THE LOVE RIPOSTE

A retired prodigy hiding in a kitchen. A ruthless World Champion. A tournament where the winner takes all—including her opponent's heart.
Twenty-two-year-old Clara Greenleaf swore she’d never touch an épée again. Burying her brilliant past, she works as a sweaty line cook at Le Petit in Chicago to pay for her grandmother's dialysis and raise her two rebellious brothers, Sam and Toby. But when her best friend Maya bribes her into subbing for a charity match, Clara accidentally does the unthinkable: she defeats Julian Vance.
Julian (25)—the undefeated World No. 1—is a lethal predator on the piste who has never shown mercy.
Thrust back into the fierce competitive world of the Silver Blade club under coach Beatrice, Clara finds herself crossing blades with Julian and his arrogant rival, Antoine Dupont. The "King" of fencing is brutally fast and completely obsessed with the only girl who ever dethroned him.
As Clara climbs the ranks to challenge Julian at the World Fencing Championship in Paris, the sparks on the piste ignite a real-life fire. Boundaries blur, and Clara soon realizes Julian doesn't just want a rematch—he wants her. Will her final parry-riposte win her the ultimate title, or will falling for her greatest rival be her most dangerous move yet?
Tropes: Enemies-to-Lovers, Sports Romance (Fencing), Grumpy/Sunshine, Boy Obsessed. Content Warning: This book contains strong language and explicit sexual content. Intended for mature audiences (18+).