Hockey Holiday

Once upon a time teenage Aurora Evans met a hockey player at the Mall of America. He was from Canada. And soon, he was the perfect fake boyfriend, a get-out-of-jail-free card for all kinds of sticky situations. I can't go to prom. I'm going to be visiting my boyfriend in Canada. He was just what she needed to cover her social awkwardness. He never had to know. It wasn't like she was ever going to see him again... Years later, Aurora is teaching kids’ dance classes and battling panic and eating disorders when pro hockey player Mike Martin walks in with his daughter.

Adored by all, Britta is an ambitious waitress working at Sluggers. The popular bar holds a special place in her heart and is a regular hangout for the Bridgeport Bandits, the local hockey club. With a half brother on the team, Britta has a strict no-dating policy for hockey boys. But she does have a soft spot for one particular player.

Join Lucas and Fallon along with Tate and Audrey, as they await life-changing gifts; Erik and Piper, and Phillip and Reece, who have decisions to make that could lead to exciting developments in their lives; and Claire, as she makes a Christmas wish and choices for her future. Spend Christmas morning with the Adler family, and see what the New Year has in store for Karson and Lacey, as well as Kacey King.

I hate Christmas. Years and years of disappointment have taught me that Christmas is the worst. I don't like the music, the food, the decorations…anything. And Lincoln Daniels, my tattooed hockey god of a husband, thinks he's going to change that… I tell him it's not going to happen.

Nothing's more romantic than matching with the same guy every time you reluctantly download a dating app. Hotter than ever—check. Off-limits—double check. Why does the universe hate me? Cole Kincaid is unfairly irresistible and the one guy I'll never have. My brother's best friend is all grown up, but he's not here to witness my messy girl era. He's Dad's new assistant coach for Heston U's hockey team. Match me once, we'll laugh it off and never talk about it again. Match me twice, well, this is awkward. Match me three-four-five times? My resolve is only so strong.

Leo McKnight, an identical twin to a famous hockey player, finds himself caught up in a case of mistaken identity on Christmas Eve. When Leo unexpectedly bumps into the captivating Riley at the airport, he's both amused and intrigued by her assumption that he's his renowned brother. Embracing his mischievous side, Leo decides to play along, relishing in their flirty banter and clever exchanges. But as fate would have it, their flight gets canceled, and Leo seizes the opportunity to spend more time with Riley.

Maisy Moore is not looking forward to the holiday season. As owner of the only hair salon in Gamble, Alaska, she'll be run off her feet helping her clients get dolled up for parties. Parties she'll never be invited to. But that's not the worst of it. As a single mom, she knows she still won't be able to give her seven-year-old son, Jack, the kind of magical Christmas his classmates get. If only she could give him what he really wants—to know who his dad is. The last thing Maisy needs is for NHL star Chase Evans to come waltzing back into town like he's God's gift to women.

The Waterloo Black Hawks’ first Thanksgiving game was not on the original United States Hockey League schedule in 1964/65. Nevertheless, the Black Hawks played on that holiday evening, starting a tradition which today draws thousands of Eastern Iowans to the rink each November after turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

In high school, I was Little Miss Brainy Rebel Girl to my twin's athletic Mr. Popularity. That also meant I avoided wading into the dating pool. Like a shark, it didn't help that my protective brother probably scared away potential suitors. Fast forward: He's engaged, but our parents won't let him tie the knot until I find a boyfriend. Now, he has guys lining up to date me. This only becomes an issue when his best friend, Redd, gets a hero's welcome when he returns to play hockey for the Nebraska Knights.

It started innocently enough with a harmless inquiry about a cute guy at a coffee shop. The goal was to get back into the romance game. The search turned into a social media frenzy. #DesperatelySeekingDane was not available. Talk about a buzzkill. Just when I thought things couldn't become more dramatic, a TV production company reached out to me as a last-minute contestant in a dating contest because of my five minutes of online fame. It was an instant yes because one of the three bachelors was a major movie star and my lifelong crush.

Ellie Klein fled Vermont after graduating high school, and she hasn't been back since. Not to see her overbearing parents nor her distant brother, not even to visit her temperamental cat and beloved dog. And most importantly, she hasn't been back to see Theo Fox. Her first love and brother's best friend has been but a distant and painful memory for the last seven years. When Ellie's travel site lands her back where it all began, her goal is to get in and out without seeing anyone from before. But life has other plans.

After my mother was diagnosed with cancer last year, she has been on my siblings and me to get married. Afraid that her time is running out, she just wants to be here for all of the milestones in our life. I’m the last one left, the one who doesn’t even have a girlfriend. My family knows that my life is invested in hockey, yet they still continue to push. I can’t show up at my brother’s wedding alone and deal with their disappointment. Instead, I need to find someone who will pretend to be my girlfriend for the week. Sydney Phillips is the perfect candidate.

The Heller brothers are all heading home for the holidays in their short break in the hockey season. It should be a great family reunion since three of the four brothers are bringing their new girlfriends. But Jase and Remi just got the results of an important DNA test, and neither of them is in a mood to celebrate. Tag and Kyla also just got some surprising news that has them at odds, and Nicole's nervous about meeting the whole family when she and Logan have been together such a short time.