the love playbook – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sports Romance
Length: 253 pages
Author: Laura Langa
Publisher: West East Publishing
Release Date: February 13th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Jilted at the game. Roommates by chance. Catching feelings by accident.

Humiliated after my MLB fiancé called off our engagement—in the middle of a baseball game, I did what any rational, rule-following girl would I climbed on top of the dugout to give him a piece of my mind.

I just didn’t expect to slip—or fall straight into the arms of Trevor Chapman.

Awkward? Totally. Except the team’s veteran catcher also happens to be my roommate. Trevor’s protective, patient, and ten years my senior—but I’m the one sharing custody of his rescue calico and handling the personal taxes for half of the Waves lineup.

To shake off my post-breakup funk, I make a list of adventures—and rope Trevor in. With every item we cross off, it’s harder to ignore that I’m catching feelings faster than Trevor snags fastballs.

I’ve already been burned by a Waves player, so letting myself fall again feels risky—even when Trevor has always been there to catch me.

Love Catch is a closed-door sports romcom featuring a jilted bride, her protective MLB roommate, and one very sweet calico rescue cat.
It’s perfect for readers who love playful banter and sizzling kisses with no third act breakup!

The Love Playbook series—where swoony athletes, laugh-out-loud romance, and happily-ever-afters meet adorable rescue animals who steal the show. Each book is a standalone, full-length, closed-door romcom featuring a different sport and an adorable pet! Books can be read in any order.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

THIS WAS CUTE.

Your girl is always after a good baseball romance because I feel like there’s not enough floating around out there. I would add this to the list if you enjoy a closed door romance with friends to lovers, two cute cats and a man who is INCREDIBLY down bad.

I loved all of the soft and quiet moments between Travis and Kenzie. Helping with animals, going to a wedding, attending games, all add up to the flirtatious pull between them. They are both sweet characters that are easy to love on and this book is only about 230 pages so it’s a perfect quick read to put a smile on your face.

I wish there had been less of the ex content because that overshadowed a large portion of the plot. I did love Kenzie finding a new strong female friendship at least.

Overall audience notes:

Baseball romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Content warnings: physical altercation

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: NA Sports Romance
Length: 404 pages
Author: Gracie Graham
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 28th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A brand new reverse grumpy sunshine, college football romance in a new series of standalone romances.

Charlotte Baker is the grump to my sunshine and the star of all my unrequited fantasies.

She checks all my boxes while all I seem to do is piss her off.

But I’m a wide receiver in the Big Ten. I’m used to winning, and my golden retriever personality is sure to wear her down.

Those cutting looks she gives? Just a cover. Secretly she wants me; she’s just loathed to admit it.

Those snarky comments? They’re simply a way to hide her attraction; she just can’t see it yet.

Oh, and did I mention I just discovered her father is engaged to my mother?

Now she’s saltier than normal.

But I won’t let this forbidden romance get me down. I have a plan, a way to win her over and secure my mother’s engagement to her father at the same time.

On paper, my plan is I’m going to show her what it’s like to be romanced. I’m going to woo her. I’m going to throw the Love Playbook right at her.

Lettie might have made it clear that she’s not interested in me, but I’m nothing if not persistent.

All she needs is a little persuasion.

Right?

I LOVE FOOTBALL.

I love a good Gracie Graham book and I am so happy to have this spin off series! It was incredibly swoony and I love golden retriever MMC’s and black cat FMC’s.

There’s a lot of family drama that’s complicated and brings the contention. I liked how things worked out in the end though and that some good resolutions were found. The found family text chains and group dynamics are so fun and I love the college setting.

Great chemistry and banter. It’s heated and an easy read to fly through. Looking forward to the next one!

Overall audience notes: