Book Review for The Hotshot by Piper Rayne

 

The Hotshot by Piper Rayne

Published:  February 17, 2026 by Piper Rayne, Inc

Genre:  Sports Romance

 

Taken from Goodreads:  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 Thoughts: It is almost baseball season and I am ready.    The Hotshot tells the story of the catcher of the Chicago Colts coming to town to play baseball and to change the bad boy label he earned last season.    Taking on a family is not in those plans, but when that family is the best friend of his sister, the woman that he has dreamed about for years, he does not hesitate to step up and help her out. 

The side characters are amazing and I cannot wait to read their stories.  I know that they each will get one and they will be just as wonderful as Hayes’ story.  His teammates are more than teammates, they are brothers.

Fake dating, best friends’ brother, baseball romance, surprise family…all in one book.   Everything about this story is fun and flirty. 

Thank you Valentine PR for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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