Checking Her Out

by Kristen Pastrano

Tessa Lane prefers books to people—especially loud, cocky hockey players who think the world revolves around them. So when she’s assigned to tutor Liam Hayes, the university’s star forward and certified trouble magnet, she expects a headache… not a full-on emotional crisis.

Liam needs her help to stay eligible. Tessa needs the money.
Neither needs the sparks that ignite the moment they meet.

What begins as snark, banter, and strictly professional study sessions turns into slow-burn tension neither can ignore. Beneath Liam’s swagger, Tessa finds a boy carrying more than he admits. Beneath her walls, he finds the one person who sees him—really sees him.

But when a dangerous secret from Liam’s past comes to light, their fragile trust shatters, threatening his career, her heart, and everything they’ve built.

To win her back, Liam will have to fight harder than he ever has on the ice… and prove that love means choosing growth, honesty, and each other—even when it hurts.

A steamy, enemies-to-lovers college hockey romance about messy hearts, impossible chemistry, and the kind of love worth fighting for.

Genres: Amazon, Sports

433 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2025

About the author

Kristen Pastrano is a romance author, mom of two under two, and a caffeine-powered human attempting to balance real life with fictional hockey players who refuse to stay quiet. She writes stories about messy love, real people, and second chances—with plenty of spice and even more heart.

Her books feature curvy heroines, morally gray men who fall hard, and enough banter to make you sigh. When she’s not writing, she’s wrangling kids, mixing protein coffee, or avoiding laundry by plotting her next book.

Join her ARC team or follow along as she builds the Hearts on Ice universe—one swoony disaster man at a time.

Reviews

[Kristan Campos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED this book! Tessa and Liam were perfect for each other! Liam Hayes is a jock with secrets and Tessa is an English major with more love for books than men. Until she has to tutor Hayes. Their playful enemy banter turns into something hotter and more dangerous. Tessa doesn’t want to fall but she can’t seem to stay away from him. Liam wants Tessa so much and he won’t give up until he has her. But will kept secrets tear them a part or will their love overcome the flames 🔥

[Randomskylife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tessa is a bookworm in a sea of hockey players. Liam is the captain of the hockey team struggling to keep his grades up. Between the two is heartbreak, secrets, and sparks. Will they be able to survive each other?

I enjoyed the story and it was a fun, quick read. It was an opposites attract romance, which I enjoy.
Tessa and Liam are well rounded characters- they have trauma, secrets, and some shades sides too. They are cute together- go read their story!

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

💖 Blurb-
Tessa Lane prefers books to people—especially loud, cocky hockey players who think the world revolves around them. So when she’s assigned to tutor Liam Hayes, the university’s star forward and certified trouble magnet, she expects a headache… not a full-on emotional crisis.
Liam needs her help to stay eligible. Tessa needs the money.
Neither needs the sparks that ignite the moment they meet.
What begins as snark, banter, and strictly professional study sessions turns into slow-burn tension neither can ignore. Beneath Liam’s swagger, Tessa finds a boy carrying more than he admits. Beneath her walls, he finds the one person who sees him—really sees him.
But when a dangerous secret from Liam’s past comes to light, their fragile trust shatters, threatening his career, her heart, and everything they’ve built.
To win her back, Liam will have to fight harder than he ever has on the ice… and prove that love means choosing growth, honesty, and each other—even when it hurts.
💛 Review -
I have been enjoying all the Hockey romance novels that are around at the moment and Checking Her Out certainly didn't disappoint. From the very first page the author's writing had me hooked and I kept reading until the end. I enjoyed the story, which was cute and easy to follow and I loved Tessa and Liam's chemistry and I wanted them to have their happy ending. Overall, a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers.
💜 Thank you to the author, Kristen Pastrano for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how the author brought both the FMC and MMC to life. They are well developed, and the author takes the time to show their layers, flaws, and the reasons behind their guarded and distinct personalities. Even though they begin on a shaky ground, their dynamic grows naturally as their backgrounds and vulnerabilities come to light. Watching them work through their issues together made their relationship feel genuine and well earned. I also appreciate the supportive friends who added warmth and balance to the story. The pacing and emotional beats work well throughout the book. I really enjoyed this one. Grateful for the gifted ARC.

[Emily Fellstar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading Tessa and Liam's story. I was immediately invested in the two of them, but was not prepared for the wild ride they took me on. Checking Her Out is not your typical sports romance. It hooks you in deep, and doesn't let go. If you're looking for a book that runs deep emotionally, this is it.

[Monika Wiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The characters, the story, the whole thing. It kept me wanting more of each character.
Tessa put her faith in a broken hockey player and even though her faith was tested in the end they ended up being a beautiful love story.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

obsessed.

I seriously ate this up!!! I finished the available in the series in less than 24 hours. I instantly connected with the characters and just continued to love them. Liam may be one of my favorite mmc ever.

[Nine Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tessa is my kind of heroine. She’s witty, doesn’t give a flying eff for fame and popularity and it pierces the inflated ego of our hero. However she’s not so smart if it comes to interactions with her father’s new family and it rubbed me the wrong way.