two close friends, navigating the delicate balance between emotional connection and the fear of potential heartbreak. This compact narrative offers a profound glimpse into the complexities of human relationships, challenging preconceived notions about love and vulnerability. With its concise yet powerful storytelling, the tale reminds readers that matters of the heart cannot be constrained by logic or doubt, ultimately celebrating the transformative power of genuine emotional bonds.
June 12, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
July 24, 2025
Very quick and easy read. I wish the author would make a full length book regarding them!
August 16, 2025
very cute, i hadn’t noticed it was a short story so when it ended it made me kinda sad, but it was still very cute
August 23, 2025
Adorable, just as I have come to expect from this author. Her characters are always so charming, and the unfolding romance is easy to root for!
September 2, 2025
sweet short story, because it was so short - it seemed a little rushed, but over all it was an adorable airplane read 🥰
September 12, 2025
24 pages! What's the point!!! Nothing even happened. So disappointed.
October 30, 2025
This book was actually stupid like why even make a pointless romance like this ? Trying too hard to be cozy . The girl afraid of a serious relationship.
December 26, 2025
This was a VERY short story I got on a Stuff Your Kindle Day with romance freebies. It’s hard to get to know the characters in such little time of course but this one fell flat for me even still.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews