Riverside Reapers Series by Celeste Briars

Aeris Relera has always drawn the short end of the stick in life—a self-absorbed ex, neglectful parents, and a past that continues to haunt her. When she’s down on her luck one night, a mysterious knight in shining armor—or more realistically, a knight in hockey shoulder pads—saves her from a few too many tequila shots.Hayes Hollings’ checkered past refuses to stay very far behind him, and his mistakes are even more catastrophic when they’re broadcasted to the whole world... moreAeris Relera has always drawn the short end of the stick in life—a self-absorbed ex, neglectful parents, and a past that continues to haunt her. When she’s down on her luck one night, a mysterious knight in shining armor—or more realistically, a knight in hockey shoulder pads—saves her from a few too many tequila shots.Hayes Hollings’ checkered past refuses to stay very far behind him, and his mistakes are even more catastrophic when they’re broadcasted to the whole world. Being a disgraced NHL player isn’t good for his love life or his reputation. Determined to get into the public’s good graces, Hayes constructs a devious plan to rebrand his image as a doting boyfriend.Aeris has grown to accept that she’s not destined for what love has to offer, but when Hayes rewrites her fate, she’s thrown into an internal battle that has her stretched between giving love a shot or keeping her distance from the Riverside Reapers’ biggest playboy. Hayes might seem like the perfect guy to help Aeris learn how to love again, but little does she know that he’s harboring a secret big enough to ruin her completely.Will love prevail between two polar opposites, or will fatal lies break these two apart?The Best Kind of Forever is a hilarious hockey romance featuring a swoon-worthy, reformed playboy, a fake dating scheme, spice hot enough to make you question your religious values, and a newfound chance at love between two polar opposites. It’s the first book in a series, but can be read as a standalone.The Best Kind of Forever is a hockey romance, he falls first and harder, opposites attract, midsize heroine sports romance with no cheating and a satisfying happily ever after. less

One summer. One forbidden romance. One secret to destroy them completely.When Faye Hollings finds herself stranded at a gas station, the first person she thinks to call is the man she’s been secretly in love with for two years. The only problem? Kit Langley is one of her brother’s best friends, and completely off limits... moreOne summer. One forbidden romance. One secret to destroy them completely.When Faye Hollings finds herself stranded at a gas station, the first person she thinks to call is the man she’s been secretly in love with for two years. The only problem? Kit Langley is one of her brother’s best friends, and completely off limits. After a traumatic encounter that has her fleeing to California, Faye finds herself in a whirlwind summer romance that tests boundaries, pool water, and how far their desires for one another stretch beneath beating hearts.Star left defenseman and self-proclaimed ladies’ man, Kit Langley, isn’t fazed by much. But when he gets that life-changing call from his teammate’s little sister, and the one girl he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about, his whole world tilts on its axis. Kit juggles between staying loyal to his best friend, keeping an earth-shattering secret, and indulging in his own fantasies that involve a certain freckled brunette.Faye and Kit have two months to figure out where they stand in each other’s lives. When summer starts to fade, so does the possibility of this budding relationship. With the clock counting down and their friends growing more suspicious, the two will have to decide whether to come clean or continue living a devastating lie.Will loyalties remain unsevered, or will love blossom between two star-crossed lovers?The Worst Kind of Promise is a hilarious summer romance featuring a lovesick hockey player, forbidden love, spice hot enough to make you question your religious values, and a not-so-foolproof scheme. It’s the second book in a series, but can be read as a standalone.The Worst Kind of Promise is a brother's best friend, mutual pining, one bed, forced proximity, forbidden love, summer romance with no cheating, no third-act breakup, and a satisfying happily ever after. less

Hockey’s golden boy, Gage Arlington, is a world-renowned goalie and lovable jerk who expects his second season playing on the Riverside Reapers to go smoothly. Until his luck changes one game and he sustains an almost-career-ending injury. Now facing three months of recovery time, his sole focus is to get back on the ice... moreHockey’s golden boy, Gage Arlington, is a world-renowned goalie and lovable jerk who expects his second season playing on the Riverside Reapers to go smoothly. Until his luck changes one game and he sustains an almost-career-ending injury. Now facing three months of recovery time, his sole focus is to get back on the ice. With a (supposedly) foolproof plan, he enlists the help of a certain dance instructor to rehabilitate him, only to find out that she’s none other than the girl who hates his guts and t-boned his car to prove it.Dance instructor, Calista Cadwell, has been strapped in a never-ending rollercoaster loop her whole life. And when her mother falls terminally ill, she’s left with no choice but to become her brother’s primary caretaker. With a bank account that needs some serious CPR and an insane schedule, her great-sister status seems to be on the verge of tanking. But all her fears come true when she discovers her brother’s being bullied by his hockey teammates. So, when an arrogant, hip-hindered hockey player comes begging for her help, she forms a plan of action.Gage and Calista strike a she’ll help him with his recovery in return for some hockey lessons for her brother. Over time, clashing heads devolve into clashing tongues, and Calista’s disdain toward Gage begins to change the more she’s with him. However, when Gage’s true feelings threaten to complicate their business transaction, Calista finds herself at a does she put herself first and chase after love, or does she become another cog in a family-oriented machine?Will Gage be able to win the heart of a girl who’s too afraid to love, or will this be the one game he’s destined to lose?The Cruelest Kind of Hate is a hilarious hockey romance featuring a lovable hockey goalie, a sassy heroine, a deal made between enemies, spice hot enough to make you question your religious values, and a slow journey of mutual healing that ultimately ends in love. It’s the third book in a series, but can be read as a standalone.The Cruelest Kind of Hate is a dislike to lovers, hockey goalie x dance instructor, black cat x golden retriever, forced proximity, he falls first and harder, banter galore, hockey romance with no cheating, no third-act breakup, and a heart-warming happily ever after. less