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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5 She’s More than Just His Coach Stars!!!
Imagine being a top college baseball star on your way to the major league when you’re sidelined with an injury and all your dreams seem to be going up in smoke? Well, that’s our Hero Carson for you. He’s worked hard to make a comeback but it’s not going as planned and well, this is where Milly comes in. She’s a beautiful, but somewhat shy and awkward girl that lives and breathes baseball and she’s itching to get him back into the swing of things so to speak.
This is how this newest book by Ms. Quinn begins and I was hooked from the beginning. I laughed out loud when these two met there are some classic laugh out loud moments when these two meet. Milly just can’t seem to get over her nervousness when it comes to talking to this man that makes all her girly parts vibrate!
I loved seeing Milly begin to blossom with the way Carson treats her. Don’t get me wrong, this big bad baseball had to get a little over himself but there’s a moment when he realizes she really knows what she’s talking about and that changes everything between them. There’s something about Milly that keeps drawing Carson in, and he’s just never met anyone like her. He’s not sure how to deal with his feelings for her either. There were certain moments that my heart hurt for Milly and her social shyness. She’s so intelligent and beautiful and has so much love in her life, specifically from her 3 older brothers that in and of themselves, are fabulous, and their encouragement enables her to let her feelings out slowly but surely for Carson. I adored how this man treated her, believed in her and encouraged her.
This book moves a great pace given it’s taking place during the baseball season and so much is on the line for both of them. Being along for the ride as they fell in love brought a huge smile to my face. And then it happens….everything changes and oh my heart. It truly broke in half. I so wanted to slap someone upside the head. I even had a few tears because wow, there’s a few scenes that were just so harsh to read. I know it’s what needed to happen for the story, but, it wasn’t easy.
Ms. Quinn has written another homerun with this book. It’s full of wonderful characters, a story that’s engaging, with secondary characters that add so much to our H/h lives. It’s also a love story on a grand scale that is at times fun and loving and other times agonizingly heart wrenching. But through it all I was immersed in Ms. Quinn’s ability to write a story that drew me in and made me fall in love with baseball all over again.
Wow.Just.Wow. This book has wrecked me in such a good way. In all honesty, I was expecting another fantastic read by one of my favorite authors, but this book was even more than that. Meghan Quinn has hit a ninth inning, final game of the World Series worthy home run with this book!! The Dugout is phenomenal and it has left me shattered. I absolutely loved Millie and Carson’s story, and what a beautiful, beautiful story, it is. They are both such complex, wonderful people, and watching their relationship develop and progress from not knowing each other, to indifference, to curiosity, to friendship, to respect and love – just wow. It’s all there, including an incredible plot twist that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Never have I ever fallen in love with secondary characters like I did with this book. They are all worthy of their own story and I sincerely hope that Milly’s older brother Corey gets one. I cannot give this book enough stars because five just isn’t enough.
Once again Meghan Quinn hit it out of the park. The beginning was a little slow for me which is unusual for a Meghan book but once it picked up I could not put it down.
Meghan adds so much heart and emotion to her stories and this was so exception. Her humor shines through adding a little laughter along the way to make a story that much better. I mean we need a little humor mixed with angst to make it a great romance. She mixes all these emotions up to give us one hell of a story. She makes you laugh on minute and cry the next. You read that right I had tears in my eyes. Meghan knows how to heat it up and give you all the sexiness too. But sadly spoiler alert, no dry humping in this story.
Carson and Milly were perfection together. They were soul mates and meant to be each other’s partner in life. I fell hard for Carson’s baby blues and Milly won me over with her nerdy awkwardness and baseball knowledge.
I am looking forward to more sexy ballers.
4.5 stars.
Sexy baseball player Carson is back after been injured but he’s off his game. He can’t figure out what he’s doing differently but it’s really beginning to affect his game. Millie is….she’s a sweetheart. She’s awkward, funny and down to earth and she’s extremely easy to like. There isn’t anything this girl doesn’t know about baseball and if there’s one person who can help Carson get back in the game it’s Millie.
I loved these two characters and their story. It’s sweet, funny and impossible to put down. This is another fantastic book from Meghan Quinn.
The Dugout can be read entirely as a standalone but you will find Knox one of Carson’s story in The Locker Room.
I am never disappointed in anything that Meghan Quinn writes and The Dugout was no exception but it was Exceptional!
If you have read many of my reviews about sports romances you will know that I am not usually a fan but Meghan writes in such a way that she makes it interesting and you can’t wait to read more!
The Dugout is Carson Stone and Milly Potter’s story. Milly’s brothers are so cool and into baseball. No wonder Milly is “The Baseball Whisperer” everyone needs a Milly that plays baseball! Carson Stone needs Milly he just didn’t realize it. But he has been in a slump and once he does listen to her he comes out of that slump. I loved their story! Well not so much where Carson had me feeling so emotional. I had my ugly cry then.
Meghan Quinn built up this story and then tears it all down and left me a crying sniveling mess and then she builds the story back up and then you get a beautiful HEA! I found myself crying again. You aren’t supposed to cry when you get your HEA but Meghan had me crying again, Happy Tears!
I hope you can tell how much I loved reading The Dugout it is a MUST READ!
Please, please, please tell me Cory Potter will have his story told next!!!
WOW. This has got to be one of my favorite Meghan Quinn books. It was funny, it was sexy, it was emotional. I absolutely loved Carson & Milly!!
It was refreshing to see a girl be the one to school the boys on baseball. Milly’s character felt genuine. And I loved her relationship, not only with Carson, but with her friends & brothers.
Carson was a sexy goofball and his outward expressions of love for Milly were so heart-warming; he didn’t care how much his friends made fun of him (in a good-natured way!), he was determine to show Milly how much he cared for her. My heart broke for him during his situation. I had tears in my eyes during several scenes from around 75% on…and that’s saying a lot because I don’t cry easily from books.
This is a true home run for Meghan Quinn and I highly suggest reading this book!
I liked the premise of the story and characters, but after the 80% of the book I wanted to smack both of them with my ipad! the breakup infuriated me and it felt similar to the previous book.. I did love the baseball side of the story because it was very well written. I want to see more of this baseball team for sure!.
Want to read a book with all the feels AND laugh out loud?!? Read The Dugout or really any book by this fabulous author!
I read The Locker room first and I’m so glad I did, not necessary but I’d recommend that one too…
Milly is the best! Such an adorable ball of facts and a refreshing female lead! Carson got dealt a really bad hand and maybe this whisperer will be able to bring him back to life!
Love them together! Can’t wait for more, so many awesome secondary characters!
Meghan Quinn proves once again why she is an automatic one click author for me. She never fails to deliver a story full of laugh out loud moments mixed with all the feels. With The Dugout she outdoes herself yet again.
I fell head over heals in love with the sweet sexy Carson Stone. He will forever hold a spot in my heart.
Milky Porter is my favorite! I don’t know if I have ever rooted for a character the way that I did her.
This is define a sports romance for lovers of the troupe. It will not disappoint. I recommend picking this one up immediately!
5+ Stars!
I have NEVER related to a female character more than in this story. Milly is me; I am Milly! I am a girl who doesn’t really have any girl friends and who knows more about baseball than most men do. She is funny, smart, awkward, and just might be my favorite heroine of all time! I can not appreciate this author enough in writing Milly the way she did! THANK YOU!!!
I loved everything about this story. I laughed out loud, I cried, and I fell in love right along with these two! Carson had me laughing and giggling to myself when I met him in The Locker Room, as Knox’s best friend. He is sweet, hilarious, thoughtful, a little intense, and down to earth. I’m so glad he got his own story and Milly is perfect for him in every way.
I couldn’t put this story down! This was the perfect sports/college/new adult romance! It had everything I wanted and more. It was a feel good, emotional as heck, and purely wonderful romance. I can’t wait to see who gets the next book!
Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.
Once again, Meghan does it again. The story of Carson and Milly is one of those you can’t help but fall in love with. I’ve been reading Quinn’s books for a long time. I feel that the connections you get from her characters are one of a kind. She can pull you in, once you start. And doesn’t ever seem to let go.
Carson is angry, bitter about a fellow teammate. A teammate that led him to take a time out from baseball. Within his bitterness, he meets Milly, a shy girl at first, whose knowledge of baseball makes his knees go weak. It was Milly lending a hand to Carson, who had no idea he needed it.
Like any romance, even the ones that seem perfect, there’s it’s ups and downs. From pulling away from the one thing, that makes you incredibly happy. To groveling, to get it all back. During the tough times, I couldn’t help but still root for Carson. He needed to go through what he needed to, to come back to where he is now. I know this is very vague. But I feel it’s essential not to give much away. Cause not only as a reviewer but a reader. I don’t want the whole story in the review, duh?
If you’re thinking, Should I read this series? Yes, you should. And all of Quinn’s books because I can guarantee there will be no disappointments.
Overall. Five Boundless Stars.
I’m kind of speechless after finishing this. I’m giving it 5 out of 5 stars. This review is for an ARC, and reflects my honest opinion.
I enjoyed Carson in the last book, but after reading about Knox, the bar was set high. I didn’t love him quite as much, but he was a close contender. I loved when he was playful, when he was doing small/thoughtful things, and even when he was grumpy. Plus he sounded like an absolute dreamboat, especially with those eyes! I wasn’t sure I’d fit in with the baseball boys though, because I don’t like pickles, so my dreams of being with them might be for naught.
Then there was Milly. Besides the baseball obsession, I felt like the two of us were very similar in most aspects. Glasses, smart, uncomfortable with our bodies, short, shy around strangers, but open with family/friends. Although I don’t have brothers, and 99% of my friends were girls, but you get my point. I really adored her character, and watching Carson and Milly’s love story unfold was an amazing experience.
Based on the summary, I thought this would play out a little differently, but I enjoyed it immensely regardless. I cried at least a couple times while reading this. Not full on sobbing, but I got close at least once. I won’t spoil what happened, but be prepared people. The conflict in the story wasn’t ideal, but I was expecting it to happen honestly. The epilogue was super cute, and I would have loved one set further into the future too. I’m hoping for more books from these characters. I think Jason will be a huge possibility, and maybe even Romeo. I love this world, and I don’t want to let it go.
Carson and Milly are everything!
I keep thinking that Meghan Quinn won’t be able to top her other works, and then she goes and does it anyway. The Dugout is fantastically swoonworthy, and I can’t help but be partial to baseball players, and their, ahem, pants. Carson is trying to come back after a devastating injury, but his swing is still missing. Along comes the sassy and sweet Milly, a tomboy who has ideas on how to help, but doesn’t want to be seen. When these two start working together, a slow burn commences that makes my mouth salivate just thinking about it. Soon the passion these two exhibit for the sport they love crosses over to thinking about each other. I love the chemistry, I love the humor, and I love these two together!
Another smash hit from Meghan Quinn. 5 stars all the way , if I could give it more I would . I was was give. An arc in exchange for an honest review. Milly is everything and more that I love in a heroine. She is quirky , funny, and strong. I loved her character . Every time I think Meghan can’t top the hero in her previous book here she comes with the next one and bam he is everything we want in our book boyfriends . Carson is one of my favorite hero’s in Meghan’s books. He is lovable with a little bit of jerk thrown in there . I can not tell you how much I loved this book.
If you are looking sexy , funny , romantic comedy then “THE DUGOUT” is the book for you .
Give this book ALL THE STARS.
I seriously couldn’t get enough of it!
I swooned, laughed and cried. I wanted more.
This story made my day and broke my heart.
There is nothing I love more than an awkward character and Milly filled my heart right up. She is who I want to be! A strong, smart, baseball oriented gal! And the way she didn’t take any of the boys stuff…. love loved her.
Carson…. This poor guy…. Just the worst luck… His sweet side? The way he was with Milly….. gave me all the hearteyes.
And I’m not sure you will see a more hilarious bunch of group texts than you will in this story. I was laughing out loud. The baseball boys had me cracking up.
I just really felt everything about this story in my heart. <3
Carson is recovering from an injury and physically he is ready to play, but mentally he is struggling. As a last ditch effort he takes Milly up on her offer to tell him what he’s doing wrong. Since he’s tried everything else, Carson figures he may as well listen to what she has to say, so imagine his surprise when she has the answer he has been looking for.
Carson! *heart eyes* Since Carson and Milly start off as “coach” and “player”, their relationship is a delicious slow burn. Milly is somewhat of a puzzle to Carson and he finds himself wanting to put all the pieces together. When they first meet, Milly comes off as very awkward and shy, but once she starts talking baseball, she becomes a completely different person. And Carson finds himself really liking BOTH versions of her.
This book is sweet, sexy and extremely funny at times. I laughed out loud more than once thanks to Meghan’s hilarious and genius text message chains that she included in this story. I loved all of Carson’s friends (Hi Knox!) and hopefully we will get their stories as well.
One last thing. Milly’s. Brother Cory. OMG. I absolutely loved him and I need him to get his own book. He was not only a wonderful big brother to Milly, but he seems like an amazing guy and I want him to get his happily ever after. Soon, I hope. *crosses fingers*on.
What an incredible story!
This is storytelling at its best. The author has flawlessly written a story that is an absolute joy to read. Carson and Milly are so likable and relatable, I couldn’t put this book down. Before I knew it it was over.
Smart
Sexy
Hilarious
Swoonworthy
Opposites attract
The ending…check mate!
I am totally a Carson fan!
This book of Carson & Milly’s story was soo good.
Milly and Carson’s chemistry was a fun one to read.
I enjoyed the slow build up of these two characters and how they challenged one another.
The emotions had me reeling and tearing up.
Was funny, loving and had me smiling like a fool at the end.
Go One Click this book!
5 popped!
I truly enjoyed this book. Let me start off by saying I’m not a fan of sports. I’m definitely not a fan of baseball and have only watched one game in my life. But somehow while reading this book, I became a huge baseball fan and I’m thinking the author weaved in some kind of magic baseball voodoo because my husband of 23 years was shocked when I told him I kind of liked baseball now and how unfair it was that they don’t let girls play baseball.
Another thing about me, when I really like a book, I’ll reread my favorite parts right after I finish the book, which meant I read this entire book twice. That’s how much I loved it. There were some great laugh out loud moments. I loved the back and forth teasing between the guys on the baseball team. The heroine was so delightfully socially awkward and the hero was raised to respect women. There were so many positive messages in the book that are empowering to women: Intelligent women are sexy; Being different is good; You don’t have to change who you are to be attractive to others.
I adored Millie so much that I became protective of her and proud of her throughout the book. I became her cheerleader and champion, cheering her on and hoping she got her guy and her happy ending. But of course I’m not going to spoil any of it for you. Just trust me that you will get your happy ending by the end of the book and read it, even if you’re not a sports fan and even if you don’t love baseball. Now excuse me while I try to score some Dodgers tickets.
I was generously provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story was masterly crafted with the perfect amount of heat, humor and heartache.
These are two characters that I absolutely loved! They were just so much fun to read about and to cheer for! I loved the unique way they met. It was something different and definitely make the book stand out. I will say it’s not to often that a book will make me cry but I shed a few tears reading this one. It got a little emotional at one point. I was a little wrecked but the author put me back together again.
The writing was amazing and the story was fabulous! Meghan Quinn never ceases to amazing me with her storytelling. For Meghan Quinn fans this is a must read! If you are new to this author but love romcoms with a side of all the other emotions this is a must read!