Convincing the Catcher

The Good Girls of NE University #2

by Hannah Gray

Book #2 in the Good Girls of NE University Series. Blurb and tropes TBA.

Genres: Sports Romance, Friends To Lovers, Sports, Baseball, He Falls First, College, Romance

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2026

About the author

Hannah Gray spends her days in vacationland, living in a small, quaint town on the coast of Maine. She is an avid reader of contemporary romance and is always in competition with herself to read more books every year.

During the day, she loves on her three perfect-to-her daughters and tries to be the best mom she can be. But once she tucks them in at night--okay, scratch that. Once they fall asleep next to her in her bed--because their bedrooms apparently have monsters in them--she dives into her own fantasy world, staying awake well into the late-night hours, typing away stories about her characters. As much as she loves being a wife and mom--and she certainly does love it--reading and writing are her outlet, giving her a place to travel far away while still physically being with her family.

She married her better half in 2013, and he's been putting up with her craziness every day since. As her anchor, he's her one constant in this insane, forever-changing world.

Facbook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hannahgrayau...
Twitter: @AuthorHannahGr1
IG: @authorhannah_gray

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When New England University’s Cane Hale’s reputation tanks, he makes a deal with the school’s star softball player, Harland Meadows, to help him with his image.

Cane is the type of MMC that dreams are made of! He is, quite literally, all that and a box of chocolates! He’s a caretaker, attentive, determined, and just all around dreamy!!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult, Sports

Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 🥴🥺🫠😭😍
Darkness: 🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

✨ Tropes: Fake Relationship (Friendship), One Bed
 
💫 Microtropes: Black Cat FMC, Caretaker/Protective MMC, “Good Girl”, He Falls First, He Falls Harder, Jersey Moment, “Make Me Forget”, Pet Name (Catch), Sex Lessons, Virgin FMC, “You Take Me So Well”

🔆 Character: Athlete

💋 Kinks: n/a

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

🚩 Red Flags: Dominant MMC

⛔️ Safety Squad: Death of Parent

📍 Setting: College, Maine 🇺🇸

📣 Type: Convincing the Catcher is the part of the Good Girls of NE University series of interconnected standalones.

⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Thorunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about getting your hair blown back! Pheww. This book was just... I literally consumed it in less than 24 hours! Like, it came in - I set EVERYTHING aside (my current reads, my real life responsibilities) and just dove in. I could not put this down. So I'm going to do this review a little different, this one'll be a time lapse of my reactions whilst reading.

1-10%
God, how I love Hannah's books / stories / writing. It's just so good. She could write the phone book and I wouldn't be able to put it down. That said, okurrr-okurrr, I'm getting to know these two MCs! I'm so invested. And how I do love getting to know Cane now as a semi-adult from having "seen" him in his mom and Tripp's book. I'm digging it! I see you boo. And Tripp, I see you too! Mm hmm. Harley, dang girl! Daaaaang. You're an inspiration.

10-20%
I am so sucked into this book, I literally got to 20% without blinking. I'm so damn invested in these two. Cane, I'm melting for you and your complete and utter next level golden retriever / good boy / savior ways. I'm gone. Obsessed. Harley... girl!!! Just, girl!

20-47%
I am SOBBING!!!! Omfg Hannah, you make my cry in every single book!!!! But this???? This broke me... I am not okay....

47-60%
HOLY HOTBALLS ON THE BEACH IN 1,000,000 DEGREE WEATHER WITHOUT SUNBLOCK OR AN UMBRELLA OR CLOUD IN SIGHT WITH PASTY WHITE SKIN. wow. wow. wow. umm... sooo like... I may have taken notes. I may have shared a very particular scene with my book club and they too may or may not have lost their minds over a very particular part... e-hem. So like... the mouth on him? Umm.... yum. Like... sir, may I have another? .... but like "don't swallow".... goner. I am in a puddle on the floor. Send help.

60-100%
Just break my heart in a million pieces and put it all back together again, would ya? Good grief... I'm so not okay from so many parts of this yet I am so good right now on the other side of 100%... like good grief and good night, that was a rollercoaster and a half. Reflecting back, that middle part - I'm still blushing. These two MCs are delicious together, their whole circle is so amazing... of course I loved it, but omg the tears I shed over this book. Like I'm still not okay. But that one scene... I'm still blushing! Gah!

Gather from that what you will, and IYKYK!!!! ... and lemme tell you, you wanna know! Mkay? Good grief!!!

For those not in the know about Hannah's books, we've got a next gen, college double athletes happening here. Per Hannah's writing, she'll most likely make your heart hurt and she'll make you cry, but then she'll also turn you on so bad that you think you're literally about to combust, and then on the next page she'll tear you apart all before putting you back together again, patting you on the a$$ and calling you a good girl / boy while you suck your thumb in a corner trying to piece your real life back together again because the book is over and you just went through the wash and tumble cycle and you're all disoriented. But then you pop that thumb out, straighten your back and search for the next one. ... Yeah, you read that right.

Hannah will take you on the ride of your life - so this book? Oh my god, it'll have you balling your eyes out and this one had one of the hottest smex scenes I've read all year... which is saying something. So does this have my stamp of approval and would I recommend it? What do you think? I can't believe you're still here reading this review when you could be reading this book. Hit me back after you hit that one scene though, we can compare blushes.

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟, 3🌶️

Somehow this book managed to break my heart and heal it at the same time.

What seems like a simple friends to lovers college sports romance quietly unfolds into something much deeper, rooted in grief, resilience, and showing up when it matters most. Cane and Harley just fit, and Cane in particular stands out in the softest, most genuine way with how consistently he cares.

Harley’s journey carries so much weight, balancing her ambitions, her health, and her father’s illness in a way that feels painfully real. The emotional depth is handled with such care that it never feels overwhelming, just honest. Cane doesn’t try to fix anything, he simply stands beside her, supporting her and believing in her, and that steady presence makes their connection feel incredibly real.

The shift from friendship to love is slow but meaningful, making every moment land exactly the way it should. It’s tender, emotional, and quietly powerful, with just enough heat to complement the heart of the story.

Truly one of those unforgettable, everything-you-want kind of reads.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Hannah Gray and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Aleja · Rating 4 out of 5]

MF romance | Sport romance | College romance | Dual Athletes: Baseball Player x Softball Player | Slow burn | Friends to lovers | He falls first (and harder) | Forced proximity | Type 1 Diabetic Rep | Grief Rep


Okey, no esperaba para nada llorar con este libro! 😭💖

Amé demasiado a Harland y a Cane. No tengo palabras suficientes todavía (sigo en shock por lo increíble que fue), así que solo diré que la relación tan bonita que se creó entre los protagonistas fue maravillosa de leer 🥹.

Cane, te llevaste absolutamente todo mi corazón. Es el personaje más bonito y sincero que he leído en mucho tiempo; todo en él gritaba green flag✨ Y Harley, tu determinación me ha dado mucho en qué pensar con respecto a mi propia vida.

Sinceramente, no tengo palabras... Lo amé demasiado! 💖✨

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

Okay, I definitely didn't expect to cry over this book! 😭💖

I absolutely adored Harland and Cane. I’m still a bit speechless (and honestly in shock over how incredible it was), so I’ll just say that the beautiful relationship between the leads was a joy to read🥹.

Cane, you have my whole heart. He is the loveliest, most sincere character I’ve read in a long time—he is the ultimate green flag personified ✨. And Harley, your determination has really given me a lot to think about regarding my own life.

I’m honestly at a loss for words... I loved it so much! 💖✨

[Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️|3🌶️

Omg this book wrecked me in the best way 😭 I genuinely don’t have words for the warmth, comfort & pure emotion I get from Hannah’s stories. She writes some of my all time favorite MMCs & Cane Hale just took his seat🥹

Cane is the goldenest golden retriever. The way he loves & cares for everyone around him, the caretaker in him had me an absolute puddle.

And Harland is such a baddie!!! She’s strong, fierce, determined & I absolutely adored her. The diabetes representation was done so well in this book.

From fake friendship, to a deep trauma bond, to falling in love… these two had my whole damn heart from start to finish.

All the stars👏🏻👏🏻

[Anca A · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Review: *Convincing the Catcher* - Hannah Gray - ARC
4.9/5✨
3.5/5🌶️

Harley Meadows knew from an early age that she wanted to be a professional softball player and getting there meant no distractions. But multiple facts would change that. Being a diabetic and because her father was very sick would make things harder for her, because she would loose the insurance which covered her treatment. That's where baseball player Cane Hale came into the picture, who offered Harley his help with covering the costs for her treatment in exchange for her friendship. Why? Well, Cane was facing some hate from everyone after he did something pretty wrong, fact which pushed him to make Harley that proposal. Somehow, Harley and Cane will become very close and lines will start to get blurred and that will make it tough for Harley in taking a decision: to keep her focus only on softball or to also give love a chance?

This book was such an emotional rollercoaster!! It was heartbreaking to follow the health degradation of Harley's father, the cancer being really aggressive and ultimately taking him. This was a tough situation for Harley, who searched comfort in Cane's arms. This was the sweet side of this story, loving so much how thoughtful Cane was with Harley. Their friendship was out of nowhere, but it was something really cute and I liked how it evolved throughout the story. That came with a really slow burn, which I enjoyed so, so much! And ohh, I cannot forget about all those spicy scenes these two took part of. Ufff!!🥵 Sooo hot!! 🔥

I was surprised in the best way by this book, loving it so much! It had sensitive topics, which is why I'm recommending for you to read the triggers before starting this book. This side deeply touched me and the sweet love story made me really giddy.

Thank you so much to Love Notes Pr and Hannah for accepting me for this e-ARC. Love it so much! 🥹

✨Tropes
▫️Friends To Lovers
▫️He Falls First
▫️Virgin FMC
▫️Loss/Grief
▫️Slow Burn
▫️Spicy Lessons
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Softball Player FMC
▫️Baseball Player MMC

[Kayla | Kayla Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential Convincing the Catcher reading essentials: lots and LOTS of Kleenex. Why? Because there won't be a dry eye in sight! Be prepared to read several chapters with tears in your eyes.

Before we go any further, you need to read your triggers for this one. If you have a trigger for loss of a parent and death on page then this one may not be for you. But if you decide to go into this one, just know I think the story is so worth it!

Now I am going to be vulnerable with you here for a second. As an unfortunate member of the Dead Parents Club, this book healed a little bit of me. It was therapeutic and cathartic for me. Reading is the one thing that helped me work through the emotions of losing my mother. And it's books like this where I see myself in characters that always help me heal more of myself. In this book both Harley and Cane have lost a parent. Cane lost his father at a very young age and during the timeline in this book, Harley's dad is dying from cancer with death on page. When I tell you, the way Harley deals with her father's diagnosis and death is so recognizant of a very dark time in my life.

Can we talk about Cane real quick. Because listen, I am not someone who gravitates towards a golden retriever but that man that Cane Hale is! This man is literal perfection! I couldn't have picked a more suiting MMC for Harley. The way he just wanted to be there for her and help her navigate the loss of her father. As if I wasn't already crying throughout this book, that also brought tears to my eyes because the way that I wish I had a Cane Hale in my life when I lost my mom.

Ugh ok, I'm gonna cry just thinking about this book and writing my review. Hannah, thank you for a book where I felt seen. That helped me heal. For a book that tackled a difficult topic matter and handled it with the utmost care. I love you so much!

You should read this book if you like:
- College Romance
- Baseball Player x Softball Player
- Dual Athletes
- Friends to Lovers
- Type 1 Diabetic Rep
- Grief Rep
- He Falls First and HARD
- Boy Obsessed
- Virgin FMC
- Spicy Lessons

* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Hannah Gray for allowing me the absolute pleasure to read Convincing the Catcher as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ such a refreshing take on sports romance, grief and grit!

[CHELSEA · Rating 5 out of 5]

3🌶️

This book had me by the THROAT! This book is the definition of eye tears & thigh tears!!

🥎sports romance
⚾️friendship of convenience
🥎type one diabetes rep
⚾️virgin fmc
🥎spicy lessons
⚾️he falls first
TW: Loss of a parent (the story is WELL WORTH IT but please be sure you are prepared!)

I am a Hannah stan! There isn’t a book she’s written that I haven’t loved!! She puts so much heart behind her stories & you could feel it through the pages! Now Brody O’Brien has been my top Hannah mmc since I read Filthy Boy but Cane Hale comes VERY close to Brody obsession for me!

Harland Meadows is an amazing pitcher who has worked her ass off to be where she’s at in life & doesn’t do distractions. She has dreams of playing pro softball & will not sacrifice her hard work and dedication to the sport, but when Cane Hale, the star pitcher for NEU needs her help in the form of being his friend to help fix his public image Harland agrees.

While Harland is helping Cane with his image, Cane is in turn helping Harland with something extremely important and vital to her health. Along the way they actually form a friendship that is so very special. Cane is the sweetest most selfless mmc Hannah has written & the way he is there for Harland in so many ways throughout this book & constantly showing up for her even if his feelings are going past the friend zone that Harland has firmly set in place. He just wants to be there for her 🥹

The story is beautiful & when things start to turn into “more than friendship” territory you better be ready because It’s HOT!

Hannah does an amazing job at weaving sweet & spicy storylines with emotional depth & this book does it flawlessly. The emotional aspect & difficult topics discussed were delicately & beautifully written! I just love this book & these two so much!

Thank you to @thesmuthood & @authorhannah_gray for the early copy💖

[Catherine M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Hannah Gray deserves all the stars with this one. She did something incredibly special with Convincing the Catcher. It was as sweet as it was emotional. I cried multiple times, teared up more than I want to admit and swooned so hard over Cane. He just climbed way up in my ranking of men written by Hannah.

Cane was sweet, present and supportive. He took caretaking to another level. I saw so much of Tripp and Freya in him. The way he was there for Harley melted my heart. What might’ve started as a friendship of convenience when Harland is faced with medical uncertainties became more and In was here for it all.

And as much as I loved Cane, the same can be said about Harland. This girl was an absolute badass on the softball field and off. She amazed me at every opportunity, in her strongest moments as well as her most vulnerable ones.

You can’t forget about their chemistry!!! These two had it in spades. The spice might start a little later in this one but it was well worth the wait because woah!! when it hits, it hits!!!!

I also have to tip my hat off to Hannah, the care she took to have an accurate representation of diabetes 1 didn’t go unnoticed. I also have never felt more seen than with how she approached the loss of a parent. So thank you, Hannah, for the attention you gave to the little details that mattered.

*please check the trigger warnings

It’s no suprise here that I absolutely, 1000%, recommend this book!

I would like to thank Hannah Gray for the opportunity to read and review Convincing the Catcher.

[Cokiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this series!

I love soooo much that these girls are sports players too. I haven't come across that many in sports romance. With the rise of recognition that women are getting in sports, books like this one are amazing!!

Harley has known for a long time that catching is the dream and the goal. Shes worked so hard (and the book explains so well how much she worked for it!) and has overcome soooo much. And sadly she's going to have keep working even though shes going though the worst time in her life.

Theres also some disability representation in this one. Harley has diabetes and its something that is involved in her whole life. And when it looks like she can't get the meds she needs someone steps in. Someone whos become SO smitten with her. Cane.

Cane is someone we've met before! Its amazing when we get some previous characters pop in from Hannah's previous series. Its like little Easter Eggs!

Cane is used to being beloved by everyone. But one mistake (or was it?) has everyone turning on him. His idea? Have someone else whos still in the good graces of social media be with him. And he'd help her. Great deal right? When feelings arent involved?

This book goes THROUGH it. I dont want to spoil but Harley has some tough times. And Cane? He really steps it up to be there. Swoon.

[Chelsea Mansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convincing the Catcher by Hannah Gray eARC Review ⚾️

4.5 ⭐️

Am I loving this second generation series by Hannah, absolutely.

I need to preface this by saying that I will read and devour everything that Hannah writes, I would read her grocery list honestly, but this series I can already tell is going to be a new favorite of mine.

There is something so unbelievably special about Cane and Harland and their bond/ relationship. Cane is one of the sweetest MMCs that Hannah has written, hands down. He is such a kind, courteous, respectful man and I truly adored his character. Harland is a bad ass softball catcher who has been dreams and aspirations, but when she experiences a loss in her family everything changes.

Cane becomes her rock throughout her hard time and watching him take care of her and the two of them falling in love is the absolute sweetest.

What to expect:
Dual athletes (softball player x baseball player)
Friendship of convenience
Virgin FMC
A He falls first
He takes care of her
Spicy lessons
Typel diabetes representation (FMC)
One bed moment

Thank you so much Hannah for the arc!

[Jess • bestiebookshelf_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this new series by Hannah Gray, highlighting women in sports!!

Harley and Cane were so good together. I loved the dynamic of how their friendship came to be. He was definitely a boy down badddd for his red-headed vixen. These two built such a lovely friendship before things turned physical for them which I really liked. They actually just became so obsessed with each other. They both supported each other so much and seeing them hold space for one another was so special. The way Cane supported Harley through her Dad passing away was really lovely. He always saw her for her, even when she was in the thick of her grief.

Hannah's writing of Harley's diabetes was done SO WELL. I feel like I learnt so much from this book about Type 1 which just shows the amount of care and attention that went into writing this part accurately. It was so sweet that Cane learnt how to take care of Harley in this way, too.

Read if you like:
- College
-Baseball Pitcher x Softball Catcher
-Women in sports
-Diabetes rep
-Virgin FMC
-He falls first
-Caretaking

Yes, my review is late. I'm behind and busy! Thank you for the arc, Hannah! <3

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This book just made it into my top 3 Hannah books. Full RTC!

[Danielle Hooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC review✨
this book took me out 😭 Hannah literally never lets me down and her stories always seem to pull at all of my emotions. this one involved a sick parent and it was really tough for our girl Harley to go through, but her friend, Cane, who wouldn’t quit showing up for her wouldn’t allow her to go through it alone 🥺

Cane was going through a wake up call himself and kept finding himself drawn to the badass catcher and due to circumstances surrounding Harley’s diabetes medication, he offered her a friendship of convenience situation. but as we know, the feelings developed over time and eventually they both gave in, cause duh 🤭

and oh my goodness the mouth on Cane Hale had be fanning myself 🙂‍↕️ Harland Meadows is one lucky lady if i say so myself, iykyk

this is the second book in the Good Girls of NE University and i can’t wait to continue this series!

[Erin Under_Covers_Smut_Lover]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

Talk about a book that brought forward some hard emotions for me. Hannah brought us another outstanding book that I couldn't put down, and actually reread it again once I finished the first time. Prepare to fall in love with Cane and Harland.

Tropes:
🥎 College Sports Romance
⚾️ Baseball Player/Softball Player
🥎 Dual Athletes
⚾️ Friendship of Convenience
🥎 Vrgn FMC
⚾️ He Falls First
🥎 He Takes Care Of Her
⚾️ One Bed Moment
🥎 Spicy Lessons
⚾️ Type 1 Diabetes Rep.

Harland has pretty much had to fight for what she wants her whole life. Being told she wasn't good enough as a child led her to working harder than most at softball. She is the catcher for the University, and worked hard to perfect her skill. She doesn't party or date. She's very career focused.

Harland also has a lot on her shoulders. She is a type 1 diabetic, and her father is also battling cancer. Between her diabetes and her father's cancer, the metal bills are racking up. So she is focused now more than ever.

When an insurance payment is missed, it leads to problems for Harland picking up her medicine she needs. She runs into Cane Hale and he strikes up an arrangement for them. He'll help her with what she needs if she'll help him by becoming his friend. A friendship of convenience basically.

Cane is the stepson to hockey legend Tripp Talmage, who is also the universities Assistant Hockey Coach now. He's also the beloved captain of the universities baseball team until he makes some bad decisions and there is backlash on him now.

He hears Harland in the phone with her mom about the prescriptions and he works up a deal with her. If she agrees to becoming his friend and helps him clean up his imagine, he'll pay for her prescriptions.

Harland can't really afford to say no. She needs her medication to play and live. She agrees to helping Tripp under 1 condition, no romance. Tripp does have a thing for a certain catcher, but agrees. I got the impression that he was into older women anyway.

When tragedy strikes and Harland loses her father to cancer, she turns to the one person she thought she never would, Cane. He is there for her in all ways. Anyway he could help her, he would. They really did have a type of bond that they both worked for.

These 2 together had such flirty banter. I love how these 2 reacted to one another and to others. It's like you could see that there was something more to them, but they had to cross that line of friendship to get there.

When the spice was introduced to their relationship, it took it to more of a friends with benefits. It friends with spicy lessons, because he was experienced and she was not. The spice was yummy in this book and I was loving the dirty mouth on Cane Hale 🥵🥵

I couldn't wait for this book when I finished Getting the Goalie, book 1 in The Good Girls of NE University series. I knew from that book that this whole series was going to be spectacular. The author did not disappoint with this book. I'm already excited for the next.

[Kira Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Show Them." Those are the words that Harland has lived by since she was ten years old. Words her dad gave her that became her motto. In her pursuit of becoming a professional softball player and showing everyone she is deserving of her position, she has never let anything or anyone distract her from her goal. When life tries to bring her down like it did when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 16, she refused to be held down and "showed them" that she could and would be the best catcher on the team and it led her to NE University. She's trying to be her best while struggling with her grief and the ability to afford the medicine she needs. Which brings us to Cane. The star pitcher for NE University has admired Harland from afar knowing she doesn't date but he has gotten himself into a bit of a sticky situation and has lost all favor with his followers and his team. Overhearing that Harland is struggling with the ability to afford her medication, he comes up with a plan to not only get closer to Harland but to help her get the medicine she needs... While helping his reputation at the same time. But when tragedy strikes for Harland he is there for her when she needs someone the most and their friendship blooms into something more. But will she still want him when they return to campus or will she do what she always does and push everything and everyone away to focus on her game? Grab your copy of Convincing the Catcher to find out!

Thank you Hannah Gray and The Smuthood for this ARC. This is an absolutely beautiful story that I think I could read time and time again.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.75


⚾️ Baseball Player x Softball Player
🧢 College Romance
⚾️ Friends To Lovers
🧢 Dual Athletes
⚾️ He Falls First & Hard
🧢 Grief Rep
⚾️ Type 1 Diabetes Rep
🧢 Boy Obsessed
⚾️ Virgin FMC
🧢 Spicy Lessons
⚾️ Golden Retriever x Black Cat


⚠️ PLEASE CHECK YOUR CONENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS! PLEASE PROTECT YOUR MENTAL PEACE☮️ ⚠️

✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 REVIEW ✨️

This was one of my favorite Baseball/Softball reads with tears in my eyes! This was such an emotional read and I couldn't help but feel how hard my heart was hurting at times. This story has some sensitive subjects that are discussed so please check your warnings to protect your mental peace! If you are able to read this it is sooo worth it!!

  I am a sucker for a golden retriever when it comes to men, and Cane is defintiely every little bit one! He is perfect in every way and for Harley! He wanted nothing more than to be there for her, and be supportive when she lost her father. I loved these two in such a BIG way! 

I also want to say as someone of the Diabetes Club, I appreciate Hannah showing the struggle that so many of us go through daily! The struggle of not being able to afford medication is such a HUGE thing in the USA and there is no reason for it other than greed. Medication should be affordable to EVERYONE, and some people don't always underwstand having insurance is a luxury.

I really loved this book and cannot recoomend it enough to those who can read this!

Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Hannah Gray ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📚. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.

[Lexie Parizek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh… I’m writing this review immediately after reading the book and the way my emotions are still in trapped in it is insane. This is definitely one of the most emotional books I’ve read in awhile but wow, it was done so well! The grief that is in this story is huge, but so is the love and support.

You will smile, you will giggle, and you will cry. But I swear I felt like I knew these characters. I was completely pulled in and felt these feelings like I was feeling them for someone really in my life.

The commitment they have to their sport but also to each other, even as friends is amazing! The MMC truly is a golden retriever in man form and the way he cares for the FMC and is a part of helping her with her diabetes was something I loved! I felt like the MMC had lots of people who cared about him, but she truly knew him and they understood each other so well in so many different aspects!

I read Hannah’s series that had the MMC’s parents in it but it has been quite awhile so it didn’t even register that was who this was and it definitely made me want to go back and reread the series again. I would love to see more of this couple and see their life even more.

Thank you The Smuthood Inc and Hannah Gray for the early copy - all opinions are my own and I have the tears to prove it!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED it. I 100% cried.  This book may have impacted me more than a book should, but in all the right ways.  Sometimes you don’t know you need a good cry until it just happens, but then when the spice hits, it hits soooooo good.
 
💙 Cane, the star pitcher at NEU, and Harland, the star catcher at NEU have their paths cross and what a whirlwind of a journey do they both go on.  Harland has no business wanting a relationship as all her life she has had to prove why she deserves to be the #1 catcher on her softball teams with the encouragement of her Dad every step of the way, but when insurance troubles arise and she is unable to afford her Type 1 Diabetic medication, Cane is there to offer her a solution. He helps pay for what she needs, and she helps boost his social media after he took the blame for a prank gone wrong. 🩵
 
Throughout the story, there are ups, downs, emotional growth, tragic loss, grief, cute nicknames, spicy lessons, and the one bed moment was perfection.  Cane is now a baseball book boyfriend for how attentive he is to Harland’s needs and his willingness to show restraint when she needed her space. He shows up during the most difficult times and THAT sold this book for me.

[Naii · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

This was such an emotional read and also a very healing one🥹 Everything that is Cane Hale is pure kindness and soft hearted. Since he was a little boy, you can already tell that he’s a care taker to his very core. His needing to step in and help others is astounding and very sweet! He loves hard and fiercely with actions and is everything Harley needed and more!🥹🥰

Harley,my girl!whew😮‍💨the strength on this woman truly amazes me! With everything that was going on in her life, I’d have expected her to give up something..but not this girl!She’s the go getter her dad knew she would be. She stood up high and made sure to achieve her goals and she did!I couldn’t be more proud🥹👏🏽 Loved the character growth on both of her and Cane and I absolutely loved the healing part of this book!It was well and beautifully written✨

Thank you so much to Hannah and team for the ARC🫶🏼✨

4⭐️//2.5🌶️

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cane & Harland

Well once again Hannah got me right in the feels and had me feeling so emotional!
I do love a second gen book and this one was no exception. This time we get Tripp and Freya's son Cane.

I absolutely loved Cane i thought he was a beautiful MMC his care taking and acts of service were just beyond. He showed up for not only Harley but for every single person in his life.

Harland had so many circumstances that made her have sky high walls and a defensive nature off the bat. Cane slowly broke through those defenses and wrecked all her carefully made plans in the best way.

Overall a beautiful, emotionally charged love story!

🩵Dual Athletes (Softball Player x Baseball Player)
🩵He Falls First
🩵Friendship of Convenience
🩵Virgin FMC
🩵Spicy Lessons  
🩵One Bed
🩵Type 1 Diabetic FMC

⭐️ 4.5 🌶2.5

Bonus Points for all the side characters in this world, im so excited for what's to come!

Thankyou to Hannah and the Smuthood for the opportunity to read this one early!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I just love Cane and Harland.
I am such a sucker for a he falls first story. And Cane got it bad. He fully accepts that Harland wants to just be friends, even as he keeps falling harder for her.

Harland is an all star golden girl. She's the star catcher for the softball team, and has Type 1 Diabetes. She's beloved. She's been so focused on softball her whole life. But as her father's cancer progresses, she loses her health insurance and struggles with being far away from her father. She's always been so confident and proud that its hard for her to open up about these struggles. Until Cane wiggles his way into her life.

While I loved Cane and this story, I am a little tired of the sports Captain takes the fall for his team mates' bad behavior trope though. I get that it creates this dynamic where the readers understand he's so good but his image has been tainted, I just don't like it so much.

ARC

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could rate this book infinity stars, I would do it in a heartbeat! Hannah Gray has done it again! Just when I think she’s written my favorite book boyfriend, she drops a new book and gives me a new favorite to top my list! Sorry to all my previous faves, but Cane Hale is absolute perfection.

Harley is one of my favorite FMCs. She is the independent, sassy queen I didn’t know I needed! Watching her and Cane together was everything I wanted from them! This story was such a beautiful, emotional, and raw rollercoaster. This is one of those books that I wish I could read for the first time all over again. If you haven’t picked this up yet, do it now! It is a total must read!

Thank you so much to Hannah Gray and her team for an ARC of this book. I voluntarily read and gave an honest review.

[SmuttyEverAfter · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:

I gobbled this up! There was something so sweet about Cane and Harley 🥰. Their connection, their banter, the way he took care of her 💕. Cane Hale though, I loved him so much 😍. The way he paid attention to all the things that Harley liked and the way he wanted to learn about her medicine and how to do it correctly was everything! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 The way Cane’s family and Harley knew that he was not the one actually responsible for the bad prank was so telling in just how good of a person he was 🥹. My man also had a mouth on him 😏, those “teach me” moments were 🥵🔥. Loved Harley so much. We love a strong and boss babe FMC and she was all of that 💪🏻. The type 1 diabetes rep was 👌🏻. This one hit me so unexpectedly hard in my feelings, so be prepared for some tears. Hannah handled the element of grief and loss really well. Loving this series so much!

[Gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

eARC Review

-Baseball Pitcher x Softball Catcher
-Women in Sports
-Diabetes Rep
-Virgin FMC
-He Falls First
-Caretaking

Cane and Harley’s story-This is the perfect bad boy turned good man for his girl energy! Harley has a hard time with her Type 1 Diabetes but Cane always looks out for her to make sure she is okay. Amidst her diabetes chaos, her dad’s health is also decreasing while she’s trying to be the best ball player she can be to achieve her dreams.

I am a member of the ‘club’ and this book had me sobbing. It was beautifully written and I felt like Cane saw Harley in the best light even in her darkest days.

TW: on-page description of parent’s death.

Thank you @smuthood and Hannah for the opportunity to read early as an ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️

[keds · Rating 5 out of 5]

cane and harland were everything. their relationship was so special and i loved their slow burn.

cane is literally the biggest sweetheart ever. all he wants to do is care for the people he loves.

harland is a queen. her strength and determination are admirable. she’s been dealt a hand challenges but she pushes through them.

i smiled. i laughed. i cried. this book had me freaking emotional at some parts. literally pulls on every emotion. i was crying on my lunch breaks

thank you hannah gray & smuthood promo for the arc 🩵

[Taylor Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two go through it. Harland lives and breathes softball. and wants nothing more than to make her dad proud. Cane has a heart of gold and a savior complex. When Cane does something stupid he asks Harland to step in and help him out in exchange for helping her obtain her diabetes medication. Cane is truly one of the best humans. He is respectful and understands what Harley needs even when she wants to throw everything away. When Hannah says that her goal is to make her readers cry.. Let me tell you this book succeeds. In the absolute best ways! I love seeing pop ups of characters we already love so much!

[Sarina Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

“So, I need to convince the catcher to fake it that she’s my friend. Pretend or not, it may be the closest I’ll ever get to her actually liking me anyway. So, in my eyes…it’s better than nothing.”

Hannah has the gift to bring tears to my eyes. Mission accomplished, Mrs. Gray. This was an emotional read. Cane Hale is utterly perfect! He’s kind. He’s sweet and thoughtful right down to his core. Selfless. A caretaker by nature. Everything we look for in our favorite golden retriever MMC’s.

Harley lives, eats, and sleeps softball. The strength and determination she exudes was impressive. She doesn’t let anyone or anything hold her back. Not even type 1 diabetes. She doesn’t date or party. Until Cane Hale walked into her life. I love these two together. The banter was hilarious. Cane taught Harley things she never thought she would do. I loved the character growth and the much-needed healing parts. Hannah is rocking this next-gen series, and I can’t wait to read the next one.

Tropes: baseball, softball, college, dual athletes, friends to lovers, cinnamon rolls MMC, virgin heroine

Thank you so much, Hannah, for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book SO much. I put off finishing it until the last minute because I did not want it to end. 🥹 The characters, the sport (mom of 3 who play baseball and softball🫶🏼), the emotions, that Cane is from one of our favorite hockey families from the Bay Sharks series- all of it made the book extra special to read.