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Melting Point: the brand-new Winter Olympics spicy sports romance you NEED in 2025!
*Pre-order now!* The sexy Winter Olympics sports romance, perfect for fans of Bal Khabra and Hannah Grace
There’s a Winter Olympic medal on the line. But their toughest challenge is resisting each other…Tropes:
👫 🥰 Friends-to-Lovers ❤️😉Fake dating 🌶️ 🔥Spice
February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Sam Harrington’s mind is winning her first medal for snowboarding.
Enter Finn Bradley. They've had a 'friends forever' pact for, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings aside and tries to focus on training.
But when a major team sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they're told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam and Finn agree to fake a relationship. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won't be a slippery slope…
There's only one problem. Finn's secretly been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he's decided that as well as a medal, he wants to win Sam over.
Chalet Girl meets Stephanie Archer in this spicy, fake dating, friends-to-lovers sports romance you need this Winter!
There’s a Winter Olympic medal on the line. But their toughest challenge is resisting each other…Tropes:
👫 🥰 Friends-to-Lovers ❤️😉Fake dating 🌶️ 🔥Spice
February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Sam Harrington’s mind is winning her first medal for snowboarding.
Enter Finn Bradley. They've had a 'friends forever' pact for, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings aside and tries to focus on training.
But when a major team sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they're told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam and Finn agree to fake a relationship. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won't be a slippery slope…
There's only one problem. Finn's secretly been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he's decided that as well as a medal, he wants to win Sam over.
Chalet Girl meets Stephanie Archer in this spicy, fake dating, friends-to-lovers sports romance you need this Winter!
- GenresSports RomanceSports
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2025
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 16, 2025
Thanks to the Publisher Avon books UK for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Where to start? This steamy winter romance has it all, best friends to lovers, fake dating, spice and reconnecting with family. This was the perfect feel good and cosy romance to curl up with on a grey and cold winter’s day. Sam and Finn they both friend zoned each other despite that not being what they want at all, all for a pact that they made when they were younger. I loved that Sam was speaking up for women in sport, she was passionate about it and about snowboarding. Finn was the perfect book boyfriend, thoughtful, kind and always there for Sam. I really wanted them both to win a gold medal, Sam’s dad has a lot to answer for. Would it hurt him to support and encourage her once in a while?
I really enjoyed this book, it was cosy and sweet, like a hot chocolate with cream on top complete with marshmallows and sprinkles. Was it too sugary? Nope not in the slightest, I can’t wait for Maya and Gabe’s book next.
Where to start? This steamy winter romance has it all, best friends to lovers, fake dating, spice and reconnecting with family. This was the perfect feel good and cosy romance to curl up with on a grey and cold winter’s day. Sam and Finn they both friend zoned each other despite that not being what they want at all, all for a pact that they made when they were younger. I loved that Sam was speaking up for women in sport, she was passionate about it and about snowboarding. Finn was the perfect book boyfriend, thoughtful, kind and always there for Sam. I really wanted them both to win a gold medal, Sam’s dad has a lot to answer for. Would it hurt him to support and encourage her once in a while?
I really enjoyed this book, it was cosy and sweet, like a hot chocolate with cream on top complete with marshmallows and sprinkles. Was it too sugary? Nope not in the slightest, I can’t wait for Maya and Gabe’s book next.
October 3, 2025
Ouch, this was not a good read, sorry! The characters were behaving like children, the writing was really bad (way too many typos, em-dashes and unentertaining sentences). Also - considering this book featured Olympians that went on to win gold medals, their day to day life routine was not fit for Olympians at all, and I think the author should have known this. Who in their right mind eats lots of pizza and goes drinking during their qualis at the Olympics? I get it, they were in Italy, but this kind of lifestyle should happen after their competition. Normal athletes have strict diets and it was way too unbeliavable for me. Full review to come.
October 3, 2025
Rounded up from 3.75 stars
This was the third sports romance book that I’ve read, and while I’m still trying to find something to really like about the genre, I found this one to be particularly fun. I really loved that both of the main couple were athletes and training for the Olympics rather than having only one of them training. I also loved how they sort of used the sport to guide the romance rather than the sports aspect being the focal point. I keep saying sports but what I really mean is that they’re training for the Olympics.
I will say, I am a little confused. I thought this book was catered toward adults, but I got more YA from it. I’m not sure if this is something others have also experienced while reading, but just know that to me at least, this doesn’t necessarily feel like a new adult romance.
The fake dating trope gets me everytime. I felt it was especially fun in this one because they’re not doing it to make an ex jealous or get back at someone. They’re doing it for the publicity, so you can really feel when the romance starts to turn real because they’re stop faking it for the cameras. You know how in The Hunger Games, Peeta and Katniss have the relationship going to get sponsors and to rebel, and then it turns real as the story goes on? This is literally that but with the Olympics instead of fighting to survive.
This was a cute read, and if you’re a fan of sports romance, I’d absolutely say give this one a try.
Thank you very much to Avon Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was the third sports romance book that I’ve read, and while I’m still trying to find something to really like about the genre, I found this one to be particularly fun. I really loved that both of the main couple were athletes and training for the Olympics rather than having only one of them training. I also loved how they sort of used the sport to guide the romance rather than the sports aspect being the focal point. I keep saying sports but what I really mean is that they’re training for the Olympics.
I will say, I am a little confused. I thought this book was catered toward adults, but I got more YA from it. I’m not sure if this is something others have also experienced while reading, but just know that to me at least, this doesn’t necessarily feel like a new adult romance.
The fake dating trope gets me everytime. I felt it was especially fun in this one because they’re not doing it to make an ex jealous or get back at someone. They’re doing it for the publicity, so you can really feel when the romance starts to turn real because they’re stop faking it for the cameras. You know how in The Hunger Games, Peeta and Katniss have the relationship going to get sponsors and to rebel, and then it turns real as the story goes on? This is literally that but with the Olympics instead of fighting to survive.
This was a cute read, and if you’re a fan of sports romance, I’d absolutely say give this one a try.
Thank you very much to Avon Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2025
3.5/5
This was cute and fun and a super quick read.
This is a best friends to lovers romance that surrounds our two main characters training for the winter Olympics (one in snowboarding, the other in skiing).
Our two main characters decide to get into a fake dating situation to try and get more sponsorships. I thought that was such a fun premise (I can totally see an influencer romance novel doing something like that and I need someone to get on that). I am genuinely surprised that I haven't seen that yet and I thought it made for a really fun story set-up.
This was a super easy read, maybe leaning a touch to the older YA side since it was so east (but I don't mind reading an easy to read book, it didn't feel juvenile, just easy - if that makes sense).
This was a bit slow-burn and a bit cozy and I had a good time reading it. I would recommend for the upcoming winter months. And I will definitely be looking into more books from Cici Williams.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was cute and fun and a super quick read.
This is a best friends to lovers romance that surrounds our two main characters training for the winter Olympics (one in snowboarding, the other in skiing).
Our two main characters decide to get into a fake dating situation to try and get more sponsorships. I thought that was such a fun premise (I can totally see an influencer romance novel doing something like that and I need someone to get on that). I am genuinely surprised that I haven't seen that yet and I thought it made for a really fun story set-up.
This was a super easy read, maybe leaning a touch to the older YA side since it was so east (but I don't mind reading an easy to read book, it didn't feel juvenile, just easy - if that makes sense).
This was a bit slow-burn and a bit cozy and I had a good time reading it. I would recommend for the upcoming winter months. And I will definitely be looking into more books from Cici Williams.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
October 10, 2025
Melting Point by Cici Williams is a fun, cozy romance perfect to read in winter. This book includes tropes like fake dating, forced proximity, and friends-to-lovers. The two main characters, Sam Harrington and Finn Bradley, have known each other ever since they were little. They both share the same love for snowboarding, a dream to get an Olympic Gold medal deal, and love for each other…
However, Sam and Finn make a 'friends forever' pact. They push their feelings aside for their dreams, and everything seems to be going smoothly until a major team sponsorship falls through. Sam needs this sponsorship; she is crushed, but Sam and Finn decide to agree to fake a relationship. Surely pretending to be a couple would get them the attention they need from their dream brands. They spend time with each other already. What would be so different about pretending to date?
I was originally drawn to this book because of its adorable cover and the premise of the plot. I mean, what's not to love about a snowboarding, sports romcom? However, this book took me a minute to get into. I wasn't loving Sam and Finn’s dynamic; I actually loved the side characters more. I couldn't connect well with the story, and I found myself not wanting to pick this book back up when I took breaks. To me, everything just seemed unfinished; there should have been more to the story. Overall, I do think this book is really cute, but it wasn't for me.
However, Sam and Finn make a 'friends forever' pact. They push their feelings aside for their dreams, and everything seems to be going smoothly until a major team sponsorship falls through. Sam needs this sponsorship; she is crushed, but Sam and Finn decide to agree to fake a relationship. Surely pretending to be a couple would get them the attention they need from their dream brands. They spend time with each other already. What would be so different about pretending to date?
I was originally drawn to this book because of its adorable cover and the premise of the plot. I mean, what's not to love about a snowboarding, sports romcom? However, this book took me a minute to get into. I wasn't loving Sam and Finn’s dynamic; I actually loved the side characters more. I couldn't connect well with the story, and I found myself not wanting to pick this book back up when I took breaks. To me, everything just seemed unfinished; there should have been more to the story. Overall, I do think this book is really cute, but it wasn't for me.
November 30, 2025
Thank you #NetGalley, Avon books, and Cici Williams for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
IMMEDIATELY loved the dedication page. However the rest of this book fell very very flat.
I liked the premise behind this book but I don’t think it’s realistic at all. There’s no way that olympians go out and eat pizza and do shots before a final run for a gold medal.
I also felt like the prose was very very long winded. There were multiple paragraphs that felt redundant.
IMMEDIATELY loved the dedication page. However the rest of this book fell very very flat.
I liked the premise behind this book but I don’t think it’s realistic at all. There’s no way that olympians go out and eat pizza and do shots before a final run for a gold medal.
I also felt like the prose was very very long winded. There were multiple paragraphs that felt redundant.
October 5, 2025
This was such a sweet, cosy, fluffy read. If you’re looking for a gorgeous easy to read romance you’ve come to the right place!
Tropes include:
❄️sports romance
❄️friends to lovers
❄️flirty banter
❄️he fell first
❄️fake dating
A little spicy, very sweet and a whole boat load of adorable moments in a snowy cosy setting.
I’m not really a sports romance girly anymore as I find the genre a little slow and predictable but this story was written so well and the characters really charmed me.
Sam & Finn have lived rent free in my brain for the last week and i’ve loved every minute. Finn is an absolute cinnamon roll MMC. So loveable and sweet. Sam? She’s an absolute girl boss and I LOVE to see it. 🤭
Thankyou so so much to AVON books and the gorgeous Cici for the opportunity to read this book ahead of the publishing date. This one comes out January 2026. ❄️
Thankyou AVON, Cici, and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Tropes include:
❄️sports romance
❄️friends to lovers
❄️flirty banter
❄️he fell first
❄️fake dating
A little spicy, very sweet and a whole boat load of adorable moments in a snowy cosy setting.
I’m not really a sports romance girly anymore as I find the genre a little slow and predictable but this story was written so well and the characters really charmed me.
Sam & Finn have lived rent free in my brain for the last week and i’ve loved every minute. Finn is an absolute cinnamon roll MMC. So loveable and sweet. Sam? She’s an absolute girl boss and I LOVE to see it. 🤭
Thankyou so so much to AVON books and the gorgeous Cici for the opportunity to read this book ahead of the publishing date. This one comes out January 2026. ❄️
Thankyou AVON, Cici, and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2025
“That was why he and Sam had made that pact to never fall for each other, not while they were going for gold.”
Melting Point follows Sam and Finn - they’ve been best friends forever and both have aspirations to get gold in the Olympics. When a sponsorship deal falls through they decide to fake date - their romance might secure a new deal. Will the lines blur from fake to reality and can they achieve their gold medal dreams?
“They’d both worked too hard to get where they were to mess things up by falling in love. Because that’s what would happen—it would all get messed up.”
This was a spicy sports romance that had potential to be great. I loved the Olympics setting, their friendship and the side characters.
Sam was struggling under the weight of her father’s expectations - he’s her coach and hard on her, after her brother lost his chance at gold when he was injured in an accident. She’s feeling the pressure to get the gold and sees it as an obstacle to any romance with Finn - especially since they made a ‘no dating till they get gold’ pact.
“you’ve always been into Sam, but you just had to go make that “no falling for each other” pact all those years ago, didn’t you”
This had the chance to be a good read - I loved how much Finn was head over heels for Sam and their dynamic. It just unfortunately had a few issues for me. I noticed quite a few
Grammatical and spelling mistakes - some sentences just didn’t make sense. I do, however, appreciate that I read this as an arc - so it may have undergone more edits since the version I read.
I also wasn’t a fan of the simplistic sentences and how the characters spoke. This made it seem clunky and slightly unpolished. They were quite ‘young’ in how they acted - which would make me believe it was more young adult leaning, if not for the spice content.
Overall a good premise that just needs work on the execution - maybe a little bit more editing and it’d be onto a winner.
Features - friends to lovers, fake dating, the olympics, he falls first
ARC copy provided by Avon & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Melting Point follows Sam and Finn - they’ve been best friends forever and both have aspirations to get gold in the Olympics. When a sponsorship deal falls through they decide to fake date - their romance might secure a new deal. Will the lines blur from fake to reality and can they achieve their gold medal dreams?
“They’d both worked too hard to get where they were to mess things up by falling in love. Because that’s what would happen—it would all get messed up.”
This was a spicy sports romance that had potential to be great. I loved the Olympics setting, their friendship and the side characters.
Sam was struggling under the weight of her father’s expectations - he’s her coach and hard on her, after her brother lost his chance at gold when he was injured in an accident. She’s feeling the pressure to get the gold and sees it as an obstacle to any romance with Finn - especially since they made a ‘no dating till they get gold’ pact.
“you’ve always been into Sam, but you just had to go make that “no falling for each other” pact all those years ago, didn’t you”
This had the chance to be a good read - I loved how much Finn was head over heels for Sam and their dynamic. It just unfortunately had a few issues for me. I noticed quite a few
Grammatical and spelling mistakes - some sentences just didn’t make sense. I do, however, appreciate that I read this as an arc - so it may have undergone more edits since the version I read.
I also wasn’t a fan of the simplistic sentences and how the characters spoke. This made it seem clunky and slightly unpolished. They were quite ‘young’ in how they acted - which would make me believe it was more young adult leaning, if not for the spice content.
Overall a good premise that just needs work on the execution - maybe a little bit more editing and it’d be onto a winner.
Features - friends to lovers, fake dating, the olympics, he falls first
ARC copy provided by Avon & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
October 17, 2025
❤️ Blurb -
There’s a Winter Olympic medal on the line. But their toughest challenge is resisting each other…February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Samantha “Sam” Covey’s mind is winning a medal for snowboarding.
A medal, and one more Finn Bradley. Her best friend, and Olympic skier. They’ve had a ‘friends forever’ pact, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings for Finn aside and tries to focus on training.
But when a major sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they’re told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam jumps at the chance, and Finn agrees too. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won’t be too hard on Sam’s heart?
There’s only one Finn’s been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he’s decided to win her over, as well as a medal…
Chalet Girl meets Stephanie Archer in this spicy, fake dating, friends-to-lovers sports romance you need this Winter.
-⛷️❄️ Sports romance
🌶️ 🔥Spice
❤️😉Fake dating
🔒 ❤️Forced proximity
👫 🥰 Friends-to-Lovers
💖 Review -
I really enjoyed this spicy romance novel. It's the perfect book to curl up with when you need something cute and fluffy to read. The story was cute and easy to follow and had a good cast of characters. I loved Sam and Finn's spicy chemistry and I wanted them to have their happy ending. Plus the place settings in the story sounded beautiful. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💙 Release date - 15th January 2026.
💓 Thank you to Netgalley, Avon books and the author, Cici Williams for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
There’s a Winter Olympic medal on the line. But their toughest challenge is resisting each other…February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Samantha “Sam” Covey’s mind is winning a medal for snowboarding.
A medal, and one more Finn Bradley. Her best friend, and Olympic skier. They’ve had a ‘friends forever’ pact, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings for Finn aside and tries to focus on training.
But when a major sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they’re told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam jumps at the chance, and Finn agrees too. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won’t be too hard on Sam’s heart?
There’s only one Finn’s been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he’s decided to win her over, as well as a medal…
Chalet Girl meets Stephanie Archer in this spicy, fake dating, friends-to-lovers sports romance you need this Winter.
-⛷️❄️ Sports romance
🌶️ 🔥Spice
❤️😉Fake dating
🔒 ❤️Forced proximity
👫 🥰 Friends-to-Lovers
💖 Review -
I really enjoyed this spicy romance novel. It's the perfect book to curl up with when you need something cute and fluffy to read. The story was cute and easy to follow and had a good cast of characters. I loved Sam and Finn's spicy chemistry and I wanted them to have their happy ending. Plus the place settings in the story sounded beautiful. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💙 Release date - 15th January 2026.
💓 Thank you to Netgalley, Avon books and the author, Cici Williams for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2025
A flirty, sporty, cozy read perfect for the winter! "Melting Point" reminds me of "Chalet Girl" paired with the Olympic competition vibes of "The Cutting Edge". Bundle up and get ready to hit the slopes for this wild ride!
Sam and Finn, teammates in more than one way, are juggling the pressures to earn sponsorships, family expectations, and the pursuit of Olympic medals. So when the sponsorship opportunity of their dreams rolls around - they jump at the chance to make it happen, even if it means pretending to be a couple. What seems like a real relationship on the outside is more real on the inside than they're each willing to admit. Neither Sam nor Finn ever let previous relationships stick - not ever opening up enough to let something happen - as if they knew they were waiting on each other.
They lean on each other as they face the real and proverbial mountains in front of them. Finn faces big feelings for Sam and the challenge to provide a great life for his mom. Sam faces broken relationships with her brother and father.
This book delivers:
- Best Briends-to-Lovers
- Olympic Competition Drama
- Fake Dating
- Slow Burn and SPICE
While the pacing lagged in a few places, there were shining moments that pulled me right back in. I was on the edge of my seat each time they competed, as if I was watching their events live. And the tender realization of their feelings was sweet, rewarding, and well worth the wait.
A great pick for readers who love sporty romances with heart, friends-to-lovers, and the nail-biting thrill of competition!
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Cici Williams for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review.
Sam and Finn, teammates in more than one way, are juggling the pressures to earn sponsorships, family expectations, and the pursuit of Olympic medals. So when the sponsorship opportunity of their dreams rolls around - they jump at the chance to make it happen, even if it means pretending to be a couple. What seems like a real relationship on the outside is more real on the inside than they're each willing to admit. Neither Sam nor Finn ever let previous relationships stick - not ever opening up enough to let something happen - as if they knew they were waiting on each other.
They lean on each other as they face the real and proverbial mountains in front of them. Finn faces big feelings for Sam and the challenge to provide a great life for his mom. Sam faces broken relationships with her brother and father.
This book delivers:
- Best Briends-to-Lovers
- Olympic Competition Drama
- Fake Dating
- Slow Burn and SPICE
While the pacing lagged in a few places, there were shining moments that pulled me right back in. I was on the edge of my seat each time they competed, as if I was watching their events live. And the tender realization of their feelings was sweet, rewarding, and well worth the wait.
A great pick for readers who love sporty romances with heart, friends-to-lovers, and the nail-biting thrill of competition!
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Cici Williams for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 28, 2025
Despite being marketed as New Adult (NA), ‘Melting Point’ feels heavily skewed toward Young Adult (YA) fiction—with the writing reflecting the ‘frozen’ emotional states of elite, world-class athletes in their twenties who still behave like teenagers whose emotional maturity has yet to catch up to their actual ages.
Finn and Sam’s friendship goes way back, but whatever more was budding between them died an early death years ago when they made a pact not to get distracted by anything else by focusing instead on their sports. As a consequence, Finn/Sam talk about everything except themselves, giving rise to an unrequited story that is driven by uncertainty and inner monologues, second-guesses and tired tropes of wanting someone from a distance that they’d still rather hook up with others instead of actively doing something about it.
It’s a frustrating setup, unfortunately, with an unexpected juvenile core of wild emotional swings than I'd expected, with neither Finn nor Sam being particularly likeable protagonists that you think you can root for—the former simply lacked the courage to go for what he wants, while the latter had way too many bitter edges and angry-at-the-world vibes because she constantly perceived herself at the losing end of many things.
The twist of playing a fake couple for endorsements is what changes things between them, but ‘Melting Point’ is a meandering, low-angst kind of read with a predictable build of sexual tension. Yet there's too much pretence, an obstinate lack of proper communication and constant avoidance for it to be a book that gets all of my lights a-blinking.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Finn and Sam’s friendship goes way back, but whatever more was budding between them died an early death years ago when they made a pact not to get distracted by anything else by focusing instead on their sports. As a consequence, Finn/Sam talk about everything except themselves, giving rise to an unrequited story that is driven by uncertainty and inner monologues, second-guesses and tired tropes of wanting someone from a distance that they’d still rather hook up with others instead of actively doing something about it.
It’s a frustrating setup, unfortunately, with an unexpected juvenile core of wild emotional swings than I'd expected, with neither Finn nor Sam being particularly likeable protagonists that you think you can root for—the former simply lacked the courage to go for what he wants, while the latter had way too many bitter edges and angry-at-the-world vibes because she constantly perceived herself at the losing end of many things.
The twist of playing a fake couple for endorsements is what changes things between them, but ‘Melting Point’ is a meandering, low-angst kind of read with a predictable build of sexual tension. Yet there's too much pretence, an obstinate lack of proper communication and constant avoidance for it to be a book that gets all of my lights a-blinking.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
December 1, 2025
4⭐️ 2🌶️
I really enjoyed this book! It's always been you and Friends to Lovers that turns hot fast and then the breaks are put on are some of my favorite micro tropes. So much tension and mutual pinning when you know their chemistry is hot makes when they get back together so much sweeter. I do wish this book had more of a woman supporting woman vibe. While Sam, Becky, and Harper were necessarily against each other; I feel there was a real opportunity to lean into women going above and beyond supporting each other throughout the book, not just at the end.
Sam and Finn are best friends with the same goal; Earn Gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. They have so much love, support, and respect for each other, and I love them so much. Things turned hot and heavy around 30% and I was surprised it was so soon with Friends to Lovers, but then they hit the brakes hard and fast. After they hit the breaks there was so much tension and longing once they finally gave in for good, it was so sweet.
This book also had some great side characters: Maya is so great and loved her championing Sam and Finn and her manipulating their image online to benefit them both. We got some hints for her and Gabriel, and I really hope they get a book. Jake, Sam's dad, is a real piece of work, but made a great villain in this story. Leo, Sam's ex, also has some potential for a future story I'd be interested in reading.
Thank you Cici Williams and Avon Books for an advanced copy! I look forward to reading more from Cici.
I really enjoyed this book! It's always been you and Friends to Lovers that turns hot fast and then the breaks are put on are some of my favorite micro tropes. So much tension and mutual pinning when you know their chemistry is hot makes when they get back together so much sweeter. I do wish this book had more of a woman supporting woman vibe. While Sam, Becky, and Harper were necessarily against each other; I feel there was a real opportunity to lean into women going above and beyond supporting each other throughout the book, not just at the end.
Sam and Finn are best friends with the same goal; Earn Gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics. They have so much love, support, and respect for each other, and I love them so much. Things turned hot and heavy around 30% and I was surprised it was so soon with Friends to Lovers, but then they hit the brakes hard and fast. After they hit the breaks there was so much tension and longing once they finally gave in for good, it was so sweet.
This book also had some great side characters: Maya is so great and loved her championing Sam and Finn and her manipulating their image online to benefit them both. We got some hints for her and Gabriel, and I really hope they get a book. Jake, Sam's dad, is a real piece of work, but made a great villain in this story. Leo, Sam's ex, also has some potential for a future story I'd be interested in reading.
Thank you Cici Williams and Avon Books for an advanced copy! I look forward to reading more from Cici.
December 2, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
Sam Harrington has been dreaming of making it to the Winter Olympics for years, and now that she is finally here she refuses to let anything, or anyone get in her way of getting a gold medal in her snowboarding events. Joining her in Italy is he best friend Finn Bradley, who is also competing for a gold medal but in his own skiing events. They have had a pact since prom night when they were 17 that they wouldn't give into the feelings they both had and ruin their friendship. Things don't go as planned, and when a photo of the two of them goes viral and leads to a potential sponsorship for Sam she chooses to pretend there is more to their friendship to get a dream sponsorship. Pretending leads to the feelings they have both been suppressing for years, and they both might end up with more than just gold medals this Olympic season.
Honestly from page one Ruin the Friendship by Taylor Swift played on repeat in my head. What a genius move to have a fake-dating romance with 2 characters who already having been pining for each other for years. I really felt the yearning between them and it fueled me through the whole reading experience. The characters obviously struggled to communicate for most of the story but eventually got there and it felt very authentic to age of the characters. I am very excited for a book following a side character that the author set up at the end of the story.
Sam Harrington has been dreaming of making it to the Winter Olympics for years, and now that she is finally here she refuses to let anything, or anyone get in her way of getting a gold medal in her snowboarding events. Joining her in Italy is he best friend Finn Bradley, who is also competing for a gold medal but in his own skiing events. They have had a pact since prom night when they were 17 that they wouldn't give into the feelings they both had and ruin their friendship. Things don't go as planned, and when a photo of the two of them goes viral and leads to a potential sponsorship for Sam she chooses to pretend there is more to their friendship to get a dream sponsorship. Pretending leads to the feelings they have both been suppressing for years, and they both might end up with more than just gold medals this Olympic season.
Honestly from page one Ruin the Friendship by Taylor Swift played on repeat in my head. What a genius move to have a fake-dating romance with 2 characters who already having been pining for each other for years. I really felt the yearning between them and it fueled me through the whole reading experience. The characters obviously struggled to communicate for most of the story but eventually got there and it felt very authentic to age of the characters. I am very excited for a book following a side character that the author set up at the end of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much Avon Books UK for sending me this book as an ARC through NetGalley!
Melting Point follows Sam and Finn as they navigate their Winter Olympics battle for podium positions!
Sam is feeling the pressure of competing in her snowboarding events, especially as one of her rivals has seemingly been chosen as the better candidate for a medal win by their coach, who just so happens to be her father, and to top it all off is dating her brother! She is desperate to break free from her fathers grasp, and a looming brand deal could be the answer to all her prayers! However when this doesn't work out, a new plan needs to be hashed out! Enter: Maya, the sassy social media content creator! A plan for fake-dating to feed into fans assumptions of their relationship starts to form, and it's bringing interest from some other brands which could definitely give Sam the independence she needs. But will the fake-dating become too much, feel too real for two best friends that have secretly harboured feeling simmering under the surface despite making a pact to concentrate on their careers until they get the gold medal wins?!
This was a super cute story, I loved the snowy adorable vibes! You easily grow to like the characters and are rooting for Sam and Finn for their Olympic medal competitions, and for them as well! A super easy adorable read 🥰
Melting Point follows Sam and Finn as they navigate their Winter Olympics battle for podium positions!
Sam is feeling the pressure of competing in her snowboarding events, especially as one of her rivals has seemingly been chosen as the better candidate for a medal win by their coach, who just so happens to be her father, and to top it all off is dating her brother! She is desperate to break free from her fathers grasp, and a looming brand deal could be the answer to all her prayers! However when this doesn't work out, a new plan needs to be hashed out! Enter: Maya, the sassy social media content creator! A plan for fake-dating to feed into fans assumptions of their relationship starts to form, and it's bringing interest from some other brands which could definitely give Sam the independence she needs. But will the fake-dating become too much, feel too real for two best friends that have secretly harboured feeling simmering under the surface despite making a pact to concentrate on their careers until they get the gold medal wins?!
This was a super cute story, I loved the snowy adorable vibes! You easily grow to like the characters and are rooting for Sam and Finn for their Olympic medal competitions, and for them as well! A super easy adorable read 🥰
October 28, 2025
The snow is crisp and deep, the crowds are ready, and the 2026 Winter Olympics have just begun. Sam Harrington has been planning for this since she was 16, and now, no more excuses, she's here for the gold in her two snowboarding events. Finn Bradley, Sam's best friend, is also there, ready for his own shot at getting a gold medal or two. They have both tried to ignore the attraction between them following a friends only pact made back when gold medals were just a dream. Now, though, in this wonderland setting, can they continue to focus on their goals, or will their feelings boil over and jeopardise everything?
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Avon Books UK, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is such a fun book, I loved the background of the Winter Olympics and the beautifully described setting. Sam has a whole lot of baggage to work through and is a sympathetically drawn main protagonist, as is Finn, who compliments her so well. It definitely gets steamier the further you get into the book, but I do like some serious spice now and again! I also really enjoyed the character of Maya and was delighted to see that she has a book of her own being released later next year.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Avon Books UK, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is such a fun book, I loved the background of the Winter Olympics and the beautifully described setting. Sam has a whole lot of baggage to work through and is a sympathetically drawn main protagonist, as is Finn, who compliments her so well. It definitely gets steamier the further you get into the book, but I do like some serious spice now and again! I also really enjoyed the character of Maya and was delighted to see that she has a book of her own being released later next year.
November 27, 2025
Normally when I think of a winter sports romance it goes more towards ice than snow…but I really thought that this was a cute and spicy time. This is a best friends to lovers romance. Sam is a snowboarder and Fin is a skier. They both are competing for Olympic gold. And they both need funding. And when they end up posting a photo and a possible sponsor comments, they kind of form a machine to get together and fake date…. The only thing Finn has loved Sam for a long time. Sam’s coach also happens to be her father…and god do I not like her father.
Besides the spice and their actual age which is stated in the book then being in their 20s. I do feel sometimes that they could’ve been younger. I really get that vibe from this, especially because Sam wants that financial freedom away from her father by getting the sponsorship funding.
I really would read more in this world and spinoffs about her brother and the other characters. I really hope that happens. I did love Finn as a character and I was always rooting for him and Sam as they competed and them as a couple.
Thank you to Avon for the complementary copy all thoughts and opinions are my own
Besides the spice and their actual age which is stated in the book then being in their 20s. I do feel sometimes that they could’ve been younger. I really get that vibe from this, especially because Sam wants that financial freedom away from her father by getting the sponsorship funding.
I really would read more in this world and spinoffs about her brother and the other characters. I really hope that happens. I did love Finn as a character and I was always rooting for him and Sam as they competed and them as a couple.
Thank you to Avon for the complementary copy all thoughts and opinions are my own
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
Thank you Cici Williams, Avon and NetGalley for a copy of *Melting Point* in exchange for my honest review❄️
Publication date: December 4, 2025🗓
❄️ Sports romance (snowboarding and skiing)
❄️ Best friends to lovers
❄️ Winter Olympics
❄️ Fake dating
This was a fun, easy read about two best friends fake dating and finding love while training for the Winter Olympics. I'm always up for a sports romance, and the Winter Olympics backdrop in Melting Point is a fun setting. Sam (a snowboarder) and Finn (a skier) are lifelong best friends and they decide to fake date for sponsorships. Ultimately - like in any good fake dating story - the romance is not fake anymore and they fall in love. Their chemistry and slow-burn banter had me rooting for them. It’s a cute, cozy read for a comfy winter night.
That said, the tone felt a bit uneven at times, with a YA feel to it then the spice getting sprinkled in suddenly. Still, if you’re looking for a cute and easy read, full of Olympic spirit this makes for a fun pick❄️
Publication date: December 4, 2025🗓
❄️ Sports romance (snowboarding and skiing)
❄️ Best friends to lovers
❄️ Winter Olympics
❄️ Fake dating
This was a fun, easy read about two best friends fake dating and finding love while training for the Winter Olympics. I'm always up for a sports romance, and the Winter Olympics backdrop in Melting Point is a fun setting. Sam (a snowboarder) and Finn (a skier) are lifelong best friends and they decide to fake date for sponsorships. Ultimately - like in any good fake dating story - the romance is not fake anymore and they fall in love. Their chemistry and slow-burn banter had me rooting for them. It’s a cute, cozy read for a comfy winter night.
That said, the tone felt a bit uneven at times, with a YA feel to it then the spice getting sprinkled in suddenly. Still, if you’re looking for a cute and easy read, full of Olympic spirit this makes for a fun pick❄️
December 1, 2025
The idea of setting a romance against a winter sports backdrop, particularly the compressed intensity of the Winter Olympics, is a really good one, and there's plenty of snowboarding action (and slang) scattered through this novel to make it sound realistic for a reader who knows little about the sport. However, I suspect I'm not the right audience for this: I didn't really gel with either of the main characters as they both felt immature and a little two-dimensional. Neither did I connect with the writing style, which is third-person dual point of view with a LOT of repetitious internal monologue. It felt like I was being told, rather than shown, things - repeatedly, and in a somewhat breathless and chaotic fashion. Still, if you're looking for a winter-themed book (appropriate for this time of year) with early-twenties protagonists, drama, miscommunication and a healthy dollop of spice, then this may be worth a try.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
December 2, 2025
2.75 ⭐
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc!
Melting Point is a sports romance, centered around the Winter Olympics and two snowboarders, Sam and Finn.
I'm a big sports romance lover but unfortunately this wasn't for me, the whole sports part sounded like an after thought. They are two snowboarders competing in the Olympics, but it seemed like they were just two friends on holiday in Italy that went snowboarding for fun. Their friendship was very cute, and I think they had a lot of potential but there was a lot of miscommunication and even when they actually communicated with each other they somehow convinced themselves the other meant something else. The spicy scenes were also very awkward, I don't know if it was me or the author's writing style but I had to push through them.
It was a cute read, but I wouldn't pick this up again and it wouldn't be on my recommendations list if a friend asked for a sports romance rec.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc!
Melting Point is a sports romance, centered around the Winter Olympics and two snowboarders, Sam and Finn.
I'm a big sports romance lover but unfortunately this wasn't for me, the whole sports part sounded like an after thought. They are two snowboarders competing in the Olympics, but it seemed like they were just two friends on holiday in Italy that went snowboarding for fun. Their friendship was very cute, and I think they had a lot of potential but there was a lot of miscommunication and even when they actually communicated with each other they somehow convinced themselves the other meant something else. The spicy scenes were also very awkward, I don't know if it was me or the author's writing style but I had to push through them.
It was a cute read, but I wouldn't pick this up again and it wouldn't be on my recommendations list if a friend asked for a sports romance rec.
November 27, 2025
This was a cute winter sports romance but they’re both apart of the sport and not just one of them. This was giving Disney Channel’s Cloud 9 vibes but older and at the Olympics. I did enjoy some of the banter between the characters, but overall I felt like the story just fell a little flat and I found myself having make myself pick up the book to read it. The back and forth between the characters because of a pact made so long ago, got annoy really quick and there was never that big confrontation that you wanted with the main characters brother and father, I felt like she moved on too quickly. There were a couple spicy scenes in this book and that really helped the romance, because even though the characters have been pining after each other for years, sometimes it just felt awkward or forced in the relationship and dialogue. I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good snowboarding and Winter Olympics sports romance.
September 23, 2025
I love a good sports romance and an Olympic sports romance in particular so when the opportunity to read this came up I was all for it!
Sam and Finn are best friends that agree to fake date while competing in the Winter Olympics to try to attain sponsorships. Both have different reasons for agreeing to do so… and both are madly in love with the other but can’t just open up and say it already. The story was sweet but I felt like it was YA with a few random spice scenes thrown in that honestly didn’t fit the tone of the rest of the book. I would’ve loved more character depth and the entire story used lack of communication between characters to keep the plot going and it got old pretty quickly. Overall it was a fast and easy read but not sure I would pick up another by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read an early copy!
Sam and Finn are best friends that agree to fake date while competing in the Winter Olympics to try to attain sponsorships. Both have different reasons for agreeing to do so… and both are madly in love with the other but can’t just open up and say it already. The story was sweet but I felt like it was YA with a few random spice scenes thrown in that honestly didn’t fit the tone of the rest of the book. I would’ve loved more character depth and the entire story used lack of communication between characters to keep the plot going and it got old pretty quickly. Overall it was a fast and easy read but not sure I would pick up another by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read an early copy!
September 26, 2025
Melting Point had me hooked from the start because I truly loved the Olympic setting, the fake dating twist, and the built in chemistry of a best friends to lovers romance all made for a fun, easy read. Sam and Finn are cute together, and their banter plus the slow burn payoff definitely kept me engaged.
But while I enjoyed it, the story leaned a little too much on miscommunication to drive the drama, and at times the tone felt uneven because it swung between reading a lot like a YA book and then randomly placed spice. I also wished for deeper emotional development; the family subplots were interesting but underexplored.
This is a cozy sports romance that is perfect if you’re looking for something cute, fast, and trope-filled, but I just wasn’t blown away by this.
Thank you to NetGalley, Cici Williams, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
But while I enjoyed it, the story leaned a little too much on miscommunication to drive the drama, and at times the tone felt uneven because it swung between reading a lot like a YA book and then randomly placed spice. I also wished for deeper emotional development; the family subplots were interesting but underexplored.
This is a cozy sports romance that is perfect if you’re looking for something cute, fast, and trope-filled, but I just wasn’t blown away by this.
Thank you to NetGalley, Cici Williams, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
November 22, 2025
4.5 stars - a super cute sports romance with fake dating, friends to lovers and a bit of spice!
I was lucky to read an early copy of Melting Point and I really enjoyed reading this winter romance!
There is a bit of repetition in some parts but this is the only reason it doesn’t get the full 5 starts for me! I’m still fairly new to sports romance but I really enjoyed the ski and snowboarding aspect to this and I enjoy watching the Olympics so this was very enjoyable! I loved the spicy scenes - just the right amount of scenes and level of spice!
Friends to lovers and fake dating are two of my favourite tropes so I really enjoyed that aspect and it’s written in dual POV which is also a bonus for me!
I was lucky to read an early copy of Melting Point and I really enjoyed reading this winter romance!
There is a bit of repetition in some parts but this is the only reason it doesn’t get the full 5 starts for me! I’m still fairly new to sports romance but I really enjoyed the ski and snowboarding aspect to this and I enjoy watching the Olympics so this was very enjoyable! I loved the spicy scenes - just the right amount of scenes and level of spice!
Friends to lovers and fake dating are two of my favourite tropes so I really enjoyed that aspect and it’s written in dual POV which is also a bonus for me!
October 16, 2025
I enjoyed Melting Point at first because of the fun Olympic setting, I always enjoy a fake-dating plot, and there was sincere chemistry between Sam and Finn. I really enjoyed the banter and the slow-burn
However, I dislike the miscommunication trope and it relied too heavily on this to create drama, which became repetitive. The tone of the book also gave me whiplash at time jumping from light to hot and heavy unexpectedly. I also missed details and deepening of the subplots running through with Sam and Finn’s families I would have enjoy more development here.
Overall, this was a super easy reqd and good for sports romance fans.
However, I dislike the miscommunication trope and it relied too heavily on this to create drama, which became repetitive. The tone of the book also gave me whiplash at time jumping from light to hot and heavy unexpectedly. I also missed details and deepening of the subplots running through with Sam and Finn’s families I would have enjoy more development here.
Overall, this was a super easy reqd and good for sports romance fans.
November 13, 2025
In this book we follow Sam, a professional snowboarder whose goal is to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games, and Finn, her best friend for years, who has the same goal as her. They both want to get more sponsorships, so they decide to pretend to be a couple.
The main tropes are best friends to lovers and fake dating.
For the characters, I liked Sam's feminism, her wanting equality for both men and women in the sport was great. I also liked her determination to win the gold medal and the reminder that when you are too focused on something, you might lose yourself.
Now, for Finn, I liked the way he was head over heels for Sam, he wanted the best for her even if it meant that they could only be friends. On the other hand, Finn's character lacked a bit of personality, he was, at times, too lustful about Sam.
For their relationship, I think that it was a bit too focused on the physical side of it, I was disappointed by the lack of relationship scenes. There was way too much miscommunication between the two of them. I would have loved to see them as a couple post-Olympic Games.
Finally, I found myself struggling with the third-person narrator.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The main tropes are best friends to lovers and fake dating.
For the characters, I liked Sam's feminism, her wanting equality for both men and women in the sport was great. I also liked her determination to win the gold medal and the reminder that when you are too focused on something, you might lose yourself.
Now, for Finn, I liked the way he was head over heels for Sam, he wanted the best for her even if it meant that they could only be friends. On the other hand, Finn's character lacked a bit of personality, he was, at times, too lustful about Sam.
For their relationship, I think that it was a bit too focused on the physical side of it, I was disappointed by the lack of relationship scenes. There was way too much miscommunication between the two of them. I would have loved to see them as a couple post-Olympic Games.
Finally, I found myself struggling with the third-person narrator.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 28, 2025
This story had great potential, but ultimately felt like it lost itself along the way. This read like a YA romance that was aged up so that it could include some spice, but the characters didn't mature to match the ages.
Unfortunately, the story didn't suck me in enough and I started struggling with the suspension of belief. You mean to tell me a professional athlete would drink alcohol 3 nights in a row and load up on dairy before competing? I think not.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and CiCi Williams for the free eARC.
Unfortunately, the story didn't suck me in enough and I started struggling with the suspension of belief. You mean to tell me a professional athlete would drink alcohol 3 nights in a row and load up on dairy before competing? I think not.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and CiCi Williams for the free eARC.
November 9, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.
Rating: 2.75 Stars
Spice Rating: 2
Publish Date: January 20th 2026
Will I purchase a physical copy? No
The concept started off really exciting, life during the Winter Olympics in Italy. Sprinkling in fake dating and high stakes.
I really liked Finn and Sam initially but we kept coming back to a conflict that’s not really a conflict (we are olympians please act accordingly) and I stopped feeling and real connection to them.
I had to put down the book for a month or two just to take a break but I did finish so 2.75 stars.
Rating: 2.75 Stars
Spice Rating: 2
Publish Date: January 20th 2026
Will I purchase a physical copy? No
The concept started off really exciting, life during the Winter Olympics in Italy. Sprinkling in fake dating and high stakes.
I really liked Finn and Sam initially but we kept coming back to a conflict that’s not really a conflict (we are olympians please act accordingly) and I stopped feeling and real connection to them.
I had to put down the book for a month or two just to take a break but I did finish so 2.75 stars.
November 14, 2025
Yes! We have both a female and a male athlete as the heroine and hero of this book. Sam and Finn are competing at the Winter Olympics not just for gold medals but for each others hearts! Such a fun read. Loved learning about snowboarding. Sam goes on quite a journey as a snowboarder, as a daughter struggling with a relationship with her father and fighting her feelings for her best friend. I loved how much Finn built up Sam to believe in herself but ultimately it was her own bravery and determination that got her everything she wanted! Thank you NetGalley for the Arc.
December 6, 2025
This is a really strong debut for Williams and I enjoyed it! The prose is detailed and the characters are all really likeable. It's a perfect read for the winter/festive period and the bond between Finn and Sam is very sweet.
Only issue I had with the book is that despite it being dual POV, the male main character felt very under-developed. It hinted at issues with grief in his family, but we heard nothing about it after that! It would've been nice to see as much development for Finn as we saw from Sam.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC, all opinions are my own!
Only issue I had with the book is that despite it being dual POV, the male main character felt very under-developed. It hinted at issues with grief in his family, but we heard nothing about it after that! It would've been nice to see as much development for Finn as we saw from Sam.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC, all opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book! It was spicy, fun, and just the escape I was looking for this season. The dual pov was much appreciated and kept things interesting. I also really liked that this book managed to be so light and seasonal while also touching on some more difficult topics. I'm really excited for this to be released for everyone to enjoy, and will definitely be reading from this author again in the future! Thank you, Avon/Avon Books UK & Net Galley, for allowing me to read an arc of melting point by Cici Williams in exchange for my honest review.
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