Checked Impressions

Original Six Hockey #3

by Carolyn Miller

Sparks fly when a hometown hockey hero meets a classy art-loving museum guide hiding a secret...
Jai Mullins is used to being the fastest man on ice. Trouble is, his ability to find a genuine woman is tracking at glacial melt levels. He’s trusting God she’s out there, but he’s wary of getting trapped by a superfan, when all he wants is someone with whom he can be real.
Allie Davis has two great loves: impressionist art and hockey. More specifically, a certain hockey player. But between her shyness and her family, she’s convinced she’ll never meet him, let alone connect with him in a non-embarrassing way.
Until she does. And they connect. And romance sparks.
But she is hiding a big secret, and he’s about to find that first impressions sometimes need a reality check. Will they learn to trust and find a way forward, or will half-truths lead to further hurt on opposite sides of the country and lonely lives?
This Windy City romance has plenty of heart, humor, and swoon-worthy kisses in the third book of the Original Six, a sweet, slightly sporty Christian contemporary romance series.

Genres: Contemporary, Sports, Romance, Christian Romance, Christian Fiction, Sports Romance, Fiction

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of romance, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her bestselling, award-winning Regency and contemporary novels are stories that offer hope, heart, and a twist of Aussie humour. Connect with her at www.carolynmillerauthor.com where you can find our more about her books, and sign up for her newsletter to be the first to know her book news.

Reviews

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoy Carolyn Miller's historical and her contemporary. They are just so well written and I absolutely love the main male characters with all of their faith and green flags.

This story was no different and I enjoyed it a lot! I'm really looking forward to the next in the series.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checked Impressions is a great addition to the Original Six Hockey series, a set of books that I am thoroughly enjoying! While this story felt like it started off a bit slow, I believe that it might have simply been that I was in the midst of a very busy season and only able to jump in and read in short spurts of time for the first half of the book. I picked up of the story yesterday and simply could not set it down until I finished the last page!

I loved that this was a “dream come true” type of situation for Allie, with the man of her dreams falling for her. And I loved the way that Jai was so authentic in the way that he fell for Allie. Yet, there were secrets and uncomfortable situations ahead of them in this story, along with feelings of betrayal and the need for forgiveness. Even though it was hard to watch the way things fell apart, the slow build back afterward was such an important part of the novel.

Allie and Jai were such a great match for each other. And the things they went through, along with the way they both grew throughout the story, will make for a beautiful and strong relationship for them. This series is definitely a favorite of mine.

(4.5 stars)

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Meredith Resce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the original six series that I have read. It is a unique and engaging series, particularly if you enjoy professional by sports. The characters are interesting, especially Allie, who is struggling with a speech impediment. This makes for interesting reading in amongst the usual romance, as Ali has to face bullying, and trying to find confidence in the face of difficult speech. I enjoyed this story, as I have enjoyed the first two in series, and I am looking forward to reading the rest.

[Brittany Searfoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Original Six hockey series and is best read after the first two.

Allie Davis is part of the PR and tours department at the Art Institute of Chicago. She loves hockey and has had a crush on one of the Blackhawks players, Jai Mullins, for years. She has gone far enough with her crush to create an online fan chat room and have a cardboard cutout of him in her room. When Jai shows up at the Institute one day with his nephew, Allie never expects him to notice her, much less pursue a relationship with her. As Allie and Jai begin falling for each other, many challenges and misunderstandings threaten their relationship, and they will have to lean on God to help them through.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the others in the series. It was refreshing to see a main character with a speech impediment lead a fairly normal life, with a few challenges to overcome. Each character had a distinct personality and came to life from the pages. I was personally encouraged by the biblical truths presented, such as trusting God, forgiveness, speaking and thinking truth, and loving your enemies. Though I didn't agree with everything the characters did or their lifestyles, I can heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspirational, contemporary romance. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The couple of Allie Davis and Jai Mullins were great together. Each of them were a bit awkward getting to know one another and tongue tied as they had a tendency to mix up what they were trying to say. Allie, because she stuttered, and Jai just got all tangled up in the words. Some the things that Jai said provided some very humorous moments throughout the book.

As two insecure people, Jai and Allie each came to gain in confidence because of their belief in one another. Jai helped Allie to see she was beautiful and completely worth being loved. Allie helped Jai to see that he wasn’t the stereotypical “dumb jock” that he believed he was, but rather was intelligent and selfless.

As a fun sports-themed contemporary romance, this makes it a great, quick read. This is perfect for those days that you want a story about trust and love and navigating the ups and downs of life with that special someone. This is the third book in the Original Six Hockey series, but can be read as a stand alone.

Thank you to the author for a copy of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how down to earth the characters are in this book! Jai is a professional hockey player and well known in Chicago. He has fan groups everywhere, which is fine, he just does not appreciate the crazy super fans. Allie may or may not fall in that category. You would never suspect this quiet, tongue-tied art lover to be so crazy about hockey, especially Jai. When the two connect and there’s instant chemistry, they both find that they both also suffer from not being able to say what they want to say. I love how humble and real they both are throughout the book. As they begin to build a relationship, they both have to learn some hard lessons about trust. I love that hard conversations are not glossed over and they are both challenged to grow in their faith and walk with God. They balance each other so well and I was blessed by their story. It was a treat to reconnect with some previous characters as well.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am emerging out of my book hangover after reading Checked Impressions by Carolyn Miller. This wonderful love story is about Jai, a Chicago Hawks hockey player, and Allie, who works at the Chicago Art Museum and also happens to be a huge hockey fan. Their romance was charming and I enjoyed walking through their ups and downs as they navigated their relationship. Their impressions changed over time as they got to know themselves and each other.

Allie’s family is hysterical, and will make you laugh out loud. The author did a great job helping you to visualize the Chicago area, and making hockey easy to understand. I am becoming a big hockey fan as I read through this series!

The themes of redemption, identity, forgiveness and loving challenging people spoke deeply to my heart. I enjoyed the spiritual aspect of the story as it spoke to our identity and being secure in who we are in Christ. The author does this effortlessly through the story without being preachy. The story is a delightful read that you really do not want to miss! The romance, humor and themes of identity are so enjoyable and make for a great read! I highly recommend this story.

I was given a copy by the author and not required to write a review.

[JaneReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sad to say this was not a favourite. I struggled to feel the connection between the characters. I enjoyed the initial meeting of Allie and Jai but I struggled to form a connection with Allie. I also wish she had told Jai about the website herself. Just as I was beginning to root for and care about the characters the story began encompassing the NHL playoffs and there were details that were incorrect which really bothered me. If you are going to use real teams, please ensure you get the divisions and conference lines correct. I liked watching the friendship develop between Allie and Amber and the opportunities to share about God that were happening. I wonder if we'll catch up with these characters in future books in this series.

[R.j. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be honest:I love this series. But that said, this wasn’t my favorite of the series. I did like it, but the others are my favorites. The characters were great, the plot was fun, but I think I was still loving book 2 more.

[Kaye Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in this series from Carolyn Miller was a realistic read of insecurities and inferiority complexes, especially on the part of the heroine Allie struggling with a stutter and the handsome ice hockey player Kai she’s dreamed of meeting but never really thought she would! Then he appeared with his nephew at the museum of fine arts where she was a knowledgeable tour guide.
First impressions seemed to be their budding romance would be a dream come true, but when Kai discovers the secret Allie was desperate to keep from him, and her hockey mad family added to her embarrassment those impressions were checked and they both needed time out to reassess their feelings.
I loved how the protagonists both matured and their faith grew through the story, but I was a little confused at times by the cyber chatter about the hockey team. Nevertheless another delightful romance from Miller and I look forward to meeting more of her ice hockey players and reading their stories.
I was given a copy of the book by the author and not required to give a review

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm definitely hooked on this "Original Six Hockey" series. I thought the hero of this book, Jai, was really rather endearing.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chicago, Ice Hockey, Art Institute, stuttering, and bullying makes for a unique read by Australian author Carolyn Miller. This avid reader is not a sports fan, especially not ice hockey. As a retired teacher, mom, and grandma Carolyn Miller presented Allie Davis' stuttering in a positive way - not overbearing so the narrative is difficult to read. Jai Millins' expressed feelings for Allie Davis seemed repetitive. As a Michigander, who lived in the Chicago area for a decade, this reader wanted less hockey, more Chicago sites. Carolyn Miller did her research on the Impressionist paintings displayed at the Art Institute Chicago, Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, and Cloud Gate - even The United Center. Yes, Chicagoans love their sports and especially winning teams. While Chi-town is in the list of names for Chicago, I never heard that in the decade I lived there. I researched the list and not sure that Jai or Allie would refer to the Windy City that way.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Carolyn Miller's Regency-era stories, so it was with some trepidation that I dipped into MY first of her contemporary novels. So glad I did!
I really identified with Allie - I felt as though she was the girl I could have been if I'd followed art studies instead of history. Her dry and self-protecting wit made me laugh out loud. More and more I’m hungry for stories about women who just don’t fit the mold… and Allie was refreshingly real. Jai's also a gorgeous and vulnerable human, leaning well on his wise and loving brothers in the faith. I was definitely cheering on as Allie and Jai overcame their internal obstacles and fears.
On the sporting side... I've been to some ice hockey matches but have no idea what actually goes on - yet I found the descriptions of the games very easy to follow.
A refreshing and fun read!
I was given access to an e-copy by the author and was not required to write a review. However, I’ve gone ahead and bought my own paperback.

[Rhondia Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I open a Carolyn Miller book I have to brace myself. I know I’m going to do things that I shouldn’t (turn another page) and I won’t do the things I should (sleep). Thankfully, every single book is uplifting and teaches me something new. I enjoy the series so much. I get to see previous characters and catch up a bit on their lives without really spoiling the plot, just in case you missed a previous book. In this one, Allie is a sweet girl. She’s battling some insecurities as well as an impairment. When her small ordinary world collides with celebrity it can only be God ordained…and very uncomfortable. It was fun to watch Allie and Jai work through their individual issues, but my was I invested! I argued with their decisions and wanted to have a few come to Jesus meetings with them and other characters. It was a lovely story that hooked me from the start.

[Denise Boldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checked Impressions is the third romantic story in the Original Six Hockey Romance series. Allie and Jai make great leading characters for a beautiful read with extra depth. Miller tackles learning your value, the liberating power of being honest and the importance of forgiveness, even if it's forgiving yourself. Checked Impressions is filled with descriptions of characters and moments, which also brings about skillful character development and great romance in their relationship.

Quote: "It was funny how she could sing about God’s goodness but then seem to forget it so very quickly. She exhaled and opened her eyes, wryness tugging at her lips. She must be about the most human of humans she knew."

[Elodie Conrad]

Checked Impressions is a wonderful contemporary romance story, a real delight to read!
It was most engaging and entertaining, with inspiring spiritual themes throughout filled with hope and encouragement. It has a little bit of hockey and a little bit of art, with amusing awkward moments, and plenty of swoon worthy scenes between the main characters Jai and Allie.
This is sure to be a story that you will thoroughly enjoy and not be able to put down until the last page. This is definitely going on my keeper shelves along with the rest of the books in the Original Six romance series.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming a hockey fan

I’m not a hockey fan, but I was on the edge of my seat as I read about each game Jai played. There were many layers to this story. I love how the characters live out their faith.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Checked Impressions by Carolyn Miller! I didn't want to put it down. I was drawn in right away because of Allie's stutter and how she thought she'd never find love because of her speech impediment. Jai, despite being a hockey superstar, had insecurities of his own to overcome. The romance was swoon worthy. The character growth was excellent. There was a laugh out loud moment. The faith element in this book is strong. I was inspired by Allie's determination to put herself in uncomfortable situations by looking at the situation as one in which she could be a blessing to others. Jai's bravery to tell his teammates about his faith is more than admirable. If you like contemporary Christian romance, I highly recommend this book. Even though it's the third book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend books 1 and 2, too.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jai and Allie were so sweet together!

[Shelene Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story!

[Alice McKenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book but admit I am not a big art fan. I could get over the long descriptions of art so kept reading. Then there is a group chat. I have an issue with using God’s name in vain. In the chat we see the OM- used. It may have been a non-Christian using it but to me this is wrong. I did a search in hope it was a one of but it wasn’t. It would be used over 20 more times. I am writing this to alert other readers who are likeminded and struggle with this form of expression. If this had not been in the book, I would have kept reading.

Full disclosure I did not read any more of the book. I didn't understand the chat room it comes out of left field and was confusing. If it wasn't there, then I wouldn't see the OM. and would have kept reading but twice in the chat was too much.

[Kristina Cordova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. I loved the Allie and Jai relationship especially their foot in the mouth banter. This one was my favorite story yet. I love the way the other characters make cameos in her books. The only thing I didn't love was that it felt like a very abrupt ending.