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Grand Slam Romance #1
Grand Slam Romance Book 1: A Graphic Novel
Storytelling team Ollie Hicks and Emma Oosterhous’s first Grand Slam Romance is a queer, full-color graphic novel that’s equal parts romance, softball, and drama, where the balls are fast, the smooches are spicy, and the girls . . . magical—now in paperback
Mickey Monsoon is the hotshot pitcher for the Belle City Broads, and their team is poised to sweep the league this season. But Mickey is thrown off their game when Astra Maxima shows up to catch for the Gaiety Gals, the Broads’ fiercest rival. Years ago, Mickey and Astra were best friends . . . and maybe more. That was until Astra unceremoniously dumped Mickey to become a softball wunderkind at a private girl’s school in Switzerland. Now, Astra is flirty, arrogant, and reckless on the field—everything the rule-abiding Mickey hates.
Astra thinks Mickey’s cute and wants to fool around, despite their rocky history and the trail of jilted softballers that Astra leaves in her wake. Too bad the only thing Mickey wants is vengeance for their broken heart and wounded pride! But even they have to admit—Astra is a certified babe. And that’s not Astra isn’t just a softball superstar, she’s a full-fledged magical girl.
Full of wet mitts, hard hits, and a bevy of softball-playing babes, Grand Slam Book 1 is a flawless home run that is sure to knock readers out of the park.
Mickey Monsoon is the hotshot pitcher for the Belle City Broads, and their team is poised to sweep the league this season. But Mickey is thrown off their game when Astra Maxima shows up to catch for the Gaiety Gals, the Broads’ fiercest rival. Years ago, Mickey and Astra were best friends . . . and maybe more. That was until Astra unceremoniously dumped Mickey to become a softball wunderkind at a private girl’s school in Switzerland. Now, Astra is flirty, arrogant, and reckless on the field—everything the rule-abiding Mickey hates.
Astra thinks Mickey’s cute and wants to fool around, despite their rocky history and the trail of jilted softballers that Astra leaves in her wake. Too bad the only thing Mickey wants is vengeance for their broken heart and wounded pride! But even they have to admit—Astra is a certified babe. And that’s not Astra isn’t just a softball superstar, she’s a full-fledged magical girl.
Full of wet mitts, hard hits, and a bevy of softball-playing babes, Grand Slam Book 1 is a flawless home run that is sure to knock readers out of the park.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2023
42 people are currently reading
1328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
December 9, 2023
This graphic novel about a queer softball league second chance romance is just a ridiculous amount of silly, gay, and horny. Haha, I laughed out loud multiple times. Deliberately campy but also serious when it needs to be, this is a messy story of three people (two women, one nonbinary person) in a complicated love triangle. The art style is appropriately whimsical, and the jokes and puns are terrifically vulgar. Read this book to fill the League of Their Own hole in your heart.
Read
July 17, 2023finished this whimsical softball graphic novel in one sitting! saw it on the "new releases" shelf at my local library and knew i had to check it out
loved the art style and story and that it's so clearly meant for queer readers! as someone who used to play collegiate softball/baseball, i love that this exists! (also the authors are married to each other 🥹)
loved the art style and story and that it's so clearly meant for queer readers! as someone who used to play collegiate softball/baseball, i love that this exists! (also the authors are married to each other 🥹)
August 31, 2024
Sexy, fun, soapy drama in a softball league spiked with a few magical girls who can put homers into orbit and turn the other players into lusting piles of goo.
Oddly, this is the second gay and diverse graphic novel about softball I've read this month. It's funnier and has higher energy than Bunt! Striking Out on Financial Aid, but that book is worth a look too if you have the time.
Oddly, this is the second gay and diverse graphic novel about softball I've read this month. It's funnier and has higher energy than Bunt! Striking Out on Financial Aid, but that book is worth a look too if you have the time.
December 30, 2023
Mickey is the much adored pitcher for the Belle City Broads. The team would be softball champs if it weren’t for the Gaiety Gals who are led by the wealthy and conniving Jasmine. Now the Gals have added the magical phenom Astra to their team which pushes Mickey to desperate means. They leave the Broads and join the Danger Dames who have their own magical team member, Wolfgang, who might even be a better player than Mickey or Astra. Fantastic book with great energy and illustrations. Mickey Monsoon is a heck of a character, both intense and vulnerable. I also got a kick out of the love triangle of Astra, Wolfgang, and Mickey. The rest of the team members are all pretty awesome as well. Looking forward to Book 2 in 2024.
July 28, 2023
This delightful graphic novel is about a queer softball team where some of the players are grown-up magical girls. It is *so* lesbian (including nonbinary lesbians!), *so* horny, chock full of both interpersonal drama and ridiculous antics, and I adored it.
I'm sure there are people out there writing actual reviews that cover all of its many charms, so I will just say I am truly delighted it’s a series starter and I can’t wait for the next volume.
I'm sure there are people out there writing actual reviews that cover all of its many charms, so I will just say I am truly delighted it’s a series starter and I can’t wait for the next volume.
June 17, 2024
This is how I thought roadqueen was gonna be. Its enjoyable, Mickey is a damn mess of a character though(but thats kinda the point and watching them grow and become a better person). If I gotta read something about sports this is how I want it to be. It's hella more for a mature audience than I thought it'd be. But thats good 👍. Its gay as hell.
May 17, 2024
silly and wacky and ridiculous I love the way being a “magical girl” (just that phrasing is so funny to me like,,) is tied to queerness and also softball(?)
August 27, 2023
That was wild & GAY, so very very GAY.
May 6, 2024
This book is gay AF, has softball, character development, the artwork is so lovely, and is a bit Scott Pilgrim-esque. I already have the sequel on hold, we stan stupid bitches in this house 😘
February 22, 2025
I thought it was cute, fast paced and quirky. I like the idea of an all non man sports team where everyone’s queer competing against each other with the complicated mess of exes, first loves, friendships, found family and ya just the trouble of being a young person.
I liked the characters and I thought the artwork was stunning, I just don’t think there was much a plot, I didn’t really mind bc I’ve been told that the second one is much better plot wise and I liked the characters and watching them evolve, I hope we get to see more of the side characters in the next one
I liked the characters and I thought the artwork was stunning, I just don’t think there was much a plot, I didn’t really mind bc I’ve been told that the second one is much better plot wise and I liked the characters and watching them evolve, I hope we get to see more of the side characters in the next one
September 17, 2023
loved this. it's so gay. it's so, so gay. and i love how it's a little bit raunchy. the art is super colorful and the character design is very varied. all types of lesbians are represented: we've got your butches, we've got your femmes, we've got your studs, your nonbinaries.... really hoping there's a volume 2 of this, and more!
August 11, 2024
I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in so long. That was so freaking funny. Shoutout to Courtney for giving updates that made me want to read this.
I literally thought this was going to be a cute funny YA graphic novel about softball players but omg it’s def not YA, it was so sarcastic, witty, all the lesbian softball jokes, and so many small little laughs that continue throughout in the background.
I literally thought this was going to be a cute funny YA graphic novel about softball players but omg it’s def not YA, it was so sarcastic, witty, all the lesbian softball jokes, and so many small little laughs that continue throughout in the background.
October 1, 2025
Cute and fun! Loved the illustrations and the diversity.
November 13, 2023
Graphic novels are huge in my house right now. With a few 8–12-year-olds, I’m buying any I can get my hands on, even if they devour them in minutes and are sending me broke. Grand Slam Romance is NOT for kids, which if I had of looked any further than the amazingly cool cover, thought, sapphic, yay, then shoved it on the family bookshelf, I would have known. It took my 8-year-old daughter coming to me and saying, ‘Mum, this book is inappropriate. They are having sex,’ for me to give it flick through, widen my eyes in horror only to have said 8-year-old grinning and saying, ‘but it’s good, I’m going to keep reading it.’
Eh, kids are subjected to so much worse these days than two consensual adults alluding to/having sex, so I let it go and suffered through the questions that came after. And then I read the novel myself.
Grand Slam Romance is simply the greatest graphic novel I have ever read. I was blown away, both by the original, fun, super queer storyline, but also the insane illustrations. It’s the story of softball superstar Mickey who is tipped to take her team to the grand final, only to have the first girl she ever loved, Astra, show up out of the blue as a player on her rival team. Ignoring Astra is impossible; she literally has magic powers, plus every player on Mickey’s teams has, or wants to sleep with her.
Once you pick up Grand Slam Romance, you won’t put it down until you turn that last page. It’s THAT good. Now, to wait impatiently for the release of book two!
Eh, kids are subjected to so much worse these days than two consensual adults alluding to/having sex, so I let it go and suffered through the questions that came after. And then I read the novel myself.
Grand Slam Romance is simply the greatest graphic novel I have ever read. I was blown away, both by the original, fun, super queer storyline, but also the insane illustrations. It’s the story of softball superstar Mickey who is tipped to take her team to the grand final, only to have the first girl she ever loved, Astra, show up out of the blue as a player on her rival team. Ignoring Astra is impossible; she literally has magic powers, plus every player on Mickey’s teams has, or wants to sleep with her.
Once you pick up Grand Slam Romance, you won’t put it down until you turn that last page. It’s THAT good. Now, to wait impatiently for the release of book two!
June 29, 2023
This is super camp in a good way. Perhaps the most diverse queer sports comic I've ever read, and that's pretty cool.
This book combines a queer softball romance with magical girl elements. It's full of messy ex drama between Monsoon and Astra and then add in Wolfgang for even more drama. Ultimately, the messy feelings get in the way of the game and the background characters get stuck trying to play a sport with 3 people that won't focus on the actual game.
The jokes and puns can be a bit crass (aside from 1 really tired U-Haul joke), but it was pretty fun. There's some spice in it, so it's def meant for an older audience.
This book combines a queer softball romance with magical girl elements. It's full of messy ex drama between Monsoon and Astra and then add in Wolfgang for even more drama. Ultimately, the messy feelings get in the way of the game and the background characters get stuck trying to play a sport with 3 people that won't focus on the actual game.
The jokes and puns can be a bit crass (aside from 1 really tired U-Haul joke), but it was pretty fun. There's some spice in it, so it's def meant for an older audience.
Read
June 22, 2023I was excited when I heard there'd be a lesbian softball drama coming from this team, and it was so refreshing to read an adult graphic novel that's also goofy and energetic with kind of a wild plot. I found it really fun, even without any interest in softball or magical girls
May 26, 2024
What was your life missing? Queer Magical Softball Romance!
Cute as fuck. Funny as fuck, in a totally corny way that I loveeeed! And horny as fuck!
This is something that people need in their lives. Promise.
Cute as fuck. Funny as fuck, in a totally corny way that I loveeeed! And horny as fuck!
This is something that people need in their lives. Promise.
August 9, 2023
Such a campy lesbian softball story. You all know I love sports in books and I'm kind of obsessed with all of the innuendos in here
July 19, 2024
Magic girls playing softball and they're all GAY?? What more could I have asked for?
April 3, 2024
Romance meets sports meets the magical girl trope in this hilarious queer debut graphic novel. Mickey Monsoon and Astra Maxima, one-time childhood friends (and sometimes more), are now rivals in the statewide softball tournament. Both Mickey and Astra grew into messy adults with messy romantic lives, and the resulting tension helps propel the plot forward. The banter, the sexual innuendo, and gentle insider pokes and classic queer community norms will keep you laughing, and the art will keep you fully engaged. A full-color spread of manga and Sailor Moon-inspired art covers each detailed page.
July 20, 2023
So very gay and silly and fun! Could’ve used some trans girls (maybe they were there but if so the coding flew right by me) but otherwise was a rollicking silly fun time with great artwork on the facial expressions and the kind of highly emotive girls, gays, and theys emotional energies I remember from before the pandemic when we all used to hang out more in big groups. Just a sweet ol’ time all around and I hope to see more from all these artists!!
September 26, 2025
Grand Slam Romance is a ridiculously fun(ny) and casually queer graphic novel centred around womxn's softball. It's been on my radar for *years* and I'm so happy that I've finally read it! The story is the definition of camp, there's delicious mess everywhere and every woman in the world is sleeping with Astra. Also everyone is gay and there's less than five men in total. What is there not to love?
It exceeded all my expectations! I'm really excited to read the rest of the series!
It exceeded all my expectations! I'm really excited to read the rest of the series!
May 29, 2023
This was such a silly fun read with a truly unhinged plot. The art in this novel was wonderfully vibrant and took me back to my days of obsessively reading Tokyo mew mew manga as a kid. I’ve got no clue what they’ll do with a second book since this one has a pretty great conclusion, but I’m along for the ride!
March 23, 2025
Fuck. I did not expect an emotionally well-rounded story written by real life dyke-wives with all of my favorite ingredients: pick-up trucks, sleeveless hoodies, tender morning moments in girly bedrooms, and a story arc that parallels the playoff season. Made me cry (not hard to do) and want to learn German (near impossible feat for this German girl with intergenerational trauma).
October 3, 2025
I am very clearly not the target audience for this, but wanted to see if it’d be appropriate for my kid.
Anyways, a lot of fun. Loved the world building, art, and characters.
Softball review: not enough strategy, fielding, or base running. Too much reliance on power hitting. Jasmine may have been the villain, but at least she had a pitching strategy. Good pitch mix throughout tbh.
But I know that no one’s reading this book and going “more contact hitting and let’s see an infield shift!”
Anyways, a lot of fun. Loved the world building, art, and characters.
Softball review: not enough strategy, fielding, or base running. Too much reliance on power hitting. Jasmine may have been the villain, but at least she had a pitching strategy. Good pitch mix throughout tbh.
But I know that no one’s reading this book and going “more contact hitting and let’s see an infield shift!”
October 15, 2025
This story was straight up chaotic and I loved every second of it, tbh. Like idk if it was objectively "top notch literature" or whatever, but I had an amazing time and will absolutely be reading volume 2.
Read
July 31, 2023not my cup of tea bc i’m not a sports gay unfortunately nor do i enjoy sports sexy times
July 30, 2024
This was a fantastic book. I laughed so hard, and it was so beautifully gay. The art was gorgeous, and the wacky sports shenanigans kept me flipping each page. Definitely need vol 2.
October 17, 2024
This book was wild and I need the next book so more of that drama can be injected in my veins.
January 8, 2025
This gay softball smut is a winner, baby!
No but really, this graphic novel does a fantastic time portraying a realm of delight previously only imagined by this reviewer. GSR moves a little quickly sometimes and i think that accents real gay life, sometimes there is not space to hesitate when it comes to love, lust and hands on experience. Its a very gay creation that manages to avoid stereotypical story plots while reveling in those archtypes at the same time. Plus, this comic is juicy with details that que a feeling of queerness seemingly effortlessly. IYKYK.
I would love bonus material in the back, theres lots of ideas to be touched upon, perhaps itll be delivered with the 2nd or 3rd volumes. I would 10/10 reread.
No but really, this graphic novel does a fantastic time portraying a realm of delight previously only imagined by this reviewer. GSR moves a little quickly sometimes and i think that accents real gay life, sometimes there is not space to hesitate when it comes to love, lust and hands on experience. Its a very gay creation that manages to avoid stereotypical story plots while reveling in those archtypes at the same time. Plus, this comic is juicy with details that que a feeling of queerness seemingly effortlessly. IYKYK.
I would love bonus material in the back, theres lots of ideas to be touched upon, perhaps itll be delivered with the 2nd or 3rd volumes. I would 10/10 reread.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews