⚾Book Review ⚾

I had to really push through reading this book and I've struggled to write a constructive review. The premise of the book was really intriguing, hence why I requested it. However the execution of this plot was rather bland and underdeveloped. It felt like a framework that needed lots more detail. The open door spice scenes that lasted only two paragraphes feels really underdone to me. I also just never felt the tension or angst that the story could have developed. It was like reading the ingredients on the back of a chip packet, you want to know what is there, and it's a complete list, but it's not really an interesting read. This might be your thing though??

Big thanks to Netgalley, Good Fortune Books LLC and Brittany Arreguin for a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

When I saw a book about a baseball player returning to his hometown, moving back in with his parents, and reconnecting with his childhood best friend and her now-grown-up little sister, I was intrigued. I mean, what’s not to love about a mix of small-town nostalgia, family dynamics, and a touch of romance?

The storyline between the two main characters was sweet, and I especially loved the warmth and chaos of Leanne’s family—they were such a delight. Corey’s side of the story, though, felt like it needed a little more oomph. Why does he hate his hometown so much? I needed more there to really feel his inner conflict.

Oh, and I have to mention the geographical hiccup. The author talked about a baseball game in LA, then suddenly had the team visiting San Diego’s stadium… except they were at Dodger Stadium, not Petco Park. If you’re a baseball fan, or if you’re from either area like I am (born and raised in LA and a proud San Diego college grad), this little slip-up will definitely catch your eye!

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a quick read with a cute ending, but I wish the pacing hadn’t felt so rushed. The big conflict could’ve been, well, bigger and more dramatic to really hit home. But if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted romance with a touch of hometown charm, this one fits the bill!

Thank you NetGalley and Good Fortune Books LLC for my copy for Fielded Dreams in exchange for my honest review.

Posted on Goodreads on December 16, 2024

this was such a great read for my first baseball romance! the characters felt so realistic and the banter was very funny and cute. i can’t wait to see what this author does next!

This was OK kinda a nice break from all the hockey romances, if you like or know baseball it was a little farfetched or let's say creative. Corey is in his later 20s and chasing his MLB dreams, he's now playing for his hometown new semi professional team (not a farm team though ) - nd not excited about living back in his childhood bedr[m, Leanne owns a food truck after starting over as a chef and is loving it- she also happened to have a huge crush on Corey back in the day who happed to be her older brothers Lance's best friend- Lance and Corey have a suprise meet up after a game at a local bar and so it begins, will Corey get his chance at the big show before time runs out? How does Leanne play into his life,. Like I said it was okay but a slow read for me it needed more and if you know baseball some stuff gets in your head too much but if you enjoys sports romances and second chance type love stories pick it up

I really enjoyed Corey's character. I related to him a lot with him feeling like he's not at the place he wanted to be in life by a certain age. I appreciated him being okay with that and letting life take its course. I also really enjoyed the feelings that come with coming home to your hometown. That feeling like you need to prove yourself. Like things are exactly the same but different all at the same time.

Brother's best friend is one of my favorite tropes, so I loved that aspect of this book. I ate up how Corey comforted Leanna when she was upset. He also really supported her and her business from the beginning, even before he really got to know her again after not seeing her for years. He was a sweet hero, and Leanna was a funny and relatable heroine.

All this being said, I found it to be a little insta love. Give me more yearning, angst, and pining. They open up to each other really quickly, and I would've liked to see them work for it a little more. I also felt like the steamy scenes were too short, which made them feel rushed. They could be drawn out more so we as readers can really feel their connection both emotionally and physically. On a positive note, I did enjoy that the author showed the more awkward parts of intimacy like setting boundaries and communicating when we're uncomfortable.

Thanks you NetGalley and Good Fortune Books LLC for sending this book to review. All opinions are my own.

This book was a very cute and easy read. I really enjoyed how light hearted and fun this was.

There were a few cringe worthy moments which I did not enjoy, however, I think it might be due to the MCs being older. It was really nice to read a romance which had older characters in it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a simple and quick read.

Thank you to netgalley, Brittany Arreguin and the publishers for gifting me this arc ⭐️

I think this book, fielded dreams, offers a fun and heartfelt storyline, there are areas where it falls short. the pacing occasionally felt uneven, and the writing could have been more polished to truly elevate the emotional beats and characters arc. I felt the writing was underdeveloped and not as well done as it could have been. however the core idea - a 'hometown hero' grappling with self-doubt and a romance with his best friends sister - is strong and carries the narrative.

There were a few aspects of this book that I loved and thought were really cute and a few I just couldn’t get past.

Being from Northern California, I got a lot of nostalgia reading about Bay Area baseball and references to the A’s moving cities. I also loved hearing about Leanne’s culture through cooking and seeing how passionate she was about bringing that into her business and sharing it with her community.

The thing I couldn’t really get past was the unnatural sounding dialogue and internal monologue. I felt like I couldn’t really get to know the characters because their dialogue was so flat and lacking personality.

I think if the dialogue was improved this could be a really beautiful story. You can tell the author really loves her heritage and the Bay Area and I loved that!

This book is super cute! I loved the whole brothers best friend vibe. It’s the ultimate love story where they keep it a secret and will so anything to be together. I really enjoyed the story line of Corey coming back to his hometown and trying to figure out how to manage the feelings which come with doing so. Out of the whole book, I related most to Leanne and her fear of telling her family her plans, as someone who has moved hundreds of miles away from all they have ever known. It was very well written, as well as well executed, and I enjoyed the glimpse Into the team mates and their personalities as well. I would absolutely recommend this to friends, whether they love baseball or not. I’m not a huge baseball person and I loved it! I also love to support authors of all cultures and backgrounds and truly enjoyed the Asian touches through the book

Thanks to the publisher, Good Fortune books and the author, Brittany Arreguin for allowing me to read this book in advance In exchange for my honest review! #netgalley #fieldeddreams

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I enjoyed this one a lot!!! I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. Great writing style!! This was a first by this author for me but will not be my last!

This was such an enjoyable read! The connection between the characters was undeniable, and the baseball setting brought a fun, unique twist to the romance. The dialogue was sharp and funny, and I found myself cheering for the couple the whole way through. It had a few predictable moments, but that didn’t take away from how engaging the story was. A great pick for anyone who loves charming athletes.

There were some aspects of this book that I really loved, and others that I feel missed the mark. Brittany Arreguin captures the charm of small-town life and the excitement of sports romance and the brother's best friend trope in Fielded Dreams. Set in Neptune Beach, California, the story blends the struggles of chasing dreams with the warmth of rekindled connections. Corey Ramirez's journey from disillusionment to rediscovering his passion, spurred on by Leanne Fairbanks' determination, makes for an engaging premise.

While the book offers a fun and heartfelt storyline, there are areas where it falls short. The pacing occasionally felt uneven, and the writing could have been more polished to truly elevate the emotional beats and character arcs. I felt the writing was underdeveloped and not as well done as it could have been. However, the core idea—a "hometown hero" grappling with self-doubt and a romance with his best friend's sister—is strong and carries the narrative.

Leanne's resilience and optimism contrast well with Corey's internal struggles, making their chemistry believable and heartwarming. The small-town atmosphere adds charm, but the plot could have benefited from deeper exploration of the characters' emotions and stakes.

Overall, Fielded Dreams delivers a feel good read with a solid premise. While not without flaws, it's an enjoyable story that captures the spirit of love, friendship, and finding your place.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

Thank you to NetGalley, Brittany Arreguin, and Good Fortune Books for the eARC of this book.