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The Boys of Baltimore #1
First Pitch Swinging
Supposedly, I’m “too wild” to be offered a contract by my dream baseball team.
I need a wife so they’ll think I’ve been tamed...
Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve dreamed of playing for the Baltimore Bay Birds. I grew up idolizing those players, and I ached to wear the orange and black, representing my hometown and playing the game I love.
But the team doesn’t want me.
I’m one of the hottest players in Major League Baseball, but the Baltimore owner thinks I’m too much of a risk. All because I drink too much and might have trashed a hotel room or two in my day.
Everybody thinks getting married means you’ve “settled down.”
I figure I need a wife if I’m ever gonna have a chance at playing for the Bay Birds.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that woman who poured hot coffee on me the day we met. Sweet, beautiful, and stable medical school student, Lyric Rivers. Future doctor.
Also known as the future Mrs. Brady Keaton.
First Pitch Swinging is the first book in a new, steamy sports romance series. No cliffhangers, lots of humor and heart, and a sexy HEA.
I need a wife so they’ll think I’ve been tamed...
Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve dreamed of playing for the Baltimore Bay Birds. I grew up idolizing those players, and I ached to wear the orange and black, representing my hometown and playing the game I love.
But the team doesn’t want me.
I’m one of the hottest players in Major League Baseball, but the Baltimore owner thinks I’m too much of a risk. All because I drink too much and might have trashed a hotel room or two in my day.
Everybody thinks getting married means you’ve “settled down.”
I figure I need a wife if I’m ever gonna have a chance at playing for the Bay Birds.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that woman who poured hot coffee on me the day we met. Sweet, beautiful, and stable medical school student, Lyric Rivers. Future doctor.
Also known as the future Mrs. Brady Keaton.
First Pitch Swinging is the first book in a new, steamy sports romance series. No cliffhangers, lots of humor and heart, and a sexy HEA.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2021
143 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Linda Fausnet
23 books33 followersLinda Fausnet is the author of several genres of books, including romance, LGBT fiction, chick lit, and middle-grade. She has also written numerous screenplays of various genres. Two of her scripts have been optioned by production companies in Los Angeles; Mega Films, Inc. and Runaway Productions. She runs a fan club for romance book lovers called Romance Novel Addicts Anonymous on Facebook and other social media platforms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 30, 2021
A Kindle Unlimited quickie sports-related (baseball) in a fake relationship trope between a medical student and professional baseball player. My first read from this author that writes well and was entertaining but rather unbelievable. The ending was happy, but felt rushed.
June 6, 2023
Enjoyed reading
The first time Lyric and Brady met, Lyric had no clue who Brady was. She was intimidated by him at first but became attracted to him. However, she felt that a guy like him would never be interested in her. Brady was attracted to her as well and thought they had a connection. When Brady's dream team passes on signing him due to his reputation, he is crushed at first until he comes up with a plan involving Lyric. Things are supposed to be fake until they weren't. Things are really sweet between them but I agree with Lyric, Brady could have been more proactive in their relationship.
The first time Lyric and Brady met, Lyric had no clue who Brady was. She was intimidated by him at first but became attracted to him. However, she felt that a guy like him would never be interested in her. Brady was attracted to her as well and thought they had a connection. When Brady's dream team passes on signing him due to his reputation, he is crushed at first until he comes up with a plan involving Lyric. Things are supposed to be fake until they weren't. Things are really sweet between them but I agree with Lyric, Brady could have been more proactive in their relationship.
August 25, 2021
First Pitch Swinging by Linda Fausnet is a baseball-oriented romance featuring start player, Brady Keaton and medical student, Lyric Rivers. They meet when she turns from the counter too quickly and spills her hot coffee all down his front. When they sit to discuss it, he is taken aback that she has no idea who she is. She knows nothing about baseball and really isn't missing it in her life. As luck would have it, someone snaps their photo, and as photos of him often do, it goes viral. His greatest desire in life is to play for the Baltimore Team, his home, but negotiations have fallen on their face as the owner tells his agent he's too big a risk: they are a family team and his life is R-rated. This and seeing the photo of he and Lyric together gives him and idea. He tracks her down at the university and proposes to her, explaining why. She thinks he's nuts but he does eventually convince her to pretend to be his live-in girlfriend, in exchange for him paying her college and med school tuition. So it begins.
She hates the spotlight. He is always front and center. She is quiet and studious. He is outgoing and brash. He loves baseball. She was barely aware it existed. Yet, they became friends. Pretending to be an item came easily for both of them. This was a sweet story. The outcome was the expected one but it took twists and turns along the way that made it an interesting read. Was it explosive? No. Was it tender and sweet? Yes, it was. An unexpected gem in a sea of romances. It is a must-read. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of First Pitch Swinging by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
She hates the spotlight. He is always front and center. She is quiet and studious. He is outgoing and brash. He loves baseball. She was barely aware it existed. Yet, they became friends. Pretending to be an item came easily for both of them. This was a sweet story. The outcome was the expected one but it took twists and turns along the way that made it an interesting read. Was it explosive? No. Was it tender and sweet? Yes, it was. An unexpected gem in a sea of romances. It is a must-read. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of First Pitch Swinging by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 7, 2021
Meant to be.
Brady and Lyric—aka Crush and Doc, lead very different lives.
He’s a high flying baseball socialite, she’s a nerdy med school student with a side of sass.
They say opposites attract. In this case, that’s exactly what happens.
After literally bumping into each other at a coffee shop, sparks fly. But neither think they’ll ever see one another again.. until Brady needs her help to repair his bad boy image.
So what can I say about this book? From the opening sentences, I was hooked. From the sweet and intimate meeting, you could just tell it would turn into something completely unexpected. And boy, it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. Each character was crafted to perfection to the point you could see them. This is a testament to the stellar writing. Throughout each page, I was there with them. The dialogue was accurately on point and the story was gripping. And the sex scenes? Wow! Smoking HOT. Though Lyric sees herself as a nerd, she was so much more. She was vibrant and sassy and took the lead in certain aspects. Everything I need in a female lead. And Brady? Holy guacamole!!! He was EVERYTHING. He literally leapt from the pages with his good looks and one liners.
In my opinion, this is the best work from this author so far and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
If you love fake relationship romances that blossom into something real but has major plot twists thrown in, then this is the book for you. It has all the feels, everything I love when reading this genre and I cannot recommend highly enough.
Brady and Lyric—aka Crush and Doc, lead very different lives.
He’s a high flying baseball socialite, she’s a nerdy med school student with a side of sass.
They say opposites attract. In this case, that’s exactly what happens.
After literally bumping into each other at a coffee shop, sparks fly. But neither think they’ll ever see one another again.. until Brady needs her help to repair his bad boy image.
So what can I say about this book? From the opening sentences, I was hooked. From the sweet and intimate meeting, you could just tell it would turn into something completely unexpected. And boy, it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. Each character was crafted to perfection to the point you could see them. This is a testament to the stellar writing. Throughout each page, I was there with them. The dialogue was accurately on point and the story was gripping. And the sex scenes? Wow! Smoking HOT. Though Lyric sees herself as a nerd, she was so much more. She was vibrant and sassy and took the lead in certain aspects. Everything I need in a female lead. And Brady? Holy guacamole!!! He was EVERYTHING. He literally leapt from the pages with his good looks and one liners.
In my opinion, this is the best work from this author so far and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
If you love fake relationship romances that blossom into something real but has major plot twists thrown in, then this is the book for you. It has all the feels, everything I love when reading this genre and I cannot recommend highly enough.
April 24, 2022
3.5
The story was boring, let's start with that. There wasn't anything exciting happening, no drama, no angst, no chemestry. The author was trying to make the characters too perfect and it was annoying. I actually didn't care much about Brady, he was sweet but kind of plain. Then there is Lyric, who was so judgy and a little bit annoying with all her Goodie two shoes attitude. She knows she is a goodie two shoes, but she didn't have to try so hard to be "different to the other girls". She was portayed almost like a saint. She would've been such a good character if the author had given her a personality. Hating on your roommates for doing normal college stuff like going out instead of studying 24/7 doesn't make you better. I was just waiting to finish the book because I wanted to know if the story got better, but no, everything was pretty flat.
The story was boring, let's start with that. There wasn't anything exciting happening, no drama, no angst, no chemestry. The author was trying to make the characters too perfect and it was annoying. I actually didn't care much about Brady, he was sweet but kind of plain. Then there is Lyric, who was so judgy and a little bit annoying with all her Goodie two shoes attitude. She knows she is a goodie two shoes, but she didn't have to try so hard to be "different to the other girls". She was portayed almost like a saint. She would've been such a good character if the author had given her a personality. Hating on your roommates for doing normal college stuff like going out instead of studying 24/7 doesn't make you better. I was just waiting to finish the book because I wanted to know if the story got better, but no, everything was pretty flat.
December 22, 2024
Fake dating troupe is *chef's kiss*.
Lyric and Brady are two completely different people. They have different goals, they have different hobbies, different lives, different worlds. Lyric is a pre-med major struggling to pay her way through school while also preparing for the biggest test of her life. Brady is a party boy pro baseball player with a dream of making his way back to Baltimore in the next season. When Baltimore decides that he is too wild and would be a bad image for the team, he knows something needs to change... and quick.
This is when he comes up with the crazy idea to fake date Lyric Rivers. Giving off the idea that he has settled down and is no longer the crazy party boy he has been. Lyric, desperate for a way to pay for her schooling, and to find a moment of peace and quiet away from her college roommates, reluctantly agrees. This is when both of their worlds start to change, but is it really for the better?
I personally loved this book. I'm a sucker for forced proximity and fake dating troupes. I love a strong and smart FMC, and the fact that she really did need Brady's help kind of took away some of my excitement, but Lyric as a whole is a wonderful person and I loved reading her chapters.
Did I know where this book was going? Absolutely. Did it make reading the journey any less enjoyable? Not at all. I loved the scenes where Lyric was so out of her comfort zone but shined so brightly. I love how the changes in Brady weren't immediate, but you could see him changing overtime. This book had me giggling like a school girl at times and yelling "JUST TELL HER YOU IDIOT" at others. Definitely would recommend.
Lyric and Brady are two completely different people. They have different goals, they have different hobbies, different lives, different worlds. Lyric is a pre-med major struggling to pay her way through school while also preparing for the biggest test of her life. Brady is a party boy pro baseball player with a dream of making his way back to Baltimore in the next season. When Baltimore decides that he is too wild and would be a bad image for the team, he knows something needs to change... and quick.
This is when he comes up with the crazy idea to fake date Lyric Rivers. Giving off the idea that he has settled down and is no longer the crazy party boy he has been. Lyric, desperate for a way to pay for her schooling, and to find a moment of peace and quiet away from her college roommates, reluctantly agrees. This is when both of their worlds start to change, but is it really for the better?
I personally loved this book. I'm a sucker for forced proximity and fake dating troupes. I love a strong and smart FMC, and the fact that she really did need Brady's help kind of took away some of my excitement, but Lyric as a whole is a wonderful person and I loved reading her chapters.
Did I know where this book was going? Absolutely. Did it make reading the journey any less enjoyable? Not at all. I loved the scenes where Lyric was so out of her comfort zone but shined so brightly. I love how the changes in Brady weren't immediate, but you could see him changing overtime. This book had me giggling like a school girl at times and yelling "JUST TELL HER YOU IDIOT" at others. Definitely would recommend.
October 31, 2021
this was one Fantastic read
Brady plays baseball and was a partier and a big ladies man. He had a bad rep which was holding him back from playing for his dream team the Baltimore Bay Birds. Lyric was studying to become a doctor. With too little sleep and needing coffee she goes to the locale brew place and that is when everything between the two of them start. She bumps into him and her coffee goes all over his shirt. He makes a deal with her and she becomes his fake girlfriend. They have a lot of dips and curves and ups and downs, but it all comes together and what started as fake becomes real and they find their HEA.
Brady plays baseball and was a partier and a big ladies man. He had a bad rep which was holding him back from playing for his dream team the Baltimore Bay Birds. Lyric was studying to become a doctor. With too little sleep and needing coffee she goes to the locale brew place and that is when everything between the two of them start. She bumps into him and her coffee goes all over his shirt. He makes a deal with her and she becomes his fake girlfriend. They have a lot of dips and curves and ups and downs, but it all comes together and what started as fake becomes real and they find their HEA.
February 20, 2024
Brady was the best. He was a man that grew as a baseball player and as a person. His scheme taught him a lot by bringing Lyric into his life. He was also a good boyfriend, even if it was fake.
Lyric was supportive and learned not to be so judgy of sports or her parents.
I didn't care for her nickname for him,though. It was corny and too close to the negative name the media gave him. That part didn't make sense.
This was a cute romance.
Lyric was supportive and learned not to be so judgy of sports or her parents.
I didn't care for her nickname for him,though. It was corny and too close to the negative name the media gave him. That part didn't make sense.
This was a cute romance.
April 14, 2022
Sweet read
Of all the crazy things meeting a guy in a coffee shop, dumping hot coffee on him and then not knowing he's famous! When Lyric meet Brady she only noticed the coffee she poured on him, but be surprised at how this book twist and turns in the most delicious ways. If you like a light hearted, fun, easy read this is your book!
Of all the crazy things meeting a guy in a coffee shop, dumping hot coffee on him and then not knowing he's famous! When Lyric meet Brady she only noticed the coffee she poured on him, but be surprised at how this book twist and turns in the most delicious ways. If you like a light hearted, fun, easy read this is your book!
October 9, 2022
Sweet Romance
I truly enjoyed this story. It was wonderful watching Brady mature and harrowing as Lyric struggled with her decision on whether to continue to pursue medicine. They had instant chemistry and were friends before lovers. A fake relationship that leads to enduring love. I highly recommend this book.
I truly enjoyed this story. It was wonderful watching Brady mature and harrowing as Lyric struggled with her decision on whether to continue to pursue medicine. They had instant chemistry and were friends before lovers. A fake relationship that leads to enduring love. I highly recommend this book.
April 9, 2023
This was a little simple in like every way. The steamy scenes felt like college intimacy, but the characters were genuine and sweet, and had good chemistry. The baseball was almost accurate. It could have used a strong edit for spots where the writing felt written and not conversational. But i enjoyed it enough to order the second one.
July 14, 2023
This was a quick read and I enjoyed it. I thought it was cute how Lyric became a fan of baseball and Brady's character was well written. I personally love baseball and was all about the game scenes and Brady's devotion to it. It was interesting to see Lyric go through so much with her classes and hospital experiences. The sexy scenes weren't as good, I am used to more everything I guess lol.
July 30, 2023
Linda writes characters with real hangups, real emotions, and face real everyday problems… even if they just happen to be professional baseball players. And the solutions don’t come easy! I’ve read the first four books in the series now and Linda doesn’t fail to show real situations and how people truly react to them. I hope she continues to add to the series.
February 3, 2024
A nice read
Since I'm a baseball fan, I read a baseball novel while waiting on Opening Day. This is the first book I've read by Linda Fausnet, and I liked it. It's a sweet story with a HEA. One of the things that I liked most is the fact that it doesn't overwhelm you with sex like some books do.
Since I'm a baseball fan, I read a baseball novel while waiting on Opening Day. This is the first book I've read by Linda Fausnet, and I liked it. It's a sweet story with a HEA. One of the things that I liked most is the fact that it doesn't overwhelm you with sex like some books do.
September 25, 2021
Fake Relationship at It's Best
It's wild ride from the beginning. I love Brady and Lyrica's story. Fake Relationship, turned to friendship turned to love.
They are adorable together. A wonderful read.
It's wild ride from the beginning. I love Brady and Lyrica's story. Fake Relationship, turned to friendship turned to love.
They are adorable together. A wonderful read.
October 7, 2021
This was my first Linda Fausnet book!
I absolutely LOVED this story! It was well written with laughter, tears, and mild spice. So glad that it grabbed my attention! You won't regret reading Lyric and Brady's story!
I absolutely LOVED this story! It was well written with laughter, tears, and mild spice. So glad that it grabbed my attention! You won't regret reading Lyric and Brady's story!
April 24, 2022
What a fun story!
Highly enjoyable fake dating romance. I’ve read this storyline so many times but honesty this one was fun and sweet and felt original if that makes sense. I’m excited for rest of series.
Highly enjoyable fake dating romance. I’ve read this storyline so many times but honesty this one was fun and sweet and felt original if that makes sense. I’m excited for rest of series.
April 20, 2023
Brady and Lyric—aka Crush and Doc, are great characters you would never think they would go together because they are so different, but boy do they work. I really enjoyed this story it made me laugh, cry and cheer for the both of them.
April 30, 2023
A simple story about a fake relationship to clean up Brady's reputation and help Lyric pay for medical school. The plan was simple. It should've worked. It did until it didn't. There's nothing new in this one. Brady and Lyric are likable enough but everything was too easy between them. It was OK.
January 17, 2024
Great storyline . Loved the 2 main characters. Just wish the main character’s hadn’t been written as so immature. I don’t think I will read the rest of the series if the main characters are so immature.
January 21, 2024
loved it!
Perfect story, wonderful H and h, spicy but not graphic, filled with sweet emotion. I always enjoy an alpha male athlete who falls u dear the spell of a sweet, smart woman. Lyric and Brady were a perfect match.
Perfect story, wonderful H and h, spicy but not graphic, filled with sweet emotion. I always enjoy an alpha male athlete who falls u dear the spell of a sweet, smart woman. Lyric and Brady were a perfect match.
April 4, 2024
Nice ending but meh
I hated how it took until 95 percent of the book to admit feelings. I felt like it took too long to get together. It was dragging. I almost stopped reading. It was a good story in the end.
I hated how it took until 95 percent of the book to admit feelings. I felt like it took too long to get together. It was dragging. I almost stopped reading. It was a good story in the end.
August 30, 2021
Great sweet and steamy read.
This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last. This was a great rainy day read with a HEA and low angst.
This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last. This was a great rainy day read with a HEA and low angst.
September 14, 2021
Super cute read!
Brady & Lyric were great! The story was well developed and the reader has the sense that their feelings are genuine.
Brady & Lyric were great! The story was well developed and the reader has the sense that their feelings are genuine.
September 24, 2021
2.5 stars. Mostly skimmed. Immature and silly.
February 19, 2022
Fun Read
Good story with interesting characters. First book I read by this author but won't be the last....starting book two now!
Good story with interesting characters. First book I read by this author but won't be the last....starting book two now!
March 1, 2022
I loved this book! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
March 21, 2022
I hated this.
October 18, 2022
Good
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Love MLB and fake to real romances. Excited for this series to continue.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Love MLB and fake to real romances. Excited for this series to continue.
October 11, 2023
Loved it!
Really enjoyed this book. Thought Linda Fausnet did a great job on character development. Could hardly wait to see how it ended!
Really enjoyed this book. Thought Linda Fausnet did a great job on character development. Could hardly wait to see how it ended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews