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Love in Maple Falls #3
Checking Mr. Wrong
I’m sarcasm with a messy bun. He’s a sweetheart with a slapshot. Sparks were one thing—those fireworks, though? Yeah…no one warned me about those.
Mabel
Returning to Maple Falls wasn’t part of my five-year plan—or my backup plan. Or any plan, really. But here I am, back in my quirky hometown, dodging my mother’s judgment and trying not to cringe every time someone mentions the viral moment. (Yes, that one. No, I don’t want to talk about it.)
When my editor sends me to cover the NHL’s shiny new team, the Ice Breakers, I’m all in—until I meet Asher Tremblay. He’s their too-charming defenseman with a knack for wrecking my focus and my sanity. Equal parts infuriating and irresistible, but falling for him? Not on my agenda. Nope.
Asher
I’ve worked my whole life to make it in the NHL. A new team means a fresh start, and I won’t let anything distract me—least of all a snarky reporter who seems determined to hate me on sight.
But the more I see Mabel, the more I want to know what’s behind her walls. She’s fire and chaos, and I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe. Maybe she’s exactly what I need. I came to Maple Falls to chase my dream, but now all I want is her.
***
Checking Mr. Wrong is part of the Love in Maple Falls sweet hockey romcom multi-author series. It's a grumpy sunshine story with forced proximity in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.
Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you'll enjoy them best in order.
Fake-Off with Fate by Whitney Dineen
Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O’Keeffe
Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp
Skating and Fake Dating by Ellie Hall
Goalie and the Girl Next Door by Elsie Woods
Soulmates and Slapshots by Melissa Baldwin
The Icing on the Cake by Grace Worthington
Mabel
Returning to Maple Falls wasn’t part of my five-year plan—or my backup plan. Or any plan, really. But here I am, back in my quirky hometown, dodging my mother’s judgment and trying not to cringe every time someone mentions the viral moment. (Yes, that one. No, I don’t want to talk about it.)
When my editor sends me to cover the NHL’s shiny new team, the Ice Breakers, I’m all in—until I meet Asher Tremblay. He’s their too-charming defenseman with a knack for wrecking my focus and my sanity. Equal parts infuriating and irresistible, but falling for him? Not on my agenda. Nope.
Asher
I’ve worked my whole life to make it in the NHL. A new team means a fresh start, and I won’t let anything distract me—least of all a snarky reporter who seems determined to hate me on sight.
But the more I see Mabel, the more I want to know what’s behind her walls. She’s fire and chaos, and I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe. Maybe she’s exactly what I need. I came to Maple Falls to chase my dream, but now all I want is her.
***
Checking Mr. Wrong is part of the Love in Maple Falls sweet hockey romcom multi-author series. It's a grumpy sunshine story with forced proximity in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.
Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you'll enjoy them best in order.
Fake-Off with Fate by Whitney Dineen
Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O’Keeffe
Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp
Skating and Fake Dating by Ellie Hall
Goalie and the Girl Next Door by Elsie Woods
Soulmates and Slapshots by Melissa Baldwin
The Icing on the Cake by Grace Worthington
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2025
212 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Anne Kemp
34 books436 followersAnne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she doesn’t it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.
Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.
You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com
On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp
On TikTok: @annekempauthor
You can always find her www.AnneKemp.com.
Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.
You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com
On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp
On TikTok: @annekempauthor
You can always find her www.AnneKemp.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
September 3, 2025
When Athletic Edge sends Mabel McCluskey home to Maple Falls she plans to do interviews with some of the new Ice Breakers players and then go back to New York. Until she meets the charming defense man Asher Tremblay. He’s both irritating and irresistible, but she's definitely not going to fall for him.
We've met Mary-Ellen McCluskey before (in this series as well as the the series from last autumn), and now it's time to get to know her daughter Mabel. The relationship between mother and daughter has always been tense and that's one of the reasons Mabel left Maple Falls as soon as she could. She also have issues with Asher since their personalities are so different. While she's grumpy and snarky he's all charm and smiles. But Asher has a secret; he's got OCD, which he tries to hide from everyone. The author also suffers from OCD, so she knows what she's talking about and describes it well. She lets others handle Asher's diagnosis in a good way when they discover his "tics".
As usual I appriciate the dual POV. Also to read about events I've read in earlier books, but now from someone else's point of view. Despite this, all books can be read as standalones, but you get some extra bonus if you read all of them. This book makes me long for autumn as well!
"Maple Falls is home, but not the version I left behind. This is something new, something I didn’t expect. It feels like the warmth of a crackling fire after coming in from the cold, like Christmas morning when the world is quiet and magical. It’s laughter around the table at Thanksgiving, where the jokes are bad but the love is good."
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
We've met Mary-Ellen McCluskey before (in this series as well as the the series from last autumn), and now it's time to get to know her daughter Mabel. The relationship between mother and daughter has always been tense and that's one of the reasons Mabel left Maple Falls as soon as she could. She also have issues with Asher since their personalities are so different. While she's grumpy and snarky he's all charm and smiles. But Asher has a secret; he's got OCD, which he tries to hide from everyone. The author also suffers from OCD, so she knows what she's talking about and describes it well. She lets others handle Asher's diagnosis in a good way when they discover his "tics".
As usual I appriciate the dual POV. Also to read about events I've read in earlier books, but now from someone else's point of view. Despite this, all books can be read as standalones, but you get some extra bonus if you read all of them. This book makes me long for autumn as well!
"Maple Falls is home, but not the version I left behind. This is something new, something I didn’t expect. It feels like the warmth of a crackling fire after coming in from the cold, like Christmas morning when the world is quiet and magical. It’s laughter around the table at Thanksgiving, where the jokes are bad but the love is good."
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
August 27, 2025
Time for another Love in Maple Falls book!!! These two had me laughing with their opposites attract personalities and the fun banter they had going on between them.
Mabel has a lot to figure out...like A LOT! She's returning to her hometown, trying to confront her mom and figure out their relationship (in a good way) and struggling with all of the attention that she's getting after the way she dumped her previous boyfriend. So when she arrives at the airport, her feelings are a little overflowing.
Asher's first introduction in the book made me giggle! He's all happy and easy going and Mabel is a tightly wound ball of emotions. Great combination!
I really enjoyed how the author explored some slightly heavier topics between these two characters and yet did so in such a way that felt lighthearted and very healing. Asher has OCD and has some tics along with that. They were portrayed throughout the book, and I loved how well it was addressed. I loved watching Mabel and Asher work together and support each other with no judgement, just friendship and true care in their struggles. It was truly sweet and beautiful. The hockey aspects of the book were fabulous, but the real magic was in these moments of struggle and trying to figure out life that the friendship and love shone brightly! Loved it!!!
I believe this was my first book by this author, and I loved her writing style. I need to dive into more of her books! She's witty and real and raw in her writing and that's my favorite! I really feel that it pulls us into the story and connects us with the character and hard moments a lot more!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. A character with OCD.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Mabel has a lot to figure out...like A LOT! She's returning to her hometown, trying to confront her mom and figure out their relationship (in a good way) and struggling with all of the attention that she's getting after the way she dumped her previous boyfriend. So when she arrives at the airport, her feelings are a little overflowing.
Asher's first introduction in the book made me giggle! He's all happy and easy going and Mabel is a tightly wound ball of emotions. Great combination!
I really enjoyed how the author explored some slightly heavier topics between these two characters and yet did so in such a way that felt lighthearted and very healing. Asher has OCD and has some tics along with that. They were portrayed throughout the book, and I loved how well it was addressed. I loved watching Mabel and Asher work together and support each other with no judgement, just friendship and true care in their struggles. It was truly sweet and beautiful. The hockey aspects of the book were fabulous, but the real magic was in these moments of struggle and trying to figure out life that the friendship and love shone brightly! Loved it!!!
I believe this was my first book by this author, and I loved her writing style. I need to dive into more of her books! She's witty and real and raw in her writing and that's my favorite! I really feel that it pulls us into the story and connects us with the character and hard moments a lot more!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. A character with OCD.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
August 24, 2025
Oh wow! I loved this book.
I love the author's writing style, quirky, funny and yet so sweet. I loved both the characters and how he was sunny and she was well...sarcastic 🤣
The book was well paced and a perfect addition to the series.
I love the author's writing style, quirky, funny and yet so sweet. I loved both the characters and how he was sunny and she was well...sarcastic 🤣
The book was well paced and a perfect addition to the series.
August 27, 2025
This is my favourite so far of the new Love in Maple Falls series. There is just something about Asher that really appeals to me. Maybe it’s his blonde hair, his Canadian roots or his golden retriever energy but he’s totally loveable and sweet.
Mabel is awesome. She went viral for dumping water over her co-host/boyfriend back in New York and now she’s back in Maple Falls to lick her wounds and do some freelancing reporting on the Icebreakers hockey team, including some player interviews. Guess who she has to interview, yup Asher.
From their very first meeting at the airport, Asher seems to grate on every one of Mabel’s nerves but slowly he begins to get under her skin and she starts seeing him differently. She handles his OCD really well, she doesn’t pity him or baby him, she listens to him and talks to him to understand him and how it affects him.
I loved Mabel’s mother, Mary-Ellen, at the auction, that was hysterical yet it was hard to warm to Mary-Ellen and I think that was intentional, we only see her through Mabel’s eyes and they had a difficult relationship. It was nice to see this change towards the end though, especially with Mabel’s growth throughout the book.
Mabel is awesome. She went viral for dumping water over her co-host/boyfriend back in New York and now she’s back in Maple Falls to lick her wounds and do some freelancing reporting on the Icebreakers hockey team, including some player interviews. Guess who she has to interview, yup Asher.
From their very first meeting at the airport, Asher seems to grate on every one of Mabel’s nerves but slowly he begins to get under her skin and she starts seeing him differently. She handles his OCD really well, she doesn’t pity him or baby him, she listens to him and talks to him to understand him and how it affects him.
I loved Mabel’s mother, Mary-Ellen, at the auction, that was hysterical yet it was hard to warm to Mary-Ellen and I think that was intentional, we only see her through Mabel’s eyes and they had a difficult relationship. It was nice to see this change towards the end though, especially with Mabel’s growth throughout the book.
August 26, 2025
Mabel and Asher were quite the pair! Mabel was so prickly and sarcastic, while Asher was sunshine and friendliness personified. His outgoing personality and attitude was even more impressive when the reader is aware that he struggles with OCD. Seeing how Asher handled his OCD, what would trigger it, and even learning about the root cause for it made Asher into a very well rounded character that I really liked.
I also liked how Asher could see Mabel in a way others didn't and his continued persistence with her began to soften Mabel and bring a happiness back to her that had long been missing. This was a sweet story that I enjoyed reading.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I also liked how Asher could see Mabel in a way others didn't and his continued persistence with her began to soften Mabel and bring a happiness back to her that had long been missing. This was a sweet story that I enjoyed reading.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
August 10, 2025
Anne Kemp’s books are a must read for me and when I had the chance to read the Love in Maple Falls book I jumped at it. Getting to go back to Maple Falls after the Love on Thin Ice series and seeing some of the previous main characters was so fun. Mabel and Asher were very much an opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine situation. Asher was adorable with his golden retriever personality, but I also loved getting to see beneath that constant smile. People joke about OCD a lot, but it’s not really something that is ever written into romcom books, and I’m sure this was just a glimpse of what it’s like to live with this condition. I think Mabel handled it perfectly and I loved seeing her open up and be vulnerable rather than hiding behind her fierce, grumpy mask. I can’t wait to read Carson’s story next!
August 4, 2025
Cute hockey rom-com.. Reverse grumpy/sunshine. Sweet and easy-to-read.
August 27, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
After learning her boyfriend/ reporting partner was cheating on her with her their boss, Mabel McCluskey, took decisive action. Admittedly, it was unprofessional for her to dump a bucket of filthy water over the ‘dirty cheat’ on live television; but it sure was therapeutic! Unfortunately, while the stunt helped ease her pain, it not only landed her in hot water with the higher ups, but unemployed. Returning to her hometown of Maple Falls, Mabel hopes to revive her career covering the newly formed NHL team, The Ice Breakers. Will she be able to stage a career comeback as a freelance reporter for the Athletic Edge (magazine), or will her temper once again stand in her way?
Anne Kemp is back at it with another standout read.
Checking Mr. Wrong is a laugh-out-loud romcom you won’t be able to put down; thanks in large part to Kemp flipping traditional aspects of the genre on its head.
By reversing the grumpy/ sunshine trope so that the FMC is the grump and the MMC is the sunshine, Kemp was able to create unforgettable scenarios that built tension between Mabel and Asher. The end results are off-the-charts chemistry perfectly enhanced via feisty banter.
But the surprises don’t stop there. Kemp made the brilliant decision to allow the FMC to perform the grand gesture. It is often assumed that the pinnacle point of any love story takes place at the hands of the male love interest. However, Kemp’s decision was far more impactful. Since Asher often takes a backseat in his relationship with Mabel, it was fitting that he would allow Mabel to declare her love for him when she was ready.
Not only does Checking Mr. Wrong meets all the delightful criteria for a stellar romcom, Kemp chose to dive deeper. Asher, the MMC, struggles with OCD. While he has managed to keep his symptoms in check, things begin to act up when he feels out of control. It was wonderful to see a book bring recognition to a disorder that is typically overlooked. By shedding light on OCD it helps alleviate the stigma that accompanies this neurological and psychological disorder.
This is a must read:
-reverse grumpy/ sunshine
-forced proximity
-sports romance
-OCD representation
Special thanks to Netgalley, Anne Kemp, and Red Bird Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
*Checking Mr. Wrong is the third book in the Love in Maple Falls Series. This is a multi-author, interconnected series written by the same seven authors who penned the widely successful, Love on Thin Ice Series (2024). Composed of seven novels, each book follows a professional hockey player as they discover love in Maple Falls. Despite readers having the option to consume the books in any order, it’s highly recommended they be read as a collective whole for best enjoyment.
**It was super fun getting to reconnect with characters that were first introduced back in the first series, Love on Thin Ice. If you haven’t had a chance to read them yet, what are you waiting for?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
After learning her boyfriend/ reporting partner was cheating on her with her their boss, Mabel McCluskey, took decisive action. Admittedly, it was unprofessional for her to dump a bucket of filthy water over the ‘dirty cheat’ on live television; but it sure was therapeutic! Unfortunately, while the stunt helped ease her pain, it not only landed her in hot water with the higher ups, but unemployed. Returning to her hometown of Maple Falls, Mabel hopes to revive her career covering the newly formed NHL team, The Ice Breakers. Will she be able to stage a career comeback as a freelance reporter for the Athletic Edge (magazine), or will her temper once again stand in her way?
Anne Kemp is back at it with another standout read.
Checking Mr. Wrong is a laugh-out-loud romcom you won’t be able to put down; thanks in large part to Kemp flipping traditional aspects of the genre on its head.
By reversing the grumpy/ sunshine trope so that the FMC is the grump and the MMC is the sunshine, Kemp was able to create unforgettable scenarios that built tension between Mabel and Asher. The end results are off-the-charts chemistry perfectly enhanced via feisty banter.
But the surprises don’t stop there. Kemp made the brilliant decision to allow the FMC to perform the grand gesture. It is often assumed that the pinnacle point of any love story takes place at the hands of the male love interest. However, Kemp’s decision was far more impactful. Since Asher often takes a backseat in his relationship with Mabel, it was fitting that he would allow Mabel to declare her love for him when she was ready.
Not only does Checking Mr. Wrong meets all the delightful criteria for a stellar romcom, Kemp chose to dive deeper. Asher, the MMC, struggles with OCD. While he has managed to keep his symptoms in check, things begin to act up when he feels out of control. It was wonderful to see a book bring recognition to a disorder that is typically overlooked. By shedding light on OCD it helps alleviate the stigma that accompanies this neurological and psychological disorder.
This is a must read:
-reverse grumpy/ sunshine
-forced proximity
-sports romance
-OCD representation
Special thanks to Netgalley, Anne Kemp, and Red Bird Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
*Checking Mr. Wrong is the third book in the Love in Maple Falls Series. This is a multi-author, interconnected series written by the same seven authors who penned the widely successful, Love on Thin Ice Series (2024). Composed of seven novels, each book follows a professional hockey player as they discover love in Maple Falls. Despite readers having the option to consume the books in any order, it’s highly recommended they be read as a collective whole for best enjoyment.
**It was super fun getting to reconnect with characters that were first introduced back in the first series, Love on Thin Ice. If you haven’t had a chance to read them yet, what are you waiting for?
August 28, 2025
rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author for giving my review voluntarily. we meet Sports writer, Mabel, on her way to her home town to do a piece on the local NHL team. what she didn't expect was a way to handsome canadian hockey player taking up her thoughts. Asher is the new guy on the team and as luck has it he meets Mabel at the airport. she intrigues him and wants to know her better. Mabel is happy to be home but also hates being the talk of the town after what she did on live TV. Mabel had a job to do and that's to interview the teams players and not fantasizing about the new player. sparks fly, drama ensues and a rare bird brings ppl together. good read.
September 2, 2025
"𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘰; 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘦."
-𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘳. 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨, Anne Kemp
Wнαт I ℓσνє∂...♡
🏒 Hockey romcom
🌞x🌧 Grumpy/sunshine pair
🍁 Small town charm
🎤 Sports reporter
🦷 A not-so-cute meetcute
💞 Dual POV
🧠 OCD rep
The third book in Love in Maple Falls series is out now! Asher and Mabel make the cutest grumpy/sunshine pair in 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘳. 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 by Anne Kemp. Asher is super sweet and Mabel is a force to be reckon with. I love their dynamic... this couple is full of sarcasm and charm!
-𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘳. 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨, Anne Kemp
Wнαт I ℓσνє∂...♡
🏒 Hockey romcom
🌞x🌧 Grumpy/sunshine pair
🍁 Small town charm
🎤 Sports reporter
🦷 A not-so-cute meetcute
💞 Dual POV
🧠 OCD rep
The third book in Love in Maple Falls series is out now! Asher and Mabel make the cutest grumpy/sunshine pair in 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘳. 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 by Anne Kemp. Asher is super sweet and Mabel is a force to be reckon with. I love their dynamic... this couple is full of sarcasm and charm!
August 28, 2025
This cozy romance between golden retriever Asher and grumpy sports reporter Mabel is adorable as h-e-double hockey sticks. Mabel, who’s home is Maple Falls, but is a reporter in New York comes home to cover the new team. She meets Asher at the airport when he mistakenly takes her luggage trolley and it’s a super cute fall in love slowly story from there.
September 2, 2025
This book has such a cozy and heartwarming feel to it! The main characters are absolutely adorable, and it was easy to root for them throughout the story. The atmosphere feels comforting, like slipping into a warm blanket, which makes it a perfect pick for a quiet afternoon or evening read. Readers who enjoy gentle, feel-good stories with sweet characters and a comforting vibe will likely find this a delightful book!
October 15, 2025
Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp is book #3 in the Love in Maple Falls series.
Book #3 is the story of Mabel and Asher. Mabel was a sports broadcaster who went viral for dumping a bucket of dirty water on her ex on live tv, after she caught him cheating with their boss. She is sent back to her hometown of Maple Falls to cover a brand new NHL team, the ice breakers. At the airport she meets Asher Tremblay who she finds both irresistible and Infuriating.
Checking Mr. Wrong is a hockey rom com, that features grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity and small town romance with no spice but lots of banter.
Thank you Netgalley for sending me this book. The opinion in this review is my own.
Book #3 is the story of Mabel and Asher. Mabel was a sports broadcaster who went viral for dumping a bucket of dirty water on her ex on live tv, after she caught him cheating with their boss. She is sent back to her hometown of Maple Falls to cover a brand new NHL team, the ice breakers. At the airport she meets Asher Tremblay who she finds both irresistible and Infuriating.
Checking Mr. Wrong is a hockey rom com, that features grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity and small town romance with no spice but lots of banter.
Thank you Netgalley for sending me this book. The opinion in this review is my own.
September 28, 2025
Loved the MMC, but the FMC was quite grouchy! I don't know how he fell for her.
0/5 spice
0/5 spice
January 10, 2026
Sweet, contemporary hockey romance
Romance, sweet, contemporary, hockey; series but stand alone read
Mabel and Asher’s story was a fun meet cute and fall.
Loved their interactions, growth, the supporting characters, and the small town setting. Loved how well they complimented each other.
Fun sweet, romance.
Romance, sweet, contemporary, hockey; series but stand alone read
Mabel and Asher’s story was a fun meet cute and fall.
Loved their interactions, growth, the supporting characters, and the small town setting. Loved how well they complimented each other.
Fun sweet, romance.
August 27, 2025
The perfect way to start the fall season! I felt like I was there in this cute small town. Hallmark vibes but better. Love Mabel and Asher!!🥰🍁
August 6, 2025
This was a fun grumpy/sunshine hockey romance! I love the small town vibes!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
August 16, 2025
I was so excited to keep this series going, but this book fell a little flat compared to the first two.
In this novel we follow journalist / Maple Falls native Mabel and Ice Breaker hockey player Asher. When these two first meet, Mabel is the grump while Asher is the sunshine. Mabel instantly tries to dislike him, but Asher proves he is the guy for her as she interviews him, attends his practices, and has to endure some setups from her mother.
This one had potential, but a few things were amiss. First, I didn’t truly feel Mabel’s chemistry with Asher. It was completely clear he was slotted with her, but she struggled with her feelings. At the end when she chooses Asher, it just didn’t feel real. It was sudden and out of place. A few chapter in between the dance scene and the end would have helped build this up.
It also feels flat in a few areas. I know I said some additional chapters would help, but there were times I thought it was too long and more could have been happening.
Since this timeline crosses over some of the other novels in this collection, it makes sense that we see some scenes again but from a different perspective. However, it does get repetitive and expected. I really don’t want to see Drench the Defense (or whatever it is called) again. Please, I beg you.
I do love this series and plan on continuing with it. I hope the rest are a bit more creative.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
In this novel we follow journalist / Maple Falls native Mabel and Ice Breaker hockey player Asher. When these two first meet, Mabel is the grump while Asher is the sunshine. Mabel instantly tries to dislike him, but Asher proves he is the guy for her as she interviews him, attends his practices, and has to endure some setups from her mother.
This one had potential, but a few things were amiss. First, I didn’t truly feel Mabel’s chemistry with Asher. It was completely clear he was slotted with her, but she struggled with her feelings. At the end when she chooses Asher, it just didn’t feel real. It was sudden and out of place. A few chapter in between the dance scene and the end would have helped build this up.
It also feels flat in a few areas. I know I said some additional chapters would help, but there were times I thought it was too long and more could have been happening.
Since this timeline crosses over some of the other novels in this collection, it makes sense that we see some scenes again but from a different perspective. However, it does get repetitive and expected. I really don’t want to see Drench the Defense (or whatever it is called) again. Please, I beg you.
I do love this series and plan on continuing with it. I hope the rest are a bit more creative.
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2025
After the success of the Love on Thin Ice series (reviewed here), the same authors are back with a second round of hockey romance in the small Washington town of Maple Falls! Once again, there will be seven books; here are the first three.
So far, the authors have done a good job of incorporating the various characters and locations from both the original seven books and the ones for this go-round.
I do have a couple of overall concerns before we get into the specific books:
First, the town itself. Based on the physical descriptions of the town, I was pretty certain it was on the west side of Washington, somewhere west of the Cascade Mountains. That’s the part of Washington most people think of—green, rainy, and lush. If you cross the Cascades to the east, however, the terrain changes. There’s much less green. It’s flatter. And there’s significantly less rain. (Really significant down here in the southeast corner where I am.) So imagine my surprise when I learned this time around that Maple Falls is an hour from Spokane. It’s got to be in the northeast corner of the state, where you do get more mountains and yes, there are some maple trees. It can’t be to the east, because then you’re in Idaho. It can’t really be south or west, because it’s dryer. So Northeast Washington it is! So when the authors talk about Washington’s characteristic rains, they’re not quite accurate. Being the nitpicker that I am, I searched climate averages for a town an hour north-ish of Spokane, and the average annual rainfall is only about two-thirds that of Seattle.
Second, the passage of time. The first book mentions that Zach and Ellie, from Breaking the Ice, are expecting their third child. This seems a little unreasonable! Based on the ages of Clara’s children (six and eight in the first series, eight and ten in this one), only two years have passed. The bonus epilogue to Breaking the Ice has Zach proposing a year after the events of the original story, so…this just seems wrong. Additionally, when Zach proposed to Ellie, it was the second year of the Ice Breakers being a charity team. Suddenly, a single year after that, there’s an NHL team in Maple Falls? It takes years to create a team from scratch. And to create a major league team in a town an hour from the nearest airport? (And GEG is not a huge airport.) I know, I need to suspend my disbelief and just roll with it. But…
Finally, and most importantly, the solution to the threat on Maple Falls is different in the first book from in the third one.
Okay, Picky Vicky-ness aside. Let’s get on with the book.
In this “grumpy/sunshine” romance, Mabel is the grumpy one. She’s downright prickly, partially due to her relationship with her mother, town gossip Mary Ellen McCluskey. Mabel has always felt like her mother is too busy doing good for the town to really engage with her, and she’s not pleased to be returning to town to do a feature on the Ice Breakers.
I’d always pictured Mary Ellen as a little more elderly, and that’s definitely her vibe in the hands of other authors. In this case she has recently married Murry, whom we first met as a janitor in Penalties and Proposals, and who’s kindness and wisdom I had appreciated in that book. He’s just as kind and wise, only now he’s the arena manager for the team.
When Mabel first meets Asher, she’s cranky and even mad at him—only to find out that he’s one of the players she’ll be interviewing.
Asher is a total golden retriever happy guy—with obsessive compulsive disorder. Although it is not the focus of this book, how he deals with it is important, as is Mabel’s compassionate acceptance and understanding of his condition. I really liked this element of the story. It wasn’t a surprise; we learned about it in the previous book and see it developed much more here.
This is particularly crucial when Asher inadvertently causes a fight that leads to hospitalization of the goalie. He completely blames himself and spirals, and the way Mabel helps him through is very sweet.
There is almost a third-act breakup when Mabel has the opportunity to return to a job in New York that she had been fired from. Asher doesn’t want her to go, but he’s not willing to stand in her way—leading to Mabel being the one to make a grand gesture. I love this! It’s usually left to the male character, so seeing Mabel do this was really satisfying.
There’s an indication of something with the goalie that we’ll have to wait a couple of books to see developed.
There is a small continuity error in saying that Cade came to the Ice Breakers from Chicago. He came from New York. I do kind of question Mabel having several weeks in Maple Falls to work on a single story.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Mabel gives a “one-finger salute”. Kissing. Some hockey-related fisticuffs. Mention of a past injury which causes someone to become paraplegic.
Who might like this book:
If you like witty banter, humor, hockey, and romance, here you go!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#NetGalley #BookReview #Biblioquacious #RomCom #Hockey #GrumpySunshine #OCD #ForcedProximity #KateOKeeffe #CheckingMrWrong
This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
So far, the authors have done a good job of incorporating the various characters and locations from both the original seven books and the ones for this go-round.
I do have a couple of overall concerns before we get into the specific books:
First, the town itself. Based on the physical descriptions of the town, I was pretty certain it was on the west side of Washington, somewhere west of the Cascade Mountains. That’s the part of Washington most people think of—green, rainy, and lush. If you cross the Cascades to the east, however, the terrain changes. There’s much less green. It’s flatter. And there’s significantly less rain. (Really significant down here in the southeast corner where I am.) So imagine my surprise when I learned this time around that Maple Falls is an hour from Spokane. It’s got to be in the northeast corner of the state, where you do get more mountains and yes, there are some maple trees. It can’t be to the east, because then you’re in Idaho. It can’t really be south or west, because it’s dryer. So Northeast Washington it is! So when the authors talk about Washington’s characteristic rains, they’re not quite accurate. Being the nitpicker that I am, I searched climate averages for a town an hour north-ish of Spokane, and the average annual rainfall is only about two-thirds that of Seattle.
Second, the passage of time. The first book mentions that Zach and Ellie, from Breaking the Ice, are expecting their third child. This seems a little unreasonable! Based on the ages of Clara’s children (six and eight in the first series, eight and ten in this one), only two years have passed. The bonus epilogue to Breaking the Ice has Zach proposing a year after the events of the original story, so…this just seems wrong. Additionally, when Zach proposed to Ellie, it was the second year of the Ice Breakers being a charity team. Suddenly, a single year after that, there’s an NHL team in Maple Falls? It takes years to create a team from scratch. And to create a major league team in a town an hour from the nearest airport? (And GEG is not a huge airport.) I know, I need to suspend my disbelief and just roll with it. But…
Finally, and most importantly, the solution to the threat on Maple Falls is different in the first book from in the third one.
Okay, Picky Vicky-ness aside. Let’s get on with the book.
In this “grumpy/sunshine” romance, Mabel is the grumpy one. She’s downright prickly, partially due to her relationship with her mother, town gossip Mary Ellen McCluskey. Mabel has always felt like her mother is too busy doing good for the town to really engage with her, and she’s not pleased to be returning to town to do a feature on the Ice Breakers.
I’d always pictured Mary Ellen as a little more elderly, and that’s definitely her vibe in the hands of other authors. In this case she has recently married Murry, whom we first met as a janitor in Penalties and Proposals, and who’s kindness and wisdom I had appreciated in that book. He’s just as kind and wise, only now he’s the arena manager for the team.
When Mabel first meets Asher, she’s cranky and even mad at him—only to find out that he’s one of the players she’ll be interviewing.
Asher is a total golden retriever happy guy—with obsessive compulsive disorder. Although it is not the focus of this book, how he deals with it is important, as is Mabel’s compassionate acceptance and understanding of his condition. I really liked this element of the story. It wasn’t a surprise; we learned about it in the previous book and see it developed much more here.
This is particularly crucial when Asher inadvertently causes a fight that leads to hospitalization of the goalie. He completely blames himself and spirals, and the way Mabel helps him through is very sweet.
There is almost a third-act breakup when Mabel has the opportunity to return to a job in New York that she had been fired from. Asher doesn’t want her to go, but he’s not willing to stand in her way—leading to Mabel being the one to make a grand gesture. I love this! It’s usually left to the male character, so seeing Mabel do this was really satisfying.
There’s an indication of something with the goalie that we’ll have to wait a couple of books to see developed.
There is a small continuity error in saying that Cade came to the Ice Breakers from Chicago. He came from New York. I do kind of question Mabel having several weeks in Maple Falls to work on a single story.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Mabel gives a “one-finger salute”. Kissing. Some hockey-related fisticuffs. Mention of a past injury which causes someone to become paraplegic.
Who might like this book:
If you like witty banter, humor, hockey, and romance, here you go!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#NetGalley #BookReview #Biblioquacious #RomCom #Hockey #GrumpySunshine #OCD #ForcedProximity #KateOKeeffe #CheckingMrWrong
This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
August 27, 2025
I have always loved getting lost in a great book, if you do as well, then Checking for Mr. Wrong is the book you need to read. Mabel and Asher have such great chemistry between each other. It’s one of those hate-love relationships. Mabel is returning to Washington state after being away for quite some time. She calls her Mom when she’s off the plane. As she’s walking through the airport, she notices two women who are obviously talking about her. She can even hear snippets of their conversation. As her conversation ends with her Mom, she’s closer to the women and turns towards them. One of them says, “She’s the one who dumped that bucket of dirty water on him, right?” Mabel just can’t resist. She turns to the two women, smiles, and replies, “I also compared him to a broken pencil: pointless and a waste of everyone’s time.” She’s surprised by the look on their faces and then realizes that they are in awe of her, not gossiping! Mabel had worked her way through all the stigma that went with women trying to make it as a sports reporter. She had worked hard and was making a name for herself and her talents when the incident had happened. Her Mom interrupts her wayward thoughts as she asks if she’s noticed a “man inside the terminal holding a sign with your last name on it.” Great, now she must back inside, she was looking for a car in the line for pick-ups. Unfortunately, Mabel’s lack of luck continues as she reenters the terminal and sees her cart being pushed away by some stranger. She tries calling out to him, but he just keeps going. When she finally gets to him, she spies ear buds in his ears. He thought the cart was available. Really, her bags were on the cart. She continues to look for someone with a sign that is picking her up. As she’s walking through the terminal, she gets a call from her boss to check on her status. He wants a great interview with the head coach and get his plans on building the team. He also tells her that there’s a Canadian coming to the team and seems destined to be a star. She finally locates her driver and that’s when the cart thief arrives at the same time. She tells him it’s her ride and the man’s a friend of her father. Can her day get any better?
She notices he has some strange mannerisms; he keeps checking things and it’s making her feel nervous. Asher’s thoughts are running wild through his head, he can’t even remember if he did the most mundane things that morning. As the ride stops to drop him off, Mabel leans out the window to tell him he’ll be seeing a lot of her. She tells him she’s a reporter For Athletic Edge and she’ll be interviewing him. He retorts with “So, what you’re saying is you need my number?” She already has his number; she’s not a rookie.
Murray, her stepfather, is there to greet her when she gets home. He tells her that her mom is in the kitchen and not to argue. Mabel and her mom do not have the best relationship. They love each other but often clash egos and opinions. Her mom was embarrassed by her actions that ended up costing her to lose her job.
Asher is thrilled to be back on the ice and hopes he can keep his OCD in check. He checks in with his therapist regularly but continues to obsess over things he has no control over. I’ve worked with children with OCD and it’s no joke. People who have OCD believe if they don’t do things in a certain order or for certain amounts of time, etc. something bad will happen. Don’t miss this warm and wonderfully written story. It’s filled with ups and downs. Will Mabel and her mom make amends? Will Asher be able to control his OCD and be successful on the ice again? Will Asher and Mabel become friends or more? Will Mabel stay in her hometown? To get these answers and so much more, get your copy of Anne Kemp’s latest book, Checking Mr. Wrong today!
She notices he has some strange mannerisms; he keeps checking things and it’s making her feel nervous. Asher’s thoughts are running wild through his head, he can’t even remember if he did the most mundane things that morning. As the ride stops to drop him off, Mabel leans out the window to tell him he’ll be seeing a lot of her. She tells him she’s a reporter For Athletic Edge and she’ll be interviewing him. He retorts with “So, what you’re saying is you need my number?” She already has his number; she’s not a rookie.
Murray, her stepfather, is there to greet her when she gets home. He tells her that her mom is in the kitchen and not to argue. Mabel and her mom do not have the best relationship. They love each other but often clash egos and opinions. Her mom was embarrassed by her actions that ended up costing her to lose her job.
Asher is thrilled to be back on the ice and hopes he can keep his OCD in check. He checks in with his therapist regularly but continues to obsess over things he has no control over. I’ve worked with children with OCD and it’s no joke. People who have OCD believe if they don’t do things in a certain order or for certain amounts of time, etc. something bad will happen. Don’t miss this warm and wonderfully written story. It’s filled with ups and downs. Will Mabel and her mom make amends? Will Asher be able to control his OCD and be successful on the ice again? Will Asher and Mabel become friends or more? Will Mabel stay in her hometown? To get these answers and so much more, get your copy of Anne Kemp’s latest book, Checking Mr. Wrong today!
November 9, 2025
Checking Mr. Wrong
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Anne Kemp
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Anne Kemp and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: I’m sarcasm with a messy bun. He’s a sweetheart with a slapshot. Sparks were one thing—those fireworks, though? Yeah…no one warned me about those.
Mabel
Returning to Maple Falls wasn’t part of my five-year plan—or my backup plan. Or any plan, really. But here I am, back in my quirky hometown, dodging my mother’s judgment and trying not to cringe every time someone mentions the viral moment. (Yes, that one. No, I don’t want to talk about it.)
When my editor sends me to cover the NHL’s shiny new team, the Ice Breakers, I’m all in—until I meet Asher Tremblay. He’s their too-charming defenseman with a knack for wrecking my focus and my sanity. Equal parts infuriating and irresistible, but falling for him? Not on my agenda. Nope.
Asher
I’ve worked my whole life to make it in the NHL. A new team means a fresh start, and I won’t let anything distract me—least of all a snarky reporter who seems determined to hate me on sight.
But the more I see Mabel, the more I want to know what’s behind her walls. She’s fire and chaos, and I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe. Maybe she’s exactly what I need. I came to Maple Falls to chase my dream, but now all I want is her.
My Thoughts: This is the third book in the Love in Maple Falls series. A series written by 7 different authors, occurring on the same timeframe. This can be read as a standalone, however, to completely enhance the readers’ experience, I would recommend reading the series in order. The characters do have some cross over. Maple had an incident that went viral from her ex-boyfriend and is still trying to recover and move forward. Maple returns to Maple Falls to cover the new NHL team, Ice Breakers. She meets charming Asher in the car on the way to her mother’s house and he is instantly charming, she is not impressed. When the two collide, is there sparks of passion? Or sparks of irritability? This follows the tropes of hockey romance, small town, friends to lovers, opposites attract, and grumpy v sunshine.
This is a dual POV narration by both Maple and Asher, which is my favorite type of narration, told in their respective perspectives. Maple is independent, fierce, career focused, and a bit standoffish. Asher is a famous hockey player, outgoing, charming, flirty, and suffers from OCD. The author does an absolutely amazing job in representing his mental health illness, OCD. The characters were developed well with depth, passion, witty banter, chemistry (so much chemistry), and engaging. The supporting characters were phenomenal as well, really elevated the storyline, especially considering that all 7 books run in almost identical timelines. Maple’s mother, Mary-Ellen, was the star supporting character. I can appreciate the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, yet the tenderness that goes along with it. The end of the earth that these characters travel to save their hometown is charming, loyal, and inspiring. The author’s writing style was complex, funny, tender, some serious moments intertwined, and kept me invested from the first page, until the end.
I LOVE multi-author series books, especially closed door. I also LOVE the authors behind the Love in Maple Falls series. They are all my favorite authors. These books are written with such compassion, passion, creativity, and fierceness. This author captures flirting, charming behavior, mental health representation, and everything in between. This book made me laugh, but also touched my heart with the tender, serious moments. I highly recommend not only this book, but the ENTIRE series!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Anne Kemp
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from Anne Kemp and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: I’m sarcasm with a messy bun. He’s a sweetheart with a slapshot. Sparks were one thing—those fireworks, though? Yeah…no one warned me about those.
Mabel
Returning to Maple Falls wasn’t part of my five-year plan—or my backup plan. Or any plan, really. But here I am, back in my quirky hometown, dodging my mother’s judgment and trying not to cringe every time someone mentions the viral moment. (Yes, that one. No, I don’t want to talk about it.)
When my editor sends me to cover the NHL’s shiny new team, the Ice Breakers, I’m all in—until I meet Asher Tremblay. He’s their too-charming defenseman with a knack for wrecking my focus and my sanity. Equal parts infuriating and irresistible, but falling for him? Not on my agenda. Nope.
Asher
I’ve worked my whole life to make it in the NHL. A new team means a fresh start, and I won’t let anything distract me—least of all a snarky reporter who seems determined to hate me on sight.
But the more I see Mabel, the more I want to know what’s behind her walls. She’s fire and chaos, and I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe. Maybe she’s exactly what I need. I came to Maple Falls to chase my dream, but now all I want is her.
My Thoughts: This is the third book in the Love in Maple Falls series. A series written by 7 different authors, occurring on the same timeframe. This can be read as a standalone, however, to completely enhance the readers’ experience, I would recommend reading the series in order. The characters do have some cross over. Maple had an incident that went viral from her ex-boyfriend and is still trying to recover and move forward. Maple returns to Maple Falls to cover the new NHL team, Ice Breakers. She meets charming Asher in the car on the way to her mother’s house and he is instantly charming, she is not impressed. When the two collide, is there sparks of passion? Or sparks of irritability? This follows the tropes of hockey romance, small town, friends to lovers, opposites attract, and grumpy v sunshine.
This is a dual POV narration by both Maple and Asher, which is my favorite type of narration, told in their respective perspectives. Maple is independent, fierce, career focused, and a bit standoffish. Asher is a famous hockey player, outgoing, charming, flirty, and suffers from OCD. The author does an absolutely amazing job in representing his mental health illness, OCD. The characters were developed well with depth, passion, witty banter, chemistry (so much chemistry), and engaging. The supporting characters were phenomenal as well, really elevated the storyline, especially considering that all 7 books run in almost identical timelines. Maple’s mother, Mary-Ellen, was the star supporting character. I can appreciate the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, yet the tenderness that goes along with it. The end of the earth that these characters travel to save their hometown is charming, loyal, and inspiring. The author’s writing style was complex, funny, tender, some serious moments intertwined, and kept me invested from the first page, until the end.
I LOVE multi-author series books, especially closed door. I also LOVE the authors behind the Love in Maple Falls series. They are all my favorite authors. These books are written with such compassion, passion, creativity, and fierceness. This author captures flirting, charming behavior, mental health representation, and everything in between. This book made me laugh, but also touched my heart with the tender, serious moments. I highly recommend not only this book, but the ENTIRE series!!
September 4, 2025
I love everything that Anne Kemp writes and Checking Mr. Wrong did not disappoint. It was absolutely perfect. I did not want to put it down. Checking Mr. Wrong is the third book in the multi-author Love In Maple Falls series, but can be read as a standalone. This book is told from a dual POV following Asher Tremblay and Mable McCluskey. Asher is a defenseman for the Ice Breakers after being called up to the Ice Breakers. Mable is the daughter of the town's gossip Mary-Ellen McCluskey. These characters are so much fun! I can not wait for more from Anne and more of the Ice Breakers.
🍁 Forced Proximity
🏒 Grumpy Sunshine
🍁 Opposites (kinda) Attract
🏒 He Falls First
🍁 She’s Sassy
🏒He's a Cinnamon Roll
She’s the kind of woman my mother would tell me to watch out for, yet there’s a dip in my stomach as the vehicle pulls out of the parking lot.
“They’re waiting for me.” I nod, trying not to feel... what? Disappointed? No, that’s ridiculous. “You better get going.” “Yeah.” He hesitates for a beat, his usual grin replaced by something softer. “This was fun.” I lift an eyebrow. “Fun?” He shrugs. “You know, for a grump and a golden retriever.” A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “Go before you make me regret being nice today.”
“What kind of deal?” “Quid pro quo, Clarice,” he says, his tone teasing as his hands flick back across the silverware, making sure everything is still in place. I snort, despite myself. “This isn’t The Silence of the Lambs.” He leans forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table. “Maybe not, but it kind of feels like I’m sitting across from someone who has the power to kill my career if they wanted to.” I can’t help the laugh that escapes me, a real one this time. “Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “For every three questions you answer for me, I’ll answer one for you.”
Sunshine types like him are dangerous for grumps like me— and not just because they’re annoyingly charming.
“Because people hear ‘OCD’ and think it’s cute,” he interrupts, his words sharp but not unkind. “They think it’s about keeping things tidy or lining up pencils. They don’t get that it’s loud. Constant. Like having a second brain that won’t shut up, telling you something bad will happen if you don’t fix everything just right. Some days you may get tripped up over routines, the next it’s how organized you need the kitchen to be. It’s not one- size- fits- all, it’s internal and external, and it can be all encompassing if I don’t keep it in check.”
The vulnerability in his voice is raw, like an unguarded net in a high- stakes game.
“There’s another one.” My hand flies to my lips, covering them. Knowing my luck, I’m back to half a tooth again. “What, is it my tooth again?” “No,” he says, cracking up. “You were smiling, and… well, you’re pretty when you smile like that and it’s distracting.”
He grins, triumphant, and the tension between us eases. The conversation shifts to lighter topics— his favorite local spots, a funny story about his rookie year— and before I realize it, I’m laughing, the kind of laugh that feels warm and genuine. As I take a bite of my meal, I glance across the table and catch him watching me, his expression softer than I’ve ever seen it. There’s something about the way he looks at me, like I’m not the cranky reporter he’s spent the past hour talking with because he had to, but someone he’s genuinely curious about. And right then, I know I’m in trouble. Because I might just be curious about him too.
She might have sharp and pointy edges, but she’s fun to talk to. There’s a tenderness bubbling below the surface, I can feel it. And, yeah, I like it a lot more than I probably should.
And yeah, somewhere in that madness, I catch Mabel’s eye. She’s grinning now, no pretending. That’s what I’ve been waiting for. I may be the guy on the ice, but she’s the only goal I care about making.
“To Maple Falls. And at first, it was rocky. Everything felt charged; I had to really work hard on the inside to get settled. But the noise died down quickly. I thought maybe it was just the change of scenery, you know? Slower pace, less noise, fewer reminders of the chaos.” I pause, gathering my thoughts before looking directly at her. “But these last few weeks…” I stop again, my chest tightening. Not with anxiety this time, but something I can’t quite name. “It’s different now. The storm isn’t gone, but it’s quieter. Like the ref’s taking a break. And I don’t know if it’s Maple Falls, or the fresh air, or…” I don’t finish the sentence, because saying it out loud would make it too real, too risky. But she tilts her head, studying me with that sharp, knowing look she always gives me when she’s piecing together a story. “Whatever ‘it’ is, it sounds like something worth holding on to,” she says softly.
“I need you to know how glad I am that I met you.” I blink up at him, dazed. “I thought you’d be secretly thrilled to get rid of me?” His lips quirk into a bittersweet smile, but his eyes remain serious. “Now that I know there’s a you out there in the world who’s meant for me…I don’t know how I’m supposed to forget you.”
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
🍁 Forced Proximity
🏒 Grumpy Sunshine
🍁 Opposites (kinda) Attract
🏒 He Falls First
🍁 She’s Sassy
🏒He's a Cinnamon Roll
She’s the kind of woman my mother would tell me to watch out for, yet there’s a dip in my stomach as the vehicle pulls out of the parking lot.
“They’re waiting for me.” I nod, trying not to feel... what? Disappointed? No, that’s ridiculous. “You better get going.” “Yeah.” He hesitates for a beat, his usual grin replaced by something softer. “This was fun.” I lift an eyebrow. “Fun?” He shrugs. “You know, for a grump and a golden retriever.” A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “Go before you make me regret being nice today.”
“What kind of deal?” “Quid pro quo, Clarice,” he says, his tone teasing as his hands flick back across the silverware, making sure everything is still in place. I snort, despite myself. “This isn’t The Silence of the Lambs.” He leans forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table. “Maybe not, but it kind of feels like I’m sitting across from someone who has the power to kill my career if they wanted to.” I can’t help the laugh that escapes me, a real one this time. “Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “For every three questions you answer for me, I’ll answer one for you.”
Sunshine types like him are dangerous for grumps like me— and not just because they’re annoyingly charming.
“Because people hear ‘OCD’ and think it’s cute,” he interrupts, his words sharp but not unkind. “They think it’s about keeping things tidy or lining up pencils. They don’t get that it’s loud. Constant. Like having a second brain that won’t shut up, telling you something bad will happen if you don’t fix everything just right. Some days you may get tripped up over routines, the next it’s how organized you need the kitchen to be. It’s not one- size- fits- all, it’s internal and external, and it can be all encompassing if I don’t keep it in check.”
The vulnerability in his voice is raw, like an unguarded net in a high- stakes game.
“There’s another one.” My hand flies to my lips, covering them. Knowing my luck, I’m back to half a tooth again. “What, is it my tooth again?” “No,” he says, cracking up. “You were smiling, and… well, you’re pretty when you smile like that and it’s distracting.”
He grins, triumphant, and the tension between us eases. The conversation shifts to lighter topics— his favorite local spots, a funny story about his rookie year— and before I realize it, I’m laughing, the kind of laugh that feels warm and genuine. As I take a bite of my meal, I glance across the table and catch him watching me, his expression softer than I’ve ever seen it. There’s something about the way he looks at me, like I’m not the cranky reporter he’s spent the past hour talking with because he had to, but someone he’s genuinely curious about. And right then, I know I’m in trouble. Because I might just be curious about him too.
She might have sharp and pointy edges, but she’s fun to talk to. There’s a tenderness bubbling below the surface, I can feel it. And, yeah, I like it a lot more than I probably should.
And yeah, somewhere in that madness, I catch Mabel’s eye. She’s grinning now, no pretending. That’s what I’ve been waiting for. I may be the guy on the ice, but she’s the only goal I care about making.
“To Maple Falls. And at first, it was rocky. Everything felt charged; I had to really work hard on the inside to get settled. But the noise died down quickly. I thought maybe it was just the change of scenery, you know? Slower pace, less noise, fewer reminders of the chaos.” I pause, gathering my thoughts before looking directly at her. “But these last few weeks…” I stop again, my chest tightening. Not with anxiety this time, but something I can’t quite name. “It’s different now. The storm isn’t gone, but it’s quieter. Like the ref’s taking a break. And I don’t know if it’s Maple Falls, or the fresh air, or…” I don’t finish the sentence, because saying it out loud would make it too real, too risky. But she tilts her head, studying me with that sharp, knowing look she always gives me when she’s piecing together a story. “Whatever ‘it’ is, it sounds like something worth holding on to,” she says softly.
“I need you to know how glad I am that I met you.” I blink up at him, dazed. “I thought you’d be secretly thrilled to get rid of me?” His lips quirk into a bittersweet smile, but his eyes remain serious. “Now that I know there’s a you out there in the world who’s meant for me…I don’t know how I’m supposed to forget you.”
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
August 27, 2025
Checking Mr. Wrong is a fun, playful small town hockey romance featuring Canadian pro hockey player, Asher Tremblay, and former hometown girl and athletic reporter, Mabel McClusky. Mabel plans to only be home long enough to write a story on the Ice Breakers before heading back to New York. She encounters Asher at the airport where he immediately raises her hackles. Asher is intrigued by Mabel from Maple Falls. She’s strong, stubborn, and full of sass and sarcasm. He is inexplicably drawn to her and seeks her out at every opportunity. They fall into a friendship that turns into more. Asher has always dreamed of being in the NHL but now all he wants is her. Mabel has worked hard to get where she’s at in her career. It’s been her dream for so long. Can she let it go and grab hold of a new dream? One that includes staying with Asher in Maple Falls? Asher doesn’t want her to go but he won’t try to stop her. But he isn’t going to make it easy for her to leave.
We got our first real look at Asher in Offside and Off-Limits. He was such a fun, endearing side character. I just knew I was as going to love his story. He is the epitome of a golden retriever. On the surface he appeared laid back, confident, and easy going. I’m glad we got to see the different layers to Asher and the struggles he hides behind the easy smile. I loved how well Asher’s OCD was depicted - how he copes, his triggers, how he manages it, the support he gets from family and friends, how he explains getting caught in a loop - all of it. It felt very real, raw, and totally relatable. I loved seeing this big tough hockey player be vulnerable. It made me love his character even more.
Mabel definitely has grumpy/black cat vibes. She was unnecessarily hard on Asher at times but she also challenged him, encouraged him, and supported him. I enjoyed seeing the dynamic between her and her mom play out.
Asher, Mabel, and even Mary-Ellen showed so much growth. Asher and Mabel were both good for each other. She didn’t make him feel weird about his OCD. She helped settle him and became his safe place. She helped to quiet the storm. Asher gently challenged Mabel to think about and see things differently. He wasn’t afraid of her rough edges and easily slipped past her defenses.
Checking Mr. Wrong is a cozy, feel good, light hearted read. I absolutely adored this book! The banter was top notch. The romance was super sweet and tender. It was made me laugh. It made me smile. It made my heart hurt. It made me swoon. It made me kick my feet with giddiness. It made me fall even more in love with Maple Falls and the Ice Breakers.
Thank you Kate O’Keeffe for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
We got our first real look at Asher in Offside and Off-Limits. He was such a fun, endearing side character. I just knew I was as going to love his story. He is the epitome of a golden retriever. On the surface he appeared laid back, confident, and easy going. I’m glad we got to see the different layers to Asher and the struggles he hides behind the easy smile. I loved how well Asher’s OCD was depicted - how he copes, his triggers, how he manages it, the support he gets from family and friends, how he explains getting caught in a loop - all of it. It felt very real, raw, and totally relatable. I loved seeing this big tough hockey player be vulnerable. It made me love his character even more.
Mabel definitely has grumpy/black cat vibes. She was unnecessarily hard on Asher at times but she also challenged him, encouraged him, and supported him. I enjoyed seeing the dynamic between her and her mom play out.
Asher, Mabel, and even Mary-Ellen showed so much growth. Asher and Mabel were both good for each other. She didn’t make him feel weird about his OCD. She helped settle him and became his safe place. She helped to quiet the storm. Asher gently challenged Mabel to think about and see things differently. He wasn’t afraid of her rough edges and easily slipped past her defenses.
Checking Mr. Wrong is a cozy, feel good, light hearted read. I absolutely adored this book! The banter was top notch. The romance was super sweet and tender. It was made me laugh. It made me smile. It made my heart hurt. It made me swoon. It made me kick my feet with giddiness. It made me fall even more in love with Maple Falls and the Ice Breakers.
Thank you Kate O’Keeffe for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 12, 2025
I picked this up (as an arc) on a whim, craving something light but layered, and wow—Anne Kemp delivered a story that’s equal parts snark, sweetness, and small-town sparkle. From the first page, I was hooked by Mabel’s voice: she’s messy, magnetic, and gloriously sarcastic, the kind of fmc who doesn’t apologize for her sharp edges. And Asher? He’s the golden retriever energy wrapped in hockey gear I didn’t know I needed. Their dynamic is pure grumpy-sunshine gold, but what makes it sing is the emotional undercurrent beneath the banter.
Mabel’s return to Maple Falls isn’t just a plot device—it’s a reckoning. She’s dodging judgment, nursing old wounds, and trying to outrun a viral moment that still haunts her. Kemp doesn’t just skim the surface of embarrassment or regret; she lets Mabel stew in it, grow through it, and eventually reclaim her narrative. That’s what made this book feel so personal to me. It’s not just about falling in love—it’s about falling back into yourself.
And then there’s Asher. I loved that he wasn’t just a cardboard cutout of a dreamy athlete. He’s thoughtful, a little awkward, and refreshingly earnest. Watching him try to crack Mabel’s armor was like watching someone try to charm a cat—equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Their chemistry is electric, but it’s the quiet moments—the shared glances, the reluctant confessions—that made me swoon.
The setting of Maple Falls is its own kind of magic. It’s quirky without being twee, and Kemp populates it with side characters who feel lived-in and lovable. I laughed out loud at the town gossip, teared up during a late-night porch scene, and wanted to move there by the end. Also, shoutout to the hockey subplot—it’s woven in with just the right amount of grit and glamor, adding stakes without overshadowing the romance.
What really impressed me was how clean this story was without ever feeling sanitized. The tension sizzles, the emotions run deep, and the payoff is so satisfying I actually clutched the book to my chest when I finished. No spice, but all the spark.
If you love:
-Enemies-to-lovers with emotional depth
-Small-town charm that doesn’t feel cliché
-A FMC who’s messy, mouthy, and magnificent
-A MMC who’s sweet, steady, and secretly swoony —then Checking Mr. Wrong is your next obsession.
Anne Kemp, you’ve officially earned a spot on my auto-buy list. I didn’t just read this book—I lived in it. And I’m already itching to go back.
Mabel’s return to Maple Falls isn’t just a plot device—it’s a reckoning. She’s dodging judgment, nursing old wounds, and trying to outrun a viral moment that still haunts her. Kemp doesn’t just skim the surface of embarrassment or regret; she lets Mabel stew in it, grow through it, and eventually reclaim her narrative. That’s what made this book feel so personal to me. It’s not just about falling in love—it’s about falling back into yourself.
And then there’s Asher. I loved that he wasn’t just a cardboard cutout of a dreamy athlete. He’s thoughtful, a little awkward, and refreshingly earnest. Watching him try to crack Mabel’s armor was like watching someone try to charm a cat—equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Their chemistry is electric, but it’s the quiet moments—the shared glances, the reluctant confessions—that made me swoon.
The setting of Maple Falls is its own kind of magic. It’s quirky without being twee, and Kemp populates it with side characters who feel lived-in and lovable. I laughed out loud at the town gossip, teared up during a late-night porch scene, and wanted to move there by the end. Also, shoutout to the hockey subplot—it’s woven in with just the right amount of grit and glamor, adding stakes without overshadowing the romance.
What really impressed me was how clean this story was without ever feeling sanitized. The tension sizzles, the emotions run deep, and the payoff is so satisfying I actually clutched the book to my chest when I finished. No spice, but all the spark.
If you love:
-Enemies-to-lovers with emotional depth
-Small-town charm that doesn’t feel cliché
-A FMC who’s messy, mouthy, and magnificent
-A MMC who’s sweet, steady, and secretly swoony —then Checking Mr. Wrong is your next obsession.
Anne Kemp, you’ve officially earned a spot on my auto-buy list. I didn’t just read this book—I lived in it. And I’m already itching to go back.
August 27, 2025
4.8/5
🚨TW: suffering with OCD, mentions of being accused of something that he didn’t do
Favourite Moments
🏒 When they first met
🏒 Them bickering and flirting.
🏒 She was there for him when he is struggling with his OCD (can’t spoil it)
🏒 His caring teammates.
🏒 Him trying to win her love.
🏒 Drench for Defence
🏒 The Scavenger Hunt
🏒 Them opening up to each other.
🏒 The Bachelor Bid.
🏒 Halloween surprise (can’t spoil it)
(lots more)
Swoony Moments
🏒 He falls for her at first sight
🏒 He try his best to win her heart.
🏒 He cares for her and loves her.
🏒 He showed his vulnerable side to her.
🏒 He is just so sweet.
Synopsis
Asher
An NHL player who is struggling with OCD. He tends to overthink this and that it is his fault if there something bad happen. He tried to hide his OCD with his carefree attitude.
Mabel
A journalist who got viral because she dumped dirty water on her cheating ex. She is back in her hometown Maple Falls for work.
Someone took her luggage without looking and little did she know that, that someone will be in her life and it is all thanks to her luggage. Read Checking Mr. Wrong to find out!!
Review:
Loving their bickering and flirty moments and texts. It just so cuteee and he is such a cinnamon roll. He instantly falls in love with her and she notices his habits and he honestly told her about him having OCD. They opened up to each other and also comfort each other. During his episode, she was there for him telling him that everything that happened is not his fault (can’t spoil it you have to read to know it). Though they don’t get along at first but they got to know each other and they fell in love with each other. Of course, they get teased by their friends and also give them the support to pursue this relationship. Her mother is like a matchmaker who cares for her although she often uses tough love on her daughter and eventually, they understand each other (also can’t spoil it). Love the scavenger hunt and also Halloween surprise it is so fun and sweet at the same time. This book made me smile, laugh, swoon, and emotional.
I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @annekempauthor for the ARC
This is the 3rd book of Love in Maple Fall Series. This series consists of 7 books and it is written by 7 different authors.
Please do check out other series of Anne Kemp.
You can purchase her books on Amazon and it is available on KU.
🚨TW: suffering with OCD, mentions of being accused of something that he didn’t do
Favourite Moments
🏒 When they first met
🏒 Them bickering and flirting.
🏒 She was there for him when he is struggling with his OCD (can’t spoil it)
🏒 His caring teammates.
🏒 Him trying to win her love.
🏒 Drench for Defence
🏒 The Scavenger Hunt
🏒 Them opening up to each other.
🏒 The Bachelor Bid.
🏒 Halloween surprise (can’t spoil it)
(lots more)
Swoony Moments
🏒 He falls for her at first sight
🏒 He try his best to win her heart.
🏒 He cares for her and loves her.
🏒 He showed his vulnerable side to her.
🏒 He is just so sweet.
Synopsis
Asher
An NHL player who is struggling with OCD. He tends to overthink this and that it is his fault if there something bad happen. He tried to hide his OCD with his carefree attitude.
Mabel
A journalist who got viral because she dumped dirty water on her cheating ex. She is back in her hometown Maple Falls for work.
Someone took her luggage without looking and little did she know that, that someone will be in her life and it is all thanks to her luggage. Read Checking Mr. Wrong to find out!!
Review:
Loving their bickering and flirty moments and texts. It just so cuteee and he is such a cinnamon roll. He instantly falls in love with her and she notices his habits and he honestly told her about him having OCD. They opened up to each other and also comfort each other. During his episode, she was there for him telling him that everything that happened is not his fault (can’t spoil it you have to read to know it). Though they don’t get along at first but they got to know each other and they fell in love with each other. Of course, they get teased by their friends and also give them the support to pursue this relationship. Her mother is like a matchmaker who cares for her although she often uses tough love on her daughter and eventually, they understand each other (also can’t spoil it). Love the scavenger hunt and also Halloween surprise it is so fun and sweet at the same time. This book made me smile, laugh, swoon, and emotional.
I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @annekempauthor for the ARC
This is the 3rd book of Love in Maple Fall Series. This series consists of 7 books and it is written by 7 different authors.
Please do check out other series of Anne Kemp.
You can purchase her books on Amazon and it is available on KU.
September 15, 2025
Start/End: 11/09/25 - 12/09/25
Genre: Sports Romance
Summary: Mabel, a sports reporter, is returning to her hometown of Maple Falls to report on the new NHL team - the Ice Breakers. A stolen cart and a shared car ride she uncovers that the man next to her is one of the players she needs to interview. But to Asher this much more than just an interview and slowly he breaks through the walls Mabel has put up to block him out and things shift into a completely different story that she thought she was covering.
My Review: I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Asher and Mabel! This book had the grumpy x sunshine trope and Mabel being the grump was so relatable, and Asher who tries so hard to have it all under control just so that his OCD doesn't control him. The vulnerability was so refreshing to see between these two, a woman who doesn't like letting her walls down and a man who doesn't want to be defined by his disorder. Finding comfort in each other when times are hard and embracing love. It was definitely a book that I really fell in love with. From stolen airport carts to chipped tooth rides to playful adventures and heartbreaking goodbyes. Only for in the end to get a happily ever after (of course). The chemistry was amazing but like with the last book in the series the ending felt rushed. There was a whole big goodbye just for in the end for Mabel to change her mind and follow her heart to both Asher and Mapel Falls. I wish I could've read about her thought process within that moment or leading up to the moment she announces she's staying and that she's choosing him. I also didn't like her grand gesture but that's on me and my personal preferences. Despite all that I did really enjoy this book and it deserves the 4 stars.
Quotes:
'It's knowing my routines help me feel in control, but also knowing they're controlling me.'
She leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek, and I close my eyes, memorizing the feel of her. "No grand gestures needed. Just be you, okay?"
"That's the grandest gesture I've got."'
I want to hold her here, keep her in this tiny bubble where it's just us, no decisions or distances pulling us apart. But bubbles don't last. They pop.
Thank you to NetGalley and Anne Kemp for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Genre: Sports Romance
Summary: Mabel, a sports reporter, is returning to her hometown of Maple Falls to report on the new NHL team - the Ice Breakers. A stolen cart and a shared car ride she uncovers that the man next to her is one of the players she needs to interview. But to Asher this much more than just an interview and slowly he breaks through the walls Mabel has put up to block him out and things shift into a completely different story that she thought she was covering.
My Review: I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Asher and Mabel! This book had the grumpy x sunshine trope and Mabel being the grump was so relatable, and Asher who tries so hard to have it all under control just so that his OCD doesn't control him. The vulnerability was so refreshing to see between these two, a woman who doesn't like letting her walls down and a man who doesn't want to be defined by his disorder. Finding comfort in each other when times are hard and embracing love. It was definitely a book that I really fell in love with. From stolen airport carts to chipped tooth rides to playful adventures and heartbreaking goodbyes. Only for in the end to get a happily ever after (of course). The chemistry was amazing but like with the last book in the series the ending felt rushed. There was a whole big goodbye just for in the end for Mabel to change her mind and follow her heart to both Asher and Mapel Falls. I wish I could've read about her thought process within that moment or leading up to the moment she announces she's staying and that she's choosing him. I also didn't like her grand gesture but that's on me and my personal preferences. Despite all that I did really enjoy this book and it deserves the 4 stars.
Quotes:
'It's knowing my routines help me feel in control, but also knowing they're controlling me.'
She leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek, and I close my eyes, memorizing the feel of her. "No grand gestures needed. Just be you, okay?"
"That's the grandest gesture I've got."'
I want to hold her here, keep her in this tiny bubble where it's just us, no decisions or distances pulling us apart. But bubbles don't last. They pop.
Thank you to NetGalley and Anne Kemp for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 27, 2025
Checking mr. Wrong
Een sweet small town romance vol hockey, festivals en knusheid. Ik mocht dit deel ook lezen als Arc en ook dit deel was weer erg leuk! Je leest in dit deel over Asher en Mabel. Asher is net komen wonen in Maple Falls voor hockey en Mabel komt na een lange tijd terug naar Maple Falls voor een artikel dat ze moet schrijven voor haar werk. Het is fijn dat je ook nog leest over de vorige personages. In deze boeken wordt overal de mensen uit het dorp meegenomen en de hockeyspelers.
In dit deel heeft Asher OCD. Wat heel fijn om mooi wordt uitgelegd en beschreven. Mabel helpt daarmee ook en is op een goeie manier nieuwsgierig, waardoor je als lezer ook dingen leert. Dit maakt het boek meer echt dan gewoon een verhaal. Verder is de opbouw heel fijn en de chemie die Mabel en Asher met elkaar hebben. Alleen het einde viel iets tegen, ik had iets meer verwacht van de grand gesture. Maar al met al was dit ook weer een heel leuk deel en kan niet wachten tot het volgende deel!
A sweet small-town romance full of hockey, festivals, and coziness. I also got to read this book as an arc, and it was also very enjoyable! In this book, you read about Asher and Mabel. Asher has just moved to Maple Falls for hockey, and Mabel is returning after a long time for an article she has to write for work. It's nice that you also read about the previous characters. In these books, the people of the town and the hockey players are included throughout.
In this book, Asher has OCD, which is wonderfully explained and described. Mabel also helps with that and is curious in a good way, which allows you, as the reader, to learn things too. This makes the book more real than just a story. Furthermore, the structure is very good, as is the chemistry between Mabel and Asher. Only the ending was a bit disappointing; I expected a bit more from the grand gesture. But all in all, this was another very enjoyable book, and I can't wait for the next one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsaugust #boekstagram #bookblogger #lekkerlezen #leesmaand #boekenmaand #boekentips #boekenplank #feelgood #readingisgoodforthesoul #booklover #booksbooksbooks #boekenwurm #spreadthebooklove #sharethebooklove
Een sweet small town romance vol hockey, festivals en knusheid. Ik mocht dit deel ook lezen als Arc en ook dit deel was weer erg leuk! Je leest in dit deel over Asher en Mabel. Asher is net komen wonen in Maple Falls voor hockey en Mabel komt na een lange tijd terug naar Maple Falls voor een artikel dat ze moet schrijven voor haar werk. Het is fijn dat je ook nog leest over de vorige personages. In deze boeken wordt overal de mensen uit het dorp meegenomen en de hockeyspelers.
In dit deel heeft Asher OCD. Wat heel fijn om mooi wordt uitgelegd en beschreven. Mabel helpt daarmee ook en is op een goeie manier nieuwsgierig, waardoor je als lezer ook dingen leert. Dit maakt het boek meer echt dan gewoon een verhaal. Verder is de opbouw heel fijn en de chemie die Mabel en Asher met elkaar hebben. Alleen het einde viel iets tegen, ik had iets meer verwacht van de grand gesture. Maar al met al was dit ook weer een heel leuk deel en kan niet wachten tot het volgende deel!
A sweet small-town romance full of hockey, festivals, and coziness. I also got to read this book as an arc, and it was also very enjoyable! In this book, you read about Asher and Mabel. Asher has just moved to Maple Falls for hockey, and Mabel is returning after a long time for an article she has to write for work. It's nice that you also read about the previous characters. In these books, the people of the town and the hockey players are included throughout.
In this book, Asher has OCD, which is wonderfully explained and described. Mabel also helps with that and is curious in a good way, which allows you, as the reader, to learn things too. This makes the book more real than just a story. Furthermore, the structure is very good, as is the chemistry between Mabel and Asher. Only the ending was a bit disappointing; I expected a bit more from the grand gesture. But all in all, this was another very enjoyable book, and I can't wait for the next one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsaugust #boekstagram #bookblogger #lekkerlezen #leesmaand #boekenmaand #boekentips #boekenplank #feelgood #readingisgoodforthesoul #booklover #booksbooksbooks #boekenwurm #spreadthebooklove #sharethebooklove
August 30, 2025
Checking Mr. Wrong is the third story in the Love in Maple Falls hockey-themed romantic comedies series. The series is connected to 2024’s popular Love on Thin Ice series, which was also set in Maple Falls, Washington. Both series contain connected stories by various authors; each book can be read as a stand-alone. All stories in both series are closed-door romances that don’t contain any sex, violence, or profanity.
Mabel McCluskey left her hometown of Maple Falls, Washington for the bright lights of New York, primarily to get away from her overbearing mother. Unfortunately, her sports broadcasting career came to a screeching halt when she dumped a bucket of cold water on her cheating boyfriend. Now she’s returning home with an assignment to cover the NHL’s newest team, The Ice Breakers. She has a run-in with a luggage cart-stealing man at the airport and then discovers that he’s a professional hockey player when they share a ride to Maple Falls.
Asher Tremblay transferred to the new Ice Breakers hockey team in tiny Maple Falls, Washington and is equal parts excited and nervous about a fresh start. He’s a very talented defenseman who struggles with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Mabel is really grumpy to everyone, and Asher seems to especially get on her nerves. His golden retriever personality rubs her the wrong way until she notices his efforts to manage his OCD. Then she warms up to him. They work together to save the town of Maple Falls, in addition to her covering the team to get her journalism career back on track. The biggest conflict is that Mabel’s time in Maple Falls is limited, and Asher has to convince her to stay.
Checking Mr. Wrong is the first story in the Love in Maple Falls small town hockey romcom series to include a main character with mental health issues. I’m a Pollyanna personality so I had trouble relating to Mabel’s grumpiness. However, I appreciated how she supported Asher. I believe that this story will be a favorite of readers who prefer characters with realistic problems. It’s definitely a more character-driven story than action-oriented, and the chemistry is good between Mabel and Asher.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Red Bird Publishing for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mabel McCluskey left her hometown of Maple Falls, Washington for the bright lights of New York, primarily to get away from her overbearing mother. Unfortunately, her sports broadcasting career came to a screeching halt when she dumped a bucket of cold water on her cheating boyfriend. Now she’s returning home with an assignment to cover the NHL’s newest team, The Ice Breakers. She has a run-in with a luggage cart-stealing man at the airport and then discovers that he’s a professional hockey player when they share a ride to Maple Falls.
Asher Tremblay transferred to the new Ice Breakers hockey team in tiny Maple Falls, Washington and is equal parts excited and nervous about a fresh start. He’s a very talented defenseman who struggles with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Mabel is really grumpy to everyone, and Asher seems to especially get on her nerves. His golden retriever personality rubs her the wrong way until she notices his efforts to manage his OCD. Then she warms up to him. They work together to save the town of Maple Falls, in addition to her covering the team to get her journalism career back on track. The biggest conflict is that Mabel’s time in Maple Falls is limited, and Asher has to convince her to stay.
Checking Mr. Wrong is the first story in the Love in Maple Falls small town hockey romcom series to include a main character with mental health issues. I’m a Pollyanna personality so I had trouble relating to Mabel’s grumpiness. However, I appreciated how she supported Asher. I believe that this story will be a favorite of readers who prefer characters with realistic problems. It’s definitely a more character-driven story than action-oriented, and the chemistry is good between Mabel and Asher.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Red Bird Publishing for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 3, 2025
3.5 stars, but a bumped it up because it doesn't deserve to be hanging down with Fiona's story.
Mabel's side of the story had more about saving the Blue Thrush then Fiona's did...yes, still bitter about Fiona's disappointing book. This one, however, wasn't quite what I was expecting either, though it was still good.
Asher has OCD and it's covered a bit throughout the book, starting with his flare up due to all the changes and more or less ending with the aftermath of what happened to Claude. Asher as a person is a confident, flirtatious, Canadian boy that kind of reminded me of a kindly jock that is, unfortunately on the bit annoying side. It may work for some, but I don't like it when people get annoying with their attempts to be flirty. Seems to work for Mabel though.
Mabel is returning home after having to change her career to freelance reporter instead of an on camera hot shot when her fellow reporter and now ex gets caught by her cheating with their producer. She's back in her home town to do a cover for a sport magazine on the team members of the newly formed Ice Breakers. In her off time she argues with her mother, meets up with her friends, and tours around town events with Asher. She wavers between falling for him and insisting it's a conflict of interest to spend so much time with him...and keeps doing it. I liked Mabel in the beginning, but as the book went on her character started morphing into the standard Ice Breaker girlfriend material and she lost a lot of her sauciness.
I was also kind of disappointed by how the major issues these two are facing throughout the book are just so easily glossed over at the end and more or less tied up with a pretty bow in a brief conversation. Spent the whole book pounding that there big problems and BOOM solved. Meh.
All in all though, it was a pretty little fluff read. They are pretty mismatched before Mabel had a personality shift. I almost preferred them the way they were in the beginning, grumpy and sunshine. I found it more amusing and it set it apart from the other books in the series...until that disappeared.
Mabel's side of the story had more about saving the Blue Thrush then Fiona's did...yes, still bitter about Fiona's disappointing book. This one, however, wasn't quite what I was expecting either, though it was still good.
Asher has OCD and it's covered a bit throughout the book, starting with his flare up due to all the changes and more or less ending with the aftermath of what happened to Claude. Asher as a person is a confident, flirtatious, Canadian boy that kind of reminded me of a kindly jock that is, unfortunately on the bit annoying side. It may work for some, but I don't like it when people get annoying with their attempts to be flirty. Seems to work for Mabel though.
Mabel is returning home after having to change her career to freelance reporter instead of an on camera hot shot when her fellow reporter and now ex gets caught by her cheating with their producer. She's back in her home town to do a cover for a sport magazine on the team members of the newly formed Ice Breakers. In her off time she argues with her mother, meets up with her friends, and tours around town events with Asher. She wavers between falling for him and insisting it's a conflict of interest to spend so much time with him...and keeps doing it. I liked Mabel in the beginning, but as the book went on her character started morphing into the standard Ice Breaker girlfriend material and she lost a lot of her sauciness.
I was also kind of disappointed by how the major issues these two are facing throughout the book are just so easily glossed over at the end and more or less tied up with a pretty bow in a brief conversation. Spent the whole book pounding that there big problems and BOOM solved. Meh.
All in all though, it was a pretty little fluff read. They are pretty mismatched before Mabel had a personality shift. I almost preferred them the way they were in the beginning, grumpy and sunshine. I found it more amusing and it set it apart from the other books in the series...until that disappeared.
September 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️
I love a good coming home story! Especially when it is a coming home story full of reluctance, wanting to get out again asap, but as your time continues you find more and more reasons to stay. Anne Kemp gave me this and more in Checking Mr. Wrong, her addition to the Love in Maple Falls series. This sweet, romantic, clean romance is an easy read, but full of heart, passion, and fun.
Mabel is sent to her hometown of Maple Falls to interview some of the newest Icebreaker players. She hasn’t been home in a long time and didn’t plan on coming back. But she has to keep her boss happy, so does what she needs to do. Her plan; get in, do her job, and head back to New York. Her plan however, doesn’t go as she hoped. Going home isn’t easy for Mabel, partly due to her tense relationship with her mother, partly for reasons we don’t find out for a while. When she meets the players, one stands out to her. He is charming and irritating all at the same time, but something draws her to him.
Asher is excited for his chance with the Icebreakers. Ready to start over and help this somewhat new team claim their place in the NHL, he wants no distractions. I loved how Anne reminds her readers what happens when we make plans for our life. They always work out, right? Nope, but in his case, it’s a good thing. The sports interviewer that he has to work with pulls him in and holds his attention. The total opposite of him, he can’t explain his draw towards her.
I loved how Anne Kemp included Asher’s struggles with OCD. Having it herself, there was honesty and emotion that you can only provide by writing what you know. It is a reminder too that mental health issues shouldn’t be locked away, but made aware and supported by others. An all around feel good, sweet story that brings two hearts together. Well done, Anne!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🏒Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
🍂Unavoidable Proximity
🏒Opposites Attract
🍂He Falls Frist
🏒Sassy FMC
🍂Cinnamon Roll MMC
🏒Hockey Romance
🍂Clean Romance
I love a good coming home story! Especially when it is a coming home story full of reluctance, wanting to get out again asap, but as your time continues you find more and more reasons to stay. Anne Kemp gave me this and more in Checking Mr. Wrong, her addition to the Love in Maple Falls series. This sweet, romantic, clean romance is an easy read, but full of heart, passion, and fun.
Mabel is sent to her hometown of Maple Falls to interview some of the newest Icebreaker players. She hasn’t been home in a long time and didn’t plan on coming back. But she has to keep her boss happy, so does what she needs to do. Her plan; get in, do her job, and head back to New York. Her plan however, doesn’t go as she hoped. Going home isn’t easy for Mabel, partly due to her tense relationship with her mother, partly for reasons we don’t find out for a while. When she meets the players, one stands out to her. He is charming and irritating all at the same time, but something draws her to him.
Asher is excited for his chance with the Icebreakers. Ready to start over and help this somewhat new team claim their place in the NHL, he wants no distractions. I loved how Anne reminds her readers what happens when we make plans for our life. They always work out, right? Nope, but in his case, it’s a good thing. The sports interviewer that he has to work with pulls him in and holds his attention. The total opposite of him, he can’t explain his draw towards her.
I loved how Anne Kemp included Asher’s struggles with OCD. Having it herself, there was honesty and emotion that you can only provide by writing what you know. It is a reminder too that mental health issues shouldn’t be locked away, but made aware and supported by others. An all around feel good, sweet story that brings two hearts together. Well done, Anne!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🏒Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
🍂Unavoidable Proximity
🏒Opposites Attract
🍂He Falls Frist
🏒Sassy FMC
🍂Cinnamon Roll MMC
🏒Hockey Romance
🍂Clean Romance
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