First of all, many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC granted to me. Another great and compelling sport romance to the reading list! I liked the way the authr had include the chronic illness fybro, since My mother's been suffering from it , so I like when I find stories that talk about it.

"A single mom with a chronic illness and a professional hockey player meet ten years later after a breakup that left both of them heartbroken. The sparks are still there, but will they be able to make it the second time around, especially when a night together results in an accidental pregnancy?"

I enjoyed this debut novel and found it a nice, light-hearted second-chance romance. Some may find Liam to be too sweet for their liking, but he was definitely my favourite character and a total gentleman. He was the whole forest - so sweet and supportive of Ellis and Jack.

I appreciate the chronic illness rep and getting some insight into what individuals with fibromyalgia face daily and how it can affect a pregnancy. It was very informative.

The only tiny gripe was the way Jack spoke and behaved. It made me think he was closer to ten, and I had to keep reminding myself that he was actually five. Maybe he is mature for his age?

If you love:
• sports/hockey romance
• second chance
• single mom
• accidental pregnancy
• he falls first
• found family
• chronic illness rep

Then I would recommend giving this book a read!

Thank you to Tegan Phillips and Hera Books for an ARC copy of this book in return for a review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, I want to say that I enjoyed the premise of this book. Ellis and Liam are college sweethearts who break up in order for Liam to pursue his professional hockey career, with the promise they will find one another again if they are meant to be.

Cue the very next chapter when 10 years have suddenly passed, they just so happen to meet at a random night club and spend the night together. And wham! Ellis is pregnant.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but sadly I found the writing lacking, the FMC somewhat abrasive, and the fast-paced relationship very unrealistic. The MMC was a sweetheart, and at times I felt sorry for him due to the nature of their tentative relationship.

That being said, as a fellow fibromyalgia sufferer, I was glad to see an honest and accurate representation.

I do think readers looking for a quick, tropey fic with a pinch of smut will enjoy this book, but sadly it wasn't for me.

2.5!

This story has a great concept in general and I can think of so many things that I liked, but there were also a couple things that threw me off.

I really wish the description included that she was a single parent because it kind of surprised me while I was reading it. I'm not heartless and I'm not going to say that I don't like or respect single parents, but that's not really my vibe in books. I absolutely love second chance and I live for it, but single parent isn't really my favorite trope.

However, I did love how those special moments that a couple faces when they're about to be new parents were shown. Especially that the little moments at the doctor because they were so cute.

If you like books that show the cutest pregnancy moments, then this would be a really nice, sweet book to read!!

Thank you to Tegan Phillips, Hera Books and NetGalley for this arc! 💕

Thank you to Tegan Phillips, Hera Books and NetGallery for this ARC.

The book follows Ellis and Liam.

Ellis is a business owner and single mum with fibromyalgia. She's not used to having a village and deals with life as it comes.

Liam is a big NHL star and has returned home to his hometown team.

Liam notices Ellis talking to his team mate and can barely believe his luck. It's been 10 years since their split (one that Ellis initiate due to her own insecurities and not wanting to hold Liam back) and she's been on his mind since. He takes the opportunity and they spend the night together, after which Ellis ghosts him out of self preservation. Until something happens that turns her world upside down. Insert surprise pregnancy trope and Liam is the dad.

I liked how the author wrote the fibromyalgia into her book. It felt like an insight into those who have the condition and the struggles they endure, not only during pregnancy but on a day to day basis.

Ellis got on my nerves a bit. I found it hard to connect with her on a personality level. She constantly pushed back against Liam, not believing his intentions and loyalty towards her and her son. I'm not sure it could even be attributed to pregnancy hormones, it was more down to her self worth and confidence and I don't feel like she had a lot of growth within the timeframe of the book and in the 10 years previous. There was also a few inconsistencies in her behaviour, like Liam wasn't allowed to tell his closest friends and teammates he was going to be a dad but she could confide in her friend. However she comes across as such a strong willed character. Raising her son solo for 6 years all while battling a chronic condition which results in debilitating pain. It feels very authentic and not over done at all.

Liam however, what a sweetheart. You can tell from his POV he was always hung up on Ellis, the one that got away. The way he showed his love toward not only Ellis but her son Jack too, basically becoming a father figure very early on. I loved how he not only supported Ellis when she was being difficult, but brought in a whole village to support his new family.

I love some of the side characters and felt like they helped carry the story. I liked her son Jack but having a 6 year old myself, I feel like he was maybe written a bit maturely. Could be down to being with a single parent with a health condition. I'm normally not one for an accidental pregnancy trope but this was the main aspect of the story and I enjoyed reading about the pregnancy journey between Ellis and Liam.

Overall a decent enough read and helped with my current hockey romance obsession.

First off, let me say I loved Liam. He is such a caring, loving, forgiving MMC and just really made my heart happy. I had a bit of a harder time liking Ellis. The whole „I want it but then I don’t want it” switching just really wasn’t it for me. Liam was so sure of what he wanted, even 10 years ago, and Ellis just used the excuse of „I don’t want to hold you back” one too many times for me. I was hoping for more growth in her character.

I do love a good accidental pregnancy and the fact that they were friends as well, was heart warming.

The representation of fibromyalgia and how it can effect someone’s life was done very well without overdoing it in my opinion.

This book had me melting all the way through! I cried in the prologue. It got me right in the heart. I related so hard to the authors descriptions of chronic illness. I felt every symptom- she depicted it so well that I think readers without chronic illness will feel deeply connected to the character and be able to empathise with her. The NHL star is down bad for his college girlfriend- his dream girl! The fact that she is chronically ill only makes him love her more for how strong she is. But he also sees her weak moments and knows when to step in and help her or just hold her. He sees her for who she is not as her illness- which is something she sometimes struggles to do for herself.

This is a second chance hockey romance with a surprised pregnancy thrown in and honestly, save your time and find another sports romance to read. This one is not it. The overall plot is fine and enjoy all the tropes used, but the downfall was the writing. I found the pacing and style almost impossible to read. It was full of telling not showing and not enough action. I essentially skimmed this book because I wanted to know what happened without actually having to read the words on the page.

3.5 stars!

If I had a nickel for every time I read a hockey romance where the mmc calls the fmc ‘sunshine’, I’d have two nickels but it’s weird it happened twice right?

Jokes aside I loved this book. Liam and El were so cute. I don’t usually like one night stand/accidental pregnancy trope but this was done so well.

I don’t know anyone with fibromyalgia and I also haven’t heard of it much in general so it was interesting to me to learn about that as the book went on. I love how Liam adapted and helped El with this despite the issues they had in the past.

I loved the dynamic between Liam and Jack and how much Liam stepped up to be in Jack’s life without needing to be asked.

This is the cute and quick read much needed after feeling a slump coming.

If there is one thing I have a soft spot for, it is a good hockey romance, and Melting For You delivers just that. Tegan Phillips combines second chance romance, unexpected parenthood and the chaos of professional sport to create a warm, emotional and utterly entertaining story.

When Ellis bumps into her ex, Liam Ruinsky, ten years after their break up, sparks fly straight away. He is still the charming, larger than life ice hockey player she remembers, and although their lives are wildly different now, their chemistry is impossible to ignore. What begins as a one off reunion quickly turns into something far more permanent when Ellis discovers she is pregnant.

What sets this book apart is the honest portrayal of Ellis’s struggles with chronic illness. It adds real depth to her character and makes her journey all the more compelling. She is strong, determined and navigating a complicated life with grace, even as everything is turned upside down. Liam, while still very much the goofy, charming hockey player type, shows surprising growth as he learns how to support Ellis and face up to impending fatherhood.

Their connection is undeniable, and watching them attempt to navigate coparenting while clearly still carrying unresolved feelings was both heart warming and occasionally heart wrenching. The story does not shy away from the messiness of real life, with family pressures, media intrusion and professional demands all playing their part.

Even if you know nothing about hockey, this book is easy to fall into. The sport provides a fun, fast-paced backdrop without ever overwhelming the more emotional moments. Plus, who can resist a cast of big, silly hockey lads being supportive and sweet behind the scenes?

Melting For You is a heartfelt, character driven romance that blends humour, love and vulnerability beautifully. Perfect for fans of sports romance with emotional depth and second chances that feel genuinely earned.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

There were a few things I liked about this book. I really enjoyed the MMC for this book, Liam was a complete sweetheart and I really felt his love come through on the page.
I also liked the author representing chronicles illness in the way she did.
For me though I ended up having to DNF this book at about the 50% mark.
The miscommunication between the two characters was just too much and I quite honestly didn’t like the FMC Ellis at all.
I feel like she could have grown a lot in the first half of the story and the prior 10 years before the book takes place and she just didn’t.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC copy of this book.

Ellis and Liam are soulmates. This was a very sweet and easy read. The accidental pregnancy trope can be upsetting for some but this was written in a great manner that only added to the story.

Melting for You is a second chance romance between a florist with chronic pain and a hot as heck hockey player. They were together in college but she gave him up so he could be drafted in another state. 10 years later they run into each other and that’s where this story starts.


I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE REPRESENTED IN A BOOK BEFORE THIS. I honestly did not understand how important representation is in literature and media until I read this book. I’m married, mother of 4 and on disability due to a severe neck injury and lupus. I related to absolutely everything the FMC went through. From questioning her worth to her loved ones as a person to trying to figure out how to parent and wait for pain killers to kick in. It was eerily similar. I’m really lucky to have met my Prince Charming before I got sick, but I can assume that it’s really hard to put yourself out there like that when you’re also dealing with chronic illness. Ellis frustrated me a few times because I wanted her to so bad just let go and allow herself to be loved. More than once I was frustrated with Liam because he was being too passive. It all worked out in the end, so that’s what matters.

i really want to discuss this book because the storyline had so much potential but the storytelling wasn’t as powerful and professional.

i really enjoyed the story because it was heartwarming and beautiful, but i just can’t give a higher ranking because of some moments:

➷ he used nickname “sunshine” too many times. at some point during the “together scenes” i thought he forget her name. i think it’s an adorable nickname but i also believe there is a balance when calling someone like this, especially in books. every second page is a lot

➷ basically, ellis (fmc) has a 5-year-old son, jacks, from an older ex boyfriend, who does not participate in the boy’s life. liam (who was also an ex of the mom in college) enters her life as she gets accidentally pregnant by him. at some point, a couple of month after meeting the boy, jacks mentions being sad that he doesn’t have a dad. liam offers to be his dad without talking to the mom. important that liam was not romantically involved with the ellis and they never talked about being a family at that point.
- i really don’t like this moment, because this dialogue was never mentioned to the ellis. moments like this should be discussed with the parent, especially if you’re not engaging with the mom

➷ liam reacted so lightly to pregnancy. how? he has not seen ellis 10 years, and after a one night stand he learns that he’s going to be a father. it was incredibly nice to see his patience and care for every member of ellis’ family but this moment felt unnatural.

finally, the writing felt jumpy, which was very new? i couldn’t understand where the feelings were coming from. one page she fells neutral, next page she’s all over him. same goes to the plot and friends, liam and everyone else.

overall, i’m glad that i picked up this book because it was such an interesting experience. while i enjoyed plot, writing has so much development 🙌

I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC from NetGalley, and it’s one of those stories that blooms beautifully as it unfolds. A heartfelt blend of found family, second chance romance, and surprise pregnancy, it gently pulls you in and wraps you up in its warmth.

When Ellis runs into her ex, Liam—a charming, golden retriever-type NHL star—after a decade apart, it sets off a chain of emotional and life-changing events neither of them expected. What follows is a tender, realistic look at co-parenting, rekindled chemistry, and navigating life's curveballs with courage.

What truly stood out to me was the thoughtful and authentic representation of a single mum living with chronic pain. It was handled with care, and added emotional depth to Ellis’s journey. The banter between Ellis and Liam is another highlight—sweet, funny, and full of that second-chance spark that makes your heart ache in the best way.

Add in a wise and lovable five-year-old, meaningful friendships, and a cozy atmosphere that feels like a warm hug, and you’ve got a story full of heart, healing, and hope. An uplifting, feel-good read I truly enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I like the representation of chronic pain and especially chronic pain and pregnancy/motherhood.

On the other hand, for most of the book it felt like the romance took a backseat to all of that. I think it's an important think to talk about and ro represent, but the cover and the description of the book implied a more light-hearted romcom.

The relationship between Jack and Liam was great and I also loved all of the side characters.

Overall I enjoyed the book even if I wanted a bit more focus on the romance.

🌶️: 2/5

he plot line for this story is super cute! It is just a little too angsty for me. I understand the main character suffers from a chronic illness but sometimes it’s too much. I, also, suffer from a chronic illness and know how hard it can be to deal with. I shouldn’t judge how people handle their own but it was just a little too much for me with the way she did sometimes.

This was a great book! It is a wonderful romance but it also covers some hard topics really well. I would highly recommend this book.

Liam and Ellis were college sweethearts. Liam was a star ice hockey player and Ellis was a young woman struggling to get through the day with her chronic illness when they break up. 10 years later they meet at a club and their lives are very different. Liam is playing professional hockey in the NHL and Ellis is a single mum to her son Jack. They decide to have a one night stand and leave it at that but when Ellis discovers she’s pregnant a few weeks later, she realises Liam will not just be a one night stand.

Liam was such a sweetheart when he found out that Ellis was pregnant. So supportive and kind compared to her ex. Ellis has been through a lot in her life and she needed someone like Liam to just love and take care of her and that’s exactly what he did.

It was really great to see representation for people like Ellis who struggle everyday with chronic illnesses and how they have to fight so much harder than other people to do simple tasks and enjoy a normal life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

"Melting for You" by Tegan Phillips is a delightful contemporary romance that beautifully captures the complexities of love and personal growth. The story revolves around two relatable characters who find themselves navigating the ups and downs of their relationship amidst life's challenges. Phillips has a knack for creating vivid, emotional scenes that draw you in and make you feel every moment.

The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, and their journey is filled with heartfelt moments that resonate deeply. The author skillfully balances humor and tenderness, making it a joy to read. The supporting characters add depth to the narrative, enriching the overall experience.

What I appreciated most about this book is its exploration of vulnerability and the importance of communication in relationships. Phillips delivers a compelling message about the power of love to heal and transform, all while keeping the reader engaged with witty dialogue and relatable situations.

Overall, "Melting for You" is a charming read that will leave you with a warm heart and a smile. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, this book is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that celebrates love in all its forms. Highly recommended!