What If

In the heart of Barker University, a bond as strong as steel forms between Clara Lowe, a girl with a heart full of kindness and resilience, and Liam Russell, a rising hockey star with a steadfast sense of loyalty-until a betrayal shatters it, leaving Clara broken. When fate intervenes, bringing Liam back into Clara's life, she stands at a crossroads: can she give their friendship a second chance, or is the damage already done? As they navigate the complexities of their rekindled bond, Clara begins to uncover depths of feelings she never realized were there.

Liam has always put loyalty first, and his connection with Clara was no exception. Recognizing something extraordinary from their very first class together, his feelings deepened into something much more that is most definitely one-sided. A misstep with a past flame fractures the trust that once seemed unbreakable. Now, destiny offers Liam a rare opportunity for redemption. With everything on the line, Liam knows one thing for certain: he's regained his world in Clara, and he'll fight with all he has to never lose her again.

This is the first book of the college hockey romance stand alone series, A River Road Series, with a friends to lovers, he falls first, second chance, slow burn trope.