My life was supposed to follow a perfect path—a nice job, mated by twenty-five, and children after that—but fate has other plans. Now, a week from turning twenty-five, I have a successful bookshop that I love, but the rest has remained elusive. Always within my reach but never managing to hang onto an alpha for long enough to mate. Then there is the pact in the back of my mind. An alcohol-fuelled promise on my twentieth birthday, jokingly giving my alpha childhood friends a chance if we're all single in five years.

I'd considered myself carefree and content until I met my best friend's older brother. Brody Benson has a way of wrecking my composure with a single glare. He's broody and crass and far too attractive. As if that isn't enough, he earns more money in a month than I'll likely make in my lifetime. We couldn't be more different. That's why I settle for catching quick glances of him in passing. Meanwhile, he prefers to pretend I don't exist. But then the unthinkable happens.

To the world, I'm the town sweetheart. A good girl. I have the perfect life. But that's all a lie. Nothing about my life is perfect, I'm not even sure it's mine. Not when I spend every minute pretending for my family. I just want something for myself. River Sinclair is everything I've been told I am not allowed, but how am I supposed to deny him when he's the only person who has ever made me feel free?

I am done with hockey boys. Well, at least done dating them. I can't cut them out of my life completely. Needing a fresh start after heartbreak, I moved halfway across the country. A one-night stand seemed like the perfect palate cleanser before I began my new life. That was until I saw those striking green eyes staring back at me from the podium on my first day as a reporter for the Indy Speed hockey team. I've done some stupid things, but unknowingly sleeping with Maddox freaking Sterling lands at the top of the list.

It started out as a hit. One bullet. One man. My orders are clear—get close to the mafia heir, Eli Monti, play with his head, and wait for the signal to end it. End him. I thought he would be my easiest mark yet. But somehow I'm the one being played. Eli always gets what he wants, and now, he wants me. His vengeful proposal isn't a request. It's a demand. When you play games with a man who's been mastering them all his life, you learn some new tricks. Top of the list: Find the best way to kill my fake fiancé.

I thought my invitation was a birthday present from my best friend. The dress, the limousine, the red carpet...I thought they were meant for me. That was mistake number one. Then my date arrives, all gleaming cufflinks and tousled hair, steely blue eyes, and a body honed to masculine precision. Arrogant. Charming. Panty-melting. And melt, they do. Hanky-panky with a rich hottie in the back room of the event I'm crashing? Don't mind if I do.

Natalie Bennett has a plan: survive her big sister's Christmas Eve wedding, avoid her estranged father, and absolutely do not fall apart in front of the ex she walked away from...even if he does look annoyingly good in red velvet.

Attending the charity masquerade ball was my chance to let loose for one night. And as soon as I see him, I let the handsome stranger show me the hottest night of my life. Except then I learn he isn’t a stranger. He’s my new boss.

Lennox Kennedy is beautiful, loud, and the love of my life. She's also my ex-girlfriend. The first time I saw her after ten years apart, I slammed into the plexiglass minutes before our game was set to begin. The second time I threw up. The third time's a charm apparently because as my fiancée and I walked into an appointment to meet the woman hired to plan our nuptials—there she was again. Obviously, I did what any smart man would do—I called off the wedding. I don't have a plan per se, other than winning back the only girl I've ever loved.

Abigail Hunt’s Hollywood dreams could best be described as slow burn…but she’s about to graduate from TV sidekick to dramatic actor. When the esteemed director of her breakout role suggests she do a deep dive for her part by shadowing the head of a struggling pro soccer team, she jumps at the chance to prove she’s ready. Getting asked out by notorious grump and gorgeous star player Luke Wolfe wasn't in the plan, but suddenly her research is getting a lot more hands-on.

I know I shouldn't want the girl next door. It's not fitting for a single dad or a fertility doctor of my reputation. Plus, I need a nanny… last minute. She's the only one who can help me out. When I finally work up the nerve to ask her, she's out on the driveway arguing with her parents. Something about her having a fiancé? Damn…But then they're all looking at me. And I'm suddenly accidentally fake engaged!?! So I'll play her fiancé.

When the board of directors of my company mandated that I go to a wellness facility in small-town Maine to recharge, that shouldn’t have included using a ladder to sneak out of the bedroom window at night and going to the local bar. But Brock Hawkins was so much more than just the hot bar owner. He owned half the town, built log cabins with his bare hands, and was apparently the most eligible man in all of Meadowbrook.

A baby of convenience with my new boss? Not exactly what I had in mind when I decided I wanted to try to get pregnant. But that’s exactly the situation I find myself in with Dr. Bennett Lawson. The ridiculously gorgeous, broody billionaire I kissed years ago is asking to have a baby with me. We both have our reasons for wanting this and with our ugly pasts, it’s an undeniably convenient arrangement. No love. No relationship. Strictly business.

My reputation at Fairview University preceded me. I was the projected number-one pick in the NHL draft and the fan favorite at the rink. People wanted to be me or be with me. Except for Lyla James Marichal. She didn't look at me like I was her next meal. She eyed me with disdain. Instead of vying for my attention, she ignored me and pushed me away. She was completely unattainable, and I became obsessed with her. When I finally got her, it felt like I was on top of the world. I was going to help the team win another championship, going into the draft, and had Lyla by my side.

Four college football romance novels in one epic box set: The Red Zone Rivals series is spicy, fun, and addictive.