Who wrote this book and what is it called?
This is a Bloom Books contemporary romance by Rebecca Jenshak. The excerpt doesn’t display the manuscript title, but the story centers on Claire Crawford and Austin Keller at Frost Lake High—where reputations travel fast, feelings hit hard, and one kiss can change the entire social weather.
What is the premise of this Rebecca Jenshak high school romance?
Claire Crawford’s world cracks open after a figure skating injury ends the future she trained for—leaving her to rebuild her identity in a town that still sees her as the girl she used to be. Then Austin Keller arrives: a driven soccer transfer chasing a championship dream under demanding Coach Jude Collins. A dare turns into a kiss, and that spark collides with small-town gossip, team politics, and the kind of first love that feels thrilling… and dangerously visible.
What genre is this book?
It’s a contemporary high school sports romance told in dual POV—charged with soccer intensity, figure-skating heartbreak, and coming-of-age stakes where the biggest wins aren’t always on the scoreboard.
Who is this book for?
This is for adult romance readers who love teen/NA-adjacent stories with big feelings, fast chemistry, and high school dynamics that feel vivid and immediate. Expect small-town scrutiny, a tight friend group, ambitious athletes under pressure, and a love story that’s as tender as it is combustible.
What books is this similar to?
It’s a match for readers who crave sports romance with team culture, social fallout, and emotionally grounded characters trying to hold onto their dreams while falling hard. If you like romances where the relationship has real consequences—on friendships, status, and the future—this delivers that delicious, page-turning tension.
Does the story have dual POV?
Yes—chapters alternate between Claire and Austin, so you feel both sides of the attraction, the misunderstandings, the pressure points, and the private fears they’re each trying not to show.
Where does the story take place?
The story is set in Frost Lake, Michigan, with the heart of the action at Frost Lake High—alongside the soccer field, the skating rink, and the local hangouts where cabin parties and whispered rumors can turn one moment into a headline.
What are the main stakes for Claire?
Claire is grieving the loss of competitive figure skating after a serious ankle injury—and that grief isn’t just physical, it’s identity-deep. She’s trying to figure out who she is without the sport that defined her, while navigating the emotional mess of a complicated ex, a demanding parent, and the fear that “starting over” might mean starting from nothing.
What are the main stakes for Austin?
Austin has uprooted his life from Arizona to Michigan for elite soccer, carrying the weight of a family relocation and the expectation that he’ll prove it was worth it. He needs to earn his place on a championship program fast, but team hierarchy, Coach Collins’s standards, and friction with captain Vaughn threaten everything he came to build.
Is there a love triangle in this book?
There’s strong romantic tension tied to Claire’s history with her ex, Vaughn—especially because he’s also Austin’s team captain and still emotionally invested. The core romance stays centered on Claire and Austin, with the conflict fueled by history, loyalty, and the kind of timing that makes every choice feel risky.
Does this book include the 'ex’s teammate' setup?
Yes. Austin is the new guy on the team, and he ends up kissing Claire—who happens to be the ex of Vaughn, the captain. That single moment instantly raises the stakes inside the soccer program and throws gasoline on the school rumor mill.
What tropes are in this story?
This story leans into fan-favorite romance beats: ex’s teammate, new guy in town, forced proximity through school and a shared art project, a relationship kept quiet for self-protection, small-town/high school gossip, and sports-driven rivalry pressure that turns feelings into a high-stakes game.
What themes does the book explore besides romance?
Beyond the love story, it digs into identity after injury, the cost of ambition, and what happens when the plan you built your whole life around disappears overnight. It also explores friendship loyalty, family expectations, and the hard, hopeful work of redefining success on your own terms.
How important is sports to the plot?
Sports are woven into the story’s spine. Soccer drives Austin’s goals, status, and conflicts, while figure skating shapes Claire’s emotional landscape—her loss, her resilience, and the question of what it means to love something you might never get back in the same way.
Is there a strong best-friend character?
Yes—Claire’s best friend Lacey is a standout presence: funny, fiercely loyal, and tuned into the social ecosystem of Frost Lake High. She brings levity when things get heavy, and she’s the kind of friend who won’t let Claire disappear into heartbreak.
Who is Vaughn Collins and why does he matter?
Vaughn is Frost Lake’s soccer captain and Claire’s ex, and his influence ripples through both the team and the school. He matters because he’s not just part of Claire’s past—his reactions shape Austin’s standing, intensify the pressure, and keep old feelings and old expectations close to the surface.
Does the book include hazing or bullying on the team?
Yes. Austin runs into locker-room pranks and social icing tied to team hierarchy and Vaughn’s influence. It’s a meaningful obstacle early on, adding tension to every practice, every interaction, and every choice Austin makes about how to earn respect without losing himself.
Is there a lot of high school drama and gossip?
Yes—this story embraces the reality of high school rumor dynamics, party scenes, and social fallout. Claire’s breakup and Austin’s arrival create the kind of spark that spreads fast, and the book captures how quickly a narrative can form around you—whether it’s true or not.
Does the romance stay secret for a while?
Yes. Claire and Austin keep things quiet for a time, largely because Vaughn’s role as captain makes everything higher risk—especially for Austin’s place on the team. That secrecy adds a delicious layer of tension: stolen moments, careful choices, and the constant question of what happens when the truth gets out.
Is there explicit spice in this book?
Yes. The manuscript includes explicit on-page sexual scenes, along with sustained chemistry and escalating tension between the leads.
Does the book have a happy ending?
Yes. The excerpt includes an epilogue that shows Claire and Austin together and happy, with their relationship firmly established and Claire reconnecting to skating in a new, meaningful way.
What makes this book stand out from other sports romances?
It hits a satisfying emotional sweet spot: the adrenaline of soccer ambition paired with the ache of a figure skater facing a career-ending injury. That contrast gives both leads a powerful inner journey—one fighting to earn his place, the other learning how to exist without the dream that used to define her. Add in a school-wide art show thread, a sharp best-friend dynamic, and a coach who’s both legend and parent, and you get a romance that feels high-pressure, intimate, and impossible to look away from.
