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Glaciers Hockey #2
The Love Trick
Don’t tell lies. Otherwise, you might end up stuck in Hawaii, pretending to be in love with your best friend just to save face at your little sister’s wedding.I’m nearly thirty and forever alone.
But my little sister is getting married to the man of my parents’ dreams … and my love life—or lack thereof—is back in the spotlight.
When I blurted out that I was bringing a boyfriend to the wedding, I was just as surprised as my family was.
Enter Blaze—my NHL star best friend—who reluctantly agrees to help me save face.
Now, we’re in Hawaii, pretending to be the perfect couple.
But the more time we spend together, the harder it is to deny the chemistry between us.
And the feelings for him that I buried in college are quickly bubbling to the surface.
Suddenly, every touch, every laugh, every dance, feels like it could be something more.
Something … real.
I thought this fake relationship would be easy. But now, the stakes are higher than ever.
Because if I let myself fall for him, there’s no going back.
The Love Trick is a closed-door, friends to lovers, fake dating hockey romcom. It's the second standalone novel in Kristine W. Joy's Glacier Hockey Series.
But my little sister is getting married to the man of my parents’ dreams … and my love life—or lack thereof—is back in the spotlight.
When I blurted out that I was bringing a boyfriend to the wedding, I was just as surprised as my family was.
Enter Blaze—my NHL star best friend—who reluctantly agrees to help me save face.
Now, we’re in Hawaii, pretending to be the perfect couple.
But the more time we spend together, the harder it is to deny the chemistry between us.
And the feelings for him that I buried in college are quickly bubbling to the surface.
Suddenly, every touch, every laugh, every dance, feels like it could be something more.
Something … real.
I thought this fake relationship would be easy. But now, the stakes are higher than ever.
Because if I let myself fall for him, there’s no going back.
The Love Trick is a closed-door, friends to lovers, fake dating hockey romcom. It's the second standalone novel in Kristine W. Joy's Glacier Hockey Series.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2025
118 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Kristine W. Joy
18 books347 followersKristine W. Joy is an Amazon Bestselling Author who loves creating sweet and swoony stories full of sizzling chemistry and laugh-out-loud banter. She prefers her coffee iced and her kisses hot. When she's not dreaming up romance novels or writing from a cozy coffee shop in Northern California, she is spending time with her hubby and two young sons. Becoming a published author was a lifelong dream. Becoming a momma was the inspiration to make it a reality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
April 23, 2025
I loved this one! I'm a big fan of fake dating & best friend to lovers trope, plus it's a hockey romance (😍), yeah this one checked all my boxes. What I loved most: Blaze and Andy's friendship. They showed up for each other in ways that only a spouse would.
You need a dress from your house- who do you call your sister or a best girl friend? Nope your male bff. Blaze drops his activity to run to her house and get a fancy outfit for her. Husband material for sure! Both of them were super concerned with being there to support each other. But when they start fake dating it's a new ball game. Add a couple nights of over drinking which loosens their tongues and both are admitting far more than they ever thought they would. Of course the unanticipated real feelings creates a wedge in their friendship that won't go away until they figure out what is really going on between them.
Rating: PG, over drinking alcohol, feelings of inadequacy, raised in foster care issues.
You need a dress from your house- who do you call your sister or a best girl friend? Nope your male bff. Blaze drops his activity to run to her house and get a fancy outfit for her. Husband material for sure! Both of them were super concerned with being there to support each other. But when they start fake dating it's a new ball game. Add a couple nights of over drinking which loosens their tongues and both are admitting far more than they ever thought they would. Of course the unanticipated real feelings creates a wedge in their friendship that won't go away until they figure out what is really going on between them.
Rating: PG, over drinking alcohol, feelings of inadequacy, raised in foster care issues.
April 20, 2025
This was a cute best friends to lovers, fake dating romance!
It’s a classic best friends for a decade and both secretly in love with each other, but too afraid to tell the other and ruin the friendship trope. But they are forced to face their feelings after a stint of fake dating for Addy’s sister’s wedding.
really enjoyed the pacing and also the dual POV and getting insights into both Addy and Blaze’s thoughts. The character and relationship growth was good (all the way down to the mother daughter relationship growth too). You could really feel all the emotions through the pages.
I did feel the drama was a tad drawn out in certain areas.
Overall enjoyed this one! It’s book 2 in Glacier Hockey series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Check this one out!
Thank you @kristinewjoy for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼
It’s a classic best friends for a decade and both secretly in love with each other, but too afraid to tell the other and ruin the friendship trope. But they are forced to face their feelings after a stint of fake dating for Addy’s sister’s wedding.
really enjoyed the pacing and also the dual POV and getting insights into both Addy and Blaze’s thoughts. The character and relationship growth was good (all the way down to the mother daughter relationship growth too). You could really feel all the emotions through the pages.
I did feel the drama was a tad drawn out in certain areas.
Overall enjoyed this one! It’s book 2 in Glacier Hockey series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Check this one out!
Thank you @kristinewjoy for this #gifted e-ARC!🫶🏼
April 24, 2025
Loved this one so much! What a sweet, pull on your heartstrings friends to lovers. I totally teared up watching Blaze struggle with risking his friendship for more with Addie, who was everything to him. Loved them together!
April 18, 2025
ARC Book Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paperback available now
April 24, 2025 for Kindle
If you're a fan of friends-to-lovers stories with a side of fake dating and a whole lot of heart, The Love Trick is your next must-read. Kristine W. Joy delivers once again with a swoony, feel-good romance that had me hooked from page one.
Addy and Blaze have been best friends for a decade. They've been each other's rock through everything—but never crossed that delicate line between friendship and something more. So when Addy blurts out during a wedding luncheon that she has a boyfriend (spoiler: she doesn't), panic sets in. Desperate to avoid the judgment of her high-society family at her sister's destination wedding, she turns to the one person she can always count on-Blaze.
Blaze is shocked but agrees to play the role of fake boyfriend. After all, Addy is his person. But what starts as a simple favor spirals into a whirlwind of emotions when the two are forced to share a room— and a bed-in Hawaii. Old college crushes, unresolved feelings, and undeniable chemistry threaten to change everything between them.
This book is everything I love in a romance: genuine connection, emotional tension, hilarious fake dating mishaps, and yes-a good bit of forced proximity. Blaze is the dream best friend, always looking out for Addy, but underneath his protectiveness is a man who's been in love with her for years. And Addy? She's relatable, strong, and trying her best to carve out her own path outside of her family's expectations.
The slow burn is so worth it, and the kisses?
Absolutely swoon-worthy. This is a closed-door romance, so expect steamy tension without the steam-and it works perfectly for this sweet, heartfelt story.
Though this is book two in the Glaciers Hockey series, it works beautifully as a standalone. You don't need to have read the first to enjoy the dynamic team backdrop or the emotional depth of this story.
The Love Trick is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance with a perfect blend of humor, tension, and emotional payoff. If you're into hockey heroes, fake relationships, and best friends harboring secret crushes, don't miss this one. Five stars and a big smile from me-Kristine W. Joy continues to be a go-to author for a comforting, romantic escape.
Thank you to the author for the advanced readers copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paperback available now
April 24, 2025 for Kindle
If you're a fan of friends-to-lovers stories with a side of fake dating and a whole lot of heart, The Love Trick is your next must-read. Kristine W. Joy delivers once again with a swoony, feel-good romance that had me hooked from page one.
Addy and Blaze have been best friends for a decade. They've been each other's rock through everything—but never crossed that delicate line between friendship and something more. So when Addy blurts out during a wedding luncheon that she has a boyfriend (spoiler: she doesn't), panic sets in. Desperate to avoid the judgment of her high-society family at her sister's destination wedding, she turns to the one person she can always count on-Blaze.
Blaze is shocked but agrees to play the role of fake boyfriend. After all, Addy is his person. But what starts as a simple favor spirals into a whirlwind of emotions when the two are forced to share a room— and a bed-in Hawaii. Old college crushes, unresolved feelings, and undeniable chemistry threaten to change everything between them.
This book is everything I love in a romance: genuine connection, emotional tension, hilarious fake dating mishaps, and yes-a good bit of forced proximity. Blaze is the dream best friend, always looking out for Addy, but underneath his protectiveness is a man who's been in love with her for years. And Addy? She's relatable, strong, and trying her best to carve out her own path outside of her family's expectations.
The slow burn is so worth it, and the kisses?
Absolutely swoon-worthy. This is a closed-door romance, so expect steamy tension without the steam-and it works perfectly for this sweet, heartfelt story.
Though this is book two in the Glaciers Hockey series, it works beautifully as a standalone. You don't need to have read the first to enjoy the dynamic team backdrop or the emotional depth of this story.
The Love Trick is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance with a perfect blend of humor, tension, and emotional payoff. If you're into hockey heroes, fake relationships, and best friends harboring secret crushes, don't miss this one. Five stars and a big smile from me-Kristine W. Joy continues to be a go-to author for a comforting, romantic escape.
Thank you to the author for the advanced readers copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
May 10, 2025
ARC BOOK REVIEW 📖: THE LOVE TRICK by Kristine W. Joy
Rating: 3.5⭐️/5
Format: ebook
After having been on Kristine’s ARC team for The Valentine’s Bet and enjoying it, I was really looking forward to this one! However, it just missed the mark for me. I loved that it was told in dual povs but the MMC, Blaze, annoyed me. I also thought there would have been more going on in Hawaii and therefore, it felt rushed to me.
While this one wasn’t one of my favorites, I am looking forward to reading more by the author in the future.
Thank you Kristine for sending me your ARC in exchange for my honest review! The Love Trick is the second standalone book in the Glacier Hockey series.
Rating: 3.5⭐️/5
Format: ebook
After having been on Kristine’s ARC team for The Valentine’s Bet and enjoying it, I was really looking forward to this one! However, it just missed the mark for me. I loved that it was told in dual povs but the MMC, Blaze, annoyed me. I also thought there would have been more going on in Hawaii and therefore, it felt rushed to me.
While this one wasn’t one of my favorites, I am looking forward to reading more by the author in the future.
Thank you Kristine for sending me your ARC in exchange for my honest review! The Love Trick is the second standalone book in the Glacier Hockey series.
August 19, 2025
This was a sweet friends to more and fake dating romance. Andy and Blaze were such close best friends. I liked that as they went into this fake dating scenario, neither one had any inclination to make things real. However, feelings began to surface between them and led to some serious upset in their friendship. These two both let fear control them so much and they also needed to learn how to communicate and listen to each other better. But they really were a sweet pair and I was happy to see things finally work out for them.
(4.5 stars)
(4.5 stars)
April 16, 2025
Very cute romance and totally clean too! Classic misunderstanding trope that could totally be resolved by just chatting it out but in this story, I feel like I actually kinda understood why the characters wouldn't. Overall, I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next in the series!
May 31, 2025
This book was so good. I loved that it was dual POV and in first person. The reader can see both sides of the story. It was really sweet.
August 5, 2025
this was a sweet read. very cheesy and a bit frustrating at times because it literally took the whole book for them to admit their feelings but we love a sweet, clean hockey romance👌🏼
August 5, 2025
When you grow up in the system and have no role models to emulate it gives you a shaky foundation. No matter how many times you and someone else tells you that you are doing it right, or that you’re good enough until you can truly believe it. It will never sink in. That is Blaze Harris he was a foster kid until he found hockey and that's when he found a family. But it was when he was a sophomore, and she was a freshman in college that he truly felt he found a home in Addy Williams. She was trying to carry her backpack, books, and coffee while rushing to class when everything started going south all over the front of her shirt.
Luckily Blaze was there to help her pick up everything and lend his hockey jersey to wear, so she wouldn’t have to miss her class. They exchanged info to get his shirt back to him. It was the start of a beautiful friendship. Addy’s family came from great wealth which Addy was unimpressed with. She had her trust fund she chose to ignore to keep her family out of her business. She was not a designer kind of girl. Being around her family was an extremely stressful situation because she was always the center of all her family's backhanded jokes about not being married.
As if turning thirty in a few weeks was a mortal sin. The other sore subject who would was who she would be taking to her sister’s wedding in Hawaii. So, when she arrived late again to one of her sister's pre-bridesmaid meetings her great-grandmother started chewing her out. About nearly being thirty, with no date, and no wedding on the horizon. So she blurted out that she did have a boyfriend. She just didn't say who. She then went home and pleaded with Blaze to please be her plus one to her sister’s wedding in Hawaii.
Blaze first said, NO! But, more pleading by Addy, he finally said, yes. None of this set right with Blaze he loved her and her crazy self-indulgent family so much. They were all he had besides the hockey team of guys he had become so close with. Who could understand what was with him? He was like her unofficial husband without the benefits. He did things for her boyfriends or husbands didn't do for their women. Addy kept reassuring him that nothing would change even though they would have to be a couple for a week.
What got to him was when each of her parents and grandmother gave him their approval. Telling him he had always been such a hard worker and always made Addy a priority which was important in their book. Knowing that they would break up after the end of the wedding killed him hearing their true confessions. When things go haywire before the very end how do they handle it, and will they survive it? You’ll have to read it to find out.
Luckily Blaze was there to help her pick up everything and lend his hockey jersey to wear, so she wouldn’t have to miss her class. They exchanged info to get his shirt back to him. It was the start of a beautiful friendship. Addy’s family came from great wealth which Addy was unimpressed with. She had her trust fund she chose to ignore to keep her family out of her business. She was not a designer kind of girl. Being around her family was an extremely stressful situation because she was always the center of all her family's backhanded jokes about not being married.
As if turning thirty in a few weeks was a mortal sin. The other sore subject who would was who she would be taking to her sister’s wedding in Hawaii. So, when she arrived late again to one of her sister's pre-bridesmaid meetings her great-grandmother started chewing her out. About nearly being thirty, with no date, and no wedding on the horizon. So she blurted out that she did have a boyfriend. She just didn't say who. She then went home and pleaded with Blaze to please be her plus one to her sister’s wedding in Hawaii.
Blaze first said, NO! But, more pleading by Addy, he finally said, yes. None of this set right with Blaze he loved her and her crazy self-indulgent family so much. They were all he had besides the hockey team of guys he had become so close with. Who could understand what was with him? He was like her unofficial husband without the benefits. He did things for her boyfriends or husbands didn't do for their women. Addy kept reassuring him that nothing would change even though they would have to be a couple for a week.
What got to him was when each of her parents and grandmother gave him their approval. Telling him he had always been such a hard worker and always made Addy a priority which was important in their book. Knowing that they would break up after the end of the wedding killed him hearing their true confessions. When things go haywire before the very end how do they handle it, and will they survive it? You’ll have to read it to find out.
April 24, 2025
4/5
Genre: Closed door/Sweet Romcom
🚨TW: mentions of loss of parents , controlling family,
🔥 Level: Closed door, hot kisses
Read it if you like:
🌊 Dual POV
🌊sports (hockey)
🌊 Best friends to more
🌊 forced proximity
🌊 fake dating
🌊 Hawaiian vacation
🌊 closed door (kissing only)
Favourite Moments
🌊 Him helping her to escape (can’t spoil it)
🌊 His friends and her friends made them realised their feelings (can’t spoil it)
🌊 Them being in a fake relationship
🌊 The dance (can’t spoil it)
🌊 During surfing (can’t spoil it)
🌊 Their truth and dare game
🌊 Her birthday (can’t spoil it)
🌊 At the car park. (can’t spoil it)
(lots more)
Swoony Moments
🌊He cares and always there for her.
🌊 He is overprotective of her.
🌊 He had a crush on her during college.
🌊 He respected her.
🌊He showed his vulnerable side to her.
Synopsis:
Addy
A pro dog walker who is trying her best to make her family proud of her. She has a best friend who she relies on so much.
Blaze
An NHL player who doesn’t want to lose his best friend. He still loves her very much but pushed down his feelings.
Things get interesting when she asks him to be her fake boyfriend because she was tired of her grandmother asking her about when she will settle down since her younger sister is getting married. Will this fake date become a real one? And will their college feelings come back again? Read The Love Trick to find out!!
Review:
This is such a sweet and cute love story between these two though at times you just want to shout at them to be together. (can't spoil it read then you will know) Love the way that he is always there for her and go the extra mile to help her with whatever she needs. And I do love best friends to lovers’ story because is just so adorable. He is protective of her and treats her as family and doesn’t want to lose her because she is the only one, he has. Love that her family and their friends try to make them realise their feelings for each other. And the trip to Hawaii was so fun and they old feelings came back as they fake date each other. They bickering and flirting as just so cute and also they also show their vulnerable side to each other and also they have their movie nights together. This book made me smile, laugh, swoon, and just want to cheer on and give the support they needed.
I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @kristinewjoy for the ARC.
This 2nd book of the Glacier’s Hockey Series. If you haven’t read the 1st book you should. It’s Cameron and Nila’s love story.
Can’t wait for the next story.
You can purchase this story from Amazon and it is available on KU.
Genre: Closed door/Sweet Romcom
🚨TW: mentions of loss of parents , controlling family,
🔥 Level: Closed door, hot kisses
Read it if you like:
🌊 Dual POV
🌊sports (hockey)
🌊 Best friends to more
🌊 forced proximity
🌊 fake dating
🌊 Hawaiian vacation
🌊 closed door (kissing only)
Favourite Moments
🌊 Him helping her to escape (can’t spoil it)
🌊 His friends and her friends made them realised their feelings (can’t spoil it)
🌊 Them being in a fake relationship
🌊 The dance (can’t spoil it)
🌊 During surfing (can’t spoil it)
🌊 Their truth and dare game
🌊 Her birthday (can’t spoil it)
🌊 At the car park. (can’t spoil it)
(lots more)
Swoony Moments
🌊He cares and always there for her.
🌊 He is overprotective of her.
🌊 He had a crush on her during college.
🌊 He respected her.
🌊He showed his vulnerable side to her.
Synopsis:
Addy
A pro dog walker who is trying her best to make her family proud of her. She has a best friend who she relies on so much.
Blaze
An NHL player who doesn’t want to lose his best friend. He still loves her very much but pushed down his feelings.
Things get interesting when she asks him to be her fake boyfriend because she was tired of her grandmother asking her about when she will settle down since her younger sister is getting married. Will this fake date become a real one? And will their college feelings come back again? Read The Love Trick to find out!!
Review:
This is such a sweet and cute love story between these two though at times you just want to shout at them to be together. (can't spoil it read then you will know) Love the way that he is always there for her and go the extra mile to help her with whatever she needs. And I do love best friends to lovers’ story because is just so adorable. He is protective of her and treats her as family and doesn’t want to lose her because she is the only one, he has. Love that her family and their friends try to make them realise their feelings for each other. And the trip to Hawaii was so fun and they old feelings came back as they fake date each other. They bickering and flirting as just so cute and also they also show their vulnerable side to each other and also they have their movie nights together. This book made me smile, laugh, swoon, and just want to cheer on and give the support they needed.
I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @kristinewjoy for the ARC.
This 2nd book of the Glacier’s Hockey Series. If you haven’t read the 1st book you should. It’s Cameron and Nila’s love story.
Can’t wait for the next story.
You can purchase this story from Amazon and it is available on KU.
April 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Blaze Harris & Addy Williams
- college friends, with an adorable meetcute
- Best friends to more
- Dual POV
- Hockey player MMC
- Dog Walker FMC
- Forced proximity
- Hawaii vacation
- Fake dating
- Found family
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Book 2 in Glaciers Hockey Series - Blaze and Addy have been friends for a decade and cannot live without one another. They both have real struggles throughout the book. They show up for one another however they can. Kristine has written two very imperfect MCs and I love it. This is one of the most realistic best friends to lovers books I’ve ever read. Blaze is terrified to lose his best friend for really good reason that steams from lifelong trauma. His teammates try to help him navigate through his thoughts, but he has to learn the hard way what he actually wants. Addy shoots her shot and has to deal with the aftermath; she chooses to protect herself but that leaves her even more heart broken.
The MCs make such human mistakes and are so real. Kristine absolutely nailed this tropes and the struggles the MCs face by creating complex characters who fight to make sense of the multiple emotions swirling around inside of them. They are surrounded by supportive friends and family who pick them up and try to help them when the struggle and self sabotage. Ultimately, we get to see how friendship is the best foundation for a relationship and just how much Blaze and Addy already love each other 💕💕
This is a clean closed door romcom with some descriptive makeouts.
**Thank you so much to Kristine for letting me read this ARC. I received a complimentary copy. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**
Songs:
“It’s not your fault” by Mac McNown
“Memories” by Dean Lewis
“Grow as we go” by Ben Platt *
“Simply the best” by Billianne *
“Fall on me” by NEEDTOBREATHE feat Carly Pearce **
“Home” by Phillip Phillips
“Apple pie” by Lizzie McAlpine
“Half a man” by Dean Lewis
“Love of my life” by Dean Lewis
Blaze Harris & Addy Williams
- college friends, with an adorable meetcute
- Best friends to more
- Dual POV
- Hockey player MMC
- Dog Walker FMC
- Forced proximity
- Hawaii vacation
- Fake dating
- Found family
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Book 2 in Glaciers Hockey Series - Blaze and Addy have been friends for a decade and cannot live without one another. They both have real struggles throughout the book. They show up for one another however they can. Kristine has written two very imperfect MCs and I love it. This is one of the most realistic best friends to lovers books I’ve ever read. Blaze is terrified to lose his best friend for really good reason that steams from lifelong trauma. His teammates try to help him navigate through his thoughts, but he has to learn the hard way what he actually wants. Addy shoots her shot and has to deal with the aftermath; she chooses to protect herself but that leaves her even more heart broken.
The MCs make such human mistakes and are so real. Kristine absolutely nailed this tropes and the struggles the MCs face by creating complex characters who fight to make sense of the multiple emotions swirling around inside of them. They are surrounded by supportive friends and family who pick them up and try to help them when the struggle and self sabotage. Ultimately, we get to see how friendship is the best foundation for a relationship and just how much Blaze and Addy already love each other 💕💕
This is a clean closed door romcom with some descriptive makeouts.
**Thank you so much to Kristine for letting me read this ARC. I received a complimentary copy. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**
Songs:
“It’s not your fault” by Mac McNown
“Memories” by Dean Lewis
“Grow as we go” by Ben Platt *
“Simply the best” by Billianne *
“Fall on me” by NEEDTOBREATHE feat Carly Pearce **
“Home” by Phillip Phillips
“Apple pie” by Lizzie McAlpine
“Half a man” by Dean Lewis
“Love of my life” by Dean Lewis
April 22, 2025
I fell headfirst into this book and did not come up for air until I read the final page. Everything about this book was pleasurable from the plotline to the characters to the scenery in Hawaii.
Addy and Blaze have been best friends for a decade. They have never been anything except best friends. Addy's little sister is getting married in Hawaii, and Addy needs a plus one to keep her family off of her back because of her singleness. Blaze is hesitant to fake date his best friend. Blaze grew up in foster care, and he considers Addy a family member, which means he does not want to do anything to put his friendship with Addy in jeopardy. But since he would do anything for Addy, he agrees to go along with her plan to pass himself off as her boyfriend. This has disaster written all over it.
This was a friends to lovers romance that had a lot tension due to so many reasons that you will learn as you read. There was plenty of funny scenes, some swoony worthy scenes and some scenes that will bring a tear to your eye. Blaze was absolutely adorable. I felt such empathy for him as he battled his demons of having no real family which led to fear of losing the people he cared about, mainly Addy. There were a few times I wanted to throttle Addy, but yet I also felt empathy for her as well. Communication between the characters was very much lacking in this romance. The story is told from the dual point of view of both Blaze and Addy, which gives you an inside look at their thoughts and feelings as they battle the chemistry that has been dormant for so long that neither of them know what to do with it.
Kristine Joy knows how to craft multi-layered characters that you will love. The ending was stupendous and almost made me cry.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Addy and Blaze have been best friends for a decade. They have never been anything except best friends. Addy's little sister is getting married in Hawaii, and Addy needs a plus one to keep her family off of her back because of her singleness. Blaze is hesitant to fake date his best friend. Blaze grew up in foster care, and he considers Addy a family member, which means he does not want to do anything to put his friendship with Addy in jeopardy. But since he would do anything for Addy, he agrees to go along with her plan to pass himself off as her boyfriend. This has disaster written all over it.
This was a friends to lovers romance that had a lot tension due to so many reasons that you will learn as you read. There was plenty of funny scenes, some swoony worthy scenes and some scenes that will bring a tear to your eye. Blaze was absolutely adorable. I felt such empathy for him as he battled his demons of having no real family which led to fear of losing the people he cared about, mainly Addy. There were a few times I wanted to throttle Addy, but yet I also felt empathy for her as well. Communication between the characters was very much lacking in this romance. The story is told from the dual point of view of both Blaze and Addy, which gives you an inside look at their thoughts and feelings as they battle the chemistry that has been dormant for so long that neither of them know what to do with it.
Kristine Joy knows how to craft multi-layered characters that you will love. The ending was stupendous and almost made me cry.
Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
April 29, 2025DNF at ~80%
This started off really strong, with Addy asking her bestie Blaze to pretend to be her boyfriend to get her family off her back at her sister's wedding. Blaze has all the misgivings about it, since as a foster kid who views Addy as his only family, he doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize the most important relationship in the world to him.
Anyway, typical sparks fly, and I was thoroughly enjoying this up until the halfway point. For the first half we're seeing these two actually being friends. Actually communicating. And yes wondering if their long ago buried feelings for one another was resurfacing. Cute and fun.
At about the halfway mark the story hit quicksand and started spinning its wheels a little. We were getting the same musings about Blaze and Addy feeling romantic feelings towards each other, wilfully refusing to analyse what their own feelings meant, burying any of these thoughts, and stubbornly pushing forward in a way that never advanced the plot. Pretty boring stuff so I started skimming a little.
Then we hit the whole back stretch of the book where Addy wants to press the matter and Blaze seizes up. And we enter miscommunication-ville. Or not even miscommunication, a complete lack of communication. And I just don't do those stories anymore. I refuse to read about stories where characters just don't have any agency and there's zero plot momentum, and the only hook is two people circling each other until they talk. It's not engaging to me. That last stretch was truly extremely annoying to me and if I had pushed through I would have rated this 2 stars and I didn't have the heart for it.
So DNF it is. Obvs, this is all super subjective, friends to more is not my favourite genre as it has like the largest room for error for me, and I've certainly in the minority on this. But yeah, not my favourite read.
This started off really strong, with Addy asking her bestie Blaze to pretend to be her boyfriend to get her family off her back at her sister's wedding. Blaze has all the misgivings about it, since as a foster kid who views Addy as his only family, he doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize the most important relationship in the world to him.
Anyway, typical sparks fly, and I was thoroughly enjoying this up until the halfway point. For the first half we're seeing these two actually being friends. Actually communicating. And yes wondering if their long ago buried feelings for one another was resurfacing. Cute and fun.
At about the halfway mark the story hit quicksand and started spinning its wheels a little. We were getting the same musings about Blaze and Addy feeling romantic feelings towards each other, wilfully refusing to analyse what their own feelings meant, burying any of these thoughts, and stubbornly pushing forward in a way that never advanced the plot. Pretty boring stuff so I started skimming a little.
Then we hit the whole back stretch of the book where Addy wants to press the matter and Blaze seizes up. And we enter miscommunication-ville. Or not even miscommunication, a complete lack of communication. And I just don't do those stories anymore. I refuse to read about stories where characters just don't have any agency and there's zero plot momentum, and the only hook is two people circling each other until they talk. It's not engaging to me. That last stretch was truly extremely annoying to me and if I had pushed through I would have rated this 2 stars and I didn't have the heart for it.
So DNF it is. Obvs, this is all super subjective, friends to more is not my favourite genre as it has like the largest room for error for me, and I've certainly in the minority on this. But yeah, not my favourite read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2025
Before I begin, I would like to thank Kristine W. Joy for allowing me to read a copy of her upcoming book, The Love Trick, which is the second book of her Glaciers Hockey series and will be available on Amazon on April 24th, 2025.
Addy’s little sister is getting married to a man that her family dreams of, and the lack of romantic subplot in Addy's life puts her back in their unfavorable scrutiny. Desperate to get them off her back, she lies that she does have a boyfriend and will bring him to the wedding. Her solution is to bring her bestie, Blaze,the hesitant but loyal NHL star that agrees to help. As they pretend to be the perfect couple in Hawaii, her crush on Blaze that she had during college returns stronger and she wonders if they could have something real after all.
I loved this book. You have Addy, a determined, sassy, kind, loyal, hardworking, and beautiful young woman that loves hanging out with her friends and wants her family to be proud of her. You have Blaze, a strong, considerate, funny, charming, sweet, and handsome young man that loves being a professional hockey player, and being around his teammates and Addy. The interactions between Addy and Blaze were funny, sweet, and adorable. Their desire to protect their friendship at all cost was relatable especially in terms of their pasts, and I wanted to give them hugs throughout the story. Their friends were wonderful, and I loved seeing the main characters finding confidence within themselves to pursue what they wanted for themselves and think about what they wanted with each other. Overall, if you like Hawaii, great found family, fantastic banter, complex characters, hockey, and sweet fake-dating/ best-friends-to-lovers romance with low amounts of spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
Addy’s little sister is getting married to a man that her family dreams of, and the lack of romantic subplot in Addy's life puts her back in their unfavorable scrutiny. Desperate to get them off her back, she lies that she does have a boyfriend and will bring him to the wedding. Her solution is to bring her bestie, Blaze,the hesitant but loyal NHL star that agrees to help. As they pretend to be the perfect couple in Hawaii, her crush on Blaze that she had during college returns stronger and she wonders if they could have something real after all.
I loved this book. You have Addy, a determined, sassy, kind, loyal, hardworking, and beautiful young woman that loves hanging out with her friends and wants her family to be proud of her. You have Blaze, a strong, considerate, funny, charming, sweet, and handsome young man that loves being a professional hockey player, and being around his teammates and Addy. The interactions between Addy and Blaze were funny, sweet, and adorable. Their desire to protect their friendship at all cost was relatable especially in terms of their pasts, and I wanted to give them hugs throughout the story. Their friends were wonderful, and I loved seeing the main characters finding confidence within themselves to pursue what they wanted for themselves and think about what they wanted with each other. Overall, if you like Hawaii, great found family, fantastic banter, complex characters, hockey, and sweet fake-dating/ best-friends-to-lovers romance with low amounts of spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
April 24, 2025
Addy & Blaze . . .
Addy and Blaze have been friends forever. Likewise, they both have hidden their feelings for each other as well, afraid that the truth would risk their friendship or make things awkward between them. So when Addy, to save face and embarrassment, blurts out that she has a “real” date for her sister’s wedding in Hawaii, she has to convince Blaze, her NHL bestie, to rescue her from the mortification of being dateless! She explained to him that for once, she just wants to go somewhere special and have fun and not be the girl everyone sadly whispers about. After hearing that, of course he won’t let her down, so they end up fake dating to get through Abby's sisters' wedding and they won’t have to admit to any true feelings. Win-win!
The fact of the matter is that this isn’t as easy as they figured it would be. The time they spend together is making it more difficult to ignore those feelings and the strong attraction that demands more. Addy’s imagination runs wild. And there may be no way to stop their reaction to each other up close and personal like this. When he kisses her, she can finally tell him she has feelings for him and even uses the “L” word so he understands what she is saying. And his response was “Oh”. And then he tried to explain it was a mistake, that he could be head over heels in love with her, but it wouldn’t matter -- because he doesn’t want to lose their friendship! Ouch… Will they force themselves to back off and try to pretend it’s not what it really is? Will she walk away before she has to do bodily harm to him? Or will she convince him to give in and take a chance on each other because it may be too late now to pretend it wasn’t real?
Addy and Blaze have been friends forever. Likewise, they both have hidden their feelings for each other as well, afraid that the truth would risk their friendship or make things awkward between them. So when Addy, to save face and embarrassment, blurts out that she has a “real” date for her sister’s wedding in Hawaii, she has to convince Blaze, her NHL bestie, to rescue her from the mortification of being dateless! She explained to him that for once, she just wants to go somewhere special and have fun and not be the girl everyone sadly whispers about. After hearing that, of course he won’t let her down, so they end up fake dating to get through Abby's sisters' wedding and they won’t have to admit to any true feelings. Win-win!
The fact of the matter is that this isn’t as easy as they figured it would be. The time they spend together is making it more difficult to ignore those feelings and the strong attraction that demands more. Addy’s imagination runs wild. And there may be no way to stop their reaction to each other up close and personal like this. When he kisses her, she can finally tell him she has feelings for him and even uses the “L” word so he understands what she is saying. And his response was “Oh”. And then he tried to explain it was a mistake, that he could be head over heels in love with her, but it wouldn’t matter -- because he doesn’t want to lose their friendship! Ouch… Will they force themselves to back off and try to pretend it’s not what it really is? Will she walk away before she has to do bodily harm to him? Or will she convince him to give in and take a chance on each other because it may be too late now to pretend it wasn’t real?
June 20, 2025
So I'm still on cloud 9 from seeing my Florida Panthers win their 2nd Stanley Cup this week and have been enjoying reading a few hockey romance series during the playoffs. And of course I was drawn to a series about a team named the Glaciers in Atlanta right away since Glacier is the matriarch of my birdie flock and I live in NE Georgia.
This is book 2 in the Glacier Hockey series. The first book was good and since I usually like fake dating/ best friends to love stories I knew I'd likely enjoy this book too. This series isn't spicy which is fine because it helped make it not too similar since the other series I read recently also had a best friends to love/ fake dating story. These best friends have liked each other since college but were both too afraid to admit this because they were afraid of destroying their friendship if the other didn't feel the same way. So when she suggests he be her fake boyfriend at her sister's wedding to take the pressure off her being the older single sister he goes along with it. Only thing is her family already knows him since he has spent many holidays with them and all think they make a great couple and that it's about time that they finally got together. Of course it becomes more apparent that they should be together but they both think the other doesn't want that and they end up with the lame drama breakup towards the end before they finally admit that they both really love each other and get together to have their HEA in the end thankfully. This was another quick light enjoyable and now I’ll have to wait for the next book to be released in a few months but with hockey season coming to an end I should try to focus on other types of books for a bit anyhow.
This is book 2 in the Glacier Hockey series. The first book was good and since I usually like fake dating/ best friends to love stories I knew I'd likely enjoy this book too. This series isn't spicy which is fine because it helped make it not too similar since the other series I read recently also had a best friends to love/ fake dating story. These best friends have liked each other since college but were both too afraid to admit this because they were afraid of destroying their friendship if the other didn't feel the same way. So when she suggests he be her fake boyfriend at her sister's wedding to take the pressure off her being the older single sister he goes along with it. Only thing is her family already knows him since he has spent many holidays with them and all think they make a great couple and that it's about time that they finally got together. Of course it becomes more apparent that they should be together but they both think the other doesn't want that and they end up with the lame drama breakup towards the end before they finally admit that they both really love each other and get together to have their HEA in the end thankfully. This was another quick light enjoyable and now I’ll have to wait for the next book to be released in a few months but with hockey season coming to an end I should try to focus on other types of books for a bit anyhow.
April 23, 2025
The Love Trick by Kristine W. Joy is the second book in her Glaciers Hockey series but can be read as a standalone. To sum it up in a few words, give me all the hockey romance books! This book is told from a dual POV, following Addy & Blaze. This was a classic best friends to lovers book. Addy & Blaze were besties for years and have equally had a secret crush on one another for years but are too afraid to tell one another for fear of risking their friendship. They end up fake dating for Abby's sisters' wedding, and they have to confront their feelings. The growth between these characters was great. I also loved the mother daughter growth in the story. This book was a lot of fun, and I have loved everything I have read from Kristine so far, and this one did not disappoint. I completely devoured this book. I did not want to put it down. I can not wait to read what comes next from Kristine!
🩷 Only Kisses
🩷 Hockey Romance
🩷 Best Friends to More
🩷 Fake Dating
🩷 Wonderful Banter
🩷 Dual POV
🩷 Hawaiian Vacation
Now is not the time to start checking him out. I’ve always thought Blaze was super hot, just like all the other girls. However, I simply choose to not let it affect me. And it doesn’t. Until he opens the door in nothing but a towel. UGH.
“It’s okay, Blaze. I’m not going to be mad at you for saying no.” “Good, because I’m saying yes.” I turn around, my eyebrows shooting skyward. “What?” He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “You heard me. I’m saying yes, Adeline Harper Williams. I’ll be your fake boyfriend.”
“What am I supposed to do? I can’t go to class like this.” “You can wear my jersey.” He holds it out, his eyes latching onto mine. “I don’t mind. Gives me a reason to get your name and see you again later.” And that’s how it all started.
“That sounds like a man who knows how to make a relationship work,” Dylan counters. “A man who will do what it takes to keep the girl. A man who’s in love.” I let out a flustered sigh. “You sure are great at making assumptions. But what you don’t seem to understand is that I can’t be more than friends with Addy. She’s my only family outside of the team, the only constant in my life. If I lost her, I’d have nothing.” He shrugs. “So then marry her.”
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
🩷 Only Kisses
🩷 Hockey Romance
🩷 Best Friends to More
🩷 Fake Dating
🩷 Wonderful Banter
🩷 Dual POV
🩷 Hawaiian Vacation
Now is not the time to start checking him out. I’ve always thought Blaze was super hot, just like all the other girls. However, I simply choose to not let it affect me. And it doesn’t. Until he opens the door in nothing but a towel. UGH.
“It’s okay, Blaze. I’m not going to be mad at you for saying no.” “Good, because I’m saying yes.” I turn around, my eyebrows shooting skyward. “What?” He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “You heard me. I’m saying yes, Adeline Harper Williams. I’ll be your fake boyfriend.”
“What am I supposed to do? I can’t go to class like this.” “You can wear my jersey.” He holds it out, his eyes latching onto mine. “I don’t mind. Gives me a reason to get your name and see you again later.” And that’s how it all started.
“That sounds like a man who knows how to make a relationship work,” Dylan counters. “A man who will do what it takes to keep the girl. A man who’s in love.” I let out a flustered sigh. “You sure are great at making assumptions. But what you don’t seem to understand is that I can’t be more than friends with Addy. She’s my only family outside of the team, the only constant in my life. If I lost her, I’d have nothing.” He shrugs. “So then marry her.”
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
April 14, 2025
The Love Trick is the second book in the Glaciers Hockey series. While those who read the first book will enjoying spending more time with this team, I do believe this could be enjoyed just fine as a standalone.
Whether it's cowboys, celebrities or hockey players, I've yet to pick up a Kristine W. Joy book that I didn't absolutely adore... and this one no exception! Hockey + fake dating + friends to lovers!? What's not to love about that. Right from the start, I loved the friendship between Blaze and Addy... he is the perfect best friend, always jumping at the chance to be there for her however she needs him. But when she asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for her sister's wedding--- he's a little more reluctant. Having grown up in foster care, she's his person, his only family and he does not want to mess anything up. While I don't personally agree, I do know that one common complaint that some readers have against friends to love is that they think that fear isn't realistic... but in this story? Oh, you absolutely feel it! This story takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, in the best way possible and I was here for all of it. The pining and confusion? So good. The chemistry between these two when they finally get that first (and second) kiss? Oh my goodness, yes, please! Truly, I could not get enough!
The Love Trick is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Whether it's cowboys, celebrities or hockey players, I've yet to pick up a Kristine W. Joy book that I didn't absolutely adore... and this one no exception! Hockey + fake dating + friends to lovers!? What's not to love about that. Right from the start, I loved the friendship between Blaze and Addy... he is the perfect best friend, always jumping at the chance to be there for her however she needs him. But when she asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend for her sister's wedding--- he's a little more reluctant. Having grown up in foster care, she's his person, his only family and he does not want to mess anything up. While I don't personally agree, I do know that one common complaint that some readers have against friends to love is that they think that fear isn't realistic... but in this story? Oh, you absolutely feel it! This story takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, in the best way possible and I was here for all of it. The pining and confusion? So good. The chemistry between these two when they finally get that first (and second) kiss? Oh my goodness, yes, please! Truly, I could not get enough!
The Love Trick is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
April 18, 2025
I devoured this book! Friends to lovers is one of my all time favorite tropes and it was well done.
Addy and Blaze are the best of friends. When dogwalker Addy needs a date for her sister’s destination wedding, pro hockey player Blaze is there to play the part of doting boyfriend. What neither expects is for a pesky thing like feelings for the other to get in the way of their friendship. They’ve always said “I love you” to each other, so why does it suddenly feel different?
I really appreciated the way this story was written. There was great character development, and I could really feel the emotions being portrayed on the page. Addy was raised in an affluent household, but is figuring out adulthood on her own, with her best friend by her side. Blaze was raised in foster care and doesn’t know if he can be a good boyfriend, let alone husband, because he never had those examples. He needs his found family in his life and he’s not sure that risking it for love is a good idea. They both have struggles to overcome and it was wonderful watching all those pieces fall into place for them to find their happily ever after.
This best friends to more, fake dating romcom takes you through the entire range of emotions as Blaze and Addy navigate their friendship developing into the love everyone around them has always seen. This is the 2nd installment of the Glaciers Hockey romcom series.
Addy and Blaze are the best of friends. When dogwalker Addy needs a date for her sister’s destination wedding, pro hockey player Blaze is there to play the part of doting boyfriend. What neither expects is for a pesky thing like feelings for the other to get in the way of their friendship. They’ve always said “I love you” to each other, so why does it suddenly feel different?
I really appreciated the way this story was written. There was great character development, and I could really feel the emotions being portrayed on the page. Addy was raised in an affluent household, but is figuring out adulthood on her own, with her best friend by her side. Blaze was raised in foster care and doesn’t know if he can be a good boyfriend, let alone husband, because he never had those examples. He needs his found family in his life and he’s not sure that risking it for love is a good idea. They both have struggles to overcome and it was wonderful watching all those pieces fall into place for them to find their happily ever after.
This best friends to more, fake dating romcom takes you through the entire range of emotions as Blaze and Addy navigate their friendship developing into the love everyone around them has always seen. This is the 2nd installment of the Glaciers Hockey romcom series.
April 22, 2025
If Kristine writes it, I will read it!
If she writes about best friends who turn into more, I will love it...and I did.
We get to experience the journey of two best friends mixed with a little fake dating and forced proximity and extra swoony buildup of will they / won't they kiss. Addy and Blaze are best friends. Addy is the outcast in her prim and proper family who seem to only care about women becoming wives and mothers. When Addy's sister is getting married suddenly Addy finds herself lying about having a boyfriend to bring along to the destination wedding. She can find a date in a few weeks, right? Or, what about Blaze? Blaze is her supportive best friend who has always been there for her and saves her with every "Help" text message he gets. It's only a little fake relationship for a few days, what could possibly go wrong? A LOT! But maybe things are meant to be shaken up a bit between Addy and Blaze to help them figure out why neither of them has found significant others. Can Blaze work through his family history and open his heart to Addy or will their friendship be over once the wheels lift off on the flight to Hawaii?
This read is filled with perfectly sweet, heart stopping moments, adorable grand gestures of "friendship", family history, vulnerability and a life altering trip.
Thank you, Kristine, for my eBook. It was not expected for me to leave any positive feedback. These opinions are 100% my own.
If she writes about best friends who turn into more, I will love it...and I did.
We get to experience the journey of two best friends mixed with a little fake dating and forced proximity and extra swoony buildup of will they / won't they kiss. Addy and Blaze are best friends. Addy is the outcast in her prim and proper family who seem to only care about women becoming wives and mothers. When Addy's sister is getting married suddenly Addy finds herself lying about having a boyfriend to bring along to the destination wedding. She can find a date in a few weeks, right? Or, what about Blaze? Blaze is her supportive best friend who has always been there for her and saves her with every "Help" text message he gets. It's only a little fake relationship for a few days, what could possibly go wrong? A LOT! But maybe things are meant to be shaken up a bit between Addy and Blaze to help them figure out why neither of them has found significant others. Can Blaze work through his family history and open his heart to Addy or will their friendship be over once the wheels lift off on the flight to Hawaii?
This read is filled with perfectly sweet, heart stopping moments, adorable grand gestures of "friendship", family history, vulnerability and a life altering trip.
Thank you, Kristine, for my eBook. It was not expected for me to leave any positive feedback. These opinions are 100% my own.
April 24, 2025
This is Kristine's best story, in my opinion, so far. There is a depth to this romcom that is really special. I found myself rereading my favorite parts, and really reacting to the emotional bits of this story. It is SO good. I stayed up way too late to finish it because I couldn't put it down!
Addy and Blaze pull a "love trick" on her family when she invites him to Hawaii for her sister's wedding as her fake boyfriend so her family will get off her back about being single. This really is a best friends-to-more story, but the "more" part is really challenging to get to. The dance around to that point is deliciously tension-filled at times (hello, the most amazing truth or dare game), but also devastatingly heartbreaking. They dig their heels in HARD.
But get ready when Blaze decides he is actually boyfriend material (even though we all knew it all along). The relationship he has with Addy, but also his Glacier teammates is really awesome. I adored their friendships and conversations. There is a lot of mending and healing in this wonderfully written, raw romcom.
I can't help gushing about Addy and Blaze's "Notebook" worthy romance!
[Side note: If you aren't into hockey romances, don't let that keep you from picking this one up. The shop talk "bookends" the story.]
I received a complimentary copy of the author's story to read and review. All thoughts contained here are my own.
Addy and Blaze pull a "love trick" on her family when she invites him to Hawaii for her sister's wedding as her fake boyfriend so her family will get off her back about being single. This really is a best friends-to-more story, but the "more" part is really challenging to get to. The dance around to that point is deliciously tension-filled at times (hello, the most amazing truth or dare game), but also devastatingly heartbreaking. They dig their heels in HARD.
But get ready when Blaze decides he is actually boyfriend material (even though we all knew it all along). The relationship he has with Addy, but also his Glacier teammates is really awesome. I adored their friendships and conversations. There is a lot of mending and healing in this wonderfully written, raw romcom.
I can't help gushing about Addy and Blaze's "Notebook" worthy romance!
[Side note: If you aren't into hockey romances, don't let that keep you from picking this one up. The shop talk "bookends" the story.]
I received a complimentary copy of the author's story to read and review. All thoughts contained here are my own.
April 26, 2025
Another AMAZING Kristine W Joy is out into the world 🥰 this friends to lovers, forced proximity, fake dating book was so cute and the perfect summer binge book ☀️ 🏝️
Addy. After dealing with her families pressure to find a plus one to her sisters destination wedding 🌺 she lies and says she has one… the obvious solution is her decade long best friend Blaze 🏒 Except, he seems a lot more nervous about the whole thing 🙈 And after a day in Hawaii and an almost kiss 😘 she realizes her old feelings might not just be in the past 😅
Blaze. After growing up in the foster system, Blaze has finally found family in his best friend. Friend 👏🏻 Period, end of statement ‼️ So when Addy disrupts their balanced life by asking him to be her fake boyfriend 🤯 it throws him for a loop… Sure he’d do anything for her, but date her? 😅 yeah, he loves her, but LOVING her… That could ruin everything 🫣
This book PULLS at the heartstrings ❤️🩹 Blaze has serious trauma and anxiety surrounding his hesitation towards fake dating Addy ❤️🩹 And Addy has serious reasons for wanting to fake date him and being frustrated with him 🙁 The climax had my heart breaking, but also loving how it all came together and how they were strong because of it all 💗
⚠️CW: trauma (not in depth) from foster care, anxiety, alcohol, minor innuendo ⚠️
Addy. After dealing with her families pressure to find a plus one to her sisters destination wedding 🌺 she lies and says she has one… the obvious solution is her decade long best friend Blaze 🏒 Except, he seems a lot more nervous about the whole thing 🙈 And after a day in Hawaii and an almost kiss 😘 she realizes her old feelings might not just be in the past 😅
Blaze. After growing up in the foster system, Blaze has finally found family in his best friend. Friend 👏🏻 Period, end of statement ‼️ So when Addy disrupts their balanced life by asking him to be her fake boyfriend 🤯 it throws him for a loop… Sure he’d do anything for her, but date her? 😅 yeah, he loves her, but LOVING her… That could ruin everything 🫣
This book PULLS at the heartstrings ❤️🩹 Blaze has serious trauma and anxiety surrounding his hesitation towards fake dating Addy ❤️🩹 And Addy has serious reasons for wanting to fake date him and being frustrated with him 🙁 The climax had my heart breaking, but also loving how it all came together and how they were strong because of it all 💗
⚠️CW: trauma (not in depth) from foster care, anxiety, alcohol, minor innuendo ⚠️
April 16, 2025
Addy and Blaze have been best friends for 10 years. As the preparations for Addy’s sister’s wedding ramp up the focus on her being single becomes even more prominent. During one of the wedding planning luncheons, Addy blurts out that her plus one is her boyfriend. The problem with that, Addy doesn’t have a boyfriend. She panicked and didn’t think it through. She calls up her friend Penny for advice and Penny suggests Addy asks Blaze to be her “fake” boyfriend. At first she’s very unsure of it but then decides to ask. He was shocked to say the least and couldn’t believe Addy had put herself in that predicament but she’s his best friend and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her so he agrees. The week of the wedding comes and they fly out to Hawaii where the wedding is taking place and quickly learn they not only have to share a room but also have to share a bed. What each one doesn’t know is that they both had huge crushes on each other in college this whole arrangement could bring up old feelings. Honestly, Kristine never disappoints and I rate this book 5 stars. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a great feel good friends to lovers trope. Can’t wait to read more of Kristine’s books.
July 25, 2025
The only reason I finished this was pure spite. Bad writing, horrible plot, annoying characters, and the stupidest miscommunication I have ever seen. At first I thought I hated the characters (which I do), but then it dawned on me that this book is so poorly written, you would think it’s being marketed to third graders. This entire story was tell, not show, which should have been an immediate red flag. We are told time and time again that Addy and Blaze (side note: stupid name) are best friends, but when do we ever see them actually interacting as friends? When does Blaze being an orphan ever come into play? Why does Addy have quite literally no reaction when Blaze finally says he loves her? Why did I want to strangle every single character in this book? Everyone was 2D and about as complex as simple addition. I cannot believe how much I started to hate this book once they kissed each other. It was the same thing being repeated nonstop for the entire rest of the story. Addy being a fucking idiot and doubting herself every two seconds. Blaze being a fucking idiot and denying the fact that he loves Addy despite the fact that he has admitted several times that he loves her.
I cannot spend another second wasting my life on this book, but I have so many more complaints.
I cannot spend another second wasting my life on this book, but I have so many more complaints.
April 24, 2025
The Love Trick is a sweet, slow-burn, best-friends-to-lovers romance with a fake dating twist that delivers all the feels. Though it's book two in the Glacier Hockey series, it reads perfectly as a standalone.
Addy and Blaze have been inseparable for a decade, secretly in love but too scared to risk their friendship—until a spur-of-the-moment lie at a wedding forces them into a fake relationship. Cue a Hawaiian getaway, shared rooms, unresolved feelings, and plenty of swoony, hilarious, and heartfelt moments.
The dual POV gives great insight into both characters, whose emotional journeys feel genuine and relatable. Blaze is the ultimate supportive best friend, while Addy is strong, loyal, and trying to break free from family expectations. Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter endearing, and the tension? Deliciously drawn out.
With great character growth, lovable side characters, and just the right mix of humor, vulnerability, and romance, this is a feel-good story that hits all the right notes. It’s low-spice but high in heart—and perfect for fans of fake dating, hockey heroes, and best friends falling in love.
Addy and Blaze have been inseparable for a decade, secretly in love but too scared to risk their friendship—until a spur-of-the-moment lie at a wedding forces them into a fake relationship. Cue a Hawaiian getaway, shared rooms, unresolved feelings, and plenty of swoony, hilarious, and heartfelt moments.
The dual POV gives great insight into both characters, whose emotional journeys feel genuine and relatable. Blaze is the ultimate supportive best friend, while Addy is strong, loyal, and trying to break free from family expectations. Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter endearing, and the tension? Deliciously drawn out.
With great character growth, lovable side characters, and just the right mix of humor, vulnerability, and romance, this is a feel-good story that hits all the right notes. It’s low-spice but high in heart—and perfect for fans of fake dating, hockey heroes, and best friends falling in love.
April 24, 2025
The Love Trick ~ Glaciers Hockey #2 by Kristine W. Joy.
Publisher Description
Don’t tell lies. Otherwise, you might end up stuck in Hawaii, pretending to be in love with your best friend just to save face at your little sister’s wedding.
Another fabulous book from Kristine, The Love Trick, has been written extremely well. The characters Blaise and Addy have been friends since school, when they became best friends; little did they know that they both had stronger feelings for each other.
Ten years later, still best friends and both are single. Blaise is now an NHL player for the Glaciers, and Addy is a professional dog walker. Addy's sister is getting married, and Addy feels she is a disappointment to her family, as she is nearly 30 and single. She needs a date, so Blaise steps in as her fake boyfriend.
Will they pull off the relationship? Will they get their own HEA, and realise they are both in love?
Although this is book 2, it can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book to all, I found it to be an enjoyable, easy read, a best friends to lovers. A clean, wholesome story.
Publisher Description
Don’t tell lies. Otherwise, you might end up stuck in Hawaii, pretending to be in love with your best friend just to save face at your little sister’s wedding.
Another fabulous book from Kristine, The Love Trick, has been written extremely well. The characters Blaise and Addy have been friends since school, when they became best friends; little did they know that they both had stronger feelings for each other.
Ten years later, still best friends and both are single. Blaise is now an NHL player for the Glaciers, and Addy is a professional dog walker. Addy's sister is getting married, and Addy feels she is a disappointment to her family, as she is nearly 30 and single. She needs a date, so Blaise steps in as her fake boyfriend.
Will they pull off the relationship? Will they get their own HEA, and realise they are both in love?
Although this is book 2, it can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this book to all, I found it to be an enjoyable, easy read, a best friends to lovers. A clean, wholesome story.
April 28, 2025
I love fake dating, it really is my favourite trope. This one was no exception. Addy and Blaze have been friends since school, but both have secretly been fighting their teenage crush on each other ever since, not wanting to lose their special friendship and risking the other not feeling the same.
Addy’s family are a nightmare, constantly ganging up on her, especially about her single status at the age of 30 (shock horror!!). So it’s no wonder she fakes a boyfriend for her sister’s upcoming wedding in Hawaii. The trouble is that now she needs to meet him. When she asks Blaze, he hesitates because he really doesn’t want to lose her friendship and yet because he’d do anything for her, he finally agrees.
When they get to the resort, you throw in the only one bed trope to the mix and things become amusing (although this is a closed-door romance, so don’t get overly excited if you want more than kisses, you won’t find it here)
I did feel though that the ending was a bit overly drawn out with too much miscommunication on both sides. Things could have been wrapped up much quicker; both Addy and Blaze were behaving stupidly once they were back home again. However, I did enjoy the shift in relationship between Addy and her mother; their bond was much stronger at the end of the book, and her mother’s relationship with Blaze and her feelings towards him much clearer.
Addy’s family are a nightmare, constantly ganging up on her, especially about her single status at the age of 30 (shock horror!!). So it’s no wonder she fakes a boyfriend for her sister’s upcoming wedding in Hawaii. The trouble is that now she needs to meet him. When she asks Blaze, he hesitates because he really doesn’t want to lose her friendship and yet because he’d do anything for her, he finally agrees.
When they get to the resort, you throw in the only one bed trope to the mix and things become amusing (although this is a closed-door romance, so don’t get overly excited if you want more than kisses, you won’t find it here)
I did feel though that the ending was a bit overly drawn out with too much miscommunication on both sides. Things could have been wrapped up much quicker; both Addy and Blaze were behaving stupidly once they were back home again. However, I did enjoy the shift in relationship between Addy and her mother; their bond was much stronger at the end of the book, and her mother’s relationship with Blaze and her feelings towards him much clearer.
April 25, 2025
A dual POV, fake relationship, best-friends-to-lovers hockey romance featuring a quirky, independent girl with family issues and a soft-hearted hockey player grappling with abandonment trauma. Addy and Blaze have been best friends since college—practically family—and their bond is deep, sweet, and undeniable.
I don’t usually go for fake dating tropes, but Addy and Blaze totally hooked me. And friends-to-lovers? That’s my jam. This story took it to another level—because these two aren’t just friends, they’re soulmates in denial. Their chemistry is off the charts, the emotional tension is delicious, and the slow burn? So worth it. I apparently love watching people struggle to admit they’re in love—and these two deliver that in the best way. They're terrified to admit something for fear of losing what they already have.
Their connection is so genuine, full of laughter, longing, and quiet moments that sneak up on you. There’s growth, vulnerability, and a whole lot of swoon. I'm obsessed with them.
This is the second book in the Glaciers Hockey series, but it's a standalone.
I don’t usually go for fake dating tropes, but Addy and Blaze totally hooked me. And friends-to-lovers? That’s my jam. This story took it to another level—because these two aren’t just friends, they’re soulmates in denial. Their chemistry is off the charts, the emotional tension is delicious, and the slow burn? So worth it. I apparently love watching people struggle to admit they’re in love—and these two deliver that in the best way. They're terrified to admit something for fear of losing what they already have.
Their connection is so genuine, full of laughter, longing, and quiet moments that sneak up on you. There’s growth, vulnerability, and a whole lot of swoon. I'm obsessed with them.
This is the second book in the Glaciers Hockey series, but it's a standalone.
April 25, 2025
- Hockey romance
- Friends to more
- Fake dating
- Mutual pining
- One bed
- Close proximity
- Slow burn
Friends to more is one of my absolute favorite tropes and this is one of my favorite authors, so my liking this book was pretty much guaranteed. Add in fake dating and I was in love!
Blaze and Addy have been best friends for years, but neither have tried to cross that line into more, even though they both want to. Cue the mutual pining, which I am such a fan of!
After Addy blurts out that she has a boyfriend, her semi-judgmental family expect her to bring him to her sister's wedding. Panicking because she does not in fact have a boyfriend, Addy asks Blaze to do her a favor..and of course, he agrees.
Now while in Hawaii for the wedding festivities, the two are having a hard time not giving into the role they are playing. The feelings they have been trying to avoid/ignore are coming to the surface and they need to decide if they want to take a chance on a real romance.
Oh, this is so good! I smiled and sighed throughout the book.
- Friends to more
- Fake dating
- Mutual pining
- One bed
- Close proximity
- Slow burn
Friends to more is one of my absolute favorite tropes and this is one of my favorite authors, so my liking this book was pretty much guaranteed. Add in fake dating and I was in love!
Blaze and Addy have been best friends for years, but neither have tried to cross that line into more, even though they both want to. Cue the mutual pining, which I am such a fan of!
After Addy blurts out that she has a boyfriend, her semi-judgmental family expect her to bring him to her sister's wedding. Panicking because she does not in fact have a boyfriend, Addy asks Blaze to do her a favor..and of course, he agrees.
Now while in Hawaii for the wedding festivities, the two are having a hard time not giving into the role they are playing. The feelings they have been trying to avoid/ignore are coming to the surface and they need to decide if they want to take a chance on a real romance.
Oh, this is so good! I smiled and sighed throughout the book.
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