I adored this cute sapphic romance! Very sweet and enjoyable read. It modeled both relationships and friendships within the college sports dynamics. Found family, mild enemies to lovers vibes, college softball teammates, fade to black.

I didn’t realize it was part of a series so it can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but I will need to add the rest to my TBR!

I even learned a little about the sport itself as I never played but have a daughter in t-ball, a possible future star!

I just fell head over heels in love with this novel. I loved everything about it.
I found the descriptions of the university campus fascinating, I was there walking side by side with the main character. Smelling the air and taking a big breath and being in the moment.
The two main characters were so alive, their personalities so interesting and fresh. I just clicked with the story and the girls.
The relationship between the main character and her family was very relatable and real. It added a level of maturity to the story.
And we can't forget: Softball? Yes.

I absolutely love sports related stories. This book is full of interesting characters, great humour and an engaging story line. I enjoyed it immensely and can highly recommend the book.

There seems to always be a disconnect between lesbian romance books and what I expect them to be. I’m pickier with books about sports and find they tend to over-explain details in case readers aren’t familiar with the sport. I am unsure where I fall on that because I’m sure it’s important information if it’s needed, but it’s draining if it isn’t. The writing style didn’t click for me. I’m not a fan of “self-aware” first person where everything is plainly written out and often re-emphasized in italics. I don’t know if I would’ve enjoyed it more if I’d read it at a different point in time or when I was younger. I struggle to rate this genre of book lately because I think it’s a perfectly enjoyable book that is most likely not for me.

CATCHING FEELINGS by Ana Hartnett Reichardt has a lot of good things going for it. The main characters, Andrea (Andy) and Maya, are both complex and well-developed, with their own unique flaws and strengths.

At first, I found Maya to be unreasonable and Andy to be a bit of a pushover. Maya is impetuous and quick to jump to conclusions, while Andy tends to blend into the background and avoid confrontation. However, as the story progressed, I began to understand that these characteristics are simply part of who they are and play a crucial role in their relationship.

One of the most frustrating aspects of the story was the miscommunication between Andy and Maya regarding their relationship. Both are passionate, driven, and caring individuals, but they have different ways of showing it. Andy is more reserved and hesitant to express her feelings, while Maya is more open and direct. This leads to misunderstandings and conflicts between the two, but ultimately, they are able to work through their issues and come to an understanding.

Overall, Catching Feelings is a heartwarming and engaging queer softball romance that showcases the complexities of relationships and the importance of communication. I highly recommend it to fans of the genre.

This was the first time I read anything by this author and it won’t for sure be the last. All I have to say is girls and softball??? Count me in. I read this in one sitting and look forward to her next book.

I received this ARC for an honest review. Many Thanks!

Sports romance with a splash of enemies-to-lovers might be my new favorite thing.

Andy and Maya have the angst and chemistry to make this story work. Even with the over used miscommunication plot device. Andy was a great main character. Her hearing disability is written with great care.

Softball scenes were entertaining and made me miss going to college games.

The multifaceted range LGBTQIA+ characters was fantastic.

This is the 2nd book in a series so go read the first one too.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Yeah, I enjoyed Catching Feelings. Loved the characters in the storyline, the plot was also good, which I was unsure about, I'm not particularly into books centred around sports, but the storyline was captivating. It is repetitive but not overly done. I've noticed that it is the sequel to Ana Hartnett Reichardt’s changing majors. You don't need to read that, as I believe that it wouldn't make a difference. But, I think Reichardt will become another author to watch out for in the next few years to come, so pop both of her books onto your ‘to read list’.

I've given catching feelings a 4 out of 5.

Andrea and Maya. This was a different love story for me, and I enjoyed it immensely. College setting, playing for a softball championship is the goal, and let's fall in love on the way, maybe.
I enjoyed the banter between Andrea and her friends, I loved the back story on all of the characters. The read was entertaining.
Thank you for letting me read an advance copy.

I love a romance where two opposite personalities are pushed together and ‘Catching Feelings’ is a beautiful YA version of this. This is the second installment in Reichardt’s series but can be read easily as a standalone, although I loved the first so I’d definitely recommend both novels!
Andrea Foster, Andy, is a little awkward in the most endearing of ways and her story starts as she is named captain of her softball team. Andy and everyone else expected her popular and extroverted teammate, Maya Gonzalez to be given the title instead. But Andy is placed in a difficult position when she has to forge a sporting relationship with Maya; a level of teamwork that is far more important than the crush she has been harboring.
As with all great YA romances there is a constant push and pull between the two young women. Reichardt really has a way with capturing the relationships and pressures we all experience in early adulthood. And although I got annoyed with Maya’s behavior in the beginning I think that just shows how vividly these characters are portrayed and later developed. I adored Andy with her slight social awkwardness and need to do right by everyone around her.
There is an honesty and an endearing quality to the stories in this series and it was refreshing to read a sapphic romance within this style: I definitely recommend this writer because she has such a fresh voice. Also no previous knowledge of softball is actually required to enjoy this book, but it was a brilliant novel to pick up after ‘League of their own’ left me with a void of sapphic sport.

Loved this book! Anything softball related is right up my wheelhouse. I was a division 1 pitcher for 4 years and loved every minute of playing. So anytime I can sink back into that paradise I jump at the opportunity. This book was hilarious but also covered some harder topics. I will definitely recommend to my friends!

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've never been a sports gay but this has the enemies-to-lovers trope (one of my favorites) so I gave it a try and I loved it. Very conveniently, I also read this right around the time I watched A League of Their Own, so it worked out perfectly. I think this was a lot of fun and I would recommend it to anyone!

This is a cute sports romance written by an author new to me. Catching Feelings is Ana Hartnett Reichardt’s second book in the “Alder Series”. I did not read the first book, however, I feel this book can be read as a standalone.

The two characters are a catcher, Andy Foster, and a pitcher, Maya Gonzales. Both women are college sophomores on the team. At the beginning of the book we learn that they have not been getting along since their freshman year. However, Andy and Maya are forced to develop a good pitcher/catcher relationship in order to develop a winning combination.

Although the story is rather predictable, I enjoyed it. Sometimes you just have to read a book that leaves you feeling good and without the angst that some books build. Ms. Reichardt’s writing is smooth. The characters are interesting and developed nicely. I really appreciated how Andy’s character had to grow into her position of team captain.

I look forward to reading Ms. Reichardt’s books in the future. I rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun sporty read. I loved all the sports stuff as I am completely clueless about it all but I loved how its explained for the people who do not know anything about the sport or sports in general.

Andy is a great character trying to do best for everyone and not always thinking about what's best for her. She holds everyone's best interest at heart and sometimes forgets about doing what she wants. And then there is Maya, hot heated, what you see is what you get. You think. She's so layered and I loved their interactions.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

New adult, sports romance! I really enjoyed the first book of the Alder series and knew I wanted to read more of this author. I enjoyed this book as much as the first. You can read this as a standalone as the previous characters are barely mentioned. Kind of an enemies to lovers slow burn. Loved the writing and hope there are more in the series.

Andy and Maya had some serious angst between them, and although I love a good enemies-to-lovers story, this book didn't quite hit home for me. I found the angst between Andy and Maya a little disruptive, and I couldn't see why they were both keen for each other. I particularly couldn't understand why Andy had a crush on Maya, who was so hot and cold throughout the book.

I think I just couldn't feel the chemistry between these two mains. I liked the storyline though.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

I loved the first book in the series but this wasn't as enjoyable as that one. I wish I could complete it but I just can't get into it.

4⭐️
First, I didn't know this was a series and that Catching Feelings was the second book in it. I usually read books in order, but in this case, I don't think you can't read them as individual volumes. That said, I will be reading #1 Changing Majors as well.

We meet Andy Foster, who was, to her own surprise, just promoted to not only be the starting catcher but also be the team captain. She, who actually prefers to stay out of the spotlight, must now suddenly grow into a leader. In addition, the coach assigns Andy the task of keeping an eye on star pitcher Maya Gonzales and making sure she stays on track to lead the team to Alder University's biggest win.

Maya, and the entire team, expect her to be named captain and she doesn't understand what happened when not only is Andy preferred to her as captain, but Coach assigns Andy to her as a quasi-babysitter and training partner.

Loving Andy is very easy, she's the lovable, sometimes a little insecure type who wants to stay out of the limelight but needs to learn to lead the team and raise her voice to be heard. Maya is the opposite, fiery and a born leader, but sometimes a bit too temperamental. But it is these differences that make them a great team, and not only for Softball. The more time they spend together, the more they discover what they have in common. And if they get it right, much more than just winning at sports awaits them.

It is a wonderful story about two young women who have to break down prejudices, eliminate animosity, learn to trust, accept defeat, enjoy victories and find their own way. Most of us can identify with one or the other and remember all the strange, awkward, embarrassing, funny, and great situations we have experienced ourselves.
The author has written a very fluid, humorous, and endearing story where you can follow the development of the two main characters and see them come out of hiding and embrace their growing feelings for each other and begin to live them out.

Andrea Foster and Maya Gonzalez are on the same college softball team. They do not seem to get along until the coach makes Andrea captain and starting catcher. The plot revolves around how Andre is getting closer to Maya and how they with their feelings when they get closer. Andrea is also dealing with her father who has MS and is not doing well. Maya is facing feelings of inferiority to her brothers. The boo0k is interesting with drama and emotions throughout. I recommend this book to all romance readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my favorite book this year of the 20+ books I've read so far! Catching Feelings is quick, cute, and generally light hearted. It hit all the right softballs for me.

Andy and Maya are both on Adler University's softball team and have to navigate the season as unexpected co-captains. They push and pull against each other. There is a nice flow among the different aspects of the novel.

As a counselor, I especially appreciated that mental health was addressed and loved the notion of swerve.

This book can be read as a stand alone, and I look forward to going back to read the first.