Melting Ms Frost

by Kat Black

How do you thaw the coldest of hearts? Find out in the sexiest romance to hit the shelves this year.

When Aidan Flynn walks into Cluny’s Restaurant, he can’t take his eyes off his new boss, Annabel Frost. With his heart set on winning her over, Aidan can think of nothing but getting beneath her cold exterior.

Known as one of the toughest women in the business, Annabel is impervious to Aidan’s many charms. His compelling grey gaze and persuasive Irish lilt do anything but anything but captivate her.

But Aidan knows there’s more to Annabel than meets the eye. And he’s not going to stop until he reveals all…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, Erotica, Contemporary, Chick Lit

400 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2013

About the author

UK based author, Kat Black, writes passionate, emotionally charged fiction that runs the pleasure spectrum from sweet and playful to sharp and painful. All in the name of love.

Titles published by HarperCollins Mischief, Xcite Books, Ellora's Cave, Total-E-Bound and Cleis Press. Author image credit: Adam Trewartha Photography
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I'll tell you what’s got me in a fucking snit, you arrogant arsehole. You!”

I must say I quite enjoyed this one. Yeah, it’s been done before but who cares?

Guy with a devil may care attitude and a prissy, starched-collar lady. Oh, and he is Irish!

Maybe his genetics left him predisposed to the archetypal idea of Celtic beauty, or maybe it was her green eyes that reminded him of the lush landscapes of home?

Annabel was a tough nut to crack but Aidan could see beneath her frosty exterior. She was a bit annoying at times with her stubborn streak but all’s well that ends well.

Ms Frost was about to blow her ice-cool top. Good. He’d take her hot and bothered over frigid and aloof any day.

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 'Make Me Obey You' stars.

Melting Ms Frost is a spicy contemporary romance set in London. It explores a lite dom-sub relationship between Aiden, a mysterious and handsome Irish bar tender, and his boss Annabel Frost, the cold, stiff and proper manager of the chic restaurant who soon melts with his touch.

**I should probably mention that I could count the number of BDSM themed romances I have read on one hand, and still have a few fingers left. It is normally not my cuppa, and while I enjoyed this book I still don't think it's my cuppa. If a light BDSM theme is your cuppa, odds are you will enjoy this.**

Aiden is a talker: a smooth talker, a sweet talker, and most assuredly a dirty talker. He is bona-fide fantasy hero material! Dark Irish, brogue accent, mysterious, and sexy as hell. So while Annabel would never fraternize with the help, she is drawn to Aiden's shocking flirtatious advances as he pushes well beyond the boundaries of appropriate in a work place. She denies her attraction and sets out to avoid him, but he can read her like a book and persists through her resistance to eventually make her his.

Aiden wants a dom-sub relationship with Annabel, but to have that he needs to make her see how she is attracted to that lifestyle. She is suppressing her desires and resisting giving in so not to lose control. But Aiden is determined to win her. And part of that means when the relationship finally heats up, the game of dom-sub means she must surrender fully her control to Aiden if she is to receive 'satisfaction'.

I instantly liked Aiden, and loved the way he would go about shocking Annabel with his naughty whispers of desire. Annabel, being the cold and stiff person she is, was much harder to like at first. But the cat and mouse games between them was fun to watch, and slowly we began to see a likable side to Annabel as well.

The story is heavily focused on the sexual relationship between Aiden and Annabel, but I hesitate to call this one an 'erotica' novel. It is a spicy read with light-erotica moments, but it spends more time on the sexual tension build up and not so much on the bedroom scenes. (If you are looking for hardcore erotica or hardcore BDSM, this isn't that book.)

There are a few secondary story lines including Annabel's mother's horrible taste in men, and Aiden's history that led him to eventually decide to take on a bar tending job. While they were interesting enough, for me they were easy to skip over. The main meat of this book really is the relationship between Aiden and Annabel.

Overall I did enjoy it despite not being a fan of BDSM themed romances. I loved Aiden and enjoyed the cat and mouse games between them as their relationship grew. But I had trouble relating to the sex scenes as my own preference is certainly elsewhere and not with the dom-sub role play. I would also be lying if I said I enjoyed the ending. It ended how it should given all the story lines, but not as I had hoped. It did not have a strong HEA, and there were no declarations of love between them.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for making this ARC available in exchange for an honest review.

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Lessons in Control, Lessons in Letting Go, Lessons in British versus American * * * 1/2

This book covered so many lessons…. Where to get started?

Well, I learned I am an impatient Yankee… I have to talk myself into accepting the pace of the storyteller, especially if they are British. Why, you may ask… it seems I have to recognize when I read something an author from another country writes… I must make a real mind switch to get exactly what they are doing … a sort of acknowledgement in my head I regularly do if I go to the movies or watch the BBC programming… so why it is always such a surprise to me while reading… I never know… sometimes it doesn’t take much of an adjustment… but for this particular book, it did.

The story is about someone who has become obsessed with controlling all factors of her life… from her hair… to the way she commands respect at her job; to how she is handling her mother’s failure in relationships. And that is where this need for control started… Annabel Frost was a happy, shy little girl surrounded by the love of her father and mother until nine. Her life changed when with first, the father dying from a terrible car accident; then the mother not being able to hold on the bed and breakfast they ran. It became more trying for her as she witnessed her mother go from man to man, hurting her emotionally or financially like the last one causing the mother to move in with her, destitute.

Annabel Frost learned her lessons well… never give anything of yourself to others… stay focused on your goals, if there is a sexual itch… scratch in a very quick detached way… and Never Ever ask anyone for help or leave yourself vulnerable......…EVER

We meet Aiden Flynn as he is observing his new boss, Ms. Frost… she has her armor on in the pulled back bun, crisp top, pencil skirt with pumps completing the professional but do not touch me look. Aiden, though is looking and liking what he sees. He is the new head bar man at the higher end restaurant where Ms. Frost has run as manager with an iron fist.
All of the employees are scared shitless of her and she makes sure of it every day. It has kept the establishment in tip top shape… but has kept her separate from all of them, which has fit in her plans quite nicely, thank you very much.

Aiden seems to have decided he wants to play with Ms. Frost and with every single encounter, he does…. First by not calling her how she wishes… challenging her at ever encounter and then by stepping it up with borderline sexual comments. This is startling and disconcerting for her… they banter back and forth a contest of wills… with Aiden mostly winning… and cracking her well constructed emotional walls every time.

Because Aiden is a sight to behold…. Dark black wavy hair… gray piercing eyes, lanky but strong commanding build and a crooked smile which melts hearts… and charming….oh so Smart … everything a woman would want and has no trouble having them pursue him regularly…. But he wants MS. Frost and wants to melt her into his way of submitting… and he has seen exactly how she blushes and colors when he whispers thoughts of restraining her or directing her … she gets that deer in headlight look… her brain freezes and her body is receptive. Aiden has decided to make her his but he is smart… remember… so he knows it will have to be done methodically… slowly …. In order to get Ms. Frost with the program.

This is where I want to remind you I am American…. Sometimes it is hard for me to wait… I get impatient… although I am more patient than a lot of other readers, I have found. I have read many books where I was able to handle the way things were laid out… worked through the time it took to get to the necessary parts of stories without any qualms…

This time…. I really had difficulties…. I understood all of what Annabel had experienced causing her to be the way she was… I got it… and Aiden being this man… delicious, naughty in all the ways you would want… with him interested… Damn woman,… either fire his ass for whatever… or get with the program….
That was what first went through my head… but then I had to remind myself… this is a British book with different cultural ways… a different way of naturally thinking and acting; different ways of reacting normally, let alone with all of these issues… so I slapped myself and continued on with that mantra in my head.

I was rewarded for my perseverance. The tease and final coming together of this duo was fucking amazing. No really … it was a separate book unto itself. Aiden Flynn is an amazing book boyfriend… I am tucking him away for special times… Kat Black is an evil author making me go through so much to get to that part… but I do thank her for it.

The book had some really lovely moments of self realization and understanding of people and what they need to feel whole. How important trust is and how hard it can be for others to give it wholly and freely. There were also other secondary characters with enough interaction with Annabel and Aiden to see how their stories could be developed and worthwhile.

This book taught me a lot about myself. It showed me to always remember where the source is from and put that into my frame of mind; it made me smile when the mention of Knickers got mixed with underpants a few times and it made want a man like Aiden Flynn, an Irishman full of smarts, charm and a way to tell me what to do, knowing I will want it.

Kat Black… next time I will be ready for you…

Arc provided by Netgalley and HaperCollins Publishers, Inc in exchange for an honest review
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[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars.

I am 50/50 with this book, there were parts I liked and parts I didn't.

What I liked -

Aidan, as a character was pretty easy to get along with. He is tall, dark and Irish, all attributes I can get on board with. Another HUGE plus for him is he definitely has superhero type dirty talking skills, they were pretty impressive almost from the get-go.

Aidan "Ms. Frost, is that a blush I see staining those cheeks?".....
"Lovely, I bet you blush when you come too, - Bet that pure white skin flushes rosy all the way down to your chest. Am I right?"....
"I'm going to find out Annabel"........"Soon"....

The story is pretty original, and the situations, locations and character back-stories not glaringly run of the mill. There were a few twists and turns that I didn't see coming immediately which kept me on my toes.

I loved Aidan's use of "a mhuirnín" as a term of endearment.

It was nice to read of the female lead being the one in the position of power, and not the man. That made a refreshing change from the norm.

What I didn't like -

Annabel (Ms. Frost), I did try, but I found her to be a bit of a bully and pretty hard to find likeable, and not to sound preachy, but taking your personal problems and insecurities out on your staff, because you are the manager and you can, doesn't offer anything redeeming to me. Yes I understand that a lot of her behaviour is a defence mechanism due to previous heartache, and lack of self confidence out of the restaurant environment, but I still in the main just found her to be a bully.

All of the verbal fight that she put up with Aidan, seemed really contrived as when put on the spot, she was a quivering mess within minutes, and yes, I have previously stated he has the gift of the gab and a seriously dirty mouth, but it just seemed a bit at odds with her internal thoughts.

Which brings me to one of the main things, I found both of their internal monologues at times to be overly long, and not really worth their length, a couple of times I read a paragraph and thought that it could have been summed up just as well in a sentence or two.

I also really didn't like Annabel's mother, she was for me the only really cliche part of the story.

To sum up -

I did like the book, but it didn't blow me away.

I would read more work from Kat Black, I enjoyed the writing style, at points it was humorous, lyrical, vibrantly descriptive and easy to immerse yourself in.

I think because of the issues I had with Ms. Frost, and struggling to find anything I liked or related to/with about her character, I couldn't fully enjoy the book. I'd still recommend it, for the quality of the writing alone, and let's face it this is only my opinion, and I would always encourage a reader to make their own decision about a book.

ARC provided through Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a giveaway prize, thanks again Ana and Kat. I was really excited when I heard I won, because I’ve heard a lot of positive things about this book and it sounded like I’d enjoy it and I did.

First of all, I’d like to say that this book is definitely 18+ and maybe not the best book to read in public
transport. Not thinking about it I continued reading in the bus, but I had to put the book away again, because the passion and the desire in these scenes was intense.

The story follows restaurant manager Annabel Frost and her new barman Aidan Flynn. And oh my god these to had sexual tension!!! Annabel is not a nice boss and she doesn’t like Aidan. Aidan is seemed arrogant at first, but the more I got into the story, the more I liked them both, very confident and just hard on the outside, because they both have gone through a lot already. I felt that both characters were extremely well lined out. I loved getting to know them better, it was hard for them both to open up and be honest with each other and only time allowed that. It was a great way to get to know them better though and I liked how strong they both were, facing their challenges. Of course, these are the reasons for their behaviour and characteristics.

Their relationship developed slowly, but every second of it was very intense. The instantly had this powerful chemistry, which seemed dangerous, but also very sexy. The sex scenes were steamy, hot, sexy, passionate and more. One of the best I’ve read so far. All of them were different and unique and Kat always included their feelings as well, which made everything really emotional.

The storyline was a pleasure to follow, a great mixture of scenes, the right amount of drama, twists and uncertainty. Kat is definitely a very talented author and I can’t wait to dive into Playing With Fire, the sequel to this story and I’m starting it NOW…

[Jackie - Fire & Ice Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kat Black has brought us a book that is true to it's title. Melting Ms Frost is a very sexy book. Aidan is a dirty, but sweet talker that will melt even the coldest of hearts. I love reading the story of Annabel and Aidan.


Annabel is use to keeping everything under control. She doesn't let anyone run over her, and I respect that. Everyone was afraid of her...well everyone except Aidan. Aidan challenged Annabel with a game of cat and mouse. Ms Frost could not stand the heat coming from Aidan. Aidan new exactly what he wanted, and he made sure he got it.


I love how even at the beginning of the book Aidan broke down some of Annabel's control! "You are all I've been thinking about for the past few hours." He visually traced the contours of her face. "I confess I can't help wondering what you look like with that glorious hair let loose." Boy was she shocked!


I rated this book 4.5 stars because it was repetitive. Annabel would loose control with Aidan, but then change her mind. It was great how she kept her control into place, but it was a bit drawn out.


This book is a very light Dom/Sub that is defiantly on the spicy side. While not quite BDSM or erotica. It is absolutely sexy. I love dirty talk in a book, and Aidan gave us a lot of that. I love watching Annabel submit to Aidan.


Over all this was a really hot and interesting read. I will definitely recommend this to those of you who like hot and sexy romance books.

Make sure to pick up your copy of this book when it hits the stores!

*I received this ARC from Harper Collins UK on NetGalley.*

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc provided by net galley and the author for honest review!


Incredible read! What can I say but I loved it! Melting Ms Frost is a contemporary romance set in London, with a well thoughout , developed and written characters and plot line. The Story was hot and sexy and filled with a ton of sexual tension.

Annabel Frost is a strong minded, cold,uptight and according to her staff at Cluny's a Bitch; which Aidan Flynn the new barman quickly finds out first hand is true , but for Aiden he surprisingly finds the gorgeous red headed bitch is a huge turn on and sees her as a challenge one he would like on her knees in front of him in submission.
Aiden is quick to see that there is more to Annabel, and is quickly pushing back and throwing Annabel of balance, with statement like.. " Oh, I know who you are, a mhuirnin, he said , and before she had a chance to question the unfamiliar sounding word,he followed her retreat, re-closing the space between them. " You're all I have been thinking about the past few hours." He visually traced the contours of her face . " I confess, I can't help wondering what you look
Like with that glorious hair let loose."

The witty banter between the two filled with sexual tension and Annabel's uncanny ability to resist Mr. Hot sexy Aidan Flynn which , seems like it goes on forever makes the inevitable breakdown of her resistance to him all the more rewarding .

The sexual tension, witty banter between them are not the only integral part of the story but finding out what makes Annabel the way she is is even more intriguing; but do no think she is he only person with secrets to hide because Aidan has his too. Getting to a relatively happy ending for these two is a journey , but well worth it!

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley

Wow! I really enjoyed this book! This was a very sexy read and I wasn't ready for it to end!!

Annabel Frost is the manager of Cluny's, a high end restaurant in London. Very much like her name she is as cold as ice!! Considered a mega bitch by her staff she lives up to this reputation and is happy with it. But beneath the chilly veneer is pain and vulnerability no one has bothered to break through to.


Then along comes Aiden Flynn, the new head barman at Cluny's. He see's something in Annabel and like a dog with a bone he is not giving up easily!


Aiden pushes every boundary that Annabel a carefully placed around herself and she finds herself giving in just a little bit at a time; Talk about a build up of sexual tension!!! This book will make you squirm! Aiden is super sexy and when these two finally get to "the business" ( and I mean FINALLY!) it is so worth the wait! This book has some mild D/s, but nothing too intense just very hot :) The one thing I would have really liked that wasn't included in this story was an epilogue!!

[Lucy Felthouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melting Ms Frost is an erotic romance novel mostly set in London, England. It tells the story of Annabel Frost, a restaurant manager whose manner certainly matches up to her surname. Her staff are terrified of her, and she keeps everyone at arm's length.

But when she takes some time off work for a family emergency, then returns to find Aidan Flynn behind the bar, something beneath her frosty exterior is exposed. She cannot stand the arrogant Irishman and is determined to have him fired.

Aidan, however, has other ideas. From the moment he sets eyes on Annabel, he wants her, and is determined to have her. He doesn't believe for a moment that Annabel is solid ice, and will stop at nothing to chip through the surface and discover what is beneath.

Melting Ms Frost is a very sexy, fun romance, though it does have several darker underlying themes. It's well-written, the characters believable and likeable, and I found myself rooting for the pair throughout. The secondary characters were great, too. I very much enjoyed this smokin' hot book and immediately picked up the sequel to find out what happened next. Watch this space. I highly recommend this book to those that enjoy plenty of heat in their romance novels.

[Yvette89 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received advance copy from author/Netgalley


This story worked for me because there was not instant love. It read more like a real relationship to me. There was instant attraction and a lot of teasing until the couple to get to know a little about each other(and when Annabel was ready). There was a little twist because it was the male wanting to wait instead of the female. Aidan was great, loved his patience with Annabel. Annabel, however, was a little harder to like. I am not sure why, I just didn't feel much of a connection with her. If you like a romance that simmers, then this is the book for you.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took far too long for me to read. It dragged for me until her mother and boyfriend turned up drunk and brought drama to the story. That side of the story, the rehab and vienna picked the story up and then it just went off again. I really struggled. Just not for me.

[Paris (kerbytejas) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melting Ms Frost by Kat Black seemed like a good selection from the books blurb, and it wasn't bad in reality but it could have been so much more in my opinion.

Aidan and Annabel were the primary characters in this little romp, with a relatively small cast of supporting characters so it wasn't hard to follow the story line.

Aidan Flynn is the newly hire bartender in a upscale restaurant managed by Annabel Frost. As the manager, Annabel has maintained emotional distance with her staff and is known to be a strict, demanding ice queen of a boss. Along comes Aidan, who is determined to break through that façade and have fun in more ways than one with the red headed beauty. The relationship starts off with lots of inappropriate verbal banter and sparing from Aidan, leading to workplace disciplinary action on the part of Ms. Frost.

As time moves on, we find out that Annabel has had to rescue her Mother Ellen from a not so good, boyfriend, who has squandered all of mom’s money and thrown her into financial ruin. The info we learn about Aidan and Annabel is spread throughout the book, allowing the reader to form a gradual impression of them. Aidan is a forward young man, with a sexy Irish brogue, he has no fear for his job security, and will do what it takes to get Annabel to drop her stand offish, prickly, unfriendly attitude, and play the games he wants her to play. Annabel, has a long seated fear and distrust of people going back to her childhood, and uses her uppity, cold personality as a way to protect herself from the pain and hurt she has in her past. With Aiden’s constant attention, sexual innuendo, physical challenges, caring attitude, and humor Annabel’s walls slowly begin to crumble.

The writing was very descriptive in parts of the book, and flowed well, but in other parts of the book it seemed like sections jumped, and I questioned the timeline of the story. For me the plot was simple, and the book just seemed to drag on, it took me longer than usual to complete the book. The sex scenes were simple, short, and repetitive, leaving much to the reader’s imagination. The connection between the H/h was more lust & need driven, although one could imagine Aidan and Annabel falling in love. One of my favorite scenes in the story was Aidan showing up on his motorcycle for one of their dates, and Annabel’s reaction. The story did have some challenging moments complements of Annabel’s mom and ex-boyfriend, even some violence, but it was not a long drawn out scene, and could be considered pivotal to Ellen and Annabel’s personal and emotional growth. What Aidan really brought to the relationship (besides his good looks, & charm) was the lust for life, taking chances, breaking down walls used for personal protection and the ability to trust others.

The book ends with an HEA, but it was not a satisfying one for me. You could see that Aidan saw so much more in the relationship, really wanted to have a future together, and even though Annabel was giving it a go, she just wasn't excited and convincing, I felt like she didn't see the potential, she was still so guarded. I almost felt like an epilogue should have been supplied so the reader would get a look at the success of the relationship, especially since this seems to be a standalone book.

I would like to thank the author, and Net Galley on behalf of Avon Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, for providing the book for an honest review. Expected publication: January 30th 2014 with a book length of 400 pages

[Lynn Marie Hulsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a smart woman who likes sexy stories with a clever plot, then this is the book for you. For me, the hotiness came from the clever verbal sparring between Annabel Frost, the manager of Cluny's, a high end restaurant in London and hot-blooded Irishman, Aidan Flynn, a barman under her supervision. Who is under whose supervision is a question that arises and is batted back and forth as the story develops.

Annabel has a stark reputation for being an ice-queen, a b*&%-buster, and the most type A of all of the type-As People wither under her gaze, and take care to stay out of her way. Not so Mr. Flynn, cheeky and confident, and filled with magnetism. He surprises his ducks-in-a-row boss at every turn, throwing her off-guard and infuriating her in the process. It's delightful how much he takes pleasure in this drawn-out project!

We realize that he sees through her. One by one, he uncovers her secrets: Some are possible to guess, some are sheer surprises. We wonder if she wants to be found out, or if, true to her word, she just wants to be left alone to steer the ship.

One of my favorite things about this read is how long it takes before anyone lays a finger on anyone else. The author's masterful build-up to the break of the tension is as thrilling as it is frustrating and excruciating. All of this is doled out in the context of a story. The characters are multi-dimensional, the plot is complicated and believable, and the world is fully drawn.

Kat Black has a whip-smart brain and silk on her tongue. Every description of something sexual, from a kiss to the big deed, is cinematic and lush. Even when she gets down and dirty, she wraps up what she's handing you in velvet. Don't get me wrong, though, there's nothing twee or saccharine to be found in these pages. Her word choices don't tread the same tired old ground. She's creative and inventive, and this fresh take is sure to create a new niche in the market. For those of you who enjoy between-the-ears erotica as much as between-the-sheets erotica, Kat Black will become your new favorite author. If 50 Shades didn't speak to you, give this a try. , For hot and steamy reads, this is exactly the tone I like. By a woman, for a woman.

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: wow! I was hooked into this book right from the word go because it dumps you right in the action, right into the sexual tension that exists between Annabel (Ms Frost) and Aiden, the barman at the restaurant she manages. The build up of this sexual tension continues all the way through the novel and is the key element holding this together, but don't be fooled into thinking that this book is void of any other storyline, oh no. This is an action packed novel full of drama, intrigue, and yes, some very very steamy sex scenes. I would go as far as to say. Some of the best sex scenes I've read this year!

The characters in the book are extremely well developed. Each of the main characters has hidden depths that the reader doesn't learn about until quite near the end of the book, you are left wanting and wondering right up until the last page. Both characters are believable and both have faced challenges in life that have made them the way they are. I really warmed to both of them and were willing them to come together in all sorts of different ways through the entirety of the novel.

The storyline itself is interesting too, and although it is set over the festive period, it isn't an entirely Christmasey book. I enjoyed the festive element to it but didn't find it overwhelming. Some of the more dramatic scenes in the novel had me gasping out loud whereas some of the more heartfelt scenes completely melted my heart it had a bit of everything. It was clear the sex scenes had been written by a women's because they were so sensual and yet so raw at the same time. The details I would've wanted to be included were all there and the build up to these scenes were so drawn out and wonderful, it almost became painful.

If you've become somewhat jaded with some of the erotica that's out there this book will definitely set you back on the right track, it is the perfect balance of erotica and general fabulous chick lit. There is a storyline there to keep you entertained and a good example of a strong woman and a strong man coming together for some passionate sex scenes! Ben though its not entirely festive, this book will definitely keep you warm this winter!

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aidan Flynn, a rich successful bartender at the restaurant Cluny's, located in one of the busiest shopping precinct's of London. Annabel Frost, a strict red haired ice princess that manages the restaurant. Annabel likes to be in control of everything in her life. Her fear is to be like her mother who has lost everything she owns from letting the men in her life control her. When Aidan meet's Annabel for the first time, he see's right through the hard cold front she has put in place to guard herself from dominating men. Aidan only want's her to let him be in control in the bedroom. In order for him to do that he has to earn her trust which proves to be a battle. The tittle really sums up this whole book.

Ten percent into the book I was laughing out loud. Aidan is smart and quick with the comebacks. Annabel walks right into them every time. I really enjoyed the verbal foreplay between the two characters.

I really wished that there would have been maybe a little less details in some spot's because although this was a good read I found myself wanting to skim over some of them. I hope that there is more to come,like a spin off with the Billionaire playboy Damien Harcourt and the lead singer of a heavy metal band Balthazar Hunt.

A good, fun, hot, and infuriating at times read. If you like Alpha-males you would enjoy this.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It want entirely clear from the blurb what genre this book fell into. I thought it was a contemporary romance, but as I got into it I realised that it could easily fall under the category of erotica, a genre I'm not particularly fond of. However, I persevered, and this is my opinion of what I found.

The first few chapters particularly irked me, as Aidan Flynn was just not a character I liked. He was crude, arrogant and unoriginal. I found it difficult at times to read the dialogue between Aidan and Annabel. Annabel seemed like a great character at first, a confident, independent woman, so I was quite disappointed that Aidan reduced her to a docile quivering wreck so quickly.

After their trip to Vienna and the subsequent action that occurs, the book takes a different turn and a different tone that I liked a lot more. Aidan redeems himself somewhat and shows that he has some substance, and the pace of the novel picks up. I felt less like I was reading a bdsm erotica novel, and more like the kind of book that I enjoy.

Overall, I wasn't convinced that this book or this author is for me, but the second half was altogether more readable than the first.

[Louise Conway · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this on the First Reads giveaways.

This "erotic" style of fiction has suddenly become extremely fashionable and therefore quite competitive. This book did not stand out for me as anything different. Firstly, the characters were unlikeable and predictable, I knew from the off what was going to happen to them and spent the rest of the book not actually caring.
The storyline was quite unrealistic, the "hero" of the story just becoming more and more ridiculous as you learnt more about him. And the "heroine" was, quite frankly, pathetic. She was supposed to be this ball buster who worked hard to get where she was and who didn't take any trouble from anyone, however she succumbs to the hero without much of a fight, this might be the point of their relationship, however it didn't make it a very dramatic story.
If you like this sort of chick lit, you've probably read a variation of this story over and over again.

[Mary Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, so here it is. How do you thaw a cold heart? You send in Aidan Flynn to defrost it. Aidan is working as Cluny's barman, and when he sees his boss, Annabel Frost, there is more to her than her cold name. She is stern, forceful, demanding and bossy. Aiden sees the beautiful red hair and sexy body and he wants to help her lose control and thaw her heart. Annabel wants nothing to do with Aidan, he wants to control her and she is the only person in control of her life. Can Aidan help her lose control? Will Annabel learn how to let him help her lose control? Cna they melt the frozen heart of Ms Frost? This is the first for me by Kat Black and I loved it. Can't wait to read more from her. If you are looking for a feel good story with a few twists, then this one is for you.

[Book-shelf Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new format of 50 shades, but so much nicer, not controlling or condemning in anyway. This is a story of Annabel who has been haunted by her mothers affairs and never wants to get involved with a male to the extent they could rip her world apart. Annabel puts her heart and soul into her career and rarely takes her eye off the ball. That is, until Adrian walks into Cluny’s Restaurant> Then her world is turned upside down and a a power struggle of wills starts.
This book is a true love story but with a whole different way of getting there and one some can relate to. This is the first Kat Black book i have read but it wont be the last.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very light D/s relationship. Loved the sexual tension and build up through out the book. Aidan was a great Hero, Dominant and caring and madly in lust/love with the heroine.

Unfortunately, the heroine was an absolutely awful person. I honestly believe she is the worst heroine I've ever read. She of course has her reasons for being mean but it wasn't enough to win me over. Painful history is no excuse to be a bullying boss and a complete witch. I have no clue why Aidan wanted her.

This would've been a 5 star read If the heroine had some redeeming qualities.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light touch BDSM novel but fun in a sexual tension building kinda way. Easy quick read.

[Sarah-Jayne Windridge-France · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good premise and bumbled along nicely ... but this was one of those books that the 80's thrived on. Lots of sass and sex!

[Maxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melting Ms. Frost ~ Kat Black
Whew !!! I am still trying to pull myself together from the intensifying, intoxicating fragrances of drama and sensuality that were extracted from this fabulous, engrossing and titillating narrative. Melting Ms. Frost is crafted with incredible play on words and emotions by Kat Jack. OMG Melting Ms. Frost is one awesome read in my honest opinion.

Ms. Black does a splendid job of creating realistic characters, settings, dialogue and taps into the sensory elements that had me anxious with anticipation. Melting Ms. Frost is a wonderful dramatic, romance with every imaginable sensuous scenario I could imagine and desire.
The dialogue throughout Melting Ms. Frost is intelligent and engaging, this book is designed for the mature, intelligent reader with a strong sense of self, creativity and fantastic visualization abilities. The tension builds throughout the narrative between the main characters and the supporting characters makes Melting Ms. Frost a must read this summer. Ms. Black’s writing style is smooth and seamlessly flows from scene to scene and battle of wits. The raising action escalates with perfect timing. Ms. Black holds the attention of her audience masterfully much like the command of a general over an army. Ms. Black drives her soldiers (the readers) to an erotic brink of desires.

The thrill of this read starts with a big bang as the chilly persona of Annabel Frost, manager of a fine restaurant/ bar Cluny presents her demands to her employees at a staff meeting. Of course, a strong, intelligent, dominate woman is considered to be a man-killing bitch. Well here you have one strong, red sole stilettos stomping woman as the main character. Annabel is gorgeous and a sexy temptress who does not care to be involved with men because she does not have the time nor does she have the inclination to be so bothered. I found myself intrigued and admiring Annabel’s strength, determination and control of her life. Her attire speaks volumes which matches her personality perfectly. Annabel projects a Type A2 demeanor and refuses to allow herself to just Let Go and inhale, release and relax.
Did something in her past disappointed her? What could it have been ... the involvement of scandalous relationships, ill-mannered partners or painful encounters with males in her life as she matured into womanhood? Only time will tell.

Now there is a sexy employee under her supervision at Cluny who does not stay within the well defined paths Ms. Frost requires of her employees. Aidan Flynn, this refreshing, challenging, young man gave me a great deal to think about as he bucks the system as often as possible. I love his boldness. I found Aidan Flynn to be very endearing and full of the searing male hormones that I would like to take control of Annabel and hush; me too. :-) Aidan is the embodiment of a special kind of wild child that every parent, teacher, supervisor would consider a royal challenge. Ms. Black took the very best of what may make a woman of substance drop her guard and implanted it into Aidan Flynn. He is a delicious morsel of all things smart, witty, strong, loaded with carnal imaginations and passion. He is the maverick, the wild, raw, erotic, titillation dreams are made of … well for me and a few dear girlfriends. You will have to judge for yourself. Aidan can certainly make a interlude a hot, lovemaking a seductive marathon of passion.

Melting Ms. Frost is a awesome roller coaster of emotions, battle of wits and willpower understanding that as in any battle, someone will win, lose or perhaps it will be draw.



Melting Ms. Frost brings everything to the banquet table to savor and enjoy!! One side note as I read and relished Melting Ms. Frost I could hear Usher’s latest song Good Kisser©� playing in my head. Go figure!!

Thanks Ms. Black for delivering such a well balanced, sexy read with adventure and intelligence. You have a new member to add to your fan base. I will eagerly seek out your books in the future.

[Camille Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

In the beginning, I was tempted not to finish this book. I had issues with both the characters. I liked them well enough in the first chapter. I was really interested in getting to know them and how the story will unfold. But then by the second and third chapters, it felt like I was walking on shaky ground. My biggest issue was Aidan and his overly crude, forward, and bordering-on-sexual-harassment treatment of Annabelle. I was literally cringing whenever I’m reading whatever it was he was whispering or telling Annabelle. I didn’t like that I was reading him as an offensive jerk. I was expecting a straight-forward contemporary romance but it was shaping up to be something else. Then I went and read a review that mentioned that the book has a BDSM undertone to it and everything just made a bit more sense. Having shifted my expectations, I started enjoying the book.

But then to my utter and complete surprise, the book never really did get that close to the level of BDSM that I was then kind of expecting, given how Aidan was acting in the first few chapters. In fact, it became, for me, exactly my cup of tea when it comes to contemporary romance. And that made me a very happy reader.

The author was able to convince me that Aidan was using his crudeness and directness in order to get through Annabelle’s mile-thick defense she’s built around herself. I still think it was a bit creepy in the beginning and it can be a bit of a turn-off for some but I’m really glad I continued reading the book.

First impressions can be a bit deceiving and I was glad that Aidan turned out to be not what I initially suspected and was actually a pretty decent guy. I appreciate that he’s driven and has a strong sense of purpose and of himself, given what he went through in his life. And I love that he cares very deeply and very genuinely about Annabelle. He understands her better than anybody else and I think that beyond the caring, the attention, and the great sex that he’s able to provide her, his complete understanding of her as a person is the one thing that Annabelle needed the most.

Annabelle was a very interesting character to watch unfold throughout the book. In the beginning, she’s this seemingly cold and strict beyond measures kind of person, who pretty much likes to be in control of everything in her life. But she has issues, deeply ingrained because of her past that makes it hard for her to trust people other than herself. But Kat Black was able to flesh her out for the readers and show us what motivates such a self-shutting way of life for Annabelle. And I appreciate that Kat Black was also able to portray her with all her fears and anxieties without compromising her depiction of Annabelle as a strong and intelligent woman.

And if you like a slow-burn romance, you will enjoy this book. Forget about the BDSM undertones because I completely did and it wasn’t really severe as I had expected. In fact, the love scenes were organic to the story. It was part of the development of both characters and their relationship with each other. To be honest, majority of the book was in the build-up of all that sexual tension and that connection they have have with each other, which can be a bit of a frustrating wait but at the same time it was so much fun watching them gauge each other, their own feelings, and their idea of what their relationship can mean for their lives.

Here's the review on my blog, Girl meets Books

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melting Ms Frost, was a book I know that I will be able to pick up again and again. I loved every moment of the story, I loved how I felt like I was a part of the story that Kat Black created. I felt like I could not put the book down and that is exactly what I like about a story. I will beautiful in both the written words as well as the relationship that was blooming between Aidan and Annabel.


This review will have a few feeling spoilers in, but I'll do my best not to ruin the whole book for those who feel like they want to pick it up after reading this. If you do, I can guarantee that you will not regret it (Just make sure you are a fan or steamy romance).


I love Aidan's attitude, I love how he knows what he wants and that he won't stop till he will get it. I love the way he is in general, I just want to bring Aidan out of the story and have him in my life, he is everything that would make you want to fall and pray for forgiveness ;) . I'll admit trying to imagine an Irish Accent, is difficult but it was a lot of fun once I was able to keep the same accent in my mind throughout the whole book.


The way they he can so from so-called calm bartender to sexy dominant on Annabel was just mouth watering. I have never read a book where the character could have possibly had two completely different sides till I read this book. Throughout the story, I felt all the feelings that Aidan was going through, when Annabel was cold towards him, when he teased her enough that her ice shield was slowly melting. I felt like I was there with him through the whole journey.


I love the way Annabel had built up a wall to protect herself from being hurt like her mother had been previously. It was emotional to read why Annabel kept her distance from Aidan as I have been through that myself in the past. It is a story-line that I was able to get behind straight away and I have to say, it was beautiful just as it was emotional. The Annabel who is the manager, is cold and unapproachable, that made her all the more interesting character for me to read about and the Annabel who is submitting to Aidan, is shy, quiet and always blushing, that just made me feel like I was there in Annabel's seat, it made it all the more of a 'not putting the book down' moment all the time.


I loved how the ice around Annabel was being melted more and more when Aidan decided that it was time to turn up the heat for Annabel. When she went red in the story, I swear I did as well and I wasn't even being the one teased! Kat knows how to make the reader feel like they are in the story.


As I was reading Annabel's side, nearly all of the time when it was her point of view, I felt like I was Annabel and it made the story all the more enjoyable.


I love Kat's writing style, it is so beautiful and really easy to get behind. I began reading it on Wattpad with a few teaser chapters she had up and bought it on Amazon. I never regretted it for a moment.


I know that this book I will be picking it up again as I'm already missing Aidan in my life.

What have you done to me Kat?! I was happy without a book boyfriend destroying my actual life.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a steamy romance, who likes it when someone has to work for the affection they want and for anyone who gets sucked into a book so easily. You'll be sucked in and never want to leave.

[Nissanmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Kat Black, based in the United Kingdom—not to be confused with the children’s author of the same name based in Massachusetts—has recently released Melting Ms. Frost, a contemporary romance with very light domination and submission themes. Unfortunately, the title of Melting Ms. Frost is basically the entire plot. The whole book is devoted to the conquest and submission of Annabelle Frost by Aidan Flynn. That’s not entirely bad. I don’t mind the occasional book that focuses solely and intently on a single pairing. In this case, however, the weak secondary plots only serve to emphasize the lack of significant growth or change in Annabelle and Aidan. To me, Annabelle’s eventual letting go isn’t a fundamental change in her personality, but rather giving in to what was already there. She gets unstuck, but doesn’t really change much.

I didn’t really enjoy the secondary characters, especially Annabelle’s mother. Her weakness inspires a relentless rigidity and coldness in Annabelle that seems, at times, to be overdone. She is in her mid-twenties, has a successful career, but no friends of any kind. It seems to me she would have found someone, even in her college days, with which to vent and share a bottle of wine. Unfortunately she doesn’t come off as likable and after two-hundred pages of sexual tension with no satisfaction, I was left wondering why Aidan was continuing to bother. There’s a slow burn and then there’s barely glowing embers. Get on with it already!

But bother he does. Aidan has an endearing Irish accent and a very clever ability to banter. I was surprised by how often he was able to trip Annabelle up on her own words of logic and practicality to shock and disturb her well-ordered world. With his constant pursuit and relentless efforts, we do eventually see a softer, more likable side to Annabelle, but it’s a long time in coming. I think this book would actually make a better movie so that we could see the facial expressions that turn crude and raunchy dialog into naughty in a good way. As a reader I felt I had to bring a lot to the story that wasn’t written in. Thankfully Black was eventually able to convince me that Aidan was using his directness with intent in order to get through Annabelle’s personal fortresses and not just because he is that crass.

I was disappointed that after all Aidan’s effort and Annabelle’s risk to let go, Melting Ms. Frost did not have a strong HEA. I wasn’t even sure if it was a HFN. I felt slightly let down. For me it was a good story that could have been more. At least two very minor characters would do well with their own books if Black chooses to spin this into a series: billionaire playboy Damien Harcourt and the lead singer of a heavy metal band Balthazar Hunt. Perhaps their strong personalities would make for a book with stronger action and a stronger ending.

Read the full review and author Kat Black's responses here: http://twimom227.com/2013/12/review-m...

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book & was intrigued by the characters & expected a lot more sparks & strong willed comments from Annabel, however I feel this is a slightly more romantic take on a Fifty Shades Of Grey with the strong handsome man making the seemingly in control, knows what she wants & has to do woman melt & bend to his every need. I was slightly disappointed with it as before I even got halfway through I had already realised that the cold hearted, always in control of herself & her job was going to melt into the damsel in distress rescued by the big strong hero.




However if I could I would give this book 3.5 stars because yes you get the bits of Fifty Shades Of Grey but you also get more depth with this novel showing the daughter facing life head on determined to make a good life for herself & feeling in a way that she had to appear to her staff in the restaurant rather cold & brusque, however like many of us this was just a facade, she had seen her Mum go from one bad relationship to another & had clearly decided she was going to put a good career ahead of "finding love". So in her job at a top class restaurant named Cluny's she did her job, was strict but respectful & known in the business as a woman who really knew her job & a lot about how to keep a busy highly rated restaurant fully booked with very happy customers who would return repeatedly due to the well run, friendly place it was where you always got top star service from.




Whilst she is on holiday, or so her work colleagues think, she is in fact helping her Mum out of yet another bad relationship but she's more determined to end this one as her Mum's partner is a drunk & abusive towards her Mum. It's clear Annabel's whose facade is due to her Mum's lifestyle but Annabel gets a real shock on returning to work to find her boss & friend has hired a new head bar man whilst she's been gone, her nose is put out of joint because he clearly normally leaves hiring/firing staff down to her. From the start Aidan tries to use his Irish charm on her to win her heart & get her into bed but he doesn't know she's all the tricks through her Mum's love life & almost fights him all the way but at some point he seems to realise being a bit of a cliche man isn't going to work on her.




Like Annabel has her dark side so does Aidan although his are more life changing but roughly halfway through the story really picks up & you see two independent people who are hiding something from the world using tough exteriors to try to hide it, this is when the more real life romance starts & the story picks up & the fireworks start, their personalities clash badly but then they both seem to realise the other isn't as confident as they try to appear. No spoilers good storyline with the things they both try to hide coming to a head but wish there hadn't been the hints of fifty shades of grey without this I would've given it 4 maybe 5 stars.

Would recommend it & look forward to reading more by Kat Black

[Tina J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Melting Ms Frost by Kat Black

*** eARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review ***

Annabel Frost is Cafe' Cluny's General Manager. Her staff consider her to be the Frost Queen, as detached as she keeps herself and as tight as she runs the restaurant. She exacts control in extreme measures & is unwilling to accept anything less than perfection. She refuses to let the outer shell to crack in fear that the facade will crumble all around her.

Aidan Flynn is the new senior barman. He was hired on by the owner as an emergency replacement while Annabel was away. He initally thinks the stories and rumors about his new boss are exaggerated, but quickly learns that she's earned her reputation. Still, he can't help but feel that there's so much more hiding under the surface and that all she needs is to relinquish total control.

--------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: This is the ONLY book I've EVER read that I could NOT finish. (made it to 53%)

I TRY to honor each author for the work they've put into it, but this time, I just could not continue to drag myself through the book. For this, I am sorry. I understand that it happens from time to time & know that not every book can please all readers. That said, I will try to explain why I had such a hard time with this book.

This is a nearly-400 page book & I felt every page, three times over.
Although location is not always a key element in world-building, the UK/Canadian spelling of certain words and referring to prices in GBPs should be noted right off for those who do not care to read books set outside the US.
Location does not play a factor in my rating.

This is an epic cat-and-mouse story.
He's an arrogant, dominantly sexual aggressor & she's supposed to be a stong, independent woman, but kepts balking and shying away from his every attempt even though she's equally attracted to him. By the time I reached the 1/2 way point, I was wishing the end of the book to be over and was miserable in knowing that I still had 200 pages to go... (I made it two more chapters before I could not take it any longer)

The plot is filled with the mundane ins-and-outs of managing the restaurant and sexual teases w/o phyical contact. I found my mind wandering off in other directions while trying to read. I did not really like, therefore connect with, either lead character. The secondary characters were average fade-aways, except Tony. Tony elicited an emotion: extreme dislike. The plot was flat & dull, it lacked the dimension to hold my interest for such a length of time.

The only redeeming qualites I felt it had were: an unusual cover, the catchy title & intriguing synopsis.

Again, I apologize to for being unable to finish reading this book. I truly tried.

[Ni_kii · Rating 4 out of 5]

FTC: I am mentioned in the thanks page of this book as I beta read a small portion of the book whilst it was in draft portion to give my opinion on Aidan...he has changed a whole lot since then :)

In my initial comments to Kat, I think I stated something along the lines of “Aiden is an arse. I’m not sure I like him”. Aiden is still a bit of an arse but only openly to Annabel. To her, he is cock-sure, charming, slightly arrogant and oh so sexy. His witty comebacks to Annabel’s bitchy attitude had me laughing a hell of a lot in this book and I liked the way he didn’t let her push him away. When I saw the scenes from his POV, I could see how he was playing their relationship in the way he thought he needed to in order to seduce her and this wasn’t truly him. I wasn’t sure about this game-playing attitude, seeing it as more of a means to getting her into bed and not into a relationship. He was so sure that, like him, Annabel wanted a D/s sexual relationship and that was all he wanted to gain. It wasn’t until about half way through that I thought he could be right about the D/s angle as I just thought that he was projecting his desires onto her. Then I started to get a little swoony along with her...a ball? His seduction of Annabel was fabulous; I’m not sure I would have withstood such a sustained attempt for quite as long as she did.

Annabel is a little bit difficult to like...she is, as the title suggests, a bit icy. She had quite a bit of baggage but it really didn’t excuse her attitude or behaviour towards Aiden; the woman had more temperature settings than a fan. I balked at the way she spoke to him and often questioned his sanity, as I am sure that I wouldn’t try to seduce a woman such as her; she was as prickly as a cactus (I’m liking metaphors tonight...). When she started to allow him inside her tough outer shell, we started to see the insecure woman that she truly was and I started to like her a little more. She stopped being such a bitch and became a real person who I wanted to see get a HEA. I enjoyed this Annabel much more than the other one that we started the book with.

There is not a whole lot of sex in this book. The bulk of the pages are showing the seduction of Annabel by Aiden. The chemistry and sexual tension that this created was phenomenal and I really found myself being steamed up as well. When they finally have sex, it is written with a flair and sensuality that made me very happy that the author had made us wait so long. I loved it.

Overall, this is a sensual romance with a mild D/s theme. With a cocky Irish man and a ball-busting heroine, this is the story of a woman being introduced to her sexual side by a man who just won’t give up.

[Kirsty & Erin Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to my lovely blogger friend Ananda (@ThisChickReads) for nominating me to win this prize in her place from a competition run by another lovely blogger Leah (@ChickLitReviews) and publishers Avon.

I’ve seen quite a lot of tweets about this book before I was sent my copy so I was already aware of it but didn’t know much about it. I really like the cover; it’s a great portrayal of the actual story. The woman in it instantly resonates with Annabel and the bar you see her walking towards although not how I pictured the bar in my head, it’s more like an iced over version of the picture in my head and really ties in with the story. Finally the grey text just made me think of Aidan’s eyes – you will know what I mean if you’ve read it or you will when you do!

The story is all about Aidan and Annabel. Aidan steps up to fill a vacant position as head barman in the restaurant where Annabel is the general manager. Sparks immediately fly as the filling of the post wasn’t ran by Annabel and she likes things to be done her way or no way!

The chemistry between the characters was immediate and palpable from their first meeting. I loved that Aidan had this cheeky swagger about him and a confident arrogance that he carried off well as opposed to just being a bit of an arse. Their relationship heats up throughout the book and Aidan turns the story into a bit of a sexy read. The language is fitting to the scenes and doesn’t detract from the book, in my opinion. From the outset Aidan’s character hints at being rather sexy so you sort of expect it.

He is the polar opposite of Annabel and it is really obvious just how well she lives up to her second name. She actually made me feel like she was walking about with a stick up her backside until Aidan started to peel back layers (of clothes, ahem) of her personality to get to the core. The characters playing off against each other drew the contrast between them nicely.

I liked that both characters had quite different backgrounds and you don’t really get to know Aidan’s until much later on the book. Your focus and Aidan’s focus is all on Annabel so you really get to know her and she is the more complex of the two. I loved how totally relaxed Aidan is about his past, and I love that his story, by omission from him, didn’t over shadow the more important one from Annabel.


There are a few twists throughout the story but the characters always seem as if they can pull through it together, even though they technically aren’t together. I read this in a day, I absolutely couldn’t put it down and I can’t wait for more from Kat.