The Risk by Elle Kennedy (Paperback)

Brenna Jensen has never been shy about who she is. People call her a bad girl, and she accepts the parts that fit. She speaks her mind, takes what she wants, and refuses to let fear dictate her choices. The one line she refuses to cross is getting involved with a rival hockey player. With her dad coaching Briar’s team, dating someone from Harvard would destroy her reputation faster than gossip spreads across campus.

Jake Connelly knows he is good at what he does. As Harvard’s standout forward, he carries himself with confidence that borders on arrogant. He enjoys pushing Brenna’s buttons, and she gives as good as she gets. When a career opportunity she wants demands his involvement, their worlds collide. She needs a fake boyfriend. He wants real dates in return. Their agreement feels like a challenge neither of them can walk away from.

Each staged moment brings real tension. Their banter sparks, their attraction grows, and a simple arrangement starts to look dangerous. Brenna has everything to lose if she falls for Jake. Her father’s anger, her social circle, and her future all hang in the balance. She tells herself she can keep her heart locked down, but temptation grows harder to manage when the person you should avoid becomes the one you crave time with.

Is faking it enough, or are they both heading toward something deeper?