Rivalry and First Encounters

Levi Holloway, star hockey captain at Phil-U, is living his dream—final college season, NHL draft ahead, and a tight-knit team. At a raucous sports bar, the hockey and football teams' rivalry is on full display, but the night takes a turn when Levi notices Grace, an Australian exchange swimmer, bundled up and out of place. Their first encounter is brief but memorable, set against the backdrop of team drama and competitive banter. Grace, new to America and missing home, is swept into the campus's sports-obsessed culture, where athletes are celebrities and every interaction is charged with competition and ego. The stage is set for a collision of personalities, ambitions, and hearts.

The Bet Is Made

Levi and Ryker, the football captain, are forced together for a group project with Grace. Their rivalry is fierce, and when a conversation about who can win over Grace first turns competitive, a bet is struck: whoever hooks up with her first wins exclusive gym rights for their team. Grace, oblivious, becomes the unwitting prize in a contest that starts as a joke but quickly takes on a life of its own. The bet injects tension and motivation into every interaction, as both captains vie for her attention, masking their growing genuine interest behind bravado and one-upmanship.

Grace in the Middle

Grace navigates her new world, balancing grueling swim practices, homesickness, and the attention of two campus stars. She's drawn into the orbit of both teams, forming tentative friendships and learning the rules of American college life. Her easygoing Australian nature and lack of awe for campus royalty make her stand out. As she spends more time with Levi and Ryker, she senses the rivalry but remains unaware of the bet. Her presence begins to soften the edges of the boys' competition, even as it intensifies their pursuit.

Lines Blur, Hearts Stir

Levi's initial pursuit of Grace is strategic, but her authenticity and warmth disarm him. Their friendship deepens through late-night talks, shared music, and cultural exchanges. Levi finds himself wanting more than to win a bet—he wants to win her heart. Meanwhile, Ryker's interest is real, but he's less adept at breaking through Grace's defenses. The trio's group project becomes a microcosm of their dynamic: competitive, charged, but also unexpectedly intimate. The lines between game and reality blur, and Levi begins to question his motives.

Friendships and Tensions

Grace becomes close with Levi's friends, especially Tripp, whose humor and openness make her feel at home. The hockey house becomes her refuge, a place of camaraderie and laughter. Yet, the rivalry with the football team simmers, and the bet's shadow looms over every interaction. Levi's teammates notice his growing attachment, and Ryker's frustration mounts as he senses he's losing ground. Grace, still unaware, is caught in the crossfire, her feelings for Levi deepening even as she tries to keep things platonic.

The Challenge Escalates

As the semester progresses, the stakes rise. Parties, games, and late-night hangouts bring Levi and Grace closer, but also expose them to gossip and misunderstandings. Jealousy flares—Levi sees Grace with Ryker, and vice versa. The bet, still secret, drives both boys to push boundaries, but Levi's feelings become undeniable. He starts to pull back from the game, wanting something real. Grace, meanwhile, is torn between her growing attraction to Levi and her desire to stay true to herself.

Crossing Boundaries

A night of vulnerability leads to Grace spending the night at Levi's—platonically at first, but the intimacy is electric. Their connection deepens, and soon they cross the line into romance. The shift is both exhilarating and terrifying, especially for Levi, who's never had a real relationship. The bet becomes a source of guilt, but he can't bring himself to confess. Grace, blissfully unaware, falls harder, trusting Levi with her heart and her secrets.

Falling for Real

Levi and Grace's relationship blossoms, filled with laughter, passion, and mutual support. They become inseparable, navigating the pressures of sports, academics, and campus life together. Levi's friends embrace Grace, and even Ryker, though disappointed, steps back. The bet, however, remains a ticking time bomb. Levi's guilt grows as he realizes how much he stands to lose. Grace, for the first time since her parents' death, feels truly at home.

Secrets and Betrayals

Just as everything seems perfect, the secret of the bet is revealed—by a jealous cheerleader, no less. Grace is devastated, feeling used and betrayed by both Levi and Ryker. She leaves, returning to Australia for Christmas, cutting off contact. Levi is shattered, drowning in regret and unable to focus on anything but her absence. Both are forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the depth of their feelings.

Breaking and Healing

Separated by continents, Levi and Grace struggle to move on. Levi throws himself into hockey, but nothing fills the void. Grace reconnects with her brothers and old friends, finding comfort in home but unable to forget Levi. Both reflect on their mistakes, growing in self-awareness and maturity. Messages go unanswered, but hope lingers. When Grace's brothers encourage her to follow her heart, she decides to return to Philadelphia, determined to face the past and choose her own future.

Second Chances

Back at Phil-U, Grace orchestrates a final challenge: a scavenger hunt between Levi and Ryker, echoing the original bet but on her terms. The first to find her wins her heart. Levi, desperate and determined, searches everywhere, finally finding her in his own room—her true choice all along. They reconcile, confessing their love and vowing to move forward honestly. The past is forgiven, and a new chapter begins.

Love Wins Out

Levi and Grace rebuild their relationship, stronger for having faced the truth. They navigate the challenges of graduation, professional sports, and the prospect of long-distance. Grace chooses to stay, supported by her brothers and friends. Together, they dream of a future that bridges continents and careers. Their love, once a game, is now the foundation of their lives.

Home and Away

Grace's brothers visit America, meeting Levi and embracing their new extended family. The couple balances visits home with building a life in Colorado, where Levi's NHL career takes off. Grace finds fulfillment coaching and teaching, carving out her own identity. Their home becomes a hub for friends and family, a testament to the life they've built together.

Facing the Future

As Levi's career demands more travel, and Grace's roots in America deepen, they face new challenges—distance, uncertainty, and the pressure of public life. But their commitment never wavers. Open communication, trust, and shared dreams keep them grounded. They learn that love is not about grand gestures, but about showing up, day after day, for each other.

New Year, New Us

On New Year's Eve, Grace and Levi reaffirm their love, choosing each other again in a symbolic race against time. Surrounded by friends, family, and the memories of their journey, they step into the future together. The past is a lesson, not a burden. Their love, once up to chance, is now a certainty.

Building a Life Together

In the epilogue, Grace and Levi are living together in Colorado, balancing careers, friendships, and the demands of professional sports. Their home is filled with laughter, music, and the warmth of chosen family. The scars of the past remain, but they are reminders of how far they've come. Their love story, born of rivalry and risk, is now one of partnership, trust, and joy—a testament to the odds they overcame, together.

Characters

Levi Holloway

Levi is the quintessential campus star: hockey captain, NHL-bound, confident, and used to getting what he wants. Beneath the bravado, he's fiercely loyal, protective of his friends, and haunted by the pressure to succeed. His rivalry with Ryker is both a source of motivation and a mask for deeper insecurities. Meeting Grace challenges his worldview—she's immune to his charm, unimpressed by his status, and refreshingly real. As he falls for her, Levi is forced to confront his own flaws, especially when the bet he made threatens to destroy everything. His journey is one of growth: from player to partner, from selfishness to selflessness, and from fear to vulnerability. By the end, Levi is a man who knows what he wants—and is willing to fight for it, honestly.

Grace Hughes

Grace is an Australian exchange student, a talented swimmer, and a survivor of profound loss. Her warmth, humor, and lack of pretense make her stand out in the status-obsessed world of American college sports. She's fiercely independent, loyal to her friends and family, and unafraid to speak her mind. Grace's journey is one of adaptation—navigating a new culture, new friendships, and the complexities of love. Her relationship with Levi is transformative, teaching her to trust again and to fight for her own happiness. When betrayed, she doesn't crumble; she sets boundaries, demands respect, and ultimately chooses forgiveness on her own terms. Grace is the emotional heart of the story, grounding the chaos around her with empathy and strength.

Ryker Richardson

Ryker is the football captain, Levi's equal in talent and ego. Their rivalry is legendary, fueled by competition and mutual respect. Ryker's pursuit of Grace is genuine, but he's less adept at vulnerability. When the bet is revealed, he owns his part, steps back, and supports Grace's choice. Ryker's arc is one of humility—learning to lose with grace and to value friendship over pride. He's a foil to Levi, highlighting both the dangers and the redemptive power of competition.

Tripp O'Connor

Tripp is Levi's teammate and roommate, the life of the party and the glue of the hockey house. His humor and openness make him instantly likable, and his friendship with Grace is one of the story's sweetest subplots. Tripp is more than a sidekick—he's a sounding board, a source of wisdom in disguise, and a reminder that family is chosen as much as given. His own journey, from perpetual bachelor to someone seeking real connection, mirrors the story's themes of growth and belonging.

Will Caufield

Will is Levi's best friend since childhood, a fellow hockey star, and the voice of reason. He's less flashy than Levi or Tripp, but his loyalty and insight are invaluable. Will sees through Levi's bravado, calls him out when needed, and supports him through every high and low. His own subplot—navigating his own career and relationships—adds depth to the story's exploration of friendship and ambition.

Ryan Murphy

Ryan is the team's social media star, always chasing the next viral moment. His antics provide comic relief, but he's also a sharp observer of group dynamics. Ryan's journey is one of learning to look beyond the surface, to value real connection over likes and followers. His friendship with Grace, and his support during her lowest moments, reveal a depth beneath the bravado.

Stella and Ava

Stella and Ava are Grace's dormmates and fellow swimmers, providing a touchstone to home and a bridge to her new life. Their banter, loyalty, and willingness to call Grace out keep her grounded. They represent the importance of female friendship, especially in a world dominated by male egos and competition.

Summer Spritz

Summer is the head cheerleader, Levi's former hookup, and the story's primary antagonist. Her jealousy and gossip set the bet's revelation in motion, but she's more than a villain—she's a product of the same culture that elevates and objectifies athletes and their partners. Summer's actions force the main characters to confront their own values and choices.

Seth and Dylan Hughes

Grace's older brothers are her family, her history, and her support system. Their love is unconditional, their banter a source of comfort. When they visit America, they embrace Levi and his world, helping to bridge the gap between Grace's two homes. Their willingness to travel, adapt, and support Grace's choices is a testament to the power of family.

Lana Holloway

Lana is Levi's younger sister, a whirlwind of energy and honesty. She welcomes Grace with open arms, teases Levi mercilessly, and provides a female perspective on the story's events. Lana's presence highlights the importance of family, forgiveness, and the ability to laugh at oneself.

Plot Devices

The Bet

The central plot device is the bet between Levi and Ryker: whoever hooks up with Grace first wins exclusive gym rights for their team. This device sets the story in motion, creating tension, competition, and a ticking time bomb of secrets. The bet is both a catalyst for action and a symbol of the toxic aspects of sports culture—objectification, ego, and the blurring of game and reality. Its eventual revelation is inevitable, foreshadowed by close calls, guilty confessions, and the growing weight of unspoken truths. The bet's resolution—Grace's own challenge—reclaims agency and reframes the narrative on her terms.

Dual Perspectives

The story alternates between Levi and Grace's points of view, allowing readers to experience both the thrill of pursuit and the pain of betrayal. This structure creates dramatic irony—readers know about the bet long before Grace does—and heightens the emotional stakes. The dual perspectives also allow for nuanced character development, as both protagonists confront their flaws and grow in self-awareness.

Sports Rivalry and Team Dynamics

The hockey-football rivalry is more than background—it shapes every relationship, decision, and conflict. Team dynamics provide both support and pressure, amplifying the consequences of the bet and the risks of vulnerability. The sports setting also allows for metaphors of teamwork, strategy, and endurance, mirroring the characters' emotional journeys.

Cultural Contrast

Grace's status as an Australian exchange student is not just a quirk—it's a lens through which the story explores belonging, adaptation, and the meaning of home. Her outsider perspective exposes the absurdities and charms of American college life, while her longing for home adds depth to her choices. The cultural contrast also provides humor, warmth, and a sense of universality.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

From the first encounter at the sports bar to the final scavenger hunt, the story is rich with foreshadowing—hints of secrets, glimpses of vulnerability, and moments of connection that pay off later. Symbols like the hockey jersey, the beanie, and the shared music playlist become touchstones for intimacy and trust. The recurring motif of games—on the ice, in the gym, in love—underscores the story's central question: what are the odds of finding something real in a world built on competition?

Analysis

What Are The Odds is a contemporary sports romance that uses the familiar tropes of rivalry, forbidden attraction, and the "bet gone wrong" to explore deeper themes of trust, identity, and the transformative power of love. At its core, the novel is a coming-of-age story for both Levi and Grace, set against the high-stakes, high-pressure world of college athletics. The bet, while initially a device for drama and tension, becomes a crucible that forces the characters to confront their own values, insecurities, and desires. The story's emotional arc is one of growth—from selfishness to selflessness, from fear to vulnerability, and from isolation to belonging. Grace's journey, in particular, is a testament to resilience: she refuses to be defined by loss, by others' expectations, or by the games people play. Her ultimate act of forgiveness is not weakness, but strength—a reclaiming of agency and a choice to love on her own terms. The novel's modern relevance lies in its honest portrayal of the messiness of relationships, the dangers of objectification, and the importance of communication and consent. It challenges readers to consider what it means to truly know and choose someone, and whether love can survive the odds stacked against it. In the end, What Are The Odds is both a celebration of romance and a critique of the culture that so often turns love into a game. Its lesson is clear: real connection is not about winning, but about showing up, telling the truth, and choosing each other—again and again, against all odds.

Last updated: December 22, 2025