Crestwood University Series by Emery Paige

There’s one thing that Hailey Reed won’t do, and that’s become distracted. She doesn’t have the time for it. Between classes, her barista job at Brewed Beginnings, and being president of the chess club, Hailey must stay focused on her goals and keep her guard up. The last thing she needs is to get dragged into the drama that is Levi Jamison, the captain of Crestwood University’s hockey team. On the surface, Levi has it all... moreThere’s one thing that Hailey Reed won’t do, and that’s become distracted. She doesn’t have the time for it. Between classes, her barista job at Brewed Beginnings, and being president of the chess club, Hailey must stay focused on her goals and keep her guard up. The last thing she needs is to get dragged into the drama that is Levi Jamison, the captain of Crestwood University’s hockey team. On the surface, Levi has it all. As the son of millionaires and one of the Crestwood Red Wolves’ star players, he has a golden image to uphold. Struggling to maintain the façade of having a perfect life, he is crumbling under the pressure until he stumbles into Brewed Beginnings the morning after a long night of partying. Levi can’t get Hailey out of his mind, but Hailey says she would rather scorch the earth than be dragged into the chaotic life of a star athlete. So Levi skates his way into chess lessons from Hailey, forcing them to face off in more ways than one. less

So far, nothing is going to plan for Isla Johnson, but she’s determined to navigate her new reality on her terms. After being forced to cut her semester abroad short due to her overprotective parents, Isla can’t help but be devastated. Her vow never to attend her hometown’s college because of a certain someone is thrown up in flames once her father pulls a few strings to get her transferred to Crestwood University... moreSo far, nothing is going to plan for Isla Johnson, but she’s determined to navigate her new reality on her terms. After being forced to cut her semester abroad short due to her overprotective parents, Isla can’t help but be devastated. Her vow never to attend her hometown’s college because of a certain someone is thrown up in flames once her father pulls a few strings to get her transferred to Crestwood University. The only thing that makes her feel whole is her camera, which helps her look at the world through a different lens—one without pain. Asher Bennett’s focus needs to be on hockey. Between helping his mother and sister financially, his studies, and his commitment to his teammates, his schedule is packed. But with Isla’s unexpected return to town, his whole world is flipped upside down, and all he can think about is the summer fling they had years ago. Isla is pretending she doesn’t want anything to do with him, and he shouldn’t want to be involved with her, either. After all, Isla is now the new team photographer for the Crestwood Red Wolves, and she’s the coach’s daughter. But they could have an encore before he finally lets her go. Challenge: Accepted. less

Selene Davis has always been known as the confident, carefree one—the friend you could count on for a good time. But beneath her bold exterior, she hides insecurities about her curves and wonders if she'll ever truly be enough. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with Knox Sanchez, the emotionally unavailable, smoking-hot hockey star who’s made it clear he isn’t looking for anything serious... moreSelene Davis has always been known as the confident, carefree one—the friend you could count on for a good time. But beneath her bold exterior, she hides insecurities about her curves and wonders if she'll ever truly be enough. The last thing she needs is to get tangled up with Knox Sanchez, the emotionally unavailable, smoking-hot hockey star who’s made it clear he isn’t looking for anything serious. But despite her better judgment, a one-night stand leaves Selene wanting more, only for Knox to remind her it’s just casual. Hurt and frustrated, Selene ices him out, determined to focus on school and her job at the library. But when their friend groups overlap, staying away from Knox proves impossible. Knox knows he should keep his distance. With his demanding schedule on and off the ice and a disastrous breakup that left him emotionally guarded, relationships aren’t on his agenda. But no matter how high he builds his defenses, Selene is the one person who makes him want to break them down. But she won’t give him the time of day. The more she pushes him away, the more he’s determined to win her over. With nosy friends, unresolved feelings, and undeniable chemistry, Selene and Knox are headed toward a faceoff. And it will change everything for them, forever. less

Willow Sanchez has one rule: avoid athletes at all costs. Ever since her high school heartbreak with a popular football player turned streamer, she's steered clear of jocks. That includes hockey players like her older brother Knox's teammate and best friend, Blaise Dalton. Blaise might be blond, blue-eyed, and annoyingly charming to everyone else, but to Willow, he's the definition of annoying as hell wrapped in a nerdy, athletic package... moreWillow Sanchez has one rule: avoid athletes at all costs. Ever since her high school heartbreak with a popular football player turned streamer, she's steered clear of jocks. That includes hockey players like her older brother Knox's teammate and best friend, Blaise Dalton. Blaise might be blond, blue-eyed, and annoyingly charming to everyone else, but to Willow, he's the definition of annoying as hell wrapped in a nerdy, athletic package. Blaise knows how to keep his cool on the ice, but beneath his polished exterior, routines and love of videogames, lies a secret battle with anxiety. His life is carefully planned until Willow storms into it once more. She’s fiercely independent, and impossible to ignore. When a winter break group trip to Puerto Rico throws Willow and Blaise into closer contact than ever before, the tension between them ignites, but their connection through her brother still lingers in the background. Arguments transform into deep conversations, and Blaise discovers that the spontaneity Willow brings into his life might be exactly what he needs to help face his anxiety. But just as they begin to grow closer, a scandal linked to Willow's ex-boyfriend threatens her emotional wellbeing, forcing her to retreat from the world. Blaise is determined to show her that facing the past is the only way forward, and the connection they’ve built is worth fighting for. Soon, they’ll both realize it’s time to embrace the chaos and press start because it’s game on. less

Jade Samuels is the type of person who knows exactly what she wants and keeps everyone else and everything running. That particular trait comes with being the eldest daughter and the emotional backbone of her friend group. She’s the one who shows up. Always. Sure, she still finds time to party and complete her courses to get into medical school, but behind her bright, beautiful smile and can-do attitude is a girl trying to hold it all together. Wilder Blake is chaos in goalie pads... moreJade Samuels is the type of person who knows exactly what she wants and keeps everyone else and everything running. That particular trait comes with being the eldest daughter and the emotional backbone of her friend group. She’s the one who shows up. Always. Sure, she still finds time to party and complete her courses to get into medical school, but behind her bright, beautiful smile and can-do attitude is a girl trying to hold it all together. Wilder Blake is chaos in goalie pads. He’s the jokester, the prank king, the guy who’s never met a dare he wouldn’t take. While he’s also one of the best goalies in college hockey, the NHL scouts want more. They want polished and professional on and off the ice. And Wilder? He’s got a big problem in that arena. His solution? A fake relationship with his best friend since childhood, Jade. Everyone loves her. She could make him look like he actually has his life together. When he asks her to do this favor for him, she agrees to help him clean up his image. After all, this is what they do for each other. Always have. Always will. What she doesn’t know is that Wilder has been in love with her for years. She thinks this is just one more favor between friends. But for Wilder, it’s something he’s always wanted. He can’t remember a time when he didn’t love her. The longer they play pretend, the harder it is for both of them not to want more. With graduation looming and everything about to change, Jade will have to figure out if the most carefully laid plans are meant to be broken. Wilder will have to decide if it’s finally time to risk the one thing he’s never dared to lose: her. less