I’m really in love with this series by Heidi McLaughlin. Cooper and Ainsley’s story was just as good as Ethan and Daisy’s if not better. This was an emotionally packed story that will grab a hold of your heart. It had emotion, angst and heart. Heidi’s knowledge of the game only made this story that much exciting and better. The way she weaved the baseball action into an emotional journey was perfection at it’s best. I loved the dynamic of these characters. While Cooper and Ainsley had blistering chemistry and were great together, the secondary characters just added depth to the story.

Heidi absolutely hit a home run with this book and I look forward to more in the series. Kidd's story is next and I can feel it will be epic.

Home Run from Heidi McLaughlin is definitely a Home Run! What a great sports romance which really focuses more on the couple and their story than the sport-- Ainsley and Cooper were the perfect match. Cooper Bailey is on his way to living his dream finally – which is becoming a professional baseball player then he meets Ainsley Burke. The chemistry between them is electric. Ainsley spends her time taking care of her sick mother & working at the zoo caring for her animals. She really doesn’t have time for a relationship but something about Cooper makes her want to make the time for a relationship. God I loved Ainsley-= she had such a big heart and she was so caring and sweet. Oh and she was sassy- she found something special in Cooper which made her make time to see him when she didn’t have time. Cooper was in town to prove himself to this professional sports team yet when he met Ainsley, all he could think about was her smile and her big heart. Yet there were things in their past that was causing them issues in the present and causing angst in their relationship and there were twists and turns that occurred which kept me glued to this story. What an exciting read , especially when at some point these two are separated and I was dying , praying to know if they would ever get back together. Do they or will they stay apart? Only will you find out if you read this fantastic book 2 in the Boys of Summer Series by Heidi McLaughlin .

My Rating: 4.6 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

4 stars

I really enjoyed reading Home Run by Heidi McLaughlin.
From the first few pages I knew this was going to be my kind of read.

The writing is well done, the storyline held my interest throughout the book and I found myself connecting with both lead characters.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Cooper and Ainsley, they had great chemistry and both were likable/entertaining characters.

I'm a big fan of sports romances and Home Run turned out to be a great read.
Looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

Purchase Links ~
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/…/dp/B01LYO4N6...…
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/28MMWZv
Kobo - http://bit.ly/2hB0P2R
iBooks - http://apple.co/28Sqspv

*Thank you to the publisher/author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts*

Baseball has always been my favorite sport, so any chance I get to read a baseball romance - well, you can bet that I'm going to take it! And while I was a little nervous to read Home Run, I was also excited because it's been such a long time since I've read one. It was so good seeing my favorite sport and romance combined together - I just completely loved this book!

I loved Ainsley - she's strong and brave and sweet. She's kind and she's just nice, you know? Ainsley is one of the people who you feel comfortable with. She's warm and of course, she doesn't do everything perfectly, but she really is wonderful. I'm sure you'll love Ainsley - I know I do!

And I know without a doubt that you will love Cooper! He's sweet and understanding and sensitive. He's thoughtful and protective and you never really have to worry about how he feels about Ainsley. Cooper's not one of those guys who parties too much - he's responsible and he's got his head on straight. Cooper is every bit as wonderful as Ainsley and I positively loved him!

I was worried that Home Run was going to be really angsty and while it had a few heartbreaking moments and brought tears to my eyes, most of my worrying was for nothing. I actually had a great time reading Home Run! It was exciting hearing about the baseball and the team and I loved how cute Cooper and Ainsley were together. It was just an excellent, entertaining read full of passion, sweetness, beauty, and love and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Home Run is the second book in The Boys of Summer series, but it can be read as a standalone. It's told from Cooper and Ainsley's POV that and they get their happily-ever-after.

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 4 Stars

HOME RUN by Heidi McLaughlin was my first foray into Heidi's writing. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time connecting to the characters, really feeling them. I think it was because the writing gave away too much, told me too much, rather than showing me and allowing me experience it on my own. It didn't give me many chances to imagine without telling me what I should feel or see. Because of this, I wasn't able to connect or finish the story.

A rookie baseball player and a beautiful zoo keeper start dating during spring training. The young couple hit a few fouls during their relationship. The newbie center fielder makes a rookie move and forgets to put on a "batting glove" and causes a life-changing play. Whoops. Will these two end up making a perfect team or will outside influences cause them to strike out? I'll never tell. Check out Home Run by Heidi McLaughlin. Home Run is a standalone is the Boys of Summer sports series.

This was a great book about finding love when you least expect it.

Cooper is an up and coming rookie baseball player trying to secure a place on the Boston Renegades team. He grew up with just his father who always pushed him to be his best, Cooper was so focused and dedicated that he didn't have time for much else. During training camp in Florida he meets Ainsley at an event for underprivileged children held at the zoo where she works. He is captivated by her and is determined to date her.

Ainsley is struggling with her own issues at home and feels she does not have time for a relationship, but Cooper breaks through the barrier she has built, but can it last with only a few weeks left of training camp?

There are lots of twists and turns in this book that make you want to keep reading, I had a hard time putting it down! I will now keep watch for Grand Slam.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.***

Cooper loved. Even when he was angry and lashed out at Ainsley he was loveable and awesome. I loved how he finally stood up for himself and Ainsley. And that ending at Sleeping Beauty’s castle was so so perfect.

Cooper is honest and sweet. He holds himself back at times because I think his dad. He doesn’t want to be cutthroat and wants to please his dad but also have a life of his own. Cooper starts to question things. He knows his dad loves him and wants the best but feels stifled and pressure from him. I love how tenacious he was when it came to Ainsley. I hated to see him hurt by her.

Ainsley was in a no win situation. She loved her mom and was watching her disintegrate in health. She was scared and lost. She was also very stubborn when it came to Cooper. Her mom’s words kept coming back to haunt her. She kept Cooper at arms length at first to respect her mom and the pain from a past experience. He does wear her down though. She succumbs to him. And we get to see them in their true form. Cooper is sweet and vulnerable but also supportive and honest. He let Ainsley into his heart and soul and believed in her. She gave him strength and a new perspective on life. Between Ainsley and Cal Cooper begins to change. He sees that life is more than baseball. He learns to be a team player and that Bainbridge is not his enemy. He finds his love for a girl and baseball once again.

Watching his transformation was sexy and fun. He is truly a great guy and when Ainsley (who I liked at the beginning and got frustrated with when she hurt Cooper) hurt him I wanted to smack her upside the head. She lashed out out of fear and anger. She gave up on something truly amazing because of that and than was angry when Cooper let her have it. Ainsley is strong and sweet. She will endear you to her as she goes through some tough moments and makes some hard decisions. I hated seeing her blame herself and Cooper for things out of their control and when she lashes out you want to smack her. In the end she does see her mistakes and we get to see her strength and beauty again.

I hated to see Cooper feel so lost. He slowly found his way back. His game came back and Ainsley does to. They have a long road but trust and love comes back. Cooper was afraid at first but in the end he embraced his love for Ainsley and we get a super romantic ending and just how amazing Cooper is.

This was a sexy, fun and adorable read about love, life and acceptance. It’s the sexy journey of Cooper and Ainsley finding there way through life and to each other. The characters will grab you and not let go and you will root for a happy ending. Travis yet again will crack you up with his phrases and Evan will have you smile with how he embraces Cooper from the beginning. A wonderful addition to the series.

Cooper Bailey has finally been called up to the major league and he’s ready for Spring Training. He didn’t plan on meeting Ainsley Burke. She immediately gets his attention while the Renegades are at a media day with the Naples Zoo. So when he approaches her and asks if she would like to go out on a date and she says no… Wait she said NO?

Ainsley had looked up Cooper Bailey before seeing him at the zoo that morning. So when she sees him in person across the sea of kids, she’s taken by him right away. But she has a rule – never date an athlete. So when Cooper approaches her to ask her a date, she knew what the answer would be right away. Even when she really wanted to do was say yes.

But what Ainsley didn’t know was that her best friend chased after Cooper and gave him Ainsley’s number – now all Cooper had to do was get her answer her phone.

So when Cooper finally calls, the two start to talk and their is an instant connection between the two. What happens next is a whirl wind affair that takes both of them by surprise.

But Ainsley mother is dying of cancer and Cooper has his career to think of and will only be at Spring Training for another month. Can the two of them make this work? Even with everything stacked against them?

Heidi is one of my go to authors and I love the Boston Renegades! And Cooper and Ainsley – I loved them, but boy did they have a long road to their happily ever after. I loved them together but there were times that I wanted to strangle them both. There are a lot of players – on and off the field in this book, giving you a great backstory and set up to future BoRe books to come. I had a hard time putting this book down, because I just NEEDED to know what was going to happen next. Loved Home Run and can’t wait for Travis’ story next!

4 Homerun CROWNS

Heidi McLaughlin has pitched a sweet and endearing sports romance that is guaranteed to make readers fall in love with not only Cooper and Ainsley but also the whole Renegade team.

Cooper and Ainsley are a delightful couple to watch fall in lust and eventually love. They are both facing some serious issues in their lives, which seriously affect their ability to have a true relationship at this point in their lives, but these trials only make the reader want them to get together and fall in love. They are both such wonderful people and hard workers that readers want them to get their break, to have success with their careers, and to find a way to get back to each other.

Readers will also enjoy their relationship. It is very laid back and light. There isn't tons of drama attached to them, and their devotion to each other as their relationship progresses will warm readers' hearts. Cooper is the hero we hope for, and Ainsley is the kind and sweet heroine readers love.

The plot of the story takes some unexpected turns. The relationship happens quickly and ends just as fast, but it seems inevitable, the only outcome that occur during that time period. Ainsley and Cooper have so much on their plates, that the loss and pressure these two feel would have only one outcome, an explosion which decimates what they have. The road to reconciliation that Heidi McLaughlin places these characters on, though, will engage readers, and the way she brings the two of them back together is unexpected. In the end, readers will enjoy the journey with Ainsley and Cooper, and seeing them fall in love is enjoyable.

Heidi Mclaughlin has sucked me into the Boys of Summer series with this book. The Renegade team's support and all-around family vibe makes me want to know all of their stories. I fell in love with this team, with Cooper and Ainsley, and with this story. It is wonderful sports romance in which to escape!

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading Home Run. Cooper has finally gotten his shot to play in the major leagues. He's worked hard for it. He's a rookie and he's determined not to mess it up. He's all about concentrating on baseball and not about women and partying. He meets Ainsley and he knows he wants to get to know her more. Ainsley works at a zoo and has an ill mother. She's not looking for love or a relationship and she certainly doesn't want anything to do with athletes. They are both very likeable characters. I really liked that Cooper wasn't cocky. They have a connection. In the beginning, Ainsley fights their connection and I liked how Cooper didn't back down. Ainsley and Cooper have their ups and downs and struggles. There were definitely some twists that were unexpected. I wasn't overly in love with some parts of the story but as a whole it was a good read.

The Boys of Summer baseball series by Heidi McLaughlin is back with the second installment of the series- Home Run. In this installment we get to meet Cooper Bailey and Ainsley Burke. Cooper has finally been called up to the major league and just about to start his rookie season when one day while doing promotional work at the local zoo he meets Ainsley. Both Cooper and Ainsley are attracted to one another however Ainsley refuses to date athletes. Cooper refuses to give up and finally is able to get Ainsley to go out on a date with him. The chemistry between these two is off the charts and they can’t seem to get enough of one another. However things are going great between them but unfortunately Cooper’s game is not up to par. With the pressure from outside sources and the pressure he puts on himself Cooper may loose his dream of being a major league player if he can’t get his head in the game. Just as Cooper and Ainsley start to heat up life deals Ainsley a huge personal blow-her mom is extremely ill. Feeling guilty for every letting her mom slip from her number 1 position Ainsley does what she feels she needs to do and distances herself from Cooper. Although Ainsley has cooled things off with Cooper he can’t get her out of his head and out of his system. To him she is his game changer- she just doesn't know it. Will these two be able to get back on the same page or will life and personal dreams get in the way?

Although this book is the second book in this series it can be read as a stand alone. I read the first book awhile ago and was super pumped that the second book is finally here. I loved how much detail the author gave about the characters life-I truly felt as if I was there with them during spring training and just living life. I instantly developed a crush on Cooper and wanted him for myself. He is just so real. Like any competitive guy he gets in his own head and becomes his own worst enemy however I love that when he wants something he goes after it with 100%. At times in the story I wanted to shake Ainsley and be like “open your eyes girl and see whats in front of you!” but never having gone through what she is I guess we all deal with our pain and suffering differently. Regardless of that, I loved Cooper and Ainsley together and their whole story was great! If you are a fan of sports romance you do not want to miss out on this book!!.

Once again McLaughlin hits it out of the park! I found I loved this story more than the first! The attention to detail the author has is epic and makes it for a very real feeling story!

I just love a good sports romance and this one was perfect. Cooper is a rookie baseball player with his eyes on the big league. Determined to focus on his training and no distractions goes out the window when he meets the incredible Ainsley. She is unlike anyone he has ever met and he just cannot get enough of her but it is hard to split his attention between her and the game. Ainsley knows not the fall for a guy that is only here temporarily but she is drawn to Cooper. Can these two juggle their responsibilities and their hearts? You must read the story and find out. Trust me you won’t be disappointed.

If you are a reader who loves romance and sports then Home Run should be the book for you. Heidi McLaughlin has such a knowledge of the ins and outs of sports, that she always brings a level of realism weaved into her fiction. Home Run is the second book in The Boys of Summer series but can be read as a stand-alone. However my personal opinion with stand-alone stories within a series is that you should always start with the first book in the series because there will always be some sort of link that will show up in the following books. So why not get the entire feeling and story, right?

Getting back to Home Run, not only is it a sports romance but you will get some very big surprises, have your heart tugged and shattered, and make you laugh out loud from the antics of the Boston Renegades. I enjoyed that I had all my emotions plucked at different times in this book making it seem not predictable which happens a lot in some sports romance stories. I have no doubts that you'll become a BoRo fan after reading and will be anxiously waiting for book three, Grand Slam, set for release later in the year.

And since Heidi is a pro at writing sports romance stories I just needed to know who her favorite sports teams were so I could share with her readers. Heidi's answers are below and enjoy your time reading
Home Run..

What are your Top 5 sports teams representing any sport?

Boston Celtics
New England Patriots
Houston Astros
Boston Red Sox
Gonzaga Bulldogs

It's pretty much a given that if you write a sports romance, I'm gonna jump at the opportunity to read it. I love them. They are absolutely my jam. Home Run hi all the marks for me. It was funny AND fun to read. It was sexy and heartwarming. And best of all it had all kinds of #feels :) I am highly impressed with my first experience with Heidi McLaughlin and can't wait to go back and read the first in this series, Third Base!

Copy provided by the publisher for blog tour review

Home Run is the second book in the Boys of Summer series. This can be read a stand alone, however I recommend reading book one Third Base first so you know the background of them. I read this book in one go. I was caught from the first page, and I enjoyed it.

This book starts as baseball spring training starts in Florida. Cooper Bailey is fighting for the starting position of center field over veteran Steve Bainbridge. He lives baseball, eats, drinks, and breathes it. It’s his future and he doesn’t have time for dating much less falling in love. As per his father, he can’t let anything come between it. So when he and the Boston Renegades go to the Florida Zoo for a PR opportunity, to show around elementary kids he sees Ainsley Burke for the first time, all that thinking flies out the window. Ainsley has worked with the animals but things change when her mom gets sick and she cuts back to take care of her. When she sees Cooper for the first time her thinking is no way, no how is she getting involved with an athlete. Experience has hardened her and so have her mother's words and viewpoint.
I loved Ainsley. She was strong confident and independent. Her reasoning for not wanted to get involved also has to do with him only being there for spring training. Once that’s over, what happens next.

Both of them try to ignore what they feel. They try to put the other out of their head. No matter what Cooper and Ainsley do they simply cant. Then Cooper goes balls to the wall trying to befriend Ainsley. He tries to woo her. I was enjoying to read. He was a cocky guy with a soft side. When his game suffers and his father points it out he gets help from an unlikely place.

The supporting cast of characters were great. Love love loved Stella. I don’t think Ainsley would have even talked to Cooper if it wasn’t for Stella. Cooper had a great bunch of teammates. They were also his friends.

The flow was good, the pacing was good there was a surprise or two in there. One is did not see coming however and I liked it a lot. It was the perfect rainy day read for me.
Review Copy of Home Run (The Boys of Summer #2) provided by Forever for an honest review.

Are you ready to run to one sweet and heartfelt sports romance? If so, batter up and get ready to fall for Heidi McLaughlin’s Home Run.

Cooper Bailey is on track to living his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. With spring training coming up, Cooper is well aware that this is his one shot and nothing will stop him from fulfilling his dreams and passion. Well, what happens when he meets Ainsley Burke?

When Cooper meets Ainsley, there is an instant attraction. Chemistry that is an indescribable. As Cooper pursues his career, he also finds himself pursuing Ainsley as well. So will Cooper discover hitting a home run in the big league is just as difficult as winning the heart of Ainsley?

Home Run is a very sweet, light angst and cute romance. As for heat factor, it was tame but it worked for the story line of Cooper and Ainsley. So are you ready to batter up and discover this sweet catch of a love story?

Another hit in the Boys of Summer series!
Loving these baseball books! You can tell by the way she writes the author knows and loves the game. It's not just a book about a player there is play by play of games that puts you right there in the stands cheering with the fans.
Cooper and Ainsley had an instant attraction and a very short lived whirlwind romance. Tragedy struck and Ainsley had no time for romance, Cooper was leaving when spring training was over anyway. But life has a funny way of changing everything!
Fate was not a friend of poor Cooper. I felt so bad for him when he was side blinded by not one but two life, possibly career altering surprises.
This book was definitely an emotional rollercoaster I was a mess more than once with sad and happy tears. I got so wrapped up and attached to these characters that I felt their pain and happiness. I love when a book gets to me like that!
So excited for Grand Slam! I just know Travis Kidd is going to have one heck of a story!

Heidi McLaughlin returns readers to the world of the Boston Renegades with Cooper and Ainsley’s story in Home Run. With the Renegades in Florida for Spring Training when they meet, Cooper and Ainsley’s journey begins with a feeling of impermanence that heightened everything. Their chemistry sizzled louder and their emotions ran hotter making Home Run one heck of a scorching read. I loved the push and pull between the main characters and the resultant flirtatious banter that kept me grinning. Despite their hesitance to start something, Cooper and Ainsley shared an obvious deeper connection that got me hooked and I adored watching these two unravel one another so completely over the course of the story.

Ainsley was the kind of heroine who is impossible not to love. She was loyal, hardworking and incredibly self-sacrificing. Her relationship with her mother and the devotion she showed towards her care made my heart ache. In fact, it was this secondary storyline that probably stole the show for me as I found myself completely wrapped up in the emotional impact of her mother’s illness and the moments they were able to steal with one another. Even when Ainsley was being annoyingly indecisive about her feelings towards Cooper, I couldn’t help but feel for her and understand the struggle she faced. Heidi McLaughlin did a great job cultivating Ainsley’s insecurities and fears, allowing the reader to connect with her internal battle and fully appreciate the emotional position Ainsley’s mother put her in.

Cooper, on the other hand, was harder to connect with for me. I never got a real read on his character and, between his diligent pursuit of Ainsley and his sometimes selfish attitude towards his role with the Renegades, I found myself at a loss as to how I was supposed to feel about him. While I most certainly liked Cooper by the end of the novel, his personality wasn’t terribly distinctive and I never felt like I knew what kind of man he really was. I think Cooper’s character would have benefited from further exploration of his past, his time in the minor leagues and his relationship with his father in order to give him the kind of depth I needed to really understand where he was coming from and allow myself to completely fall for him. To be fair, Cooper definitely had his swoon-worthy moments and I enjoyed exploring this character, especially at the end of the novel when he really started to come into his own.

This book had a few issues that kept me from losing myself completely in the story. There were a lot of huge moments that were quickly glossed over and I couldn’t help but feel a little bit cheated – the jumps in time and focus on less substantial events keeping me somewhat emotionally disconnected from the overall storyline. I also wanted more resolution in regards to the situation with Cooper’s father instead of the looming threat and slightly uncertain feeling we were left with. That’s not to say that this book was entirely enjoyable. Home Run had a decidedly different vibe than the first book in the series; however, Heidi McLaughlin manages to recreate that same feeling of camaraderie that made Third Base so special. I loved seeing more of Ethan and Daisy, as well as getting to know Ainsley’s best friend Stella and Cooper’s teammate Travis. The secondary characters brought tons of humor and heart to the story, giving Ainsley and Cooper’s journey some much needed laughter and levity. Home Run is a fun, sweet read and sports romance fans will enjoy getting to know Heidi McLaughlin’s newest Baseball player BBF!