Off Base by Stephanie Rose
Brooklyn Bats Book 3
Sports Romance
November 5, 2026
⚾️age gap
🩷friends to lovers
⚾️she falls first
🩷he falls harder
⚾️she had his poster on her wall
🩷viral scandal
⚾️baseball player/reporter
🩷secret relationship
⚾️coach’s little sister (in law)
I used to have a Nate Becker poster on my wall. Now I have to save his career.
Ever since Nate Becker showed up as the Brooklyn Bats’ shortstop with the million-dollar smile, he’s been the object of every girl’s affection. Myself included.
While others got to watch him from afar, I had an up-close-and-personal view of my lifelong crush, thanks to the benefits of being related to the team manager. We even became friends, although the butterflies in my stomach whenever he was close never went away.
But things are different now. I’m no longer that swooning teenager. I’m a sports reporter determined to make it on my own. And not because of who my family is.
Until a viral photo threatens Nate’s legendary career, turning the golden boy of Brooklyn into public enemy number one. Now he needs positive PR in the worst way, and I’m the one the Bats call on to make that happen.
My job was simple: Fix the narrative. Don’t fall in love.
Easier said than done.
I wasn’t prepared to learn about the humble man behind the cocky grin, or see all the good he did when no one was looking. And I definitely wasn’t prepared to meet the real Nate Becker…and discover the heart of gold that beats inside that broad chest.
The man now looking at me the way I always dreamed of.
Suddenly, professional distance turns into stolen moments. A simple touch turns into a caress. And our scorching kisses are undeniably life changing.
Giving in could cost us everything.
Too bad we can’t help ourselves.
Start reading today: https://a.co/d/0eCG6aqz
EXCERPT
What kind of a sports reporter would I be if I freaked out on planes?
I’d get over it right now. I would take off alone without anyone placating me and force myself to never worry about this again. The vibration of the plane wheels against the concrete kicked up my pulse, but this would be quick. One terrifying minute and then I’d be fine.
I opened my eyes when Nate pulled at my arm.
“Really, Nate. I’m fine. Don’t make this a big deal—”
He took my hand in his, grazing his palm against mine as he laced our fingers together, tucking our joined hands in between us.
“Just squeeze if you’re scared, okay? I’ve got you, hotshot.”
Nate’s dark gaze locked with mine, a tiny smile on his lips as if we were sharing a private joke. I smiled back as I took in a full breath, despite the air he always managed to steal from my lungs.
My stomach relaxed and my shoulders eased as I focused on the glide of his callused thumb back and forth across the top of my hand. I squeezed back, letting the charge from where my skin touched his both calm and excite me.
Nate gripped my hand tighter as the plane sped up, the glittering New York skyline in the distance whirring past the window as we ascended, my belly dropping as we went higher, but not from fear.
Or not the same fear that I had been battling a few minutes ago.
Nate grinned and gave me a tiny nod, keeping hold of my hand until the plane coasted above the clouds.
“All good?”
“All good,” I choked out, squeezing his hand one last time before I slipped mine free, already disappointed by the loss of contact.
Now, whenever I had to fly, this was what I’d remember at takeoff, and I both looked forward to and dreaded the memory.
My life would be so much easier if I could just stop falling in love with Nate Becker.
Off Base by Stephanie Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
ARC REVIEW
My winning streak with Stephanie Rose’s words continues and I am super stoked about it! I loved Off Base just as much as Pinch Hitter and I’m hoping my streak continues in the future!
This story was a perfect blend of slow burn spice and heartwarming friendship-to-more. Their growth was deliberate with both Nate & Taylor carefully navigating, protecting their friendship and jumping over the line. They respected their friendship, so they did not leap. That really warmed my heart and made their journey realistic and relatable. They had such a meaningful friendship as the base to their relationship journey that when they did take that leap it felt more significant to me. I was really all up in my feels thru most of this story but not in the angsty cryfest that term usually means.
Another aspect that keeps me coming back is the fact that baseball romances are far and few in between and I variety in my sports romance fiction. Sometimes, I girl just wants something other than hockey or football! Feel me? LOL
Meet Stephanie Rose:
Stephanie Rose is an Amazon top 60 author. She’s also a lifelong New Yorker, a wife, a mother, and a lover of all things chocolate. Her sweet spot is writing the nice guy who goes alpha for the woman he loves. In fact, the alpha cinnamon roll hero is her specialty.
She married her prom date and her biggest fan is her teenage son who tries to offer book ideas in exchange for video games and LEGO.
She spends her free time avoiding discarded LEGO and obsessing over what book to read or listen to next (audiobooks are her favorite!). Weight lifting is her happy place but she loves a good iced coffee or glass of wine and has never met a cookie that she didn’t like.
Keep in touch with Stephanie by signing up for her newsletter at http://www.authorstephanierose.com or join Stephanie’s Rose Garden on Facebook.
Connect with Stephanie Rose: https://www.instagram.com/authorstephanierose/
