Christmas Challenge with My Pucking Ex: A Steamy Forced Proximity, Small Town Second Chance Billionaire Holiday Romance • Standalone Book 4 of the #SaveChristmas Collection

by Kelsey J. Fox

He was my brother’s best friend. A six-foot-three hockey player with steel-blue eyes.
Logan Brooks, the boy who kissed me under rink lights and
Broke my heart the night his NHL career went up in flames.

Ten years later, I’m back in the small town I swore I’d never see again.
Pretending he was only a footnote in my medical school journey.
Heart guarded. Plans temporary.
But the storm of the century has other plans.

My hospital’s flooding. His arena’s in ruins.
And one grant can save either… not both.
The board makes us work together.
Smile for the cameras, sell the perfect #SaveChristmas miracle.

Then his eyes find mine through the storm, and I remember what it feels like to be wanted.
His touch makes me forget why I swore I’d never forgive him.

He wants redemption. I want to remember how to breathe.
And at the Charity Game, when the world’s watching… one of us will fall.
Or maybe we both do.
This story contains explicit content and is intended for readers 18 and older.

Standalone Book 4 of the #SaveChristmas Collection - One spark lit the fire. A single good deed shared online.

Genres: Christmas

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2025

Reviews

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

#SaveChristmas
I really enjoyed this romance set at Christmastime featuring Logan and Hailey.
Hailey is called back home to help with the disaster that has hit the town.
Her skills as a doctor are required though coming back after a decade of being away could destroy her heart.
The man she left behind, ex NHL hockey player Logan appears everywhere she seems to go and when they are forced together to work on a grant for the damaged hospital and hockey arena sparks fly between them.
This is a story of overcoming their past to build a brighter future for the town and possibly heal their fractured relationship along the way.
An enjoyable storyline which held my attention throughout with plenty of banter, fun and a couple of steamy scenes.

[Laura Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting a short story without much depth but boy was I wrong. This was a short story at 286 pages but it was deep and complex and funny and heart breaking. I’ve never read anything by this author before and Kelsey, ma’am, I’m a fan! Thank you!

This is the story of a young couple who was destined to be together but had to grow through the hard times, in their case a decade.

Hailey was a med student the last time she was in Evergreen Harbor. Young and in love until love wasn’t enough and she walked away. Boston became her refuge and that is where she thrived and became the doctor she is today. However a crisis in Evergreen has her back in town and facing the love she lost. Now she has to decide to steer clear and protect her heart from the only man that ever held it or give into what her body knows it wants but her head is fighting to stay away from.

Logan had a moment of destructiveness that caused the end of his NHL career. He pushed everyone away and eventually rebuilt himself and a new path forward. When Hailey comes back to town he doesn’t know what to do with the feelings that he thought he buried under her decade long absence.

These two had such amazing chemistry. I loved their fight and independence but also the want to be there for each other.

What really did it for me was the epilogue and bonus epilogue. I love how beautifully Kelsey ended this story.

While this is could be deemed a hockey romance there was no actually hockey played.

I would love to continue this series with Ethan’s and Kelly’s story!.

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

[Kerri Wells Goetzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had all the makings of a fun, cozy holiday romance. It's got second chances, small-town charm, and a hockey player with a broken past. The writing itself was solid and easy to read, and I really liked the emotional tension between Logan and Hailey. The chemistry was definitely there, and the holiday setting gave the story a warm feel.

The plot, however, didn’t totally work for me. There were too many confusing or inconsistent parts that pulled me out of the story. Hailey comes back to town to help after a disaster, but everyone treats her poorly even though she’s doing them a favor. The whole “competition for the grant” setup didn’t make sense. First the board begs her to join, then they force her and Logan to work together for a joint grant proposal, then they get mad when the two reconnect? Then they get in trouble for actually working together and not competing? I'm so confused. It felt like the story couldn’t decide what direction it wanted to go.

I also wish there had been more explanation about their breakup ten years ago and how Logan’s injury actually happened. Those missing details made it hard to fully understand their past or root for their reunion.

It’s a well written book with good potential, but the confusing plot twists and lack of clarity made it hard for me to stay invested. It’s not bad; it's just not as strong as it could’ve been.

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

[Cynthia C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audible and really did not like that it was virtually narrated. It was slightly better than some virtual narrations because it had a male and female voice, which helped the whole thing not sound like one mechanical jumble. The spicy scenes sounded absolutely ridiculous being read virtually. Story was about Logan Brooks and Dr Hailey Reed. Formerly dating but separated 10 years ago by his stupidity and bull-headedness. This story takes place once he has matured. The story circles around a challenge to get funding for a hospital and hockey arena that were both damaged by a winter storm. The story was pretty good, but did drag out at certain areas. I couldn’t tell if the spicy parts were good or not since it very much sounded like a conversation with Siri or Alexa…

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating story of finding the second chance you weren't even looking for. Logan and Hailey are reconnected during this weather crisis turned contest. Hurt, disappointment and regret are present but must be managed given the issues they are facing. The plotline is their journey from reconnecting to problem solving to collaboration, and their emotional discoveries along the way. While the writing was smooth and the story flowed easily, a few times I wondered about the motives/thoughts behind the townsfolk actions. Regardless, it was nice to read a romance with a splod plotline in addition to the romantic one. An enjoyable holiday read overall.

I was gifted a copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance romances can be a hit or miss with me. Mostly because the reason they broke up is dumb or a misunderstanding. Not the case with Logan and Hailey. The reasons were valid on both sides. While they were immature, it worked out best for them both to go their separate ways. The way they got back together is perfect! There really isnt any other way to describe it. They both chose different paths but grew during that time. Its why they were able to rekindle their relationship and talk things out. Usually with second chances, one is always more mature and does all the work. In this case, they both put in the work.

[Kimmy Patrizi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas Challenge with my Pucking Ex by Kelsey J. Fox. Hailey and Logan were each other’s everything, until they weren’t after Logan was in a fight during a hockey game. Now ten years later, due to a catastrophic snowstorm in their home town, Hailey has returned to help out the flooding pediatric wing of the hospital and Logan is dealing with a collapsing arena. Both have been asked to work on a grant to raise funds for repairs. But which is more important, the hospital or the arena? Both have community
I highly recommend this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell hard and fast reading this romance book about Logan and Hailey. I found myself reading this book very quickly not only because it is very well written, but the HOT storyline is like a magnetic and it had me hooked on how the book would end. This is going to be a best seller for Kelsey because she has a GOLD star winner of a read.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailey and Logan have history that everyone seems to know and remember. Thrown back together when she returns home, they are forced to work together for the #SaveChristmas challenge for their town. A steamy second chance romance.

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

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Past History

Hailey and Logan have to work together despite their history and past feelings are complicated. Add in a little banter and this story had moments that were quite enjoyable to read. It was entertaining and delightful.

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

[Jackie Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chances are always hard. Reading through Logan and Hailey’s love that turned to heartbreak was emotional. Then to watch them overcome their past to help save their town was so touching but is always a struggle. The author captured everything beautifully and drew you in from start to finish.

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

[Michaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good second chance holiday story.

[Michelle Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute love story of Hailey & Logan! Enjoyed it!