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Ice Melts: No Spice Hockey Romance
When a fiercely independent sports reporter and her lifelong hockey-playing crush are snowed in together, sparks fly, secrets unravel, and love takes the ice—but will their hearts survive the ultimate face-off?
Sarah Cooper has spent years exposing the scandals of professional hockey players, hiding her heartbreak behind hard-hitting headlines. But when a snowstorm traps her at a lakeside cabin with Travis Jenkins—her childhood best friend, her biggest what-if, and the NHL’s golden boy—she’s forced to confront more than just the stories she writes. Travis isn’t the reckless player she’s painted in her articles; he’s kind, loyal, and the one man who’s always made her heart race faster than a breakaway goal.
For Travis, winning the Stanley Cup is within reach, but the ice feels shaky beneath his skates. The team’s off-ice scandals are threatening everything he’s worked for, and Sarah’s next article could be the one that shatters his career—and their fragile reconnection. As they navigate late-night confessions, snowball fights, and the ghosts of past mistakes, Travis and Sarah find themselves skating the thin line between friendship and something more.
But when the final buzzer sounds, will Sarah choose the story that could make her career—or the love that could melt the ice around her heart? Perfect for fans of second-chance romance and slow-burn chemistry, Ice Melts is a heartfelt story about forgiveness, trust, and the courage it takes to risk it all for love.
Sarah Cooper has spent years exposing the scandals of professional hockey players, hiding her heartbreak behind hard-hitting headlines. But when a snowstorm traps her at a lakeside cabin with Travis Jenkins—her childhood best friend, her biggest what-if, and the NHL’s golden boy—she’s forced to confront more than just the stories she writes. Travis isn’t the reckless player she’s painted in her articles; he’s kind, loyal, and the one man who’s always made her heart race faster than a breakaway goal.
For Travis, winning the Stanley Cup is within reach, but the ice feels shaky beneath his skates. The team’s off-ice scandals are threatening everything he’s worked for, and Sarah’s next article could be the one that shatters his career—and their fragile reconnection. As they navigate late-night confessions, snowball fights, and the ghosts of past mistakes, Travis and Sarah find themselves skating the thin line between friendship and something more.
But when the final buzzer sounds, will Sarah choose the story that could make her career—or the love that could melt the ice around her heart? Perfect for fans of second-chance romance and slow-burn chemistry, Ice Melts is a heartfelt story about forgiveness, trust, and the courage it takes to risk it all for love.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2025
37 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Summers
87 books301 followersSophia Summers is an award winning author who just wants to relax a little and enjoy a great beach read. She lives in a quiet southern town brimming with an extra dose of hospitality and a whole lot of charm.
She writes historical romance under a different name. The Billionaire Royals is her first contemporary romance series.
She writes historical romance under a different name. The Billionaire Royals is her first contemporary romance series.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 10, 2025
Ice Melts is a sweet and quick read. It's a best friend's brother trope with two characters who have had feelings for each other since high school, but things have pulled them apart. It's a fairly low angst story and is a fun read when you want a sweet happily ever after. Travis and Sarah had to work through things that caused them hurt and created the distance between them. I felt like I needed more information about why Travis stood Sarah up for prom, but, otherwise, it was sweet to see them finally confess their feelings. This was a sweet and swoony tale that I read in an afternoon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 2, 2025
Sarah Cooper, a journalist with a reputation for exposing scandal, is torn between the story that could define her career and Travis Jenkins—her best friend's brother and the NHL star she's secretly loved for years. Travis is more than just the golden boy of hockey. He's not your stereotypical athlete; he's kind, loyal, and struggling with his team’s off-the-ice troubles.
When Sarah travels to the cabin their families used to share to escape the pressure at work, she unexpectedly gets snowed in with Travis. What's more romantic than being snowed in, cuddling with hot chocolate after skating, snowball fights, and sledding? Oh, and some late-night confessions! Close proximity–yes, please!
I loved Sarah and Travis! Both of them are wonderful characters that you'll want to root for. I loved how their time at the cabin, away from the outside world, allowed them to clear the air between them, move on from their past mistakes, and start fresh.
"Ice Melts" is a quick read but doesn't feel like a novella and we get a wonderful epilogue! This is a charming and heartwarming read that will leave you rooting for Sarah and Travis to find their happily ever after. I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
When Sarah travels to the cabin their families used to share to escape the pressure at work, she unexpectedly gets snowed in with Travis. What's more romantic than being snowed in, cuddling with hot chocolate after skating, snowball fights, and sledding? Oh, and some late-night confessions! Close proximity–yes, please!
I loved Sarah and Travis! Both of them are wonderful characters that you'll want to root for. I loved how their time at the cabin, away from the outside world, allowed them to clear the air between them, move on from their past mistakes, and start fresh.
"Ice Melts" is a quick read but doesn't feel like a novella and we get a wonderful epilogue! This is a charming and heartwarming read that will leave you rooting for Sarah and Travis to find their happily ever after. I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
May 20, 2025
I loved this clean hockey romance! Honestly, this book pulled me in from the beginning and wouldn’t let me go until the very end. Summers had me from the strong emotions and broke friendship. There were so many emotions in this story, I felt them all right alongside the characters. I was transported the their world and watched everything unfold. I wondered how Sarah and Travis might ever be on the same page and I was left guessing until the very end. A wonderful sweet sports romance that will have you feeling all the feels! I highly recommend Ice Melts!
I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 8, 2025
This is a charming, no spice hockey romance. Even though it’s no spice, it is full of sweet swoony romance. Sarah is a sports reporter. and she doesn’t mind getting the nitty-gritty dirt on the Seahorns hockey team. She may have a grudge on one of the players but in her perspective, some of the players are reckless and not good examples.
Travis is a player on the Seahorns hockey team. He has had feelings for his sister’s best friend Sarah for sometime. But she seems determined to take down his team. Not that some of them don’t deserve it, but he’s doing his best to make things right.
I really enjoyed this story. It just kept getting better and better as it went on. The fact that Travis and Sarah had a past and yet neither one can stop thinking about the other one. When they are snowed in at a family cabin, the tensions are high, but they were able to talk through their problems, do some soul-searching on what will come next and have a great time together. I loved the fun winter activities they did, bonding over past experiences and watching the chemistry they had together ignite.
So cuddle up with a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and spend the afternoon with Sarah and Travis.
Travis is a player on the Seahorns hockey team. He has had feelings for his sister’s best friend Sarah for sometime. But she seems determined to take down his team. Not that some of them don’t deserve it, but he’s doing his best to make things right.
I really enjoyed this story. It just kept getting better and better as it went on. The fact that Travis and Sarah had a past and yet neither one can stop thinking about the other one. When they are snowed in at a family cabin, the tensions are high, but they were able to talk through their problems, do some soul-searching on what will come next and have a great time together. I loved the fun winter activities they did, bonding over past experiences and watching the chemistry they had together ignite.
So cuddle up with a warm blanket and a cup of hot cocoa and spend the afternoon with Sarah and Travis.
February 11, 2025
Sweet Romance
I loved that I was able to read this in an hour! Sarah is a hard hitting journalist that only writes about hockey players-just like Travis her best friend’s older brother. They get snowed in and he helps change her views on things as she helps him see why she reports the way she does. Super sweet, but trigger warning-his mom has cancer.
I loved that I was able to read this in an hour! Sarah is a hard hitting journalist that only writes about hockey players-just like Travis her best friend’s older brother. They get snowed in and he helps change her views on things as she helps him see why she reports the way she does. Super sweet, but trigger warning-his mom has cancer.
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February 12, 2025This book has been nominated for a 2025 Swoony Award, to vote for it click here: Swoony Awards.
February 8, 2025
They had been friends. Now could it be more?
This is a sweet story of two friends, each hurt by the other and now apart. Sarah had a crush on Travis until he cancelled a prom date with her. Now she writes negative news articles about professional hockey players like Travis. Travis had a crush on Sarah until things fell apart. Now he finds himself feeling under attack from her articles. When they get a chance to mend their relationship, they both enter hesitantly but with hope. Can some time alone doing the things they used to do help them rebuild and improve on what they had?
This is a sweet story of two friends, each hurt by the other and now apart. Sarah had a crush on Travis until he cancelled a prom date with her. Now she writes negative news articles about professional hockey players like Travis. Travis had a crush on Sarah until things fell apart. Now he finds himself feeling under attack from her articles. When they get a chance to mend their relationship, they both enter hesitantly but with hope. Can some time alone doing the things they used to do help them rebuild and improve on what they had?
February 10, 2025
I really enjoyed this awesome story that has these long time friends finally forced to address their mutual feelings towards one another. This is a really fun stand alone hockey story.
Sarah Cooper and Travis Jenkins have a history that goes back to their childhood. Sarah was also best friends with Travis' sister and their families were so close that they owned a lakeside cabin together.
Sarah is a sports reporter who works for a company that expects her to write hard hitting pieces that review the flaws of the hockey players. Travis has been a professional hockey player who has always done his best to give the sport a good name. When he reads the stories that Sarah writes he usually feels that she is also writing about him. It just makes him feel sad that she doesn't seem to respect him.
When they both end up in their families shared cabin and get snowed in by a huge storm, they decide to shut off their phones from the outside world and do the things they loved when they were younger.
They know that there is a huge scandal going on in the hockey world that might effect both of them but they determine to put it aside for a brief time. Will they finally reveal the hidden feelings they have for one another? Can they ever have a relationship with the opposition that comes from their chosen professions?
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is. my honest unbiased review.
Sarah Cooper and Travis Jenkins have a history that goes back to their childhood. Sarah was also best friends with Travis' sister and their families were so close that they owned a lakeside cabin together.
Sarah is a sports reporter who works for a company that expects her to write hard hitting pieces that review the flaws of the hockey players. Travis has been a professional hockey player who has always done his best to give the sport a good name. When he reads the stories that Sarah writes he usually feels that she is also writing about him. It just makes him feel sad that she doesn't seem to respect him.
When they both end up in their families shared cabin and get snowed in by a huge storm, they decide to shut off their phones from the outside world and do the things they loved when they were younger.
They know that there is a huge scandal going on in the hockey world that might effect both of them but they determine to put it aside for a brief time. Will they finally reveal the hidden feelings they have for one another? Can they ever have a relationship with the opposition that comes from their chosen professions?
I received a copy of this book from the author and this is. my honest unbiased review.
March 17, 2025
Snowed in hockey romance! Yes please! This was such a cute and quick read!
Sarah is a sports reporter focusing on hockey. She loves the sport and the players but won’t ever date one in real life; not since her best friend's brother played in high school and hurt her.
Travis is a hockey player with a heart of gold. He has had a crush on his sister's best friend for a long time and she would never guess that to be the case.
I'm still in my hockey era! When I saw this one also had a snowed-in trope I had to pick it up! This was such a fun combination for me especially because they get snowed-in in my hometown of Detroit! Sarah and Travis were just the cutest together! You couldn’t help but cheer them on. They have a few things they need to work through, especially Sarah's job. She is a sports reporter but her boss wants her to focus on the bad side of the sport and not all the good things Travis stands for and has worked so hard for. It definitely created some tension for them. I would have loved some more info about the prom and why Travis stood Sarah up all those years ago when they were having their heart to heart at the cabin, but all the sweet swoony moments they shared there were so good! This book was low on angst and high on the best winter vibes. I can’t resist the cozy feel of cuddling with a perfect cup of hot cocoa, ice skating, and snowball fights no matter what time of year it is. Pick this one up if you need a quick and sweet hockey fix. :)
Content Awareness: light theme of a parent with cancer
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and options are my own.
Sarah is a sports reporter focusing on hockey. She loves the sport and the players but won’t ever date one in real life; not since her best friend's brother played in high school and hurt her.
Travis is a hockey player with a heart of gold. He has had a crush on his sister's best friend for a long time and she would never guess that to be the case.
I'm still in my hockey era! When I saw this one also had a snowed-in trope I had to pick it up! This was such a fun combination for me especially because they get snowed-in in my hometown of Detroit! Sarah and Travis were just the cutest together! You couldn’t help but cheer them on. They have a few things they need to work through, especially Sarah's job. She is a sports reporter but her boss wants her to focus on the bad side of the sport and not all the good things Travis stands for and has worked so hard for. It definitely created some tension for them. I would have loved some more info about the prom and why Travis stood Sarah up all those years ago when they were having their heart to heart at the cabin, but all the sweet swoony moments they shared there were so good! This book was low on angst and high on the best winter vibes. I can’t resist the cozy feel of cuddling with a perfect cup of hot cocoa, ice skating, and snowball fights no matter what time of year it is. Pick this one up if you need a quick and sweet hockey fix. :)
Content Awareness: light theme of a parent with cancer
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and options are my own.
February 12, 2025
When Sarah Cooper is given the assignment of digging up dirt on NFL players, she feels that she is doing the right thing in exposing the partying and drug usage that some of the players on Travis Jenkins’ team. After all, the players should be a role model for children. But, could there be a different way of affecting change? Travis was patient with Sarah and helped her see that there can be more to a story than just sensationalism and scandal. I loved the way Sarah was able to meet her editor’s expectations of reporting wrongdoings, but also show the good that was happening too.
This best friend’s brother story is one you will enjoy if you like sports romances. Getting snowed in was such a fun part of the story with skating, ice dancing, hot chocolate, and discovering love. This is a quick read and one that you can finish in an afternoon.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.
This best friend’s brother story is one you will enjoy if you like sports romances. Getting snowed in was such a fun part of the story with skating, ice dancing, hot chocolate, and discovering love. This is a quick read and one that you can finish in an afternoon.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.
February 18, 2025
I love it when a book sucks you in so completely that all you want to do is read it. This one sucked me in. I loved every bit of it!
I loved Sarah. She's a journalist focusing on hockey. Sarah works for a magazine that just wants her to report the bad side of athletes. And it kind of seems like she gets to where that is all she sees. But...they can't be all bad, her childhood friend, Travis, is a hockey player.
I liked Travis. He worked hard to be a good guy. And he looked out for the other guys who weren't making good decisions as often as he was.
I loved these two characters. To the reader, they felt as though they had known each other forever. They were just so comfortable and good together.
This is such a cute story! I can't wait for more in this world.
I loved Sarah. She's a journalist focusing on hockey. Sarah works for a magazine that just wants her to report the bad side of athletes. And it kind of seems like she gets to where that is all she sees. But...they can't be all bad, her childhood friend, Travis, is a hockey player.
I liked Travis. He worked hard to be a good guy. And he looked out for the other guys who weren't making good decisions as often as he was.
I loved these two characters. To the reader, they felt as though they had known each other forever. They were just so comfortable and good together.
This is such a cute story! I can't wait for more in this world.
March 13, 2025
Sweet, contemporary sports romance
Romance, sweet, contemporary, sports; series but stand alone read
Travis and Sarah’s romance started back in high school as they both had unrequited crushes on each other, never telling each other the truth of their feelings.
As they talk to each other after being trapped at a family cabin together during and after a blizzard, feelings come out.
Strong characters, fun setting with a mix of seriousness mixed in as the bad side of professional sports is discussed due to Sarah’s job as a sensation news reporter, made this a fun read and loved their trust in each other as Sarah had to work around her bosses demands for her reporting and how that affected Travis, his career, and their personal lives.
Romance, sweet, contemporary, sports; series but stand alone read
Travis and Sarah’s romance started back in high school as they both had unrequited crushes on each other, never telling each other the truth of their feelings.
As they talk to each other after being trapped at a family cabin together during and after a blizzard, feelings come out.
Strong characters, fun setting with a mix of seriousness mixed in as the bad side of professional sports is discussed due to Sarah’s job as a sensation news reporter, made this a fun read and loved their trust in each other as Sarah had to work around her bosses demands for her reporting and how that affected Travis, his career, and their personal lives.
January 9, 2026
Ice Melts is a light, sweet read centered on a best friend’s brother romance and long-held feelings that stretch back to high school. Low on angst and high on charm, it’s the kind of story you pick up when you want an easy, feel-good happily-ever-after.
Travis and Sarah have to untangle old hurts and the distance they created over the years. I did wish the story spent more time explaining why Travis stood Sarah up for prom, but it was still satisfying to see them finally be honest about their feelings. A soft, swoony romance I easily finished in one sitting.
Travis and Sarah have to untangle old hurts and the distance they created over the years. I did wish the story spent more time explaining why Travis stood Sarah up for prom, but it was still satisfying to see them finally be honest about their feelings. A soft, swoony romance I easily finished in one sitting.
February 14, 2025
What a fun read! Sarah and Travis were quite enjoyable, as they figured out their problems being a journalist and hockey player and when they confess to each other how long they’ve loved each other! Other things I loved about this story:
❄️ Best friend’s brother
❄️ Snowed in at the cabin
❄️ Ice skating on the frozen lake
❄️ And that epilogue!!
❄️ Best friend’s brother
❄️ Snowed in at the cabin
❄️ Ice skating on the frozen lake
❄️ And that epilogue!!
June 8, 2025
Travis is Tatum's older brother and a pro hockey player. Sarah is Tatum's best friend and a sports journalist, writing expose's on hockey teams. Their story is filled with troubles as they both deal with feelings they have had since high school.
January 25, 2026
Read this short for a reading challenge. I learned last year that Hockey Romance is a sub genre of its own and definitely not my thing. This was the only one I could find that was a clean read. 🤣 Bonus star for mentioning a character finding his way to church.
February 6, 2025
Quick, fun read. Friends to lovers/best friend’s brother hockey rom-com.
February 15, 2025
Wanted more information about the prom thing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
Swoony, sweet sports read! Another great book by Sophia Summers!
December 28, 2025
Ice melts
I enjoyed reading this sweet, clean and swoony romance of childhood friends finding their happily ever after. Great characters and storyline.
I enjoyed reading this sweet, clean and swoony romance of childhood friends finding their happily ever after. Great characters and storyline.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews