Checking It Twice: A Sweet Christmas Hockey RomCom

by Laney Kate

When the new hockey team captain crashes into the town’s Christmas queen, sparks fly faster than falling snow.




Running Blue Ridge’s most magical Christmas pop-up shop should be enough to keep me busy, but apparently the universe has other plans. Like having Evan Callahan—six feet-plus of hockey captain perfection—literally body-check me into a pile of fake snow and candy canes during our first planning meeting.

One mistletoe mishap later, and suddenly I’m co-hosting “Christmas on Ice” with the most gorgeous grump who secretly loves stop-motion Christmas movies and makes the worst gingerbread hockey players. Between stolen kisses under twinkling lights, festival emergencies, and trying not to melt every time he smiles, I’m falling faster than a rookie in their first pair of skates.

But I swore off athletes after my ex-fiancé left me at the altar, and Evan’s got a whole team counting on him to stay focused. Dating the town’s Christmas coordinator during the biggest week of the year? That’s a penalty neither of us can afford.

Can a hockey team captain and a Christmas queen find their happily ever after in just a few days? Or will this holiday romance get checked into the boards?

Genres: Christmas

54 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2025

Reviews

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only thing better than a hockey read…is a holiday hockey read. Ree is part of the holiday planning committee. What she is not expecting is the captain of the hockey team. Evan is a professional hockey player and ready to jump in and help out…especially after he meets Ree. Because this boy is smitten. This is an adorable read with a perfect holiday story.

[Kate-Lyn Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute stand-alone book. short story, 54 pages. I read it in one sitting. If you like hockey and Christmas, this book is definitely for you. If you are in a book slump, this would definitely get you out of it. It's such a cute love story.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan and Ree

This story is a fun short read. I enjoyed Ree and her insecurities. I liked Evan and his helpfulness and acceptance. If you’re looking to fill a few minutes with a short book, this could be it.

[Denice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

I enjoyed this short, quick sweet read with fun banter, a funny meet cute that took them down and left them sparkling. Evan and Ree are fun characters that make this a great short story.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quick, short hockey novella is filled with banter, a funny meet-cute that literally threw Evan and Mer to the floor, and hilarious mishaps as they co-chair an event together. I enjoyed Checking it Twice as we're introduced to some new character

[Laura Usher-Matson · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was pretty boring

[Jill Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful story

I really enjoyed this story. The characters and their antics made me laugh. The description of the town, people, and the hockey come to life.