It was nice to read but at the end everything felt slightly rushed. They are a cute couple and it was nice to see the characters develop in the story. Easy read.

I loved the support they showed one another when their fears overwhelmed them and how they had one another in mind when making difficult decisions regardless of how anything could affect themselves.

Already pre-ordered book 2.

Started off and I thought it was a college romance- with the “party” setting. I’m not a fan of college romances so was immediately put off but it did start to redeem itself with the forbidden workplace romance vibes, as well as a jealous ex on the scene. The fake dating plot line was unexpected. It did feel like this book had a lot of tropes in it for just one storyline. Every time it felt like it had gotten to the main “drama” of the story, something else happened. The writing of the story was quite simplistic but a very easy and enjoyable read.

I just feel like too much happened in the story, and it could’ve been shorter and therefore a better read.

****SPOILER****

There was a 3rd act break up, at 60% and it kept going long after that… and I couldn’t keep track with all of the time he’d injured his knee.

I’d be interested in continuing the series, but I really hope that the author shortens the story and tries to pack less in- because Check and Chase really didn’t need it!

A good open door, angst ridden hockey romance

I absolutely loved this book! Chase Michell has all the makings of a new favorite book boyfriend: charming, swoony, and impossible not to fall for. Emma completely stole my heart too. She has been through so much, but her strength, resilience, and the way she loves and cares for others made her such a compelling heroine.

The tropes in this story hit perfectly: fake dating, brother’s rival, and just the right amount of angst. The chemistry between Chase and Emma was undeniable, the spice was incredible, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way.

This book was as delicious as it sounds, and I am already impatient for book 2!

I was obsessed with this couple after the first chapter, the chemistry was off the charts to say they'd just met each other.

The story was so addictive, everything just worked perfectly to get you hooked on the story and characters.

The friendship between Emma and her best friend Maya was how a girl friendship should be, it was ride or die.

The fake relationship to save Emma from her sleazy, harrasing ex ended up being the best thing that Emma and Chase could have done.

The whole story was beautiful written and heartfelt.

💙🏒Check & Chase by Clara St James🏒💙

511 Pages

The Breakaway Series Book 1

The absolute trust and devotion felt throughout this book was nothing short of perfection, just everything about Chase Mitchell is beautiful... well maybe not everything, IYKYK!

This book follows Emma Anderson who has sworn herself away from Hockey players after being burned before that is until she gets a job as the PT for The Bears and has to work in close quarters to Chase Mitchell, someone from her past that she hopes doesn't remember her, and how wrong she was.

I absolutely ate this up so much so that I didn't want it to end I loved how much they blossomed over the entire book and became the best versions of themselves.

As with every new series I love getting to meet not only our FMC and MMC but the rest of their friends and family and getting to know them along the way and getting so invested that I am dreaming up what I hope is coming **Cough** Best Friends Brother **Cough** ;)

I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone! For fans of Hockey Romances, Brothers Rival, Fake Dating, Grumpy X Sunshine and some very delicious Spicy Goodness.

Excellent book! And a great debut for this author! Excited for the next book in series, will definitely be reading more.

It was weeks of seeing social media posts prior to launch. Every one of them had me wanting to read it right then and there. As soon as it was released I read it and it was absolutely worth the wait. A great read, and great writing by Clara St. James. Already waiting for what's next.

This was one of those rare reads that made me laugh, blush, clutch my chest, and then whisper “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was 3 a.m, and I was emotionally unwell in that lovesick, kicking my feet kind of way.

Chase was a walking contradiction, fierce on the ice, soft for her, and dangerously good at making me (and Emma ofc) fall hopelessly in love. He has literally ruined me for all other book boyfriends. And Emma? She’s got sass, strength, and a heart big enough to match his intensity. The were pure magic together.

This was such a fun and emotional read and if I could, I would give it infinite stars!! It’s going on my list of always recommending and always talking about xD Clara St James has done an amazing job with this one!!

If you love sports romances with some really good banter, then you’ll love this one just like I did!! It’s also free on KU🩵

I really enjoyed this story. This was my first sports romance and I will most certainly be reading more.

You immediately get connected to the Chase and Emma, cheering their relationship on.

You get to see them grow, make mistakes, and figurer out how to navigate their love, professions, and family.

Enjoyed immensely!!!!

It’s been a while since I’ve read a sports romance, but the cover of Check & Chase initially caught my attention, and then the blurb had me intrigued.

I was hooked and fully invested from the drop of the puck (also known as the prologue in this case).

I laughed, I cried, I groaned (former athlete with all the knee injuries), I swooned, and I laughed some more. There truly wasn’t a single part of this book that I didn’t love.

The flow of the story was meticulous, and it was perfectly paced. I flew through each chapter, yet each chapter had deep, significant moments that were given their time to shine - no part of it felt rushed or like certain moments were skimmed over, if you’re picking up what I’m putting down.

I adored each character (except the villains for obvious reasons). The book is multiple POV, Emma (FMC) and Chase (MMC). Both characters were fully defined, but they still had chances to grow and develop over the course of the book. I connected with Emma in so many ways, yet Chase was also extremely relatable, especially in how he viewed certain situations and learned some hard lessons.

Emma and Chase meet in the prologue. Life happens. We circle back around, and they’re forced back together. Chase is Emma’s brother’s biggest rival and Emma’s ex-boyfriend’s teammate. So what do they do to solve their problems? Fake date, of course! What could go wrong…or so incredibly right. Insert spice. Clara knows how to write it!

Then there’s Max. As if I couldn’t love this book more, there’s a black kitty floof, Max (who may end up in a bow tie at one point). Oh my heart.

All in all, I really kind of felt like I was a fly on the wall in someone’s life; it was so realistic - almost like watching a movie? I’m not entirely sure how to explain it honestly, but I finished the book absolutely satisfied. Every ‘t’ was crossed and ‘i’ was dotted, with a pretty little bow to finish it up. This was probably one of the most well written books I’ve ever read.

So I ended up reading Playing Defense first and then this book and I can honestly say that I loved this one so much. Playing Defense was good, but Check & Chase was fantastic. And it had nothing to do with knowing what happens in the future book and everything to do with Chase and Emma's story. It was well done. Had some drama here and there, but nothing crazy over the top and I enjoyed that. It made the story better and the characters more real for dealing with it.

I also loved seeing Chase help Emma with her PTSD. I liked that about both books. These big bad hockey players going above and beyond for the women they love.