Checking It Twice: A Holiday Hockey Romance

Must Love Hockey #3

by Kendall Ryan

Fake dating a hockey player for Christmas wasn’t on my bingo card.

Clare Johnson’s job is handling PR for the Dallas Stampede—not getting tangled up with one of the players. But when Mitchell Drake—charming forward, fan favorite, and very off-limits—asks her to pose as his girlfriend for one week in small-town Minnesota, she reluctantly agrees. What’s the worst that could happen?

Mitchell’s had six months to get over his very public broken engagement, and his family is done waiting. The last thing he needs is pitying smiles and whispered gossip. Clare is smart, sharp, and strong enough to hold her own with both fans and family—the perfect fake girlfriend.

But holiday lights and snowy nights have a way of blurring the line between pretend and real. Clare fits too easily into his world—bonding with his grandma, winning at pond hockey, and looking unfairly good in his flannel. The more time they spend together, the less fake it feels.

Full of small-town holiday magic, meddling relatives, and sizzling chemistry, Checking It Twice is a hockey romance about second chances and falling in love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of fake dating, one-bed tension, forced proximity, and happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights.

Because sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree—they’re standing right in front of you.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Audiobook, Hockey Romance, Holiday, Hockey, Holiday Romance

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Kendall Ryan is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of flirty, feel-good romance filled with heart, heat, and plenty of banter. An American author who has lived all over the world, her books have sold millions of copies and been translated into multiple languages. She writes swoony heroes, bold heroines, and stories that make you laugh, blush, and fall in love. When she’s not dreaming up new plotlines, she is a proud mom to two amazing sons and the wife of her real-life hero.


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Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I love hockey romance and holiday books, so I knew I had to check out ‘Checking it Twice’. It was a fun and sweet Christmas story that had some great fake dating. Mitch and Claire working together made things a little more complicated for Claire due to a past relationship, but once she got past that, it was obvious that these two belonged together.

Audio book source: Netgalley
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Grayson Owens & Rose Dioro
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 7h 30

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.8 Stars)
Clare Johnson is the PR for Hockey Team Dallas Stampede. She does not mix business with fun. That is until Mitchell Drake needs a favor. He is getting over a broken engagement and needs a faux girlfriend to make his parents leave him alone about moving on. Can these two keep it just a favor or will the lines get blurred when feeling emerge? Another easy and fun read in this holiday hockey series. Mitch is such a sweetheart. Loved seeming them build a real relationship together and all the moments with his family. Told in first person and dual POV.

[Amy | Foxy Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

CHECKING IT TWICE
● Claire (28) & Mitch
● PR for hockey team / NHL player
● Mitch asks Claire for a favor - pretend to be his gf and go to his family's Christmas in Minnesota
● Mitch wants to prove he's over his ex
● slowish burn
● fake dating
● holiday time

Audiobook source: Netalley
Narrator: Grayson Owens & Rose Dioro
Length: 7h 30m

[Sarah 🌺 Books in Their Natural Habitat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 100% need to read more hockey romances after reading Checking It Twice!

Clare does PR for a hockey team in addition to masterfully navigating the players’ egos and stubbornness. She swore she’d never mix work and personal life again, but one proposition has her second guessing.

Mitchell has been miserable since the breakup with Hannah. He doesn’t want pity when he goes home for the holidays. Maybe a fake girlfriend will do the trick! The hard part is getting Clare to agree.

I had a hard time putting this down. Clare and Mitch are really endearing. I loved watching them slowly grow and open up about challenges in their lives. The slow burn was just right - so much tension and build up! Mitch’s family is so sweet; I’d read a series of books about all of them!

If you’re looking for a holiday romance with a hockey player, wit, migraine rep, only one (twin) bed, and slow burn, look no further!

[Jodi - JodiReadsnListens · Rating 4 out of 5]

** Audio Review **
Swoony! Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan was a sweet and charming holiday hockey romance that did deliciously good things to my heart. I couldn't get enough of Claire and Mitchell's fake dating to forever romance that made me all warm and gooey inside and put me in the holiday spirit.

Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens perform this audiobook in dual narration, and these two perfectly emobodied Claire and Mitchell. Rose's soft, soothing tone captuted Claire's passionate and dedicated persona while Grayson's warm, rich timbre enveloped Mitchell's guarded, charismatic demeanor. Both narrators created just the right amount of longing and tension making me fall head over heels in love with this couple.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a holiday romance with a broody hockey hunk, a devoted publicist, meeting the family, fake dating, one bed, slow burn spicy times, all the holiday feels, and a HEA that will warm your heart, then you will love Claire and Mitchell's story. I always look forward to more from Kendall Ryan.

[Amber Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake dating
Found family
Forced proximity
One bed tension
Hockey romance
Small town
Cinnamon roll mmc
Boss energy FMC
Meddling relatives
Happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights

“Fake dating a hockey player for Christmas wasn’t on my bingo card.”

“...I do want to stay here. I want to watch Clare laugh and see her eyes light up when she successfully cuts a perfect star-shaped cookie. I want to memorize the way she looks with flour in her hair and happiness on her face. I want to forget that this is all pretend."

This novel was narrated by Grayson Owens and Rose Dioro. I loved how they brought the characters to life and I could feel their emotions! There's lots of great funny banter and romantic scenes. I enjoyed how funny parts of this book were 😂
Their rendition pulled my heart. The sweet whispers, the quiet cuddles, and the fake it to make it real moments were so 🔥 perfection. The tension! Their performance was fantastic even I felt safe with Grayson. The way he cared for her. I loved it. Loved them and his family and how welcoming and accepting of Clare. 💯 would recommend this book! I love this author it isn’t my first book by her and definitely not my last!

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a holiday romance and a holiday hockey romance makes it even better. I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it so I knew that I would enjoy this one as well, and I did. Clare and Mitch were coworkers that became more after he asked her home for Christmas. Fake dating usually ends in one or more of them catching feelings, but they really tried to keep it professional, until they couldn't anymore. I liked the fact that she fit into his family so well and that they were so accepting of her. They really seemed to love her instantly. I also liked that there wasn't OW drama like I thought there would be.
The one thing I will say about this ALC, was that there were a lot of inconsistancy through chapters. It didn't take away from the overall vibe of the story, but it did distract me when something was said that didn't happen that way in the chapter before. There were more instances of this than I would have liked, but I thought the pining and tension between the two overshadowed any issues I had.
I also really liked that it didn't wrap up right after the visit home and we got to see more of their interactions after they returned to the real world.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan is the perfect holiday escape — equal parts steamy hockey romance and small-town Christmas magic.

Clare, the team’s PR manager, finds herself fake-dating star player Mitchell to help clean up his image. What starts as a work assignment quickly turns into something more when they head to his cozy hometown for the holidays — cue the snow, the meddling family, and the one-bed situation that practically crackles with tension.

Kendall Ryan balances the sweetness of small-town charm with the spice you’d expect from a hockey romance. Mitchell is charmingly possessive in the best way — confident on the ice, yet tender when it comes to Clare. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow build from professional boundaries to holiday heat feels natural and satisfying.

If you love:
🏒 Fake dating with real feelings
🎄 Cozy Christmas settings
🛏️ Forced proximity and one-bed tension
🔥 Hockey smut that delivers

…then Checking It Twice deserves a spot on your holiday TBR. It’s flirty, heartwarming, and just the right mix of naughty and nice — the perfect romance to curl up with under a blanket and a cup of cocoa.

⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy! All opinions are honest and my own.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion!

I listened to the audiobook, and enjoyed both narrators, along with their dual POV narration. It kept me interested in the story!

Clare and Mitch were so cute and wholesome together, so I loved seeing them squirm through their forced proximity fake dating while they went back to Mitch’s hometown for Christmas. I liked that the build up of them exploring their feelings actually felt so natural, and wasn’t as quick as I’d typically is in other books with fake dating. Their happily ever after was just the sweetest, especially their time jump epilogue back at Mitch’s family celebrating a future Christmas!

The book was full of so much holiday goodness, so if you’re looking to deck the halls with a festive read pick this one!


Tropes:
🥅Hockey player x PR girl
❤️Sports Romance
🏒Forced proximity
❤️Fake dating
🎄All the Christmas cheer

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️

Okay, let’s be honest—I initially requested this one because Grayson Owens was narrating. The man could read a grocery list and I’d give it five stars. And once again, he absolutely nailed it as Mitchell Drake. Total charm, total swoon. Rose Diorio as Clare was great too—smart, confident, and just the right amount of sass.

The story itself? Exactly what I expect from a fake dating Christmas romance. Cute. Heartfelt. A little spicy. And dripping with small-town holiday vibes. It’s predictable in the best way—like a Hallmark movie but with better banter and hotter chemistry.

Do I know how it’s going to end from the first chapter? Yep. Did I still love every minute of the ride? Also yep. Sometimes you just need a cozy, low-stakes, feel-good listen with snow, flannel, and a hockey player pretending to be your boyfriend.

Thanks to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this (audio)book.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little underwhelming compared to what I was hoping to get from this book. The FMC narrator sounded depressed the entire time, so it was hard to feel anything but morose when listening to her. I always love fake dating, and this had good moments when they were with his family, but then once it was time to go "back to real life" it steadily just started going downhill. And then, near the very end the author did a few things that made me hate the characters and I was just over it. I should've stopped at chapter 40 apparently, because the rest put a bad taste in my mouth.

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ALC REVIEW**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan, book three in the Must Love Hockey series, is a sweet, cozy sports romance with charming small-town holiday vibes. The writing is smooth, the characters are lovable, and the ALC narration truly takes the experience to the next level.

Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens shine in the duet narration, bringing Clare and Mitchell to life with authentic emotion. They captured the tension, chemistry, and warmth of the story perfectly.

I enjoyed watching Clare and Mitchell’s fake dating slowly turn into something real. Their chemistry was off the charts, and their banter frequently had me giggling. The slow-burn dynamic worked so well, and I loved seeing their individual growth and mutual support. I also adored how warm and welcoming Mitchell’s family was.

Overall, this is a delightful listen, perfect for anyone looking for a small-town holiday romance filled with fake dating, family meddling, and plenty of heart.

Thank you to Kendall Ryan, NetGalley, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jen Altman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need a book to put you in the Christmas spirit, grab Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan immediately! This swoony hockey romance is holiday must-read!

Clare and Mitchell’s journey from fake dating to forever is utterly irresistible. She's a heartbroken publicist who swore off players... especially of the hockey variety. He's a hockey hotshot who just needs a temporary date to survive his meddling, holiday-obsessed family.

The chemistry is explosive! Prepare for hilarious family antics, intense will-they-won't-they tension, and a slow burn that absolutely pays off. This book will make you laugh out loud and leave you with feel good tears. While it is the third book in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

The audiobook narration by Rose Dioro and Grayson Owens is gold! The way they embodied the characters fit perfectly. If you love broody hunks, holiday feels, the "one bed" trope, and a guaranteed HEA, this is your next obsession. Stop scrolling and start reading (or listening)!

[angelictaleslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cozy, flirty holiday romance that gave me exactly what I wanted from a festive read. Holly coming home for Christmas and unexpectedly hosting Declan the sweet, charming hockey player was such a fun setup. Their chemistry felt natural, the banter was cute, and the story had just the right balance of warmth and spice.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not the best book I’ve ever read but it was a fun, quick read. Shoutout to Kate for this <3

[ivy]

DNF @55% - repetitive, terrible pacing, characters have no personality

[Kyla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable holiday romance, easy read up until chapter 45. If the book had ended at chapter 45, I would’ve given it 4 stars. When the protagonist is all of a sudden needy and weak at the end of a book, totally ruins the whole thing.

[Meg Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Christmas romance
Hot midwestern hockey player fake dating the teams PR rep who swore off hockey players
What can go wrong?


This was cute, sweet and a tiny bit spicy
The perfect quick listen
Loved the audio

Thanks netgalley and publisher/ author for an advance listener copy!

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clare has always told herself she will never date a player. Working in PR for the hockey team has her constantly in contact with players though and when Mitchell asks her to pose as his girlfriend for a week in front of his family as a favour, she agrees. This way, his family will get off his back about him moving on from his broken engagement. 

From the moment Clare meets his family though, she's sold. Mitchell's family is everything hers isn't and she finds herself having the best time. The chemistry between these two characters was unbelievable. I lapped up this festive read which included two of my fave tropes - fake dating and one bed! I loved the dual POVs and can't wait to read on in this series.

[Marina Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checking it Twice is the third book in the Must Love Hockey series by Ms Ryan and it’s one of my favourite reads this year!!
I absolutely adored this book, especially the characters. As I read I had a smile on my face, this story gave me all the happy feels.
Centering on Mitch and Clare, this fake relationship story will have your heart fluttering! And Mitch’s family are just fabulous! I love Clare’s take no crap attitude from anyone and shes just this wonderful genuine woman who just wants to belong! Like we all do right?
Mitch seems like a teddy bear! His teammates give good supportive advice especially when hes being a grump!
The entertaining banter and heartfelt moments made this a book I couldn’t put down!
Highly recommend it!

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not walk into this book expecting to be emotionally flattened by a man whispering about cookie decorating, but the second Grayson Owens opened his mouth and gave us Mitchell Drake’s cinnamon-roll hockey boy voice, I stopped breathing through my nose for two full chapters. Checking It Twice is already peak fake-dating holiday chaos, but the audiobook is the real main character here. It’s not just narration, it’s a spiritual awakening in flannel.

And just to make this extra fun: I started with book three in the Must Love Hockey series like the reckless chaos goblin I am. Zero context. No clue who the previous couples were. I just cannonballed straight into small-town Minnesota like, “Sure, I’ll pretend I know these teammates and emotional backstories.” And it absolutely didn’t matter. It holds up perfectly as a standalone, and now I’m retroactively mad I didn’t start this series sooner.

Mitchell is a professional hockey player and a broken-hearted golden retriever who needs to prove to his family that he’s Totally Over His Ex. His plan? Bring a fake girlfriend home for Christmas and survive the week. That fake girlfriend is Clare, his PR manager, who has exactly zero time for this emotional mess... but also hasn’t had a family Christmas that didn’t make her cry since, like, middle school. She agrees. And then immediately finds herself cuddling him in a tiny childhood bed while trying not to fall in love with his entire bloodline.

Mitchell has sad eyes and big feelings. Clare has walls and sarcasm and a closet full of emotional avoidance. What they also have is the kind of tension that makes you shout "Just kiss already!" at your headphones in a Starbucks parking lot.

Grayson Owens as Mitchell is straight-up weaponized comfort. He plays him with this soft steadiness that somehow makes every line about fake dating feel like a marriage proposal in disguise. His voice is low, warm, respectful. The kind of voice that says “I noticed your trauma and I brought snacks.” And Rose Dioro? She kills it as Clare. She balances snark and vulnerability like a pro. You can hear the exact moment Clare starts cracking, it’s subtle, it’s raw, and it hits like an emotional snowball to the face.

Together, they don’t just perform this story. They live in it. The banter is pitch-perfect. The tension is stupid good. Every quiet moment buzzes with "oh no I like you" energy. By the time we hit the cookie-baking scene, I had full-body goosebumps and a sudden urge to learn how to make gingerbread from scratch.

The plot isn’t trying to reinvent anything, and thank god. Fake dating. One bed. Found family. A town that’s one sleigh ride away from becoming sentient. There’s no villain, no cringe twist, just two idiots trying to pretend they’re not in love while absolutely everyone around them knows better. It’s comfort food with emotional damage and I devoured it.

Yeah, there are some minor inconsistencies if you’re really paying attention. Nothing fatal. Nothing that pulls focus. Honestly, I was too deep in audiobook heaven to care. Every time Mitchell so much as sighs, I lost five minutes of memory and felt oddly safe.

If you're here for fake dating, emotionally repressed pining, holiday chaos, and narrators who make every scene feel like a slow-burn love confession, this one’s got your name on it. It’s cozy, it’s swoony, and it made me want to listen to every book these two narrators have ever touched.

Four stars for the story. Five for the way Grayson Owens made me feel like I’d just been emotionally held by a hockey player who smells like cedar and fresh snow.

Merry Mayhem Prize: For Causing at Least One Emotional Crisis Via Headphones

Big chaotic thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced access to this audio fever dream. I went in expecting festive fluff and left spiritually restructured by Grayson Owens saying the word “girlfriend.”

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A "fake dating to real love" romance

My Review: Checking It Twice by Kendall Ryan is book #3 in the Must Love Hockey series. It is scheduled for release on 11/25/25.

About the Book: "Mitchell’s had six months to get over his very public broken engagement, and his family is done waiting. The last thing he needs is pitying smiles and whispered gossip.

Mitchell...asks...Clare...to pose as his girlfriend for one week in small-town Minnesota...

What’s the worst that could happen?"

In My Own Words: Instead of spending another lonely Christmas at home, Clare Johnson gives the gift of her presence to a hockey player who is still recovering from a heartbreak.

About the Characters:

- Clare Johnson was a pro at her job. When it came to matters of the heart, however, she was a once burned kind of gal.

- Cinnamon roll, good guy, Mitchell Drake wore his heart on his sleeve. He had all this emotion, but he needed a release valve.

About the Couple: Both Clare and Mitchell were hesitant to give their relationship a chance, but once they freed themselves up to the possibilities, their union was headed to the stars.

About the Family: The Drakes were goals. They loved hard, and they played hard. The way they embraced Clare and welcomed her into the family was precious. The little niece was adorable.

About the Conflict: I loved the conflict arc in this novel. It was simple, but it was real. Seeing the characters movement aimed at getting past self and the hangups associated with what happened in their lives was authentic. The truth of the emotions and feelings expressed by both came across as sincere.

My Favorite Scenes (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

- When Pretending Gets Real
- Xmas Traditions
- The First Date That Keeps on Giving
- You're Beautiful
- Our First Fight
- Superhero Undies
- You Can't Fix It

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Grayson Owens and Rose Dioro. I loved how they were able to present Clare and Mitchell in a way that made me feel for them. Their rendition poked me in the center of my heart. The sweet whispers, the quiet cuddle times, and the fake it to make it real moments were so well communicated. They made it a memorable experience.

My Final Say: This story is definitely a favorite. It wasn't too over the top. It wasn't too fluffy. It was a just right read. I really enjoyed listening to it. I am giving it a golden heart award, along with 5-stars.

Other: Readers who want to read "a hockey romance about second chances and falling in love when you least expect it," will appreciate this story.

Indicated Tropes:

🏒 Hockey romance
💞 Fake dating
💜 One-bed tension
♡ Forced proximity
🩷 Cinnamon roll MMC
🌟 Boss energy FMC
❤️ Happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 💛
Series: Yes
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Cover: +

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting me access to an ALC of this title. It was a joy to review this work of romantic fiction. I absolutely loved it. The series has fast become a favorite. I look forward to reading/listening to more installments.

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This holiday romance is packed with charm, warmth, and the kind of chemistry that keeps you turning pages long after you meant to stop. The story follows Clare Johnson, a dedicated PR professional for the Dallas Stampede, and Mitchell Drake, an NHL star still recovering from a broken engagement. What begins as a simple favor for his family’s Christmas gathering turns into something much deeper, filled with cozy moments, irresistible tension, and a growing closeness neither of them expects.

The fake dating setup gives the story a playful spark from the start. Clare has firm rules about not mixing work with romance, yet Mitchell’s request pulls her into a world that feels both chaotic and strangely comforting. Once she meets his warm and welcoming family, she finds herself opening up in ways she never anticipated. Their instant connection grows slowly but surely, creating a slow burn that feels natural and deeply satisfying.

Mitchell is impossible not to love. He is sweet, thoughtful, and surprisingly vulnerable as he tries to navigate the expectations of his family while moving forward from past heartbreak. Clare is equally compelling, with a strong sense of responsibility and a guarded heart that begins to soften the longer she spends by Mitchell’s side. Their banter is easy and witty, every touch makes the air feel charged, and the one bed situation only heightens their awareness of each other. It is clear from early on that the lines they are trying to maintain are becoming harder to see.

The romance unfolds with all the best holiday elements. There are gentle emotional moments, stolen kisses under twinkling lights, family antics that bring plenty of laughs, and a sense of seasonal magic that wraps around every scene. When Clare and Mitchell finally allow themselves to let go of their past relationships and step fully into the present, their connection becomes even more heartfelt. There are no games and no confusion, only two people choosing each other with sincerity.

The audio was well performed.. The dual performance captures the tenderness, longing, and tension between them in a way that deepens their emotional journey. Overall, a warm and joyful Christmas romance that blends fake dating, one bed, hockey star charm, and a dedicated heroine into a story that feels both comforting and exciting. It is festive, flirty, and full of genuine feeling, perfect for anyone craving a love story that leaves your heart glowing.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This fake girlfriend thing might be the smartest idea I’ve ever had. Or the most dangerous.”

Checking It Twice is a charming holiday romance built around one of my favorite tropes—fake dating. After a breakup, Mitchell convinces Clare, his hockey team’s PR manager, to pose as his girlfriend so his family will stop pressuring him to move on. Clare has always had a quiet crush on Mitchell, but after a painful college experience with a hockey player, she swore off dating them—especially one she works with. Still, as the two spend time together with Mitchell’s family, sparks fly and resisting their chemistry becomes impossible.

What makes this story so engaging is the balance between festive fun and emotional vulnerability. Mitchell’s family is lively, warm, and hilarious, adding the perfect backdrop of holiday cheer. Clare, meanwhile, is cautious and guarded, determined not to repeat past mistakes. Mitchell may be confident on the ice, but when it comes to love, he’s just as scared of rejection as she is. Watching them navigate family dynamics, playful banter, and those stolen moments of intimacy is both heartwarming and addictive.

Their relationship unfolds slowly, with each scene peeling back another layer of fear and hesitation. The fake dating trope delivers all the swoony tension you’d expect—lingering touches, knowing glances, and the constant question of what’s real versus what’s pretend. But underneath the trope is a deeper story about trust, acceptance, and the courage to risk heartbreak for something that could be extraordinary.

I adored Clare and Mitchell together. They’re delightful, flawed, and so easy to root for. The way they challenge each other, support each other, and ultimately learn to let their guards down makes this romance feel both magical and authentic.

At its core, Checking It Twice is about found family, second chances, and the beauty of showing your true self to someone who sees you completely. It’s festive, fun, and guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit—while also tugging at your heart in all the right ways.

[Luisa Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been on a journey with this series—loved the first book, struggled with the second because of the toxic female lead, and now I’m back to loving it again with this third installment.

Mitchell Drake and Clare Johnson stole my heart. He’s a hockey player for the Stampede, she’s on the PR team, and their attraction simmers under the weight of professional boundaries. Both carry scars: Mitch from a fiancée who betrayed him with his best friend, Clare from a relationship that left her reputation unfairly tarnished. Trust doesn’t come easy for either of them, and that makes their slow-burn connection all the more delicious.

When Mitch’s mom guilts him into coming home for Christmas, he dreads facing the pity of his small town. His solution? A fake girlfriend. Clare resists at first, but with a little nudge from her best friend, she agrees. What follows is a holiday romance that’s equal parts tender and torturous.

In Maple Grove, Clare is embraced by Mitch’s loud, loving family—a stark contrast to her own fractured, neglectful parents. Watching her soak in their warmth while Mitch quietly marvels at how seamlessly she fits in was beautiful. The twin bed they’re forced to share becomes a nightly battlefield of desire and restraint, and every soft touch, every stolen glance, every bit of banter had me grinning.

This book shines in the details: Mitch making her coffee, Clare’s laughter lighting up his family gatherings, the way they both slowly let their walls down. Their chemistry is undeniable, but what makes it special is how safe and right they feel together.

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. There are moments of hesitation, miscommunication, and fear. But when they finally give in—first in stolen intimacy, later in full commitment—it feels earned. And the multi-epilogues? Pure romance wish-fulfillment: marriage, family holidays, and a baby girl.

I adored this one. Mitch and Clare’s journey is tender, funny, and deeply satisfying. Their love story is built on trust, healing, and the joy of finding someone who truly sees you. It’s the kind of slow-burn romance you savor, stage by stage, until the final payoff leaves you smiling.

[Meli reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC review for NetGalley and Dreamscape Media

Cute fast paced fake dating bring her home for the holidays romance. Clare is Mitchell’s PR rep and he doesn't want to go home for the holidays alone but he has been pining Clare for a while now. I did love how Mitchell noticed the small things about Clare and how he just naturally took care of her.

Checking It Twice
A Holiday Hockey Romance
by Kendall Ryan
Narrated by Grayson Owens; Rose Dioro ( Great duo they voiced
Book 3 of Must Love Hockey
Pub Date Nov 25 2025 | Dreamscape Media
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book for exchange for my honest review!

Description
Fake dating a hockey player for Christmas wasn’t on my bingo card.

Clare Johnson’s job is handling PR for the Dallas Stampede—not getting tangled up with one of the players. But when Mitchell Drake—charming forward, fan favorite, and very off-limits—asks her to pose as his girlfriend for one week in small-town Minnesota, she reluctantly agrees. What’s the worst that could happen?

Mitchell’s had six months to get over his very public broken engagement, and his family is done waiting. The last thing he needs is pitying smiles and whispered gossip. Clare is smart, sharp, and strong enough to hold her own with both fans and family—the perfect fake girlfriend.

But holiday lights and snowy nights have a way of blurring the line between pretend and real. Clare fits too easily into his world—bonding with his grandma, winning at pond hockey, and looking unfairly good in his flannel. The more time they spend together, the less fake it feels.

Full of small-town holiday magic, meddling relatives, and sizzling chemistry, Checking It Twice is a hockey romance about second chances and falling in love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of fake dating, one-bed tension, forced proximity, and happily-ever-afters wrapped in Christmas lights.

Because sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree—they’re standing right in front of you.

[lookleahreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 ALC AUDIOBOOK REVIEW — CHECKING IT TWICE by Kendall Ryan

✨ Must Love Hockey #3

✨ Advance Listener Copy courtesy of NetGalley (thank you!!!)

✨Released 11/25/25

If you’re in the mood for a swoony, Christmas-cozy hockey romance, CHECKING IT TWICE absolutely delivers. This third installment in the Must Love Hockey series felt like wrapping up in a fuzzy blanket with a mug of cocoa — comforting, charming, a little spicy, and full of festive small-town magic.

Fake dating in adult romance usually isn’t my go-to trope, but something about doing it around the holidays just works. And Kendall Ryan made it so irresistibly cute that I was cheering for Mitchell and Clare from the very beginning. Their chemistry, the slow build of feelings, and all the seasonal touches made their relationship easy to root for.

I also really loved the found family element woven throughout the story. Mitchell’s family was so warm, welcoming, and everything Clare had always longed for. His mom, Karen, was an absolute gem, and his sisters’ protectiveness, combined with how quickly they embraced Clare, added so much heart to the story. Those scenes made the whole book feel extra cozy and meaningful.

The audiobook format elevated everything. The narrators captured the banter, the tenderness, and all the holiday sparkle so well that it felt like watching a Hallmark Christmas movie unfold in my ears.

I do think this book reads best if you’ve already read the first two in the series. You really get to know Mitchell and Clare in those earlier books, and their backstory adds so much depth to this one. The characters from Books 1 and 2 appear throughout, and there are references to themes and moments you might miss if you skip ahead — though technically, it can still work as a standalone.

If you’ve been enjoying the Must Love Hockey series, this one is a must-listen. And if you love a good Holiday + Hockey Romance, this absolutely belongs on your winter TBR.

3.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

[Kristin Gleeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Dreamscape Media for a review copy of this audiobook. Kendall Ryan creates stories time and time again that are warm, wonderful and full of banter and humour that immediately has you at ease and immersed in their world. The stories and characters are always well rounded and the reader never feels like they’re reading a well worn trope and just surface skim. Ryan is deft at making the stories fresh and engaging.

Mitchel desperately needs a girlfriend for his Christmas visit to family in Minnesota. Anything to avoid the pitying looks and digs over the fact his fiancée dumped him for his best friend six months ago. Recognising the speed in which he has a to acquire a girlfriend, a fake one, to avoid any strings or complications, he asks Claire, one of the PR staff for the NHL hockey team he plays for. Claire, wanting to avoid a very lonely Christmas on her own while her parents lead their own lives and have little care for her, agrees reluctantly, purely to have a Christmas that isn’t a dinner for one and Netflix. The visit to Minnesota is everything she ever hoped for and more, something that is too scary and dangerous to contemplate and threatens every sense of her need to avoid any scandal or risks since the public dumping she experienced with another hockey player all those years before.

This addition to Ryan’s many novels, even though it’s a Christmas novel when many times authors don’t achieve their best quality, is as warm and wonderful as her others. What adds to the mix is the two great narrators who provide the male and female POV for the story. Their narration skills achieve the perfect mix and pitch for the type of novel it is and add to the warm engaging quality of the story. This is an audiobook that you can revisit any Christmas time, or any season.

[jensbooknookclub · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

This is one of those cute and cozy holiday reads with a dash of spice. I loved the MMCs family so much it was so fun to spend the holidays with them. This book has so many tropes I love: sledding, one bed, snowball fight, scheming family, tree decorating, teaching her to skate, family game nights and oh so much more. The audiobook was fantastic I loved this duo they nailed the vibes. I also really liked all their banter it was so cute and swoony.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Clare works in PR for the Dallas Stampede NHL Hockey team and she’s great at her job. One of the charming forwards Mitchell just asked her to be his fake girlfriend for the holidays and to come home with him to Minnesota for Christmas. Crazy right?

It’s been six months since Mitchell had his heart broken and going home to his small town single isn’t the image he wants. So to avoid the family whispers he asks Clare to help him out, to his surprise after a little begging she say yes!

But being home for the holidays on his childhood bedroom and only one bed will turn things from fake to real super fast. It don’t help that his family is meddling big time but what happens once this fake bubbles bursts and the are back in Dallas. Guess we’ll find out.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“I like you unsteady.”
“Why?”
“Because that is when you let me catch you.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* NHL Hockey Player & Team’s Publicist
* Blurring Professional Relationship
* Fake Dating
* One Bed For the Holidays
* Meddling Family
* He Falls First
* Found Family
* Small Town Christmas Magic - Minnesota
* Dual POV & Slow Burn

❄️🛷🎄🏒♥️❄️🛷🎄🏒♥️❄️

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRVkbyjkl...

[kgagnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Fun & Steamy Stars!
What a fun and steamy fake relationship holiday romance!
Mitchell Drake plays hockey for the Dallas Stampede. He has always had a crush on their PR manager, Clare Johnson, who has a rule against dating a player. Mitchell needed a buffer during the holidays from his family meddling after his breakup, so he asked Clare to be his fake date for a week in Minnesota. Clare turned him down at first, but when she realized she would be alone when he mother chose her new family over her, she quickly agreed. When Clare begins to see how wonderful his family is, and how sweet Mitchell is, she begins to wonder 'what if?' Mitchell loves how Clare fits in with his family and friends. But after his last breakup, he isn't sure he is ready for another relationship that could go bad. Can these two slightly broken people help each other learn that they are worthy enough for someone to choose them to love, and stay forever? I really fell for both Mitchell and Clare. They were so supportive and protective of each other, helping them heal and open their hearts to a forever love. I loved their fun banter, their relationship with family and friends, and their chemistry was sizzling hot!
Grayson Owens and Rose Dioro gave voice to both Mitchell and Clare so beautifully. They really nailed these characters, helping me to see them so clearly. They helped make this wonderful holiday romance even more entertaining and it will definitely make you smile and swoon as it warms your heart.