Strikeout

New York Monarchs, Book 1

By: Millie Perez

Narrated by: Marcella Black, Gordon B. Diamond

Mateo Martinez is many things. The starting pitcher of the New York Monarchs, a devoted single father, and most recently, my new boss.

When the opportunity to finally move out of my parent's cramped apartment and into his swanky home to nanny for his daughter arose, I simply couldn't pass it up.

Until I made the silly suggestion for him to keep me on a three-strikes system, and I'm racking them up at lightning speed.

I should know better than to fantasize about silly things like love, but curiosity is getting the best of me, and our stolen touches don't feel so innocent anymore.

When the three strikes are up, I wonder… will I step up to the plate or conform to living life on the sidelines?

Isabella Morales is toying with my self-control. She's my daughter's nanny, a fact I often have to remind myself of when I'm around her.

Because the second she stepped into my world, it's been mayhem in my heart.

I've never had any interest in dating ever since my little girl came into my world. Never, not once. That is, until Isabella came along and set my world on fire.

Because try as I might, I can't ignore her lingering stares or the way she taunts me when she defies me at every turn.

Little does she know that we're playing the same game by different rules. Because once I call three strikes, I'm claiming her as mine.

©2023 Millie Perez (P)2025 Podium Audio

I loved It

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love Mateo and Isabella's relationship. They went on a family vacation together in the past because their moms are best friends, and from that moment on, Mateo was enamored with Isabella. His feelings continue to grow even deeper when Isabella takes the job to be his daughter's Nanny. It takes Isabella a lot longer to develop her romantic feelings for Mateo because she has sworn off dating baseball players because of a previous relationship. Mateo isn't deterred because he knows Isabella is his endgame. He's slowly breaking down the walls she has built around her heart and is waiting for her to feel the same about him. I also love Mateo's daughter and the relationship that she built with Isabella. She is precious. I love the little family unit they create together.

Also, I love the representation of Spanish culture. Isabella is Dominican, and Mateo is Puerto Rican; I loved how Isabella helped Mateo reclaim his Puerto Rican roots. The things Mateo and Isabella said to each other had me swooning.
Strikeout by Millie Perez is one of my favorite baseball romances. I have read. I will definitely be reading more in the series. I highly suggest the audiobook. Because Marcella Black and Gordon B. Diamond did a phenomenal job portraying Mateo and Isabella's emotions, I thoroughly enjoyed

Dominican + Puerto Rican Vibes, Romance Perfection

The story was everything I love in a romance—hello golden retriever MMC with alpha possessiveness 🐾, a strong amazing heroine 👑, and those Dominican + Puerto Rican vibes 🇩🇴🇵🇷 that made it extra special 🙌⚾️ NYC, baseball, and plátano power 🍌🔥 all the way! First time listening to these narrators and wow, they nailed it 🎧✨ Totally brought the characters to life. 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Excellent chemistry and lots of heart!! I was giddy and swooning throughout!!

Strikeout by Millie Perez was so good, I was left swooning and giddy until the end!

With some meddling from her mama, Isabella is convinced to interview for the position of Anna Martinez's nanny, the daughter of Mateo Martinez, MLB pitcher for the New York Monarchs. Isabella has baby-sat Anna before one year while vacationing, plus they adore each other.

Mateo on the other hand isn't very convinced. Why? Because he's been obsessed with Isabella since said vacation they had with their families. Isabella tries to plead her case and is given a week trial period.

Y'all, the attraction between these two was scorching 🥵. The chemistry is undeniable and trust me, Mateo tried to fight it at every turn but it was futile. He falls in love with Isa's spirit, sense humor, and the love she has for his daughter, Anna. Also, the mouth on this man 🫡🙂‍↕️.

This story had heart and the Latiné representation was super important. I loved the references to music and food 😍. I adored this book so much and cannot wait to start book 2!!

the real latin accents

amazing performance this was my first audio with latin accents spoken and I was obsessed!!

Loved it

⚾️💥 Strikeout was my grand, fabulous, why-have-I-been-missing-this? introduction to Millie Perez—and yeah, it definitely won’t be my last.

Isabella is out here facing life’s curveballs while hauling her past like an overpacked carry-on. She’s been through it, but instead of folding, she builds her own business and proves resilience looks really, really good on her.

Then there’s Mateo. Baseball superstar. Swoon-level single dad. On the hunt for a nanny… who just so happens to be the daughter of his mom’s best friend. 👀 As Isabella gets past the public persona and into the real Mateo, they slowly knock down each other’s walls—and the growth? Chef’s kiss.

Millie’s exploration of identity through a Latino American lens hit especially close to home. Mateo’s journey was heartfelt, powerful, and honestly beautiful.

If you love sports romance, single dads down bad for their nannies, and stories with warmth and depth, Strikeout belongs on your TBR ASAP. And the Hispanic representation? We love to see it. I’m officially seated for whatever Millie Perez gives us next.

🎧 Audiobook listeners: Marcella Black and Gordon B. Diamond absolutely devour these roles. No crumbs.