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, College, He Falls First, 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

[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.

[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! 💖✨

[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.

[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!

[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!

[Lynne | bookedwithlynne Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this one. From the very beginning I was hooked, and honestly I didn’t want to put it down. This series just keeps getting better and this might be my favorite so far.

Cane and Harley completely had me. He’s the golden boy baseball player with a reputation to fix, and she’s this strong, driven softball catcher who has been working her whole life to be the best. I loved how independent and tough Harley was, especially with everything she deals with, and Cane? He completely melted me. The way he shows up for her, pays attention to the little things, and just takes care of her without hesitation… yeah, I was gone.

Their relationship builds in such a natural way. What starts as something convenient turns into something real, emotional, and honestly so sweet. The chemistry between them was so good and when the spice hits… it hits.

This book also had so much heart. The way grief, healing, and Harley’s diabetes were handled felt real and thoughtful, and it added so much depth to their story. I definitely teared up more than once.

Sweet, emotional, a little funny, and very hot, this one had everything. I’m already excited for whatever comes next in this series.

[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!

[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!

[Joanna Marzetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convincing the Catcher was everything I wanted after the first book in this series. Harley and Cade absolutely delivered.

I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever read college-aged characters with this much maturity. Did I want a little more chaos? Maybe. But I was rooting for them the entire time.

This book is heavy on emotion, trauma, and healing, and I swear I sobbed through most of the middle. But the fake friendship to real friendship to completely in love pipeline? So, so good. Watching Harley’s walls slowly come down felt incredibly rewarding, and Cade was just everything. He was patient, steady, and so clearly all in for her from the beginning.

What I loved most was the way he supported Harley, especially when it came to her diabetes. He took the time to learn, to pay attention, and to care for her without ever making her feel incapable or dependent. He didn’t take away her independence — he earned her trust.

Another incredible book in this series.

[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!

[Susan Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley and Cane are here! Buckle up it's going to be an emotional one. Get your tissues ready. I normally don't read trigger warnings but this book does have a heavy topic that was hard for me to read at times.

Harley is a softball player and also a type one diabetic. She has never dated and always put the sport first. Cane is a baseball player. The two meet and enter a friendship of convenience. I absolutely loved Cane! This man is there for Harley during some super tough times. There is nothing he wouldn't do for her. Harley has something devastating happen to her. But, Cane sticks with her and helps her through it.
Another amazing book from Hannah Gray!

[Carissa Caulum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I loved Cane and Harland's story! I loved Harland, she is one strong independent woman who knows what she wants. I loved Cane and how much he wanted to help others. I loved the growth and character development both of them went through. I loved the Type 1 diabetes rep in this book! This book is an emotional roller coaster . I can't wait to read the next boo in the series.

Thank you Smuthood for an early copy!

[Kat Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know how to properly put into words how much I loved this book. This is one of those stories that completely takes over your heart, drags you through every possible emotion, and leaves you sitting there in a full-blown book hangover wondering what just happened.

Hannah Gray did something really special with Convincing the Catcher. This wasn’t just a romance—it was emotional, raw, comforting, and deeply human.

Cane and Harley’s relationship doesn’t begin with an instant, over-the-top connection. It’s rooted in something much more practical, and a little messy. What starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement—him needing to repair his image, her needing help covering life-saving medical expenses—creates a foundation of forced closeness that slowly, quietly evolves into something deeper. The tension, the hesitation, and the constant awareness of the lines they shouldn’t cross made every interaction feel loaded in the best way.

What stood out to me most was the respect between them. From the very beginning, there’s this quiet admiration, especially from Cane. He sees Harley for exactly who she is: her strength, her resilience, her determination. And that says everything about the kind of man he is.

Cane Hale completely stole my heart. He’s not just swoony; he’s a caretaker in the truest sense. The kind of person who shows up before you even realize you need someone. It’s in the smallest, most thoughtful things, the quiet acts of support, and the way he consistently puts others first. The guilt he carries from his past adds so much depth to his character, and the way he channels that into caring for others made him feel incredibly real.

Harland “Harley” Meadows is just as incredible. She’s strong in a way that feels authentic: fierce, driven, and independent, but also carrying more than most people her age should have to. As a Division I athlete managing Type 1 diabetes, she’s already navigating constant challenges, and she does it with a level of strength and determination that made me admire her so much.

Her emotional journey is what hit me the hardest. She’s dealing with grief, pressure, and the weight of her future, and the way she processes loss felt raw and honest. It’s messy, it’s overwhelming, and it doesn’t magically get better, and I appreciated that so much. Watching her lose pieces of herself and slowly find her footing again felt incredibly real and deeply earned.

And then there’s their chemistry… which is absolutely undeniable.

The tension builds slowly, full of restraint and unspoken feelings, and when the story finally leans into the spice, it delivers. There’s a memorable “teaching” dynamic that adds a bold, playful edge, but what really makes those moments stand out is the trust behind them. It’s not just about the physical connection—it’s about emotional safety, patience, and understanding. You can feel the yearning between them in every interaction, and it makes their connection that much more intense.

I also loved that their relationship doesn’t magically fix everything. Both Cane and Harley have things they need to face individually, and the story gives them space to grow. That added a level of maturity and realism that made their relationship feel even more meaningful.

This book doesn’t shy away from heavier themes, particularly grief and the loss of a parent, and those moments hit hard. It’s definitely one to check trigger warnings for. At the same time, the representation of Type 1 diabetes was handled with so much care and authenticity, which made the story feel even more grounded.

Hannah Gray continues to prove that she knows how to balance heart, heat, and emotional storytelling in a way that just works. If you’re looking for a college sports romance that will make you feel everything, from heartbreak to hope to full-on swoon, this is absolutely one to pick up.

[Rondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harley and Cane.

We should probably all go into this book knowing that Cane’s mother’s story in Wake Me Up lives completely rent free in my mind. For some reason, when I started this one, I didn’t immediately correlate the connection between the two stories. I remember messaging Hannah back when I read that book and telling her how much that story meant to me. So now having the background and realizing who Cane was made this story hit even harder.

Then we meet Harley, this incredible D1 college softball player. The first thing that needs to be said about her is that she has Type 1 diabetes, and the way that it is represented throughout this story is amazing. Seeing an athlete compete at such a high level while managing this disease—and showing that it is possible as long as it is monitored and cared for—is such an important thing to include in a book. Representation like that really matters.

What stood out to me most in this book, though, is Cane.

Cane is the kind of person who will jump into the water to save people who probably wouldn’t even cross a puddle for him. He protects people. That’s just who he is at his core. At the same time, he recognizes how blessed he is. He’s a D1 college baseball player, and his stepdad is a former NHL player. He understands the opportunities and advantages he’s had in life.

But when an incident occurs where he was actually protecting people, it ends up making him look like the worst kind of person. Because of that, he tries to convince Harley—who is very open on social media about her Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and is basically everyone’s sweetheart—to help him improve his image by fake dating him.

And honestly, why wouldn’t he want to be associated with her?

As the story unfolds, we get to learn much more about Harley. One thing readers should absolutely know going into this book is that it deals heavily with parental death and grief. Hannah includes trigger warnings for a reason. If you have ever experienced loss, the emotions in this book are incredibly powerful and will likely hit very deeply.

Grief is something that doesn’t simply disappear. You carry it with you every single day.

What Cane is able to offer Harley is something that many people in her life can’t: a genuine understanding of what she’s going through. When they begin their fake relationship, part of the reason behind it is practical. Harley needs money for her medication because her father’s illness has taken such a significant financial toll on her family.

But when the unthinkable eventually happens, the person who shows up for her—the one who is truly there for her—is Cane.

Another trope that plays a role in this story is that Harley is a virgin. And when you are in the middle of overwhelming grief, sometimes you just want something—anything—to take that pain away. There are a few moments in the story where that vulnerability comes through in their relationship. Some of those moments are beautiful and raw, while one in particular is just incredibly heartbreaking.

I genuinely do not know how 2026 has produced so many five-star reads for me, but this is absolutely one of them. This might actually be one of the best books Hannah has written.

And honestly, that’s saying something. With every single book she releases, she somehow continues to get better and better. Which feels almost impossible when you consider that she already started out writing at such an incredible level.

Just read this book.

You will enjoy it.

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed all the tissues!!!😭 Convincing the Catcher is a big emotional read!!

Cane is a steady rock, even though it appears his life at school is a bit of a mess. He's in trouble for vandalism, which is so out of character for him, but as punishment it does bring him closer to his dream girl - Harland "Harley" Meadows. She’s amazing, as she should be for how hard she's worked to play softball at a D1 university. However, life hasn’t always been so nice to her, but it just makes her push harder and work even more to be at the top of her game. It's something Cane admires. Her dedication is like catnip to him. He just can't get enough. I love how enamored he is of her.

Harley has never dated or even planned to date while she's focused on achieving her dreams. It is truly at a time of need that she seeks help from Cane and in return he only asks to fake their friendship, which Cane hopes will help restore his image on social media. Did he need a fake relationship? He needed something to gain her attention, because Harley is a tough cookie and Cane really, really wanted to spend time with her in any capacity he could.

While Cane is smitten to begin with, he will take whatever time he can to be by her side, especially when life takes a hard turn. Cane knows all too well all about those dark days that surround grief and he is there to support her. He's also very protective about understanding her goals and dreams. He’s phenomenal. A true partner in every sense of the word. Lifting her up, taking care of her and cheering her on. I really love the two of them together.

I don't often say, "read this book before...." whatever book title feels appropriate here, but in this instance the final book in the NE Bay Sharks series, Wake Me Up, which is Tripp's book, feels relevant to mention here. By no means is history repeating itself, but Cane's story has a lot of meaningful touch points that felt poignant with his background history, that bled over into this book. What exactly does that mean? Cane, Cash, and Avy Hale are such a huge part of Tripp and Freya's story and Cane's character in particular, his moral sense of self, is still him. In Wake Me Up; it's Cash's talent that caught Tripp's attention, but it's Cane's good heart that really stuck out, at least to me. He's a caretaker, he puts others first, he loves his family, he was always a big hearted cinnamon roll. With that being said, it was nice to see that his family life and by extension, his found family has been good and good for him as he grew into a fine young man.

Cane is so solid, always there for everyone, definitely a giant cinnamon roll. (I also have a feeling this entire series is going to make me miss my dad something fierce🥹) Hannah about did me in this time with her "dead dad's club" 😢 I agree with Cane, it's not a club anyone wants a membership to💔, but if you have someone special by your side who understands it can help ease that burden, then at least the days are better. ❤️‍🩹

[Book Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Tropes:
Good girl x bad boy
Virgin FMC
Reformed f*k boy MMC
They’re both athletes
Hurt/comfort

Micro-tropes:
Will it fit 🍆?
Sex lessons 🔥
He falls first
Fake friends to lovers
Type 1 diabetes rep

TW:
Cancer
Death of a parent (on-page)
Childhood trauma from the death of a parent (off-page)

ARC read. Thank you to the author and Smuthood PR for an advance copy.

Firstly, I really loved this book! We move from hockey to softball/baseball for the second book in the Good Girls of NEU series, but the housing setup with athletes from all disciplines living together means that we still get to see book 1’s MCs and some of the supporting cast despite the shift in focus.

That said, please check your triggers. Whilst the book is by no means dark, the portrayal of the grief of losing a parent, particularly to cancer, is raw and real and, having lost my mum to cancer a couple of years ago, incredibly relatable in a way that was incredibly triggering. There were multiple occasions that left me sobbing uncontrollably and questioning if I could continue reading, particularly when Cane’s childhood trauma also triggered mine, but I’m really glad I pushed through.

Our FMC, Harland, is an absolute badass who doesn’t let anything, including type 1 diabetes, hold her back from pursuing her dream of playing professional softball. Until the mounting medial bills for her father’s cancer treatment leave her without insurance and with no way to pay for her prescriptions and she’s forced to accept help from our MMC, Cane, who offers to pay for her meds in exchange for her pretending to be his friend in a bid to rehabilitate his reputation.

Cane is such a good guy, who will go to any lengths to care for those around him - even to his own detriment, and without recognising or acknowledging that at least part of that is because of deep rooted trauma from losing his dad as a child. Despite his f*k boy past and reputation, he falls hard and fast for Harley and sets out to prove that there’s nothing fake about their connection.

This is something of a slow burn but, when it hits, the spice is absolutely spicing 🔥. Harley’s a virgin and Cane sets out to teach her all she needs to know about sex, and their lessons are absolute fire 🥵🫠 without ever being gratuitous.

When Harley’s dad dies, Cane is not only there for her but also understands her and what she’s going through in a way none of her friends can. Cane and Harley are both broken by trauma and grief, even though Cane was a child when he lost his dad, and have to fight hard to heal to have a future together.

All in all, this book utterly broke me, then gently and lovingly put me back together again with the help of a beautiful story of love and healing. The writing made me feel so seen and understood, and both Harley’s and Cane’s experiences of grief were so incredibly relatable. I was a fan after the last book, but Hannah Gray has just become an auto-buy author for me, I can’t wait for book 3!

[Amber Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books pull at your heartstrings. Others absolutely rip them out of your chest and Convincing the Catcher by Hannah Gray does both.

Harley is the kind of heroine I instantly rooted for. She’s fiercely driven, determined to make it to professional softball, and juggling more than most people her age ever should. As the first Type 1 diabetic female catcher at NEU, she’s already navigating the intense demands of collegiate athletics while managing a chronic illness. When her father’s cancer diagnosis turns her world upside down, bringing crushing medical bills, the loss of their health insurance, and the slow heartbreak of watching him change, Harley’s carefully controlled life begins to unravel.

Enter Cane Hale. The charming, golden-boy baseball player whose reputation has just taken a very public hit. His proposal seems simple: fake a friendship to repair his image, and in exchange he’ll help cover Harley’s diabetes prescriptions. No feelings. No complications. Just a mutually beneficial arrangement. Of course, nothing about their connection stays simple.

What makes this story shine is how authentic and emotionally layered it feels. The Type 1 diabetes representation was one of my absolute favorite parts of the book. Harley’s daily reality, monitoring her health while competing at an elite athletic level, was portrayed with care and nuance, and it never felt like a gimmick or an afterthought. It’s simply part of who she is, and it adds so much depth to her character.

Cane surprised me in the best possible way. Beneath the public scrutiny and the “baseball heartthrob” reputation is a man who understands grief in a way few people Harley’s age can. Watching their relationship evolve, especially after the loss of her father, felt incredibly raw and genuine. Cane doesn’t try to fix Harley’s pain; he simply shows up for her, over and over again, and sometimes that quiet kind of love is the most powerful.

And Chapter 18? Absolutely devastating. I was completely wrecked. Tears streaming, ugly crying, the whole emotional meltdown. It’s one of those moments that reminds you just how powerful storytelling can be when it taps into something real and human. I had to pause reading for a bit.

By the end, this book left me with a full heart and a serious book hangover. Convincing the Catcher is a beautiful blend of sports romance, grief, healing, and finding someone who will stand beside you when life knocks you to your knees.

Tender, heartfelt, and deeply emotional, this story knocked it straight out of the park. Hannah Gray does such a great job of writing real life into her romances and I absolutely loved seeing some of our favorite characters make a cameo.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚾️🥎 A Grand Slam with All the Feels! ⚾️🥎

Hannah Gray seriously knows how to pull at the heartstrings. I don’t know how she packs so much emotion into her stories every single time, but that prologue alone had me in my feels. This book is a total MVP when it comes to tropes: we’ve got amazing Type 1 diabetes representation, a dual-athlete romance (baseball x softball), a "he falls first" vibe, and a friendship of convenience twist that was such a fun, fresh take. And of course, there’s the classic one bed moment AND steamy lessons because who doesn’t love that? Seeing women absolutely crushing it in sports was just the icing on the cake. I loved that part so much, especially when he wears HER jersey to support her. Beyond the tropes, the storytelling here is engaging; the writing is immersive, the pacing is spot-on, and the pages practically turn themselves.

Harland “Harley” Meadows is officially the best kind of FMC. She is a strong protagonist who fights hard and isn’t cookie-cutter perfect. Her life isn’t always fair, but that only serves to make her stronger. She’s focused, fiercely independent, and has a very strict "no dating" rule. Enter Cane Hale! He’s an all-around good guy with a bit of a protector complex who is more than happy to challenge that rule. He’s a total sweetheart and a caretaker at heart, paying attention to the smallest details like bringing her favorite candy and Gatorade (Wild Berry Skittles and grape if you’re wondering). My favorite way he cares for her? He. Washes. Her. Hair! Watching his feelings for her grow while they forged a bond through pain and trauma was everything. Harley lost herself there for a minute, but Cane was right there waiting when they had both healed enough to love the right way. I loved the double meaning of his nickname (“Catch”) for her, too; she’s a queen behind the plate, but to him, she’s the ultimate catch.

I’ve said it a million times, but I’m a total sucker for strong family and found family vibes, and this book delivered. It’s more than just fluff; it hits some heavy themes like grief and loss, but the support system around them was just beautiful. One minute you’re crying, the next you’re smiling, and then suddenly you’re... well, blushing. The heat was definitely there. Those "good girl," "eyes on me," and "teach me" moments are incredibly intense and well-written. I loved that the steam actually showed the trust building between them rather than just being there for the sake of it. (Though, fair warning: the dialogue in those scenes is very gritty and explicit. While that’s subjective, it wasn't always my favorite, which is the only reason I'd knock off a fraction of a star.)

Honestly, getting to revisit past couples and see a second-generation story made me so giddy. This book really shows what true love is supposed to look like. If you want a story that gives you the feels, the heat, and a couple you’ll want to cheer for all with a college sports romance backdrop, grab this one! It might just be your next favorite read.

[Lager Lefse Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Hannah Gray book, but I can convincingly say, she SMASHED it out of the ballpark. 🙋🏻‍♀️Hello, call me a repeat reader after this one!!🙋🏻‍♀️ Harland Meadows and Cane Hale are on a one-way collision course that will change the way they think and feel. Once they meet, they won’t know what to do with each other.

Harley is the catcher on her D1 collegiate softball team, while Cane is the pitcher for that same collegiate baseball team. From the very first page, you get a powerful sense of character that these two evoke. Simply put, Harley Meadows is a beast. She has worked hard to get where she is currently. A substantial portion of that goes to her father. He is the parent who softly encouraged her, practiced with her, and comforted her when times were tough. Besides being a collegiate star, she is also using her platform to encourage others who may be in her situation. She has type 1 diabetes, and all the important people in her life know about it and how to help with the spikes/drops associated with it.

Cane Hale is an entirely different beast, the winning pitcher on the baseball team. He has a hero complex, and it just feels ingrained in him to help others and attempt to fix their situations. Cane Hale is the stuff boyfriends are made of. He is attentive, thoughtful, caring, and altruistic. Through this ingrained behavior, he has taken the blame for something he didn’t do and needs to clean up his character and redeem himself with his social media followers. Thus, the friendship of Harland and Cane is born. This friendship has evolved so organically.

They are physically drawn to each other and are developing a great friendship. They are both trauma-bonded and are in the same ‘club.’ Together, they learn to rely on each other and how to move forward.

Overall, Convincing the Catcher is sweet, emotional (yes, I may have cried a few times), spicy (in a few scenes), and a must-read. Why? Harley and Cane’s spicy scenes are fan-inducing. Harley is strong, determined, independent, and caring, but Cane (sweet baby bell peppers), this man is H-O-T! Hello, insert blushing and fanning. 🫠All I have to say is, yes, please! I can’t wait to read what's next.

[BurnMyKindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren’t enough stars for how much I loved this book! It had me laughing, swooning and crying and I could not put it down. Harley has worked her entire life toward the goal of becoming a professional catcher in softball. Her father was always there to encourage her and push her to be better and she is so close her to goal. With her number one cheerleader losing his battle to cancer, Harley is struggling to keep her drive and motivation. While her friends all manage to be boy crazy and maintain their positions on the team, she refuses to go down that route. Cane is a reformed playboy who is used to putting everyone above himself. When he overhears Harley talking to her mom about her insurance and being unable to buy her diabetes supplies, he can’t help but want to step in and save her. It doesn’t hurt that is incredibly attracted to her and she’s an incredible softball player. While she may have a no romance rule, Cane isn’t playing by that same rule. He is determined to do what he can to catch her - and keep her.

Read this if you love:

⚾️ He falls first
🥎 Baseball player x softball playe
⚾️ Slow burn
🥎 Fake dating
⚾️ Virgin FMC
🥎 Type 1 diabetes rep

Tripp and Freya's book was one of the more emotional books in the first generation series and man this book certainly followed that same path. Harley is a badass who has been laser focused on becoming a professional softball player. She may not have had the natural talent many athletes have, but she worked her butt off to get to where she is and she is determined to let nothing stand in her way. Her father's illness has shaken her belief in everything she thought she knew and for the first time she is really struggling.

Cane is a perfect MMC. He is sweet, caring and has a filthy mouth when the time calls for it. Losing his father at such a young age really affected how he interacts with the world around him. When he takes the blame for a prank gone wrong, he isn't prepared for the backlash he receives. Or for the disappointment his mother and Tripp have in him for his actions. After overhearing Harley's struggle with her insurance, he uses his reputation as a justification for her to fake date him, despite the fact that he just wants to help her.

This story took me on a rollercoaster and I loved every minute of it. I think Cane and Harley might be my favorite Hannah Gray couple to date and that is saying something! I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Thank you so much to Hannah Gray for the ARC of this book!

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honestly still sitting here clutching my feelings like a foul ball straight to the heart. This book wrecked me in the best possible way.

First of all, Harland. A type 1 diabetic female catcher playing division one softball?? I already loved her before the story even got going. She’s tough, stubborn, driven, and carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Between managing her diabetes, chasing her dream of going pro, and then dealing with her dad’s cancer and the crushing medical bills… my heart just hurt for her the whole time. You could feel how exhausted and scared she was, but she still kept showing up. Absolute queen behavior.

And then there’s Cane Hale. Oh my god. I loved him. I LOVED HIM. The fake friendship/PR relationship setup could have been simple, but Cane made it something so much deeper. He starts off needing Harland to help fix his reputation after the social media mess, offering to cover her prescriptions in return, and I thought okay this is going to be cute. What I did not expect was the way he just quietly shows up for her again and again.

When Harland’s dad dies and Cane just steps in and supports her without making it about himself… I was done for. Completely emotionally demolished. The way he cared about her, respected her boundaries, and never pushed when she needed space made him such a green flag hero. He wasn’t just the charming baseball star. He was kind, patient, and so incredibly soft with her.

And the chemistry between them?? So good. The tension of “no romance, no feelings” while they’re clearly falling for each other anyway had me screaming internally. Every little moment between them felt real and earned.

But what I loved most was Harland and Cane together. They balanced each other so perfectly. He steadied her when grief knocked the wind out of her, and she reminded him who he actually was underneath all the public pressure and judgment. Their relationship felt supportive, messy, healing, and so genuine.

This story isn’t just a sports romance. It’s about grief, resilience, chronic illness, family, pressure, and letting someone in when you’re used to handling everything alone. It hurt my heart and warmed it at the same time.

Cane and Harland absolutely own a piece of my soul now. If you love fake dating, athlete romance, emotional depth, and a hero who shows up when it matters most, you need this book immediately. I’m still thinking about them. 🥎💔❤️‍🔥📚

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convincing the Catcher by Hannah Gray is a heart-shattering, healing romance that left me in ugly tears — the kind of story that rips your heart apart before stitching it back together in the most beautiful way.

Book two in The Good Girls of NE University proves that this series is already shaping up to be one of the standout romance series of 2026. Hannah Gray continues to shine a much-deserved spotlight on female athletes, giving women in sport the powerful, emotional love stories they absolutely deserve.

Hannah Gray writes straight from the heart, and it shows in every single page. Her characters don’t just exist on the page — they live, breathe, and feel so vividly that you experience every emotion alongside them. With Harley and Caine, she brings their story to life in full technicolour.

But be warned… this one hurts before it heals.

There were moments in this book where I genuinely felt like my heart had been ripped out. Chapter 20 absolutely destroyed me. Ugly tears. The kind where you have to pause reading just to breathe through it.

Yet somehow, Hannah Gray takes all that pain and gently puts your heart back together again.

Caine is the kind of romance hero that makes you swoon on a whole new level. What makes him so powerful as a character isn’t just his charm or his strength — it’s the way he understands Harley. He sees her pain, recognises the weight she carries, and meets her with compassion and unwavering support.

And Harley… she is such a strong yet vulnerable heroine. Her journey is layered with emotion, resilience, and healing.

This is far more than just a college sports romance.

It’s a story about grief.
About scars that don’t simply disappear with time.
About two people carrying their own tragedies — one more recent, one buried in the past — yet discovering that healing is possible when someone truly sees you.

Both Harley and Caine carry deep emotional wounds, and the way their stories intertwine is beautifully written and incredibly moving.

The romance itself is perfectly balanced with the emotional depth of the story. The chemistry and heat between them are exactly where they should be — passionate and meaningful without ever overshadowing the powerful storyline at the heart of the book.

Honestly, I could write pages about this story… but there is so much hidden depth and emotion woven through every chapter that trying to capture it all in a single review feels nearly impossible.

Some books entertain you.
Some books stay with you.

Convincing the Catcher does both — and then completely steals your heart in the process.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you like:
• College sports romance
• Strong female athletes
• Emotionally layered love stories
• Heroes who truly see the heroine
• Healing after heartbreak
• Books that make you cry before giving you the most beautiful HEA

Then this is absolutely one to add to your TBR.