REVIEW: Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne

Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne is the second book in the Man of the Year series but was fine reading as a stand-alone. The book was fast-paced, flowed smoothly, and had charming characters. Carter and Olive’s characters were so lovable, and their witty banter kept me smiling until the end.

Carter Ramsey was a pro baseball player with an injured left arm. Not being able to play in the playoffs or be with his teammates has left him floundering. Baseball has been his life since high school and he feels like it defines him as a person. Now with his injury, he isn’t sure what to do with his time. Receiving a phone call from Caitlyn, his twin sister, he agrees to go back to his hometown and attend their ten-year class reunion. Arriving at his rental house, he discovers his neighbor is his previous quirky high school lab partner Olive. When his sister asks him to take her place organizing the class reunion, he reluctantly agrees since he has no other obligations.

Olive Dunn grew up in Haven and is now the high school biology teacher. She loves living in Haven and teaching in her former school. She agrees to help Caitlyn organize their class reunion but ends up working with Carter when Caitlyn is put on bed rest. As they work together, they become friends and their attraction towards each other grows. Neither can resist the attraction, but they know their lives are worlds apart. Can a professional baseball player and small-town science teacher have a future together?

I really enjoyed reading the book and getting to know the characters. Olive was so unique and full of sassiness. She knew herself and was happy with who she was. She always stayed true to herself and she was able to see the real Carter beneath the glamour of his career. Carter was a great guy and a little lost without baseball, but he finely found his way in life with Olive. He knew she saw him as more than a famous baseball player. They were perfect for each other and their story was heartwarming. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Info:

Publication: September 1st 2020 | Montlake | Man of the Year #2

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.