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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Readers find themselves back at Brentwood University as opposites attract when a baseball player tries to return to the top after a catastrophic injury delayed his plans for the future. With his ballplaying in a slump though he soon finds himself in dire need of the help of a shy girl, one who comes from a family of baseball royalty, and together their lives are changed irrevocably.
Carson Stone was once on the fast track to the baseball draft when an accident during practice changed everything. Being a star player once meant the adoration of everyone, constant attention, and reasons to be the life of the party. But now he’s turned bitter, bitter for what he could’ve had and a bit jealous of the friends who moved on without him, leaving him no longer the charming man about campus. Trying to regain what he once had has left him in a slump bent on doing whatever necessary to regain what he lost over the last year, both on the field and off. After employing traditional means he soon finds himself counting on a woman unlike any he’s met before, a woman he never pictured himself with, but one who comes to mean more to him than for just her training skills. Since meeting Carson in Ms. Quinn’s The Locker Room, I was immediately drawn to him and have been waiting with bated breath for his story to be told. Even though he started off bitter I still found him charming and endearing which made his exchanges with Milly crackling. As the story progressed my heart was warmed by his sweet words and strong support of, and belief in Milly, becoming a cheerleader to her while embracing her skills to get back to the top of the MLB draft.
Milly Potter is a heroine like no other, one who’s shy yet determined to make it on her own. Born a member of baseball royalty with a dad and three brothers who used to play the game, along with a brother who’s now a star in the League, means a lifetime of baseball knowledge that she’s more than ready to unleash into the world as a trainer. Her future is one she wants to make all on her own and it had me rooting for her every step of the way. Though her first meeting with Carson is awkward it left both of them with a lasting impression that soon brings them together in an unforgettable journey to HEA. Milly’s an immensely likable heroine, one who’s shy yet super smart when it comes to baseball, and I found her utterly endearing. She was a bit plain, a bit uncomfortable when it came to sexy ballplayers, but when it comes to baseball she’s strong and self-assured. She might have started out merely being Carson’s coach but soon they were becoming more, and as they were falling in love with each other, I was falling in love with them.
After meeting Carson in The Locker Room I was immediately drawn to him and can easily understand his anger over the past. Though his first meeting with Milly went awry you could definitely sense the combustible connection between the two of them as she gave as good as she got. She wouldn’t let him walk all over her and it made him like her all the more in a romance full of humor and heart. That’s not to say that this story is all happy sailing as there’s plenty of angst to make you misty-eyed when you’re not laughing out loud. On a whole Carson and Milly are an unforgettable couple with witty banter and sweet and sensual interactions. Of all Ms. Quinn’s couples they’re my most favorite and will quickly become yours. Alongside this immensely appealing main couple comes an entertaining cast of secondary characters that promise many more tantalizing tales in the future. Some of my favorite moments, when not watching Carson and Milly’s crackling interactions, is watching Carson and his teammates and friends and the playful and brotherly exchanges between them. I also loved seeing the main couple from the previous book in this series and seeing their romance play out further here too. Readers who love heartwarming romances set in the college sports world will find this pure perfection in yet another winner from Ms. Quinn!
The Dugout is another enjoyable sports romance from Meghan Quinn! It features a quirky and endearing heroine in Milly, who catches the eye of the struggling star baseball player Carson.
Their relationship starts out as one of Coach and student, with Milly trying to help Carson get out of his slump on the field. The more time they spend together, each of them realize they are crushing hard on the other – but being from two different social circles, it’s slow moving for one of them to make their move. And once they get together – the sparks definitely ignite and they move fast from friends into more. Milly and Carson had such natural chemistry together and it was sweet watching them fall in love. I also really enjoyed seeing how Milly’s family reacted to Carson and his relationship with Milly – and how they completely welcomed him with open arms, and forgave him without question after he broke her heart. They were great secondary characters and it would be great to see her older brother Cory get his own story too.
My only issue with the story was towards the end – it seemed a little too similar to how part of The Locker Room played out and I wished that would have been a little different for Milly and Carson.
Overall, this was another solid read from Meghan Quinn and I’m excited to see what’s next for our Brentwood ballplayers!
WOW! Well, Meghan Quinn just totally destroyed me. I felt ALL the feelings with this one. So much to love about this story! I loved The Locker Room and this might actually beat that for me! We met Carson in The Locker Room and I hoped this would be good, but Quinn outdid herself here!
Carson is having a rough year. He is not the same guy we saw in the first book: lighthearted, funny. He’s been injured by his own teammate and he is angry. He runs into Milly in the panini line at school and let’s just say their first meeting does not go well at all. Milly is the youngest and only girl with 3 older brothers, who are baseball royalty. She knows so much about baseball and Carson reluctantly agrees to her help when he’s in a slump. They have such an amazing friendship from there, until it becomes more. Carson was swoonworthy and Milly is quirky and adorable. Their banter was absolutely perfect! I adored these incredible characters! All of the supporting characters were very well developed and added great value to the story and we got to see Knox again!
This story was such a joy to read and I highly recommend this book and this series to all!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
How can you not fall in love with this story? Meghan Quinn has done it again, and this time I’m head over heels for Carson Stone!
Carson is an All-American guy. He’s charming, sweet, and knows when to be a gentleman. He’s funny, sexy, and has just the right amount of cockiness. Sure, his story starts off in a rocky way, but his flaws are few and far between, and you’re going to absolutely love him. He’s got this easy-going personality that you just can’t get enough of.
Milly is absolutely perfect. She may be just one of the guys on most days, but she has a soft heart and a desire for the simple things in a relationship that most of us overlook. She’s also quirky, awkward, and hilariously funny. And I loved watching her confidence grow as the story unfolds.
I love this play on hot jock and nerdy girl, but Carson and Milly are way more than their stereotypes. And half the fun is that you never know what will happen when they get together – one encounter might be awkward and hilarious, one might be heartfelt and emotional, and another might be hot and downright steamy. These two are all over the map, and as a result you will be binge-reading until the very last page.
I definitely recommend grabbing this book.
Wow ! This book is amazing!
I’m not sure from where Meghan Quinn takes her ideas for characters and storyline, but I will be praying all days long – let it never stop. Maybe I’m not objective as a big Meghan’s fan, but she always know how to steal my whole attention, bookhangover is not an option, it just need to happen AFTER… like ALWAYS! |YA romances are from the best kind. They are sexy, they are funny, they are emotional – THEY ARE JUST SIMPLY EVERYTHING, what I love to have in my books.
The Dugout capitivated my heart, steal my soul and lots of laugh. Meghan Quinn hasn’t only write this book – She created masterpiece where every detail, every word and gesture has it’s own meaning. It was slow burn, can’t lie, but with lots of a thrill in the back ground. The Dugout is this book that You will read on one long breath, devouring every word You will find. Meghan Quinn is a true a master in this story- rules my mind… and heart.
Milly and Carson.. this couple is nothing less than perfect. They are very different. Millie, ahh this girl – she’s really adorable, sweet, kind ,but also funny and smart… when time flow by she became more and more confident. Her humor and big heart made me fall in love more with her than with Carson. I was little affraid how she will mix with our Alpha- a little angry and wounded boy. HOWEVER author lead their characters so well. Carson’s bringing truble with him, but this kind of troubles Marta Likes, a lot. He try to be a bad boy but it can’t make him stop to feel more than he want and for sure… be carrefully Ladies- he really makes women swoon.
I’m really happy that I could read another amazing book from this author. Meghan Quinn always bring smile to my face, makes my heart very warm… and as always – can’t wait for more !
Oh Carson.
I had no idea that I would you could knock of Knox as the player we love to love, but you have. Oh, you have.
Carson is recovering from an injury that knocked him out of the draft that recruited his two BFFs, and while trying to regain his mojo after coming of the DL list, is in a serious slump. Enter Milly – the shy and adorkable baseball phenom and sister to current big-league player, who can analyze hold her own with her baseball knowledge, including pointing out exactly what Carson is doing wrong with his swing. Carson made a few errors during their first encounters, but he finally realized that she was the key to getting him back on track with his game. Thankfully, Meghan Quinn knows just how to redeem a jerk hero, and make him the hero you absolutely love in the end. Milly is a wonderful character, and I absolutely loved that Carson recognized her for her and supported her dreams even when they were apart. Meghan Quinn hit a home run with this one!
While this can be read as a stand-alone, it runs parallel to the story of Knox in The Locker Room.
Fun additions: Friends, Baseball movies, Caramel M&Ms, underdog wins!
Hoping that once this series is over, she starts one with Milly’s brothers!
The Dugout by Meghan Quinn has all the feels! I’m not a huge lover of sports romances but with this story, I laughed, cried, swooned and got angry…and then started all over again! Carson and Milly’s story was one of fun, flirty banter and sexy chemistry that just sparked off the pages. I enjoyed seeing Milly’s family in this book and I think it brought a lot to her character. I enjoyed Carson and how determined and caring he truly was. The ONLY issue I have is that I loved Milly at the beginning of the story, awkward and shy which I think was so out of the norm. By mid-story, in my mind, she had totally changed into a different person and I didn’t really love who she became. Overall though, I did enjoy the journey of Carson and Milly and cannot wait to see what is next!
Ugh I loved this story especially the first part of it. Sports romance is some of my all time fav.
Milly is a bit of a baseball nerd. I LOVE her. She is such a contradiction in so many ways. She has a tough no nonsense attitude especially when it comes to baseball. Add her somewhat awkwardness around guys she likes, well it added several chuckle moments. I also have to say I love women who have the potential to break the glass ceiling in certain professions. GO GIRL!
Carson is our college baseball player. He has been dealing with an injury that has impacted his professional plans. He definitely has a bad attitude about it. OMG the way he would say things with his poor me, angry at the world attitude, provided some real humor.
These two together were awesome. The first part where Milly helps Carson is beautiful and I loved how they found each other.
The big uh-oh moment and the response of these characters confused me. I had a lot of questions. The choices made afterwards were heartbreaking. Truthfully it was surprising that forgiveness happened. It definitely felt realistic that it didn’t happen quickly.
The ending of this story happened over an extended period with gaps of quiet time. I would have loved greater details. Wink. I am nosy that way. Haha.
Overall this is a good read with so many elements I love. Definitely a book I would recommend especially if you love sports romance. Happy Reading Everyone.
This was so fun to read, I love Meghan Quinn humor. Milly and Carson are a beautiful couple with a story that had me reading non stop. I laughed and my heart was squeezed through the story. A great sport romance story you need to read and feel. The emotional rollercoaster from this book is one you need to get into. A beautiful sweet story full of forgiveness and commitment.
5 Homerun Stars
Carson effing Stone! BOOM!
I’m not sure how she does it, but Meghan Quinn has stolen another piece of my heart with one of the best heroes yet. Carson Stone is a gorgeous god on and off the field, and an all around great guy. Then the unthinkable happens…he gets injured. Bye bye being drafted his junior year along with his buddies. Now, he’s back for his senior year, injury all healed up, but his bat just isn’t working right. Along comes Milly Potter, baseball extraordinaire. She lives, eats and breathes baseball, along with her father and three brothers. At this point, Carson is desperate enough to try anything, and gives Milly a chance. He’s totally surprised to realize this girl knows her stuff, and before long, he’s back to his old self. Only now he can’t seem to get her off his mind and wants to spend all his time with her.
Milly is as quirky and different as they come and I adored Carson for the fact that that’s exactly what he loved most about her. These two were so great together. They definitely had the chemistry and once they finally unleashed and let go, all gloves were off lol. Their story made me swoon and laugh out loud one minute, then had me clutching my heart the next. Quinn’s writing is flawless as usual, giving us an amazing story that is the perfect combination of sweet, steamy, laughable moments, with just the right touch of angst that brings out all your emotions. Don’t wait to read this one!
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
5 HOME RUN STARS!! I love baseball and this book was perfect. Carson and Milly’s story has the feels to keep you flipping the pages. These two had some amazing sexy times that put a smile on my face and pulling for them. Meghan Quinn’s writing is phenomenal….she always gives us readers the perfect story.
NO SPOILERS!
Meghan Quinn delivered ALL THE FEELS in The Dugout, and it has been one of my FAVORITE romantic comedies from her! The Dugout had all of Quinn’s signature heart, heat, humor, and swoon-worthy romance, with an emotional twist I didn’t see coming.
Every Meghan Quinn novel I’ve read has been immensely enjoyable and entertaining, but The Dugout was truly something special. The storyline was amazing and so much better than I anticipated. It was of course sexy, funny, and swoon-worthy, but also surprisingly emotional with unexpected plot twists and turns. I absolutely loved everything about The Dugout, and was very happy with the ending to Carson and Milly’s story.
The characters were EVERYTHING! I fell head over heels in love with Carson, Milly, and all of their amazing friends and families. All of the characters in The Dugout completely stole my heart, and I loved each and every one to pieces. They were above and beyond all of my expectations, and I absolutely adored them. I loved their personalities and the friendships and relationships they all had together. I loved all of the playful, witty, hilarious, and entertaining banter and interactions between the characters. Carson and Milly have been one of my all-time favorite Meghan Quinn couples, and I was wholeheartedly rooting for them from the start. They were absolutely incredible, and it was an honor to experience their unforgettable journey with them.
Meghan Quinn truly knocked it out of the ballpark (Yes, pun absolutely intended!) with this sweet, steamy, hilarious, swoon-worthy, romantic, and surprisingly emotional standalone sports romantic comedy! I loved Carson, I loved Milly, I loved their friends and families, and I loved this unforgettable story with all of my heart and soul. The Dugout was simply EVERYTHING and deserves ALL THE STARS!
Meghan didn’t hold back on the feels she gave us in this book!
I loved Carson and Milly’s story! Carson gets hurts on the field and is struggling to get back in the game. Milly comes along and changes his world…in more ways than one! I loved their relationship and the total awkwardness of Milly. She stole my heart in this book. She owns who she is and that is a quality I admire in a character.
As their relationship builds, life threw a heartbreaking curve ball at Carson and puts everything in his life to the test. My heart broke for everything Carson was going through. Meghan even managed to make my eyes a little leaky. I was routing for this couple and couldn’t wait to see them get their HEA.
I also love all the side characters! I can’t wait to read more from this group!
I completely fell in love with Milly & Carson. They had great chemistry, some great swoon worthy moments. Everything I look for in a great book, and I love how this author makes me laugh. If you haven’t read Meghan Quinn yet, for one…you should, and this is a great book to start with. Highly recommend this one.
The Dugout, was nothing like I thought it would be. It was so much better!!
To be honest, when I started to read, I was this close to putting it away. But this amazing author has never let me down, so with faith, I kept going. And it was totally worth it!! The thing that put me off was how both the main characters was in the beginning, but as soon as Carson and Milly started to interact together, I was hooked!
“This connection, it’s what the greatest love stories are made of. It’s what I want out story to be made of…”
Carson Stone, a great college baseball player. He’s back after his injury, and he’s set on making it big. But something is off, he just can’t seem to get his swing to work.
Milly Potter, the little sister with 3 big brothers. And a whole family in love with baseball, she’s as addicted as the rest of them. Dreaming of becoming a baseball coach, which is easier said than done.
“They don’t want a girl teaching them. That’s why I’m coaching eight-year-old right now. They don’t judge you by what’s hiding in your underpants.”
What an epic love story! It’s definitely a must read this year!!
I laughed out loud so many times, I swooned and sighed dreamily, and I cried. The chemistry and understanding between Carson and Milly was just epic!
-Stina, A Woman & Her Books.
I don’t know that I can adequately put into words a review fitting of this story! 5 baseball stars for this one, Meghan will pull at your heart strings on this one! You will get all the feels when it comes to Molly & Carson!
Meet Carson, baseball is his life, it’s all he’s ever wanted. Ready for the draft until an injury puts him back a year in his quest. He’s bitter and back playing, but his game is just not there. All his dreams will be gone if he can’t get it back.
Molly, grew up in a baseball family, her brother is a pro now, she eats, sleeps and lives the game. She studies players to see what their doing wrong, when she meets Carson, who she’s had a crush on forever, can she get over it enough to help him with his game?
These two have amazing chemistry, you will fall in love with them instantly! Have tissues handy, and enjoy their story!
Time flies when I read any book by Meghan Quinn. The Dugout had the same effect on me. She had my heart wrapped around her fingers. The feelings hit me hard and the chemistry knocked me down. Another sensational story from Meghan Quinn.
What I love most about Meghan Quinn’s writing is her flow of words and scenes. It’s like a well oiled machine. The writing is so sharp, smooth and dazzling that I finished the story even before I realized it. And that means this sexy, swoony, flirty and a bit angsty story is hell of an escape. A gem if you ask me. Carson and Milly’s story started with a bang of emotions. The hilarious conversations, the slow burn, the sweet and sassy moments- it was simply brilliant. My heart was aching from their breathtaking chemistry. And then Meghan Quinn flipped my world upside down. And my loony dreamy smile turned to full on heartbreak and tears. I am not kidding you. It was torture in the purest form. The story reached an amazing height in describing the lows of Carson and Milly. But every tear was worth it. Because you will have an extraordinary and epic ending.
Carson had my heart in his palms. He is charming and gorgeous and kind. But he is troubled and broken at the same time. All the love and support of Milly was not enough to stop him spiralling into darkness. I wanted to slap him for his stubborn and rude behavior but I also felt his jagged scars. Milly is perfect for him. She is so amazing, talented, adorable and a complete sweetheart with balls of iron. The combination is lethal and perfect. Their connection and struggle was something else. I soaked up their love, their heartbreak, their passion and their happiness.
The Dugout is a perfect sports romance with a difference that only Meghan Quinn make. It was the complete package of a great romance with the ex factor to make it an unforgettable story!
Received ARC for Honest review
Oh my god this was SO good you guys. By 14% I was crying I was laughing so hard. Milly, our main girl is so hilariously awkward you can’t help but adore her.
This book starts out introducing a pretty big cast of characters. Milly’s two best friends Shane and Jerry, her three older brothers Cory, Rian, and Sean, and then Carson’s group of friends on the baseball team and his two best friends Knox and Holt. Sounds like a lot right? It’s not. Somehow MQ manages to seamlessly tell this story and give enough details in each scene that it reads perfectly. This cast is fun, funny as hell, serious when needed, and jam packed full of baseball male hotness.
Seriously. Milly is a guys guy so was like one other female in this book…and it was milly’s mom
It was fun and funny until about 58% and then all of a sudden we hit SEXY. Like…out of no where I’m sweating lol. Milly and Carson have chemistry for DAYS. They’re so fucking hot together and I wasn’t expecting it so it made the whole scene even better. Their relationship was flirty and sensual with a beautiful and romantic foundation.
Then, much to my surprise, the story turned so heartbreakly intense that I was gripping my kindle and hanging on for dear life. My emotions were up and down, left and right.
Sickeningly sweet, well thought out, sexy, engaging, enough heartbreak that real life creeped in and stole the show. We went from flirty rom com to full blown inspirational fiction novel and I found myself in awe of Meghan’s writing ability.
This was fantastic, one of my top sports romance novels of the year!
*ARC kindly provided by the author and @candikanepr in exchange for an honest review.
This book has all the humor and heart I’ve come to expect from Meghan Quinn. This story will touch your heart and keep the smile on your face!!
“Our connection dives way past the surface and is going past the layers to the very core of our souls.”
The Dugout is the latest sports romance from author Meghan Quinn and it follows the story of Milly & Carson. Right off the bat, Milly and Carson couldn’t be more opposite. After suffering and injury, Carson is struggling to get back into his groove. He’s moody and standoffish towards everyone. Who knew that when Carson would bump in to Milly, his whole world would be turned upside down?? When you first meet Milly, she’s awkward and nervous. But don’t let those qualities fool you. Milly can dish it out just as good as the others. And when it comes to baseball, no one knows the game like Milly….Chance encounter after chance encounter keeps throwing these two opposites together and before Carson knows it, he soon discovers that not only does Milly know what she is talking about, but there is more to her than meets the eye. Carson and Milly couldn’t be more opposite, but you know how the saying goes, opposites attract and when it comes to Carson and Milly, you are about to be taken on one crazy ride…..
Overall, I thought this book was a really cute read. I was hooked on Carson and Milly from the very beginning. Carson had a heart of gold and was truly a sweet guy. He just had to get over his funk and let the real Carson shine through. And when he did, we were met with one of the sweetest, more caring, swoon worthy guys. And then there is Milly. Milly has big dreams and is determined to make her own name. When she loves, she loves hard. I honestly think everyone could benefit from having someone like Milly in their life. She is just so real and down to earth. She was just what Carson needed in his life.
Speaking of Carson and Milly!! The push and pull between these two was insane. I loved their banter and chemistry. Their interactions had me living for the next one and dying to see how their story would go. The road to happily ever after wasn’t without bumps for these two. The angst towards the end was incredibly palpable. Carson didn’t just break Milly’s heart with his words, but he broke mine too. I was left hanging on each word and bursting with anticipation to see just how Carson could fix the mess that he made….
The Dugout was a fantastic ride from beginning to end. I loved all the laugh out loud moments and the ones that left me breathless. I swooned. I fell in love. I felt like I had my heart ripped out. This story took me on such an incredible ride and I loved every single second of it.