Sie hat sich geschworen, die Regeln zu befolgen. Er könnte alles verändern. Lori liebt ihr Lehramtsstudium, Partys und Dates, auch wenn aus diesen selten mehr wird. Sie sehnt sich danach, nur ein einziges Mal das zu fühlen, was der Kuss mit Joshua sie hat fühlen lassen. Dieser eine schmerzhaft perfekte Kuss ist mittlerweile fast zwei Jahre her und sie haben nie wieder ein Wort darüber verloren. Was in Ordnung ist, denn der Kapitän der Basketballmannschaft ist der Bruder ihrer besten Freundin und damit off-limits.

Frank Ewert's disarming collection of short fiction starts off with an inside view of small-time, big identity Canadian hockey, its meaning, its plays, its lingo. But each story's distinct voice quickly reveals universal themes of rivalry, calling, discipline, infatuation, and national dignity that invite every reader to be more than a spectator. The characters have keen direction and surprising priorities that open this unknown world to the uninitiated.

Recovered from a near-fatal assault and rearmed with his embedded football scouting skills, former nobody Max Best has led his Chester men's team up in the rankings and ratings both on the pitch and in the front office. But there's no rest to be had with what's ahead: the FA Cup. Now, they're playing against big-money teams with big talent and even bigger attitudes. And the elite aren't about to let some smart-aleck, fast-talking upstart and his underdog lads make the powerhouse clubs look like fools. Unfortunately for them, that's precisely what Max lives for.

When a harsh new manager takes over the Tigresses football team, bringing a new star striker Kira with her, morale is rocked. The team’s current MVP Maeve clashes immediately with Kira – but despite the animosity between them, Maeve can’t help secretly admiring Kira's annoyingly perfect form… Is there more to this obsessive rivalry than they’re letting on?

Coming back to my hometown wasn’t part of my Christmas game plan. Neither was coaching my old high school’s hockey team or crossing paths with Colette McAllister, the Ice Queen of Brooking Sound. Back in high school, she was my biggest crush—and my brother’s biggest fan. Now, she’s all sharp glares, sarcastic quips, and a refusal to admit how much fun she’s having making my life miserable. But when my buddy Tucker bets I can’t get Colette to go on a date and kiss me under the mistletoe by Christmas Eve, I can’t resist.