The Wild Card

Baseball season is among us, and this was the perfect way to kick it off! We’re back with the Chicago Colts…this time following one of the players’ sisters and the tattooed, always-in-trouble bad boy pitcher.

If you’re looking for a gritty bad boy who is down bad for his girl, a playful black cat heroine who knows exactly when to pounce, and a top-tier found family dynamic, this is absolutely the book for you.

And the little nod to a real-life Chicago bookstore? So cute!!

This one genuinely surprised me in the best way.

Josephine

256 reviews11 followers

Want to read

March 1, 2026

UPDATE 26/2 - happy to report I was right ahah CAN'T WAIT!!

18/2 - my guess is Callie x Foster!! Bring on the

2026

Chelsea Hoth ✨

175 reviews3 followers

4.5⭐️

accidental pregnancy trope GET BEHIND ME! because i will defend it with my chest

back to Chicago we go…. I absolutely LOVED this book!! I was so excited to read about Callie and Foster!! I loved the tension these two had, the love they developed through out the book and that we got to see Foster heal and become who he needed to be for Callie and the baby. Learning someones body is very vulnerable and I really felt like the sex conversation and how she explained the feeling of having to be “on” all the time was so real (and should be talked about more) and I loved that they shared such intimate moments regarding that! And to me really showed that men that are worth your time TAKE THE TIME to know you and be there for you in all ways (don’t sleep with losers people!!) I absolutely adore the found family in this series and can’t wait for the next one!!

also PLEASE take the time to download the bonus chapter linked at the end!! I loved seeing a glimpse into their life after the baby was born!

Hannah May

900 reviews21 followers

I received this book as an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was not expecting to have all the feels for this book! I love characters who have damage so this was right up my alley. I was not ready for this one to be over with because I just loved this couple. I will definitely be going back to read book 1 because I need more of this found family. I am already so excited for the next book. I absolutely love Foster, he made my heart hurt

Thorunn

365 reviews14 followers

I love, love, love, LOVE this book!!! This is 7 stars!! Why 7? Because 5 is the max, and so 6 stars isn't enough, so it gets 7 for emphasis, because GAH!!! I looooooved this book!!!

So for anyone new here to my reviews, I am a HUGE Piper Rayne fan - like I've literally read every book and love them all. When their newest book comes in, I drop everything to read and usually binge-read them in less than 24 hours. Case in point: I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. Like, duh! Of course I did. And you know what realization I came to? It's that Piper and Rayne baffle me with their ability to keep besting themselves. Every book I read I'm just like, "Omg this is their best book to date, it's just... wow. No way anything can ever top this." ... a few months later and the next book comes out, only to blow my hair back and socks off because then I'm like "THIS is their best book, how the F did they write an even better book than the previous??? What kind of voodoo fairy dust magic is this??? Are these women some sort of other-worldly magical creature authors? Must be, because.... LOOK AT THIS BOOK!!" Yes, that's literally the conversation that went through my head when I finished this book a few hours ago.

So this book - the bad boy of baseball. The broody, tatted pitcher and his best friend's sister with an "oopsie, we're having a baby" situation. So sure, we have the usual list of tropes but this book is so much more than that. The depths of Foster and Callie's characters are so deep, specifically Foster. As the layers are peeled away and we get to see his true self, can we just say how badly we swoon? That we feel everything that Callie is feeling? Like... I can't even get into it! You just have to read this and me trying to tell you how I feel about it will only do it a disservice as well as rob you of the opportunity to experience all of the feels. So I'm not even going to discuss this story, I'm just going to say this: I loved this book. It was phenomenal. The dynamic between Callie and Foster as well as the rest of the cast is just so perfect - but the true star of this book is how, in their own ways, Callie and Foster are able to find their person and feel comfortable enough to trust and let themselves be vulnerable, especially Foster. And to witness that is a beautiful thing.

Now!!! Ummm excuse me! Decker, what?????? I need to know what in the third base is going on. So like, Piper, Ryane, do you guys like need another beta reader? Is there any way to get an early glimpse? Asking for not-a-friend but asking for me - I need to know.

Cindy thismomreadsbooks

547 reviews27 followers

mikayla (thesmuttybooknerd) dawn

Piper Rayne has done it again, a great addition to the series. I absolutely ate this one up. I love their writing and this book instantly grabbed my attention. I’m a sucker for a brothers best friends romance-add in sports, a surprise pregnancy plus a found family like this group-it was a home-run read *pun intended* 😉

Foster Davis is the hot tattooed bad boy of baseball….but is he really? My goodness that man and all his layers! I loved him so much, he was so sweet and protective of Callie and the baby. He brought a smile to my face very often while reading.
I loved Callie-she was a spitfire. I loved her personality very relatable, fun and such a big heart-she cares so much for those close to her.
There were times where my heart hurt for both of them and I ached for them to see how much they were worth, especially Foster. So deserving of love, happiness and family.

These two had some good banter and playful flirting that I just couldn’t get enough of! I flew through this one, these two just made it so easy to fall in love with them and every single moment they were together was was great! Their attraction and chemistry was so high-and the tension…spicy! You could totally see why it lead to their intense first night together.

I loved that both Foster and Callie had their own past trauma that lead to they being weary of relationships and love. They both showed such vulnerability and strength at the same time. Each with their own insecurities, but somehow found safe space and trust in one another. Enough to open up, learn about eachother and develop their connection that was amazing. Not that they didn’t have their trying moments and things to overcome, but it made the journey a good one!

Piper Rayne gave us quite the teaser into the next book as well-I can not wait to see how that unfolds!

I was lucky to also have an ALC of this book. Erin Mallon and Sean Masters were fantastic as Callie and Foster. I was really able to feel all the emotions, which made for such a great overall experience. I highly recommend doing both for this one.

4.75⭐️

**thank you to the author and Valentine PR for the copy of this book. This review and its opinions are my own

178 reviews12 followers

2026-reads 5-star-reads acidental-pregnancy-secret-baby

Foster Davis is officially my favourite Piper Rayne mmc…..

The Wild Card is book two in the Dugout series following our FMC Callie, who just found out she is expecting a baby with none other than her brother’s best friend & teammate Foster.

no cause this was actual perfection, the banter, the tension, the chemistry and the spice was just written to perfection. i also just love my a broken man and that was exactly foster. Everything this man did had me weak, he showed up for callie in ways she never thought. Callie was such a fun and loveable FMC, she was bold, hilarious and knows what she wants and i loved her for it, and foster? My sweet broken boy foster, he was just so PERFECT he has some trust issues, doesn’t see himself as worthy or loveable and some abandonment issues and my heart had truly broke for him. Now here’s when things just get so much better.

The audiobook was seriously a chef’s kiss, to perfection. By Erin Mallon and Sean masters + full cast. The amount of talent in this, i felt every single emotion throughout the entire audiobook Sean and Erin combined was just so amazing i have no words. It had me crying through some chapters because the emotion in their voices was just immaculate. I definitely recommend the full experience of both the book and the audio hand in hand.

Thank you so much Piper Rayne and Hambright Pr for the arc + alc

Hope

88 reviews7 followers

Amanda (_sunshine_reads_) Hengen

⚾️ Surprise pregnancy + baseball star + brother’s best friend? I was hooked from page one.

✨ ALC Review ✨

Narrated by: Seth Masters and Erin Mallon

This was my first baseball romance, and after reading The Wild Card, I am officially hooked!

Callie is such a fun, lovable FMC—she’s hilarious, bold, and the way she tells Forrest she’s pregnant had me laughing out loud. That scene alone sold me on this book.
Forrest, her brother’s best friend, is one of the sweetest MMCs. From the very beginning, he shows up for Callie and is determined to give his baby everything he never had growing up.

When the two decide to move in together and prepare for their surprise baby, what follows is a perfect mix of laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt emotion, and plenty of 🌶️. Watching their walls slowly come down made their connection feel so real and rewarding.

And that cliffhanger?! I need the next book ASAP.

Thank you to Piper Rayne and Hambright PR for this ARC—I can’t wait to grab a finished copy when it releases on April 2!

TROPES ✨ 🤰 Accidental Pregnancy ⚾️ Baseball Romance ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Found Family 🤫 Secret Hookups 🧑🏻‍💼 Brother’s Best Friend

555 reviews21 followers

4.25 ⭐️

Piper Rayne really knows how to do a romcom! This baseball romance was so fun & funny! Callie & Foster’s one night stand turns into 2 pink lines. Callie is so authentic. I really love her character. She’s witty & sassy! Foster, despite his reputation, doesn’t hesitate for one second about becoming a dad once Callie breaks the news to him. But, their relationship is a little more complicated. I enjoyed the ride while they tried to figure things out. And for possibly the first time ever, I wasn’t irate about a 3rd act break up. It felt like it made sense based on what Foster was feeling & going through. Sometimes they just feel so unnecessary! But, this time it slipped seamlessly into the storyline. The authors wrapped things up sweetly in the end & I really enjoyed the story overall! The narrators did a pretty awesome job! Although I will say, I didn’t enjoy the way Jagger was voiced - he sounded skeezy & I don’t think he was meant to be. Lol! But, his character is minor. So, it didn’t really take from the story as a whole. And maybe it’s just a me thing. Haha! All of that to say, I definitely enjoyed this & recommend it, friends!

iowagirlreads

640 reviews20 followers

4.5⭐️ rounded up

Kelsey

215 reviews4 followers

RTC

alcs

Kelsey reviews•books

375 reviews112 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

arc-hambright-tbr romance-baseball

I just love an accidental pregnancy trope and a tatted MMC. And this had both.
This is the second book in “The Dugout” series. The rest of the series is set to come out throughout 2026.

▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader and 🎧Audiobook (Narrated by Sean Masters and Erin Mallon, but has a full cast of supporting narrators; narration rating: 4.5/5)
Thank you kindly to authors Piper Rayne and Hambright PR for the advanced ebook and ALC in exchange for my honest opinions. This will be available on April 2, 2026.
─────────────────────────

○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○

– About: Callie had a one-night stand with her brother’s best friend and teammate Foster and now she’s carrying his baby. But Foster is notoriously anti-monogamy and is a broody king. Except for where it comes to Callie… Foster’s upbringing has left him with a pile of his own demons, but will he let them get in the way of his ability to be a good dad? Or will everything blow up in his face?
– FMC: Callie Carlisle. 30-year-old podcaster who is used to doing things on her own (iykwim). She’s patient and gentle, but also strong when it matters. She likes standing up for who and what she believes in.
– MMC: Foster Davis (aka “The Reaper” or “Reap”). Closer who just transferred from Seattle to Chicago. “Heartthrob, bad boy, eats the same cereal as a six-year-old.” Doesn’t get along with his twin or his mom…or his dad (it’s complicated)
– Location: Chicago, IL
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: 5 open-door explicitly spicy scenes
– Tropes: brother’s best friend/best friend’s sister, accidental pregnancy, roommates to lovers, forced proximity, closed off MMC, reformed playboy, “who hurt you”, he makes it his mission to get her off, sex lessons, alpha MMC
– Content warning: intruder, being ghosted after intimacy, estranged parents, child of divorce
– Representation: Nothing noteworthy

─────────────────────────

↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12

Now Playing: Bed Chem by Sabrina

╰┈➤ ❝Are you free next week? I’d bet we’d have really good; come right on me, I mean camaraderie…❞

─────────────────────────

★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★

➼ One-night stand turned accidental pregnancy turned roommates to lovers books, like Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
➼ Sports romances with a dash of emotional character growth and a scoop of teammates/found family

─────────────────────────

⍟»This or That«⍟

Character Driven——✧—————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn——————✧—————Slow Burn
Sweet————————✧———Spicy
Light/Fluffy———✧————————Heavy/Emotional

─────────────────────────

🎯 My Thoughts:

I was so excited to get the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this since I just finished book 1 a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. The verdict? I think I liked this second book even more! But I am a sucker for accidental pregnancy and tatted MMC with emotional attachment issues… so…

While book one was a fun but emotional read tied to how to deal with sudden death, book two was a fun read tied to how to deal with sudden life. I loved that Callie was a self-made working woman and she didn’t back down from the challenges she was faced.

One thing about both of these books is while I’m not sure they are insta-lust full on, it does kind of feel like they can’t have heartfelt conversations without one of the characters’ internal monologue being “I find her so kind, I want to fuck her”… it takes me out of it. I like when sweet moments are sometimes just sweet. That said, the chemistry between the MCs in both books was so good. My stomach swooped several times and the tension between Callie and Foster was fire, but I wanted to smack Foster sometimes. His story arc was sad, but he was so hot and heavy at the beginning, what did he think was going to happen??

There are just SO MANY characters in these books that sometimes it’s difficult to keep them all straight. I kept getting Jagger and Cooper confused, and was always trying to remember who Lex was, or Penelope. But this series so far has amazing found family/teammates vibes, and I love that.

The thing I love most about these books is the audio version. It’s a FULL CAST of all of our favorite romance narrators, but each book has two main narrators that stick with those characters in the other books. Sean Masters deep timbre could both woo me to sleep and wake me up. Erin Mallon is the perfect Callie, gentle but strong in her delivery. (but with the next book is Decker’s… it will be game over because TEDDY HAMILTON voices Decker…)

Would I Recommend?: YES! This is a great series for sports romance with depth AND spice.

•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•

Alexia Gauthier

168 reviews10 followers

accidental-pregnancy arcs baseball-romance

One night. Two pink lines. Zero chill (and I’m still not over it.)

5 ⭐️ | 4.25 🌶️

FUCK. ME. MIC. DROP. 🎤

No, because how is it even legal for Piper Rayne to keep doing this to me?? Every single time I tell myself, “I’ll pace it. I’ll savor it.” And every single time, I black out for a few hours and resurface having devoured the entire book in one sitting, emotionally wrecked and wondering what to do with my life next.

The Wild Card absolutely lives up to its name and then some.

We’ve got Callie Carlisle, who basically grew up breathing baseball thanks to her brother Hayes (yes, that Hayes 👀), and Foster Davis, the broody, emotionally constipated closer for the Chicago Colts who communicates primarily in grunts and one-word answers. Oh, and did I mention he’s also her brother’s best friend? Because of course he is.

What starts as a one-night, tension-fueled “this is a terrible idea” situation (read: a hate-fueled explosion of chemistry) turns into a life-altering surprise: two pink lines. And listen… I was fully prepared for Foster to panic and bolt like the emotionally unavailable king he’s branded to be.

But he doesn’t.

He stays.

And that’s when this story really sinks its claws into you.

Because beneath the gruff exterior, Foster is… soft. Quietly, devastatingly soft. The kind of soft that only shows up when no one else is looking. The kind that makes your chest ache because you know it cost him something to get there. Watching him choose to show up for Callie, for the baby, for something real, was everything.

And Callie? She’s strong, messy, vulnerable, and so beautifully human. She doesn’t have it all figured out, and she doesn’t pretend to. Her journey; navigating fear, independence, and unexpected love; felt so raw and grounded.

Their relationship? Not easy. Not polished. Not some picture-perfect fairytale.

It’s rocky. It’s complicated. It’s real.

And that’s exactly why it works.

The tension? Off the charts.
The banter? Chef’s kiss.
The emotional depth? Sneaks up on you and then punches you straight in the heart.

And don’t even get me started on the tropes:
Accidental pregnancy ✔️
Enemies to lovers ✔️
Sibling’s best friend ✔️
Secret hookups ✔️
Found family ✔️
…AND those “we shouldn’t be doing this but we absolutely are” lessons??? Yeah. Bad decisions were made. I support all of them.

What truly stood out to me, though, was the theme of growth: of letting people in when it’s easier to shut them out, of facing your past instead of running from it, of learning how to love when you’ve never really been shown how.

Both Callie and Foster carry their own scars, and watching them slowly, hesitantly, beautifully open up to each other? It wrecked me in the best way.

This book left me staring at a wall afterward, questioning my existence and contemplating a reread immediately after finishing.

If you love emotional, character-driven romance with tension, heart, and just the right amount of chaos, this is your sign.

Run. Don’t walk. ⚾️💥

A huge thank you to Valentine PR for the e-ARC and Hambright PR for the ALC; getting to experience this story early in both formats was such a treat. The Wild Card releases on April 2nd, and trust me, you’re going to want this one on your radar.

And now… excuse me while I impatiently wait for book three like my sanity depends on it.

The Sewist's Bookshelf

553 reviews100 followers

Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers

accidental-pregnancy alpharoll arcs

⭐ (Story) 4
⭐ (Narrator) 4
🌶️ 3
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 34, 35, 40, 42, 44, 48, 53
❤️‍🔥 Swoon Factor: 2.5
👫 Foster + Callie
📚 Tropes/Themes: baseball romance, one night stand turned relationship, accidental pregnancy, brother's best friend, trauma/healing, grumpy sunshine, spicy lessons
👀 Dual POV First person
🎙️ Multi narration (Sean Masters and Erin Mallon, along with JF Harding, Teddy Hamilton, Connor Crais, Austin Stone, CJ Bloom, Willa Jaymes, and Meg Sylvan )
⏰ Approx 6 hours @ 1.75x
💔 Content warnings: toxic parents, gambling addiction
🎀 Special editions: none

This was cute! It's the second book in the The Dugout series, and technically could be a standalone, but I think you'd have a better experience if you read The Hot Shot first.

This story focuses on baseball player Foster, and his bestie's sister Callie who have a one-night stand which results in a pregnancy that was teased in the epilogue of the first book.

So first thing I got to say JFC the way she announced her pregnancy to him made me simultaneously uncomfortable and cringe and laugh out loud SO HARD. I just.... Who thinks that's a good idea and then it just goes off the rails 🤣

I loved how protective Foster is and I think Rayne really nailed the super grumpy and standoffish exterior but soft and squishy interior with him. Deep down that man just want to be chosen and loved.

Initially liked the spicy lessons/not finishing but I kinda wish he'd "needed" a little more practice. Not necessarily more spicy scenes but rather more that I was excited to see an FMC who wasn't automatically cured of her inability to finish by the MMCs magic dick. Instead she was "cured" the second time.

I wish there had been more about Callie's past. Her "tragic backstory" genuinely didn't seem to add up to her current hangups (esp in comparison to Foster). I also would've like to see how the interviews pan out with Callie's job stuff, but possibly that will be addressed in the next book

Possibly an unpopular opinion, but I was kind of weirded out by the bookstore scene. It felt like an inside joke and a little too meta.

As for the narrators, whoever voiced Jerry really REALLY nailed the creepy landlord 😅. LOVED Sean Masters of course, but I wasn't thrilled with the female narrator. I've listened to her before and there's something she does with her intonation, especially at the end of the phrases

And of course the epilogue ends on a cliffhanger, so now I'm desperate for Decker's story

Overall this might sound like a negative review, but I really did enjoy it and recommend it- so much so that I listened to it in one day. I'm just commenting on small things that stood out to me lol.

Cigi cini

720 reviews51 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

🤰 Surprise Pregnancy
🏒 Baseball Romance
💔 One Night Stand
👬 Brother’s Best Friend
🏠 Forced Proximity
💞 Co-Parents to Lovers
🔥 Spicy Lessons
😤 Broody Hero
🧸 Soft for Her Hero
👀 Emotional Slow Burn

Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Narrators: Sean Masters | Erin Mallon | JF Harding | Teddy Hamilton | Connor Crais | Austin Stone | CJ Bloom | Willa Jaymes | Meg Sylvan

The Wild Card by Piper Rayne is such a fun and emotional ride that perfectly blends surprise pregnancy chaos with a swoony, unexpectedly soft hero. Foster Davis is exactly the kind of broody, closed-off baseball player you think you know at first glance, but watching him step up after that one night changes everything. He might be the king of short answers and emotional walls, but when it matters, he shows up in ways that completely melt you.

What really makes this story shine is the shift in their dynamic. It starts with an accidental situation that could have easily gone the messy route, but instead it turns into something layered and heartfelt. The co-parenting arrangement feels real, with both of them trying to stay within the lines they set, even as the tension keeps building. And that tension is so good. The quiet moments, the lingering looks, the way Foster starts to let her in piece by piece all add to that slow unraveling of his character.

The chemistry is undeniable, and yes, adding those “lessons” definitely complicates things in the best way. It brings heat, but also vulnerability, because every moment together chips away at the idea that this is just temporary or just about the baby. Foster being gentle behind closed doors is honestly one of the biggest highlights. It adds depth to his gruff exterior and makes his emotional growth feel earned and satisfying.

Calle holds her own really well too. She is navigating a life she never planned while trying to protect her heart, and that push and pull between what she feels and what she thinks is smart creates a lot of emotional tension. You can feel how badly she wants to believe in something more, even when she keeps reminding herself of the risks.

Overall, this is a heartfelt, steamy, and character driven romance that delivers on all the feels. It is about unexpected turns, breaking down walls, and realizing that sometimes the person you thought was the biggest risk might actually be the safest place to land.

arc

Alex E

422 reviews3 followers

🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5 — Moderate spice
• Clear on-page sex
• Moderate detail and frequency
Steamy and Spice chapters down below.

Peep the trigger/content warnings prior to reading.

📝 Notes:
Dual POV: Callie and Foster
Book 2
Broody x Sunshine
Accidental pregnancy
One night stand
Brothers best friend/Best friends sister
Roommates
Sex Lessons
Co-parenting with benefits
Found Family
Sports Romance (Baseball)

I had the opportunity to receive both an ARC and ALC of this book, which I’m so grateful for. Here’s my honest review.

I did a tandem book and audiobook read.

This is book 2 of an interconnected series, can be read as a standalone.

This book was freaking hilarious—romcom worthy! So many parts had me cackling. I 100% would’ve read this in one sitting if I could. It was so good.

There are so many things I loved about this book. I really enjoyed the first book and loved Hayes, but Foster is my guy. He’s super grumpy and broody but a total softy—a full-on cinnamon roll—for Callie. And ohhhh, the moment when he learns that only about 50% of women consistently orgasm during sex and how he handles that? I loved how the book addressed that—both the stats and the reality that it’s not always easy for women.

I also really enjoyed diving into the challenges both Callie and Foster faced. Callie is so patient and understanding, and the more we learn about Foster, the more I fell for him—like, how could she not fall even harder? They truly complement each other. They see each other, and they show up with patience and support. Yes, there are some bumps along the way, but they work through them—with the help of friends and family.

Another thing I love about this book (and the series overall) is the found family aspect. Going through hard things can feel so isolating, but having a solid support system—and a partner who’s got your back—makes it feel manageable. Such a freaking wholesome book.

I’m really excited to read the upcoming books in the series! We get introduced to the next couple at the end, and I already have a theory for book four—Easton and the new general manager of the Trojans 👀

Side note (may be fixed before release): End of Chp 40, some of Callie’s lines in the ALC were missing.

Download and Read the bonus chapter! It’ll be worth it.

🌶️Spice Chapters:
34+35+36
42
44
48
53

arc-reads sports-romance

Fernanda Dzib

472 reviews2 followers

5⭐️

So, I was patently waiting for this book because I knew from the moment I read The Hotshot’s epilogue that this would became my favorite book and oh boy, I wasn’t wrong!!

I loved Foster so much 😭❤️ he has the biggest heart and I hurt for him the more I get to know him, all the resent and anger he was carrying with was the reason he present the world as the bad boy baseball player who’s also a playboy and troublemaker, but in the inside, he’s the biggest Teddy bear I’ve ever read 😩❤️ he was so scared of letting Callie loving him because his childhood and part of his adulthood taught him he wasn’t enough, that he wasn’t worth the effort, and he thought that Callie eventually would leave him too and that thought was unbearable for him, because Callie is the first woman he ever let himself to love 🥹❤️ and all the things he did from the moment Callie told him she was pregnant!! Oh my god, every tike I think I couldn’t love him more, he just proved me wrong again and again and I loved it ✨

And Callie, my girl, I love her, she’s so independent and her life also made her believe she wasn’t worth the effort and that she only was worth for a little while but never enough to stay with, and I can relate to her, and she also thought that something was wrong with her because she need a little extra spicy time to see stars (iykyk) but Foster was there to show her she’s worth the world ❤️‍🩹 I loved the way she managed to understand Foster and hie she helped him to talk about his emotions and feelings with her, because she’s the only person he was able to open to, I love everything about Callie, and I think she’s one of my favorites FMC ❤️

Shoutout to Piper and Rayne for that little glimpse of a the Hotshot in the bookstore scene and I love how it was said in that scene that they’ll be writing a baseball romance book!! It was so genius 😩❤️ also thank you for giving us Foster jealous about fictional characters and frustrated about not having enough baseball players heroes and books 🙂‍↔️✨

Now, I CANT wait for Decker’s book!! I mean, single mom, second chance, coach’s daughter tropes? I NEED this!! Also I’m intrigued about the back story of Foster, Decker and the FMC in Decker’s book because in feeling it’s going to be sooo good!! ✨

Nicole

501 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

After Callie had a one night stand in a club with her bother’s best friend, she told herself it could never happen again, as much as she might like it to. When she later found out that she was pregnant, she was determined to do everything on her own, assuming the father would have no interest in interrupting his playboy ways to be a parent, but as she told him, she was surprised by his reaction. Rather than push her away, he did everything he could to keep her close, and when she was forced to move out of her apartment, he offered to have her move in with him, under the guise of getting to know each other and becoming friends, for the sake of the baby. But the more time they spent together, the more that spark between them continued to burn, threatening to ignite everything in its wake.

Foster may have a reputation as someone with no interest in commitment, but given how he was raised, that isn’t surprising. The women he hooks up with know the score, never to expect more than what he offers, but after his night with Callie, he can’t help himself but want a repeat performance, even though he knows it could cost him his best friend. When he finds out she’s carrying his child, he vows not to make the same mistakes his parents did, and will do anything to keep Callie and the baby close, and safe. But its hard to undo decades of emotional damage, and he has to wonder whether letting Callie in will be more of a risk to her, or to himself.

I receieved early copies of this ebook and audiobook from Valentine PR and Hambright PR and absolutely loved it! Both Callie and Foster had demons from their pasts they needed to overcome, but even under the guise of friendship, they were able to build a connection and trust that neither had been able to find elsewhere. Callie taught Foster that love shouldn’t be conditional, whereas he was determined to show her that love stays, and although they had to overcome a number of obstacles to get their HEA, they both got to see the real person on the other side of the walls.

Lisa Raham

48 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

Well I feel like I waited forever to be able to read this ARC, and boy was it worth the wait.

I'll start by saying that accidental pregnancy is not my favorite of tropes. I do enjoy it when I feel like it has been done correctly and in this instance that was definitely the case.

I'm going to bullet form some of the things I really enjoyed or found refreshing in this book, without spoiling anything. So I might be vague about some stuff and once you read it those things will make sense lol

-loved that the fmc wasn't trying to keep this a secret from the mmc. I hate when that happens in some books. So I was very happy that the main characters were written as functional mature adults.

-the real life representation of the physical/sexual relationship between the two main characters and the certain struggles that they faced were honestly just down right refreshing to read. I don't want to get into details because I don't want to spoil anything. But this is more directed to the authors...... THANK YOU! You made it so much more relatable to read that as a women. And to have that be made to be normal and not anything to be ashamed of I just really appreciated reading that. You depicted Callie in a very relatable way for me personally, and Foster was so perfectly flawed.

-sometimes I love a 3rd act breakup and other times I feel like the author puts the couple in a completely avoidable circumstance that is so frustrating and alot of times just comes across as immaturity by the characters. However I will say that the catalyst for the breakup in this story totally aligned with the male main character and his journey. It needed to happen to help him fully understand his issues and work and move past them.

-these main characters were written to both have strength and vulnerability. It was a well done balancing act. They both had insecurities, but they also were very self aware of them and why they had those issues.

I want to thank the authors for the opportunity to read this advanced copy! This is a first read from these ladies and I now have to go through their back list of books and binge read them for a while! 😊

Brenda

217 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

ALC review

The second book in The Dugout series evolves around Callie. Callie is Hayes little sister of who is quite protective. Hayes is also Foster's best friend and team mate. When Callie finds out that she's pregnant after a one night stand she and Foster had, their life's change. Foster shows a whole different side of himself. While people know him as the troublemaker he is now sweet and carrying. He really wants to be there for Callie and their unborn child.
While they navigate the pregnancy, problems pop up. How could it not, when you are a famous baseball player and had a troubled youth.
Callie is a woman that is pretty much independent. She doesn't think she needs help. So it is pretty satisfying when she accepts Foster his help.
Foster is a man with a troubled past. He finds it difficult to love. When the physical attraction between him and Callie gets more, he has great difficulties in navigating his feelings. I love how he manages to work through his issues.
The romance in book two of the series is slow burn but it burns faster than in book one. There is a lot of attraction between our two main characters, inevitable that they get together.

Audio book 5 stars
Holy. Narrator. Dream Team. This full cast audiobook is next level perfection, and Piper Rayne hit the jackpot with this all star lineup. Every narrator brings their A game, making the characters leap off the page.
Sean Masters portraying Foster is a perfect cast. His deep gravelly voice matches the character and energy Foster has in the book. I enjoyed listening to Foster a lot. Erin Mallon does a perfect job making Callie come to life. Her sassy and witty tones were perfect for Callie.
And lets talk about the supporting cast! JF Harding, Teddy Hamilton, Connor Crais, Austin Stone, CJ Bloom, Willa Jaymes, and Meg Sylvan are giving it all for this book. The way they make sure every character sounds different.
I loved listening to this book!

Felecia Rodney

346 reviews6 followers

Review of advance copy

alc-2026 duet-narration favorites

ALC Review:

Full Cast Duet Narration by Erin Mallon and Sean Masters, with CJ Bloom, J.F. Harding, Teddy Hamilton, Connor Crais, Austin Stone, Meg Sylvan, and Willa Jaymes

Tropes:
Baseball romance
Accidental pregnancy
Brother's Best Friend
Grumpy/Sunshine
Trauma/Healing

Callie never planned to get pregnant after a one-night stand—especially not with her brother’s best friend, Foster. But when life throws them together, Foster proves he’s more than the broody, distant pitcher everyone assumes he is. What starts as a simple co-parenting arrangement quickly becomes something deeper as walls come down and feelings grow.

It was great to be back in Chicago again with this series. The moment Callie started hinting about the baby daddy, I literally yelled because I KNEW it. I loved how much more depth we got with Callie’s personality and Foster’s emotional walls. He was so guarded and doesn’t think he deserves love, which I wanted to shake him, give him a hug and drill it in his head that he is worthy.

Callie is witty, sassy, and stands up for what she believes in, and I loved her even more here than in The Hotshot. Her “Rebound Callie” label—where the guys she dates always move on to serious relationships after her—adds a really emotional and vulnerable layer to her character. There’s this stigma that she’s only meant to be a good time, and I felt sad for her. I was rooting for them the entire time, and right now, Foster Davis is sitting at the top of my favorite MMC list. (Though I may be eating my words).

The narration was exceptional. Erin Mallon and Sean Masters delivered standout performances, and the full cast added richness and depth that made the story even more engaging.

That cliffhanger completely caught me off guard—I need answers about Penelope and the Davis brothers. I’m so excited for Decker’s story next. Huge thanks to Valentine PR and the authors for this ALC.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Perla Garcia

92 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

Foster and Callie!!! Truly the perfect way to kick off baseball season!!

Foster is hands down my favorite Chicago Colt, no debate. He’s so misunderstood, yet so deeply seen by his found family. The weight of everything he’s been through, the way it made him feel undeserving of love. Yeah… that hurt. I just wanted to wrap him up and protect him at all costs. But also, his vulnerability, the way he shows up, and his jealousy over fictional men was everything. I loved every second of him.

And Callie, yup she is that girl. Strong, steady, and dealing with so much, especially after everything at the end of The Hotshot. Finding out she’s pregnant when she least expects it, and then trying to tell Foster… I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed, emotional, and amused all at once in that apartment scene. The way she stands by him and becomes his calm in the chaos just made me root for her happiness even harder.

Also, Hayes and Leighton!! Can I apply to join this friend group or…no? Because the love and support in this found family is unreal, and I’m a little jealous.

The tension, the lessons, the one-for-one game... every little piece just worked. It gave so much depth to their relationship. Like what are Piper Rayne putting in these books because I’ve been hooked since day one and at this point they’re an auto-buy for me, no questions asked.

The audiobook, Sean Masters and Erin Mallon absolutely delivered. They brought Foster and Callie to life in the best way, and the full cast just makes everything feel so immersive.

That bonus chapter was everything!! I am more than ready for Decker’s story now, I need it immediately, please!!

Thank you Piper Rayne and Hambright PR for the absolute amazing ARC and ALC!!!

Ashley Munk

114 reviews

Read

⭐️4.5|🌶️ 2.5
Holy spice lessons! I cannot get over this book. Callie is such a strong, kind and somewhat scarred FMC. I enjoyed getting to know more about our grumpy clutch pitcher MMC Foster and what made him so rough around the edges. These two have some complex interpersonal hurdles to overcome and they did so beautifully with the support of one another. I love how the found family and legit family relationships morph throughout this book. Leighton is truly an amazing bestie and is down to couch couch couch 🛋️ or throw hands. Hayes was such a great big brother, he really stepped up his game being team Callie and Foster.

The nods to the other amazing Piper Rayne series and books was too cute! I was kicking and screaming with the fiction to reality crossover with the Last Chapter Bookshop. My ears perked up immediately with a “that places actually exists!!” moment. Next time I’m in the Chi I’ll be sure to swing in.

The cast in this audio did a phenomenal job! I loved how Sean Masters nailed a broody, under high stress, spicy time student with Foster. Erin Mallon did an amazing job with Callie, she captured her mature and level headed character beautifully. Her portrayal of feeling like a second thought or less than with internal monologue was perfection. The supporting cast JF Harding, Teddy Hamilton, Connor Crais, Austin Stone, CJ Bloom, Willa Jaymes and Meg Sylvan was outstanding.

I am in love with this series and cannot wait for book 3!! Talk about a cliff hanger … I will 100% be reading the bonus content. May 14th can you get here already 🙄 I need to know about what happened in college!!!

Big thank you to Valentine PR Audio and authors Piper Rayne for this ALC opportunity

Sheridan Mullen

103 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

4.5 Stars

I don’t think I’ve ever exercised this much patience waiting for a reveal… and it was so worth it. Finding out who Callie’s baby daddy is had me absolutely feral! I would be shocked if anyone could read this and not fall completely in love with Foster. Him and Callie are the perfect fit. This book adds so much depth to Foster’s character. Getting insight into his upbringing, his relationship with his family, and especially his brother, completely shifts how you see him. It made me appreciate his character on a whole new level.

I also loved how much we got from the dugout crew. The friendships in this book really shine. Everyone shows up, supports each other, and plays meaningful roles in the story. It adds so much richness to the world and makes every interaction feel important and intentional. I want to join this friend group so bad!

The tension between Callie and Foster is chef’s kiss. It builds slowly, naturally, and when they finally give in it’s intense, emotional, and incredibly intimate. The payoff is absolutely worth the wait.

This story has everything. Hope, heartbreak, growth, and love you can’t help but root for. Even in their lowest moments, you’re fully invested in them finding their way back to each other. I wish we got even more after the events in the last chapter/epilogue! But I'm hoping we get to see more of Callie and Foster in the next book to help satisfy that craving.

Honestly, reading Piper Rayne always feels like coming home. Their books are such a comfort for me, and they consistently deliver stories that leave me completely satisfied. This book is no different.

Mary Lohorn

159 reviews14 followers

Colleen (The Book Lover Blog)

Another phenomenal read by Piper Rayne! This book had me hooked from the very first chapter. This book delivers everything I love about sports romance, chemistry that crackles, emotional depth, and characters who feel real and relatable.

The chemistry between Callie & Foster was undeniable. They shared so many heartwarming moments together. I laughed, shed a couple tears but rooted for them the entire time.

The tension between them is electric, but what really stood out to me was the heart behind their story. It’s not just about attraction it’s about vulnerability, growth, and learning to take a chance when the stakes are high. The banter is sharp and playful, but the emotional moments hit just as hard, giving the romance a beautiful balance.

I especially loved how layered the characters felt. Their struggles, fears, and past choices made their connection even more meaningful. And of course, the swoony moments? Absolutely top tier.

Piper Rayne never disappoints when it comes to delivering romance with heart, humor, and heat. The Wild Card is no exception. If you love sports romance with depth and undeniable chemistry, this one is a must read. Release day is April 2nd. The audio is top notch performed DUET NARRATION by Sean Masters & Erin Mallon. Also featuring JF Harding, Teddy Hamilton, Connor Crais, Austin Stone, CJ Bloom, Willa Jaymes & Meg Sylvan.

Thank you to Piper Rayne and Hambright PR for the advance reader and advance listener copy.

TROPES ✨
🤰 Accidental Pregnancy  ⚾️ Baseball Romance ⚔️ Enemies to Lovers 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Found Family 🤫 Secret Hookups 🧑🏻‍💼 Sibling's Best Friend

788 reviews54 followers

Review of advance copy received from Publisher

4.5 ⭐️ | 4.75 🎧 | 3.5 🌶
After wrapping up The Hotshot, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on The Wild Card. I had a strong suspicion that Callie’s baby daddy would be Foster Davis, and I was right!

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Foster and Callie and watching their connection grow, even before they fully realized just how strong it was. Their quick, flirty banter was entertaining, and the “spicy lessons” definitely delivered. Both characters brought emotional depth to the story, each carrying their own internal struggles and past trauma. Foster’s, especially, added layers to his character.

That said, there was one element of conflict involving Foster’s dad that didn’t quite work for me. It felt unnecessary to the overall plot, as there was already plenty of tension driving the story forward.

The audiobook narration was the icing on the cake. Sean Masters perfectly captured Foster with his deep, brooding tone, and Erin Mallon brought great energy to her performance as Callie. The full cast was amazing.

Overall, this was a fun, emotional, and steamy read. If you love baseball romance, surprise pregnancy tropes, and a best friend’s sister dynamic, The Wild Card is definitely one to pick up.

I’m already excited to continue the series and can’t wait for book three!

______
*Complimentary ARC provided by Valentine PR.
Complimentary ALC provided by Hambright PR.
All opinions expressed here are honest and entirely my own.

Genre: Contemporary Romance; Sports Romance
Tropes: Baseball Romance, Spicy Lessons, Teammate/Best Friend's Sister, Roommates, Surprise Pregnancy

2026 arc-2026 audiobook

Taylor Balkema

248 reviews10 followers

I swear reading a Piper Rayne book feels like getting a giant cozy hug, and The Wild Card was no exception. I never want to leave the little world they’ve created in Chicago—it honestly just feels like coming home every time.

Foster Davis was everything I wanted him to be. He has that tough, tattooed bad boy exterior, but underneath he’s so protective, loving, and genuinely just a great partner for Callie. Their relationship felt easy to root for, and I loved how it developed throughout the story.

I also really appreciated how the romance was handled in a more realistic way. Foster isn’t written as some over-the-top, “perfect at everything” guy—instead, he’s self-aware enough to realize that being a good partner means actually learning what Callie wants and needs. And Callie opening up about that made their connection feel so much more genuine. It added a layer of authenticity you don’t always see, and I loved that.

The added backstory with Foster and Decker and their parents brought in a nice touch of mystery and suspense, which gave the story a bit more depth without taking away from the overall feel-good sports romance vibe.

And longtime Piper Rayne readers were absolutely spoiled with this one. The character pop-ups and cameos were so fun, but that last chapter in the bookstore especially felt like a little inside nod to loyal readers. Moments like that really highlight how much care the authors put into their world and their fanbase.

By the end, I was flying through the pages trying to figure out what—and who—the next book would be about. I’m so excited to get more from Decker and Foster, and I already know I’ll be picking up the next one as soon as it’s out.

Molly

491 reviews3 followers

3.5 ⭐️ (Duet Narration Audiobook) Overall I enjoyed this book, but there some things that didn’t work as well for me. The book opens with Callie finding out she’s pregnant with her brother’s best friend, Foster’s, baby. Foster and her brother are professional baseball players in Chicago. Foster and Callie hooked up one night but aren’t in a relationship. Foster asks Callie to move in with him so they can get to know one another and be co-parents.

The story jumped right into Callie being pregnant without any real background information of what happened between her and Foster. I felt like I had missed something, even though later on we got a bit of the story, I wish that part had been included in the book. There were also things about Foster’s past that were alluded to, but not spelled out that again I wish had been covered in more detail.

Other than those things though I liked the book. I thought it was great that Foster wanted to learn how to please Callie, and help get her out of her head when it came to the spicy times. The spicy times were definitely hot, and well written. Their one-for-one game where they had to honestly answer each other’s questions was such a good way for them to communicate and learn about each other. I liked their entire friend group as well.

The narrators did a great job, and it was a full cast which is always a bonus. I do plan on reading the other books in the series and look forward to them. I want to thank Hambright PR and Piper Rayne for the copy of this book, I voluntarily chose to leave a review.

4/5 on the Spicy Scale

M/F

Contemporary/Sports Romance

MN Book Lady

2,365 reviews6 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Oh boy do opposites attract!

Six weeks ago, Callie hooked up with one of her brother's friends who's also a teammate and now there's a little surprise waiting for them. Foster is known as the bad boy of the league and has just been traded to Chicago, much to his twin brother's distain and Hayes' worry. Foster grew up in a disjointed household and doesn't want that for his kid, so when he sees that Callie needs somewhere better to live, he offers his spare room. Rules get broken pretty quickly and it seems like things are going towards a real relationship between the two. So what happens when Foster's past comes back to be a problem with him moving forward?

Callie and Foster get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.

I loved how independent both characters were to begin with, but it was clear that they both wanted a real connection with someone else as well. I do wonder how long Callie had been putting up with her creepy landlord before Foster moved her out of the building as that would be horrible to walk in on. It would be interesting to know how Hayes would have reacted had he found out from Callie and Foster rather than the media and if his reaction would have been similar, just without the press in his face about it. I do hope that Foster and his twin are also working on making their relationship better too now that Foster is working on himself and more of what happened between their parents has come out, just because they'll be teammates for a while.

I received an advance review copy from Hambright PR, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Celsy R

81 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers