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Painting the Corners
It’s strictly business—no feelings allowed.
Nola
I’ve mastered the art of playing it safe. As a single mom to my spirited ten-year-old daughter, I can’t afford risks—especially after being blacklisted from my corner of the art world and relegated to painting landscapes. Then, at my sister’s bachelorette party, I’m dared to make a bold move that throws my carefully controlled life a curveball. I kiss a stranger. It seems innocent enough until I run into him again at my daughter’s school and he proposes we get married.
Maxford
Baseball was my life until a scandal cost me my Major League contract. Now I’m starting over as a P.E. teacher in a new town, taking care of my eccentric grandma, and trying to rebuild my reputation one day at a time. When the same woman who kissed me at a bar shows up in my life again, I create an unexpected solution to our career problems—and a crazy proposal that could benefit us both.
A marriage of convenience promises to solve everything. I need respectability and credibility to be picked up by a team again, and she needs gallery connections to reclaim her place in the art world. But stolen glances turn into genuine laughter, and pretend touches spark very real desire. When we’re both offered everything we thought we wanted, we face the ultimate our dreams, or each other?
Painting the Corners is a fun marriage of convenience romcom that brings all the sizzling tension without the explicit scenes or language. Happily ever after guaranteed. It is the first book in the One Hit Wonders series.
Nola
I’ve mastered the art of playing it safe. As a single mom to my spirited ten-year-old daughter, I can’t afford risks—especially after being blacklisted from my corner of the art world and relegated to painting landscapes. Then, at my sister’s bachelorette party, I’m dared to make a bold move that throws my carefully controlled life a curveball. I kiss a stranger. It seems innocent enough until I run into him again at my daughter’s school and he proposes we get married.
Maxford
Baseball was my life until a scandal cost me my Major League contract. Now I’m starting over as a P.E. teacher in a new town, taking care of my eccentric grandma, and trying to rebuild my reputation one day at a time. When the same woman who kissed me at a bar shows up in my life again, I create an unexpected solution to our career problems—and a crazy proposal that could benefit us both.
A marriage of convenience promises to solve everything. I need respectability and credibility to be picked up by a team again, and she needs gallery connections to reclaim her place in the art world. But stolen glances turn into genuine laughter, and pretend touches spark very real desire. When we’re both offered everything we thought we wanted, we face the ultimate our dreams, or each other?
Painting the Corners is a fun marriage of convenience romcom that brings all the sizzling tension without the explicit scenes or language. Happily ever after guaranteed. It is the first book in the One Hit Wonders series.
Paperback
Published July 10, 2025
18 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Ella Beachley
7 books59 followersElla Beachley is happiest at the beach—any beach. She also enjoys fish tacos, hiking, and witty conversations with friends. She lives with her husband and two boys in Idaho.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 14, 2025
Another great book by Ella Beachley
July 10, 2025
This one’s just easy-to-love, swoony charm, and you need it! A marriage of convenience between two deeply likable people who need a second chance at their careers, are literally thrown together, and take matters into their own hands.
How many times and in different contexts can I use the term “charm”? We’re about to find out.
I’m serious this sweet romcom has one of the most charming, well-executed first chapters I’ve ever read. You’ll have a grin on your face, know exactly who Nola and Maxford are, and you’ll be locked in to see them bounce off each other as they fall. Add to such solid, solid leads, a host of, you guessed it, charming side-characters. If you love a scene-stealing maneuvering grandma in a caftan and precocious, maneuvering pre-teens, then it’s double your lucky day. As if that wasn’t enough, we get a good dose of Boise, Idaho charm and just the right amount of sporty baseball stuff for this non-sporty gal. I absolutely loved this charming, seamless writing and the lovely, tender ease in which Nola and Max fall into forming a unit and for each other. Charmed, I’m sure.
Charm count: 5
P.S. If this book doesn’t inspire at least one “You Got It” Roy Orbison kitchen dance party, you’re doing it wrong.
Content notes: kissing only, no language, family member has dementia, mentions of spouse-loss grief.
How many times and in different contexts can I use the term “charm”? We’re about to find out.
I’m serious this sweet romcom has one of the most charming, well-executed first chapters I’ve ever read. You’ll have a grin on your face, know exactly who Nola and Maxford are, and you’ll be locked in to see them bounce off each other as they fall. Add to such solid, solid leads, a host of, you guessed it, charming side-characters. If you love a scene-stealing maneuvering grandma in a caftan and precocious, maneuvering pre-teens, then it’s double your lucky day. As if that wasn’t enough, we get a good dose of Boise, Idaho charm and just the right amount of sporty baseball stuff for this non-sporty gal. I absolutely loved this charming, seamless writing and the lovely, tender ease in which Nola and Max fall into forming a unit and for each other. Charmed, I’m sure.
Charm count: 5
P.S. If this book doesn’t inspire at least one “You Got It” Roy Orbison kitchen dance party, you’re doing it wrong.
Content notes: kissing only, no language, family member has dementia, mentions of spouse-loss grief.
August 4, 2025
This book is C.U.T.E. If you’re looking for that feel-good romcom that’ll give you some good laughs, this is it. My first book by Ella Beachley, her writing style is on point, not too silly, but someone who knows how to write a witty romcom. Sometimes I get tired of the slapstick funny romcoms, so to read this was the perfect breath of fresh air.
Loved Nola and Max. Nola is independent and strong, you can see why her character is the way she is, she makes sense. Also, I sometimes struggle with the writing of “strong” women because sometimes we make them a little b****y (that totally spells bratty 🤣) but I’m happy to say, Nola wasn’t that way. That girl is tough, she’s seen some things, been through crap, and gosh, raising a preteen—give that lady a Pepsi (her choice) she deserves one.
Love the setting. Love the nods to local places. You can tell the author knows her city and loves it. Can’t wait for the next stories to come!
Loved Nola and Max. Nola is independent and strong, you can see why her character is the way she is, she makes sense. Also, I sometimes struggle with the writing of “strong” women because sometimes we make them a little b****y (that totally spells bratty 🤣) but I’m happy to say, Nola wasn’t that way. That girl is tough, she’s seen some things, been through crap, and gosh, raising a preteen—give that lady a Pepsi (her choice) she deserves one.
Love the setting. Love the nods to local places. You can tell the author knows her city and loves it. Can’t wait for the next stories to come!
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August 25, 2025A unique, disgraced baseball player romance meets single mom in a marriage of convenience.
I loved the Boise, Idaho setting, and the older MCs (mid-30s). And the getting a second chance on dreams. There’s miscommunication, but I appreciated the mature way it was handled although it felt a bit rushed there at the end.
While I love books with kids in them, Emma was a bit much. The parenting style wasn’t working for me, haha, and she came off borderline disrespectful at times.
The half-a-century friendship between Stella and Opal was one of my favourite things! 🥹
I loved the Boise, Idaho setting, and the older MCs (mid-30s). And the getting a second chance on dreams. There’s miscommunication, but I appreciated the mature way it was handled although it felt a bit rushed there at the end.
While I love books with kids in them, Emma was a bit much. The parenting style wasn’t working for me, haha, and she came off borderline disrespectful at times.
The half-a-century friendship between Stella and Opal was one of my favourite things! 🥹
August 6, 2025
Adore this book!
Max and Nola are adorableness goals.
I was CACKLING from the very beginning between their meet-cute, to Max's PE job, to Stella, and everything in-between.
I love how they have hard conversations, are willing to sacrifice for each other, how they take care of each other and more.
The wit and humor in this book are top knotch! So many highlights!
And the romance = SWOON
💋Kisses only
⚠️Childhood issues, loss of spouse (past), grandparents with chronic illness
Max and Nola are adorableness goals.
I was CACKLING from the very beginning between their meet-cute, to Max's PE job, to Stella, and everything in-between.
I love how they have hard conversations, are willing to sacrifice for each other, how they take care of each other and more.
The wit and humor in this book are top knotch! So many highlights!
And the romance = SWOON
💋Kisses only
⚠️Childhood issues, loss of spouse (past), grandparents with chronic illness
June 28, 2025
Seriously, can there be anything better than a marriage of convenience between two amazing people? Add a first act kiss, and of course, I loved this book. Ella hit it out of the park with this one, and yes, it’s a baseball story. And it’s incredibly entertaining!
Max and Nora are each recovering from terrible blows to their careers. Max was a highly revered third baseman in the majors until a scandal prevented his contract renewal. Nora was a rising star in the art world and was blacklisted for a creative decision. They decide marriage could help them get their former lives back, but they don’t realize the difficult situations they will have to work through or the difficult choices they will have to make in the future.
I really, really liked Max and Nora. They are each a combination of healthy confidence and healing hearts. Nora is strongly independent and has a pragmatic, not-quite-snarky communication style that is either hilarious or poignant, or both. Max is my favorite kind of cocky, as well as nurturing and protective. Add the 10-year-old relationship catalyst living with them, and they make an endearing family in a home filled with love they weren’t expecting. I enjoyed being in their lives so much that I didn’t want to put the book down.
First act kiss, sports romance, great communicators, several fun, snarky kids.
Read this. It’s so good!
Max and Nora are each recovering from terrible blows to their careers. Max was a highly revered third baseman in the majors until a scandal prevented his contract renewal. Nora was a rising star in the art world and was blacklisted for a creative decision. They decide marriage could help them get their former lives back, but they don’t realize the difficult situations they will have to work through or the difficult choices they will have to make in the future.
I really, really liked Max and Nora. They are each a combination of healthy confidence and healing hearts. Nora is strongly independent and has a pragmatic, not-quite-snarky communication style that is either hilarious or poignant, or both. Max is my favorite kind of cocky, as well as nurturing and protective. Add the 10-year-old relationship catalyst living with them, and they make an endearing family in a home filled with love they weren’t expecting. I enjoyed being in their lives so much that I didn’t want to put the book down.
First act kiss, sports romance, great communicators, several fun, snarky kids.
Read this. It’s so good!
June 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Maxford Hutchings & Nola Alder
- Dual POV
- Baseball player, PE teacher cinnamon roll MMC
- Sassy, artist, single mom FMC
- Marriage of connivence
- Built in playlist
- A community of friends and family to support the MCs
✨ A few of my favorite things:
- the teasing, playfulness, and flirting between MCs
- The relationship between Max, Nola, and Emma
- Everything Stella does. I want her confidence 😂
- “My girls”
- The butt pats 🤭😂
- Ben Franklin 😂👏🏻
- The nicknames
- The quid pro quos 😉
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 1 of the One Hit Wonders Series - this book was very fun and I also absolutely died of second hand embarrassment. (Nola girl. That declaration. I need your confidence. IYKYK) 🫠 I could not put this book down and I was itching to read more every second of the day.
The main characters are very unique in that they have similar stories but in vastly different ways. Also, this is how my husband and I communicate. Lots of teasing, playing, and sarcasm. I loved how the MCs communicated because they had fun with one another but also tried to actually communicate about problems they were having. There was clear efforts and willingness to try to be better for one another. They pushed one another to be better and learned how to honestly share their feelings. I really really enjoy Max and Nola, as well as all the side characters and crazy things they got up to.
This story was truly heart warming as there is a lot of family bonding, character growth, and fun. 💕 Everyone please congratulate Ella on another amazing book and all her hard work.
This is a clean closed door rom com with nondescript making out and butt pats.
**Thank you so much to Ella for letting me read this ARC. I received a complimentary copy. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**
Maxford Hutchings & Nola Alder
- Dual POV
- Baseball player, PE teacher cinnamon roll MMC
- Sassy, artist, single mom FMC
- Marriage of connivence
- Built in playlist
- A community of friends and family to support the MCs
✨ A few of my favorite things:
- the teasing, playfulness, and flirting between MCs
- The relationship between Max, Nola, and Emma
- Everything Stella does. I want her confidence 😂
- “My girls”
- The butt pats 🤭😂
- Ben Franklin 😂👏🏻
- The nicknames
- The quid pro quos 😉
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book 1 of the One Hit Wonders Series - this book was very fun and I also absolutely died of second hand embarrassment. (Nola girl. That declaration. I need your confidence. IYKYK) 🫠 I could not put this book down and I was itching to read more every second of the day.
The main characters are very unique in that they have similar stories but in vastly different ways. Also, this is how my husband and I communicate. Lots of teasing, playing, and sarcasm. I loved how the MCs communicated because they had fun with one another but also tried to actually communicate about problems they were having. There was clear efforts and willingness to try to be better for one another. They pushed one another to be better and learned how to honestly share their feelings. I really really enjoy Max and Nola, as well as all the side characters and crazy things they got up to.
This story was truly heart warming as there is a lot of family bonding, character growth, and fun. 💕 Everyone please congratulate Ella on another amazing book and all her hard work.
This is a clean closed door rom com with nondescript making out and butt pats.
**Thank you so much to Ella for letting me read this ARC. I received a complimentary copy. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**
July 22, 2025
When I discovered Ella Beachley’s books last fall, I knew I had found a new favorite author—and Painting the Corners only confirmed it. I didn’t just enjoy this book; I devoured it. Sleep was definitely sacrificed as I stayed up way too late reading.
Let me “paint” the scene for you on how this book starts: We’ve got former MLB player, Maxford Hutchings at a bar just trying to enjoy his meal while watching his old baseball team play on TV. But here enters in a rowdy group of ladies dressed as America’s Founding Fathers. Only one catches his eye though and it’s Ben Franklin.
What I loved:
🌟 It’s a baseball romance— I’m a sucker for sports romances. I especially love when there's enough detail to actually learn something new about the sport, and this one delivered.
🌟 I appreciated how the main characters handled their challenges.
Nola had already made a name for herself in the art world but had to pivot when life took an unexpected turn. Max, a former MLB player, had messed up big time—but instead of wallowing, he went back to school to become a PE teacher. There was no self-pity here—just growth, maturity, and depth.
🌟 The side characters were a highlight! Stella, Emma and Opal brought so much to this story and I hope to see more of them as the series goes on.
This book deserves all the stars and easily landed a spot on my list of top reads this year. Cannot wait to read what Ella has in store for us next! Go grab it—you won’t regret it!
Let me “paint” the scene for you on how this book starts: We’ve got former MLB player, Maxford Hutchings at a bar just trying to enjoy his meal while watching his old baseball team play on TV. But here enters in a rowdy group of ladies dressed as America’s Founding Fathers. Only one catches his eye though and it’s Ben Franklin.
What I loved:
🌟 It’s a baseball romance— I’m a sucker for sports romances. I especially love when there's enough detail to actually learn something new about the sport, and this one delivered.
🌟 I appreciated how the main characters handled their challenges.
Nola had already made a name for herself in the art world but had to pivot when life took an unexpected turn. Max, a former MLB player, had messed up big time—but instead of wallowing, he went back to school to become a PE teacher. There was no self-pity here—just growth, maturity, and depth.
🌟 The side characters were a highlight! Stella, Emma and Opal brought so much to this story and I hope to see more of them as the series goes on.
This book deserves all the stars and easily landed a spot on my list of top reads this year. Cannot wait to read what Ella has in store for us next! Go grab it—you won’t regret it!
July 10, 2025
Painting THE CORNERS
by: Ella Beachley
@authorellabeachley
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~It’s strictly business—no feelings allowed…
“Life isn’t fair. Fair is the place where they judge pigs.”
-Painting THE CORNERS, is a delightful and fun marriage of convenience romcom that brings all the sparks of great tension, great humor, and swoony moments without any explicitness. It is the first book in the One Hit Wonders Series and does have a wonderful happily ever after. It’s a story that made me smile, laugh, and helped my heart feel joy on a couple of days of heartache and tears with both the two times I read this story. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story and look forward to more from dear @authorellabeachley ahead. This story has heart and is all about letting go, trust, and fighting for those that matter most-dear family. It has relatable characters who face their own obstacles with open and honest communication which leads to great character growth along the way. This is such an enjoyable story worth reading!🙌🏻📚⚾️🎨
“At the end of the day, it comes down to you and how I feel about you. You infuriate me. You surprise me. You make me feel whole again.”
•Content: bar scene, Dementia. Loss of spouse/parents. No language. Kisses only.
“If I don’t ever let loose and do something wild, life is going to pass me by and I won’t have actually lived any of it.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“What everybody is going to find before long are two people who have fallen in love despite their best efforts not to. Then we will have a real wedding!”
#paintingthecorners
#authorellabeachley
#onehitwondersseries
#allaboutthebestreads
by: Ella Beachley
@authorellabeachley
••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
~It’s strictly business—no feelings allowed…
“Life isn’t fair. Fair is the place where they judge pigs.”
-Painting THE CORNERS, is a delightful and fun marriage of convenience romcom that brings all the sparks of great tension, great humor, and swoony moments without any explicitness. It is the first book in the One Hit Wonders Series and does have a wonderful happily ever after. It’s a story that made me smile, laugh, and helped my heart feel joy on a couple of days of heartache and tears with both the two times I read this story. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story and look forward to more from dear @authorellabeachley ahead. This story has heart and is all about letting go, trust, and fighting for those that matter most-dear family. It has relatable characters who face their own obstacles with open and honest communication which leads to great character growth along the way. This is such an enjoyable story worth reading!🙌🏻📚⚾️🎨
“At the end of the day, it comes down to you and how I feel about you. You infuriate me. You surprise me. You make me feel whole again.”
•Content: bar scene, Dementia. Loss of spouse/parents. No language. Kisses only.
“If I don’t ever let loose and do something wild, life is going to pass me by and I won’t have actually lived any of it.”
-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
“What everybody is going to find before long are two people who have fallen in love despite their best efforts not to. Then we will have a real wedding!”
#paintingthecorners
#authorellabeachley
#onehitwondersseries
#allaboutthebestreads
June 14, 2025
Oh my goodness! I simply adored this book!! Painting the Corners is the story of Maxford & Nola! Max is a pro baseball player who has fallen from fame and Nola is a a single mom and ian artist trying to make it big in the art world. Their meet cute had me smiling so big and the laughs and smiles continued throughout the story.
Nola was such a strong and amazing character. She had been through a lot but was standing in her own two feet and was an amazing mom to Emma. Max was such a cutie! I loved how sweet he was to Nola & Emma and how protective he was. It was fun to see both his grumpy side and his sweet side throughout the story. I loved their fake marriage and how he started falling first!
I also loved cute Emma and Stella & Opal were such fun and entertaining side characters.
I really loved everything about this story and look forward to more from Ella Beachley
Favorite quotes:
“The best part of being a mom is knowing I’m capable of offering solutions to my child’s worries, anxiety, and bad day.”
“If I don’t ever let loose and do something wild, life is going to pass me by and I won’t have actually lived any of it.”
“What everybody is going to find before long are two people who have fallen in love despite their best efforts not to. Then we will have a real wedding!”
“The wink in and of itself is a trivial Casanova move, but the way he lifts the back of his hoodie ever so slightly before he bends over the bin and starts to sifts through it is sign enough he caught me ogling him red-handed.”
“We’ve kissed twice and both times left me wanting more, making me forget my name, and left the feel of his lips imprinted on mine for days. However, the close proximity of right now is enough to do me in.”
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Nola was such a strong and amazing character. She had been through a lot but was standing in her own two feet and was an amazing mom to Emma. Max was such a cutie! I loved how sweet he was to Nola & Emma and how protective he was. It was fun to see both his grumpy side and his sweet side throughout the story. I loved their fake marriage and how he started falling first!
I also loved cute Emma and Stella & Opal were such fun and entertaining side characters.
I really loved everything about this story and look forward to more from Ella Beachley
Favorite quotes:
“The best part of being a mom is knowing I’m capable of offering solutions to my child’s worries, anxiety, and bad day.”
“If I don’t ever let loose and do something wild, life is going to pass me by and I won’t have actually lived any of it.”
“What everybody is going to find before long are two people who have fallen in love despite their best efforts not to. Then we will have a real wedding!”
“The wink in and of itself is a trivial Casanova move, but the way he lifts the back of his hoodie ever so slightly before he bends over the bin and starts to sifts through it is sign enough he caught me ogling him red-handed.”
“We’ve kissed twice and both times left me wanting more, making me forget my name, and left the feel of his lips imprinted on mine for days. However, the close proximity of right now is enough to do me in.”
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 9, 2025
I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book! Ella Beachley is seriously my new go-to author. At some points I was in stitches laughing, while at other moments I had tears in my eyes. Both lead characters - Maxford & Nola - are likeable, yet have flaws/baggage. And let me tell you, Ella Beachley knows how to write kid characters, too…Emma is the best! As a teacher I could relate to Maxford having to navigate the world of students and parents AND, as a crafty person, I could also relate to Nola’s artsy side.
There is a stellar cast of secondary characters, as well. Beachley, in the character of Stella, touches sensitively on the topic of dementia. This character truly has my whole kaftan-wearing heart. She’s spunky, has the bestest of friends still by her side, and is navigating a stage of life that can be taxing on all who love her. Yet, she is true grace.
I also cannot finish without mentioning all the fabulous pop-culture nods sprinkled throughout the pages (making my nerdy side oh, so happy). There’s references to Hamilton, One Direction, Miss Congeniality, Roy Orbison and The Princess Bride…to name a few! Oh, and I guess I should mention Painting the Corners also features baseball. But in all honestly, I’d never want to label this book a “sports romance”…it’s SO much more!
I hope you seriously consider picking up this novel. I think you’ll find it the perfect summer - or anytime - read! And FYI…endings are hard, but this book has the PERFECT last line!!!!
~Some Featured Tropes~
🔔 Marriage of Convenience
⚾️ Grumpy Fall-from-Grace Athlete
💝Love After Loss
👩🏼🎨Single Parent
💜Family First
Thank you soooooo much to the author for the advanced copy!
There is a stellar cast of secondary characters, as well. Beachley, in the character of Stella, touches sensitively on the topic of dementia. This character truly has my whole kaftan-wearing heart. She’s spunky, has the bestest of friends still by her side, and is navigating a stage of life that can be taxing on all who love her. Yet, she is true grace.
I also cannot finish without mentioning all the fabulous pop-culture nods sprinkled throughout the pages (making my nerdy side oh, so happy). There’s references to Hamilton, One Direction, Miss Congeniality, Roy Orbison and The Princess Bride…to name a few! Oh, and I guess I should mention Painting the Corners also features baseball. But in all honestly, I’d never want to label this book a “sports romance”…it’s SO much more!
I hope you seriously consider picking up this novel. I think you’ll find it the perfect summer - or anytime - read! And FYI…endings are hard, but this book has the PERFECT last line!!!!
~Some Featured Tropes~
🔔 Marriage of Convenience
⚾️ Grumpy Fall-from-Grace Athlete
💝Love After Loss
👩🏼🎨Single Parent
💜Family First
Thank you soooooo much to the author for the advanced copy!
June 23, 2025
Oh my goodness, how I enjoyed this story! First of all, I love both an incredible and memorable meet cute (hello, Ben Franklin!) and an early first kiss... and this one delivered on both fronts, so I was definitely hooked right from the very start. And it only continued to get better from there! In many ways, Nola and Max are quite different, but one thing they have in common is that they both know what it's like to lose their dream careers... and a marriage of convenience might just offer them a chance to get them back! Marriage of convenience is a favorite of mine, so I've read many of them, but there was definitely something fresh and fun about this one that I absolutely loved. The chemistry between Max and Nola was fantastic and the dynamic with Emma made their story even more entertaining. With a mix of heartfelt and real moments with laugh out loud humor, this one kept me captivated from start to finish. I just loved it! While I've enjoyed Ella's previous books as well, this one is definitely a new favorite and has me very much looking forward to what it going to happen next in the series!
Painting the Corners is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Painting the Corners is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
June 30, 2025
*sigh* There’s nothing like this book. The meet cute, that first kiss, Stella, Emma, Max’s relationships with his grandmother and sisters… and it’s an MOC, and baseball, my all time favorites.
I adored Nola and Max’s relationship. How they worked together, chose to communicate, and how they built each other up. One of my favorite parts is that even though Max starts as a grump, he doesn’t stay as one. The way he bantered with Nola and didn’t give her a cold shoulder just made him perfect.
There were moments where I was giggling, and moments where I was tearing up.
If you love baseball, MOC, and single mom tropes… You need this book! Sweet, clean, and no swears!
Ella, thank you so much for the ARC, for letting me blow up your inbox, and for such a sweet story! I can’t wait to read more of your books!
I adored Nola and Max’s relationship. How they worked together, chose to communicate, and how they built each other up. One of my favorite parts is that even though Max starts as a grump, he doesn’t stay as one. The way he bantered with Nola and didn’t give her a cold shoulder just made him perfect.
There were moments where I was giggling, and moments where I was tearing up.
If you love baseball, MOC, and single mom tropes… You need this book! Sweet, clean, and no swears!
Ella, thank you so much for the ARC, for letting me blow up your inbox, and for such a sweet story! I can’t wait to read more of your books!
July 11, 2025
Absolutely loved this one! What a fantastic marriage of convenience-loved everything about how their relationship progressed! Loved Max & Nola so much together! I loved their connection and they both understood losing something and coming back from it.
I received a copy from the author but all thoughts are my own.
I received a copy from the author but all thoughts are my own.
September 13, 2025
⚾ 🎨
Cute! I love a good sports romance and I adore art so this was a great blend for me. Definitely recommend
Cute! I love a good sports romance and I adore art so this was a great blend for me. Definitely recommend
July 10, 2025
What a light, fun, marriage of convenience baseball RomCom! Max lost his MLB career after making a mistake, so went to live in Boise to look after his grandma. While there, he gets a job teaching P.E. to middle schoolers. Which is also where he connects with Nola, a single mom of a 10 year old daughter. Max’s interactions with his students were so entertaining to me! And I loved how Beachley wrote his voice (thinking kids at the end of the day are like crazed feral cats!).
I also appreciated how Max and Nola were open with each other and supported each other in their respective careers that they were both trying to get back to.
There were some great side characters as well; sweet Grandma and her best friend were amazing! And I am
looking forward to Max’s sisters’ stories to come!
Kisses only, no swearing
Thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I also appreciated how Max and Nola were open with each other and supported each other in their respective careers that they were both trying to get back to.
There were some great side characters as well; sweet Grandma and her best friend were amazing! And I am
looking forward to Max’s sisters’ stories to come!
Kisses only, no swearing
Thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2025
This is hands down my favorite of all of Ella’s books. I love a good marriage of convenience because there is always awkward moments and you know they will fall in love. But there’s more to this story that will keep you turning the pages! There’s baseball, art, a grandma that needs care, and let’s face it, you won’t know how this will go! You’ll soon find out though because you won’t want to put it down!
July 10, 2025
DJDHSKDJFHSHDJDJSHD
I HAVE SO MANY EMOTIONS.
This book is beautiful and funny and sweet and nuanced and full of complex characters and I am completely obsessed.
I teared up. I laughed out loud. The tone was perfect— a mix of fun and heartfelt— the best kind of romcom. It was seriously feel-good, full of growth. This might be Beachley’s best one yet— and that’s saying something because I’m still a little obsessed with That One Time in Oregon.
I have more to say, but I’m gonna have to come back around after I gather my thoughts.
❤️
I HAVE SO MANY EMOTIONS.
This book is beautiful and funny and sweet and nuanced and full of complex characters and I am completely obsessed.
I teared up. I laughed out loud. The tone was perfect— a mix of fun and heartfelt— the best kind of romcom. It was seriously feel-good, full of growth. This might be Beachley’s best one yet— and that’s saying something because I’m still a little obsessed with That One Time in Oregon.
I have more to say, but I’m gonna have to come back around after I gather my thoughts.
❤️
July 29, 2025
This is my first Ella Beachley read, and also my first baseball romance. And I want more! Loved every second of being immersed in Maxford and Nola’s world. There is a marriage of convenience, a professional baseball player, a single mom, fiesty grandma, funny 5th grader, and a fantastic meet cute!
My favorite quote:
“Thanks for everything you did tonight, even if you disrupted the good thing I had going with mint chip.” “Good thing?” “For the last eight years, I’ve only had to buy one flavor of ice cream, having successfully convinced my child it was the only good one out there.”
Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.
My favorite quote:
“Thanks for everything you did tonight, even if you disrupted the good thing I had going with mint chip.” “Good thing?” “For the last eight years, I’ve only had to buy one flavor of ice cream, having successfully convinced my child it was the only good one out there.”
Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.
July 9, 2025
This book was lovely.
I have read a lot of sports romances but this one had so many unique plot points that it definitely got bumped up to one of my favourites.
Apart from the characters being great and growing through the book, I really appreciate the communication part of the book and how the single mother doesn't lose her identity.
Definitely in for the whole series.
I have read a lot of sports romances but this one had so many unique plot points that it definitely got bumped up to one of my favourites.
Apart from the characters being great and growing through the book, I really appreciate the communication part of the book and how the single mother doesn't lose her identity.
Definitely in for the whole series.
July 1, 2025
First of all, Nola and Maxford’s meet cute just may be my all-time favorite. Ben Franklin and a first kiss? I’m here for it! And I loved seeing it from the MMC’s POV. Maxford is a disgraced former baseball player (and now a PE teacher) who wants a comeback. Nola is a painter who wants a second chance at the big leagues. Their marriage may start as a convenience, but love grows between these two. I appreciated the tough conversations and growth between them. Some secondary characters I also loved were Nola’s daughter, Emma, and Max’s grandmother, Stella. This story had me laughing, swooning, and rooting for everyone’s dreams to come true.
August 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75, rounded up!)
GENRE
-sports romance
CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: just kisses
-⚠️: mentions of doping (past), loss of parents/spouse (past), dementia
This was a cute story. It was my first by Ella Beachley, and I'm definitely interested in reading her others.
Things I loved about it:
-the meet-cute was so funny
-the peanut butter m&m betting with students had me cracking up
-owning past poor choices
-Max baking cookies with Emma
-when Max took care of the girls when they were sick
-Max helping Stella during her episodes
My not-so-favorite parts:
-I didn't feel like Nola's blurting out that Maxford was her husband at the bar was super believable.
-I didn't love having a ten-year-old involved in a marriage of convenience. I know that Nola stressed making it clear to Emma that it was pretending, but something about having a kid involved didn't sit quite right with me.
-There were a lot of sentences with two independent clauses that needed a comma in them. That hurts my heart, so I had to make note of it.
Favorite Quotes:
-"I've got this, Maxford. You can go."
He gives me the side-eye. "I'm choosing to think you're saying crazy things because you feel awful, but there's no way I'm leaving my girls." With that, he bends down and brushes the mop of sweaty hair out of my face. "*This* is my home. Got it, Adler?"
-We've both seen hardship and have lost loved ones but we're still standing. That says something right there.
- "You don't mean it."
"I do. There will be no stopping me when it comes to being with you."
-"At the end of the day, it comes down to you and how I feel about you, Maxford. You infuriate me. You surprise me. You make me feel whole again."
GENRE
-sports romance
CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: just kisses
-⚠️: mentions of doping (past), loss of parents/spouse (past), dementia
This was a cute story. It was my first by Ella Beachley, and I'm definitely interested in reading her others.
Things I loved about it:
-the meet-cute was so funny
-the peanut butter m&m betting with students had me cracking up
-owning past poor choices
-Max baking cookies with Emma
-when Max took care of the girls when they were sick
-Max helping Stella during her episodes
My not-so-favorite parts:
-I didn't feel like Nola's blurting out that Maxford was her husband at the bar was super believable.
-I didn't love having a ten-year-old involved in a marriage of convenience. I know that Nola stressed making it clear to Emma that it was pretending, but something about having a kid involved didn't sit quite right with me.
-There were a lot of sentences with two independent clauses that needed a comma in them. That hurts my heart, so I had to make note of it.
Favorite Quotes:
-"I've got this, Maxford. You can go."
He gives me the side-eye. "I'm choosing to think you're saying crazy things because you feel awful, but there's no way I'm leaving my girls." With that, he bends down and brushes the mop of sweaty hair out of my face. "*This* is my home. Got it, Adler?"
-We've both seen hardship and have lost loved ones but we're still standing. That says something right there.
- "You don't mean it."
"I do. There will be no stopping me when it comes to being with you."
-"At the end of the day, it comes down to you and how I feel about you, Maxford. You infuriate me. You surprise me. You make me feel whole again."
July 23, 2025
I loved this from page 1 to the very end! It is so hard to put into words all the things I loved about this one! There were so many layers and fun RomCom moments! All the characters were wonderful and fun and I really enjoyed the slow build to the marriage of convenience. Their love story progression was sweet and natural.
Nola and Maxford were great and I loved their undeniable tension and their disdain for each other. Max is witty and a fun grump and Nola is witty and strong and determined. They had great tension and this ease about them, even in their flirting. They are just adorable and great together. Their character growth was done so well and I loved seeing the hidden sides of each of them as they grew in their relationship. And seeing Max take care of them, especially stepping into the role of bonus dad with Nola's daughter, Emma. I loved watching him grow because of this relationship. I also loved their honesty with each other. Really great conflict resolution and loved how they handled it like adults.
These side characters were comedy gold and also provided so much depth to the story as well. I loved how Ella Beachley wrote these side characters and had them play into the story.
This one was wonderful, what a way to kick off a new series, and I cannot wait to see what other stories Beachley brings to us in this series. She is a beautiful writer and I love all of her books. This one definitely did not disappoint. And you won't be disappointed either!
Nola and Maxford were great and I loved their undeniable tension and their disdain for each other. Max is witty and a fun grump and Nola is witty and strong and determined. They had great tension and this ease about them, even in their flirting. They are just adorable and great together. Their character growth was done so well and I loved seeing the hidden sides of each of them as they grew in their relationship. And seeing Max take care of them, especially stepping into the role of bonus dad with Nola's daughter, Emma. I loved watching him grow because of this relationship. I also loved their honesty with each other. Really great conflict resolution and loved how they handled it like adults.
These side characters were comedy gold and also provided so much depth to the story as well. I loved how Ella Beachley wrote these side characters and had them play into the story.
This one was wonderful, what a way to kick off a new series, and I cannot wait to see what other stories Beachley brings to us in this series. She is a beautiful writer and I love all of her books. This one definitely did not disappoint. And you won't be disappointed either!
August 20, 2025
Where to begin! I love this book! I saw it on a IG post and saw that it was a Marriage of Convenience story. That is my favorite trope, so I knew I had to read it.
Maxford: I am just trying to watch the game.. alone.. in a sports bar.. hiding out after a scandal wrecked my professional baseball career. But no.. a loud boisterous bachelorette party has chosen a stop in this bar at this time! And then just when they are leaving and I can go back to my solitary sulking the craziest thing happens. Ben Franklin kisses me! Seriously!
Nola: We’re just having fun celebrating my sister’s upcoming wedding. Why can’t the grumpy guy give us a break instead of glaring at us like we’re the plague. Despite the glare, he is kind of cute and my sister did challenge me to a dare.. so why not. I march right up to him, plant one on those pouty lips, turn and leave never expecting to see him again. But of course life never goes as expected.
After a unique first encounter, Maxford and Nola cross paths again in a most unexpected place and not on the best terms. And then to make things even more ridiculous and unbelievable, he proposes they get married.
Add in a delightful 10 year old, an eccentric grandmother and a Roy Orbison playlist and you have the makings of a wonderful book full of hilarious scenes and tender poignant moments.
Maxford: I am just trying to watch the game.. alone.. in a sports bar.. hiding out after a scandal wrecked my professional baseball career. But no.. a loud boisterous bachelorette party has chosen a stop in this bar at this time! And then just when they are leaving and I can go back to my solitary sulking the craziest thing happens. Ben Franklin kisses me! Seriously!
Nola: We’re just having fun celebrating my sister’s upcoming wedding. Why can’t the grumpy guy give us a break instead of glaring at us like we’re the plague. Despite the glare, he is kind of cute and my sister did challenge me to a dare.. so why not. I march right up to him, plant one on those pouty lips, turn and leave never expecting to see him again. But of course life never goes as expected.
After a unique first encounter, Maxford and Nola cross paths again in a most unexpected place and not on the best terms. And then to make things even more ridiculous and unbelievable, he proposes they get married.
Add in a delightful 10 year old, an eccentric grandmother and a Roy Orbison playlist and you have the makings of a wonderful book full of hilarious scenes and tender poignant moments.
July 24, 2025
Synopsis:
Nola had a promising art career that was put on hold, and Maxford is a pro baseball player who fell from grace. One day, they meet each other in a bar, and it turns out being together will solve their problems.
Includes:
✨Marriage of Convenience
✨Fall-from-Grace Athlete
✨Single Mom
✨Not-so-Grumpy Hero
✨Sassy Grandma
✨Take Care when Sick
✨Dual POV
🌶️Heat Level:
Kissing Only
Attraction/Tension:🔥🔥
🛑Content Warning:
Lost of a Loved one (Past)
Dementia
Use of Substances (Past)
My Opinion:
This was a fun story, as always. I love how Ella’s novels are always light-hearted and uplifting, even with more serious subjects in the story. And I really need to watch a baseball match to understand all the references lol. Max is a great grump with a heart of gold, Nola is so much fun to follow, and their banter is very nice to read. It is a clean marriage of convenience, with good tension and make-out sessions. I loved the grandma's importance in the story and how the grownups really talk things through, without the annoying misunderstanding. If you want a nice and sweet baseball romance, this is the one.
*I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*
Nola had a promising art career that was put on hold, and Maxford is a pro baseball player who fell from grace. One day, they meet each other in a bar, and it turns out being together will solve their problems.
Includes:
✨Marriage of Convenience
✨Fall-from-Grace Athlete
✨Single Mom
✨Not-so-Grumpy Hero
✨Sassy Grandma
✨Take Care when Sick
✨Dual POV
🌶️Heat Level:
Kissing Only
Attraction/Tension:🔥🔥
🛑Content Warning:
Lost of a Loved one (Past)
Dementia
Use of Substances (Past)
My Opinion:
This was a fun story, as always. I love how Ella’s novels are always light-hearted and uplifting, even with more serious subjects in the story. And I really need to watch a baseball match to understand all the references lol. Max is a great grump with a heart of gold, Nola is so much fun to follow, and their banter is very nice to read. It is a clean marriage of convenience, with good tension and make-out sessions. I loved the grandma's importance in the story and how the grownups really talk things through, without the annoying misunderstanding. If you want a nice and sweet baseball romance, this is the one.
*I received a free review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*
July 10, 2025
Ella’s writing is a wave of emotions that carries you out to a blissful and peaceful sunset; colorful, emotional, heartfelt, funny and poetic all at once. I adored every minute.
Nola was inspiring in how she faced life as a widowed mother of one. She was fierce and loving and relatable. Max was a grump coupled with the soft interior that we are all here for. Trust me when I say you are going to love this match up.
The balance between the comic relief, the deep and emotional moments and the romance was just perfect. It flowed off the page and I consumed it faster than I was ready to leave it behind.
Also I know there isn’t much of a need to “world build” in a contemporary BUT I appreciate the little nuances Ella always adds to make the scenes more rich. Not all authors prefer to write this way so there’s more room for your imagination to build the scene but I much prefer this style of writing.
Read if you like:
-Marriage of convince
-Hilarious meet cutes
-Major league baseball
-Kaftans
-Sassy Grandmothers
-Artistic FMC
-Grumpy P.E. coach
-Single parent rep
-Boise valley
Plot: 5 stars
Character Development: 5 stars
Romance: 5 stars
Writing Style: 5 stars
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.
.
.
.
.
Spoiler alerts:
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.
.
.
.
Trigger warnings: no swearing. Just kissing. Dementia. Loss of spouse/parents.
Nola was inspiring in how she faced life as a widowed mother of one. She was fierce and loving and relatable. Max was a grump coupled with the soft interior that we are all here for. Trust me when I say you are going to love this match up.
The balance between the comic relief, the deep and emotional moments and the romance was just perfect. It flowed off the page and I consumed it faster than I was ready to leave it behind.
Also I know there isn’t much of a need to “world build” in a contemporary BUT I appreciate the little nuances Ella always adds to make the scenes more rich. Not all authors prefer to write this way so there’s more room for your imagination to build the scene but I much prefer this style of writing.
Read if you like:
-Marriage of convince
-Hilarious meet cutes
-Major league baseball
-Kaftans
-Sassy Grandmothers
-Artistic FMC
-Grumpy P.E. coach
-Single parent rep
-Boise valley
Plot: 5 stars
Character Development: 5 stars
Romance: 5 stars
Writing Style: 5 stars
.
.
.
.
.
.
Spoiler alerts:
.
.
.
.
.
Trigger warnings: no swearing. Just kissing. Dementia. Loss of spouse/parents.
July 5, 2025
With a super funny meet cute that sucked me in from the start, a fantastic cast of characters including a scheming grandmother and an adorable 10 year old, and a marriage of convenience, I'm fairly certain this book was set up exactly for me. I adored Emma (Nola's ten year old daughter) and her hijinks, the sibling relationships for both main characters, and Stella, Max's stately, kooky, amazing grandmother. I read this book early, and now am left impatient for the next books in the series! I can't wait to dive back into the author's backlist because of how fun the storyline of this book was. An all around great plot, with characters that have real things to deal with and issues to overcome as part of their journey! Check this book out ASAP!
June 28, 2025
This new book by Ella Beachley was such a great read, and I was sad when I finished this book. This marriage of convenience, sweet romance, Single mom story was such a great story between Nola and Maxford. Maxford is a pro baseball player who wants to return to a pro team, and Nola is an artist who wants to get her art out there. They meet and decide to benefit from each other, but it quickly becomes so much more. I loved how they communicate and the openness they bring out in each other. I also loved the side characters of Emma, Stella, and Opal; they really brought so much to this story, as well as brought out things in the main characters. Seeing Maxford care so much for the people in his family, and seeing Nola open up again after the loss of her first husband. I loved this story so much, the comedy, the relationships, and the connections all throughout this story. Ella Beachley's writing has quickly become a favorite read of mine.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 24, 2025
This book was so great. I loved it from the very first meet to the end, it was a really fun read. Nola (the name of many many old grandma's here in Australia, nice to see it in a different generation) was a great character and so was Max but hands down my favourite character is Stella. I love having fantastic older generation characters that bring so much to the story. Stella and Opal 😍 what a friendship. I'm not giving any spoilers away. You just should read the book!
😘Pash and dash meet cute
❤️He Falls first
💍Marriage of convenience
🧡Single mum
😍He takes care of her
⚾Fallen from grace baseball star
🎨Artist who blew up her career
👵🏻A fabulous pair of grandma's
😘Pash and dash meet cute
❤️He Falls first
💍Marriage of convenience
🧡Single mum
😍He takes care of her
⚾Fallen from grace baseball star
🎨Artist who blew up her career
👵🏻A fabulous pair of grandma's
July 10, 2025
Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book so much, and it started off so good that I was immediately drawn in (which doesn’t always happen for me). I loved the meet cute between the MCs and how it played out from there. Miscommunication was not an issue in this book (and even explicitly stated as such!). It’s got a meddling grandmother (always a hit), a Jack Sparrow look-alike, and Founding Father costumes.
It also turns out the term “painting the corners” is a baseball term so I’m glad that was explained in the book!
Read if you love:
- sports romance
- single mother
- marriage of convenience
- Founding Father costumes
- closed door
I enjoyed this book so much, and it started off so good that I was immediately drawn in (which doesn’t always happen for me). I loved the meet cute between the MCs and how it played out from there. Miscommunication was not an issue in this book (and even explicitly stated as such!). It’s got a meddling grandmother (always a hit), a Jack Sparrow look-alike, and Founding Father costumes.
It also turns out the term “painting the corners” is a baseball term so I’m glad that was explained in the book!
Read if you love:
- sports romance
- single mother
- marriage of convenience
- Founding Father costumes
- closed door
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