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New York Stars #2
Restricted List
The best things in life are secret… but does that include relationships?
Rory is the daughter of Paul Fisher, a hall-of-fame baseball player and current field manager for the New York Stars. Through her time around the team, she’s surrounded herself with incredible friends, but only she knows about the feelings she harbors for her best friend’s brother, Cole Pierce… who also happens to be the Stars’ shortstop.
Cole has been entranced by Rory Fisher since their first meeting more than three years ago. All he wants is her, but thanks to his field manager’s rules, he’s had to keep those feelings to himself.
In the wake of a moment after the World Series, Rory and Cole finally give in to their temptation. They only have one her father can’t find out.
But when Paul comes to Cole with a request, they realize just how difficult this is going to be. Can they keep their secret safe, or will they end up right on the restricted list?
Rory is the daughter of Paul Fisher, a hall-of-fame baseball player and current field manager for the New York Stars. Through her time around the team, she’s surrounded herself with incredible friends, but only she knows about the feelings she harbors for her best friend’s brother, Cole Pierce… who also happens to be the Stars’ shortstop.
Cole has been entranced by Rory Fisher since their first meeting more than three years ago. All he wants is her, but thanks to his field manager’s rules, he’s had to keep those feelings to himself.
In the wake of a moment after the World Series, Rory and Cole finally give in to their temptation. They only have one her father can’t find out.
But when Paul comes to Cole with a request, they realize just how difficult this is going to be. Can they keep their secret safe, or will they end up right on the restricted list?
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2025
9 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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March 14, 2025
ARC!
3.5 ☆
『 tropes 』
•best friends brother
•secret relationship
•sports romance
•friends to lovers
•dual pov
•field manager’s daughter
『 my thoughts 』
this is the second book in the New York stars series by ashley bow and it’s quickly becoming a favourite of mine! her books are so fun to read!
i absolutely loved cole in the first book so i was very excited for him to have his own story and romance! he’s an absolute gem of a man, so loving and caring and golden retriever energy. rory is badass, she’s such a great female character. she’s fierce, loyal, caring and so lovable! the two together make such a great couple and balance each other out so well!
i loved that it was a secret relationship but mainly so cole’s career wouldn’t be jeopardised (as rory is his field’s managers daughter and all players were warned to stay away from her) but just like any great romance story, love conquers all and cole and rory don’t let that stop them being together and knowing what they want
3.5 ☆
『 tropes 』
•best friends brother
•secret relationship
•sports romance
•friends to lovers
•dual pov
•field manager’s daughter
『 my thoughts 』
this is the second book in the New York stars series by ashley bow and it’s quickly becoming a favourite of mine! her books are so fun to read!
i absolutely loved cole in the first book so i was very excited for him to have his own story and romance! he’s an absolute gem of a man, so loving and caring and golden retriever energy. rory is badass, she’s such a great female character. she’s fierce, loyal, caring and so lovable! the two together make such a great couple and balance each other out so well!
i loved that it was a secret relationship but mainly so cole’s career wouldn’t be jeopardised (as rory is his field’s managers daughter and all players were warned to stay away from her) but just like any great romance story, love conquers all and cole and rory don’t let that stop them being together and knowing what they want
March 13, 2025
This is a genre I never really delve into.
However when I was chosen to be an arc reader for this book I was so excited.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.
A story of a baseball star, the baseball managers daughter hiding their feelings from the baseball manager.
Trope: hidden love, friends to lovers, forbidden romance.
The spice by the way was absolutely unreal & the added real life kinks.
The way the main male character Cole is portrayed was lovely. He was full of green flags. He is every women’s dream. He’s the man who can demonstrate that his immature ways can change when he meets the love of his life and his spicy side was wow!
Rory. I loved Rory. Her character was so lovely and the relationship she has with her dad I really felt and connected with. I really rooted for Rory throughout the whole story to get the ended she so much craved.
Skip, skip, skip. Your emotional twist on this story really has me worrying about this was going to end the story but it ended exactly how I wanted and needed it too.
A proper forbidden romance story with added secrets, hiding the truth.
However when I was chosen to be an arc reader for this book I was so excited.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.
A story of a baseball star, the baseball managers daughter hiding their feelings from the baseball manager.
Trope: hidden love, friends to lovers, forbidden romance.
The spice by the way was absolutely unreal & the added real life kinks.
The way the main male character Cole is portrayed was lovely. He was full of green flags. He is every women’s dream. He’s the man who can demonstrate that his immature ways can change when he meets the love of his life and his spicy side was wow!
Rory. I loved Rory. Her character was so lovely and the relationship she has with her dad I really felt and connected with. I really rooted for Rory throughout the whole story to get the ended she so much craved.
Skip, skip, skip. Your emotional twist on this story really has me worrying about this was going to end the story but it ended exactly how I wanted and needed it too.
A proper forbidden romance story with added secrets, hiding the truth.
March 21, 2025
They were so cute! I could’ve done without the many reminders that he used to be a whore, but beggars can’t be choosers I guess 🫠
March 7, 2025
Arc review ✨
Absolutely loved this it was super super spicy !! 🥵🥵 Whew like dayummm , and I love a coaches daughter type situation and not only that but friends to lovers ? Secret pining ? Hidden Relationship? Absolutely. I ate this one up , you can't help but love their banter and all of their friends as well , such a cute little friend group , loved every bit of this 😌🫶🏾
Absolutely loved this it was super super spicy !! 🥵🥵 Whew like dayummm , and I love a coaches daughter type situation and not only that but friends to lovers ? Secret pining ? Hidden Relationship? Absolutely. I ate this one up , you can't help but love their banter and all of their friends as well , such a cute little friend group , loved every bit of this 😌🫶🏾
March 9, 2025
“I stood no chance when it came to falling in love with Rory. It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Like it’s the only thing in life I’m meant to do.”
Ashley. Freaking. Bow. Words cannot express just how bloody amazing she is when it comes to writing a sports romance. I loved her debut novel Off Pitch, but Restricted List is on another level!
Rory has had my heart from the get go, she’s always had a wonderful personality, and I feel like she has this wonderful heart that we needed to see more of. I’m so glad we had the opportunity to because her story was beautiful. It takes a lot to be a woman that has confidence in herself, even if it’s not always there. Rory has this heart of gold that could never bring someone down, and she allows that heart to defend the man she loves the most too. I loved reading about her art, and I loved seeing her journey of growing into a more confident woman.
As for Cole, this man is a walking green flag, and the way he simps over Rory just adds to a list of reasons as to why I need a man like him. It’s not often you get to read about a man who has become a reformed playboy because of a woman that he met a long time ago, especially when they know the person they met is a woman they’re forbidden from dating. Did that stop Cole? No. It just meant his hand became his best friend. Cole is not only an incredible man, he’s a great brother, and I love love LOVE his relationship with his sister Harlow!
One of my favourite things in this book is the friendship group. Ashley Bow makes you want to be friends with every single person in this group, and she never fails to give those friends a decent amount of time to be read about in each book. The friendship group is to die for, and sometimes I feel like they’re actually real?
Finally… can we just talk about the way Paul (aka Rory’s dad found out)? OH MY GOODNESS. I am STILL not over that traumatic experience (and I’m still the train conductor of the I hate Paul train). I had never thought of that particular scene being the way Paul found it, and I officially think Ashley is the queen of plot twists.
All in all, Ash is not only an author buy author, she’s an auto NEED author. I love her, her characters, her books, EVERYTHING to do with her. She takes a good romance, adds a nice comedic feel to them with a nice spoonful of obsession.
I will forever recommend this book.
Ashley. Freaking. Bow. Words cannot express just how bloody amazing she is when it comes to writing a sports romance. I loved her debut novel Off Pitch, but Restricted List is on another level!
Rory has had my heart from the get go, she’s always had a wonderful personality, and I feel like she has this wonderful heart that we needed to see more of. I’m so glad we had the opportunity to because her story was beautiful. It takes a lot to be a woman that has confidence in herself, even if it’s not always there. Rory has this heart of gold that could never bring someone down, and she allows that heart to defend the man she loves the most too. I loved reading about her art, and I loved seeing her journey of growing into a more confident woman.
As for Cole, this man is a walking green flag, and the way he simps over Rory just adds to a list of reasons as to why I need a man like him. It’s not often you get to read about a man who has become a reformed playboy because of a woman that he met a long time ago, especially when they know the person they met is a woman they’re forbidden from dating. Did that stop Cole? No. It just meant his hand became his best friend. Cole is not only an incredible man, he’s a great brother, and I love love LOVE his relationship with his sister Harlow!
One of my favourite things in this book is the friendship group. Ashley Bow makes you want to be friends with every single person in this group, and she never fails to give those friends a decent amount of time to be read about in each book. The friendship group is to die for, and sometimes I feel like they’re actually real?
Finally… can we just talk about the way Paul (aka Rory’s dad found out)? OH MY GOODNESS. I am STILL not over that traumatic experience (and I’m still the train conductor of the I hate Paul train). I had never thought of that particular scene being the way Paul found it, and I officially think Ashley is the queen of plot twists.
All in all, Ash is not only an author buy author, she’s an auto NEED author. I love her, her characters, her books, EVERYTHING to do with her. She takes a good romance, adds a nice comedic feel to them with a nice spoonful of obsession.
I will forever recommend this book.
March 15, 2025
⚾️ A R C • R E V I E W ⚾️
WHERE CAN I FIND A MAN LIKE COLE MF PIERCE?!? this man is not only DOWNNN BADDD for his girl, he is also a dirty talker and is so swoon worthy…whata man 😮💨
•
oh and the PININGGG between these two, they didn’t want to ruin the friendship they had but oh was it so worth it!!! they were so flippin cute and deserved their hea, also the spice was spicin between them…like wooo so dang hot 🥵
•
also i absolutely how supportive their friend group is and i cannot wait for what’s to come in this series…fingers crossed my predictions of the next couple come true 😍
•
tropes:
⚾️ baseball romance
✨ friends to lovers
👀 forbidden
🤫 secret relationship
💋 best friend’s brother
🏟️ field manager’s daughter
💚 no third act breakup
•
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
@tropesandblurbs
WHERE CAN I FIND A MAN LIKE COLE MF PIERCE?!? this man is not only DOWNNN BADDD for his girl, he is also a dirty talker and is so swoon worthy…whata man 😮💨
•
oh and the PININGGG between these two, they didn’t want to ruin the friendship they had but oh was it so worth it!!! they were so flippin cute and deserved their hea, also the spice was spicin between them…like wooo so dang hot 🥵
•
also i absolutely how supportive their friend group is and i cannot wait for what’s to come in this series…fingers crossed my predictions of the next couple come true 😍
•
tropes:
⚾️ baseball romance
✨ friends to lovers
👀 forbidden
🤫 secret relationship
💋 best friend’s brother
🏟️ field manager’s daughter
💚 no third act breakup
•
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
@tropesandblurbs
March 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
SO GOOD! Ashley just keeps killing it with each book she writes! I want this friend group so bad! After reading about Harlow and Knox, I couldn’t wait for Cole and Rory to have their moment. This book was so good and had me hooked from the start. The tension was great and I’m so glad we didn’t have to wait for them to get together. The group of friends both Rory and Cole have are amazing, especially with all of their support. While their relationship may have been a secret outside of their friend group, the love and attraction was there the whole time. Thank you so much to Ashley and Book Buzz PR for the ARC and if you don’t have this on your TBR make sure to add it!
Tropes:
-Baseball Romance
-Coach’s Daughter
-Friends to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Dual POV
-Found Family
-Forbidden Romance
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
SO GOOD! Ashley just keeps killing it with each book she writes! I want this friend group so bad! After reading about Harlow and Knox, I couldn’t wait for Cole and Rory to have their moment. This book was so good and had me hooked from the start. The tension was great and I’m so glad we didn’t have to wait for them to get together. The group of friends both Rory and Cole have are amazing, especially with all of their support. While their relationship may have been a secret outside of their friend group, the love and attraction was there the whole time. Thank you so much to Ashley and Book Buzz PR for the ARC and if you don’t have this on your TBR make sure to add it!
Tropes:
-Baseball Romance
-Coach’s Daughter
-Friends to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Dual POV
-Found Family
-Forbidden Romance
March 11, 2025
A golden retriever baseball player with a dirty mouth he saves for her in bed? Yes please! Cole and Rory's story was so good. Their chemistry was off the charts. Cole absolutely worshipped everything about her. Rory was sassy and independent and such an amazing fmc. I love their found family with all of their friends. The banter between them all was top tier. Cannot wait for the rest of the series.
March 5, 2025
✨ ARC Review ✨
📖 - Restricted List by
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wow. When I read Off Pitch (the first book in this series) I thought nobody could out-sexy Fort Knox. Especially sweet little Cole Pierce. Wrong. The heat in this book practically set my house on fire. Cole is a dirty talk extraordinaire, but he’s also such a sweet and devoted man. He treats Rory like the queen she is. ☺️
Rory is Cole’s coach’s daughter, so I immediately knew the forbidden love trope was gonna hit. I love her and she deserves everything good in the world😭 I absolutely adored her relationship with little Sage, and I’m glad we got to see a little bit more of her this book!
Overall, it was all great! The dynamics between all the characters, whether it be the MCs or Cole’s teammates, made for a fun, funny, and all around lighthearted read!
March 12, 2025
I enjoyed the book. It is strong on the spice. You don't need to understand baseball to love this book. Ashely gives you a glossary to help you understand.
March 5, 2025
Tropes:
Forbidden Romance
Coaches Daughter
Best friends brother
Found family
Baseball
Spice spice spice
What a great read! Rory and Cole are everything! Honestly some of the best communication between a couple I’ve seen! It seems like the entire friend group knows and understands good communication as they grow together.
Everything about this story was great! The connection, the banter, the spice, the communication styles, and that ending so so good!!
I loved how Cole came up with the logic for Rory’s nickname. His cinnamon role demeanor was so great, but bedroom Cole…. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I’m also a sucker for great text threads and there were some good ones in this story!
**I received this book as an ARC**
Forbidden Romance
Coaches Daughter
Best friends brother
Found family
Baseball
Spice spice spice
What a great read! Rory and Cole are everything! Honestly some of the best communication between a couple I’ve seen! It seems like the entire friend group knows and understands good communication as they grow together.
Everything about this story was great! The connection, the banter, the spice, the communication styles, and that ending so so good!!
I loved how Cole came up with the logic for Rory’s nickname. His cinnamon role demeanor was so great, but bedroom Cole…. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I’m also a sucker for great text threads and there were some good ones in this story!
**I received this book as an ARC**
March 9, 2025
Arc Review
I signed up for this arc blindly. First Book I’ve read from Ashley and wow, it did not disappoint!
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved all the characters, plus Rory and Cole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And the mouth on Cole….. 🫦
I signed up for this arc blindly. First Book I’ve read from Ashley and wow, it did not disappoint!
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved all the characters, plus Rory and Cole.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And the mouth on Cole….. 🫦
March 4, 2025
Are you a Daddies girl?!🔥⚾️
I want this friend group! They are so supportive of each other and stand together no matter the cost!
Rory and Cole are sugar and spice! There is never a boring moment for these two characters! The way that Cole looked and cared for Rory was so special! When the heat turned on OMG I needed to grab on to something! 🫦
If you like a great friends to lovers story with all the spice and amazing side characters…this is the book!
I want this friend group! They are so supportive of each other and stand together no matter the cost!
Rory and Cole are sugar and spice! There is never a boring moment for these two characters! The way that Cole looked and cared for Rory was so special! When the heat turned on OMG I needed to grab on to something! 🫦
If you like a great friends to lovers story with all the spice and amazing side characters…this is the book!
March 21, 2025
ARC REVIEW!!!! This book was such a surprise. I love finding new authors and I was 100% impressed by this book. It had me literally giggling, gasping and screaming out load at so many points. Cole Pierce, the man you are 😩. There was a lot of smut which I’m not always a fan of, however I must say that there was a lot of creativity during these scenes which made it feel less repetitive than other books. This book was so cute and the found family trope with all the friends was just adorable. I’ve never read a baseball romance before but I loved it and I would 100% recommend.
February 10, 2025
It's forbidden love, it's found family, it's baseball, what else could I possibly ask for?
Ashley keeps hitting home runs with the New York Stars series!
Cole and Rory were clearly attracted to each other during Off Pitch and getting to see their story was downright swoony!
This friend group is one of my favorites, everyone has each other's back and is so supportive of each other.
Seeing Harlow and Knox again made my heart happy and I'm excited to see how the rest of the group's stories work out. Based on some foreshadowing, I'm pretty sure they're going to be amazing stories.
4.5⭐/5⭐
Ashley keeps hitting home runs with the New York Stars series!
Cole and Rory were clearly attracted to each other during Off Pitch and getting to see their story was downright swoony!
This friend group is one of my favorites, everyone has each other's back and is so supportive of each other.
Seeing Harlow and Knox again made my heart happy and I'm excited to see how the rest of the group's stories work out. Based on some foreshadowing, I'm pretty sure they're going to be amazing stories.
4.5⭐/5⭐
March 12, 2025
I'm obsessed with this series...obsessed...
You get a glimpse into Rory and Cole being awkward in the first book, Off Limits and you see it but then BAM Ashley hits ya with their story you NEVER SAW COMING!
Rory is Lanes nanny, the Field Managers daughter (Skip), Harlow's best friend, Cole's best friend, so naturally, she is easy to love. However, her dad is overprotective and ruthless, date my daughter and say good bye to baseball. But Rory can't take it. She is crazy about Cole. He's perfect, he's sweet, and they are best friends. But Cole couldn't possibly want Rory, one she's not a skinny blonde and two she's Skips freaking daughter. Who in their right mind gives up a career for some girl....
Cole has been with the New York Stars for almost 4 years, just as long as he's been crazy about Rory. But Rory is off limits, Skips rules. But he can't imagine anyone else to spend his life with. He's 100% obsessed with her. She's beautiful, smart, kind, and his best friend. It's just her he wants. Love sick Cole is dying inside and he doesn't know what to do.
Cole and Rory's love story is one for all ya best friends to lovers, sisters best friend, forbidden love, and of course Swifties (yeah, I love me a Swiftie fan author!) readers.
I truly believe Ashley has an amazing talent and I'm so honored to read her series! I feel so attached and invested, it's not a story to me anymore, I feel like these people are real, and their stories are real! I just know if you are interested in these kinds of books, you will love Restricted List too!
You get a glimpse into Rory and Cole being awkward in the first book, Off Limits and you see it but then BAM Ashley hits ya with their story you NEVER SAW COMING!
Rory is Lanes nanny, the Field Managers daughter (Skip), Harlow's best friend, Cole's best friend, so naturally, she is easy to love. However, her dad is overprotective and ruthless, date my daughter and say good bye to baseball. But Rory can't take it. She is crazy about Cole. He's perfect, he's sweet, and they are best friends. But Cole couldn't possibly want Rory, one she's not a skinny blonde and two she's Skips freaking daughter. Who in their right mind gives up a career for some girl....
Cole has been with the New York Stars for almost 4 years, just as long as he's been crazy about Rory. But Rory is off limits, Skips rules. But he can't imagine anyone else to spend his life with. He's 100% obsessed with her. She's beautiful, smart, kind, and his best friend. It's just her he wants. Love sick Cole is dying inside and he doesn't know what to do.
Cole and Rory's love story is one for all ya best friends to lovers, sisters best friend, forbidden love, and of course Swifties (yeah, I love me a Swiftie fan author!) readers.
I truly believe Ashley has an amazing talent and I'm so honored to read her series! I feel so attached and invested, it's not a story to me anymore, I feel like these people are real, and their stories are real! I just know if you are interested in these kinds of books, you will love Restricted List too!
March 13, 2025
Wow! Ashley Bow, honey you have found your calling and it’s writing spicy, sports romances! I loved the first book in this series but this one was on a whole other level for sure! I loved all the glimpses of Rory and Cole that we got in the first book of this series, Off Pitch, so when I heard Restricted List was going to be their book, I was giddy and so ready for their story!
Sweet Rory had my heart from the very beginning. She has a beautiful personality and I absolutely loved watching her confidence grow even more during this story! She deserved the world honestly! Now Cole.. my man! You want a walking green flag? Cole is your man. He is absolutely obsessed with Rory and has been since they met 4 years prior. Cole may be the golden retriever but boy does he have a dirty mouth 👀 every single spicy scene had me kicking my feet! Can you say Daddy kink?
The friend group in these books honestly may be one of my favorite things though. I love how Ashley writes everyone so different and they are all so down to earth! If you know me, the less drama the better and I love this friend group so much for that! I absolutely can’t wait for more!
Thanks so much to Ashley Bow and BookBuzzPR for an ARC of this book for an honest review!
Sweet Rory had my heart from the very beginning. She has a beautiful personality and I absolutely loved watching her confidence grow even more during this story! She deserved the world honestly! Now Cole.. my man! You want a walking green flag? Cole is your man. He is absolutely obsessed with Rory and has been since they met 4 years prior. Cole may be the golden retriever but boy does he have a dirty mouth 👀 every single spicy scene had me kicking my feet! Can you say Daddy kink?
The friend group in these books honestly may be one of my favorite things though. I love how Ashley writes everyone so different and they are all so down to earth! If you know me, the less drama the better and I love this friend group so much for that! I absolutely can’t wait for more!
Thanks so much to Ashley Bow and BookBuzzPR for an ARC of this book for an honest review!
March 9, 2025
Restricted List is a forbidden sports romance that perfectly blends playful banter, sizzling chemistry, and a tight-knit friend group dynamic. The story follows Cole, a star shortstop, and Rory, the field manager’s daughter, who have been part of the same friend group for years. Their flirty text exchanges were a highlight for me, I loved how the book incorporated them!
Cole is initially portrayed as sweet, sensitive, and shy, harboring a quiet crush on Rory for three years before finally making his move. I was pleasantly surprised by the contrast between his reserved demeanor and his dirty-mouthed confidence in the bedroom.
Rory, on the other hand, is confident and sassy, holding her own both inside and outside the bedroom. I appreciated her strong personality and how she wasn’t afraid to be bold and mouthy with Cole. Their chemistry crackled, making their relationship engaging and dynamic.
Beyond the romance, the friend group was my absolute favorite part of the book. Their teasing, unwavering support, and camaraderie added so much warmth and humor. Ari, in particular, stood out, and I can’t wait for his book! Harlow’s support for both her brother and best friend was also a lovely touch.
My only critique is that once Cole and Rory finally got together, things felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see more development in their relationship to fully savor their connection. Overall, Restricted List was a fun, steamy read with great characters and a forbidden romance that kept me hooked. If you love slow-burn tension with a mix of playful and passionate moments, this one’s definitely worth picking up!
Cole is initially portrayed as sweet, sensitive, and shy, harboring a quiet crush on Rory for three years before finally making his move. I was pleasantly surprised by the contrast between his reserved demeanor and his dirty-mouthed confidence in the bedroom.
Rory, on the other hand, is confident and sassy, holding her own both inside and outside the bedroom. I appreciated her strong personality and how she wasn’t afraid to be bold and mouthy with Cole. Their chemistry crackled, making their relationship engaging and dynamic.
Beyond the romance, the friend group was my absolute favorite part of the book. Their teasing, unwavering support, and camaraderie added so much warmth and humor. Ari, in particular, stood out, and I can’t wait for his book! Harlow’s support for both her brother and best friend was also a lovely touch.
My only critique is that once Cole and Rory finally got together, things felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see more development in their relationship to fully savor their connection. Overall, Restricted List was a fun, steamy read with great characters and a forbidden romance that kept me hooked. If you love slow-burn tension with a mix of playful and passionate moments, this one’s definitely worth picking up!
March 12, 2025
ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
tropes
🫢 best friends brother
🤩 SUPER flirty banter
💕 friends to lovers
🌶️ explicit open door spice
🤫 forbidden romance
⚾️ field managers daughter
🤭 secret relationship
the banter, the open communication, the true connection, the SPICE, the HILARIOUS text threads. what more could you ask for??? this is a read that i am so glad i had the opportunity to receive an arc of. i giggled so many times throughout the entire book but there were also wholesome moments that made my heart ache
rory is such a “but daddy i love him” girl its no joke. she is an independent strong woman who can make her own choices and that is what she proves to her dad
cole is “down bad” literally. he is such a lover boy & he has so much care in his heart for his friends and family. but when it comes to rory girl, she is everything & more
after over 3 years of wanting each other from the get go but never saying a word, they take a chance on an everlasting love…but it has to stay a secret
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
tropes
🫢 best friends brother
🤩 SUPER flirty banter
💕 friends to lovers
🌶️ explicit open door spice
🤫 forbidden romance
⚾️ field managers daughter
🤭 secret relationship
the banter, the open communication, the true connection, the SPICE, the HILARIOUS text threads. what more could you ask for??? this is a read that i am so glad i had the opportunity to receive an arc of. i giggled so many times throughout the entire book but there were also wholesome moments that made my heart ache
rory is such a “but daddy i love him” girl its no joke. she is an independent strong woman who can make her own choices and that is what she proves to her dad
cole is “down bad” literally. he is such a lover boy & he has so much care in his heart for his friends and family. but when it comes to rory girl, she is everything & more
after over 3 years of wanting each other from the get go but never saying a word, they take a chance on an everlasting love…but it has to stay a secret
March 20, 2025
God I am OBSESSED 😍
I was supposed to read this book as an arc read but I informed Ashley I wouldn’t have time, I so wish I was able to read it sooner though!!!!
I loved everything about this book, so so much. It reminded me just how much I liked a sports romance book. The characters, the relationships… I don’t really even have a lot of words because I just enjoyed everything about it. There isn’t anything I’d change about it. It was fast paced, kept me wanting to read more & covered so many romance tropes 😍
I am so intrigued to know what’s happened between a certain 2 characters & am praying I’ll be able to find out at some point. I loved Cole & Rory (MMC & FMC), their relationship was beautiful but also, quite filthy 🤭😂
Please please read this book if you haven’t already, high up there to be a favourite of mine!!!! 😍😍
I was supposed to read this book as an arc read but I informed Ashley I wouldn’t have time, I so wish I was able to read it sooner though!!!!
I loved everything about this book, so so much. It reminded me just how much I liked a sports romance book. The characters, the relationships… I don’t really even have a lot of words because I just enjoyed everything about it. There isn’t anything I’d change about it. It was fast paced, kept me wanting to read more & covered so many romance tropes 😍
I am so intrigued to know what’s happened between a certain 2 characters & am praying I’ll be able to find out at some point. I loved Cole & Rory (MMC & FMC), their relationship was beautiful but also, quite filthy 🤭😂
Please please read this book if you haven’t already, high up there to be a favourite of mine!!!! 😍😍
March 16, 2025
--ARC Review--
Spice: 3.5/5
This was such a delightful and heartwarming story! Rory was incredibly relatable; her vulnerability made her easy to connect with, while her confidence was truly admirable. I was shocked by the transformation of Cole Pierce from the ‘Golden Retriever’ character in Off Pitch to the swoon-worthy, filthy-mouthed man in this book. His treatment of Rory was so wholesome, and he’s definitely earned a spot on my book boyfriend prospect list. While the conflict resolution felt a bit anticlimactic, it was so heartwarming that I couldn't be upset by it. I also loved the glimpses of Harlowe and Knox’s story, but now I’m torn between wanting Ari and Lucia’s story or Lane’s; I’m dying to see both!
Tropes Include:
Best Friend’s Brother
Forbidden Love
One Bed
“F*** it”
Spice: 3.5/5
This was such a delightful and heartwarming story! Rory was incredibly relatable; her vulnerability made her easy to connect with, while her confidence was truly admirable. I was shocked by the transformation of Cole Pierce from the ‘Golden Retriever’ character in Off Pitch to the swoon-worthy, filthy-mouthed man in this book. His treatment of Rory was so wholesome, and he’s definitely earned a spot on my book boyfriend prospect list. While the conflict resolution felt a bit anticlimactic, it was so heartwarming that I couldn't be upset by it. I also loved the glimpses of Harlowe and Knox’s story, but now I’m torn between wanting Ari and Lucia’s story or Lane’s; I’m dying to see both!
Tropes Include:
Best Friend’s Brother
Forbidden Love
One Bed
“F*** it”
March 23, 2025
The FMC in this book is an amazing character mixed with the reformed playboy as her love interest. Tropes of forbidden romance are so much fun to read. The story had plenty of plot twists to keep you on your toes as you read. Rory. The FMC, deserves all the love in the world. It was great to see her happy.
Thank you Ashley Bow & BookBuzzPR for giving me an opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader. These opinions are all of my own.
Thank you Ashley Bow & BookBuzzPR for giving me an opportunity to read this book as an ARC reader. These opinions are all of my own.
March 21, 2025
I have been so excited for this one since I read #1 and this exceeded my expectations. WOW!!! The characters were wonderful, the story was fantastic and you could feel all the feels.
Thank you Ashley for an ARC
Thank you Ashley for an ARC
March 22, 2025
Insta crush
It is so cute that they instantly click but are trying to hold off on anything happening for so long. The chemistry between them is undeniable. Banter is funny, and their friends giving them a hard time is funny.
It is so cute that they instantly click but are trying to hold off on anything happening for so long. The chemistry between them is undeniable. Banter is funny, and their friends giving them a hard time is funny.
March 20, 2025
HOLY COW THAT WAS AMAZING! Ashley has done it AGAIN!!! Where do I get Cole Pierce???
Okay listen, I lovedddd this book. I loved Knox and Harlow but RORY AND COLE ARE MY FAVES! I could not put this book down. It was everything and more. The spice was TOP TIER! The Banter was UNMATCHED and the love was PURE!
For starters, I love a POC rep. And Rory being biracial was just amazing. I found that the book really talked about her beauty, both in the way she looked, and her size. The representation in this book was so good to me. I felt like Rory‘s insecurities, and the things that were important to her were very natural and real.
I think this entire series is also about family, and what that means to people. In book 2, we get more of the family by seeing how the friends really support Cole and Rory. Even though they had to hide their relationship, everyone supported them. And when she was having the argument with her father about Cole, they all stood up for her. That scene made me cry the most because it was wonderful to see all of them joining forces to support their love story.
There are so many moments in this story that had me literally in tears. Cole Pierce is 100% one the best book husband ever. I’m not even gonna call him a Book boyfriend, because he is a Book husband. He was everything. And he just loved Rory so much that I could not stop giggling every time he spoke about her. Even though they were fighting their feelings, they just knew that they deserved to be together and that they loved each other.
The spice in this book was so good. I can’t stop thinking about it. I felt like the spice was explored in different ways and it actually made the spice feel adventurous. I enjoyed it so much.
Again, the side characters are some of my favorite people. I am obsessed with Ari and Lucia. I know whatever is gonna happen there is gonna be so good. Of all the characters, Lane still really is my favorite. He’s so mature, and the way he cares about his daughter is everything. It reminds me of Skip and why he was the way he was. Although I did not appreciate how he went about his actions, I definitely could understand why Skip reacted, the way he did.
Overall, this is one of my best reads of this month. I have loved Ashley’s work since last year. And I truly can’t wait to read the next one in this series. Thank you, Ashley , and thank you BookBuzz PR for this wonderful read
Okay listen, I lovedddd this book. I loved Knox and Harlow but RORY AND COLE ARE MY FAVES! I could not put this book down. It was everything and more. The spice was TOP TIER! The Banter was UNMATCHED and the love was PURE!
For starters, I love a POC rep. And Rory being biracial was just amazing. I found that the book really talked about her beauty, both in the way she looked, and her size. The representation in this book was so good to me. I felt like Rory‘s insecurities, and the things that were important to her were very natural and real.
I think this entire series is also about family, and what that means to people. In book 2, we get more of the family by seeing how the friends really support Cole and Rory. Even though they had to hide their relationship, everyone supported them. And when she was having the argument with her father about Cole, they all stood up for her. That scene made me cry the most because it was wonderful to see all of them joining forces to support their love story.
There are so many moments in this story that had me literally in tears. Cole Pierce is 100% one the best book husband ever. I’m not even gonna call him a Book boyfriend, because he is a Book husband. He was everything. And he just loved Rory so much that I could not stop giggling every time he spoke about her. Even though they were fighting their feelings, they just knew that they deserved to be together and that they loved each other.
The spice in this book was so good. I can’t stop thinking about it. I felt like the spice was explored in different ways and it actually made the spice feel adventurous. I enjoyed it so much.
Again, the side characters are some of my favorite people. I am obsessed with Ari and Lucia. I know whatever is gonna happen there is gonna be so good. Of all the characters, Lane still really is my favorite. He’s so mature, and the way he cares about his daughter is everything. It reminds me of Skip and why he was the way he was. Although I did not appreciate how he went about his actions, I definitely could understand why Skip reacted, the way he did.
Overall, this is one of my best reads of this month. I have loved Ashley’s work since last year. And I truly can’t wait to read the next one in this series. Thank you, Ashley , and thank you BookBuzz PR for this wonderful read
March 21, 2025
Cole and Rory has liked each other since their first meeting more than three years ago. All he wants is her, but thanks to his field manager’s rules, he’s had to keep those feelings to himself and she thinks he would never see her that way because she not type of women who he dates. In the wake of a moment after the World Series, Rory and Cole finally give in to their temptation. They only have one her father can’t find out. But when Paul comes to Cole with a request, they realize just how difficult this is going to be. Can they keep their secret safe, or will they end up right on the restricted list?
Rory is such a sweetheart. She is such a relatable character. My heart with the way she was thinking about her, it was so awesome to see her become her confident self. I love her Journey for it. She is kind, funny, gorgeous and she draws. A whole package!! The way she defended him to her dad. I love her.
No doubt Cole is obsessed with her and kiss the ground she walks on. The way this men talks about and think about her , had me giggling so bad. Not only him but also her, like this women love with same intensity.. He didn’t waste any moment to tell her , how gorgeous and smart she is. This guy stopped being the playboy after he meet and even though he knew couldn't be with her as she was forbidden. I love his relationship with his sister , It was so wholesome.
Ashely has made this amazing world , with such whole character, who support each other no matter. Their friendship is top tier. I am so excited for other’s story. The twist in the story I didn’t thought that would happen.
I kinda hate her Paul. I mean let her be happy. I just hate when he was being so nosy and controlling.
Rory is such a sweetheart. She is such a relatable character. My heart with the way she was thinking about her, it was so awesome to see her become her confident self. I love her Journey for it. She is kind, funny, gorgeous and she draws. A whole package!! The way she defended him to her dad. I love her.
No doubt Cole is obsessed with her and kiss the ground she walks on. The way this men talks about and think about her , had me giggling so bad. Not only him but also her, like this women love with same intensity.. He didn’t waste any moment to tell her , how gorgeous and smart she is. This guy stopped being the playboy after he meet and even though he knew couldn't be with her as she was forbidden. I love his relationship with his sister , It was so wholesome.
Ashely has made this amazing world , with such whole character, who support each other no matter. Their friendship is top tier. I am so excited for other’s story. The twist in the story I didn’t thought that would happen.
I kinda hate her Paul. I mean let her be happy. I just hate when he was being so nosy and controlling.
March 21, 2025
3.5/5 ⭐️
I’ll be honest, this one didn’t suck me in like Knox and Harlow. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked this book, but I had a harder time getting into it.
When it was starting to be revealed in the first book that it would be Rory and Cole together, I was kind of confused and thrown off guard because up until that point we never say any attraction, no sneaky glances, or longing stares until after the fact that they pointed out, so it very much felt forced in my opinion.
When we got into Rory and Cole’s story, it just wasn’t free flowing how it was with Knox and Harlow, you could feel the chemistry and tension with those two where I did not feel that connection between Rory and Cole, in the bedroom, sure, but not outside of it.
Don’t get me wrong, I fucking love Rory, she’s got a spicy personality and speaks her mind and is authentically herself no matter what. I also like Cole’s character, don’t really know much about him, but I do like him, I just don’t think Rory and Cole had that chemistry that kept your attention.
This book very much felt like most of it was smut and it got repetitive to the point where I started skimming those scenes. I wish there was more build up of their relationship outside of the bedroom, of seeing their personalities and that kind of thing. If you enjoy heavy spice sports book though, then this is probably for you.
Tropes:
⚾️Friends to Lovers
🎨Best Friend’s Brother
⚾️Coach’s Daughter
🎨Forbidden Love
⚾️Semi Secret Relationship
🎨Dirty Talk and Daddy K!nk
Thank you Book Buzz PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
~ARC Review
I’ll be honest, this one didn’t suck me in like Knox and Harlow. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked this book, but I had a harder time getting into it.
When it was starting to be revealed in the first book that it would be Rory and Cole together, I was kind of confused and thrown off guard because up until that point we never say any attraction, no sneaky glances, or longing stares until after the fact that they pointed out, so it very much felt forced in my opinion.
When we got into Rory and Cole’s story, it just wasn’t free flowing how it was with Knox and Harlow, you could feel the chemistry and tension with those two where I did not feel that connection between Rory and Cole, in the bedroom, sure, but not outside of it.
Don’t get me wrong, I fucking love Rory, she’s got a spicy personality and speaks her mind and is authentically herself no matter what. I also like Cole’s character, don’t really know much about him, but I do like him, I just don’t think Rory and Cole had that chemistry that kept your attention.
This book very much felt like most of it was smut and it got repetitive to the point where I started skimming those scenes. I wish there was more build up of their relationship outside of the bedroom, of seeing their personalities and that kind of thing. If you enjoy heavy spice sports book though, then this is probably for you.
Tropes:
⚾️Friends to Lovers
🎨Best Friend’s Brother
⚾️Coach’s Daughter
🎨Forbidden Love
⚾️Semi Secret Relationship
🎨Dirty Talk and Daddy K!nk
Thank you Book Buzz PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
~ARC Review
March 26, 2025
I finished this book in a day, and even though I didn’t read the first book in the series, it was super easy to jump into. I loved how it started with Rory and Cole’s first meeting before skipping ahead three years, showing how they stayed friends while secretly being so in love. The chemistry and tension between them were undeniable—it was only a matter of time before they gave in.
Rory keeps reminding herself that being with Cole could risk his career, and Cole tries to ignore the fact that she’s his manager’s daughter, but their feelings are impossible to deny. Every time they try to take a step back, they realize they just can’t stay away from each other. I loved how, even when they couldn’t be together, they still chose to remain close, even though it hurt.
Their friend group was another highlight for me! I loved how they all rooted for Rory and Cole, constantly hyping them up and reminding them they had nothing to be afraid of. The fact that they all agreed to keep the relationship a secret from Rory’s dad and later defended Cole when the truth came out was such a great moment. I honestly expected the secret to slip through someone misspeaking, but when I realized it was the tattoo—yep, I totally saw that coming! It was such a fun way to build up the reveal.
One thing that surprised me was how fast they decided to get married! Even Knox and Harlow hadn’t done that yet, but Rory and Cole just went for it right after talking about their in-laws. It was such a cute moment that really proved how deeply in love they were.
Rory keeps reminding herself that being with Cole could risk his career, and Cole tries to ignore the fact that she’s his manager’s daughter, but their feelings are impossible to deny. Every time they try to take a step back, they realize they just can’t stay away from each other. I loved how, even when they couldn’t be together, they still chose to remain close, even though it hurt.
Their friend group was another highlight for me! I loved how they all rooted for Rory and Cole, constantly hyping them up and reminding them they had nothing to be afraid of. The fact that they all agreed to keep the relationship a secret from Rory’s dad and later defended Cole when the truth came out was such a great moment. I honestly expected the secret to slip through someone misspeaking, but when I realized it was the tattoo—yep, I totally saw that coming! It was such a fun way to build up the reveal.
One thing that surprised me was how fast they decided to get married! Even Knox and Harlow hadn’t done that yet, but Rory and Cole just went for it right after talking about their in-laws. It was such a cute moment that really proved how deeply in love they were.
June 6, 2025
5⭐️
“Rory is it for me. If it isn’t her, it isn’t anyone.” ❤️
“I have fu*cking butterflies because Rory smiled at me.” ❤️
“..I see you in my arms, and I know my reality is a dream. Because you are a dream. You’re my dream.” ❤️
Tropes
Baseball romance (MLB)
Player x Field Managers daughter
Friends to lovers
Mutual pinning / boy obsessed
Forbidden romance / secret dating
Vegas wedding
Super spicy + breeding kink
No third act breakup
HEA
Idk why it took me so long to read this series but I’m so glad I finally did. I started with this one, but I’m definitely reading the first one next and the third one when it comes out later this month.
Rory was working my nerves in the beginning with her indecisiveness and always being so quick to run, but when she finally got over that I was locked into the story!
Cole ladies and gentlemen!! I loved him so much. He is sweet, romantic, affectionate, passionate, would do anything and risk everything for her, and the mouth on that man?! The spice was spiiiiiicing and I was SAT for all of it. He was just overall perfection.
They are so cute together and I loved that all of their friends were supportive of them being together and helped them hide it from her dad. I equally loved that they had their bad and stood up against her dad for them when he found out.
Her dad was doing THE MOST, but it all worked out in the end and I’m so happy they finally got their HEA.
I won’t take off points for this, but I would’ve loved to have gotten an extended epilogue showing them finding out they were pregnant or with their kids since that was big part of their spice
“Rory is it for me. If it isn’t her, it isn’t anyone.” ❤️
“I have fu*cking butterflies because Rory smiled at me.” ❤️
“..I see you in my arms, and I know my reality is a dream. Because you are a dream. You’re my dream.” ❤️
Tropes
Baseball romance (MLB)
Player x Field Managers daughter
Friends to lovers
Mutual pinning / boy obsessed
Forbidden romance / secret dating
Vegas wedding
Super spicy + breeding kink
No third act breakup
HEA
Idk why it took me so long to read this series but I’m so glad I finally did. I started with this one, but I’m definitely reading the first one next and the third one when it comes out later this month.
Rory was working my nerves in the beginning with her indecisiveness and always being so quick to run, but when she finally got over that I was locked into the story!
Cole ladies and gentlemen!! I loved him so much. He is sweet, romantic, affectionate, passionate, would do anything and risk everything for her, and the mouth on that man?! The spice was spiiiiiicing and I was SAT for all of it. He was just overall perfection.
They are so cute together and I loved that all of their friends were supportive of them being together and helped them hide it from her dad. I equally loved that they had their bad and stood up against her dad for them when he found out.
Her dad was doing THE MOST, but it all worked out in the end and I’m so happy they finally got their HEA.
I won’t take off points for this, but I would’ve loved to have gotten an extended epilogue showing them finding out they were pregnant or with their kids since that was big part of their spice
March 22, 2025
Tropes:
⚾️ Friends To Lovers
⚾️ Field Managers Daughter
⚾️ Secret Dating
⚾️ Forbidden Romance
Take me out to the ballgame! I freaking loved every minute of this book.
This book follows Rory and Cole. Cole is a player on the New York Stars baseball team and Rory is the New York Stars Field Managers daughter.
When Cole first met Rory, he developed a crush on her. He could never act on it due to his field managers rule: stay away from his daughter. But as year go by, his crush kept growing to the point where he didn’t want to hide his feelings anymore.
Rory has always had a thing for Cole, but she never thought he would ever feel the same about her. When they both admit their feelings, they hide their relationship from Rory’s dad in fear of what he will do to Cole and his career.
Okay first off, Cole might have had the reputation of sleeping around, but he is a freaking teddy bear. The way he takes care of Rory had me swooning. And the he was by her side through thick and thin had me falling in love with him.
I loved how much Rory grew in this book. She started out so unsure of herself and the way she looks. As soon as she started dating Cole, she became this confident woman this won’t take no for an answer. I loved every minute of her growing process. And I was so so proud of her for sticking up for her man to her dad. Proud freaking moment.
And the spice. Oh the spice was top notch. And I may have found a thing or two that I didn’t know I liked.
⚾️ Friends To Lovers
⚾️ Field Managers Daughter
⚾️ Secret Dating
⚾️ Forbidden Romance
Take me out to the ballgame! I freaking loved every minute of this book.
This book follows Rory and Cole. Cole is a player on the New York Stars baseball team and Rory is the New York Stars Field Managers daughter.
When Cole first met Rory, he developed a crush on her. He could never act on it due to his field managers rule: stay away from his daughter. But as year go by, his crush kept growing to the point where he didn’t want to hide his feelings anymore.
Rory has always had a thing for Cole, but she never thought he would ever feel the same about her. When they both admit their feelings, they hide their relationship from Rory’s dad in fear of what he will do to Cole and his career.
Okay first off, Cole might have had the reputation of sleeping around, but he is a freaking teddy bear. The way he takes care of Rory had me swooning. And the he was by her side through thick and thin had me falling in love with him.
I loved how much Rory grew in this book. She started out so unsure of herself and the way she looks. As soon as she started dating Cole, she became this confident woman this won’t take no for an answer. I loved every minute of her growing process. And I was so so proud of her for sticking up for her man to her dad. Proud freaking moment.
And the spice. Oh the spice was top notch. And I may have found a thing or two that I didn’t know I liked.
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