By Andreina Rodriguez
It’s been too long since we’ve seen a Latine romance centered on baseball, especially considering how we clearly dominate the sport. Just look at Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor.
Thankfully, Millie Perez is changing that with her self-published title, Strikeout.
Now available, Strikeout is the first installment of her series centered on the New York Monarchs. It follows Mateo Martinez, the starting pitcher for the professional baseball team and a dedicated single father, and Isabella Morales, his daughter’s new nanny.
When the chance to move out of her parents’ cramped Upper West Side apartment and into Mateo’s upscale home in Lower Manhattan as a nanny for his daughter arises, Isabella jumps at it. However, when Mateo agrees to a one-week trial with Isabella’s proposed three-strikes rule — allowing him to fire her after three mistakes — she quickly starts racking up strikes at lightning speed.
Meanwhile, Mateo struggles to remind himself that Isabella is “just” the nanny for his daughter, Anna. Having lost interest in dating since becoming a father, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her. But little does she know they’re playing the same game with different rules.
Strikeout brings everything you’d hope for in a romance novel: slow-burn tension, magnetic banter, and a dash of spice. But the heart of the story lies in the nuanced connection between Mateo and Isabella.
For Isabella, being around Mateo and the familiar rhythms of baseball stirs up bittersweet reminders of her recent breakup with someone from that same world. It’s a reality check that pushes her to stop letting those memories define her. She’s determined to reclaim her strength, moving forward on her terms instead of being held back by her past.
In one memorable scene, Isabella finds herself nervously preparing for a dinner alone with Mateo — a moment that feels both exhilarating and unsettling. She quickly texts her friends for reassurance, and when their replies pour in, she sighs with relief. As Perez perfectly captures it: “God bless women.”
Isabella’s story goes beyond romance, too, as she leans into her passion for graphic design, specifically designing book covers. A true book lover, she finds solace in fictional worlds as she seeks her own path. Isabella reflects, “Which is why romance books are my haven. A place where I can be a spectator, because the romance genre isn’t just about two people falling in love. It’s a safe space to learn about how people of diverse backgrounds go through transformations that happen to align with meeting the love of their lives.”
Needless to say, Millie is one of us.
As a single dad, Mateo has also made countless sacrifices for his daughter. He’s been all-in on fatherhood, which is why he hasn’t shown interest in anyone — until Isabella enters his life. While he’s careful to respect the boundaries of his role as her employer, Isabella’s bond with Anna makes it increasingly difficult.
With Mateo being Puerto Rican and Isabella Dominican, we see a beautiful pride in both cultures. Even more special is watching Mateo find his way back to his heritage with Isabella’s help.
If you’re in the mood for a charming read that’ll make you laugh, swoon, and maybe kick your feet at all the cute moments, Strikeout hits a home run.
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Visit our Bookshop to purchase a copy of Strikeout.
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About the Author: Millie Perez was born and raised in New York City, to Dominican immigrant parents. She's spent most of her life moving around to different places, like Puerto Rico, Miami, Boston, and even had a short stint in New Zealand.
Millie has her Masters in Couples and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. After becoming a new mom, she decided to take a break from the Mental Health industry, and took a leap of faith. She wrote her debut novel, You Never Forget Your First: And He Just Might Be The Death Of Me, during her son's naps and after he went to sleep at night.
When she's not trying to wrangle a toddler, you can find her watching Bravo or a true crime documentary. She now lives in Florida with her husband Hugh, and her son, Beau.
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Andreina Rodriguez is a journalist from Queens, New York. Her work appears on all 12 NBC local websites, Refinery29, CNBC, Latino Rebels, The Mujerista, #WeAllGrow Latina, and Modern Brown Girl.
You can follow her on Instagram @andreina_rod or @readwithandreina, and follow her work through andreinarodriguez.com.
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