Yours to Keep
Series: Man of the Year, #2
Author: Lauren Layne
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Synopsis:
An irresistible baseball star and a resistant hometown girl stumble into love in a flirty romance by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.
Pro baseball shortstop Carter Ramsey is about to be Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year, but the only title that matters to him is out of reach: World Series MVP. Benched by a recent injury, Carter retreats to his hometown to recover. His ten-year class reunion and a potential reconciliation with the sweetheart he left behind could be perfect distractions. Until another old acquaintance throws Carter a curveball.
Olive Dunn admits that her former high school science partner is still a handsome charmer. But she wasn’t swayed then, and she won’t be swayed now. Because Olive remembers Carter’s little shortcoming: he tends to bail the moment it suits him, without a backward glance. Best to keep her feelings strictly platonic while he’s in town.
Except the entitled boy she knew is a changed man: solid, reflective, and generous. As they ease back in to their familiar friendship, things take a surprising turn, and Carter and Olive must decide if what they have is a passing flirtation or a real shot at love.
Lauren Layne is back! Well, she didn’t really leave, but… I hate to admit that the first Man of the Year book wasn’t my cup of tea. That didn’t stop me from wanting to read Yours to Keep because it is very rare that I don’t fall in love with an LL book. I totally fell in love with this book. What made it so great, you ask?
- Yours to Keep is one of those books that made me smile the entire time I was reading it. The words feel like they’re wrapped in this upbeat, happy bubble wrap no matter what’s going down.
- The characters were lovable, each in their own way. Carter because he was a professional athlete trying to figure out who he was without baseball (a great guy). Olive because she wasn’t about to let anyone decide who she was without her input. They weren’t perfect, but they were good people.
- The chemistry was undeniable, but I loved that they started off by developing a friendship.
- The side characters were great and added some fun moments to the story. I especially loved Carter’s twin and parents.
- Just have to say that I loved the ending and epilogue for this book.
- This is a weird one, but I loved that the whole “Man of the Year” article was what tied this book to the first one and not the political aspect from the first book. They almost didn’t even feel related, and that was a good thing for me.
Was there anything I disliked? Not really. The only thing I could probably point out was that I would have preferred it be in first person instead of third, but this LL so the third worked for me. Yours to Keep was another great addition to her contemporary romance catalog, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Can it hurry up and get here, please?
Yes! Same! I was so happy reading this book. It was fun and sweet and sexy and I enjoyed myself immensely. Olive was such a trip and I adored that she let her freak flag fly. The small town was awesome too.
I’m glad we both felt the same way about it! I can’t wait for the next book.
I was hooked by the first sentence in the synopsis! Baseball and flirty romance are always a great combination in a contemporary. I am so glad that this one was so enjoyable and upbeat. I might have to give it a try as well. 🙂
You should if that sentence caught your eye!
Oh I’m glad to hear this one is better than the first book because I thought that was kinda meh! I’m happy to hear the characters are all lovable. Can’t wait to pick it up!
Yes, this one is MUCH better and worth the read. 🙂
Oh wonderful that this made you smile so much and that the characters were so lovable! Great review!
Thank you!
It’s rare (for me, anyway) to find books that make me smile the entire time I’m reading. I treasure them when I do find them. I’m glad this was that book for you!
Thank you! Yes, it is amazing when that happens.
It’s been a while since I’ve read anything LL, but with this review, I might have to give this one a chance.
Do! It was fun!
Glad you enjoyed this romance so much.
Thanks!
Great review! I’m glad this one worked better for you than the first book. I agree, it didn’t really feel related to the first book.
Not at all and that ended being a good thing for me.
I haven’t read a LL book in a long time. This sounds good. Great review, Deanna!
If you like her books, you would like this one. Thanks!