5/5 stars.

i LOVED this book.

When I saw this book on NetGalley, I leapt in without knowing a thing about it. I went in knowing I loved "We Could Be So Good," and that there was a baseball dude on the cover. And I was not the least bit disappointed. It took me like 2 days and 3 tries to write this, and I still don't think it's enough.

<b> Let's get started with a plot summary [insert sparkles here]: </b>
Former golden-boy and all-star rookie player Eddie O'Leary is struck out on the worst batting slump in baseball history after being transferred to a crappy team he didn't want to join. His media reputation is less than sightly after mouthing off to reporters and trash-talking his new team.

Enter Mark Bailey. Mark Bailey is a reclusive reporter who's hardly done any reporting (or leaving his apartment) since falling into a self-destructive grief spiral over a partner that's already been gone a year. He's not really a reporter anymore, and he's definitely not a sports reporter. But when his editor asks him to ghost-write a diary series on the angry, failing shortstop that's taken public attention? Well, he's back on the case, chasing after obnoxious angry ball players in sweaty decrepit locker rooms.

Eddie sees Mark, and his heart stops. He doesn't think he's ever seen a man so wondrously pretty before. He's headstrong, naive, and comes off totally the wrong way. But he sits down with Mark for the interviews. Mark is shocked when he finds out his charge really isn't who he thought he was going to be. He's struggling to continue his normal standard of scathing, brutally honest reporting, but he just can't help himself. Especially not when everything he writes seems to effect Eddie so intensely.

And then they Keep talking. It's no longer reporting anymore, but he doesn't know quite what to call it. Eddie reads Mark's favorite books and calls him in the middle of the night to talk about it. He watches Eddie's games more for Eddie than for the articles. They eat dinner together every night, and Eddie's made best friends with Mark's dog. Suffice it to say, Mark's terrified.

<i> QUE ANGST. QUE PINING. QUE SWEET MOMENTS THAT HAD ME KICKING MY FEET AND SMILING TO MYSELF </i>

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The characters, the pining, the adorable displays of affection, THE WRITING. This book like completely enveloped me and had me wrapped up in the characters and their entire life stories. The characters were more than perfect, they were real. Cat Sebastian managed to write real people, who make mistakes, who aren't perfect, who grieve and mourn in ways that aren't always the best. But, at the end of the day, they're people trying their best to do right by one another, and it was BEAUTIFUL.

The writing is nothing short of utterly captivating. Not just the style, but the language, the pacing, the attention to detail, and the character development. With all masterfulness and prose, Cat Sebastian weaves together this wonderful picture of what these two characters look like, and how they interact with the world as well as one another. The writing is just so vivid that I could literally see what was happening on page. I'm not a super visual person, but without shoving endless details and world-building down our throats, the author painted a wonderful picture of what was happening at literally every moment in the book. And again, for the attention to detail: if I hadn't read the Acknowledgements, I would've just assumed that the author was a professional Baseball Enthusiast. But upon hearing otherwise? Hello?? I respect everything that went into this. All I know about baseball is that dudes wear rather impractical white outfits to roll around in grass and red dirt and catch really hard balls if they manage to somehow hit them with a long metal bat. Oh, and the umpires are grumpy.

When I said earlier that the characters are real people, I truly mean it. They have their own lives, they have their own interests, they have hobbies and friends and unique worldviews. So often romance novels focus only on the relationships between the two love interests, and this was the exact opposite of that.

Cat Sebastian wrote about a baseball team struggling to get their act together, struggling to fully become a team-- but still a group of men that looked out for each other, and valued one's success as <i> their success </i>. I think the team dynamics was one of the reasons I really loved this book. Eddie is originally featured as the team's pariah, but as he works for their forgiveness and he works on himself, they come to love, accept, and protect him for who he is. Mark initially feels isolated and alone, but as he gets to know Eddie, he feels empowered to reach out again to his friends, who were really there all along. He steps out of his comfort zone and does things he never would've considered before, and it was a joy to witness.

I'm confident I've said this before, but the way Cat Sebastian was able to slowly peel all the layers off of her characters, and slowly reveal them to the audience in a way that kept you eagerly picking up all of the pieces the second she dropped them was amazing. And the character development, oh <i>the character development. </i>I feel like so rarely is there like real character development in romance novels nowadays. Like the characters just meet and then their relationship develops, and we're supposed to believe that somehow them falling for each other and admitting their love for each other is the real development? I wasn't disappointed with "We Could Be So Good" and I wasn't disappointed with this one either. This is one of those really, really good books that you read slowly to savor like a fine wine, even though you want nothing more than to experience the full breadth of it all at once. I read WCBSG on a beach and spent time looking dramatically out at the coastline and just replaying it over and over in my head (it was amazing too, you should read it, and then you can see the subtle cameos). I read this in my bedroom, and stared at my bookshelves, wondering how anyone could write something this good, <i>twice. </i>


The biggest thanks to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for supplying me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review!!💞

YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY is such a good sports romance with all the feels. Cat Sebastian does historical fiction really well with beautiful details seamlessly woven into the fabric of the novel. It’s lovely to read a queer historical romance that is not subjected to violence or homophobia as well, because that can be a stressful aspect of reading period pieces featuring queer characters.

There is a good balance between baseball and romance so you don’t have to be a huge baseball fan to enjoy the story. The characters Mark and Eddie are lovable, as is Lula the dog. The relationship builds organically without relying heavily on tropes. I only wished the book had been a bit steamier. Intimate scenes can be revealing about relationship dynamics and a chance for characters to show vulnerability in a romance novel. As emotional as this book gets, there are themes on grief and coming to terms with one’s sexuality, it didn’t quite punch me in the gut like I’d expected.

Overall, an enjoyable mm romance with a great blend of baseball and historical details.

This was cute! Honestly the fade to black was a little disappointing and there was way too much baseball talk but the romance was really tender and sweet.

Cat Sebastian is really knocking it out of the park (if you'll excuse the pun) with this series of midcentury queer romances. Mark Bailey was such a small, yet colorful character in "We Could Be So Good" and it was so lovely to spend time with him and to meet true golden retriever boy, Eddie O'Leary. I'll never get over the small, everyday moments that Sebastian imbues with so much love and softness that I find myself suddenly crying over a jar of fancy maraschino cherries or a pot of soup.

CW: grief, loss of a loved one (before story), homophobia, fear of homophobic violence, racism, fear of racist violence, sexual content

This book hooked me in from the first chapter. I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

This will very likely be my favorite book of the year. I don't think everyone will love it as much as I do, but I hope they give it a chance. When I picked up the novel I didn't really read the synopsis closely, I only knew it was a romance and also at least a bit about baseball, and that was all I needed to know. I had hoped there would be a bit of baseball talk, but I was so surprised as to how much. It very much is a love letter to the game. This is the aspect of the novel I am not sure everyone will connect with as much as I did, but the love and passion for something is a universal feeling. I also had not realized it was going to be historical - 1960 to be exact, and I thought that really added to the narrative. Some of the internal grappling the character's dealt with are still relevant today, but not to the extent as they are in this historical world.

Ok, well I have gotten ahead of myself a bit. A quick synopsis of the novel is it is about 2 characters in 1960 NYC. Eddie O'Leary is a shortstop (baseball player) who has just been traded to the new expansion team, the New York Robins. He got votes for rookie of the year a year prior and now can't even manage to get a walk, let alone a hit. Mark Bailey is a (barely) reporter for the local newspaper who writes monthly for the arts page and has now been given the task of writing weekly diary entries for Eddie. Neither of them are particularly thrilled with the assignment, but know they need it for their careers to continue. This novel depicts their individual growth in their careers, relationships with other people in their lives, and their relationship together, all while navigating the world in the 1960's, where being gay is a bit more of a risk (in some places) than it is today.

The pacing of the novel is slower than some romances, but for the type of story Sebastian is telling is perfect for me. There is a lot more going on than just a romance. It is people fighting grief and overcoming challenges. Seeing past people's flaws and seeing the struggles other people in their lives may be facing. We get depth to a few side characters as well who made me both laugh and cry. There is a lot of heart and emotion woven throughout the novel that I could not get enough of. Writing this review actually makes me want to start this novel again and re-read it. I cann't wait for it to come out so I can get my hands on a physical copy!

The character work is fantastic. but I also loved how much baseball was in this novel. Not a play by play game play type of stuff, but the struggles and triumphs a player may go through in their career and what it can sometimes take to try and get over a slump. You get glimpses of team dynamics and interactions between the press, manager, and players. I found these sections really dynamic and interesting, and even if baseball isn't your jam, I think there are parts that are relatable. If baseball is your sport, you're going to love it!

Lastly, if you are looking for a quick and spicy romance this won't be the book for you. There is some spice, but it isn't raunchy and in your face - there is on page sex, but it feels more intimate than other romances I read, in a good way. You can feel the love on page. I'm not sure what else I can write to express how much I love this book and want everyone else to love this book - but pick it up, it deserves some love in braoder romance world!

Cat Sebastian has a gift. This is the second book I’ve read of hers that had me head over heels for a gay couple from the mid 1900s. Eddie is the definition of a golden retriever. I love a baseball romance. I love the presence of an elderly character guiding the way. This book has it all
Thank you to the publisher, netgalley and the author for the ARC

Cat Sebastian wrote yet another beautifully tender love story where all these little moments add up in a way that never fails to tug at my heartstrings. And I don't say that lightly.

Mark is a prickly reporter for the Arts and Culture section of the Chronicle who somehow gets assigned to do a profile on Eddie O'Leary, Midwestern transplant, once-wunderkind, now in the middle of a months-long batting slump. Eddie is brash and charming and often acts before thinking, but he's so endearing that you can't help but root for him, just like all of New York City, and eventually Mark too.

So, a lot of the book is about Eddie's batting slump, but it isn't the main plot, per say. Cat Sebastian draws these intricate portraits of a handful of characters that give you the sense that these people are a work in progress even when the book is finished— just like people in real life. You really feel the full extent of Mark's loneliness after his partner passed away the year prior, his conflicting feelings about being treated like a dirty secret even as they loved one another, and his inability to mourn openly— Mark's shock when an old mentor at the Chronicle likens Mark's grief to his own when his wife passed is palpable, and that hit me hard.

What I like about Eddie is that he may be quick to jump into a fight or trash talk a team, and he has an almost ridiculous sense of optimism, but he's never portrayed as naive, despite his age (twenty-two!!) and whatever his teammates and even Mark initially assume. He knows his own mind and actually ends up pushing for his and Mark's relationship when Mark is unsure about his own heart, and worried for Eddie's career prospects.

Emotionally, this book feels like a slow-burn because Mark isn't willing to go all-in the way you get the sense Eddie is ready to much sooner. But this is one of those cases where actions speak louder than words and you see it in these little moments of domesticity like when Eddie buys Mark breakfast and they walk the dog together, and how Eddie delights in Mark's fussy perfectionism and Mark is reluctantly charmed by Eddie's sense of hope; basically, they're inevitable even when they don't think so.

I liked that this was a queer romance that wasn't centered around a gay awakening, or the homophobia and bigotry queer people experience. Mark and Eddie are both comfortable with their sexuality, and they never let their worries about being out (or as out as someone could safely be in the sixties) turn inwards into self-loathing. Outside of Mark's queer friends, the vast majority of secondary characters inhibit this middle-ground where some of them know to an extent what's going on between Mark and Eddie, or it's a gamble to come out to them, so Mark and Eddie take risks where it matters, but otherwise don't.

There is something of a third-act break-up, but it's kind of half-hearted because Mark does a hilariously shitty job of the breaking-up part, and Eddie is unwilling to let go. And that's heartening in a way because nothing can separate these two.

The sex:

Super romantic, super tender and the payoff after all their tip-toeing around their feelings is worth it. I will say, while there are multiple open-door sex scenes, the language gets a little more vague when they're having sex, and the writing focuses more on what they're saying and feeling, as opposed to exactly what they're doing. That doesn't mean it's less hot, it's just a little less explicit. There are also a couple instances where there are breaks in the writing between foreplay and post-coital.

Overall:

This is such a soft love story set in a period I don't see often in historical romances, and I adored both Eddie and Mark. I'd absolutely recommend this book to every romance reader out there, and for any reader in particular looking for a romance that slowly but surely packs an emotional punch.

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 3/5
Publication Date: May 7th

You Should Be So Lucky intertwines queer love and the backdrop of 1960s baseball, offering a charmingly cozy narrative. Through the lens of Eddie and Mark, the book delves into themes of romance, grief, and the challenges of homophobia.

While it excels in character development and atmospheric storytelling, some portions may feel sluggish and repetitive. Additionally, the use of third-person omniscient narration occasionally detracts from the experience.

Despite this, the novel delivers a satisfying resolution, albeit with relatively low stakes given the era's societal constraints. Sebastian's decision to provide a happy ending adds a welcome touch of optimism, even within a historical context where such outcomes might seem improbable. For readers seeking a leisurely-paced, emotionally resonant MM period piece this is guaranteed to be a great choice.

Thank you Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the arc!

YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY is a stunning entry in this historical series about being queer in the late 50s/early 60s in New York. Cat Sebastian is the absolute best at making characters feel so real that you physically ache to know they aren't, but the story is so readable you simply cannot put it down. Once started, a Cat Sebastian book is one that stays in motion and YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY is no exception. Filled with grief, joy, and everything in between, I forgot that I loved baseball romance until I read this—and this is the best of them.

This is a fun low angst queer romance set in 1960. That said, there is grief, death, and legitimate fear of being outed in a society where you could lose everything if found out as major plot elements. This is the 2nd book in this series-- the first set a few years earlier featuring Andy and Nick who are minor characters in this one.
I enjoyed Mark and Eddie's story. Mark's wariness to love again and to put Eddie's reputation at risk felt real. And Eddie was lovely in his enthusiasm for life.

3.5 rounded up. This book is a beautiful love letter to baseball and queer love - those aspects I enjoyed. I loved getting to know Mark and Eddie and reading so much about baseball history sprinkled throughout the narrative. There were some great side characters too like George Allen and Eddie's mom - the entire cast was endearing. I also appreciated thinking more about what it must have been like to be queer in the 1960s and the debate over wanting to tell friends/family yet wondering if it was safe to do so.

However, the book was painfully slow and repetitive. I felt like the relationship and narrative was going around in circles. I wish the story had progressed a bit faster and the book had been a bit shorter. Overall though, I still enjoyed the book and will recommend it to my audience - especially to those who love baseball.

This was such a unique romance unlike I've ever read before; queer in the 1960's. I loved this story and the way it was told.

A slow-burn, grumpy/sunshine, queer mid-century romance--how could I resist? The story takes place in 1960 between a reporter and a baseball player in a major slump. This is my second book by this author and I love her writing. It’s one of those that has a deeper, more meaningful story behind it than just the romance (which is top notch by the way). It’s about loss and acceptance, it has great character dialogue and development, and it’ll just put a big smile on your face

QUEER. HISTORICAL. ROMANCE

This story is set in the 1960’s where Eddie O’Leary and Mark Bailey fall in love while both dealing with heavy personal lives. However, they develop a chosen family of coworkers, teammates, and friends who are safe, affirming people and help pave the path for Eddie and Mark to be their best selves, together.

My rating: 4.25 STARS

Cat Sebastian wrote a queer love story that feels like an anxious person wearing a comfy sweater while drinking a hot coffee and serving a demanding dog. It is definitely a book I will be revisiting on a fall day. Her writing style is reminiscent of your best friend who has dry humor but is also your safe place. Thank you Cat for this ARC through Netgalley.

Y’ALL! When I read @catswrites’ perfect historical romance We Could Be So Good last year, I could only hope that she’d write another one I could love as much. Not only did she do that, but it’s about a Major League Baseball Player. I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY!!!!

I requested the ARC for her forthcoming You Should Be So Lucky on @netgalley, and I actually shrieked when I got the email that I had been approved. Though I had one of the busiest work weeks ahead of me, I made the very good/bad decision to stay up way past my bedtime reading it because I cannot control myself. It was extremely worth it.

This image (courtesy of the author) tells you everything you need to know—alongside my shrieking—about how perfect these messy idiots are and how deeply devoted I am to them. Eddie, the ballplayer, and Mark, the journalist, have no business being as wonderful as they are for each other, and (like Nick and Andy in WCBSG) their lack of boundaries in circumstances that absolutely require very clear boundaries will inspire you to chuckle so fondly!!! I also cried several times; in all seriousness, her depiction of Mark’s grief felt so realistic, as it hit at unexpected times with unexpected potency. (If you are actively grieving a partner who could not publicly acknowledge you, this book may take you where you do not wish to go.)

I cannot wait for you to read this book when it comes out May 7, nor can I wait to read the ARC 12 more times between now and when my pre-ordered copy arrives. Will there be more in this universe from Cat Sebastian? It would be so good and I would be so lucky.

I cracked this galley with great trepidation. I loved "We Could Be So Good" so much that I couldn't imagine anything could live up to it. Well, I should have trusted Cat Sebastian. This book, like its predecessor, is fast becoming one of my Emotional Support Romance Novels.

My favorite thing about Cat's books is how real the characters feel. I ended the story feeling like I'd just spent a couple of hours with close friends. Even better, they're all good people despite their very human flaws. It's a pleasure to spend time with them.

If Cat Sebastian writes it, I will read it.

I didn’t think anything could too We Could Be So Good, but You Should Be So Lucky is an incredible follow up to Nick and Andy! Set in the same world, Mark (from the Chronicle) has the unfortunate audacity to fall in love with a closeted queer famous mouthy baseball player on the world team in the league, superstar turned super slumper Eddie O’Leary. What could possibly go wrong?

💙 Athlete x Reporter
💙 You’re a nightmare (affectionate)
💙 Golden Retriever BF x Black Cat BF
💙 Late night phone calls
💙 Mutual Pining
💙 Secret relationship (but they’re both terrible at keeping it a secret bc they can’t stop smiling at each other)
💙 Sarcasm as a love language
💙 Lovingly antagonistic relationship between spoiled diva dog and surly dog owner

Luckily for Mark, nothing goes wrong - which seems wrong to him because everything in his life has always gone wrong. So how could this possibly go right? He should cut his losses while he can…right? If only he could stay away from the adorably positive, exasperatingly naive Eddie O’Leary. It doesn’t help that Eddie is increasingly fond of Mark, calling at all hours of the night just to talk, waking up ungodly early just to walk Mark’s dog, and taking up space unapologetically in Mark’s life that he has no hope of getting rid of him…and he truthfully doesn’t want to.

It’s a novel length love letter to second chances, to surviving heartbreak, to figuring life out, and to learning how to accept the love you’re worthy of. Eddie’s baseball slump and gritty comeback is a metaphor (because baseball is always a metaphor) to Mark’s journey from complete heartbreak to understanding and accepting that he can fight for the life he wants and he can have it. The parallels in their stories underscore everything, making it impossible not to root for them both, separately and together.

Their love is so soft and tender, a stark contrast to the gritty, tough fights they’re both facing. Yet it makes sense, that in the privacy of their relationship the walls come down and the soft underbelly of both these mouthy, sarcastic men is shown. Mark with his fears, his caustic biting remarks that preempt any show of vulnerability and Eddie with his usual nonchalance shucked for the serious particularity with which he cares for Mark, claws and all. And Mark returns this unmovable affection with his own unwavering belief in Eddie, in his worth beyond baseball.

All couched between snide remarks and flippant jokes, Mark and Eddie are a testament to the bravery of queer people in an age that didn’t accept them, that actively targeted them, that…well it’s different yet not so different from today. While queer people have way more freedom in today’s society, it was still tragically depressing to read about the struggles of Mark and Eddie, Nick and Andy, Lillian and Maureen, and see those struggles reflected in today’s society. While we’ve come far, we are still far from truly free.

Thank you Avon and Netgalley for the ARC. YSBSL is out May 7th.

Cat Sebastian is one of my favorite storytellers, and I've been loving her latest books set in NYC in the 50's! First of all, Mark Bailey had my whole heart. Prickly and coming out of a deep grief, Cat Sebastian wrote him with a tender touch that it made me ache and laugh with him, sometimes within the same scene. When Mark loaned a lonely baseball player a queer horror book, I knew I'd adore watching him open back up to love, even while contending with the era-typical homophobia. Here, NYC played an incredible role of making me believe their happily ever after, even in the 50's.

Now onto the sweetest, most quick tempered creampuff of a short stop, Eddie O'Leary. As someone who knows very little about baseball (I had to look up what a doubleheader meant in terms of baseball, and then I found out sometimes there are tripleheaders?!), I enjoyed how baseball played a part in their love story. Initially, I was mad at his team for shunning him after some boneheaded statements he made, but I grew to really love Ardolino and Price ("Is this baby's first time experiencing things that don't make sense? Price asks, his face a mask of faux sympathy even as he hands Eddie a beer. "Baby's first injustice?"). I sighed in such happiness at the end and thus give this one my highest recommendation!

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon, for granting me an advanced reader copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

When the romance novel eases your anxiety more than your actual medication. Thank you, Cat Sebastian.

This book has me so soft. It was a truly beautiful reading experience, seeing these two lonely souls connecting and slowly not feeling quite as lonely anymore. The writing was absolutely beautiful and turned my heavy heart into mush. I was expecting to love this, but I'm also so attached to Nick and Andy, and I wasn't sure I'd end up loving Mark and Eddie as much. But I really, truly do.

If I had to give one piece 0f constructive feedback, it would be that I'd have adored actually reading Mark's columns. But that's a minor detail, of course!