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Tag Archives: The Dugout series

Review – The Rulebreaker

14 Thursday May 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Piper Rayne, The Dugout series, The Rulebreaker

The Rulebreaker

The Dugout #3

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

I’m the coach’s daughter. Falling for one of my father’s players was never the plan.

Especially not Decker Davis.

Chicago Colts third baseman.

Dependable. Steady. The guy everyone trusts.

And the man who’s spent years keeping his distance—especially from me.

We have history. The kind that ten years and a thousand miles can’t touch.

So, this time, I promised myself I’d be smarter.

No getting attached. No blurred lines. And definitely, no falling.

He broke every last one within the first week.

Because Decker doesn’t just show up for me. He shows up for my daughter.

Because he fits into our lives like he was always meant to be there.

Because he looks at me like I was never something he wanted to lose.

And suddenly, the walls I’ve spent years building don’t feel nearly as solid as they used to.

But if I let him in, I’m not just risking my heart—I’m risking hers too… and I already know what losing him costs.

I won’t let my daughter pay that price.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3KxNsjw

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://books2read.com/t-rb

Duet Narration by: Teddy Hamilton & Willa Jaymes

Also featuring: JF Harding, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, CJ Bloom, Erin Mallon, Meg Sylvan & Austin Stone

*****

Review:

I loved that we start off the book with the Davis brother’s therapist POV and the way that this is used to tell their history & how they got to their current dynamic. It also gives us a chance to see some of the backstory with Penelope as well. Love that! Not just for the additional POV but the fact that these guys are seeing a professional to get the help they need.

And they both need some help. We got some of it with Foster’s story but I enjoyed getting to know Decker better and fully understanding why they got where they were at the beginning of this series. Their childhood left scars and caused a rift between them, one that was only starting to heal when things with them and Penelope blew up. Years later they finally have the opportunity to put those old ghosts to rest and work on more healthy relationships.

Now having the whole story, I feel for all of them. And I understand their awkwardness, hurt, and hesitation around each other. It takes a lot to be willing to open yourself up and take a chance. Again. Especially when it could cause someone else pain. Back to that therapist – kudos to her for helping them thru everything and giving them the tools for communicating with each other. (Love the mental health rep in these stories!)

As always, love the characters and the found family aspect of a Piper Rayne book. Hazel is adorable, as is the relationship she begins to form with Decker. As a second chance romance, my heart just hurt for Penelope & Decker (and Foster) and what could have been if timing had been different. (Although things might have been better with a little more communication but with Decker’s hangups I totally get that it wasn’t to be then.) Love getting glimpses of other characters from previous stories, seeing what they have been up to, and getting hints at what is coming. Definitely looking forward to the rest of this series! (And potential new series??? I can hope 🙂 )

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Review – The Wild Card

02 Thursday Apr 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Piper Rayne, The Dugout series, The Wild Card

The Wild Card

The Dugout #2

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

Getting pregnant after a one-night stand with my brother’s best friend was never part of the plan.

We’re talking about Foster Davis here.

Chicago Colts closing pitcher.
The broody king of one-word answers.
And the man everyone knows keeps one foot out the door.

Surprisingly, when two pink lines turn my world upside down, Foster doesn’t run. He steps in, he shows up, and he insists we do this together.

Pretending we’re fine is easy. Pretending this is just about the baby? Not so much.

Because Foster is gentle when no one’s watching.
Because he looks at me like I’m something worth protecting.
Because the walls he’s built start to crack—and I’m the one he’s letting inside.

Our arrangement was supposed to be simple. Boundaries were set. Co-parents and no catching feelings.

Okay, maybe a few sex lessons were added in too. Bad idea, I know.

Because the more time I spend with Foster Davis, the harder it is to remember why I ever thought he was the risky choice.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3IWsHxd

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://books2read.com/twc

*****

Review:

**maybe some minor spoilers**

Foster is probably one of my favorite Piper Rayne characters. I love his swagger and his issues and am really intrigued by the dynamic with his parents & brother. (Definitely looking forward to finding out more in Decker’s book.) And Callie’s sass – girl wasn’t taking anything lying down in The Hotshot 🙂 No wonder that the two of them together create sparks!

A lot of the times in accidental pregnancy or forced proximity tropes the reasoning is a little forced but I found that it works well here. I liked the two of them living together and taking the opportunity to get to know each other better. The secret of the baby and the way things play out was good too.

The sex lessons tho … I understand why they go there and how it might have worked in relation to just the two of them but I’m pretty sure a guy like Foster has a few tricks up his sleeve. Yes, part of the point was that he wasn’t exactly the guy that everyone thought he was. And that men sometimes think they are more amazing in bed than they really are but he had regular partners, not just bunnies or one night stands …

The relationship between the two of them, as well as the found family aspect of the teammates, sells it for me. Piper Rayne always delivers on her characters and both of them just got me in my feels. I was rooting for them every step of the way to figure out how to communicate their needs and concerns so they could figure out a way to support & truly love one another.

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Review – The Hotshot

17 Tuesday Feb 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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The Hotshot

The Dugout #1

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

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.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://books2read.com/thshot

Duet Narration by: JF Harding & CJ Bloom

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/41QEV0V

*****

Review:

There were so many emotions for me here. My heart just broke for Leighton & the kids with the deaths of their parents and then having the uncertainty of a fight for custody. Hayes and the guys quickly won me over with how they stepped up for the little family. All of them are good men and it’s obvious with the relationships they build among themselves. So sweet to see them doing things with, and for, Leighton & the kids.

But I wish we’d gotten more of that with Leighton and the kids. I would have loved to have seen more of her as the coach for the little league team and doing caretaker-y things with them. They are adorable and I’d love to have seen that side too. I also think we needed more of Leighton getting some help with her issues. Not just from her relationship with her parents but also with losing her cousin & now taking on the kids. That’s a lot for anyone.

It’s no surprise when Leighton struggles with her relationship with Hayes considering those issues. Neither of them handle it the best but it’s definitely in a realistic manner and the support (& gentle nudges) from their friends helps them to get things figured out. There was an issue towards the end that I felt, while it helps wrap up some of the plot lines, with Leighton’s hang ups maybe could have been handled a bit differently.

The Hotshot is a good introduction to the Colts and a setup for a new series. It hits on some pretty heavy topics but showcases how they all care about and support each other. I love these guys and can’t wait for them to find their own HEAs.

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FTC Disclaimer - see bottom of page for complete statement, but please be aware that in many cases I am provided a book to read. However my opinions are my own & no guarantee of positive review is given by any party.

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Check out this awesome new cover for Delay of Game by @lizlincolnauthor! The Revenge Mishap is "so delightfully fun and sweet". Full review at romanticread.com "Imperfect Soulmate is a lot like Rowan, steady and quiet but with more going on under the surface." Full review at romanticread.com "As always, love the characters and the found family aspect of a Piper Rayne book." Full review at romanticread.com "I’m so glad that Foster saved Birdie for last." Full review at romanticread.com 🔥EXCLUSIVE EARLY RELEASE 🔥 Around and Around We Go is "fun and funny, with a good dose of heart and a bit of heat". Full review at romanticread.com "They have issues & emotions that are real, delivering the spice & the feels in equal measure." Full review at romanticread.com "There’s so much that appealed to me – small town vibes, yes please. Brother’s best friend, oh yeah. Pining for each other for over a decade, the slowest of slow burns." Full review at romanticread.com

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I have received ARCs of books free from NetGalley (and many moons ago from BookTrib.com) to review but the majority of the stories are either bought by me or provided for free from the publisher, author, or PR company. The opinions I share are my own and in no way are influenced by an author or publisher. There is no promise of a positive review by any party and there is no additional compensation. Unless otherwise noted, I am not affiliated with any contest or other event mentioned on this blog and I do not receive a paid endorsement for any post.

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