Hitching the Pitcher

Belltown Six Pack #1

by Rebecca Connolly, Sophia Summers, Heather B. Moore

Running into his former college girlfriend wasn’t supposed to happen. Falling for her again wasn’t supposed to happen either.

Sawyer Bennett has a secret. A risky thing, being one of the popular Belltown Six Pack, a group of six guys from the same college baseball team, all of whom got drafted and now play in the Major Leagues. Between the media frenzy over them and his bond with the guys, his secret has to stay carefully hidden if he wants it to stay that way. He needs to focus on his pitching and let everything else fall away.

Confessing his secret to Erica Moore was definitely not supposed to happen. But the harder he falls for Erica, the more important his secret—and she—becomes.

Welcome to Belltown! Six baseball players meet in the college town of Belltown, Massachusetts, becoming best friends, their lives intertwining as they each get called up to the Major Leagues. Follow Sawyer, Cole, Axel, David, Ryker, and Levi in these six swoony sports romances.

More Belltown Six Pack Romances:
Hitching the Pitcher
Falling for Centerfield
Charming the Shortshop
Snatching the Catcher
Flirting with First
Kissing on Third

Genres: Romance, Sports, Contemporary, Sports Romance, Clean Romance, Fiction, Second Chance

220 pages, ebook

Published February 5, 2019

About the author

I was born once upon a time, and I started making up stories right away. Eventually, I started writing them down, and never stopped! I have a day job, which gets in the way of my writing, but it pays the bills so I CAN write, so I guess that's okay! I am a bookworm, which I think is key to being a writer, and I am always looking for inspiration! I live in Indiana, am obsessed with hot chocolate, and I am on track to be the best aunt in the world.

Reviews

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in brand new six book series by 3 authors, all about the Belltown Six Pack. The Belltown Six Pack are a group of six guys who are friends and played baseball for Belltown University, then were all drafted into major league baseball teams. They're legends and fan favorites back home in Belltown.

Sawyer Bennett is a pitcher with the Columbus Black Racers who's taking online classes to finish his degree (he's the only one of the six guys who didn't graduate from the university). While back in Belltown he runs into his ex-girlfriend, Erica Moore. It seems the sparks they had before are still there, but will he make the same mistake he made several years before and drive her away? Let's hope he's smarter this time around.

Sawyer is a talented baseball player, but a perfectionist who seems to get into his head a little too easily, which drove me a little crazy. I loved Erica and thought she was great for Sawyer, but she was WAY more patient with him than I would've been. I liked how well they fit together as a couple--how fun loving they were and their playful banter, but I didn't understand why Sawyer pushed Erica away again. Didn't he learn his lesson the first time? I liked that we got to see things from Erica's point of view too.

I'm not into sports at all but I did enjoy this book. I liked learning about the other guys in the Belltown Six Pack (I love the image of them posing for a poster or calendar showing off their six packs!)--their different personalities and I can't wait to read their stories. I thought it was fun that the writers had this entire history with them mapped out with traditions, cheers, and even a fight song! It was fun to read about and I look forward to reading the other books in this new series.

I received a complimentary copy, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story. It was well developed with good characters. I love the way Connolly writes a love story. I didn't get a lot of the baseball talk. Just not my cup of tea but I like anything Rebecca writes.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

All you baseball fans out there get ready for a fun new series. Three authors, two books each, 6 total. Yep! You're gonna have fun with these ones. I love this group of authors. This book sets up who the Belltown Six Pack are and gives a little introduction to each of the 6 players. These 6 guys were friends growing up and played ball together in college, all were drafted and became a little bit of a legend (in this series of course). Now throughout each book we'll get to see them interacting and get to read each of their own stories.

Sawyer and Erica...happy sigh. She's his rock. He messed up years ago and let her go. Now the question is, can he fix it and grab his chance at happiness when fate seems to throw them together again. The chemistry, fun banter, friendship and love pick up right where they left off and boy was it a fun read. These two had a lot of great bantering lines that had me chuckling.

I loved the different personalities between the 6 players and their friendships. I didn't want this book to end but was very happy knowing that there's plenty more coming. Say it with me...6 books baby!!!

I love baseball if you can't tell. Maybe you can't because I have said a lot about my like for it, but my excitement for this series might have clued you into the fact that I like baseball. I grew up playing softball on several teams and my position...pitcher and short stop. Mostly pitcher. I loved pitching. So that could be why I had a lot of fun reading this book. It brought back lots of memories. In college I played on a co-ed team and had a blast! Bottom of the 9th, bases loaded and I was up to bat...true story! It was our final game of the season too. Hahahaha. It sounds so cliche but it's true. I sent a couple runners home and ended up at 2nd base. The next batter hit the ball, the other team picked it up pretty fast and I was running for all I was worth...made it home! Woot Woot. The batter even made it around and we won!!!!! Yeah, it was a great ending of our season. Good times, good times! My daughters didn't really pick up on softball like I did, but that's ok. We have gone to a couple bigger city team games. It was fun to watch my girls trying to figure out the sport.

Trip down memory lane over...if you're a fan of these authors, you're in for a treat. If you've never read their books before, get ready for lots of fun and baseball baby!!!

Content: Clean. A few kisses but nothing further. Clean smack talk between friends.

I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot even tell you how excited I am for this series! I LOVE baseball- it's my favorite and when you add some romance with baseball? 😍 Another thing I find really attractive is the feeling of camaraderie I know this series is going to bring as it follows a group of tight knit friends. I can already feel that from the first book.

Sawyer is something else. He let Erica go years ago to focus on his blooming baseball career and now she is back in his life. You would think that Sawyer learned something from his mistakes, but no. He honestly drove me slightly crazy because I have a hard time with wishy washy men. I didn't think his "secret" was much of a secret to begin with so I had a harder time buying into his indecision. I think Erica was way beyond patient with him so to me, she was the real hero of this story.

I think this first story was probably harder to write because this author had the daunting task of setting the foundation for all the books to come. She roughly introduced all the characters and gave us a bit of a peek into their personalities. She also gave the backstory as to how all these men became friends. It was a lot to pack in with her own story.

While I think this story was just okay, I am going to be reading the next books. There is so much potential here. I think it's going to be a fun series and I can't wait to see what (and who!) is coming next!

Content: kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Shash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! And I can already tell I'm going to love the series. The Six Pack is a great group of guys, with a deep friendship. The pitcher seemed like the perfect place for the series to start. I really liked Sawyer, but got so frustrated with him sometimes. Head games and head space can make such a difference. I ached for him and what he put himself through. Sometimes it takes multiple tries to figure things out, and that was definitely the case for him. Erica was so patient! Much more than many would be. She was a great example of loving someone completely. It was wonderful to see them finally get their happy ending!

I received a complimentary copy of the book, which I voluntarily reviewed. I have given my honest opinion.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love baseball and I love books so the two together are a great fit! This book is so much fun. Sawyer and Erica are perfect for each other. They truly belong together. I loved Erica’s patience and love. Something happens that strikes a nerve for Sawyer. He’s trying to so hard be the perfect pitcher, perfect student, but he really needs to get out of his own head and help himself. Great story and can’t wait to read more books about the Belltown 6.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun introduction to a new series! Even though the main character is Sawyer, we get to know all the members of the Six Pack, some more than others. I'm looking forward to reading each of their stories! I really liked Erica, but Sawyer was such a head case! He definitely provided the drama and angst with some self-defeating behaviors as he struggles and works through some issues. Erica had the patience of a saint! I was proud of her for giving Sawyer the space he needed and knowing when to leave the ball in his court (or field). :) My husband coaches high school baseball and after reading this book we had an insightful conversation about the mental game that is also played and can prevent a perfectly talented and skilled player from succeeding. Overall, I enjoyed the dynamics of the ball player characters and the chemistry between Erica and Sawyer. Can't wait for the next book!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so excited for this new series! This tight-knit group of professional baseball players met in college, but they still keep in touch and have such an interesting and endearing connection with each other still. The camaraderie the Six Pack has is so fantastic!

Book One is the story of a pitcher, Sawyer, who is know as Skeeter. He is struggling to balance everything in his life, but it seems that his biggest battle is striving for perfection. It's impossible to be perfect at everything, but Sawyer is determined to try and with those efforts, he just may lose his second chance with Erica.

I love how easily this second chance happens and it's probably due to the patience and kind-hearted forgiveness that Erica possesses. These character's characteristics and emotions are on full display and engaged me, making these people seem real and like friends. In fact, basketball is my #1 favorite sport, but I'm kind of wishing I could be a part of this group.

I'm definitely looking forward to more of this series--play ball!

Content: mild romance; mild language

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/19/2020)! 🎁

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this more than I thought I would! I loved the six pack characters and can’t wait to read the others in the series...

[Lorieah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of second — third? — chances, friendship, dealing with grief, and maybe a little bit more than you ever thought you needed to know about baseball.

Erica is definitely a better woman than me, but I guess that's the point: truly loving someone means truly KNOWING them, and their faults, and loving them anyway as you both walk this crazy path called life.

Clean, well-written and stand-alone, but I would love to read more about the rest of the Six Pack!
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago, after the death of his father, Sawyer Bennett dumped his girlfriend, Erica Moore, and threw himself into baseball. Now, as a major leaguer trying to prove himself, he's still focused on baseball, as well as secretly working on the college degree he never finished. He's not really prepared to run into Erica again, but when he does, he can't deny that all the feelings are still there, and he finds himself wanting another chance to make things work.
Erica still cares about Sawyer, too, but when a couple bad games throw him into a funk, will Sawyer be able to handle things any better this time around?

(Although this is the first book in the Belltown Six Pack series, about six guys who played baseball together in college at Belltown and got drafted in the same year, it's a stand-alone novel.)

Okay, I was intrigued by the idea of six baseball novels because I enjoy sports and clean romances, but this book went beyond my expectations. Erica and Sawyer were both relatable characters, and I liked seeing their interactions with each other. I also liked the baseball aspect and how the Belltown Six and Sawyer's teammates teased and supported each other. The writing was clean and the plot moved along well. It's actually rare for me to give a contemporary romance five stars--I just tend to like historical books better--so this book was pretty much a home run to lead off the series, and I can't wait to read the other books and get to know all of the Belltown boys.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Nari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a series I am looking forward to reading. I did get frustrated with Sawyer a time or two during the course of the story. I also struggled a little with all the baseball play by plays. I loved the interactions between the six pack. Overall it was a good read and I can't wait to read about the rest of the six pack.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole premise of this new series sounds like so much fun! The guys in it are all friends from college. They played baseball together there. Now they’re scattered all over professional baseball teams. One of my favorite parts of this one was when the guys played each other in games and had a bet.

I love that the reader gets to “see” things through the eyes of both the hero and the heroine. Both of the characters are well written. And writing this way gives the reader a more complete picture of how the couple is.

This book starts off with Sawyer. I LOVED his character. He was the kind of guy to stop whatever he was doing and connect with a little kid. And he was always looking out for Erica. He’s a gentleman. But he has a bit of a problem. He’s always pushing Erica away for baseball. It has happened more than once in their long history.

Then there’s Erica. I loved her! She and Sawyer have a backstory. And she’s willing to try to understand why he did what he did and make them work again. While at the same time, knowing that if he acts like that again, she’s going to have to move on.

There are so many fun elements in this one. I especially love the Six Pack, I can’t wait to find out all of their stories! And I think it’s really fun to have this series written by three separate authors. That is going to bring a lot of fun and different voices to each story.

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun start to this baseball series! I loved getting to know this tight-knight group of baseball players and I'm excited to read more! I enjoyed the romance of this book. Sawyer and Erica are likeable characters with great chemistry and easygoing banter to trademark their relationship. Sawyer IS a head case and Erica is so patient and loving in their relationship despite the heartache she endured. However, I understood Sawyer and how the pressure of his situation influenced his decisions. This easily allowed me to be gracious to him, but maybe why I didn't totally swoon over him. I also wasn't as attached to their story as I would have liked - easily putting this book down for a few days at a time. Regardless, this book was a cute read and an entertaining way to pass the time!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sawyer Bennett is a pitcher for the Columbus Black Racers. When he runs into his ex-girlfriend, Erica Moore, he wonders how he ever let her go in the first place. (Cough: He was an idiot!)

As he and Erica reconnect, he falls for her even harder than he did the first time. Will old fears pull him away again or will Erica finally hitch the pitcher?

What I loved about this book was the witty exchanges between Sawyer and Erica. This was a couple who were obviously meant to be together. They were good friends, with amazing chemistry, and helped each other accomplish their dreams.

At first I had trouble keeping all of the characters straight, between Sawyer's team, and his college buds, the Belltown Six Pack. And they all had to have nicknames too! I did get everyone straightened out eventually, and loved seeing the comradery between the teammates. They could give each other a hard time, but they had your back.

I highly recommend this for fans of sport romances.

I can't wait to get to know the rest of the Belltown Six Pack. Let's play ball!

Content: clean (some kissing)

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun series! I especially relate since my husband used to play semi-pro baseball until a career ending knee injury. I love the banter between the members of the six-pack. This book is well written with a great cast of characters. I can't wait to hear the stories of the rest of the group!

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt more like looking into how a pitcher thinks and prepares to play when he is socked into negativity. The romance seems secondary in the story. Tho the ending is pretty good. I liked the story but wasn't the story I expected.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hitching the Pitcher starts off the Belltown Six Pack series. This quick read is so cute. I love Sawyer and Erica. Those two made the story fun, delightful and romantic.
I give Hitching the Pitcher four stars. I am looking forward to reading the other books from the Belltown Six Pack series.
Great read that I would recommend.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Hallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of sports and of romance novels, this book really fell in my wheelhouse! I don't usually read contemporary romance novels (I'm a regency fan) but I felt like this book was well written and enjoyable. The characters are flawed - especially Sawyer - but who isn't? I think people who don't know anything about the professional sports world will judge Sawyer too harshly and think Erica too patient. However, professional athletes work in a high-stress environment where performance is king. I think the author really understood that nuance and wrote it well. I would recommend this book and am looking forward to the rest of the series!

[AnnaLee Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the read! Some unfamiliar sentence structure. Learned some sports info. I kept thinking I was reading a movie. Enjoyed the read!

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. I got an early copy from the publisher and, to be honest, I wasn’t able to finish it. I found it very dry and boring. I’m not a fan of baseball but I thought the storyline would be enough. It wasn’t. It just wasn’t for me.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced, action-packed from the beginning! This was an easy read for me, and it was nice to just zoom through this. There was a great connection and community among Six Pack, and it was fun to be among all of these fictional men! I look forward to getting to know the rest of the Six Pack.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

For baseball and romance enthusiasts this story will knock the ball into the outfield.

Read full review in the 2019 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite the beginning to the series. I really enjoyed how the mains played off each other and the relationship amidst the Six Pack. I am looking forward to the next books.

[Dawn Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hitching the Pitcher is the first book in a series featuring college baseball friends who make it into the MLB. This first book features Sawyer, who has achieved the status of starting pitcher for his team.

While reading the book, I liked the theme of baseball and enjoyed getting to know about the ins and outs of major league baseball. I also liked getting to know the various guys who will be featured in upcoming books.

My criticism is with the main character, Sawyer. I was constantly thinking that he's a test case for paranoia or OCD. He completely shuts down and becomes single focus every time something bad happens. Instead of reaching out to his friends and family for support, he isolates himself and becomes single minded on baseball. While that's good for winning games, it's not good for romance. Consequently, he dumped Erica when they were dating in college. Fast forward a few years and they've reconnected and the emotions are still there. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that he's changed that much. His paranoia got old and I wondered how long Erica would continue to forgive him and coddle him along. Finally, when he confessed his big secret, I wondered why it was a secret to begin with.

However, in spite of these criticisms, I still enjoyed the book. The interactions between Sawyer and Erica felt very real and well written. And, I enjoyed getting to know the other members of the Six Pack. They seem like a great group of guys.

Romance - PG / Kissing
Language - PG / mild cursing
Violence - A character in the book suffers an injury during a game.
My rating - 3 stars

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story! It was a fun read. It got frustrating at times with the stubbornness of Sawyer. But real life has people like that as well and we all have to learn to live with and love those we care about. I liked that at the end he finally figured out what really matters. In the story the patience of Erica was amazing! The author did a great job of giving the six pack history and a little bit about each character. Although I am more a fan of football than baseball I still enjoyed this story! Cant wait to read the remaining stories in this series!
I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review.

[Nashellej · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man oh man oh man. I have never really liked baseball but I REALLY liked reading this book about . . . baseball. ;) I was giggling like a little girl throughout and had a blast. I can't wait for the next one in the series!

Ok. I don't honestly know how much of the baseball was fact or made up. And, quite frankly, I didn't really care. It seemed legit to me because it all went over my head. Ha! But this was such a fun read. The characters were so well played out - both the romantic leads and the members of the Six Pack (the players featured in upcoming books). I loved meeting "Teach" and each of the players. They were full of life and had a bond that I believed could be found in the real world. A very swoony romance and so much fun - I loved it! Yup. Still grinning over here. :)

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story, well written, clean romance and witty characters.I loved the character's interactions with each other. And I loved Erika!! Smart, witty, sarcastic, forgiving, & loving.

The reason for four stars is because I felt the ending was rushed. The resolution to the conflict seemed way too fast and even though it was an ideal resolution the speed at witch it happened lacked believability.

[Lisa Swinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a fun second chance romance centerered around a baseball player and a museum curator/teacher.

Both Sawyer and Erica are down to earth, relatable, and have both personal and professional hurdles to overcome. There's great interaction and chemistry between the characters.

Looking forward to reading more about the Six Pack in the series.