What do you think?
Rate this book
The Good Girls of NE University #3
Saving the Shortstop
As the daughter of a retired NFL player, college softball's number-one-ranked shortstop, and someone usually considered an all-around good time, I've never had an issue getting attention.
But getting the attention of the person I most want it from?
Now that's a different story.
When Dallas Rivers, my brother's best friend who also happens to be one of my dad's players on the NEU football team, is struggling in school,
I find myself volun-told to help. I should be thrilled with this arrangement. After all, I'm in school to become a teacher.
Except, I've always made it a point to keep a respectable distance from him.
Because the one person whose attention I've always longed for?
Yep, you guessed it ... it's Dallas Rivers.
Against my better judgement, I agree to help him out, telling myself I need to keep it strictly professional and not blur any lines.
Everything seems to be going smoothly, but the closer we get, the more my ex-boyfriend seems to pop up out of nowhere, and suddenly, the only time I truly feel safe is when Dallas is close by.
And the more I learn about him, the more I begin to realize that he's been keeping me safe for a whole lot longer than I ever knew.
Though Dallas fights it, eventually, the attraction between us is indisputable, and he gives into the pull. But after wanting him for so long, I know that it's too good to be true. The universe is about to throw me a major curveball—I'm sure of it.
I just didn't know that when it did, Dallas would be the one to pull me out of harm's way.
But getting the attention of the person I most want it from?
Now that's a different story.
When Dallas Rivers, my brother's best friend who also happens to be one of my dad's players on the NEU football team, is struggling in school,
I find myself volun-told to help. I should be thrilled with this arrangement. After all, I'm in school to become a teacher.
Except, I've always made it a point to keep a respectable distance from him.
Because the one person whose attention I've always longed for?
Yep, you guessed it ... it's Dallas Rivers.
Against my better judgement, I agree to help him out, telling myself I need to keep it strictly professional and not blur any lines.
Everything seems to be going smoothly, but the closer we get, the more my ex-boyfriend seems to pop up out of nowhere, and suddenly, the only time I truly feel safe is when Dallas is close by.
And the more I learn about him, the more I begin to realize that he's been keeping me safe for a whole lot longer than I ever knew.
Though Dallas fights it, eventually, the attraction between us is indisputable, and he gives into the pull. But after wanting him for so long, I know that it's too good to be true. The universe is about to throw me a major curveball—I'm sure of it.
I just didn't know that when it did, Dallas would be the one to pull me out of harm's way.
364 pages, Paperback
Published June 7, 2026
About the author
Hannah Gray
49 books1,590 followersHannah Gray spends her days in vacationland, living in a small, quaint town on the coast of Maine. She is an avid reader of contemporary romance and is always in competition with herself to read more books every year.
During the day, she loves on her three perfect-to-her daughters and tries to be the best mom she can be. But once she tucks them in at night--okay, scratch that. Once they fall asleep next to her in her bed--because their bedrooms apparently have monsters in them--she dives into her own fantasy world, staying awake well into the late-night hours, typing away stories about her characters. As much as she loves being a wife and mom--and she certainly does love it--reading and writing are her outlet, giving her a place to travel far away while still physically being with her family.
She married her better half in 2013, and he's been putting up with her craziness every day since. As her anchor, he's her one constant in this insane, forever-changing world.
Facbook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hannahgrayau...
Twitter: @AuthorHannahGr1
IG: @authorhannah_gray
During the day, she loves on her three perfect-to-her daughters and tries to be the best mom she can be. But once she tucks them in at night--okay, scratch that. Once they fall asleep next to her in her bed--because their bedrooms apparently have monsters in them--she dives into her own fantasy world, staying awake well into the late-night hours, typing away stories about her characters. As much as she loves being a wife and mom--and she certainly does love it--reading and writing are her outlet, giving her a place to travel far away while still physically being with her family.
She married her better half in 2013, and he's been putting up with her craziness every day since. As her anchor, he's her one constant in this insane, forever-changing world.
Facbook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hannahgrayau...
Twitter: @AuthorHannahGr1
IG: @authorhannah_gray
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
June 9, 2026
Meeting Dallas Rivers at age nine when he’s adopted by her parents’ best friends, Haven King instantly gravitates toward the quiet boy with the sad past.
Their relationship evolves in the most fascinating way over the years. The chemistry between them is obvious to everyone except, apparently, the two people experiencing it. Shaped by a tragic childhood, Dallas struggles with a deeply warped sense of self-worth, while Haven meets his walls with equal parts compassion and stubborn determination. No matter how hard he tries to push her away, she refuses to back down.
Despite the closeness of their families, it’s not until Dallas transfers to New England University - and a close call with his grades forces them to spend more time together - that they’re finally pushed to confront the feelings they’ve been dancing around for years.
This isn’t quite friends-to-lovers, and it’s definitely not enemies-to-lovers. Their origin story exists somewhere in the messy, beautiful space between the two. What I loved most was how inevitable they felt - like magnets constantly pulling toward one another, even as they both seemed completely confounded by their own feelings.
I also liked that this story had a little more grit than the previous books in the series, but remained fluffy overall.
Without a doubt, my favorite from the series!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Mystery/Suspense, New Adult, Sports
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present • Past}
Emotions: ☺️😢😩🫠😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Childhood Friends, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Friends-to-Lovers, Heroine in Danger
💫 Microtropes: Caretaker/Protective MMC, “Good Girl”, It’s Always Been You, Jersey Moment, Pet Name (Short), Tragic Past, “Yes, Sir”
🔆 Character: Athlete, Student
💋 Kinks: Degradation (Mild), Dirty Talk, Domination, Power Exchange, Praise
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole
⛔️ Safety Squad: OM Drama (Psycho Ex-Fuck Buddy, One Sided), Stalking (Not by MMC), and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: College Campus, Maine 🇺🇸
📣 Type: Saving the Shortstop is part of the The Good Girls of NE University series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
⚠️ Warning: The hate-to-want-you in this one will give you whiplash and damp panties.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Their relationship evolves in the most fascinating way over the years. The chemistry between them is obvious to everyone except, apparently, the two people experiencing it. Shaped by a tragic childhood, Dallas struggles with a deeply warped sense of self-worth, while Haven meets his walls with equal parts compassion and stubborn determination. No matter how hard he tries to push her away, she refuses to back down.
Despite the closeness of their families, it’s not until Dallas transfers to New England University - and a close call with his grades forces them to spend more time together - that they’re finally pushed to confront the feelings they’ve been dancing around for years.
This isn’t quite friends-to-lovers, and it’s definitely not enemies-to-lovers. Their origin story exists somewhere in the messy, beautiful space between the two. What I loved most was how inevitable they felt - like magnets constantly pulling toward one another, even as they both seemed completely confounded by their own feelings.
I also liked that this story had a little more grit than the previous books in the series, but remained fluffy overall.
Without a doubt, my favorite from the series!!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Mystery/Suspense, New Adult, Sports
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present • Past}
Emotions: ☺️😢😩🫠😍
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Childhood Friends, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Friends-to-Lovers, Heroine in Danger
💫 Microtropes: Caretaker/Protective MMC, “Good Girl”, It’s Always Been You, Jersey Moment, Pet Name (Short), Tragic Past, “Yes, Sir”
🔆 Character: Athlete, Student
💋 Kinks: Degradation (Mild), Dirty Talk, Domination, Power Exchange, Praise
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole
⛔️ Safety Squad: OM Drama (Psycho Ex-Fuck Buddy, One Sided), Stalking (Not by MMC), and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: College Campus, Maine 🇺🇸
📣 Type: Saving the Shortstop is part of the The Good Girls of NE University series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.
⚠️ Warning: The hate-to-want-you in this one will give you whiplash and damp panties.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
June 6, 2026
You know what I didn't have on my BINGO card for this book? That Hannah would have me crying yet AGAIN! Listen I knew Convincing the Catcher would make me cry because of the grief rep and on page death of the FMCs dad, but I did NOT think this would make me cry. Yet here we are with tears in my eyes for fictional characters.
Hannah, you are truly out here blessing me with this series. Each book just keeps getting better and better. I have said this many times but I am going to say it again, the way that you tackle difficult subject matters and create truly beautiful story lines should be studied. Because Dallas's childhood was truly heartbreaking. The things he experienced, witnessed and how that molded him to be a young man who thought he was unworthy truly brought tears to my eyes. This man is truly broken and he needs to be protected at all costs. And if you know me, you know I absolutely love the broken boy trope, there is just something about it that I love with my whole entire being. And Dallas, he is so broken and it breaks my heart but it also makes me love him with my whole entire being.
I loved Saving the Shortstop so much. This book delivers all of the swoony moments that we love about romance books. Dallas and Haven are childhood friends who have been mutual pining for each other since their were teenagers, which means you can palpate the tension and longing on the page. And when they finally knock down their walls and finally give in to their temptations, holy moly does it get hot and heavy 🥵 But beyond the explosive sexual tension that these two have, they also have this fun dynamic filled with banter. The way they like to make fun of each other gives way to a comedic relief that is needed with some of the tougher plot points in this book.
Ugh at the end of the day, I think it is beyond obvious that I loved this book with my whole entire heart. And I will be the first one to say I did not see myself loving this book as much as I do but I can't help it. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like. SO Hannah, thank you for giving me the story I didn’t know that I needed!
You should read this book if you like:
- College Sports Romance
- Dual Athletes
- Football Player MMC
- Softball Player FMC
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- Coach's Daughter
- Brother's Best Friend
- Tutor x Student
- Heroine in Danger
- Found Family
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Hannah Gray and her team for allowing me the absolute pleasure to read Saving the Shortstop as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
Hannah, you are truly out here blessing me with this series. Each book just keeps getting better and better. I have said this many times but I am going to say it again, the way that you tackle difficult subject matters and create truly beautiful story lines should be studied. Because Dallas's childhood was truly heartbreaking. The things he experienced, witnessed and how that molded him to be a young man who thought he was unworthy truly brought tears to my eyes. This man is truly broken and he needs to be protected at all costs. And if you know me, you know I absolutely love the broken boy trope, there is just something about it that I love with my whole entire being. And Dallas, he is so broken and it breaks my heart but it also makes me love him with my whole entire being.
I loved Saving the Shortstop so much. This book delivers all of the swoony moments that we love about romance books. Dallas and Haven are childhood friends who have been mutual pining for each other since their were teenagers, which means you can palpate the tension and longing on the page. And when they finally knock down their walls and finally give in to their temptations, holy moly does it get hot and heavy 🥵 But beyond the explosive sexual tension that these two have, they also have this fun dynamic filled with banter. The way they like to make fun of each other gives way to a comedic relief that is needed with some of the tougher plot points in this book.
Ugh at the end of the day, I think it is beyond obvious that I loved this book with my whole entire heart. And I will be the first one to say I did not see myself loving this book as much as I do but I can't help it. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like. SO Hannah, thank you for giving me the story I didn’t know that I needed!
You should read this book if you like:
- College Sports Romance
- Dual Athletes
- Football Player MMC
- Softball Player FMC
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- Coach's Daughter
- Brother's Best Friend
- Tutor x Student
- Heroine in Danger
- Found Family
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Hannah Gray and her team for allowing me the absolute pleasure to read Saving the Shortstop as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
June 16, 2026
5🌟, 3🌶️
Every now and then, a book comes along and reminds me exactly why I love reading romance.
This story completely consumed me from start to finish. The perfect blend of heart, longing, humor, and emotion had me hooked from the very first chapter, and I never wanted to put it down.
Dallas and Haven absolutely stole my heart. I’m always weak for a broken hero, and Dallas was impossible not to love. Watching him slowly let down his walls while Haven stood firmly by his side was both emotional and incredibly rewarding. Their chemistry was undeniable, their banter made me smile constantly, and the years of unspoken feelings between them made every moment hit that much harder.
This book made me laugh, swoon, and get emotional all over again. It delivered all the yearning, tenderness, and heart that I could have wanted while still keeping me completely invested in the characters.
Some stories are memorable, but this one felt unforgettable.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Hannah Gray and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Every now and then, a book comes along and reminds me exactly why I love reading romance.
This story completely consumed me from start to finish. The perfect blend of heart, longing, humor, and emotion had me hooked from the very first chapter, and I never wanted to put it down.
Dallas and Haven absolutely stole my heart. I’m always weak for a broken hero, and Dallas was impossible not to love. Watching him slowly let down his walls while Haven stood firmly by his side was both emotional and incredibly rewarding. Their chemistry was undeniable, their banter made me smile constantly, and the years of unspoken feelings between them made every moment hit that much harder.
This book made me laugh, swoon, and get emotional all over again. It delivered all the yearning, tenderness, and heart that I could have wanted while still keeping me completely invested in the characters.
Some stories are memorable, but this one felt unforgettable.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Hannah Gray and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
October 14, 2026
4.5⭐/ 2 🌶️
If you love an athlete x athlete romance PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check out this series.
If there is something Hannah Gray excels at, it is writing broken boys mmc's with filthy mouths that I fall for every damn time.
I am obsessed with Dallas and Haven. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes, especially when it is accompanied by tons of yearning and years of mutual pining.
Haven "Short" is such a good and relatable fmc, she is fierce and independent yet empathetic and caring. I love an fmc that stands up for herself and Haven absolutely does that. Dallas has my entire heart, I felt so much for him and his story. As per usual Hannah writes emotional trauma and turbulence that makes my heart clench and ache
Protective and caretaking humans deserve a protective and caretaking partner, and these two absolutely found that in one another. This book had all the swoon worthy moments I wanted, yet all the maturity and emotional depth that is necessary to really pull me in.
It was a beautiful love story that showcased how good these two are for one another. Outside of the romance itself, Hannah always delivers with her subplot as well and I was so invested in this one.
"If you don't see the way I really feel, then open your f****ing eyes Haven"
Tropes:
💛 coach’s daughter
💛 tutor x athlete
💛 brother’s bestfriend
💛 childhood friends to lovers
💛 athlete x athlete
💛 broken boy mmc
💛 heroine in danger
💛 mutual pining
💛 forced proximity
If you love an athlete x athlete romance PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check out this series.
If there is something Hannah Gray excels at, it is writing broken boys mmc's with filthy mouths that I fall for every damn time.
I am obsessed with Dallas and Haven. Childhood friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes, especially when it is accompanied by tons of yearning and years of mutual pining.
Haven "Short" is such a good and relatable fmc, she is fierce and independent yet empathetic and caring. I love an fmc that stands up for herself and Haven absolutely does that. Dallas has my entire heart, I felt so much for him and his story. As per usual Hannah writes emotional trauma and turbulence that makes my heart clench and ache
Protective and caretaking humans deserve a protective and caretaking partner, and these two absolutely found that in one another. This book had all the swoon worthy moments I wanted, yet all the maturity and emotional depth that is necessary to really pull me in.
It was a beautiful love story that showcased how good these two are for one another. Outside of the romance itself, Hannah always delivers with her subplot as well and I was so invested in this one.
"If you don't see the way I really feel, then open your f****ing eyes Haven"
Tropes:
💛 coach’s daughter
💛 tutor x athlete
💛 brother’s bestfriend
💛 childhood friends to lovers
💛 athlete x athlete
💛 broken boy mmc
💛 heroine in danger
💛 mutual pining
💛 forced proximity
June 4, 2026
Saving the Shortstop by Hannah Gray eARC review 💛
This book is the exact reason why Hannah is an auto read author for me.
Give me a broken boy MMC and I will fall head over heels for him every single time. Dallas Rivers is no exception. This boy is as broken as they come and my goodness do I love him with my whole entire heart. Dallas hides his brokenness well but Haven sees the real him. Their relationship is full of banter and fighting off their undeniable chemistry.
I adored watching their relationship develop after Haven starts to tutor Dallas so he can stay on the football team. Both main characters are such badasses but their love for eachother is so beautiful and pure.
What to expect:
Dual athletes
Brothers best friend
Coach’s daughter
Tutor x athlete
Heroine in danger
Mutual pining
Forced proximity
Childhood friends to lovers
Thank you so much Hannah for the arc!
This book is the exact reason why Hannah is an auto read author for me.
Give me a broken boy MMC and I will fall head over heels for him every single time. Dallas Rivers is no exception. This boy is as broken as they come and my goodness do I love him with my whole entire heart. Dallas hides his brokenness well but Haven sees the real him. Their relationship is full of banter and fighting off their undeniable chemistry.
I adored watching their relationship develop after Haven starts to tutor Dallas so he can stay on the football team. Both main characters are such badasses but their love for eachother is so beautiful and pure.
What to expect:
Dual athletes
Brothers best friend
Coach’s daughter
Tutor x athlete
Heroine in danger
Mutual pining
Forced proximity
Childhood friends to lovers
Thank you so much Hannah for the arc!
June 9, 2026
I cannot. This is arguably Hannah’s best book ever written 😭 I do mean EVER (sorry Tripp + Watty). I gotta take the night to wrap my head around what I want to say about this masterpiece.
Full RTC 💕
Full RTC 💕
July 5, 2026
I feel this childhood friends to lovers is one of the sweetest yet complicated trope to write. It needs to be done right to understand the subtle change of dynamic between the two. Maybe I had higher hopes after reading the ‘convincing the catcher’ or maybe it was something else that felt missing.
June 9, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Hannah Gray continues to be an absolute sports author powerhouse.
Also one of the few authors I will read college aged kids for.
Because the emotional depth she puts in her books is all the range of emotions.
Dallas & Haven
She’s the softball teams shortstop
He’s the quarterback
There’s a little tutoring action
Broken Boy : gets me every time
Ugh I just wanted to hug him
There was a suspense element here.
Cue the protectiveness and forced proximity.
“I’ve wanted you since I was eleven years old, Short. I’m never getting sick of you.”
Melt me with the childhood family friends situation.
Coachs daughter
Brothers best friend
Arc review ✨
Hannah Gray continues to be an absolute sports author powerhouse.
Also one of the few authors I will read college aged kids for.
Because the emotional depth she puts in her books is all the range of emotions.
Dallas & Haven
She’s the softball teams shortstop
He’s the quarterback
There’s a little tutoring action
Broken Boy : gets me every time
Ugh I just wanted to hug him
There was a suspense element here.
Cue the protectiveness and forced proximity.
“I’ve wanted you since I was eleven years old, Short. I’m never getting sick of you.”
Melt me with the childhood family friends situation.
Coachs daughter
Brothers best friend
Arc review ✨
June 6, 2026
✨ARC review✨
i loooove a childhood friends to lovers moment and this one hit so good 😭 Dallas and Haven were so perfect together and i really enjoyed how their story developed!
you get a glimpse of their younger years and how that had shaped their current interactions. Dallas is still dealing with trauma from his childhood and doesn’t think he is good enough for Haven, while Haven just wants to love him for who he is 🥹
they get thrust together thanks to daddy King in a tutoring relationship so they are eventually forced to face their feelings, while also dealing with Haven’s crazy ex who just can’t take a hint.
their journey was beautiful, heartbreaking, endearing and so fun to follow along with and their chemistry?! you better get you a fan, cause they are h o t t t t 🤭
i loooove a childhood friends to lovers moment and this one hit so good 😭 Dallas and Haven were so perfect together and i really enjoyed how their story developed!
you get a glimpse of their younger years and how that had shaped their current interactions. Dallas is still dealing with trauma from his childhood and doesn’t think he is good enough for Haven, while Haven just wants to love him for who he is 🥹
they get thrust together thanks to daddy King in a tutoring relationship so they are eventually forced to face their feelings, while also dealing with Haven’s crazy ex who just can’t take a hint.
their journey was beautiful, heartbreaking, endearing and so fun to follow along with and their chemistry?! you better get you a fan, cause they are h o t t t t 🤭
September 27, 2026
Funny but also she included some suspense. Which I don't think she's done before. In this series anyways.
June 8, 2026
I officially have a new favorite Hannah Gray man. If you know me, you know how bold of a statement that is. I’m an OG HG Stan and for me to say that, I mean business. I will never be over them. Infinite stars. Obviously.
✨ What to Expect ✨
🏈 Dual Athlete (softball player x football player)
💋 Brother’s Best Friend
💛 Coach’s Daughter
📝 Tutor x Athlete
🖤 Heroine in Danger
🫦 Mutual Pining
🔥 Forced Proximity
💕 Childhood Friends to Lovers
✨ What to Expect ✨
🏈 Dual Athlete (softball player x football player)
💋 Brother’s Best Friend
💛 Coach’s Daughter
📝 Tutor x Athlete
🖤 Heroine in Danger
🫦 Mutual Pining
🔥 Forced Proximity
💕 Childhood Friends to Lovers
June 11, 2026
Hannah Gray never disappoints.. and this book. It will heal something in you if you need it to.
I think that is one thing I love about an H. Gray book.. and i am a Hannah fan until the day I die. She will find something in each of her books that just hit me so hard it takes my breath away. It more of a single moment where I'm reading and it's like- wow, I really needed to read that.. or I think that sentence just healed something inside me.
Dallas Rivers is my sweet baby. He is so good but never good enough for him. After the things he had to endure to survive his childhood home until he was 11, it probably isn't surprising he only thinks of himself as less than. The only person he would want to prove to the world he is whole for happens to be his best friends sister and he can't risk his found family to not be good enough for her. After he transfers to NEU to play football it's inevitable that Haven King will be everywhere... and when he finds out she needs him to protect her from a mess she's ended up in... the forced proximity just might push him over the edge... ((WHO AM I KIDDING- WE ALL KNOW IT DOES!! ))
In true Hannah fashion; she wrote my most favorite kind of FMC. Haven King is a force ya'll. She is sassy and independent. She doesn't care what people think about her and if you need a friend of someone to show up for you- SHE'S YOUR GIRL. She is a baddie softball player; and honestly boys if they aren't a good time- aren't even on her radar. When she figures out she may be in over her head with a fling- of course the person she turns to is Dallas. He has always been the person for her- she just wasn't the person he wanted... or thats what she told herself.
When the tension finally snaps for these two it is off the FREAKING CHARTS. Dallas may struggle with feeling worthy of Haven but she is in this for the forever kind of love. I sobbed for them. The actual heartache I felt reading isn't something all authors can convey. This book was trully 5+ stars.
Thank you to the author and her team for the E-ARC. I am just in love with this series!
I think that is one thing I love about an H. Gray book.. and i am a Hannah fan until the day I die. She will find something in each of her books that just hit me so hard it takes my breath away. It more of a single moment where I'm reading and it's like- wow, I really needed to read that.. or I think that sentence just healed something inside me.
Dallas Rivers is my sweet baby. He is so good but never good enough for him. After the things he had to endure to survive his childhood home until he was 11, it probably isn't surprising he only thinks of himself as less than. The only person he would want to prove to the world he is whole for happens to be his best friends sister and he can't risk his found family to not be good enough for her. After he transfers to NEU to play football it's inevitable that Haven King will be everywhere... and when he finds out she needs him to protect her from a mess she's ended up in... the forced proximity just might push him over the edge... ((WHO AM I KIDDING- WE ALL KNOW IT DOES!! ))
In true Hannah fashion; she wrote my most favorite kind of FMC. Haven King is a force ya'll. She is sassy and independent. She doesn't care what people think about her and if you need a friend of someone to show up for you- SHE'S YOUR GIRL. She is a baddie softball player; and honestly boys if they aren't a good time- aren't even on her radar. When she figures out she may be in over her head with a fling- of course the person she turns to is Dallas. He has always been the person for her- she just wasn't the person he wanted... or thats what she told herself.
When the tension finally snaps for these two it is off the FREAKING CHARTS. Dallas may struggle with feeling worthy of Haven but she is in this for the forever kind of love. I sobbed for them. The actual heartache I felt reading isn't something all authors can convey. This book was trully 5+ stars.
Thank you to the author and her team for the E-ARC. I am just in love with this series!
August 4, 2026
Meh. Overall, nothing to awful with it but I found it quite dry and weirdly paced. Some parts dragged out too long (an editor was needed... or a better editor) whilst other parts that needed time to come together, like emotional realisations and self-reflection, happened too quickly. I also felt like both FMC and MMC flip flopped non-stop on how they felt and thought about each other. She was so harsh to him in one paragraph and then the next would say she'd do anything for him and could never say no. It wasn't very logical, which I know people aren't, but this was too illogical. The ending was nice enough though.
June 15, 2026
3.75⭐️ Would’ve been a 5 star, but the last 20% was very predictable and cliche. Give me a broken boy main character and I will eat it up every single time. I love how Haven sees the real him and trusts/supports him fully. Their relationship is full of banter and the chemistry was so good. I also liked the childhood friends to lovers and tutor trope! I greatly appreciated how Haven’s brother Noah didn’t have an issue with them dating, so praise for that. 🙌 Can’t wait for the next one which I think will be Gigi and Noah…
June 3, 2026
Here's me, dropping every single alpha / beta /arc read as soon as Hannah's book comes in and then proceeding to devour it in 24 hours. Oh man, oh man. It's a real hardship.... such a hardship... speaking of, so like Hannah - is the next book ready? Asking for a friend... I'm the friend. I need it.
Omg this book. GAH!!!! This book was intense. So for those not in the know, this book is Hannah's next gen and is book #3 of The Good Girls of NE University. This is Dallas and Haven's story. If you want to know the tropes and the plot, I'm sure you can click on over to the book's description, that's not what I'm here for. I'm here to tell you that when it comes to emotional distress, Hannah is going to torch you. But in the best way! Toooootally in the best ways possible!!! When it comes to really difficult things, like seriously deep and awful things that some people (real-life or fictional) have had to endure and or go through - it seems that Hannah is one of a very select few authors who can tell that story right. Case in point: this book. Because hoooooly shizballs. Not even halfway through this book I was brought back to one particular book of Hannah's - which at this point is many books of hers ago - that still lives rent-free in my head and utterly shattered me. The depth of human suffering was so intense, and how she told that story and peeled back the layers.... my god. It still lives rent-free in my head and soul. I say that to say that this book was giving those vibes, but in a different and unique way. Dallas's life story and his growth as a human is ... wow. So as you read, just expect there to be hard things - read those triggers if you're not able to handle certain subjects. But again, the way that Hannah puts it together... it's like she's got a gift of telling difficult stories. Ugh, it was incredible.
On another note, I was in the 80th percentage of this book when I thought I'd get through a Hannah Gray book without balling my eyes out. WRONG!!! She got me twice. The end... girl, why you gotta destroy me? Seriously. I'm just not okay now that this book is over - even despite them getting their HEA which we so desperately rooted for. But my emotions are beyond raw. I need help. Is there a Hannah Gray support group?
I'm rambling. But this book was all about emotion and I'm all up in my feels over this one. My heart, head and soul are seriously all over the map after reading this. The rollercoaster of emotion was so strong with this book. Like... cray! That said, do I recommend this book? Umm, easy yes. Is this a 5 star read? Easy yes. But as said, check those triggers: this might not be for everyone. But if it is for you, buckle up cowgirl, you're about to get your emotions squashed. Enjoy!
Omg this book. GAH!!!! This book was intense. So for those not in the know, this book is Hannah's next gen and is book #3 of The Good Girls of NE University. This is Dallas and Haven's story. If you want to know the tropes and the plot, I'm sure you can click on over to the book's description, that's not what I'm here for. I'm here to tell you that when it comes to emotional distress, Hannah is going to torch you. But in the best way! Toooootally in the best ways possible!!! When it comes to really difficult things, like seriously deep and awful things that some people (real-life or fictional) have had to endure and or go through - it seems that Hannah is one of a very select few authors who can tell that story right. Case in point: this book. Because hoooooly shizballs. Not even halfway through this book I was brought back to one particular book of Hannah's - which at this point is many books of hers ago - that still lives rent-free in my head and utterly shattered me. The depth of human suffering was so intense, and how she told that story and peeled back the layers.... my god. It still lives rent-free in my head and soul. I say that to say that this book was giving those vibes, but in a different and unique way. Dallas's life story and his growth as a human is ... wow. So as you read, just expect there to be hard things - read those triggers if you're not able to handle certain subjects. But again, the way that Hannah puts it together... it's like she's got a gift of telling difficult stories. Ugh, it was incredible.
On another note, I was in the 80th percentage of this book when I thought I'd get through a Hannah Gray book without balling my eyes out. WRONG!!! She got me twice. The end... girl, why you gotta destroy me? Seriously. I'm just not okay now that this book is over - even despite them getting their HEA which we so desperately rooted for. But my emotions are beyond raw. I need help. Is there a Hannah Gray support group?
I'm rambling. But this book was all about emotion and I'm all up in my feels over this one. My heart, head and soul are seriously all over the map after reading this. The rollercoaster of emotion was so strong with this book. Like... cray! That said, do I recommend this book? Umm, easy yes. Is this a 5 star read? Easy yes. But as said, check those triggers: this might not be for everyone. But if it is for you, buckle up cowgirl, you're about to get your emotions squashed. Enjoy!
June 20, 2026
#Review: *Saving the Shortstop* - Hannah Gray - ARC [18+]
4.7/5✨
3/5🌶️
Haven was the daughter of a famous ex NFL player, fact which made her pretty popular, including among the boys. But she only had eyes for only one guy, who was totally ignoring her. He was her brother's best friend, Dallas Rivers, and one of her father's football players at NEU. Haven tried to stay away from him, to not give herself up about her feelings for him, but when she had to be her tutor, things became inevitable. Especially when Dallas did an amazing job in protecting Haven from her ex boyfriend, who became a bit dangerous. Dallas was trying hard to not give into the attraction, but will he be strong enough to stay away from Haven?
I just looved the angst from this story! There was Dallas's painful past and then there was that initial unrequited love which Haven felt for the football player. Haven had such strong feelings for Dallas and only being in his presence had a strong effect on her. I really liked how he constantly protected and took care of Haven, being the sweetest thing ever and that made me adore him! 🥰 It was nice to unravel Dallas's complicated past and how deeply he was affected by everything that happened to him. It was such a great combination of fun, emotional and sweet.
Again, Hannah did such an amazing job with impressing me with her stories, loving this book so, so much! I got attached to these characters and their emotional stories, being so easy to get lost in everything that happened in this book.💗 I cannot wait to read the next book from this series!😍
Thank you so much The Smuthood for this e-ARC🤗. I completely adored it!! 💗
✨Tropes
▫️Childhood Friends To Lovers
▫️Brother's Best Friend
▫️Coach's Daughter
▫️Football Player
▫️Softball Player
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Mutual Pinning
▫️Heroine In Danger
▫️Angsty
▫️Forced Proximity
4.7/5✨
3/5🌶️
Haven was the daughter of a famous ex NFL player, fact which made her pretty popular, including among the boys. But she only had eyes for only one guy, who was totally ignoring her. He was her brother's best friend, Dallas Rivers, and one of her father's football players at NEU. Haven tried to stay away from him, to not give herself up about her feelings for him, but when she had to be her tutor, things became inevitable. Especially when Dallas did an amazing job in protecting Haven from her ex boyfriend, who became a bit dangerous. Dallas was trying hard to not give into the attraction, but will he be strong enough to stay away from Haven?
I just looved the angst from this story! There was Dallas's painful past and then there was that initial unrequited love which Haven felt for the football player. Haven had such strong feelings for Dallas and only being in his presence had a strong effect on her. I really liked how he constantly protected and took care of Haven, being the sweetest thing ever and that made me adore him! 🥰 It was nice to unravel Dallas's complicated past and how deeply he was affected by everything that happened to him. It was such a great combination of fun, emotional and sweet.
Again, Hannah did such an amazing job with impressing me with her stories, loving this book so, so much! I got attached to these characters and their emotional stories, being so easy to get lost in everything that happened in this book.💗 I cannot wait to read the next book from this series!😍
Thank you so much The Smuthood for this e-ARC🤗. I completely adored it!! 💗
✨Tropes
▫️Childhood Friends To Lovers
▫️Brother's Best Friend
▫️Coach's Daughter
▫️Football Player
▫️Softball Player
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Mutual Pinning
▫️Heroine In Danger
▫️Angsty
▫️Forced Proximity
June 11, 2026
Saving the Shortstop by Hannah Gray completely reminded me why I love childhood friends-to-lovers romances so much 😭💛
Dallas and Haven had years of history between them, and you could feel it in every interaction. The tension wasn’t loud or dramatic—it was all the little moments, the things left unsaid, the way they knew each other better than anyone else. The mutual pining in this book had me kicking my feet the entire time.
Dallas absolutely stole my heart. Beneath the confident athlete exterior was someone carrying a lot of hurt from his past, and watching him struggle with feeling worthy of Haven was emotional in the best way. Meanwhile, Haven never stopped seeing the good in him, even when he couldn’t see it himself.
I also loved that the story balanced the romance with higher stakes. Between the forced tutoring arrangement, the lingering feelings neither of them wanted to acknowledge, and an ex who refused to stay in the past, there was always something keeping me turning the pages.
And can we talk about the chemistry? Because WOW. The tension, the banter, the longing… it was all there. Every scene between them felt charged with years of feelings neither of them knew what to do with.
If you love romances where the friendship comes first, the feelings run deep, and the payoff is worth every second of the wait, definitely add this one to your TBR 🤭📚✨
⚾️ Childhood Friends to Lovers
🤍 Brother’s Best Friend
⚾️ Coach’s Daughter
🤍 Tutor x Athlete
⚾️ College Sports Romance
🤍 Mutual Pining
⚾️ Football Player MMC x Softball Player FMC
This feels much more like your usual review style—emotional, gush-y, and BookTok girly without lifting from the reviews you provided. 💛📚✨
Dallas and Haven had years of history between them, and you could feel it in every interaction. The tension wasn’t loud or dramatic—it was all the little moments, the things left unsaid, the way they knew each other better than anyone else. The mutual pining in this book had me kicking my feet the entire time.
Dallas absolutely stole my heart. Beneath the confident athlete exterior was someone carrying a lot of hurt from his past, and watching him struggle with feeling worthy of Haven was emotional in the best way. Meanwhile, Haven never stopped seeing the good in him, even when he couldn’t see it himself.
I also loved that the story balanced the romance with higher stakes. Between the forced tutoring arrangement, the lingering feelings neither of them wanted to acknowledge, and an ex who refused to stay in the past, there was always something keeping me turning the pages.
And can we talk about the chemistry? Because WOW. The tension, the banter, the longing… it was all there. Every scene between them felt charged with years of feelings neither of them knew what to do with.
If you love romances where the friendship comes first, the feelings run deep, and the payoff is worth every second of the wait, definitely add this one to your TBR 🤭📚✨
⚾️ Childhood Friends to Lovers
🤍 Brother’s Best Friend
⚾️ Coach’s Daughter
🤍 Tutor x Athlete
⚾️ College Sports Romance
🤍 Mutual Pining
⚾️ Football Player MMC x Softball Player FMC
This feels much more like your usual review style—emotional, gush-y, and BookTok girly without lifting from the reviews you provided. 💛📚✨
June 21, 2026
Dallas and Haven’s story has a bit of everything – heart, steam and trauma
I have read and loved several of Hannah Gray's books, but I think “Saving the Short Stop” is my new favourite.
Haven is feisty and sassy, athletic - one of the best college women's softball shortstops, from a good home with a loving, supportive family who encourage her to test her boundaries and be who she is. She meets Dallas when they are like 11 and 12, when he gets adopted into the family of her parents' best friends, and thus begins a friendship and a bond that has extended into their young adult lives.
For Dallas his previous home life is a trauma he still carries, and he struggles with his sense of self-worth. He's an outstanding college QB destined for the NFL but struggles terribly at school, believing he is just not smart, something that was continually emphasized by his bio dad. His struggling grades have his coach, Haven's dad, pairing them together for tutoring. While this is happening an ex of Haven’s starts a dangerous game of stalking, putting all their lives at risk.
Between the banter and the general college life, it's light-hearted and fun, but then we delve into Dallas' past life and current struggles for some extremely emotional moments. Added to that are heartwarming scenes between Dallas and Haven and a fair number of steamy ones. With some truly frightening moments orchestrated by the ex, this story has a bit of everything in a tightly paced format.
I loved that we get beyond surface-level emotions in this to give us a story with something to get your teeth into.
Very enjoyable!
I have read and loved several of Hannah Gray's books, but I think “Saving the Short Stop” is my new favourite.
Haven is feisty and sassy, athletic - one of the best college women's softball shortstops, from a good home with a loving, supportive family who encourage her to test her boundaries and be who she is. She meets Dallas when they are like 11 and 12, when he gets adopted into the family of her parents' best friends, and thus begins a friendship and a bond that has extended into their young adult lives.
For Dallas his previous home life is a trauma he still carries, and he struggles with his sense of self-worth. He's an outstanding college QB destined for the NFL but struggles terribly at school, believing he is just not smart, something that was continually emphasized by his bio dad. His struggling grades have his coach, Haven's dad, pairing them together for tutoring. While this is happening an ex of Haven’s starts a dangerous game of stalking, putting all their lives at risk.
Between the banter and the general college life, it's light-hearted and fun, but then we delve into Dallas' past life and current struggles for some extremely emotional moments. Added to that are heartwarming scenes between Dallas and Haven and a fair number of steamy ones. With some truly frightening moments orchestrated by the ex, this story has a bit of everything in a tightly paced format.
I loved that we get beyond surface-level emotions in this to give us a story with something to get your teeth into.
Very enjoyable!
July 1, 2026
Saving the Shortstop | Hannah Gray
Book 3 in The Good Girls of NE University
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Looking for your next spicy sports romance between two childhood friends with decades long yearning for each other, a spitfire fmc, a mmc with a troubled past, & a story filled with heart & heat (prepare yourself, Hannah’s men are always filthyyy🥵) then PICK THIS UP!
what to expect:
childhood friends to lovers
brothers best friend
dual athletes
she tutors him
mutual pining
heroine in danger
Dallas Rivers, is just a softy with a heart of gold even with his brokenness. When his childhood friend, Haven starts tutoring him it becomes increasingly hard for the both of them to bury their true feelings for one another, because under all their banter & sassy jabs at each other are two people holding in their true feelings. Dallas doesn’t want to ruin their friendship or tarnish Haven’s sunshine personality with his dark past & Haven doesn’t want to get her heart broken by the only guy she’s ever truly wanted to have her heart but when danger is lurking around the corner for Haven, Dallas can’t help but want to keep her safe!
Haven King just might be my favorite FMC that Hannah has written! I loved her confidence and spitfire attitude! Her playful banter with Dallas reminded me so much of my own with my husband 🤣 absolutely love her!
These two have undeniable chemistry and watching their friendship cross into romantic territory had me equal parts sappy & hot! These two bring all the spice but more than that they complete each other in ways only soulmates can!
Thank you @authorhannah_gray for the early copy of this book! As always I just absolutely love your writing!
Book 3 in The Good Girls of NE University
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Looking for your next spicy sports romance between two childhood friends with decades long yearning for each other, a spitfire fmc, a mmc with a troubled past, & a story filled with heart & heat (prepare yourself, Hannah’s men are always filthyyy🥵) then PICK THIS UP!
what to expect:
childhood friends to lovers
brothers best friend
dual athletes
she tutors him
mutual pining
heroine in danger
Dallas Rivers, is just a softy with a heart of gold even with his brokenness. When his childhood friend, Haven starts tutoring him it becomes increasingly hard for the both of them to bury their true feelings for one another, because under all their banter & sassy jabs at each other are two people holding in their true feelings. Dallas doesn’t want to ruin their friendship or tarnish Haven’s sunshine personality with his dark past & Haven doesn’t want to get her heart broken by the only guy she’s ever truly wanted to have her heart but when danger is lurking around the corner for Haven, Dallas can’t help but want to keep her safe!
Haven King just might be my favorite FMC that Hannah has written! I loved her confidence and spitfire attitude! Her playful banter with Dallas reminded me so much of my own with my husband 🤣 absolutely love her!
These two have undeniable chemistry and watching their friendship cross into romantic territory had me equal parts sappy & hot! These two bring all the spice but more than that they complete each other in ways only soulmates can!
Thank you @authorhannah_gray for the early copy of this book! As always I just absolutely love your writing!
August 23, 2026
Okay, Dallas Rivers completely stole my heart. 😭❤️
I loved Haven and Dallas so much. Haven has been quietly carrying a crush on her brother’s best friend for YEARS, while Dallas is doing everything in his power to keep his distance—even though it’s pretty obvious he’s been watching out for Haven for much longer than she realizes. The mutual pining and all that finally happening tension? SO GOOD.
I especially loved getting to see their relationship shift when Haven starts tutoring Dallas. They go from trying to keep things strictly “professional” to that delicious slow realization that there has always been something between them. The banter, the stolen moments, the protective Dallas, and the way Haven slowly gets past his walls had me completely invested.
And Dallas… 🥺 His past and the things he struggles with added so much more depth to his character. I loved watching Haven become someone who made him feel seen, valued, and worthy of being loved.
Then you throw in Haven’s ex becoming increasingly dangerous, and suddenly this sweet, angsty friends-to-lovers romance has me stressed out and turning pages because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
The combination of childhood friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, tutor/athlete, dual athletes, mutual pining, forced proximity, protective MMC, and just the right amount of angst made this such a fun read for me.
I loved Haven and Dallas so much. Haven has been quietly carrying a crush on her brother’s best friend for YEARS, while Dallas is doing everything in his power to keep his distance—even though it’s pretty obvious he’s been watching out for Haven for much longer than she realizes. The mutual pining and all that finally happening tension? SO GOOD.
I especially loved getting to see their relationship shift when Haven starts tutoring Dallas. They go from trying to keep things strictly “professional” to that delicious slow realization that there has always been something between them. The banter, the stolen moments, the protective Dallas, and the way Haven slowly gets past his walls had me completely invested.
And Dallas… 🥺 His past and the things he struggles with added so much more depth to his character. I loved watching Haven become someone who made him feel seen, valued, and worthy of being loved.
Then you throw in Haven’s ex becoming increasingly dangerous, and suddenly this sweet, angsty friends-to-lovers romance has me stressed out and turning pages because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.
The combination of childhood friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, tutor/athlete, dual athletes, mutual pining, forced proximity, protective MMC, and just the right amount of angst made this such a fun read for me.
June 10, 2026
I did not expect to finish reading this book in tears. Hannah Gray’s Saving the Shortstop has it all. From overcoming past trauma to a phenomenal sports romance to childhood crushes falling in love, this story checks all the boxes. Dallas just became my next book boyfriend.
Dallas lived with an abusive father, a mentally unstable mother at the start of his life until he was adopted and given a good home, loving parents and football. Harley was his childhood friend, who always made him feel safe. They had a teasing banter, but secretly had crushes on each other. Their families were always together and everyone knew what would take them years to admit, they have always loved each other.
Dallas was there to support and protect Harley. Harley did the same, even tutoring him when she didn’t want to. They became each other’s person.
This story had it all. I think it’s gone to the top of my Hannah Gray list. It had it all, romance, yearning, love, friendship, family, healing and being the best that you can be.
Dallas was broken, but Harley helped him to heal. They were just perfect together. Supporting each other to achieve their goals - football and softball, playing professionally. Whilethis was a sports romance it truly was so much more. If you have not read Hannah Gray yet, what are you waiting for!
Dallas lived with an abusive father, a mentally unstable mother at the start of his life until he was adopted and given a good home, loving parents and football. Harley was his childhood friend, who always made him feel safe. They had a teasing banter, but secretly had crushes on each other. Their families were always together and everyone knew what would take them years to admit, they have always loved each other.
Dallas was there to support and protect Harley. Harley did the same, even tutoring him when she didn’t want to. They became each other’s person.
This story had it all. I think it’s gone to the top of my Hannah Gray list. It had it all, romance, yearning, love, friendship, family, healing and being the best that you can be.
Dallas was broken, but Harley helped him to heal. They were just perfect together. Supporting each other to achieve their goals - football and softball, playing professionally. Whilethis was a sports romance it truly was so much more. If you have not read Hannah Gray yet, what are you waiting for!
June 10, 2026
I love all the books in The Good Girls of NE University series, and this book lived up to the high standards I had from the previous ones. There is nothing I love more than a childhood friends to lovers with LOTS OF YEARNING. The cutest thing was how they pretended to hate and annoy each other when they’ve been pining helplessly the whole time. There’s also a heroine in danger trope which awakens the protective caveman within Dallas (and I very much appreciated it because damn he’s hot). He truly is a softie at heart because the second he found out she was sick he turned on caregiver mode and it warmed my heart. The chemistry between Dallas and Haven was a beautiful blend of playful flirty banter, possessive affection, and pure heart warming love. The plot was well paced, with some great plot twists that had my heart breaking. This book was perfect not just in terms of plot but also character development. Dallas is such a unique character because of his “broken mmc” kind of persona due to his childhood trauma, and after living with it by himself for years he finally opens up and heals through Haven. It was truly beautiful how Haven knew he would close off because of his insecurities but remained steadfast in her love for him. And I don’t use this term often but that is true love in its purest form. If you love a sports romance with banter and lots of yearning, this is for you. It give this a 5/5
June 8, 2026
Haven King + Dallas Rivers
-college sports romance
-football player mmc x softball player fmc
-childhood friends to lovers
-brothers best friend
-coach’s daughter
-tutor x athlete
-mutual pining
the hidden mutual pining while they also just dug jibes at each other was such a different take of this whole trope & i loved it so much!! brothers best friend & all this forbiddenness with coach’s daughter usually lead to so much tension & angst & thats usually why they’re my favorites..but surprisingly the angst & tension didn’t come from these parts but rather this heroine in danger trope but that also helped these two come together & accept their feelings faster which was just everything!!
-college sports romance
-football player mmc x softball player fmc
-childhood friends to lovers
-brothers best friend
-coach’s daughter
-tutor x athlete
-mutual pining
the hidden mutual pining while they also just dug jibes at each other was such a different take of this whole trope & i loved it so much!! brothers best friend & all this forbiddenness with coach’s daughter usually lead to so much tension & angst & thats usually why they’re my favorites..but surprisingly the angst & tension didn’t come from these parts but rather this heroine in danger trope but that also helped these two come together & accept their feelings faster which was just everything!!
June 11, 2026
Dallas + Haven
A lot to unpack here... First and foremost read the TW. While this book has it's light moments we are dealing with two MCs that have a lot going on. Dallas comes from a broken home and he is adopted by a lovely family. But he still struggles in school. Haven has everything she could want but her current boyfriend is a bit of a needy suffocating person that doesn't really have boundaries.
Throughout it all they have each other and thankfully Dallas gets the tutor he needs (via Haven). A person's past & circumstances never should hinder them from being a complete person but often it does. We don't feel we are worth of love, attention, or recognition. We're so trained to believe that we are less than it's hard to rewire the brain. It's possible though & Haven does that for Dallas. She helps with the pain and listens.
This book was beautifully done and I believe it's my favorite of the series (so far).
I received this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
A lot to unpack here... First and foremost read the TW. While this book has it's light moments we are dealing with two MCs that have a lot going on. Dallas comes from a broken home and he is adopted by a lovely family. But he still struggles in school. Haven has everything she could want but her current boyfriend is a bit of a needy suffocating person that doesn't really have boundaries.
Throughout it all they have each other and thankfully Dallas gets the tutor he needs (via Haven). A person's past & circumstances never should hinder them from being a complete person but often it does. We don't feel we are worth of love, attention, or recognition. We're so trained to believe that we are less than it's hard to rewire the brain. It's possible though & Haven does that for Dallas. She helps with the pain and listens.
This book was beautifully done and I believe it's my favorite of the series (so far).
I received this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
June 11, 2026
ARC review: Saving the Shortstop
Sports romance
Brother’s best friend
Football player x softball player
Coach’s daughter
Childhood friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Heroine in danger
Mutual pining
Dare I say this may be my favourite Hannah book to date I truly thought nothing could ever top Lost Boy for me, but Haven and Dallas had my entire heart and soul. I just did not want this book to end.
The story follows Haven and Dallas, who have been friends since they were kids because their parents are best friends. There has always been an underlying connection between them, and they did cross that line many years ago, but both of them act like it never happened.
When Haven finds herself in trouble, Dallas is the first one to sweep in and save her. You see their connection slowly build again, while also seeing how broken Dallas is and how Haven heals him and makes him feel as loved as he deserves to be.
Dallas completely stole my heart in this one, and watching these two finally find their way to each other was everything I wanted and more.
✨ Thank you to authorhannah_gray and thesmuthood for an ARC copy of this book.
⭐️ 5
🌶️ 3
Sports romance
Brother’s best friend
Football player x softball player
Coach’s daughter
Childhood friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Heroine in danger
Mutual pining
Dare I say this may be my favourite Hannah book to date I truly thought nothing could ever top Lost Boy for me, but Haven and Dallas had my entire heart and soul. I just did not want this book to end.
The story follows Haven and Dallas, who have been friends since they were kids because their parents are best friends. There has always been an underlying connection between them, and they did cross that line many years ago, but both of them act like it never happened.
When Haven finds herself in trouble, Dallas is the first one to sweep in and save her. You see their connection slowly build again, while also seeing how broken Dallas is and how Haven heals him and makes him feel as loved as he deserves to be.
Dallas completely stole my heart in this one, and watching these two finally find their way to each other was everything I wanted and more.
✨ Thank you to authorhannah_gray and thesmuthood for an ARC copy of this book.
⭐️ 5
🌶️ 3
June 12, 2026
Absolutely the best of the series so far! I loved everything about this, Haven is a softball player at NEU and Dallas is the QB of the team, her dad is the coach and her brother plays with Dallas so getting all of those tropes in. But this book goes DEEEEEP. Dallas has a horrible past with awful parents prior to his adoption. This touches on learning disabilities and normalizing testing for IEPs, it goes into him recovering from child abuse and dark subjects to help Haven through a horrible relationship. This isnt just your spicy little sports romance, this is a novel.
June 22, 2026
This book was such cute, quick read and I always love getting to step back into Hannah’s world.
I absolutely adored both Dallas and Haven. Their years of pining led to them admitting their feelings for each other fairly quickly and it felt natural. loved seeing Dallas begin to heal from the trauma he carried from his childhood. His story completely broke my heart, but Haven’s patience, comfort, and acceptance made their connection all the more special.
Thank you to Hannah Gray & team for the ARC🩷
I absolutely adored both Dallas and Haven. Their years of pining led to them admitting their feelings for each other fairly quickly and it felt natural. loved seeing Dallas begin to heal from the trauma he carried from his childhood. His story completely broke my heart, but Haven’s patience, comfort, and acceptance made their connection all the more special.
Thank you to Hannah Gray & team for the ARC🩷
June 3, 2026
“𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘭𝘥, 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
5/⭐️
3/🌶️
and my new favorite MMC… DALLAS RIVERS 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Another Hannah Gray broken boy to add to my list of favorites 🥹 I truly don’t know how Hannah continues to write my favorite main characters story after story, but I am just obsessed.
The banter between these two?? I couldn’t get enough of them. The filthy mouth on Dallas 🥵 oof this man… I was BLUSHING. And Haven girl too. I am in love with this girl. She was so relatable on so many levels, and I think that’s why I always love Hannah’s writing — there’s always some level of relatability and realness to her stories.
Also the yearning and love and care, and the heartache… I was unprepared to sob like a baby but I did, multiple times… but like have a box of tissues for chapter 32 — “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦.” 😭😭
I could go on and on about how much this story will live rent free in my mind, but it just needs to be read and experienced. I love this series so much, and I cannot wait for more from Hannah 🤍
💛 what to expect -
Football Player MMC x Softball Player FMC
Brother’s Best Friend
Coach’s Daughter
Tutor x Athlete
Heroine in Danger
Mutual Pining
Forced Proximity
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Broken Boy
5/⭐️
3/🌶️
and my new favorite MMC… DALLAS RIVERS 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Another Hannah Gray broken boy to add to my list of favorites 🥹 I truly don’t know how Hannah continues to write my favorite main characters story after story, but I am just obsessed.
The banter between these two?? I couldn’t get enough of them. The filthy mouth on Dallas 🥵 oof this man… I was BLUSHING. And Haven girl too. I am in love with this girl. She was so relatable on so many levels, and I think that’s why I always love Hannah’s writing — there’s always some level of relatability and realness to her stories.
Also the yearning and love and care, and the heartache… I was unprepared to sob like a baby but I did, multiple times… but like have a box of tissues for chapter 32 — “𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦.” 😭😭
I could go on and on about how much this story will live rent free in my mind, but it just needs to be read and experienced. I love this series so much, and I cannot wait for more from Hannah 🤍
💛 what to expect -
Football Player MMC x Softball Player FMC
Brother’s Best Friend
Coach’s Daughter
Tutor x Athlete
Heroine in Danger
Mutual Pining
Forced Proximity
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Broken Boy
June 9, 2026
Haven + Dallas… 👏👏👏 I was SAT!
I was not expecting Dallas to be — who Dallas was— behind them doors… but sure enough - SIR DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!
Haven- Haven is that Queen ! Sassy, independent, driven, smart, loyal and motivated. Most amazing FMC I’ve read to date.
Their love story was brewing, and once they face the drama of both her ex and his past together. That love that their entire family was been waiting to see. Just blossoms into such beautiful chemistry.
I devoured this book in a matter of hours between last night and this morning.
I was not expecting Dallas to be — who Dallas was— behind them doors… but sure enough - SIR DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!
Haven- Haven is that Queen ! Sassy, independent, driven, smart, loyal and motivated. Most amazing FMC I’ve read to date.
Their love story was brewing, and once they face the drama of both her ex and his past together. That love that their entire family was been waiting to see. Just blossoms into such beautiful chemistry.
I devoured this book in a matter of hours between last night and this morning.
June 13, 2026
HANNAH GRAY HAS DONE IT AGAIN!! I am loving this second gen series, like banger after banger after banger!! If Hannah writes it, I will devour it. There is a reason why Hannah is an auto read author for me and this book was exactly the reason.
If you know me, you know how much I love me a broken MMC and man is Dallas broken. I love him so much. He has my entire heart. He may be broken but the way his eyes light up every time he is near Haven really melts my heart. These two were childhood friends that have both been secretly in love with each other. Dallas has always been down bad for Haven and Haven only. I loved how they were always there for each other and will do anything to make sure they were happy. Their chemistry was off the charts. I love every single moment of their story.
Their friendship and love were so beautiful and pure. I literally can’t get enough of them! I am soo excited to see what Hannah has in store for the rest of this series!
Thank you soo much Hannah and team for this eARC!!
What to Expect:
💛Brother’s Best Friend
🏈Football Player MMC
💛Coach’s Daughter
🥎Softball Player FMC
💛Tutor x Athlete
🏈Mutual Pining
💛Heroine in Danger
🥎Childhood Friends to Lovers
If you know me, you know how much I love me a broken MMC and man is Dallas broken. I love him so much. He has my entire heart. He may be broken but the way his eyes light up every time he is near Haven really melts my heart. These two were childhood friends that have both been secretly in love with each other. Dallas has always been down bad for Haven and Haven only. I loved how they were always there for each other and will do anything to make sure they were happy. Their chemistry was off the charts. I love every single moment of their story.
Their friendship and love were so beautiful and pure. I literally can’t get enough of them! I am soo excited to see what Hannah has in store for the rest of this series!
Thank you soo much Hannah and team for this eARC!!
What to Expect:
💛Brother’s Best Friend
🏈Football Player MMC
💛Coach’s Daughter
🥎Softball Player FMC
💛Tutor x Athlete
🏈Mutual Pining
💛Heroine in Danger
🥎Childhood Friends to Lovers
Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews