The book was okay. For a romance novel it had a HEA and was humorous at times. But there wasn’t any oomph to it. I would’ve enjoyed seeing maybe a back and forth from their youth days to now. Or her relationship with his parents seeing that she has a strenuous one with her mother. Or even more of her rubbing her business while dealing with fibromyalgia

I was really interested in reading this book, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise! However, there were a few things that threw me off. For instance, the first meeting after more than ten years apart felt... a bit weird. I was definitely expecting something different.

Also, the fact that the FMC has a child and the child asked the MMC to be his “dad” — and he accepted without even mentioning it to the mother — didn’t sit well with me. I’m not saying he shouldn’t have accepted, but he should have at least discussed it with her, either before or after.

I loved the connection between Ellis and Liam throughout the book, but I didn’t enjoy the frequent time jumps — they disrupted the flow for me. That said, I really loved seeing them as a family; the four of them were absolutely adorable. And it was definitely a plus that Liam’s teammates were so close and acted like a family too.

Overall, I’m glad I picked up this book — it was a really interesting and heartwarming experience!



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

Thank you NetGalley and Hera books for this arc.

I really liked the concept of this book and the disability rep. The characters were so sweet and it was great to see the found family that was formed.

Unfortunately, I didn't love the writing style. I found it quite info dumpy and we ended up hearing a lot about what the characters thoughts and feelings instead of actually seeing the story happen.

this is the book for when you crave that second chance love and found/chosen family!

in this book we follow Ellis and Liam as they reconnect since their break up 10 years ago.
they were only meant to spend one night together but how will they go when life decides to throw a curveball (or in this case curve puck?)

i thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book, so much that i read it in one sitting! i just couldn’t put it down! the way family is pictured and felt like through this book was so magical and definitely had me wishing i had a handsome ice hockey player and his team to call family too.
the way chronic illness is spoken and portrayed in Tegan Phillips writing was so real and powerful, definitely felt seen as a woman with chronic illness myself and it’s not something that’s out there much or not romanticised in anyway.

my overall experience while reading was an enjoyable experience and i can’t wait to read more from this author.

This book follows Ellis, a resilient single mum and business owner living with fibromyalgia, and Liam, a returning NHL star who’s never quite gotten over her. A chance reconnection sparks old feelings, leading to a one-night stand—and a surprise pregnancy that forces both of them to confront their past and what their future might look like. What stands out most in this story is the thoughtful portrayal of fibromyalgia. Tegan Phillips does a wonderful job weaving Ellis’s chronic illness into the fabric of the story—it’s not just mentioned, but shown realistically in her day-to-day life and during her pregnancy. It adds depth to Ellis’s character and brings visibility to an often overlooked condition.

A heartfelt second-chance romance between NHL star Liam and Ellis, a single mum navigating life with fibromyalgia. The surprise pregnancy trope is central, but it’s handled with care and emotional depth. Loved the chronic illness representation and Liam’s unwavering devotion—not just to Ellis, but to her son too. Ellis’s emotional walls were frustrating at times, and her character growth felt a bit stunted, but her strength as a mother shone through. A warm, emotional read with a strong support-cast and a sweet HEA.

i think this book was this authors debut. and for that bravo. shes found her career me thinks. and id now love to read more from her. shes got all the right hooks in all the right places in this book. but she also gives something extra. shes brave without making it still feel like she is just doing it to "tick box". the chronic illness,accidental pregnancy and our fmc already being a mum was refreshing in its realness.
the characters were all fleshed out and i loved the scenes for each of them as well as the side characters who also had their perfect places.
this book gives us Ellis and Liam. they loved each other once but went their separate ways after college. along the way with her ex Ellis became pregnant and now has her son Jack( who is a corker of a character by the way) but they meet again and decide their chemistry us undeniable once more. so they will give each other one night. get it out of their systems right? ha wrong. because this is when Ellis finds out she is pregnant. what follows is a co parent agreement that slowly builds into something more before they even get to that stage. its not easy, it wont be easy. but does their love which is clearly there not deserve the chance?
i think it does. i was rooting for these two. and rooting for this author now. a fab read and a definite page turner in all the heartwarming and smiling ways only this genre of book manages.

This was not my favorite hockey romance but a decent read to get your sports romance fix. This is one of those books where you want to slap the FMC and tell her to stop being so stubborn because of her own insecurities and go for the man that’s throwing himself at you and is perfect for you. It seems to be the theme of these hockey romance books now, where the FMC doesn’t feel like she’s good enough for the MMC and it’s annoying. The FMC does have a medical issue and a child from a previous relationship, which is something different for the sports romance genre, but overall this book was lackluster and overall meh.

I thought the story was cute and I love a second chance romance. The language and dialogue did throw me off during certain chapters as I sometimes couldn’t tell which POV I was in. So that made me not able to fully get sucked in.

Other than that I love hockey romance and enjoyed the book. Thank you for the ARC!

I loved the characters and the representation of fibromyalgia throughout pregnancy ! I also LOVED little Jack! The only thing that lost it stars for me was I kept waiting for a dramatic moment/ some adversity - many things seemed very easy for them to resolve! Overall, a great cosy read with loveable characters

Elias Ainsley and Liam Ruinsky were once the perfect match, but life had other plans.
A decade after their painful breakup, they unexpectedly cross paths again. Much has changed-Elias is now a dedicated single mom to a spirited five-year-old and successfully runs her own flower shop, while Liam has risen to fame as a star NHL hockey player. Yet, despite the years apart, the undeniable chemistry between them still simmers beneath the surface.
What started as a fleeting one-night stand quickly spirals into a life-altering situation when Elias discovers she's pregnant. Suddenly, both Liam and Elias are thrust into a whirlwind of emotions as they grapple with their unexpected reality. With a baby on the way, they must confront their feelings for each other and reassess their futures. One thing is clear for Liam-he's determined to be fully present and involved in this new chapter of their lives. Will they find a way to build a family together, or will they decide love just isn't part of their game plan?
As a mother of two and someone living with and navigating the challenges of fibromyalgia, I found it incredibly refreshing to see this condition portrayed authentically in a main character. It's not often that we get such a genuine depiction of the complexities of balancing chronic pain with the beautiful yet demanding role of being a mom. I loved seeing these challenges represented with such sensitivity and realism!
Elias's journey is not just about love rekindled; it's about resilience, community, accepting oneself and finding peace amidst the chaos.

“Melting for You” was a delightful and heartwarming read that offers a refreshing portrayal of a character living with fibromyalgia. The book’s depiction of Ellis’s condition is both realistic and nuanced, showcasing how it affects her daily life without defining her entire identity. This thoughtful representation adds depth and authenticity to her character, making her feel relatable and real. The story’s charm lies in its ability to blend sweetness with emotional depth, leaving readers with a warm and satisfied feeling. For those seeking a comforting and cute story that also touches on meaningful experiences, “Melting for You” comes highly recommended.

Melting for You delivers a heartfelt second-chance romance with a refreshing layer of emotional depth and chronic illness representation. Ellis Ainsley, a chronically ill single mom, crosses paths with her ex, NHL player Liam Ruinsky, ten years after their breakup. One impulsive night leads to a life-changing pregnancy, forcing them to navigate co-parenting, unresolved feelings, and high-stakes public pressure.

What stands out most is the honest portrayal of Ellis’s life with fibromyalgia. It’s rare to see chronic pain represented so authentically in romance, and the author deserves credit for exploring the challenges of motherhood and illness with such care and realism.

That said, the plot choices may be polarizing. The recurring theme of accidental pregnancies and some impulsive character decisions made it difficult at times to fully engage with the romance. While the emotional undercurrent is strong and the chemistry between Ellis and Liam is undeniable, the repetitive narrative beats and lack of grounded decision-making pulled me out of the story.

Overall, this book has meaningful themes and strong representation, but the execution may not work for every reader. Those who connect with emotionally driven storylines and character growth will likely find something to enjoy here, while others may struggle with the pacing and plot choices.

Thank you to Hera Books & NetGalley for allowing me to read this!

Thank you so much net galley for allowing me to read this early. I was super excited to read this book who doesn’t love a good hockey romance?

The plot was a hockey player that was in love with the girl in high school. They parted ways found each other years later had a one night stand where she got knocked up. This potentially could’ve been a really good storyline. I just felt like it was a little boring in some places I did like hearing about the struggles that you’d have being pregnant and with fibromyalgia. I think that was a really good twist to put on the pregnancy. I did think it was a good book overall I just felt like it wasn’t for me and at times I felt it was a little boring.

Melting for You - Tegan Phillips

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️🌶️/5

A chance encounter 10 years after their break up, puts NHL player Liam Ruinski and single Mom Ellis Ainsley back in each other’s orbit. For Liam, Ellis will always be the girl that got away, and after one night together results in an unplanned pregnancy, he’s willing to put the work in to ensure she never gets away again.

I really enjoyed this heartwarming, feel-good, second chance contemporary romance. As a mother who is also living with fibromyalgia I felt this was truly an authentic representation of pregnancy and daily life as someone who experiences chronic pain.

I experienced the gamut of emotions while reading this book. The banter between Ellis and Liam had me giggling, watching Liam and Jack’s relationship evolve and develop had me swooning and the authentic chronic illness representation warmed my heart.

If you love:
-charming hockey players
-loveable side characters
-second chances
-sassy banter
-he falls first
-adorable nicknames

Then do not hesitate to read Melting for You by Tegan Phillips.

I am not ready to let these characters go, and hope that this becomes the first of many books with these characters.

Thank you to Tegan Phillips, Hera Books and Net Galley for an ARC of this book.

Elias Ainsley and Liam Ruinsky were once the perfect match, but life had other plans.
A decade after their painful breakup, they unexpectedly cross paths again. Much has changed—Elias is now a dedicated single mom to a spirited five-year-old and successfully runs her own flower shop, while Liam has risen to fame as a star NHL hockey player. Yet, despite the years apart, the undeniable chemistry between them still simmers beneath the surface.

What started as a fleeting one-night stand quickly spirals into a life-altering situation when Elias discovers she's pregnant. Suddenly, both Liam and Elias are thrust into a whirlwind of emotions as they grapple with their unexpected reality. With a baby on the way, they must confront their feelings for each other and reassess their futures. One thing is clear for Liam—he’s determined to be fully present and involved in this new chapter of their lives. Will they find a way to build a family together, or will they decide love just isn't part of their game plan?

As a mother of two and someone living with and navigating the challenges of fibromyalgia, I found it incredibly refreshing to see this condition portrayed authentically in a main character. It’s not often that we get such a genuine depiction of the complexities of balancing chronic pain with the beautiful yet demanding role of being a mom. I loved seeing these challenges represented with such sensitivity and realism!

Elias’s journey is not just about love rekindled; it’s about resilience, community, accepting oneself and finding peace amidst the chaos.

Dive into this book if you’re a fan of:
🏒 Hockey romance
💘 Second chance love
🧑‍🧒 single mom stories
🤰 Accidental pregnancy tropes
🩺 Authentic representation of chronic illness/fibromyalgia
💕 A beautifully large found family
❤️ he falls first and harder
💯 An all-in, devoted MMC
🌶️ Spice

TW- explicit sexual content, Single parent, deadbeat dad (not main couple), chronic illness, accidental pregnancy

Melting for You had potential, and the writing itself wasn’t bad, but I struggled with the storyline. The FMC’s choices made it really hard for me to stay connected to the story.

After an accidental pregnancy with her boyfriend (who then bails), she reconnects with her old flame — supposedly the love of her life — and almost immediately ends up pregnant again after a one-night stand with unprotected sex. Honestly, I just couldn’t get past that. It made it hard to believe in the romance or root for the characters when their decisions felt so reckless and repetitive.

While I appreciated the emotional undercurrents and the general writing style, the plot choices pulled me out of the story too often to fully enjoy it.

This book was so emotional for me. As a single parent who doesn’t have much support, this made me bawl in multiple different places. Mostly in a good way. To see the development of these characters and how much Liam stepped up to the plate so easily not just for their shared child but for Jack as well….🥹 this is such a great read!

This was a cute romantic Ice hockey book. He falls first with a surprise pregnancy. I couldn't put it down.
personally I wanted more ice hockey back story even though this one was a little different from most the ice hockey romances. (not a bad thing)

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars but I round up.

Second chance sports romance with an unplanned pregnancy.

This was enjoyable to read & very enlightening regarding chronic illnesses, especially when it comes to how many of them are not visible. Worth the read & the chemistry between the Liam & Ellis is palpable.

Melting for You was such a wholesome, feel-good read. It’s a second-chance accidental pregnancy story that follows Ellis and Liam — and honestly, I adored them. The whole vibe of the book was lighthearted and easy, perfect if you’re looking for something sweet without a ton of heavy drama.

Liam completely stole my heart. He was so adorable with how he immediately stepped up and treated Jack like his own. Watching him be there, so naturally and lovingly, was one of my favorite parts. It just made the story even more heartwarming.

Ellis’s fibromyalgia was also an important part of the book, and I really appreciated how it was handled. It was shown realistically — how it impacts her daily life — but it never felt like her whole identity or the whole point of the story. It just made her character feel even more real.

Overall, Melting for You was such a comforting, sweet read. It’s the kind of book you finish with a big smile on your face. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something cute and a little emotional in the best way.