Heidi McLaughlin’s Grand Slam is a great addition to her Boys of Summer series. While it’s just as romantic and sexy as the previous two books, which are stand-alones and do not need to be read in order, this story is a little less baseball. It’s still has all the goodies of a sports romance, but there is less playing action since it is the off-season. There is some legal drama mixed with the love story; therefore, it is a layered and interesting plot.

Saylor Blackwell is a single mom, who works as an agent to professional athletes, and one of her firm’s clients is the devastatingly handsome and sexy Travis. He is a player and plays for the Boston Renegades, and they had a hot one-night stand two years ago. While neither forgot the night and both are both interested in each other, they’ve never repeated the experience, because Saylor could lose her job for getting romantically involved with a client, and her daughter comes first.

One night they run into each other at a bar, and both are tempted. Saylor doesn’t allow herself to go there, but when Travis is falsely accused of rape that night, she could be his only alibi. Her firm is helping him every step of the way and this puts them back in each other’s orbits making it harder and harder to deny their attraction. Of course, the case against Travis is serious and difficult, and both are trying to focus on getting him off the hook.

Travis might be (or have been) a player, but he is a sweetheart. He is adorable with Taylor’s daughter and being patient with her. Their chemistry was off the charts, and the romance is top notch. The legal storyline was interesting and suspenseful. Grand Slam is a romance that has it all.

I have to say out of all of the books from this series, this one is my favorite. You get your ball in it but you get the romance and the legal aspect more of it. These two together are scorching and I enjoyed every page. The banter was spot on as well as the character build!

I have really enjoyed the Boys of Summer series by Heidi McLaughlin. Grand Slam is a mix of single mom, man whore athlete, and second chance romance that will sizzle your kindle!

Saylor is a PR rep responsible for Travis Kidd. They had a drunken 1 night stand, and when Saylor realized she could lose her job over it, she fled Travis' house as fast as she could, resulting in wrapping her car around a tree. Now, 2 years later, she has done everything to avoid being around Travis but one night, their paths cross again. This night ends in a rape accusation against Travis and he must beg Saylor for her help, even though helping him could cost her more than just her job.

Saylor is a single mother whose 5 year old daughter, Lucy, is #1 in her life. Lucy's father, Saylor's ex, has never wanted anything to do with Lucy...until suddenly he reaches out and wants to get to know his daughter. Saylor is skeptical of his motives after 5 years of radio silence. After her car accident, she lost her license and was placed on probation. This event plays a big part in why she can't come forward to help Travis. As a reader, my heart hurt for her because you can understand the position she is in. She didn't do anything wrong (much like Travis) but telling the truth would violate her probation. And with Lucy's dad suddenly sniffing around...She could lose Lucy. But, there is a LOT of attraction between Saylor and Travis. He really wants a future with her and he isn't willing to let her keep pushing him away. While his life is falling apart around him, he decides that Saylor can't run from him any more and he is going to prove to her that she can trust in his love.

My biggest struggle was the angst factor. Its fairly angsty with all the drama going on and I struggle with angst. I love romantic suspense because the tension comes from outside forces and it usually avoids angst. But, for a lot of contemporary romances, that conflict and climax comes from angst. My life is giving me enough anxiety; I don't need it in my books.

McLaughlin writes complex characters that evoke many emotions in the reader. You feel sympathy, love, anger, and more for these characters and its all done while weaving a very thoughtful plot. Grand Slam is a home run in sports romance that you will want to add to your TRB for this summer baseball season!
Link live on 5/22/17

Wow!!! I am literally speechless after reading this incredible sports romance that had my emotions on such a roller coaster!!!
The characters, the feelings, the tension, the whole bloom just blew me away
I can only say that Travis Kidd is the most swoonworthy, gorgeous character that made my heart full, despite some awful things that he is judged for, you cannot help but want to hug him and hug him hard!!!! Saylor also struggles with being a single mum and her desires but life is never easy and she has learnt the hard way, she tries her hardest for her daughter and is just s beautiful person that I really felt for!
I cried, I laughed, I got angry at certain characters and I this book has made my week! I haven't read anything by the author before but I will definitely want to read more from her!
An absolutely fantastic emotional ride!

I couldn't get enough of this book and I devoured it.

This book was simply full of storyline, from the beginning right up until the end. There was never a dull moment and it literally had me on the edge of my seat.

So much going on with two stories really colliding with each other and at the centre of it all are two characters that I absolutely loved. If this were a movie or tv show I would be hooked watching each episode and dying for the next one.

Travis and Saylor have their fair share of drama and OMG it had me biting my nails wondering how it would all play out. My heart raced watching these two just trying to do what's best while the odds are stacked against them.

I got angry for them at the roadblocks in their way and they were definitely outside forces that had me cursing up a storm. I mean COME ON !!! Could these two catch a break !!!

This book is an absolute five star for me and wow I definitely will be reading more books by Heidi McLaughlin. As far as romances go she definitely hit it out of the park with this one. Grand slam five star home run!!!

Travis and Saylor = True Romance
These two just hit me right in the heart.
Boston Renegades resident ladies’ man, Travis Kidd, is no stranger to one night stands and kind of prefers them except when it comes to one particular lady; his PR person Saylor Blackwell. He and Saylor shared one amazing night and since then she wants nothing to do with him. So too dull the ache he sleeps his way through woman after woman; many of whom would love a repeat performance. Unfortunately for Travis, he’s turned away the wrong woman and she sets out to make his life a living hell. The only one who can save him is Saylor but she refuses to come forward, siting it will cost her, her job and so much more.
Single mom, Saylor Blackwell remembers that night with Travis Kidd for more than one reason. Not only was it the night of the most unbelievable sex but it is also the night that caused her to make the biggest mistake of her life. She is well aware of Travis’ attraction to her and as attracted as she is to him, he’s off limits. With the “no fraternization” policy her firm has in relation to their clients she and Travis can never be. So when she learns that Travis has accused of Rape, she does everything she can to prove his innocence short of providing the information Travis really needs.
I really liked these two together, but I have to say, I wasn’t really feeling Saylor. While I understood her reason’s for holding back to help Travis, I was annoyed with her at the same time. These two were so insanely attracted to one another that for me, it literally jumped off the page. The attraction went beyond the physical. I loved how they actually liked each other, how they spent time together. The entire dynamic of these two was just great.
I simply loved Travis. While he had a jerky moment here and there, but he was an overall good guy and he was so sweet. I mean c’mon the guy let a little girl dress him up like a princess (tiara and all)! The poor guy was lonely and never realized it. All the cards seemed to be stacked against him and the night he goes to Saylor wet and cold…...
”What are you doing here?” ”I had nowhere else to go”…..”What about your house?”.....”It’s crazy there. The press is camped out front. They’re always talking and have their lights flashing into my windows. People walk by and scream at me, calling names. I can’t do anything or go anywhere without them following me. I can’t even order food without it being on television.”
And right there is where I really start to get angry with Saylor. She could fix this so easily! There were so many moments when it was so clear that these two where in love with each other and I felt like Saylor was just going to say “to hell with it, I’m going to save my man.” But she didn’t.
So back and forth it goes, then throw in Saylor’s ex who has decided he wants to be a part of his daughter’s life and in turn just aggravates the paint of the walls and the angst is everywhere. But through it all Travis held out hope, so did I and eventually Taylor got on board and all was right with the world.
This is the third installment of The Boys of Summer Series and so far this is my favorite storyline and couple. Quick read with the perfect HEA

The synopsis of this book doesn't really tell you much and I wasn't expecting what I got. I'm not going to lie-this read stressed me out more than anything. I still couldn't put it down though. I was immediately hooked into Saylor and Travis's story. They have a history before the beginning of this book and it seems to be both of their downfall. They both have to deal with unfair circumstances and I got to a point in the book where I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. This couple seems to have everything stacked against them and it's so hard to see how they could possibly work everything out and end up together. But they do and it's really so simple. I loved the characters and the chemistry between them. Sparks fly from the beginning and I was rooting for them from the start. I think that's why I couldn't stop reading; I just wanted them to be together. A solid read, not for the faint of heart!

Grand Slam is one of those books that will draw you in and not let you go until the very end. It has you feeling all the emotions from laughing, swooning, crying and screaming at your kindle. Grand Slam is my favorite out the series, I just loved every word of it.

Baseball player Travis Kidd thoroughly enjoys what he does, and the perks that come along with it... maybe a little too much! Being an athlete he draws a lot of attention from fans, it comes with the territory of course, and so he has come to expect that his every move is being monitored, even when there moves that could shine a bad light on him! It's a good thing he has a good publicist to cover up the stuff he doesn't want the public to get a hold of, but this time someone is out to get the star player, and no amount of cover up is going to keep him out of trouble. Now everything in his life is stuck in limbo, and the one person who can save him is the one woman who wants nothing to do with him!

To say that Saylor Blackwell's life is a little complicated is an complete understatement, everything in it hinges on one simple mistake she made a few years ago, so she feels like she is constantly walking on eggshells, waiting for them to break at any second. The one bright spot in her life is her daughter, and while being a single mother is tough, she wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, being a mother is the one thing she has done right. So, when she finds herself in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and witnesses something she wished she hadn't, she can't help but panic a little that it is going to be the one thing that finally cracks those egg shells. Seeing her ex Travis again was excruciating, mainly because she has never really gotten over him, and now he is standing before her asking for another chance... a chance she isn't so willing to give him!

The moment my eyes landed on the page and I met these two I was completely absorbed into their little world, and immediately taken with their touching story. They both had so much to lose, and to watch them find their way out of the little mess they wound up in was quite inspiring... and a little hot at times too!! The story line was inventive, intense, passionate, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and filled with many moments that had my toes curling... I just can't say enough about how much I loved this one!! If you like second chance romances, loaded with the feels and steamy sexy times than I highly recommend you give this one a try, you will not be disappointed!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Publisher's Description:

Win the game. Lose your heart.
Everyone knows who I am and that I could have any female fan I want. That's supposed to be the "perk" of playing left field for the Boston Renegades. But I don't want just any woman; I want her.

She should be just another face in the crowd, but I can't stop thinking about the one night we spent together-and her look of regret the morning after.

Because Saylor Blackwell is the kind of woman who haunts a man. Smart, sexy as hell, and one of the best managers in the business. She's every ballplayer's dream woman. And I'd do anything to make things right with her.

I'm done sitting on the bench when it comes to Saylor Blackwell. Time to swing for the fences.

My Thoughts:

This book is written totally in first person dialog. It switches the viewpoint from chapter to chapter. Having never read a book totally devoted to the thoughts of the characters alternating from one to the other, I at times got lost as to which character was telling the story.

Travis is a star player in the major leagues for the local baseball team and can pretty much have any woman he wants. His obvious attraction to the female population in general has landed him in very hot water.

Saylor is his publicity agent and a single mother with a problem. She is more than just attracted to Travis. She has a contract which forbids her to fraternize with clients.
That is only one issue that she faces, another being her ex lover and the father of her daughter who suddenly after five years shows more than a passing interest in their child.

Will the problems that these two face culminate into a lasting relationship between them?

I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4.5 of 5 flames. I had problems keeping up with which character was telling the story or I would have given it a higher rating.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I have voluntarily reviewed.

Throughout The Boys of Summer series there has been one character that has left me intrigued time and time again. One character that I needed to know more about. One character that had me laughing immensely with his clever yet hilarious one liners.

Travis Kidd, is the jokester of the Renegades. He's also the man whore. His teammate has told him time and time again that he needs to settle himself down or one day the man whoring is going to get him into trouble, but Travis Kidd just shrugged his shoulder. Travis Kidd wakes up after a night of getting turned down by the 'one that got away' and he is faced with rape accusations by a woman scorned and a DA that is looking to make an example out of a major league baseball player.

Saylor gets called on his case by her boss who is also Kidds manager. She's in charge of making him look good in the public eye. But what the public doesn't know is, Saylor holds the keys to Travis's freedom. All she has to do; confess what she saw that night. But in confessing to Travis's innocence, she's also admitting to her own guilt and looking at a jail time sentence.

I really enjoyed this novel, unlike the other novels in this series, this one did not take place on the diamond. This one took place when baseball season was over and the renegades were on a break. This one was also a shade darker that the previous novels. There were so many times I wanted to slap Saylor in the face, even though I completely understood why she kept quite. I felt for Travis, my heart broke for him time and time again. He didn't deserve to get dragged through the mud. And the DA,,,,,Someone needs to fire his ass. Because frankly I have never felt more rage with any other book character than i felt with that smug S.O.B.

I absolutely adored Saylor's 5-year-old daughter, Lucy. I loved the moments between Lucy and Travis. Those moments easily made up for the rage i was feeling brought on by the DA. I'm not going to talk to much about their cuteness just so you can enjoy it firsthand for yourself, just know they are freaking adorable together.

This is a great novel, be warned it is different from the previous novels, but it is still great. I loved the difference and the notion that not everything in the sports world is million dollar paychecks and finding the one. This novel has a realism about it that is unlike any other sports novel I have read.

This is another entry in the series and it works. What is interesting is all the behind the scenes information about the baseball industry during off season. It approaches the groupies and how they can manipulate things to look a certain way...
Well done.

Great story!! It was real and different for a sports romance. That is one of my favorite things about this book in the series. I have seriously loved every book in this series and this is definitely a great addition. Heidi always writes men that never fail to make me swoon.

This book had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen to the characters. Was there going to be a happy ending? Would everything work out? She had me so involved in this story that I was dying to know the outcome. I absolutely cannot wait for more!!

Heidi McLaughlin brings it home with the third book in the ‘Boys of Summer’ series! Definitely a grand slam! This has been my favorite book in the series! The book can be read as a stand-alone. However, you can really get to know Travis and the other players by reading the first two books.

The angst is slow and almost tortuous. The focus in Grand Slam is on Travis Kidd, left fielder for the Boston Renegades, and Saylor Blackwell, his PR agent. We are also treated to appearances from Cooper & Ainsley, and Ethan & Daisy and Branch Singleton.

As I have said in previous reviews for this series, you are in for a treat if you love baseball. Not only is this a baseball sports romance, but the story is also filled with lots of baseball language. I have a feeling that Heidi McLaughlin channeled a lot of her love and knowledge of baseball that she learned from her dad into this series as it is mentioned in her dedication.

Travis Kidd is known for his practical jokes and fun loving nature. As his PR agent Saylor has to turn these jokes into something positive and fun. An example is when he started a “kissing booth” and she turned it into a fund raiser for the children’s hospital. It was a long season for Travis and he wanted to spend the winter in Boston to decompress.

It’s the off-season, and technically I shouldn’t be here. I usually head south for the winter but opted to stay home this time.

Things don’t turn out so well for Travis after he bails on a potential one night stand. His manager as well as his PR rep aka Saylor have to step in. This brings Travis and Saylor together. Saylor is a single mom and an extremely hard worker. Her daughter Lucy is an adorable 5 year old who is sweet and funny. I loved reading about her. Travis hits it off with Lucy and uses this to spend more time with Saylor.

…Do you want to have breakfast with us?

“Breakfast sounds great. I’m starved.”

…I know I should’ve told Lucy no, but who in their right mind can say that word to a little girl who looks like a miniature version of the woman you want to get to know?

The story has many layers to it. There is so much at stake for all involved. Choices have to be made. We watch Travis go through a really tough time. We see Saylor who is also caught in an impossible situation. Together they make their way to each other. It was brutal at times (but not in an awful way, just angst). I loved watching them transition into their relationship, each growing and leaning on one another.

I just loved it!

Heidi McLaughlin has another fantastic novel with this one. And although it isn't as "sporty" as the previous ones in the series it is still amazing none the less. With that, I picked this book up on a whim today as I was looking for something lighthearted to read on this rainy day. At first, I had no intention to finish it in one sitting, I just wanted something to get lost in for a little while. But WOW. I read it from front to back and I couldn't stop! I had to see how the story and relationship progressed and couldn't put it down until I did. EEPP!!! I am impressed because it has been a while since I was able (and wanted) to do this.

Fans of Heidi McLaughlin (yes, I am one of them) and those who enjoy a swoony romance with some great character backstory should give Grand Slam a try. This is the perfect book to get lost in and fall in love with. I very much recommend it!

When I first learned that book three of Heidi McLaughlin's Boys of Summer series was gonna feature Travis Kidd I was unsure. His previous appearances showed him to be a huge prankster, a womanizer and king of the crass one-liner. However, it was quickly obvious to me that while those were aspects of Travis they weren't who he was at his core. I loved seeing Travis evolve and even though at times it was hard given all the bad he's enduring.
Saylor Blackwell deals with all sides of Travis as his publicist. Unfortunately for her she is not just dealing with her frustrations of his antics, but also fighting the attraction that she can't indulge. Travis is trouble for her in so many ways, but he also makes her feel things that make her happy.
What I loved about this story was the layers of both Travis and Saylor. Both have conflicts and issues plaguing them. Both are fighting their attraction, Saylor because she could lose her job and Travis because he's trying to listen to Saylor and not hurt her. However, he can't seem to stay away. He needs Saylor; he needs the support and the feeling of rightness he gets being with her and her daughter. For Saylor she finds that Travis fills so many voids for her and for Lucy. Plus we get all our favorites making integral appearances here. One last thing I liked a lot, and really this is about the series as a whole - you get to see every aspect of a players life from the season (Third Base) to Spring Training (Home Run) and in Grand Slam it's all about the off-season.

So for me Grand Slam was amazing! I loved the flow and pacing of the story. I think Heidi's writing is spot on with her baseball knowledge. Plus how she incorporates so many realities of both Travis' and Saylor's situations. I definitely loved this thrill ride that kept me turning the pages!! Go Renegades!

Amazing book! Heidi knocked out of the park with this one! Adorable story with it's hard and sad moments, but definitely worth the read

I FREAKING LOVE TRAVIS KIDD. I couldn't wait to read Travis's story and I wasn't disappointed. His one liners are hilarious but in Grand Slam you will see a different side of Travis. Travis is sweet, sexy and will definitely have you swooning. Travis knows what he wants and he wants Saylor. Saylor is off limits but both can't deny that they both want each other. It will be a battle for them both, but fate was brought them together to weather the storm. Heidi has really knocked it out of the park with this series, each book gets better and better and I gotta say Travis is by far my favorite.

The third book in the Boys of Summer series has less baseball and more drama and romance. You might not see as much on field action as the last two books but this book is not lacking in story and heart.

Travis Kidd is known for being the jokester with his one-liners as well as has a way with words with the ladies. One encounter with the wrong woman changed his world forever. But under that womanizer façade is a man who just wants what his friends have; a partner in life, a woman to love and a family to come home to. But there’s only one woman he wants it with.

Saylor Blackwell is a single mother is trying to provide a good life for her daughter and no matter how drawn to Travis she is, she can’t. He’s a client and the first rule her boss told her was no getting involved with the athletes. Too bad Travis has other ideas and won’t give up without a fight. When it’s a full count, two outs there’s nothing more Travis can do except hit it out of the park and that’s exactly what he does.

Saylor and Travis’s journey is a bumpy one filled with strike after strike. It’s filled with angst and turmoil and lots of love and heart. In the end it will take a grand slam to fix all the wrongs and make them right.

Heidi writes stories that pull at the heartstrings. They’re filled with romance and heat to keep you wanting more. Her characters are lovable and swoon worthy. She knows how to keep you entertained and intrigued from the beginning to the end.

I have loved this series from the beginning and really hope this isn’t the end and she has more Renegades up her sleeve.

Blown away...100% blown away
You how you follow an Arthur and look firward to every new book she or he writes. Well that is exactly how I feel about Heidi's books
Grand Slam, book 3 in the Boys of summer series is the best in the series.
Travis Kidd is the guy that your mother warned you about. He's a player and has never been in a committed relationship. Never even gave it a thought. THat is until he meets the lovely Saylor Blackwell. They have a few things stacked against them. The biggest is that Saylor is Travis' PR person. The other thing is that Saylor is a single Mom.
NOW, here's why I loved this book so much. Heidi took a chance on a taboo subject ** Spoiler free review** She wrote it really raw and made me see a side of sports that would bring an athlete to their knees.