Tuesday, February 17, 2026

#BookReview ~ The Hotshot by Piper Rayne ~ #SportsRomance #Baseball #TheDugout


The Hotshot by Piper Rayne is now live!


About the Book:

Raising my cousin’s three kids wasn’t in my five-year plan.
Actually, it wasn’t in any plan.

One minute I’m a single labor and delivery nurse living a quiet life and the next, I’m navigating guardianship hearings, meltdowns, and homework I’m pretty sure requires a math degree.

Enter Hayes Carlisle.

My best friend’s older brother.
Chicago Colts newest catcher.
And the man I once kissed and immediately pretended I didn’t.

So, when the custody battle I’ve been dreading becomes a reality, I shouldn’t be surprised that Hayes swoops in with a wild idea—a fake relationship. According to him, pretending we’re together will polish his image and prove to the court I’m not taking on an instant family alone.

But pretending to be Hayes’ girlfriend is a terrible idea.

Because he remembers how to make me laugh.
Because he looks at me like our kiss wasn’t a one-time mistake.
Because the kids start asking him to read bedtime stories.
Because my heart starts wanting things my life doesn’t have room for.

I can manage the chaos. I can fight for these kids.
But pretending not to fall for Hayes Carlisle?

That might be the one thing I can’t do.

My Review:

The Hotshot is the first book in a new baseball romance series and I loved it! Leighton and Hayes are magnificent characters. They are complex, emotional, and completely believable. Their chemistry is off the charts. Leighton and Hayes have known each other forever and that's what they hoped to have at one point but circumstances led them down different paths. 

One of my favorite tropes is the brother's or sister's best friend romance. This story knocks that trope out of the park! The Hotshot is sweet and spicy, heartwarming and heartbreaking, and filled to the brim with romance and emotion. There is a lot of sadness, secrets that are revealed, and tense scenes as Leighton works on proving that she's the best fit as the guardian of her cousin's three children. 

I loved everything about the story, the characters, the setting, and the romance. The authors created a realistic and romantic world. The story flows well, pulls you in, and keeps you engaged. The writing style and story are amazing.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.


My Rating:




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Duet Narration by: JF Harding & CJ Bloom

Also Featuring: Teddy Hamilton, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Erin Mallon, Willa Jaymes, Meg Sylvan & Austin Stone

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