Let me ask you a question: If someone is vying for your spot on a team and just so happens to injure you during practice, would you believe it was on purpose?Word around campus is . . . it was no accident. That injury has cost me everything; my starting position, my junior year—and the draft. Now, I’m a senior fresh off recovery, struggling to find my groove, until the day I run into a nervous, … day I run into a nervous, fidgety, girl with freckles, in the dining hall.
They call Milly Potter The Baseball Whisperer, The Diamond Wizard, and The Epitome of All Knowledge. She believes in baseball. She breathes it. She’s the queen of an infamous dynasty, but no one actually knows who she really is, and she plans to keep it that way.
One mishap in the panini line, one miscommunication in the weight room, and many failed attempts at an apology equal up to one solid truth — Milly Potter never wants to speak to me again — no matter how good my forearms look.
Little do we both know, she’s about to become more than just my fairy ballmother.
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What a truly beautiful coming of age college romance. I loved every single character from Milly and Carson to their family and friends, a complete feel good romance. I was hooked, I was mesmerised (and I know nothing about baseball), I was laughing out loud, I was willing their friendship to become so much more. Their chemistry was off the charts, the writing and the story were oh so good. I loved that Milly came out of her shell and became strong and confident, she was a real kick@$$ character and I loved her to bits. This is of course a no spoiler review, so I can’t go in to details, but I will say this. I sobbed my little heart out at one point, I was a bit of an emotional wreck. That’s all I’m going to say about that, just read the book and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. This is a firm 5 star review from me, one of my favourite Meghan Quinn books to date. I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.
Meghan Quinn delivers one heck of a sports romance with her new release The Dugout. Back again with the Brentwood Baseball team in the heart of baseball legend country, Quinn tells the story of a girl defying all odds that had me squealing with anticipation from cover to cover. Not since watching A League of Their Own as a little girl have I rooted more for a woman to take over baseball like Milly Potter did!
I’m a lover of all things Meghan Quinn. The chick can’t write a bad book. But The Dugout was truly one of my most favorites by this author. I identified so much with Milly. Her quest for approval, the love of a sport she was devoted to and the insecurities that plagued her. Milly was by far one of the best female characters Quinn has brought to life.
That doesn’t mean her second baseman, Carson Stone was lacking by any means. Plagued with mental blocks and on the verge of his senior year, Quinn brought to life a humble, yet driven character unlike any other jock you’ll read. He was endearing to a fault and I loved him!
From the moment poor clueless Milly shoved a cookie in his mouth Quinn had me hook, line and sinker. She has stolen yet another piece of my heart and renewed my female empowerment all in click of the keyboard. The Dugout is not a sport romance to miss out on. It’s pure baseball heaven in a delicious little one click! Dooooo it!
And just like that, i have flown through another fantastic Meghan Quinn book.
Each time I pick one up, I am never disappointed and Meghan always draws me in with her words, makes me fall in love with her men and want to be her sassy women and Carson & Milly were no exception.
Milly was certainly different. She’s a complete nut but is smart and funny and totally obsessed with baseball. With three older brothers who either play or are involved in the sport, there is nothing that she does not know but she is facing an up hill battle to work in a male dominated sport.
Carson Stone was the golden boy at Brentwood, on route to being drafted until the dirty tackle from a team mate put him out of action and from then on everything goes to pot. When they first meet, Milly finds him arrogant and rude and when she offers to help him with his swing he initially doesn’t take her seriously but he soon finds out how wrong he was.
Their romance was perfect. It made my heart beat a little faster and their deep routed connection had me totally obsessed with their story. They had their ups and downs that left me holding my breath at more than one point but underneath it all, they were made for each other.
Meghan has certainly hit a home run with this book and knocked it out of the park – sorry for the puns – get ready to swoon, gasp, cry and swoon a bit more!!!!
I loved everything about this book from start to finish! Meghan Quinn’s style gets me every time. She sure knows how to combine heart, soul and humor seamlessly within a wonderful story line. Carson & Milly’s story is somewhat of a roller coaster ride so hold on tight it’s a heck of a ride. Awkward tomboy Milly, who I just adore, comes into Carson’s life when he is in a serious slump. Ever since being hurt last season and not playing, Carson, the sexy second baseman, can’t seem to get his swing going this season. He really needs to though in order to get drafted after graduation. Milly happens to know a lot about baseball, I mean a lot, including how to help Carson.
Little did they know how much their lives would change once they started working together. Their relationship grows organically into an easy friendship first and then so much more, which I really love how that happens for them. They have crazy good chemistry, funny banter and sweet flirting constantly going on between them, which of course makes you totally invested in them as a couple. Unfortunately just when everything seemed like it couldn’t get more perfect, life intervenes.
This story made me laugh, cry, and swoon, but most of all I felt deeply what these characters were going through from the bottom of my heart.
I really love some of the secondary characters too and seriously hope we get a book about Milly’s brother Cory.
I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for more from this series!!
We got to meet Carson Stone in The Locker Room. He is the best friend of Knox and I for one was fascinated to know more about him and couldn’t help but be ecstatic when he was getting his own book. What I first thought of him, was a happy go lucky college student trying his best to become a major league Ball player. What I discovered about him during this book, was so much more and deeper. This second chance romance is one of family commitment, loyalty and forgiveness. Its a lesson we could all learn from.
After having a crushing junior year, Carson wasn’t drafted early like his besties and will give it his all in the senior year to be picked up in the next draft. But something is off, and its not his nemesis Babcock either, it is his swing and not being able to hit the ball. He has tried everything to recover from his incident, so when someone suggests he work with Milly Potter who is a whizz at anything and everything Baseball related, he is sceptical until she works her magic.
I loved this couple together. He wasn’t that nice to begin with, but his cool demeanour melted after spending some time with Milly. She was adorable and witty with a quirky side that when she gets nervous I was either laughing with her antics or cheering her on to achieve her best. She had self doubts that made her all the more special and authentic. Carson could match her humor and this became great banter between them. My heart breaks for him in all the hurdles he has to overcome to become a starter in the Majors and I could understand his though process in erecting those walls. But deep down, he is just a big softie and once he opens his eyes wide enough, he knows a good thing when its right under his nose.
I know there is another book in this series in the works, but I am not sure which one it will be as the secondary characters are all worthy. If I had choice, I would be voting for Milly’s brother Cory for two reasons. I am dying to know more about him and his tale of entering into the MLB but I also want to hear snippets about Carson and Milly and the rest of her amazing family.
Where do I even begin to do this amazing, absolutely heartwarming but also heartbreaking book justice??
Hands down the best book of 2019!!
The Dugout is one book you just HAVE TO READ. At certain parts I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face and couldn’t see the words in front of me. Then another time I was crying because I was heartbroken. Absolutely devastated. Everything the characters said, did, the banter with their family and friends just made this book affect me so very much. Ms Quinn has outdone herself, its definitely her best book to date and if this one is anything to go by, I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!!
Carson and Milly are a match made in romantic comedy heaven. I kid you not. I could NOT put this book down. My attention was glued to the pages and I felt, no, I wished I could be a part of the story. A part of the beautiful friendships and family connections that surround them.
Brillant work!
Just brilliant!
Meghan Quinn’s books are my total kindle crack and this book is yet another home run. *hehe see what I did there?*
Oh Carson how I love thee and the total swoon you bring. I really shouldn’t have had any doubt with you being besties with my man Knox. But oh yeah, when he got his head out of his butt and went to win the girl major major swooning.
As much as I love Carson Milly is probably my favorite though. She is adorkable, and awkward, and a baseball bad*ass. Seriously love her.
And though Meghan rips my heart out, making me angry message her *with love of course* I knew she won’t let me down in the end and gah does she always make contact and drives the HEA over the plate.
In baseball, three strikes and you’re out. Carson almost missed his chance with Milly because of a few “errors” on his part. He knew full well that luck had not been on his side, and his so called “accident” changed his life and messed with his head. That was strike one. Because of this, he developed a short temper and was rude to everyone, including Milly. Carson had no idea that Milly would become his healing angel and after the run ins he had with her, he knew he had wiffed and struck out big time. He was desperate to find a way out of his head so he could become the player his team could depend on. Carson hated sitting on the bench, but no matter how much he practiced or how many balls he hit, there was something wrong and he couldn’t go on like this anymore.
I love baseball and I spent many afternoons watching my son play; recording his hits and cheering from the bleachers. I can relate to Milly’s love of the game, and her passion for every aspect of the game, was what Carson needed to get back on track. She believed in him and knew that with a little encouragement and coaching, he could become the superstar he was before. Milly’s brilliance, coupled with her caring and thoughtful nature, was the balm that soothed Carson’s soul and gave him hope for a life full of love, which was the most important win of all.
Another home run for this author. Carson is a college baseball star who, after some time off due to an injury, is having a hard time getting his mojo back. Enter Milly. She is a bit of a tomboy, who knows more about baseball than just about anyone (even the pro players.) After a few bad run-ins, he finally decides to see what she’s got (in the form of training.) Of course things start getting warmer between the two from there on out. I love these characters. He is confident (yet not arrogant or cocky.) She has confidence in her abilities, but not so much when it comes to relationships. She has some low self-esteem and doesn’t think she would be a guys type, especially a popular jocks, as she’s always been seen as ‘one of the guys.’ She helps him with his game and he helps her with her confidence. Their backgrounds are so different, that after a devastating tragedy, it has devastating effects on their relationship. The side characters (some you may have met if you’ve read ‘The Locker Room,’ book one in the series (of stand alones,)) bring much comedy to the book. They are all great. There is no ‘mean girl’ threatening them. No evil villains wrecking havoc. Any and all troubles they have are their own doing, but it’s mostly all good times. (Well, except for that one thing.) There is the Grand Gesture. There are plenty of laughs throughout, and some really sweet moments. There is also some real heartbreaking scenes as well. There may be tears involved. A well written and beautiful story. Easy to read. Hard to put down. There is some sexual content. Alternates between POVs.
*I received an ARC of this book.
Carson Stone had it all planned out. He was going to get drafted with two of his best friends to play in the MLB, and he was going to have it all. Until a teammate injured him in practice and took him out for the season. Now Carson is back from the injury and struggling to find his groove again. This year is his last chance to get drafted, and he will do anything to make it happen.
Milly Potter knows baseball, she loves it, she breathes it, and she is closer to baseball than some people think. She loves baseball so much she coaches, and she goes to every home baseball game at Brentwood. She knows all about Carson Stone. She knows about the injury and she’s watched him struggle to find his groove. After a few chance encounters, Milly calls him out and tells him she can help him. From that moment on, nothing will be the same for either of them.
I’m saying it right now, this is the absolute BEST book I think I have ever read from Meghan Quinn, and I love every book she writes. ‘The Dugout’ though, this book just hit me right in the feels. I don’t know that I have ever laughed out loud so much while reading. I was crying at some points I was laughing so hard. But this book was so much more than just laugh out loud moments, there was romance, there was heartbreak, there were sad tears. Every single emotion was evoked while reading. I read this book entirely too fast, but I have zero regrets. Meghan Quinn is the best when it comes to laugh out loud romance and swoony characters. I will also say the banter between all of the characters, not just between Carson and Milly was off the charts hilarious. Trust me, this is a must read!