Coastal Rivals Series by Ki Stephens

JADE Jennings is tired of her day-to-day life—from the boring, senseless boys at Dayton U to the repetitive beats her editor assigns. She's looking for excitement, novelty, a good story to sink her teeth into, and a boy she can write home about. She's a driven and ambitious journalist, and she has an innate love for the game of football. She's also the younger sister to an NFL superstar, which means she's not interested in the aimless, student-athletes at her school... moreJADE Jennings is tired of her day-to-day life—from the boring, senseless boys at Dayton U to the repetitive beats her editor assigns. She's looking for excitement, novelty, a good story to sink her teeth into, and a boy she can write home about. She's a driven and ambitious journalist, and she has an innate love for the game of football. She's also the younger sister to an NFL superstar, which means she's not interested in the aimless, student-athletes at her school. But maybe, for entertainment purposes, she could spend just one night trying them on for size. THEO Westman-Cooke, aka "West," has one goal in this to be drafted into the NFL. But his coach doesn't support an early declaration, his grades (and scholarship) are slipping, and he only has one more year to make his college career count for something. Oh, wait. There is one other thing that West might want—a chance to spend the night with his favorite red-headed cheerleader. When the opportunity suddenly strikes, it's nearly impossible to pass up the perfect trade. In just a few months, Dayton U's football team is hosting their annual spring banquet. The catch? Players must go home with another teammate's date. To the rest of the team, it's a simple, secret trade. But for Jade and West, it's the night that everything changed. less

Emmy Fuller has always been a dreamer, searching for her fairytale romance amidst the campus greens. But after stepping away from the cheer squad due to her health, she's struggling to navigate a new normal. No longer a part of the world she once adored, Emmy moves in with her childhood friend and unwittingly, the co-captain of the one guy she can't get out of her head. Hayes Grecco is living the dream... moreEmmy Fuller has always been a dreamer, searching for her fairytale romance amidst the campus greens. But after stepping away from the cheer squad due to her health, she's struggling to navigate a new normal. No longer a part of the world she once adored, Emmy moves in with her childhood friend and unwittingly, the co-captain of the one guy she can't get out of her head. Hayes Grecco is living the dream. He's Dayton's star shortstop, with an infectious smile and a knack for charming his way through life. But one messy night turns his whole world upside down. Just when things are heating up at home, an urgent call sends him rushing out, leaving Emmy alone and waiting in his shower. Caught by the cops, Hayes takes the fall for his younger brother and lands himself a night in jail.The result? Academic probation and a suspension from the baseball team. Not to mention, a bewildered Emmy who's left to pick ip the pieces, wondering if the budding connection they shared was as real to him as it was to her. Despite the tension, the two of them are drawn together by more than just circumstance. But with Haye's future in jeopardy and Emmy's health issues looming, can they build something lasting amidst the chaos, or will their connection be another casualty of college life? less

BIRDIE Collins has a plan: finish her junior year in Dayton U’s competitive 3D4M program and secure a coveted arts fellowship. But since a car accident left her battling anxiety and chronic pain, keeping it together has become an uphill climb. The very last thing she needs? A distraction—especially not from a loudmouthed, overly-charming soccer player. LIAM Donovan is the carefree jokester everyone assumes he is... moreBIRDIE Collins has a plan: finish her junior year in Dayton U’s competitive 3D4M program and secure a coveted arts fellowship. But since a car accident left her battling anxiety and chronic pain, keeping it together has become an uphill climb. The very last thing she needs? A distraction—especially not from a loudmouthed, overly-charming soccer player. LIAM Donovan is the carefree jokester everyone assumes he is. As a star right winger on Dayton’s D1 soccer team, he’s always ready with a sarcastic remark or teasing grin. But the nonstop banter? It’s a cover for the heavy weight of family expectations he struggles to bear. He doesn’t have time for a complicated artist who sees straight through his defenses. When Birdie and Liam’s paths collide, what starts as a reluctant partnership quickly turns into something deeper. Late-night study sessions melt into midnight confessions, and they find themselves drawn into each other’s worlds in ways they never expected. As the final stretch of soccer season heats up and Birdie’s fellowship deadline looms, they’ll have to decide if they’re willing to take a chance on each other. Because sometimes, leaning on someone else isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a leap of faith. less

QUINN Rose doesn’t normally make mistakes. At least, not the kind she can’t recover from. But three years ago, she made one so big it cost her everything. Now, she’s back at Sycamore Country Club, spending the last month of summer caddying for rich men with bad swings, keeping her head down, and pretending she doesn’t still feel the weight of the past pressing against her ribs. The plan is simple: work her shifts, collect her paycheck, and get the hell out.Until she sees him again... moreQUINN Rose doesn’t normally make mistakes. At least, not the kind she can’t recover from. But three years ago, she made one so big it cost her everything. Now, she’s back at Sycamore Country Club, spending the last month of summer caddying for rich men with bad swings, keeping her head down, and pretending she doesn’t still feel the weight of the past pressing against her ribs. The plan is simple: work her shifts, collect her paycheck, and get the hell out.Until she sees him again.WARREN Mercer has spent years outrunning the ghost of Quinn Rose. He’s buried himself in the grind—early mornings in the pool, late nights training, a singular focus on finishing his senior year strong and qualifying for Nationals. The last thing he expected was to spend the summer lifeguarding at Sycamore, only to find out Quinn was back, walking the same halls, working the same job, acting like she didn’t shatter his trust and walk away like it was nothing.Warren wants nothing to do with her. Quinn knows better than to push him. But proximity has a funny way of unraveling old wounds, of forcing them to confront the tension still crackling between them. Because no matter how much they try to ignore it—grudges burn hot, history runs deep, and first loves never really fade. less