She knows how to survive. Trusting him is the dangerous part. Charlotte has spent years perfecting the art of staying hidden. Smart, observant, and careful, she keeps her world small and her heart even smaller. Christian is her best friend's older brother - the kind of guy people warn you about... and the kind you fall for anyway. For most of her life, she was background noise to him until one unexpected moment changes everything. The tension between them is unmistakable - but so are the secrets she keeps carefully hidden. Christian can't ignore the things that set her apart - her sharp wit, her unexpected humor, the quiet strength beneath her reserved exterior. She isn't like the girls who drift in and out of his world. She's thoughtful. Mysterious. Surprising in ways he never saw coming. And the closer he gets, Christian realizes her guarded nature isn't accidental. She's protecting something - and earning her trust won't come easily. For the first time, this isn't about the chase. It's about earning a place inside the walls she built to survive. AN EMOTIONAL NEW ADULT ROMANCE about love, healing, and learning to TRUST AGAIN.

WATTYS 2020 WINNER THIS IS NOT A PAID STORY. ONLY THE BONUS CHAPTERS ARE. YOU CAN READ THE MAIN STORY FOR FREE! When Brenna and Shea, two rival hockey players, have to collaborate to take down a common enemy, they soon discover love is a ruthless game. ******* Brenna Harrison, a gifted hockey player, wants to prove her worth in the hockey world. She knows the consequences of playing on the boys' hockey team: degrading comments, sexist rules, and jealous boys, but she's determined to undermine the patriarchal foundation of her favourite sport. Shea Smith is also a gifted hockey player... but he sees Brenna as a threat. He believes she doesn't belong in the boys' league, despite her astounding skills; he's jealous. So, when the opportunity to potentially eject her from the league presents itself, Shea takes the opportunity. He agrees to a bet with his enemy, Connor Watt; a bet that will break Brenna's heart and make her not want to play hockey. At least... that's what he thinks. Soon, he's regretting the decision and decides to tell Brenna. She's furious, but also sees this as an opportunity to have the root of the problem ejected from the league. Brenna and Shea agree to take Connor down and expose him for who he truly is: as sexist jerk. But with bending the rules, there comes a price.