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Must Love Hockey #3
Checking It Twice: A Holiday Hockey Romance
Fake dating a hockey player for Christmas wasn’t on my bingo card.
Clare Johnson’s job is handling PR for the Dallas Stampede—not getting tangled up with one of the players. But when Mitchell Drake—charming forward, fan favorite, and very off-limits—asks her to pose as his girlfriend for one week in small-town Minnesota, she reluctantly agrees. What’s the worst that could happen?
Mitchell’s had six months to get over his very public broken engagement, and his family is done waiting. The last thing he needs is pitying smiles and whispered gossip. Clare is smart, sharp, and strong enough to hold her own with both fans and family—the perfect fake girlfriend.
But holiday lights and snowy nights have a way of blurring the line between pretend and real. Clare fits too easily into his world—bonding with his grandma, winning at pond hockey, and looking unfairly good in his flannel. The more time they spend together, the less fake it feels.
Full of small-town holiday magic, meddling relatives, and sizzling chemistry, Checking It Twice is a hockey romance about second chances and falling in love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of fake dating, one-bed tension, forced proximity, and happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights.
Because sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree—they’re standing right in front of you.
Clare Johnson’s job is handling PR for the Dallas Stampede—not getting tangled up with one of the players. But when Mitchell Drake—charming forward, fan favorite, and very off-limits—asks her to pose as his girlfriend for one week in small-town Minnesota, she reluctantly agrees. What’s the worst that could happen?
Mitchell’s had six months to get over his very public broken engagement, and his family is done waiting. The last thing he needs is pitying smiles and whispered gossip. Clare is smart, sharp, and strong enough to hold her own with both fans and family—the perfect fake girlfriend.
But holiday lights and snowy nights have a way of blurring the line between pretend and real. Clare fits too easily into his world—bonding with his grandma, winning at pond hockey, and looking unfairly good in his flannel. The more time they spend together, the less fake it feels.
Full of small-town holiday magic, meddling relatives, and sizzling chemistry, Checking It Twice is a hockey romance about second chances and falling in love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of fake dating, one-bed tension, forced proximity, and happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights.
Because sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree—they’re standing right in front of you.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
190 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
Kendall Ryan
122 books18.3k followersKendall Ryan is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of flirty, feel-good romance filled with heart, heat, and plenty of banter. An American author who has lived all over the world, her books have sold millions of copies and been translated into multiple languages. She writes swoony heroes, bold heroines, and stories that make you laugh, blush, and fall in love. When she’s not dreaming up new plotlines, she is a proud mom to two amazing sons and the wife of her real-life hero.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
December 1, 2025
4 stars
I love hockey romance and holiday books, so I knew I had to check out ‘Checking it Twice’. It was a fun and sweet Christmas story that had some great fake dating. Mitch and Claire working together made things a little more complicated for Claire due to a past relationship, but once she got past that, it was obvious that these two belonged together.
I love hockey romance and holiday books, so I knew I had to check out ‘Checking it Twice’. It was a fun and sweet Christmas story that had some great fake dating. Mitch and Claire working together made things a little more complicated for Claire due to a past relationship, but once she got past that, it was obvious that these two belonged together.
Audio book source: Netgalley
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Grayson Owens & Rose Dioro
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 7h 30
November 26, 2025
I 100% need to read more hockey romances after reading Checking It Twice!
Clare does PR for a hockey team in addition to masterfully navigating the players’ egos and stubbornness. She swore she’d never mix work and personal life again, but one proposition has her second guessing.
Mitchell has been miserable since the breakup with Hannah. He doesn’t want pity when he goes home for the holidays. Maybe a fake girlfriend will do the trick! The hard part is getting Clare to agree.
I had a hard time putting this down. Clare and Mitch are really endearing. I loved watching them slowly grow and open up about challenges in their lives. The slow burn was just right - so much tension and build up! Mitch’s family is so sweet; I’d read a series of books about all of them!
If you’re looking for a holiday romance with a hockey player, wit, migraine rep, only one (twin) bed, and slow burn, look no further!
Clare does PR for a hockey team in addition to masterfully navigating the players’ egos and stubbornness. She swore she’d never mix work and personal life again, but one proposition has her second guessing.
Mitchell has been miserable since the breakup with Hannah. He doesn’t want pity when he goes home for the holidays. Maybe a fake girlfriend will do the trick! The hard part is getting Clare to agree.
I had a hard time putting this down. Clare and Mitch are really endearing. I loved watching them slowly grow and open up about challenges in their lives. The slow burn was just right - so much tension and build up! Mitch’s family is so sweet; I’d read a series of books about all of them!
If you’re looking for a holiday romance with a hockey player, wit, migraine rep, only one (twin) bed, and slow burn, look no further!
October 28, 2025
(4.8 Stars)
Clare Johnson is the PR for Hockey Team Dallas Stampede. She does not mix business with fun. That is until Mitchell Drake needs a favor. He is getting over a broken engagement and needs a faux girlfriend to make his parents leave him alone about moving on. Can these two keep it just a favor or will the lines get blurred when feeling emerge? Another easy and fun read in this holiday hockey series. Mitch is such a sweetheart. Loved seeming them build a real relationship together and all the moments with his family. Told in first person and dual POV.
Clare Johnson is the PR for Hockey Team Dallas Stampede. She does not mix business with fun. That is until Mitchell Drake needs a favor. He is getting over a broken engagement and needs a faux girlfriend to make his parents leave him alone about moving on. Can these two keep it just a favor or will the lines get blurred when feeling emerge? Another easy and fun read in this holiday hockey series. Mitch is such a sweetheart. Loved seeming them build a real relationship together and all the moments with his family. Told in first person and dual POV.
November 18, 2025
** Audio Review **
Swoony! Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan was a sweet and charming holiday hockey romance that did deliciously good things to my heart. I couldn't get enough of Claire and Mitchell's fake dating to forever romance that made me all warm and gooey inside and put me in the holiday spirit.
Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens perform this audiobook in dual narration, and these two perfectly emobodied Claire and Mitchell. Rose's soft, soothing tone captuted Claire's passionate and dedicated persona while Grayson's warm, rich timbre enveloped Mitchell's guarded, charismatic demeanor. Both narrators created just the right amount of longing and tension making me fall head over heels in love with this couple.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a holiday romance with a broody hockey hunk, a devoted publicist, meeting the family, fake dating, one bed, slow burn spicy times, all the holiday feels, and a HEA that will warm your heart, then you will love Claire and Mitchell's story. I always look forward to more from Kendall Ryan.
Swoony! Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan was a sweet and charming holiday hockey romance that did deliciously good things to my heart. I couldn't get enough of Claire and Mitchell's fake dating to forever romance that made me all warm and gooey inside and put me in the holiday spirit.
Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens perform this audiobook in dual narration, and these two perfectly emobodied Claire and Mitchell. Rose's soft, soothing tone captuted Claire's passionate and dedicated persona while Grayson's warm, rich timbre enveloped Mitchell's guarded, charismatic demeanor. Both narrators created just the right amount of longing and tension making me fall head over heels in love with this couple.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a holiday romance with a broody hockey hunk, a devoted publicist, meeting the family, fake dating, one bed, slow burn spicy times, all the holiday feels, and a HEA that will warm your heart, then you will love Claire and Mitchell's story. I always look forward to more from Kendall Ryan.
November 14, 2025
Fake dating
Found family
Forced proximity
One bed tension
Hockey romance
Small town
Cinnamon roll mmc
Boss energy FMC
Meddling relatives
Happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights
“Fake dating a hockey player for Christmas wasn’t on my bingo card.”
“...I do want to stay here. I want to watch Clare laugh and see her eyes light up when she successfully cuts a perfect star-shaped cookie. I want to memorize the way she looks with flour in her hair and happiness on her face. I want to forget that this is all pretend."
This novel was narrated by Grayson Owens and Rose Dioro. I loved how they brought the characters to life and I could feel their emotions! There's lots of great funny banter and romantic scenes. I enjoyed how funny parts of this book were 😂
Their rendition pulled my heart. The sweet whispers, the quiet cuddles, and the fake it to make it real moments were so 🔥 perfection. The tension! Their performance was fantastic even I felt safe with Grayson. The way he cared for her. I loved it. Loved them and his family and how welcoming and accepting of Clare. 💯 would recommend this book! I love this author it isn’t my first book by her and definitely not my last!
Found family
Forced proximity
One bed tension
Hockey romance
Small town
Cinnamon roll mmc
Boss energy FMC
Meddling relatives
Happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights
“Fake dating a hockey player for Christmas wasn’t on my bingo card.”
“...I do want to stay here. I want to watch Clare laugh and see her eyes light up when she successfully cuts a perfect star-shaped cookie. I want to memorize the way she looks with flour in her hair and happiness on her face. I want to forget that this is all pretend."
This novel was narrated by Grayson Owens and Rose Dioro. I loved how they brought the characters to life and I could feel their emotions! There's lots of great funny banter and romantic scenes. I enjoyed how funny parts of this book were 😂
Their rendition pulled my heart. The sweet whispers, the quiet cuddles, and the fake it to make it real moments were so 🔥 perfection. The tension! Their performance was fantastic even I felt safe with Grayson. The way he cared for her. I loved it. Loved them and his family and how welcoming and accepting of Clare. 💯 would recommend this book! I love this author it isn’t my first book by her and definitely not my last!
November 7, 2025
I am a sucker for a holiday romance and a holiday hockey romance makes it even better. I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it so I knew that I would enjoy this one as well, and I did. Clare and Mitch were coworkers that became more after he asked her home for Christmas. Fake dating usually ends in one or more of them catching feelings, but they really tried to keep it professional, until they couldn't anymore. I liked the fact that she fit into his family so well and that they were so accepting of her. They really seemed to love her instantly. I also liked that there wasn't OW drama like I thought there would be.
The one thing I will say about this ALC, was that there were a lot of inconsistancy through chapters. It didn't take away from the overall vibe of the story, but it did distract me when something was said that didn't happen that way in the chapter before. There were more instances of this than I would have liked, but I thought the pining and tension between the two overshadowed any issues I had.
I also really liked that it didn't wrap up right after the visit home and we got to see more of their interactions after they returned to the real world.
The one thing I will say about this ALC, was that there were a lot of inconsistancy through chapters. It didn't take away from the overall vibe of the story, but it did distract me when something was said that didn't happen that way in the chapter before. There were more instances of this than I would have liked, but I thought the pining and tension between the two overshadowed any issues I had.
I also really liked that it didn't wrap up right after the visit home and we got to see more of their interactions after they returned to the real world.
November 20, 2025
Perfect Christmas romance
Hot midwestern hockey player fake dating the teams PR rep who swore off hockey players
What can go wrong?
This was cute, sweet and a tiny bit spicy
The perfect quick listen
Loved the audio
Thanks netgalley and publisher/ author for an advance listener copy!
Hot midwestern hockey player fake dating the teams PR rep who swore off hockey players
What can go wrong?
This was cute, sweet and a tiny bit spicy
The perfect quick listen
Loved the audio
Thanks netgalley and publisher/ author for an advance listener copy!
November 10, 2025
Clare has always told herself she will never date a player. Working in PR for the hockey team has her constantly in contact with players though and when Mitchell asks her to pose as his girlfriend for a week in front of his family as a favour, she agrees. This way, his family will get off his back about him moving on from his broken engagement.
From the moment Clare meets his family though, she's sold. Mitchell's family is everything hers isn't and she finds herself having the best time. The chemistry between these two characters was unbelievable. I lapped up this festive read which included two of my fave tropes - fake dating and one bed! I loved the dual POVs and can't wait to read on in this series.
From the moment Clare meets his family though, she's sold. Mitchell's family is everything hers isn't and she finds herself having the best time. The chemistry between these two characters was unbelievable. I lapped up this festive read which included two of my fave tropes - fake dating and one bed! I loved the dual POVs and can't wait to read on in this series.
November 1, 2025
Checking it Twice is the third book in the Must Love Hockey series by Ms Ryan and it’s one of my favourite reads this year!!
I absolutely adored this book, especially the characters. As I read I had a smile on my face, this story gave me all the happy feels.
Centering on Mitch and Clare, this fake relationship story will have your heart fluttering! And Mitch’s family are just fabulous! I love Clare’s take no crap attitude from anyone and shes just this wonderful genuine woman who just wants to belong! Like we all do right?
Mitch seems like a teddy bear! His teammates give good supportive advice especially when hes being a grump!
The entertaining banter and heartfelt moments made this a book I couldn’t put down!
Highly recommend it!
November 20, 2025
What can I say?
I like hockey. I’m not a huge fan…but, I LOVED this book!
Clare is in charge of PR for this Dallas based hockey team. She’s had her heart broken before, by a hockey player. She has no intentions of going down that road again.
Mitchell is one of the star players on the team. He broke up with his long time girlfriend several months ago.
He is NOT ready for another relationship, but his family certainly thinks he is!
So, when his Mom basically tells him he needs to COME HOME for Christmas… with a girl… well, what’s he to do??
He dreams up a scheme where he’ll ’fake date’ someone. Someone who can hold their own in his big, loud, meddling family. And he has a good idea who he thinks will be able to do it! But, will she agree??
This one places two people with a lot of backstory about being hurt… and not trusting… as well as emotionally absent family in one instance, and completely overbearing family in the other!!
This one also runs the whole emotional gamut! It will make you laugh out loud, repeatedly!
It will make you want to pull your hair out! It will make you want to smack a few heads together! As well as making you want to shout… open your eyes!! 👀
And, if you’re like me… for the last 30 minutes or so, your eyes will be brimming with wet, shiny, happy, tears… intermittently, while you are cracking up and laughing out loud… again!!
Of note: this is book #3 on the series… and I just put 1 & 2 on hold at my library. So I’m guessing you don’t need to read them in order… as I didn’t feel lost.
And once again, because this brought out ‘all the feels’ for me, it is definitely earning a beautiful, hope-filled, sweet, romantic, happy 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating from me!!
#CheckingItTwice by @KendallRyan and narrated beautifully by @GraysonOwens and @RoseDioro.
*** This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, please look 👀 for it in a few days on 11/25/25!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
I like hockey. I’m not a huge fan…but, I LOVED this book!
Clare is in charge of PR for this Dallas based hockey team. She’s had her heart broken before, by a hockey player. She has no intentions of going down that road again.
Mitchell is one of the star players on the team. He broke up with his long time girlfriend several months ago.
He is NOT ready for another relationship, but his family certainly thinks he is!
So, when his Mom basically tells him he needs to COME HOME for Christmas… with a girl… well, what’s he to do??
He dreams up a scheme where he’ll ’fake date’ someone. Someone who can hold their own in his big, loud, meddling family. And he has a good idea who he thinks will be able to do it! But, will she agree??
This one places two people with a lot of backstory about being hurt… and not trusting… as well as emotionally absent family in one instance, and completely overbearing family in the other!!
This one also runs the whole emotional gamut! It will make you laugh out loud, repeatedly!
It will make you want to pull your hair out! It will make you want to smack a few heads together! As well as making you want to shout… open your eyes!! 👀
And, if you’re like me… for the last 30 minutes or so, your eyes will be brimming with wet, shiny, happy, tears… intermittently, while you are cracking up and laughing out loud… again!!
Of note: this is book #3 on the series… and I just put 1 & 2 on hold at my library. So I’m guessing you don’t need to read them in order… as I didn’t feel lost.
And once again, because this brought out ‘all the feels’ for me, it is definitely earning a beautiful, hope-filled, sweet, romantic, happy 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating from me!!
#CheckingItTwice by @KendallRyan and narrated beautifully by @GraysonOwens and @RoseDioro.
*** This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, please look 👀 for it in a few days on 11/25/25!! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
November 12, 2025
Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan is the perfect holiday escape — equal parts steamy hockey romance and small-town Christmas magic.
Clare, the team’s PR manager, finds herself fake-dating star player Mitchell to help clean up his image. What starts as a work assignment quickly turns into something more when they head to his cozy hometown for the holidays — cue the snow, the meddling family, and the one-bed situation that practically crackles with tension.
Kendall Ryan balances the sweetness of small-town charm with the spice you’d expect from a hockey romance. Mitchell is charmingly possessive in the best way — confident on the ice, yet tender when it comes to Clare. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow build from professional boundaries to holiday heat feels natural and satisfying.
If you love:
🏒 Fake dating with real feelings
🎄 Cozy Christmas settings
🛏️ Forced proximity and one-bed tension
🔥 Hockey smut that delivers
…then Checking It Twice deserves a spot on your holiday TBR. It’s flirty, heartwarming, and just the right mix of naughty and nice — the perfect romance to curl up with under a blanket and a cup of cocoa.
⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy! All opinions are honest and my own.
Clare, the team’s PR manager, finds herself fake-dating star player Mitchell to help clean up his image. What starts as a work assignment quickly turns into something more when they head to his cozy hometown for the holidays — cue the snow, the meddling family, and the one-bed situation that practically crackles with tension.
Kendall Ryan balances the sweetness of small-town charm with the spice you’d expect from a hockey romance. Mitchell is charmingly possessive in the best way — confident on the ice, yet tender when it comes to Clare. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow build from professional boundaries to holiday heat feels natural and satisfying.
If you love:
🏒 Fake dating with real feelings
🎄 Cozy Christmas settings
🛏️ Forced proximity and one-bed tension
🔥 Hockey smut that delivers
…then Checking It Twice deserves a spot on your holiday TBR. It’s flirty, heartwarming, and just the right mix of naughty and nice — the perfect romance to curl up with under a blanket and a cup of cocoa.
⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy! All opinions are honest and my own.
November 9, 2025
Thank you to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion!
I listened to the audiobook, and enjoyed both narrators, along with their dual POV narration. It kept me interested in the story!
Clare and Mitch were so cute and wholesome together, so I loved seeing them squirm through their forced proximity fake dating while they went back to Mitch’s hometown for Christmas. I liked that the build up of them exploring their feelings actually felt so natural, and wasn’t as quick as I’d typically is in other books with fake dating. Their happily ever after was just the sweetest, especially their time jump epilogue back at Mitch’s family celebrating a future Christmas!
The book was full of so much holiday goodness, so if you’re looking to deck the halls with a festive read pick this one!
Tropes:
🥅Hockey player x PR girl
❤️Sports Romance
🏒Forced proximity
❤️Fake dating
🎄All the Christmas cheer
I listened to the audiobook, and enjoyed both narrators, along with their dual POV narration. It kept me interested in the story!
Clare and Mitch were so cute and wholesome together, so I loved seeing them squirm through their forced proximity fake dating while they went back to Mitch’s hometown for Christmas. I liked that the build up of them exploring their feelings actually felt so natural, and wasn’t as quick as I’d typically is in other books with fake dating. Their happily ever after was just the sweetest, especially their time jump epilogue back at Mitch’s family celebrating a future Christmas!
The book was full of so much holiday goodness, so if you’re looking to deck the halls with a festive read pick this one!
Tropes:
🥅Hockey player x PR girl
❤️Sports Romance
🏒Forced proximity
❤️Fake dating
🎄All the Christmas cheer
November 11, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️
Okay, let’s be honest—I initially requested this one because Grayson Owens was narrating. The man could read a grocery list and I’d give it five stars. And once again, he absolutely nailed it as Mitchell Drake. Total charm, total swoon. Rose Diorio as Clare was great too—smart, confident, and just the right amount of sass.
The story itself? Exactly what I expect from a fake dating Christmas romance. Cute. Heartfelt. A little spicy. And dripping with small-town holiday vibes. It’s predictable in the best way—like a Hallmark movie but with better banter and hotter chemistry.
Do I know how it’s going to end from the first chapter? Yep. Did I still love every minute of the ride? Also yep. Sometimes you just need a cozy, low-stakes, feel-good listen with snow, flannel, and a hockey player pretending to be your boyfriend.
Thanks to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this (audio)book.
1/5 🌶️
Okay, let’s be honest—I initially requested this one because Grayson Owens was narrating. The man could read a grocery list and I’d give it five stars. And once again, he absolutely nailed it as Mitchell Drake. Total charm, total swoon. Rose Diorio as Clare was great too—smart, confident, and just the right amount of sass.
The story itself? Exactly what I expect from a fake dating Christmas romance. Cute. Heartfelt. A little spicy. And dripping with small-town holiday vibes. It’s predictable in the best way—like a Hallmark movie but with better banter and hotter chemistry.
Do I know how it’s going to end from the first chapter? Yep. Did I still love every minute of the ride? Also yep. Sometimes you just need a cozy, low-stakes, feel-good listen with snow, flannel, and a hockey player pretending to be your boyfriend.
Thanks to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this (audio)book.
November 27, 2025
I was ready for a little Christmas cheer and author Kendall Ryan delivered.
Checking It Twice
is mostly set around a family Christmas celebration, where traditions are paramount, and love flows. The Drake family are everything that Clare could ever want, and it's hard to believe that she might actually fit into Mitch's picture-perfect postcard life.
Kendall ever so wonderfully let's the relationship between Clare and Mitch bloom with a delicious slow-burn that had me melting. Their fears of love and committing kept them pushing away, but when they let their walls down, their passion flourished.
The story was sweet and I really loved how the romance took it's time to grow. Clare and Mitch felt the attraction while they were fake dating. They both knew the line was blurring, and crossing it little by little was what ended up opening their eyes to what could actually be real if they could just believe in each other.
I also found that I enjoyed how the author took the couple further into their relationship with some time gaps in the book. From fake dating to parents and I enjoyed every minute.
Kendall ever so wonderfully let's the relationship between Clare and Mitch bloom with a delicious slow-burn that had me melting. Their fears of love and committing kept them pushing away, but when they let their walls down, their passion flourished.
The story was sweet and I really loved how the romance took it's time to grow. Clare and Mitch felt the attraction while they were fake dating. They both knew the line was blurring, and crossing it little by little was what ended up opening their eyes to what could actually be real if they could just believe in each other.
I also found that I enjoyed how the author took the couple further into their relationship with some time gaps in the book. From fake dating to parents and I enjoyed every minute.
November 25, 2025
This checked all my boxes!
A magical Christmas romance filled with small-town charm, a wonderful found family, effortless conversations, stolen kisses, heated moments, and increasingly dangerous closeness. There’s also a hockey hottie who desires more than the fake relationship he asked her to portray.
The butterflies will flutter in your stomach as you smile and giggle at their effortless witty banter. The tension and the realization that every touch is blurring the lines they’re supposed to maintain.
This is Clare Johnson and Mitchell Drake’s journey and I loved every second, unable to put this down! Absolutely addictive!
“It’s about not letting the past define your future. Taking risks even when you’re scared of getting hurt.”
Claire and Mitchell’s relationship may have begun as a facade, but as they gradually open up and their attraction and feelings for each other intensify, I find myself rooting for them. This heartwarming, addictive, and slow-burn romance takes an unexpected and exhilarating turn. Every interaction left me grinning, swooning, or kicking my feet in delight. It’s a beautiful and emotional Christmas romance that I couldn’t bear to end!
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
A magical Christmas romance filled with small-town charm, a wonderful found family, effortless conversations, stolen kisses, heated moments, and increasingly dangerous closeness. There’s also a hockey hottie who desires more than the fake relationship he asked her to portray.
The butterflies will flutter in your stomach as you smile and giggle at their effortless witty banter. The tension and the realization that every touch is blurring the lines they’re supposed to maintain.
This is Clare Johnson and Mitchell Drake’s journey and I loved every second, unable to put this down! Absolutely addictive!
“It’s about not letting the past define your future. Taking risks even when you’re scared of getting hurt.”
Claire and Mitchell’s relationship may have begun as a facade, but as they gradually open up and their attraction and feelings for each other intensify, I find myself rooting for them. This heartwarming, addictive, and slow-burn romance takes an unexpected and exhilarating turn. Every interaction left me grinning, swooning, or kicking my feet in delight. It’s a beautiful and emotional Christmas romance that I couldn’t bear to end!
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
November 29, 2025
Checking It Twice is a great Christmas romance! I have been loving this series from Kendall Ryan with its hockey team book club.
This time Mitchell needs a fake girlfriend to take home for Christmas to show he's over his ex. Clare is the perfect woman for the job even though she works for the hockey team. The two of them already have lots of chemistry and an attraction, and the forced proximity only makes their connection more evident. It was fun watching the two of them work out their real feelings while taking a relationship.
This was nicely paced and I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved this one and didn't want to put it down. You can jump in with this book, but the whole series is great!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
This time Mitchell needs a fake girlfriend to take home for Christmas to show he's over his ex. Clare is the perfect woman for the job even though she works for the hockey team. The two of them already have lots of chemistry and an attraction, and the forced proximity only makes their connection more evident. It was fun watching the two of them work out their real feelings while taking a relationship.
This was nicely paced and I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved this one and didn't want to put it down. You can jump in with this book, but the whole series is great!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
November 26, 2025
I am voluntarily writing this honest review after reading a #gifted ARC via Plot Twist Marketing. CHECKING IT TWICE, by Kendall Ryan, is the third book in the MUST LOVE HOCKEY trilogy. PR manager, Clare Johnson, and professional hockey player, Mitchell Drake, fake date for Christmas in Minnesota. Holiday magic and family meddling turn pretend to reality. This is a spicy, open door, first person, dual POV, holiday sports romance with tropes such as fake dating, hockey romance, workplace romance, found family, forced proximity, he falls first (and hard,) small town, slow burn, and Christmas vacation. I had a lot of fun reading this book. I laughed and cried and felt the slow burn. I really liked both Mitch and Clare, who were really great together. I adored Mitch’s family and the hockey teammates who help Mitch. The lack of communication between them that resulted in the equivalent of a third act breakup was a little frustrating, but it is also what people do when they aren’t sure of the feelings of the object of their affection. I loved the way they finally got it together in the end. I recommend this book for readers who enjoy holiday and hockey romance.
November 24, 2025
Fake-dating is one of my all-time favorite tropes, and I've really been hitting my stride with hockey romances this year, so this book was right up my alley. I read the first two books in the series and liked them. I feel this is a great edition to the series.
I enjoyed the banter between Clare and Mitchell. They were cute together and exactly what the other needed. Their interactions together around his family, his friends, and his teammates were great. She really just fit like the last missing puzzle piece into his life. He gave her the family her own didn't want to.
I absolutely adored Mitchell's family. The family Christmas traditions and the bond between them all was heart warming and perfect for the season. His neice was the star, of course.
One thing I didn't like is the story went from fake-dating to realish dating quicker than I typically like. I mean, they were getting handsy halfway into the story. The burn was not that slow here.
The narrators are Grayson Owens and Rose Diorodid. They did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author for the ALC of this book.
I enjoyed the banter between Clare and Mitchell. They were cute together and exactly what the other needed. Their interactions together around his family, his friends, and his teammates were great. She really just fit like the last missing puzzle piece into his life. He gave her the family her own didn't want to.
I absolutely adored Mitchell's family. The family Christmas traditions and the bond between them all was heart warming and perfect for the season. His neice was the star, of course.
One thing I didn't like is the story went from fake-dating to realish dating quicker than I typically like. I mean, they were getting handsy halfway into the story. The burn was not that slow here.
The narrators are Grayson Owens and Rose Diorodid. They did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and the author for the ALC of this book.
November 25, 2025
When looking for a sappy, happy, holiday story this is a perfect fit. This is a hockey romance where the hockey player falls for his office PR person. It involves fake dating, plenty of family, and a snow-covered Minnesota town. While not quite a Hallmark movie it comes close. I’m not a particular fan of the end. First off, the timelines are weird and sketchy. You get to the day after Christmas, then the events next week skip forward two months, then skip forward 18 months to a wedding, and then six months later to Christmas again when they have a six-month-old baby. But nowhere else in this weird timeline do they mention pregnancy. Plus, I really hate the fact that there are people who believe that romance needs more than just a happily ever after, it needs a wedding and a baby. Admittedly this is in there from the beginning, so you expect it but it’s so cliché and the time jump is not needed. In the beginning, it feels like a Christmas tale, but the rest of it does not, which is also a tad bit off-putting. All this was a nice story, it’s not what I’m wanting to read again.
November 19, 2025
Claire is the PR coordinator and Mitch is a star hockey player. Right away we don’t get a lot of background between the two of them, or as individuals. We know something is going on with Mitch and he’s not acting like himself, and Claire is fighting an attraction to him because she has sworn off Hockey Players.
Mitch is guilted into coming home for Christmas by his mother after a bad breakup. She tells him to bring someone home so he decides to ask Claire to be his fake girlfriend.
Holidays are not holly jolly for Claire and are pretty depressing. With nothing better to do, she agrees.
Fake-dating
Insta-love (but in denial)
Home for the Holidays
Hockey Players
Insta-love can be gross and corny, however I think this is really done well. They both had attraction to other but neither ever acknowledged or acted on it. They are with his family for about a week or less and their days are packed with family outings, activities, games, meeting friends, etc. The time line is very fast, they have known each other professionally and there is a lot of bonding time over the holidays.
I loved the voices of each actor. The excitement, adoration, breathlessness, sadness, worry, happiness, they portray it all with the influx and tone of their voices. They did great at expressing the emotions and the vibe of the story. I think they really helped it not feel like such insta-love. You can hear and feel Claire and Mitchell falling for each other.
Mitch is guilted into coming home for Christmas by his mother after a bad breakup. She tells him to bring someone home so he decides to ask Claire to be his fake girlfriend.
Holidays are not holly jolly for Claire and are pretty depressing. With nothing better to do, she agrees.
Fake-dating
Insta-love (but in denial)
Home for the Holidays
Hockey Players
Insta-love can be gross and corny, however I think this is really done well. They both had attraction to other but neither ever acknowledged or acted on it. They are with his family for about a week or less and their days are packed with family outings, activities, games, meeting friends, etc. The time line is very fast, they have known each other professionally and there is a lot of bonding time over the holidays.
I loved the voices of each actor. The excitement, adoration, breathlessness, sadness, worry, happiness, they portray it all with the influx and tone of their voices. They did great at expressing the emotions and the vibe of the story. I think they really helped it not feel like such insta-love. You can hear and feel Claire and Mitchell falling for each other.
November 22, 2025
Checking it Twice is the third hockey romance in the Must Love Hockey series. Mitchell Drake needs someone to act as his girlfriend for his family Christmas and he asks Clare, the PR person for the Dallas Stampede. Mixing work with his personal life may not have been the best move, but Clare is the perfect fake girlfriend for his trip home. Clare isn’t sure why she agreed to it, but this arrangement is giving her a glimpse into the family she always wished she had. What started as fake quickly starts to seem real, will Clare and Mitch be able to come out of this arrangement unscathed or will their feelings be too deep?
I love hockey romances and throw in a small town at Christmas and you’ve got me hooked. I was pulled into this story instantly and didn’t want to put it down. Clare and Mitch were great together and I loved how Mitch aaa such a big teddy bear with her. The small town cozy holiday vibes were on point and I love this aspect of the book. I wasn’t a big fan of the third act break up, but the ending made up for it. If you are looking for a cozy holiday read this is a good choice!
I love hockey romances and throw in a small town at Christmas and you’ve got me hooked. I was pulled into this story instantly and didn’t want to put it down. Clare and Mitch were great together and I loved how Mitch aaa such a big teddy bear with her. The small town cozy holiday vibes were on point and I love this aspect of the book. I wasn’t a big fan of the third act break up, but the ending made up for it. If you are looking for a cozy holiday read this is a good choice!
November 23, 2025
**ALC REVIEW**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan, book three in the Must Love Hockey series, is a sweet, cozy sports romance with charming small-town holiday vibes. The writing is smooth, the characters are lovable, and the ALC narration truly takes the experience to the next level.
Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens shine in the duet narration, bringing Clare and Mitchell to life with authentic emotion. They captured the tension, chemistry, and warmth of the story perfectly.
I enjoyed watching Clare and Mitchell’s fake dating slowly turn into something real. Their chemistry was off the charts, and their banter frequently had me giggling. The slow-burn dynamic worked so well, and I loved seeing their individual growth and mutual support. I also adored how warm and welcoming Mitchell’s family was.
Overall, this is a delightful listen, perfect for anyone looking for a small-town holiday romance filled with fake dating, family meddling, and plenty of heart.
Thank you to Kendall Ryan, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan, book three in the Must Love Hockey series, is a sweet, cozy sports romance with charming small-town holiday vibes. The writing is smooth, the characters are lovable, and the ALC narration truly takes the experience to the next level.
Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens shine in the duet narration, bringing Clare and Mitchell to life with authentic emotion. They captured the tension, chemistry, and warmth of the story perfectly.
I enjoyed watching Clare and Mitchell’s fake dating slowly turn into something real. Their chemistry was off the charts, and their banter frequently had me giggling. The slow-burn dynamic worked so well, and I loved seeing their individual growth and mutual support. I also adored how warm and welcoming Mitchell’s family was.
Overall, this is a delightful listen, perfect for anyone looking for a small-town holiday romance filled with fake dating, family meddling, and plenty of heart.
Thank you to Kendall Ryan, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
November 25, 2025
Can Mitchell's family adopt me?
Thank you NetGalley, Kendall Ryan, and Dreamscape Media for this ALC!
Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan is the third installment in the Must Love Hockey series. **You do not need to read books 1 and 2 to fall in love with this holiday romance. Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens bring Clare and Mitchell to life in a way that makes you feel like you're part of their story. I love a dual narrator audiobook, and this one does not disappoint.
Checking It Twice checks off all your favorite tropes: holidays, small town, fake dating, one bed, banter, open communication (rare in most books!), and a not -so- slow burn. It has the excitement of “come home with me for the holidays,” and while you probably already know where this is headed, you’ll still be kicking your feet waiting for the HEA.
Thank you NetGalley, Kendall Ryan, and Dreamscape Media for this ALC!
Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan is the third installment in the Must Love Hockey series. **You do not need to read books 1 and 2 to fall in love with this holiday romance. Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens bring Clare and Mitchell to life in a way that makes you feel like you're part of their story. I love a dual narrator audiobook, and this one does not disappoint.
Checking It Twice checks off all your favorite tropes: holidays, small town, fake dating, one bed, banter, open communication (rare in most books!), and a not -so- slow burn. It has the excitement of “come home with me for the holidays,” and while you probably already know where this is headed, you’ll still be kicking your feet waiting for the HEA.
November 26, 2025
I didn't anticipate the fun I'd have reading Clare's book. She's the PR person for the hockey club. Her job says nothing about getting involved with a hockey player. What happens when she's asked to pose as one of the player’s girlfriends for a week, and when he has to go back home? Mitchell is a hoot. His family wants him to get back in the saddle, so to speak. He's had six months since his engagement ended, and now he has to go back home, so he invites Clare to come with him. I love Clare. What happens when Clare and Mitchell's lives mesh a little too well? How long does it really take for people in general to have a fake relationship feel all too real? This is the third book in the Must Love Hockey series. I'm sad that it's over. Hopefully, more books will be coming.
November 27, 2025
This book was so sweet and swoony! I love a good, fake relationship! Clare and Mitchell aren’t strangers but they also don’t know each other super well. Mitch doesn’t feel like dealing with his family’s questions so insert Clare. Soon these two are learning about one another and liking what they see. But it’s only supposed to be temporary, right?!
I enjoyed the banter between Clare and Mitch. There was an ease to them and their relationship felt believable. They were good for each other and I couldn’t read this book fast enough! This was a fun holiday read and can’t recommend enough! Grab your copy!
I enjoyed the banter between Clare and Mitch. There was an ease to them and their relationship felt believable. They were good for each other and I couldn’t read this book fast enough! This was a fun holiday read and can’t recommend enough! Grab your copy!
November 29, 2025
This one was cute, I liked the couple and how the romance proceeded. The only problem I had with it was how the city they went to in MN was described. Maple Grove is a suburb of the Twin Cities, the metro one big 7 country sprawl. And Maple Grove seems to have every chain restaurant and retail store known to man. So very much not small town Hallmark movie vibes, which was brought up multiple times in the story.
November 20, 2025
This is a cozy, flirty holiday romance that gave me exactly what I wanted from a festive read. Holly coming home for Christmas and unexpectedly hosting Declan the sweet, charming hockey player was such a fun setup. Their chemistry felt natural, the banter was cute, and the story had just the right balance of warmth and spice.
November 28, 2025
Checking it Twice is book 3 of Kendall Ryan’s Must Love Hockey series. Each one of the books in this series is a brand new story with another member of the team. Mitch and Clare have both been burned badly but choose to let their guard down, verrryyyy slowly. Quiet. I’m hunting rabbit! It’s the dream family that Clare always wanted but she is still afraid to trust…. Have you ever had someone just “get” you? Notice the small things? Sigh. Another 5 star read by Kendall Ryan!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2025
Friends, I've found you a lovely, swoony, holiday romance that will warm you up better than a cup of hot cocoa. It's Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan.
Clare works in PR for a hockey team in Dallas, and she's really good at setting boundaries with those wild boys with her wit and sharp tongue. But as the holidays near, and Clare will be alone, again, it makes her a little reckless.
Mitchell Drake is heartbroken. Or at least, everyone thinks he is including his immediate family and his entire home town in Minnesota. He can't seem to make them understand that he's better off, so he comes up with an unconventional plan, but he can't do it alone.
Clare would never do something so reckless and deceitful as fake date someone...except when she's at an emotional rock bottom. But it's okay, because even though he's the hottest player on the team, they both understand what this is: temporary. Not real.
If you have ever like the fake dating trope or are a fan of sports romance, this is an automatic win for you. Kendall Ryan has mastered sizzling chemistry, and the character backstory work done here to make these two lovebirds into soulmates is phenomenal.
There was only one thing that kind of nagged at me and that was in the beginning chapters they all kind of ended the exact same way, restating the character's weakening fortifications. Some of them felt pretty identical, and though it's a satisfying way to end a chapter, so many in a row that were almost verbatim stood out to me.
Kendall Ryan is a master of her craft, and I can't wait to read more of her work!
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
For more reviews like this one, visit my blog thelitertarian.com.
Clare works in PR for a hockey team in Dallas, and she's really good at setting boundaries with those wild boys with her wit and sharp tongue. But as the holidays near, and Clare will be alone, again, it makes her a little reckless.
Mitchell Drake is heartbroken. Or at least, everyone thinks he is including his immediate family and his entire home town in Minnesota. He can't seem to make them understand that he's better off, so he comes up with an unconventional plan, but he can't do it alone.
Clare would never do something so reckless and deceitful as fake date someone...except when she's at an emotional rock bottom. But it's okay, because even though he's the hottest player on the team, they both understand what this is: temporary. Not real.
If you have ever like the fake dating trope or are a fan of sports romance, this is an automatic win for you. Kendall Ryan has mastered sizzling chemistry, and the character backstory work done here to make these two lovebirds into soulmates is phenomenal.
There was only one thing that kind of nagged at me and that was in the beginning chapters they all kind of ended the exact same way, restating the character's weakening fortifications. Some of them felt pretty identical, and though it's a satisfying way to end a chapter, so many in a row that were almost verbatim stood out to me.
Kendall Ryan is a master of her craft, and I can't wait to read more of her work!
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
For more reviews like this one, visit my blog thelitertarian.com.
November 26, 2025
Always a fan of a hockey romance, this book did not disappoint.
Mitchell doesn’t want to deal with his family pressuring him to move on after his big break up, so he asks Clare (who does PR for the team, and he knows from book club) to go home with him to pretend to be his new girlfriend.
This story had a slow build up between the characters which made the reader get more and more tangled up in the pages. Towards the end of the story I found myself slowing down the playback speed to immerse myself in the drama between Clare and Mitchell when he is talking to his buddies about his plans for the summer off season. Total “Oh WOW!” moment!
Mitchell doesn’t want to deal with his family pressuring him to move on after his big break up, so he asks Clare (who does PR for the team, and he knows from book club) to go home with him to pretend to be his new girlfriend.
This story had a slow build up between the characters which made the reader get more and more tangled up in the pages. Towards the end of the story I found myself slowing down the playback speed to immerse myself in the drama between Clare and Mitchell when he is talking to his buddies about his plans for the summer off season. Total “Oh WOW!” moment!
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