Damsel in Defense

Victoria Westwyld is used to living in the spotlight. After breaking away from her former rock band and reinventing herself as a rising solo country star, she’s determined to prove she’s more than the tabloid scandals that follow her every move. But when a new PR disaster threatens her hard-won comeback, a solution comes from the last person she expects, Mason Warren—Toronto Nighthawks defenseman, media darling, and hockey’s golden boy.

Mason’s reputation is spotless but behind the charming smile is a man lost in the weeds of his clean-cut persona. After seeing how far the press is willing to go, he offers Victoria a fake relationship to help her weather the media storm and bolster his PR-perfect image. It’s supposed to be all business—just a few staged appearances and carefully crafted smiles, but Victoria’s fiery energy and vulnerability challenge Mason to become comfortable with who he really is, and soon, the lines between tabloids and reality start to blur.

As their chemistry becomes undeniable and the world watches their every move, sabotage and secrets threaten to unravel everything. With Victoria’s safety—and her heart—on the line, Mason must decide if he’s ready to stop playing defense and fight for the one thing he never expected: a love that’s too real to pass on.