Alli Castillo thought sophomore year at Carolina Coast University would be her fresh start—until anxiety attacks, sleepless nights, and empty Saturday nights leave her feeling more lost than ever. With her confidence unraveling and the weight of self-doubt creeping in, she’s about to give up on ever feeling like she belongs. Then Jared Collins transfers to CCU.

He’s the new football star with more problems than anyone realizes, and the last thing he wants is the constant attention from fangirls and rumors about his past. So, when Alli and Jared are randomly paired together as lab partners, it’s the last thing either of them expects. But when life gets messy, sometimes fake dating is the easiest option.

Late-night study sessions. Heart-to-heart conversations. Those stolen glances that say everything and nothing all at once. And they can only stretch it so much: the fake kisses and the charade begin to feel far too real and the sparks they’re trying to keep under control are threatening to explode.