by Lynn Painter
First published 2026
Duffy Distefano loves her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyotes football. At a game, she shoves away mascot Coyote Carl when he makes unwanted advances. The crowd only sees a woman attacking their beloved mascot. She gets booed out of the stadium and becomes an internet villain. Duffy agrees to appear on a morning show to clear her name. She doesn't expect to share the stage with Connor Cunningham, the Coyotes' star tight end. Connor arrives for damage control but finds himself in a heated verbal battle with the wronged fan on live television. Duffy fires sharp criticisms at him while showing her deep love for the team. Connor becomes intrigued and attracted to her passion. Their interview goes viral and the public becomes obsessed with their dynamic. The Coyotes' PR team pushes Connor to ask Duffy out to ride the publicity wave. Connor dislikes PR stunts but discovers that being with Duffy feels surprisingly natural and genuine. He keeps the fake arrangement secret from her. Connor knows that if he ruins things with Duffy by revealing the truth, it will be the worst mistake of his career.
Genres: fiction, romance, contemporary, sports
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating
Setting: Minneapolis, Coyotes
Period: 21st-century
320 pages · Paperback · Berkley