I honestly don't even have the words to explain how much I loved this book. I absolutely fell in love with Cat Sebastian's writing while reading We Could Be So Good (and realized that maybe I am a historical romance fan), and that carried through to You Should Be So Good.

The range of emotions I went through in this book were vast. I cried, I laughed, I cried some more. I wanted to devour it but had to put it down a few times because I knew it would break me (and it did, in the best ways).

We met Mark briefly in WCBSG. He's a side character and a reporter at The Chronicle who's been writing articles and book reviews for years, and always slipping Nick some queer books. Mark is still grieving the loss of his long-time partner, William, who he was "just roommates" with for all appearances. In a time where you can't be openly queer, Mark finds it troubling to grieve a partner no one knows he has, outside of this closest friends. When Andy asks him to work on a baseball project, he isn't thrilled, but does it anyway, and that's where he meets Eddie O'Leary.

Eddie is still young, just traded to the Robins, one of the worst baseball teams, and is slumping, even after last season where he was thriving. He's being iced out by his team and he has nothing and no one in New York. Until he meets Mark, the reporter he has to work with to create these "diaries" about him.

Honestly, I adored this book. The golden retriever / black cat dynamic was done so well. They really complemented each other, and they were two distinct characters who loved in different ways and had their own fears and life experiences. Add to that a lovable dog, grief, lots of baseball, and side characters you always want more of, this book was everything I could ask for.

This is a great book for any sports romance fans, historical romance fans, and anyone who loves reading queer stories from different timelines.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for an eARC. All opinions are my own.

“No. Absolutely not. I’m not ghostwriting a ballplayer diary.”

It's been a year since Mark's partner William died, a year of everything feeling dull and Mark not being able to find the energy and passion to keep writing beyond a few book reviews every now and again to keep on the books at the Chronicle. With the paper struggling, his boss comes to him and springs the idea of, normally arts and culture writer, Mark ghost writing a series of “diary” entries from New York City's new expansion team's shortstop, Eddie. The shortstop who is going through a horrible slump and went on a public tirade about being traded to the Robins. Mark agrees, with the thought that after a few articles, everyone will see what a bad idea it was, even though his access to the team will lead to an eventual magazine feature.

Sportswriters are the reason everybody hates Eddie. Okay, Eddie’s big mouth is the reason everybody hates Eddie, but he might have been able to keep it a secret if it hadn’t been for the reporters.

Eddie, for his part, agrees because he's trying to get back on the good side of his new team and thinks this is set-up to get a few canned lines out there and get the city back to liking him. When Mark and Eddie meet, there's an instant attraction but, as this is, 1960 and Eddie is a professional athlete, things are more than complicated, they could be dangerous. Mark's lived in a secret relationship before and doesn't want to do it again, while Eddie's aware of why he needs to keep things covert, he's optimistic enough to believe they can forge a path that works for them both. You Should Be So Lucky was a story of a jaded reporter still grieving and a baseball player that comes along at the worst time trying to chase his clouds away.

He’s making gay jokes with a professional baseball player in his living room. He could not feel more surreal about this if he tried.

If you're picking this up for the baseball setting, there is some feel of that, enough baseball culture to have fans of the sport get that smile over the ridiculousness of all the stats kept and speak to the feeling of why fans root and develop lifelong connections with teams and players. But, there also wasn't so much that non-sports fans will have their eyes glaze over, Eddie's slump plays a big part of the story but only snippets of games are shown and it's more about the emotional journey he's going on in his personal life. If you're picking this up for the historical feel, that's here woven throughout the whole context as the main conflict is Mark worrying about being a danger to Eddie, what would happen if their relationship was ever found out by the wrong person. Secondary characters play a big part of their world, the old-timer usual baseball beat reporter, Eddie's manager and a teammate, and friends of Mark, through each of these characters, the time period is felt in how protective they try to be for the couple. There was also, what turned out to be an emotional scene, that I felt hits hard in it's depth without beating it down, between Eddie and his mother. Eddie spends the morning telling her about Lula, about Mark helping the rookie buy suits, about the dumbest shit that could not possibly interest anyone but a mother, and she doesn’t falter, not once. It's Eddie coming out to his mother without explicit stating and it was the she doesn’t falter, not once. that will have your eyes watering.

Maybe he doesn’t know how to untangle caring for someone with worrying that it will be their undoing.

The story is told from both Mark and Eddie's point-of-view, but I'm going to say this is a little more Mark's story. The first half is Mark coming out from the bottom of grief and making that healing journey. The second half had more of Eddie and Mark together, with Eddie also on his personal journey of internally thinking about what it truly means to be gay, where before he knew he was gay but compartmentalized it in a way that had him not putting it in the context of his life. So, while, there is a big romance plot (there are open-door scenes but some go the fade away route before showing actual consummation), it's Mark and Eddie both taking separate personal journeys that then lead them into flowing into their romance. This seems to be how a lot of newer romances are going, and I don't know if I'm explaining right, but I personally like when there's more of a singular journey, the characters are working together in the same journey towards romance. These two are in their heads a lot and when Mark is coming to terms that he does love Eddie, he's by himself instead of having that moment with Eddie, again, making it feel like a personal journey instead of the togetherness I want in romance.

I’m telling you, Eddie, when you look at me, it’s obvious.”
“You only think so because you know how I feel.”

There was a third-act break-up, where Eddie goes on his personal journey and then shows Mark how things can work, with Mark deciding that he'll do his best to show faith in Eddie's belief. This had the author's usual naturalness to writing and emotions that never fails to emotionally draw me in and there was an epilogue that summed up the story perfectly, with some grief and proven and future optimism leading these two down the HEA road. If you're looking for personal journeys that help flow two people into a working romance, with added bonus of historical feel and some baseball, then you definitely want to pick this one up.

What a beautiful, soft, lovely, tender book. I was a fan of the first book in this series, but this second one really blew it out of the water for me. I loved the relationship between Eddie and Mark; how Mark navigated his grief in a time when he really couldn't be publicly grieving, and how Eddie navigated his queerness while not being about to be publicly out. Even though things are different in 2024, I really related to Eddie's feelings about his queerness, and underlined several quotes from him!! Overall, 10/10, would recommend

You Should Be So Lucky is a hopeful story of grief, love and family and finding acceptance where you thought none was available. It's about getting back up when life kicks you down and finding a new way forward. When they first meet, they're both struggling in their own ways. Mark is privately grieving the loss of his partner and is barely living. Eddie's just had his entire world uprooted to a place where he's being alienated. Though it's a story that initially brings them together, it's their loneliness that keeps them coming back.

It's not one big thing that ultimately pushes them on a new path together, but really the small things that build up to it. It's the softness of Mark's clothes, the mutual pining and late night phone calls, it's early morning dog walks and pastries, and it's shared smiles in a locker room. There's a softness to it that makes the whole book seem like a dream with blurry edges. You may not remember all the details in the end, but you do remember exactly how happy it made you feel. This is the kind of book that had me stupidly smiling to myself on buses and trains and when I was sneakily reading in the office because I couldn't put it down.

The 1960's wasn't the most accepting time for queer people, and while there's still the fear of what it would mean if the public found out, it's in the quiet spaces that these two really thrive. Their walls come down and through the relief and joy of being accepted and being surrounded by people who love you for exactly who you are, these two carve out a place for themselves that's wholly their own. With their not-so-secret smiles and their love for each other spilling through their pores, Mark and Eddie were really bad at being someone they weren't (which is really a good thing!), but it's in these quiet moments that they really shine.

Mark and Eddie are a beacon of hope in a time when hope was very much lacking. Their story is about living and healing and finding something that you thought was lost forever. But above all this, it's a wonderfully written book about love and acceptance, and that's all we really want in life, isn't it?

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 1 chili
Pub date: 5/7

Happy pub day to Cat Sebastian! I can’t believe this is my first book by this author. Not only is You Should Be So Lucky going to make it onto my favorites list for the year, but I’ve also found a new favorite author.

In the midst of the tumultuous 1960 baseball season, we meet Eddie O’Leary, a struggling star shortstop whose life seems to be in a downward spiral. Enter Mark Bailey, a reluctant arts reporter thrust into the world of sports journalism. After a difficult start, their relationship turns into a slow-burning, heartwarming romance that is tender and passionate.

Eddie’s golden retriever-like personality and Mark’s prickly exterior make them the perfect grumpy/sunshine duo, which I love. The way Mark tries to hold it together all the time makes me want to give him a giant hug! (That he would pretend to hate but secretly love). And Eddie couldn’t be sweeter or more down to Earth if he tried. Their witty banter had me laughing out loud, and their quiet, tender moments brought tears to my eyes. I love the way Sebastian brings their relationship to life by showing the vulnerability and deep connection that forms between them.

Sebastian explores themes of identity, grief, and acceptance with grace and sensitivity during a time when society was unaccepting of a love like Mark and Eddie’s. The struggles they faced resonate deeply, making them endearing and relatable characters.

You Should Be So Lucky is a testament to the power of love and the strength of embracing your true self. This book is a true delight and will stay with me for a long time. It’s perfect for fans of heartfelt romance and beautifully crafted characters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon for my advanced copy.

[I received a digital arc for an honest review]

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian is a new MM historical romance. Mark Bailey is a reporter, sort of. He manages to get himself to work everyday and surrounds himself with his close circle of friends. When his friend and boss, Andy, approaches him to write a weekly diary for the new rookie for New York’s extension baseball team, Mark is less than thrilled. Even less thrilled is the rookie himself Eddie O’Leary who has gotten himself into a lot of trouble for talking to the press. The two get off to a rocky start but ease into a comfortable friendship and then more. But it’s not a safe time for Eddie to be getting close to the openly different Mark, even if that’s where Eddie’s heart is headed. The two find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place as emotions start taking over for common sense.

I adored this book and couldn’t put it down. Mark and Eddie were a lovely balance of grumpy/sunshine and unlikely friends turned more. Mark’s story made me so sad at first but seeing him open up to Eddie and even the surly newspaper sports writer, George was exactly what he needed. Eddie was also the partner that Mark needed after his previous long term relationship. It is interesting to see how Mark is written as “openly queer” for the time period and I appreciated that the author continued to include that underlying fear in response to their friendship impacting Eddie’s future. Eddie is a bit of a conundrum where he is presented at first as a dumb athlete who can’t keep his mouth shut but as he grows comfortable with Mark, it’s all a front for the loneliness he feels even while on a team.

I very much enjoyed the world built in We Could be So Good that when I saw another book based on that setting I knew I needed it. This is a slow burn for all the right reasons and is just as much about the characters learning about themselves as it is for them to get to know and learn about each other. Eddie and Mark couldn’t be more different while dealing with the same overpowering loneliness. Their loneliness may have brought them together but their connection is what makes it stick. Historical romances are not for everyone but Cat Sebastian’s take on this 1960’s world is one I never want to leave.

5 stars for Mark and Eddie finding a new love for life and baseball.

It is hard to put into words how much I love this book. This is maybe my favorite book of the year (and it's only May), and definitely a new all-time favorite. It's beautifully written with characters (both Eddie and Mark as well as every side character mentioned including the best dog ever - Lula) that are so fully realized and complex it's hard to believe they exist only on the page, with themes that are historically accurate, serious, and heavy, but still glow with hope and love and promise.

I would never have expected to love a book with such palpable grief, but I need to learn to just trust Cat Sebastian books. The depth of emotions that I felt while reading this book is boggling - the grief, the humor, the hope, the pure love is just so perfect. I am always leery to read historical queer romance because the elephant in the room is that it's not going to be the HEA that they deserve and/or the outing process will be ugly and potentially violent, but again trust Cat Sebastian to make a 1960s queer romance that is somehow completely accurate and delivers a hopeful HEA that feels completely plausible and realistic. I also learned so much about 1950s and 1960s baseball as well as truly getting the love of the game. This book is as much about queer love as it is a love letter to baseball.

But the theme that really sticks with me is the perseverance and trying again after life just kicks you down - basically the whole final article that Mark writes is something that I want to frame and cross-stitch so I can reference back to it. It's a beautiful message from a beautiful book.

I thought this book did a great job of discussing and showcasing grief in the terms of finding happiness and love after a great loss. I think that it explored grief in new ways as well with Eddie's loss of something that was second nature to him while also showing Mark's loss of his partner bt not being able to show that outwardly with people who didn't know about their relationship. The banter in this book was also fun and I just fell in love with both mark and Eddie, it flowed well and I just had an easy time getting into the storyline.

This was an amazing read and an eye opener. Sometimes we need to look back to the beginning of some of the things we take for granted today.

I enjoyed it. This is my first book from the author and it definitely won’t be the last. There was so much to pack in- baseball, journalism,history, emotions and love. The author writes from the heart.

This is a story of two vulnerable people. Both trying to move on in a world that isn’t ready to accept them. You can’t help but feel the vulnerability and sensitivity of both characters.

As much I enjoyed the slow burn, I felt it was a bit long and could have benefited from some fewer chapters while still making sense.

If love you love slow burn queer romance mixed with some baseball then you will love this.

I loved We Could Be So Good so much--it's my favorite read of the last few years, and my one hesitation before reading YSBSL was whether it would be a letdown. But I needn't have worried. Because prickly Mark Bailey from WCBSG gets his own book and he makes fine use out of it.
Mark is the most feline of men, isolating himself in his grief after his partner, William dies. It's been a while and so the loss isn't so new anymore, but Mark has retreated from work and friends and life outside of his grand apartment and William's dog. He's asked to write a baseball diary for Eddie O'Leary, a recent trade to the woeful Robins. Eddie was a great hitter with his previous team but he's in a major slump and his whole team hates him for the tantrum he threw upon getting traded. He doesn't want a ghostwritten baseball diary. He is, however, desperate to talk to someone as his team is giving him the silent treatment.
One of the things I love best about this series of Sebastian's is that her books always feel rooted in the time--here, 1960--and yet she carves out a happy ending for queer men. And yet that happy ending isn't easy or walled off from the time. Her characters can't be openly queer to the world, but watching them navigate their boundaries and identities is what's so lovely. Here, we shift gears from the newspaper world (though we get a few glimpses of it) and now we get immersed in a New York City expansion baseball. God, it's fun. Eddie, who's has lost his swing, is a delight. He's brash and arrogant and completely endearing.
Nick and Andy were true friends-to-lovers, and while Mark and Eddie are friends first, it's never platonic. Mark never fully lets down his guard like Nick does, but that's okay because we don't expect him to. I finished the book completely satisfied and also mourning the loss of this world (at least until I reread it). I desperately want a story about the Robins' alcoholic coach, Ardolino, who's dating/seeing the female owner of the team. I want more stories of Eddie and Mark out dancing.
I got an ARC from NetGalley but this review is my own.

You Should be So Lucky is the story of Eddie O’Leary, newest and most hated, member of the New York Robins and Mark Bailey, a reporter for the Chronicle (yesssss, that Mark from We Could Be So Good).

Mark and Eddie meet when Mark is assigned a weekly diary project about Eddie by his boss, Andy (yes, that Andy).

As the project progress, Mark and Eddie spend more time together in person and by phone (many many pricey long distance calls from hotel lobby phones booths are involved). Eddie is in a new city playing for a new team, getting the silent treatment (not completely undeserved but he had his reasons, ok), lonely, missing home, and trying desperately to get his swing back. Mark is a very well dressed, respected, infamously harsh reporter lonely and reeling from a tragic loss he must bear almost completely alone because of how secret his relationship was. Mark talks Eddie through his fears, inspires Eddie to make amends, have fun with his team, and keeps Eddie’s sometimes terrifying optimism in check. Eddie makes Mark laugh, he falls in love with Mark’s dog, and deeply respects Mark’s grief while immediately recognizing (and mitigating) his fear of another secret relationship.

Sebastian weaves such special touches into this story. For example: the acceptance and sure support Eddie and Mark get from Eddie’s mother and their mentors is subtle but obvious; Eddie’s respect for Mark’s watch and what it means that he finally punched another hole in the band; a somehow very private love letter from Mark in a newspaper article; and the tea cup.

You Should Be So Lucky is a slow burn feelings festival that’ll make you think about falling in love, making friends, grief, community, family, safety, and loyal pets. I loved it!

Thanks to Sebastian, NetGalley, and Avon for this #arc.

Another slam dunk from Cat Sebastian! I was really charmed by Mark and Eddie's story. I have a huge soft spot for baseball, especially historical baseball, and Sebastian did such a great job with the setting.

Well, oh my heart, this was just so lovely and sincere! I could not wait to jump into this; newly traded baseball player that can't seem to hit the ball, and the assigned, semi retired reporter that is mourning the loss of his partner. I loved the contrast between Eddie and Mark, and how their personalities balanced one another, and the way of connecting and understanding their insecurities. I think we can all agree, we'd like to fold Eddie up and put him in our pocket! This was such an enduring, and beautiful story.

If you liked Andy & Nick in We Could Be So Good, you’ll freaking adore Mark & Eddie in You Should Be So Lucky! Mark finding love after loss had me in literal tears more than once. Eddie finding a place to truly fit in gave me the warm fuzzies. Ugh this book was just so sweet and tender and funny and charming! Cat Sebastian is always a safe bet for a good book, and I truly loved this one.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Cat Sebastian has been an author that has been on my radar for a long time, when I saw this title was available I didn't think twice about ordering it, and miraculously I got it.

This historical fiction set in the 1960's baseball season has been a hit, I'm a big fan of this type of story.

Here we meet Eddie a baseball player and Mark a reporter who are thrown together and navigate different challenges each in their respective fields as in common, so their connection deepens which filled me with longing with each passing page.

I had already been told that Cat was excellent at writing characters, but now I can confirm it, so it has been a great trip to New York where we are captivated by this slow burn that takes us to go through time and live closely how hard that era was for LGBTQ+ people and how these relationships developed.

Another point that fascinated me was the detail of the historical sport romance, I don't know if it can be referred to in this way, but it never hurts to mention it.

I highly recommend it to everyone Read Cat!

Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this amazing advanced copy.

#YouShouldBeSoLucky #NetGalley

Things I liked…gay in the 1960s, baseball, grumpy sunshine, found family(I loved George, he is exactly who I want to be). Things I didn’t like,..how bored I was. I can’t explain it. It had all the elements of a story I would usually love. But I couldn’t connect to the characters or the story or the dog!! I’m chalking it up to a wrong time to read this book. I think for the right audience this will be a real hit. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to read and review this book.

Cat Sebastian has delivered another home run romance full of softness, patience, and tenderness. Despite the theme of loss, this book just made me FEEL immensely happy. Watching 2 characters fall in love and achieve a HEA all while the reader is simultaneously falling in love with the characters is a truly special experience.

I thought the book provided an interesting juxtaposition of how Mark is forced to quietly grieve the loss of his long-time partner since they couldn’t live out loud due to safety concerns and Eddie’s public loss. Eddie was forced to deal with the loss of his talent in front of everyone and the constant negative commentary regarding his performance. I am not sure which grief is worse, suffering alone while no one understands the depth of your pain or having to confront your loss everyday in front of your teammates, fans, and news outlets. What do you think? 🤔

Luckily, Eddie and Mark find each other 🤝 Mark and Eddie handle each other with the utmost care, gentle in their interactions and with a strong fondness in their dialogue. They discover that the only way out of their pain is through, together. 🥹

As with any Cat Sebastian, this book gave me all the butterflies and I endlessly adore Eddie and Mark. This book is warm and soft, witty, and thoughtful, engaging, and tender. I am a puddle for a soft romance and this one is the softest.

If you enjoy Queer historical romance or soft, character driven romances, Cat Sebastian needs to be at the top of your TBR!

Thank you so much to Avon Books for the early copy! 💙

YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY was an entertaining story of heartbreak, overcoming trauma and grief, and learning how to let people close to you. Cat Sebastian's WE COULD BE SO GOOD was one of my favorite reads of 2023, and YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY was an exquisite sequel, set in the same universe in the 1960s and navigating what it means to be queer while being involved in the sports world during that time.

Mark Bailey and Eddie O'Leary felt tangible, like they were real people who could jump out of the pages at any point. They're flawed but work so hard to help each other get better, without even realizing it, and Sebastian does a fantastic job of recreating the world around the characters. This feels like a fitting closure to the world of WE COULD BE SO GOOD, but I'm not sad about it. YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY works so well to deliver a complete story that it doesn't even make me want more (who am I kidding, I'll always want more of these characters).

I cried with Mark, I struggled and rejoiced with Eddie. I felt just like a Robins fan in the stadium bleachers, reading Mark's coverage of an underdog climbing his way back up to the top. I'm thrilled to be able to add this to my bookshelves and to add Mark and Eddie as some of my favorite characters of all time.

I am loving these mid-century, mostly vibes, queer romances from Cat Sebastian.

An arts writer is assigned to write about a baseball player who went from batting something ridiculous to not hitting a ball in three months. Neither is thrilled about the situation. But as they rub along together, they slowly fall into one another in the softest way and are forced to manage living their truth in a world which would pillory a gay baseball player.

It's a slow burn as these two opposites circle each other and find how they fit together. There's no big bad (just, you know, society), the dark moment isn't that dark (just one of them pushing the other away for a little while), and they discover that they have people all around them who will accept them as they are.

I'm fascinated by how Cat Sebastian is writing intimacy in these books. It's sensual and loving, and clear what's going on, but not explicit. The door's not half closed, but maybe we're a bit in soft focus? And I was charmed by Eddie's adoration of Mark's high quality clothing.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sebastian is becoming an auto buy and favorite author the more I read from them. This was perfect. No bad notes. Utter perfection. I can't even put into words how much I loved this book. Just read it if you loved We Could Be So Good.