PREORDER The Hotshot (The Dugout #1) Signed Hardcover

Book one in a new baseball romance series, The Dugout, from USA Today Bestselling Author Piper Rayne.

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.

Tropes:

• baseball romance
• fake relationship
• best friend's brother
• close proximity
• single guardian
• he falls first

Customer Reviews:

"I didn’t want to put this down. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The guardian trope gets me every time. Think Raising Helen vibes. Three kids. Dead parents. Emotional damage. But make it with a hottie MLB catcher ⚾️" - Megan Coggins, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I absolutely flew through this one! I couldn’t stop - I loved Leighton & Hayes’ story! Highly recommend jumping into this new series from the fabulous duo, Piper Rayne! I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by them so far! Can’t wait to see what’s next!" - Amanda (_sunshine_reads_) Hengen, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I loved every single character in this book!! Leighton and Hayes have my heart! I was giggling and swooning the whole time. There was so much to this story and all the elements and I just really enjoyed this one! I cannot wait to see what comes next too!!" - Samantha Draws, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I absolutely LOVED this book! Cue all the emotions 🥹😭😍 And can we talk about the AUDIO?!? An ELITE audio lineup for the win! And let me tell you, they absolutely delivered!! 🩷" - Chelsea Adams, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Okay, so I absolutely devoured this. I love Piper Rayne, and their writing. I absolutely loved the Plain Daisy Ranch series, I can't say enough good things about it. But they're going to steal hearts with The Dugout series, and I am ready for it! I can't wait for book two!!" - Megan Yerg, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The Hotshot by Piper Rayne kicks off The Dugout series with a warm, funny, and emotional small town sports romance that leans heavily into heart, family, and the kind of love that sneaks up on you when life gets messy. The Hotshot is sweet, comforting, and emotionally satisfying." - Cigi cini, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I absolutely loved this book! I read it in one sitting staying up way too late but I don't regret it! At this point, anything Piper Rayne writes, I'm reading it! This one was heartfelt, funny, swoony, and emotional in all the best ways." - Getlitwithashleyz, Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐