Chrysanthemum Howard has been obsessed with the hit reality game show Albatross for years, but never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d make it on as a rookie contestant. Sweet, bookish, and anything but athletic, Chrys is as surprised as anyone to be selected—especially when she’s paired with Foster Nielsen, a brooding, inked-up veteran of the game and the star of all her fantasies. Foster is furious to be saddled with someone who looks like she couldn’t survive a hike, let alone a competition filled with grueling challenges. He’s here for one reason: to win. But Chrys isn’t about to let him—or anyone else—write her off without a fight.

As the competition heats up, so does their banter, sparking rumors among other players that their fiery clashes are hiding something more. With every unexpected triumph, Chrys proves she’s more than just the underdog, and Foster begins to see there’s strength in her spirit. Behind his tough exterior, Chrys finds a man burdened by more than just the pressure to win. In the high-stakes chaos of reality TV, desire turns to something deeper, but when love and pride are on the line, the real challenge becomes whether they can trust each other enough to fight for something beyond the finish line.