Hmmm I had to sit on this one for a little bit to see how my feelings settled before I could decide on a rating.

For the romance side I was leaning towards a 3.5-4 because those parts were wonderful, but certain parts of the storyline just really bothered me. Those parts make me want to give it a wayyyyy lower rating, so I was really, really conflicted.

I loved the romance aspects, and adored Travis and Saylor together...and I thought any moments with Saylor's daughter, Lucy, and Travis together were utterly adorable! Their relationship was so sweet and wonderfully done. If the story had just been about their romance and the drama with Lucy's biological dad, then I would definitely give this a solid 4 rating, but there was also some legal drama surrounding Travis and Saylor was involved as a witness.

For the next bit, be wary of spoilers (I don't usually include spoilers but I need to get these thoughts out and I also want to give some warning to readers who might be a bit have some triggers that are in this book):

<spoiler>One of the big plot points in the book has to do with a rape accusation and I really didn't like how the book handled that.

It was extremely clear that Travis hadn't done it, but some of the commentary and the reactions of some of Travis's past one-night stands just really rubbed me the wrong way. In a time where rape is something that many women don't feel comfortable coming forward with and they're often attacked for being a victim, I just didn't appreciate seeing a rape accusation used as a way for a rejected woman to seek revenge when a guy decided not to go home with her after all...horrible. And when other women started saying the same thing but it was shown in the story as a way to seek attention or payback for him not getting their number, or I'm not even sure what. I really didn't understand why anyone else was even coming forward. It just made no sense and...it's just not right. Why would other women ever come forward if he hadn't actually raped them...who would just call rape like that??...seriously.

Gah...the more I think about this the more conflicted I get. The romance was so good and sweet, but the drama over Travis's case and the way rape was treated in the story was just so problematic. Plus, the DA in the story kept stringing the case along and tried to make an example out of Travis despite the fact that they had no evidence (the rape kit is inconclusive and goes "missing") and nothing to corroborate the victim's story. We should definitely go into cases like this with the mindset that the accused is innocent until proven guilty, especially when this wasn't a case where there was evidence. The only thing going against Travis was his proclivity for one-night stands, but I didn't appreciate that this story made it so that you questioned a victim's integrity during a rape case. That just isn't right. </spoiler>

Okay...I'm stopping now. I was so conflicted over this book. In the end, I landed on 2 stars. I did like the writing, and I enjoyed the characters, but the plot had me so conflicted. The ending was so sweet, and the romance was adorable which is what makes a romance for me ultimately, but I just can't in good conscience be okay with how this book handled sexual assault...I just can't.

This was a great book! I'm sorry it took me so long to read. Really enjoyable and I've even recommended it to several friends.

Well, after the last Boys of Summer book, I was a little gun-shy when Grand Slam came through to my Kindle. I hoped that I could get into this one more than the last. And, hoping paid off because the Heidi McLaughlin that I was so used to reading was back. Travis and Saylor’s story was everything that I hoped it would be … and then some.

Wow … that’s all I can say about Travis. The left fielder has everything a man could want except the woman who has been haunting his dreams. He can’t understand why, after one night with him, she just blows him off. He knows she felt something and that she’s hiding something. Now, she can either be his salvation or his down-fall. She knows the truth. Why won’t she come forward and clear his name?
Saylor has her reasons for avoiding what she could have with Travis. Her daughter, her job and now threats from her baby-daddy has her giving herself to Travis and then pushing him away harder than she did the first time. But, when it finally comes down to it, she comes clean and, now, Travis knows everything. He tells her that he will fix things but she has no idea if his plan will work or if she’s ready for what he’s offering.

I. Loved. This. Book! It was fast and interesting. It had heart-ache and intrigue. I still don’t know why the “bitch” did what she did but I hope she got her come-uppance. Saylor put me off a little since she wouldn’t come clean with Travis but, in the end, I had her back and so did Travis. I loved that Travis wore his heart on his sleeve and poured himself into getting Saylor to acknowledge her feelings for him. Lucy made this story so believable and fun. She was sweet and knew just who and what she wanted. She wrapped me around her little finger.

Now, the remaining Boys of Summer need to find the woman that will fulfill their lives so they will stop making fun of the boys that are living their happily ever after. And, there are three players who don’t deserve to even be mentioned in any further stories … just saying.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I liked this sports romance about a supposed womanizer left fielder who continues to be around and wants the same woman time and time again. These two characters have some serious chemistry and I found the story to be endearing.

The Boys of Summer series is back and so are the men of the Boston Renegades. Travis is the left fielder and has always had an attraction for sports agent Saylor especially after their one night together two years ago. Saylor is hesitant about Travis because he's a ladies man and an athlete. As they are thrown together in a legal situation their chemistry and relationship is put to the test. As everything transpires they prove time and time again that they are the meant to be for each other. Travis is actually not a womanizer but a man who has always wanted someone to love and to have a family. It's a perfect instant family with Saylor and her daughter. I'm so happy that Travis and Saylor got the happy ending they deserved.

I swear this authors writing gets better and better with every new book! I'm not a super huge sports fan but she manages to give enough that it keeps me interested. This one however shows just how bad media attention can destroy someone. Travis is a victim of that very bad in this book. Saylor, his publicist/ love interest can be his saving grace but she has too much to lose. This novel gives you the insight into what matters and that truth is going to prevail... We'll eventually! It's an up and down hill battle and I think it does Saylor some good to see just how vulnerable Travis gets when more people splash his name across the country with lies. It's captivating with a good strong storyline to keep you grasping at straws for more!

In Grand Slam you meet Travis the one-liner king and Saylor the mom to a sweet little girl who have a past but when that past comes forward can they make it work this time? I loved Saylor and Travis's relationship. They were open and honest and did what they had to do to help one another. It wasn't easy but they made it out and with the help of their friends and family did they find their HEA.

While I enjoyed the romance of this book, I was extremely bothered by the prevalent theme of false rape accusations. Yes, these occur on occasion but I felt that, as a theme, it undermines the validity and serious nature of many legitimate claims that emerge every day. Sadly, the romance aspect was not enough to save the novel as a whole for me.

Travis is a player, on and off the baseball field. So when one of his near conquests makes some allegations that could end his career, he needs to enlist the help of his agency for some PR spin. Saylor is assigned to Travis and the two have a history, which is against her company’s ethics policy. Not only that, but some poor choices a couple of years earlier put not only her job at risk, but could land her behind bars and without her daughter. Travis is persistent and there’s no denying the heat between them, but Saylor is going to have to choose either her job or Travis, how can she possibly find happiness amongst all of the chaos?

I love sports romances and baseball in particular. I also love authors that know the game, and while this installment of the series took place a little further from the field from the other books, it’s obvious that McLaughlin is a fan. The subject matter of this volume can get a little heavy at times, but Travis’s quick wit and his interaction with Saylor’s daughter Lucy more than makes up for it.

The biggest problem I had with the book is that at the beginning, it really didn’t seem that Travis was THAT big a part of Saylor’s life. He talks about pining for her, but all we really get is they had a one-night stand. He didn’t make any effort after that to get to know her, so his falling for her so hard was a little unbelievable. I also felt the ending was rather rushed, one of the big plot arcs of the story was quickly tied with a bow and it seems that part of the story could have been explored a little further.

Overall I really did like this book, it might very well be my favorite of the series because of Travis alone. I loved the sizzling chemistry between him and Saylor, and I loved all of the interaction he had with Lucy. It’s not just heat but heartwarming as well.

While this is the third book in the series, it is unnecessary to read the first two books, though the story is a little deeper if you’ve met some of the supporting characters. Fans of contemporary, sports, or baseball romance will love this one!

I was provided a copy of this title for review purposes.

Awww.. Nice read.. But on the first chapter, I really want to smack Travis.. grrrr.. But as the story goes...well, I kind of forget it. LOL. Anyway, Travis...*sigh** this man is so swoon worthy!!! Saylor and Travis story is interesting in a sense that I love how I was easily pulled in to their story. Saylor is an amazing and responsible woman. Overall, the story is good and I like the drama of it. (I love Travis on the 3/4 part of this book!!!!! I need someone like him in my life!!!)

I finished Grand Slam over 24 hours ago, and I’m still not sure how I feel about it. I went into this book expecting “boy chases girl - girl resists," but what you get is a much heavier story. I didn’t care for either the hero or heroine, and I’m so over the “stereotypical” playboy pro-athlete character served up these days, so I’m not even really sure why I decided to request this book from NetGalley. Actually, I do know why - I’ve read seven other Heidi McLaughlin books and really liked them. But this just goes to show you won’t necessarily like all of an author’s works.

Travis is a professional baseball player, and Saylor is his publicist. They had a drunken one night stand two years ago, but aren’t able to be together because of the non-fraternizing policy of the company Saylor works for. They are both attracted to each other, but Saylor has spent the past two years trying to ignore Travis by working hard. Travis has spent the past two years trying to forget about Saylor by sleeping with any woman he can. (Insert giant eye rolling and gagging gif here.) One night, Travis spots Saylor sitting at the counter of a bar. When he walks away from the woman he was playing pool with to leave with Saylor, the scorned woman vows revenge. And wow, does she go for the jugular. Throw in some drama from Saylor’s ex-boyfriend, and this was not a lighthearted story in the least.

Sure, Travis said some sweet things, and was great with Saylor’s daughter Lucy, but this book was a massive angst-fest, rife with typical new-adult non-communication issues (except these were people who were no longer in the “new adult” age bracket) and it just frustrated me to no end. Too many of the problems in this book could have been resolved by just talking. I didn’t feel like there was any good reason why it took Saylor so long to explain to Travis why she couldn’t be his alibi. If I were Travis, I’d be demanding answers. I can understand him being understanding and forgiving her for her “need” to stay quiet, but seriously dude - YOU’RE HEADING FOR JAIL. So yeah, I didn’t like the characters and I didn’t like their actions.

And there were too many loose ends left hanging when the book was over. The whole thing with Saylor’s ex-boyfriend? His letter saying he wants to meet Lucy after not having any interest in her the past 5 years is what created the big mess to begin with, and he keeps threatening Saylor throughout the book. But then he just gives up at the end? Then there’s the woman who accused Travis and almost ruined his life (and certainly messed a lot of things up that can’t be repaired)...they mentioned suing the police department and the woman who falsely accused him of the crime. But nothing is mentioned in the epilogue about all that??? I don’t need chapters and chapters tying things up, but a couple sentences would have been greatly appreciated.

Despite all the things I didn’t like about this story, it was actually very well written. The plot was well paced, and I liked the dialogue between the characters. I don’t often think children are portrayed well, but Lucy was cute and added much needed levity to an otherwise stressful story. I’ll definitely read more books by Heidi McLaughlin, but perhaps The Boys of Summer series isn’t for me.

You know I love my sports romances and this was no exception. I also love this author’s books, she’s great at creating awesome stories and deep characters. This was incredible sweet and romantic and also a pretty quick read.

Travis Kidd is the left fielder for the Boston Renegades, on the surface he’s a player in every sense of the word and used to whatever he wants, but he’s so much more than that. Saylor Blackwell is a publicist for the Renegades and a single mom to a 5-year-old daughter Lucy. They shared a drunken one-night stand years ago that Travis has not been able to forget.  Saylor is obviously hesitant since she has a lot to lose.

These was ridiculously sweet and mega swoony. I would say that Travis is the star of the book, he steals the show with his awesomeness. However, Saylor is also a kickass heroine. She’s a strong-willed character and also very conscious that her daughter always comes first. They both had lots of things to overcome, but they’re pretty great together. Their chemistry is off the charts!

I loved that it was dual POV, loved being in Travis' mind. The story is a little light on the sports part and some of the twist and turns are pretty predictable. But I definitely loved it overall. This was a super sweet, enjoyable fast read. I can’t wait for what Heidi brings us next. I absolutely recommend this one!

Heidi McLaughlin has done it again!!!

Grand Slam is phenomenal!!! If you know me, you know that I absolutely adore sports romance stories. This is definitely one of those.

Saylor is so loveable! She is a hard working, single mom, who definitely knows how to raise a daughter right. She provides for her, makes sure she feels special, and most importantly, puts her first. Throw in the fact that you have a hot as sin leading man trying to win Saylor and her daughter over, and you have a novel that you have to read!

I cannot say enough good things about this novel! Go and pick it up for yourself today!

5/5 Stars!

This is book 3 in The Boys of Summer series. I am not a baseball fan but I have read this series anyway because I just love sports romance.

This book is very well written and is one that got me hooked from the very beginning of the book. I read it in one night and I actually stayed up very late reading this book because I just didn't want to put it down.

You don't really need to read the 2 previous books to read this one.

I give this 5 out of 5.

I am going to go out on a limb and be the minority here and say, I didn't really like this book. I hate when people make false police reports. That was a major part of the story..... a fake rape claim. That makes me ill.

An the main characters to me were not very likable.

She was forbidden, off limits, it almost cost her everything, his regret was hurting her. He never stopped thinking about her, but working for his agency he had to keep away. Now faced with losing it all Travis needs her more than ever, will she risk it all agin for him.
Exciting suspenseful and filled with a dirty talking Travis, this book will keep you at the edge of your seat.
Saylor knew she was done for the moment she saw him at the bar that night. Now she is torn between him and her world.
A must read!

When you start a book by Heidi McLaughlin, there is very little chance you will not finish it. There is a strong chance you will blow off the rest of your day until you actually finish it. This is exactly what I did when I picked up Grand Slam, I immersed myself into the world of Travis and Saylor and the real world drifted away.

When baseball’s playboy finally hits a wall, and needs help to clean up his image, the only person that can help him is the only person that is completely off limits. What started as a one-night stand, that neither can forget, soon turns into something they both wish to.

Secrets and lies threaten to tear their worlds apart. The only thing they have is each other, but they do not seem to realize this until it is too late. The twists and turns that they travel through to get to each other is one amazing story.

Every chapter sucks you in more, every word, every kiss, every slap, you just want to hurry to the end to see what happens. The Boys of Summer Series, has got to be one of the best. Heidi McLaughlin has the ability to tell a story like no other.

This book had so much intrigue and intensity that I just couldn't put it down. Both Saylor and Travis grabbed my attention from the very beginning and I really liked the sweet side of Travis that we got to see. Some of his team mates just wrote him off as nothing but a playboy but in this story we really got to see that there was more to him.

Seeing hime with Saylor and Lucy made my heart go all mushy and I really enjoyed those moments. These characters had a lot to work through before they could truly be together but this author brought us on their journey with them and it's one I will definitely be reading again.

This series has been very good to me ever since I started it and I can't wait to see what the author will come up with next. Grand Slam is a must read and I definitely recommend this book.