Laurel Sutherland

When pre-med perfectionist Maya Ortiz agrees to rescue the campus hockey captain's grades, she's betting her career and scholarship on one simple rule: keep it strictly professional. One viral tunnel video, a PR-approved fake-dating scheme, and late-night study sessions later, the line between "pretend" and "real" blurs, and both their futures fall into jeopardy. This college hockey romance is perfect for readers who love: High-stakes campus drama with med-school-level pressure Grumpy/sunshine energy: guarded tutor  golden-boy captain Forced proximity, fake dating, and slow-burn emotional heat Found family teammates, ride-or-die sisters, and loyal friends Themes of academic integrity, second chances, and speaking up As Maya fights to protect her scholarship and med-school dreams, forged evidence of cheating puts everything on the line.
With Liam suspended and Maya labeled a cheater, their academic futures and reputations hang in the balance. Walking away becomes the only way to save what matters most. Maya must risk her carefully built future to prove her innocence and Liam's, even if it means losing everything she's worked for. At the same time, Liam faces the chance to prove he's more than just his stats but only by standing with Maya, not behind his jersey.
When the truth comes out, Maya and Liam must decide if loving each other is the mistake of their lives or what makes all the risks worth it.