Home Run by Willa Okati

 If opposites attract—and in this case, they do—then Casey and Nate fit like puzzle pieces. Though married for a year and still rocking the honeymoon lifestyle, Casey’s starting to feel like it’s time for the next big challenge.

Casey’s never been interested in having kids, but knows Nate would love a family of their own and would be a fantastic father. He thinks he’s ready to put aside past prejudices, but he knows it’s not the kind of decision you make on a whim. Nate only wants to have a family with Casey if Casey wants it just as much. Neither would accept anything less.

The annual Rule family reunion is the perfect time and place for Casey to take his hopes for a test drive and inform his choice. He’ll have plenty of chances to practice—with Nate’s ménage-a-parents and seven sisters, there’s a smorgasbord of family to observe and a half-dozen babies to test his limits.

(And a few games to play. This is Nate, after all!)

Is Casey ready to grant Nate his wish to become a dad and wind up the pitch for a proper “home” run?

As Nate would say, Home Run was absolutely "adorkable." Having gotten more familiar with their characters – and yes, both Nate and Casey are a little dorky at times – I didn't experience the confusion I did in the first book. Considering that this is the first family reunion since their wedding and all seven sisters, their spouses, and their children were there, that's pretty impressive.

I enjoyed that the "conflict" of the story was whether or not Casey would change his mind about not wanting kids by the end of the reunion. Because Nate loves Casey, he's accepted that Casey doesn't want children and is happy with their life as they live it. But seeing Nate interact with a couple of children at the school where he teaches, he begins second-guessing his feelings on children as he knows Nate week be a wonderful father; this doubt is furthered when he sees Nate with his nieces and nephews. Yet Casey isn't as sure of himself and whether or not he's ready for fatherhood. Fortunately the Rule Family Reunion runs amok of children and Casey finds himself warming up to the idea more and more, going so far as to ask one of Nate’s dads (oh yes there are two AND a mother … such a lovely polyamorous parental unit, or should I say crazy) how he knew he was ready to be a father.

The Rule family is a big batch of craziness that kept this book entertaining at the most unexpected of moments. And while they all rally around the new addition, Eamon, who is attending in his fiancé Zeke’s place (Zeke being the actual Rule family member), it is the Epilogue that demonstrates exactly how close and supportive the Rule Family is when it comes to loving and caring for their own. I was in awe of Madeleine. Ms. Okati most certainly hit a Home Run with this one. I do so hope the author decides to write more of this series as I would love to read more about Nate, Casey and the rest of the crazies they surround themselves with.

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