Merry Checkmas

by Aurora Steinhart

Book 3 of The Lady and The Stag

Where we continue to follow Gunnar and Tiana as they work out life with one another.

428 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2025

About the author

Growing up in Alaska, Aurora indulged in a variety of outdoor past times. Canoeing on lakes, snowmachining in her backyard, mountain biking through the wilderness and trails around Anchorage.
She grew up as an Air Force daughter and had an affinity for books at a relatively early age. Being enthralled by history and ancient egypt. She was a proficient reader and writer all throughout school.
With her interest growing in the works of macabre and dark poetry, like that from Edgar Allen Poe.
Over time, she wrote poems. Read to her hearts content.
For a long while, she slipped into a reading hiatus. Still continuing to collect books and frequent her local Barnes and Noble.
It wasn't until right before her husband deployed in 2023 that she fell back in love with reading like a star falling from the cosmos.
Collecting more history books in a 4 month period than one should be allowed to.
In the beginning of 2024, she started reading romance after being introduced to Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses.
She had never been one for romances. But she fell in love with them. Reading over 36 romance novels in the span of 3 months.
One fateful day in June 2024, a friend of hers came to her asking for help on a story he was writing. Asking for help with a conflict.
The more her mind worked, the more her own story idea started to take place within her.
Before she knew it, Elevated Ambitions was born. And she set out on her biggest journey yet.

Reviews

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all already know I love Gunnar and Tiana, but this book made me love them so much more.

If you’ve read Checked and Balanced, then you know that our FMC, Tiana, has autism. She responds and acts differently. Gunnar is SO patient and SO kind with my girl. Not once has he gotten overly frustrated with her, he always stops and tries to understand her. Watching them learn to navigate life with one another was so wholesome. I loved this story so much because it was so relatable at times. The overthinking, the small frustrations, the insecurities, etc. This book doesn’t have a miscommunication trope, but it definitely shows the realistic issues between a couple that is trying their best to be better for the other person.

The way Aurora wrote these characters and crafted their story was everything. I also love the bits and pieces of Charlotte and Adrian we get. Tucker and Waffle were adorable, as always.

[⋅˚₊‧ ana⋅˚₊‧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

♡“𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎. 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎’𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒’𝚍 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚘𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜, 𝚜𝚞𝚐𝚊𝚛.”♡

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡𝓂ℯ𝓇𝓇𝓎 𝒸𝒽ℯ𝒸𝓀𝓂𝒶𝓈 𝒷ℴℴ𝓀 𝓇ℯ𝓋𝒾ℯ𝓌𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡

i am always so thankful to aurora for sending me copies of her book babies, i eat it up everytime.

LISTEN TO MEEEE. if you havn’t read checked and balanced yet, tf are you doing ??? merry checkmas dives back into tiana and gunnar’s relationship, and i missed them so much.

everything about their story specifically in this book, was so wholesome, cutie, and emotional for me. we dive deeper into their minds and relationship and i was sobbing. i love them sm.

now listen , the spice ??? hot. like my kindle caught on fire , HOT. she never fails to amaze me with her smut writing skills , SO GOODDD.

now , do yourself a favor and read checked and balanced, and check or treat before you dive into this one.

andddd she also has a dark romantasy out called Hunted by Fate , and a contemporary billionaire romance , Elevated Ambitions ✨

GO GO GO 🗣️🗣️🗣️

rating: 5 ⭐️
spice: 3.5 🌶️

tropes:
♡ open door spice
♡ black cat x golden retriever
♡ br33ding kink
♡ hockey rookie x coach’s daughter
♡ established relationship
♡ multi-racial couple
♡ autism rep
read trigger warnings

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart melting holiday hat trick for Gunnar and Tiana’s swoonworthy saga 😊

Oh, Aurora Steinhart, you absolute wizard of warm fuzzies and steamy rink side tension. Merry Checkmas is the cherry on top of this hockey romance sundae, and if you haven’t devoured Books 1 and 2 (Checked and Balanced and Check or Treat), drop everything and start there. This third installment in The Lady and The Stag series is a festive fever dream of unconditional love, self love anthems, and enough goofy Gunnar antics to make you snort/laugh into your hot cocoa.

Tiana’s journey from guarded single gal to fully bloomed badass continues here, and it’s chef’s kiss perfection.
After the emotional rollercoaster of the first two books, where we watched her crack open her heart for her dad’s rookie teammate, the golden retriever that is Gunnar Hayze, this Christmas special feels like coming home to a crackling fire and a man who’s wrapped up in nothing but a Santa hat (that’s not entirely metaphorical 😉).

And Gunnar? Sweet hockey pucks, this man is the MVP of cinnamon roll heroes with a side of sin.
His world does revolve around Tiana, but in the best, most non stalker-y way, think surprise ice sculptures in the shape of her favorite animal, whispered pep talks during her low moments, and yes, some very creative uses of holiday decor that had me fanning myself in a room full of tinsel. 😝
His antics are totally Gunnar, goofy, heartfelt, and just the right amount of chaotic (who knew body checking a Christmas tree could be so romantic?).

Their banter crackles like fresh ice, and the heat? It’s a full contact check into the boards intense, playful, and leaving you breathless. 🥵

At novella length, it flies by faster than ai liked (these stories always make me wish for more.

If you’re craving a holiday read that’s equal parts laugh out loud joy and swoony devotion, Merry Checkmas is your penalty shot winner.

🦋

[A Buckles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora Steinhart owns my entire heart at this point. Every book she writes hits differently, but Merry Checkmas honestly felt like holding a mirror up to parts of myself I don't always talk about.

Tiana "works differently," and the way her thoughts, reactions, and fears were written? I understood them immediately. Not just in a “oh that makes sense for the character” way, but in a “wow… okay, that's familiar” way. Watching her navigate those blocks and finally get the reassurance, safety, and patience she needed was emotional in the best way. Aurora handled it with so much gentleness.

And Gunnar. My Sweet Gunnar.
He gets it right every single time! In his words, in his actions, in how he holds space for Tiana, even in the moments where he doesn't get it perfect on the first try. He tries. He learns. He adjusts. And that made their relationship feel so grounded and real.
Their emotional connection is beautiful, their vulnerabilities feel honest, and yes… the spice ABSOLUTELY delivers. Even if you can't personally relate to their internal struggles, the... *chemistry* alone will carry you through with zero complaints!

And because I have to highlight one of my favorite lines:
"You are more than enough for me, every single day. You will always be enough for me, Tiana Dawn. You always have been."
Tell me that didn't just melt your entire chest.

This book felt... special, personal. I laughed, I nodded along a little too hard, I had a few "oh no, is she talking about me?" moments, and I loved every page. I cannot wait to see what's next for the Hayzes (even if it'll be a while)!

[T || · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Merry Checkmas.

I adore this series so much. (So much so I own them all so far in physical copies also)

Tianna was WAY more relatable to me within this particular book with how she emotionally and mentally struggled with regards to trying to have their baby. It emotionally killed me and destroyed me, as it was like reading in a mirror. Everything she felt, I feel, it is all so valid and heart breaking.

I just love the relationship between Tianna & Gunnar, I loved how this book showed their personal strengths and weaknesses but also that of them as a couple too. They really are so dependant on each other that being apart is mental torment and hell.

I also really enjoyed seeing more of Charlotte in this one with her being Tiannas twin! It was really enjoyable. And the fact that its based around their first Christmas together. I just loved it.

"P in V. You and Me" killed me off - its such a Gunnar thing to say. I loved it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

These books just make me sound warm and fuzzy! Everything they do, is for each other. 😭❤️ and the love they all have as a family - aswell as the banter ❤️❤️

The spice is OFF THE CHAIN - so much more spice than the last 2 and im SO here for it!!!! Also, everyone needs a Gunnar 😬🥵🥵 "nah ah ah, eyes open, sugar. You’re going to look me in the eyes when I fuck the soul from you" 🫡 YES SIR! HAAAA.. Offfty

This ending was like EVERYTHING OMGGG 😭❤️
Aurora you are an AMAZING writer.

#merrycheckmas #aurorasteinhart #theladyandthestag #bookseries #book3 #christmasthemed #indieauthor #recommendedseries #arcread #recommendedread

[Stephie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a sweet holiday read, you've found it! Thank you to Aurora for gifting me this ARC, I loved it so much. Merry Checkmas continues with Gunnar and Tiana as they navigate their relationship and fertility woes during the (American) Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

Once again, these two characters are totally realistic and relatable. You can feel the love and respect that they have for each other and the deep sadness Tiana feels every time she realizes she's not pregnant. I enjoyed seeing more of Charlotte and Banks, I can't wait to see what the future has for them. Also Gunnar's brothers seem wild and I hope we see more of them. The ending had me sobbing, I was so happy.

My only issue, as a Canadian who loves hockey, why did a team from Seattle go to Toronto to play Edmonton? Edmonton is closer to Seattle geographically, and our barn is wayyyy better than Toronto's. Gunnar was right though, Timmies in the morning slaps.

I just love Gunnar and Tiana. They give me all the feels. I can't wait to read the next one! Did anyone catch the Warhammer reference?? I loved it!

4 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 spicy peppers
Memorable line: “I smile at that, at him. At the brightness in the trees, and at the brightness in the future that lies ahead.”
Read this if you like: Hockey romance, breeding, pregnancy, golden retriever MC, black cat FMC, HEA
F*ck appears: 532 times
Spicy chapters: ch. 2, ch. 5, ch. 7, ch. 13, ch. 18, ch. 19, ch. 21, ch. 24, ch. 27, ch. 29, ch. 34, ch. 38

[scribsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Tiana and Gunnar continue in their relationship their love for one another also continues to grow. And as they look toward expanding their family, things don’t always go as planned but luckily, they have supportive family and friends with them every step of the way. I have a newfound appreciation for Aurora Steinhart and all that she’s given to this series. The level of nuance that she writes into each of the characters, especially Tiana, is amazing and it really pulls the story together. A very special shoutout goes to the characters of Adrian Banks and Charlotte Dawn because they keep Tiana and Gunnar going. The two of them provide both stability and comedic relief that brings another layer to the already unexpected that the two main characters are going through. And at a time of year when things are already feeling uncertain and overwhelming, Adrian and Charlotte’s voices provide just what is needed.

I really enjoyed the continuation of Tiana and Gunnar’s story. As I mentioned before, the holidays tend to be an overwhelming (for me) time of year so to have this and feel how Tiana is feeling (to an extent) is a relief? If you have been following along in the series, you’re not going to want to miss this one. Thank you so much to Aurora Steinhart for the gifted ARC and I look forward to more adventures with you!

[Miss Francess Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series and I absolutely love this couple

Tianna is complicated to explain she is nerodiverse so she likes things done a specific way when her routine is thrown off she can get in her head and panic which is so realistic because that's what we can all do and I love that so much

Gunnar is still learning how to help Tianna know how much he loves her cares for her and worries about her, he is such an amazing guy he is still trying to make everything better for her

at it's core this is a love story of opposites attracting they have found away to blend their lives together to make one happy beautiful life where they are each other's everything through the ups and downs they always find away to pull closer together,

I love these two characters and there story I can't wait for the next book 😍

[Reading.With.Flo📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review ✨

What. A. Ride. Aurora once again delivers a breathtaking story that had me hooked from start to finish. Tiana and Gunnar’s journey is equal parts tender, fiery, and unforgettable.

🔥 The spice? On point—intense, delicious, and exactly what we’ve come to expect.
💖 Gunnar? A marshmallow wrapped in sin. He’s got the dirty mouth, the big energy, and the soft heart that makes you fall head over heels.
🌹 The way he cares for Tiana, showing up when she needs him most, melted me completely.
🎬 And that ending… pure perfection. If we could see Gunnar in that moment, I swear he’d have cartoon heart‑eyes exploding out of his head.

Aurora never disappoints, and this book proves it yet again. Tiana and Gunnar are the kind of couple you root for with your whole heart—and the kind you’ll never forget.

🌟 Huge thank you to Aurora Steinhart for the ARC! 🌟

[Abbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Four Racoons in a Trenchcoat have done it again!

Tianna and Gunnar are my favourite couple.

This was amazing throughout.
As always Gunnars love for Ti is just *chefs kiss* and Tianna learning to use her voice for Gunnar was just the sweetest way he accepts her differences.

Cannot wait for Aurora to be let out of her cage and finish their story, but for now I will dream of all the amazing Daddy Gunnar quotes to come.

Thank you Aurora Steinhart

[Kimberley_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunnar “f***ing” Hayze

Aurora Steinhart has done it again! I LOVE Gunnar and Tiana, I have been obsessed with them since Checked and Balanced and I will read every single book ever written in this series.
The story is always beautifully written and the spice is ALWAYS spicing!
I can’t wait to see what happens next with them.

[Erica Egel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️ was so here for the vibes! A perfect holiday read for Christmas time with a splash of hockey. This book picked up right after Check or Treat which I appreciate and it just really developed into a deeper take on Tiana and Gunnar’s relationship. I loved it and it definitely had lots of heat. I missed these characters 🫶#noshavenovember

[Donna M Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. have loved all of the books in the series, but this one is festive aswell. just the best. i literally cant tell you how mich i love this series. this author has fast become one of my favourite authors 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🔥🥵

[Ashlyn Juillerat · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love them i want to cry hello i don’t normally fw a pregnancy trope but this was appropriate and appreciated

[Jordan C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Aurora for the ARC of Merry Checkmas!!

Tiana, my love. I see so much of myself in the way Tiana thinks and acts. The way Gunnar cares for her. It’s too good. I love them!!

[Sage Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora knew she had my heart with her writing but this just sealed the damn deal 🎄❤️✨

[Simplymetaramarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your typical hockey romance and these are not your typical MCs. I love this 3rd installment of their journey. Gunnar continues to learn who Tiana is, sees her, and loves her. While Tiana continues to work on replacing her past experiences with what Gunnar not only tells her, but shows her about her self worth and lovability. I love when he reflects on loving her because of her differences. Everyone deserves a Gunnar in their lives who loves and excepts them for all their Tiananess and because of it.