What if the one person who could save your future is the one you can’t stand?
Ledger Hayes has spent his life holding his breath—between laps, expectations, and the pressure to win. Swimming is the only place he’s ever felt steady. But when his sponsorship is pulled, so is his access to the elite training facility he needs. Without it, his career doesn’t just stall—it ends.
Roxie Montgomery walked away from her trust fund to build something of her own, determined to prove she doesn’t need anyone. But independence comes at a cost, and without the capital to start her business, there’s only one way to access the money meant for her future.
A loophole and a deadline force Roxie into an impossible choice—marry the elite swimmer she’s spent years clashing with, or walk away from everything she’s worked for. For Ledger, a marriage of convenience is the only way to stay in the water. For Roxie, it’s the only way to build a life that’s hers.
It’s simple. Temporary. No feelings involved.
Until the lines between obligation and something real begin to blur.
Will they walk away when the deal is done—or risk everything for a love they never saw coming?
A slow-burn sports romance featuring enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, elite swimming, found family, banter, and a love that proves balance is just as important as ambition.
Enemies to lovers, forbidden romance
She’s not a woman. She’s an official.
At least, that’s what Lucca tells himself every time Maggie hands him another yellow card.
Lucca Cruz—Brazilian, Red Tail soccer star, chronic flirt, and all-around menace to referees—has never gotten along with Maggie, the one official immune to his charm and allergic to his attitude.
Until the day he’s forced to mentor her little league soccer team. He quickly realizes he doesn’t dislike Maggie at all. He just doesn’t know her.
And now that he’s starting to–he’s falling fast.
Maggie McCrae, on the other hand, feels absolutely nothing admirable for Lucca. He’s cocky, dramatic, impossible, and easily her least favorite soccer player in the league.
So when Lucca suddenly starts being… nice, she’s suspicious. When she finds herself enjoying his attention? She’s alarmed.
Because this can’t happen.
Maggie is a referee. Lucca is a player. It’s unethical, forbidden, and a career-ending mistake. She already gave up her dream once—walking away from the U.S. Women’s National Team. She won’t do it again.
But Lucca is persistent. And surprisingly sweet. He’s great with her nephew, sentimental over his grandmother, and swears he only wants to be friends.
Which would be fine… if only Maggie believed him.
A closed door, enemies to lovers, he falls first, forbidden romcom.
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Sophie Toovey 