Emery Paige

There’s one thing that Hailey Reed won’t do, and that’s become distracted. She doesn’t have the time for it. Between classes, her barista job at Brewed Beginnings, and being president of the chess club, Hailey must stay focused on her goals and keep her guard up. The last thing she needs is to get dragged into the drama that is Levi Jamison, the captain of Crestwood University’s hockey team. On the surface, Levi has it all. As the son of millionaires and one of the Crestwood Red Wolves’ star players, he has a golden image to uphold. Struggling to maintain the façade of having a perfect life, he is crumbling under the pressure until he stumbles into Brewed Beginnings the morning after a long night of partying. Levi can’t get Hailey out of his mind, but Hailey says she would rather scorch the earth than be dragged into the chaotic life of a star athlete. So Levi skates his way into chess lessons from Hailey, forcing them to face off in more ways than one.

So far, nothing is going to plan for Isla Johnson, but she’s determined to navigate her new reality on her terms. After being forced to cut her semester abroad short due to her overprotective parents, Isla can’t help but be devastated. Her vow never to attend her hometown’s college because of a certain someone is thrown up in flames once her father pulls a few strings to get her transferred to Crestwood University. The only thing that makes her feel whole is her camera, which helps her look at the world through a different lens—one without pain. Asher Bennett’s focus needs to be on hockey. Between helping his mother and sister financially, his studies, and his commitment to his teammates, his schedule is packed. But with Isla’s unexpected return to town, his whole world is flipped upside down, and all he can think about is the summer fling they had years ago. Isla is pretending she doesn’t want anything to do with him, and he shouldn’t want to be involved with her, either. After all, Isla is now the new team photographer for the Crestwood Red Wolves, and she’s the coach’s daughter. But they could have an encore before he finally lets her go. Challenge: Accepted.

Selene Davis has always been known as the confident, carefree one—the friend you could count on for a good time. But beneath her bold exterior, she hides insecurities about her curves and wonders if she'll ever truly be enough. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with Knox Sanchez, the emotionally unavailable, smoking-hot hockey star who’s made it clear he isn’t looking for anything serious. But despite her better judgment, a one-night stand leaves Selene wanting more, only for Knox to remind her it’s just casual. Hurt and frustrated, Selene ices him out, determined to focus on school and her job at the library. But when their friend groups overlap, staying away from Knox proves impossible. Knox knows he should keep his distance. With his demanding schedule on and off the ice and a disastrous breakup that left him emotionally guarded, relationships aren’t on his agenda. But no matter how high he builds his defenses, Selene is the one person who makes him want to break them down. But she won’t give him the time of day. The more she pushes him away, the more he’s determined to win her over. With nosy friends, unresolved feelings, and undeniable chemistry, Selene and Knox are headed toward a faceoff. And it will change everything for them, forever.