When a blacklisted chef is forced to work for a grumpy ex–NHL player, sparks fly in and out of the kitchen. A steamy workplace romance about rebuilding dreams, breaking rules, and finding forever.

When a public meltdown ruins chef Summer Turner’s career, she flees to her hometown in the Pacific Northwest, hoping to rediscover her passion for cooking. Summer doesn’t want to work for someone else again, but when her father secures her a job at a local cidery, she doesn’t dare say no, even if it means working for scowling former NHL player Ezra Rawlings.

After a career-ending injury, Ezra knows what it’s like to lose everything. Emotionally guarded, he’s sworn off relationships to focus on business. But sparring with Summer ignites something he thought was gone forever, and what starts as a casual fling becomes impossible to ignore.

As their connection deepens and defenses crumble, their explosive chemistry threatens every boundary they’ve set. Summer’s determined to prove she’s not a failure, while Ezra’s convinced he’s too broken for love. But two stubborn hearts might be exactly what each other needs—if they’re brave enough to stop running.

© 2026 by Teagan Hunter, all rights reserved.

Teagan Hunter writes steamy romantic comedies with lots of sarcasm and a side of heart. She loves pizza, hockey, and romance novels, though not in that order. When not writing, you can find her watching entirely too many hours of Supernatural, One Tree Hill, or New Girl. She’s mildly obsessed with Halloween and prefers cooler weather. She married her high school sweetheart, and they currently live in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.teaganhunterwrites.com.