The Perfect Catch: Based on a Hallmark Channel original movie

by Cassidy Carter

She’s small-town.
He’s big-league.
They broke up years ago…
But is it really over?

In the small town of Parker Falls, Jessica Parker spends her time serving pie and coming up with ideas to save the failing diner she inherited from her grandfather. A single mom to eight-year-old Wesley, she has enough to keep her busy well into the future. But when her old high school love, Chase Taynor, unexpectedly pops up, Jess finds herself thinking not of the future but of her past with the handsome professional baseball player.

After a few bad pitches leave his dream career in limbo, Chase slides back home to Parker Falls…although the town may not be as safe as he’d expected. As Jess and Chase reconnect, old feelings return in a major-league way.

With the possibility that Chase could return to the baseball diamond at any time, will their reunion be worth the risk to their hearts? Or will it be déjà vu all over again, with Chase choosing the limelight over the woman he loved before the fame?

The book contains a free original recipe for Bacon & White Cheddar Burgers with Spicy Mustard Relish.

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published April 26, 2022

Reviews

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the Hallmark Channel Original movie 'The Perfect Catch' starring Nikki Deloach and Andrew W. Walker. The book and the movie are very similar!

This is my first time reading a book written by Cassidy Carter.

Jessica Parker is a single mom and the owner of Wesley's Hometown Diner located in a small town in Parker Falls, Ohio. Business is down. And her son, Wes, needs a real coach to show him how to play baseball. "This table is a judgement - free zone. I'm drowning my sorrows in sugar today" (pg.158).

Cue in Jess' old boyfriend - now a famous Pitcher for Boston - Chase Taynor, who is on a bit of a hiatus, also down in his career, anxiously waiting for some good news from his sports agent.

Chase and Jessica reunite after 15 years apart and these two, along with their friends and family, turn things around at the Diner. A Food Truck is bought. Sales improve. A revamped menu. The Diner's grand reopening. "Maybe it's high time I swung for the fences" (pg.136).

The romance between Chase and Jessica is organic, believable and evolves at a nice pace. The story includes funny metaphors and analogies that are baseball themed. "His mind drifted to the memory of a young girl... a girl who had once made him feel as though being with her was a home run" (pg. 27).

Chase has to decide what is most important... and needs to choose between the love of the Game or this new romance with Jessica.

There is an Epilogue, a part of the book the movie doesn't show, describing what happens to the couple after the credits end. Super cute (second) ending!

I would love to eat at Wesley's Diner, especially trying the Bacon and White Cheddar Burgers with Spicy Mustard Relish (a Hallmark Original Recipe noted at the end)

The message of the book: Do the right thing. Take risks. Follow your Heart. Keep your Promises.

"He had given her the gift of believing in herself" (pg.165).

Is the Book "The Perfect Catch" better than the Movie version?
Find out on my Blog Series titled: Book Vs Movie ->
https://www.sunshinerodgers.com/movie...

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read a book adapted from a movie, and I don’t know how closely Cassidy Carter kept it. But, I enjoyed the plot, there were the comforting, predictable plot twists and a couple surprises as well! It was hard to be very attached to the characters since they weren’t incredibly developed or complex, but I was hooked until finishing at the end. With that, there weren’t in-depth details that needed to be remembered, so it was a good read for multi-tasking or many pick-ups. There was an air of southern charm, despite being placed in the Midwest, that made the book have a cozy glow around each scene.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I watch the occasional Hallmark movie..when I'm looking for something clean and very wholesome. But not necessarily a great story. This is based on a Hallmark movie so ... very cheesy from the title of the book to begin with. Such a bad pun. It is very wholesome and clean but also very predictable and not great writing.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. The last few books have been baseball themed. I didn't think I would enjoy them like I did. But I could put this book down. Its a really fast read and the ending had me so happy! I recommend this one!

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these Hallmark books. They are short and sweet, perfect weekend reading 📚

[Kimberly Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75✨ rounded up
Perfect short & cute hallmark romcom💗

[Tia Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very predictable- but it is a hallmark movie so what else did I expect? Not bad but not too enticing

[Shanna Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and fun read. Really enjoyed the chemistry and sweet romance in this story

[Malcolm Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely cliche but I loved it! A nice easy, feel good read honestly