Hearts & High Scores

Insert coin. Press start. Fall in love. Set in the neon glow of a late '80s / early '90s arcade, Hearts & High Scores is a nostalgic, bittersweet coming-of-age romance about competition, first love, and the places that shape who we become. Jake Mercer is a quiet underdog who feels invisible everywhere except inside Byte Club, the local arcade where high scores matter more than popularity. When a confident newcomer, Sarah Alvarez, arrives and shakes up the fighting game scene, Jake is pulled into a rivalry that pushes him far beyond his comfort zone - and toward feelings he never expected.
As the summer heats up, tensions rise. The arcade's reigning champion fears being replaced. Jake's best friend Emily quietly wrestles with unspoken love and her own dreams. And behind the scenes, Byte Club itself is fighting to survive, threatened by rising rent and the slow disappearance of arcades everywhere. With a high-stakes tournament looming, friendships are tested, hearts are bruised, and everyone must decide what they're willing to risk - not just to win, but to grow.
Filled with CRT screens, pixelated battles, late-night conversations, and the electric hum of a place that feels like home, Hearts & High Scores is a love letter to retro gaming culture and the unforgettable summers where everything changes. Perfect for readers who love: Slow-burn romance Found family stories Retro and arcade nostalgia Emotional, character-driven fiction Because sometimes the most important victories aren't on the screen - they're in the choices you make when the game is on the line.