What do you think?
Rate this book
Caught Out: A Spicy, Heartfelt Small-Town Friends-to-Lovers Sports Rom-Com
Rule Don't get caught. Rule Don't fall for your best friend.
In the small California town of Goldridge, Priya Kurian has a good job, an overenthusiastic matchmaker for a mother, and a best friend who's about to ask her for the most ridiculous favor of her life.
Rohan Mehta's amateur cricket team is one player short, and league rules mean he can't recruit anyone new. His solution? Convince Priya to impersonate his injured teammate. All she needs is a helmet, a giant pair of sunglasses, and one strategically placed sock.
Three games. That's it.
Except pretending to be a guy is considerably harder than Priya anticipated. Especially when it involves communal showers, suspicious opponents, and spending far too much time with the man she's known since forever. Somewhere between cricket practice and increasingly close calls, Priya and Rohan are discovering that years of friendship might have been hiding something neither saw coming.
But with the high-stakes final match looming and their secret on the verge of exposure, they could lose a lot more than a cricket game. They could lose each other.
A sizzling, laugh-out-loud sports rom-com about best friends, questionable decisions, and feelings that refuse to stay platonic. Absolutely no knowledge of cricket required. Seriously.
For readers who
❤️ Meghan Quinn, Elle Kennedy, and Pippa Grant
❤️ Spicy sports romance
❤️ Childhood friends-to-lovers
❤️ Small-town romance
❤️ Secret identities
What readers are saying about Caught
“Okay, this book is SOOO cute (and hot in parts!). I really liked both Priya and Rohan. You actually believe these two have known each other forever, which makes the shift into something more all the sweeter. And yes, the spicy scenes are VERY good.”
“I freaking love it! Pretending to be a male cricket player, what could possibly go wrong?! Priya is very sassy, while Rohan is very caring and endearing; I was instantly rooting for them.”
“The small-town setting and Priya's matchmaking mother make the premise even more entertaining. A fun pick for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies, hilarious misunderstandings, chemistry, and friendships that turn into something more.”
“That was so very enjoyable! Priya & Rohan are excellent main characters but, to be fair, all of the supporting characters (the rest of the team, Priya's large and very vocal family) are well-drawn individuals.”
In the small California town of Goldridge, Priya Kurian has a good job, an overenthusiastic matchmaker for a mother, and a best friend who's about to ask her for the most ridiculous favor of her life.
Rohan Mehta's amateur cricket team is one player short, and league rules mean he can't recruit anyone new. His solution? Convince Priya to impersonate his injured teammate. All she needs is a helmet, a giant pair of sunglasses, and one strategically placed sock.
Three games. That's it.
Except pretending to be a guy is considerably harder than Priya anticipated. Especially when it involves communal showers, suspicious opponents, and spending far too much time with the man she's known since forever. Somewhere between cricket practice and increasingly close calls, Priya and Rohan are discovering that years of friendship might have been hiding something neither saw coming.
But with the high-stakes final match looming and their secret on the verge of exposure, they could lose a lot more than a cricket game. They could lose each other.
A sizzling, laugh-out-loud sports rom-com about best friends, questionable decisions, and feelings that refuse to stay platonic. Absolutely no knowledge of cricket required. Seriously.
For readers who
❤️ Meghan Quinn, Elle Kennedy, and Pippa Grant
❤️ Spicy sports romance
❤️ Childhood friends-to-lovers
❤️ Small-town romance
❤️ Secret identities
What readers are saying about Caught
“Okay, this book is SOOO cute (and hot in parts!). I really liked both Priya and Rohan. You actually believe these two have known each other forever, which makes the shift into something more all the sweeter. And yes, the spicy scenes are VERY good.”
“I freaking love it! Pretending to be a male cricket player, what could possibly go wrong?! Priya is very sassy, while Rohan is very caring and endearing; I was instantly rooting for them.”
“The small-town setting and Priya's matchmaking mother make the premise even more entertaining. A fun pick for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies, hilarious misunderstandings, chemistry, and friendships that turn into something more.”
“That was so very enjoyable! Priya & Rohan are excellent main characters but, to be fair, all of the supporting characters (the rest of the team, Priya's large and very vocal family) are well-drawn individuals.”
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 16, 2026
About the author
Sadie Aubry
5 books14 followersSadie Aubry is a Kansas City native who swapped Midwest sunsets for life in the charming French town of Annecy, where she shares daily adventures with her husband, two spirited kids, and one very mischievous cat. Surrounded by mountain views, endless wine, and a steady stream of inspiration, this former marketing grad now spins love stories brimming with spice, sass, and happily-ever-afters you can count on.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 18, 2026
Okay, this book is SOOO cute (and hot in parts!).
I've dabbled in sports rom-coms and mostly enjoyed them, so when I saw this one pop up on my feed, my curiosity was piqued. I'll admit I've never watched cricket in my life, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. But this was such a fun read.
The story follows Priya and Rohan, childhood best friends in a small Sacramento town. When Rohan's amateur cricket team loses a player to injury, he convinces Priya to step in. Except the league doesn't allow new players mid-season, so their brilliant solution is to disguise her as the injured guy. It's a ridiculous premise, obviously, but that's half the fun, and Aubry makes it work. It's the starting point for a funny and adorable friends-to-lovers romance.
I really liked both Priya and Rohan. They're messy and stubborn and occasionally make terrible decisions, but in a way that feels very human. Their friendship feels lived-in, too. You actually believe these two have known each other forever, which makes the shift into something more all the sweeter. And yes, the spicy scenes are VERY good.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that Aubry resisted the temptation to suddenly turn Priya into some sort of superhuman cricket player. She's playing against grown men who've been doing this for years, and half the time she's just trying to survive without getting herself killed or giving the game away. I loved that. It made the whole thing so much more believable (well, as believable as this particular scheme can be 😂).
Also, special mention to Priya's mom, who could so easily have been written as the stereotypical meddling, matchmaking mom. Instead, she's funny and warm and surprisingly nuanced. Actually, the whole supporting cast is great, especially the guys on the team.
And the cricket? I was a little worried I'd spend half the book wondering what the hell was going on, but for the most part I didn't (there's a one page intro to cricket at the start of the book I thought was a nice touch). I'd say Aubry generally manages that tricky balance of explaining just enough without making you feel like you've signed up for Cricket 101. Mostly, though, you can tell she genuinely loves the sport, and that enthusiasm is kind of infectious. By the end, I was actually invested in the matches, which is not something I ever expected to say about cricket!
I've dabbled in sports rom-coms and mostly enjoyed them, so when I saw this one pop up on my feed, my curiosity was piqued. I'll admit I've never watched cricket in my life, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. But this was such a fun read.
The story follows Priya and Rohan, childhood best friends in a small Sacramento town. When Rohan's amateur cricket team loses a player to injury, he convinces Priya to step in. Except the league doesn't allow new players mid-season, so their brilliant solution is to disguise her as the injured guy. It's a ridiculous premise, obviously, but that's half the fun, and Aubry makes it work. It's the starting point for a funny and adorable friends-to-lovers romance.
I really liked both Priya and Rohan. They're messy and stubborn and occasionally make terrible decisions, but in a way that feels very human. Their friendship feels lived-in, too. You actually believe these two have known each other forever, which makes the shift into something more all the sweeter. And yes, the spicy scenes are VERY good.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that Aubry resisted the temptation to suddenly turn Priya into some sort of superhuman cricket player. She's playing against grown men who've been doing this for years, and half the time she's just trying to survive without getting herself killed or giving the game away. I loved that. It made the whole thing so much more believable (well, as believable as this particular scheme can be 😂).
Also, special mention to Priya's mom, who could so easily have been written as the stereotypical meddling, matchmaking mom. Instead, she's funny and warm and surprisingly nuanced. Actually, the whole supporting cast is great, especially the guys on the team.
And the cricket? I was a little worried I'd spend half the book wondering what the hell was going on, but for the most part I didn't (there's a one page intro to cricket at the start of the book I thought was a nice touch). I'd say Aubry generally manages that tricky balance of explaining just enough without making you feel like you've signed up for Cricket 101. Mostly, though, you can tell she genuinely loves the sport, and that enthusiasm is kind of infectious. By the end, I was actually invested in the matches, which is not something I ever expected to say about cricket!
October 24, 2026
That was so very enjoyable!
Priya & Rohan are excellent main characters but, to be fair, all of the supporting characters (the rest of the team, Priya's large [and very vocal] family) are well-drawn individuals.
Priya was my favourite person in the whole book as she has such a lovely attitude - pragmatic, funny, simply delightful - and I could really picture her as a person.
The romance (both the gentle side and the steamier one) was nicely delivered, and the eventual recognition that they were more than simply team-mates was very well done.
A lovely sense of humour was present throughout - usually from Priya's perspective:
"So basically, you want to disguise me as your cousin."
"I prefer make you less immediately identifiable as not my cousin."
"That's disguise with more words."
There were so many little comments or actions that made me chuckle - from the attempted explanation of cricket to someone who only knows baseball, through the difficulty of removing a shirt without taking a nose with it - though, sadly, many of the best simply can't be quoted on a forum like this!
You'll just have to read it yourself (and I definitely recommend doing so).
(I was fortunate to receive an ARC however the above is, as ever, my own opinion.)
Priya & Rohan are excellent main characters but, to be fair, all of the supporting characters (the rest of the team, Priya's large [and very vocal] family) are well-drawn individuals.
Priya was my favourite person in the whole book as she has such a lovely attitude - pragmatic, funny, simply delightful - and I could really picture her as a person.
The romance (both the gentle side and the steamier one) was nicely delivered, and the eventual recognition that they were more than simply team-mates was very well done.
A lovely sense of humour was present throughout - usually from Priya's perspective:
"So basically, you want to disguise me as your cousin."
"I prefer make you less immediately identifiable as not my cousin."
"That's disguise with more words."
There were so many little comments or actions that made me chuckle - from the attempted explanation of cricket to someone who only knows baseball, through the difficulty of removing a shirt without taking a nose with it - though, sadly, many of the best simply can't be quoted on a forum like this!
You'll just have to read it yourself (and I definitely recommend doing so).
(I was fortunate to receive an ARC however the above is, as ever, my own opinion.)
October 24, 2026
I love a good friends-to-lovers romance, especially when the characters have known each other forever but somehow missed what's been right in front of them. Priya agreeing to disguise herself as a cricket player to help Rohan is such a ridiculous setup, but that's exactly what makes it fun.
What caught my attention was the combination of awkward situations, close calls, and romantic tension. I also like that they've been friends for twenty-five years, because realizing your feelings have changed after knowing someone that long adds another layer to the story.
The small-town setting and Priya's matchmaking mother make the premise even more entertaining. A fun pick for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies, hilarious misunderstandings, undeniable chemistry, and friendships that turn into something more.
What caught my attention was the combination of awkward situations, close calls, and romantic tension. I also like that they've been friends for twenty-five years, because realizing your feelings have changed after knowing someone that long adds another layer to the story.
The small-town setting and Priya's matchmaking mother make the premise even more entertaining. A fun pick for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies, hilarious misunderstandings, undeniable chemistry, and friendships that turn into something more.
October 23, 2026
I freaking love it! Pretending to be a male cricket player, what could possibly go wrong?! Priya is very sassy and has a crazy matchmaking family, while Rohan is very caring and endearing; I was instantly rooting for them. Rohan's changing reaction to her was hilarious especially the discussion over her boobs, and the locker room, whew! The building will-they-won't-they tension between them was by far my favorite part. The teammates were amazing with their constant ribbing and unwanted commentary. I also really enjoyed learning about cricket.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 25, 2026
La idea de hacerse pasar por un jugador para ayudar a su mejor amigo es una locura, pero ahí está el encanto de la historia. Entre el engaño y los sentimientos que empiezan a cambiar, Priya y Rohan tienen mucho que perder. Una mezcla de amistad, romance y enredos con un toque picante.
October 25, 2026
I loved this one so much, pretending to be a male cricket player. It reminded me of Bend it like Beckham movie. As an Indian, I could relate to the sport so much and the Indian characters helped a lot. It was sweet and heartwarming romance overall. Worth it!
October 17, 2026
Well, obviously I gave my own book five stars. I mean, I did write the thing. It would be a bit awkward if I didn't.
I'm so excited to finally share my latest rom-com Caught Out with you!
Now, before anyone panics about the fact that it's about cricket, please don't! After all, how many of us really know that much about ice hockey? And that hasn't stopped us from devouring hockey romances!
I promise I've written Caught Out so that absolutely no knowledge of cricket is required. You don't need to know your wickets from your googlies (yes, that's a real cricket term). All you need is a soft spot for childhood best friends, sizzling chemistry, questionable decisions, and a whole lot of romantic chaos.
Because at its heart, this isn't really a book about cricket. It's about falling in love with the one person who's been right under your nose all along.
I might be a little biased, but Priya and Rohan have a special place in my heart. I hope they'll find one in yours, too.
Love,
Sadie ❤️
I'm so excited to finally share my latest rom-com Caught Out with you!
Now, before anyone panics about the fact that it's about cricket, please don't! After all, how many of us really know that much about ice hockey? And that hasn't stopped us from devouring hockey romances!
I promise I've written Caught Out so that absolutely no knowledge of cricket is required. You don't need to know your wickets from your googlies (yes, that's a real cricket term). All you need is a soft spot for childhood best friends, sizzling chemistry, questionable decisions, and a whole lot of romantic chaos.
Because at its heart, this isn't really a book about cricket. It's about falling in love with the one person who's been right under your nose all along.
I might be a little biased, but Priya and Rohan have a special place in my heart. I hope they'll find one in yours, too.
Love,
Sadie ❤️
October 22, 2026
I waited to write this review because I felt maybe I was being too harsh and I never want to be that way. The book itself is about forever friends that all of a sudden truly notice each other in a romantic highly spicey extremely detailed way. It is wrapped in cricket being the main action which honestly is why I decided to read it. It was confusing at best. I felt like I skipped a chapter and boom book is over. I honestly think it skipped something or maybe something was cut out because one second I’m reading about them being so far behind and they are resting and boom we are finishing this game and Priya is no longer Jai but herself. Like huh. I just didn’t like this one. Giving it two stars is being really generous. It was like a bad porn if I’m honest. I just can’t….Im sorry Booksirens this one just fell short for me.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews