Heart Check coming November 18th, 2025 from Margaret K. McElderry Books; 304 pages
Content Warning: Foul language, violence, bullying
About the Author: “Emily is an LA-based writer of slow-burn romance. By day she overconsumes iced coffee and teaches English to students who patiently put up with her research questions; by night she overthinks reality dating shows and admires athletes with far more coordination than she’s ever possessed” (Bio from author’s website).
Find Emily Charlotte on the following platforms:
Junior year of high school is the busiest season for students, especially for Harper Braedon. Harper is juggling her A+ academics, working at the diner after school, managing her own jewelry business, and advocating for fair school funding for the school’s art department. Still, she’s determined to balance it all—but there is one aggravating obstacle standing in her way: Luke Dawson, the star of the hockey team and the most popular guy at school. Harper, an outcast, is the complete opposite of him. With Dawson focused on getting scouted, he relies on Harper to cover his shifts at his family’s diner. To make things worse, when his hockey coach gets fired for stealing funds from the school, Dawson’s teammates paint Harper as the number one suspect responsible for their beloved coach being fired. Though their loathing is at its climax, Harper and Dawson are forced to work together at the diner and face an undeniable chemistry.
This is the cutest winter rom-com, with the perfect amount of angst and yearning. I absolutely adore enemies-to-lovers, and this is a perfect example. Harper was my favorite character; she’s incredibly sweet and always standing up for what she believes in. While Dawson is led astray through the story, he still holds strong morals in his heart. I loved the inclusivity woven throughout the story, with multiple LGBTQ+ relationships, a side character with diabetes, Harper’s petitioning and Dawson’s support for all-gender bathrooms, and school entrances for wheelchair users. I wasn’t expecting much diversity going into this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. The diverse characters and the story’s themes of community, belonging, and growth made the book so much more than just a romance—it was a genuine view of humanity. I absolutely loved the scene where Dawson teaches Harper how to skate, when Dawson’s friends mention being Catradora shippers, and in the end when Dawson uses his win to showcase Harper’s hard work. The rom-com vibes in this story are very similar to Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter. Some readers might find Dawson and Harper’s dynamic to be toxic, so it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I do think the characters do a great job of accepting accountability and growing as people, especially Dawson. I would do absolutely anything for a sequel. If you love the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, angsty romances, and grand gestures, you will love Heart Check!
Heart Check releases on November 18th, 2025.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Margaret K. McElderry Books for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Anasofia Alejandro, Pine Reads Review Writer