Praising the Pitcher (The Good Girls of NE University #4) by Hannah Gray

 

Stand tall. I've heard those two words more times than I can count. They're something my coaches, my mother, and even my less-than-loving father have been telling me for as long as I can remember. And on the mound...it always came naturally. On the mound, I could be face-to-face with a mountain of pressure, and still, I'd never show my opponent it was becoming heavy to shoulder. Off the field though? That's always been a completely different story. But I learned to fake it with the best of them - and most of the time, it worked. Well, it worked with everyone besides the one guy I'd love to keep my composure around. The one who can make my cheeks heat like no other with a simple smirk. Campus Playboy, serious flirt, and oh yeah, my best friend's brother. Noah King. As a romance reader myself, I should know by now it's always the best friend's brother that'll get you every time. What starts off as something harmless - Noah and I bonding over a shared traumatic experience - quickly grows into a casual friendship. And because I apparently have learned nothing from the hundreds of romance books I've read...of course it becomes more after we swore to each other it wouldn't and couldn't be. Yeah, like I said...the best friend's brother trope? Well, it gets ya. Praising the Pitcher by Hannah Gray comes out October 1st, 2026. This is the fourth book of The Good Girls of NE University. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Hannah Gray and The Smuthood. I think this was the story that is my favorite of the series. I absolutely loved the two main characters in this book. Gigi, trying to find herself after being verbally attacked by her father. Trying to find that she can be a strong person. Then there is Noah. I absolutely loved Noah and how sweet he was with Gigi. It was easy to see them starting to have feelings for each other through the book. Also Noah has his own issues in the book which made him feel that much real. The plot of this story is so sweet and flowed so easily from each page. I had no problem following along through the book. I highly recommend checking this book out. You will not be disappointed at all. 

The Good Girls of NE University Series

1. Getting the Goalie

2. Convincing the Catcher 

3. Saving the Shortstop 

4. Praising the Pitcher 

5. TBA 

Tropes

Sports - Football & Softball 

Friends to Lovers 

Best Friend's Brother

Forced Proximity

College Age - New Age 

Convincing the Catcher (The Good Girls of NE University #2) by Hannah Gray

 

From a young age, I knew things to be true. Number one, I was going to play professional softball. And number two, in order to get there, I couldn't allow myself any distractions. Ever. Being a type 1 diabetic catcher at a division one college, I'm no stranger to challenges. But when my dad gets diagnosed with cancer and my mom finds herself drowning in his medical bills, losing our health insurance while my dad becomes unrecognizable has me questioning my own strengths. Cane Hall is the stepson of retired NHL legend Tripp Talmage. He's also NEU's most beloved baseball player. At least, he was before one mistake has everyone second guessing his integrity, and he finds himself at odds with social media backlash. As NEU's first type 1 diabetic female catcher, I have my share of fans. And when Cane approaches me, offering to pay for my prescriptions in return for me faking a friendship to help him save his image...I somehow find myself saying yes. Under one condition-no romance. No feelings. Because I don't do boyfriends. Especially ones that look like Cane Hale. But when my dad dies, Cane is there, being everything I need him to be, making it hard not to fall for him. And though he distracts me from my grief, eventually, I know i'm going to come head to head with the pain. So, will I let Cane hold my hand while I face it? Or will I do what I do best and push him away? Not long ago, I would have known the answer. But now, I have no idea. Convincing the Catcher by Hannah Gray was published on March 16th, 2026. This is the second book in The Good Girls of NE University series. 

I was given this book for my honest review by Hannah Gray and The Smuthood. I was so excited to read this book as I loved the first book of the series. This book made me giggle and smile throughout the book until Harley's dad passed away. I sobbed and sobbed as the relationship between the Harley and her dad you could see how much she loved her dad. Though, I loved the romance in this book and how the two characters were supporting each other. The spicy scenes were top notch even though I thought that Harley was in no way ready for it when they finally both gave in. The two characters in this book are both well rounded as they both have a past that affects their future. They also both grow through this book as a person and are even better because of their relationship. I highly recommend checking out this amazing book. I cannot wait for the third book in this series. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Seriously, I was here all last year and never even ran into you. Now you're popping up like a jack-in-the-box." 

"I know. How dare he make money for his charity with our fine asses? With my luck, I'll get bought by some old cougar or something." 
"Old cougar need love too, Hale!...Besides, maybe she'll, like, bake you cookies or some shit." 
"Why the fuck would she pay for a date with him and then bake him cookies?"
"Because old ladies love to bake, dickwad! And they're good at it. I mean, fuck, if I could live to play hockey for ninety years, I'd probably get pretty good too. You know?" 
"But your body would be decrepit, Einstein." 

Stupid six-pack. Stupid wet six-pack. Stupid V-line and stupid towel. 

The Good Girls of NE University Series

1. Getting the Goalie 

2. Convincing the Catcher

3. Stealing The Shortstop

4. Praising the Pitcher

5. TBA

Tropes

Sports - Baseball / Softball 

Friends to Lovers 

He Falls First 

New Age 

Slow Burn 

Virgin

Forced Proximity