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Catching History
Willow Wilson deals in the past.
Hayden Young dominates the present.
She’s a prickly genealogist who prefers cemeteries to stadiums and dead clients to living ones. He’s Boston’s superstar catcher with a multi-million dollar smile and a family secret he can’t outrun. When Hayden hires Willow to uncover the truth about his lineage, it’s supposed to be strictly business. She thinks he’s an illiterate jock; he thinks she’s a little terrifying. But one research trip to the cemetery changes the game. Between dusty archives, late-night drives, and misspelled text messages, the lines begin to blur. Willow has spent her life studying history, and he’s spent his life chasing glory, but as they peel back the layers, Hayden realizes the only thing he really wants to catch is her.
The Tropes & Vibes
Opposites Attract
Celebrity/Normal Person
Curvy Heroine
He Falls First
Found Family
Competence Kink
Content & Trigger Warnings
Sexual Content
Toxic Family Dynamics
Strong Language
Mentions of Death
Hayden Young dominates the present.
She’s a prickly genealogist who prefers cemeteries to stadiums and dead clients to living ones. He’s Boston’s superstar catcher with a multi-million dollar smile and a family secret he can’t outrun. When Hayden hires Willow to uncover the truth about his lineage, it’s supposed to be strictly business. She thinks he’s an illiterate jock; he thinks she’s a little terrifying. But one research trip to the cemetery changes the game. Between dusty archives, late-night drives, and misspelled text messages, the lines begin to blur. Willow has spent her life studying history, and he’s spent his life chasing glory, but as they peel back the layers, Hayden realizes the only thing he really wants to catch is her.
The Tropes & Vibes
Opposites Attract
Celebrity/Normal Person
Curvy Heroine
He Falls First
Found Family
Competence Kink
Content & Trigger Warnings
Sexual Content
Toxic Family Dynamics
Strong Language
Mentions of Death
- GenresSports Romance
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2026
About the author
Kaylessa Black
9 books33 followersKaylessa Black spends most of her time in the rich, imaginary worlds inside her head, where she’s a fierce heroine with multiple dashing fantasy boyfriends vying for her affection. In real life, she’s just trying to make it through the day without drifting off into another epic adventure. Balancing reality with her wild imagination, Her life may be ordinary, but fortunately for you, her mind is anything but. She writes to help navigate the chaos of both worlds—one where she’s a queen in another realm, and the other where she’s trying to remember to buy milk.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 8, 2026
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Catching History surprised me in the most delightful way. I expected baseball to dominate the pages and worried I might lose interest. Kaylessa Black handed me graveyard walks, dusty archives, genealogy puzzles, family secrets, and fascinating pieces of forgotten history instead. I was thrilled.
Willow Wilson would rather spend her day researching dead people than making polite conversation with the living. Her sharp personality and impressive knowledge make her a memorable heroine from the start. Hayden Young is Boston’s famous catcher. He has an expensive smile and a family history he cannot piece together. He hires Willow to investigate his lineage while believing their arrangement will remain strictly professional. That plan lasts about as long as anyone familiar with romance novels would expect.
Willow and Hayden move between cemeteries, historical records, and late-night drives while uncovering secrets buried inside his family tree. Every discovery brings them closer to the truth and each other. Hayden falls first, falls hard, and never stands a chance against the prickly genealogist who finds dead relatives easier to understand than handsome athletes. The baseball plot remained interesting without stealing attention from the genealogy investigation or romance. That balance worked perfectly for my reading tastes. The book understands that Hayden may play baseball professionally, but Willow’s research is where the real action happens.
Black’s writing held my attention from the opening pages. The humor made me smile, the family mystery kept me curious, and Willow’s work felt lovingly researched without becoming a history lecture. I would happily follow her through graveyards for another five hundred pages. Hayden’s misspelled messages and growing devotion added sweetness to their chemistry. The bedroom scenes brought enough heat to start a fire and threaten the preservation of several historical documents.
Pick this up if you love competent heroines, family mysteries, unusual careers, steamy romance, and men who become completely smitten. I adored Willow and Hayden. I am already hoping Kaylessa Black gives them another mystery to solve.
✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph ✏ TikTok ✏ Facebook
Catching History surprised me in the most delightful way. I expected baseball to dominate the pages and worried I might lose interest. Kaylessa Black handed me graveyard walks, dusty archives, genealogy puzzles, family secrets, and fascinating pieces of forgotten history instead. I was thrilled.
Willow Wilson would rather spend her day researching dead people than making polite conversation with the living. Her sharp personality and impressive knowledge make her a memorable heroine from the start. Hayden Young is Boston’s famous catcher. He has an expensive smile and a family history he cannot piece together. He hires Willow to investigate his lineage while believing their arrangement will remain strictly professional. That plan lasts about as long as anyone familiar with romance novels would expect.
Willow and Hayden move between cemeteries, historical records, and late-night drives while uncovering secrets buried inside his family tree. Every discovery brings them closer to the truth and each other. Hayden falls first, falls hard, and never stands a chance against the prickly genealogist who finds dead relatives easier to understand than handsome athletes. The baseball plot remained interesting without stealing attention from the genealogy investigation or romance. That balance worked perfectly for my reading tastes. The book understands that Hayden may play baseball professionally, but Willow’s research is where the real action happens.
Black’s writing held my attention from the opening pages. The humor made me smile, the family mystery kept me curious, and Willow’s work felt lovingly researched without becoming a history lecture. I would happily follow her through graveyards for another five hundred pages. Hayden’s misspelled messages and growing devotion added sweetness to their chemistry. The bedroom scenes brought enough heat to start a fire and threaten the preservation of several historical documents.
Pick this up if you love competent heroines, family mysteries, unusual careers, steamy romance, and men who become completely smitten. I adored Willow and Hayden. I am already hoping Kaylessa Black gives them another mystery to solve.
June 1, 2026
Ummm excuse me!! I’m OBSESSED with this cutie patootie of a book!
There were so many stinking cute things about this book. I loved that they were each quirky in their own, and different, ways, yet each of them just went with it 100%. From their collision meet cute to their ridiculous singing and dancing with each other to their graveyard dates, I literally could not get over these two!! Their text exchanges throughout the book had me giggling and kicking my feet like someone soaking up all the romantic gossip in high school. Their chemistry was seriously scorching the entire book, and I WAS HERE FOR IT!!
Willow was the quirkiest little muffin and I loved her so much! Talking to headstones at graveyards after she learned histories of those laid to rest was one of the purest most macabre things I think I’ve ever heard and I want to do that now. She was a total boss babe in that she excelled at her job, going as hard and as long as she needed to find those connecting pieces to bring the full picture together; this was just one glimpse into how dedicated she was as a person to those things and people she held of high regard in her life, Hayden being another.
Speaking of Hayden, I wanted to hug that man so bad! He was so hurt and masked it for so long by being a happy go lucky playboy…until he met Willow. He was still very goofy and go with the flow, but he opened up to her and allowed someone to see him. In return, she saw the man he was, not the stats, not the money, not the fame; a novel concept for him that he quickly became enamored with. I loved getting the glimpses into his past and family, especially with how aloof he seemed at times. There was much more under the mask than I first assumed, definitely illustrated in part by his epic grand gesture!! Talk about knowing your audience 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
While the book was incredibly cute, what has kept it lingering in my mind was that it had real things at stake despite it being adorable. Both of our MCs dealt with loss and grief, their relationship definitely hit a rough patch that she stood up for herself over (you go girl!), and his mother was a piece of work...I appreciated some of the hardships as it made the payoff that much sweeter.
Lastly, this cutie patootie of a book had SPICE!! DO NOT LET THAT COVER FOOL YOU!!
I will definitely be reaching for more by Kaylessa Black!
Thank you to Kaylessa Black for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
There were so many stinking cute things about this book. I loved that they were each quirky in their own, and different, ways, yet each of them just went with it 100%. From their collision meet cute to their ridiculous singing and dancing with each other to their graveyard dates, I literally could not get over these two!! Their text exchanges throughout the book had me giggling and kicking my feet like someone soaking up all the romantic gossip in high school. Their chemistry was seriously scorching the entire book, and I WAS HERE FOR IT!!
Willow was the quirkiest little muffin and I loved her so much! Talking to headstones at graveyards after she learned histories of those laid to rest was one of the purest most macabre things I think I’ve ever heard and I want to do that now. She was a total boss babe in that she excelled at her job, going as hard and as long as she needed to find those connecting pieces to bring the full picture together; this was just one glimpse into how dedicated she was as a person to those things and people she held of high regard in her life, Hayden being another.
Speaking of Hayden, I wanted to hug that man so bad! He was so hurt and masked it for so long by being a happy go lucky playboy…until he met Willow. He was still very goofy and go with the flow, but he opened up to her and allowed someone to see him. In return, she saw the man he was, not the stats, not the money, not the fame; a novel concept for him that he quickly became enamored with. I loved getting the glimpses into his past and family, especially with how aloof he seemed at times. There was much more under the mask than I first assumed, definitely illustrated in part by his epic grand gesture!! Talk about knowing your audience 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
While the book was incredibly cute, what has kept it lingering in my mind was that it had real things at stake despite it being adorable. Both of our MCs dealt with loss and grief, their relationship definitely hit a rough patch that she stood up for herself over (you go girl!), and his mother was a piece of work...I appreciated some of the hardships as it made the payoff that much sweeter.
Lastly, this cutie patootie of a book had SPICE!! DO NOT LET THAT COVER FOOL YOU!!
I will definitely be reaching for more by Kaylessa Black!
Thank you to Kaylessa Black for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
May 18, 2026
If you haven’t picked up a book by Kaylessa Black yet… what are you even doing with your life? Every single book somehow gets better, and I think this one officially claimed the top spot for me.
Willow might just be my favorite FMC ever written. She’s quirky in the best way, obsessed with graveyards and history, and has the kind of soul that feels like wandering through a misty cemetery at dusk with a pocket full of wildflowers and too many feelings. Watching her realize that sometimes the love you pour into the world doesn’t always find its way back to you? Absolutely heartbreaking. She keeps herself guarded for good reason, and when she finally starts to open up, you can’t help but ache alongside her and hope it’s worth the risk.
And then there’s Hot Shot Hayden — catcher for the Boston Angels, professional charmer, and owner of perhaps the most painfully adorable texting skills ever written. This man is determined to find his dad, and who better to help him than the genealogist who literally hit him with her car? Their dynamic is perfection. Hayden may fumble a text message like it’s Game 7 of the World Series, but when it comes to romance? Elite. The things this man does had me melting into a little puddle on the floor.
If you love sports romance, opposites attract, he falls first, and found family, you absolutely need this book on your shelf. Equal parts whimsical, emotional, funny, and swoony — this story buried itself deep in my heart right next to an ancient headstone Willow would probably want to read for fun, i.e Ezekiel.
**Thank you to the author Kaylessa Black for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review**
Willow might just be my favorite FMC ever written. She’s quirky in the best way, obsessed with graveyards and history, and has the kind of soul that feels like wandering through a misty cemetery at dusk with a pocket full of wildflowers and too many feelings. Watching her realize that sometimes the love you pour into the world doesn’t always find its way back to you? Absolutely heartbreaking. She keeps herself guarded for good reason, and when she finally starts to open up, you can’t help but ache alongside her and hope it’s worth the risk.
And then there’s Hot Shot Hayden — catcher for the Boston Angels, professional charmer, and owner of perhaps the most painfully adorable texting skills ever written. This man is determined to find his dad, and who better to help him than the genealogist who literally hit him with her car? Their dynamic is perfection. Hayden may fumble a text message like it’s Game 7 of the World Series, but when it comes to romance? Elite. The things this man does had me melting into a little puddle on the floor.
If you love sports romance, opposites attract, he falls first, and found family, you absolutely need this book on your shelf. Equal parts whimsical, emotional, funny, and swoony — this story buried itself deep in my heart right next to an ancient headstone Willow would probably want to read for fun, i.e Ezekiel.
**Thank you to the author Kaylessa Black for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review**
June 5, 2026
I knew I was going to love this because I've loved all of Kaylessa's books so far.
I wasn't expecting to FALL IN LOVE with this book and become my FAVORITE out of all of her books.
The story follows Willow, a curvy, introverted geneologist who spends her free time in cemeteries or at baseball games, and Hayden, a professional baseball catcher who texts like a golden retriever on acid.
Willow almost runs him over and makes an idiot of herself (mostly cause she's a huge fan of his) and at first Hayden finds her highly annoying which made me laugh so hard. Because she gave him her details he texts her and asks her to find out who his real father is.
During this time Hayden text her a lot and their text threads are hilarious even though his AWFUL SPELLING was making my eye twitch 😂
Willow has become one of my favorite contemporary FMCs because I relate to her so much. Curvy, nerdy, always reading, very introverted and feels out of place at parties AND has the most amazing wardrobe style (i really want those dungarees) and to read about this great big wall of man muscle who can literally have any woman he wants fall hard and fast for this girl made me swoon.
It made me laugh A LOT, it made me kick my feet and giggle like a school girl and it also made my cry so much.
If I could rate it higher than 5 I would. Because it was fucking fantastic.
I wasn't expecting to FALL IN LOVE with this book and become my FAVORITE out of all of her books.
The story follows Willow, a curvy, introverted geneologist who spends her free time in cemeteries or at baseball games, and Hayden, a professional baseball catcher who texts like a golden retriever on acid.
Willow almost runs him over and makes an idiot of herself (mostly cause she's a huge fan of his) and at first Hayden finds her highly annoying which made me laugh so hard. Because she gave him her details he texts her and asks her to find out who his real father is.
During this time Hayden text her a lot and their text threads are hilarious even though his AWFUL SPELLING was making my eye twitch 😂
Willow has become one of my favorite contemporary FMCs because I relate to her so much. Curvy, nerdy, always reading, very introverted and feels out of place at parties AND has the most amazing wardrobe style (i really want those dungarees) and to read about this great big wall of man muscle who can literally have any woman he wants fall hard and fast for this girl made me swoon.
It made me laugh A LOT, it made me kick my feet and giggle like a school girl and it also made my cry so much.
If I could rate it higher than 5 I would. Because it was fucking fantastic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Opposites attract, celebrity x normal person, curvy FMC, he falls first, found family, golden retriever MMC, found family, banter, dual POV
Quotes:
"Kool. With a K. My soul withered a little bit. It was like watching a unicorn trip and fall into a mud puddle. But then, my brain reminded me of his jawline, and the withering stopped."
"I felt electric. I felt seen. And for a girl who spent her life looking at the past, I was suddenly, terrifyingly excited for the future.
"I was Willow Wilson. I fought for the dead. I did not cry over the living."
"For the first time in weeks, the noise in my head stopped. The anger at cliff, the resentment toward my mom, the pressure of the contract, it all vanished. There was just Willow."
Review:
Thank you SO much to author Kaylessa Black (and her PA) for reaching out and gifting a copy of this book prior to it's review, I am thrilled that I said yes to this one! This is my honest review and opinion. This book was SUCH a fun, cozy sports rom com, I read the entire thing in a day because it was so well written (seriously, the banter in this is top tier and made me laugh out loud as I was reading, which doesn't often happen!).
When genealogist Willow Wilson "taps" the star catcher of Boston's beloved baseball team while driving-the same catcher she's watched for years as a fan-giving him her card prompts the historical hunt of a lifetime. When Hayden asks her to track down his father and help him uncover the answers to the holes in his past, Willow throws herself into the challenge as her "penance" for hitting him and causing a PR nightmare. Little does she know that she will not only find the ghosts of Hayden's past, but cultivate a beautiful relationship built from genuine friendship and acceptance along the way. This book was spicy in the best way (not a single ick inducing buzz word thank goodness, just fantastically written imagery).
The pacing was perfect and the story was a good mix of being both plot and character driven. Both Hayden and Willow were written with depth and emotional intelligence that was refreshing to see. Hayden's awful spelling made me cringe but his adorable personality definitely made up for it. Willow's quirky and charismatic persona was amazing-she was so authentic and embraced what she loved with her whole self, even if that meant at times being lonely. Not settling for someone who didn't value her, and standing up unapologetically for the things she believed in was something I admired about her. For someone so petite she was an incredibly strong character--she also reminded me a lot of Emilia Clark's portrayal of Lou Clark in "Me Before You"--I could totally see her wearing the bumblebee tights with joy.
This was definitely a book I'll be recommending, even if you aren't a big sports/baseball fan the relationship development alone makes this book worth reading! It was fun, engaging, and had great millenial music references which I very much appreciated. 10/10 go read this!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Opposites attract, celebrity x normal person, curvy FMC, he falls first, found family, golden retriever MMC, found family, banter, dual POV
Quotes:
"Kool. With a K. My soul withered a little bit. It was like watching a unicorn trip and fall into a mud puddle. But then, my brain reminded me of his jawline, and the withering stopped."
"I felt electric. I felt seen. And for a girl who spent her life looking at the past, I was suddenly, terrifyingly excited for the future.
"I was Willow Wilson. I fought for the dead. I did not cry over the living."
"For the first time in weeks, the noise in my head stopped. The anger at cliff, the resentment toward my mom, the pressure of the contract, it all vanished. There was just Willow."
Review:
Thank you SO much to author Kaylessa Black (and her PA) for reaching out and gifting a copy of this book prior to it's review, I am thrilled that I said yes to this one! This is my honest review and opinion. This book was SUCH a fun, cozy sports rom com, I read the entire thing in a day because it was so well written (seriously, the banter in this is top tier and made me laugh out loud as I was reading, which doesn't often happen!).
When genealogist Willow Wilson "taps" the star catcher of Boston's beloved baseball team while driving-the same catcher she's watched for years as a fan-giving him her card prompts the historical hunt of a lifetime. When Hayden asks her to track down his father and help him uncover the answers to the holes in his past, Willow throws herself into the challenge as her "penance" for hitting him and causing a PR nightmare. Little does she know that she will not only find the ghosts of Hayden's past, but cultivate a beautiful relationship built from genuine friendship and acceptance along the way. This book was spicy in the best way (not a single ick inducing buzz word thank goodness, just fantastically written imagery).
The pacing was perfect and the story was a good mix of being both plot and character driven. Both Hayden and Willow were written with depth and emotional intelligence that was refreshing to see. Hayden's awful spelling made me cringe but his adorable personality definitely made up for it. Willow's quirky and charismatic persona was amazing-she was so authentic and embraced what she loved with her whole self, even if that meant at times being lonely. Not settling for someone who didn't value her, and standing up unapologetically for the things she believed in was something I admired about her. For someone so petite she was an incredibly strong character--she also reminded me a lot of Emilia Clark's portrayal of Lou Clark in "Me Before You"--I could totally see her wearing the bumblebee tights with joy.
This was definitely a book I'll be recommending, even if you aren't a big sports/baseball fan the relationship development alone makes this book worth reading! It was fun, engaging, and had great millenial music references which I very much appreciated. 10/10 go read this!
May 27, 2026
Catching History was a truly captivating and swoon worthy romance. Hayden and Willow were absolutely electrifying together and I could not get enough of them! It’s definitely a five star read for me. I loved this book from start to finish, including the best bonus chapter at the end. If you were looking for a book that’s going to completely make you fall in love and have you feeling every emotion and even crying through most of it ( in the best way), this is definitely the book for you!
I love how it follows the FMC, Willow, who is bad ass and beats to the tune of her own drum. Her witty inner monologue was too funny and had me laughing so hard. I love that competence and intelligence is a kink in this book, because nerds are fucking hot too! I loved her Crazy style and all the interesting outfits that she was wearing throughout the book. Most importantly, I love that she was authentically herself, which made her the most beautiful person in the room ( clearly Hayden thought so too 😉).
Oh sweet Hayden. The typical God like beautiful athlete. The way he fell first and so hard made me giggle and had me smiling like a love struck teenager. His “Fuck It” moments and possessiveness were top tier🔥. Watching all the things this man did to prove his love for her and to prove that he was worthy enough to be in her orbit, has me yearning for a love like that. The the way this man was so consuming with his love for her and all the passion and reverence he held towards her every time he touched or kissed her, had me swooning and kept my panties wet during the entire book.🥵🥵🔥🔥
The main thing I took away from this is that we all are different but beautiful in our own ways and when we truly find the right person we are meant for, we are never too much. Doesn’t matter what our style is or how many curves we have , or if we have a cute tummy or a flat one, it’s about finding someone who you want to drive around at 3 AM singing your heart out to some oldies and being completely open and vulnerable with the person you love. Letting them get to see the real you and loving you for it🥰
I really cannot get over how good this book is, I’m usually a dark romance girl myself, but I’m so happy I was asked to arc read for her and I am truly honored I was able to do this. I read this book in two sittings and I did not want to put this book down. I’m really excited to read more from this author and even more excited for people to read this book when it releases. I will never hear Mr. Brightside by The Killers again without thinking of Willow and Hayden, and I’m beyond excited about that🥰
Also, Be brave enough to wear those T-Rex heels , iykyk🥹🩵⚾️
I love how it follows the FMC, Willow, who is bad ass and beats to the tune of her own drum. Her witty inner monologue was too funny and had me laughing so hard. I love that competence and intelligence is a kink in this book, because nerds are fucking hot too! I loved her Crazy style and all the interesting outfits that she was wearing throughout the book. Most importantly, I love that she was authentically herself, which made her the most beautiful person in the room ( clearly Hayden thought so too 😉).
Oh sweet Hayden. The typical God like beautiful athlete. The way he fell first and so hard made me giggle and had me smiling like a love struck teenager. His “Fuck It” moments and possessiveness were top tier🔥. Watching all the things this man did to prove his love for her and to prove that he was worthy enough to be in her orbit, has me yearning for a love like that. The the way this man was so consuming with his love for her and all the passion and reverence he held towards her every time he touched or kissed her, had me swooning and kept my panties wet during the entire book.🥵🥵🔥🔥
The main thing I took away from this is that we all are different but beautiful in our own ways and when we truly find the right person we are meant for, we are never too much. Doesn’t matter what our style is or how many curves we have , or if we have a cute tummy or a flat one, it’s about finding someone who you want to drive around at 3 AM singing your heart out to some oldies and being completely open and vulnerable with the person you love. Letting them get to see the real you and loving you for it🥰
I really cannot get over how good this book is, I’m usually a dark romance girl myself, but I’m so happy I was asked to arc read for her and I am truly honored I was able to do this. I read this book in two sittings and I did not want to put this book down. I’m really excited to read more from this author and even more excited for people to read this book when it releases. I will never hear Mr. Brightside by The Killers again without thinking of Willow and Hayden, and I’m beyond excited about that🥰
Also, Be brave enough to wear those T-Rex heels , iykyk🥹🩵⚾️
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨⚾️📚 Catching History completely stole my heart in the best way possible. This story delivered every single thing I adore in a romance and somehow still managed to surprise me. From the adorable meet-cute to the irresistible jock x nerd dynamic, Hayden and Willow were pure magic together. 💕
Hayden instantly became one of those unforgettable book boyfriends 😭⚾️ — guarded, focused, and so emotionally closed off because baseball is the only thing in his life that’s ever felt predictable. But then Willow (aka Wills 💖) crashes into his world with all her quirky historian energy, anxious charm, and unapologetically authentic personality, and suddenly everything changes.
I honestly never expected a genealogist and a baseball player to work this perfectly together, but wow… their chemistry was incredible. The banter? Top tier. The tension? Addictive. The emotional moments? Absolutely hit me right in the chest. 🥹🔥 Their relationship felt sweet, passionate, comforting, and deeply real all at once.
What made Catching History stand out so much was how fresh it felt. The history and genealogy elements added such a unique touch to the romance, making Willow’s world feel vibrant and different from your typical sports romance. And mixed with Hayden’s baseball lifestyle? It created the perfect opposites-attract story. ⚾️📖
This book had me laughing, smiling like an idiot, kicking my feet, and then suddenly crying when I least expected it 😭 That bonus chapter completely wrecked me emotionally after filling my heart with so much happiness.
If you love:
💘 he falls first AND harder
⚾️ baseball romance
📚 nerd x athlete energy
🔥 spicy but heartfelt chemistry
😂 witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments
🥹 emotional depth with tons of heart
💕 lovable characters you instantly root for
…then Catching History deserves a spot at the top of your TBR immediately. Sweet, emotional, funny, swoony, and impossible to put down — Hayden and Willow are a couple I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. ✨
Hayden instantly became one of those unforgettable book boyfriends 😭⚾️ — guarded, focused, and so emotionally closed off because baseball is the only thing in his life that’s ever felt predictable. But then Willow (aka Wills 💖) crashes into his world with all her quirky historian energy, anxious charm, and unapologetically authentic personality, and suddenly everything changes.
I honestly never expected a genealogist and a baseball player to work this perfectly together, but wow… their chemistry was incredible. The banter? Top tier. The tension? Addictive. The emotional moments? Absolutely hit me right in the chest. 🥹🔥 Their relationship felt sweet, passionate, comforting, and deeply real all at once.
What made Catching History stand out so much was how fresh it felt. The history and genealogy elements added such a unique touch to the romance, making Willow’s world feel vibrant and different from your typical sports romance. And mixed with Hayden’s baseball lifestyle? It created the perfect opposites-attract story. ⚾️📖
This book had me laughing, smiling like an idiot, kicking my feet, and then suddenly crying when I least expected it 😭 That bonus chapter completely wrecked me emotionally after filling my heart with so much happiness.
If you love:
💘 he falls first AND harder
⚾️ baseball romance
📚 nerd x athlete energy
🔥 spicy but heartfelt chemistry
😂 witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments
🥹 emotional depth with tons of heart
💕 lovable characters you instantly root for
…then Catching History deserves a spot at the top of your TBR immediately. Sweet, emotional, funny, swoony, and impossible to put down — Hayden and Willow are a couple I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. ✨
June 5, 2026
This Book Had Me In My Feels
As someone who had picked up Kaylessa Black for her darker romances, in the past... I was so curious to see that she did something lighter. And Besties... she absolutely delivered. ☺️
From the very first chapter of "Catching History" , I was hooked. The story pulled me in immediately, and before I knew it, I was completely invested in Willow and Hayden's journey. Willow was hands-down my favorite kind of heroine. She's quirky, unapologetically herself, hangs out in cemeteries for fun, and feels refreshingly real. No perfection, no impossible standards... just a relatable woman marching to the beat of her own drum. I adored her. 🥰
And Hayden? Underneath the superstar athlete exterior is a man searching for something genuine, and that made him incredibly easy to connect with. Their chemistry was fantastic, but the text banter stole so many scenes for me. 🤭 I was giggling a lot through this read!
Also, the #KarenAttack scene? Absolutely hilarious. And let's just say I learned a new phrase... "¢um gutters"! Do you know what that is referring to??? 😏
The romance develops at the perfect pace, building emotional depth before delivering some seriously steamy moments. Then that bonus chapter arrived and completely wrecked me in the best way. 😭
This book left me wrapped in all the cozy feels. If you're looking for a heartfelt, funny, swoony romance with lovable characters and amazing chemistry, add this one to your TBR immediately. 💯
My Ratings: ⭐ 5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3.5/5
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
As someone who had picked up Kaylessa Black for her darker romances, in the past... I was so curious to see that she did something lighter. And Besties... she absolutely delivered. ☺️
From the very first chapter of "Catching History" , I was hooked. The story pulled me in immediately, and before I knew it, I was completely invested in Willow and Hayden's journey. Willow was hands-down my favorite kind of heroine. She's quirky, unapologetically herself, hangs out in cemeteries for fun, and feels refreshingly real. No perfection, no impossible standards... just a relatable woman marching to the beat of her own drum. I adored her. 🥰
And Hayden? Underneath the superstar athlete exterior is a man searching for something genuine, and that made him incredibly easy to connect with. Their chemistry was fantastic, but the text banter stole so many scenes for me. 🤭 I was giggling a lot through this read!
Also, the #KarenAttack scene? Absolutely hilarious. And let's just say I learned a new phrase... "¢um gutters"! Do you know what that is referring to??? 😏
The romance develops at the perfect pace, building emotional depth before delivering some seriously steamy moments. Then that bonus chapter arrived and completely wrecked me in the best way. 😭
This book left me wrapped in all the cozy feels. If you're looking for a heartfelt, funny, swoony romance with lovable characters and amazing chemistry, add this one to your TBR immediately. 💯
My Ratings: ⭐ 5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3.5/5
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
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June 8, 2026ARC REVIEW! :)
I REALLY loved this book!!!! What made Catching History so unique was how DIFFERENT the MMC and FMC were from each other. This book was opposites attract done right. They literally could not be anymore different and I absolutely loved seeing how they started to form a relationship and fit in one another’s lives. I fell in love with Willow’s character. She was different and so lovable and I loved how Hayden embraced that side of her and never made her feel different, yet just as she should be. I loved that she wasn’t your “average” girl. This book made me laugh, with Hayden’s illiterate texting! Such a fun idea to throw into a book and I absolutely loved every time I saw a text message on the page! That was probably one of my favorite parts!!! The whole concept of this book was unique, fun, and I fell in love with both of the characters. Who knew a genealogist and a pro baseball player would fit so perfectly together?!?!
Oh and my favorite character? hands down, the taxidermy owl... LOL IYKYK. That was such a unique throw in and I loved every time the taxidermy owl was brought into the conversation! loved it!
Some of my favorite quotes!
“Gravity didn’t apply to me anymore; she was the only center of gravity that mattered.”
“My hero. You spell like a third grader, but you’re my hero.”
“He got me a cofe.”
“What do you see?”
"I see you."
“Sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln.”
Thank you so much for the ARC of Catching History. I seriously loved this book so much and I am so grateful to have been a part of your ARC team! Congratulations on an amazing book!!! <3
I REALLY loved this book!!!! What made Catching History so unique was how DIFFERENT the MMC and FMC were from each other. This book was opposites attract done right. They literally could not be anymore different and I absolutely loved seeing how they started to form a relationship and fit in one another’s lives. I fell in love with Willow’s character. She was different and so lovable and I loved how Hayden embraced that side of her and never made her feel different, yet just as she should be. I loved that she wasn’t your “average” girl. This book made me laugh, with Hayden’s illiterate texting! Such a fun idea to throw into a book and I absolutely loved every time I saw a text message on the page! That was probably one of my favorite parts!!! The whole concept of this book was unique, fun, and I fell in love with both of the characters. Who knew a genealogist and a pro baseball player would fit so perfectly together?!?!
Oh and my favorite character? hands down, the taxidermy owl... LOL IYKYK. That was such a unique throw in and I loved every time the taxidermy owl was brought into the conversation! loved it!
Some of my favorite quotes!
“Gravity didn’t apply to me anymore; she was the only center of gravity that mattered.”
“My hero. You spell like a third grader, but you’re my hero.”
“He got me a cofe.”
“What do you see?”
"I see you."
“Sweet mother of Abraham Lincoln.”
Thank you so much for the ARC of Catching History. I seriously loved this book so much and I am so grateful to have been a part of your ARC team! Congratulations on an amazing book!!! <3
October 17, 2026
ARC review
First off, thank you to Kaylessa Black for letting me read this book early!!
I went into this expecting a cutie sports romance, and I got much more. The characters! The tension! The way Hayden YEARNED! This was unexpectedly delightful in every way but also battled with some intense, emotionally complex situations. It was also HYSTERICAL. Like, Hayden texting? I was cracking up. Willow was so witty and sarcastic and I loved it so much (because same)
I saw a lot of myself in Willow, honestly. As a plus size woman, I know the struggles she faced throughout the book. I also heavily relate to her quirks - mine may be different but a quirky girl knows ball! I loved her confidence and the way she grew into it throughout the book. It was such a treat reading about her joy for history and how attached she is to what brings her joy. I loved her character so much.
Hayden gave such golden retriever vibes with LAYERS. Like he is presented as a jock at first, but you grow to learn more about him throughout the story and it was so rewarding. He quickly grew from this one-dimensional baseball player to this multi-dimensional, deep character and I loved every second of it.
I knew this book was gonna have some spice, but GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY WAS IT HOT. I will admit my gasts were flabbered at times lol. But beyond the spice, you could genuinely feel their connection and their love. Like the way Hayden constantly kept stating his attention always got brought back to Willow? *swoon* I ATE IT UP!
If you want a sweet, multi-faceted love story about a hot shot baseball player and a quirky historian/genealogist, this book is for you. It’s so cute, so funny, and SO GOOD!
First off, thank you to Kaylessa Black for letting me read this book early!!
I went into this expecting a cutie sports romance, and I got much more. The characters! The tension! The way Hayden YEARNED! This was unexpectedly delightful in every way but also battled with some intense, emotionally complex situations. It was also HYSTERICAL. Like, Hayden texting? I was cracking up. Willow was so witty and sarcastic and I loved it so much (because same)
I saw a lot of myself in Willow, honestly. As a plus size woman, I know the struggles she faced throughout the book. I also heavily relate to her quirks - mine may be different but a quirky girl knows ball! I loved her confidence and the way she grew into it throughout the book. It was such a treat reading about her joy for history and how attached she is to what brings her joy. I loved her character so much.
Hayden gave such golden retriever vibes with LAYERS. Like he is presented as a jock at first, but you grow to learn more about him throughout the story and it was so rewarding. He quickly grew from this one-dimensional baseball player to this multi-dimensional, deep character and I loved every second of it.
I knew this book was gonna have some spice, but GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY WAS IT HOT. I will admit my gasts were flabbered at times lol. But beyond the spice, you could genuinely feel their connection and their love. Like the way Hayden constantly kept stating his attention always got brought back to Willow? *swoon* I ATE IT UP!
If you want a sweet, multi-faceted love story about a hot shot baseball player and a quirky historian/genealogist, this book is for you. It’s so cute, so funny, and SO GOOD!
May 26, 2026
I have to be careful with this one because I refuse to spoil anything and I need everyone to read it 😍
I completely disappeared into this story. It felt like I was right there with them the whole time. I don’t always connect that deeply with contemporary romance, but this one pulled me in and never let go.
I loved that Willow reflected pieces of the author’s own life through her work and her love of baseball. She stayed true to herself through everything, and I love an FMC who knows who she is. And her wardrobe? I would happily dig through that closet 😂
And Hayden… I loved Hayden. On the surface he comes across as the baseball guy with confidence for days, but there was so much more to him. I loved his drive and focus, but also the way he kept showing up for Willow. He had this steady energy about him that slowly sneaks up on you. Plus his teenage-boy texting had me grinning because it felt so ridiculously real.
I loved watching these two get past all those first impressions. Willow thinking he’s just a jock and Hayden seeing her as this quirky mystery made their whole dynamic so fun. What I loved most was seeing them look beyond the surface and fall for the real versions of each other, including all the awkward, vulnerable, softer parts. That kind of connection gets me every time.
This is one of those books I wish I could experience again for the first time. It made me laugh, made me cry, and now I’m over here wishing I could erase my memory and start over.
I completely disappeared into this story. It felt like I was right there with them the whole time. I don’t always connect that deeply with contemporary romance, but this one pulled me in and never let go.
I loved that Willow reflected pieces of the author’s own life through her work and her love of baseball. She stayed true to herself through everything, and I love an FMC who knows who she is. And her wardrobe? I would happily dig through that closet 😂
And Hayden… I loved Hayden. On the surface he comes across as the baseball guy with confidence for days, but there was so much more to him. I loved his drive and focus, but also the way he kept showing up for Willow. He had this steady energy about him that slowly sneaks up on you. Plus his teenage-boy texting had me grinning because it felt so ridiculously real.
I loved watching these two get past all those first impressions. Willow thinking he’s just a jock and Hayden seeing her as this quirky mystery made their whole dynamic so fun. What I loved most was seeing them look beyond the surface and fall for the real versions of each other, including all the awkward, vulnerable, softer parts. That kind of connection gets me every time.
This is one of those books I wish I could experience again for the first time. It made me laugh, made me cry, and now I’m over here wishing I could erase my memory and start over.
June 7, 2026
This book is charming, hilarious, and absolutely overflowing with opposites-attract chemistry 👀📚⚾🖤
A prickly genealogist FMC?
A superstar baseball player MMC?
A family history project that turns into something MUCH more complicated??
Yeah… I was hooked IMMEDIATELY.
Willow was SUCH a fun FMC 👀🔥
Smart. Independent. Slightly intimidating.
The kind of woman who would rather spend her day in a cemetery or dusty archive than deal with people.
And honestly??
I adored her.
Then there's Hayden Young.
And WOW ⚾🖤
This man completely stole my heart.
Successful. Sweet. Patient.
The kind of MMC who falls first, falls hard, and never looks back.
Watching him slowly realize that Willow was becoming more important than baseball was EVERYTHING.
The dynamic between them was SO much fun because they're complete opposites.
She's obsessed with the past.
He's living in the spotlight.
She thinks he's just a famous athlete.
He thinks she's slightly terrifying.
And somehow it works perfectly 😂🖤
Then add in the family mystery, research trips, late-night conversations, and found family moments...
AND I WAS COMPLETELY INVESTED.
✨ If you love:
• opposites attract
• celebrity x normal person
• he falls first
• curvy FMCs
• found family
• sweet, supportive MMCs
This one is funny, heartwarming, romantic, and packed with unforgettable chemistry 📚⚾🖤✨
A prickly genealogist FMC?
A superstar baseball player MMC?
A family history project that turns into something MUCH more complicated??
Yeah… I was hooked IMMEDIATELY.
Willow was SUCH a fun FMC 👀🔥
Smart. Independent. Slightly intimidating.
The kind of woman who would rather spend her day in a cemetery or dusty archive than deal with people.
And honestly??
I adored her.
Then there's Hayden Young.
And WOW ⚾🖤
This man completely stole my heart.
Successful. Sweet. Patient.
The kind of MMC who falls first, falls hard, and never looks back.
Watching him slowly realize that Willow was becoming more important than baseball was EVERYTHING.
The dynamic between them was SO much fun because they're complete opposites.
She's obsessed with the past.
He's living in the spotlight.
She thinks he's just a famous athlete.
He thinks she's slightly terrifying.
And somehow it works perfectly 😂🖤
Then add in the family mystery, research trips, late-night conversations, and found family moments...
AND I WAS COMPLETELY INVESTED.
✨ If you love:
• opposites attract
• celebrity x normal person
• he falls first
• curvy FMCs
• found family
• sweet, supportive MMCs
This one is funny, heartwarming, romantic, and packed with unforgettable chemistry 📚⚾🖤✨
May 16, 2026
I received this book as an ARC.
I want to first thank the author for letting me read this wonderful little romance.
I thought this book was SO cute. The FMC was such a unique character and honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. She’s nerdy, eclectic, and eccentric in the best way. Her job and her interests were super unusual and I actually learnt a lot about dead people and history while reading lol. The MMC is more of your classic sports romance MMC , baseball player, tall, handsome, popular. I will say though, he wasn’t the typical cocky “I’m a famous person” MMC which also was great.
I really liked the dynamic between them because it actually felt realistic. You could understand both of their struggles and why they reacted the way they did.
And the spice? Yeah… spicy.
I do wish the book went a little deeper into the FMC’s body confidence journey though. It felt like it was acknowledged a few times and then moved past pretty quickly, and I would’ve loved a little more emotional depth there.
I was also surprised by how little baseball there actually was in the story, not in a bad way at all. Usually sports romances focus heavily on the sport, but this felt more character-focused and I honestly think that made it stand out more.
Overall, this was such a fun read and I finished it in like 24 hours. Definitely recommend checking it out when it releases
I want to first thank the author for letting me read this wonderful little romance.
I thought this book was SO cute. The FMC was such a unique character and honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. She’s nerdy, eclectic, and eccentric in the best way. Her job and her interests were super unusual and I actually learnt a lot about dead people and history while reading lol. The MMC is more of your classic sports romance MMC , baseball player, tall, handsome, popular. I will say though, he wasn’t the typical cocky “I’m a famous person” MMC which also was great.
I really liked the dynamic between them because it actually felt realistic. You could understand both of their struggles and why they reacted the way they did.
And the spice? Yeah… spicy.
I do wish the book went a little deeper into the FMC’s body confidence journey though. It felt like it was acknowledged a few times and then moved past pretty quickly, and I would’ve loved a little more emotional depth there.
I was also surprised by how little baseball there actually was in the story, not in a bad way at all. Usually sports romances focus heavily on the sport, but this felt more character-focused and I honestly think that made it stand out more.
Overall, this was such a fun read and I finished it in like 24 hours. Definitely recommend checking it out when it releases
May 30, 2026
⚾️📚ARC Review📚⚾️
Thank you Kaylessa for this ARC of Catching History‼️ This book stole home for me, it was epically beautiful 🫶
I am so completely OBSESSED with this story, with the vibe and the chaotic love that these characters shared🥹
Willow was just so unabashedly herself and I LOVED HER! I loved that she was who she was and she didn’t care and best of all she didn’t change‼️
The meet cute (that’s what I’m calling it 😏) between Willow and Hayden and how that “accident” turned into the friendship turned lovers but let’s be honest, he loved her from the first chaotic round of texting 🤭
Ugh THE TEXTING!! I loved every second of their texting 😂
The bond that developed over such a short period of time to the way that these two fell in love and how Hayden appreciated Willow all the way down to her core and how he fell for all her quirks 🫶
I fell hard for this book, I can’t even‼️ The way Kaylessa wrote these characters and their story had me swooning and falling and just left me wanting to live in their pages throughout the rest of history because they had the most adorable vibe and the hotness was top notch too!
I could literally just keep talking about this book but all I can say is GO READ IT!
Tropes:
⚾️Opposites Attract
📚Celebrity x Normal Person
⚾️Curvy FMC
📚He Falls First
⚾️Found Family
📚Competence Kink
⚾️Meet Cute?
📚The Banter!
Thank you Kaylessa for this ARC of Catching History‼️ This book stole home for me, it was epically beautiful 🫶
I am so completely OBSESSED with this story, with the vibe and the chaotic love that these characters shared🥹
Willow was just so unabashedly herself and I LOVED HER! I loved that she was who she was and she didn’t care and best of all she didn’t change‼️
The meet cute (that’s what I’m calling it 😏) between Willow and Hayden and how that “accident” turned into the friendship turned lovers but let’s be honest, he loved her from the first chaotic round of texting 🤭
Ugh THE TEXTING!! I loved every second of their texting 😂
The bond that developed over such a short period of time to the way that these two fell in love and how Hayden appreciated Willow all the way down to her core and how he fell for all her quirks 🫶
I fell hard for this book, I can’t even‼️ The way Kaylessa wrote these characters and their story had me swooning and falling and just left me wanting to live in their pages throughout the rest of history because they had the most adorable vibe and the hotness was top notch too!
I could literally just keep talking about this book but all I can say is GO READ IT!
Tropes:
⚾️Opposites Attract
📚Celebrity x Normal Person
⚾️Curvy FMC
📚He Falls First
⚾️Found Family
📚Competence Kink
⚾️Meet Cute?
📚The Banter!
May 29, 2026
This book is for everyone who felt odd while growing up. For everyone who doesn’t have the perfect body, isn’t mainstream, and needs a little confirmation that they’re not alone. Just like Willow, you are amazing just the way you are, and there are people like Hayden who will love you endlessly for being yourself.
Willow is a bit of a loner who prefers to spend her time in cemeteries, watching baseball, or digging up stories about dead clients (she’s a genealogist, it’s fine). Hayden is a famous catcher who happens to be hiding a big family secret he’d like to uncover. It seems like fate when they meet, and when Hayden asks Willow for help, it doesn’t take long for him to realize he’s head over heels for this strict, curvaceous, and uniquely dressed woman.
Catching History wasn’t my first Kaylessa Black story, and it most definitely won’t be my last. This story reads very smoothly, is easy to follow, and will make you swoon over and over again. Don’t worry, it’s not all lovey-dovey. There are moments that will make you want to cry your heart out, moments when you’ll want to throw the book across the room because you’re so angry, but there are also plenty of beautiful, wholesome scenes that will make your heart flutter and send you straight to the people you love so you can hug them and tell them how much they mean to you.
It’s beautifully written, with strong character development and a well-paced storyline. At 400 pages, it’s not too hefty, but it gives you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the story and become emotionally attached to the MCs.
Willow is a bit of a loner who prefers to spend her time in cemeteries, watching baseball, or digging up stories about dead clients (she’s a genealogist, it’s fine). Hayden is a famous catcher who happens to be hiding a big family secret he’d like to uncover. It seems like fate when they meet, and when Hayden asks Willow for help, it doesn’t take long for him to realize he’s head over heels for this strict, curvaceous, and uniquely dressed woman.
Catching History wasn’t my first Kaylessa Black story, and it most definitely won’t be my last. This story reads very smoothly, is easy to follow, and will make you swoon over and over again. Don’t worry, it’s not all lovey-dovey. There are moments that will make you want to cry your heart out, moments when you’ll want to throw the book across the room because you’re so angry, but there are also plenty of beautiful, wholesome scenes that will make your heart flutter and send you straight to the people you love so you can hug them and tell them how much they mean to you.
It’s beautifully written, with strong character development and a well-paced storyline. At 400 pages, it’s not too hefty, but it gives you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the story and become emotionally attached to the MCs.
June 5, 2026
Well. Wow. Ermmmmmmm.
This book focuses on a misfit girl (Willow) who is a ghost nerd and genealogy buff. She's a curvy queen and badass chick! Unfortunately (or fortunately) for her she bumps into Hayden (high flying baseball stud!) with her car and so leaves her card with him for in case he needs to get in touch!
Funnily enough Willow grew up watching baseball with her dad and so is also a little bit of a baseball nerd but she doesn't hide it one bit!
This book has me crying with both laughter and sorrow. It was wholesome and spicy and just ... Well ... Everything. It was light when it needed to be light and somber when it wasn't.
Seeing how Willow developed and how Hayden fumbled despite being the "big man" 😉, really was everything! I loved seeing Willow come out of her shell even when she experienced set backs, which are all too common in the world of girls!
So if you need a book that will have you wanting to geek out in the best way and leave you wishing you had someone who embraced your wild boots! This book is most definitely for you! It definitely made me think of the times I spent in grave yards as a teen, reading grave stones and coming up with stories about those who lay beneath 🥲
This book focuses on a misfit girl (Willow) who is a ghost nerd and genealogy buff. She's a curvy queen and badass chick! Unfortunately (or fortunately) for her she bumps into Hayden (high flying baseball stud!) with her car and so leaves her card with him for in case he needs to get in touch!
Funnily enough Willow grew up watching baseball with her dad and so is also a little bit of a baseball nerd but she doesn't hide it one bit!
This book has me crying with both laughter and sorrow. It was wholesome and spicy and just ... Well ... Everything. It was light when it needed to be light and somber when it wasn't.
Seeing how Willow developed and how Hayden fumbled despite being the "big man" 😉, really was everything! I loved seeing Willow come out of her shell even when she experienced set backs, which are all too common in the world of girls!
So if you need a book that will have you wanting to geek out in the best way and leave you wishing you had someone who embraced your wild boots! This book is most definitely for you! It definitely made me think of the times I spent in grave yards as a teen, reading grave stones and coming up with stories about those who lay beneath 🥲
August 25, 2026
🟰 Overall 🟰
This was such a fun read! Opposites attract and comedy gold with a little bit of spice. Loved it!
💁♂️ Characters 💁🏻♀️
Willow is adorable. Cute and quirky with a wicked sense of humour, she reminded me of Lou in Me Before You in the absolute best way! I'm not entirely sure on the actual definition of "alphahole" but I feel like Hayden fits it. He's literally too kool for skool 😂 but he has hidden depths too. I loved his banter with Willow and how their dynamic just felt so real and natural.
📙 Plot 📙
I was surprised when the mystery of Hayden's dad was solved so quickly because I was expecting a bit more of a slow burn, but by that point it was only really an excuse for these two 😉 the third-act breakup did feel a little forced to me because Hayden ASKED Willow to find his father. Maybe if she'd offered or planted the seed in his head first then it would have made more sense to me but it felt like a bit too much of a stretch.
✍️ Writing ✍️
The writing itself is fantastic, really engaging and the pacing was spot on. This author has SUCH a talent for writing comedy and I'd definitely pick up another one of her books.
This was such a fun read! Opposites attract and comedy gold with a little bit of spice. Loved it!
💁♂️ Characters 💁🏻♀️
Willow is adorable. Cute and quirky with a wicked sense of humour, she reminded me of Lou in Me Before You in the absolute best way! I'm not entirely sure on the actual definition of "alphahole" but I feel like Hayden fits it. He's literally too kool for skool 😂 but he has hidden depths too. I loved his banter with Willow and how their dynamic just felt so real and natural.
📙 Plot 📙
I was surprised when the mystery of Hayden's dad was solved so quickly because I was expecting a bit more of a slow burn, but by that point it was only really an excuse for these two 😉 the third-act breakup did feel a little forced to me because Hayden ASKED Willow to find his father. Maybe if she'd offered or planted the seed in his head first then it would have made more sense to me but it felt like a bit too much of a stretch.
✍️ Writing ✍️
The writing itself is fantastic, really engaging and the pacing was spot on. This author has SUCH a talent for writing comedy and I'd definitely pick up another one of her books.
September 16, 2026
This story was so cute!
Kaylessa gives us sports, emotional depth, healing, and trust. Kayless blends the worlds of Genealogist Willow Wilson and Boston's catcher Hayden Young flawlessly.
Hayden is the catcher for Boston and is wanting to discover the other half of his family history and hires Willow to help him do this. Willow is secure in who she is and isn't derailed by Hayden's defensive exterior. She is firm in demanding respect and helping him solve his genealogy puzzle.
The author gives us a delicious slow-burn. The forced proximity creates tension between Hayden and Willow. We get to watch them fight their growing attraction while trying to maintain boundaries. Willow is wanting to focus on helping Hayden, not only with his genealogy search, but she helps him learn how to have fun again. Hayden has to work through allowing himself to be vulnerable and learning there is more to life than baseball.
Catching History is perfect for those who crave a sports romance where the heat is earned through emotional trust, sharp banter, and a MMC who comes undone for the woman keeping him grounded.
Kaylessa gives us sports, emotional depth, healing, and trust. Kayless blends the worlds of Genealogist Willow Wilson and Boston's catcher Hayden Young flawlessly.
Hayden is the catcher for Boston and is wanting to discover the other half of his family history and hires Willow to help him do this. Willow is secure in who she is and isn't derailed by Hayden's defensive exterior. She is firm in demanding respect and helping him solve his genealogy puzzle.
The author gives us a delicious slow-burn. The forced proximity creates tension between Hayden and Willow. We get to watch them fight their growing attraction while trying to maintain boundaries. Willow is wanting to focus on helping Hayden, not only with his genealogy search, but she helps him learn how to have fun again. Hayden has to work through allowing himself to be vulnerable and learning there is more to life than baseball.
Catching History is perfect for those who crave a sports romance where the heat is earned through emotional trust, sharp banter, and a MMC who comes undone for the woman keeping him grounded.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I would rate this story 4.5⭐️
This one snuck up on me. I laughed so much while reading, the text threads alone are worth it. But apart from that, the writing style, the pacing and the story line were all so well done. I flew through it in just under 2 days.
Willow was so unique and so unapologetic herself, I really enjoyed her character. Her passion for all things history and genealogy was so cool, and her fashion sense was amazing.
I struggled with Hayden’s character initially, he come across as a cocky and arrogant arsehat. But throughout the book I softened towards him. His grand gesture of apology was epic and I need to see fan are, immediately.
Overall the story was unlike anything I’ve ever read. It was hilarious, well paced and and written in a way that was so easy to consume. I hope it makes you kick your feet while you giggle to yourself while reading on couch, just like I did.
P.S. that last bonus chapter was so beautiful and it made me immediately tear up!
I would rate this story 4.5⭐️
This one snuck up on me. I laughed so much while reading, the text threads alone are worth it. But apart from that, the writing style, the pacing and the story line were all so well done. I flew through it in just under 2 days.
Willow was so unique and so unapologetic herself, I really enjoyed her character. Her passion for all things history and genealogy was so cool, and her fashion sense was amazing.
I struggled with Hayden’s character initially, he come across as a cocky and arrogant arsehat. But throughout the book I softened towards him. His grand gesture of apology was epic and I need to see fan are, immediately.
Overall the story was unlike anything I’ve ever read. It was hilarious, well paced and and written in a way that was so easy to consume. I hope it makes you kick your feet while you giggle to yourself while reading on couch, just like I did.
P.S. that last bonus chapter was so beautiful and it made me immediately tear up!
June 6, 2026
What I loved: I loved the realness of Hayden and Willow. They were perfectly imperfect. From their hilariously disastrous meet cute, to their growth they help each other achieve through the story.. I was eating it up l!!
I love how their love story progressed, the pacing was phenomenal and I never felt bored at any point in the story!
And can we talk about the third act conflict?!!
I wasn’t annoyed so that is amazing within itself. The conflict was handled maturely and they communicated so well once it was resolved and there was no knock out, dragged on fight that lasted forever like I deal with in a lot of of ther contemporary romances.
I loved the quirkiness of our FMC Willow! She was truly endearing and when I finished the book, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend! She is a cemetery girl like me and I was here for it!! 🪦
I literally really can’t think of anything negative to say about this book. The spice was spicing too.. don’t let their innocent cover fool you.. this book is packing some exquisite heat 🔥
So if you like amazing banter filled text message chains, a sweet and spicy love story, great music references and a relatable quirky and slightly nerdy FMC, but in the best way!! Pick this up!
Thank you to the author for the eARC!!
I love how their love story progressed, the pacing was phenomenal and I never felt bored at any point in the story!
And can we talk about the third act conflict?!!
I wasn’t annoyed so that is amazing within itself. The conflict was handled maturely and they communicated so well once it was resolved and there was no knock out, dragged on fight that lasted forever like I deal with in a lot of of ther contemporary romances.
I loved the quirkiness of our FMC Willow! She was truly endearing and when I finished the book, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend! She is a cemetery girl like me and I was here for it!! 🪦
I literally really can’t think of anything negative to say about this book. The spice was spicing too.. don’t let their innocent cover fool you.. this book is packing some exquisite heat 🔥
So if you like amazing banter filled text message chains, a sweet and spicy love story, great music references and a relatable quirky and slightly nerdy FMC, but in the best way!! Pick this up!
Thank you to the author for the eARC!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kaylessa Black is a new author to me and wow… she absolutely did not disappoint. This book had me captivated within the first few pages. Willow is exactly my type of FMC! She is sweet, nerdy, unique, and unapologetically herself in ways not everyone would fully understand.
And Hayden? Whew. A baseball player who texts like it’s Y2K? I was immediately obsessed even if I cringed a little 🤣
I also had some personal connections to parts of this story, which made it hit even harder emotionally for me. Honestly, I think that’s part of why I fell so deeply in love with it.
This is also the first book I’ve read with a genealogist FMC, and I absolutely loved Willow’s passion for research, history, and honoring the dead. It brought something fresh and heartfelt to the story that really stood out to me.
I’m so grateful I got the chance to read an ARC copy because this book easily became one of my top reads of 2026.
And Hayden? Whew. A baseball player who texts like it’s Y2K? I was immediately obsessed even if I cringed a little 🤣
I also had some personal connections to parts of this story, which made it hit even harder emotionally for me. Honestly, I think that’s part of why I fell so deeply in love with it.
This is also the first book I’ve read with a genealogist FMC, and I absolutely loved Willow’s passion for research, history, and honoring the dead. It brought something fresh and heartfelt to the story that really stood out to me.
I’m so grateful I got the chance to read an ARC copy because this book easily became one of my top reads of 2026.
June 16, 2026
⚾️Y’all - batter up because @kaylessablack knocked this one out of the romance ballpark!!
🧢This read had banter, vulnerability, adorable texting, embarrassing laugh out loud moments, STEM talk, LOTR references - my inner nerd was geeking out!!
⚾️Our female main character Willow is quirky, endearing, and gives major friend energy.
🧢Hayden is strong, confident and behind his baseball fame - lonely.
⚾️These 2 together!? Ahhhh - the chemistry - the friendship that has real feelings growing - the chemistry built and the spice started spicing!
🧢I am sooo picky about romance reads - and this one hit so many notes I love and huge bonus when a book has me giggling and laughing out loud!!!
🧢⚾️Thank you to Author Kaylessa Black and @elainesmarginsandmemos for access to an ebook of this one! I’ve already ordered the paperback for my (20 y/o) daughter!!
⚾️🧢This read was a 4.5/5⭐️ read for me & I highly recommend it 💕
➡️Also available on Kindle Unlimited
🧢This read had banter, vulnerability, adorable texting, embarrassing laugh out loud moments, STEM talk, LOTR references - my inner nerd was geeking out!!
⚾️Our female main character Willow is quirky, endearing, and gives major friend energy.
🧢Hayden is strong, confident and behind his baseball fame - lonely.
⚾️These 2 together!? Ahhhh - the chemistry - the friendship that has real feelings growing - the chemistry built and the spice started spicing!
🧢I am sooo picky about romance reads - and this one hit so many notes I love and huge bonus when a book has me giggling and laughing out loud!!!
🧢⚾️Thank you to Author Kaylessa Black and @elainesmarginsandmemos for access to an ebook of this one! I’ve already ordered the paperback for my (20 y/o) daughter!!
⚾️🧢This read was a 4.5/5⭐️ read for me & I highly recommend it 💕
➡️Also available on Kindle Unlimited
Review of advance copy
I received a copy of this for my honest review and now I need a headstone I can make my therapist.
In this story our FMC is usually told she is a lot. She is a professional genealogist - helping people to find out the true stories of their families history. She is also a huge baseball fan. So, one day when she is driving and not fully paying attention - she hits, well taps, someone.that someone just happens to be the catcher for the Boston team and her celebrity crush. Trying to apologize she offers her card, not really thinking anything of it. But he actually reached out because he has always wanted to know who his birth father is. And she owes him for hitting him with a car. Not his usual type, he doesn't think that much about her, but they start to build a friendship and realize they both see the real people they are. But is taking it further just a friend's thing - or is it more?
In this story our FMC is usually told she is a lot. She is a professional genealogist - helping people to find out the true stories of their families history. She is also a huge baseball fan. So, one day when she is driving and not fully paying attention - she hits, well taps, someone.that someone just happens to be the catcher for the Boston team and her celebrity crush. Trying to apologize she offers her card, not really thinking anything of it. But he actually reached out because he has always wanted to know who his birth father is. And she owes him for hitting him with a car. Not his usual type, he doesn't think that much about her, but they start to build a friendship and realize they both see the real people they are. But is taking it further just a friend's thing - or is it more?
June 22, 2026
This story is absolutely adorable! Oh my gosh!
Willow is quirky, nerdy, and completely lovable. I adored her personality and loved that she stepped into a world so different from her own, filled with plastic people and mean girls, yet never once compromised who she was. From her loud, quirky outfits and T-Rex shoes to her fascination with all things dead, she's unapologetically herself, and it was so refreshing to read.
Hayden, the world-famous baseball player with the spelling skills of a tween 😂, is absolutely hilarious. Reading his texts to Willow gave me a headache more than once, but he's impossible not to love.
This opposites-attract romance is ridiculously cute and had me grinning from beginning to end. The found family, the swoony romance, and the banter all came together perfectly. It's one of those stories that steals your heart from the very first page.
Willow is quirky, nerdy, and completely lovable. I adored her personality and loved that she stepped into a world so different from her own, filled with plastic people and mean girls, yet never once compromised who she was. From her loud, quirky outfits and T-Rex shoes to her fascination with all things dead, she's unapologetically herself, and it was so refreshing to read.
Hayden, the world-famous baseball player with the spelling skills of a tween 😂, is absolutely hilarious. Reading his texts to Willow gave me a headache more than once, but he's impossible not to love.
This opposites-attract romance is ridiculously cute and had me grinning from beginning to end. The found family, the swoony romance, and the banter all came together perfectly. It's one of those stories that steals your heart from the very first page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Catching History is the sweetest mix of romance, humor, heart, and history. Willow and Hayden have such fun chemistry, and their banter made me smile the whole way through. I loved the way Willow’s quirky world as a genealogist collided with Hayden’s baseball life, creating a romance that felt fresh, charming, and completely adorable.
This book has all the best spicy rom-com ingredients: a lovable heroine, a swoony baseball player, laugh-out-loud moments, emotional depth, and just enough tension to keep you turning the pages. It is cute, heartfelt, and so easy to fall into.
A perfect read for anyone who loves baseball romance, opposites-attract energy, genealogy, family history, and a couple you will root for from the very beginning.
Sweet, funny, and totally swoon-worthy!
This book has all the best spicy rom-com ingredients: a lovable heroine, a swoony baseball player, laugh-out-loud moments, emotional depth, and just enough tension to keep you turning the pages. It is cute, heartfelt, and so easy to fall into.
A perfect read for anyone who loves baseball romance, opposites-attract energy, genealogy, family history, and a couple you will root for from the very beginning.
Sweet, funny, and totally swoon-worthy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Catching History has literally everything. It is funny, emotional, sweet, spicy, and so full of heart. Willow and Hayden’s chemistry is absolutely addictive, and their romance has the perfect mix of banter, tension, tenderness, and heat.
I went in expecting a cute baseball romance, but this book gave me so much more. The genealogy/history element made it feel unique, the romance had me kicking my feet, and the spice was chef’s kiss. Hayden is the kind of book boyfriend you can realistically fall for, and Willow is impossible not to love.
And that bonus chapter? Absolutely destroyed me. I was not prepared to be sobbing after smiling so much, but here we are.
This book is everything I want in a romance: funny, heartfelt, spicy, emotional, and completely unforgettable.
I went in expecting a cute baseball romance, but this book gave me so much more. The genealogy/history element made it feel unique, the romance had me kicking my feet, and the spice was chef’s kiss. Hayden is the kind of book boyfriend you can realistically fall for, and Willow is impossible not to love.
And that bonus chapter? Absolutely destroyed me. I was not prepared to be sobbing after smiling so much, but here we are.
This book is everything I want in a romance: funny, heartfelt, spicy, emotional, and completely unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
This book was everything and more! It was humorous, it was a fun meet cute, and it was all the tropes we love most: unexpected romance, jock x nerd, historian x baseball player, curvy MFC, he falls first and he fell harder… it was so perfect.
I instantly fell in love with Hayden and Willow (or should I say Wills). Hayden is so guarded and doesn’t know what loves him- he’s so caught up in the only thing he can control: baseball. Then we have Willow, the historian buff, the spunky girl that although anxious, embraces her true self no matter what.
I would’ve never thought of this romantic duo but my goodness was I pleasantly shocked and so happy about it. I couldn’t get enough of Hayden and Willow!!! Easiest five star read.
This book was everything and more! It was humorous, it was a fun meet cute, and it was all the tropes we love most: unexpected romance, jock x nerd, historian x baseball player, curvy MFC, he falls first and he fell harder… it was so perfect.
I instantly fell in love with Hayden and Willow (or should I say Wills). Hayden is so guarded and doesn’t know what loves him- he’s so caught up in the only thing he can control: baseball. Then we have Willow, the historian buff, the spunky girl that although anxious, embraces her true self no matter what.
I would’ve never thought of this romantic duo but my goodness was I pleasantly shocked and so happy about it. I couldn’t get enough of Hayden and Willow!!! Easiest five star read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was sweet, heartfelt and laugh out loud funny. Throughout the book I was like wait, did Kaylessa Black actually just write this book for me personally? So many references that made me squeal with excitement.
I take issue with a vagine being called a “ring of muscle” but that was probably the only thing that gave me the ick. I’m sorry, it is a big ick.
Very steamy, sometimes too steamy for me but that is a me problem not a book problem. If you love all the spice, you’ll love this!
And I loved the random mixture of baseball and genealogy! It was so quirky and cool, it worked surprisingly well.
I, too, used to hang out in cemeteries, so I loved that part.
Thank you for the arc, I enjoyed this :)
I take issue with a vagine being called a “ring of muscle” but that was probably the only thing that gave me the ick. I’m sorry, it is a big ick.
Very steamy, sometimes too steamy for me but that is a me problem not a book problem. If you love all the spice, you’ll love this!
And I loved the random mixture of baseball and genealogy! It was so quirky and cool, it worked surprisingly well.
I, too, used to hang out in cemeteries, so I loved that part.
Thank you for the arc, I enjoyed this :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have fallen head over heels in love with Hayden and Willow. This book is everything a romance book should be. It was sweet and funny and quirky with a little bit of mean girl energy (we're looking at you Mara and Lexi) and the most amazing laugh out loud moments and it also had me tearing up at times!
I read the whole book in under 24 hours as I just couldn't put it down. I loved how Hayden and Willows relationship developed it felt so natural and they way that they each had such adorable traits.
The chemistry is off the charts and when they finally give in to all of the pent up feelings sparks fly and the spice is spicing.
I adored every second of the book and I couldn't recommend it more.
I read the whole book in under 24 hours as I just couldn't put it down. I loved how Hayden and Willows relationship developed it felt so natural and they way that they each had such adorable traits.
The chemistry is off the charts and when they finally give in to all of the pent up feelings sparks fly and the spice is spicing.
I adored every second of the book and I couldn't recommend it more.
May 18, 2026
I received an ARC of Catching History and y’all… I started it and literally could not put it down. I read the whole thing in one afternoon because once I started, I was completely hooked. Willow was SO relatable, and honestly I felt like I was third wheeling (in the best way possible) throughout the entire story.
Also… can we talk about Willow’s mom for a second? Because I absolutely adored her.
I’m always a sucker for a good meet-cute, and as someone still newer to reading spicy books, I thought this one had the perfect amount of spice. The ending wrapped things up so well, but I also would not be mad at all if we got a second book with these characters because I’m not ready to let them go yet!
Also… can we talk about Willow’s mom for a second? Because I absolutely adored her.
I’m always a sucker for a good meet-cute, and as someone still newer to reading spicy books, I thought this one had the perfect amount of spice. The ending wrapped things up so well, but I also would not be mad at all if we got a second book with these characters because I’m not ready to let them go yet!
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