Checking It Twice (Lili’s Review)

Title: Checking It Twice (The Carlisles, #3)
Author: Meg Harding
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: November 28th 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary, Sports Romance
Page Count: 200 pages
Reviewed by: Lili
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Closeted professional hockey player Eric Belanger is falling hard for an out-and-proud male model. He’s unable to resist Dorian’s charm and pushing personal boundaries he never thought he’d cross. But Dorian is the kind of guy who deserves someone who isn’t afraid to be himself. Eric’s fears about what coming out will do to his career clash with the future he hopes to build with Dorian. He knows he’ll eventually have to make a choice.

Dorian Carlisle knows better than to date a man who wants to keep him a secret, but there’s something about Eric he can’t ignore. So he’ll take the risk, and it’ll be all right, because this isn’t a forever romance. He’s happy to live in the moment. But somehow, at some point, feelings sneak up on him and he’s not okay anymore. At a breaking point, Dorian must also make a decision. Their time together will either be the start of something wonderful or nothing more than a happy memory.

Checking It Twice (The Carlisles, #3) by Meg Harding is the story of a closeted hockey player and an out and proud male model. They met during a photo shoot, and they were attracted to each other from the get-go. After their first meeting what ensues is a sweet love story with a sprinkle of angst.

My highlights:

1. I liked the characters. I loved Eric’s awkwardness-I thought it was endearing. And I loved Dorian, as well. He was kind and patient- but no a pushover.

2. I enjoyed the relationship development. It was fun and sweet. They had great chemistry.

3. I appreciated that there wasn’t any over the top drama.

4. The end was romantic.

BUT the overall story didn’t stand out for me. I felt the first half of the book was stronger than the second half. I loved the beginning and how their relationship developed but somewhere along the way my attention started to wane. I don’t know it was missing something for me. The story wasn’t memorable, and I really don’t mean that to come across as harsh as it may sound. There was more positive than negative here.

Would I recommend it? Yes, I would because overall it was a good story.

Can this book be read out of order? Yes, I haven’t read the first two and never felt lost.

All in all, this was a pleasant story, and it provided a much-needed break from real life. 3.5 Stars.