Refreshing and engaging. Always well-written with excellent character development. Definitely entering my list of books for book club.

This was sooooo cute. Being LGBTQ in this time era wasn’t as widely accepted as it is now, and this really showed some of those issues

I need to preface this by saying that I do not care for sports in romance. Whether that sport is on page or not. However! When I saw Cat Sebastian’s name attached to this sports romance? I knew I couldn’t skip it! Sebastian has a way with words that leaves me breathless. Her characters feel like people you’d meet in your daily life. They experience real emotions and she lets them feel them. I adore her work and this one was just as wonderful!

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

Sometimes-a-newspaper-reporter Mark gets assigned to do a series of “diary entries” written as though they are written by Eddie O’Leary, infamous newcomer to local baseball team, well known for his short fuse and his inability to hit a ball. Both Mark and Eddie are in slumps, though for different reasons, and this book is about them managing their slumps, dealing with their lives, with changes, with grief, and learning how to move forward to better things.

This is a beautiful and incredible book. Mark and Eddie are such fully realized characters, with their own distinct personalities and ways of thinking and speaking. They complement each other so incredibly well. I love the little book club they form, sharing books and discussing them. (Me, identify with queer book nerds? No way.) I love how well thought out the world is, and how effects of each of their jobs turns around and affects the other. I love how Eddie gets to know Mark so well that he recognizes when he’s said something that Mark needs to write down to put in the next diary entry. (I love Ardolino being like, “write this down. you can put it in your article,” and Mark going, “yuh-uh, sure,” and privately wondering *but where????*

And I love how although they assist each other through their slumps, both Mark and Eddie primarily find their own ways out of their slumps themselves.

This book is truly incredible. If it has one flaw, it’s that I love Andy and Nick just a hair more than I love Mark and Eddie. But it’s close. It’s really close.

I received an eARC of this newest book by Cat Sebastian curtesy of HarperCollins and NetGalley. Thanks to all for allowing me the opportunity to review this book.

First let me say, it is a fact that I adore Cat Sebastian's books, and You Should Be So Lucky is no exception to this fact.

Set in the same world as Cat's previous work We Could Be So Good, the story centers around two very opposite men: Eddie, a sunshiny professional baseball player in a major professional downturn, and Mark, a prickly writer/reporter who is stuck grieving the loss of his lover over a year ago. The action opens with Mark getting strong-armed into writing fluff pieces about Eddie's recent transfer to the Robins, which has triggered a sophomore-year slump after a promising rookie season. And because it is a Cat Sebastian story, of course they fall in love while navigating both their personal issues as well as the challenges of being queer in the 1950s/60s.

At the center of the book, there is the theme of how hard times and dark periods that seem inescapable are just a temporary part of life. Though we may need the assistance of others to escape from these ruts we may find ourselves in, there is always life on the other side, even if you have to work hard to reach your equilibrium again. It is interesting to see how both characters deal with overcoming their individual baggage to get to their happily ever after.

Its a great read for fans of grumpy/sunshine romance, historical romances, queer romances, and sports romance.

I had so much fun with this book. I loved the plot, the setting, the romance, everything! Shout out to Avon and NetGalley for this ARC! I'm always a bit wary when it comes to sports romances, but this absolutely knocked it out of the park. (Get it?) I'm absolutely going to recommending this to everyone when it comes out.

At first I was kind of confused with this book, I was really wondering where it was going because it was a bit slow. Overall, I liked this book a lot. I liked the plot and the relationship. I thought the story had a lot of cute moments where I was swooning.

I liked that they shared books, I liked so many little things about this book.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am a huge Cat Sebastian fan and thought that We Could Be So Good was easily one of the best MM romances of 2023. I was thrilled that she had set her new one in the same time period and place as the earlier book--and that it features some of the same characters.

Here she focuses on the growing relationship between a writer (and recent widower) for The Chronicle and a professional baseball player, recently traded to the New York Robins (and who is experiencing a batting slump) in 1960. As in the prior book, the necessity of hiding a gay relationship and the costs of exposure are major sources of anxiety. The questions are who knows, how much do people know, and how will they react if and when they find out, and then, for the lovers, how to create a deep and joyful relationship in the pre-Stonewall era. Our two MCs are a variation on the grumpy/sunshine trope with Mark, the writer, the cynical and prickly one, and Eddie, the baseball player, as the open and trusting one with the amazing smile. Eddie can get angry but is just so sweet.

Cat Sebastian's writing is skillful as usual: "He thinks of Eddie's hand on his in the locker room, remembers the look in his eye, and it's like he's caught an English phrase in a foreign bazaar, a bar from a half-forgotten song, and he lets himself remember what it is to want."

I am not a baseball aficionado and certainly not in a position to critique her depiction of baseball in 1960. It all rang true to me--particularly in the form of George Allen, the 80-year-old sports reporter who is close to the heart of the book. Nice work with him as well as with Tony Ardolino and Sam Price, Eddie's manager and his Black teammate. Eddie's mom is also a nice touch.

A couple of thoughts: I found this a sweet, quiet book in which not alot actually happens. There is alot of interior monologue in favor of plot. Despite the time period, angst is low and the steam level was perfect for me--cut to black after it is clear what they are about to do. Thank you! Thank you! I think a reader's imagination beats any extended cringey sex scene. Despite Mark being a challenge to like, you root for the characters--mostly because Eddie fights for him so incredibly hard and because their banter is so fun and says so much about their characters.

A good summer read for baseball season!

Much thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

You Should Be So Lucky follows the 1960s romance between Eddie, a down on his luck baseball player, and Mark, a journalist who recently lost his loved one. If you want a quick, fluffy queer romance, this is for you. The writing is good, but frustratingly predictable. Nothing ever truly happens, there is no angst or big blowup. At no point did I think the couple wasn't going to make it. This story could have been so much better had there been some sort of conflict/resolution presented. Instead the book spent the entirety making the reader think there was going to be a tropey conflict for there just to never be one at all. I'm not sure if Cat Sebastian just didn't want any bad luck to befall this couple because anything that could have happened would have been world ending for a queer couple in that time and she just didn't know how to circumvent that or if a static plot is what Sebastian normally follows. Whichever the case, the story on the whole was greatly impacted and the last half was a disappointment. I actually ended the book wishing I had more time with the sideline characters than the main couple.
If you're just looking for a good time and you want to read a happy ending queer story, then give this a shot, but it truly is just vibes.

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this book. It's so beautifully written and deeply moving, and the characters are utterly charming.

I loved the first book in this series, We Could Be So Good, and was so excited when it was announced there would be a sequel set in the same universe, especially when I found out it was going to be a baseball romance. It felt like two of my favourite things colliding, and the book lived up to every single one of my high expectations.

This book stands alone so you don't need to have read We Could Be So Good, but I would highly recommend that you do just because that's a wonderful book as well.

Both books are grounded with such a historic realism that speaks to volumes of research, and although that realism comes with period accurate homophobia, Cat Sebastian has created pockets of hope within these settings, shining a light on queer joy and giving it space to flourish.

Grief and loss are huge themes in this book too, but somehow the story still manages to feel so tender and sweet. Reading it felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket and I had such a smile on my face as I read.

Eddie's character is pure sunshine. His optimism leaps off the page and he finds the perfect partner in Mark who's grumpiness and biting wit is a mask for deep hurt. They’re perfect for each other and reading their journey towards their happy ending was such a delight. I loved it and can't wait to re-read this book and fall in love with the characters over and over again.

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

This book was just such a heartwarming read that reminded me of why I adore hearing about the love stories of my queer elders. Cat Sebastian does a great job executing a slow burn that doesn't feel like it's leading up to sex, but instead an emotional breakthrough in the relationship. David and Eddie feel like an opposites attract relationship that makes sense because of the ways in which they bring out the best in each other. Eddie helps David to tackle his emotions and connect with others while David helps Eddie see his worth after failure. These two really feel like a couple that will survive far into the future. After reading We Could Be So Good, which is connected to this book, I worried that this story would be too maudlin but I think Eddie's personality prevented that. I think it also helped that I didn't fear these two being outed as David was already out and Eddie seemed perfectly fine with an early retirement as long as he got to be with David. Other than the core relationship I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of grief through David's perspective. Him learning to move on while still holding close the memories of those that he lost really resonated with me. Finally, I of course loved the bossy lesbians and the needy little dog. If you're looking to try out one of Cat Sebastian's mid century titles this is definitely the one to start with.

Thanks to Avon for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

*I received an advanced copy for review.*

I don’t know if Cat Sebastian’s writing style just lends itself really well to this time period or what, but We Could Be So Good was one of my favorite reads last year, and You Should Be So Lucky will be one of my favorites for this year as well. I truly cannot express how much I loved this book. Eddie and Mark are my new favorite black cat x golden retriever couple, with Mark’s acerbic wit and sarcasm combined with Eddie’s eagerness and sweet, if not innocence then something akin to that.

Eddie, as a professional baseball player who publicly made an idiot of himself over being traded, is in a slump. Mark is a grieving, bored former reporter who needs something to do, so when Andy (from WCBSG) asks him to write an article, he reluctantly agrees. The two men become reluctant friends, and following their relationship was such a joy. Because they become friends with other people as well and learn how to navigate each other’s lives and professions and hangups. It’s so beautiful.

HUGE THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY, AVON/HARPER AND CAT SEBASTIAN FOR THIS ARC. I literally dinosaur screeched when I received it.

When I tell you I love this book, I mean I LOVED IT. I laughed, I swooned, I cried, I left feeling warm and fuzzy. I think I highlighted 90% of it.

This is a story about a grieving writer who is kind but sharp edged and closed off, and a baseball player who is optimistic by choice and willing to fight for what he wants with cheerful tenacity. In 1960, Eddie is a ballplayer experiencing a terrible slump in his first year playing with the major leagues in NYC and Mark is a reporter reluctantly assigned to write about him. The following slow burn is tantalizing and perfect.

It’s a romance but it’s also a reflection on life, on the slumps we all face, the bad things that are bound to happen, and the people we need to carry us through those times until our luck changes, as it is bound to eventually. This is a story about the hits we can pull off if we keep trying, the runs we can score as long as we keep swinging.

This is my ideal historical fiction, where the setting is well thought out and clear in the story but the focus is about the people existing in that world. History is made up of actual people, and while this is fiction, I feel like the story genuinely reflects that concept. It doesn’t shy away from the fact that existing as a queer person in 1960 was hard (not that it’s easy now, but things were different) but it also doesn’t get hung up on the tragedy. It shows that of course queer people have always found a way to love one another, and of course queer people can find happiness despite the obstacles stacked against them. The side characters are rich and loveable and help to tell this story of getting back up and trying again, waiting for the tide to finally turn back in our favor, and relying on your team to carry you through until you can do the same for them in turn.

Anyway gonna go cry about baseball as a metaphor for life while you all buy this book okay thanks

really enjoyed this book!! It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read, but I really enjoyed it. I loved Eddie and Mark both as individuals and as a couple. I do wish we got a little more closure at the end tho and even more of an elaboration on Mark and William. Overall, though, I did really like this book and the romance was so wholesome❤️

I loved this book! Cat Sebastian does this time period so well. The love story is so sweet and tender, I love these two boys so much. This book tackles grief, loss, and navigating society as a queer person so well, I loved the baseball story line, more of the journalism we saw in You Could Be So Good, and the slow burn romance. So good.

Such a cute book! I’ve only read a handful of queer books and I would definitely recommend this one if you are starting out! The story like was adorable following a baseball player and a reporter, Eddie and Mark. These characters were so cute together but I particularly really loved Eddie. He was such a sweetheart and his banter was a highlight for me.
One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the time that this was placed. Getting back into a time when it wasn’t necessarily okay to freely be who you were was such an interesting read. Seeing the development of these two characters truly come out of their shell to be together was an amazing story to follow.
The only thing I thought was lacking a bit in was the dramatics. If you are wanting a cute romantic story, that’s what this book is. I was just excepting there to be a big moment that just didn’t really come for me.

Can you believe this is my first Cat Sebastian? I know, I know, I’m shocked too. Queer historical romance is a favorite genre of mine, which makes that factoid absolutely unbelievable. I’ve been eagerly anticipating You Should Be So Lucky (grumpy/sunshine! M/M! Midcentury! Baseball!). It didn’t disappoint in the slightest.
The book follows Mark Bailey, a reporter for the Chronicle, and Eddie O’Leary, a hot-tempered shortstop recently traded from Omaha to New York City. Formerly a rising star in the world of baseball, the recent trade seems to have given Eddie the yips — and Mark is determined to find out why.
You Should Be So Lucky is just a warm, sweet book. I’m reminded of Last Night at the Telegraph Club by way of Newsies (does that comparison even make sense? It does in my head.) Eddie and Mark are absolutely charming leads, and both of them are so charismatic, dynamic, and vibrant. Their relationship feels earned, and it’s a real treat to read a queer historical romance that feels more “realistic” than, say, Bridgerton. It’s a reminder that queer people have always existed, and our stories aren’t always tragedies. Queer people have been carving out happy little lives for ourselves in every place and time throughout history, and we don’t need to hand-wave away the past to be reminded that happy endings existed for us.
If I had one complaint, it’s that the order in which information is presented to the reader feels a bit strange. We learn about Lillian before we learn she’s Mark’s lesbian friend; we learn about William before we learn he’s Mark’s dead ex. Admittedly, some of this works, and certainly feels more nature than a heavy exposition dump in the first few chapters. At the same time, though, there were a few moments when I found myself wondering “wait, did we already know that?” Maybe that’s just a me thing, though. YMMV.
I don’t have very much to say about You Should Be So Lucky. It’s a sweet, charming little book, with incredibly likable characters and a romance to cheer for. Absolutely pick this one up when it comes out.

2.5

I was honestly a little bored with this one. Very predictable. But I did find the relationship between the main characters cute. A lot of this book to me felt very repetitive.

HEADLINE: LOCAL WET CAT ACCIDENTALLY FINDS HIMSELF IN A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH BARKY BEAGLE.

The wet cat in question is Mark, a reporter at the Chronicle who is still deeply mourning the loss of his lover while the beagle in question is the famous (for mostly the wrong reasons), Eddie O'Leary, a baseball player who talks too much and maybe isn’t that great at playing baseball…(He’s also very lonely, very stubborn, and very loud about all of it. Typical beagle behavior. We should expect nothing less.)

Holy smokes. Cat Sebastian has rendered me speechless yet again.

Going into this book I expected very low stakes and high reward romance but how I FELT for these characters made this very high stakes and let me tell you, I have never read a book labeled as slow burn and been so STRESSED. I was yelling, I was crying (Not the cute kind. The ugly kind.) and I was pleading for these two stubborn characters who were equal parts desperate yearning and careful compassion in their handling of one another.

This entire book felt so fragile to me and even speaking of it I’m compelled to handle it as gently and as patiently as Eddie did Mark’s grief. (The cherries... I’m crying again.)

I could write an entire essay dissecting this book and the way it handles Mark mourning the loss of someone he'd planned his entire life around and the genius of his dog Lula serving as an outward physical manifestation of his inner journey with grief. My inner college English student is begging to be set free but for the sake of this not turning into a 15-page character study, I will contain myself.

All this to say, I would be doing this book a disservice by telling you this story was a romance and that I enjoyed it. And though there was a good amount of joyful foot-kicking to be had while reading, at its core this book felt like a case study in the role that grief and guilt play in accepting love that you once believed you deserved but no longer feel entitled to and the act of loving someone unconditionally without the expectation of reciprocation (even the unpleasant fussy parts that demand Eddie wake up at the crack of dawn to take the dog for a walk).

Long live Lula, the wire-haired reigning queen of every room she enters!

Special thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc of this book! I am leaving this review voluntarily!

I can’t even say how much I loved this book!
I know even the author says it’s all vibes no plot, but for me it definitely wasn’t.
It’s about giving up the old you and creating a new you, trying to find a way to go on after a huge loss, moving forward. That was such a beautiful story, I think I could have marked nearly every second sentence.
The love story was the absolute sweetest slow burn and these two complimented each other so perfectly. They were the golden retriever black cat couple we all deserve.
For a gay romance story taking place in the 1960s this was surprisingly uplifting, happy and domestic.
Cat Sebastian’s style of writing is really something else. I could have gone on reading for 500 pages more, not even getting bored about these two doing house chores.
If you liked We could be so good you’ll definitely love this!
I can’t wait for the audio to do an immediate reread.