Kenna King

Cocky Score

Brutal Score

Jon Paul Dumont is everything I was warned about in this league—talented, entitled, and fully aware of both.

The NHL's favorite bad boy has left a trail of broken hearts from Montreal to San Diego, and a year ago, I was stupid enough to become one of them.

Now he's signed with my father's team, the Seattle Hawkeyes, attempting a comeback after a career-threatening injury and a DUI charge that got him dropped from the Blue Devils. As the GM's assistant, I've spent four years building my reputation as more than just Coach Wrenley's daughter.

I'd like to pretend that my past hasn't just skated back into my life in a Hawkeyes jersey, but the universe has other plans. Now we're paired together on the team's biggest charity event of the year, and suddenly I'm forced to confront not only JP, but all the reasons I fell for him in the first place—his perfect smile, his infuriating habit of speaking French when he knows I don't understand, and the way he brings me coffee just the way I like it.

He claims there's more to the story of why he disappeared that night, and the way he looks at me makes me want to believe him, but I learned the hard way that players like JP Dumont don't change.

When he challenges me to a bet—three shots on goal for the chance to prove he's not the player everyone thinks he is—I know I should walk away. But with the whole team watching, my pride on the line, and my heart refusing to listen to reason, I realize I'm in danger of making the same mistake twice.

Because this time, JP Dumont isn't just playing for keeps—he's playing for me.

Match Penalty

What’s worse than attending my sister’s wedding without a date? Attending it with my ex-fiancé, Liam, as the Groom’s best man… and the guy who dumped me two weeks before our own nuptials.

This weekend was supposed to be simple… witnessing my sister marry the love of her life in a fairytale Christmas Eve wedding in my home town of San Diego, spend Christmas morning at my parents’ house, and then fly back home to Seattle to ring in the New Year while wondering where my life went wrong.

But with the stress of my ex-fiancé bringing the woman he left me for almost a year ago, I’ll have to plaster on a fake smile, a pretend that avoid my ex-fiancé.

Easy enough, right?

But when all hell breaks loose on the flight back to San Diego and I’m seated next to Brent Tomlin, the Hawkeyes hockey golden boy, a groomsman in my sister’s wedding, and the man who stood me up prom night ten years ago, I have to wonder if the universe has it out for me.

Brent offers me a deal: he’ll pretend to be my fake boyfriend for the weekend to make my ex-fiancé want me back, if I agree to go to his grandmother’s birthday party over the weekend.

Now I’m stuck fake dating Brent, who has no problem playing the role of my doting boyfriend. Worse? He’s making it all too convincing.

The goal was to make my ex jealous and want me back, but somehow, I’m the one struggling to keep my feelings in check.

Falling for Brent is definitely not part of the plan.

This was supposed to be fake... so why does it feel so real?

Perfect Score

Filthy Score

Rough Score

Dirty Score

“All’s fair in love, hockey, and podcast syndication.”

All I wanted was a tiny interview to secure my podcast syndication deal.
What I didn’t expect? That my big break would hinge on Hunter Reed—the NHL’s newest golden boy, full-time playboy, and the guy who mistook me for a puck bunny at Oakley’s bar.

Hunter Reed is six-foot-two of attitude, muscle, and maddening charm. He’s the kind of clickbait fans obsess over and network execs would kill for—and exactly the kind of man I swore I’d never chase. Especially not after our less-than-stellar first encounter... and second... and third.

But when a Date-A-Player charity auction, his manipulative ex, and a very public kiss force us into a fake relationship, suddenly I’m not just chasing the story—I’m living it.

Now he’s crashing on the other side of my queen-sized bed. Covering my living expenses. Washing my car in a Speedo in the middle of December. And somehow worming his way into my life one sarcastic grin at a time.

The more he shows up—with pre-game texts, surprise Post-its, and family dinners like he’s always belonged—the harder it is to remember this is supposed to be pretend.

But with his ex-girlfriend circling, trade rumors heating up, my career hanging by a thread, and feelings I never planned for complicating everything, I have to choose:

Do I play it safe and report from the bleachers?

Or finally, get in the game—for real?

Bleacher Report

I’ve only ever dreamed of accomplishing two things in my life: a long career in the NHL and a championship victory. My priority to bring home a Stanley Cup this season as the goalie for the Hawkeyes hockey team has been crystal clear—until her.

Keely Woods is everything I didn’t know I needed. She's kind, independent, and brave enough to leave everything she knows in Arizona to start fresh in Seattle. The only problem is that getting involved with her could mean a distraction. A distraction that I don't need if I want a win this season.

With her auburn hair and those mesmerizing green eyes, she’s a knockout, but that’s not what has my interest peaked. She’s smart and driven--a physical therapist with dreams of working for a pro sports team. And just as I try to convince myself that I can handle this distraction—fate takes an unexpected turn. A hit-and-run changes everything, and suddenly, I'm sidelined with a devastating injury that puts my season—and my future—at risk.

Now Keely is my therapist, and she’s as determined as I am to get me back on the ice. I should be focusing on my recovery, but with the Hawkeyes putting her up in my apartment building, I can't stop thinking about the gorgeous PT sleeping across the hall from me.

Just as I start to believe we might have a shot at something real, Keely tells me we can’t date—it would be inappropriate since I’m her patient. But something about the way she says it has me thinking it's more than just professional ethics.

That's when I meet Jack--the captain of the city league soccer team that she just joined and the guy who can't take his eyes off of her. They might have more in common than she and I do, and he doesn't have the misfortune of being her patient, but that doesn't mean I'll bow out so easily. Not when there's still that sparkle in her eyes whenever she looks at me.

Now, I’m not only fighting to get back on the ice but also for her heart. With every session bringing us closer and the more time we spend together, I realize that I’d do anything to win her over.

With the pressure of the championship looming and my heart on the line, will I let her walk out of my life for good? Or can I convince her that I’m worth the risk?

Am I willing to make the biggest save of a lifetime, both on and off the ice?

Kenna King

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