HOME RUN is the second installment in Heidi McLaughlin’s contemporary, adult THE BOYS OF SUMMER baseball romance series focusing on the members of the MLB team the Boston Renegades. This is rookie center fielder Cooper Bailey, and zoo attendant Ainsley Burke’s story line. HOME RUN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person points of view (Ainsley and Cooper)  HOME RUN  follows the building relationship between the Boston Renegades rookie center fielder Cooper Bailey, and zoo attendant Ainsley Burke. It’s spring training time in Fort Myers Florida, and Cooper Bailey is struggling to make the starting line-up. The team’s first public relations assignment finds our hero face to face with Ainsley Burke, Fort Myers zoo personnel, and the woman that would call to his heart…but Cooper’s career is barely off the ground, and Ainsley struggles with her mother’s deteriorating illness, and a permanent relationship is not in the cards. What ensues is the growing love between two people whose lives will fall apart when Ainsley pushes Cooper out of her life as everything begins to implode.

Cooper Bailey was raised by a father whose goal was to see his son succeed in the game of baseball.  Failure was never an option; and a relationship would only interfere in his son’s professional career. Ainsley’s mother is dying and our heroine struggles with the guilt and pain of her impending demise. Meeting Cooper Bailey is all sorts of wrong especially as her mother has reinforced that dating a professional athlete will only lead to heartbreak and a future alone. 

The relationship between Ainsley and Cooper is one of immediate attraction. The sexual energy is palpable. Cooper struggles with his less than dynamic play on the field, and Ainsley battles with memories from the past that affect her relationship with the man that she loves. Ainsley need to constantly push Cooper away affected this reader’s overall acceptance of the heroine’s maturity and past.  The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the over the top graphic sexual text and language.


There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Ethan Davenport and Daisy Robinson (Third Base #1), as well as the coaches and players from the Boston Renegades. We are introduced to Cooper’s father Roy Bailey, and Ainsley’s mother Janice Burke, as well as Ainsley’s best friend Stella.

The world building follows the ups and downs of the Boston Renegades as they battle for standings in the professional baseball league. The relationship between Ainsley and Cooper struggles with outside interference, and the broken heart of a woman who loses the most important person in her life.  Time part is compounded by a couple of surprises, and their rushed reunion and professions of love are resolved with little conflict.  Each chapter begins with a Boston Renegade media update, and a blogger forum into the personal and private lives of the players.  Plenty of locker room banter to add some fun and humor.

HOME RUN is a sweet, romantic story line about two people torn apart by emotional guilt, grief and parental control. The premise is entertaining and moving; the characters are passionate and playful; the romance is energetic and animated. 

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3 out of 5 stars

I really enjoy books by Ms McLaughlin, but this one was a stretch for me. I haven’t read the first one in the series and I’m not sure if that would have helped or hurt the reading of this one. 

Reading this book was like watching a tennis match of emotions and character development. There were times when I loved Cooper and AInsley both...and there were definitely times I thought they were both stupid, selfish, and just not the character I expected them to be. Cooper’s character seems to change as the story progresses and I actually find myself disliking him a little at one point though I feel like Ainsley made her bed and she should just sleep in it. 

I also struggled with the timing of certain things in the book. There were large jumps in time and yet the characters sometimes acted as if no time had passed.

A fun sweet yet sexy sports romance without all the stereotyping

Home Run is a relatively light hearted sports romance between a sweet good-guy rookie player getting his chance in the major league and a woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders who needs a little light and love in her life. It’s a fun sweet yet sexy sports romance without all the stereotyping. 

Cooper and Ainsley, who alternate points of view, have a strong instant attraction that blooms into something more between these two sweet and likeable characters. Yes, at times, both characters have an odd moment that is a little frustrating with their actions, but overall they were fairly stable and non-stereotypical characters, Cooper especially. I, for one, definitely love a good-guy sports star who is reasonably humble but has a smooth sexiness to him that also shows off their big heart! I really liked the pacing of the relationship which is steadily built up over a period of time and fitted with the circumstances to move the story along. Both characters have had heartbreak and difficulties in the past but you can’t help but root for this pair and hope they can find their own HEA. 

Home Run is a well written, steadily paced, light hearted sports romance with just enough tension and drama to mix things up to make it a real page turning addictive read. The extra third point of view chapters added a fun little extra element. While this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone (I personally haven’t read book 1 yet and followed along no problem). Also, despite this book incorporating a baseball theme don’t be put off if you aren’t into sports because the book is more than that and very easy to follow along (with enough sport included to satisfy any sports fans). I personally don’t follow baseball but love sports romances, especially when they are well written and don’t necessarily follow all the typical stereotypes you often find in sports romances. 

Overall, if you enjoy a sweet yet sexy sports romance, definitely give this book a read!

While this is book two in this series, and I read the first book, Third Base, this book truly can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed reading Cooper and Ainsley's story. I so loved how Cooper had to really work to get Ainsley to give them a shot. Don't get me wrong, there were a few times where I was reading and just wanted to slap her upside the head. I get she's got a lot on her plate, but sometimes you've just got to take that leap...

These two together have such a chemistry and they recognized it too, after he finally wore her down to go out with him. But sometimes even with chemistry oozing all over the place, things are said and done that could potentially ruin a budding relationship. Cooper is very career focused and sometimes that got in the way of his feelings for Ainsley and my heart broke a little for this beautiful, caring and loving woman because she really does deserve to have it all!

Don't fret though Cooper does redeem himself and that to me just shows he's an All-Star on and off the field. This is another winner by Ms. McLaughlin. The pace and character development are spot on as I've come to expect with her books and when I turned the last page on my kindle, I once again had a full heart and a big smile on my face!!!

Heidi knock it out of the park again. This series just gets better and better. I love COOPER BAILEY. Cooper and Ainsley are so perfect for each other. Their connection is instant but Ainsley won't  date another athlete since she was hurt before, but Cooper won't give up on her. Once Ainsley finally gives in they can't stay away from each other. But when a tragedy tears them apart, they both regret ending it like they did. They both think about each other and what could have been. With secrets coming to light will it bring them closer together or more further apart. Will Cooper & Ainsley reunite or will they strikeout? I love all the characters in this series and you can't help but laugh at the craziness that comes out of Travis Kidd's mouth.  Once you start reading you will not be able to stop. Can't wait to read Travis's book next.

I love these Boston Renegades!! Heidi McLaughlin's Boys of Summer are full of everything I love - baseball, humorous banter, smokin chemistry and more emotions than I thought possible! Cooper Bailey and Ainsley Burke brought me so many feels over the course of their story. I didn't know how their story could beat Ethan and Daisy's, but man oh man there was just something about them right from the start that made me cheer for them. Even when life was trying to keep them apart, thankfully they find their way. I loved how all the other Renegades and their families are part of the story! Plus if you're a baseball fan then you'll love how spot on Heidi writes and knows the game. Definitely a must read sports romance!!

I had purchased and enjoyed the first book in The Boys of Summer Series, Third Base, and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to get a chance to read Home Run. 

 Third Base is cute and flirty and funny (their text messages in particular), with a lot of heart thrown in as well. Cooper is in insta-love with Ainsley after meeting her at an event his baseball team attends, and he was adorable chasing after her, even as he tells himself he needs to concentrate on his career rather than love. Poor Ainsley, dealing with her mother's illness has left her thinking she has little to invest in a relationship.

 I enjoyed reading their story, and there was enough drama in the story to keep me interested and reading to find out what happened next. I am looking forward to reading the third installment in the series, Grand Slam, releasing in May.

The second book in this series definitely lives up to its name...

Rookie center fielder Cooper Bailey finally got the call he's been waiting for all his life. He's now a major league baseball player and nothing is going to stand in his way. To earn his starting spot, he's needs to keep his focus on baseball, and only baseball.

But a chance meeting at a team event has Cooper focusing his attention on anything but baseball.

I loved this story. Cooper and Ainsley are just what each other needs, even if neither of them believes it at first. I adored Cooper in this story. He's such a good guy - sweet, sexy, and persistent. Ainsley is weary, hesitant because of Cooper's profession, but she's pulled to him and it's a force she can't resist. 

They both make their fair share of mistakes along the journey, neither one of them is perfect, but in the end I think you'll be happy with the story. I know I was and I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

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.

I was unable to finish this book. I apologise for any inconvenience.

5 stars

Home Run is book two of The Boys of Summer series.  It is not necessary to have read book 1 - I was able to read this as a standalone and followed easily.

Ainsley Burke is absolutely adorable.  She works in a zoo and coordinates events for underprivileged school children to visit.  The Renegades baseball players use this media day to escort the kids and spend time with them.  Cooper Bailey notices Ainsley from the moment she comes into view.  Spring training could be a whole lot of fun if he has Ainsely to entertain him while he's conditioning for the season.  Problem is that she's becoming more than a distraction and this is his rookie year.  Cooper is trying to get a permanent spot on the starting lineup but his focus is off and he can't blame the beauty that has captured his attention.

The turn this story takes and the struggle Ainsley and Cooper face are real.  You have to wonder is their happiness worth the risk.  

Baseball is all over this book and I loved it!  The rituals, the uncertainty of the players and the reminder that even athletes have heartbreak.

Home Run is perfect to slide into with Spring training just around the corner.

Boy oh Boy, Talk about a Home Run from Heidi McLaughlin. Cooper has stolen my heart as he steals the bases on the diamond. This was such a touching read. From the love and commitment from Ainsley to the unwavering need and strength from Cooper.
Ainsley and Cooper were the perfect match of sweet and strength and the complimented each other extremely well. Ainsley is so strong through out this book and my heart ached for her so many times while reading this. I also felt bad for Cooper and the relationship struggles that he went through with his own family.
This book was a great, face paced read that i couldn't put down and i cannot wait for another installment in the Boys of Summer Series. 5 Stars to Heidi, Thank you for sharing Cooper and Ainsley with us.

Wow again Heidi McLaughlin hits it out of the park literally. I am just so in love with her writing. It has all the angst, love, steamy moments you need. This story is about Cooper a rookie in the Renegades and Ainsley a girl from the town the Renegades are taking their break at. Ainsley does not want to get involved in a relationship due to her mother and her past experiences with Sports players. But Cooper has to have a date with her. He is in awe of her thinks she is perfect. But she has such a big wall up and is afraid to let Cooper in. Cooper ends up having enough of this and leaves with his team since training is over. I don't want to spoil the rest but this book was very well written. The only problem I had was I thought the book ended to soon. I wanted just a bit more of their story.

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.

Home run by Heidi McLaughlin is a sports romance with a hot rookie and the girl that catches his eye.  Cooper Bailey had put baseball on hold, but now he is ready to give it his all. He is dedicated and nothing and no one will stand in his way. Until her. 

I loved Cooper. He was just so patient and a nice guy. Even when the one thing Cooper has no time for is a woman, no matter how beautiful she is and how much he wants her. Cooper needs to keep his head in his game. Even if it means losing his heart. 

Ainsley works and takes care of her mother. She does not need anyone distracting her from what matters to her the most. Much less a man who is only around for a short period of time. Been there and done that. She is determined to keep Cooper at arm’s length. But his charms was hard to ignore. 

It was hard not to like Cooper. He was just a man who loved baseball and wanted the girl.  But now he is finding himself having to prove himself to the team and the girl. The pressure to do well is coming from all directions. On the other hand, Ainsley is struggling emotionally and has a lot on her plate. She pushes Cooper away repeatedly, but as we read, we learn more about her and why she makes the choices she does. 

This was a great sport romance that was sweet and funny. Cooper and Ainsley had such great chemistry. It was a slow build at the start, but it kept me reading and wanting to find out what would happen next. And I loved the interactions with the team, it will keep you laughing.

Home Run (The Boys of Summer #2) by Heidi McLaughlin
4 stars!!!

“Baseball is America’s game. It doesn’t know social class, race, or any other classification. It’s a game every one can play and afford to participate in.”

Home Run is the second book in the Boys of Summer series and can be read as a standalone. This is a sports romance and our hero is a rookie for the Boston Renegades. While Cooper Bailey is a rookie, he didn’t draft straight from college, but got his degree first so that he had something to fall back on. Being an older rookie presents a few problems but he is working hard to prove his worth and make himself a better player.

Cooper is extremely focused and motivated, baseball has been his life and he is adamant that he isn’t going to mess it up now. No drinking, no parties, no women are his current motto. Cooper throws himself 110% into practice and trying to take the starting spot from a veteran who was supposed to be retiring. That retirement never happened and now he has to prove himself even more. The pressure is real as is the constant pressure he receives from his father. His life is one huge ball of pressure.

Ainsley Burke is a zoo keeper in Florida who has a mountain of personal problems and is having to put her life on hold to care for her sick mother. Ainsley is devoted to the animals and has a heart of gold. Between work and her mother, she is spreading herself extremely thin but has a best friend that is always there for her.

The Boston Renegades are in Florida for spring training, when the Renegades go to the zoo for a press opportunity with local under privileged kids. Cooper and Ainsley’s paths cross for the first time and both are immediately smitten. However, Ainsley has her priorities and Cooper isn’t one of them.

“The only thing missing is the epically cheesy music that either signifies a connection or our untimely doom.”

Ainsley makes Cooper work for it, something that is not the norm for baseball players, but Cooper is far from the norm. Ainsley is constantly battling with her thoughts because now is not the right time and also Cooper would not be around anyways once he heads back to Boston. It also doesn’t hurt that she has been burned before and her mother has made her swear of athletes for life. Cooper has to battle his own thoughts too, he doesn’t need any distractions either, he is there to play ball, not to fall in love.

“He’s a baseball player, and they’re nothing but trouble.”

I loved the chase in this book, the little texts, the conversations, the back and forth was great to read. The fact that these two did take time to get to know each other first was refreshing as well as believable. Both battle themselves as well as each other and this really gave their story merit as well as creating some swoon worthy moments.

“Ainsley, yesterday meant everything. #25”

One twist I thought was a little convenient even though the intimation was always there and I did feel that keeping this from Ainsley was rather selfish on her mum’s part. However, the struggles that these two go through were all relatable and actually made this story “real.” The chemistry between these two was always apparent and there was just enough angst to keep the story entertaining while not being too gut wrenching. The banter between team mates was hilarious and really gave an insight into locker room talk. Loved the camaraderie between team mates and how a team is more than a collective group of athletes, but a family. This was a cute read and I will definitely be reading more about this band of merry men.

www.theromancecover.com

Get the kleenex ready for this book.  While it is a sports themed contemporary romance, it strikes a chord that transcends the genre.  Ainsley lives in Fort Meyers and is caring for her mother who is sick with cancer.  The reality of what it means to care for a loved one who is fighting for their life is a large part of this story.  At times, this story had me in tears.  As crazy as this sounds, I love books that make me cry.  It means that I connected with the story and my emotions are fully engaged.

Ainsley and Cooper meet at the zoo where she works.  He is smitten right away and even though he is only in Florida for spring training, he pursues her.  I found his attempts charming and I was rooting for him.  Ainsley plays hot and cold with him, which was frustrating, even though I understood her indecision.  They have a hot romance for a couple of weeks.  Lusty sex and moonlit walks on the beach bring them closer together.  All things must end and thus begins the big challenge for the couple.

The author is really great at writing baseball stories.  Cooper is the new rookie to the team.  She captures what it is like for a newbie to come to a well established team and fight for his place.  Heidi really emphasizes what it is like to struggle with the transition to the big leagues and deal with family pressures.  Cooper really struggles with balancing a life and baseball.  His challenges were understandable.

This is a very emotional story.  It was a very realistic story and I found myself drawn into the story of Ainsley and Cooper.  If you are a fan of baseball, definitely add this to your list!

Check it out here on Amazon.

This is WAAAAAAAAY too cute for words. After reading the first in this series, I was a little worried about continuing it. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the first one, but I found it predictable which didn't pull me in as much as I hoped for. But this one? It was just right. Was there still some predictability in it? Of course, but it wasn't blatant like the first and I found myself fully engulfed in this one. I mean, I finished it in a day!

Cooper is the new rookie for the Renegades. But he's not the youngest player, nor is he the least experienced. In fact, he finds himself having to fight for a position he thought he already had but finds out that the player he's supposed to replace ISN'T retiring after all. Cooper can't seem to get his head fully in to the game because he's got other things on his mind. Between being completely enamored with the girl from the local zoo, trying to find a "place" on the team and his father all over his performance (or lack thereof), Cooper just can't get his career under control.

Ainsley is a zookeeper. Well, she was until her mom became very sick with cancer. Now she runs the front office and is in charge of the media and field trip day involving the Renegades. Dating athletes isn't anything new to the local girls in town, but Ainsley has sworn off any athlete after a disastrous relationship turned sour. So when Cooper shows up, courts her properly and gets under her armor, the temptation is just too much. But of course that's not the end of the story. Ainsley's mom has always stirred her away from athletes. Why? Good question. It's a major theme in this story and one that adds to the shocking conclusion.

Like I stated before. I was pleasantly surprised by this second book of the series. I felt more engaged with the characters (both main and secondary). I enjoyed the Blog more this time around (probably because it didn't involve a main character). But more importantly, the ending was such a beautiful HEA that it left me feeling good. And I'm actually wondering who's next. Although I'm crossing my fingers for one loud mouth toddler (hint hint).

Is this a stand alone? I would say that you could absolutely skip the first one and read this without missing anything. But in all honesty, you shouldn't. I think you'd actually follow along better if you did read it.

reviewed by Chris

Its 4:51AM CST. I am awake because I just finished reading this amazing book. Am I in a book hangover? Am I still drunk off this book? I have no idea, but I can tell you that this book was seriously amazing.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was how the story kept moving at a good pace. Our characters go through a lot and normally, I wouldn’t like that. The reason it works for this story is that nothing is dredged on for too long. Its enough so that we know what is happening, we can feel the emotion, but then life keeps moving. As I read this story, it reminded me of when my mom will say “it sounds like life”, usually after I’m complaining about something. Yes, these characters have highs and lows, but life doesn’t stop because of them.

As a huge baseball fan (Go Twins!), I really enjoyed the environment of this story. I really loved that we see a lot of baseball in this story. The reason I mention this is that in other sports romances, it seems like we never see much of the sport. Only the funny sexual innuendos or other comedic references. I appreciated seeing Cooper being so dedicated to the game and everything he went through to get where he was. I think we see athletes and sort of forget all the sacrifices they make for the game they love.

In this story, Ainsley deals with a lot. I related to her character immensely. I thought the author wrote some of these tough scenes really beautifully, without torturing the character or readers.

This book was fantastic. I found myself smiling, blushing, crying, then smiling again, more tears, more laughing. I do have the book’s playlist above and now after reading this book, the playlist is so accurate. Just seeing the songs made me see how they fit right into the story and I doubt I’ll be able to hear them and not think of Cooper and Ainsley.

I can’t resist the baseball pun: this book is a Grand Slam! Heidi McLaughlin keeps readers on the edge of their seat, and even with a full count, bases loaded, in the bottom of the 9th, Cooper and Ainsley bring us the win we all need.

I have chosen to not finish this title.  Cooper is really annoying me, and I am not able to engage with a book where I really don't like the lead hero in the book.  He is coming across to me as really shallow and a jerk, which may be something that is dealt with, but I have chosen to DNF this title.

My apologies and I look forward to the next book from you!

Laura