Review: HOME RUN by Heidi McLaughlin

HOME RUN

The Boys of Summer #2

by Heidi McLaughlin

Publication Date: January 17, 2017

Published by Forever

Pages: 288

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

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Synopsis

The second novel in New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin's Boys of Summer baseball series.

Cooper Bailey finally has a shot at being a major league ballplayer, but it will take all his focus and energy during spring training to make it happen. Complicating things is his instantaneous connection with Ainsley Burke. He can't get enough of her, and before he knows it, they're spending every night together. But as happy as he is off the field, his focus on it is suffering, and he isn't willing to risk his lifelong dream over a girl.

But without Ainsley, Cooper's miserable, and his game is still off. No matter what he tries, he can't get her out of his head, and he's starting to realize that maybe he doesn't want to. Baseball is just a game, but Ainsley might be the real thing. Now he just has to convince her of that.

My Thoughts

Heidi McLaughlin writes the type of books that keep me coming back for more. HOME RUN, the newest book of the Boys of Summer series, is a real page-turner. You don't have to be a baseball fan to be a fan of this story. I loved it.

It was fun to read Cooper's efforts to woo Ainsley. It all happened at a friendly pace that she didn't even know it was happening and it made it easy to fall for his character too. He is attentive and considerate - just the kind of good guy that I like to read. But, of course, not everything can be perfect. The pressures of baseball and Ainsley's own real-life pressures make their connection difficult to keep intact.  But it is the ups and downs, the angst and the struggles, and then the LOVE that brings them back together that makes HOME RUN an enjoyable read.

I loved the return of the alternating perspectives and knowing the thoughts of Cooper and Ainsley. I just adored Ainsley and her interactions with her best friend Stella. I enjoy reading the scenes between the best friends just as much as the scenes between of the romantic characters because I get to see more of Ainsley's personality.

I loved the return of the BoRe Blogger and getting a recap of the players, the game, and all of the dirty details told through the Gossip Wire. It was a fun way to transition the chapters and move the story along all while letting us know what is going on with the minor characters.

I was happy to read more about Ethan and Daisy from THIRD BASE and it made me miss them enough that I may even go back and read their story. And then there is Travis Kidd, this guy needs his own comedy show, or his own book, at least. 

HOME RUN is a wonderful continuation of the Boys of Summer Series and I'm excited to read more books about the men of the Boston Renegades.

Disclaimer:  I received this e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.