Jilted at the game. Roommates by chance. Catching feelings by accident.
Humiliated after my MLB fiancé called off our engagement—in the middle of a baseball game, I did what any rational, rule-following girl would I climbed on top of the dugout to give him a piece of my mind.
I just didn’t expect to slip—or fall straight into the arms of Trevor Chapman.
Awkward? Totally. Except the team’s veteran catcher also happens to be my roommate. Trevor’s protective, patient, and ten years my senior—but I’m the one sharing custody of his rescue calico and handling the personal taxes for half of the Waves lineup.
To shake off my post-breakup funk, I make a list of adventures—and rope Trevor in. With every item we cross off, it’s harder to ignore that I’m catching feelings faster than Trevor snags fastballs.
I’ve already been burned by a Waves player, so letting myself fall again feels risky—even when Trevor has always been there to catch me.
Laura Langa is an award-winning sweet romance author. She strives to write stories that pull at her readers’ heartstrings and create relatable characters you can’t help but root for. Laura loves trees and all things green, hates flossing but forces herself to do it every night, drinks tea—not coffee, and believes that salt air can often cure a bad mood.
so cute!! loved the story and the characters. kenzie is a nerdy animal lover living with her employer, an mlb catcher who is secretly pining for her.
i usually don’t like breakup scenes in the beginning of books but this one is low angst and mostly funny. kenzies ex is a one dimensional movie villain imo.
after kenzie is dumped, she gets trevor to go on adventures with her. their connection was so easy and i was obsessed with trevor and how much he wants to take care of kenzie.
the narrators were great. thank you netgalley for the arc!
Total cheese fest. Where do I even begin? It was extreme. Their interactions, the plot, the villain with his silly motive, the dialogue (Q: “How did you know?!” A: “I read romance novels”)… Oh my gosh, I could go on and on.
And the FMC was weird- jumping on the dugout in outrage and making a scene in the middle of a MLB game, then falling, landing in the catcher’s arms and then smiling at him and laughing. Whiplash anyone? Or that time she went to a press conference and kept making asinine jokes. (Everyone laughed raucously, of course.) Or dressing up in an old man disguise (complete with a pot belly and beard) in order to get admitted to another MLB game, kissing the MMC in public while in disguise, and then telling the reporters she dressed like that for fun. 🤯 Or how she apparently uses her genius math brain to calculate the angles while playing pool. Of course there is math in the theory but in the game it’s unconscious and intuitive. But sure, her superior accounting math skills will def give her an edge in the game of billiards. *rolling my eyes*
Lacked chemistry and excitement.
Writing was superficial and the characterizations weren’t consistent. (The FMC was painted as very cautious and timid - someone who liked to be home, was somewhat sedentary, and socially awkward- and then she would do something insanely out of character. It was jarring.)
I did think it was sweet that the MMC was excited by the prospect of the FMC being his wife and having their baby. That was sweet. He seemed like a nice guy. Just a little… idk, cheesy I guess.
Side note: I’d almost say you must be a cat lover to enjoy the book. I know people really love their cats, to the extent of carrying them around in baby slings, pushing them in baby strollers, hiring babysitters for them when they are gone from home, and dedicating an entire cat-toy-wonderland bedroom just for them. But… eesh🥴 (Thankfully there were no strollers in this book, but it had everything else. 😂)
Sure, I think cats can be really sweet and I like them. But… idk, this was just next level.
When the MMC said “every pet deserves a loving, forever home” on a reel to advocate for adopting a pot-bellied pig, I was like, “Sure… but it seems like advocating for real human children who are in the foster system or the cancer center or from marginalized communities is a more important cause, right?” But sure, everyone needs their niche, so whatever, but the whole cat-lady and cat-man persona was just way OTT for me. Every page involved them loving on their cats.
Content-
Language- none Spice- some tame kisses Triggers/Violence- no Substance abuse- no Spiritual/religious- no Cover- i like it POV- dual POV Cliffhanger- no. Format- I paid for the audiobook off Audible. 🤦♀️ Narration- A male voiced the male POV chapters and all the male dialogue. Vice versa with the female performer. The book was cheesy on its own, but the voice performance didn’t help. The narrators would chuckle and laugh (not my fave) and they just generally fed into the dorkiness with their voice inflections.
Love Catch by Laura Langa Part of The Love Playbook series. Sports related romantic comedy. Closed door. Alternating 1st POV. When Kenzie gets dumped by her fiancé at a MLB game, her roommate, Trevor Chapman, is more than happy to catch her. He quietly stood aside when his teammate romanced Kelsie, but it’s his turn now to tell her how he’s felt since they first met.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook performed by Rylee Kuberra and Stephan Godleski. I absolutely loved the performances of these two narrators. They brought the characters to 3D life, practically jumping off the page. Their personalities for the characters are perfection. The audiobook is simply captivating.
She is perky, sweet, friendly and a giggler. He’s in love and in awe of her business acumen. He will do anything for her. Together they are adorable with teasing banter, quips and creating time for fun, play and support of the other. Major win, no third act breakup. Just love, caring, adorable pets, and sweetness. Uplifting and bewitching.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Select.
Ohhhh I’m going to have a hangover from this one! Kenzie is just the sweetest girl, and she definitely does not deserve the heartache that this book starts off with. Enter her roommate Trevor, the cinnamon roll catcher, who just wants her to be happy. So many almost moments, a nice slow burn, before we finally get to see them connect. Throw in a couple of cats, a spoiled pig, and just the right amount of drama, and you’ve got the perfect baseball romance! I could not put this down tonight, I just had to finish it! ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️
This was my first book by Laura Langa. I enjoyed the story! It was cute and fun. No spice. The MMC is so sweet and such a softie to the FMC. If you’re a fan of The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams, you’ll definitely like this one!
The audiobook is narrated by Rylee Kuberra and Stephan Godleski. They both did a great job with it!
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the audio ARC!
What a super sweet wholesome romance. Guy loves a girl from afar. Girl sees him as a protective brother figure while she is dating his teammate. When they break up, she sees him in a new light. Cue the swoony scenes with our protective guy and a girl who finally realizes she can be lovable. Adored this book so much! It was my first by this author and I can't wait to read more. Kudos to both narrators who voiced the characters in the audiobook too, they really brought them to life!
This sports rom-com was such a fun, sweet read from start to finish. Trevor and Kenzie’s friends-to-more, he-falls-first love story completely stole my heart. With a baseball hero, a jilted bride, friends to lovers, and an age gap, Love Catch blends these tropes into a fabulous, feel-good romance. I loved it!
When Kenzie goes to surprise her new fiancé at his MLB baseball game, things don’t go well and she’s crushed when he dumps her. As she confronts him at the team’s dugout, she literally falls right into the arms of her roommate Trevor.
Trevor has been in love with Kenzie for quite some time, but between their age difference, being roommates, and then her getting engaged to one of his teammates, he’s kept his feelings hidden. But with the engagement off, it’s a game changer.
I quickly fell in love with Trevor. The way he loved and pined for Kenzie—quirks and all—was absolutely swoon-worthy. So was his protectiveness of her. Kenzie was such a sweetheart. Her character growth made me so happy, and she definitely deserved someone like Trevor instead of her creepy ex.
You can expect— Dual POV Sports Romance Roommates to Lovers He Falls First Pining Age Gap Protective MMC Kisses Only
Love Catch is a heartwarming, well-written story filled with lovable characters, genuine chemistry, and a happily-ever-after that leaves you smiling.
I absolutely adore this read. kenzie is such a good character to read. she's just the girl everyone loves. she's pure she's genuine and she's from upstate NY where her parents have a farm. Im that reader who loves those references because I am from upstate NY. where family farms are out lifeblood. she had such great parents they let her pursue her dream. an accountant. when you live numbers it's a no brainer. but she is the stereotype for the farmer turned accountant. good job Laura you were spot on. then comes Trevor her roommate and the best cat daddy. they met because Kenzie was his pet sitter when he was away on his mlb games. he's always had a crush on her he was too much of a gentleman to throw anything more at her as she was already in a rut from her previous relationship. but he's the best guy for her .
I loved their dynamics their progression of their relationship. to me it progressed nicely without all that background angst. so very much enjoyed the pet owners feed with crazy people like them. it was a nice add. that I am sure morphed into other books. oh as a reader of this author we get to visit Wilkes Beach and I love that. you are familiar with that place so at times I feel like I went home.
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape for the audio ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love Catch by Laura Langa completely stole my heart! This audiobook was everything I want in a romance and more. The dual narration was absolutely fantastic it really brought Kenzie and Trevor to life and made their story feel so real and emotional.
I am such a sucker for a friends-to-lovers trope, and this one was done perfectly. Watching their friendship grow and shift into something deeper felt so natural and genuine. Kenzie and Trevor had such an amazing connection you could feel the history, the trust, and the love between them in every moment.
Their relationship was just everything. Sweet, heartfelt, and full of those little moments that make you fall in love right along with them. I couldn’t get enough of their story and didn’t want it to end!
If you love friends-to-lovers and great audiobook narration, this one is definitely a must-listen!
Love Catch Laura Langa 5/5 stars Publication date: February 13, 2026
Found my new favorite Laura Langa book! Kenzie is crushed when her MLB fiancé turns out not to be the guy she thought he was. Little does she know that her roommate, another player in the MLB, has had feelings for her ever since they met.
This book is the definition of all the swoon without the spice! I absolutely loved it. The dual POV in combination with the animal rescue forum chat kept me up reading way too late! Highly recommend this book!
Thank you Laura Langa for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
[Review of the ALC, courtesy of NetGalley and Dreamscape Select]
Love Catch was such a sweet and relaxing read! This is a sports romance with a smooth, easy flow that never felt dull for a single moment—even though it’s a closed-door romance. The audiobook was truly enjoyable.
I liked the chemistry between the main characters. Their connection felt natural and developed at a believable pace, which made it easy to root for them. Overall, it’s a comforting, feel-good story that’s perfect when you’re in the mood for something light but still emotionally satisfying.
3.25 ⭐️Love Catch is a cute little romance that begins with Kenzie being humiliated in front of an entire stadium when her MLB fiancée breaks up with her during the game. She’s so mad that she climbs up on the dug-out to give him a piece of her mind. Unfortunately, she falls and lands right into the arms of Trevor (literally, the catcher)!🤣 Trevor has been patiently falling for his roommate, Kenzie, for a long time, but he’s never let her know. He is older and emotionally mature. He always stays positive with her and lets her know he’s there for her. As time passes, we get to see what develops between the two. Thank you Netgalley and West East Publishing for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Cute romance that would make a great summer beach read. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced audio copy to review. While I enjoyed the story, I did not enjoy the male narrator; he’s not right for this one. I think I’d have liked it better with a different male narrator, or even a female narrating the whole thing.
I ADORED this book! Laura Langa does it again guys. I cannot stop gushing about this book! I was hooked from the first chapter! What a way to start!
Kenzie and Trevor are just adorable and I love how he was trying to keep his crush hidden but he struggled sometimes. This friends to more romance was tension-filled and romantic. Kenzie was quirky and smart and Trevor was loyal and protective. I loved how Trevor helped Kenzie feel like the capable person she was and he saw her for who she was. The character growth for Kenzie was so good and I loved how it related to their romance so well. There was so much development for both of them. They were just a delight to read! All the fun activities they did and the way Trevor lit up when he was around her. I just adored how they felt safe with each other and they both wanted to show the other how important they were no matter how their past made them feel.
Things I loved about the plot were the rescue kittens, visits to Wilks Beach, the pool hall flirtation, and the baseball game scenes, especially the one at the end. So funny and sweet!
While Kenzie’s break-up with her fiancée is the stuff viral videos are made of, Trevor’s catch when she falls is more of a dream come true. For him at least. He’s likes her forever. She sees him as a big brother. I loved how his consistent small acts of kindness and love broke through her barriers. This was an adorable he falls first, friends to lovers, touch her and die, sports romance.
My favorite scenes were the hilarious escapades that Kenzie got into at the baseball games!
After been publicly dumped by her famous baseball player and fiancée, Kenzie start a wish list and rope her roommate and also a baseball player, Trevor, to help her. He is ten years her senior but has been in love with her for a year. A sweet romcom full of adventure, feelings and a great calico cat. The audiobook with Rylee Kuberra and Stephan Godleski is great. Thanks to NetGalley and Eat West publishing for the ALC. this is my honest review.
Loved it! This was my first of The Love Playbook series and It was adorable. I can’t wait to read the read of them. I loved the characters and their journey to find joy in a beautiful relationship! The baseball feeling was palpable and fun. Grab it and get started!
Thanks to the author for this book, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!
This was a fun sports rom-com. Kenzie is just the nerdy down-home girl who would rather be home with her cat, working in the garden or greenhouse, or watching something on TV. Then doing anything that would call attention to herself. So when she meets Trevor her former boss, turned client, turned unintentional roommate, turned matchmaker. It started simply enough last February when she started pet-sitting Banks, his adorable calico cat, before spring training.
Since Banks required a lot of medical attention, she would bring her laptop and work at Trevor’s house. She would have tax forms all over his dining room table from a client who refused to e-file when Trevor came home from practice, inquiring about her day job. After minimizing how much he owed on taxes by deducting agent fees, training costs, and union dues. That's when he recommended her to his teammates and her business exploded. Then, when her apartment flooded last April, he insisted that she stay in his spacious, always-empty guest wing while swearing that Banks liked her better anyway.
Banks one hundred percent likes her better. And then, it was Trevor who hosted the Fourth of July party where Aaron first noticed her. He’s her supportive older brother since he’s ten years older than her. Only don’t tell her he’s actually head over heels for her, and yes he is always looking out for her. They are at her first baseball game since becoming engaged to Aaron because he said he needs to concentrate. But the WAGS said otherwise, they told her she was coming to the game.
Those guys don’t know what they want and they as their partners need to show them what they need. Her roommate, Trevor glances her way, as do the rest of the infielders in the huddle. Because she had a huge feeling that Aaron was having a problem for sure with her being there. Aaron’s lips are set in a firm line. She knows that line. That’s the yell at the valet for adjusting the seat when he parked the car. That is the I can’t believe the house cleaner left the mop again.
And this time, the line is directed at her. After linking arms, we keep cheering as the Waves get two more outs—another strikeout for Aaron and a tag out at home by Trevor when the runner on third makes a break for it. She leaves her seat to go up and get some drinks for them. “Hey,” she says, smiling at Aaron’s personal assistant. “Wasn’t that great?” “It was.” She presses her lips together, tucking them against the cement half-wall. Her expression gives her a sinking sensation it tugs at her stomach.
“What is it?” “He’d like you to leave. You’re a…distraction.” Janessa twists her nose as if her words taste rotten. “What?” “I know. I’m sorry. Can I drive you home?” “He told you—” she swallows hard. “Aaron wanted you to ask me to leave?” She sighs. “Yeah.” I’m sure she doesn’t want to be delivering this news any more than I want to be hearing it. “Oh.” Trying to keep her tears at bay. “Let me drive you home.” “Okay.” I sniff, following her for a few steps before halting.
However, it’s like her Converse are super-glued to the stairs. “What if I don’t?” “What do you mean?” “What if I don’t leave?” “What’s the plan if I don’t leave?” He always has a backup plan. “Kenzie.” “Just answer the question.” “He wants the ring back.” This time, my “What?” Her soul is tired of always being chosen last, of begging for crumbs, of being asked to go home. She turns on her heels, pounding down the stairs like she’s a trained athlete, not true, her only exercise is the daily walk she takes while listening to audiobooks.
Janessa calls after her, but she’s already almost at her seat. At the last second, she veers right and toward the corner of the dugout where there’s a gap in the netting. With superhuman strength she didn’t know she possessed—thanks, alien babies—she launched herself on top of it. A collective gasp goes out from the surrounding area as she stomps on the top of the dugout. “Aaron! I deserve more than to be dumped by your assistant while ‘Cotton Eye Joe’ plays in the background.
Come out and do it yourself.” “We can discuss this later,” Aaron says, his expression even—peaceful almost. “No. We’re discussing this—” she stomps her foot again, but it doesn’t hit the steady concrete. Instead, she forcefully kicks and cuts through the air as she loses her balance and tumbles over the dugout’s edge. A laugh bubbles from her throat when she realizes that she landed in Trevor’s arms. “Kenzie.” Trevor grins at her like she’s a wayward nymph he has to watch over.
It must be exhausting, always helping her out, but boy is she grateful for his quick reflexes that night. “Nice catch,” she says before wiggling free to give Aaron a piece of her mind. If you may have already guessed Trevor is in love with Kenzie. And when he heard the story of Aaron not wanting her there hurt his heart. When you hear why I guarantee it will hurt yours too. Trevor is the perfect man for Kenzie.
Wow. I. just. can’t. even! Words fail to express how much I LOVED this book! It has all the elements of a top-notch rom-com, but went above and beyond - hit all the right notes for me. The MC’s backstories were stellar, the comedic moments were gold, and the love story was top tier! Plus, I just love Laura’s writing style.
This one will remain one of my favorites for a long time to come.
Highlightables:
- the fur-ever forum (so funny!) - Trevor’s teammates and the way they support each other - Mallory, oh, dear Mallory. I love her! - Both character’s backstories - Kenzie’s quirks - And how Trevor loves them - The cats! (And I am not a cat person) But I love the way Laura gave them distinct personalities too - The stellar top-notch love story (swoon)
Notable Quotables (I’m aiming for “spoiler free”):
- I focus on the sensation of the steering wheel beneath my hands, on the hum of the engine, as I draw in a slow breath. It’s kind of ridiculous for someone who gets paid millions of dollars to play at the highest level of baseball to still feel inadequate. But it’s like there’s this corner of my heart missing, because deep down, I’ve never been enough. Knowing that Trish believed in me, that she’s still proud of me, helps that dark spot feel less soul-crushing. That’s why I’ve never taken off the necklace. - The burst of gratitude is so overwhelming that I almost stagger back a step. My palm presses over my breastbone as Kenzie’s words ground me. I hadn’t known how much I needed someone in my corner, someone who truly believed in me. Reason dictates that I should be able to look at my player stats, at the career I’ve built, and know my worth, but even with doing the mental work over the years, that little boy who was never enough will always be a part of me.
In a nutshell, this wasn’t your typical rom-com. Sure, there was romance and comedy (TONS of it) But there was also a beautiful story of healing and affirmation. I laughed out loud, I cheered (sorry, sleeping hubby), but I also cried on more than one occasion. Laura brought the perfect mix of emotions! (Plus her kissing scenes were swoon-overload!!!)
Fair warning: you might sign up to read her entire backlist after reading this one! It was just that good.
I wish I could give Love Catch 10 stars, but (of course) that’s not possible, so I’ll just say this: you will absolutely love Trevor and Kenzie and their story, and you find yourself staying up way too late, reading with a huge smile on your face, as you cheer for their happy ever after!
I can't even rate this a five, it deserves more stars than that. ♾️/5
First of all, this book is completely clean. Not a single innuendo line, or a spicy scene, or even a single cuss word. Completely. Clean. And I LOVE IT! Not only was Love Catch a genuinely funny, cute, and appropriate book, it also made me sad when I finished it because it was just that good. I love all the characters, except Aaron lol, but especially Kenzie and Trevor. They are both respectful towards each other, caring, and not lustful, which I appreciate. Their relationship was built on care and mutual respect that I feel books don't show anymore. I loved every moment in this book and wouldn't change a single thing. Trevor's relationship with his family, and his problems with his self worth, felt realistic and relatable. I loved that he actually yearned for Kenzie even when she was still with Aaron. The small things and details he does for her shows he cares. He was gentle, and seemed like a very good representation for what men should be like. He was a gentleman, a good person, and an amazing lover for Kenzie. Kenzie, herself, is also amazing. I loved her and her character. She felt authentic, and different, without being the pick-me trope. I liked how she cared for Trevor as well, and how her and Trevor's relationship blossomed in a way that felt natural. I finally found a book where both adults act like adults, and I LOVE IT. Finally, both adult characters sit down and actually talk about their feelings without dragging each other on, which I appreciate. They were never pushy, never forceful. Their relationship flowed in a way that felt real and not fictional. This book was also super funny, and made me laugh more times than I could count. On top of it all, it was adorable, a favorite romance of mine. Everything about this book made me smile everytime I flipped a page and read more. And finally, I adored that both Trevor and Kenzie love animals. Banks and Jet were adorable cats, and I liked how they were like their furry friends. It was perfect. And that ending plus the dialogue? Perfection! Trevor and Kenzie will be an amazing married couple, who genuinely love each other. Overall, I adored this book and will one hundred percent recommend it to anyone and everyone! It's so underrated, and I wish more people heard of it. Especially since it's so hard finding clean romances. Thank you, Laura Langa for making me fall in love with Love Catch and Trevor and Kenzie. I love you all! <33
The Love Playbook series has 8 authors coming together to each write a book within a collaboration that combines closed door romance, swoon worthy moments and sport romance. Each book promises to deliver amazing characters, wonderful storyline, and romances that will leave you with your heart racing. Laura Langa brings all this and more to the series with her addition, Love Catch. While book 2 in the series, it is the first I have read in the series. As per the norm, Laura has written a heartwarming romance that combines everything I love about her writing and storytelling abilities.
Kenzie never thought she would find herself dating a pro baseball pitcher. She also never thought her said relationship would deny her; in front of thousands of people. While at a game she and her boyfriend, Aaron, are thrown up on the jumbotron, for all to see them. Yet while she is smiling and so happy, Aaron denies them being a couple and breaks her heart. She turns to her friend and employer, Travis, to share her feelings with. Her whole character is impossible to not love. She is wholesome, determined, and loyal. You want to see her happy.
Travis has loved Kenzie from the moment they met. Travis loves animals but his baseball schedule doesn’t allow for him to be a pet owner who is around a lot. This is how he and Kenzie met. She was in need of a place to stay, which he was happy to give her if she helped care for his pet. There has also been the veil of her dating his teammate to help keep his feelings in check. But that is gone now and he hates seeing her hurting. Things just became more complicated for him and not spilling his feelings for her.
With the safety net being removed, Travis is still careful in how he gives off hints of how he feels about Kenzie. Not wanting to ruin their friendship, he isn’t losing her again, no matter what. The number of green flags within this man makes you know Kenzie is safe with him. As she slowly begins to realize the quiet love Travis has for her, she discovers what real love is all about and it is found within the quiet moments, not the loud, all eyes on me moments. I cannot wait for the rest of this series!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect: ⚾Baseball Romance 💚Roommates to More ⚾Age Gap Romance 💚He Falls First ⚾Pro Catcher MMC 💚Jilted Bride FMC ⚾Teammate’s Ex 💚Closed Door Romance
If you are looking for a quick, heartwarming read that hits all the right notes, Love Catch is an absolute home run. This closed-door sports rom-com manages to be both hilariously awkward and incredibly sweet, making it the perfect pick-me-up. The Story at a Glance The story kicks off with one of the most memorable meet-cutes I've read: Kenzie, humiliated after her MLB fiancé calls off their engagement mid-game, climbs onto the dugout to give him a piece of her mind. A slip and a fall later, she lands straight into the arms of Trevor Chapman, the team’s veteran catcher—who also happens to be her roommate. To recover from her breakup, Kenzie creates an adventure list and ropes Trevor into crossing off the items. As they bond over everything from tax prep for the team to sharing custody of a rescue cat, the "just roommates" line starts to get very blurry. Why It’s So Cute: The Tropes The tropes in this book are handled with so much charm: • Forced Proximity (Roommates): There is something so cozy about their domestic life, especially since Kenzie handles the personal taxes for half the lineup while living with Trevor. • Age Gap (10 Years): Trevor is the "veteran" of the team—patient, protective, and ten years Kenzie's senior. The maturity he brings to their relationship is a breath of fresh air. • "He Falls First": Seeing Trevor’s point of view and his deep pining for Kenzie makes the romance feel so earned. He is "down bad" in the best way possible. • Adorable Rescue Animal: They share custody of a sweet rescue calico cat, which adds an extra layer of "aww" to their shared moments. • No Third-Act Breakup: This is a low-stress read! The conflict feels natural, and the focus stays on their growing connection rather than forced drama. Final Thoughts At around 230 pages, it’s a fast-paced story that focuses on soft, quiet moments—helping with animals, attending weddings, and the magnetic pull of that first kiss. If you love a protective hero, playful banter, and a "happily ever after" that includes a very lucky cat, you need to add this to your shelf. Genre: Sweet Sports Romance / Rom-Com Steam Level: Closed Door (Kisses only, no language) Series: The Love Playbook (Standalone)
This is a home run! What a sweet and swoony read that feels like a warm hug. I loved everything about this one: from our FMC falling off the dugout into his arms, to our MMC climbing a lighthouse just for her and her baking his favorite chocolate cake. These two are just adorable together! Plus this audio enhances the book experience these narrators are perfection and will steal your hearts.
𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:
Kenzie thought it be fun to surprise her fiancée at this baseball game, but it didn’t go as planned. Apparently he didn’t want her there and if she didn’t leave he wanted his ring back. This ended with her climbing onto the dugout, loosing her balance, falling off into her roommate/team catcher’s arms and then going vial for her breakup.
Trevor has had it bad for Kenzie for over a year now. What started as hiring her to do his taxes turned into a friendship and then a roommate situation. He then had to watch his teammate date her, but he secretly wants her and do anything for her. So post her going viral he agrees to help her cross off her “Do it scared” list of adventures.
But doing these adventures together really start to stir up those feelings Trevor’s been hiding and it’s making it harder to hide. Kenzie on the other hand is working through the breakup and realizing her ex never treated her the way Trevor does. But she doesn’t know if she’s ready to risk it again with a baseball player especially her roommate and friend.
𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:
“who designed baseball pants? I want to send them a handwritten thank-you note—with stickers.”
𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:
* Roommates to Lovers * Math Loving CPA x MLB Catcher * She’s His Teammate’s Ex Fiancée * He Falls First & Hard * Ten Year Age Gap * Post Breakup Do it Scared List * Slow Burn - Kisses Only 💋 * Dual POV
This is part of The Love Playbook series. The book could be read as a standalone, but you'll really want to read the full series - and I would suggest in release order.
This is such a sweet book. As an MLB player, Trevor hired Kenzie to help take care of his rescue cat while he is on the road for away games. As his "employee" and roommate, Trevor never acted on his crush on Kenzie. And then she started to date one of his teammates.
Kenzie is humiliated on national TV when she is dumped by her fiancé and falls into the dugout - right into Trevor's arms. Reeling from the experience, and in an effort to get past the breakup post-funk, she creates a Do it Scared list - a bucket list of sort that will have her doing things that will push her out of her comfort zone. And Trevor is willing to help her cross of the items, which of course is going to spark feelings.
I love how the relationship between Trevor and Kenzie progresses. They had a great friendship base, but with each activity Kenzie starts to see and realize how amazing Trevor is. I loved how protective he was of her. And how both of them encouraged and built each other up and didn't allow the other to talk bad about themselves.
I love books that have you laughing out loud one moment and then sighing/swooning the next - and this book doesn't disappoint. Laura Langa was able to create characters that you can relate to and quickly become endeared to. I also may have cheered when Kenzie was able to give her ex-fiancé a piece of her mind!
This is the first book I've read of Laura Langa and I am looking forward to checking out more of her books!
Quotes: "My soul is tired of always being chosen last..."
"Life is full of disappointments. It's best not to let them get the better of you."
This was my first Laura ARC, and like every single book I’ve read by her, it was such a sweet & fun read!
Kenzie’s heartbreak & subsequent behavior were relatable. No two people grieve a relationship the same way, but her emotional eating and tears were definitely something I’ve experienced before! 🫠 I love that she allowed herself to feel, and Trevor stood by her while she needed to heal in that way. Her interests were normal and nerdy and I loved the romance reader references.
Trevor was so swoony. Laura has a knack for writing incredibly green-flag men, and he was no different. He’s affable, respectful and considerate, but his protective streak was my favorite part of his character. He would defend Kenzie and her well-being. I love that he never tried to force her to be someone she wasn’t either, even when she struggled with her self-image.
Although their professions were different, the two supported one another & spent time doing everyday things together. Trevor helping Kenzie get out of her comfort zone and completing her list was exactly what she needed to move on from Aaron & his rotten ways! Kenzie showed up for him at games and in life, & it was just so cute how they grew from friends to more. Once they were in, they were inseparable and so into each other with chemistry for days! 🥰
There were quite a few one-liners in this read that got me. I especially thought I’d never read the phrase “bohemian emotional support pouch” but here we are. 😆
Seriously y’all, make sure you read this one when it comes out on 2/17!
Thanks for the ARC, Laura! All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🤩
CW: This is a closed-door romance with passionate makeouts and no language. There’s mention of a public breakup, absent parents, and a punch thrown (a deserved one, imo lol).
I really enjoyed reading this story, below is my progressive review:
Paul Rudd mention, married *📖 pause reading for google search, search Paul Rudd...continue reading*.
Um what Banks room description, i need to reread to get that image in my head or it looks like monsters inc doors conveyor device suspensed in midair with but with a cat bed suspended, treadmill...um what? Wow! Mallory is that friend is supportive, brings food, great at alliterations, im guessing ur ride or die person.
Love Trevor and Kenzie's interactions - how comfortable sharing who they are with other, challenging each other to not to be be mean with their statements about themselves.
Noah is a riot, hopefully he gets a second chance at love!
Its interesting how Trevor is able to help Kenzie see with his consistency, with his actions and statements about spending time with Kenzie that combat how Aaron made her feel but her brain disputes after how Aaron programmed their relation to be like. But with Kenzie's attraction to Trevor made it harder for Aaron to hide his feelings.
“I can be molasses on a cold day. A glacier sliding downhill. A snail on a leisurely stroll.” His hand flexes beneath my touch. “Whatever you need, Kenzie.” - love this description
I did have one question while reading this book why does Aaron want to keep his relationship / engagement such a big secret, is he that much a narissis or is his grandmother inheritance got some other rule about Aaron's inheritance besides married by 25 or wait until he is 40? There is something weird about the whole thing.
Love the Fur-ever homes forums interweaved between the chapters especially the fish one 🤣😂🤦♀️🤷♀️
“I’ve been wanting to do that for months, and I wasn’t emotionally manipulated by the jerk.” - too true Margo, hope she gets her own story
This little gem completely stole my heart. Getting dumped by your MLB fiancé in the middle of a baseball game is already the stuff of nightmares—but climbing on top of the dugout to confront him and then slipping straight into the arms of your older, ridiculously steady roommate? Iconic. From the very first scene, I was hooked. Trevor Chapman is the ultimate book boyfriend for anyone who loves the quiet, protective type. As the veteran catcher for the Waves, he’s used to being the steady presence behind the plate—but watching him be that same steady presence in her life? Absolutely swoon-worthy. He’s patient without being pushy, protective without being possessive, and so clearly gone for her long before she lets herself see it. The ten-year age gap adds just the right touch of maturity and longing, especially since she’s fresh off a very public heartbreak. What I loved most is how naturally their relationship unfolds. The adventure list she creates to shake off her post-breakup funk is such a sweet, hopeful idea, and every crossed-off item brings them closer in a way that feels earned and intimate. Their banter sparkles, the chemistry absolutely simmers (closed-door but still very much sizzling), and the emotional beats hit in all the right places. In this story we get growth, trust, and two people choosing each other even when it feels risky. Trevor has always been there to catch fastballs—and when it matters most, he’s there to catch her too. If you’re in the mood for a sweet, swoony sports romcom with heartfelt moments and a hero who defines “safe place,” Love Catch is absolutely worth picking up. I received a complimentary copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Love Catch is such a sweet, feel-good sports romance that delivers exactly what you want when you’re in the mood for something light, swoony, and comforting. If you love baseball romance with a soft, emotional core—this one is definitely worth picking up. The story follows Kenzie, who is publicly humiliated when her MLB fiancé breaks up with her during a game, only to quite literally fall into the arms of her quiet, protective roommate, Trevor. From there, the book leans into one of my favorite tropes—friends to lovers—with a slow, steady build that feels natural and earned. What really stood out to me was the tone. This is a closed-door romance, so it focuses more on emotional intimacy, small moments, and meaningful connection rather than spice—and honestly, it works so well. Trevor is the ultimate “soft” book boyfriend: patient, supportive, and completely gone for Kenzie from the start (we love a he falls first moment). Kenzie’s post-breakup “adventure list” was such a fun and unique element. Watching them check things off together creates these sweet, bonding moments that slowly shift their relationship into something deeper. Their chemistry is more cozy than intense, but it still gives you those butterflies. That said, the book does lean a bit predictable, and some of the drama—especially involving the ex—can feel a little repetitive at times. But the payoff is worth it, especially if you’re someone who prefers low angst and no unnecessary third-act breakup (a huge win).
Overall, Love Catch is a charming, easy read that will leave you smiling. It’s perfect if you’re looking for: Friends-to-lovers romance Sports (baseball) setting ⚾ Sweet, low-drama storytelling A protective, cinnamon-roll hero
Thank you to Booked with the Emilys and the author for the digital ARC of Love Catch by Laura Langa. All opinions are my own.
I went into this book with very few expectations because this was my first book by this author, and I had only heard one person talk about it. This book turned out to be amazing, and now I want to read other books by this author.
Love Catch is a sweet closed door baseball romance with lovable characters, emotional depth, laugh out loud moments, and adorable cats.
Baseball is my favorite sport, and I’ve had such a hard time finding good closed door romances that feature baseball. I would definitely recommend this book because baseball was actually included a decent amount throughout the story, and the romance was so good!
I loved both Trevor and Kenzie so much. They were so sweet to each other and had such a nice friendship. I loved that they would do anything for each other, and they were both so encouraging of each other’s passions. Kenzie went out of her way to support Trevor’s career as a ball player when no one else was there for him. I also loved how Trevor gushed over how smart Kenzie was and her love of math.
Banks the cat was so sweet, and I loved how Trevor and Kenzie took such good care of him. I also enjoyed how the pet forum played a role in this book just like it did in the previous book in this series.
I also appreciated how Kenzie and Trevor’s romantic relationship began. It seemed so natural, and there were no stupid games or miscommunication.
Overall, I just loved this book and can’t wait for the next book featuring this baseball team.
Love Catch is a light, feel-good sports romance that leans into one of my favourite tropes, he falls first, and she slowly realizes that the love she’s been searching for has been right in front of her all along.
Mackenzie’s story kicks off in the most dramatic way possible, being publicly humiliated by her fiancé on national television. It’s a moment that could feel overly heavy, but the story quickly finds its footing thanks to Trevor, her roommate, who quite literally and emotionally catches her when she falls. From there, the dynamic between them unfolds in a way that’s both comforting and engaging.
Trevor is the kind of love interest that’s easy to root for steady, patient, and quietly devoted. His feelings are clear early on, which makes Mackenzie’s slower realization more satisfying. The friends-to-lovers progression feels natural, never rushed, and keeps the tone of the story warm and easy going rather than overly angsty.
The sports element adds a fun backdrop without overpowering the romance, making this a great pick if you’re looking for something light and character driven.
I listened to the audiobook version, and the narration by Rylee Kuberra and Stephan Godleski truly elevated the experience. Their performances brought emotional depth to the characters and made the story flow effortlessly, especially with the dual perspectives.
Overall, Love Catch is an enjoyable, cozy romance with lovable characters and a satisfying emotional payoff perfect for when you’re in the mood for something sweet and uplifting.