J. Rose Black’s Chasing Headlines is a lively, heartfelt, and deeply engaging sports romance that follows Olivia Milline, a headstrong and ambitious college journalist with an undeniable love for baseball. Olivia’s story is one of rebellion, passion, and determination as she fights against the limits imposed by her overprotective father while pursuing her dream of working in the world of professional baseball. With sharp writing, layered characters, and a swoon-worthy romance, Chasing Headlines hits all the right beats.

What immediately struck me about the book was Olivia’s voice. She’s witty, stubborn, and refreshingly real. Her internal monologue is peppered with humor and frustration, making her struggles feel personal and relatable. The prologue, which recounts her childhood love affair with baseball and the strict “No Baseball for Olivia” rule imposed by her father, is both heartbreaking and compelling. You can’t help but root for her as she maneuvers around roadblocks—both professional and personal—to get to where she belongs. The author does a fantastic job of making you feel Olivia’s determination and passion.

One of my favorite aspects of the novel is how well it blends romance with career ambition. Unlike many sports romances that lean heavily into the love story, Chasing Headlines gives equal weight to Olivia’s professional journey. Her interactions with baseball players, particularly the enigmatic Breslin Cooper, are electric. Their chemistry is palpable from the moment they meet, but what’s even more satisfying is how the romance builds over time. Breslin is more than just a love interest. His struggles, particularly with his past and the pressure of expectations, add depth to the story. His first POV chapter, set in a courthouse, hooked me with its raw emotion and vulnerability.

The writing is crisp and dynamic, with a rhythm that keeps the story moving. The dialogue is snappy, the internal reflections are sharp, and the descriptions are vivid without being overdone. The humor woven throughout the novel is another highlight. Olivia’s banter, especially with her brother Curt, had me laughing more than once. And yet, themes such as family expectations, grief, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field are all explored with sincerity and depth.

I’d highly recommend Chasing Headlines to fans of sports romances, strong heroines, and anyone who enjoys a story where career ambition and love intertwine in a meaningful way. If you like books with witty dialogue, complex relationships, and a heroine who refuses to take no for an answer, this one’s for you.

Pages: 524 | ASIN: B0D1FLDHFC