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A review by mzvasquez_library
Nailed at Home Plate by K. Iwancio
3.0
As a baseball girlie, this book had my attention from the start. I played softball in high school (catcher), so when I saw Nailed at Home Plate looking for ARC readers on Threads, I knew I had to give another sports romance a try.
I’ve only seen Savannah Bananas-style entertainment baseball on TikTok, so I was excited to read more about it. The story was fun, easy to follow, and a refreshing take on the grumpy x sunshine trope—except this time, it’s the FMC who struggles with emotions, which was a nice change from the usual dynamic. There wasn’t as much drama as I expected, but since this is the first book, I’m hoping for more in the next one.
The spice level was just right—not too in-your-face, which was a great break after reading a lot of dark romance. There were some wording choices that felt off, and many ARC readers pointed out the similarities between player names and real-life Philadelphia Phillies. K. Iwancio has since addressed both issues, confirming that names will be changed and wording adjustments made before release. I really appreciate her listening to feedback and making those updates.
For now, I’m giving it 3 stars & 4 chili peppers, but I’ll be revisiting my rating once the final version is out!
Update:
With the final release updating character names, it’s now easier to stay immersed in the story without unintended comparisons to real players. The baseball action is dynamic and fun, adding an exciting backdrop to the romance. While some moments slow the pacing, the mix of humor, competition, and emotional depth makes this a standout sports romance. If you love baseball, quirky team antics, and a romance with plenty of heart, Nailed at Home Plate is definitely worth the read.
I’ve only seen Savannah Bananas-style entertainment baseball on TikTok, so I was excited to read more about it. The story was fun, easy to follow, and a refreshing take on the grumpy x sunshine trope—except this time, it’s the FMC who struggles with emotions, which was a nice change from the usual dynamic. There wasn’t as much drama as I expected, but since this is the first book, I’m hoping for more in the next one.
The spice level was just right—not too in-your-face, which was a great break after reading a lot of dark romance. There were some wording choices that felt off, and many ARC readers pointed out the similarities between player names and real-life Philadelphia Phillies. K. Iwancio has since addressed both issues, confirming that names will be changed and wording adjustments made before release. I really appreciate her listening to feedback and making those updates.
For now, I’m giving it 3 stars & 4 chili peppers, but I’ll be revisiting my rating once the final version is out!
Update:
With the final release updating character names, it’s now easier to stay immersed in the story without unintended comparisons to real players. The baseball action is dynamic and fun, adding an exciting backdrop to the romance. While some moments slow the pacing, the mix of humor, competition, and emotional depth makes this a standout sports romance. If you love baseball, quirky team antics, and a romance with plenty of heart, Nailed at Home Plate is definitely worth the read.