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.

I couldn't wait to read Home Run as I had previously read the first book in The Boys Of Summer series.
Cooper Bailey is the new rookie baseball player for the Boston Renagades, he lives and breathes baseball this is all he's ever ever wanted to do, he set his dreams and goals high to prove to others especially his father that he can be successful and nothing will get in his way that is until he meets Ainsley Burke at the zoo during a volunteering day where she works.
Ainsley Burke has been warned by her mother never to date athletes, her mother has past experience, but when the two meet the attraction is extremely noticeable between the two, can Ainsley push the warnings from her mother to the back of her mind?
Cooper is persistent in his pursuit to woo Ainsley but after several knock backs Ainsley finds herself backing down but when her mother's health takes a turn for the worst Ainsley starts to push Cooper away but could a twist of fate turn things around for the couple?
I really enjoyed reading Home Run, the writing as usual is brilliant, characters are easily likeable especially Cooper!!!

( I loved the secondary characters) reading Home Run was emotional, heartbreaking and sweet and I really can't wait for the next installment.

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!

This is my first book by this author and it has me wanting to read more.

Cooper is a rookie a baseball player when he meets Ainsley at the zoo where she works and they are instantly attracted to each other, however both are hesitant because of their situations Ainsley more so. They decide to give in and try until supervening circumstances change and they part.

Both are miserable without each other and just maybe they don't need to be apart, but not everything is easy especially when Cooper is trying to hit a home run and make it and with Ainsley being in a different state, but when they realise they want each other will it be that easy? Can Cooper have the career and the woman of his dreams? Will Ainsley move to be with an athlete who holds her heart?

This was very good sports stories, it was one of the more sweet sport reads that I've read and I love sport stories.

I received this book in return for my honest opinion.

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

I was so excited when I found out the next book in the Boys of Summer series was coming out and I was not disappointed. First, I was especially happy that we’d still get to read the posts from the BoRe blogger, it’s one of my favorite parts of both books. Secondly, I LOVED Cooper! He just comes off as a genuinely nice guy. It was cute how he chased her and I could really appreciate his persistence. I admired how Ainsley supported her mother and how she sacrificed some of her happiness to make sure her mother was taken care of. I really didn’t care for her mother much. Yes, she was going through a lot but she seemed to really shelter Ainsley too much. On that note, I couldn’t stand Cooper’s father. That man was selfish and didn’t care about Cooper’s happiness. I do like the way that Cooper handled himself in those situations even though he did question himself at some points. Overall, I thought Home Run was an engaging read that kept me wanting more. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I loved this book! Cooper was a totally normal guy with normal jerky guy characteristics regarding relationships, commitment, communication, not understanding women in general. It was endearing. It made you root for him all the more. What I love about him was that he really made an effort to pursue Ainsley. Ainsley was such a confused and lost girl. She always chose what her head and mother wrongly taught her. I felt so bad for her because of what she had to deal with regarding her mother. It's pretty messed up what she did to Ainsley. But her and Copper had that in common, fighting between what they were wrongly taught and going for what their heart was telling them is right. Overall this was an entertaining read. One click it!

So I want to start out by saying that I thought I would give this series one more chance and read the second book. I had a real hard time getting into the first book Third Base.... But as I just mentioned I wanted to give this series one more chance seeing Baseball romances are one of my favorites!!!!!

I loved Cooper Bailey. Cooper is a rookie on the Renegades, he lives, breaths, eats, and sleeps baseball. He hasn't really made time in his life for anything else, since his mother passed away and he started playing baseball. Throughout the whole book I felt for him and at times just wanted to reach through my kindle and hug him.

I did really like Ainsley in this book. Even though she was a bit stubborn or hard headed, whichever you want to call her. And even though were times I wanted to kick her backside into gear. Though I understood where she was coming from at times with everything going on with her mother. 

I have to say I enjoyed this second book so much better than the first book. I thought the characters were much more relatable in this book. I also loved seeing more of the teammates in this book and them interacting. I felt more of a connection with this book and the characters than I did in the first book!!!!

I'm giving this book 4 Stars out of 5!!!!

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?

Reviewed by Michelle

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?

4 Crazy Ass Stars!!!

Let me start by saying that I didn't read the first book in the series (Third Base). At no time did I feel like I was missing anything but the "Book Whore" in me just had to one click to get Ethan and Daisy's story. This can be read as a standalone.
This was a triple F read! Funny, Flirty, and Frustrating. 
I laughed so much with all the lockeroom banter. Cooper and Ainsley had me fanning myself with their explosive chemistry. Cooper was so sweet and had me swooning several times. Both Ainsley and Cooper had me frustrated at times. I wanted to shake them both.

Overall, another great read from Heidi McLaughlin. She never disappoints.

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!