Puckered Up with Slapshot Santa
(2025)(The seventh book in the Meet-Cute Match-Ups series)
A Story by Kristen Iten
A determined dentist, a hockey hero, and the holiday bet that could save her practice. Will their fake relationship turn into a real romance before the Christmas lights go out?
My family’s dental practice is hemorrhaging patients to the flashy new office across the street—built by my long-time rival who now wants to buy me out and turn my building into her parking lot. Desperate to save the legacy I’ve fought for, I’m fresh out of ideas… until Garrett Reid, famous hockey player and my lifelong crush, walks into my office with a crazy proposition to help him win a holiday bet.
I’d sworn him off just a month ago, determined to finally starve out the butterflies he’d sparked in me since we were kids. After all, the hazel-eyed heartthrob with the too-cute smirk had never seen me as anything more than his best friend’s sister. But when he begs me to pose as his girlfriend—to spare him a humiliating elf costume and win a big favor from his teammates—his offer stops me cold.
In exchange for a few fake dates, he’ll send the entire Briarwood Bobcats team my way as patients. One hockey roster could save my practice for good. How can I say no?
What follows is a whirlwind of holiday magic: charity events under twinkling lights, cozy moments in the rink’s frosty glow, his warm hand lingering at my back, and almost-kisses that leave my heart racing faster than a puck across the ice. But pretending to date the man who checks every box on my dream-guy list is a dangerous game. His probing gaze and protective charm melt my resolve to keep my heart locked away as I wonder if I’m just his convenient holiday helper… or if he’s finally seeing the woman behind the white coat.
Can I convince the world that our fake spark is real, save my practice, and walk away with my heart intact? Or will this holiday romance blossom into a bigger Christmas miracle than I ever thought possible?
**A lighthearted, brother's best friend, holiday, hockey romantic comedy full of banter, butterflies, and Christmas magic!
Genre: Romance
My family’s dental practice is hemorrhaging patients to the flashy new office across the street—built by my long-time rival who now wants to buy me out and turn my building into her parking lot. Desperate to save the legacy I’ve fought for, I’m fresh out of ideas… until Garrett Reid, famous hockey player and my lifelong crush, walks into my office with a crazy proposition to help him win a holiday bet.
I’d sworn him off just a month ago, determined to finally starve out the butterflies he’d sparked in me since we were kids. After all, the hazel-eyed heartthrob with the too-cute smirk had never seen me as anything more than his best friend’s sister. But when he begs me to pose as his girlfriend—to spare him a humiliating elf costume and win a big favor from his teammates—his offer stops me cold.
In exchange for a few fake dates, he’ll send the entire Briarwood Bobcats team my way as patients. One hockey roster could save my practice for good. How can I say no?
What follows is a whirlwind of holiday magic: charity events under twinkling lights, cozy moments in the rink’s frosty glow, his warm hand lingering at my back, and almost-kisses that leave my heart racing faster than a puck across the ice. But pretending to date the man who checks every box on my dream-guy list is a dangerous game. His probing gaze and protective charm melt my resolve to keep my heart locked away as I wonder if I’m just his convenient holiday helper… or if he’s finally seeing the woman behind the white coat.
Can I convince the world that our fake spark is real, save my practice, and walk away with my heart intact? Or will this holiday romance blossom into a bigger Christmas miracle than I ever thought possible?
**A lighthearted, brother's best friend, holiday, hockey romantic comedy full of banter, butterflies, and Christmas magic!
Genre: Romance
Used availability for Kristen Iten's Puckered Up with Slapshot Santa