Cover of Evening the Score by Lexi LaFleur Brown
Fiction, romance, generalSteamy

Evening the Score

by Lexi LaFleur Brown

2026

"A hilarious, sexy debut from an author who truly knows her hockey." --Rachel Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Heated Rivalry on Shoot Your Shot USA TODAY bestselling author, NHL insider, and TikTok influencer Lexi LaFleur Brown is back with another trope-packed, spicy, hockey-accurate rom com! Don't get mad--get even. A grudge hates to see Olivia Hinckley coming. Years ago, a dirty hit ended her late father's NHL career with the Minnesota Freeze. It was never fair that Erik Parker walked away with little more than a penalty, but it's worse that her father's rival is now up for Hall of Fame induction. On top of that, Erik's son--hockey's golden boy, Brody--just signed on to play for the Freeze. Determined to dismantle the Parker legacy, Olivia enacts a revenge plot that has her donning the Freeze's mascot costume to gain intel on the Parkers. And she can't help but mess with Brody's gameplay--and his heart for good measure. After all, what's a little fake dating between enemies? Brody Parker only ever wanted to play hockey for fun, but the pressure of being part of hockey's "First Family" has him dodging nepotism allegations along with high sticks. Erik might act like Father of the Year when the cameras are on, but behind closed doors, Brody struggles with his father's impossible expectations. Preserving Erik's image is a full-time job, but lucky for Brody, his new connection with Olivia is a welcome (spicy) distraction. When Brody finally opens up to Olivia, she never expected she'd pity a Parker for anything. Suddenly, she wants to protect her once-enemy. The romantic feelings she faked are now unexpectedly real, but after leading Brody on for so long, can she keep the lies and the truth straight before she accidentally blows up his whole life? FOR FANS OF: Fake dating He falls first Secret identity Adversaires to lovers Bookish heroes Heated Rivalry, Rachel Reid and hockey romance

Fake DatingSecret Identity
Editor ReviewedAI-AssistedRomance Profile Available
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About This Book

Evening the Score is a fiction, romance, general novel by Lexi LaFleur Brown, first published in 2026 by Harlequin. Readers can expect fake dating, secret identity; steamy heat.

At a glance

Genre
Fiction, romance, general
Trope
Fake Dating
Heat
Steamy
Published
2026

Where to read or listen

Get Evening the Score by Lexi LaFleur Brown

These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Should I read this?

Why You May Love This Book

You may love this if…

  • To avenge her father's career-ending hockey injury, Olivia infiltrates the rival Parker family by going undercover as a mascot, only to find herself falling for the son she targeted.
  • Hockey romance fans
  • Readers who enjoy trope-heavy rom-coms
  • Fun
  • Strong premise

This may not be ideal if…

  • Revenge plot may be divisive for some readers
Romance Profile

The Romance

Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.

Relationship Dynamics

Enemies to loversFake dating as a catalystProtective dynamic

Details

Type: Contemporary Romance

Pairing: unknown

Power balance: shifting

Slow BurnStrong (50 out of 100)
Relationship TensionVery strong (75 out of 100)
Emotional IntimacyStrong (50 out of 100)
Emotional Experience

How It Feels

The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.

Pacing: medium
Tone:HilariousSexyTension-filled
Heat & Explicitness

Heat Level

Based on available metadata and editorial review.

Explicitness: unknown
Heat information is based on available metadata and editorial review. Reader sensitivities vary.
Reader Fit

Who Is This Book For?

Best for

Hockey romance fansReaders who enjoy trope-heavy rom-comsFans of Rachel Reid

Reading mood

FunEngagedTense

Recommended audience: Adult romance readers

Content Guidance

Content Guidance

Story & Themes

The Story

Spoiler-Free Synopsis

Years after a controversial hit by Erik Parker ended her father's NHL career, Olivia Hinckley seeks retribution. She gains access to the Parker family by taking a job as the mascot for the Minnesota Freeze, where Erik's son, Brody, now plays. While Brody deals with the crushing pressure of his father's expectations and nepotism, he finds an unexpected ally in Olivia. As they enter a fake dating scenario to suit their individual needs, the vengeance Olivia planned is complicated by genuine attraction and a growing desire to protect Brody from his father's influence.

Central Conflict

Olivia is conflicted between her desire to sabotage the legacy of the man who ruined her father's career and her burgeoning, genuine romantic feelings for the rival's son, Brody.

Setting

Minnesota, professional hockey environment (NHL/Minnesota Freeze)

Strengths

  • Strong premise
  • Clear trope usage
  • Sports accuracy mentioned in description

Consider before reading

  • Revenge plot may be divisive for some readers
Book Club

Discussion Guide

Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.

  1. 1

    How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?

  2. 2

    How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?

  3. 3

    How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?

  4. 4

    Who would you most want to recommend this book to?

  5. 5

    How did the pacing affect your reading experience?

  6. 6

    Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?

Questions are generated from approved book intelligence and may not reflect every reader's experience.
Trust & Transparency

How This Profile Was Created

Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.

Editor reviewed:
Yes
Last reviewed:
September 28, 2026
Confidence:
Moderate confidence
Profile version:
eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
Meet the writer

About the Author

LLB

Lexi LaFleur Brown

1 books
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Reader Reviews

What Readers Say

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Publication Details

Publisher
Harlequin
Published
2026
ISBN-13
9781335016959
ISBN-10
1335016953

Evening the Score: quick answers

Who wrote Evening the Score?
Evening the Score was written by Lexi LaFleur Brown.
When was Evening the Score published?
Evening the Score was first published in 2026 by Harlequin.
What genre is Evening the Score?
Evening the Score is a fiction, romance, general novel, with fake dating, secret identity.
How spicy is Evening the Score?
EIKNA rates Evening the Score as steamy heat.

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Where to read or listen

Get Evening the Score by Lexi LaFleur Brown

These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

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