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Rose City Roasters #6
Serving Bunt
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26Heated Rivalry meets The Great British Baking Show with a dash of Hallmark Christmas magic and a whole lot more spice in this baseball romance novella set in the Pacific Northwest.
Baseball fans know Matty Miller as a two-time Gold Glove nominee, the American League West's Sexiest Player, and proud "dachshund daddy" to Instagram's favorite wiener dog. Off the field, though, he's just a bisexual farm boy from Alabama who's spent the past few years renovating his fixer-upper farmhouse... and pretending the butterflies he gets around his handsome left fielder are nothing more than pregame jitters. But when the anonymous author of some wildly popular Roasters fanfiction turns out to be the very man he's been quietly falling for, his carefully ordered world is turned completely upside down.
Peter Diaz has never been accused of being subtle. The charming, larger-than-life Puerto Rican left fielder wears his heart on his sleeve, quotes Chris Evans movies at every opportunity, and secretly writes filthy fanfiction under a pseudonym. He never imagined his anonymous stories would lead to real-life flirting with the teammate he's wanted for years. When the truth comes out, the disappointment in Matty's eyes hurts far more than any strikeout ever could. Determined to earn Matty's trust back, Diaz agrees to join him on a nationally televised holiday baking competition during the All-Star break. After all, if making a complete fool of himself in an apron is what it takes to repair the damage he's done, so be it.
As it turns out, what happens in the baking tent doesn't stay in the baking tent... or the locker room.
Serving Bunt is the final book in the Rose City Roasters baseball series. This friends-to-lovers romance between a bisexual, softdom Southern boy and his gay, "life of the party" teammate features an almost entirely LGBTQIA+ supporting cast of characters, two cups of mutual pining, a dash of only one bed, a pint of horny baking, and a generous spoonful of naked swim time.
Baseball fans know Matty Miller as a two-time Gold Glove nominee, the American League West's Sexiest Player, and proud "dachshund daddy" to Instagram's favorite wiener dog. Off the field, though, he's just a bisexual farm boy from Alabama who's spent the past few years renovating his fixer-upper farmhouse... and pretending the butterflies he gets around his handsome left fielder are nothing more than pregame jitters. But when the anonymous author of some wildly popular Roasters fanfiction turns out to be the very man he's been quietly falling for, his carefully ordered world is turned completely upside down.
Peter Diaz has never been accused of being subtle. The charming, larger-than-life Puerto Rican left fielder wears his heart on his sleeve, quotes Chris Evans movies at every opportunity, and secretly writes filthy fanfiction under a pseudonym. He never imagined his anonymous stories would lead to real-life flirting with the teammate he's wanted for years. When the truth comes out, the disappointment in Matty's eyes hurts far more than any strikeout ever could. Determined to earn Matty's trust back, Diaz agrees to join him on a nationally televised holiday baking competition during the All-Star break. After all, if making a complete fool of himself in an apron is what it takes to repair the damage he's done, so be it.
As it turns out, what happens in the baking tent doesn't stay in the baking tent... or the locker room.
Serving Bunt is the final book in the Rose City Roasters baseball series. This friends-to-lovers romance between a bisexual, softdom Southern boy and his gay, "life of the party" teammate features an almost entirely LGBTQIA+ supporting cast of characters, two cups of mutual pining, a dash of only one bed, a pint of horny baking, and a generous spoonful of naked swim time.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 10, 2026
Oh I loved this so much! It was the perfect balance between spicy and sweet! This story is about Matty and Peter who are baseball teammates and they have tension in the beginning of the book because Peter is a fanfic writer and wrote about his team but he was also anonymously texting Matty and Matty didn’t know and when he found out he felt betrayed and they also kissed at a wedding so we have tension!! Both are attracted to each other Peter is out but Matty is figuring things out! So when an opportunity to spend 5 days together filming a baking show for charity comes up they agree to go together! They have unresolved issues they have to take care of and the tension sorta breaks when Peter’s AC breaks down and he goes to Mattys! They finally talk about what happened between them and it’s good because they clear the air!
This has a lot of spicy moments! But so many damn sweet ones too! I didn’t expect Matty to boss Peter around which god damn! The fanfic we get in this book my goodness was so damn good they needed to be longer!
I like that they let go and just was themselves Matty explained about wanting to be perfect all the time and the pressure it caused him and Peter talked about how he’s always the loud one the fun one to cover up grief and make everyone else happy!
I loved how Matty went and spent so much money on a Peter candle LOL and how obessedddd Peter was with Matty saying his name and all his freckles!
These boys were so damn cute and I had so much fun reading and so so many favourite parts!
Fav Quotes
That was all it took to turn me on these days—a fucking candle. One I had never even lit. I did, however, crack open the lid every now and then to breathe him in. Mm, Peter. And every single time, the scent alone was enough to make me remember his lips on mine the night of Clarke and Soren’s wedding.
There he was. Peter Diaz. Smiling, shirtless, and covered in puppies—a queer boy’s wet dream.
“Clarke told me that Matty requested you as his partner.” I let his words sink in. After weeks of awkward silences, polite nods, and stunted conversations, Matty had specifically asked for me to be his teammate. Was he trying to repair our friendship? I certainly hoped so.
“Say it again.” I blinked. “What?” “My name.” My brain stalled out completely. “Peter,” I breathed.
“That’s it, tesoro . . . . That’s my good boy. All mine.”
“Breathe, Alabama,” I whispered, keeping my voice low.
“Breathe, tesoro,” Diaz murmured, low enough for only me to hear. “It’s going to be okay.” Tesoro.
“Just cookies,” I repeated. “Just cookies?” Diaz’s brows pinched. “Okay, maybe that came out wrong.” “That’s all anything is to you, isn’t it?” He opened his mouth, but I kept going, the words pouring out faster now. “Just cookies. Just flirting. Just kissing. Does any of it actually matter to you?”
“You wrote stories about me. About us. And then, you spent months texting me as if you were someone else. Flirting with me, making me feel things I had never felt for a guy before, all while knowing exactly who I was.” “And then you kissed me. You kissed me like you meant it, like maybe you wanted the same things I was starting to want, and I—” “I ran because I was scared,” I told him, evening out my tone. “And hurt. And confused as all hell. And instead of giving me space or time to figure it out, you just kept being . . . you. Acting like nothing had happened. Like we could just go back to being teammates and pretend the rest doesn’t exist.”
“And now, I’m stuck wondering if any of it was real or if maybe, I’m just another idiot who fell for the Peter Diaz charm special.”
“Don’t you dare stand there and call yourself an idiot for feeling what you felt. For wanting what we had. That’s not fair to you, and it sure as hell isn’t fair to me.” “You think I call everyone tesoro? You think I lose sleep over everyone the way I have over you these past months? Fuck, Matty. I know I fucked up, and I’m sorry about that, but you don’t get to rewrite what we had just because you’re hurting.”
“I kinda have a thing for perfectionism. It’s something I’ve worked on in therapy for a long time.” The honesty in his voice caught me off guard.
“Talking about yourself like your feelings don’t matter. That’s twice in one night, and I don’t like it.”
Mo farted in her sleep. Not a cute little pfft, either. No, this thing went on, echoing through the room. Like somebody had stepped on a haunted accordion. And then, the smell hit. “Diablo!” My entire body recoiled. Matty made a strangled noise beside me. “Lord have mercy.” “Is she dying?” “Bite your tongue,” he whisper-shouted. “She had eggs earlier—” “WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU FEED HER EGGS?”
Should’ve known he’d be the big spoon. Peter Diaz gave major big-spoon energy.
“Point is, I think you should take the lead with this one.” “You sure?” He shrugged like it was nothing. Like it didn’t cost him a single thought. “I’ve got your back.” Four simple words. I’ve got your back.
He wasn’t performing for anybody else. He was just being himself. With me.
“Sí, chef.” He leaned in close and added. “I never realized you were so bossy, ‘Bama. Kinda makes me wonder where else you like to take charge.”
“Traditions are better when you have the right people to share them with.”
“Last time I kissed you like this, you ran. And I—” His voice cracked. “I don’t know if I can handle that again. I can’t hurt you.” “Look at me.” His long lashes fluttered open. “I know exactly what I’m doing and who I’m doing it with. I’m not going anywhere this time.”
The overhead lights were hot as hell, but somehow not nearly as warm as the thought of my man. My man? Fuck.
In fact, on the pyramid of Peter Diaz’s favorite things—Abuelita’s pastelón, videos of animals reacting to music, and Chris Evans in cable-knit sweaters—cuddling with Matty Miller was quickly climbing the ranks.
“We were just gonna stream it on my tablet back in our cabin,” Matty told him and then, immediately froze. There was no denying the stupid burst of warmth those two little words sent through me. Our cabin. Not his. Not mine. Ours.
“Yeah, your freckles,” he murmured, setting his phone down on the blanket between us. “There’s this little cluster on your left shoulder that drives me crazy. And another right above your groin—”
“You know, I’ve been around long enough to see a lot of people waste time worrying about what they should do instead of what actually makes them happy.” “Don’t overthink it, Miller. Life’s too short for that.”
One day you blink and you’re forty-something, wondering why you didn’t take the shot when you had the chance.
Cabin. Seventh-inning stretch. And then, for good measure, I added: Me I want you on your knees when I get there. Three little dots appeared, then disappeared, then appeared again. Diaz Yes, sir.
Diaz was already on his knees in the middle of the small room, looking up at me with hooded, hungry eyes. Just like I asked. I closed the door behind me, heart racing, and smiled down at him. “Good boy
“You want to put a taste of coquito in your granny’s cake?” “No, I want to put us in our cake.” Holy cuteness, Batman.
“We don’t have to decide everything tonight, tesoro. Fuck the media.” His thumb brushed across my cheek. “Fuck the fans.” Another stroke. “Fuck the team.” Another.
“You are pining, mijo.” I nearly spit out my sip of beer. “Excuse me?” “Pining. Like one of those sad women in my telenovelas who stare out the windows while the dramatic music plays.”
“Maybe you should spend a little less time counting reasons not to and ask yourself if you already have one good reason to try.” The answer came so fast it almost knocked the breath out of me. Matty. Just . . . Matty. He was my reason, and I was his. At least, I hoped I was.
“You bought my dog a present,” he repeated, his voice full of quiet reverence. I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling a little exposed under the way he was looking at me. “It’s not a big deal,” I said quickly. “I figured she deserved something after putting up with us the last few days.”
“Nothing,” he said, stepping closer. “You’re really good with her.” I shrugged again, trying to play it cool even as warmth spread through my chest. “She’s important to you. That makes her important to me.”
“Thank you,” he whispered. The simple sincerity of it hit me harder than any filthy thing he’d ever whispered in my ear. “For buying your dog a toy?” A smile tugged at his mouth. “For showing up.”
Oh, fuck. Diaz pulled something out from the very back of the closet. I knew what it was before it even cleared the wall of shirts. The candle. The three-wick Peter Diaz-scented candle. Fuck my life. He turned the sleek, black jar over in his hands, eyebrows shooting up in genuine surprise. “Is this—”
“You bought my candle,” he said, voice full of disbelief. “Okay, it’s exactly what you think.”
Whatever feels good, tesoro. I’m yours tonight.”
“Go on, princess. Bedtime. Daddy’s busy.” “Sorry,” Matty muttered. “It’s okay. Daddy.”
He smiled back at me, and something in my chest cracked open. “I’m, uh . . . really glad it was you,” he whispered.
He was worth it. Matty Miller was finally mine, and I’d be damned if I was going to let anybody take him away from me.
Even better, he was my whimpering, desperate mess. My good boy.
Coach Ward’s expression softened just a fraction. “But if you've found somebody who makes all the craziness a little bit easier . . .” He shrugged one broad shoulder. “Well, I’m not about to root against that.”
I was in heaven, aka on the rug between my man’s legs, head tipped back against his thigh while his hands played with the back of my neck. The snoring dog curled up in my lap was the icing on my cake. It didn’t get better than this.
“Oh, there’s one more thing,” he said, every ounce of playfulness slipping out of his tone. “I am so out of my mind, ass over heels in love with you, Matty Miller. Not the version I wrote about in all those stories, but the real Matty Miller. The man who alphabetizes his spice rack and can quote The Princess Bride on command. The man who makes this house feel like home.”
I murmured against his skin. “I love you.”“I love you, too, tesoro.”“Most of all,” he rasped, hips twitching, “I love that you’re mine.”
“I love you,” I whispered against his lips. The words felt easy now. “Not just tonight. Not just when things are good. I love you on hard days, too. When we’re losing and I’m overthinking everything and you still look at me like I hung the moon.” Diaz’s eyes softened. He brushed a strand of hair off my forehead, thumb lingering on my temple. “I love you too,” he said quietly. “Every version of you—the anxious one, the bossy one, the one who calls me out on my shit. All of them.” I smiled, pressing my forehead to his. “But mostly, the bossy one.”
This has a lot of spicy moments! But so many damn sweet ones too! I didn’t expect Matty to boss Peter around which god damn! The fanfic we get in this book my goodness was so damn good they needed to be longer!
I like that they let go and just was themselves Matty explained about wanting to be perfect all the time and the pressure it caused him and Peter talked about how he’s always the loud one the fun one to cover up grief and make everyone else happy!
I loved how Matty went and spent so much money on a Peter candle LOL and how obessedddd Peter was with Matty saying his name and all his freckles!
These boys were so damn cute and I had so much fun reading and so so many favourite parts!
Fav Quotes
That was all it took to turn me on these days—a fucking candle. One I had never even lit. I did, however, crack open the lid every now and then to breathe him in. Mm, Peter. And every single time, the scent alone was enough to make me remember his lips on mine the night of Clarke and Soren’s wedding.
There he was. Peter Diaz. Smiling, shirtless, and covered in puppies—a queer boy’s wet dream.
“Clarke told me that Matty requested you as his partner.” I let his words sink in. After weeks of awkward silences, polite nods, and stunted conversations, Matty had specifically asked for me to be his teammate. Was he trying to repair our friendship? I certainly hoped so.
“Say it again.” I blinked. “What?” “My name.” My brain stalled out completely. “Peter,” I breathed.
“That’s it, tesoro . . . . That’s my good boy. All mine.”
“Breathe, Alabama,” I whispered, keeping my voice low.
“Breathe, tesoro,” Diaz murmured, low enough for only me to hear. “It’s going to be okay.” Tesoro.
“Just cookies,” I repeated. “Just cookies?” Diaz’s brows pinched. “Okay, maybe that came out wrong.” “That’s all anything is to you, isn’t it?” He opened his mouth, but I kept going, the words pouring out faster now. “Just cookies. Just flirting. Just kissing. Does any of it actually matter to you?”
“You wrote stories about me. About us. And then, you spent months texting me as if you were someone else. Flirting with me, making me feel things I had never felt for a guy before, all while knowing exactly who I was.” “And then you kissed me. You kissed me like you meant it, like maybe you wanted the same things I was starting to want, and I—” “I ran because I was scared,” I told him, evening out my tone. “And hurt. And confused as all hell. And instead of giving me space or time to figure it out, you just kept being . . . you. Acting like nothing had happened. Like we could just go back to being teammates and pretend the rest doesn’t exist.”
“And now, I’m stuck wondering if any of it was real or if maybe, I’m just another idiot who fell for the Peter Diaz charm special.”
“Don’t you dare stand there and call yourself an idiot for feeling what you felt. For wanting what we had. That’s not fair to you, and it sure as hell isn’t fair to me.” “You think I call everyone tesoro? You think I lose sleep over everyone the way I have over you these past months? Fuck, Matty. I know I fucked up, and I’m sorry about that, but you don’t get to rewrite what we had just because you’re hurting.”
“I kinda have a thing for perfectionism. It’s something I’ve worked on in therapy for a long time.” The honesty in his voice caught me off guard.
“Talking about yourself like your feelings don’t matter. That’s twice in one night, and I don’t like it.”
Mo farted in her sleep. Not a cute little pfft, either. No, this thing went on, echoing through the room. Like somebody had stepped on a haunted accordion. And then, the smell hit. “Diablo!” My entire body recoiled. Matty made a strangled noise beside me. “Lord have mercy.” “Is she dying?” “Bite your tongue,” he whisper-shouted. “She had eggs earlier—” “WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU FEED HER EGGS?”
Should’ve known he’d be the big spoon. Peter Diaz gave major big-spoon energy.
“Point is, I think you should take the lead with this one.” “You sure?” He shrugged like it was nothing. Like it didn’t cost him a single thought. “I’ve got your back.” Four simple words. I’ve got your back.
He wasn’t performing for anybody else. He was just being himself. With me.
“Sí, chef.” He leaned in close and added. “I never realized you were so bossy, ‘Bama. Kinda makes me wonder where else you like to take charge.”
“Traditions are better when you have the right people to share them with.”
“Last time I kissed you like this, you ran. And I—” His voice cracked. “I don’t know if I can handle that again. I can’t hurt you.” “Look at me.” His long lashes fluttered open. “I know exactly what I’m doing and who I’m doing it with. I’m not going anywhere this time.”
The overhead lights were hot as hell, but somehow not nearly as warm as the thought of my man. My man? Fuck.
In fact, on the pyramid of Peter Diaz’s favorite things—Abuelita’s pastelón, videos of animals reacting to music, and Chris Evans in cable-knit sweaters—cuddling with Matty Miller was quickly climbing the ranks.
“We were just gonna stream it on my tablet back in our cabin,” Matty told him and then, immediately froze. There was no denying the stupid burst of warmth those two little words sent through me. Our cabin. Not his. Not mine. Ours.
“Yeah, your freckles,” he murmured, setting his phone down on the blanket between us. “There’s this little cluster on your left shoulder that drives me crazy. And another right above your groin—”
“You know, I’ve been around long enough to see a lot of people waste time worrying about what they should do instead of what actually makes them happy.” “Don’t overthink it, Miller. Life’s too short for that.”
One day you blink and you’re forty-something, wondering why you didn’t take the shot when you had the chance.
Cabin. Seventh-inning stretch. And then, for good measure, I added: Me I want you on your knees when I get there. Three little dots appeared, then disappeared, then appeared again. Diaz Yes, sir.
Diaz was already on his knees in the middle of the small room, looking up at me with hooded, hungry eyes. Just like I asked. I closed the door behind me, heart racing, and smiled down at him. “Good boy
“You want to put a taste of coquito in your granny’s cake?” “No, I want to put us in our cake.” Holy cuteness, Batman.
“We don’t have to decide everything tonight, tesoro. Fuck the media.” His thumb brushed across my cheek. “Fuck the fans.” Another stroke. “Fuck the team.” Another.
“You are pining, mijo.” I nearly spit out my sip of beer. “Excuse me?” “Pining. Like one of those sad women in my telenovelas who stare out the windows while the dramatic music plays.”
“Maybe you should spend a little less time counting reasons not to and ask yourself if you already have one good reason to try.” The answer came so fast it almost knocked the breath out of me. Matty. Just . . . Matty. He was my reason, and I was his. At least, I hoped I was.
“You bought my dog a present,” he repeated, his voice full of quiet reverence. I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling a little exposed under the way he was looking at me. “It’s not a big deal,” I said quickly. “I figured she deserved something after putting up with us the last few days.”
“Nothing,” he said, stepping closer. “You’re really good with her.” I shrugged again, trying to play it cool even as warmth spread through my chest. “She’s important to you. That makes her important to me.”
“Thank you,” he whispered. The simple sincerity of it hit me harder than any filthy thing he’d ever whispered in my ear. “For buying your dog a toy?” A smile tugged at his mouth. “For showing up.”
Oh, fuck. Diaz pulled something out from the very back of the closet. I knew what it was before it even cleared the wall of shirts. The candle. The three-wick Peter Diaz-scented candle. Fuck my life. He turned the sleek, black jar over in his hands, eyebrows shooting up in genuine surprise. “Is this—”
“You bought my candle,” he said, voice full of disbelief. “Okay, it’s exactly what you think.”
Whatever feels good, tesoro. I’m yours tonight.”
“Go on, princess. Bedtime. Daddy’s busy.” “Sorry,” Matty muttered. “It’s okay. Daddy.”
He smiled back at me, and something in my chest cracked open. “I’m, uh . . . really glad it was you,” he whispered.
He was worth it. Matty Miller was finally mine, and I’d be damned if I was going to let anybody take him away from me.
Even better, he was my whimpering, desperate mess. My good boy.
Coach Ward’s expression softened just a fraction. “But if you've found somebody who makes all the craziness a little bit easier . . .” He shrugged one broad shoulder. “Well, I’m not about to root against that.”
I was in heaven, aka on the rug between my man’s legs, head tipped back against his thigh while his hands played with the back of my neck. The snoring dog curled up in my lap was the icing on my cake. It didn’t get better than this.
“Oh, there’s one more thing,” he said, every ounce of playfulness slipping out of his tone. “I am so out of my mind, ass over heels in love with you, Matty Miller. Not the version I wrote about in all those stories, but the real Matty Miller. The man who alphabetizes his spice rack and can quote The Princess Bride on command. The man who makes this house feel like home.”
I murmured against his skin. “I love you.”“I love you, too, tesoro.”“Most of all,” he rasped, hips twitching, “I love that you’re mine.”
“I love you,” I whispered against his lips. The words felt easy now. “Not just tonight. Not just when things are good. I love you on hard days, too. When we’re losing and I’m overthinking everything and you still look at me like I hung the moon.” Diaz’s eyes softened. He brushed a strand of hair off my forehead, thumb lingering on my temple. “I love you too,” he said quietly. “Every version of you—the anxious one, the bossy one, the one who calls me out on my shit. All of them.” I smiled, pressing my forehead to his. “But mostly, the bossy one.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I first saw the teaser for Serving Bunt by Kelly Reynolds I thought to myself, “Okay, this is going to be cute: a Christmas in July story where the teammates turned tense teammates have to work through their differences baking together on a celebrity holiday bake-off show after one teammate finds out that the other one has been writing spicy fanfic about him.”
I thought that it would be like a Hallmark Christmas movie-type book: that I would find it sweet but would move on to the next book and not really think much about it. And those kinds of books are good! Sometimes I just want something cute and fluffy and no angst.
But let me tell you that this book surprised me in the best way and got me in the feels SO HARD. The first time Peter called Matty “tesoro” I think my heart exploded and honestly I can’t stop thinking about that word and how perfect it was. It just keeps randomly popping into my head. I also really appreciated that it touched on the implications of being a queer couple on the same team in professional baseball, not just the swoony, exciting stuff about being a couple.
My enthusiasm comes across best in my real time reactions, so here are my texts to my book bestie while I was reading this:
“Whoa. Wait. The description of the kiss.🥵”
“Well damn. I’m hooked.”
“Say it again.” “What?” “My name?” Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. 🥵
“You think I call everyone ‘tesoro’?” RIP MY HEART OUT
“You’re doing it again.” “What?” “Talking about yourself like your feelings don’t matter. That’s twice in one night, and I don’t like it.” Ughhhhhhh that scene was so cute. 🥹
“Wait. Is there going to be a club scene? IS THERE GOING TO BE A CLUB SCENE? (A club scene is defined as anything club or club adjacent where there is dancing.) YASSSSSSSSSSS!!”
“Omg they’re kissing. I don’t even know how to react. 🥹😭🥵”
“Why is this making me freaking tear up?”
The texts continued for a while but needless to say, yeah, this book had me hooooooked. After I finished reading it I immediately bought the other Kelly Reynolds MM novella from this series.
With the premise of this book being that Peter is Matty’s teammate and has written steamy fanfic about him and then Matty finds out and is not thrilled, I thought that we would be seeing that all unfold in real time in the book. But this all happens before the book even begins, which actually makes perfect sense given that this is a novella. Flashbacks give us just enough of the backstory for things to make sense, allowing us to follow in real time the aftermath of how this affects Matty’s and Peter’s relationship and if they can ever be friends again … or maybe even more. The pacing is this book was perfect, with time hops to allow you to follow along for important moments.
✨✨✨✨✨
You’ll like this if you like:
✨ teammates to lovers
✨ baseball romance
✨ furry sidekick
✨ dog dad
✨ feisty abuelita
✨ mutual pining
✨ only one bed
✨ baby dom
✨ “tesoro” and “baby”
✨ forced proximity
✨ no third act breakup
✨ happily ever after
✨ holiday romcom energy
Serving Bunt is book 6 in the Rose City Roaster series by Kelly Reynolds. It’s written as a standalone (and I have not read any prior and it was still thoroughly enjoyable) but there are lots of cameos from other characters that you’ll love even more if you’ve read the whole series.
Worth rereading? ✅ Definitely yes - I will read this again in my December “month of holiday romances” reading.
I thought that it would be like a Hallmark Christmas movie-type book: that I would find it sweet but would move on to the next book and not really think much about it. And those kinds of books are good! Sometimes I just want something cute and fluffy and no angst.
But let me tell you that this book surprised me in the best way and got me in the feels SO HARD. The first time Peter called Matty “tesoro” I think my heart exploded and honestly I can’t stop thinking about that word and how perfect it was. It just keeps randomly popping into my head. I also really appreciated that it touched on the implications of being a queer couple on the same team in professional baseball, not just the swoony, exciting stuff about being a couple.
My enthusiasm comes across best in my real time reactions, so here are my texts to my book bestie while I was reading this:
“Whoa. Wait. The description of the kiss.🥵”
“Well damn. I’m hooked.”
“Say it again.” “What?” “My name?” Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. 🥵
“You think I call everyone ‘tesoro’?” RIP MY HEART OUT
“You’re doing it again.” “What?” “Talking about yourself like your feelings don’t matter. That’s twice in one night, and I don’t like it.” Ughhhhhhh that scene was so cute. 🥹
“Wait. Is there going to be a club scene? IS THERE GOING TO BE A CLUB SCENE? (A club scene is defined as anything club or club adjacent where there is dancing.) YASSSSSSSSSSS!!”
“Omg they’re kissing. I don’t even know how to react. 🥹😭🥵”
“Why is this making me freaking tear up?”
The texts continued for a while but needless to say, yeah, this book had me hooooooked. After I finished reading it I immediately bought the other Kelly Reynolds MM novella from this series.
With the premise of this book being that Peter is Matty’s teammate and has written steamy fanfic about him and then Matty finds out and is not thrilled, I thought that we would be seeing that all unfold in real time in the book. But this all happens before the book even begins, which actually makes perfect sense given that this is a novella. Flashbacks give us just enough of the backstory for things to make sense, allowing us to follow in real time the aftermath of how this affects Matty’s and Peter’s relationship and if they can ever be friends again … or maybe even more. The pacing is this book was perfect, with time hops to allow you to follow along for important moments.
✨✨✨✨✨
You’ll like this if you like:
✨ teammates to lovers
✨ baseball romance
✨ furry sidekick
✨ dog dad
✨ feisty abuelita
✨ mutual pining
✨ only one bed
✨ baby dom
✨ “tesoro” and “baby”
✨ forced proximity
✨ no third act breakup
✨ happily ever after
✨ holiday romcom energy
Serving Bunt is book 6 in the Rose City Roaster series by Kelly Reynolds. It’s written as a standalone (and I have not read any prior and it was still thoroughly enjoyable) but there are lots of cameos from other characters that you’ll love even more if you’ve read the whole series.
Worth rereading? ✅ Definitely yes - I will read this again in my December “month of holiday romances” reading.
Read
September 13, 2026"He wasn’t performing for anybody else. He was just being himself. With me."
Peter has been secretly writing fanfiction of himself and his teammate, Matty for a while. And when Matty discovered the fanfics and they started talking online anonymously, secrets tend to surface and when it does, everything's awkward IRL. Now, Matty's been offered to star in a baking competition with a partner and he chose Peter to erase the awkwardness once and for all.
A lengthy summary ngl. And I did love the premise. It sounded so fun. I mean, as a person who grew up reading fanfics, I can relate to the world of fanfiction.
Okay, before I get carried away, like I said, the premise sounded intriguing that even though this is the last book in the series and a short book (novella?), I want to read it. But here's the thing, what the premise promised wasn't really delivered in a way that I expected.
This book felt like the second half of the book and not really in a good way, but that's just me since I read this as a standalone.
We are in the present timeline basically the aftermath of what happened when they knew about the fanfiction and them anonymously talking online. And as someone who hated the past-and-present timeline format in books, I wished we got those. Even some kind of a flashbacks or something, because I didn't know these characters. They were very superficial for me. And though it can be read as standalone, I don't advise on it just because I didn't know the characters, I didn't connect with them and the whole time it felt like they were literally characters on paper.
Anyway, I wished we saw their history or at least we started with them talking anonymously or something idk what I want but not this, and it's very funny because I love the present timeline. The characters are in the baking show, they were not communicating at first but once they got past that, everything was smooth sailing and it was great. They started to explore their feelings and relationship and they communicate like adults.
I might go back and read the book 2.5 because it's a queer romance book!
Peter has been secretly writing fanfiction of himself and his teammate, Matty for a while. And when Matty discovered the fanfics and they started talking online anonymously, secrets tend to surface and when it does, everything's awkward IRL. Now, Matty's been offered to star in a baking competition with a partner and he chose Peter to erase the awkwardness once and for all.
A lengthy summary ngl. And I did love the premise. It sounded so fun. I mean, as a person who grew up reading fanfics, I can relate to the world of fanfiction.
Okay, before I get carried away, like I said, the premise sounded intriguing that even though this is the last book in the series and a short book (novella?), I want to read it. But here's the thing, what the premise promised wasn't really delivered in a way that I expected.
This book felt like the second half of the book and not really in a good way, but that's just me since I read this as a standalone.
We are in the present timeline basically the aftermath of what happened when they knew about the fanfiction and them anonymously talking online. And as someone who hated the past-and-present timeline format in books, I wished we got those. Even some kind of a flashbacks or something, because I didn't know these characters. They were very superficial for me. And though it can be read as standalone, I don't advise on it just because I didn't know the characters, I didn't connect with them and the whole time it felt like they were literally characters on paper.
Anyway, I wished we saw their history or at least we started with them talking anonymously or something idk what I want but not this, and it's very funny because I love the present timeline. The characters are in the baking show, they were not communicating at first but once they got past that, everything was smooth sailing and it was great. They started to explore their feelings and relationship and they communicate like adults.
I might go back and read the book 2.5 because it's a queer romance book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
💛I stared at the screen for a long moment, throat tight. It wasn’t a long story, and yet it felt like . . . everything. A love letter wrapped in the style of the stories that had once confused the hell out of me, and then helped me understand myself.💛
Serving Bunt
(Rose City Roasters 6)
by Kelly Reynolds
eARC Review
⚾️
Yea- I totally cried. I’ll freely admit it.
💛
There’s so damn much I want to say but I’m going to tuck that away for now.
Diaz & Matty… just fvCk …. this was special. Very special. And extremely bittersweet. This series is so damn great. I did get an answer to a lingering question I had too btw in reading this one- I look forward to what is to come! I def have to read this series again start to finish now. Omfg.
Thank you @kellyreynoldswrites
You killed it!!!!
____✨💛
✨Tropes & other goodies:
; Baseball romance book
• Only 1 bed
• Good Boy(s)
• Mo!
• Holiday-ish romance books (more like Xmas in July feels)
• MM/queer love
• Small town stories-in two different small towns
• Toys are friends
• Abuelita is a national treasure
• Found family
• Baking Show Competition + so much baking content!
• Hot AF
• The whole cast of characters
⚾️🍰💛✨
⚾️ GENERAL BREAKDOWN:
PLOT 5
MAIN CHARACTERS 5
WRITING STYLE 5
ENJOYMENT 5
SETTING 5
MISCELLANEOUS 5
SECONDARY CHARACTERS 5
OTHER 5
ENGAGEMENT 5
EASE OF READING 5
BONUS FOR REP 4
VIBES 5
• OVERALL TOTAL: 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 ★★★★★
🍰
💛“You don’t need the story anymore, tesoro,” he growled. “You’ve got the real thing.”💛
⚾️
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨
Serving Bunt
(Rose City Roasters 6)
by Kelly Reynolds
eARC Review
⚾️
Yea- I totally cried. I’ll freely admit it.
💛
There’s so damn much I want to say but I’m going to tuck that away for now.
Diaz & Matty… just fvCk …. this was special. Very special. And extremely bittersweet. This series is so damn great. I did get an answer to a lingering question I had too btw in reading this one- I look forward to what is to come! I def have to read this series again start to finish now. Omfg.
Thank you @kellyreynoldswrites
You killed it!!!!
____✨💛
✨Tropes & other goodies:
; Baseball romance book
• Only 1 bed
• Good Boy(s)
• Mo!
• Holiday-ish romance books (more like Xmas in July feels)
• MM/queer love
• Small town stories-in two different small towns
• Toys are friends
• Abuelita is a national treasure
• Found family
• Baking Show Competition + so much baking content!
• Hot AF
• The whole cast of characters
⚾️🍰💛✨
⚾️ GENERAL BREAKDOWN:
PLOT 5
MAIN CHARACTERS 5
WRITING STYLE 5
ENJOYMENT 5
SETTING 5
MISCELLANEOUS 5
SECONDARY CHARACTERS 5
OTHER 5
ENGAGEMENT 5
EASE OF READING 5
BONUS FOR REP 4
VIBES 5
• OVERALL TOTAL: 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 ★★★★★
🍰
💛“You don’t need the story anymore, tesoro,” he growled. “You’ve got the real thing.”💛
⚾️
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (but really this deserves all of the stars!)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Do you want a book that will have you swoon, laugh and get you all hot and bothered from the spicy scenes, all in one chapter? Then look no further and add this book to your TBR now!
This was my first time reading Kelly Reynolds's work and I am absolute obsessed. Her writing is amazing, and this book has definitely made me want to read so much more of hers.
The story is so sweet, with lots of very cute moments, some good banter, an awesome abuela, a little terror princess (Mo the sausage dog) and some incredible steamy fanfic throughout the book.
The side characters from the previous books in her series sound like an absolute hoot and just add a layer of found family to this adorable love story.
Because most of the book happens during a baking show competition, you can expect lots of mouth-watering scenes, and the author even included some recipes of the cookies and cake described in the book. How sweet!
This was the kind of easy read I was desperately craving and didn't know I needed. This is low-angst, with some forced proximity, lots of pining and a very sweet HEA. I devoured it in less than 2 days. I couldn't put it down; I got hooked from Chapter 1 and it only got better as it went along.
Matty and Diaz are absolute sweethearts, each with very relatable traits (one is a bit of a control freak, and the other the clown of the party) and I loved them both equally!
I really hope Kelly gets to write more MM romance in the future because she is an incredible author and I need more of her work in my favourite genre.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (but really this deserves all of the stars!)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Do you want a book that will have you swoon, laugh and get you all hot and bothered from the spicy scenes, all in one chapter? Then look no further and add this book to your TBR now!
This was my first time reading Kelly Reynolds's work and I am absolute obsessed. Her writing is amazing, and this book has definitely made me want to read so much more of hers.
The story is so sweet, with lots of very cute moments, some good banter, an awesome abuela, a little terror princess (Mo the sausage dog) and some incredible steamy fanfic throughout the book.
The side characters from the previous books in her series sound like an absolute hoot and just add a layer of found family to this adorable love story.
Because most of the book happens during a baking show competition, you can expect lots of mouth-watering scenes, and the author even included some recipes of the cookies and cake described in the book. How sweet!
This was the kind of easy read I was desperately craving and didn't know I needed. This is low-angst, with some forced proximity, lots of pining and a very sweet HEA. I devoured it in less than 2 days. I couldn't put it down; I got hooked from Chapter 1 and it only got better as it went along.
Matty and Diaz are absolute sweethearts, each with very relatable traits (one is a bit of a control freak, and the other the clown of the party) and I loved them both equally!
I really hope Kelly gets to write more MM romance in the future because she is an incredible author and I need more of her work in my favourite genre.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author.
Maybe a small spoiler.
Peter and Matty are so cute together.
There is hurt and there are feelings of betrayal between them, but underneath all of that, there is also so much affection. You can really feel how their past and the circumstances they grew up in shaped them into who they are now.
My favorite moments were the ones where it was just the two of them. They were sweet, sincere and so gentle with each other, even when they were at odds. And when they finally let themselves give in to what is between them? Sweet, gentle and sometimes very sexy.
I also loved Peter’s relationship with his Abuelita, and Matty’s dog Mo completely stole my heart. Such a cute little side character!
And the added fan fiction? Such a fun touch. I loved that!
I read Serving Bunt as a standalone, and while it absolutely worked that way, there were moments where I wished I knew a little more about Peter and Matty’s history from the previous books.
Their blow-up happens before this story begins, which actually gives the story an interesting dynamic because you meet them when all that hurt is already there. The author does a good job of revealing what happened throughout the book, but personally, I sometimes felt like I was missing a little piece. I would have loved a prologue or flashback where we actually got to experience their first kiss and the blow-up that followed.
If you’re looking for a sweet and spicy second-chance romance that is cheeky, witty and full of found family, Serving Bunt might be the one for you.
Maybe a small spoiler.
Peter and Matty are so cute together.
There is hurt and there are feelings of betrayal between them, but underneath all of that, there is also so much affection. You can really feel how their past and the circumstances they grew up in shaped them into who they are now.
My favorite moments were the ones where it was just the two of them. They were sweet, sincere and so gentle with each other, even when they were at odds. And when they finally let themselves give in to what is between them? Sweet, gentle and sometimes very sexy.
I also loved Peter’s relationship with his Abuelita, and Matty’s dog Mo completely stole my heart. Such a cute little side character!
And the added fan fiction? Such a fun touch. I loved that!
I read Serving Bunt as a standalone, and while it absolutely worked that way, there were moments where I wished I knew a little more about Peter and Matty’s history from the previous books.
Their blow-up happens before this story begins, which actually gives the story an interesting dynamic because you meet them when all that hurt is already there. The author does a good job of revealing what happened throughout the book, but personally, I sometimes felt like I was missing a little piece. I would have loved a prologue or flashback where we actually got to experience their first kiss and the blow-up that followed.
If you’re looking for a sweet and spicy second-chance romance that is cheeky, witty and full of found family, Serving Bunt might be the one for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I cannot believe that this is BOOK 5 of Rose City Roasters and I am just now learning about the blissed out joy that is Kelly Reynolds and her band of baseball misfits.
I don't want to tell you too much because I feel like I would be ruining your experience, but alas, you are here to learn, so here's what I think is safe to say:
> Kelly Reynolds is FUNNY. There are so many little jokes and jabs (ba dum tss) in this book and they are a delight to read.
> Two super hot baseball players are going to fall in love and have a lot of sex and their friends and teammates are going to be great about it and queer joy is going to jump off the page and explode in your face (ba dum tss)
> There is a life-affirming relationship with an abuelita, which we all need.
›There is also baking, but it is a MESS, and it is so fun and it also happens to primarily be on a baking show competition for charity. There's also a club scene. I was so impressed at how unique and well-paced and happy this book made me even with all the tropes. It's so good.
> There is a real life/fan-fiction crossover hybrid situation that is so... compelling....that I lost my mind. "Read it. Out loud. Don't stop reading, no matter what I do" sent me to the GRAVE. I am deceased and writing to you from a happy, smutty coffin 6 feet underground.
I'm so grateful to have received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and can't wait to read the back catalog stat.
I don't want to tell you too much because I feel like I would be ruining your experience, but alas, you are here to learn, so here's what I think is safe to say:
> Kelly Reynolds is FUNNY. There are so many little jokes and jabs (ba dum tss) in this book and they are a delight to read.
> Two super hot baseball players are going to fall in love and have a lot of sex and their friends and teammates are going to be great about it and queer joy is going to jump off the page and explode in your face (ba dum tss)
> There is a life-affirming relationship with an abuelita, which we all need.
›There is also baking, but it is a MESS, and it is so fun and it also happens to primarily be on a baking show competition for charity. There's also a club scene. I was so impressed at how unique and well-paced and happy this book made me even with all the tropes. It's so good.
> There is a real life/fan-fiction crossover hybrid situation that is so... compelling....that I lost my mind. "Read it. Out loud. Don't stop reading, no matter what I do" sent me to the GRAVE. I am deceased and writing to you from a happy, smutty coffin 6 feet underground.
I'm so grateful to have received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and can't wait to read the back catalog stat.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an ARC read received from the author. All thoughts are my own.
4.5 stars⭐️When I saw a book that claimed to be a cross between Heated Rivalry and the great British bake off I had to sign up. One of my fave books with one of my fave shows, yes please!! And this did not disappoint.
It is a rom-com which is my guilty pleasures, I was giggling all the way through.
When I read the phrase “the government is turning the frogs gay” oh how I laughed, that is a phrase we use at home so much so I knew it was going to be a bit of me.
Right review time- team mates to lovers, written well. No angst, well maybe a tiny bit at the start. Diaz writes fanfic about the team and Matty found out, this caused problems at the start but the desire they had for each other won out.
It is steamy, omg the spice was spicing.
The story flowed really well, the connection grew and wow they are fire together.
Anyone who wants a light hearted, easy friends to lovers read with plenty of laughter this is for you. I think it will be added to my feel good rereads for now. I haven’t read the other books, they are not for me. But as far as MM goes this did not disappoint.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this and thank you for making me smile and kick my feet throughout.
4.5 stars⭐️When I saw a book that claimed to be a cross between Heated Rivalry and the great British bake off I had to sign up. One of my fave books with one of my fave shows, yes please!! And this did not disappoint.
It is a rom-com which is my guilty pleasures, I was giggling all the way through.
When I read the phrase “the government is turning the frogs gay” oh how I laughed, that is a phrase we use at home so much so I knew it was going to be a bit of me.
Right review time- team mates to lovers, written well. No angst, well maybe a tiny bit at the start. Diaz writes fanfic about the team and Matty found out, this caused problems at the start but the desire they had for each other won out.
It is steamy, omg the spice was spicing.
The story flowed really well, the connection grew and wow they are fire together.
Anyone who wants a light hearted, easy friends to lovers read with plenty of laughter this is for you. I think it will be added to my feel good rereads for now. I haven’t read the other books, they are not for me. But as far as MM goes this did not disappoint.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this and thank you for making me smile and kick my feet throughout.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Of course I'm going to give my book a 5⭐ rating! This Christmas-ish novella (that isn't really a novella, because let's be honest, I got too caught up in including extra goodies like family recipes and explicit fanfic excerpts) was a joy to write.
Matty became a Roasters' fan favorite by the end of book one and by book two, I had dozens of requests for his story. Well, here you go! Every freckle-faced, introverted freak in the sheets deserves his people pleasing "good boy," and that's exactly who Diaz is.
Here's what you can expect from Matty & Diaz's book:
💛 Teammates to lovers
🍪 Bi MMC x Gay MMC
💛 holiday baking competition for charity
🍪 only one bed
💛 "my dog hates everyone... except you"
🍪 they're both in charge
It's hard to say goodbye to Rose City, but I'm very excited about where we're heading next. And who knows? We might come back to Rose City someday soon...
Matty became a Roasters' fan favorite by the end of book one and by book two, I had dozens of requests for his story. Well, here you go! Every freckle-faced, introverted freak in the sheets deserves his people pleasing "good boy," and that's exactly who Diaz is.
Here's what you can expect from Matty & Diaz's book:
💛 Teammates to lovers
🍪 Bi MMC x Gay MMC
💛 holiday baking competition for charity
🍪 only one bed
💛 "my dog hates everyone... except you"
🍪 they're both in charge
It's hard to say goodbye to Rose City, but I'm very excited about where we're heading next. And who knows? We might come back to Rose City someday soon...
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for this ARC received from the author.
Tropes
🌟 Teammates to lovers
🌟 Baking (but make it chaotic)
🌟 Good boy
🌟 Christmas in July
🌟 Only one bed (not really but Peter is a menace)
This was so cute! Loved the friendship between Matty and Peter and the constant pull between them. I really enjoyed Peter's humour as well. Both Matty and Peter had distinctive voices, which I liked.
I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I'm thinking now is a good time to go back... 👀
Tropes
🌟 Teammates to lovers
🌟 Baking (but make it chaotic)
🌟 Good boy
🌟 Christmas in July
🌟 Only one bed (not really but Peter is a menace)
This was so cute! Loved the friendship between Matty and Peter and the constant pull between them. I really enjoyed Peter's humour as well. Both Matty and Peter had distinctive voices, which I liked.
I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I'm thinking now is a good time to go back... 👀
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an absolute feel good, sweet read, with just the right sprinkle of delicious spice!
I ARC read this one, and although it’s the first book in the series I’ve read (and somehow the last!), I had no trouble following along with the side characters. In fact, I’m definitely adding the rest of the series to my TBR!
This story was just pure sweetness. No unnecessary third-act breakup drama—just two beautiful MMCs finding each other, falling in love, and being surrounded by love and support from the people around them.
I ARC read this one, and although it’s the first book in the series I’ve read (and somehow the last!), I had no trouble following along with the side characters. In fact, I’m definitely adding the rest of the series to my TBR!
This story was just pure sweetness. No unnecessary third-act breakup drama—just two beautiful MMCs finding each other, falling in love, and being surrounded by love and support from the people around them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to the author for the ARC!
I have to admit I'm pretty sad that this series has come to an end. I will miss the Roasters, although I'm happy to hear that some of the characters will show up in Reynolds's future books. I have read the ARCs for each of the six books in the series, and this found family has started to feel like home for me too! Matty and Diaz's story was the perfect ending to this series, and it hit like the cherry on top. Plus it probably had the best punny title of all, and that's saying a lot.
I have to admit I'm pretty sad that this series has come to an end. I will miss the Roasters, although I'm happy to hear that some of the characters will show up in Reynolds's future books. I have read the ARCs for each of the six books in the series, and this found family has started to feel like home for me too! Matty and Diaz's story was the perfect ending to this series, and it hit like the cherry on top. Plus it probably had the best punny title of all, and that's saying a lot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Serving Bunt was a fun holiday novella. Peter Diaz and Matty Miller are teammates who have a secret. Something happened between them but now they are acting like nothing ever happened and it is clearly effecting them and the team ! But when there is a chance for the two to compete on a holiday baking show they are determined to figure things out.
I enjoyed these two ! They both had such big feelings but really weren’t sure how to handle them. Seeing them work through it all and be happy in the end was great!
🔥: “Be a good boy and beg for it.”
September 6, 2026
Teammates. Months of shameless flirting. Secretly publishing filthy fanfic about your own team online. And apparently all it takes to finally cross the line is… a baking show.
These two went from *are they ever going to fucking do something about this tension?!* to disgustingly adorable boyfriends with absolutely **zero chill in the bedroom**. Sweet, hilarious, ridiculously sexy, and the perfect balance of romcom fluff and *good fucking lord, gentlemen.*
Hats off, pants down.
These two went from *are they ever going to fucking do something about this tension?!* to disgustingly adorable boyfriends with absolutely **zero chill in the bedroom**. Sweet, hilarious, ridiculously sexy, and the perfect balance of romcom fluff and *good fucking lord, gentlemen.*
Hats off, pants down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
💛M/M romance
⚾️Teammates to lovers
💛Only one bed
⚾️Baseball romance
💛Small town
⚾️Found family
I’m sad to say this is my first M/M romance but definitely won’t be my last. I’ve always read plus size FMC romance because that’s what I can relate to.
Matty and Diaz story has come a long way and I think it’s a great way to wrap up the Kelly’s Rose City Roasters Series. Plus there’s a super cute weenie dog named Mo
⚾️Teammates to lovers
💛Only one bed
⚾️Baseball romance
💛Small town
⚾️Found family
I’m sad to say this is my first M/M romance but definitely won’t be my last. I’ve always read plus size FMC romance because that’s what I can relate to.
Matty and Diaz story has come a long way and I think it’s a great way to wrap up the Kelly’s Rose City Roasters Series. Plus there’s a super cute weenie dog named Mo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4⭐3🌶️ ARC Dual POV First Person 270pgs
Rose City Roasters, book #5
🇺🇸 Author, characters, and setting
Diaz and Matty
This was my first read in this series sadly, as it is the last book. I hope to go back and read ea one. Seems like a great found family series. Thos was (chosen) forced proximity with low (but not no) angst, lots of fun, and spice.
Love these two together, they're so sweet with one another, and loved Abuelita.
"For anyone who found comfort in queer fanfic and baking shows during the 2020 lockdown.
May your stories always be smutty, and your bottoms never be soggy."
Rose City Roasters, book #5
🇺🇸 Author, characters, and setting
Diaz and Matty
This was my first read in this series sadly, as it is the last book. I hope to go back and read ea one. Seems like a great found family series. Thos was (chosen) forced proximity with low (but not no) angst, lots of fun, and spice.
Love these two together, they're so sweet with one another, and loved Abuelita.
"For anyone who found comfort in queer fanfic and baking shows during the 2020 lockdown.
May your stories always be smutty, and your bottoms never be soggy."
September 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this one- they had such a good dynamic, and I loved reading about it.
I loved the baking show idea- it was written out so well; I loved the chemistry between them and how well they communicated with each other. I also really liked the found family aspect- my FAVORITE trope (I’ll never stop saying it)
Overall I really loved this one and I’ll have to read her other books!
This is such a good book if you love MM sports romance, found family, spice, yearning, etc.!
I loved the baking show idea- it was written out so well; I loved the chemistry between them and how well they communicated with each other. I also really liked the found family aspect- my FAVORITE trope (I’ll never stop saying it)
Overall I really loved this one and I’ll have to read her other books!
This is such a good book if you love MM sports romance, found family, spice, yearning, etc.!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my gosh, I’m so glad that I got to read this. I absolutely love these characters. They are absolutely adorable and so much fun to read. I couldn’t put the book down and I devoured it. I will absolutely be going back and reading all the ones before this because I’m definitely intrigued by all the side characters that were in this book. So much fun and you should definitely give it a shot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced copy shared by Author.
Great ending to one of my fav series! Abuelita and Mo are the stars of the book for sure.
Matty and Diaz have circled each other all series and finally get the ending they deserved over "great British baking show" themed competition. The recipes and sharing the fanfic was awesome touch!
Great ending to one of my fav series! Abuelita and Mo are the stars of the book for sure.
Matty and Diaz have circled each other all series and finally get the ending they deserved over "great British baking show" themed competition. The recipes and sharing the fanfic was awesome touch!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so good! I absolutely loved it. Matty and Diaz are so adorable together! And they have some amazing banter. Their story is filled with lots of humor, heart and heat. It was the perfect way to end such a wonderful series. If you like MM sports romance, this is for you. I highly recommend Serving Bunt and the entire Rose City Roasters series!
Review of advance copy
*** ARC***
Such a cute story !! Matty and Peter have a pull between them that they are trying to resist even though they play on the same team. They have a history together but things fall into place and they have to get along for a contest. I love that Peter has his abuela and Matty has Mo, his dog. Such good side characters. Plus you have recipes!!!
Such a cute story !! Matty and Peter have a pull between them that they are trying to resist even though they play on the same team. They have a history together but things fall into place and they have to get along for a contest. I love that Peter has his abuela and Matty has Mo, his dog. Such good side characters. Plus you have recipes!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Honored to have had the chance to ARC read my second Kelly Reynolds book 💖🙂↔️
I love Diaz and Matty so so much and was anticipating this one for a long time. Thank you for the chance to read about these two cutie patooties and entrusting me with an early read!
If you love GBBO and love and happiness and fanfic (!!!!) this one's for you.
I love Diaz and Matty so so much and was anticipating this one for a long time. Thank you for the chance to read about these two cutie patooties and entrusting me with an early read!
If you love GBBO and love and happiness and fanfic (!!!!) this one's for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m so sad that the Rose City Roasters are over (but VERY excited for Awful, Oregon!!)
This was a fun end to the series. I felt it could’ve been a bit longer and I would’ve loved to see even more of the fan fiction. But I did love seeing our previous MCs all happy and together and loved watching Marty and Diaz fall in love!
This was a fun end to the series. I felt it could’ve been a bit longer and I would’ve loved to see even more of the fan fiction. But I did love seeing our previous MCs all happy and together and loved watching Marty and Diaz fall in love!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kelly did a fantastic job wrapping this series up like a little bow. I'm going to miss my Rose City Roasters, but hopefully they make appearances in the next series. Matty and Peter are the perfect couple and they make my heart melt at their cuteness together
September 5, 2026
Serving Bunt is the perfect cutie little romcom mixed with moments of the hottest spice. It was the perfect blend of lovely and raunchy. I really enjoyed the writing style with the fanfic stories and baking competition recipes sprinkled in.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It was cute but I feel like we missed out on some stuff by not seeing their first kiss and Matty finding out about the fan fic.
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿
Review of advance copy received from Author
FRTC but really enjoyed this
Review of advance copy received from Author
2.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars
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