Couldn't put it down. Loved Cooper and Ainsley's connection (and her name), the baseball drama weaved in very effortlessly, and although the plot was not full of twists and turns, it was still a great story.

I will freely admit I know nothing about baseball...well, almost nothing. I am aware of the tight pants and rock hard bodies. Does that count? No- I didn't think so.

I know about rookies after meeting Ethan Davenport and this year's crop has made me smile just as much. As reported by the BoRe Blogger, newbie Cooper Bailey is one to watch out for. Or he was before his debut!?!

Cooper Bailey is living the dream. He is now in the majors. Recently called up from Triple A, he knows he needs to prove himself. Nerves, his father, and a new woman in his life battle around his head making his game less than noteworthy.

Ainsley concentrates on one thing and one thing only, her mother. Being dealt the crushing blow of a terminal cancer diagnosis for her only parent has Ainsley treading water. Fear, denial, and loneliness are weighing her down. Her life hasn't been her own since they got the news. She even had to give up her beloved job and work a more flexible schedule. With the cancer getting worse, it's hard to deny the inevitable but Ainsley is still swinging. But who is she swinging for?

What team does she want to be on? Team Bailey? With questions, denials, and fear still rolling around Ainsley needs to make some important decisions. Everything is about to change!

This series makes you feel right at home with inappropriate jokes, fun loving friends, an oppressive parent (or two). It's enough to want to make the Boston Renegades your hometown team- even when you're from New Jersey!

Love the series, love the characters, and I love the locker room antics. Love, loss, and life make the world go round. And if you know what Kidd is doing, give the BoRe Blogger a call- they need an update!

This is Book 2 in "The Boys of Summer" Series and I absolutely loved it! I was also really surprised because, although there is a beautiful romance between the main characters, there is also a heart breaking story related to Ainsley's mom. Heidi McLaughlin wrote the perfect book. She managed to balance a story where there is a sports romance but also a very emotional read.

Cooper and Ainsley are amazing characters. Both sensitive, warm and affectionate!! Their romance is sweet, tender, hot and great to read about.

Ainsley's mom illness is very emotional but the writer manages to make us feel all the emotional aspects of the illness without making the book heavy or sad.

Great read! Entertaining and very well done! Highly recommended!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley

I enjoyed this more than the first book. The real life struggles are real and I enjoyed how baseball is a huge part of this book. it's not just a thrown in part, it's explained and kind of interesting in its own way. I really like the blogger thrown in there too. I kind of looked forward to it every chapter.
Cooper is trying to make it in the big leagues and Ainsley is helping her mom survive cancer. He lays eyes on her and he's done. He wants her and she's of course stand offish bc a bad experience of hers and her mother's with athletes. Cooper really is great, not a bad boy, he's truly into his sport.
Ainsley is sweet and scared.
The one thing that I found off was the time passing seemed vague. I didn't know right away if it had been a month or a day. And the whole thing needed more drama. The whole dad thing was an issue for both of them and I think it could have been played up more.
I am so looking forward to the next book. Kidd's story!

4.25-4.5 STARS

Cooper Bailey lives and breathes baseball. As the newest rookie for the Boston Renegades, he’s determined to prove himself to both his team and his overbearing father. His dreams and goals are set, and nothing or no one is going to stand in Cooper’s way—that is, until Ainsley Burke sets his course off track.

Ainsley Burke doesn’t date athletes. Past experience has proven her mother’s warnings to be true. But when Cooper and his fellow Renegades volunteer their day at the local zoo for which Ainsley works, the attraction between the two is immediate.

Compelled by his overwhelming attraction to Ainsley, Cooper is relentless in his pursuit to sweep her off her feet. Despite her repeated attempts to reject Cooper’s advances, Ainsley finds herself falling under Cooper’s spell. But with an ailing mother to care for, and Cooper’s crazy schedule, maintaining a relationship can be difficult.

Distracted by her budding romance with Cooper, Ainsley blames herself when her mother’s condition suddenly spirals downward. Pushing Cooper away seems her fallback method of dealing with her guilt and pain. Months of separation helps to regenerate Cooper’s stagnant career while a twist of fate changes Ainsley’s life in a most unexpected way.

“Home Run” is the second book in Heidi McLaughlin’s Boys of Summer series. While each book can be read as a stand-alone, I’d highly recommend reading both. But as much as I loved Ethan and Daisy’s story in “Third Base,” I loved Cooper and Ainsley’s story just a little bit more. While the push and pull of their relationship was annoying, overall the story was sweet, sexy, and brilliantly heartwarming. As always, Heidi McLaughlin knocked it out of the park!

Home Run is the second book in the boys of the summer series. home run can also be read as a standalone.

I fell hard for Cooper Bailey's character. he was adorable when it came to Ainsley Burke.

Cooper is a rookie for the Boston Renegades. He's 's on his way to the top with big dreams and some serious goals in mind. but he is quick to learn that sometimes the team goals are worth more than your own goals.

Ainsley is a zookeeper who has recently stepped down from tending the animals to care for her mother who is losing her battle to cancer.

Cooper is hung up on Ainsley when he meets her at a Charity event for underprivileged kids taken place at the zoo. one look and the chemistry between the two sparks but Ainsley has sworn of athletes after she got her heart broken from a football player.

I remember yelling several times at my kindle for Ainsley to get over her issues and give Cooper a chance.

Home Run is a really cute story!

I loved Cooper! I can't wait to read more of The Boys of Summer!

I especially can't wait to read Travis Kidd's story!!!

I loved home run and highly recommend it to all the sports romance lovers!

Wow I never thought I would love a romance novel that included Sports of any kind but i was so wrong! The cover is so sexy and the story inside is outstanding. 5 star read for me

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**4 Stars**
I was so excited for this book after I read Third Base. This is book 2 in The Boys of Summer series but can be read as a standalone. I recommend reading book 1, Third Base, first because you are introduced to the characters and learn amore about who they are and the background of the team.
Cooper Bailey has his shot with the Boston Renegades, something he has worked his entire life for. When he starts practicing with them during Spring Training, he isn’t prepared for the female that he would be introduced to because of a media event with the team. Ainsley Burke isn’t the distraction Will needs because; according to his father he has to focus solely on baseball to get where he wants to be. Will Cooper be able to achieve two different things because of the Renegade, love and a career, or will he have to pick one or the other?
Ainsley Burke does not date athletes, no ifs ands or buts about it. Insert Cooper Bailey. Ainsley wasn’t prepared to meet him during the Renegades media event at the zoo, but once her eyes landed on him, she found him extremely attractive. Will Ainsley break her rule to be with Cooper or will she hold strong and continue to swear off all atheletes?
I love this series and I can’t wait for Kidd’s book, Grand Slam, there is just something about him that makes me think his story is going to be emotional and funny all at the same time.