What do you think?
Rate this book
Caught Looking: A Friends-to-Lovers Sports Romance Filled with Heartbreak, Heat, and Healing
Sun-soaked days. Electric nights. And a love that might be worth the fall.
Welcome back to Mango Bay where the heat is relentless, the music is loud, and the players are impossible to resist. It’s baseball… but better.
Sloan Barrett knows what it takes to survive in a man’s world. As a former pro football kicker, she’s built her life on grit, talent, and never taking anyone’s crap. But when a career-ending injury sidelines her for good, everything she’s worked for comes crashing down. As if that isn’t enough, she discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her. The only problem? He’s also her boss, and escaping him might cost her everything.
Jax Calder has always been the easygoing one. The smiling, carefree pitcher everyone loves. The guy who dances without hesitation, lifts everyone up, and never lets the darkness show. But when his past baseball experiences haunt him, he realizes pretending is too hard.
According to her, they weren’t supposed to matter to each other.
Not like this.
According to him, this was exactly how it was meant to be.
What starts as an unlikely friendship with late nights, shared secrets, and quiet understanding, turns into something deeper. Something neither of them is ready for. Because while Jax falls fast and hard, Sloan is still picking up the broken pieces of her life, her grief, and her trust.
And love? Love was never part of her plan.
But in Mango Bay, where emotions run high and nothing stays simple, they’re grit is put to the test.
A messy, emotional newfound friends-to-lovers romance filled with grief, healing, and undeniable chemistry, because sometimes the hardest battles aren’t played on the field… but in the heart.
Welcome back to Mango Bay where the heat is relentless, the music is loud, and the players are impossible to resist. It’s baseball… but better.
Sloan Barrett knows what it takes to survive in a man’s world. As a former pro football kicker, she’s built her life on grit, talent, and never taking anyone’s crap. But when a career-ending injury sidelines her for good, everything she’s worked for comes crashing down. As if that isn’t enough, she discovers her boyfriend is cheating on her. The only problem? He’s also her boss, and escaping him might cost her everything.
Jax Calder has always been the easygoing one. The smiling, carefree pitcher everyone loves. The guy who dances without hesitation, lifts everyone up, and never lets the darkness show. But when his past baseball experiences haunt him, he realizes pretending is too hard.
According to her, they weren’t supposed to matter to each other.
Not like this.
According to him, this was exactly how it was meant to be.
What starts as an unlikely friendship with late nights, shared secrets, and quiet understanding, turns into something deeper. Something neither of them is ready for. Because while Jax falls fast and hard, Sloan is still picking up the broken pieces of her life, her grief, and her trust.
And love? Love was never part of her plan.
But in Mango Bay, where emotions run high and nothing stays simple, they’re grit is put to the test.
A messy, emotional newfound friends-to-lovers romance filled with grief, healing, and undeniable chemistry, because sometimes the hardest battles aren’t played on the field… but in the heart.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
About the author
Harper Rae James
6 books55 followersI write spicy, emotion-forward romance for readers who crave longing, second chances, and love that refuses to stay buried.
My stories live in the quiet space between almost and always, where feelings simmer, restraint fractures, and intimacy is earned. Expect mutual pining, he-falls-first energy, and heat that hits harder becasue it means something.
If you love slow burns with real payoff, characters who ache before they heal, and stories that linger long after the last page, you're in the right place.
New here?
Start with This Can’t Be The End— the book readers fall into first.
Readeing Order: This Can't Be the End-- This Time Around--This Christmas-- This Secret Between Us
My stories live in the quiet space between almost and always, where feelings simmer, restraint fractures, and intimacy is earned. Expect mutual pining, he-falls-first energy, and heat that hits harder becasue it means something.
If you love slow burns with real payoff, characters who ache before they heal, and stories that linger long after the last page, you're in the right place.
New here?
Start with This Can’t Be The End— the book readers fall into first.
Readeing Order: This Can't Be the End-- This Time Around--This Christmas-- This Secret Between Us
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 11, 2026
Another great fun read! I loved Jax and Sloan and how they came together and took care of each other. Sloan is such a badass FMC from growing after her ACL tare and losing her career and a football kicker to her loser bf cheating on her and growing as a person. I loved the change in her and watching her grow into a confident woman with the help and love from Jax. His immediate attraction to her and getting her to let him in was so heart warming to read. Reading more about Mango Ball is also such a fun concept in these books and makes for extra entertainment!
June 18, 2026
⚾️ Caught Looking ⚾️
((Spoiler-Free Arc Review))
Title- Caught Looking
Author- Harper Rae James
Genre- Sports Romance/ Contemporary Romance
Series- Mango Bay Book #2
Trope City-
⚾️ Love at First Sight
⚾️ He Falls First
⚾️ Workplace Romance
⚾️ Sports Romance
⚾️ Spice and Angst
The Mango Bay Series puts all the fun back in sports. The fanfare is palpable as you read and experience these player’s stories. The series is written with the inspiration from the Savannah Bananas. Jax Calder (MMC) has always had one true love- pitching. He’s the face of Mango Bay and an easy going, supportive, loyal player and person. Sloan (FMC) was a superstar athlete all her own. She was a rockstar kicker. She sustained an injury playing the game she loves and felt her entire world crashing in around her while her live in boyfriend and manager admitted to cheating and manipulated her career during their breakup. Tanner is the ultimate tool. Karma and some extra curricular activities give Tanner everything you want him to get and more. That’s the only spoiler I’ll spoil. I love this rediscovery Sloan experiencing. It’s a full life rebuilding and she does it with power and grace and maybe a little help from a hot pitcher. 🤭
Happy Pub Week Miss Harper! Congratulations. This series is so fun.
Thank you Good Girls PR for sharing this ARC with me! ⚾️💙
June 10, 2026
Sloan is immediately a badass FMC. She suffers an ACL tear while playing in the NFL and her life takes an unexpected turn. The banter, the love, the absolute EVERYTHING between the MMC and FMC is just *chef’s kiss*!
This book is a great Savannah Banana inspired quick read. Harper does an amazing job taking you through all the motions while evoking all the very real emotions. This is hands down my favorite book in the series and I’m looking forward to book three!
This book is a great Savannah Banana inspired quick read. Harper does an amazing job taking you through all the motions while evoking all the very real emotions. This is hands down my favorite book in the series and I’m looking forward to book three!
June 16, 2026
💜⚾ More Than a Comeback ⚾💜
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Caught Looking was such a cute, feel-good sports romance that left me smiling long after I finished reading.
Sloan's journey was one of my favorite parts of the story. After losing her football career to an ACL injury and dealing with the fallout of a painful betrayal, she's forced to rebuild her life from the ground up. I loved watching her grow throughout the book as she slowly regained her confidence, discovered who she wanted to be outside of the game, and learned to trust herself again. She was strong, resilient, and impossible not to root for.
And then there's Jax.
Jax Calder was everything I wanted in a book boyfriend. From the very beginning, he was patient, supportive, and completely gone for Sloan. What I loved most was how naturally their relationship developed. Their friendship became the foundation for everything that followed, and it made every romantic moment feel earned. The banter, chemistry, and unwavering support they gave each other made it impossible not to fall in love with them as a couple.
One of my favorite parts of the book was watching Sloan and Jax join forces against her cheating ex. Their teamwork, playful interactions, and growing trust created so many memorable moments throughout the story. Their connection felt genuine because they truly cared about each other long before either of them was ready to admit there was something more.
I also continue to love the Mango Ball world. The exhibition baseball team adds such a fun and unique element to the series, and spending more time with these characters was an absolute treat. As entertaining as the baseball aspects were, what surprised me most was the emotional depth woven throughout the story. Both Sloan and Jax are carrying their own struggles, and I appreciated the way Harper Rae James explored healing, grief, self-worth, and second chances alongside the romance.
And then there was the letter.
I was not emotionally prepared for the letter Jax wrote to Sloan's dad. That moment completely caught me off guard and added so much heart to the story. It's one of those scenes that will stick with me long after finishing the book.
Caught Looking is sweet, flirty, emotional, and full of heart. Between Sloan's personal growth, Jax's unwavering support, the fun Mango Ball setting, and a romance built on friendship and trust, this story was incredibly easy to fall into. So far, it's my favorite book in the series, and I can't wait to see what's next for Mango Bay.
Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the gifted eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Caught Looking was such a cute, feel-good sports romance that left me smiling long after I finished reading.
Sloan's journey was one of my favorite parts of the story. After losing her football career to an ACL injury and dealing with the fallout of a painful betrayal, she's forced to rebuild her life from the ground up. I loved watching her grow throughout the book as she slowly regained her confidence, discovered who she wanted to be outside of the game, and learned to trust herself again. She was strong, resilient, and impossible not to root for.
And then there's Jax.
Jax Calder was everything I wanted in a book boyfriend. From the very beginning, he was patient, supportive, and completely gone for Sloan. What I loved most was how naturally their relationship developed. Their friendship became the foundation for everything that followed, and it made every romantic moment feel earned. The banter, chemistry, and unwavering support they gave each other made it impossible not to fall in love with them as a couple.
One of my favorite parts of the book was watching Sloan and Jax join forces against her cheating ex. Their teamwork, playful interactions, and growing trust created so many memorable moments throughout the story. Their connection felt genuine because they truly cared about each other long before either of them was ready to admit there was something more.
I also continue to love the Mango Ball world. The exhibition baseball team adds such a fun and unique element to the series, and spending more time with these characters was an absolute treat. As entertaining as the baseball aspects were, what surprised me most was the emotional depth woven throughout the story. Both Sloan and Jax are carrying their own struggles, and I appreciated the way Harper Rae James explored healing, grief, self-worth, and second chances alongside the romance.
And then there was the letter.
I was not emotionally prepared for the letter Jax wrote to Sloan's dad. That moment completely caught me off guard and added so much heart to the story. It's one of those scenes that will stick with me long after finishing the book.
Caught Looking is sweet, flirty, emotional, and full of heart. Between Sloan's personal growth, Jax's unwavering support, the fun Mango Ball setting, and a romance built on friendship and trust, this story was incredibly easy to fall into. So far, it's my favorite book in the series, and I can't wait to see what's next for Mango Bay.
Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the gifted eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 18, 2026
My first time going down the Mango Ball tunnel, and any book by Harper Rae James, and what a journey it was! This book definitely hits the fun, cutesy, easy to read mark, and one that I will definitely be checking out more of (in this series).
If you like a baseball romance, enjoy the fun action of Banana Ball, like a MMC who is head over heels, and a FMC who was once an athlete in a male dominated sport, then you will absolutely love this book! Jax is green flag all around! He is the star pitcher for the Moonshot, one of Mango Ball’s circus inspired, baseball teams. He quickly falls for Sloan, who is now getting a podcast off the ground involving the Mango Ball industry, after suffering a career ending football injury. She is very standoff-ish on athletes due to her ex (who is now also her manager! Yikes!), but eventually Jax charms his way into her bubble. And once he’s there, he’s stuck like gum to your shoe! Jax and Sloan have that sizzling, adorably sweet, chemistry that I couldn’t get enough of. He showed her how a girl ought to be treated, and worshiped (especially behind closed doors). He only wanted her to shine in moments where she felt like she was only a pretty face. He even brought sweet/happy tears at the end of the book (no spoilers here!)
My favorite part of this book was that it was like no other baseball romance I’ve read. It had that uniqueness that no other sports romance had. You could really feel the energetic atmosphere, the worry when the player draft happened, and all the angst when it comes to the future of careers. It had just a little bit of drama that just kept things interesting, and had me flipping those pages faster.
This is book 2 of the series, and I’d consider this a true stand alone. There are other characters mentioned, and relationships are established, but there’s not a lot of depth to those. It really focuses on Jax and Sloan, which made it easy to pick this up and immediately read.
This was an ARC read for me, and these are my honest opinions.
If you like a baseball romance, enjoy the fun action of Banana Ball, like a MMC who is head over heels, and a FMC who was once an athlete in a male dominated sport, then you will absolutely love this book! Jax is green flag all around! He is the star pitcher for the Moonshot, one of Mango Ball’s circus inspired, baseball teams. He quickly falls for Sloan, who is now getting a podcast off the ground involving the Mango Ball industry, after suffering a career ending football injury. She is very standoff-ish on athletes due to her ex (who is now also her manager! Yikes!), but eventually Jax charms his way into her bubble. And once he’s there, he’s stuck like gum to your shoe! Jax and Sloan have that sizzling, adorably sweet, chemistry that I couldn’t get enough of. He showed her how a girl ought to be treated, and worshiped (especially behind closed doors). He only wanted her to shine in moments where she felt like she was only a pretty face. He even brought sweet/happy tears at the end of the book (no spoilers here!)
My favorite part of this book was that it was like no other baseball romance I’ve read. It had that uniqueness that no other sports romance had. You could really feel the energetic atmosphere, the worry when the player draft happened, and all the angst when it comes to the future of careers. It had just a little bit of drama that just kept things interesting, and had me flipping those pages faster.
This is book 2 of the series, and I’d consider this a true stand alone. There are other characters mentioned, and relationships are established, but there’s not a lot of depth to those. It really focuses on Jax and Sloan, which made it easy to pick this up and immediately read.
This was an ARC read for me, and these are my honest opinions.
June 21, 2026
Harper Rae James does it again with Caught Looking, the second book in the Mango Bay Series. I honestly didn't think I could love a set of characters more than I loved those in Say You'll Stay, but Jax and Sloan completely won me over.
Jax is the star pitcher for the Moonshots, Mango Bay's beloved baseball team known for embracing both the game and the fans who love it. Sloan is a former NFL kicker who hosts a podcast covering local sports, with a particular focus on the Moonshots. Their story is a friends-to-lovers romance that easily earned 4.25 stars from me.
Jax had my heart from the very beginning, and I found myself rooting for him and Sloan every step of the way. One thing I especially appreciated was how he handled Sloan's ex. Even when the situation frustrated him, he never stepped in to fight her battles for her. Instead, he respected Sloan enough to let her handle things herself. And that letter he wrote to her dad? I was not expecting to get emotional, but it definitely had me tearing up.
Sloan was another standout character for me. I loved seeing a strong female athlete represented in a male-dominated sport. While she had moments of vulnerability, she never let them define her. Even when her ex managed to get under her skin, she always found a way to come back stronger.
Although each book focuses on a different couple, I recommend reading the Mango Bay Series in order. Characters from the first book appear throughout this story, and because the events take place on the same timeline, reading them in order helps everything make more sense.
Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I'm already looking forward to book three, Keeping Score!
Jax is the star pitcher for the Moonshots, Mango Bay's beloved baseball team known for embracing both the game and the fans who love it. Sloan is a former NFL kicker who hosts a podcast covering local sports, with a particular focus on the Moonshots. Their story is a friends-to-lovers romance that easily earned 4.25 stars from me.
Jax had my heart from the very beginning, and I found myself rooting for him and Sloan every step of the way. One thing I especially appreciated was how he handled Sloan's ex. Even when the situation frustrated him, he never stepped in to fight her battles for her. Instead, he respected Sloan enough to let her handle things herself. And that letter he wrote to her dad? I was not expecting to get emotional, but it definitely had me tearing up.
Sloan was another standout character for me. I loved seeing a strong female athlete represented in a male-dominated sport. While she had moments of vulnerability, she never let them define her. Even when her ex managed to get under her skin, she always found a way to come back stronger.
Although each book focuses on a different couple, I recommend reading the Mango Bay Series in order. Characters from the first book appear throughout this story, and because the events take place on the same timeline, reading them in order helps everything make more sense.
Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I'm already looking forward to book three, Keeping Score!
June 6, 2026
Summary:
Sloan is rebuilding her life from the ground up. Forced into retirement from the NFL after suffering a complete ACL tear, she is also reeling from a painful breakup with the man who not only shared her life but also managed her media and public affairs. She is assigned to Boss Kicker Chronicles, a sports podcast where she frequently interviews players from the Mango Bay baseball team. What begins as just another media assignment soon becomes something more when she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Jax Calder, the team’s laid-back and charismatic star pitcher.
Thoughts:
* This sports romance is so, so good if you’re looking for a fast read, and I love the exhibition baseball team.
* I LOVED how this started back at the beginning, when we first met Mare and Ozzie. You must read the first book before this one to get the full emotional impact of Sloan and Jax. I loved them in Say You’ll Stay, so I was very excited for their story!
* Sloan is so fierce, even with all of her setbacks. She really doesn’t let them stop her one bit and uses them as fuel to rise to the top in sports.
* Jax is such an amazing MMC. He has so much love for baseball, his friends, and his family. The dedication he has to those he loves is truly beautiful, and he never hesitates to show that love.
* The MCs are so flirty and sweet with each other, and they have so much chemistry.
* Harper does such a great job writing the villain. I despised Tanner from the very first page he appeared on.
* Pinwheels 🥹😭
* I love knowing this series will continue, and I can’t wait for the third book!
Thank you Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for an arc read of Caught Looking.
Sloan is rebuilding her life from the ground up. Forced into retirement from the NFL after suffering a complete ACL tear, she is also reeling from a painful breakup with the man who not only shared her life but also managed her media and public affairs. She is assigned to Boss Kicker Chronicles, a sports podcast where she frequently interviews players from the Mango Bay baseball team. What begins as just another media assignment soon becomes something more when she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Jax Calder, the team’s laid-back and charismatic star pitcher.
Thoughts:
* This sports romance is so, so good if you’re looking for a fast read, and I love the exhibition baseball team.
* I LOVED how this started back at the beginning, when we first met Mare and Ozzie. You must read the first book before this one to get the full emotional impact of Sloan and Jax. I loved them in Say You’ll Stay, so I was very excited for their story!
* Sloan is so fierce, even with all of her setbacks. She really doesn’t let them stop her one bit and uses them as fuel to rise to the top in sports.
* Jax is such an amazing MMC. He has so much love for baseball, his friends, and his family. The dedication he has to those he loves is truly beautiful, and he never hesitates to show that love.
* The MCs are so flirty and sweet with each other, and they have so much chemistry.
* Harper does such a great job writing the villain. I despised Tanner from the very first page he appeared on.
* Pinwheels 🥹😭
* I love knowing this series will continue, and I can’t wait for the third book!
Thank you Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for an arc read of Caught Looking.
June 18, 2026
Blonde MC’s you can’t help but LOVE
I absolutely adore Jax.
From the moment he was introduced in Say You’ll Stay, showing just how amazing of a friend and good of a person he truly is, stepping in to help when things fall apart live on air for his best friend.
We get to see in Caught Looking what happens once Jax takes the camera from Ozzie and this allows for Jax and Sloan to have their first interaction, and that first domino to fall in their impending love story. Sloan is having to go back and forth with her ex, who is also her boss. He is trying to manage her life under the guise of making sure she succeeds in this post NFL kicker world when really he’s just a jerk.
Throughout the book, Jax never pushes Sloan to do anything she isn’t comfortable doing, but does make his feelings for her known. He helps her blossom from this broken down woman back into the bad*ss she knows she can be. After losing her father, then dealing with the cheating scum-bag that is Tanner, she let her self-worth take the brunt of it all, but Jax slowly helped her work through it all, and bring back the woman she recognized herself to be before she lose her dad, before she had Tanner in her life.
Jax is all the walking green flags and is pure golden retriever engergy. He made sure Sloan knew her worth, all while he was dealing with his own anxieties and worth as Mango Ball went through its own changes.
I absolutely adored book 2, maybe even more than book 1, but there may be a bit of a bias there with Jax lol! We love to see a good blonde MMC! I can’t wait to see where Harper goes with book 3!
I absolutely adore Jax.
From the moment he was introduced in Say You’ll Stay, showing just how amazing of a friend and good of a person he truly is, stepping in to help when things fall apart live on air for his best friend.
We get to see in Caught Looking what happens once Jax takes the camera from Ozzie and this allows for Jax and Sloan to have their first interaction, and that first domino to fall in their impending love story. Sloan is having to go back and forth with her ex, who is also her boss. He is trying to manage her life under the guise of making sure she succeeds in this post NFL kicker world when really he’s just a jerk.
Throughout the book, Jax never pushes Sloan to do anything she isn’t comfortable doing, but does make his feelings for her known. He helps her blossom from this broken down woman back into the bad*ss she knows she can be. After losing her father, then dealing with the cheating scum-bag that is Tanner, she let her self-worth take the brunt of it all, but Jax slowly helped her work through it all, and bring back the woman she recognized herself to be before she lose her dad, before she had Tanner in her life.
Jax is all the walking green flags and is pure golden retriever engergy. He made sure Sloan knew her worth, all while he was dealing with his own anxieties and worth as Mango Ball went through its own changes.
I absolutely adored book 2, maybe even more than book 1, but there may be a bit of a bias there with Jax lol! We love to see a good blonde MMC! I can’t wait to see where Harper goes with book 3!
Review of advance copy
OMG this was SO much better than the first book. What a breath of fresh air! The characters felt so much more mature this time around, and I was invested in them right from the start.
I really loved Sloan and Jax together. Their friends to lovers dynamic worked so well because they genuinely relied on each other and understood each other in a way that no one else could. I love when a romance takes the time to build that foundation first, and watching them confide in each other, support each other, and slowly become something more was beautiful in a really natural way.
As someone who loves baseball and is obsessed with the Savannah Bananas, this series is already right up my alley, but this book felt like it took everything up a notch! It was fun and entertaining, but it also had so much more depth than I was expecting.
I think my favorite part was how emotional and heavy parts of the story were. This wasn't just a surface level romance. Both Sloan and Jax were dealing with real struggles, grief, and insecurities, and I really appreciated the way Harper Rae James explored those things. It added so much to the story and made their relationship feel even more meaningful.
This was a great read and exactly what I was hoping for after the first book! The romance was sweet, the emotional depth was fantastic, and Sloan and Jax were such an easy couple to root for. Definitely my favorite in the series so far!
Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the eARC of this book.
I really loved Sloan and Jax together. Their friends to lovers dynamic worked so well because they genuinely relied on each other and understood each other in a way that no one else could. I love when a romance takes the time to build that foundation first, and watching them confide in each other, support each other, and slowly become something more was beautiful in a really natural way.
As someone who loves baseball and is obsessed with the Savannah Bananas, this series is already right up my alley, but this book felt like it took everything up a notch! It was fun and entertaining, but it also had so much more depth than I was expecting.
I think my favorite part was how emotional and heavy parts of the story were. This wasn't just a surface level romance. Both Sloan and Jax were dealing with real struggles, grief, and insecurities, and I really appreciated the way Harper Rae James explored those things. It added so much to the story and made their relationship feel even more meaningful.
This was a great read and exactly what I was hoping for after the first book! The romance was sweet, the emotional depth was fantastic, and Sloan and Jax were such an easy couple to root for. Definitely my favorite in the series so far!
Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Caught Looking was such a fun and easy read for me. While I enjoyed the first book, this one hit on a much deeper emotional level and completely won me over.
Sloan’s journey was one of my favorite parts of the story. After losing both her football career to an ACL injury and dealing with a painful betrayal, watching her rebuild her confidence and figure out who she wanted to be outside of the game was incredibly rewarding. She was strong, resilient, and easy to root for from beginning to end.
And then there’s Jax. He was absolutely everything. Patient, supportive, and completely gone for Sloan from the start, he never tried to rush her healing process. Instead, he showed up for her in all the ways that mattered. Their transition from friends to something more felt genuine, emotional, and filled with chemistry. The banter, the tension, and the heartfelt moments between them had me smiling the entire time.
What surprised me most was how much heart this story had. Yes, there are fun Mango Ball moments and plenty of romance, but this book is really about healing, growth, second chances, and learning to trust again. The emotional scenes hit hard, and a few moments genuinely melted my heart.
Harper Rae James did an amazing job balancing humor, romance, and emotional depth. Caught Looking gave me lovable characters, a swoony hero, meaningful character growth, and a romance that felt earned. So far, this is my favorite book in the series, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Mango.
Thank you Harper for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sloan’s journey was one of my favorite parts of the story. After losing both her football career to an ACL injury and dealing with a painful betrayal, watching her rebuild her confidence and figure out who she wanted to be outside of the game was incredibly rewarding. She was strong, resilient, and easy to root for from beginning to end.
And then there’s Jax. He was absolutely everything. Patient, supportive, and completely gone for Sloan from the start, he never tried to rush her healing process. Instead, he showed up for her in all the ways that mattered. Their transition from friends to something more felt genuine, emotional, and filled with chemistry. The banter, the tension, and the heartfelt moments between them had me smiling the entire time.
What surprised me most was how much heart this story had. Yes, there are fun Mango Ball moments and plenty of romance, but this book is really about healing, growth, second chances, and learning to trust again. The emotional scenes hit hard, and a few moments genuinely melted my heart.
Harper Rae James did an amazing job balancing humor, romance, and emotional depth. Caught Looking gave me lovable characters, a swoony hero, meaningful character growth, and a romance that felt earned. So far, this is my favorite book in the series, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Mango.
Thank you Harper for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 19, 2026
⭐️ Overall Rating: 5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3/5
💧 Emotional: 5/5
Thank you to Harper Rae James for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There is something special about returning to Mango Bay, and Caught Looking reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this series in the first place.
Sloan and Jax completely stole my heart. Sloan is rebuilding her life after an ACL injury ended her athletic career, finding a new path as a podcaster while navigating grief, healing, and figuring out what comes next. Jax, the beloved baseball player everyone seems to adore, becomes so much more than just a love interest. He becomes a source of comfort, friendship, and support when Sloan needs it most.
What I loved most about this story was how naturally their relationship developed. Their connection felt authentic, emotional, and deeply rooted in friendship before becoming something more. The healing journey woven throughout the romance made every moment between them feel meaningful.
As someone who loves sports romances, this one delivered everything I wanted. The baseball atmosphere was fun and engaging, but it was the emotional depth that truly made this story stand out.
If you’re a fan of baseball romances, friends-to-lovers stories, emotional healing journeys, or even the energy of teams like the Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, and The Firefighters, this is absolutely a book worth picking up.
🔥 Burn Level: 5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3/5
💧 Emotional: 5/5
Thank you to Harper Rae James for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There is something special about returning to Mango Bay, and Caught Looking reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this series in the first place.
Sloan and Jax completely stole my heart. Sloan is rebuilding her life after an ACL injury ended her athletic career, finding a new path as a podcaster while navigating grief, healing, and figuring out what comes next. Jax, the beloved baseball player everyone seems to adore, becomes so much more than just a love interest. He becomes a source of comfort, friendship, and support when Sloan needs it most.
What I loved most about this story was how naturally their relationship developed. Their connection felt authentic, emotional, and deeply rooted in friendship before becoming something more. The healing journey woven throughout the romance made every moment between them feel meaningful.
As someone who loves sports romances, this one delivered everything I wanted. The baseball atmosphere was fun and engaging, but it was the emotional depth that truly made this story stand out.
If you’re a fan of baseball romances, friends-to-lovers stories, emotional healing journeys, or even the energy of teams like the Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, and The Firefighters, this is absolutely a book worth picking up.
June 20, 2026
Thank you to the author and Good Girls PR for the gifted copy of this book.
I did like some things about this book. I loved the woman in the NFL representation. I also loved the “Mango Ball” representation. It was fun and cool to see that world brought into a book. I am not sure how accurate the behind scenes stuff (practices, etc) was but I enjoyed that look behind the curtain. I liked the MMC - he was a total golden retriever and green flag.
Where I struggled, was the book felt messy. I know there was a book before this one but in scene Ozzie breaking up with his girlfriend, there’s a new choreographer, and in the next he is dating that choreographer and she is leaving for NY. I was so confused. The timing in the entire book was confusing - it felt, to me, that the entire story happened within the span of a couple of weeks. Some flags for passing of time would have been helpful. I also felt the FMC’s career post-NFL was strange. She was a podcaster but an also a sports reporter? I didn’t fully understand that thread. Lastly, I felt that the last 30 pages were unnecessary. Could have been an epilogue.
The idea behind this story was super cute and I thought the characters were adorable together but it was insta-love on steroids. That said, these are my opinions and I know this book will find the right person who will love it as is.
I did like some things about this book. I loved the woman in the NFL representation. I also loved the “Mango Ball” representation. It was fun and cool to see that world brought into a book. I am not sure how accurate the behind scenes stuff (practices, etc) was but I enjoyed that look behind the curtain. I liked the MMC - he was a total golden retriever and green flag.
Where I struggled, was the book felt messy. I know there was a book before this one but in scene Ozzie breaking up with his girlfriend, there’s a new choreographer, and in the next he is dating that choreographer and she is leaving for NY. I was so confused. The timing in the entire book was confusing - it felt, to me, that the entire story happened within the span of a couple of weeks. Some flags for passing of time would have been helpful. I also felt the FMC’s career post-NFL was strange. She was a podcaster but an also a sports reporter? I didn’t fully understand that thread. Lastly, I felt that the last 30 pages were unnecessary. Could have been an epilogue.
The idea behind this story was super cute and I thought the characters were adorable together but it was insta-love on steroids. That said, these are my opinions and I know this book will find the right person who will love it as is.
June 20, 2026
This book is marketed as a standalone within a series, and for me, a standalone has to follow two principles: it shouldn't rely heavily on previous couples, while still providing enough context for readers who haven't read the earlier books.
This was my first book by both this author and in this series. And while it did a great job with the first principle, to the point that I didn't even realize who the couple from the first book was until almost halfway through, it completely missed the mark on the second.
The book never properly explained the world-building or introduced the important people and concepts. Everything seemed to appear out of nowhere, and as someone with no prior knowledge of the series, I spent most of the book trying to figure out what was happening and who everyone was. For example, I didn't even realize that Mango Ball was its own league until near the end of the book because it was never clearly explained. Considering how important it is to understanding the story, that felt like something that should have been established very early on.
I thought the plot itself was interesting but without the necessary context, I just couldn't enjoy it.
~ Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for providing me with an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own. ~
This was my first book by both this author and in this series. And while it did a great job with the first principle, to the point that I didn't even realize who the couple from the first book was until almost halfway through, it completely missed the mark on the second.
The book never properly explained the world-building or introduced the important people and concepts. Everything seemed to appear out of nowhere, and as someone with no prior knowledge of the series, I spent most of the book trying to figure out what was happening and who everyone was. For example, I didn't even realize that Mango Ball was its own league until near the end of the book because it was never clearly explained. Considering how important it is to understanding the story, that felt like something that should have been established very early on.
I thought the plot itself was interesting but without the necessary context, I just couldn't enjoy it.
~ Thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for providing me with an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own. ~
June 16, 2026
I really enjoyed Caught Looking by Harper Rae James. This sports romance had the perfect mix of chemistry, emotion, and heart. The story kept me invested from beginning to end, and I found myself rooting for the characters every step of the way.
One of my favorite things about the book was how the romance developed alongside the sports storyline. The tension between the main characters felt natural, and their connection grew in a way that was both believable and satisfying. I also appreciated the emotional depth of the story, as the characters had to work through personal challenges and learn to trust each other.
The baseball setting added an extra layer of excitement, and the author did a great job balancing the romance with the sports elements. What started as an engaging sports romance quickly became a story about growth, second chances, and finding the courage to go after what you really want.
If you enjoy sports romances with strong chemistry, heartfelt moments, and characters you can't help but cheer for, Caught Looking is definitely worth reading. I had a great time with this book and look forward to reading more from Harper Rae James.
One of my favorite things about the book was how the romance developed alongside the sports storyline. The tension between the main characters felt natural, and their connection grew in a way that was both believable and satisfying. I also appreciated the emotional depth of the story, as the characters had to work through personal challenges and learn to trust each other.
The baseball setting added an extra layer of excitement, and the author did a great job balancing the romance with the sports elements. What started as an engaging sports romance quickly became a story about growth, second chances, and finding the courage to go after what you really want.
If you enjoy sports romances with strong chemistry, heartfelt moments, and characters you can't help but cheer for, Caught Looking is definitely worth reading. I had a great time with this book and look forward to reading more from Harper Rae James.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun baseball romance, and I really enjoyed that the FMC was a former athlete herself. I thought it was a really cool touch that she used to be a football player and was the kicker on her team. It made her character feel unique and added something different to the story.
I also thought the situation with her ex-boyfriend was an interesting twist. It added a lot of tension and kept me invested in what was going to happen next. By the end of the book, I was so stressed during the draft scenes. I was completely invested and needed to know how everything was going to work out. It definitely kept things fun, suspenseful, and exciting.
The romance between them was flirty, sweet, and had great chemistry. I loved watching their relationship develop, and I found myself smiling through so many of their interactions. Overall, this was such an enjoyable read and a great sports romance. I had a fantastic time with it and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a fun, swoony romance with plenty of heart.
I also thought the situation with her ex-boyfriend was an interesting twist. It added a lot of tension and kept me invested in what was going to happen next. By the end of the book, I was so stressed during the draft scenes. I was completely invested and needed to know how everything was going to work out. It definitely kept things fun, suspenseful, and exciting.
The romance between them was flirty, sweet, and had great chemistry. I loved watching their relationship develop, and I found myself smiling through so many of their interactions. Overall, this was such an enjoyable read and a great sports romance. I had a fantastic time with it and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a fun, swoony romance with plenty of heart.
Review of advance copy
Caught Looking is Book 2 of the Mango Ball series by Harper Rea James.
This story was so different from Say You'll Stay. At first I was disappointed about it, but then I kept reading and loved it for completely different reasons. Where book 1 had more Mango Ball and fun, book 2 had more heart and character growth.
We followed Sloan as she learned to overcome heartbreak (from her career and boyfriend) and let's someone in again. She finds her confidence, plans the perfect revenge, and finds love.
Jax is so sweet. He waits for Sloan to be ready before he makes any moves, but he's smitten from the start. He falls first, says I love you fist (without expecting it in return), and he shows his love by being supportive and vulnerable.
The dining room table 🥵
I was NOT expecting to get emotional from this story, but when Sloan introduced Jax to her dad, I melted. Jax payed attention to the little details and made the moment perfect, right down to the song choice 💜
Thank you Harper Rea James and Good Girls PR for the gifter eARC. All opinions are my own.
This story was so different from Say You'll Stay. At first I was disappointed about it, but then I kept reading and loved it for completely different reasons. Where book 1 had more Mango Ball and fun, book 2 had more heart and character growth.
We followed Sloan as she learned to overcome heartbreak (from her career and boyfriend) and let's someone in again. She finds her confidence, plans the perfect revenge, and finds love.
Jax is so sweet. He waits for Sloan to be ready before he makes any moves, but he's smitten from the start. He falls first, says I love you fist (without expecting it in return), and he shows his love by being supportive and vulnerable.
The dining room table 🥵
I was NOT expecting to get emotional from this story, but when Sloan introduced Jax to her dad, I melted. Jax payed attention to the little details and made the moment perfect, right down to the song choice 💜
Thank you Harper Rea James and Good Girls PR for the gifter eARC. All opinions are my own.
June 8, 2026
Thank you Good Girls PR and Harper Rae James for the opportunity to read this eARC before the release date! 🫶🏻
📖 Book releases on June 16, 2026
This was such a cute feel-good sports romance that had me smiling. I loved watching Jax and Sloan's relationship unfold. Their chemistry felt effortless, and every interaction between them made me root for them. One of my favorite parts was watching them join forces against Sloan's cheating ex. The banter, the friendship, the unwavering support they gave each other - it all made their connection feel genuine and impossible not to love. 🥰
And then there was that letter Jax wrote to Sloan's dad! I was not emotionally prepared for that moment. It completely caught me off guard and added so much heart to the story. 🥹
Overall, this book left me with a smile on my face and convinced me that I need to go back and read book one to fully appreciate these characters and their journey.
📖 Book releases on June 16, 2026
This was such a cute feel-good sports romance that had me smiling. I loved watching Jax and Sloan's relationship unfold. Their chemistry felt effortless, and every interaction between them made me root for them. One of my favorite parts was watching them join forces against Sloan's cheating ex. The banter, the friendship, the unwavering support they gave each other - it all made their connection feel genuine and impossible not to love. 🥰
And then there was that letter Jax wrote to Sloan's dad! I was not emotionally prepared for that moment. It completely caught me off guard and added so much heart to the story. 🥹
Overall, this book left me with a smile on my face and convinced me that I need to go back and read book one to fully appreciate these characters and their journey.
June 18, 2026
A huge thank you to Harper Rae James and Good Girls PR for the eARC of Caught Looking, the second installment in the Mango Bay series!
This was such a fun, charming, and emotional read that completely pulled me out of my mini reading slump. From the very first chapter, I was hooked! If you're looking for something that feels like Savannah Bananas energy (or in this case, Mango Ball) mixed with a swoony sports romance, this one absolutely delivers.
Jax and Sloan had incredible chemistry and a relationship that felt both supportive and genuine. I loved watching them bring out the best in each other while also showing up when it mattered most. Their banter, connection, and emotional growth made it impossible not to root for them.
This was my first book by Harper Rae James, and after enjoying this one so much, I'm definitely looking forward to diving into more of her work!
Tropes
⚾️ Sports Romance
⚾️ Small Town
⚾️ Love at First Sight
⚾️ Forbidden Love
⚾️ Angsty
This was such a fun, charming, and emotional read that completely pulled me out of my mini reading slump. From the very first chapter, I was hooked! If you're looking for something that feels like Savannah Bananas energy (or in this case, Mango Ball) mixed with a swoony sports romance, this one absolutely delivers.
Jax and Sloan had incredible chemistry and a relationship that felt both supportive and genuine. I loved watching them bring out the best in each other while also showing up when it mattered most. Their banter, connection, and emotional growth made it impossible not to root for them.
This was my first book by Harper Rae James, and after enjoying this one so much, I'm definitely looking forward to diving into more of her work!
Tropes
⚾️ Sports Romance
⚾️ Small Town
⚾️ Love at First Sight
⚾️ Forbidden Love
⚾️ Angsty
Review of advance copy received from Author
Caught Looking was everything! I really enjoyed returning to Mango Bay for Sloan and Jax's story. Sloan was so refreshing. She is a former football player with so much determination and resilience that it was impossible not to root for her. Jax was also a wonderful MMC. His loyalty, kindness, and unwavering support made him truly swoon-worthy. Their romance was sweet, full of chemistry, and their connection felt natural. The story was well-balanced, with heartfelt moments and plenty of tension and excitement. Especially as the draft approached, and the emotional scenes hit all the right notes. Jax's letter to Sloan's father was one of the most memorable moments in the book and definitely had me reaching for tissues. Harper Rae James delivered a heartwarming and beautiful love story. I really enjoyed every page and can't wait to continue with this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
this is the second book in the series and a take on the dancing baseball teams out there. The FMC Sloan is an NFL kicker who get injured and her world falls apart. The guy she thought she would marry left her right after her injury and he was in control of her career. But it's time to switch gears and start her podcast and with her love of sports the local baseball team is the best place to start. The MMC Jax is all too happy to help her and willing to take any interview. They make a connection only for her ex to come in and show her all the rules of her contract that if she breaks, she will have to sign everything over to him. In comes Jax to continue to sweep her off her feet. And boy does he with introducing her to his parents, setting up a date on the pitcher's mound but also when he just holds her as she cries and falls apart.
Jax is new book boyfriend standards.
Jax is new book boyfriend standards.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another fun installment in the Mango Ball universe! This book follows pitcher Jax and former football star Sloan as they navigate feelings for each other amongst feelings of inadequacy.
A great balance between the relationship and their own personal battles, this book is the perfect summer beach read. Sloan is just trying to find her place after an injury ends her career early and her boyfriend decides she’s not enough for him. Meanwhile, Jax is coming to terms with the instability of playing ball with trading season looming overhead. Together they help each other through hard times and come out the other side with love and some spicy play along the way. It was so much fun reading from both characters perspectives and seeing cameos from book 1, Say You’ll Stay.
Excited to keep reading more about Mango Nation! Thank you to Good Girls PR for this gifted eARC, all thoughts are my own.
A great balance between the relationship and their own personal battles, this book is the perfect summer beach read. Sloan is just trying to find her place after an injury ends her career early and her boyfriend decides she’s not enough for him. Meanwhile, Jax is coming to terms with the instability of playing ball with trading season looming overhead. Together they help each other through hard times and come out the other side with love and some spicy play along the way. It was so much fun reading from both characters perspectives and seeing cameos from book 1, Say You’ll Stay.
Excited to keep reading more about Mango Nation! Thank you to Good Girls PR for this gifted eARC, all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy
I was so excited to be back in Mango Bay!
In Caught Looking we follow Sloan as she learns to overcome heartbreak—both from her career and her relationship, and find the strength to let someone in again. Watching her rebuild her confidence, plan the perfect revenge, and ultimately find love was such a satisfying journey.
And then there's Jax. 🥹
He was so sweet and patient with Sloan from the very beginning. Even though he's completely smitten from the start, he waits until she's ready before making any moves. He's the definition of "he falls first," and I absolutely loved it.
What really stood out to me was the way Jax showed his love. He was supportive, vulnerable, and always in Sloan's corner, giving her the space she needed while never making her doubt how he felt. Their relationship felt genuine and earned, making their love story all the more rewarding.
In Caught Looking we follow Sloan as she learns to overcome heartbreak—both from her career and her relationship, and find the strength to let someone in again. Watching her rebuild her confidence, plan the perfect revenge, and ultimately find love was such a satisfying journey.
And then there's Jax. 🥹
He was so sweet and patient with Sloan from the very beginning. Even though he's completely smitten from the start, he waits until she's ready before making any moves. He's the definition of "he falls first," and I absolutely loved it.
What really stood out to me was the way Jax showed his love. He was supportive, vulnerable, and always in Sloan's corner, giving her the space she needed while never making her doubt how he felt. Their relationship felt genuine and earned, making their love story all the more rewarding.
June 16, 2026
Caught Looking is a super quick Savannah Bananas inspired baseball romance read between recently retired pro football kicker Sloane as she launches her new career and star pitcher Jax.
Jax falls hard for Sloane but knows it will take sometime for Sloane to see him as more than a friend so he keeps showing up for her in the little ways and the big ways until the connection is too hard to resist and everything changes. After an injury ends her pro football career coinciding with a devastating breakup, Sloane needs to recalibrate and build a new career and at first she sees Jax’s help as pity but she quickly realizes it’s as genuine as he is in every way.
Sloane and Jax are really cute together and I like how they established a solid friendship base for their relationship.
Thank you @good.girls.pr and @author.Harper.Rae.james for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
Jax falls hard for Sloane but knows it will take sometime for Sloane to see him as more than a friend so he keeps showing up for her in the little ways and the big ways until the connection is too hard to resist and everything changes. After an injury ends her pro football career coinciding with a devastating breakup, Sloane needs to recalibrate and build a new career and at first she sees Jax’s help as pity but she quickly realizes it’s as genuine as he is in every way.
Sloane and Jax are really cute together and I like how they established a solid friendship base for their relationship.
Thank you @good.girls.pr and @author.Harper.Rae.james for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
June 9, 2026
this book was so cute 🥹
i wasn’t sure if i could like them as much as ozzie and maren from the first book cause i thought that one was REALLY good but i think i might actually like them a bit more 👀
sloan was so iconic and i absolutely adored her. i’m so happy she got the justice she deserved. jax is one of the best book bf’s everrr. not a single red flag about him. he was one of the sweetest characters ever and you could tell how very deeply he loved and cared about sloan. he kept her in mind in everything he did. he was just so selfless.
like i mentioned in my review of book 1, bonus points for the jersey mention. jersey is my home and has such a special place in my heart. so to see it mentioned in books is one of my favorite things.
i can’t wait for rikki’s book. i just know this is gonna be such a good one.
i wasn’t sure if i could like them as much as ozzie and maren from the first book cause i thought that one was REALLY good but i think i might actually like them a bit more 👀
sloan was so iconic and i absolutely adored her. i’m so happy she got the justice she deserved. jax is one of the best book bf’s everrr. not a single red flag about him. he was one of the sweetest characters ever and you could tell how very deeply he loved and cared about sloan. he kept her in mind in everything he did. he was just so selfless.
like i mentioned in my review of book 1, bonus points for the jersey mention. jersey is my home and has such a special place in my heart. so to see it mentioned in books is one of my favorite things.
i can’t wait for rikki’s book. i just know this is gonna be such a good one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I honestly didn’t think I could love Caught Looking by Harper Rae James as much as the first book in the series, but Jax and Sloan completely stole my heart! Their chemistry was incredible, and there were so many sweet moments that had me smiling from beginning to end.
One of my favorite parts of the story was watching Jax and Sloan team up against Sloan’s cheating ex. Their banter, unwavering support for each other, and growing connection made this romance impossible to put down. And can we talk about the letter Jax wrote to Sloan’s dad? That scene hit me right in the feels. I was not prepared for the emotions and definitely needed a tissue! 🥹
This book was the perfect mix of sweet, emotional, and heartwarming, and Jax has officially earned a spot on my book boyfriend list. 💕📚
One of my favorite parts of the story was watching Jax and Sloan team up against Sloan’s cheating ex. Their banter, unwavering support for each other, and growing connection made this romance impossible to put down. And can we talk about the letter Jax wrote to Sloan’s dad? That scene hit me right in the feels. I was not prepared for the emotions and definitely needed a tissue! 🥹
This book was the perfect mix of sweet, emotional, and heartwarming, and Jax has officially earned a spot on my book boyfriend list. 💕📚
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Tropes:
-forbidden love
-friends to lovers
-small town
-sports romance
-angsty
-love at first sight
Caught Looking is book two in the Mango Bay series and is Sloan and Jax's story.
If you're looking for a cute baseball romance read, this is it! It is fast paced and the friends to lovers trope is done nicely throughout the story. Both main characters are well written, and Sloan is multi layered and strong. Jax is the perfect complement to her and is gentle and just down bad.
I definitely will go back to read book one to get a full appreciation for these characters. The story is a perfect blend of fun and heartwarming. Releasing June 16, 2026. I received an ARC copy an exchange for an honest review.
-forbidden love
-friends to lovers
-small town
-sports romance
-angsty
-love at first sight
Caught Looking is book two in the Mango Bay series and is Sloan and Jax's story.
If you're looking for a cute baseball romance read, this is it! It is fast paced and the friends to lovers trope is done nicely throughout the story. Both main characters are well written, and Sloan is multi layered and strong. Jax is the perfect complement to her and is gentle and just down bad.
I definitely will go back to read book one to get a full appreciation for these characters. The story is a perfect blend of fun and heartwarming. Releasing June 16, 2026. I received an ARC copy an exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2026
In true Harper fashion Caught Looking will wreck you before it pieces you back together in way that’s better than where you started.
Jax and Sloane are the couple I didn’t expect to catch me so off guard. His patience mixed with her endless determination are a mix I found refreshing to read. I personally wasn’t sure how any of the MMCs would top Ozzie, but Jax came in with no apologies and a wide open heart 😍.
The twists and turns that this book took me on had me in some sort of emotional outburst from page one through the very last page. Sloane found confidence and voice knowing if nothing else, Jax was behind her cheering her on. She’s witty and determined to gain her independence again all while riding so many waves of grief.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Jax and Sloane are the couple I didn’t expect to catch me so off guard. His patience mixed with her endless determination are a mix I found refreshing to read. I personally wasn’t sure how any of the MMCs would top Ozzie, but Jax came in with no apologies and a wide open heart 😍.
The twists and turns that this book took me on had me in some sort of emotional outburst from page one through the very last page. Sloane found confidence and voice knowing if nothing else, Jax was behind her cheering her on. She’s witty and determined to gain her independence again all while riding so many waves of grief.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 16, 2026
This book made me want to be apart of the story! It's so much fun and joy and wholesome. I want to go to a Mango Ball game! I want to join this book. Just jump inside of it!
Jax is a top tier book boyfriend. He's sweet and protective and falls so hard. Sloan is so cool and I loved the revenge she got on her ex! Lovvvve a revenge subplot.
Meeting them both in book 1, had me so so so excited for their book! I read it in 1.5 days. I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait for book 3 for more of this amazing world and characters!
Harper Rae James is one of my favorite authors! I absolutely love her writing.
Jax is a top tier book boyfriend. He's sweet and protective and falls so hard. Sloan is so cool and I loved the revenge she got on her ex! Lovvvve a revenge subplot.
Meeting them both in book 1, had me so so so excited for their book! I read it in 1.5 days. I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait for book 3 for more of this amazing world and characters!
Harper Rae James is one of my favorite authors! I absolutely love her writing.
June 21, 2026
I received an advanced copy from Good Girls PR and the author. Caught Looking by Harper Rae James was another fun sports’ romance this time with baseball stealing the spotlight. I’ve been way more invested in baseball this year, so diving into this story felt right and honestly made me enjoy the sport and book even more.
Sloan and Jax have such an easy, loveable friendship that slowly deepens into much more. Their chemistry was building naturally in the book and watching them face their own personal struggles made their connection feel even stronger. I don’t want to spoil anything, but their journey is one you want to follow and root for!
Sloan and Jax have such an easy, loveable friendship that slowly deepens into much more. Their chemistry was building naturally in the book and watching them face their own personal struggles made their connection feel even stronger. I don’t want to spoil anything, but their journey is one you want to follow and root for!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐ 3 🌶️
Harper did it again! She wrote another amazing, beautiful story!
Caught Looking is a sweet, spicy, emotional friends to lovers, baseball romance! I love Jax and Sloan's story so much!! It's beautifully written, easy to read, and keeps you hooked from beginning to end! I could not put this book down!
As I was reading, I could feel every emotion; anger, frustration, sadness, grief, joy, happiness, and of course love. I love everything about this book! Can't wait to read more in this Mango Bay series!
Thank you Harper and Good Girls PR for including me as an ARC reader!!
Harper did it again! She wrote another amazing, beautiful story!
Caught Looking is a sweet, spicy, emotional friends to lovers, baseball romance! I love Jax and Sloan's story so much!! It's beautifully written, easy to read, and keeps you hooked from beginning to end! I could not put this book down!
As I was reading, I could feel every emotion; anger, frustration, sadness, grief, joy, happiness, and of course love. I love everything about this book! Can't wait to read more in this Mango Bay series!
Thank you Harper and Good Girls PR for including me as an ARC reader!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews