Checking Her Twice

by L.J. Grey

He broke her heart and ghosted her. Now she's his only way back to the ice.

Nate Winters doesn't do feelings. He does hockey. But when a career-ending hit sends him back to his hometown to rehab during the holidays, the physical therapist holding his future in her hands is the one woman he's spent five years trying to forget.

Emma Sullivan loved their one perfect night together. What she didn't love? Waking up alone. Five years later, she's rebuilt her life and moved back to the town he couldn't leave fast enough. Now, just in time for the holidays, her high-profile VIP client turns out to be him—her older brother's ex-best friend and the man who shattered her heart.

With three PT sessions a week, there's no escaping each other, and the holiday season becomes a minefield. Her hands on his body during therapy. Him helping hang holiday lights at the community center. Watching him help wobbly kids at youth hockey camp with endless patience. The twinkling lights and pine garland are conspiring against her, making those carefully rebuilt walls start to crack.

Somewhere between PT sessions and holiday festival prep, Emma realizes the truth: Nate Winters is making her believe that maybe—just maybe—some people are worth the risk. Especially the second time around.

A steamy small-town hockey romance with second chances, forced proximity, brother's best friend angst, and enough holiday magic to melt the ice—on and off the rink.

Unknown Binding

Published December 26, 2025

Reviews

[Virginia Danyow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and Nate have known each other for their entire lives. He was her brother's best friend and hockey teammate. Now both men play for different professional teams, but they haven't been close over the last five years. That's because five years ago Emma and Nate shared a night together and then Nate panicked and ran, leaving her heartbroken.

Fast forward five years, Emma is a physical therapist specializing in sports injury rehabilitation. Nate has returned to their hometown, after an injury, to rehab. As luck.would have it, Emma is his therapist. The two share a few awkward sessions, fighting the past, unresolved anger, and their feelings for each other. Can these two rekindle their relationship and find happiness?

Grey writes a tender story with a nice balance of heat and heart. They way the relationship unfolds between Emma and Nate was fun to read.

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

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ardent story had me connecting with Nate and Emma. He is best friends with her brother and had an intimate connection with her but fled instead of facing the feelings that were growing between them. Now he is back in town after a knee injury, and she is the physical therapist that has his career in her hands. The look of cold indifference does not set well with Nate but will close proximity loosen the walls around Emma's heart for a second chance.

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

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of the Pine Hollow Hearts Series. The rehabbing hockey player, her brother's best friend and her one night lover. Now, she is his physical therapist.

The plot was well written and paced . World building was well developed and solidly drawn. The characters were very appealing and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Book 1 in the Pine Hollow Hearts Series by this author. It is an off limits, second chance workplace romance between physical therapist Emma and her brother's best friend Nate, who had a one night stand five years ago. These flawed but likeable characters and the unique plot make for an entertaining read. Once they reconnect, it is a bumpy ride with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, forgiveness and redemption, twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters. An emotional read.

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

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is recovering from a potential career ending knee injury. She is is physical therapist….the problem?? They had one glorious night together 5 years ago and he ran away with no explanation. Will she give him another chance? Will he continue to make the same mistakes choosing hockey over everything else? This was such an emotionally charged romance with just the right amount of humor and steam. Loved it. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was just three chapters into this romance book and I was smiling, swooning and knew I was going to be finishing this book before I went to bed and I did just that. Emma and Nate are not just good they are terrific characters in a terrific storyline that sticks with you after you hit the HEA ending like gum on the bottom of your shoe.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Healing

Emma and Nate must put their past aside in order to work together on his physical recovery. Their reunion while surprising reignited their chemistry and feelings for one another. It was a complicated journey towards their happy ending but very much worth the read.

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

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma and Nate had a night together five years ago, something neither has been able to completely get over. Now they are stuck back together with her as his PT, they are forced to face their feelings and find common ground. A steamy second chance romance with best friends and family too.

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

[Teresa R · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Perfect Night
That’s what Emma and Nate had, one perfect night, and then he ran. He ran because he felt too much but never told her. Now they’re thrown back together. Will history repeat itself or will they finally have their happily ever after?!

[Kathy Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow! What an emotional roller coaster ride! L. J. Grey has crafted another beautiful romance! S-C-O-R-E!! I literally couldn’t put it down - found myself reading in the wee hours of the morning! Powerful characters and an intriguing storyline! Highly recommended!

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

He ghosted her 5 years ago. Now he is back and lands directly on her schedule at Pine Hollow Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy. Injured hockey player back to his home town for recovery. It sounds like a terrible plan for Emma. Will Nate break her heart one more time?
Emotional hockey romance, their second chance on love. Wonderful characters and good story.

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

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow burn second chance hockey holiday romance. Nate is the typical hockey bro who is afraid of commitment and what comes after hockey. Unfortunately Emma ends up enjoying his company and he vanishes. Their second chance involves lots of groveling and awkward conversations as well as a lot of forgiveness on Emma’s part. Not going to lie…I wouldn’t have been so forgiving and likely would have sent him packing both personally and professionally but it is a cute romance with tension and forgiveness that highlights how the holidays bring people together.