Rival Coaches, One Winter Season: A Rivals-to-Lovers, Slow Burn, Small-Town Sports Romance

Two rival coaches. One struggling ice rink. A winter that could change everything.

Mara Hollis never planned to return to Silverpine. After years away, the last thing she wants is to confront the memories she left behind, especially those involving Evan Mercer, the boy who once knew her better than anyone and the man she has spent seven years trying to forget.

But when her father's beloved ice rink faces an uncertain future, walking away is no longer an option.

Evan Mercer has built his life around coaching the Silverpine Falcons youth hockey team. He knows every crack in the rink's aging walls, every family depending on its doors staying open, and exactly how stubborn Mara Hollis can be.

Now she's back, coaching the town's figure skating program, and competing against him for the funding that could determine which team survives the winter.

Neither intends to lose.

As their rivalry intensifies, the failing rink forces them into an uneasy partnership. Between bitter town meetings, early morning practices, unexpected moments of tenderness, and secrets from their shared past, the line between competition and attraction begins to blur.

Mara discovers that the man she thought she knew might not be the man standing before her. And Evan must decide whether protecting the life he's built is worth risking the woman he's never quite forgotten.

With the winter festival approaching and the future of the rink hanging in the balance, they'll have to confront old misunderstandings, learn to trust each other, and discover that some things are worth fighting for together.

Because in a town where everyone remembers your past, falling in love might be the bravest second chance of all.

Perfect for readers who love small-town romance, slow-burning chemistry, forced proximity, second chances, emotional tension, and rivals who discover that love isn't about winning.

© 2026 PublishDrive (E-bog): 6610001509996

Udgivelsesdato

E-bog: 31. oktober 2026