A well-written sports' romance that has all of the tropes we love along with a solid plot and well-developed characters. If you enjoy this genre, this book is for you.

The story of Mabel and Asher, the reporter and the hockey player. I liked how they met, and how it was told from both points of view. A great series so far and looking forward to the rest of the series.

Cute, no spice, Hockey romance with small town vibes and a fall setting. What else could I need? ☺️🎃

4 stars. ☆

This is such a cute story for this autumn. I really liked asher and mabel, especially asher. if you love hockey and small town trope, this book is for you.

4.25⭐️
If you love small town hockey romance, this one’s for you!

After devouring the first two books in the series, I was so excited to finally get Asher’s story — and it did not disappoint. I adored how the author explored more of his personality, his OCD, and his deep love for his family. It made him such a layered, lovable MMC. 🥹💙

Mabel was just as well written — her mix of feeling out of place in her hometown but still falling head over heels for Asher felt so real. I loved the tension of her not wanting to stay in the small town, but still being drawn to him. Their romance? Pure, soft, and drama-free. Exactly what my heart needed.

And can we TALK about Mabel’s mum crushing on Asher?! 😂 I was howling every time it came up — the perfect sprinkle of humor in a sweet love story.

Overall, this was such an easy, light-hearted, feel-good read. The kind of book that leaves you smiling when you turn the last page. Highly recommend if you’re into cozy small towns, found family, and hockey boys who steal your heart. 🏒💕

4 stars.

This is such a lovely series! The small town of Maple Falls is absolutely fantastic. Cozy, fun, romantic!

WHAT I LIKED: I liked the OCD rep. And I loved that it was shown realistically - OCD is not cutesy or fun, it's awful and difficult.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Pov: dual, 1st person
Heat: no steam, clean romance
Pacing: slowburn
Communication: healthy communication
Third act: smooth sailing
Ending: HEA

Main characters:
* Black cat - golden retriever
* Cinnamon roll hero
* Enemies to lovers
* Reverse grumpy - sunshine
* Opposites attract

What?
* Forced proximity
* He falls first
* Sports romance: hockey

Where?
* Return to hometown
* Small town
* Workplace romance

Drama?
* Difficult past
* Family drama

Other vibes:
* Fall romance
* Mental health rep: OCD

This was the second book in this series that I have read, and neither one has disappointed. Checking Mr. Wrong was funny, cute, and full of fall spirit. It was a simple, easy, clean read that encapsulated the small town vibes.

Mabel and Asher were adorable together, radiating black cat x golden retriever energy, and they're characters were clear and built up. Mabel is a journalist, only back home for a job, and Asher is the newest hockey player for the icebreakers, making his debut in the NHL. Mabel and her mom's relationship was relatable for me, and Asher was downright adorable and so sweet to everyone. I enjoyed that this took place at the same time as book 1, Fake Off with Fate, rather than afterwards. For me, it built up the small town feel because each characters have their own storyline happening simultaneously instead of focusing on each of them one at a time.

This was a low stakes, cozy, romantic, hallmark-esque story that had me kicking my feet and giggling like a little girl, and I can't wait to dive back into Maple Falls when the rest of the series comes out.

3.5⭐️

Okay…this book was cute and gave the warm fuzzies that I expect with a Hallmark movie. Was it cheesy and predictable? Yes…did I mind it? No. The MCs were fine but the insta love from the MMC was a little much. He was a golden retriever cinnamon roll x1000. There also was a time that he gave me the ick by basically saying he didn’t think of her as a person..just a treat or something and I couldn’t get past that. Also I’m not a fan of Love Actually so the nod to that was mehh IMO. Overall though cute!

Small town charm + hockey heat = the perfect romcom! 🏒💘 Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp is amusing , sweet, and full of heart. Perfect if you love banter, swoons, and small-town vibes!

Out of all the romance series I have read, my absolute favorites are the ones set in small towns. There is just something about that cozy, everyone-knows-everyone vibe that makes me feel right at home. Big city romances can be fun, but give me small-town gossip, nosy neighbors, and found families any day. Add in the fact that I have recently become hooked on sports romances, especially hockey ones, and this book was basically calling my name. Since I had already read Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O’Keeffe, I thought I knew what I was getting into, and I was so ready for it.

What really made this book special is that it finally gave Asher, my favorite side character from Offside and Off-Limits, his own story. I was so happy to see him in the spotlight, and it did not disappoint. His struggles felt so real and raw that I was cheering him on the whole way through. There were moments where my heart hurt for him, and others where I wanted to high-five him for pushing through. I will not spoil anything, but the way his journey was written had so much heart. After reading the acknowledgements, it all made sense why it felt so genuine, and it made me love the story even more.

The romance itself was sweet, funny, and full of the kind of chemistry that keeps you flipping the pages. I loved watching Asher’s journey unfold while getting to revisit that small-town atmosphere that makes this series feel like catching up with old friends. That is one of the best parts of small-town romances. You do not just get a love story, you get to spend time with a whole community. This book gave me everything I wanted, and now I cannot wait to see which character’s story we get next.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

A cute hockey romance read! The banter between th FMC and MMC was cute & it would make a nice cozy fall read!

Mabel and her mother have a strained relationship, so returning home for a work assignment does not have her in the best of moods. When a handsome hockey player steals the trolley she was planning to use for her luggage, her temper gets the better of her and she gives him both barrels, but nothing seems to phase him, not even her cold shoulder. And so begins a snarky, on her part and charming, on his, relationship that might just lead to more.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a wonderfully done romantic comedy and worked well with the genre, I was engaged from start to finish and was invested in what was happening with the characters and their world. I was enjoying the way the Hockey element was used and how it worked with the romantic comedy element to create a strong package. Anne Kemp has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

Mabel and Asher were just perfect! This series is so good. It is warm and cozy which makes me want fall right now. These two were just made for each other and I loved how they connected. Both being there for each other. I always enjoy a hockey romance. I have read many by Anne Kemp and this one did not disappoint again!

This was cute as hell and exactly what I needed
I loved the fall vibes and sometimes it is so nice to have a golden retriever and not someone who is moody and possessive as an MMC!
I love the mental health representation as well! I think that it’s super important to see, especially for men!
While I wouldn’t say that the book goes in depth into the ins and outs of OCD, it does show an authentic version of what it is like for some down to the initial accident that triggered the OCD for Asher.
I loved that the author had our FMC be the one that has a struggle with talking about her feelings.
So many times you read these hockey romances and the guys are these brooding NHL stars who can’t talk about their feelings but all the wild pulling out all the alpha man stops.
They are possessive and controlling of the women while being incapable of talking about their feelings. I enjoyed the fact that the MMC is not scared to show his feelings or talk about them. I think that that is a really healthy president to put out in the world That you’re not less of a man or having feelings. I know my husband sharing his feelings with me is one of my favorite things in the world.

The little town this is set in is absolutely adorable and the cast of characters are fantastic. It definitely gives stars hollow vibes, but with hockey.

Anne Kemp's Checking Mr. Wrong was the perfect cozy read to ease into fall. A small-town hockey romance set in a place that could give Stars Hollow a run for its money? Yes, please!

Asher stole the show for me with his golden retriever, cinnamon roll energy. I loved getting his POV and seeing how he navigates both life and love as a professional athlete living with OCD. Mabel, meanwhile, was a bit prickly and guarded, still reeling from a viral breakup and a lost job, but her return home on a new assignment while also navigating a wounded relationship with her mother, gave her character depth.

Kemp paired them well together, though I did find myself wishing for a little more slow build before the big grand gesture.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, immersive, and thoroughly charming romance. Cute, cheesy, and the kind of book you can easily devour in a sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Red Bird Publishing for this ARC!

Thank you to Red Bird Publishing and Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity to read Checking Mr. Wrong!

Can I take a one-way ticket to Maple Falls please? If you’re looking for a quick, cozy and clean read, this is the book for you!

This book had all of the fall vibes but also talked about some serious topics as well. I appreciated the author’s portrayal of OCD, complicated familial relationships and the quest to save a small town.

I haven’t read many stories where OCD was talked about, so I felt like I really learned a lot. It was interesting and encouraging to see how the male main character coped with his thoughts and how he sought help when he needed it.

Overall, this was a short and easy read. I’m counting down the days until fall!

Mabel returns home to Maple Falls for a new assignment, but gets recognized everywhere she goes for being the woman who scorned her cheating ex on TV. Only Asher doesn't know who she is. But she knows him, thanks to the file her editor put together on him. After a rocky start, can he charm her int giving him a chance?

Read if you like:
-Small Town Romance
-Hockey Romance
-Journalist x Player
-He's Charming but She' Wary

Checking Mr. Wrong was so cute! I loved that Mabel was just there to do her job only to find herself smitten with Asher. And yes, it took a little while for her to become smitten, but Asher was so adorably charming that he broke through all her walls. Even though we've seen the dunking fundraiser turned wet tee shirt contest through two other POVs in this series already, theirs was my favorite.

Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp is a fun and charming romance that had me smiling from start to finish. Mabel and Asher’s chemistry was witty, heartfelt, and full of sparks, making their story both entertaining and swoon worthy. I loved the small town setting and the balance of humor and emotion throughout. I truly enjoyed this book and give it five stars.

Checking Mr. Wrong was super cute! Grumpy sunshine romances will forever be a hit with me, and I loved the snarky banter between Mabel and Asher. Overall cute and fun, and such a good read!