This is a fun, quick read. Its inspiration is obvious, and this makes it all the more entertaining. Steamy, but also with charming characters. It is pretty short, and a little more length would allow a little more room for some depth of character (there are some big family things in both the main characters' lives that don't really get explored as much as maybe they could have been). I enjoyed the quick reference to Meet the Benedettos. I hope Katie Cotugno keeps writing these celebrity inspired stories.

Such a fun, quick read! I finished the entire book in one day. I don’t think I’ve read a baseball player/pop star romance before, but I loved this combo. The plot was so entertaining, and the characters had great chemistry and banter. As a Swiftie, I could tell there were some aspects that definitely alluded to Taylor Swift in the female main character but if anything that made the book even more enjoyable for me.

There was nothing really wrong w this book, I think just compared to other romances I've read this year, it was hard to live up to. I've enjoyed other books by this author, and am sure I will continue to.

I wouldn't have even attempted to read this had it not been written by an author I've read from and enjoyed in the past. I thought if anyone could do a TS and TK-inspired sports love story it would be Katie Cotugno, but I really didn't love this book. At all. Even if it wasn't heavily inspired by the real life romance we all know and love I still wouldn't have loved this book. The male main character was horrid. I was rooting for the FMC to wise up and dump him. Ugh I hated the story. So disappointed in this book.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to read next, so figured I’d go for a quick, easy read and this was definitely that. Even though I was looking for a short book this was just too short, it doesn’t feel complete. I was never able to get fully invested in Lacey and Jimmy’s relationship because I feel like we didn’t see a lot of it. And when they were together it almost felt like the chemistry was forced between them. Plus the ending came so abruptly I felt like I was left hanging.

To make sure we’re clear, I have nothing against the popstar/athlete trope. When done right I think it can lead to an adorable love story. However Lacey was so clearly Taylor Swift and some of the drama so thinly copied from Taylor/Travis it almost felt more like fanfic. Changing football to baseball is not enough to make the story her own in my opinion.

Thank you Harper Perennial and Netgalley for my review copies!

I was really hoping for more out of this story. There were some great ideas but not a lot of execution. I'm a Swiftie but even I thought Lacey was too much like the real person. I didn't want to read a story about Taylor Swift. I did think the chemistry between Lacey and Jimmy was cute but there just wasn't enough for me to buy the relationship. And the end felt VERY abrupt.

... I think I've seen this film before...

I wanted to love this - but it was so much of a Tayvis retelling that I found it difficult to get through. I wouldn't have minded if the concept was taken, but the author put their own spin on it and added in a bit of creativity, but I honestly felt like I was reading about a celebrity couples very public relationship in a book rather than on my phone where I generally get the gossip.

That being said, I liked the authors writing style and think I could really enjoy another book from her if she were to add her own spin, rather than just retelling what everyone has seen on TV.. It was a quick read so I was able to get through it in one sitting which was good because I don't know if I had put it down that I would have picked it back up.

I can't wait for the baseball romance to supplant the hockey free for all we've been stuck in. Although there were some bumps in the execution of this romance, I was rooting for Lacey and Jimmy throughout my read. Katie Cotugno's foray into the singer/athlete romance is entertaining and a nice change of pace.

Thank you to Harper Perennial and Netgalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

This was just so-so for me. I found it frustrating how quickly Lacey and Jimmy would get mad at each other over the smallest things. Their constant miscommunications and arguments made it hard to root for them as a couple at times. It seemed like there was always some misunderstanding or misplaced anger that could’ve been resolved with just a little more effort on their parts.

That said, I did like seeing Jimmy open up to Lacey about his brother. It added some much-needed depth to his character and gave a bit more substance to their relationship. While it wasn’t my favorite read, it was quick and easy to get through, making it a decent pick if you’re looking for something mostly light.

Heavy Hitter by Katie Cotugno is a romance read that follows the life of Lacey Logan, a famous singer trying to keep her life private while living under the microscope of fame. Lacey’s world is turned upside down when she discovers her boyfriend’s dark secrets, leaving her struggling with her sense of control and self-worth. Enter Jimmy Hodges, a former baseball star with a rugged, unfashionable exterior, who sweeps into her life just as she's venting to a friend. Jimmy, with his down-to-earth vibe, is everything her previous life wasn’t, and together, they discover sparks that change Lacey’s perspective on love and risk.

This slow-burn romance keeps readers hooked with its relatable characters and tender chemistry between Lacey and Jimmy. The author masterfully balances humor with heart, and though the romance is relatively tame, the connection between the two protagonists is palpable. It’s an enjoyable, fast-paced read, perfect for those looking for a lighter, swoon-worthy romance with real-world relevance.

Raise your hand if you’ve had high expectations for a book that are absolutely, totally, not even a little bit met. Yep. It’s the worst. I really wanted to like Heavy Hitter, the latest novel from bestselling author Katie Cotugno. And. Well. I didn’t like it. At all. I’m actually surprised that I finished it.

Here’s the book’s description:

Taylor and Travis. Jennifer and A-Rod. Marilyn and Joe. When a professional athlete and a megawatt star fall in love, the world is obsessed . . .

With four chart-topping albums, Lacey Logan is a superstar whose life no longer feels like her own. Her every move is photographed, videoed, and dissected online, and her carefully curated Instagram feed studied by fans worldwide. To maintain her privacy, Lacey skillfully controls her narrative, showing fans and paparazzi what she wants them to see.

But when Lacey discovers her boyfriend is hiding two devastating secrets—a bad cocaine habit and a pregnant girlfriend—she begins to lose confidence and control of her own story. Then big-shouldered baseball player Jimmy Hodges, a former Rookie of the Year when Lacey was in high school, walks into the bar where she’s venting to a friend. With his shaggy beard and unfashionable button-down, Jimmy is the opposite of the picture-perfect guy Lacey thinks she wants. Soon, sparks fly and inhibitions go out the window when Lacey dares to take some chances.

Lacey and Jimmy are polar opposites. But could this be the forever after they both need?

I gave this book a generous two stars with one star basically just being for all the baseball references and half of that star due to the Bull Durham reference. Cotugno either knows baseball well or did her research and I could feel what Jimmy was going through (even though I’m a fan, not a player myself).

Things I liked:

Baseball.

Happily For Now. Things end well but not so neatly as some romances give which is refreshing sometimes.

The length. It’s a short book (240 pages) so it was over quickly.

Dual narrative. Nice to get the perspective of both main characters.

Things I didn’t like:

How obvious it was that it was Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce fan fiction - if Kelce played professional baseball instead of football. I love Swift and how she manages herself (is she perfect? No, no one is but that’s not a discussion for today.) but this was just… too much.

The length. I know, it’s on both lists. It was too short and there were SO many little storylines that were left completely dangling.

The end. I don’t like how open ended it was.

The characters. I just didn’t care about them.

Insta love. I don’t often have a problem with it but I did with this one.

The POV/tense. It was third person and present? I think? I don’t know for sure (this is why I’m not a novelist) but whatever it was, it didn’t work.

OK, well, that’s enough. No need to beat a dead horse (or dead relationship - I cannot see these two making it much longer). Heavy Hitter was just straight up not an enjoyable book. And it absolutely should have been. I’ll still read more of Katie Cotugno’s books in hopes they’re much better.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Harper Perennial, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

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This was a fun, easy and heartfelt read. I loved the way that Jimmy and Lacey just connect from the first time they meet in the book, They fit together so well and I loved the reference to Kit Benedetto.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read for Heavy Hitter!!!

This was my first baseball romance and I enjoyed the whole ride! While I will romance a hockey girl, I could not put this one down and finished in a sitting. The characters were great and the romance was passionate

this book.. was not a home run for me.

For anyone following this account, you know I love some spice (if you are new here - welcome) BUT this book felt like it was weirdly teetering on the line of being spicy but several times the door was slammed right in our faces. It was rather confusing for a book that had a hookup scene less than 30 pages into the book. That of course is not the main reason I read books but it’s worth noting.

I overall did not feel a strong connection to either character and also did not feel a strong connection between them either. I found myself skimming at times to get through it faster, so after that I knew it wasn’t a favorite of mine.

I do love baseball though so that was fun - the FMC also kinda had Taylor Swift vibes so if you are into that maybe you will like this book.

This was okay I guess. I liked the actual romance but they did not act their age. The fights made sense but I wanted them to talk it out more since they are both in their mid to late 30's. Also having no epilogue was certainly a choice.

I received an arc from netgalley.

I like reading Katie Cotugno's books because they are a masterclass in how to write an emotional, character-driven novel with outstanding dialogue. For those reasons, I was eager to read Heavy Hitter. Sadly, this one missed the mark for me. While I admire the ripped-from-the-pop-culture-headlines approach, I feel this storyline could've used some nuance. By the end, there's a nod to subtle character growth, but not much. I really would've liked to see them demonstrate why they loved each other beyond just their physical attraction. Also, the amount of profanity in this book is beyond excessive. There's no reason to use the f-word so frequently in a published book.

Katie Cotugno knocks it out of the park with Heavy Hitter, a captivating and vibrant tale that expertly intertwines the worlds of celebrity and sports. This smart, sexy romance captures the highs and lows of fame while exploring the deeper struggles of identity and self-worth.

Heavy Hitter is basically a Taylor/Travis inspired romance book. It was okay, fairly short and somewhat predictable. I think Swifties will enjoy this one, but it wasn't my favorite. It wasn't very involved, and left me kind of underwhelmed and wanting more. I wanted more interaction in person between Lacey and Jimmy. I also thought a lot of topics were brought up but then left unresolved (ie: Jimmy clearly has issues about his brother's death, and it's barely touched).

I think people wanting a short and quick romance read will enjoy this one. Unfortunately, it wasn't really one of my favorites.

For all Taylor Swift Fans that are (maybe a little too) invested in her story with Travis, this is the perfect book to read: A romance story between a mega famous pop star and an athlete.
For all readers who read tons of romance this might be a little disappointing though, since it lacked that special something for me.

This book was one that I'd heard a.lot lot of mixed reviews about and was expecting to not like but was surprised to find that I actually loved it. From the characters to the storyline, it didn't disappoint. I found myself cheering along for the characters, which is something I don't often do. While someday that this book was written based on a famous pop star/sports player relationship, I don't think that it relies on those ties and does a great job of standing out on its own.