Checks & Bonds

Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy #8

by Heather C. Myers, Frankie Cardona

She's a duty. Nothing more. But when she tries to manipulate our arrangement, she'll be forced to learn she's mine.

Henry

As the sole male heir to the Mathers legacy, I have a lot of my shoulders.

My grandfather put trust in me. Sure, he gave my sister his hockey team. But everything else? That's mine.

Including an arranged marriage with Freya Reynolds, a girl who rebels at every chance she can get.

Including attending the Ravenwood Imprinting Ceremony.

Ravenwood is a secret society so deeply embedded in the Crestwood framework, only a handful of elites are chosen.

And she thinks she can get claimed by one of the men within the society? As though that would break our engagement off?

So, I do the only thing I can to maintain I claim her for myself.

Freya

I'm desperate.

At this point, I'm willing to do anything.

I don't want this engagement, even if it is to a Mathers. My parents refuse to entertain my arguments against this; they barely speak to me as it is. Which means it's on me to solve this.

When my boyfriend breaks up with me because Henry crosses a line, I realize I don't have a choice.

I take the exclusive invite to some secret society's party in the hopes that Henry won't want me if I belong to someone else.

I don't like being owned by someone, but at this point, I'm willing to do anything as long as it gets me out of this engagement.

It's an act of rebellion, sure, but it's one of the few choices I'm able to make.

Until I get to the ceremony... and Henry claims me himself.

Checks & Bonds is a stand-alone arranged marriage dark hockey romance featuring a stoic Alpha hockey player who always has to be in control and the fierce rebel who challenges everything he thought he knew. It has a guaranteed HEA and no cliffhanger.

Genres: Hockey, Hockey Romance, Dark Romance

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2024

About the author

Full disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 23 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real.

Reviews

[Dimitra A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece – a great addition to the series!

I can’t begin to describe how much I loved this book and how invested I got to Henry and Freya’s HEA! This series just keep on getting better and better with each new book!

Henry and Freya are to be married – the marriage is an arranged one. Freya desperately wants to find a way out of it, so she basically lets the wrong people fool her into things she would normally not have done. Despite this, however, she is an amazing person. Sassy when she must be, determined and not afraid to address her mistakes when she understands that she is in the wrong. I liked her a lot! Henry…I absolutely adored! He is an amazing person and he genuinely cares about Freya. He is less dark than I thought he would be – but that worked perfectly in this particular story. A rollercoaster of events occur – full of misconceptions and misunderstandings, full of people who have their own agendas in mind and who’d stop at nothing in order to achieve their goals – no matter how bad or in the wrong they are. I loved the cameos of some of the characters from previous books – I especially loved seeing Ivy and Minka again! The plot was so engaging that I couldn’t put the book down till the very last page.

All in all, this was undoubtedly an enjoyable, well-written book in my opinion. A great addition to an amazing series. 5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[AshReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Freya. Freya is going to marry Henry, not by choice but by an arrangement. Freya desperately wants a way out. When she finds out that there is a secret society at her school that you can sell yourself too and be controlled by a ‘Master’ then that bond superscends any contracts made. She is determined to be chosen. Turns out Henry is a part of the club… and it also turns out that Henry is not allow another man to possess what is his no matter what.

I really enjoyed this book. I’m still holding out for Dominic’s book. Please let it be soon. I love how this series is interconnected so you can technically read them at any point in the series, but it would be better if you started from the beginning since you get a fuller picture of the world and all that. The relationship between Freya and Henry was tumultuous, but the banter between them and how they grew into the relationship was a pleasure to read. I really enjoyed this book and the spice is always well written. I personally did not like Freya as a person, she was whiney and even when Henry treated her good she still wanted to leave, made me hate her. Henry was perfection with a dash (more like a bucket full) of jealous and possessive tendencies that I was 10000% here for.

[Sharon McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read and addition of characters to the series. The author just keeps cranking them out and I am totally at a loss for which couple is my favorite now as they all grab me differently. Just like in all the other books, the couples fail to communicate, and you just want to slap them around sometimes. Loved continuing to see the other characters make their appearances however, this one wasn’t as dark in my opinion but still had all the things I enjoy from dark romance, college hockey and secret societies. What more could you need!

The Mathers family and offspring have responsibilities, where the grandfather pass the hockey team onto Henry’s sister he got everything else including an arranged marriage. But that is how these big families do it but Henry isn’t letting her go. So when his intended bride Freya Reynolds tries to wiggle her way out of it, she realizes by trying to rebel she maybe put her trust into the wrong people.

[Lisa Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like every other book I’ve read in this series it was a roller coaster from beginning to end! Shes so descriptive when it comes to thoughts and feelings they are having that you feel it with them! The inner turmoil and range of emotions they go through is so well written that you can’t help but go through it too.
The spice was spicing as it always does and the mean boy you think you’ll hate always ends up having an inner beauty that is well hidden until the woman he falls for brings it out.
Henry may be a meanie but he is loyal and keeps safe what’s his whether they want it or not.
I absolutely love Freya and her fierceness..she’s not taking anything lying down and isn’t afraid to do what’s necessary to get the life she wants.
Their relationship is explosive and angsty but soooo good!!
Highly recommend this series to lovers of spice, ice hockey and drama. I’ve loved every book I’ve read so far 🖤

[Megan Glatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's here, it happened and I am so excitedddd! I have been quietly waiti f to know more about Henry Mathers and Freya Reynolds from the beginning of this series and now that I do I am so happy!!!


Checks & Bonds was another amazing book in the Crestwood series, this time we get to know all about Henry and Freya. Henry is the MMC, who is controlled, disciplined and beyond determined to uphold the Mathers legacy and that means fulfilling his duty of the arranged marriage he was. Freya, the MFC, is our little rebel and man does she have a fire cracker soul! She will not be told what to do by anyone, she is beautiful and smart, but at the end of the day she finds peace in the one person she never expected too. There is some solid spice in this book and of course it does have its darkness, so please be sure to read the TW list! 

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checks & Bonds is Book 8 of The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy Series. It's another steamy, enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, arranged marriage, opposites-attract, darkish hockey romance. Henry is a hunky ex-hockey player and billionaire. He inherited everything but the hockey team from his grandfather, including an arranged marriage to the sassy and feisty Freya. She wants nothing to do with the engagement and marriage and tries to get out of it by attending a secret society party, hoping to get claimed by another man. But Henry is having none of it and claims her anyway. I really loved Henry and Freya. This installment was not as dark as others but still super spicy. Henry was a cinnamon roll for Freya, and I loved her sass. This was another great addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freya is determined to not go through with the marriage that her family has arranged with Henry’s family. She is running out of time and options, so she decides to proceed with a questionable plan however she is about to find out what Henry is willing to do to thwart her plan.

Henry is determined to proceed with the marriage not because he has feelings for Freya but because of the loyalty he feels for his grandfather. When he finds out what Freya intends to do, he will do whatever is necessary to stop her.

Even though they may not chosen each other originally there is not denying the feelings they develop for each other. As events unfold their relationship will be tested and it will force them to realize what really matters when it comes to each other.

[Audrianna Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic edition to add to the Crestwood Elite!! Henry and Freya’s story was weighing on me, but I was so (un)patiently waiting for it to appear!
And it was as delicious as I wanted it to be! As per other books in this series, please do check the TW page and be prepared for some darker elements to appear in the story.
Freya is every bit the firecracker I expected, even if a bit naive to what is as play around her. Surprisingly, Henry was a bit softer than I envisioned. Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of explosions and surprises in this book! If you oled any of the prior novels, this one is a definite read (plus we get to see Ivy & Minka too!).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first book, this was the couple I wanted to know more about the most. Henry was not at all what I was expecting from the glimpses we’d had of him in the previous books. Freya struck me as a brat of epic proportions, and I don’t have the best track record with bratty heroines. But it all worked in this pairing. Henry showed us a protective alpha-hole side that was exactly what Freya needed in order to believe that he wanted her for more than just their marriage contract. I’m not sure what (or who) is up next, but I can’t wait to discover it.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freya doesn't want the arranged marriage to Henry and does all she can to get out of it even going to a secret society to find another to claim her only Henry's there waiting for her. His the heir to the mathers family, his life planned before him and Freya is his no matter whatbshe thinks. But can they make a go of things for real? Well written engaging, steamy, desires, and more a great addition to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

After all that Minka went through, I was glad to see us get to Henry's story. And Freya really is the perfect match for him.

Henry had quite the journey to get through to reach a point where he could accept that he was capable, and worthy, of love.

Freya's strong independence was a perfect counter-point to Henry to help him push past his family's politics and drama.

A great edition to the series. Not as dark as might have been expected, but still intense, and a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry & Freya: Book 8 of The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy Series: Standalone. Grumpy-sunshine/ enemies to lovers/ secret society/ arranged marriage/ college/ dark hockey romance: I love this series, and Henry & Freya’s story is a great addition to it. Spicy, captivating characters, intense and entertaining storyline, a rollercoaster of emotions with plenty of twists. I highly recommend this book and the entire Crestwood Elite series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry and Freya are engaged and neither of them want their arranged marriage but when she tries to find a way out of the arrangement he becomes determined to honor his family's legacy. If you have been reading this series from book one then you know these two don't start in a good spot but by the end sparks fly. This enemies to lovers romance is filled with misunderstandings, secrets, unexpected love, steam, and a page turning storyline. Checks and Bonds is book eight and a fabulous addition to The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[chesirern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Checks & Bonds (Book 8 of The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy Series) by Heather C Myers and Frankie Cardona is a hockey romance novel. Another great addition to this series. I have enjoyed every book. This book we get to focus on Henry and Freya. These two authors did a fantastic job continuing the world they created and characters. The plot was new and exciting.

Henry while he appears to be a grump definitely has a soft spot for Freya. It is a good thing she is one fierce lady to put up with him. The chemistry is all there with these two as well.

I definitely enjoyed this book and series.

[Whitney Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐Overall. I have been looking forward to this book (Henry's) since the beginning of the series & although Freya & Henry have a good story line, not as intense/dark as I expected it to be, which affected my overall rating. I was just expecting him to be more intense/darker. Ravenwood Society's Imprinting ceremony - a little bit reminiscent of the L.O.R.D.S. Vow Ceremony...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything is better when you have to fight for it. Freya and Henry were explosive, and their relationship was fraught with obstacles and misunderstanding. Throw in a devious uncle and other machinations, and you know things will get messy. Thank goodness for little sisters and their ability to smooth things over.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marisela vidalperez · Rating 5 out of 5]

always mine

Freya doesnt want to marry Henry. she hate the arrangement she think she in love with someone else. she been ignored by him for years now he everywhere and to destroy the contract she goes to the secret society to be someone else when Henry find out he bid for her and Now Freya planned backfire and she has to move in with him. Henry uncle tries to mess with his contract which Henry has to deal with him and get his girl.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I the only woman that thinks the sexiest word in a man's vocabulary is "Mine"? This is Henry and freya's book I honestly didn't see how they were going to come together. But it made the story oh so much better because of the fact that they were so against each other. I kind of wish that Henry's uncle had gotten more karma than he actually did.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandy Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the The Crestwood Elite Hockey Academy series. I loved Henry and Freya. Henry is controlling but Freya isn't about to back down to him.
Their push/pull relationship was intense, intriguing and filled with drama. The story is not as dark as I was expecting but the spice was off the charts. I really enjoyed this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the beginning about how impulsive Freya met the ever ice-cold Henry and slowly but surely thawed his frigid walls.
Neither knew what they wanted, except to know that expectstion needed to be met.
This was a super read and I loved how Henry figuratively put his mask on but, deep down he was not ice-cold at all.
This is another great addition to this already super series!

[Dee Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Freya’s story is about a controlling alpha and his feisty rebel and their arranged marriage . Full of misunderstandings, meddling, drama, romance, steam and chemistry. Ms Myers has written another gritty, dark and captivating romance that completes this series wonderfully.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freya is determined to break the engagement between her and Henry that her parents arranged with his family. When she goes as far as going to a ceremony hoping to be claimed by someone else, she finds Henry there claiming his prize! This story kept me glued to it from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how Henry and Freya found true love with each other when they put aside the arranged marriage and obligations. They marry for the right reasons and still honor their obligations. I like how his sister Minka goes to bat for them and wins.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

We got Minka’s brother getting his shot at his HEA but he has to get his intended first and of course his interview at the end. But getting his claim of his inheritance will still be a fight but his sister might have a plan to take out their greedy uncle. Like all the rest of rest of this series, it’s never a dull moment of a story and grabs your attention and your emotions.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Henry and Freya’s story. Checks & Bonds was a stand-alone arranged marriage dark hockey romance featuring a stoic Alpha hockey player who always has to be in control and the fierce rebel who challenges everything he thought he knew. It was an intriguing read. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[Nichole Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book from Myers. I liked to finally get the story of Freya and Henry after seeing bits and pieces of them in other couples stories. Some minor inconsistencies with clothing, time of day and location but otherwise the story flowed well and the chemistry between Freya and Henry was enticing.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Freya and Henry was a complicated one. They were put into a contract by their families, and neither were wanting into go through with it. Then came the jealousy and the intense chemistry and all that fun stuff you find in a book, and both of their lives changed forever.

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story from the author. Henry and Freya had an amazing chemistry, but i loved how different they both were. The steam between them was some of the best i've read for a long time and with the added darkness it truly was an addictive read.

[Sandy N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Freya and Henry story. Henry is very controlling and Freya is not a push over. She wants out of that engagement by any means and now he start interacting with her. Not very subtle. This is not my favourite in the series but it was still enjoyable. Spices 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! Confusing in some parts but maybe because I didn't read the other books before.
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