A flirty, sporty, cozy read perfect for the winter! "Melting Point" reminds me of "Chalet Girl" paired with the Olympic competition vibes of "The Cutting Edge". Bundle up and get ready to hit the slopes for this wild ride!

Sam and Finn, teammates in more than one way, are juggling the pressures to earn sponsorships, family expectations, and the pursuit of Olympic medals. When the sponsorship opportunity of their dreams rolls around - they jump at the chance to make it happen, even if it means pretending to be a couple. What seems like a real relationship on the outside is more real on the inside than they're each willing to admit. Neither Sam nor Finn ever let previous relationships stick - not ever opening up enough to let something happen - as if they knew they were waiting on each other.

They lean on each other as they face the real and proverbial mountains in front of them. Finn faces big feelings for Sam and the challenge to provide a great life for his mom. Sam faces broken relationships with her brother and father.

This book delivers:
- Best Friends-to-Lovers
- Olympic Competition Drama
- Fake Dating
- Slow Burn and SPICE

While the pacing lagged in a few places, there were shining moments that pulled me right back in. I was on the edge of my seat each time they competed, as if I was watching their events live. And the tender realization of their feelings was sweet, rewarding, and well worth the wait.

A great pick for readers who love sporty romances with heart, friends-to-lovers, and the nail-biting thrill of competition.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Cici Williams for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this spicy romance novel. I was hooked from the very first page and kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. The story was cute and easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💜 Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this was just a blast from start to finish! Sam was so awesome and it was cool seeing a strong Olympic athlete FMC! Also I loved that it was a snowboarding romance! I’ve read a lot of sports romances and this was my first snowboarding one and it didn’t disappoint! At times the characters seemed a little immature but they were young and in love and that can sometimes make you a little dumb! But Finn, oh my god sweet Finn he was so down bad for Sam from the beginning of their friendship! Always pining after her! But I loved Sam’s growth with her family and herself! This was a great and easy read! And I’m excited for Maya and Gabe’s story!

I am so excited that there are finally romances with snowboarders in them! This was great and I absolutely love the cover! Way to represent!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC of ‘Melting Point’.
Oh man I loved this book. I’m not usually a ‘friends to lovers’ fan but this one was done so well.

It had such chalet girl vibes, with an Olympic twist. The spicy scenes aren’t overwhelming, but I just loved how much they’ve got it bad for each other! We love a HEA & I can’t wait to read more in this series in the future!

Really enjoyed this story and the characters 🙂
Can’t wait to read more by this author. I have recommended this book to so many people already.

This was such a sweet, cosy, fluffy read. If you’re looking for a gorgeous easy to read romance you’ve come to the right place!

Tropes include:

❄️sports romance
❄️friends to lovers
❄️flirty banter
❄️he fell first
❄️fake dating

A little spicy, very sweet and a whole boat load of adorable moments in a snowy cosy setting.

I’m not really a sports romance girly anymore as I find the genre a little slow and predictable but this story was written so well and the characters really charmed me.


Sam & Finn have lived rent free in my brain for the last week and i’ve loved every minute. Finn is an absolute cinnamon roll MMC. So loveable and sweet. Sam? She’s an absolute girl boss and I LOVE to see it. 🤭

Thankyou so so much to AVON books and the gorgeous Cici for the opportunity to read this book ahead of the publishing date. This one comes out January 2026. ❄️

Thankyou AVON, Cici, and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A fun view of the winter Olympics and dating or not around it. Plenty of spice but a bit predictable at times. Cute and easy to read.

Perfection and great timing for the winter games! I enjoyed the flirty nature of this story and the coming-of-age trope. I was interested from the first chapter. Williams crafted great main characters, and the setting was cozy and perfect for the winter season. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Rounded up from 3.75 stars

This was the third sports romance book that I’ve read, and while I’m still trying to find something to really like about the genre, I found this one to be particularly fun. I really loved that both of the main couple were athletes and training for the Olympics rather than having only one of them training. I also loved how they sort of used the sport to guide the romance rather than the sports aspect being the focal point. I keep saying sports but what I really mean is that they’re training for the Olympics.

I will say, I am a little confused. I thought this book was catered toward adults, but I got more YA from it. I’m not sure if this is something others have also experienced while reading, but just know that to me at least, this doesn’t necessarily feel like a new adult romance.

The fake dating trope gets me everytime. I felt it was especially fun in this one because they’re not doing it to make an ex jealous or get back at someone. They’re doing it for the publicity, so you can really feel when the romance starts to turn real because they’re stop faking it for the cameras. You know how in The Hunger Games, Peeta and Katniss have the relationship going to get sponsors and to rebel, and then it turns real as the story goes on? This is literally that but with the Olympics instead of fighting to survive.

This was a cute read, and if you’re a fan of sports romance, I’d absolutely say give this one a try.

Thank you very much to Avon Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute cosy read perfect for falling in love with. Friends to lovers is such an underrated trope and this book just shows it off perfectly. Whilst I felt at times our MCs read younger than they were depicted, when I put my mind to it that sort of made sense in the setting they would have grown up in training all the time with a small group etc. The winter Olympics setting was fun and yes sometimes it felt questionable with not much practise or training going on, the fun the characters were having more than made up for it. I loved Sam and Finn and found myself rooting for them from page 1, of course I was almost screaming at them with the snippets of miscommunication and the almost moments that they both missed! I loved the HEA ending and cannot wait for the next installment for our next couple!

A cosy winter read set during the Winter Olympics. Great characters and a really wintry vibe. Recommended.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The characters were top notch and very relatable, and the plot was interesting and kept my attention. I would absolutely recommend this to others!

Loved this book!
Characters were very likable and storyline was brilliant.
This was my first book by this author and definitely won't be the last.
Such a cute cover also. I would of bought this book just for the cover.
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review

A friends-to-lover romance set in the Dolomites in Italy - I absolutely felt the vibes because I was born and grew up in the Dolomites, so that had me fully immersed in the story!
The story was cute, easy to follow and I binged it in one day.
It's dual POV, so you can totally feel the yearning from both part and you just want to screm "Just tell him already!!" so that was a plus for me, I loved the sports elements of it because it was the first romance with winter sports I read so it was quite cool!

I adored this so much.
Friends to lovers is my jam !
It had charlie from hazbin hotel vibes with Sam.
I loved her so much.
Sam and finn had me crushing on both of them !

I loved the whole Italy and Olympics vibe .

Sam and Finn, best friends and both aiming for gold medals at the winter Olympics. Will they succeed and will their friendship develop into a full blown romance? A raunchy, feel good story, ideal winter reading- loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of "melting point" by Cici Williams

3.75/5 ⭐
1/5 🌶️

This was a fun and easy read, and I loved the aspect of them competing in the Olympics. I really liked the fake dating aspect and I feel like it compared well to the development of the romance.

I feel like the pacing was off a few times in the story, and the story leaned a bit more to the older YA side. But I highly enjoyed it and would recommend it for a fun and easy winter read.

I really adored this book, I think it's my perfect kind of book especially ahead of cosy season. Honestly? If you love sports romances, I think this one will be for you. It's perfectly spicy, friends to lovers and giving me Chalet Vibes and the main characters are really likeable.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC for this book in an exchange for an honest review.

A great addition to the sports romance genre!

Likeable characters with great chemistry.

Friends to lovers is always a great trope in my opinion.

And it was great to see females in sport feature rather than just the males.

I'm hoping to see that book two features Maya and Gabe, I have a feeling that their hotness levels may be off the scale!

Thank you to Avon Publishing & Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are my own & honest!

I loved this book! never read one by this author, and i wasn’t dissapointed!

friends —> lovers
Minimal spice
Great plot
Great banter
Cozy ❄️
Perfect for the winter & cold season bundling up with this book!

Don’t take yourself too seriously when reading this book, and you’ll love it. It really was a fun, cozy read!
bonus, since it’s fall, it was raining outside so i got to experience it sort of! i am in Minnesota! it’s cold here!

Also, will probably have to give this another reread it really was that fun when the snow starts hitting! ❄️🥰

two best friends that secretly love each other. but one was told to keep away. and one needs to focus on her goal. but both dont really think the other wants them because of this. when sponsors coming up to the Olympics tell them it will look better if they are seen as a couple they think nothing of it. dont they? because best friends being close wont be a problem. and so they agree. but there is far more going on i the background too that complicates things. not least Sam's hard and should be unforgivable father and his behaviour.
i really like how Sam and Finns were great mates. and those points never crossed over into always being something more. but there was also the separate moments which definitely were. and they grew. and they developed and the witty banter became charming, sometimes bashful flirting.
the misfires and miscommunication was hard to read. they clearly had so much going for them if they allowed themselves to be loved and to show that love for each other. but once again we humans are idiots who spiral in our own heads. especially when it comes to those we love and care for.
but this book was brilliant all the same. those moments all felt real and not all for the drag of a plot.
this books was warming and fun but also deep and meaningful too.
the competition and need to succeed was matched with the moments to connect and be true to oneself too.
a really good book for the season. it reminded me of skiing and those days in Norway mountains. because if you haven't skid in Norway its something you all need to get sorted pronto.
this actually my first winter sports romance of the year which i cant quite believe now. but its very fitting with the time of year and festive reads we are getting. it somehow made me feel even more Christmasy and distracted me from thr freezing cold fingers i have to the Italian flavour the Olympics would be like instead.

3.75 ⭐️
Set against the snowy peaks of the Italian Alps, Melting Point is a cosy friends-to-lovers romance brimming with mountain charm. The dual POV adds a nice layer of depth, letting you feel the unspoken tension between the two leads. I loved the winter sports angle; it gave the story a fun, lively twist. Sam and Finn are an adorable pair, and their flirty banter and slow-burn chemistry made the whole thing so easy to enjoy.

The plot is sweet and straightforward, though it does lean a bit too much on miscommunication, which made some parts feel repetitive. It follows familiar tropes, and I found myself wishing for a touch more emotional depth. Still, it’s a warm, comforting read, perfect for a cosy afternoon.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC of Melting Point!

Melting Point definitely delivers on the friends to lovers vibes, plus the fake dating trope is my personal fave so I definitely had fun with this one!

The pacing did throw things off a little for me but this was such a light and cute winter sports romance read!

Thank you so much to Avon publishing for my ARC

3.75/5

A delightful story of friends Sam & Finn who make a pact friends forever but when they are competing in the February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics in the snow boarding events their friendship pact starts to come undone as emotions take over.

Loved how the chemistry between Sam & Finn changed and I could not wait for the end to see what happened and whether Sam wins a Olympic gold and if they finally realise their true feelings for one another.

Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Cici Williams for the ARC.

Thank you to Avon Books UK for the advance reader copy of Melting Point by Cici Williams.

I really enjoyed this friends to lovers romance. These two friends and athletes had made a pact to remain friends as they focus on achieving their Olympic dreams. When their chemistry is noted and it's suggested they pretend to be together to help with securing sponsorship, the two are soon thrown into the world of fake dating. This complicates their longtime pact and the feelings they’ve tried to set aside are soon very difficult to resist.

The Olympic setting is really fun for this romance. Sam and Finn are adorable and really do have such great chemistry. I really adored their development from friends to lovers. It has a truly HEA ending for our MCs.

THE CONCEPT? YES? THE STAKES? YES! I am here. For some reason I really struggled to get into this. But thats probably a personal problem. I AM JUST STRESSED. THE ANGST of a friendship always gets me to the CORE. Nothing like a man who is DOWN BAD. And THEN THE STAKES? THE OLYMPICS? The PR MOVES? This is up my ALLEY! And I will expand upon this further. I swear…

This was a cute read. It takes the fake girlfriend / fake boyfriend premise and weaves in a bit of family rivalry, father / daughter issues as well as a good dose of high level sporting action. Sam is a snow boarder and a good one, as is her best friend since forever Finn. They made a pact to be just good friends to not complicate things and keep their friendship.
Finn is by Sam's side as she fights her father and coach for what is best for her in the sporting world, her brother and his bitterness at no longer being able to be on the snow, and rivals who get the merchandising deals that she so desperately needs. He is the one who really sees her and supports her which makes the fake dating so hard.
The book goes straight to the action, straight to the fake relationship and then the tale is told including some short flashbacks to fill in the start of Finn and Sam's friendship as well as the family dynamics - they are not simple! The plot is not a surprise but is well told and lightly told making this an easy read.

I really liked this - definitely gave me chalet girl vibes. Sam and Finn had great chemistry and loved all the twists and turns making it an interesting read.

This book completely consumed me. From the first chapter, I was hooked — the writing is immersive, the pacing sharp, and the emotional pull impossible to shake. The characters felt alive in a way that made every choice matter, every twist hit harder, and every quiet moment linger long after I closed the book.

The snow is crisp and deep, the crowds are ready, and the 2026 Winter Olympics have just begun. Sam Harrington has been planning for this since she was 16, and now, no more excuses, she's here for the gold in her two snowboarding events. Finn Bradley, Sam's best friend, is also there, ready for his own shot at getting a gold medal or two. They have both tried to ignore the attraction between them following a friends only pact made back when gold medals were just a dream. Now, though, in this wonderland setting, can they continue to focus on their goals, or will their feelings boil over and jeopardise everything?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Avon Books UK, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is such a fun book, I loved the background of the Winter Olympics and the beautifully described setting. Sam has a whole lot of baggage to work through and is a sympathetically drawn main protagonist, as is Finn, who compliments her so well. It definitely gets steamier the further you get into the book, but I do like some serious spice now and again! I also really enjoyed the character of Maya and was delighted to see that she has a book of her own being released later next year.

Melting Point by Cici Williams is a spicy, heartwarming Winter Olympics romance packed with fake dating, snowboarding, and slow-burn chemistry. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Set during the February 2026 Italian Winter Olympics, this debut novel follows Sam Harrington, a determined snowboarder chasing her first medal, and Finn Bradley, her lifelong best friend. When a sponsorship crisis threatens Sam’s Olympic dreams, the two agree to fake a relationship to attract funding. But pretending to be a couple proves more complicated—and more emotionally charged—than either expected.

Okay listen… I picked up Melting Point thinking “cute winter romance,” and instead I got Olympic level pining, fake dating chaos, and two best friends who are so in love it should win its own gold medal.

Sam Harrington is laser focused on winning a Winter Olympics snowboarding medal until life says “lol no” and throws Finn Bradley, her best friend of forever, directly into her emotional path. Their long standing “friends forever pact”? Yeah, that thing is melting faster than the snow under their boards.

Then comes the fake dating. Because of course the solution to a sponsorship crisis is to pretend to be madly in love while actually being madly in love but refusing to admit it.

I screamed, I kicked my feet, I yelled at Sam to PLEASE just look at Finn properly.

Finn? Oh he’s gone. Boy is radiating “I’ve been in love with you for years but I’ll suffer silently” energy. Soft King. I love him.

This book is the perfect winter romance:
❄️ Friends to lovers done RIGHT
❄️ Fake dating with actual yearning
❄️ Olympics drama
❄️ Snow, spice, and so much tension you could carve turns on it

Absolutely devoured it. Someone put Finn Bradley on the podium immediately.

Thanks to the Publisher Avon books UK for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Where to start? This steamy winter romance has it all, best friends to lovers, fake dating, spice and reconnecting with family. This was the perfect feel good and cosy romance to curl up with on a grey and cold winter’s day. Sam and Finn they both friend zoned each other despite that not being what they want at all, all for a pact that they made when they were younger. I loved that Sam was speaking up for women in sport, she was passionate about it and about snowboarding. Finn was the perfect book boyfriend, thoughtful, kind and always there for Sam. I really wanted them both to win a gold medal, Sam’s dad has a lot to answer for. Would it hurt him to support and encourage her once in a while?

I really enjoyed this book, it was cosy and sweet, like a hot chocolate with cream on top complete with marshmallows and sprinkles. Was it too sugary? Nope not in the slightest, I can’t wait for Maya and Gabe’s book next.

Melting Point by Cici Williams is a warm and uplifting book set against the exciting backdrop of the Italian Winter Olympics. Snowboarder Sam Harrington has one goal in mind: winning her first Olympic medal. Her lifelong friend Finn Bradley is right there beside her, steady and loyal, hiding feelings he has carried for years. When a sponsorship falls through and Sam needs urgent funding, the pair agree to pretend they are a couple to improve their chances. They already spend all their time together, so it seems simple enough. Nothing is ever that simple.

The friends to lovers arc is charming and full of heart. Sam and Finn have a natural and believable connection, full of easy banter and gentle longing. Their fake relationship brings out deeper feelings that neither can ignore, and the tension between ambition and romance keeps the story engaging throughout. The Olympic setting adds excitement, atmosphere and a real sense of high stakes.

Cici Williams captures competition, friendship and desire with warmth and energy. The romance is sweet with touches of spice, the pacing is smooth and the characters feel endearing and genuine. A delightful winter sports romance filled with charm, chemistry and heart.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I requested this book mostly because of the front cover to start with then I read the blurb and was instantly eager to read. Absolutely adored this book, had me wanting more from the first couple of pages. It’s a Winter Olympics spicy sports romance and I’m
Absolutely here for it! Love love love Sam and Finn and watching their success out on the snow and with each other. Didn’t want to put this down as I was so invested in what happens. 100% recommend this book if you love friends to lovers romance😍 with some spice thrown in🙂.

Tropes:

👫 🥰 Friends-to-Lovers
❤️😉Fake dating
🌶️ 🔥Spice

Thank you to net galley for approving me for an earl copy, absolutely loved it.

Yes! We have both a female and a male athlete as the heroine and hero of this book. Sam and Finn are competing at the Winter Olympics not just for gold medals but for each others hearts! Such a fun read. Loved learning about snowboarding. Sam goes on quite a journey as a snowboarder, as a daughter struggling with a relationship with her father and fighting her feelings for her best friend. I loved how much Finn built up Sam to believe in herself but ultimately it was her own bravery and determination that got her everything she wanted!

I have been in a book slump for months, I just couldn’t get into anything. When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I grew up skiing, so I really enjoyed the winter sports aspect of it.
Sam was sweet, fun, and unproblematic. I really appreciated how she knew she could accomplish things, but she let all the pressure get to her head. I felt like I really related to her.
Finn is goofy, kind, and considerate. I really enjoyed him as our MMC.
Maya was a fun character for me, but she had some cringey dialogue.
I wish we got a bit more of Harper and Becky as I like the competition aspects of sports romance.
The conflict with Sam’s dad fell short for me. There wasn’t much resolution or growth for him. There wasn’t an honest conversation between himself and Sam, which I was expecting in the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. The pacing was a little wacky to me, but that’s my only real complaint.

I love sports romances, but i love them extra when they're not one of the 4-5 major sports!

This is only the 2nd or 3rd pro snowboarding/olympics romance I've ever read, and I always love them. And I really enjoyed this one as well!

I will say, I feel like a lot of the draw of this book for me was the unique setting. Outside of that, it was pretty much what you expect from a contemporary sports romance! Personally, I do really enjoy the classic formula of these types of romances and they never really get old for me. If you are looking for a cozy winter romance that is exactly what you want out of a contemporary romance, this is the book for you!

This was a rlly cute winter read! I dont read many sport romances but this was nice to read about the sports as well as the romance rather than the whole book being only about the romance.

Melting Point promise to be the perfect cosy, winter romance without all the Chistmas Clichés!

Sam is a snowboarder at the top of her game heading out to Italy to complete alongside fellow skier and long term bestie Finn. Little does Sam know that Finn has wished they'd have been more than best friends since they'd first met over 10 years ago. It doesn't help matters that Sam's Dad is their coach! When fans go wild after some insta posts, they decide to fake date in the hope of more publicity. Will Finn finally convince Sam that he's the one for her? Can they stay focused enough to win gold?

Really enjoyable cosy read with a good sprinkling of spice for cold winters nights! Will certainly be watching out for book 2!

4.5 stars - a super cute sports romance with fake dating, friends to lovers and a bit of spice!

I was lucky to read an early copy of Melting Point and I really enjoyed reading this winter romance!

There is a bit of repetition in some parts but this is the only reason it doesn’t get the full 5 starts for me! I’m still fairly new to sports romance but I really enjoyed the ski and snowboarding aspect to this and I enjoy watching the Olympics so this was very enjoyable! I loved the spicy scenes - just the right amount of scenes and level of spice!

Friends to lovers and fake dating are two of my favourite tropes so I really enjoyed that aspect and it’s written in dual POV which is also a bonus for me!

Melting Point delivers exactly what winter sports romance should: adrenaline, longing, and that razor-thin line between friendship and something much more dangerous. Cici Williams takes the familiar “friends-to-lovers” arc and tightens it with Olympic-level stakes, a fake-dating twist, and a delicious slow-burn that feels both inevitable and heart-clenchingly risky.

Sam Harrington is the kind of heroine you root for immediately—fiercely competitive, wildly dedicated, and so tunnel-visioned on earning her first Winter Olympic medal that she’s willing to freeze out any inconvenient feelings. She’s a snowboarder with grit, a touch of emotional avoidance, and a stubborn belief that love is a distraction she can’t afford.

Finn Bradley, meanwhile, is the quietly devoted best friend whose feelings have grown far beyond friendship while Sam’s back was turned. He’s thoughtful where Sam is intense, steady where she is stormy. Williams nails his internal struggle—the tension between wanting more and refusing to jeopardize the one person he cares about most.

Their dynamic is magnetic: playful banter layered with unsaid longing, years of shared history, and the kind of chemistry that feels like standing on the edge of a half-pipe, heart pounding. When a sponsorship crisis forces them into a fake relationship, the emotional stakes sharpen beautifully. Suddenly every playful touch has weight. Every photo op feels like a dare. Every night in that cozy Italian chalet becomes a test neither of them is sure they can pass.

What makes this book shine is the emotional control behind the spice. The heat is fun, flirty, and snowy-chalet-steamy, but the real impact comes from watching two athletes navigate ambition, vulnerability, fear of change, and the terrifying possibility of losing each other. Williams doesn’t rush their transformation; she lets it thaw slowly, allowing friendship to melt into something deeper one heated moment at a time.

By the final chapters, you feel every ounce of the risk—and every bit of the reward. Melting Point is warm, spicy, competitive, and unexpectedly tender. A perfect read for anyone who loves winter sports, irresistible tension, and a best-friends-to-lovers arc that sticks the landing.

Thank you to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

There’s a Winter Olympic medal on the line. But their toughest challenge is resisting each other…February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Sam Harrington’s mind is winning her first medal for snowboarding. Enter Finn Bradley. They've had a 'friends forever' pact for, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings aside and tries to focus on training. But when a major team sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they're told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam and Finn agree to fake a relationship. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won't be a slippery slope… There's only one problem. Finn's secretly been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he's decided that as well as a medal, he wants to win Sam over.

Sam and Finn felt very similar throughout the book. Same interests, similar way of thinking. I would have liked more of a separation between their thought processes because other than small details, it was rather identical. When characters are unique, I can’t help but fall in love and with Sam and Finn, I liked them but that’s where it ends. I wasn’t rooting for them on the edge of my seat. A couple of times, I did roll my eyes at them, I have to admit. More separation and individuality for me would have certainly made my reading experience more enjoyable.

If you know me, you know I really enjoy a fake dating story. Mix it with being a sports romance and I am SOLD! The plot here isn’t too bad but I feel like the writing is just a little weak. I managed to read this at a steady pace but it felt like descriptions were lacking at times and certain scenes could have been stronger for more of an impact. The same goes for the characters, I feel. They are great and fun to read about, but there wasn’t much depth to them. When you’re discussing something that’s meant to be more intimate, or hard hitting, I was to really understand why it’s happening. Not glaze over important history and not truly discuss the impact. That said, I did like the romance here. Initially, it felt a little bit high school but when we moved past those first few chapters, it started to settle and became more enjoyable. I do feel that the spicy moments helped elevate the romance too. Without it, I fear it could have been a bit one note. There are mixed emotions about the ending. I liked how the issues resolved but the two chapters after felt a little unnecessary for me.

Overall, Melting Point is a sweet sports romance that’s great for this cold weather.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day and is available on Goodreads now.

A friends to lovers fake dating Olympic romance between Sam and Finn. With a little bit of spice, Finn's been in love with Sam for years but he's never told her. Now, the best chance for funding to support their dreams of making it to the games is to be a couple. You don't need to be more than a little familiar with snowboarding to appreciate the sports aspect of this. Williams does a good job with the hard work of being a high level athlete, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You might guess there will be an HEA but it's the journey that makes this a fun (and timely) read.

Firstly, thank you so much for letting me read Melting Point early. I loved the friends to lovers plot, how you need to remember to have fun doing what you love.

I had a great time with this book. I’ve never read a winter sports romance so this was a first for me. The friendship had me willing them to become more but alas miscommunication and circumstance always prevailed!

A fun and easy read for lovers of friends to lovers and sports romance!

This was such a great book for the upcoming winter. Im saddened that I don’t have snow yet, but this book really helped me feel like I was part of the winter season! It’s so cute and fun and I really liked the metaphor of melting point as well

Sam Harrington has been dreaming of making it to the Winter Olympics for years, and now that she is finally here she refuses to let anything, or anyone get in her way of getting a gold medal in her snowboarding events. Joining her in Italy is he best friend Finn Bradley, who is also competing for a gold medal but in his own skiing events. They have had a pact since prom night when they were 17 that they wouldn't give into the feelings they both had and ruin their friendship. Things don't go as planned, and when a photo of the two of them goes viral and leads to a potential sponsorship for Sam she chooses to pretend there is more to their friendship to get a dream sponsorship. Pretending leads to the feelings they have both been suppressing for years, and they both might end up with more than just gold medals this Olympic season.

Honestly from page one Ruin the Friendship by Taylor Swift played on repeat in my head. What a genius move to have a fake-dating romance with 2 characters who already having been pining for each other for years. I really felt the yearning between them and it fueled me through the whole reading experience. The characters obviously struggled to communicate for most of the story but eventually got there and it felt very authentic to age of the characters. I am very excited for a book following a side character that the author set up at the end of the story.

4⭐️ 2🌶️
I really enjoyed this book! It's always been you and Friends to Lovers that turns hot fast and then the breaks are put on are some of my favorite micro tropes. So much tension and mutual pinning when you know their chemistry is hot makes when they get back together so much sweeter. I do wish this book had more of a woman supporting woman vibe. While Sam, Becky, and Harper were necessarily against each other; I feel there was a real opportunity to lean into women going above and beyond supporting each other throughout the book, not just at the end.
Sam and Finn are best friends with the same goal; Earn Gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. They have so much love, support, and respect for each other, and I love them so much. Things turned hot and heavy around 30% and I was surprised it was so soon with Friends to Lovers, but then they hit the brakes hard and fast. After they hit the breaks there was so much tension and longing once they finally gave in for good, it was so sweet.
This book also had some great side characters: Maya is so great and loved her championing Sam and Finn and her manipulating their image online to benefit them both. We got some hints for her and Gabriel, and I really hope they get a book. Jake, Sam's dad, is a real piece of work, but made a great villain in this story. Leo, Sam's ex, also has some potential for a future story I'd be interested in reading.
Thank you Cici Williams and Avon Books for an advanced copy! I look forward to reading more from Cici.

This was a sweet best friend's to lovers romance, set in the cosy and atmosphere setting of the winter Olympics.
Finn has been hiding his true feelings for years, scared of ruining their friendship and of Sam's father/coach finding out and destroying his career.
There were some sweet and intimate moments, social media fake dating drama, and the pressures of intense sports, competition, and confidence issues.
I liked their playful chemistry, supportive energy, and their growth together

A great story of hardworking, friendship and love.
I enjoyed the relationship between Sam and Finn and how their relationship had developed over time but also lived Maya and how she encouraged them.
The scene setting was very cosy and I enjoyed the Olympic element.

Great cosy romance read!

The Olympics are a favorite in my house. So a book about the Olympics combined with a fake-dating, friends-to-lovers romance? Yes please. This book has a great combination of legit sports (seeing the snowboarding runs), disappointment, highs and lows of the events, and romance. I loved the connection between Finn and Sam, although admittedly I really wanted them to talk about their feelings many times. Their friend/social media manager, Maya, is the most entertaining as well, with perfect quips for every situation. Can't wait to see her book! A great option if you like snowboarding, fake dating, friends to lovers, an Italian winter setting. Overall 3.5 stars. Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC!

in 2025!

Thank you so much Avon Books UK for sending me this book as an ARC through NetGalley!

Melting Point follows Sam and Finn as they navigate their Winter Olympics battle for podium positions! Sam is feeling the pressure of competing in her snowboarding events, especially as one of her rivals has seemingly been chosen as the better candidate for a medal win by their coach, who just so happens to be her father, and to top it all off is dating her brother! She is desperate to break free from her fathers grasp, and a looming brand deal could be the answer to all her prayers! However when this doesn't work out, a new plan needs to be hashed out! Enter: Maya, the sassy social media content creator! A plan for fake-dating to feed into fans assumptions of their relationship starts to form, and it's bringing interest from some other brands which could definitely give Sam the independence she needs. But will the fake-dating become too much, feel too real for two best friends that have secretly harboured feeling simmering under the surface despite making a pact to concentrate on their careers until they get the gold medal wins?!

This was a super cute story, I loved the snowy adorable vibes! You easily grow to like the characters and are rooting for Sam and Finn for their Olympic medal competitions, and for them as well! A super easy adorable read 🥰

This is a heartfelt, adrenaline-charged friends-to-lovers romance set against the electrifying backdrop of the Winter Olympics. What makes this story shine is the emotional depth woven into the competition, capturing both the high-stakes pressure of elite sports and the fragile, long-buried feelings between Sam and Finn. Bound by a pact made years earlier—to stay just friends until they each win an Olympic medal—they’ve spent a lifetime balancing ambition with unspoken longing.

Sam’s struggle is especially compelling. Still carrying the emotional scars of her father’s abandonment and burdened by her family’s tragedy, she fights not only for a medal but for validation. Her pain, frustration, and moments of immaturity feel achingly real. On the other side is Finn—steady, devoted, and quietly in love. His loyalty grounds their relationship, and his gentle support contrasts beautifully with the chaos swirling around Sam.

When a series of friendly photos goes viral, the forced spotlight pushes them into a fake-dating scenario that blurs every line they’ve tried to uphold. Their slow-burn romance, intensified by Olympic tension and personal stakes, feels both tender and exhilarating.

A unique, emotional, and uplifting winter sports romance.

This is a cute book if you are looking for a feel good and spicy romance while watching the Winter Olympics. This is a best friend / fake dating trope which hits all the high points.

I loved this book! It was spicy, fun, and just the escape I was looking for this season. The dual pov was much appreciated and kept things interesting. I also really liked that this book managed to be so light and seasonal while also touching on some more difficult topics. I'm really excited for this to be released for everyone to enjoy, and will definitely be reading from this author again in the future! Thank you, Avon/Avon Books UK & Net Galley, for allowing me to read an arc of melting point by Cici Williams in exchange for my honest review.

Melting Point by Cici Williams

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Melting Point by Cici Williams is the perfect book to curl up with this winter — think frosty slopes, friends-to-lovers heat, and a healthy dose of Olympic pressure. Set against the backdrop of the Italian Winter Olympics, the story follows Sam Harrington, a determined snowboarder with her eyes on her first Olympic medal, and her lifelong best friend Finn Bradley, a skier whose feelings have run deeper than friendship for far too long.

With their sponsorship in jeopardy, Sam and Finn strike a deal to fake a relationship – a classic setup that sparkles here with charm and tension. They already spend a lot of time together, so how much harder could pretending really be? However, Finn has been harbouring real feelings for years, and the closer they get to Olympic glory, the less “fake” their connection feels.

Beneath all the snowy action, the heart of the story is wonderfully warm. The way these two athletes show up for each other — on and off the slopes — makes their slow shift toward something more feel completely natural. The Olympic atmosphere adds a playful edge, with all the training demands and media frenzy creating tension that enhances the romance rather than competes with it.

Tropes for Melting Point:

❄️ Friends to Lovers
❄️ Fake Dating
❄️ Winter Olympics
❄️ Snowboarder x Skier
❄️ Sports Romance

A fun, flirty, and heartfelt romance that blends Olympic ambition with the age-old question: Is it worth risking friendship for love? If you adore friends-to-lovers tropes with fake dating and winter sports flair, Melting Point is a sweet, spicy treat you’ll want to devour under a cozy blanket.

Thank you so much to Cici Williams and Avon Books UK | Avon for the eARC of Melting Point. This was a quick read for me that I highly enjoyed! If you love Friends to Lovers, Fake Dating, great banter, and SPICEEEE. This is the book for you! Perfect for a winter read! Such a well written story too!

"There's a Winter Olympic medal on the line. But their toughest challenge is resisting each other...

February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Sam Harrington's mind is winning her first medal for snowboarding.

Enter Finn Bradley. They've had a 'friends forever' pact for, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings aside and tries to focus on training.

But when a major team sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they're told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam and Finn agree to fake a relationship. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won't be a slippery slope...

There's only one problem. Finn's secretly been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he's decided that as well as a medal, he wants to win Sam over.

Chalet Girl meets Stephanie Archer in this spicy, fake dating, friends-to-lovers sports romance you need this Winter!"

I mean, it's time to get your Olympic reading list going for February, and Melting Point is at the top of mine!

Thank you to Cici Williams, Avon UK, and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary, and any opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the story of Sam and Finn. A promise made as teenagers creates issues for both of them. I love how it was told over a series of several days of the Winter Olympics. It was a great two day read. I am looking forward to Ms. Williams' next book.

LOVED this book so much!! Sam and Finn are the ultimate will they or wont they couple in the best way. I really enjoyed how both characters were ski/snowboarders and liked how they were both chasing thier olympic dreams. This coming out right during other winter trials is perfect and was the best read for winter.