You Should Be So Lucky

Written by Cat Sebastian
Review by Misty Urban

New York, 1960. When magazine writer Mark Bailey is assigned to write a column on baseball star Eddie O’Leary, he decides to humanize the golden boy who resisted being traded to the brand-new Robins. Eddie’s batting slump becomes an obstacle that Mark, Eddie’s fans, and Eddie’s team all tackle together, and their shared goal bonds them. Mark, prickly by nature but also emerging from the paralysis of grief, resists being pulled in by Eddie’s open-hearted, sunny charm, but Eddie’s hard to say no to. Still, in a world where being out would ruin Eddie’s career and risk both their lives, can they find a safe place to be together?

Sebastian is the acknowledged queen of queer romance, and this one hits it out of the park for tenderness and slow burn as Mark and Eddie circle one another, cautiously testing the waters and honestly, warmly taking care of one another. They find unexpected allies in George, an aging sportswriter, and Tony Ardolino, a manager trying to get sober, who provide comic relief and deepen the emotional tension. With well-crafted scenes, endearing characters, and just enough baseball talk to sound authentic, this is truly a rewarding read. Recommended.