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Table of Contents
About The Book
A star hockey player and his biggest critic must reexamine their assumptions about each other when forced to work together at an after-school job in this feel-good young adult rom-com debut about breaking the ice—featuring stenciled sprayed edges!
Luke Dawson and Harper Braedon could have been friends. They trade shifts at the same diner, share classes at school, and are driven by their greatest passions: hockey for Dawson and jewelry-making for Harper. But some things aren't meant to be. Dawson thinks Harper is stuck-up, too good for anything resembling school spirit. Harper thinks Dawson is a self-centered jock, a perfect fit for a hockey team that seems to absorb all the budget away from the arts departments.
When his beloved hockey coach gets fired for misallocation of funds, Dawson is terrified that all his plans for impressing scouts are vanishing before his eyes. A rumor goes around that Harper was the one who got him fired, and suddenly she’s public enemy number one.
But even with their mutual dislike at an all-time high, Harper and Dawson can’t escape splitting shifts forever. Can forced proximity help them find some common ground, or will long-held grudges finally succeed in bringing them both down?
Luke Dawson and Harper Braedon could have been friends. They trade shifts at the same diner, share classes at school, and are driven by their greatest passions: hockey for Dawson and jewelry-making for Harper. But some things aren't meant to be. Dawson thinks Harper is stuck-up, too good for anything resembling school spirit. Harper thinks Dawson is a self-centered jock, a perfect fit for a hockey team that seems to absorb all the budget away from the arts departments.
When his beloved hockey coach gets fired for misallocation of funds, Dawson is terrified that all his plans for impressing scouts are vanishing before his eyes. A rumor goes around that Harper was the one who got him fired, and suddenly she’s public enemy number one.
But even with their mutual dislike at an all-time high, Harper and Dawson can’t escape splitting shifts forever. Can forced proximity help them find some common ground, or will long-held grudges finally succeed in bringing them both down?
Why We Love It
“Heart Check is a classic enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract romance, filled with snarky banter and two winning protagonists who love to get in each other’s way as much as they like pretending they aren’t really into one another. Sprinkle in some forced proximity and the small-town charm of Friday Night Lights, and this is a perfect sports rom-com for readers of all ages.”
—Nicole F., Editor, on Heart Check
Product Details
- Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (November 18, 2025)
- Length: 304 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665971447
- Ages: 14 - 99
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Raves and Reviews
“Cozy and joyful, with an enemies-to-lovers romance that feels like a blast of warmth on an icy day. Emily Charlotte crafts characters with a tender empathy that makes them easy to fall for. An effervescent debut."
– Rachel Lynn Solomon, New York Times bestselling author of Today Tonight Tomorrow
"Swoony and sporty and sincere, Heart Check had me rooting for these enemies-to-lovers to finally realize they were perfect for each other. With teammates and friendships that feel so honest and earned, you'll be furiously turning pages to see who wins in the end. GO HAWKS!"
– Kristin Dwyer, critically acclaimed author of The Atlas of Us
"A warm hug of a debut, HEART CHECK hits you with flawless small-town vibes balanced perfectly by blade-sharp enemies-to-lovers romance with enough banter to land our lovable protagonists in the penalty box. Come for Emily Charlotte’s determined, witty, and fearlessly vulnerable characters. Stay for the textured exploration of redemption and community."
– Jessica Parra, author of Rubi Ramos's Recipe for Success and The Quince Project
"Heart Check is a crackling, slow-burn romance set into the icy backdrop of hockey-obsessed Hamilton Lakes, where polar-opposites Harper and Dawson find themselves equal parts repelled and spellbound by each other's relentless ambition. With its idyllic, small-town setting and rivals-to-lovers arc, Heart Check is the most charming sports romance I've read in a long time. I wish I could spend every winter in cozy Hamilton Lakes with Harper Braedon and Luke Dawson."
– Ellen O'Clover, author of Seven Percent of Ro Devereux
"Heart Check is a fun, cozy cold-weather read about two true enemies from opposite social spheres as they wade through their own expectations and ideas of each other to find there’s a place they can meet, right at center ice. Two people haven't hated the idea of loving each other more than Harper Braedon and Luke Dawson since Lizzie and Darcy were first introduced! They will have you screaming like it’s the Stanley Cup playoffs, except instead of 'Shoot! Shoot!' it’s 'Kiss! KISS!'"
– Samantha Markum, bestselling author of Love, Off the Record
“This effervescent YA feels like Taylor Swift scored a John Hughes movie. A swoony, layered, unputdownable love story, HEART CHECK is a romantic hat trick.”
– Kalie Holford, author of the Last Love Song
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): Heart Check eBook 9781665971447
