The Fastball by Emily Childs

The Fastball

Baseball’s quietest romance hides its loudest heart

Written byEmily Childs
Length8h25m
Release dateJanuary 16, 2024
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.8 (1,513 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorEmily Childs
NarratorMia Madison, C.J. Mission
Runtime8h25m
PublishedJanuary 16, 2024
Rating★★★★☆ 4.8 / 5 (1,513 ratings)
CategoriesRomance, Clean & Wholesome, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, Sports
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

*The Fastball* isn’t just another small-town sports romance—it’s a masterclass in turning clichés into something tender and real. Emily Childs takes the “coach’s daughter falls for the player” trope and flips it by making both leads *painfully* introverted, their chemistry built on unspoken glances and shared silences rather than grand gestures. The secret they’re hiding isn’t some over-the-top scandal; it’s a quiet, aching vulnerability that makes their slow-burn connection feel earned. This isn’t a book about home runs—it’s about the nervous fidgeting in the dugout, the way a stolen base can feel like a confession.

The dual narration by Mia Madison and C.J. Mission elevates the audiobook into something special. Madison’s performance as the prickly but soft-hearted heroine crackles with restrained emotion, while Mission’s understated delivery as the reserved first baseman makes his rare outbursts land like a fastball to the chest. The production leans into the intimacy of the story, with minimal background noise and a pacing that mirrors the protagonists’ hesitant dance toward each other. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at romance heroes who are *too* smooth, this is the antidote: a love story for the awkward, the overlooked, and the ones who’d rather listen than speak.

Tags: slow-burn sports romanceintrovert love story audiobookclean romance with emotional depthdual narration chemistrybaseball romance for non-sports fansquiet YA/NA crossover appeal

Why Listen to The Fastball?

  • Expert narration by Mia Madison, C.J. Mission brings every character and scene to life across 8h25m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.8 stars by 1,513 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
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Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I groaned when I saw the ‘coach’s daughter’ setup—until *The Fastball* proved me wrong in the best way. This isn’t a romance where the conflict hinges on miscommunication or forced drama; it’s a story about two people who *could* talk but choose not to, and the exquisite tension that creates. The heroine isn’t just ‘feisty’—she’s a defensive cynic with a sharp wit, and the hero isn’t the brooding jock you’d expect. He’s the guy who freezes under pressure, whose biggest fear isn’t striking out but being *seen*. Their secret? It’s not a pregnancy scare or a rival team conspiracy. It’s something so quietly human that when it’s finally revealed, it hit me harder than any third-act twist. The narration is where this audiobook truly shines. Mia Madison’s voice has this delicious rasp that makes even the heroine’s sarcasm sound like an invitation, while C.J. Mission’s performance is a revelation—he doesn’t just *read* the hero’s lines; he *embodies* the weight of every pause, every swallowed word. My only critique? The first act drags just a touch too long in setting up the team dynamics, and I wished the side characters had more distinct voices in the narration (a few secondary males blurred together). But the payoff—oh, the payoff. The final innings of this book are a clinic in emotional precision, with a climax that’s less about fireworks and more about the quiet relief of finally being understood. If you’ve ever loved someone you weren’t sure loved you back, this one’s for you.

Download: The Fastball

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The Fastball by Emily Childs is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Mia Madison, C.J. Mission with a runtime of 8h25m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.