Home Runner: New York Monarchs, Book 3

New York Monarchs #3

by Millie Perez, Samanthia Nixon (Narrator), Sean Masters (Narrator)

Luke Weston is my best friend.

He's also the New York Monarchs' coach, a perpetual grump, and right now, the man driving the getaway car on my wedding day. I should be panicking about how I just blew up my life or how the media will inevitably tarnish my name.

But while I'm hiding up in the mountains with Luke, it's hard to focus on anything but the way his eyes linger on me and how my body aches for a touch I shouldn't want. As the days go on, my mind starts to wander, and I can't help but think that maybe I should reach for what I truly want before it slips out of my grasp. But no matter how much we might want to, we can't hide away forever.

And the consequences of my actions are impatiently waiting for me back in the city.

Daisy Stonehaven is my saving grace.

But this time, it's my turn to do the rescuing. I know I should be on my best behavior while she begins to piece her life back together. But boundaries blur as we share the only bed inside my remote cabin, and the control I've clung to for over a year starts to fray. The truth is, I've always wanted to be more than Daisy's friend. And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure she walks away from this scandal unscathed, even if it means standing under the stadium spotlights to set the record straight.

Because when this is all over, I'll make sure the only place Daisy will ever have to run to is back home to me.

Genres: Sports Romance, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Sports, Baseball, Found Family, Forced Proximity

Audible Audio

First published March 26, 2026

About the author

Millie Perez was born and raised in New York City, to Dominican immigrant parents. She's spent most of her life moving around to different places, like Puerto Rico, Miami, Boston, and even had a short stint in New Zealand. She has her Masters in Couples and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, but after becoming a new mom, decided to take a break from the Mental Health industry, and pursue a writing career with guaranteed happily ever afters.

When she's not busy trying to wrangle a toddler, you can find her watching Bravo or a true crime documentary. She now lives in Spain with her husband and two kids.

Follow her on Instagram @millieperezauthor

Reviews

[Kristie (read_between.the_wines)]

A MAN WHO YEARNS IS A MAN WHO EARNS.

The end.

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads)]

4.75 stars

OMG, this series is so good and so bingeable.

Starting this book with a runaway bride was everything I needed, and the fact that the man who had been in love with her forever is the one who helps her run? Absolute chef’s kiss.

I loved that the author didn’t waste time dragging out their feelings. You could already feel the tension building in the previous books, so getting to the good part quickly felt exactly right.

Home Runner proves again that Millie Perez knows how to write spice because wow… that scene? Yes. Memorable. And yes, I’d read it again.

But beyond the chemistry, I really loved the quieter moments too, especially the daisies. Those little details made everything hit even harder emotionally.

You’ll be rooting for both of them the entire time because they’ve both spent so long feeling like background characters in their own lives, and this finally feels like their moment to step forward and shine.

[Larareads]

Thank you Millie Perez and her team for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating 4.25 ⭐️

This was my first book from Millie and I absolutely adored it!!! It was sooo fun to read that I finished it in about 5 hours and had the best time.
I loved Luke and Daisy so much! Especially how much they communicated with each other. There was no third act breakup, no miscommunication and they were so incredibly sweet throughout the book.
I loved the found family and I honestly can't wait for what comes next after that bonus chapter!

Read this if you love:
• friends to lovers
• runaway bride
• forced proximity
• found family
• yearning
• amazing spice

[jada]

the way i love this whole series and was looking forward to this book to just have it fall soooo flat for me is so disappointing 😭

i don’t think i really liked Daisy the whole series but Luke really intrigued me. but idk it irritates me when a woman is such a doormat for everyone and all it takes is one man to make her change and give her the confidence to stand up for herself. and Luke is the grumpy, brooding guy who doesn’t speak (which i usually LOVE) but immediately when he got with Daisy he flipped completely and was a new guy.

mind you after she ditches her wedding it’s like 2 whole days MAYBE before her and Luke are together and in love… alright

we all know her dad and ex-fiancé suck so no surprises there….

this book has the dead ex trope which is why Luke is so quiet and broody but idk why since his ex was not a good person but whatever

Daisy was engaged forever and they never had sex. silver lining is that Luke never looked at another woman once he met Daisy 🤷🏽‍♀️

also how many love declarations can happen on this baseball field???? it’s actually quite old now…. as a fan i would be like WTF

next book is Luke’s sister and their playboy player.. 🫠 second chance where he already made it seem like “it’s her fault I’m like this (aka a whore) so there’s that. YAY! 🙄🥴

[abby :)]

i can feel the three star rating radiating from this book and i can’t do it anymore…

this is a perfectly fine romance between the coach of a baseball team and the social media manager (i think) but i’m just not feeling it. everything moved at light speed and i’m only 46% in so i needed to stop…

gorgeous cover tho!!

[Sierra]

Concepts of a good book but I unfortunately had the ick the entire time 👉🏽👈🏽

[megan ◡̈]

i am UNWELL

[The Love Librarian]

4.5 stars - We have been waiting for Luke and Daisy since their first interaction in Strikeout!

I love a hero who is in LOVE from the start, and that is our guy Luke. From his silent friendship to the way he loved Daisy exactly the way she needed, the author knew what she was doing with the build up between these two. Once Daisy's ex was out of the picture, Luke was not about to let her slip away!

Daisy is a heroine a lot of us can resonate with. Her people pleasing tendencies were showcased by the author, and you could see how it was affecting Daisy on the inside. I think we've all faced situations in life where we make decisions based on the feelings of others without consideration for ourselves. Watching her come into her own and do what SHE wants was refreshing, and extremely relatable.

I can't wait for the next book in this series! The author has created an amazing found family with the Monarchs crew, and the crumbs she dropped for the next couple have me EXCITED.

[Reading in Brussels]

2.5 stars

A disappointment, unfortunately.
I really liked the first two books in this series, but this one I skimmed quite a bit.
From the glimpses of Luke and Daisy that we had in the previous book, I was expecting more of an angsty, slow-burn storyline, with lots of yearning. Home Runner did not deliver on that - the relationship between Luke and Daisy went full on in the blink of an eye, with barely any build-up, all of it before the 50% mark.
Daisy's supposedly this people-pleaser, but we are TOLD that and barely SHOWN it.
I hate that Luke's and Daisy's story was more about external things than the friends-to-lovers story between them.
I really enjoy Mille Perez's writing, so I'm going to read more from her for sure. This storyline was just not my jam.

[meags]

Millie Perez sure can write the perfect MMC. She has shown us this time and time again. Home Runner was everything I was looking for in a sports romance. This is a friends to lovers romance done RIGHT!

The FMC was so freaking relatable, at times it felt like looking in the mirror. Which makes everything Luke says to reassure her even more memorable.

A runaway bride and her getaway car driver. I love these two with all my heart.

[Angy Twisted Library]

IT DID NOT DISAPPOINTTT
in Millie Perez style, the chapter were short and quick, easy to read and so freaking perfect.
like always, i kept crying over little things she described and the emotions portrayed so perfectly, i cannot stop saying how perfect this book is for me. i loved Luke, definitely gonna stay in my top book boyfriend ever and wasn't ready for how sad this book was gonna make me, it broke my heart and put it together. and Daisy is my little cute girl with a big heart and finally having what she wanted
spice on point like expected, i knew Millie was gonna keep me on my toes with it.
love it love it love ittt!

[gi_reads30]

First and foremost THANKS to Millie for the e-ARC of Home Runner, in exchange of an honest review.

Writing this review is hard for me because as a member of the Millie Perez and New York Monarch fan club, I was extremely excited to finally read Luke and Daisy's love story. Runaway bride? Forced Proximity? SIGN ME UP! However, this book didn't work for me. I felt no chemistry between the characters, and the pace of the book was extremely fast! With all Daisy had going on, and had gone through I would've like to see more of her growth and more of her healing before starting things with Luke. I like Daisy, and hold a special place in my heart for her because of her upbringing, which is why I think she deserved better. Luke...I won't speak about you!

Home Runner has some sweet moments, and one thing that I did like was the lack of miscommunication. They did know how to talk to each other. The first two books of this series are some of my favorite books ever, and I will never, EVER shut up about them and stop recommending them. But when It comes to Home Runner...Idk!

HOWEVER, me not liking this book doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a try. If you like the tropes, give this book a shot, it might be a 5 star read for you!


Tropes:
- Runway Bride
- Friends to Lovers (He has been in love with her the whole time)
- Sport Romance (Baseball, he is the Coach)
- Force Proximity
- Only One Bed

[Sarah]

The actual definition of a man down bad, secret yearning and pining, and will do anything for his woman. I couldn't have swooned harder if I tried, and I absolutely love the little cameos from previous couples!

Another audiobook must read!

[Emily T]

Loved the first two but WOW this was not it. Curious to see the actual reviews after ARC readers 🫣😬.

No plot, no substance, nothing. Super surprising.

[jenna 💘✨]

full rtc!!! thank you so much to Millie for the arc!!!

[Lene]

4.5⭐️

[MacKenzie Stein]

A little too insta love for me personally

[Ananya]

DNF @31%
It's very rare for me to DNF a book especially a sports romamce on top of that. I loveeee the whole series so much but i am completely disappointed my this. I can just feel that this are not my Luke and Daisy😭
I initially was engrossed in Luke's character but after they reach the cabin things started falling flat for me. I banter really was very naive.
Everything felt like a insta lust. And i was expecting some tension build up but nope, he directly has to go and say "Finish"...like seriously at 30% mark itself?

[Tohfaaa]

3⭐

[Stephanie 📚🌈✨]

It was good - it really was.
But the stakes were so low and EVERYTHING worked out for them.
I felt like there was very little conflict involved, and I needed some edge to this.

[BookmarkedByDrea]

I love when a man is an unapologetic simp and Luke Weston? He is the king of the Simps. A runaway bride is always a concept I can get behind!

[Sarah | TwoBestiesOneBookshelf]

“I should have asked you sooner. What do you want, Luke?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“You.”

The nicknames from Luke. Daisy girl, daze. I loved them. Luke is a man soooo down bad and obsessed, truly I’m shocked he wasn’t wearing a collar and leash to hand over to Daisy at any moment. And what a DIRTY mouth on that man. Wow the spice was spicing as all Millie’s books really do but this was one of those “wow that’s gross” as you highlight and save the page 😂

A surprise not to myself but add this to another book with my favorite microtrope and now a fav **he comes in his pants**

“I want you to f—k me like you plan on breaking me, Luke. Because that’s exactly what I want to do to you.”

Now I am only giving this 4 stars because I struggled to connect with the story from how quickly everything transpires and just from 25%-55% I struggled to see a deeper connection between the two main characters. BUT that being said I loved everything after.. i mean I was sobbing at midnight when Valentina found pieces of Daisys mom to connect her to her.

What you’re getting into with this book:
✨ runaway bride
✨ only one bed
✨ friends to lovers
✨ forced proximity
✨ workplace romance
✨ he’s been yearning for years
✨ he’s grumpy/quiet to everyone but her
✨ SPICE 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Melissa ⏾˙⭒]

3.5

[Ana Elizondo]

In my feelings about not wanting to finish this. I was looking forward to this book so much but I can't get into it no matter how hard I try.

[Ayushi (bookwormbullet)]

Disclaimer: I received an early copy of this book to beta read. This did not affect the following review.

I was so excited to read Home Runner, because I loved the previous two novels in this interconnected standalone series: Strikeout and Fair Trade. I think this is a great series if you’re looking for Latine sports romances. With every book, I see Millie Perez’s writing improve more and more. I would also say this is her spiciest book yet! The romance in Home Runner is between Luke, the Monarchs' coach and Nick's (the general manager’s) sister, Daisy. Daisy a runaway bride, and Luke helps her recuperate after her almost-wedding to her abusive ex. There’s a lot of forced proximity, yearning, kind of friends to lovers, and ultimately a lot about standing up for yourself. It’s very sweet, and I had a lot of fun reading it!

Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!

[Stacie]

4.5 Stars. I loved it though! Luke... *swoon* And way to go Daisy!!

[Mariely]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Millie Perez has definitely become a new favorite author 🤭 I am so thankful for this early e-copy! I cannot wait for the next book in this series. That preview was chef kiss 😚

The moment I saw Luke and Daisy’s dynamic in Fair Trade which is the second book in this series, I knew I was going to love them! 🥰

I love when a mmc is super grumpy and he completely changes with the fmc.

Luke is such an act of service king (really similar to Ryan Shay from The Right Move) so if that is your thing you’re going to eat this book up.

I already cannot wait to re-read this book and for the audiobook ♥️


Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
He falls first
He falls harder
One Bed
Grumpy x Sunshine
Found Family

[Book obsessed 2026]

3 ⭐️
OK, so these books are cute but again I don’t know that I’ll be thinking about it a week from now. Also little disclosure I read like a book every two days so that’s why I might not be thinking about it a week from now. It was cute and I love the pining that the MMC had for the FMC. He had so much dedication. He was willing to put himself through so much pain to just be there for her. That was beautiful. I just felt like some parts made me wanna roll my eyes like how the MMC thought it was all his fault that his ex-girlfriend and his best friend died in a car accident even though his best friend betrayed him and his ex-girlfriend wasn’t his girlfriend any longer, and he felt like he couldn’t be with anyone because of that just felt a little ridiculous.
I did really enjoy the FMC in this book. She was very much that stereotypical people pleaser breaking out of her shell.
This book definitely had its cringeworthy moments, but the entire series has some moments that are cringe. You gotta just read it cause you’re still are here for the love story which I did and I’m happy with the experience.
Definitely give it a listen. If you enjoy he falls first, sunshine and grump, friends to lovers, workplace romance, runaway bride, force proximity. I don’t know if all of those are considered tropes, but they were all a little snip bits that happened.



Also sidenote for the next book in the series, they did a little clip at the end of the book. I don’t know that I’m gonna give it a listen to because it’s obvious that it’s a second chance romance, miscommunication trope, nothing against second chance romance I do like it if it’s done well but miscommunication tropes if it’s for a ridiculous reason, I’m probably gonna throw my book if I pick it up, but we’ll see when it comes out.

[Kimberlyyyreads]

MY PEOPLE, THE DAISY IN HIS POCKET IS EVERYTHING TO ME 😭🩷

[Sarah]

3.5⭐⭐⭐

Millie cooked in the 2nd half of the book but the first half was so fucking fast paced.
Reading about them and all their sexual tension made me feel like I missed a book or 4 because whattttttt.

Luke likes daisy sure. Daisy likes him like that? She had the hots for him? Mb I didn't know.

It felt very rushed like she ran away from her wedding only to end her with her BEST FRIEND? who she LIKES? and was ATTRACTED to? Okay, where the hell was I when this happened?


Luke though👄👄👄👄👄👄
GOD HE IS A SUCH A YEARNER. I LOVE HIMMMMMMM. The way he cared for her? did literally everything for her? bought 2 floors off a building? daisies in his driveway😍😍😍😍😍? STOPPPPPPPP

He couldn't get more daddier than that.


I love the second part of the book. The founding family, the marriage, the proposal, Louisa's bar (ngl she was lwk cooking) and so much more🥰🥰🥰.


Finally I'm sooooo excited for ace and val because 2nd chance romance???? IM SOO IN😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

can't wait for Ace to be all daddy in bed🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦