The Rebel

Ryan (Playing for Keeps) launches her Looking to Score series with a steamy story full of delicious detail that's light on angst. Eden Wynn is a wealthy girl from the right side of town, and though Holt Rossi has harbored a crush on her for years, he's never felt worthy of her. When their one college hookup ends with Eden leaving him a note that reads, "This was a mistake," Holt's worst fears are confirmed. Years later, Eden inherits her grandfather's hockey team and must publicly cope with the fact that her ex, Alex Braun, is one of her players. Just when things couldn't get more stressful, her team hires Holt as her new security detail. The last thing Eden needs is a relationship tied to her work, but Holt still has feelings for the girl that got away, and soon enough Eden realizes that she made a mistake all those years ago. Ryan keeps the focus on the feelings rather than action, and the result is a soothing escape that more than makes up for its lack of twists and turns with endearing characters, sizzling sex scenes, and an emotion-driven plot. This is the literary equivalent of comfort food. (Self-published)