Pitching for Keeps

by April K. Murdock

I definitely don't check Jay Talley's pitching stats every night during baseball season. His ERA is 2.74, but I have no idea how I know that.

But when my sister's wedding throws us back together—and he still has my number saved with a baseball emoji—our secret college romance is one wonky lie away from being exposed.

I'm terrible at pretending I don't understand baseball. He still knows exactly how I like my sweet tea. And everyone's starting to notice the hot pitcher is having the game of his life with me watching.

My box of memorabilia might scream the truth. But then Jay’s revelation confirms what the rest of the wedding party has already started to think. This whole wedding might be the end of my self control!

Now I have seven days of wedding craziness to figure out if walking away was the smart play—or if I gave up the love of my life for a sacrifice he never asked me to make.

A cute, swoony second-chance romance about taking swings, stealing bases, and the kind of love that's worth the wait.

Genres: Second Chance

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2025

Reviews

[Gwen Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet little rom-com this is. There is a lot packed into the 80 pages of this book. A lot of feelings with a wedding and a reunion of two people who have been sepatated but in love for five years. Tracy is helping her sister with her wedding and she is told on the way to dinner that Jay Talley is going to be at this dinner. But it couldn't be her Jay could it? Her Jay Talley plays for the Austin Stars and she has loved him for five years. The dated in college and he wanted to take it to another step but she did not want to hold him back in his baseball career so she stepped aside. Now if this is her Jay is this a second chance for them to change the ending and be together forever. Only time will tell and we only have seven days of wedding craziness to figure it out.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story has made me smile, it was cute, had humour, good supporting characters and flowed well. I liked how everything unfolded and the love that shone through, I never for one moment doubted that Tracy and Jay were meant to be together, or that they wouldn't make the most of their second chance at a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Knight Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fantastic rom-com as Jay and Tracy reconnect after five years. What a fun uplifting story, when these two met again, and Tracy does everything to make it seem, that they barely knew each other back in the day. Jay was made of stronger stuff. He would tell a little more but not everything.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, sweet romantic comedy involving a second chance during a wedding week celebration. I liked that Tracy and Jay had never given up on their love, even after not seeing each other in five years. Funny how it took Tracy's sister getting married to bring this couple back together. Very romantic and there were plenty of sweet, funny moments too.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracy and Jay were close until she broke up with him afraid she would be the reason he didn't achieve his professional baseball dreams even though her passion for the game made him better. They get a second chance at her sister's wedding but will she take it? This was a kisses only second chance romance.

[NubianJoí · Rating 5 out of 5]

Statistically Yours

Oh wow 🤩‼️ I needed that quick read, a hardy laugh & a sporting romcom genre too 🧢😆‼️Nevertheless, “Pitching For Keeps (Austin Stars Baseball RomCom - Book 1” was entertaining & impressive career baseball stats & fun to witness Tracy & Jay’s second chance too 😍👀. I could use a Tracy & Jay double hitter 🤭‼️

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be read as a standalone but is the first book in an interconnected series.
I can't wait for the next book
College sweethearts
Second chance
Secret obsessions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I loved Tracy and Jay's story. Their story is a sweet short read that left me with a smile. These two were college sweethearts but split when they graduated. They meet again at her sister's wedding and everything changes. A wonderful short read.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pitching for Keeps

A sweet very short story of college sweethearts being thrown back together while attending a wedding as part of the wedding party. Jay and Tracy get a second chance to find out if their love story in college was meant to be.

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

This is fun, flirty and a fantastic short romance story. Tracy and Jay's second chance is witty and heart warming. Loved it.

[Eliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet!

[Julie]

Sweet quick listen on Audible! I loved the story - the virtual voice did lack some emotion, but I'd still recommend for anyone looking for a clean, second-chance baseball romance!