You Should Be So Lucky

I'd like to give a huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher (HarperCollins) for this chance to read an advance copy of one of my favorite author's work in exchange for an honest review.

And, to be honest, I was a little uncertain about this book upon reading the synopsis. Despite Sebastian being pretty much my go-to author for queer historical romance, there were several things that I wasn't sure I'd like.

Like, I don't consider the 1960's to really be historical, I am not a fan of the so called grumpy/sunshine romances and finally, a solid 95% of my knowledge and fan-ness for sports goes securely to hockey.

But, really, I should have had confidence that this book would be as amazing for me as all Sebastian's other works.

Taking place in the 1960's is really more of a backdrop and is used to inform us readers of the society of the times (and a little look into what being queer in that time would be like) and is very understated and doesn't at all try-hard like a lot of other mid-century ‘historical' books I've read.

The romance is wonderful and soft and sweet. I love the fact that the guys are so careful with each other - and themselves - and there is plenty of conversations and kissing before the sex. (Though I most assuredly do not consider this slow-burn.) Mark is, honestly, not grumpy - he's just a cat in human form. He's fussy and particular, likes to gripe and complain, can unleash his claws, but what he really wants is to be told he's important. Eddie is...a golden retriever that was accidentally crossed with a chihuahua, because he has more bite to him than I have ever seen in a ‘sunshine' character.

All in all, everything about the romance makes me very happy. (Add to the fact that there is no melodrama, no late-story separation and no misunderstandings and this book feels like an old favorite in all the best ways, just a calm, relaxing romance.)

About the baseball...Well, it was a decently important part of the story, but as someone that knows very little - and the little they do know they picked up by osmosis from a dad and a brother that were/are baseball fans... It worked. It was easy to follow and things were explained well enough without getting into the minutia. (And, I mean, it's no hockey, but we all knew that going into it.)

Finally, I want to say that I love the attention to community this book had. It wasn't huge, but it was there and very important for both Mark and Eddie. They needed people they could be true to themselves around while also being safe, and I really think they found it and I am glad for them.

This book was a very sweet, very easy to read romance and I am so happy I got this chance to read it.

Review crossposted to Netgalley/Goodreads.

4.5 stars for this wonderful follow up to my favorite book of 2023, [b:We Could Be So Good 62365905 We Could Be So Good Cat Sebastian https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1674685755l/62365905.SX50.jpg 95573575]. Mark Bailey is Nick's former colleague from the Chronicle who frequently handed down queer literature to Nick, despite the latter's objections. We learn that two years after WCBSG, Mark's partner William died suddenly and his life pretty much stopped in its tracks. He quit his job but continues to show up at the office because he doesn't know what else to do. William was a successful attorney who remained deep in the closet, so Mark's grief is compounded by the fact that he was never able to publicly acknowledge their relationship, even in death.Andy (still adorable), the Chronicle's publisher, gives Mark an assignment to ghostwrite the diary of Eddie O'Leary, a baseball player who was recently traded to the New York Robins, a last-place expansion team. Eddie burned a lot of bridges by going on a very public tirade about how much he hates the Robins players, management, and New York in general. His first month of the season has been a disaster; the once-promising young player now can't get a hit to save his life. When Eddie meets Mark there is a spark that is nurtured by their tacit admission of queerness. But Mark is still grieving, living in an apartment that is more mausoleum than a home. He's tired of being someone's dirty little secret, but he knows that Eddie's career is over if anyone finds out about their relationship. Eddie and Mark give off similar sunshine/grouchy vibes to Andy and Nick from WCBSG, although Eddie's innate sweetness is obscured at first by his temper tantrums, and Mark is deeply grieving in addition to being grouchy. Their relationship arc mirrors their own journeys; Eddie is trying to recapture his baseball mojo and Mark is slowly moving past the acute phase of grief. Mark is subtly signaling that he will not hide his queerness anymore by taking small steps like letting his hair grow and dining out with his queer friends. Paradoxically, he is irrationally protective of Eddie, worrying that he will be the cause of Eddie's downfall. For his part, Eddie has always known he was queer, but it was easier to compartmentalize in a smaller city where he wasn't falling in love for the first time. There's very little third act drama - Mark tries to be a martyr but Eddie won't let him. And the HEA is very 1960s appropriate, with the men finding a community of queer friends and allies, even if they are decades away from being able to be out and proud. I would be remiss if I didn't mention two memorable secondary characters. George Allen is an elderly sportswriter and would-be mentor to Mark. His gruff, no fucks given personality is a perfect portrayal of many of that generation's real-life heralded sportswriters like Red Smith and Jimmy Breslin. And Mark's dog Lula has her own character arc, moving beyond “still waiting for William to come home” to “claims ownership of Mark and Eddie (but especially Eddie).” The Robins players and management shine in small roles as they move past their anger at Eddie and start feeling protective of him. YSBSL has a bit more real world angst (grief, fear of being outed) than WCBSG, which accounts for the slightly lower rating. Andy and Nick's appearances are kept to a minimum, which is appropriate even though I wanted to see more of them. I hope Cat Sebastian keeps publishing these 20th century historical fiction novels. They capture the era perfectly and are replete with passages worth underlining. (Eddie, looking at picture of himself from a year ago) The person in that photo is a kid. He had such a simple, uncomplicated life...But it was a life that couldn't grow in any direction. It didn't allow for failure, didn't allow for honesty. He was carefree, but maybe because he didn't know what was worth caring about. Now he knows who he is and what he wants, and he knows exactly how high a price he's willing to pay for those things. He's tired and he's angry, and his contentment is something heavy and sharp, a prize that he fought for. He wouldn't exchange it for anything. ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.

This is the first sports romance book that I read where there are no massive dicks. I love how the story evolved and how everything unfolded. Nothing was forced, and it felt like every turn in this book was meant to be.

This was also the first time that the team didn't have to win the championship. The loser club girlies were probably one of the best things about this cute little book. Huhuhuhu ( although there's nothing cute about what happened to Mark, but please indulge me). Best romance of the year? Lol. In January?