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Bluestone Lakes #2
Home Field Advantage
When Dallas Westbrook is forced to the dugout after an injury ends his professional baseball career, he’s offered the position of head coach for the team that built him. But he’s barely able to find his footing before a brutal season puts him on temporary leave. Dallas is known for impulsive decisions both on and off the field. So when the opportunity arises to be the father to his daughter he always wishes he’d had, he decides to take it...even though it means picking up his life and going to Wyoming.
Living in Bluestone Lakes was never supposed to be permanent—until he meets his neighbor.
Poppy Barlow is off-limits. She’s ten years younger and his daughter’s first grade teacher. She lives by routines, color-coded checklists, and quiet consistency. Where Poppy is soft and steady, Dallas is sharp edges and split-second decisions.
But life has a way of delivering exactly what they didn’t know they were missing, as if it was a puzzle piece slipping into place.
When love finally rounds the bases, it all comes down to who has the home field advantage.
Living in Bluestone Lakes was never supposed to be permanent—until he meets his neighbor.
Poppy Barlow is off-limits. She’s ten years younger and his daughter’s first grade teacher. She lives by routines, color-coded checklists, and quiet consistency. Where Poppy is soft and steady, Dallas is sharp edges and split-second decisions.
But life has a way of delivering exactly what they didn’t know they were missing, as if it was a puzzle piece slipping into place.
When love finally rounds the bases, it all comes down to who has the home field advantage.
368 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2025
528 people are currently reading
2641 people want to read
About the author
Jenn McMahon
7 books971 followersJenn McMahon is a Jersey Shore based romance author who lives by the ocean with her husband, two kids, and a trio of dogs. As a lifelong lover of romance novels, she’s spent years engrossed in stories before writing her own book that debuted in April 2023.
Her work can be defined by its core themes of strong female friendships, found family, and making readers feel seen through the characters she writes—allowing readers to find a piece of themselves within the pages. She has been known to make readers laugh while occasionally shedding a tear through her stories.
When she’s not writing, Jenn can be found rewatching her favorite comfort shows—Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and Friends. If she’s not doing that, she’s definitely petting her dogs or heading to the beach with her kids.
Socials: @jennmcmahon.author
Her work can be defined by its core themes of strong female friendships, found family, and making readers feel seen through the characters she writes—allowing readers to find a piece of themselves within the pages. She has been known to make readers laugh while occasionally shedding a tear through her stories.
When she’s not writing, Jenn can be found rewatching her favorite comfort shows—Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and Friends. If she’s not doing that, she’s definitely petting her dogs or heading to the beach with her kids.
Socials: @jennmcmahon.author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 571 reviews
October 12, 2025
4.5 Cotton Candy Ice Cream Stars⭐️
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️/5
There’s just something about Jenn McMahon’s writing that makes her almost impossible to review. She’s so good that I never know how to put it into words. I never know how to articulate how much I love her world, her characters, and the way she writes! Everything feels wholesome and sweet and romantic. It's like being wrapped in a warm cocoon of love and home.
The series is called Bluestone Lake, but “home” should actually be the name, because the theme of finding yourself and a place to call home runs through every page.
We follow Dallas Westbrook, single dad and former starting pitcher for the San Francisco Staghorns. After an injury that ends his professional playing career, he jumps straight into coaching, but the team hasn’t exactly been thriving under his leadership. Before they extend his contract, he’s told to take the off-season and sort his life out. His ex-wife gets a great opportunity close to a small town about an hour from Bluestone Lakes, and through some midnight research, he finds the town and decides to move there with his daughter. On day one, he walks into the coffee shop and runs into Poppy, the sweet, innocent schoolteacher who is hiding a secret. And since Fate has a sense of humour, she’s also Dallas’s next-door neighbour and his daughter’s teacher... and he cannot get her out of his mind.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Poppy is incredibly insecure and battles that people in her life won't accept her because she has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and hasn't been able to tell anyone. She's not the “neat freak” stereotype, but the spiralling thoughts about not being good enough, everyone leaving, and constant anxiety. She’s in therapy, she’s working on it, but to ensure she stays in control, she thrives on order, routines, puzzles, and lists to keep her mind from spiralling, and one of her biggest struggles is learning how to deal with Dallas's entry into her life.
Dallas arrives like a whirlwind. He’s pure sunshine, cinnamon-roll, golden-retriever energy with every green flag imaginable. His one red flag is his impulsivity. He makes big choices very quickly without thinking through the consequences, and the book really explores him learning to rein that in and consider how his decisions affect the people he loves and how it affects his life. He’s also hard, personally hard on himself, convinced he's a terrible father because he chose baseball over family and failed as a husband in his previous marriage. This move to Bluestone Lakes is his fresh start to be the father he wants to be and actually learn who his daughter is and what she needs while learning to be a better person overall.
The romance is adorable. I loved that Dallas just wants to take care of Poppy and accepts every part of her, anxieties and all. And I loved how Poppy sees him: the way he doesn’t add chaos to her life, but just fits into it. He becomes part of her routine. They just work together so well and feel perfect for each other.
Sage is also a delight. She’s written like an actual six-year-old, not a snarky mini-adult. She wants love, she’s extroverted like her dad, and she bonds with Poppy so naturally that your heart melts, and I loved how she was a little mini Poppy with the organisation and puzzle love! And bless the book for not making the ex toxic. His ex-wife and he acknowledge that they were wrong for each other, they co-parent well, and she actually cheers for his happiness with Poppy. There was no extra drama, just adults trying to do right by Sage.
Being back in Bluestone Lake gave me everything I love about interconnected standalones. You can technically read this out of order, but it still feels like an extended epilogue for Brair and Griffin. I loved more time with Tucker (and the tease of his book next), Griffin welcoming Dallas into the fold, Dallas and Tucker bro-bonding, the girls hanging out, Brair living her best life, and meddling Nan popping up at exactly the wrong right time with her one-liners. IT WAS JUST PERFECT! I have never seen a series do FOUND FAMILY better than this one!
Now, the reason this isn't a full 5 stars is because I wanted Dallas to talk to Poppy before making his big decision about whether he stays in the town or moves back to San Francisco. Even though he takes time to make the decision and it isn’t rash, they never really discuss what the long-term could look like for them. He ends up deciding on his own or with input from the other people in the town, BUT not her. Since she’s such a big part of his life, I wanted that conversation on the page.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Small Town Romance
▶ Single Dad
▶ Virgin FMC
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Neighbours
▶ Baseball Coach X School Teacher
▶ Mental Health Rep
▶ He's a Cinnamon Roll, Golden Retriever MMC
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ "More", "Mine", "Beg Me"
▷ He Falls First
▷ "Show Me" and Spicy Bucket List
▷ She's never had a proper orgasm before
▷ She Rides his Leg
▷ He came in his pants
▷ Doorframe Lean
▷ Finger Licking Good
▷ Reflection Sex
▷ Takes care of her
▷ "You Came" and "You Called"
If you’re a sucker for small-town romance, single-dad goodness, and a hero who cares, listens, moves at HER pace, and never pushes her boundaries, this is your book!!! It reads like a picturesque Hallmark movie in the best way and left me happy, loved, and warm inside.
Thank you to Jenn McMahon for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️/5
There’s just something about Jenn McMahon’s writing that makes her almost impossible to review. She’s so good that I never know how to put it into words. I never know how to articulate how much I love her world, her characters, and the way she writes! Everything feels wholesome and sweet and romantic. It's like being wrapped in a warm cocoon of love and home.
The series is called Bluestone Lake, but “home” should actually be the name, because the theme of finding yourself and a place to call home runs through every page.
She’s looking at me like I just changed her entire world. But I think she just changed mine.𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
We follow Dallas Westbrook, single dad and former starting pitcher for the San Francisco Staghorns. After an injury that ends his professional playing career, he jumps straight into coaching, but the team hasn’t exactly been thriving under his leadership. Before they extend his contract, he’s told to take the off-season and sort his life out. His ex-wife gets a great opportunity close to a small town about an hour from Bluestone Lakes, and through some midnight research, he finds the town and decides to move there with his daughter. On day one, he walks into the coffee shop and runs into Poppy, the sweet, innocent schoolteacher who is hiding a secret. And since Fate has a sense of humour, she’s also Dallas’s next-door neighbour and his daughter’s teacher... and he cannot get her out of his mind.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Poppy is incredibly insecure and battles that people in her life won't accept her because she has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and hasn't been able to tell anyone. She's not the “neat freak” stereotype, but the spiralling thoughts about not being good enough, everyone leaving, and constant anxiety. She’s in therapy, she’s working on it, but to ensure she stays in control, she thrives on order, routines, puzzles, and lists to keep her mind from spiralling, and one of her biggest struggles is learning how to deal with Dallas's entry into her life.
Dallas arrives like a whirlwind. He’s pure sunshine, cinnamon-roll, golden-retriever energy with every green flag imaginable. His one red flag is his impulsivity. He makes big choices very quickly without thinking through the consequences, and the book really explores him learning to rein that in and consider how his decisions affect the people he loves and how it affects his life. He’s also hard, personally hard on himself, convinced he's a terrible father because he chose baseball over family and failed as a husband in his previous marriage. This move to Bluestone Lakes is his fresh start to be the father he wants to be and actually learn who his daughter is and what she needs while learning to be a better person overall.
The romance is adorable. I loved that Dallas just wants to take care of Poppy and accepts every part of her, anxieties and all. And I loved how Poppy sees him: the way he doesn’t add chaos to her life, but just fits into it. He becomes part of her routine. They just work together so well and feel perfect for each other.
Sage is also a delight. She’s written like an actual six-year-old, not a snarky mini-adult. She wants love, she’s extroverted like her dad, and she bonds with Poppy so naturally that your heart melts, and I loved how she was a little mini Poppy with the organisation and puzzle love! And bless the book for not making the ex toxic. His ex-wife and he acknowledge that they were wrong for each other, they co-parent well, and she actually cheers for his happiness with Poppy. There was no extra drama, just adults trying to do right by Sage.
Being back in Bluestone Lake gave me everything I love about interconnected standalones. You can technically read this out of order, but it still feels like an extended epilogue for Brair and Griffin. I loved more time with Tucker (and the tease of his book next), Griffin welcoming Dallas into the fold, Dallas and Tucker bro-bonding, the girls hanging out, Brair living her best life, and meddling Nan popping up at exactly the wrong right time with her one-liners. IT WAS JUST PERFECT! I have never seen a series do FOUND FAMILY better than this one!
Now, the reason this isn't a full 5 stars is because I wanted Dallas to talk to Poppy before making his big decision about whether he stays in the town or moves back to San Francisco. Even though he takes time to make the decision and it isn’t rash, they never really discuss what the long-term could look like for them. He ends up deciding on his own or with input from the other people in the town, BUT not her. Since she’s such a big part of his life, I wanted that conversation on the page.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Small Town Romance
▶ Single Dad
▶ Virgin FMC
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Neighbours
▶ Baseball Coach X School Teacher
▶ Mental Health Rep
▶ He's a Cinnamon Roll, Golden Retriever MMC
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ "More", "Mine", "Beg Me"
▷ He Falls First
▷ "Show Me" and Spicy Bucket List
▷ She's never had a proper orgasm before
▷ She Rides his Leg
▷ He came in his pants
▷ Doorframe Lean
▷ Finger Licking Good
▷ Reflection Sex
▷ Takes care of her
▷ "You Came" and "You Called"
If you’re a sucker for small-town romance, single-dad goodness, and a hero who cares, listens, moves at HER pace, and never pushes her boundaries, this is your book!!! It reads like a picturesque Hallmark movie in the best way and left me happy, loved, and warm inside.
Thank you to Jenn McMahon for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own
January 17, 2026
this was a cute read. but it somehow lost my interest halfway through it.. partly because the mmc kept repeating tirelessly how the fmc was so different from any woman he knew when he met her only twice and barely knew anything about her.. love me some kids in a romance and Sage was absolutely the cutest and part of why i went through the book but felt her dialogues were kinda too grown up and a LOT structured for someone her age. still, i think i will continue with the series bc im intrigued in Tucker and love me some reno plotlines!
January 14, 2026
I really loved Dallas & Poppy's romance in Home Field Advantage. They both have challenges in their lives, and they don't meet one another at a convenient time. Yet it could be the time that saves them both.
I love the vibes of this small town and how caring everyone was, I also loved how deeply in one another's business they were too. But it was all from a good place.
I think that the romance between Dallas and Poppy was so wholesome and sweet. They might think they want different things from it but their hearts are both searching for a home.
Also, Dallas' daughter was so adorable and Poppy was so good with her!
The narration in duet format by Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin was done so well. They had me fully engaged in the story and in fact, I think they really elevated the story for me.
4.5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
*Thank you to Must Love Audio & the author for an ALC of this title.*
I love the vibes of this small town and how caring everyone was, I also loved how deeply in one another's business they were too. But it was all from a good place.
I think that the romance between Dallas and Poppy was so wholesome and sweet. They might think they want different things from it but their hearts are both searching for a home.
Also, Dallas' daughter was so adorable and Poppy was so good with her!
The narration in duet format by Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin was done so well. They had me fully engaged in the story and in fact, I think they really elevated the story for me.
4.5 Stars
3 on the spice scale
*Thank you to Must Love Audio & the author for an ALC of this title.*
October 10, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Ok baseball “daddy” coach…
I enjoyed this one. I didn’t find myself setting this down. I thoroughly wanted to cocoon myself to finish.
Dallas & Poppy 💕
Small town: Bluestone Lakes WY
Cute town. A meddling Nan.
A town that makes people not want to leave.
Banter and wit.
Age gap 25/35. Like it.
He’s a single dad to Sage. Poppy ends up being her teacher. They also end being neighbors. Forced proximity action.
Ok virgin FMC. I normally don’t like this trope. But it was done well in this book. With Poppy’s mental health rep situation it made sense. No cringe.
And dear lord the way Dallas was so good with every situation.
“Poppy Barlow is my home run.” 🫠
Arc review ✨
Ok baseball “daddy” coach…
I enjoyed this one. I didn’t find myself setting this down. I thoroughly wanted to cocoon myself to finish.
Dallas & Poppy 💕
Small town: Bluestone Lakes WY
Cute town. A meddling Nan.
A town that makes people not want to leave.
Banter and wit.
Age gap 25/35. Like it.
He’s a single dad to Sage. Poppy ends up being her teacher. They also end being neighbors. Forced proximity action.
Ok virgin FMC. I normally don’t like this trope. But it was done well in this book. With Poppy’s mental health rep situation it made sense. No cringe.
And dear lord the way Dallas was so good with every situation.
“Poppy Barlow is my home run.” 🫠
Arc review ✨
October 12, 2025
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶
HEA: 🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: OCD w/ Triggering Thoughts (on-page) Car Accident (past; mentioned)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 No OWD/OMD
📌 MMCs ex-wife is present in the book, but she causes no drama. The Ex is even supportive of the MCs relationship. Ex and MMC divorced due to him putting his career above everything else. MMC does evolve from this throughout the story.
📌 Virgin FMC
📌 MMC isn't portrayed as a Manwhore and his past isn't heavily discussed. But it is mentioned that he flirted with lots of women after his divorce and was quick to get a woman into bed.
📌 No Third-act Breakup but a Third-act Separation: MCs technically weren't in a relationship but MMC did leave town for work and FMC didn't know if he'd be coming back. (This lasted a couple of days, which spanned over 3-4 chapters.)
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶
HEA: 🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: OCD w/ Triggering Thoughts (on-page) Car Accident (past; mentioned)
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 No OWD/OMD
📌 MMCs ex-wife is present in the book, but she causes no drama. The Ex is even supportive of the MCs relationship. Ex and MMC divorced due to him putting his career above everything else. MMC does evolve from this throughout the story.
📌 Virgin FMC
📌 MMC isn't portrayed as a Manwhore and his past isn't heavily discussed. But it is mentioned that he flirted with lots of women after his divorce and was quick to get a woman into bed.
📌 No Third-act Breakup but a Third-act Separation: MCs technically weren't in a relationship but MMC did leave town for work and FMC didn't know if he'd be coming back. (This lasted a couple of days, which spanned over 3-4 chapters.)
January 17, 2026
#Review: *Home Field Advantage* - Jenn McMahon - ARC/ALC [18+]
4.9/5✨
2.5/5🌶️
It's so nice to be able to go back again to this book, but this time listening to it🥰. Jason Clark and Vanessa Edwin were the perfect choice to represent Dallas and Poppy. Everything was even more intense than the first encounter with this story, each part being funnier, more tensioned and sexier. It was inevitable that I wouldn't fall in love with Jason's deep voice and be mesmerized by Vanessa's sweet voice. I loooved this duet narration and this made me fall even harder for this book🥰.
When Dallas Westbrook, an ex baseball player, had an awful season as a coach, he had the opportunity to freshen things up. His ex wife had to move for her job, so Dallas decided to move to small town of Bluestone Lakes, to be closer to his former wife because of their little girl, Sage. But this small town will bring more than just some piece and quiet. It will come with a woman who will irremediable steal Dallas's heart even from the first time he sets his eyes on her.
Poppy Barlow was a teacher in town and had many things which made her feel a bit like a freak. That's why she was so unsure about herself when it came to the new handsome man who just arrived in town. Was she enough to be loved by someone? Was she strong enough to overcome her fears and doubts?
Aww, how sweet this whole story was! I felt super connected to Poppy and to the way she was. Her fragility was so pure and genuine, seeing some parts of myself in her. I just loved that Dallas was there to open her eyes and see that she could have more than she ever imagined. Of course, his little girl, Sage, was also crazy in love with her, spending so many time with her. Their love story was built pretty slow, but super intense! You could always feel that tension and lust when they were in close proximity and Dallas wasn't the kind of man who would give up that easily. A fact which I definitely adored! It couldn't have missed from the story the famous Nan, the woman who knew everyone and everything and considered that town like it was her own🤭. She definitely made me laugh so hard while reading this book!!😂
This whole series is sooo good, loving both books equally. I had such a great time reading this one, enjoying that small town feeling, where everyone knew everything about one another🤭. The cute and fun bound between Poppy, Dallas and little Sage was so delicious to follow! Of course, things got a little spicy at some point but I'll let you discover those parts on your own🤭.
So, so grateful for being part of Jenn's content team🙏🏼. That allowed me to be one of the readers who got this book in advance and the ALC. I'm super elated about that!🩵 Thank you Jenn and Team!
✨Tropes
▫️Small Town
▫️Neighbors To Lovers
▫️Single Dad
▫️Teacher
▫️Age Gap (25/35)
▫️Virgin Heroine
▫️He Falls First
▫️Close Proximity
4.9/5✨
2.5/5🌶️
It's so nice to be able to go back again to this book, but this time listening to it🥰. Jason Clark and Vanessa Edwin were the perfect choice to represent Dallas and Poppy. Everything was even more intense than the first encounter with this story, each part being funnier, more tensioned and sexier. It was inevitable that I wouldn't fall in love with Jason's deep voice and be mesmerized by Vanessa's sweet voice. I loooved this duet narration and this made me fall even harder for this book🥰.
When Dallas Westbrook, an ex baseball player, had an awful season as a coach, he had the opportunity to freshen things up. His ex wife had to move for her job, so Dallas decided to move to small town of Bluestone Lakes, to be closer to his former wife because of their little girl, Sage. But this small town will bring more than just some piece and quiet. It will come with a woman who will irremediable steal Dallas's heart even from the first time he sets his eyes on her.
Poppy Barlow was a teacher in town and had many things which made her feel a bit like a freak. That's why she was so unsure about herself when it came to the new handsome man who just arrived in town. Was she enough to be loved by someone? Was she strong enough to overcome her fears and doubts?
Aww, how sweet this whole story was! I felt super connected to Poppy and to the way she was. Her fragility was so pure and genuine, seeing some parts of myself in her. I just loved that Dallas was there to open her eyes and see that she could have more than she ever imagined. Of course, his little girl, Sage, was also crazy in love with her, spending so many time with her. Their love story was built pretty slow, but super intense! You could always feel that tension and lust when they were in close proximity and Dallas wasn't the kind of man who would give up that easily. A fact which I definitely adored! It couldn't have missed from the story the famous Nan, the woman who knew everyone and everything and considered that town like it was her own🤭. She definitely made me laugh so hard while reading this book!!😂
This whole series is sooo good, loving both books equally. I had such a great time reading this one, enjoying that small town feeling, where everyone knew everything about one another🤭. The cute and fun bound between Poppy, Dallas and little Sage was so delicious to follow! Of course, things got a little spicy at some point but I'll let you discover those parts on your own🤭.
So, so grateful for being part of Jenn's content team🙏🏼. That allowed me to be one of the readers who got this book in advance and the ALC. I'm super elated about that!🩵 Thank you Jenn and Team!
✨Tropes
▫️Small Town
▫️Neighbors To Lovers
▫️Single Dad
▫️Teacher
▫️Age Gap (25/35)
▫️Virgin Heroine
▫️He Falls First
▫️Close Proximity
October 7, 2025
New favourite book by Jenn McMahon? I think so! I kicked my feet and giggled the whole way through. This was definitely a feel good book and I had the best time reading.
Dallas is on a break from coaching baseball. He moves across country with his daughter so his ex-wife can take a job in the city. Dallas and his daughter, Sage, move to Bluestone Lakes. It was always going to be a temporary move, but little did Dallas know that this small town was going to change his life.
Poppy is a school teacher. She has OCD which no-one knows about. She keeps to herself and doesn’t like it when something interrupts her schedules and plans. She learns about the new girl in her class who also lives next door with her hot dad and they quickly turn her world upside down.
These two were perfect for each other. Their communication was amazing. The way Poppy opened up to Dallas about all her fears and he didn’t question anything - he listened and took care of her in the most special way.
This was a sloooow burn, but wow - it was worth the wait. The tension and connection they had was everything.
The relationship Poppy built with Sage was so cute. Also, the way Dallas and his ex-wife got along and co-parented - we need more of them in the world. Putting their children’s interests before their own. I’m here for it.
Nan - I love this woman! She is so fun, caring and also loves to meddle in others business. I was laughing out loud.
We got a little glimpse about the next book and I am sooo ready! I need more from this small town.
- Small Town
- Single Dad
- Age Gap
- Virgin FMC
- Daughter’s Teacher
- Mental Health Rep
- Neighbours
- Baseball Coach
Dallas is on a break from coaching baseball. He moves across country with his daughter so his ex-wife can take a job in the city. Dallas and his daughter, Sage, move to Bluestone Lakes. It was always going to be a temporary move, but little did Dallas know that this small town was going to change his life.
Poppy is a school teacher. She has OCD which no-one knows about. She keeps to herself and doesn’t like it when something interrupts her schedules and plans. She learns about the new girl in her class who also lives next door with her hot dad and they quickly turn her world upside down.
These two were perfect for each other. Their communication was amazing. The way Poppy opened up to Dallas about all her fears and he didn’t question anything - he listened and took care of her in the most special way.
This was a sloooow burn, but wow - it was worth the wait. The tension and connection they had was everything.
The relationship Poppy built with Sage was so cute. Also, the way Dallas and his ex-wife got along and co-parented - we need more of them in the world. Putting their children’s interests before their own. I’m here for it.
Nan - I love this woman! She is so fun, caring and also loves to meddle in others business. I was laughing out loud.
We got a little glimpse about the next book and I am sooo ready! I need more from this small town.
- Small Town
- Single Dad
- Age Gap
- Virgin FMC
- Daughter’s Teacher
- Mental Health Rep
- Neighbours
- Baseball Coach
January 1, 2026
Home Field Advantage is book 2 in the Bluestone Lakes series, I enjoyed the first in the series (Finding Home) and was excited to check this one out. This is a small town, age gap (he’s 10 years older), single dad romance between a former MLB coach x his child’s teacher. We also get rep of a heroine with OCD and forced proximity since they turn out to be neighbors as well.
Dallas and his daughter Sage end up moving to the small Wyoming town when the story starts. We see him meet Poppy pretty quickly of moving to town. He’s a single dad to Sage and it was fun seeing all the ways he wants to be there for her life. While they plan to just temporarily in town, of course things change quickly. I liked seeing the relationship between him and his ex, it felt healthy and really well done. I think the pacing/dynamics were a bit repetitive at times, which made the story feel slower and didn’t always work for me. Overall I didn’t enjoy the couple in this one quite as much as I did the characters in book 1. The audiobook is narrated in duet by Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin.
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
Dallas and his daughter Sage end up moving to the small Wyoming town when the story starts. We see him meet Poppy pretty quickly of moving to town. He’s a single dad to Sage and it was fun seeing all the ways he wants to be there for her life. While they plan to just temporarily in town, of course things change quickly. I liked seeing the relationship between him and his ex, it felt healthy and really well done. I think the pacing/dynamics were a bit repetitive at times, which made the story feel slower and didn’t always work for me. Overall I didn’t enjoy the couple in this one quite as much as I did the characters in book 1. The audiobook is narrated in duet by Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin.
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
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August 25, 2025dev editing🫶🏽
October 24, 2025
This was really cute! i liked the characters. The setting. The general vibe. I also liked that in this instane instead of it being a city girl turned *country*, we had a baseball star from the city fall in love with the country. I liked Dallas and his backstory. I thought that Jenn did such a great job handling the mental health situation of Poppy and Dallas. I appreciated that her diagnosis of OCD was acknowledged and that Dallas gave her space while helping her through it. I liked the pacing in this book. There really weren't a ton of tropes persay in this one. It was more like Dallas and Sage (his daughter) moved to the country and Poppy was his neighbor. I liked the buildup between the two. If anything it felt slow haha- this was definitely more of a slowburn. But omg I have a thing when the MMC calls his lady honey- SWOON. I loved Dallas's patience with Poppy, and I kind of laughed out how oblivious Poppy was at points. These two were absolutely wonderful together- this book made me smile and feel cozy all at the same time.
Dallas has found himself at a crossroads. He is basically on a hiatus from his job, and his boss gave him the directive to clear his head. Find what makes him happy again. Baseball has always made Dallas happy, but now that he has moved to Bluestone Lake his persepctive has changed. Everything has a slower pace here. There isn't as much pressure, and then there is her. His neighbor. The woman he can't stop thinking about who also happens to be his daughter's new teacher. He knows that he shouldn't try anything. He is only here for a few months, but it's like she is a magnet. He can't stay away. He can't get over how she acts around his daughter. He can't get over how she makes him feel and how she makes him want. And after a lot of mental hockey, he decides to let things play out. She is in control here. And that just makes things that much more delicious. Because he can see that her body responds to him. He can see that she wants him too, but then he learns she is a virgin which should make him take a breath but if anything he wants her more. And now that he has had tastes of her it's amplified. He hasn't felt this way about anyone before. And now that this decision is looming over him he finds himself picturing the future with a strawberry blonde woman versus living in the city anymore.
Poppy has lived with her diagnosis of OCD for years now. She has a routine, and she likes it. It keeps her bad thoughts at bay. She doesn't like deviating from him. But then she meets him- Dallas. Her new neighbor. The man who looks at her like she hasn't been looked at before. The man who makes her want things again. But then she finds out his daughter is in her class and he is firmly back in the friend zone. The more time she spends with him the more intruigued she is. He is funny and sweet and such a good dad. She is starting to think he is interested in her. But she can't be sure. And then she unloads on him- tells him about her diagnosis. Tells him things she hasn't told anyone. She expects him to run. To flee. To call her crazy and too much. Instead he supports her. He leans into her schedule. He just wants to be a part of her life. And she can't fight it anymore. She wants to experience everything with him. He brings out this side of her she didn't know she had. And even though she has told herself this whole time to not fall, she knows she has fallen. Hard and fast. And now that he is leaving she is preparing for the break on her end. But he surprises her in more ways than one.
This was a cute, small town read. I hadn't read book one and appreciated that I didn't feel completely lost in the previous characters. I really liked how this relationship developed. There was obviously an attraction that they both tried to fight but watching them become friends and build a foundation for a relationship was great. I liked Sage and her wise wisdom and questions at just the right times. But overall I liked how much these two helped each other get out of their heads. They helped each other sit in their space together. I am also very intrigued by Tucker and his one night stand turned FMC hopefully?? I would definitely recommend this one simply because of the use of the word honey :)
Thank you to Luna Literary and Jenn for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Dallas has found himself at a crossroads. He is basically on a hiatus from his job, and his boss gave him the directive to clear his head. Find what makes him happy again. Baseball has always made Dallas happy, but now that he has moved to Bluestone Lake his persepctive has changed. Everything has a slower pace here. There isn't as much pressure, and then there is her. His neighbor. The woman he can't stop thinking about who also happens to be his daughter's new teacher. He knows that he shouldn't try anything. He is only here for a few months, but it's like she is a magnet. He can't stay away. He can't get over how she acts around his daughter. He can't get over how she makes him feel and how she makes him want. And after a lot of mental hockey, he decides to let things play out. She is in control here. And that just makes things that much more delicious. Because he can see that her body responds to him. He can see that she wants him too, but then he learns she is a virgin which should make him take a breath but if anything he wants her more. And now that he has had tastes of her it's amplified. He hasn't felt this way about anyone before. And now that this decision is looming over him he finds himself picturing the future with a strawberry blonde woman versus living in the city anymore.
Poppy has lived with her diagnosis of OCD for years now. She has a routine, and she likes it. It keeps her bad thoughts at bay. She doesn't like deviating from him. But then she meets him- Dallas. Her new neighbor. The man who looks at her like she hasn't been looked at before. The man who makes her want things again. But then she finds out his daughter is in her class and he is firmly back in the friend zone. The more time she spends with him the more intruigued she is. He is funny and sweet and such a good dad. She is starting to think he is interested in her. But she can't be sure. And then she unloads on him- tells him about her diagnosis. Tells him things she hasn't told anyone. She expects him to run. To flee. To call her crazy and too much. Instead he supports her. He leans into her schedule. He just wants to be a part of her life. And she can't fight it anymore. She wants to experience everything with him. He brings out this side of her she didn't know she had. And even though she has told herself this whole time to not fall, she knows she has fallen. Hard and fast. And now that he is leaving she is preparing for the break on her end. But he surprises her in more ways than one.
This was a cute, small town read. I hadn't read book one and appreciated that I didn't feel completely lost in the previous characters. I really liked how this relationship developed. There was obviously an attraction that they both tried to fight but watching them become friends and build a foundation for a relationship was great. I liked Sage and her wise wisdom and questions at just the right times. But overall I liked how much these two helped each other get out of their heads. They helped each other sit in their space together. I am also very intrigued by Tucker and his one night stand turned FMC hopefully?? I would definitely recommend this one simply because of the use of the word honey :)
Thank you to Luna Literary and Jenn for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 13, 2025
4 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
Book 2 in the Bluestone Lakes series is here, and my goodness are Poppy, Dallas & Sage just SO swoon worthy!!
💚 charming small towns with meddling townspeople
⚾️ single dad
💚 FMC is his daughter’s teacher
⚾️ Age gap (25 & 35)
💚 Golden retriever with a dirty mouth
⚾️ Neighbors to lovers
💚 V!rg!n FMC
⚾️ MLB coach
💚 OCD rep
Dallas was so dang charming and I loved the way he saw Poppy so clearly, loved and nurtured her routines and the way her brain works with her OCD.
Poppy was a soft & sweet yet headstrong FMC and I loved the balance of her personality. Her struggles were so relatable, and I loved the way she pushed herself to let others help and adjust her routines to let love in.
I had already fallen in love with Bluestone Lakes in Finding Home, and I fell even harder when Dallas & Sage came to town! We had more of Nan’s meddling, and all the banter and cameos from our favorites.
I also really loved Dallas’s relationship with Sage’s mom. They co-parented so well and had such a lovely friendship with each other and it was so easy to see just how loved Sage is. Sage was so adorable with all of her dynamite drop-ins (the murder - iykyk), to the way she instantly fell in love with Poppy.
Thank you so much to @jennmcmahon.author for the opportunity to arc read Homefield Advantage 🥹💚.
Book 2 in the Bluestone Lakes series is here, and my goodness are Poppy, Dallas & Sage just SO swoon worthy!!
💚 charming small towns with meddling townspeople
⚾️ single dad
💚 FMC is his daughter’s teacher
⚾️ Age gap (25 & 35)
💚 Golden retriever with a dirty mouth
⚾️ Neighbors to lovers
💚 V!rg!n FMC
⚾️ MLB coach
💚 OCD rep
Dallas was so dang charming and I loved the way he saw Poppy so clearly, loved and nurtured her routines and the way her brain works with her OCD.
Poppy was a soft & sweet yet headstrong FMC and I loved the balance of her personality. Her struggles were so relatable, and I loved the way she pushed herself to let others help and adjust her routines to let love in.
I had already fallen in love with Bluestone Lakes in Finding Home, and I fell even harder when Dallas & Sage came to town! We had more of Nan’s meddling, and all the banter and cameos from our favorites.
I also really loved Dallas’s relationship with Sage’s mom. They co-parented so well and had such a lovely friendship with each other and it was so easy to see just how loved Sage is. Sage was so adorable with all of her dynamite drop-ins (the murder - iykyk), to the way she instantly fell in love with Poppy.
Thank you so much to @jennmcmahon.author for the opportunity to arc read Homefield Advantage 🥹💚.
September 29, 2025
Home Field Advantage by Jenn McMahon eARC Review 💚
This book is honestly like a warm hug. What a sweet story! I’ve been so excited for this one after reading and loving Finding Home. Jenn has such a beautiful writing style and the stories she creates are one of a kind.
After moving him and his daughter Sage to the small town of Bluestone Lakes, Dallas has his eyes set on his next door neighbor. Poppy happens to be Sage’s new teacher and is not one to open up to people easily.
Dallas has the literal patience of a saint and he is so dang caring. He and Sage work their way into Poppy’s heart and it is so sweet to witness.
The found family in this series is wonderful and the side characters are so fun. I can’t wait for Tucker’s story next!
What to expect:
Small town
Single dad
Baseball coach
She’s his daughters teacher
Age gap
Virgin FMC
Mental health rep
Thank you so much Jenn and Luna for the opportunity to read this as an ARC for my honest opinion and review!
This book is honestly like a warm hug. What a sweet story! I’ve been so excited for this one after reading and loving Finding Home. Jenn has such a beautiful writing style and the stories she creates are one of a kind.
After moving him and his daughter Sage to the small town of Bluestone Lakes, Dallas has his eyes set on his next door neighbor. Poppy happens to be Sage’s new teacher and is not one to open up to people easily.
Dallas has the literal patience of a saint and he is so dang caring. He and Sage work their way into Poppy’s heart and it is so sweet to witness.
The found family in this series is wonderful and the side characters are so fun. I can’t wait for Tucker’s story next!
What to expect:
Small town
Single dad
Baseball coach
She’s his daughters teacher
Age gap
Virgin FMC
Mental health rep
Thank you so much Jenn and Luna for the opportunity to read this as an ARC for my honest opinion and review!
October 12, 2025
This book!!!
I will should from the rooftops forever about how flipping good this book is. At 30% in, I was already messaging besties being like “YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK” it just hit for me on every level.
Dallas Westbrook. Find me a better man…I’ll wait. This man was utter perfection. He really found himself in Bluestone Lakes and watching his journey to finding a more balanced life was so beautiful. He had such a gorgeous relationship with his daughter Sage, even though he missed out on a lot he is putting in so much effort to get it back with her. Yes he is hot AF, his charm made me giddy and his mouth made me sweat. But his real beauty was in the way he really saw Poppy for who she was and accepted all of her. He always tried to put her needs first and in turn gave her a way to start changing her own life in the best way possible. The man was down right obsessed from the get go and that’s possibly one of my favourite things in a romance book.
Poppy was the sweetest soul. She had such a deep passion for being a teacher and that really shone through. There’s a lot of inner turmoil for Poppy to wade through and you can tell at the start of the book she’s so tired of the voices telling her she’s not enough. She let Dallas in piece by piece and was rewarded in the ultimate way. It lead to her having a really healing journey with the people around her and within herself. Jenn really gave Poppy so much grace and love she was a beautiful character to read.
The side characters just made this book for me. The town oracle of Nan (knows all the business and will do whatever the heck she pleases), self proclaimed assistant coach Tucker who is the ultimate puppy, April & Sage who had a gorgeous mother daughter bond and she was such a refreshing ex partner and of course the baseball team.
This book just felt so good for the heart.
I will should from the rooftops forever about how flipping good this book is. At 30% in, I was already messaging besties being like “YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK” it just hit for me on every level.
Dallas Westbrook. Find me a better man…I’ll wait. This man was utter perfection. He really found himself in Bluestone Lakes and watching his journey to finding a more balanced life was so beautiful. He had such a gorgeous relationship with his daughter Sage, even though he missed out on a lot he is putting in so much effort to get it back with her. Yes he is hot AF, his charm made me giddy and his mouth made me sweat. But his real beauty was in the way he really saw Poppy for who she was and accepted all of her. He always tried to put her needs first and in turn gave her a way to start changing her own life in the best way possible. The man was down right obsessed from the get go and that’s possibly one of my favourite things in a romance book.
Poppy was the sweetest soul. She had such a deep passion for being a teacher and that really shone through. There’s a lot of inner turmoil for Poppy to wade through and you can tell at the start of the book she’s so tired of the voices telling her she’s not enough. She let Dallas in piece by piece and was rewarded in the ultimate way. It lead to her having a really healing journey with the people around her and within herself. Jenn really gave Poppy so much grace and love she was a beautiful character to read.
The side characters just made this book for me. The town oracle of Nan (knows all the business and will do whatever the heck she pleases), self proclaimed assistant coach Tucker who is the ultimate puppy, April & Sage who had a gorgeous mother daughter bond and she was such a refreshing ex partner and of course the baseball team.
This book just felt so good for the heart.
October 6, 2025
5 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️
Truly didn’t think we could get better than Finding Home, but then Jenn went and wrote this banger, and here we are! This book was absolute perfection. It was addicting, I legit couldn’t put it down I read it in two days. Poppy and Dallas are everything I could’ve ever hoped for and so much more.
Jenn did an amazing job writing Poppy, and truth be told I saw a lot of myself in her. I love when I’m able to really connect with a character, and I was able to with Poppy. She made me feel less alone with every word and trait she wrote for poppy, and it truly made me feel like the things that live in my head aren’t so scary after all.
Dallas Westbrook, the man that you are. Phew that man was OBSESSED from the moment he met Poppy. I love how he always let her take the lead, never made her feel bad about herself, and accepted her for everything she was.
Their chemistry was so off the charts and I love how they both helped each other grow and change in the best possible way.
This book was a banger and will be living rent free in my mind. Thank you to Jenn for the ARC copy!
Truly didn’t think we could get better than Finding Home, but then Jenn went and wrote this banger, and here we are! This book was absolute perfection. It was addicting, I legit couldn’t put it down I read it in two days. Poppy and Dallas are everything I could’ve ever hoped for and so much more.
Jenn did an amazing job writing Poppy, and truth be told I saw a lot of myself in her. I love when I’m able to really connect with a character, and I was able to with Poppy. She made me feel less alone with every word and trait she wrote for poppy, and it truly made me feel like the things that live in my head aren’t so scary after all.
Dallas Westbrook, the man that you are. Phew that man was OBSESSED from the moment he met Poppy. I love how he always let her take the lead, never made her feel bad about herself, and accepted her for everything she was.
Their chemistry was so off the charts and I love how they both helped each other grow and change in the best possible way.
This book was a banger and will be living rent free in my mind. Thank you to Jenn for the ARC copy!
August 24, 2025
beta read 🩷
January 9, 2026
4.5 stars! This was so freaking cute and heartwarming that I couldn’t help but love it! Sage is literally the cutest kid and I absolutely love everything about Dallas as a parent. It is clear how much he loves his little bug and I was swooning so freaking hard. And then that instant attraction he had for Poppy…..only so much better after continually running into her around town. Everything about this book had me kicking my feet and I legit couldn’t hold in some of that excitement at times!
Audiobook:
Performed in duet by Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin and they were perfectly cast as Dallas and Poppy! I think I loved this book so much more hearing the audio as a re-read and I’d definitely recommend listening to this one!
What to expect:
⚾️ major league baseball coach
💚 small town romance
⚾️ single dad
💚 she’s his daughters teacher
⚾️ age gap [35/25]
💚 she’s a virgin
⚾️ mental health representation
Thank you so much to Jenn McMahon for letting me read/review an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.
Audiobook:
Performed in duet by Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin and they were perfectly cast as Dallas and Poppy! I think I loved this book so much more hearing the audio as a re-read and I’d definitely recommend listening to this one!
What to expect:
⚾️ major league baseball coach
💚 small town romance
⚾️ single dad
💚 she’s his daughters teacher
⚾️ age gap [35/25]
💚 she’s a virgin
⚾️ mental health representation
Thank you so much to Jenn McMahon for letting me read/review an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.
January 17, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-> ♾️🌟
🌶️🌶️.5
💚 Baseball Coach ⚾️ x Teacher 📏
✨️ Single Dad
💚 Virgin FMC
✨️ Small Town
💚 He's A Cinnamon Roll Golden Retriever
✨️ Forced Proximity
💚 Neighbors
✨️ Mental Health Rep
💚 OCD Rep
✨️ Found Family
✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 & 🎧 ALC 🎧 REVIEW ✨️
🎙Narrators: Vanessa Edwin & Jason Clarke 🎙
Just when I think that Vanessa and Jason couldn't get any better, they go and KILL this audio!! If I only listened to them I would never be sad another day in my life. I couldn't have picked better people for these characters and this world that Jenn has made! I loved them and how they made me feel with their emotions that came thorugh their voices.
✨️📖 On To The Book Review 📖✨️
Everytime Jenn says she has something new coming I do the biggest dance! She has such a way with her words, that not only gives the true emotion behind them but a warm embrace. Someone else said that she just gives us nothing but home all the way through her writing. I couldn't agree more!
This book is like a warm hug turned cuddle, when you have had the worst kind of day. When you feel like nothing you do is right, but Jenn comes in with those words that just give you all the warm feelings of home that you need in the worst way. I could never get tired of Bluestone Lake and the amazing people that live there.
Poppy and Dallas along with Sage truly grabbed my heart and squeezed it REALLY good! I loved these characters more than I did the first book, and I didn't think that was going to be possible. Poppy like so many of us, has OCD but also the thoughts that aren't the most kind to us. She grew mentally soo much while having Dallas and Sage in her life. They showed her what utterly true love was. With that she was able to see that her thoughts weren't what they once were. She was able to feel the love of a little girl that had nothing but love to give.
Dallas was the balm that Poppy needed when she had the worst time of her thoughts. He came to Bluestone Lakes to spend time with Sage but he got so much more in that time! He needed to find his purpose, but he found a home and so much more! He was able to see that he wasn't the awful coach that he thought he was. He was able to find his love for Baseball again. And he found his love for Sage, and he was able to be the Dad he always wanted to be for her.
Sage was the cutest little baby child!! I absolutely couldn't get enough of her cute little self!!! I loved her happy self, and how she loved her family and Poppy! If I could ever have a child I would want it to be like Sage. And we cannot forget about the Cotton candy ice cream!!! I squealed a little when she found out that Poppy had the ice cream in her freezer just for her!!
Micro/Sexy Tropes:
"More", "Mine", "Beg Me"
Reflection Sex
She Rides His Leg
"Show Me" w/ a Spicy Bucket List
She's Never Had A Good Orgasm Before
She Rides His Leg
He 💦 His Pants
Finger Lickin' Good
Takes Care Of Her
"You Came" & "You Called"
Doorframe Lean
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Jenn McMahon ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📖 &🎧 ALC 🎧. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
🌶️🌶️.5
💚 Baseball Coach ⚾️ x Teacher 📏
✨️ Single Dad
💚 Virgin FMC
✨️ Small Town
💚 He's A Cinnamon Roll Golden Retriever
✨️ Forced Proximity
💚 Neighbors
✨️ Mental Health Rep
💚 OCD Rep
✨️ Found Family
✨️ 📚 ARC 📖 & 🎧 ALC 🎧 REVIEW ✨️
🎙Narrators: Vanessa Edwin & Jason Clarke 🎙
Just when I think that Vanessa and Jason couldn't get any better, they go and KILL this audio!! If I only listened to them I would never be sad another day in my life. I couldn't have picked better people for these characters and this world that Jenn has made! I loved them and how they made me feel with their emotions that came thorugh their voices.
✨️📖 On To The Book Review 📖✨️
Everytime Jenn says she has something new coming I do the biggest dance! She has such a way with her words, that not only gives the true emotion behind them but a warm embrace. Someone else said that she just gives us nothing but home all the way through her writing. I couldn't agree more!
This book is like a warm hug turned cuddle, when you have had the worst kind of day. When you feel like nothing you do is right, but Jenn comes in with those words that just give you all the warm feelings of home that you need in the worst way. I could never get tired of Bluestone Lake and the amazing people that live there.
Poppy and Dallas along with Sage truly grabbed my heart and squeezed it REALLY good! I loved these characters more than I did the first book, and I didn't think that was going to be possible. Poppy like so many of us, has OCD but also the thoughts that aren't the most kind to us. She grew mentally soo much while having Dallas and Sage in her life. They showed her what utterly true love was. With that she was able to see that her thoughts weren't what they once were. She was able to feel the love of a little girl that had nothing but love to give.
Dallas was the balm that Poppy needed when she had the worst time of her thoughts. He came to Bluestone Lakes to spend time with Sage but he got so much more in that time! He needed to find his purpose, but he found a home and so much more! He was able to see that he wasn't the awful coach that he thought he was. He was able to find his love for Baseball again. And he found his love for Sage, and he was able to be the Dad he always wanted to be for her.
Sage was the cutest little baby child!! I absolutely couldn't get enough of her cute little self!!! I loved her happy self, and how she loved her family and Poppy! If I could ever have a child I would want it to be like Sage. And we cannot forget about the Cotton candy ice cream!!! I squealed a little when she found out that Poppy had the ice cream in her freezer just for her!!
Micro/Sexy Tropes:
"More", "Mine", "Beg Me"
Reflection Sex
She Rides His Leg
"Show Me" w/ a Spicy Bucket List
She's Never Had A Good Orgasm Before
She Rides His Leg
He 💦 His Pants
Finger Lickin' Good
Takes Care Of Her
"You Came" & "You Called"
Doorframe Lean
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Jenn McMahon ✨️ for the complimentary 📚 ARC 📖 &🎧 ALC 🎧. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
October 8, 2025
It's good to be back in Bluestone Lakes, Wyoming. Dallas Westbrook moves here with his young daughter, Sage, to get some rest and relaxation. He'd been the coach of an MLB team. They were terrible and he hadn't been in the right headspace to coach.
Dallas has an instant connection with Poppy Barlow when he first meets her. And it's a slow burn from there...
Poppy is a 25-year-old virgin and also has obsessive compulsive disorder. Plus, she turns out to be Sage's teacher. She has anxiety due to her OCD and doesn't think Dallas would want her. But, he is so patient with her and wants her just like she is. He is "ruined" by her.
Read this if you like:
Small town
Age gap (FMC 25/MMC 35)
Virgin FMC
Slow burn
Single dad
Former MLB player/teacher
Great secondary characters
Dual POV
Spicy
Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dallas has an instant connection with Poppy Barlow when he first meets her. And it's a slow burn from there...
Poppy is a 25-year-old virgin and also has obsessive compulsive disorder. Plus, she turns out to be Sage's teacher. She has anxiety due to her OCD and doesn't think Dallas would want her. But, he is so patient with her and wants her just like she is. He is "ruined" by her.
Read this if you like:
Small town
Age gap (FMC 25/MMC 35)
Virgin FMC
Slow burn
Single dad
Former MLB player/teacher
Great secondary characters
Dual POV
Spicy
Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 10, 2025
✨ARC Review✨
Home Field Advantage
By: Jenn McMahon
The only thing I’ve learned from walking over here is that I’m weak for her, even though she clearly stated that I barely know her. I recognize that I’m weak for my neighbor—for my daughter’s teacher. I’m weak for her, knowing that I will be leaving.
It’s starting to drive me insane how one look from her, and she has me ready to get down on my knees for her, give her the world, and then worship her like she deserves.
Dallas is the new guy in town with his daughter. Trying to find his peace and make up for all the time he has missed with his daughter. Poppy is their next door neighbor and Sage, Dallas’s daughter’s teacher. This story is such a sweet one, taking us along as Dallas and Sage find their place in this new town. And Poppy learns that she is perfect just as she is. Add in the side characters, which I think are hilarious, and this book will have you smiling and your heart melting.
Tropes:
Small Town
Single Dad
Baseball
Age Gap
Spice starts at: 62% 🔥
Spice: 2/4🌶️
Stars: 4/5⭐️
Available on Kindle Unlimited October 10th
Home Field Advantage
By: Jenn McMahon
The only thing I’ve learned from walking over here is that I’m weak for her, even though she clearly stated that I barely know her. I recognize that I’m weak for my neighbor—for my daughter’s teacher. I’m weak for her, knowing that I will be leaving.
It’s starting to drive me insane how one look from her, and she has me ready to get down on my knees for her, give her the world, and then worship her like she deserves.
Dallas is the new guy in town with his daughter. Trying to find his peace and make up for all the time he has missed with his daughter. Poppy is their next door neighbor and Sage, Dallas’s daughter’s teacher. This story is such a sweet one, taking us along as Dallas and Sage find their place in this new town. And Poppy learns that she is perfect just as she is. Add in the side characters, which I think are hilarious, and this book will have you smiling and your heart melting.
Tropes:
Small Town
Single Dad
Baseball
Age Gap
Spice starts at: 62% 🔥
Spice: 2/4🌶️
Stars: 4/5⭐️
Available on Kindle Unlimited October 10th
October 9, 2025
this was such a sweet, comforting, feel good story. dallas had heart eyes from the moment he saw poppy (& i had heart eyes for dallas). i love how he helped poppy realize she’s perfect as she is and helped her to accept herself.
i loved poppy’s relationship with sage. it was absolutely precious. even though poppy was sages teacher, you could tell how much she cared for her (like keeping her favorite ice cream stocked and bringing her puzzles).
thank you jenn mcmahon and luna literary for the arc 🩵
i loved poppy’s relationship with sage. it was absolutely precious. even though poppy was sages teacher, you could tell how much she cared for her (like keeping her favorite ice cream stocked and bringing her puzzles).
thank you jenn mcmahon and luna literary for the arc 🩵
November 21, 2025
Weer een heerlijke age gap small town romance
October 5, 2025
Not me kicking my feet and giggling the whole way through this book. The whole time I was reading this one I had the best kind of butterflies in my tummy. I don't know if you will find a cuter feel good small town romance. So if that is your jam, then this is the one for you!
Jenn, you truly gave us such a feel good read. I loved everything about this one. From the plot to the characters, this one was perfect. But we warned, this one is a SLOWWWWW BURN! I will say it works for the story and the characters and here is why: Our girl Poppy, she's not only a virgin but she also suffers from OCD which no one knows she suffers from. And her OCD can be very anxiety producing when she deviates from her normal day to day life, so imagine what happens when a hot new single dad moves into the house next door and has eyes for only her? It's throws her whole world upside down.
Now with that being said, I couldn't have picked a better person for Poppy. Dallas is the most kind and patient man. The way that he handled Poppy with care. He understood her vulnerabilities and her need to feel in control. And he gave her that control while also being in control. But the best part, this man never made her feel bad about her OCD. He embraced it because it's what made Poppy, Poppy. And that right there is KING behavior. And a King that man is but he is also a daddy in every sense of the word.
I also need to mention that Dallas made my millennial knees weak. Wanna know why? He winks. Yes you heard me... THIS. MAN. WINKS. at Poppy in almost every single chapter. And who knew I had a wink kink?!?! Because I didn't til I read this book. But let me tell you something, every single damn time that man gave Poppy a little smirk and then winked, my insides turned into warm mush, my knees gave out and I turned into a puddle. Like put a fork in me, I'm cooked. Deceased. Jenn McMahon delivered with Dallas Westbrook.
The character growth, tension and connection these two had was truly heartwarming. Like I have mentioned, their relationship will just make you feel good. This series is quickly shaping up to be one of my favorites because this one consumed me. I didn't want to put it down.
Now if you have read Finding Home in this series then you have already been introduced to Nan. Yes, Nan plays a very pivotal role in this book and I loved it. I love how she's so meddling. She also provides the comedic relief. She's one of the best side characters. And Sage? She's just the cutest little thing ever! I just truly loved this one. So please so yourself a favor and add this one to your TBR and you can thank me later!
You should most definitely read this one if you like:
- Small Town Romance
- Single Dad
- Age Gap (35/25)
- Closer Proximity
- Neighbors to Lovers
- Virgin FMC
- She's his daughter's teacher
- MLB Coach
- Mental Health Rep
- Golden Retriever MMC
* I would like to say THANK YOU to Jenn McMahon and Luna Literary for allowing me the pleasure to read Home Field Advantage as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
Jenn, you truly gave us such a feel good read. I loved everything about this one. From the plot to the characters, this one was perfect. But we warned, this one is a SLOWWWWW BURN! I will say it works for the story and the characters and here is why: Our girl Poppy, she's not only a virgin but she also suffers from OCD which no one knows she suffers from. And her OCD can be very anxiety producing when she deviates from her normal day to day life, so imagine what happens when a hot new single dad moves into the house next door and has eyes for only her? It's throws her whole world upside down.
Now with that being said, I couldn't have picked a better person for Poppy. Dallas is the most kind and patient man. The way that he handled Poppy with care. He understood her vulnerabilities and her need to feel in control. And he gave her that control while also being in control. But the best part, this man never made her feel bad about her OCD. He embraced it because it's what made Poppy, Poppy. And that right there is KING behavior. And a King that man is but he is also a daddy in every sense of the word.
I also need to mention that Dallas made my millennial knees weak. Wanna know why? He winks. Yes you heard me... THIS. MAN. WINKS. at Poppy in almost every single chapter. And who knew I had a wink kink?!?! Because I didn't til I read this book. But let me tell you something, every single damn time that man gave Poppy a little smirk and then winked, my insides turned into warm mush, my knees gave out and I turned into a puddle. Like put a fork in me, I'm cooked. Deceased. Jenn McMahon delivered with Dallas Westbrook.
The character growth, tension and connection these two had was truly heartwarming. Like I have mentioned, their relationship will just make you feel good. This series is quickly shaping up to be one of my favorites because this one consumed me. I didn't want to put it down.
Now if you have read Finding Home in this series then you have already been introduced to Nan. Yes, Nan plays a very pivotal role in this book and I loved it. I love how she's so meddling. She also provides the comedic relief. She's one of the best side characters. And Sage? She's just the cutest little thing ever! I just truly loved this one. So please so yourself a favor and add this one to your TBR and you can thank me later!
You should most definitely read this one if you like:
- Small Town Romance
- Single Dad
- Age Gap (35/25)
- Closer Proximity
- Neighbors to Lovers
- Virgin FMC
- She's his daughter's teacher
- MLB Coach
- Mental Health Rep
- Golden Retriever MMC
* I would like to say THANK YOU to Jenn McMahon and Luna Literary for allowing me the pleasure to read Home Field Advantage as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
September 30, 2025
e-ARC Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ x1000!!!! (this is going to be long).
I just finished this book and I’m sorry, Jenn 🙈… I had the audacity to read it super fast when you spent months bringing it to life. Buuut, I’ll make it up to you with a heartfelt review.
Where do I even start? I think this story has become my favorite so far from our beloved author, and let me tell you why.
Reason number one: the characters. They are incredibly realistic. Through their emotions and actions, they don’t just feel like figures written on a page—they carry pieces of real life. They reflect the way relationships actually work, and the way people grow and evolve.
And here’s the special part: even though I couldn’t personally relate to the protagonists—because their emotional journeys are very different from mine—I still felt like I was living their story myself. I connected 100% with Poppy and Dallas, and that made it all so powerful.
Dallas is a 35-year-old former baseball player, now a coach, who goes through a very tough situation. That turning point shows him that life is not just about work, that there are more important things. And in that process, he grows: he realizes he has a daughter and that he needs to step up, not only for her but also in his role as an ex-husband. Dallas shows us that being a man isn’t just about a career or a title—it’s about being present, responsible, and emotionally aware.
What I loved the most about him is the incredibly healthy relationship he has with his ex-wife. She is wonderful. And what touched me deeply was that their breakup wasn’t caused by drama or betrayal, but simply because their relationship had run its course. That’s rare to see in romance books, and it felt refreshing and beautiful. Seeing two parents truly care about their daughter’s wellbeing, making mature and thoughtful decisions together… that gave Dallas 3,001 Green Flags. What. A. Man. 🫶
And let’s talk about his daughter—adorable! She’s only six, but she’s kind, communicative, and happy. Despite the divorce, she never feels like a burdened character. Thanks to the way her parents handled everything, she’s just a little girl enjoying her childhood the way she should.
Now, onto Poppy. She’s 25, a teacher in their small town, and Griffin’s sister. She also has Lily and Tucker as siblings, and together they bring such a warm, dynamic family vibe to the story. Lily adds that youthful, adventurous spark, pushing Poppy out of her comfort zone in the sweetest way. And honestly, nothing is more heartwarming than a sister who motivates you to try new things, encourages you, but still respects your boundaries. Tucker, on the other hand, is cheeky, funny, and so charismatic. Plus, the fact that he’s Dallas’s best friend just adds a whole new layer to the story that I absolutely loved.
What struck me most about Poppy, though, is how Jenn handled mental health through her character. Poppy is clear about her limits, about what she deals with, and about how she structures her life. And then there’s this one particular scene where she tells Dallas: “This is what it means to be me.” And his response, though not a direct “I love you,” is essentially saying: “It doesn’t matter what that means—I want you just as you are.”
That moment was everything. Because how beautiful is it to find someone who accepts even the parts of yourself you think are broken or unlovable? And suddenly, with the right person, everything just flows. That’s what made Poppy so special to me: her relationships with her siblings, with Dallas, with her job, and above all, how she opened her life to new people while still staying true to herself.
Now, to wrap it up: this story was truly beautiful. I’m so grateful for the chance to read this ARC, thank you to Luna Literary for the opportunity, and of course, to Jenn for writing it. I’m writing this review with all my heart, because that’s what reading means to me—being able to share my emotions through words.
The romance and the flirting? Divine. That kind of banter that makes you bite your lip while reading, smiling like a fool—that’s pure gold. And the spicy scenes? On point. 🔥 I won’t give spoilers, but let’s just say this: Dallas was a true gentleman. And the fact that Poppy’s virginity is one of the tropes here… wow. Honestly, I think every woman deserves a first time with someone like him.
So yes, this book is a solid 5/5 ⭐️ for me. And on the spice scale, a 3/5 🌶️. Perfect. Balanced. Exactly what it needed to be.
I cannot wait for the next book! And let me just say… don’t skip the ending, because you’ll get a little glimpse of who’s next. And trust me—you’ll want to be ready.
thank you again Luna Literary and Jenn for this ARC!!!
I just finished this book and I’m sorry, Jenn 🙈… I had the audacity to read it super fast when you spent months bringing it to life. Buuut, I’ll make it up to you with a heartfelt review.
Where do I even start? I think this story has become my favorite so far from our beloved author, and let me tell you why.
Reason number one: the characters. They are incredibly realistic. Through their emotions and actions, they don’t just feel like figures written on a page—they carry pieces of real life. They reflect the way relationships actually work, and the way people grow and evolve.
And here’s the special part: even though I couldn’t personally relate to the protagonists—because their emotional journeys are very different from mine—I still felt like I was living their story myself. I connected 100% with Poppy and Dallas, and that made it all so powerful.
Dallas is a 35-year-old former baseball player, now a coach, who goes through a very tough situation. That turning point shows him that life is not just about work, that there are more important things. And in that process, he grows: he realizes he has a daughter and that he needs to step up, not only for her but also in his role as an ex-husband. Dallas shows us that being a man isn’t just about a career or a title—it’s about being present, responsible, and emotionally aware.
What I loved the most about him is the incredibly healthy relationship he has with his ex-wife. She is wonderful. And what touched me deeply was that their breakup wasn’t caused by drama or betrayal, but simply because their relationship had run its course. That’s rare to see in romance books, and it felt refreshing and beautiful. Seeing two parents truly care about their daughter’s wellbeing, making mature and thoughtful decisions together… that gave Dallas 3,001 Green Flags. What. A. Man. 🫶
And let’s talk about his daughter—adorable! She’s only six, but she’s kind, communicative, and happy. Despite the divorce, she never feels like a burdened character. Thanks to the way her parents handled everything, she’s just a little girl enjoying her childhood the way she should.
Now, onto Poppy. She’s 25, a teacher in their small town, and Griffin’s sister. She also has Lily and Tucker as siblings, and together they bring such a warm, dynamic family vibe to the story. Lily adds that youthful, adventurous spark, pushing Poppy out of her comfort zone in the sweetest way. And honestly, nothing is more heartwarming than a sister who motivates you to try new things, encourages you, but still respects your boundaries. Tucker, on the other hand, is cheeky, funny, and so charismatic. Plus, the fact that he’s Dallas’s best friend just adds a whole new layer to the story that I absolutely loved.
What struck me most about Poppy, though, is how Jenn handled mental health through her character. Poppy is clear about her limits, about what she deals with, and about how she structures her life. And then there’s this one particular scene where she tells Dallas: “This is what it means to be me.” And his response, though not a direct “I love you,” is essentially saying: “It doesn’t matter what that means—I want you just as you are.”
That moment was everything. Because how beautiful is it to find someone who accepts even the parts of yourself you think are broken or unlovable? And suddenly, with the right person, everything just flows. That’s what made Poppy so special to me: her relationships with her siblings, with Dallas, with her job, and above all, how she opened her life to new people while still staying true to herself.
Now, to wrap it up: this story was truly beautiful. I’m so grateful for the chance to read this ARC, thank you to Luna Literary for the opportunity, and of course, to Jenn for writing it. I’m writing this review with all my heart, because that’s what reading means to me—being able to share my emotions through words.
The romance and the flirting? Divine. That kind of banter that makes you bite your lip while reading, smiling like a fool—that’s pure gold. And the spicy scenes? On point. 🔥 I won’t give spoilers, but let’s just say this: Dallas was a true gentleman. And the fact that Poppy’s virginity is one of the tropes here… wow. Honestly, I think every woman deserves a first time with someone like him.
So yes, this book is a solid 5/5 ⭐️ for me. And on the spice scale, a 3/5 🌶️. Perfect. Balanced. Exactly what it needed to be.
I cannot wait for the next book! And let me just say… don’t skip the ending, because you’ll get a little glimpse of who’s next. And trust me—you’ll want to be ready.
thank you again Luna Literary and Jenn for this ARC!!!
January 7, 2026
Ratings:
4 Stars
2 Spice
Format: ALC
Narrators: Vanessa Edwin & Jason Clarke
Expect:
Small Town, Single Dad, She's His Daughter's Teacher, Neighbors, Forced Proximity, Virgin FMC, Age Gap, Mental Health Rep, Former Baseball Star Turned Coach
Thoughts:
This was cute! I have really been enjoying this town of Bluestone Lakes and Dallas and Poppy's story was a great next listen in this series. And I mean with these narrators?!? Perfection. Truly a great performance by them and made for such a fun time.
I immediately loved our characters. Both of them, but particularly Poppy had so much depth. I thought Jenn did a fantastic job with Poppy's character and her inner dialogue about her OCD and how it impacts her life and even the relationships with those she is closest to. And it was just so dang cute seeing her fall for Dallas and open up her normally very controlled life to him and his daughter!
Dallas and his daughter were the perfect addition to this town. First, showing such a healthy co-parenting relationship was refreshing honestly! I loved how they were true partners, wanting to do the best for their daughter but also support each other's dreams. I liked seeing him work through his coaching struggles too.
And they just worked so well together and it seemed so natural to fall into such an easy and comforting relationship between them. Dallas was exactly what Poppy needed and they were fun!
Ultimately I don't think I can say they will be a couple that sticks with me or that will be super memorable, but I enjoyed while listening and I am excited for more in this series!!
Thank you so much to Must Love Audio and Luna Literary Management for the advanced audiobook and gifted ebook!
4 Stars
2 Spice
Format: ALC
Narrators: Vanessa Edwin & Jason Clarke
Expect:
Small Town, Single Dad, She's His Daughter's Teacher, Neighbors, Forced Proximity, Virgin FMC, Age Gap, Mental Health Rep, Former Baseball Star Turned Coach
Thoughts:
This was cute! I have really been enjoying this town of Bluestone Lakes and Dallas and Poppy's story was a great next listen in this series. And I mean with these narrators?!? Perfection. Truly a great performance by them and made for such a fun time.
I immediately loved our characters. Both of them, but particularly Poppy had so much depth. I thought Jenn did a fantastic job with Poppy's character and her inner dialogue about her OCD and how it impacts her life and even the relationships with those she is closest to. And it was just so dang cute seeing her fall for Dallas and open up her normally very controlled life to him and his daughter!
Dallas and his daughter were the perfect addition to this town. First, showing such a healthy co-parenting relationship was refreshing honestly! I loved how they were true partners, wanting to do the best for their daughter but also support each other's dreams. I liked seeing him work through his coaching struggles too.
And they just worked so well together and it seemed so natural to fall into such an easy and comforting relationship between them. Dallas was exactly what Poppy needed and they were fun!
Ultimately I don't think I can say they will be a couple that sticks with me or that will be super memorable, but I enjoyed while listening and I am excited for more in this series!!
Thank you so much to Must Love Audio and Luna Literary Management for the advanced audiobook and gifted ebook!
October 13, 2025
Sports Romance 🤝 Small Town Romance 🤝 Single Dad Romance
Well this might be one of my favorite books of the year. Jenn McMahon seamlessly tied together all of my favorite tropes in a way that felt like being wrapped in a warm hug.
Dallas and Poppy are contemporary fated mates if I’ve ever read it. The tenderness (and tension) between these two is what I crave in a romance. And the age gap / teach me elements were handled with so much care. Did I mention she’s a virgin FMC and has a spicy list he so graciously helps her with??🥵🔥🔥🔥
AND MY SWEET SAGE. Love when a mc’s kid has the nickname “bug”. This sweet girl had me wrapped around her finger. She has a heart of gold and it’s so evident to see where she gets it from with both of her parents.
Bluestone Lakes captures the charm you want in a small town romance. The found family, the general store, even Nan and Tucker fighting over the last bag of pretzels- it’s feels so familiar, like you’ve visited in real life.
Home Field Advantage is by far one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I cannot recommend it enough. I also read Finding Home (book 1 in the Bluestone Lakes series) just before and am so glad I did!! Blair and Griffin embody grumpy x sunshine to a T in this sweet romance. And Reginald, the angel baby corgi, lest we forget the true star of their story.
Thank you eternally to Jenn & Luna Literary for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! Jenn, you’ve got a reader for life and I cannot wait to see everything book three has in store for [redacted] (no spoilers!!).
Well this might be one of my favorite books of the year. Jenn McMahon seamlessly tied together all of my favorite tropes in a way that felt like being wrapped in a warm hug.
Dallas and Poppy are contemporary fated mates if I’ve ever read it. The tenderness (and tension) between these two is what I crave in a romance. And the age gap / teach me elements were handled with so much care. Did I mention she’s a virgin FMC and has a spicy list he so graciously helps her with??🥵🔥🔥🔥
AND MY SWEET SAGE. Love when a mc’s kid has the nickname “bug”. This sweet girl had me wrapped around her finger. She has a heart of gold and it’s so evident to see where she gets it from with both of her parents.
Bluestone Lakes captures the charm you want in a small town romance. The found family, the general store, even Nan and Tucker fighting over the last bag of pretzels- it’s feels so familiar, like you’ve visited in real life.
Home Field Advantage is by far one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I cannot recommend it enough. I also read Finding Home (book 1 in the Bluestone Lakes series) just before and am so glad I did!! Blair and Griffin embody grumpy x sunshine to a T in this sweet romance. And Reginald, the angel baby corgi, lest we forget the true star of their story.
Thank you eternally to Jenn & Luna Literary for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! Jenn, you’ve got a reader for life and I cannot wait to see everything book three has in store for [redacted] (no spoilers!!).
October 10, 2025
Oh wow.
This book didn’t have to hit as hard as it did.
In true Poppy fashion;
1. Talk about Poppy
2. Talk about Dallas
3. Talk about Sage and her village
1. The way Jenn was able to write Poppy’s character so real and raw but with so much grace had me seeing myself so many times. While I do not have OCD like Poppy I had PPA after giving birth to my son so intense that it was so hard to focus and be present in the moment his first year of life. People had to do things right or I would be anxious and fester on the minor details constantly. It had me feeling so much love for Poppy.
2. Man- Dallas was so well rounded so sweet, caring, and accepting of everyone. Loving Poppy for her quirks and not making her feel bad or less than for them was so beautiful to read.
3. Gosh Sage. ABSOLUTELY ADORED HER! So precocious so sweet and innocent, but so honest and accepting and a friend to everyone! But what really stole the show is the village that surrounded that little girl. The coparenting relationship was top tier! No ex spouse drama but love! I wish all parents who are no longer together are for the sake of their child.
All in all I loved absolutely love this book. Finding home introduced me to Jenn- but this. Has me a forever fan of Jenn! I can not write enough good things about Poppy + Dallas, I absolutely adored this book and will not accept an ounce of criticism. Not a one.
The amount of highlights I did in this book should be examined! Because Jenn was writing poetry! 👏🏾🥺
Well done Jenn. 👏🏾
Also thank you a million times for allowing me to read this as an eArc!
This book didn’t have to hit as hard as it did.
In true Poppy fashion;
1. Talk about Poppy
2. Talk about Dallas
3. Talk about Sage and her village
1. The way Jenn was able to write Poppy’s character so real and raw but with so much grace had me seeing myself so many times. While I do not have OCD like Poppy I had PPA after giving birth to my son so intense that it was so hard to focus and be present in the moment his first year of life. People had to do things right or I would be anxious and fester on the minor details constantly. It had me feeling so much love for Poppy.
2. Man- Dallas was so well rounded so sweet, caring, and accepting of everyone. Loving Poppy for her quirks and not making her feel bad or less than for them was so beautiful to read.
3. Gosh Sage. ABSOLUTELY ADORED HER! So precocious so sweet and innocent, but so honest and accepting and a friend to everyone! But what really stole the show is the village that surrounded that little girl. The coparenting relationship was top tier! No ex spouse drama but love! I wish all parents who are no longer together are for the sake of their child.
All in all I loved absolutely love this book. Finding home introduced me to Jenn- but this. Has me a forever fan of Jenn! I can not write enough good things about Poppy + Dallas, I absolutely adored this book and will not accept an ounce of criticism. Not a one.
The amount of highlights I did in this book should be examined! Because Jenn was writing poetry! 👏🏾🥺
Well done Jenn. 👏🏾
Also thank you a million times for allowing me to read this as an eArc!
October 6, 2025
Dallas is on a temporary break from coaching baseball after a terrible season. He decides to get away to a small town called Bluestone Lakes, not knowing how much it would change his life.
I loved this one! Poppy ends up being the teacher to Dallas' daughter, Sage. They tried to keep some boundaries in place, especially since his stay was supposed to be temporary, but they couldn't resist the draw they had to one another. Dallas is seriously so swoony. He understood & supported Poppy in a way no one had before. Their communication skills were amazing. This one was a slow burn but totally worth the wait. I loved seeing Poppy develop a relationship with Sage too. The 3 of them formed the sweetest little family. Oh! And I loved seeing Dallas have a great co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife, April. That was definitely refreshing.
What to expect:
💚Age Gap
⚾Single Dad
💚Mental Health Rep (OCD)
⚾Neighbors to Lovers
💚No 3rd Act Break Up
⚾Small Town
Home Field Advantage releases October 10. Thank you Jenn McMahon & Luna Literary Management for this ARC.
I loved this one! Poppy ends up being the teacher to Dallas' daughter, Sage. They tried to keep some boundaries in place, especially since his stay was supposed to be temporary, but they couldn't resist the draw they had to one another. Dallas is seriously so swoony. He understood & supported Poppy in a way no one had before. Their communication skills were amazing. This one was a slow burn but totally worth the wait. I loved seeing Poppy develop a relationship with Sage too. The 3 of them formed the sweetest little family. Oh! And I loved seeing Dallas have a great co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife, April. That was definitely refreshing.
What to expect:
💚Age Gap
⚾Single Dad
💚Mental Health Rep (OCD)
⚾Neighbors to Lovers
💚No 3rd Act Break Up
⚾Small Town
Home Field Advantage releases October 10. Thank you Jenn McMahon & Luna Literary Management for this ARC.
October 10, 2025
I didn’t know if I could love anything more than Finding Home… but Poppy and Dallas might just hold the reins l, for now. Such a sweet and heartwarming story. Poppy is not only the hot new guy in town’s neighbor, but she’s also his daughter’s teacher. They’re both attracted to each other but Poppy’s determined to have boundaries. Dallas is the epitome of someone’s dream man. He is kind and caring and so incredibly patient with Poppy. When she realizes he isn’t like other guys, her walls start crumbling down. The way she opens up to him about her past and her OCD, even with fear of judgement and him leaving… it was everything. And Sage. The way she worked her way into Poppy’s life and heart. That little girl owns my whole entire heart and soul. I love this series so incredibly much, I cannot wait for Tucker’s story next.
Thank you so much to Jenn for an ARC of Home Field Advantage.
read if you love:
small town, MLB coach, virgin FMC, age gap (25/35), single dad, found family, she’s his daughter’s teacher and his neighbor, mental health rep
Thank you so much to Jenn for an ARC of Home Field Advantage.
read if you love:
small town, MLB coach, virgin FMC, age gap (25/35), single dad, found family, she’s his daughter’s teacher and his neighbor, mental health rep
October 2, 2025
ARC REVIEW
4.5⭐️
2🌶
This book was so stinkin sweet, I think I got a cavity... but seriously Dallas has some serious game and he was so swoony 🫠🫠🫠
There were so many things that I loved about this book. The growth in both Dallas and Poppy was incredible. The open communication between them in addition to the wonderful communication between Dallas and his ex-wife. It was so refreshing to see a supportive ex who just wanted him to be genuinely happy. Sage was adorable and the relationship that Poppy got to grow with her was one of my favorite parts.
Dallas never once pressured Poppy into ANYTHING and was so supportive of her OCD and never made her feel crazy or silly about it. Their relationship was so beautiful. 😍
Sageeeee. She really stole the show along with Nan and all the side characters. Tucker was super fun and I loved that he claimed the Best Friend title to Dallas! I'm looking forward to hopefully him getting a book.
Tropes:
✨️ Small Town
✨️ Age Gap(10 years)
✨️ Single Dad x His Daughter's Teacher
✨️ MLB Coach
✨️ Mental Health Rep
✨️ Found Family
4.5⭐️
2🌶
This book was so stinkin sweet, I think I got a cavity... but seriously Dallas has some serious game and he was so swoony 🫠🫠🫠
There were so many things that I loved about this book. The growth in both Dallas and Poppy was incredible. The open communication between them in addition to the wonderful communication between Dallas and his ex-wife. It was so refreshing to see a supportive ex who just wanted him to be genuinely happy. Sage was adorable and the relationship that Poppy got to grow with her was one of my favorite parts.
Dallas never once pressured Poppy into ANYTHING and was so supportive of her OCD and never made her feel crazy or silly about it. Their relationship was so beautiful. 😍
Sageeeee. She really stole the show along with Nan and all the side characters. Tucker was super fun and I loved that he claimed the Best Friend title to Dallas! I'm looking forward to hopefully him getting a book.
Tropes:
✨️ Small Town
✨️ Age Gap(10 years)
✨️ Single Dad x His Daughter's Teacher
✨️ MLB Coach
✨️ Mental Health Rep
✨️ Found Family
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