First Base Flutters

by Elle Marie

A single mom, a grumpy baseball legend, and one unforgettable season.

Marissa’s got three kids, a fifth wheel trailer, and exactly zero room for a six-foot-five, world-famous slugger in her life. But when Callum Haymes—The Hammer—shows up, he doesn’t just want a date. He wants all of it. Her. The kids. The chaos.

One night turns into road trips, batting cage lessons in the backyard, and a man who somehow makes folding laundry feel like foreplay.

Callum thought baseball was his whole world. But loving Marissa—and being “Dad” to her kids—might be the biggest win of his life.

Steamy banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and a found family you’ll never want to leave—perfect for fans of sports romance with a romcom heart.

Genres: Romance

179 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2025

About the author

Elle Marie resides in the Pacific NW with her family. Writing is her creative outlet, and hobby. Elle has always been a very vivid dreamer, and most of her stories are based from dreams she’s had. Elle hopes that her stories not only hit you with a deep emotional connection to the characters, but also leave you full of spicy desires.

https://www.instagram.com/author.elle...

email: romance.author.ellemarie@gmail.com

Reviews

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five states in three days ,that’s Marissa’s mainstays not to mention four meltdowns and two pukearrific events as well as a dental emergency so it’s with some urgency when she parks her six wheeler in Austin,Texas with her kids in the back. Straightaway they’re on her attack ,when’s dad coming ? Yup they’ve landed but this time is more permanent fixture as MAV / Maverick James ,her twin bro has turned pro,he’s in the show…“Bro, I thought she was his girlfriend. Turns out it’s his sister.” “Even hotter,” “That’s my sister you’re drooling over, man.
Watch your mouth.” He’s the new starting pitcher for the Blaze you know and here’s she with all her three kids R.J. , Reece and June in tow and she’s been noticed by the other rookies on his team... They notice a giant of a man “You see the size of that thing? Jesus.” “Don’t make eye contact with it. That’s how you die.” “You know
why they call him Hammer, right?” “It’s not for his swing.” Callum has heard it all before ‘ Hammer Hames’ When Callum with his muscles turns up with his steamy banter ,he doesn’t just want her for one night for a start ,so he’s definitely not Santa ,one night in the year ….he’s here for it all ,her ,her family,her heart, it does indeed Flutter at First Base ,this heart of hers that feels like it’s in a race ,because she found that Callum is who her heart desires in any case …especially when he lights her fires . This is one great storyline by the lovely Elle Marie, it’s divine . The storytelling is awesome and compelling to me . Reading this book I was in ecstasy . Mercy me phew 😮‍💨 it will you be too.

[Din · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Short, sweet, and honestly kind of adorable. This was the perfect romcom break after a string of darker reads. That said, I don’t think insta-love is ever going to be my thing. They met once, slept together that night, and boom—pregnancy. And somehow after just that one night, they’re both so obsessed with each other they can’t stop thinking about it?

I get love at first sight, sure, but this was a bit weird. Like, does this even happen IRL? (No, I’m not a cynic—just a very overthinking smartass.)

Also… she just had a baby and they’re already back at it, making another one? Like damn. I get that she’s young and he’s rich, but girl. Two babies in under two years? Good luck ever sleeping again.

Was there a bit of a breeding kink vibe? Yes. Am I judging? No. Did I find it kind of hot? Also yes.

Despite my overthinking, it was cute. I loved how Marissa’s kids instantly accepted Cal and how he just slotted into their lives like he’d always been there. And the way Marissa slowly learned she didn’t have to carry everything alone anymore? That was sweet. Cal showed up for her, and that made all the difference.

Not groundbreaking, but super feel-good and definitely worth the read if you want something light with just enough heat. That said, there were a few things that didn’t feel natural — like short choppy lines or repeated phrasing that made me stop and go, “wait, what?” At one point the baby’s name was spelled Rory, then suddenly it was Rori. Little things like that threw me off while reading.

[Crystal CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Base Flutters is a novella sized read. It’s fast paced with some depth. Marissa James is a widow raising her twins and her nephew as triplets. Her brother Maverick (Mav), a pitcher, has just broken through and gotten a big league contract with the Austin Blaze.

Callum (Cal) “The Hammer” Haymes is a veteran first baseman nearing the end of his career and starting to become jaded. A chance meeting between Marissa and Cal, and a “this can only be tonight” pact soon becomes something much more.

I enjoyed how the story unfolds and the steadiness of Cal. He’s all in and unabashedly so. He’s at the place in life where he’s ready for the next chapter. I love the relationship he has with the kids. He falls hard for Marissa and wants it all.

I have a couple of critiques about it the story- first, I got a little lost with the kids and who was who. This intensifies when Cal gives them the nicknames. The names are cute and perfect though. Secondly, I got lost at times with where Mav was in the story. He is but isn’t in the picture all at once. I would love to see Mav get his own story too.

What to Expect:
🥞 Dual POV
🥞 Baseball romance
🥞 Single parent
🥞 Age Gap (39 x 25)
🥞 Accidental Pregnancy
🥞 Size difference
🥞 Cinnamon roll MMC
🥞 Pet names
🥞 HEA

Spice:
🌶️🌶️/5

Thank you Elle Marie for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!

[Sam T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Home Run of the Heart
This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. Marissa, juggling three kids and life in a fifth wheel trailer, is the kind of heroine you root for instantly. And Callum Haymes—The Hammer—is the grumpy, swoon-worthy slugger who barges into her world and somehow fits perfectly into the chaos.
What makes this story shine is its effortless charm. It was such an easy read—perfectly paced, with just the right length to keep you hooked without dragging. I genuinely had a hard time putting it down. The banter is steamy and sharp, the emotional beats hit home, and the chemistry between Marissa and Callum? A definite home run! I couldn’t help but fall in love with these characters—they’re messy, real, and unforgettable.
⚾ Whether you're a sports romance fan or just love a good romcom with heart, this book knocks it out of the park. It’s a feel-good, curl-up-under-a-blanket kind of read that leaves you smiling long after the last page.

[Rhiannon Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Base Flutters - Elle Marie

I loved this authors writing in previous books, so I just knew I would love this book as well. The relationship between Marissa and Callum. It was such a cute contemporary romance. I also love the fact that it’s a baseball sports romance. I typically don’t really get to see those often. The chemistry is out of this world and the writing is just so incredible. I’d love to see more books by the author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️

Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy

Series 🌙 Unknown/Not Applicable

Genre/Tropes ✨ surprise pregnancy, sports romance, baseball romance, contemporary romance, baseball player MMC, single mom FMC

[FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is all new genre from Elle Marie for me, and it didnt disappoint at all. The pacing is quick and engaging, yet the heart-fluttering scenes are everywhere! I love the big close-knit family energy. Everything about the story feels and smells like home and hitting a home run. I absolutely enjoy reading this piece.

Thank you for the ARC opportunity 🙌.