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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A Homerun!
The Dugout gave me all the feels! Carson and Milly’s relationship is beautiful and heartbreaking and had me on the edge of my seat! Loved it!
I loved this book. The writing style was refreshing. Fun, light hearted. Yet intense and emotional. I was hooked from page one. All the characters were a hoot. A definite must read!
Meghann Quinn does it again and again…
First and foremost, let me say that I can ALWAYS count on a Meghan Quinn book to get me out of my reading slump or to push me over the edge of a book hangover.
After reading The Locker Room, I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to read The Dug Out. Hear me out, I was so obsessed with Knox that I was truly convinced another baseball player could not replace him in my heart, but I was wrong.
I dove straight in to The Dug Out and there was no backing down. I laughed, I cried and my husband looked at me like I was insane all in the course of a few hours. Carson and Milly are so good together, and their story is so full of feelings that I COULD NOT STOP. Amazing story.
Well well. I’ve heard good things about this author but I never really took the time to explore her writing. I saw this book was about baseball and being that baseball = life, I was intregued. The fact that the main character, Milly was a goddess of the sport, that she lived it, is what finally got me to read this.
I was beyond impressed with the humor, the realness and the dimensions if both the characters and the story line. The fact that this was baseball accurate was a great bonus. I also really connected to both main characters and felt their growth over the book. I rarely read stories where the characters feel so realistic throughout the entire story. I wasn’t find of the reason for the parting, or the reason it lasted so long, but was thrilled when I turned the last page.
I cannot believe I waited so long and will be looking into more stories from this author. I would also like to catch up with these characters again, see how they are doing.
Loved this story so much. I love the friends to lovers feel with the baseball backdrop. Amazing cast of characters too. Carson and Milly first she was coach and then she was more. Loved the dynamics together and adored her relationship with her brother Cory.
I don’t really know how to write this review. I’m so completely in love with The Dugout, Meghan Quinn NEVER fails to amaze me with her writing, her books, her characters, her covers. She always manages to blow me away and leave me in complete and utter awe!!
This book is a more than a romance. It’s angsty with a mix of happiness and a dash of angst. It’s the perfect mixture for the perfect book. It’s got all the feels…. so many feels that you will find yourself overwhelmed with emotions… and tears…
In the end, I have to say that The Dugout is one of those books that will stick with you not just because of how hilarious and cute it is but also because of the raw and powerful moments that just make you sit there for a minute and take in what Milly and Carlson must have felt.
Milly and Carlson were made from each other from their very first encounter but obviously it was not that easy…
So many swoon moment – when he gives her something for the little league team, I melted on the spot.
Will they get their HEA?
“Milly isn’t just it for me. She’s my soul mate, put on earth to be by my side and for me to be by hers.”
Trust me when I say that this sport romance is a must read. It is fresh, addictive and it has it all!
Milly and Carson are everything. Tomboy with mad skills meets cocky know it all with a tragic past and present. Milly is the ticket to his future not just his skills on the baseball field. Milly is a saint and she does everything (once she breaks out of her shell) to be there for Carson, but as much support as she is he has to mature on his own. The ansty build up is classic Meghan and the steamy scenes do not disappoint. Luckily Carson gets his butt in gear and works hard on and off the field to get the girl!
So I really liked The Locker Room but damned if Meghan Quinn didn’t just bring her A game with this book. I really wish I knew the first thing about baseball so I could throw in a few metaphors for how great this was. It was the perfect new adult, college sports romance with a heap of heat and all the feels.
Carson and Milly were awesome. There is just something about the nerdy girl who knows her worth and a hot jock who isn’t full of himself. And as much as I loved them both they were even better together.
I always get this nervous knot in my stomach when everything is perfect by the 50% mark. You just know you’re heading for a cliff you can’t see the edge of. And as I got further in and things were just getting better and better I thought maybe it was all going to be ok then BAM! I was lying in bed crying like a baby and I didn’t see it coming.
It took a while for things to turn around. And I started out thinking I knew what I needed from Carson and Milly to make me happy but I was so happy not getting what I wanted. This was the perfect home run. And the secondary characters just added the icing on the cake.
I super loved this book! It is a perfect blend of humor, romance, angst, and baseball. Meghan made me feel it all! I laughed out loud, blushed from their chemistry, and teared up over the loss and heartbreak. I loved how Carson saw all of Milly and it made him want her more. She is so kick ass and knows her shit when it comes to baseball. They are truly meant to be and not even time apart can diminish their love for each other. I honestly didn’t want the book to end!
I havn’t read this author in a while, but man am I glad to have picked her back up. She’s quirky in her writing and I love that!
Sports romances don’t normally do it for me, but this story was beautiful! I loved the banter between the characters and the constant unique scenes to keep me involved in the story. I never once wondered when I was going to be done with this book!
I have enjoyed the way Meghan represented time moving forward making it refreshing and not leaving me missing what was happening.
The dugout was a great story, and most likely my favorite baseball book!
Five TOMBOY stars for Milly and Carson !!!
This is one more absolutely brilliant sports romance written by Meghan Quinn.
“The Dugout” is the first book I’ve read where is the girl a tomboy (to be honest I didn’t know what that’s means ) but now I know and I’m looking forward to reading more books with this kind of female character.
Milly and Carson’s relationship is slow-burn but once they’ve admitted their feelings to each other, it became explosive.
Their relationship is the kind of a relationship that you know it will last forever no matter how many upsides and downs they have because true love always wins.
But, Meghan wouldn’t be Meghan that she didn’t make me cry again.
Yeah, she is the queen of heartbreaking messages!
“The Locker Room” and “The Dugout” are super amazing.
But, you know what they say?!
The first love is hard to forget.
So Knox, babe, you still my number one !
And Carson, darling?
Maybe the next time !
If you’re looking for a sports romance which will make you laugh but also break your heart, this is the new book you need to read!
Highly recommended!!!
When I first read Carson in The Locker Room, I didn’t expect the man I read about in this book. He was still fun, sensitive and determined, but he had a set of layers to him I really didn’t see coming and I loved them all.
Carson and Milly’s story is a heartfelt tale of love and resilience. From the way their relationship starts to their ups and downs, everything made this a story that tug hardly at my heartstrings. I felt for them both, laughed and cried with them and was wholeheartedly on board with them finding their HEA.
I have such an obsession of anything Meghan Quinn. There is just something about her writing style that brings her characters to life. You get drawn into the stories and live right along side of the characters. And this novel follows suit with this style. I adore Milly and Carson. And even though I am not a big lover of sports romance or baseball it didnt even matter because I feel in love with Milly and Carson. They made me laugh, cry, and so many other things while I read this novel. I do not like to go to much into the storyline as that is what the blurb is for so I will just add that if you love rom coms, sports novels and/or just a good funny, tug at the heart stings novels then this is the book for you.
The dugout
Meghan Quinn
Reviews on goodreads. Amazon. Book bub. The book addicts.
Loved loved loved it !!
Omg I could not put it down !!
Read it !
Read it right now !’
I can always count on Meghan to make me laugh….and she did but she also gave me some seriousness.
The Dugout has the feel of The Locker Room with a bada^^ heroine, Milly….who I ADORE!!! I love how she was strong and determined. And hello….Carson! We met him in TLR and I couldn’t wait to get inside his head.
I did not see the twist…my must Meghan do this to me! Oh, I need to tell you, the reader, this….
I was reading this while on a bus tour in the U.K. …..actually, I was in Ireland at the time….at that twist, I was like NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I really, really wanted to throw my phone; but I couldn’t because I would have hit the couple a few seats in front of me.
I’m ready for more from Ms. Quinn.
Meghan Quinn’s The Dugout takes readers back to Brentwood to watch the next player fall for a girl worthy of their infamous baseball locker room.
Carson was supposed to have it all until an injury not only put him a year behind for the possibility of being drafted by a pro team, but also took away his mojo on the field. Milly was the baseball whisperer, knowing more about baseball than just about anyone, but trying to break into a boy’s only club. She knows exactly what Carson needs to return back to his winning ways, but is he willing to listen to her after their many awkward encounters around campus?
Let me start off with the fact that I absolutely adored Milly’s character to the point where I kind of have a bit of a girl crush on her! She knows exactly who she is and is super confident in her skills and knowledge when it comes to baseball, even if she lacks confidence with guys. She’s so awkward around guys that it makes for some genuinely hilarious moments . . . I mean the cookie incident was priceless! And, her relationships with her family was amazing, and I loved their interactions, getting insight into what makes Milly tick.
Carson is a sweetie, even if he comes off as a bit of a jerk at first. He’s really struggling with his injury and trying to get his chance at being a pro back on track. Seeing him deal with Milly’s awkwardness was adorable and I loved watching him realize what a gem she really was the more time they spent together. They are perfect together.
But, when the unthinkable happens right on the cusp of Carson’s big moment, heartbreak hits, and I am talking real tears as I read as I watched Carson, as well as everyone around him deal with the aftermath. It’s devastating and left my heart hurting. I needed him to be okay again and to make sure Milly was okay again and for them to find happiness, which is where the true magic of this story kicks in. And, its beautiful and amazing, and made me cry again – but happy tears this time!
Let’s just say that the magic of the Brentwood locker room wins again. 5 stars for this quirky and emotional baseball romance!
Carson Stone dreams of playing in the professional baseball league. But an accident involving a teammate will postpone his dream for another year. After recovering from the injury, his swing is not as good as before and the invitation of a girl in strange clothes and a passion for baseball is his last attempt to live this dream.
Milly Potter doesn’t tell anyone her last name, after all her family is synonymous with baseball, with a sports-loving dad, a brother who is one of the best players in the major league, and two brothers who own the best training academy. She doesn’t want false friendships. But her insightful remarks may be the only way to get Carson out of the dugout.
An unlikely and perfect couple. A novel that develops at the right pace and makes us sigh. The way Milly slowly loses her shyness around Carson while awakening the best in him is one of the highlights of the narrative. Parts he always owned but were hidden after his injury.
In fact, Milly Potter is undoubtedly one of the best female protagonists I’ve read this year. Real and with the right amount of mistakes and hits, qualities and imperfections and with a family that shows us how important it is to love and be loved.
The book has hilarious parts, some full of tenderness, and some moving and angst parts. It is the kind of reading that flows in an absurdly natural way and yet it is able to touch your feelings. Near closure the author delivers a plot twist that will break your heart and bring you to tears. A pinch of anguish in an impossible-to-drop book.
Ps: I wanted a brother like Cory for me.
The books in this series start out lighthearted and fun, but there are some serious undertones. Then they get downright angsty and I get happy reading. I love angst!
The baseball players in Brentwood University are under pressure to perform so they get drafted into the pros. Most of them have full rides, so they need to keep good grades, plus train hard, and do well in the games. It hardly leaves them a lot of free time for girlfriends. And yet, love happens…
Carson was supposed to be drafted during his junior year, with his besties Knox and Holt. An accident during a game resulted in a broken Achilles tendon, an operation and PT. He missed the draft and had to stay another year at Univ. Plus, he lost his mojo at bat, was getting cero hits, and Coach Disick was not happy with him. From a laid back and easy going guy, he changed into a grinch, bitter and frustrated.
Enter Milly Potter, baseball enthusiast, statistics fan, kynesiology student, and very knowledgeable on the physics of movement in baseball. She has three older brothers who have benefited greatly from her knowledge and she’s waiting to graduate to work coaching on her favorite sport. Initially reluctant to accept her help, Carson approaches a training session with Milly apprehensive and disbelieving. And yet he’s floored when she hits on the exact reason why his batting is all wrong.
From their first meet up, he thought that Milly was cute and he liked her lack of vanity. She girly but also tomboyish and he found her adorable. As they continued to work together, he felt further into her spell and realized she’s beautiful inside and out, quirky, nerdy and clumsy. And as he told her, he likes the weird stuff.
Because of Milly, Carson gets back in track and becomes the excellent athlete he had always been. Apart from being impressed by her knowledge, he was touched by her shyness, amused by her jokes, and fascinated by her freckles. Milly had always had a crush on him, and initially he rendered her speechless or stuttering. At one event where her best friends were selling her baseball coaching talents to Carson, she got so flustered that when he was going to talk she stuck a macadamia nut cookie in his mouth, then fled. There were several funny moments, but this one was the gem. The pickle debate was a close second!
The love story is a slow burn, it’s a sweet story that includes a tragedy and some emotional struggle. The angsty parts were very juicy and heartfelt and of course we get a hard won HEA. I loved all the characters in this story, from Milly’s family, her best friends, and Carson’s friends. It was so endearing and enjoyable, and I love that it was multi-layered. Milly had issues, Carson had issues, and they had issues as a couple. It was a smorgasbord of feelings and I loved every line. I can’t wait for more stories on these guys.
I absolutely adored this book!!
Another book in this series I could not put down.
The Dugout begins with Carson Stone, a baseball star on his journey to being drafted until an injury strikes and he becomes the damaged Alpha Hero with a big chip on his shoulder, baseball is Carson’s dream, his life and within seconds the path he was on suddenly changed, he was left recovering and still in college baseball when his other teammates began to move on to bigger things.
Milly, I absolutely loved her, she’s got baseball in her blood, her brothers played, her dad’s a big fan, she teaches little league and she is not only a ballbuster who knows her stuff but she’s the nerdy-looking intelligent young woman who is also sassy, she was fabulous.
I loved the slow burn in The Dugout, the getting to know you stages, the swoon moments. I would totally recommend this heartwarming, funny romantic comedy.
I can’t wait for more, Milly’s brother gave me major swoons too, I am looking forward to whatever Meghan Quinn brings next in this baseball series.
I absolutely loved The Dugout and it solidifies Meghan Quinn as one of my most favorite authors. She always writes characters whom I fall hard for and her humor is just priceless, making each new release a must read for me, and The Dugout did not disappoint.
“The only promise I want you to make to me is to handle my heart with the greatest care, because you’re the only one it belongs to.”
I honestly can’t like a romance novel if the characters don’t grab me. I have to REALLY click with them otherwise it just doesn’t work for me, even if the story’s plot is amazing. To say that I adored Carson and Milly is an understatement. I have quite the girl crush on Milly because I just thinks she’s a one of a kind girl. I’m a bit tired of romance heroines who I’d consider to be overly soft and who fall to the charms of their leading man. Milly wasn’t soft, but was a self-proclaimed “different” girl. She’s the girl who lives and breathes baseball and probably knows more about the intricacies of the sport than most fans.
Having grown up with three older brothers who are baseball players, she was always “one of the guys.” She’s not one to dress up or primp but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t like those things on occasion or want to be seen as beautiful or sexy. She’s a romantic at heart but doesn’t have a lot of relationship experience. Since she’s always been put into the “friends” category and seen as one of the guys, she really doesn’t know how to act around Carson when she starts crushing on him. And let me tell you her awkwardness is so comical and yet the fantasy that she eventually discloses to Carson just made my heart melt.
And now to gush about all the amazing supporting characters in this story!! Shane and Jerry are hands down the BEST friends a girl could ever have. They are hilarious in their ribbing of her after her somewhat awkward, embarrassing moments and yet are so unconditional in their support of her. Seriously, I need a Shane and Jerry in my life PRONTO! Knox is a great friend to Carson as well and even though I jumped in to read The Dugout before reading The Locker Room you can bet that I’m reading that book next to get me some more Knox. But then there’s Cory. Cory Potter who claims the prize as the best, most supportive big brother a girl could ever hope to have. I do not have any brothers but if I could adopt Cory as my own I would in a heartbeat. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY need his book next. Pretty please Meghan??!!
One of the things I love most about Meghan Quinn’s books is that they are just so darn hilarious (in addition to being sweet and sexy and hot and well written). I really hope to attend some author event one day so I can meet Meghan because she has got to be one of the funniest people in the room given the one-liners that she can write. There were just so many lines that had me laughing out loud throughout this book that made it so much fun to read. The texting exchanges among friends were just priceless and any mention of “man dangles” had me in hysterics.
Do yourself a favor and pick up The Dugout to read about some amazing characters, awesome friendships, hilarious awkward moments and a bit of baseball. I loved it and so will you.