Ellie McDonald is generally shy and retiring. But when she decides to do one thing every day where she gets rejected, her sister dares her to ask out MVP on her cousin's pro baseball team, Jake Armstrong. Except that he doesn't reject her. And then there's a hotel fire... and things really spiral out of control. Suddenly she's agreeing to pretend to be in a relationship to help save his job and her reputation.
There were parts of the book that I didn't love (a lot of misunderstandings) but I am interested in reading more books in this series.

Three and a half stars
This book came out August 13
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

This was an ok book not great but if you have nothing to do and need a book to read this can be it..We have Ellie who is supposed to be super shy and fears rejection so she go decides to ask her crush Jake who is known for going out with woman that he knows he going to get some, out on a date with no sex, thinking there is no way he would agree, but shocker he agrees. I didn't feel the strong attraction they were supposed to have. He wants her in bed and is tries his hardest she gives in fairly quickly only to have it explode in her face when are caught on film..So fake relationship ensues to protect them. I found that he didn't really have respect for woman by the way he talks of the other woman he was with. Family drama, well just all kind of drama..Anyhoo I don't really think I will read more..

This was a really great sports romance. It was a fun and sexy quick read. I love when a story can be told well in a short novel. This book does not disappoint. I was happy to learn this was a series. I can´t wait to read more from this author. She really knows how to tell a story. Ellie and Jake are just so cute. Its always the shy girl falling for the bad boy or rock star but in this case the sports star.

A fun, fast paced sports romance, this book was a fun, easy read that keeps you hooked the whole way. I enjoyed the subject matter of the book, and the chemistry between the characters felt authentic and real. Overall, a good read.

I loved reading Sliding Home by Kathy Lyons, book two of her Locker Room Diaries series. This is the story of what happens when shy, reserved, and good girl Ellie decides to break out of her shell and go after what she wants. First step for Ellie is to ask her long time secret crush Jake to take her on an old fashioned date She expects him to turn her down so she can move on; but he says yes. Jake, a MVP short-stop, tries to control his bad boy nature. Jake decides to tempt the sweet and innocent Ellie to take a walk down the dark side as no one would know. However, when the hotel catches fire and his rescue of her, while slightly naked, is caught on camera, these two have a major PR problem. I was shocked when Jake decided the best solution would be to have a fake resolution with Ellie for the season. The more Ellie spends time with Jake and gets to know the real Jake, the less fake this relationship feels.

Ellie took a huge risk by being bold, trying things that could lead to her getting rejected. Yet, it is Jake who takes the largest risk by becoming vulnerable and letting Ellie see the real him. Given his background and family situation, doing that is very difficult for him. However, these are the risks these two have to take in order to reach their happily ever after.


Ms. Lyons wrote a wonderful and emotional story that is not to be missed. She drew me into the lives of her characters, making me forget the world around me. Sliding Home is a fun, fast paced romance you don’t want to miss. This story is filled with witty banter, sexual chemistry, fun dialogue, and endearing characters. I highly recommend this book to other readers and am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Ellie is a good, conservative girl who wants to break out of that mold. She is sick of shying away from confrontation. She goes about a rejection revolution to toughen her up and not take anyone's crap anymore. Part of this is to ask celebrity Bobcat shortstop out on a romantic, old-fashioned date. She is not his type so she's sure she will be rejected-all part of the plan. Except Jake doesn't turn her down, he says yes!

Jake is the shortstop for the Bobcats and has overcome a lot to make it to the big league. Coming from a messed up family doesn't help. When Ellie tempts him with a sweet date, he can't say no. He wants to have some naughty fun with this good girl.

Their date is going well and their situation progresses to Jake's hotel room. Things go haywire when the hotel is on fire and they have to use the balcony to get out. Cameras everywhere catching the rescue and the state of undress on film. When a PR nightmare blows up, the only solution is to carefully craft a "fake" relationship to save face. It's only for the season they say.... They can do that....right??

This is a cute story! I like Jake and Ellie together and they had sparkly chemistry! There are issues for both of them, and triggers that bring out their worst. They find that the other soothes them when they need it most. Lots of responsibilities were unfairly put on Jake. I know he just wanted to help, and do what he thought was right, but he needed to take a step back. His helping was to Jake's detriment and the tumbling needed to stop. Family dynamics are a sneaky thing. Jake was just too nice of a guy and took a lot of crap he shouldn't have had to. I was glad to see that Ellie had a positive effect on that situation.

All in all, this was a fun book to read!

reviewed by Deb

It's been said that opposites attract. Sliding Home takes that common occurrence and runs with it in the sweetest of ways. Kathy Lyons pulls at the heart while keeping hormones on full alert. Ellie is an introvert with a kind heart and little less confidence. Jake is an extrovert with a boisterous nature but a heart no less kind. They shouldn't fit, but they do. They bring out the best in each other. He encourages her to take risks and she helps him tone down. Along the way each becomes more secure in their skin and their hopes for the future. Cute read.

Story/Writing: 3 (I'm going to try to combine them)
This story wasn't anything original, in my opinon, but there's not really an issue with that for me. There just wasn't anything about it that really stood out to me. The pacing was weird with it. But the sexual tension was definitely on point. Despite the fact that the sex scenes themself just weren't for me. Overall, I wasn't a fan of the story. It wasn't something I'm interested in.

Honestly, again, the pacing was weird, the sex scenes were not for me, the romance didn't hit a string either. I just didn't feel connected with the story or writing at all. I felt like the romance was forced and very instalove. I feel like I would have enjoyed this story a lot more if there had been more time spent on the romance itself.

Characters: 4
I reall enjoyed the depth to the characters in this. We not only saw them both grow into their own, but they each had their own problems that the other tried to help with.

Personal: 2
This story was not for me. The sex scenes made me cringe and the romance just seemed fake (ha. Because they pretended to date). I just didn't enjoy it. It was a struggle for me to get through.

I enjoyed this one!

When a planned PR op turns into a nightmare, Ellie McDonald is surprised to find herself enjoying "dating" Jake Armstrong. Gorgeous, charming and talented, the baseball player has a naughty reputation with the ladies. Yet, under the playboy façade, Ellie discovers a hurt boy masquerading as a man indifferent to rejection.

Jake knows Ellie is not one-night stand material, yet his attraction to her - and their chemistry - bring out a different, softer side of him. Together, they realise their fake relationship could be much more. But, while Ellie comes into her own, will Jake run scared and reject her love?

I liked the originality of the plot in this one. Kathy Lyons' writing is addicting and intriguing. I could hardly put the book down. This series is definitely looking up.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book, which I received via NetGalley.

Ellie is determined to have herself let down every day, so she can build herself up. Her cousin goads her into asking her crush out for a date. A wholesome date not what he is used to. Jake Armstrong is a baseball player with a reputation. There is no way he can turn Ellie down. When the dates ends in a bad situation there lives are going to be in the hot seat.

This was a ood read it had all the elements needed to leave me satisfied.



** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Ellie is super shy and fears any kind of rejection. When it gets in the way of her nursing job, she decides to do some exposure therapy to help her improve her confidence. She'll go out and do things that would on purpose get turned down and rejected, with the goal being, once it happens enough times, she won't be so embarrassed or scared of the possibility of rejection. That's how she finds her self asking bad boy Jake to a clean "old fashion" date with no hanky-panky. Since Jake is rumored to date only women guaranteed to put out, she's sure he'll turn her down. Except he doesn't.

Their wholesome old fashion date gets derailed by their intense chemistry and Jake's determination to seduce this good girl. When their naughty escapades get interrupted and caught on camera, the media paints Ellie as a scheming harpy and the villain of the story. With her reputation on the line, Jake proposes a fake relationship to save face.

I honestly thought I wouldn't finish because it was a little too comically cheesy (and I'm not sure if that's what the author was going for). I genuinely tried giving it a shot but 60% in and I still wasn't really feeling any real connection between the MCs. I wasn't seeing either character really develop past their initial sexual attraction. Jake says Ellie is special to him (by bad mouthing the OW from his past, boo!) and Ellie is the cliche heroine that goes brain dead as soon as the H comes anywhere near her. Its a romance, so I know they're going to end up together, but I like relationships that don't rely exclusively on the sexual, there should be more tying them together than that. The drama surrounding Jake's family was kind of dumped into the story to create conflict but didn't have enough time to really evolve. Alcoholism is an ongoing struggle and the ending wrapped everything up with little fanfare and it just felt too neat.

Coming from a fairly shy person here, I thought I would easily relate to Ellie but although we're told she's cripplingly shy, Ellie doesn't really act shy at all. It was like she started off as one person and ended up another completely. Jake goes through a similar change. In the beginning he's obsessed with statistics (which tbh I found annoying) but later on this "quirk" just disappears? I actually preferred him without this trait but it still felt off, somehow.

Personally the humor and antics weren't my style but others might enjoy it.

Publisher's Description:

"Cheeky and clever, Sliding Home is a fun, fast-paced romance you won't want to miss!" – Jessica Lemmon, bestselling author of the Bad Boy Billionaires series

Shy and reserved, good girl Ellie McDonald is determined to break out of her shell–and her relationship rut. First order of business, woman up and finally ask her longtime secret crush, Jake Armstrong on an old-fashioned date. She's not at all his type–which is great. Once Jake turns her down she can finally move on. Except he says yes...

MVP short-stop Jake Armstrong has tried to keep his bad boy nature under wraps. But there's nothing he likes more than tempting sweet Ellie to the dark side. No one need know.

But when the hotel catches fire and their rescue–while nearly naked–is caught on camera, the two have a PR problem. Jake's solution is a fake relationship, just for the season. Only for Ellie, there's nothing fake about it…

Each book in the Locker Room Diaries series is STANDALONE:
* Hitting It
* Sliding Home

My Thoughts:

I'm not a big contemporary romance fan but I love baseball and thought I would give this author a second chance. I read the first book of this series and it was likable but I wasn't overly impressed. The same can be said for this second book.
I had difficulty getting into the storyline. The characters are likeable and it is overall a decent read but I have to give it 3.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3.75 of 5.0 flames. Like the first book there is just enough intimacy to titillate the reader.
Don't worry if you didn't read Hitting It because it isn't required to enjoy this stand alone book.
I received a complimentary digital ARC by invitation from the publisher through NetGalley to read.
This in no way6 affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

(★★½) Strong first half but uneven second half, weakening my sense of the romance.

NB: I tussled with issue for a day and ultimately decided that I cannot post a full review for SLIDING HOME. The reasons are my personal lines as a reviewer. Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC.

Ellie has decided that she needs to be braver and that means taking chances fully expecting them not to work out and not getting upset by the result. When she is convinced to ask out Jake, a professional baseball player who is on the same team as her cousin and who she has been crushing on, she is shocked when he says yes. Especially once she makes it clear it is strictly hands off.

Jake is a player both on and off the field and he hasn’t had an easy past. They have a great time on the date but when it ends on a scandalous note they decide the best way out of the media frenzy is to pretend that they have been dating for a while. Let the games begin!

There is no denying the chemistry between them but they both have obstacles they must deal with before they can have their happy ever after. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

ellie mcdonald is trying to get exposure therapy for rejection. so asking out her secret crush, up-and-coming baseball star jake armstrong should easily help with that. except in sliding home, all jake wants to do is give ellie everything she wants.

when their old-fashioned date ends up on the news and ellie being excoriated in the press, jake comes up with a plan to save her. they'll pretend to be serious, except there's no pretending. they are serious about each other. from early on it's clear that they are each other's perfect match, and they just have to sort through their emotional baggage in order to come out okay on the other side.

for a steamy category read, jake and ellie have some pretty hefty issues to work on. but it's very satisfying to see them figure out their issues and come out stronger on the other end of things. all in all, this is a great addition to the locker room diaries series.

**sliding home will publish on august 13, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing in exchange for my honest review.

More about the relationship than the baseball!

Nurse Ellie McDonald hated failing so she never tried anything risky for fear of failing so she was trying exposure therapy to get used to stepping out of her comfort zone. So at family barbeque her sister forced her to ask one of her cousin’s teammates out on a date expecting him to turn her down. Little did she know that catcher Jake Armstrong needed to clean up his act and going on an old-fashioned date was the ticket.

What happens after the date is definitely the reason to read the story and Ellie and Jake have enough chemistry to make people believe that they have been dating awhile without telling anybody because of her protective cousin would not like her dating Jake or anybody else on the team.

I’m looking forward to more books in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Infatuation, lust and happily ever afters! While this story is a bit light on the topic of baseball, the characters are quick to draw you in. Jake is your typical "spread himself around" athlete until he meets Ellie and they settle into their own version of a relationship. She's able to help him see another side to his family issues, and he's able to make her see a part of herself she's never stopped to realize before. I enjoyed it!

Ellie McDonald is tired of being the good girl who doesn't speak up for herself and lets people walk all over her. She's vowing to change her ways, and to kick it all off, she's doing things she knows will make her face rejection so she can toughen up her spirit. Next on her list ... ask out the baseball player who has been the object of her lusting for some time now!

Short-stop for the Indianapolis Bobcats, Jake Armstrong isn't sure what to make of Ellie all of a sudden asking him out on an old-fashioned date, but he's game! One date turns into debauchery and disaster, but leads to a connection they don't want to break. Jake has his own issues that he doesn't enjoy facing, but time with Ellie makes him be willing to stand up for better treatment as well.

This story hit a home run!

Kathy Lyons did a fabulous job with Sliding Home the second book in the Locker Room Diaries series.
Ellie and Jake may be an unlikely couple but the chemistry between them is combustible. I loved that Ellie while vulnerable, was a strong woman with a big heart. She was perfectly matched to Jake, sexy smart and incredibly loyal. This story took me on a rollar coaster ride that I didn't want to stop. I loved how the author's road to the HEA also gave hope for some of the secondary characters.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

I love this story! It's a fairly typical bad boy meets good girl type story but Ellie and Jake gave it a fresh fun feel. Ellie's rejection therapy is hilarious and Jake is just so yummy. It's hard to recap the story without giving away too much and I'd rather you experience it for yourself. It's a fun sexy story that will keep you entertained. Jake and Ellie work so great together you can't help but cheer for them to get a HEA. I definitely recommend this one.

Sliding Home by Kathy Lyons

Raw sexiness plus alternatively dealing with alcoholism and an insecurity with love, this book reached for multiple levels of complexity of the human psyche.
Jake, the hero runs when things get tough. But to give him credit, he does come back and talks about what’s going on and how he feels. Major points for that.
And oh, what a sappy, glorious and teary happy ending pulling it all together.

2nd in the sports romance series. Ellie has always been the good girl. Jake is at the top of his game and riding the wave hot and fast. He’s never denied himself the females that throw themselves at him and he can’t resist this good girl either. She’s had a crush on him for years and can’t resist his charm, especially when it’s aimed directly at her.

Elite athlete, pro athlete, he was an elite athlete. Really? He was an elite athlete? Once, maybe twice would have been fine, but 16? Ok, I didn’t count, but it was an overused phrase. Maybe all 25 year olds in the majors think the same thing? Ha, yes, probably. My bad for pointing it out.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.