Yours to Keep

Man of the Year, Book 2

By: Lauren Layne

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese, Samantha Martin

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.

©2020 Lauren Layne. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Sweet Small Town Romance

Overall 4 stars
Performance 3 stars
Story 4.5 stars

I first read this story (see review below) and fell in love! I couldn't wait to reread it via audiobook. Sadly, the casting just didn't work for me. The narrators didn't seem to match the characters very well. Samantha Martin's chapters were more enjoyable than Alexander Cendese's, but overall the audiobook was a miss and I'd recommend skipping the audio.

*****
This was such a fun and sweet slow burn, friends to lovers romance! It was exactly the kind of story my heart needed. I loved that Olive and Carter knew each other from childhood, but that a bit of forced proximity gave them the opportunity and time to truly get to know one another. I did think that Olive’s behavior in the beginning was a little over the top, but it was also quite hilarious and endearing. She was such an intelligent, strong, and determined heroine and I loved how unapologetically confident she was. She knew just how to push Carter’s buttons too and their banter and back and forth was fantastic. Carter had a lot of growing to do through the course of the book, and I liked that he struggled to get things right. A little more groveling would have been great, but he came through when it counted. The plot was fairly predictable, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story at all. There was just enough drama to keep things interesting, but I did feel that the ending felt a little rushed. The epilogue put a huge smile on my face though and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy. Definitely recommend this wonderful small town romance!

another amazing man of the year book

What's better than an amazing man of the year the leading lady that has you in tears from laughing throughout the book. I highly recommend reading or listening to this book.

loved it

I really enjoyed this book! this author is awesome and I look forward to more.

Very good love story with excellent narrative

Annoying review process many many many many many many many very frustrating process that just makes me angry after a good book. why????

Definitely Man of the Year

I've been waiting for this book since I really like Lauren Layne. This book doesn't disappoint me. I loved Carter and Olive's friendship to romance. There wasn't a lot of angst and that made it an enjoyable book. Alexander Cendese and Samantha Martin did a good job of narrating although I personally don't like Alexander's female voices. I hope there is a third book in this series.