The Closer (The Legends of Fire

by Kelsey J. Fox

He needs a fake fiancée to win custody. I need a miracle to save my bakery.
One deal. No feelings. Right?

COLE WALKER
On the mound, I’m untouchable.
The Closer. Built for pressure. Trained never to miss.

But when tragedy leaves me raising my eight-year-old niece, I’m suddenly fighting a different kind of game.
The judge wants stability.
All I’ve got is a glove — and a reputation as MLB’s bad-boy disaster.

My play? Daisy Bennett.
Small-town baker. Sweet, stubborn, and the only woman who makes me forget the rules.

A fake engagement will fix everything… until she smiles at me like I’m more than her arrangement.
Until one kiss turns the lie into something real.

DAISY BENNETT
He’s grumpy perfection — tattooed, gorgeous, completely off-limits.
I’m supposed to pretend I’m his fiancée, not fall for him.

But every time his niece calls me “Aunt Daisy,” my heart cracks open.
Every time his hands find my waist, I forget it’s supposed to be fake.

Now I’m in too deep — and the man I swore was temporary feels like home.

The Closer is a steamy, small-town sports romance featuring a grumpy MLB pitcher, a sunshine baker, and a fake engagement that becomes the real deal.
Expect heat, heart, found-family feels, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

⚠️ This story contains explicit content and is intended for readers 18 and older.

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story and the characters, but the inconsistencies in the plot were very confusing. She met the niece but then the next chapter she hadn't? Then there was calling his niece his daughter and then him mentioning someone named Julia dying (his sister, his niece's mom, was named Shannon) like it was originally written as the MMC was a widow with a daughter. There were several times it was mentioned she had an old apartment over the bakery but a bungalow she lived in, but then when the bakery floods, the restoration company is at her bungalow?

This is just 33% of the way into the book. I'm going to continue reading, but not sure I will be able to finish if these distractions keep showing up.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsey delivers a spark flying, page turning, heat overload of a romance book right here. From the very beginning I have to say I was 110% magnetized with this PHENOMENAL and I truly mean PHENOMENAL romance book. Cole is the HOT baseball player that turns into being a dad to Kate his sweet and adventurous niece and Daisy the baker that starts off as a fake relationship but turns into something HOTTER. These characters are all AMAZING to read about. I could actually picture Daisy with her red hair and Cole with the arms of steel and the sexy tattoos. Holy Smokes this book gets a perfect 20 plus stars, and you will definitely want to read this romance book to see how everything ends.

[Julie Juhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Closer by Kelsey J. Fox is the second book of the Legends of Fire series.

Daisy and Cole's story

Cole is a famous baseball player fighting for custody of his niece Kate. She became orphaned after a tragic accident. Daisy is a small town baker and when they meet there is a spark between them. Then Cole comes up with the idea of them being in a fake relationship and now she is his fake fiancé. This is their story. I loved this romance. It is a wonderful heartfelt story that you won't want to miss reading.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

On in baseball he is known as the closer and the epitome of a bad boy but when a tragedy strikes making him father to an adorable little girl his world is shaken. To keep her he needs a miracle and that comes by way of Daisy who has her own battle to fight. They enter into an agreement where she becomes his fake fiancé and their story begins but feelings are latching on quickly and when his niece calls her aunty her heart falls even more. This heartwarming story keeps you glued to the pages.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole, a famous baseball player, fights for custody of his orphaned niece, Kate, but his bad publicity requires a PR boost. He meets Daisy, a struggling baker, and they start a fake engagement for mutual benefit. Their chemistry sparks real feelings, deepened by Kate’s affection for Daisy. The story shines as they navigate suspense, secrets, and lies while staying true to themselves. A captivating read, hard to put down!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn Cronin · Rating 1 out of 5]

TLDR. Not the review, the book. I'm not sure why, but I committed early on to finishing the book. The interactions between the main characters were sweet and I started to think this would be at least a 3* book. By the end reading this made me want to throw my phone. The timeline/ passage of time was undefined/inconsistent. There were WAY too many baseball analogies and the baker always had flour on her even when doing things that didn't involve flour. There was too much repetition of themes making the book ungodly long without adding any value to the story.

[BooksC · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was DNF. I’m not sure if something happened when this book was published but I made it to chapter 7 and had to stop. It went right into them agreeing to the contract, so fast. It goes from her meeting the niece in one chapter, to the next chapter her not knowing the niece. It’s really weirdly ordered. I had high hopes but the flow of this book if off.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited for this book, and it was a cute storyline.. I love found family.. but it was also kind of slow.. and inconsistent. There were a few times I was like.. wait what? Wasn’t this already happening? Didn’t she meet her already? Did I miss something? Etc. etc.

Cute story, good ending, could have been written better or at least edited better.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great romance

Loved the way Daisy and Cole met in a bakery. Their relationship with Kate is great. Really good romance with the Closer! Love baseball romances and this is one of the best. Didn't like his ex Julia showing up trying to cause trouble but also well in the end.

[Deborah S Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was littered with plot and timeline inconsistencies...really poor editing. Not to mention that every trope known was thrown into the pot...fake fiancee, grumpy, custody battle, sports celebrity, insta-love (at like 11% in!) etc. Probably will not read this author again.

[Candace Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

hot hot hot

This read had me staying up late and on the edge of my seat. The twists and turns were shocking. I just wish we could know more about the relationship with the grandparents after the custody hearing. Just a few quick paragraphs. But still a great read.

[Sabrina M Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved loved loved

This book had everything I was looking for in a romance. I loved the main characters and their story line. The story was well told, the thoughts and emotions behind the actions were well expressed. Great reading.

[Pamela HildebrandtCloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

An arrangement? Or true love?,

Romance, intrigue, sports analogy, baking terminology, suspense, mystery. This author really did put in EVERYTHING! What a fun way to spend Christmas vacation, with this family and their antics. A great story!

[Karri Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!

I absolutely love love LOVED this book! I was not ready for it to end! It kept me up late.. I needed just one more chapter.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the closer which was Cole and Daisy’s story. It was an entertaining read. I received an early copy. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Angela Robertson · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf

Stopped at 63%. How or why does this book drag on. It was basically finished at 38%. No real build up. Just boom. Now I’m at 63% and I’m bored. Not for me.

[Jennifer Labourdette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Loved Katy

[Kelli Kozusnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could not put this down. Enjoyed the push and pull, give and take. 💜