A fake marriage deal was never in my life’s plan. Especially not to Easton Bailey.
Chicago Colts flashy shortstop. The kind of man built for a good time and allergic to forever. And the one who just slid a ring on my finger… on paper.
It’s supposed to be simple. A mutually beneficial arrangement. I play nanny to his son. He plays husband to my family.
No emotions. No complications. And absolutely no falling for each other.
Turns out pretending to be a family is the fastest way to break every rule we set.
Because he watches me like it was never just a deal. Because he trusts me with the person who matters most. Because the more we pretend, the less fake it feels.
And now the man who was never supposed to stay is the one I can’t lose.
(ARC Read)
Easton Bailey was one of my most anticipated Colts, and somehow Piper Rayne still managed to exceed every expectation I had for him.
For three books, we’ve known Easton as the fun-loving, carefree playboy who’s always up for a good time and never interested in anything permanent. The Troublemaker peels back those layers and reveals something so much better: a man with an enormous heart who simply hadn’t found the right reason to settle down yet.
That reason arrives in the form of six-month-old Tanner.
When Easton unexpectedly learns he’s a father, his entire life changes overnight. Suddenly, the guy who never planned for forever is figuring out diapers, feedings, and how to be the dad his son deserves. Watching him step into fatherhood was one of my favorite parts of this entire book. Every scene with Tanner made me fall a little more in love with him.
Then there’s Hadley.
Hadley needs a husband to inherit her grandmother’s beloved bookstore. Easton needs a nanny to help care for Tanner. A fake marriage seems like the perfect solution for both of them.
Simple, right?
Not when they’re already attracted to each other. Not when they’ve spent years knowing each other better than almost anyone else. And definitely not when playing house starts feeling less like pretending and more like the family they’ve both secretly needed all along.
Our eyes lock, and he smiles. It’s that same smile he won me over with the first time I met him. The same smile I come back to again and again because it always made me feel at peace.
I absolutely adored Hadley. Beneath her independence is a woman terrified of putting down roots because she’s spent so much of her life expecting to leave. Her grandmother was one of the few people who truly loved and supported her, so saving the bookstore isn’t just about a building, it’s about holding onto a piece of the person who meant the most to her. Watching Hadley slowly realize that she doesn’t want to leave anymore, that she’s found a home with Easton and Tanner, was beautiful and incredibly emotional.
“I like to travel, and much to my family’s disappointment, I’ve never stayed anywhere long enough to call it home. But with him, it doesn’t feel like I have to give anything up to stay. He makes life fun…and most of all, he sees me.”
The relationship development in this book was everything I wanted. The fake marriage setup was fun, but what really made this story work was the friendship at its core. Easton and Hadley genuinely enjoy each other. Their banter is effortless, their support for one another never wavers, and everything between them feels comfortable, natural, and earned.
This is definitely a slow burn, but it’s the kind that makes every payoff worth it. The chemistry simmers from the very beginning, and knowing they’ve already been together before only makes the tension even more delicious. They know exactly how good they are together, which somehow makes resisting each other even harder.
“Troublemaker. Enjoy watching your man. I’ve heard my ass looks really good in the pants.”
And Tanner?
The real MVP of this book.
The bond he develops with both Easton and Hadley completely stole my heart. Watching these three slowly become a family was easily one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
I also loved how Piper Rayne handled communication between Easton and Hadley. They aren’t perfect, but they listen to each other, work through their fears, and face challenges together. Their relationship felt mature, healthy, and built on genuine trust.
“Easton?”
“Yeah?”
“We can do this, right? I mean…you feel the tension too?”
I chuckle. “Hell yes, didn’t you catch the blue balls remark?”
“How are we going to last?”
And then came the ending.
No spoilers, but this book took me on an emotional roller coaster I wasn’t prepared for. There were twists I never saw coming, moments that had my heart in my throat, and by the time I reached the epilogue, I was tearing up. Getting those final glimpses of these beloved characters and seeing everyone find their happily ever after felt like the perfect send-off for a series I’ve loved so much.
If Piper Rayne was saving the best Colt for last, I’d say they succeeded.
“Because I’ve never felt this way about anyone.”
I’m devastated that The Dugout series is over, but Easton, Hadley, and Tanner were the perfect family to close it out with. And that final tease for what’s coming next? Let’s just say I am already impatiently waiting.
Release Date: June 25th, 2026
Thank you to Piper Rayne and Hambright PR for the ARC read!