Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne

An irresistible baseball star and a resistant hometown girl stumble into love in a flirty romance by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.

Pro baseball shortstop Carter Ramsey is about to be Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year, but the only title that matters to him is out of reach: World Series MVP. Benched by a recent injury, Carter retreats to his hometown to recover. His ten-year class reunion and a potential reconciliation with the sweetheart he left behind could be perfect distractions. Until another old acquaintance throws Carter a curveball.

Olive Dunn admits that her former high school science partner is still a handsome charmer. But she wasn’t swayed then, and she won’t be swayed now. Because Olive remembers Carter’s little shortcoming: he tends to bail the moment it suits him, without a backward glance. Best to keep her feelings strictly platonic while he’s in town.

Except the entitled boy she knew is a changed man: solid, reflective, and generous. As they ease back in to their familiar friendship, things take a surprising turn, and Carter and Olive must decide if what they have is a passing flirtation or a real shot at love.

Don’t miss book one in the Man of the Year series, Yours in Scandal. For reviews & more info, click HERE.

Book 2
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~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of sexy, small-town, comedy romance

This is the second book in the series, and I definitely enjoyed book one, but this was just such a fun read. I am a big Lauren Layne fan, and when she does snark and sports, you can guarantee a fun read. I read this in a day, because I really just had to know how she was going to turn it around.

So Carter is back in his hometown, facing rehab from an injury which could end his career. All this leads to introspection about his future, and his lack of a solid future. He cannot deny that part of the reason he was persuaded home was for the ten-year high school reunion. He and his sweetheart, Felicity, parted ten years ago, promising they would marry each other if still single in ten years’ time. She is recently divorced, and though they haven't seen each other in the intervening decade... who knows!

But then the very first thing that happens is that he meets his temporary neighbour whilst home, Olive Dunn, his onetime chemistry lab partner. And let's be honest, as first impressions go, it is to say the least confusing, but certainly she is not the supermodel type he is used to in New York City. But we can see the hints of a spark... but are still mindful of Felicity waiting in the wings. Yes, this can lead to plenty of low-level angst, but in the meantime, they are friends.

I cannot tell you how many times I laughed at the wit and the silly in this book. I was also cheering on the potential for a really great relationship, and undoubtedly some sexy, if complicated by the arm-in-a-cast scenarios. It really is a fun book, there is such a cool vibe built up between them, and it is never spoiled by nastiness, even if rumours abound.

Hugely enjoyable, perfect escapism, and if you ever feared you couldn't play softball, well I think Olive will have you beat.


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆
Yours to Keep is the second book in the Man of The Year series by Lauren Layne, but can be read as a standalone without any issues. Layne is one of my favorite authors and my go-to for a perfect happily ever after rom-com book. I never have any issue getting swept away into the story from the first page to the last page.

Carter Ramsey, a pro baseball shortstop, is soon to be Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year. But when a recent injury has him benched, he decides to spend some time recovering back in his hometown and maybe finally reconnecting with his high school sweetheart. However, life throws Carter a curve ball when he finds himself neighbors with his old lab partner, Olive Dunn.

I really ended up pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed both Olive Dunn and Carter Ramsey’s story. It was a nice change of pace that Yours to Keep didn’t take place in Manhattan, but in Connecticut. Plus, I just loved Olive’s character and how she was such a strong female character. I loved reading how Carter and Olive’s friendship evolved throughout the story. Plus, I really just felt like the chemistry and friendship came across so authentic.

All in all, four stars, for Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne was another fantastic addition. I can’t wait to see what Layne has in store for us next!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed this book. The supposed second chance at romance love story is one of the main plot devices but it never comes to pass. What the story does deliver on is the great romance between Carter and Olive.

They are opposites that really do attract; Olive doesn't hold back and Carter realizes that he really likes that about her. Olive soon realizes that Carter isn't some stuck-up ball player who is only here to recuperate and never look back.

This is a series that I can't wait for book three to come out.

LAUREN LAYNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Hot Asset, Hard Sell, and Huge Deal in her 21 Wall Street series, as well as her Central Park Pact series. Her books have sold more than a million copies in nine languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

Connect with Lauren

Website  ~  Goodreads
Lauren Layne Reader Facebook Group (Fan Admins)

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Yours to Keep (Man of the Year #2) by Lauren Layne to read and review.