Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey

Published on September 9, 2025 by Avon Books

336 pages

I read the paperback version

Back Cover

Boston Bearcats rookie Robbie Corrigan is living the dream. He’s made it to the NHL, his best friend/teammate and fellow “orgasm donor” is his roomie—and the women of Boston love them both. Life is sweet. That is, until he meets Skylar Paige, division 1 softball pitcher, girl least likely to take anyone’s bull…and the one member of the opposite sex immune to his charms. Robbie might be dazzled by the badass pitcher, but Skylar pegs him as a filthy player and wants nothing to do with him.

When he discovers she’s carrying a serious torch for her brother’s best friend, Robbie knows he should just go back to clubbing and whipped cream bikini parties, but he can’t seem to leave Skylar to flounder on her romantic quest to land another man. Nor can he miss out on the opportunity to spend time with her and hopefully redeem himself. Before Robbie knows it, he’s agreed to be Skylar’s fake boyfriend/love coach at an upcoming family wilderness competition where her crush will be in attendance. What could go wrong?

Through a series of contests that require them to trust each other, Robbie and Skylar grow closer and closer until their fake relationship starts to feel like the realest thing they’ve ever known and the sizzling lessons in sensuality burn out of control.

But it’s all just pretend…right?

My review

It’s the first novel I read by Tessa Bailey, and I have to admit that normally I don't like the fake dating trope in general. Fortunately, the writer turned the narrative great, and I got attached to the two main characters. It’s book 4 from the series Big shots, but you don’t have to read them all to understand the story. I grabbed this one because a lot of romance fans talked about this author, and one of her creations is becoming a movie, I wanted to give her a chance.

The chemistry between Skylar and Robbie is believable. I could easily imagine the tension between them. If I have to choose my favorite, I vote for Skylar from the first chapter. She doesn’t let man tell her what to do, and I admire her so much for that.

When I noticed Robbie’s shirt on the cover, I was like, oh no, not another guy who thinks every woman will fall for him. He was truly patient with Skylar. The plot is not just about sex. They learn to know each other before something happens between them. Although, I have to warn you that the novel contains a few intimate scenes, so I recommend it to a public over 16.

Another thing I liked about the book is that Skylar’s family is crazy, but they add humour to the story. Robbie didn’t know much about her when he decided to follow her and meet them. It’s another reason why he won my heart.

Excerpts

Immediately, her heart kicked into a print. No one called this time of day with good news. (p.1)

By insulting baseball, he’d probably just ruined his chances of taking this girl out, but he never backed down from challenge. Hence this Saturday morning face-off that literally no one asked for. (p.15)

“Should we lay some ground rules for that, by the way? I mean, we’re not actually together.” (p.80)

“If we want a chance to win, you have to quit treating me like less of a competitor because I’m a girl.” (p.92)

“Trusting you as a man. Or a boyfriend. It would be a cold day in hell.” (p.93)

“Don’t censor yourself with me. Just say it. I could find out what?” (p.137)

 

ZYX- Niveau 1 : Nouvelle réalité d’Alexandra Larochelle et illustré par Djibril Morissette-Phan et Sacha Bernard

 

Publié chez les éditions de la bagnole le 13 novembre 2025

224 pages

Lu en format papier

4^e de couverture

ZYX, C’EST LA CONSOLE DE JEU REVOLUTIONNAIRE QUE TOUT LE MONDE ATTEND.

Lorsque Jojo parvient à mettre la main sur l’un des 2000 exemplaires mis en vente, sa meilleure amie Mila et lui se retrouvent plongés dans un univers insoupçonné où les règles ne ressemblent à rien de ce qu’ils connaissent.

Ce qui débute comme une belle aventure virtuelle risque fort de se transformer en une épreuve plus difficile, et surtout bien plus sombre que tout ce qu’ils ont pu imaginer…

Mon avis

À moins que je me trompe, c’est la première fois que je découvre une histoire qui se déroule à moitié dans la réalité et l’autre moitié dans le virtuel. J’avais l’impression de lire une version jeunesse du premier film avatar, mais avec Jojo qui se fait intimider à l’école au lieu d’un homme qui en veut au monde entier.

Le livre est recommandé pour un public de huit ans et plus et je trouve que c’est bien le cas. Les illustrations expriment à la perfection l’action du chapitre et l’écriture est assez grosse et les sections sont courtes. Cela donnera envie aux enfants d’aller jusqu’au bout.

J'ai remarqué ma dépendance aux réseaux sociaux et je suis contente que l’auteure parle des jeux virtuels qui peuvent aussi créer une sorte de dépendance. J’ajouterais que c’est une raison supplémentaire de découvrir les aventures de Jojo et Mila avec sa progéniture.

Extraits

Ça ne fait même pas deux semaines que sa sixième année a commencé et il s’ennuie déjà terriblement des vacances à la vieille maison de son grand-père au fond des bois en compagnie de Rosalie et de Mégane. (p.15)

Le niveau de détail et de réalisme est spectaculaire, on dirait une vraie personne! Jojo a beau avoir joué à beaucoup de jeux vidéo, il n’a jamais rien vu qui s’apparente à ce qu’il a sous les yeux. (p.43)

Vous vous apprêtez à entrer dans un monde merveilleux où l’impossible devient réel et prend vie devant vos yeux. (p.45)

Les yeux toujours fermés, Jonathan s’imagine Mila. La vie serait tellement plus simple si sa meilleure amie allait à la même école que lui! En même temps. Il a le sang qui se glace à la simple idée qu’elle soit témoin de ce genre de scènes où il se sent si vulnérable. (p.114)

Mon entrevue avec l'auteure 

Femmes reporters du Québec (1895-1945) de Charlotte Biron

 

Publié chez les éditions Boréal le 4 novembre 2025

265 pages

Lu en format papier

4^e de couverture

Jusqu’en 1945, l’histoire du journalisme s’est généralement construite autour de figures masculines, reléguant pour l’essentiel la contribution des femmes au Québec aux pages féminines des journaux. Pourtant, dès les années 1890, des femmes journalistes vont sur le terrain. Certaines descendent au fond d’une mine ou se rendent au lac Saint-Jean pour décrire la colonisation du territoire ; d’autres mènent des enquêtes littéraires ou transposent en récit leur évacuation de Paris au seuil de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Parus entre 1890 et 1945, les textes réunis dans cette anthologie dirigée par Charlotte Biron mettent en lumière l’apport des femmes journalistes à l’histoire du reportage au Québec, mais aussi les liens qui existent entre leur parcours. Quatorze figures sont rassemblées ici : Robertine Barry, Georgina Bélanger, Éva Circé-Côté, Anne-Marie Gleason-Huguenin, Antoinette Gérin-Lajoie, Cécile Laberge, Corinne Rocheleau-Rouleau, Marie-Louise Marmette, Louise Gilbert-Sauvage, Germaine Guèvremont, Adrienne Choquette, Éva Senécal, Simone Routier et Gabrielle Roy. À leur manière, toutes transgressent un rôle typiquement féminin. Elles inventent ainsi de nouvelles manières d’être reporter et contribuent à transformer durablement les pratiques d’écriture journalistiques.

Mon avis

Je le recommande si vous aimez le journalisme et l’histoire. Comme ces deux sujets m’intéressent, j’ai apprécié lire des extraits de conférence ou de textes de l’époque. Le seul nom que je connaissais est Gabrielle Roy et je ne savais même pas qu’elle avait été une journaliste en plus d’écrire des romans.

Les femmes devaient se battre pour se faire une place dans le domaine, alors je les admire pour ce qu’elles ont fait et j'admire le travail colossal que l’auteure a fait pour créer ce livre.

C’est une œuvre qui se feuillette bien. Chaque chapitre mentionne une différente reporter et certains sont liés. Vous n’avez pas à le parcourir d’un seul coup et vous ne perdrez pas le fil de votre lecture.

Extraits

Les chroniques s’articulent autour d’un espace intérieur auquel associée la figure de la mère de famille, gardienne du foyer. (p.9)

L’écriture nous emmène vers ces « profondes ténèbres » de manière à faire ressentir les dangers auxquels s’expose la reporter : « Les parois du puits sont recouvertes en feuilles de fer, car si une petite pierre, fût-elle-même un gravier, venait à détacher et à nous tomber sur la tête de cette hauteur, nous en aurions immédiatement le crâne perforé. » (p.13)

Même si le questionnaire porte sur la littérature, plusieurs des écrivains sollicités parlent davantage de journalisme. C’est le cas pour la majorité des femmes. Odette Oligny se présente ainsi : « Car je suis avant tout journaliste et chroniqueuse, et j’ambitionne beaucoup plus ce titre que celui d’écrivain. » (p.25)

Faut-il véritablement que nos membres douillets réclament ces délicatesses modernes qui, parfois, amoindrissent la pensée, diminuent la taille des humains et limitent l’existence par un surmenage insensé? On appelle cet effort le progrès! Mais le progrès n’empêche pas les guerres, les tueries organisées avec un art diabolique. (p.145)

Oui, je sais un lien solide qu’une commune émotion peut établir entre deux êtres. (p.158)

Game Night – Défier l’impossible de Suzanne Roy

Publié chez Saint Jean le 22 octobre 2025

350 pages

Lu en format papier

4^e de couverture

Vassili Azarov a du mal à accepter sa nouvelle vie chez les Vikings de Detroit. Il aime se défouler à fond sur la glace et compter des buts. Mais ce puissant sentiment de colère qui le ronge de plus en plus n’a rien à voir avec le hockey….

Survient l’inévitable : il est arrêté par la police à la suite d’une bagarre dans un bar. Pas de chance, la Fédération nationale de hockey prend ces actes de violence gratuite très au sérieux, surtout que les journalistes en font toute une histoire et que la scène a été filmée par plusieurs témoins. La ligue veut donner l’exemple en obligeant Azarov à suivre une thérapie avec Brittany Thompson, une psychologue spécialisée dans les schémas comportementaux de la violence.

Non seulement cette rencontre avec Vassili confronte Brittany à d’affreux souvenirs, mais dès que les beaux yeux bleus de l’attaquant croisent les siens, elle se retrouve nez à nez avec sa conscience… et avec le Code de déontologie de son ordre professionnel….

Mon avis

Si vous me suivez depuis un moment, vous devez vous en douter que j’aime bien les romances dans le milieu du hockey. Ce n’est pas le genre que je lis le plus souvent, mais cela me fait du bien une fois de temps en temps, d'autant plus que c’est un genre qui devient de plus en plus populaire.

Je n’ai pas apprécié ce bouquin uniquement parce que la protagoniste est une psychologue, une profession qui m’intéresse depuis 20 ans, mais j’adore la chimie entre Vasilli et Brittany. D’ailleurs, c'est une deuxième saison pour cette série, mais vous pouvez lire chaque tome séparément. Chaque histoire est concentrée sur deux personnages différents, le seul lien est l’équipe.

C’est difficile de choisir mon personnage favori, mais je vote pour Brittany, dont j’admire le métier, mais aussi le fait qu’elle affronte ses démons au fil des chapitres. Elle peut être froide par moment afin de respecter ses limites, on voit que son emploi compte pour elle, pourtant, elle risque tout pour donner une chance au joueur de hockey. À vous de découvrir, si elle réussit.

Vassili arrive en deuxième position. J’avoue que j'éprouvais moins de plaisir après sa bataille au commencement. D’ailleurs, je trouve que c’est une bonne idée que l’auteure aborde ce thème. On apprend à mieux le connaître et je ne le regrette pas.

Extraits

J’avoue qu’il y a de quoi me mettre en colère à l’occasion, mais je ne m’en suis pas mal sorti, quand on y pense. J’ai un super boulot, de l’argent, un grand appartement hyper moderne…(p.28)

À quelques pas de moi, Brittany Thompson relit son propre texte. Elle semble l’apprendre par cœur. Moi, je ne sais pas faire ça. De toute façon, je préfère regarder des mots imprimés sur un bout de papier plutôt que la meute de loups qui m’attends dehors. (p.33)

Ma psy lève les yeux au ciel. Visiblement agacée. J’espère qu’elle ne me croit pas capable de tuer quelqu’un par excès de violence! (p.38)

J’aime bien les comédies noires et les films d’action. Pulp Fiction, par exemple, sinon Kill Bill ou The Matrix. (p.84)

La théorie qui s’inscrit dans ma tête est hautement désagréable : Vassili m’attire probablement parce qu’il m’est défendu. Nous sommes tous les deux attirés comme des aimants simplement à cause de l’interdiction qui plane sur nos têtes. (p.143)

Ma chronique de Game Night 1 - Briser la glace 

Mon entrevue avec l'auteure 

Benefits included by Erin Lisbeth

Published on January 12th, 2026

316 pages

I read the digital version

Back Cover

Quinn is all too familiar with hard work and struggling to make ends meet. When an opportunity presents itself to leave her grungy job and bleak, dead-end town, she jumps at the chance for big-city living, and flies across the country to meet her groom. Thrown into a world of outlandish wealth and luxury, Quinn must learn to navigate her new role as a housewife while battling her undeniable attraction to a husband who insists their relationship is purely business.

Jaxon has fought his way up the corporate ladder choosing solitude over companionship. When he overhears office gossip that his boss is looking to promote a family man at this year’s corporate retreat, he knows he needs to secure a wife.

Minutes after meeting, these two polar opposites are joined in matrimony. The newlyweds soon clash over the terms of their agreement. Tensions flare and passions ignite as they navigate the highs and lows of their unconventional marriage.

Will Jaxon take it too far with his commanding personality, or will Quinn’s free-spirited nature win him over?

My review

First, I would like to thank the author for the arc. It’s not the type of books I usually read because I found them predictable, and I have a soft spot for more complex stories. At the same time, it’s exactly what I needed to read to make me forget about real life. I wanted something cute, characters that made me laugh and enjoy a good time while I was turning the pages. The writer did excellent work for that.

I was at Quinn’s place ten years ago, and I could connect to that. I lost my grandmother and my job pretty much at the same time. Maybe it’s the reason I give her the first place. She also made me chuckle the most, although I like the fact that Jaxon is a grumpy sunshine. It’s just that I could relate to Quinn more and she was funnier.

I’m not a huge fan of the contemporary marriage of convenience trope, but I think it’s turned out satisfied. The chemistry between the characters is great. They learn to discover each other, although they should do that before the wedding, and Luna won my heart.

I recommend it if you have to have a good moment and enjoy romance. Please note that the F-word is happening a few times, but it didn’t bother me as much as I imaged when the author warmed me. I think I was more curious about the characters than anything else.  

The Romance Pitch by Olivia Isley

 

Published on October 15, 2025

372 pages

I read the e-book

Back Cover

What could be worse than finding out your one-night stand is your new colleague?

When Chloe hits it off with Alex Stuart at an international marketing conference, a one-night stand with him seems like a safe bet. He’s not from around here. So Alex showing up at work after they spend a great night together, that’s got to be the worst thing that can happen, right?

He’s the first guy she’s pined over in years, but that doesn’t change the fact that she has to focus on work. Then Alex is assigned on the pitch she needs to nail for her promotion. She can’t get distracted 

All I want is a fresh start.

A big move to London, a great new job, and hooking up with Chloe Nguyen? What a week.

And Chloe’s not only his new colleague, but Alex is working on a major pitch with her. For him, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime to learn from the best. His international move is starting strong!

Unfortunately, Chloe can’t stand him. Alex can’t go home with his tail between his legs. He has to make this work.

My review

It’s the first book I read from this author, however it’s part of a series. Fortunately, you don’t have to consult them to understand Chloe and Alex’s story. I recommend it if you like romance. It’s predictable when you read a lot of rivals to lovers’ tropes. They slept together before they met at work, but Chloe didn’t lwant to give him a chance.

My favorite character was Alex. He moved to London to start a new job and I admire people who do everything they can to chase their dreams. He is the nicest character from the book. I had trouble relating to Chloe, although I am sure she had a soft spot for Alex from the moment they encountered, only I thought she was too cold. I understand she wants to work on the project, but she should realize she is not the centre of the world.

I love the fact that the narrative is happening in London. It gives me a chance to travel for a small price, but most of the novel is occurring in the office, so the reader doesn’t see much of the city.

I would like to thank the author for the arc. I enjoyed reading it. It was a cute story

People we meet on vacation by Emily Henry

 

Published by Penguin Random House on May 11, 2021

408 pages

I read the paperback version

Back Cover

Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance to fall in love.

Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together.

Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven't spoken since.

Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wroI ang?

My review

This is the first novel I read from this author, and since it’s also a movie on Netflix, I was curious about it. I didn’t watch the film, but I enjoyed reading the story. I liked the friendship between Poppy and Alex, and I wondered most of the book why they didn’t talk for two years because you can see between all the trips, they made together that they care about each other.

I admit it’s hard to choose a favourite character. I voted for Alex since he's a male version of myself. I could connect to him more because he was in love with the wrong woman; he wishes to have a house, to get married and have a family (it was also my case). He's shy, but he acts like himself around people, whom he appreciates.

I liked Poppy as well, but she is more an extrovert and travels a lot. I like to explore the world; however, I would be exhausted if I visited so many locations in so little time. She also has a blog like me, so I could relate to her in that way,and she seems a nice person. She gave Alex a chance when she saw he wasn’t the popular guy in school. Because of these reasons, she deserves second place.

I enjoy stories about travel; it provides me an opportunity to imagine these places without touching my bank account. The author has a gift to create likable characters; I was sad when Alex told Poppy that he lost his dog. I wished he was more present in the book.

Excerpts

On vacation, you strike up conversation with strangers, and forget that there are any stakes. If it turns out impossibly awkward, who cares? You’ll never see them again! (p.1)

I blink out of my daze and skootch forward in my chair, clearing my throat. This has been happening to me a lot lately. When you have a job where you’re required to come into the office once a week, it’s not ideal to zone out like a kid in algebra for fifty percent of that time, even less so to do it in front of your equal parts terrifying and inspiring boss. (p.14)

There is literally no one on earth better equipped to have a magical vacation than a travel journalist with a big-ass media conglomerate’s checkbook. If you can’t have an inspired trip, then how the hell do you expect the rest of the world to? (p.18)

And the more I think about the trips Alex and I used to take together, the more I long for them. But not for the fun, daydreamy, energic way I used to long to see Tokyo in cherry blossom season, or the Fasnacht festivals of Switzerland with their masked parades and whip-wielding jesters dancing down the candy-colored streets. What I’m feeling now is more of an ache, a sadness. It’s worse than the blah-ness of not wanting anything much from life. It’s wanting something I can’t convince myself is even a possibility. (p.25)

When you imagine a new best friend for yourself, you never name him Alex. You also probably don’t imagine him dressing him dressing like some kind of teenage librarian, or barely looking you in the eyes, or always speaking just a little bit under his breath. (p.33)

But that only lasted until I had a sleepover for my birthday, at which point I found out how embarrassing everyone thought my parents were. I quickly realized I didn’t like my friends as much as I’d thought. (p.84)

I could try to score us a room through an advertising trade, but I’ve been slacking on my social media and blogging, and I’m not sure I still have enough clout. Besides, a lot of places won’t do that with influencers. (p.112)

If you marry her, I think, I will lose all of you forever.

And then, Probably no matter who you marry, I will have to lost you forever. (p.167)