Across the Line

Willoughby’s second In the Zone contemporary sports romance (after On the Surface) is a real charmer. Pro hockey player Calder Griffin is aboard a nonstop flight from San Diego to New York when he encounters Rebecca “Becca” Chen, owner of Cups, a popular cafe in his hometown of Ithaca, N.Y. He dubbed her “Braceface Becca” in elementary school, but as adults the two are immediately drawn to one another. Despite the distance, the two start a passionate relationship—and after tragedy strikes in Ithaca, Becca moves to San Diego. But will that move draw Calder closer, or push him away? Meanwhile, when Calder’s estranged brother, Hart, joins Calder’s hockey team, he drops a bombshell that will change the brothers’ relationship forever. Willoughby skillfully seeds the story with compelling secondary characters as she leads Calder and Becca toward a happy ending. (Aug.)