Finding Home

Bridgeport Jetties: The Call-Up Years #0.5

by Lizzie C. Koz

Finding Home is a spicy best-friends-to-lovers MM baseball romance with an unrequited love that refuses to fade, a painful separation, a kiss that changes everything, and selfies that say what words can’t.

The world keeps the ugly truth about love to itself: Not everyone falls in love with someone who will love them back.

EASTON

My dream is finally coming true. Why? Because your boy just got drafted to play pro baseball. Yee-haw! (Ohmygod, did I just say yee-haw?)

There’s one glaring thing missing though. Maddox. My ride-or-die. It was always supposed to be us—major league ballplayers, side by side.

But now I’m the one who made it, and I have to leave him behind.

I don’t know how I’ll handle the distance when I haven’t spent a day apart from Maddy since we were six.

I keep reminding myself it’ll be okay. We’ll talk every day. Text, call, video chat. It’ll be like he’s right there with me.

Yeah, this is fine. Totally fine.

But then why do I feel like I’m leaving an essential part of myself back in Connecticut?

MADDOX

I did the one thing literally everyone tells you not to do.

I fell in love with my straight best friend.

Yep. That’s me—the cliché gay boy who lost his heart to a boy who can’t love him back. I know it’s stupid. I know I should move on. But me and East? We’re inseparable. From T-ball at six to D1 college ball, we’ve done everything together…and that’s exactly the problem.

I can’t get over him like this. I need space. And I think this is my chance. He’s leaving for his minor league assignment for a couple months.

I’ll use the time to cleanse myself of Easton Winters, and when he comes back, we’ll be best friends again. For real this time.

No more pathetic pining.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Baseball, Romance, Sports Romance

ebook

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

Lizzie C Koz writes books that challenge stereotypes and cultural expectations. She believes vulnerability is powerful, softness is a strength, and love in all its forms—whether between friends, family, or lovers—is what makes us whole.

Her stories champion feminism, sexual empowerment, LGBTQ+ positivity, neurodivergence, and mental health awareness. Her readers will tell you—She’ll make you laugh, make you cry, and definitely make you fan yourself. And by the end of the journey, your heart will be so dang happy.

She lives in New England in a fixer-upper with her husband, toddler, and Golden Retriever. When she's not writing, she's likely trying to convince her husband to tackle yet another DIY project around the house.

Lizzie loves nothing more than falling into a romance book as an outlet, especially when she was struggling through postpartum with her son. Now, she hopes to provide that same escape and small slice of joy to others. 

Reviews

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

God this was angsty and emotional, and oh so delicious! There's something about codependent besties that just gets me every time and I ate this up.

Cannot wait for more of this series!

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- college romance
- baseball
- codependent besties
- unrequited love
- pan/demi awakening
- one kiss that changes everything

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Easton and Maddox’s story at the point in their lives where changes are happening, career dreams are starting to be met, was also the start of the most heartbreaking time of their lives. It nearly destroyed their best friend relationship which started when they were6 years old boys in Connecticut 💜.

Easton was so surprised recently when Maddox told him he was gay, but it didn’t faze him at all. Easton himself. Is struggling with his own labels and wonders why he has never felt an attraction to another everyone talks about, even though he enjoys being with his girlfriend Shelby. Maddox didn’t spill the full tin of beans when he told Easton he was gay. NO, he left out the fact that he has been in love with Easton since he was 12 years old. Keeping that secretary is killing Maddox.

When Easton gets drafted to a Minors League in Baseball way down in Florida, Maddox knows what he needs to do. He breaks Easton’s heart by cutting him out of his life because there is no hope that Easton will ever be his. He refused to answer or return calls, didn’t FaceTime as he promised, just cut him off completely.

OMG! This broke my heart, but when Easton starts falling apart, it is his new teammates who come to his rescue. Thank the stars for Shane who helps Easton see what needs to be done.

And I just loved that showdown and throw down when Easton finally smells the roses. Plus there are two nice Epilogues to enjoy. Now I want to know what happens to Shane who appeared to be holding some cards close to his chest and Easton wonders what makes Shane look so sad when he thinks no one is noticing.

This is my first time reading Lizzie C Kox and I’d read more if I can find them. I really liked the way she gave Maddox the opportunity to say what he did about ‘coming out’ and the way he explained his feelings on that to Easton when he told him he was gay.

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Heroes: Easton and Maddox

[Berry's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC read
4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️
Synopsis in one sentence: When baseball prodigy Easton gets drafted to the pros, his lifelong best friend Maddox, who is secretly in love with him, decides to use the distance to finally move on, only for the separation to force both men to come to a realization.

Fav character: Maddox and his pining!!

Fav trope: Friends to Lovers / Unrequited Love.

Fav part: Watching their relationship blossom and being a part of the first time they both realize their feelings.

Didn’t like: The angst at first but it was needed!!

Recommend it: Yes! If you love sports romance (specifically baseball) and stories where the characters each others person above all else.

Unique: The Demisexual/Pansexual awakening - I loved how this was portrayed.

Part of a Series: Yes, it is a prequel/novella (#0.5) for the Bridgeport Jetties: The Call-Up Years series. I will continue reading this series.

Unforgettable: The One Kiss and after fifteen years of friendship, the moment they finally cross the line was perfection with the high heat.

[Ami (Amireadsitall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a gorgeous little novella. Everything about it was done so right the aching pining, the delicious tension, the perfectly timed spice, and that heart-tugging unrequited love that just sits with you and refuses to let go. Every page felt intentional and emotionally loaded in the best way.

I absolutely adore a friends-to-lovers story, and this one truly felt special. The connection, the longing, the quiet moments that speak louder than words it all wrapped together into a beautifully satisfying, feel-heavy read that punches you straight in the heart and then hugs you after. Short, sweet, and incredibly impactful. Highly recommend.

[Jozey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes
⚾️Childhood bestfriend
⚾️Crush on his straight friend
⚾️Baseball player
⚾️Probably Grey/ace/demi rep
⚾️Ackward young adult
⚾️Heartbroken 💔

This story is a turmoil of emotion. I loved every second of it. Pinning on his straight bestfriend is the rule #1 to not do, but when your friendship is so precious its even "harder" to not fall. While trying to get over it, both of them suffer. It's take some hard thruth to understand the depth of the other MC's feelings. This books have the perfect dose of everything, love, pinning, ackward moment, friendship, awakening and of course an HFN.

[Megan reads now! · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is why you don't judge a book by its cover

This was a dang sleeper hit. The codependency, the yearning, the "how could you do this to me??" moments. Ugh, it's all so delicious, and so well done.

I really was just expecting another spicy sports romance that I'd read, kind of enjoy and then promptly file away among its many, many brethren as "meh." That is not what happened. Koz packs big emotion and even bigger story telling into a small package, and... knocks it out of the park.

If you love codependent best friends, sexual awakenings, painful pining or just good story telling... this is for you. Read it.

[Allison Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wish this would’ve been longer!! and that’s rare lol it was so cute i almost cried

[Ana Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book a while back as a freebie but hadn’t had the chance to read it. Now that there’s a new book, I needed to catch up.

Best friends to lovers is my weakness, especially when one of them is in love with his straight friend and said friend isn’t aware he loves him back. That was the case with Maddox and Easton.

The two had been inseparable since they were kids. Where there was one, you could count on finding the other. They shared everything together and knew each other’s every secret except one: Maddox was deeply in love with Easton.

To see how affectionate his best friend was and how much Easton loved to touch Maddox was all kinds of torture. Not because he hated it, but because he loved it too much. Only problem was that those touches were meaningless for Easton.

Maddox thought he’d never have a chance with his best friend and when it came time for them to part ways, he decided it was best to cut all communication with Easton.

Being drafted meant Easton would go away and Maddox would take that opportunity to get over him. But his plan failed miserably. Especially when Easton surprised him with a visit and confronted him face to face and Maddox had no choice but to tell the truth.

This time the one surprised was Easton. Not because he learned Maddox was in love with him, but because he too was in love with Maddox. It finally dawned on him that Maddox had always been his person. He’s been in love with him for as long as he could remember but now it was crystal clear.

“𝑰…𝒖𝒎…𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌.”
“𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐?” 𝑰 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆…
𝑯𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒔 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆. “𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”

It took them having a somewhat falling out for Easton to realize this truth. And now that he knew, he would never let Maddox go.

“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆, 𝑴𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒚,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔. “𝑨 𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕. 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔. 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰’𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐𝒐.”

This is such a sweet prequel to the series. I can’t wait to read Stealing Forever. I have a feeling I’m gonna love it even more.

[Bethany Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddox and Easton, or Maddy and East, have been best friends since they were children. Through middle school, high school, puberty, dating, playing baseball together, and now in college. They're so codependent that their roommates and friends even gave them a ship name: Meast. Easton doesn't know what he'd do without his best friend, so much so that he is convinced someone is going to swoop in and take that title away.

But things are very different on Maddy's side. Because Maddy has been secretly, painfully in love with his best friend since they were 12 years old.

Now Easton's dream is finally coming true: he's been selected in the MLB draft and is heading off to play pro baseball. As sad as he is to leave Maddy, he's thrilled to be living out his childhood dream. He knows that every time he has a win or an amazing game, he'll be able to reach out and tell Maddy all about it.

But Maddy knows that this is it. He's spent the last decade in love with Easton and it's time to face facts: Easton will never be his. Therefore, Maddy's only choice is to fade into the background and let him go.

Okay, so, I found this book for free via a Facebook ad. It was through Bookfunnel and I figured, hey, why not? I didn't expect much. I had never heard of this book or author.

COLOR ME SHOCKED. This book was a dark horse that hooked me from the very first page. I could FEEL Maddy's heartache. His crushing devotion to a man that would never love him back. His fear, his misery, his anger. It was so palpable. I went from chuckling at some of the funny dialogue to immediately crying and back again.

Although I thought I would be, it was impossible to be mad at East. He's so good, and being that he's demi, it was basically impossible for him to see what was in front of him. And when it all came out? Holy hell. Tears, anxiety, joy, elation, relief, I felt it ALL.

The writing style was amazing. Realistic dialogue. Great pacing. I loved everything about it.

Do NOT sleep on this book. Seriously.

✨ Book is written in dual first person POV ✨

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[QueerBookshelf || Ines ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Reading this novella was pure joy. Yes, it is full of angst, unrequited love, painful pining, and two suffering best friends... but also self-acceptance, healing, support, cute and funny moments, delicious tension, and hot and spicy spice. Absolute perfection! 🥰🙌

Maddox is secretly in love with his seemingly straight best friend Easton. But now that East is away playing professional baseball, Maddy is trying to get over him by kind of ghosting him. Which works rather poorly.

And Easton... he suffers on a completely different level. He doesn't feel attraction like “normal” people do and that's why he thinks he's somehow broken. But one thing is clear to him: he friend-loves his best friend Maddy. So, when he stops responding, East confronts him about it. Not ready for what's coming because Maddy drops the love-love bomb. 💥

And what does Easton do? Well, overwhelmed by his emotional turmoil, he runs away. But there is Shane, his new teammate, waiting for him in the car. ☺️

Oh, and let me tell you about Shane. He seems like such a nice guy, the way he befriended Easton right from the start. (The Cowboy-nickname is so sweet) I really loved their conversation about East's feelings and the way Shane helped him sort them out. But a comment he made about being just “surface level” broke my heart. That's why I can't wait for Shane’s book and him to find that special someone and be happy too, because he deserves it. 💜

If, and more importantly how, Maddy and East reconcile, you'll have to find out yourself. Something about Brawl and Bone (iykyk) ... definitely worth reading "Finding Home". 😉🔥

Highly recommend! 💚⚾️🥰

[Babara-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN ABSOLUTE STEAL! 💕⚾️

Oh wow I absolutely adored this preview into the series and I look forward to so much more from this new to me author!

“Not everyone falls in love with someone who will love them back.”

An unrequited love for his best friend of fifteen years leads Maddox Barnes to do the unthinkable when his best friend and love of his life Easton Winters gets drafted for baseball - tries to move on by ghosting him….

“You and me, Maddy,” he says. “We’re going to make it happen.”

“You and me, East. Ballplayers.” Boyfriends, my heart whispers.”

“Best friends in the major leagues,”

This is their poignant love story about two wonderful souls who were made for each other but circumstances and life got in the way…

Was Maddie wrong in trying to move on from his heartache by doing what he did?

East’s awakening was tactfully depicted with emotion, heart and a lot of soul!

I loved Shane as a supportive team member and friend and look forward to his story!

This is a book and series I can definitely recommend so do yourself a favour and check it out!

I voluntarily received an ARC from Forward PR & Marketing and the author for an honest non biased review.

[ੈ♡˳ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I really enjoyed this book. It was quick and short but everything!

East and Mad were the sweetest and they made me tear up a few times whilst reading his book. The angst, pining, yearning and jealousy (all mostly from Maddy but sometimes East too lol) was so good and I’m glad they got their happy ending.

I really loved how their close friends were accepting of them and they called them the “safe” group. I really like the writing of this book too and it kept me engaged in the story.

Shane intrigued me and I can’t want to read his book when it comes out. I’m glad he was the one who pushed East to go sort things out with Maddy and also loved just how much of a good friend he was to East straight from the beginning. I can already tell he’s going to break my heart in his book just from that scene where he was telling East he was “just there” in everyone’s lives, that made me realize he’s someone who hides behind a mask. I can’t wait to see who he ends up with and to see him get a happy ending!

[Rae Latte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spicy M/M sports romance in and out of the ballpark.

⚾️ Best Friends to Lovers
⚾️ Unrequited Love
⚾️ Childhood Dreams Coming True
⚾️ Co-Dependency & a Painful Friendship Break-Up
⚾️ A Kiss That Changes Everything
⚾️ Selfies as a Love Language
⚾️ An emotional read

This novella has the perfect balance of character arc including backstory and plot. Let’s not forget about the secondary characters who weave in and out of the plot. I am confident that they too will find their moment in a future book…or two.

I love that while Lizzie’s writing is familiar there is a difference in the tone and vibe allowing readers to easily enjoy both of her worlds. If you want to read Finding Home by Lizzie C. Koz sign-up for her newsletter and get this F.R.E.E.B.I.E now. https://lizzieckoz.com/finding-home/

Always honest, always my own, and thankful to Lizzie C. Koz for an advance e-arc.

[Anxietea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 👏 loved 👏 this 👏 book 👏

Easily my favorite Lizzie Coz book so far. I immediately fell in love with Maddox and Easton (but especially Easton… he is a precious baby boy who must be protected at ALL costs 😭).

This was such a perfect best friends to lovers story, and it made so much sense for Easton’s character, with him falling somewhere on the gray ace/demi spectrum. Nothing felt rushed or forced—it just worked.

The characters were so well fleshed out, the plot was simple and sweet, and it was exactly what I’ve been looking for lately. I can’t even fully explain how this one made me feel… it was just a balm for my soul.

And I will absolutely be reading the next book the SECOND it comes out (the release date is already in my calendar 😌). 10 out of 10. No notes.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to a new series

This novella length prequel story (135 pages on my Kindle) was sweet and easy to read. Maddox has been in love with his best friend for a decade, while Easton loves his Maddy above all others, though it's only platonic.
Seeing the two of them interact, it's lovely and painful at the same time. Getting both POVs lets us see how tortured Maddy is, wanting the best for Easton, even if that's not him. It doesn't help that Maddy is East's favourite person on the planet and they truly are inseperable.
I was drawn in from the start and thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciated that Shelby, East's girlfriend, is a good person and very likeable, getting on well with Maddy, and I loved Shane, East's new roommate, from the moment he appeared.

[Vania - My Little Book Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahh Lizzie Lizzie Lizzie 🥰

Lizzie is an auto-read author for me. I absolutely just love her writing and this book is just another reason why. This is a freebie with her newsletter so it’s a bit silly not to get it and read it.
I love MM books and these characters felt so real and easy to connect with, the love for these guys just sneaks up on you. It’s a quick read, hot, heartfelt, comforting, and had that Lizzie vibe that she does so well. I laughed, I got a little emotional, and I didn’t want it to end. Every time I pick up one of her books, I’m reminded why I love her work so much. She just knows how to tell a story that sticks with you.

[chaoticpageturner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just straight up wow. I devoured this. This is a new to me author and I did not expect this novella to make my heart freaking break and burst all at once. East and Maddy are everything. Besties-to-lovers is always a crazy trope and this was done so well. Like perfection. Codependent besties always elevates the angst in the best way.

If it wasn’t the few chapters where I was trying to not to freakin bawl my eyes out, I was reading with a perpetual smile on my face. Also Shane is the real MVP of this book, iykyk. After seeing he had a pivotal role in this book, I immediately went to see if he was getting a book and signed up for his ARC lol. I cannot wait for more of this series 🫶🏼🫶🏼

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet short read. The anguish that Maddox was going through for years being in love with Easton, believing he’d never have him reciprocate his feelings, ugh. Easton’s quiet acceptance of his feelings after being confronted with how Maddy feels about him was sweet. It fit his character perfectly. I absolutely loved their roommates and Shane is a great friend. I am excited for his book. I only wished the guys could have spoken to Shelby. Her and Maddox are pseudo-friends, and her and Easton were friends before dating. I feel like she wouldn’t have been mad. She would have understood. Maybe it was best they didn’t.

[Jennifer R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was just a lot of goodness in the way of all things I enjoy most. Angst, pinning (unrequited love), a kind of second chance, sexual discovery and awakening, friends to lovers, and not an overly long story at all but I didn’t find it lacking in any way.
I’d totally read this again! These two were destined to be together. 💜 Can’t wait for Shane’s book.. I knew he had to have one and see that he will. Sign me up! 👋

[KS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the perfect introduction!

A bestfriends to lovers, soul mates with just the right amount of angst and emotional turmoil!

we love a good baseball book, tight pants, taunt bodies, spice to boot! with an emotional roller-coaster and a HOLY SHIT ice bucket realisation moment, this book has me kicking me little feet!

it had me wanting to read an extended version and has me counting down the days for the next one in the series!

[Christina Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was one of my quicker reads, I finished it in a few hours, BUT omg Maddie and East swoooooon. I love a good friends to lovers trope and I just wanted to wrap them both up in their cute cozy blankets. I also loved that while they did discuss the difficulties of homophobia you really didn't have to see them suffer at the hands of it much. everyone in their lives were super supportive and I love that! Love love love!

[Clara Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Home is a heartfelt and steamy MM romance that beautifully captures the tension and emotion of best-friends-to-lovers love. Easton and Maddox are deeply relatable, and their connection from childhood friendship to unspoken feelings pulls at your heart. The mix of baseball, longing, and emotional growth makes this story both fun and moving.

A must-read for fans of MM romance, friends-to-lovers stories, and emotional, character-driven romance. Highly recommended!

[Kristen Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story! I hesitate to say friends to lovers because thy are both idiots but for each other. When East gets called up for baseball and his best friend Maddy doesn’t he’s sad to leave him behind. Maddy is hoping that he can finally get over his straight friend so he ends up ghosting him. This leads so the most precious love story between these two. Loved it so much and I’m looking forward to Shane’s story!

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This made my emotions run a little wild as we watched Maddox deal with his feelings for the clueless best friend Easton. I really felt his distress and sadness while we watched Easton's heart break not knowing why his best friend was pulling away. I really enjoyed the story between them, and I liked how we got to know Shane a little to prep us for his book coming. I liked all of the characters, so I am interested in continuing with this series.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two very codependent bestie, one in love with the other and trying really hard to put some distance between them because it hurts too much. I love angst and yearning. One thing I really loved is that Maddox and Shelby are not enemies in this, it would have been so easy to make her the "bad" guy, but no they actually understand each other and she's a good person. Short and adorable.

[L. A. Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Home by Lizzie C. Koz is a sweet and spicy best-friends-to-lovers MM baseball romance. Maddox and Easton’s separation is painful, but watching them finally get their heads out of their asses and figure things out is so satisfying. Full of heart, humor, and heat—this novella hits all the right notes.

[KaRon Spriggs-bethea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Maddox and Easton’s story. This was a quick read! I experienced a range of emotions throughout reading this story. I experienced sadness, anger, and pure joy. I also appreciated the representation the author provided throughout! If you like friends to lovers stories this is a story for you!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this took me by surprise! So angsty! Matty and Easton almost took me out, I had wet eyes for a lot of this short little book. It packed a punch and Lizzie hit it out of the park. I’m so excited for this series!