The Hotshot

By: Piper Rayne

Narrated by: JF Harding, CJ Bloom, Teddy Hamilton, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Erin Mallon, Willa Jaymes, Meg Sylvan, Austin Stone

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.

©2026 Piper Rayne Inc. (P)2026 Piper Rayne Inc.

Great cast! Lovely story

I truly enjoyed this book and the multiple performers was a huge plus! The story was beautiful but also funny. I loved they found each other and faced the world together. The kids were a delight. Where do I get a Hayes? Can’t wait to listen to the rest of the series as they are released.

Steamy Heartfelt Romance

I knew I loved sports romances, but I didn’t realize baseball romances would quickly climb up my favorites list. Hayes and Leighton have undeniable chemistry from the very beginning. He steps in to help ensure she can maintain guardianship of her cousin’s three kids, and that dynamic adds so much heart to the story.

There are so many heartfelt moments throughout—especially Monroe’s dedication to completing national theme days. There’s even a “Say Hi Day,” where she greets every person entering the baseball stadium, driving her family absolutely bonkers in the process. It’s moments like these that make the story feel extra special.

Piper Rayne crafted a well-thought-out story to kick off this new series, featuring longtime mutual pining and a strong cast of characters.

The full-cast narration was NEXT LEVEL AMAZING, with standout performances from JF Harding and CJ Bloom, along with Teddy Hamilton, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Erin Mallon, Willa Jaymes, Meg Sylvan, and Austin Stone.

Read or listen if you enjoy spicy, heartfelt sports romances with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

#TheHotshot #PiperRayne #TheDugout #SportsRomance #AudiobookReview

Single mom!

I went into this book completely blind, and this was the most amazing audiobook! I was looking for a baseball romance that I could listen to and I saw this pop up as a book that sounds like what I like to read. I have never read anything by Piper Rayne, but the description checked off all the boxes I was looking for, and with a full cast?! Sold. I am so happy I picked this one up! I absolutely adored this book and honestly became quite sad knowing that book 2 isn’t out yet! The Hotshot by Piper Rayne follows Leighton whose life was completely upended with her cousin passes away and leaves her three children to Leighton to raise. Hayes Carlisle is the Chicago Colts newest hotshot catcher. On the outside? He seems like the typical baseball bachelor. Inside? He’s still hung up on Leighton, his sister’s best friend. With Leighton taking over custody of the kids, Hayes tries to be there for her with whatever she needs. Apparently that also means telling a judge that they are in a serious romantic relationship in an effort to help Leighton keep custody. As the two of them try to navigate this fake relationship…real feelings start come into the picture. I absolutely adored this book! I zipped through it so fast that I was incredibly sad as soon as it ended. I wanted the story to go on forever because I loved these characters. The audiobook was also beyond top tier. The narrators were amazing! JF Harding and CJ Bloom brought these two characters to life and I felt like they were real people. I will forever associate them with Leighton and Hayes. It was also a lovely surprise to have a full cast for the rest of the important characters and it made me so excited to listen to the next one when it comes out!

Fantastic new series to love

It was fantastic new beginning. Love all the banter and romance in here. The friendship, the teammates are the best. Can’t wait for all their stories and can’t wait for the next book. Congratulations on another amazing book.

Very sweet

This is a sweet story with not a lot of antagonistic stuff going on. Just enough to keep the story interesting. I like the sweet happy stories.