New Days Dawning by Sierra Riley

“No offense, but you haven’t ever written an essay in your life, have you.”
“Some days it feels like I’m just treading water, waiting to drown.”

Reserved, cautious Kieran Lightfoot tries so hard not to make a scene. Constantly dodging the persistent advances of his aggressive ex-boyfriend, he just wants to keep his head down and get out of the funk he’s in, both emotional and financial. A big tutoring job from someone who can actually afford it is just what he needs, but little does he know this client will throw his life into a tailspin.

“I try to make the best of it, but everything familiar about my life is gone now.”

An injury cut David Beauchemin’s pro hockey career short. Freshly “retired” from the NHL, what the hell is he going to do now? He’s had his life planned out since he was a ten-year-old gunning for the pros and now the plan doesn’t apply. Newly arrived in San Diego and clueless about what to make of himself, he decides the best course of action is to go back to school. And the first step toward that is passing the SAT exam.

“Is it normal to feel this protective over someone you just met?”

Kieran is left reeling when someone ransacks his house. He’s rattled and on edge, and to his immense surprise, it’s David who steps up and offers him a place to stay. Which means he has to do the right thing–the professional thing–and put a lid on the feelings David evokes in him. Feelings of safety and security. It’s so inappropriate to fall for a client. And David’s a classical jock. There’s no way he’s into men… right? There’s just no way. Kieran’s never that lucky. But the longer he and David spend together, the more Kieran starts to wonder if maybe finding love is more than a matter of luck.