I’m not usually a contemporary romance girlie and I think I read one sports romance before this. So, when I tell you that this book hit it out of the park (pun intended), you should know that I did not expect to be saying it. This book is funny, sweet, romantic, and left me wanting more of their story when it ended. This is a fantastic book and Ms. Conwell has won herself a new fan.

In The Double Play we are following Hazel Jones, nanny extraordinaire, who is saying goodbye to the family she has been working for over the last several years. She is very attached to their twins and this is difficult for her. Their mother, her employer, has become her best friend. Immediately, we learn that Hazel is a very competent and caring person who cries when she’s happy or something touches her. Hazel also takes care of her younger sister Raven because their divorced parents aren’t very parental. Hazel is now in the market for a new job.
Next up, we meet Emmet Foster, wealthy pro baseball player and single Dad to miss June Foster. June is loaded with energy and very smart for her age. She is taken care of by her grandparents but they have just told Emmet that they would like to travel the world in their golden years. His mother sets out to find him a nanny for June (and hopefully a wife). She meets with Hazel and adores her. Later she meets Emmet and then June and is hired on the spot to start the next day. 

Hazel is immediately attracted to Emmet and he to her, though he wont’t admit it. He is so emotionally scarred from his failed marriage to June’s mother, that he has walked himself off and is generally very standoffish. He really only softens for his parents and daughter. We see that he is a very good father and clearly loves his daughter. His whole world revolves around her and her happiness. 

Hazel and Emmet start to appreciate each other and their shared love for June certainly helps. She breaks down his walls and he realizes he is in love with her. Once he makes that connection he is basically all in. But before that, we get to see him become protective, make sure she eats and rests, lets her bring her sister to stay with them. Takes her and June to New York where we see him scare off some random guys. It’s really just so much fun to watch them fall for each other. Such an abdolute joy! And June constantly popping up and being hysterical makes it even better!

This book is an absolute must read if you’re in the mood for a clean and wholesome romance. These characters are wonderful and I’m hoping to see them appear in other books (this is an interconnected standalone series). 

I do have 2 little nitpicks even though I know why they are there. First, the yellow cover. I understand it but normally I pass by yellow covers because it’s not my favorite. Second, I don’t think it’s necessary to start each chapter with the full name of the character. The reason was super predictable, but until we got to that, it was a mood breaker at the start of each chapter. Their first names would have been fine after their first POV chapters and you still could have thrown in the intended “thing” to the same effect towards the end. 

Overall, this book is amazing and I highly recommend! It is funny, sweet, light and really just everything you could ask for in a romance. 

I received a free copy of this audio book from Dreamscape Media through NetGalley and I am grateful for their generosity. All opinions are my own, and if I did not like this book, that is what this review would reflect.  

This is a copy of the review I left online at Amazon, Goodreads, Story Graph & Fable.

I don't usually read/listen to closed door romances, but The Double Play was a sweet and quick listen that kept me giggling and swooning!

This was such a fun, engaging sports romance with just the right mix of humor, chemistry, and emotional moments. I loved the dynamic between the characters—the banter was sharp, the tension was there, and their connection felt believable. The sports setting added a fun backdrop without overpowering the romance.

A few parts felt a little rushed, and I wouldn’t have minded a bit more depth in some of the emotional arcs, but overall, this was a really satisfying read. Perfect if you’re looking for something entertaining with a great balance of steam, sweetness, and sports.

The Double Play Honest ARC Review:

4.5⭐️

This was adorable and incredibly heartwarming! I really enjoyed it!! With small town romance vibe, this baseball romance is charming and entertaining.

Emmett, a star pitcher on a Major League Baseball team is looking for a nanny for his daughter June, after his parents inform him that they plan to travel. Hazel seeks a position as a nanny as she is a teacher who enjoys working with children.

Emmett is bitter as his ex wife and June’s mother cheated on him. Hazel dreams of having a family one day and looks forward to caring for June.

⭐️Grumpy Sunshine
⭐️Closed Door Romance
⭐️Sports Romance
⭐️Plenty of Chemistry
⭐️Heartfelt


Thank you so much for sharing this ARC with me. I really enjoyed it!

This was a bit cute
Emmett a single dad and hazel needing a job. It’s the very predictable story. But not in a bad way!
It’s what you want from a cosy easy read that predictable happy ending where he swoops you off your feet and gives you all the feels.

It was all that and more!
Would I recommend……. If you need a relaxed read that dosent require you to put much effort into it they 100%.
This arc came at the right time after a very heavy fantasy read I needed something f that wasn’t going to require a bucket of brain power.

I enjoyed every second thank you netgalley for the arc

This is a nanny/ sports romance. And I loved it. Hazel and Emmett were not ready for romance but it found them anyway. 5 stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first experience with this author, and it also marked my first experience into the world of baseball romance. I appreciated that the story could stand alone, allowing me to dive right in without prior knowledge. The love story unfolded steadily, captivating me with its charm. I found the audiobook to be a delightful escape, perfectly suited for when I wanted something lighthearted. The romance felt sweet and gentle, maintaining a closed-door approach that added to its allure. However, it's important to note that the book addresses sensitive themes such as alcoholism, parental neglect, and maternal abandonment. These topics are not the main focus.
I received a complimentary audio/copy of this book and listened to it with pleasure. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. Thank you, Dreamscape and NetGalley. #TheDoublePlay #netgalley

I received an advanced listeners copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a very enjoyable listen. The audio was clear and the narrators did a great job. This book had dual narration which is one of my favorites. Both male and female were great and it was pretty easy to differentiate between various characters. I would say the most difficult to follow was when the MMC and his four friends were playing video games together and having conversations but it wasn’t a distraction.
This was a sweet single dad/nanny, age gap romance. While it is the fourth in a series, it could be read as a standalone. Hazel and Emmett were so sweet together and I loved that it was his mom’s subtle meddling that got them together. I loved how much Emmett wanted to take care of Hazel and understood her well enough to know how hard to push. Hazel was such a strong character who was a caretaker to everyone around her, especially her younger sister who was in desperate need for a parental figure. I really enjoyed seeing the softer side of Emmett as he was a side character in the previous three books. Such a fun, sweet story.

The double play

This book is my first book by Annah Conwell and my god... Safe to say I will read more by her because wow.

I love a good single dad x nanny romance and man... and this book didn't disappoint at all. I loved every - and I mean EVERY - single second of it. It was just the right mix of sport, nanny activities, falling in love and emotions.

The way it had me giggling in one second, laughing out loud the next and close to tears within the same second was everything. Tho majority of the time I was just swooning and kicking my feet! (And wishing for a real Emmett for myself)
Hazel and Emmett's chemistry was REAL, just like Hazel's love for little June from the very first second onwards. Tho I have to say, June would have wrapped me around her finger as well!

I also loved the bond Hazel had with her little sister Raven. It somehow healed something in me. I can't explain.

If soulmates were to exist, Emmett and Hazel would be it. In every life time they would find their way to each other.

Thank you so much to to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Annah Conwell for gifting me a copy in return for an honest opinion

4.5 stars
This is a fun, entertaining read. These characters captured my attention from the beginning and held it until the very last word. Each brings something special to the story – especially June. I love the friend group and the role they play in moving the romance along. This is one of those books that worms it’s way into your heart and mind for all the right reasons. This is the first time I’ve read a book by Conwell and I’ll be reading the rest of the books in the series to see how the other guys landed their ladies. The story is easy to read and get into.

I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrators.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own..

This was a quick sweet romance. The characters were believable and the relationship between Hazel and Emmet's daughter June. I would have liked to have seen a bit more development of Emmet's side of the story and a bit more tension between the characters.

However, the narration was well done and the characters were brought to life. It was a quick and fun audio book.

I haven't read the other books in the series and plan to do so now.

This is such a cute book and a quick read. All of the main characters and side characters were fun and likable. The relationship between the FMC and the MMC’s daughter was adorable and believable. My only issue was that the relationship between the two main characters seemed quick. I would’ve loved a bit more tension between them before they admitted their feelings. Overall, a great sports romance with zero spice.

The narrators for this book were fantastic. Zero complaints about anything there!

Baseball romance
Boss x nanny
Age gap
Not spicy, kisses and touches…

Dual narration- Tim Paige & Charlotte North
Great narration. Loved the voices

This was a fun and cute listen. Great pallet cleanser. There is no major spice. The two main characters to kiss and touch but nothing too spicy.

Adorable and lighthearted great quick listen.

Overall, 3 stars, This was a light and easy read with no spice. The story felt very surface-level and lacked depth to me. Hazel's character was developed, with background, best friend, sister, and job, but Emmet's character felt flat. He was a single dad pro baseball player with an absentee ex-wife and a daughter, but that was it. All of a sudden, something happens to Hazel's mom, and he decides that he's all in. Hrmm, color me skeptical. 

The single dad and nanny trope is interesting; it's not one of my favorites, but I understand how seeing someone else love your child(ren) could make you fall in love with the nanny.

Format: audiobook

Thank you so much NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced audiobook!

3.75 rounded up

Emmett Foster is a professional baseball player and a single father. Hazel is a career nanny looking for a new job. When Emmett hires Hazel to care for his 5-year-old daughter, June, it seems like a great fit for everyone… until Emmett and Hazel both start catching feelings.

-Grumpy/sunshine
-“Mr. Darcy”-style broody MMC
-Professional athlete
-Nanny
-Age gap

The Double Play is a short and sweet romance! I read it in two days- it’s perfect if you’re looking for something light and fun. I’m not usually a huge fan of age gaps or single dad/nanny romances but I thought this one was done well. I did wish there was a little bit more meat to the story- it felt underdeveloped to me. Overall this is a great, light summer romance!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you so so much to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC of The Double Play.

This was my first sports romance book and it did NOT disappoint!! Hazel and June’s relationship is so good, and I love how much Emmett cares for his daughter. I also totally relate to crying over absolutely everything. I definitely want to go back and read the rest of this series!

Bonus points for being in Nashville, TN and no third act break up.

I listened to the audiobook and loved it. Dual narration is the best. The narrators did a great job.

This was a sweet story. The characters are so fun to love. It’s a nice romantic HEA without too much drama involved. The little girl is so cute and you fall in love with her. It was a fast and easy listen.

The Double Play by Annah Conwell with narration performed by Tim Paige and Charlotte North. Emmett is a divorced professional baseball player looking for a new nanny for his daughter. Hazel becomes her nanny and quickly realizes she has feelings for this grumpy, older man. This was a cute and easy closed door read. The narrators were absolutely fantastic and really made the book memorable. It was a little too insta love for my taste, where he went from unsure of his feelings to I love yous way too fast. I did like the relationships between the different men and the comedy that brought to the book. I have not read the other books in the series and was able to follow with no difficulty.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

*♡Thank you to to Annah Conwell, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion♡*
This was a fun, easy romcom read that is perfect as a pallet cleanser or for when you are in the mood for something light and fluffy.
The trope has been done so many times by now, but the way Annah writes this single dad × nanny romance, makes it feel fresh and enjoyable. Bonus points for there being no third act break up! I love interconnected standalone, so it always makes me smile when characters from the previous books on the series pop up throughout the book.
The narrators, by Tim Paige and Charlotte North, were excellent at bringing the characters to life and we're a big part in giving this a high rating for me ♡

Annah Conwell wrote an adorable love story between a single dad, baseball player and the nanny. It was my first Conwell book and the first of this series. The Double Play is great as a standalone. The previous characters show up, but even in book 4, I didn't feel like I was missing much. Plus, it is a baseball romance, which I love!

Emmett is a grumpy, pitcher for the Tennessee Cowboys. He is jaded by his failed marriage and doesn't find much need for small talk or even smiling. Hazel is a cheery nanny that loves children. She's had some family struggles but is undeterred in her nature. These two quickly hit it off. I wish there was more character development. I wish we saw them grow more, instead of resolve their issues so easily.

If you are looking for a light-hearted romance this is a great option. It's sweet, clean, and closed door. There isn't much drama or heartache in the book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, this is my honest review.