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Spears Players Series #1
Melting For You
In the game of second chances, can they follow the rules?
When Ellis Ainsley runs into her charming, handsome ex, NHL player Liam Ruinsky, ten years after they split, she remembers why she fell for him. Now, their lives are worlds apart and though she knows they’d never work, the temptation is too much.
It was supposed to only be one night… until Ellis sees the positive pregnancy test.
Already a chronically ill woman juggling her health and career, Ellis needs to figure out how to tell Liam he is going to be a dad. And how can they co-parent, with their chemistry undeniable?
With turbulent families, overbearing coaches, and the media wanting a slice of Liam's life, can he step up? And most of all, will they risk falling in love for a second time?
The hottest ice hockey romance for 2025, brimming with tension and lust. Fans of Icebreaker and The Love Hypothesis will adore this.
Readers are obsessed with Melting For
'A beautiful hockey romance' ***** Reader Review
'I absolutely loved this story...hooked me from the very first page.' ***** Reader Review
'I loved everything second of it!!!...has you kicking your feet and giggling. I can say that I ended up melting for this book.' ***** Reader Review
When Ellis Ainsley runs into her charming, handsome ex, NHL player Liam Ruinsky, ten years after they split, she remembers why she fell for him. Now, their lives are worlds apart and though she knows they’d never work, the temptation is too much.
It was supposed to only be one night… until Ellis sees the positive pregnancy test.
Already a chronically ill woman juggling her health and career, Ellis needs to figure out how to tell Liam he is going to be a dad. And how can they co-parent, with their chemistry undeniable?
With turbulent families, overbearing coaches, and the media wanting a slice of Liam's life, can he step up? And most of all, will they risk falling in love for a second time?
The hottest ice hockey romance for 2025, brimming with tension and lust. Fans of Icebreaker and The Love Hypothesis will adore this.
Readers are obsessed with Melting For
'A beautiful hockey romance' ***** Reader Review
'I absolutely loved this story...hooked me from the very first page.' ***** Reader Review
'I loved everything second of it!!!...has you kicking your feet and giggling. I can say that I ended up melting for this book.' ***** Reader Review
352 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2025
12 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
April 24, 2025
2.5 ˖⁺‧✮
i really want to discuss this book because the storyline had so much potential but the storytelling wasn’t as powerful and professional.
I will hold on to the hope that when the time is right, when we need each other the most, we will find our way back. I will find my way back.
i really enjoyed the story because it was heartwarming and beautiful, but i just can’t give a higher ranking because of some moments:
➷ he used nickname “sunshine” too many times. at some point during the “together scenes” i thought he forget her name. i think it’s an adorable nickname but i also believe there is a balance when calling someone like this, especially in books. every second page is a lot
➷ basically, ellis (fmc) has a 5-year-old son, jacks, from an older ex boyfriend, who does not participate in the boy’s life. liam (who was also an ex of the mom in college) enters her life as she gets accidentally pregnant by him. at some point, a couple of month after meeting the boy, jacks mentions being sad that he doesn’t have a dad. liam offers to be his dad without talking to the mom. important that liam was not romantically involved with the ellis and they never talked about being a family at that point.
- i really don’t like this moment, because this dialogue was never mentioned to the ellis. moments like this should be discussed with the parent, especially if you’re not engaging with the mom
➷ liam reacted so lightly to pregnancy. how? he has not seen ellis 10 years, and after a one night stand he learns that he’s going to be a father. it was incredibly nice to see his patience and care for every member of ellis’ family but this moment felt unnatural.
finally, the writing felt jumpy, which was very new? i couldn’t understand where the feelings were coming from. one page she fells neutral, next page she’s all over him. same goes to the plot and friends, liam and everyone else.
overall, i’m glad that i picked up this book because it was such an interesting experience. while i enjoyed plot, writing has so much development 🙌
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the arc.
i really want to discuss this book because the storyline had so much potential but the storytelling wasn’t as powerful and professional.
I will hold on to the hope that when the time is right, when we need each other the most, we will find our way back. I will find my way back.
i really enjoyed the story because it was heartwarming and beautiful, but i just can’t give a higher ranking because of some moments:
➷ he used nickname “sunshine” too many times. at some point during the “together scenes” i thought he forget her name. i think it’s an adorable nickname but i also believe there is a balance when calling someone like this, especially in books. every second page is a lot
➷ basically, ellis (fmc) has a 5-year-old son, jacks, from an older ex boyfriend, who does not participate in the boy’s life. liam (who was also an ex of the mom in college) enters her life as she gets accidentally pregnant by him. at some point, a couple of month after meeting the boy, jacks mentions being sad that he doesn’t have a dad. liam offers to be his dad without talking to the mom. important that liam was not romantically involved with the ellis and they never talked about being a family at that point.
- i really don’t like this moment, because this dialogue was never mentioned to the ellis. moments like this should be discussed with the parent, especially if you’re not engaging with the mom
➷ liam reacted so lightly to pregnancy. how? he has not seen ellis 10 years, and after a one night stand he learns that he’s going to be a father. it was incredibly nice to see his patience and care for every member of ellis’ family but this moment felt unnatural.
finally, the writing felt jumpy, which was very new? i couldn’t understand where the feelings were coming from. one page she fells neutral, next page she’s all over him. same goes to the plot and friends, liam and everyone else.
overall, i’m glad that i picked up this book because it was such an interesting experience. while i enjoyed plot, writing has so much development 🙌
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the arc.
May 20, 2025
˗ˏˋ 2 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
the premise sounded so good but the execution was lacking. the fmc, ellis, felt kinda insufferable to me so it made it was difficult to fall in love with the book.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• ellis ainsley 💐
honestly, i think she really needs some sort of therapy. the amount of self-blaming and victimization was kinda appalling. i liked the chronic illness representation, it was handled with care and her struggles felt real.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• liam ruinsky 🏒
i guess he's okay. he's super patient and thoughtful with ellis. he was showering love on both ellis and liam. i feel like he deserved better than ellis, ngl.
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
dont mind me, i'm currently on an arc grind... anyways an ice hockey romance always hits different so fingers crossed!!
the premise sounded so good but the execution was lacking. the fmc, ellis, felt kinda insufferable to me so it made it was difficult to fall in love with the book.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• ellis ainsley 💐
honestly, i think she really needs some sort of therapy. the amount of self-blaming and victimization was kinda appalling. i liked the chronic illness representation, it was handled with care and her struggles felt real.
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• liam ruinsky 🏒
i guess he's okay. he's super patient and thoughtful with ellis. he was showering love on both ellis and liam. i feel like he deserved better than ellis, ngl.
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
dont mind me, i'm currently on an arc grind... anyways an ice hockey romance always hits different so fingers crossed!!
May 3, 2025
I am usually a sucker for the hockey player trope. Something about those damn hockey players I can’t get enough of. Unfortunately for as many things I liked about Melting For You, there just was something far worse taking away from the story. Too much inner monologue- by both H and h. Way too much. Pages upon pages of inner thought, conflict and worst of all going over storyline that would have been better off as a chapter of live conversation between both H’s instead of one H thinking back on yesterday… all the inner monologue just slowed the story down. I skipped so much of it just to get to something between the two actually happening.
What I liked was the very accurate description of what someone with Fibromyalgia goes through on a day to day basis, as well as during a painful flare. I have lived with it for years and author made the illness seen. As well as being a mother, the author was able to pull me in with understanding. Just got in her own way with the darn monologues going on and on and on.… Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion. I am still willing to read another book by this author because the story had potential.
What I liked was the very accurate description of what someone with Fibromyalgia goes through on a day to day basis, as well as during a painful flare. I have lived with it for years and author made the illness seen. As well as being a mother, the author was able to pull me in with understanding. Just got in her own way with the darn monologues going on and on and on.… Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion. I am still willing to read another book by this author because the story had potential.
June 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the team for the ARC. This was such a sweet read. It was heavy, it was emotional, there was plenty of angst, but there was also fluff and love.
I cried for the poor FMC who had to go through her first pregnancy all by herself and this time when the MMC stepped up, I was in tears. 😭
Our FMC's struggles with chronic pain resonated with mine and though mine is not as severe as hers, I felt her frustrations and agony. I believe the author also struggles with the same diagnosis as her character, which was probably why it felt so real and all the more painful.
The FMC annoyed me a few times with her non-communication, jumping to conclusions and frustrating decisions but at the same time, I understand her. Maybe that's why it hurt more.
Fortunately, Liam was so mature, supportive, communicative and was basically gentle parenting her. Everytime Liam interacts with Jack, I'm tearing up 🥺😭
Overall, this is a beautiful second chance romance book that tugs on your heartstrings and may make you tear up over your hot chocolate. ❤️
I cried for the poor FMC who had to go through her first pregnancy all by herself and this time when the MMC stepped up, I was in tears. 😭
Our FMC's struggles with chronic pain resonated with mine and though mine is not as severe as hers, I felt her frustrations and agony. I believe the author also struggles with the same diagnosis as her character, which was probably why it felt so real and all the more painful.
The FMC annoyed me a few times with her non-communication, jumping to conclusions and frustrating decisions but at the same time, I understand her. Maybe that's why it hurt more.
Fortunately, Liam was so mature, supportive, communicative and was basically gentle parenting her. Everytime Liam interacts with Jack, I'm tearing up 🥺😭
Overall, this is a beautiful second chance romance book that tugs on your heartstrings and may make you tear up over your hot chocolate. ❤️
July 11, 2025
My ARC was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This was not my favorite but it was decent. Could have used some proofreading for the American POV chapters, hopefully that’s all sorted by the re-release.
April 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!
Okay...I love a hockey romance. I know nothing about hockey, but I love reading about it and hockey players being goofy and silly and buff. So, of course, I thought this would be a great little romance to read!
Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing about a quarter of the way through. I had so many issues with this book, that I eventually decided to just stop.
Firstly, and this sounds pedantic, but I didn't entirely get the feeling the author understood American universities or the immigration process? I may be wrong, and I'm happy to be corrected, but nothing matched up and it annoyed me enough that it took me out of the book. It's heavily implied that Liam and Ellis both graduated at the age of 20...which isn't unheard of in the US, but it's also just...not common? Silly, but it just kept annoying me. Another thing is that, apparently, Ellis managed to go to the US for university from England and somehow managed to stay afterwards. Again, not unheard of. But by the time we see her at 30 again, she's running her own florist and is a single mum.
She's not a US citizen (as far as I'm aware, again, I didn't finish it), she isn't employed by anyone and she isn't married to anyone. So...how exactly did she (presumably) get a green card so fast? This sounds really stupid and petty, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. If someone can explain it to me, then I'd be happy to hear an answer!
I know the whole plot is accidentally pregnancy, but I almost DNF'd within 10%, as there's an extensive sex scene after they somehow come across each other in a club after 10 years. I wasn't interested in this, and it set the wrong tone for me.
My final issue is that I just didn't care for Ellis. I believe the author has fibromyalgia, so it was great to see an own voices representation of a chronic illness but it got to the point I was tired of reading about Ellis. I know people with chronic illness have to live this every day, but it felt like Ellis was just such a negative, boring personality. Even ten years ago, so her personality didn't even grow.
Now she's just 10 years older and complaining about being a mum or being pregnant alongside always mentioning her illness. Before anyone thinks I'm hating on this, I'm not. I enjoy seeing characters that show underrepresented communities, but Ellis' main personality trait was 'I Have Fibromyalgia, Woe Is My Life'. Seriously, I think she can't go more than two pages without mentioning it in some form which makes her feel like just a very negative character that isn't enjoyable to read. I feel bad saying this, as I don't have fibromyalgia, but this was one of the main reasons I just wasn't interested anymore.
Another random thing is that Jack kept making me feel like either I don't know how 5 year old speak, or the author doesn't. I can't comment on this too much, as I don't have a kid and don't interact with them, but it was bizarre that he was speaking grammatically correct sentences and he's barely in school. One moment in particular that threw me was when Jack reads the word 'foetus' on a poster...I'm reasonably sure a 5 year old wouldn't be able to read that, but what do I know?
Okay...I love a hockey romance. I know nothing about hockey, but I love reading about it and hockey players being goofy and silly and buff. So, of course, I thought this would be a great little romance to read!
Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing about a quarter of the way through. I had so many issues with this book, that I eventually decided to just stop.
Firstly, and this sounds pedantic, but I didn't entirely get the feeling the author understood American universities or the immigration process? I may be wrong, and I'm happy to be corrected, but nothing matched up and it annoyed me enough that it took me out of the book. It's heavily implied that Liam and Ellis both graduated at the age of 20...which isn't unheard of in the US, but it's also just...not common? Silly, but it just kept annoying me. Another thing is that, apparently, Ellis managed to go to the US for university from England and somehow managed to stay afterwards. Again, not unheard of. But by the time we see her at 30 again, she's running her own florist and is a single mum.
She's not a US citizen (as far as I'm aware, again, I didn't finish it), she isn't employed by anyone and she isn't married to anyone. So...how exactly did she (presumably) get a green card so fast? This sounds really stupid and petty, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. If someone can explain it to me, then I'd be happy to hear an answer!
I know the whole plot is accidentally pregnancy, but I almost DNF'd within 10%, as there's an extensive sex scene after they somehow come across each other in a club after 10 years. I wasn't interested in this, and it set the wrong tone for me.
My final issue is that I just didn't care for Ellis. I believe the author has fibromyalgia, so it was great to see an own voices representation of a chronic illness but it got to the point I was tired of reading about Ellis. I know people with chronic illness have to live this every day, but it felt like Ellis was just such a negative, boring personality. Even ten years ago, so her personality didn't even grow.
Now she's just 10 years older and complaining about being a mum or being pregnant alongside always mentioning her illness. Before anyone thinks I'm hating on this, I'm not. I enjoy seeing characters that show underrepresented communities, but Ellis' main personality trait was 'I Have Fibromyalgia, Woe Is My Life'. Seriously, I think she can't go more than two pages without mentioning it in some form which makes her feel like just a very negative character that isn't enjoyable to read. I feel bad saying this, as I don't have fibromyalgia, but this was one of the main reasons I just wasn't interested anymore.
Another random thing is that Jack kept making me feel like either I don't know how 5 year old speak, or the author doesn't. I can't comment on this too much, as I don't have a kid and don't interact with them, but it was bizarre that he was speaking grammatically correct sentences and he's barely in school. One moment in particular that threw me was when Jack reads the word 'foetus' on a poster...I'm reasonably sure a 5 year old wouldn't be able to read that, but what do I know?
May 21, 2025
✨ Thank you to the author, Hera Books, & NetGalley for the ARC ✨
I thought this book was cute! I loved Liam’s character and the way he cared about Ellis and took Jack in as his own child. Ellis was a complicated character with many things she needed to work through. Girly pop would have benefited from some therapy 🫶🏻 Along the way, I found myself itching to get back to Liam’s POV & it made Ellis’ chapters hard to get through at times.
I am definitely not the right person to speak to the fibromyalgia representation in this book, but I felt like I was really able to empathize with what Ellis was going through with her condition. I appreciate that the author was able to put her own experiences with fibromyalgia into this character.
Overall, this book was cute & fun! 🤍🏒⛸️
Tropes: hockey romance, pregnancy, second chance romance, found family, disability rep
I thought this book was cute! I loved Liam’s character and the way he cared about Ellis and took Jack in as his own child. Ellis was a complicated character with many things she needed to work through. Girly pop would have benefited from some therapy 🫶🏻 Along the way, I found myself itching to get back to Liam’s POV & it made Ellis’ chapters hard to get through at times.
I am definitely not the right person to speak to the fibromyalgia representation in this book, but I felt like I was really able to empathize with what Ellis was going through with her condition. I appreciate that the author was able to put her own experiences with fibromyalgia into this character.
Overall, this book was cute & fun! 🤍🏒⛸️
Tropes: hockey romance, pregnancy, second chance romance, found family, disability rep
May 27, 2025
this was a super cute read! i flew through this book in one day and it kept me interested the entire time! would definitely recommend for people wanting a quick romance! will be continuing this if more books are released!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 4, 2025
this was a cute read and i enjoyed it for someone who doesn’t usually like the pregnancy trope but i thought it was done quite well. the disability representation was great and i loved the found family aspect of it.
April 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
📚: Series?
📖: 303 pages (Kindle)
Genre: Romance
Tropes: Sports Romance, Ice Hockey, Accidental Pregnancy, Chronic Illness Rep, Dual POV, Second Chance Romance, Nickname (Sunshine), Found Family, Single Parent
‘I will hold on to the hope that when the time is right, when we need each other the most, we will find our way back.’
‘Just tonight. I can only give you tonight.’
After going their separate ways post college Ellis & Liam see each other at a nightclub. With their electric chemistry, quickly one thing leads to another. Another being a one night stand. Next thing Ellis knows her period is late…
A heartwarming love story where an accidental pregnancy is the catalyst for true love finding each other again.
I think this is a great debut novel, so well done Tegan! I know not everyone will rate this book as high as myself purely from a critical level, however I’m going very strongly off vibes here! This book was sweet, heartwarming and just a delight to read.
A very binge-able, easy to read sports romance. Yes we do get to hear about the ice hockey, in fact it comes into play really nicely with Ellis’ son Jack & Liam’s teammates.
We have some great chronic illness rep throughout this book, which is really refreshing to read. It adds another element to Ellis & Liam’s relationship. I really liked the initial set up as well, which says something because I’m not a big fan of second chance romances. Another trope I usually don’t like is accidental pregnancy but this book does it really well. The way the topic of pregnancy is discussed throughout the book was great, realistic. Showing us, especially with Ellis’ illness, that it’s not all sunshine’s & rainbows. I loved seeing things discussed so openly across all fronts.
There are some really likeable side characters in this story as well, the main one being Jack (Ellis’ son), Lyndsey (Elis’ co-worker) and Liam’s various Ice Hockey teammates. In fact, I can see a few potentially future stories blossoming, I’m hoping book 2 is Lyndsey’s & Anders’ story… especially after the ending!!!
One thing I learned from this book, is that I LOVE the step parent/ step kid dynamic when done properly!
I can’t wait to see what’s next from Tegan, bring on book 2!
Thank you to Hera & Tegan Phillips for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
🌶️🌶️
📚: Series?
📖: 303 pages (Kindle)
Genre: Romance
Tropes: Sports Romance, Ice Hockey, Accidental Pregnancy, Chronic Illness Rep, Dual POV, Second Chance Romance, Nickname (Sunshine), Found Family, Single Parent
‘I will hold on to the hope that when the time is right, when we need each other the most, we will find our way back.’
‘Just tonight. I can only give you tonight.’
After going their separate ways post college Ellis & Liam see each other at a nightclub. With their electric chemistry, quickly one thing leads to another. Another being a one night stand. Next thing Ellis knows her period is late…
A heartwarming love story where an accidental pregnancy is the catalyst for true love finding each other again.
I think this is a great debut novel, so well done Tegan! I know not everyone will rate this book as high as myself purely from a critical level, however I’m going very strongly off vibes here! This book was sweet, heartwarming and just a delight to read.
A very binge-able, easy to read sports romance. Yes we do get to hear about the ice hockey, in fact it comes into play really nicely with Ellis’ son Jack & Liam’s teammates.
We have some great chronic illness rep throughout this book, which is really refreshing to read. It adds another element to Ellis & Liam’s relationship. I really liked the initial set up as well, which says something because I’m not a big fan of second chance romances. Another trope I usually don’t like is accidental pregnancy but this book does it really well. The way the topic of pregnancy is discussed throughout the book was great, realistic. Showing us, especially with Ellis’ illness, that it’s not all sunshine’s & rainbows. I loved seeing things discussed so openly across all fronts.
There are some really likeable side characters in this story as well, the main one being Jack (Ellis’ son), Lyndsey (Elis’ co-worker) and Liam’s various Ice Hockey teammates. In fact, I can see a few potentially future stories blossoming, I’m hoping book 2 is Lyndsey’s & Anders’ story… especially after the ending!!!
One thing I learned from this book, is that I LOVE the step parent/ step kid dynamic when done properly!
I can’t wait to see what’s next from Tegan, bring on book 2!
Thank you to Hera & Tegan Phillips for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️ | Format: eARC
Big thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for the ARC!
Right—I’ll be honest, second chance romances and surprise pregnancies usually aren’t for me. I tend to roll my eyes and brace myself for drama. But Melting For You had me hooked from page one. It starts fast—like, blink-and-you-miss-it fast—and then softens into a warm, heartfelt slow burn that completely won me over.
Ellis and Liam’s dynamic is sweet and surprisingly addictive. She’s strong, independent, living with fibromyalgia while raising a son on her own—and Liam? He’s the cinnamon-roll hockey player who makes you believe men like that might exist outside of fiction. The chemistry builds beautifully and the ending left me grinning.
A few bits were predictable, sure, but this was such a feel-good read with real emotional depth. Loved it. Would absolutely pick up more from Tegan Phillips!
Big thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for the ARC!
Right—I’ll be honest, second chance romances and surprise pregnancies usually aren’t for me. I tend to roll my eyes and brace myself for drama. But Melting For You had me hooked from page one. It starts fast—like, blink-and-you-miss-it fast—and then softens into a warm, heartfelt slow burn that completely won me over.
Ellis and Liam’s dynamic is sweet and surprisingly addictive. She’s strong, independent, living with fibromyalgia while raising a son on her own—and Liam? He’s the cinnamon-roll hockey player who makes you believe men like that might exist outside of fiction. The chemistry builds beautifully and the ending left me grinning.
A few bits were predictable, sure, but this was such a feel-good read with real emotional depth. Loved it. Would absolutely pick up more from Tegan Phillips!
May 18, 2025
3.5 🌟
I enjoyed reading this book and thank you to Netgalley for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is sweet, no other word for it. That being said, it would be good to know that there is a single parent, suffering from a long term health condition and with parental issues, perhaps as a trigger warning or just general information.
The book follows the second chance trope and found family, which is lovely. I loved how the wider hockey team got involved and supported her and her son as well, not to mention Liam being the most helpful and kindest person to exist!
It does walk you thought the emotions of parenthood a bit, from beginning to end, and there's a lot of internal monologue as well. I found the parts in italics a slight unnecessary add on at times that disrupted the flow of the book for me.
I enjoyed reading this book and thank you to Netgalley for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is sweet, no other word for it. That being said, it would be good to know that there is a single parent, suffering from a long term health condition and with parental issues, perhaps as a trigger warning or just general information.
The book follows the second chance trope and found family, which is lovely. I loved how the wider hockey team got involved and supported her and her son as well, not to mention Liam being the most helpful and kindest person to exist!
It does walk you thought the emotions of parenthood a bit, from beginning to end, and there's a lot of internal monologue as well. I found the parts in italics a slight unnecessary add on at times that disrupted the flow of the book for me.
May 9, 2025
Thank you netgalley and the publisher’s for giving me the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Too much for me. The characters especially. Ellis truly needs therapy to move on from her assumptions, with lots of self blame and victimisation (nothing to do with her medical condition as that is a ocmpletely a different topic which was well done on the author) the communications are mostly done by Liam and that's just not a balanced healthy ideal relationship that they think they're having as a couple. As for liam, I guess he's okay as a dad for Jack and I felt bad for Jack feeling left out when theyre about to welcome the baby but him as a love interest is too much for me, I don't know what it is, it's just icky. Doing too much is just kinda suspicious.
2.5
Too much for me. The characters especially. Ellis truly needs therapy to move on from her assumptions, with lots of self blame and victimisation (nothing to do with her medical condition as that is a ocmpletely a different topic which was well done on the author) the communications are mostly done by Liam and that's just not a balanced healthy ideal relationship that they think they're having as a couple. As for liam, I guess he's okay as a dad for Jack and I felt bad for Jack feeling left out when theyre about to welcome the baby but him as a love interest is too much for me, I don't know what it is, it's just icky. Doing too much is just kinda suspicious.
2.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
4/5 stars
2.5/5 peppers
Thank you to Netgalley and Hera books for the opportunity to read this early read.
I'm a sucker for second chances. What I didn't see was the surprise pregnancy. The combination of the two had me at the edge of my seat. This is my first time reading this author and I would be interested to read more.
Liam and Ellis were sweet. I loved them together. Ellis is very independent and sometimes you know she needed to slow down or have someone tell her to sit down and breathe. Liam was there for them both and never wanted to falter.
2.5/5 peppers
Thank you to Netgalley and Hera books for the opportunity to read this early read.
I'm a sucker for second chances. What I didn't see was the surprise pregnancy. The combination of the two had me at the edge of my seat. This is my first time reading this author and I would be interested to read more.
Liam and Ellis were sweet. I loved them together. Ellis is very independent and sometimes you know she needed to slow down or have someone tell her to sit down and breathe. Liam was there for them both and never wanted to falter.
April 30, 2025
3 1/2 stars for me! I loved the characters and the representation of fibromyalgia throughout pregnancy ! I also LOVED little Jack! The only thing that lost it stars for me was I kept waiting for a dramatic moment/ some adversity - many things seemed very easy for them to resolve! Overall, a great cosy read with loveable characters
July 11, 2025
This book, while very cute, fell a little short for me. I loved that the FMC, Ellis, was not only dealing with the ups & downs of daily life while being a single mom, but also has fibromyalgia. It’s rare to read a book with the FMC having a chronic illness.
However, her constant back & forth was frustrating. I wanted to love this story, I love a second chance, rekindled romance.
However, her constant back & forth was frustrating. I wanted to love this story, I love a second chance, rekindled romance.
May 7, 2025
“Melting for You” was a delightful and heartwarming read that offers a refreshing portrayal of a character living with fibromyalgia. The book’s depiction of Ellis’s condition is both realistic and nuanced, showcasing how it affects her daily life without defining her entire identity. This thoughtful representation adds depth and authenticity to her character, making her feel relatable and real. The story’s charm lies in its ability to blend sweetness with emotional depth, leaving readers with a warm and satisfied feeling. For those seeking a comforting and cute story that also touches on meaningful experiences, “Melting for You” comes highly recommended. #netgalley #arc
June 16, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
This read just ended up being very lackluster for me… This read also placed me into a reading slump along with another book, which explains why it took and wasted a week of my summer reading time (I typically read like a book per day when it’s entertaining..)… I wasn’t a huge fan of either characters. Ellis portrayed her self as the victim in every situation, while also blaming her self for everything and I can only deal with being in that girls mind for so long. The five pages of just monologues about her and Liam always felt so forced to me and it felt like someone was trying to convince me along with themselves that the connection between them was real… Liam was very patient and one thing that both of them did well as a couple was being parents, even if Liam was new to the whole thing. I also understand that he wanted her back into his life so badly that he would’ve been willing to take anything he can get, but this man understood everything so calmly and while I wish that for everyone else out there it just felt unrealistic, especially with such a drastic change like pregnancy and fatherhood… Honestly this book wouldn’t have been rated so low for me if it was about 50 pages shorter. I did not need a chapter of intimacy to end the book off (trying to prove the physical connection between them ??🤨), I did not need a whole chapter of her getting ready for Anders` New Year party, and I especially did not need a whole chapter of Ellis shitting bricks about her son attending hockey which once again I understand “they grow up so fast” but shorten things up please 🙏. I wouldn’t have even minded all of these scenes if we at least earned and learned something valuable out of them or at least received scenes that actually mattered towards the relationship alongside them, but we don’t even see them actually become boyfriend and girlfriend and when they decide to “take things more seriously”, it’s after he does something so grand for her that without it she would’ve never taken a relationship between them seriously… While I was not a fan of his mom, Jack saved this read and I actually enjoyed reading his connection with Liam, as he got used to having a male figure in life and even easily accepting him as a father figure in his life. I’m slightly interested in Lyndsy and Anders' story, but what I actually want to read is Edge and Cassie’s story!
Overall, this read took a lot out of me and took me what felt like ages to get through. The characters didn’t really make up for the slump I was placed in, but I hope the rest of this series can pick that up for me!
This read just ended up being very lackluster for me… This read also placed me into a reading slump along with another book, which explains why it took and wasted a week of my summer reading time (I typically read like a book per day when it’s entertaining..)… I wasn’t a huge fan of either characters. Ellis portrayed her self as the victim in every situation, while also blaming her self for everything and I can only deal with being in that girls mind for so long. The five pages of just monologues about her and Liam always felt so forced to me and it felt like someone was trying to convince me along with themselves that the connection between them was real… Liam was very patient and one thing that both of them did well as a couple was being parents, even if Liam was new to the whole thing. I also understand that he wanted her back into his life so badly that he would’ve been willing to take anything he can get, but this man understood everything so calmly and while I wish that for everyone else out there it just felt unrealistic, especially with such a drastic change like pregnancy and fatherhood… Honestly this book wouldn’t have been rated so low for me if it was about 50 pages shorter. I did not need a chapter of intimacy to end the book off (trying to prove the physical connection between them ??🤨), I did not need a whole chapter of her getting ready for Anders` New Year party, and I especially did not need a whole chapter of Ellis shitting bricks about her son attending hockey which once again I understand “they grow up so fast” but shorten things up please 🙏. I wouldn’t have even minded all of these scenes if we at least earned and learned something valuable out of them or at least received scenes that actually mattered towards the relationship alongside them, but we don’t even see them actually become boyfriend and girlfriend and when they decide to “take things more seriously”, it’s after he does something so grand for her that without it she would’ve never taken a relationship between them seriously… While I was not a fan of his mom, Jack saved this read and I actually enjoyed reading his connection with Liam, as he got used to having a male figure in life and even easily accepting him as a father figure in his life. I’m slightly interested in Lyndsy and Anders' story, but what I actually want to read is Edge and Cassie’s story!
Overall, this read took a lot out of me and took me what felt like ages to get through. The characters didn’t really make up for the slump I was placed in, but I hope the rest of this series can pick that up for me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
Rating: 2.5 stars
Let’s start with the positives: the concept was my kind of story. A second-chance romance between a single mom and her NHL ex after a one-night stand? Yes please! I eat up single mom romances, and I liked that the story also tried to touch on chronic illness (the FMC has fibromyalgia). There were even a few moments toward the end that had me saying “awww” — the potential is definitely there.
But now for the not-so-fun part: the writing style just didn’t work for me.
There was barely any dialogue. Like… truly. It felt like 95% of the book was just inner monologue and back-and-forth overthinking. Scenes I wanted to see happen — like finding out the baby’s gender or the characters going on dates — were completely skipped and just told to us after the fact in a single sentence. It made everything feel repetitive and disconnected. There’s one line where the FMC says something like “stupid hockey with his stupid team” and that line basically sums up the vocabulary that was in this book.
Also, the characters kept referencing their deep past relationship… but they only dated for ONE year in college, and it’s been 10 years since then. That just didn’t feel believable to me, especially with how often they talked about how in love they used to be.
And let’s talk about the spicy scenes 😬 The dialogue was… not it. Cringe levels were high. The MMC is supposed to be dominant but it all felt awkward.
Another thing that threw me off was how often big moments were skipped. Like this:
This seems to be the author’s debut, and I want to give her some grace. The plot was great. The writing just didn’t deliver for me — but I’d still read the spinoff hinted at with Lindsey and Anders. I’m rooting for improvement.
Final rating: 2.5 stars — strong concept, weak execution. But I’m intrigued enough to keep an eye out for the next one.
Thank You so much NetGalley for allowing me access to this book!!
Let’s start with the positives: the concept was my kind of story. A second-chance romance between a single mom and her NHL ex after a one-night stand? Yes please! I eat up single mom romances, and I liked that the story also tried to touch on chronic illness (the FMC has fibromyalgia). There were even a few moments toward the end that had me saying “awww” — the potential is definitely there.
But now for the not-so-fun part: the writing style just didn’t work for me.
There was barely any dialogue. Like… truly. It felt like 95% of the book was just inner monologue and back-and-forth overthinking. Scenes I wanted to see happen — like finding out the baby’s gender or the characters going on dates — were completely skipped and just told to us after the fact in a single sentence. It made everything feel repetitive and disconnected. There’s one line where the FMC says something like “stupid hockey with his stupid team” and that line basically sums up the vocabulary that was in this book.
Also, the characters kept referencing their deep past relationship… but they only dated for ONE year in college, and it’s been 10 years since then. That just didn’t feel believable to me, especially with how often they talked about how in love they used to be.
And let’s talk about the spicy scenes 😬 The dialogue was… not it. Cringe levels were high. The MMC is supposed to be dominant but it all felt awkward.
Another thing that threw me off was how often big moments were skipped. Like this:
This seems to be the author’s debut, and I want to give her some grace. The plot was great. The writing just didn’t deliver for me — but I’d still read the spinoff hinted at with Lindsey and Anders. I’m rooting for improvement.
Final rating: 2.5 stars — strong concept, weak execution. But I’m intrigued enough to keep an eye out for the next one.
Thank You so much NetGalley for allowing me access to this book!!
May 10, 2025
I received an eARC of Melting for You, and I’d like to thank Tegan Phillips, Hera Books, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release!
Melting for You is a heartwarming, second-chance-at-love contemporary hockey romance. Ellis Ainsley, our FMC, runs into her ex-boyfriend from college, Liam Ruinsky, during a night out—and it seems fate brought them together for just one night of nostalgia. However, about a month after their chance meeting, Ellis gets a positive pregnancy test. The two find themselves back in each other’s lives, this time trying to figure out how to co-parent a baby on the way, all while navigating their preexisting feelings.
This story had great bones, and it deserves praise for that. One of the reasons I was interested in this release was the mention of chronic illness. As someone with chronic and undiagnosed pain, I’m always willing to give a book with chronic illness representation a chance. Phillips, drawing from her own experience, wrote a very relatable main character—which is something I don’t often see from indie authors.
The pacing made it easy to keep reading and hard to put down. Somehow, Phillips was able to write about pregnancy in a way that didn’t feel rushed at all, especially considering the book covers over a year in just over 300 pages.
This book also puts a strong emphasis on found/chosen family, and I thought it was beautifully executed. Given a second chance, Liam is dedicated to being involved in Ellis’ life however she’ll have him—helping raise both his child and the child Ellis had from another relationship, all while respectfully pursuing the woman he’s never gotten over. Because of this, Liam’s teammates become invested in the life Ellis and Liam are building together. They’re incredibly supportive throughout the pregnancy and beyond. It was refreshing to read a story with such a solid, well-developed found family dynamic.
Despite these praises, I do think a few choices caused the book to suffer.
Nowhere in the summary does it mention that Ellis is already a single mother before the one-night stand. I think adding that detail would help draw in more readers—or at least avoid surprising readers who might not relate to that storyline. Personally, I might not have been as interested if I’d known there would be a stepparent dynamic, just because it’s something I don’t connect with as much.
Toward the end, I got the sense that the message became a little skewed: that chronic illness could be made more manageable with access to money. Early on, Ellis is shown coping with her illness alone, but once Liam returns, he’s able to help her—not just emotionally, but financially. He’s a rich hockey player, and he buys her things to make parenting easier, like a crib with hydraulic lifts or a bedside fridge and bottle warmer so she can stay in bed to minimize fatigue. While those are sweet gestures, most people don’t have that kind of financial support, and it made some of the representation feel a bit out of touch for the average reader.
And I don’t say this often, but I do think the sexual content in this book felt unnecessary. I truly believe the story would’ve landed just as solidly if it were a straightforward second-chance romance focused on the pregnancy and emotional growth. I ended up skimming the last two sex scenes because they distracted from the sweetness of the story happening outside the bedroom.
My biggest complaint is that the book would’ve benefited from a more thorough copy edit before release. There were a number of grammatical errors and missing punctuation, which may have stemmed from the use of British English versus American English. I’m not sure if all grammar and punctuation rules carry over exactly, but either way, some of these issues could have been smoothed out. One moment that stood out in particular: the reveal of the baby’s gender. Ellis and Liam had a playful argument earlier about whether or not to find out before the birth—but when the reveal happened, it felt glossed over. One chapter ended with us not knowing, and in the next, there was just a quick mention that revealed it. I was genuinely disappointed there wasn’t a sweet moment of discovery between them. A more careful edit might have helped highlight moments like that.
That said, this story was absolutely heartwarming. Liam was a dream of an MMC, and there were so many strong elements—especially the chronic illness rep and the found family. With a little polish and a more transparent summary, I think the book could better reach its intended audience. I’d rate this as a three-star book, and I’m definitely interested in reading more from Phillips. Especially if we get another book featuring some of the side characters… There was a surprise reveal at the end that left me absolutely floored, and I need to know what happens next!
Once again, thank you to Tegan Phillips, Hera Books, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read Melting for You ahead of its release. All opinions in this review are my own.
Melting for You is a heartwarming, second-chance-at-love contemporary hockey romance. Ellis Ainsley, our FMC, runs into her ex-boyfriend from college, Liam Ruinsky, during a night out—and it seems fate brought them together for just one night of nostalgia. However, about a month after their chance meeting, Ellis gets a positive pregnancy test. The two find themselves back in each other’s lives, this time trying to figure out how to co-parent a baby on the way, all while navigating their preexisting feelings.
This story had great bones, and it deserves praise for that. One of the reasons I was interested in this release was the mention of chronic illness. As someone with chronic and undiagnosed pain, I’m always willing to give a book with chronic illness representation a chance. Phillips, drawing from her own experience, wrote a very relatable main character—which is something I don’t often see from indie authors.
The pacing made it easy to keep reading and hard to put down. Somehow, Phillips was able to write about pregnancy in a way that didn’t feel rushed at all, especially considering the book covers over a year in just over 300 pages.
This book also puts a strong emphasis on found/chosen family, and I thought it was beautifully executed. Given a second chance, Liam is dedicated to being involved in Ellis’ life however she’ll have him—helping raise both his child and the child Ellis had from another relationship, all while respectfully pursuing the woman he’s never gotten over. Because of this, Liam’s teammates become invested in the life Ellis and Liam are building together. They’re incredibly supportive throughout the pregnancy and beyond. It was refreshing to read a story with such a solid, well-developed found family dynamic.
Despite these praises, I do think a few choices caused the book to suffer.
Nowhere in the summary does it mention that Ellis is already a single mother before the one-night stand. I think adding that detail would help draw in more readers—or at least avoid surprising readers who might not relate to that storyline. Personally, I might not have been as interested if I’d known there would be a stepparent dynamic, just because it’s something I don’t connect with as much.
Toward the end, I got the sense that the message became a little skewed: that chronic illness could be made more manageable with access to money. Early on, Ellis is shown coping with her illness alone, but once Liam returns, he’s able to help her—not just emotionally, but financially. He’s a rich hockey player, and he buys her things to make parenting easier, like a crib with hydraulic lifts or a bedside fridge and bottle warmer so she can stay in bed to minimize fatigue. While those are sweet gestures, most people don’t have that kind of financial support, and it made some of the representation feel a bit out of touch for the average reader.
And I don’t say this often, but I do think the sexual content in this book felt unnecessary. I truly believe the story would’ve landed just as solidly if it were a straightforward second-chance romance focused on the pregnancy and emotional growth. I ended up skimming the last two sex scenes because they distracted from the sweetness of the story happening outside the bedroom.
My biggest complaint is that the book would’ve benefited from a more thorough copy edit before release. There were a number of grammatical errors and missing punctuation, which may have stemmed from the use of British English versus American English. I’m not sure if all grammar and punctuation rules carry over exactly, but either way, some of these issues could have been smoothed out. One moment that stood out in particular: the reveal of the baby’s gender. Ellis and Liam had a playful argument earlier about whether or not to find out before the birth—but when the reveal happened, it felt glossed over. One chapter ended with us not knowing, and in the next, there was just a quick mention that revealed it. I was genuinely disappointed there wasn’t a sweet moment of discovery between them. A more careful edit might have helped highlight moments like that.
That said, this story was absolutely heartwarming. Liam was a dream of an MMC, and there were so many strong elements—especially the chronic illness rep and the found family. With a little polish and a more transparent summary, I think the book could better reach its intended audience. I’d rate this as a three-star book, and I’m definitely interested in reading more from Phillips. Especially if we get another book featuring some of the side characters… There was a surprise reveal at the end that left me absolutely floored, and I need to know what happens next!
Once again, thank you to Tegan Phillips, Hera Books, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read Melting for You ahead of its release. All opinions in this review are my own.
May 12, 2025
Rating: ★★
Spice: 🌶🌶
Quotes:
“I will hold on to the hope that when the time is right, when we need each other the most, we will find our way back.’”
Short version:
This book had all the ingredients for a compelling romance—an NHL player, a chronically ill heroine, and an accidental pregnancy twist. But unfortunately, the execution didn’t rise to the occasion. While the setup promised emotion and tension, the story unfolded in a way that felt rushed, emotionally shallow, and lacking in authentic character development. The dialogue was often awkward, the pacing erratic, and the conflicts too easily resolved. It’s a story that wants to be heartfelt, but doesn’t quite earn it.
Recommended for:
- Low drama, low angst romance
- Stories about women advocating for themselves
- Second chances
Full review below:
Tropes:
- Second Chance Romance
- Hockey Romance
- Single Mom
- Accidental Pregnancy
- Chronic Illness Representation
Plot Summary:
When Ellis Ainsley unexpectedly runs into her ex-boyfriend Liam Ruinsky—now a professional ice hockey player—their decade-old chemistry sparks immediately. One impulsive night together turns into something far more permanent when Ellis discovers she’s pregnant. Already a single mom and navigating the daily challenges of living with fibromyalgia, Ellis must now figure out how to co-parent with a man she hasn’t seen in ten years.
As Liam reenters her life with good intentions and lingering affection, the two attempt to find common ground. But between lifestyle differences, emotional baggage, and a lack of real communication, their reunion is less about romance and more about logistics. As they try to navigate a future tied together by circumstance, they’ll need to decide if there's anything deeper than just shared history.
The Good:
The portrayal of Ellis’ chronic illness was thoughtful and grounded. Chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia are rarely represented in romance, and this book handled it with care. The author captured the unpredictability and emotional toll of chronic pain without making it Ellis’ sole defining trait. Her struggles felt real and nuanced, and that authenticity gave the story a brief glimmer of emotional weight.
Ellis’ son, Jack, was a bright spot. Oddly enough, the most believable dialogue came from a five-year-old. Jack added warmth and realism to a story that otherwise felt emotionally flat.
The In-Between:
The pacing was jarring and underdeveloped. Scenes often jumped without clear transitions, leaving the story feeling disjointed. While a sense of urgency can work in certain romances, here it mostly undercut the emotional build-up and made the relationship development feel unearned.
The banter missed the mark. Attempts at charm—particularly the ongoing bit about American vs. British dialect—fell flat and sometimes bordered on irritating. Dialogue meant to be flirty often just felt forced or unnatural.
The Bad:
The emotional depth wasn’t there. The story hinges on major life changes—reconnecting with an ex, navigating an unexpected pregnancy, dealing with chronic illness— and yet, there was a surprising lack of emotional resonance. Conflicts were glossed over rather than explored. When Ellis tells Liam she’s pregnant, the conversation is so clipped and shallow that it barely registers. And their rekindled romance jumps straight into bed with little reflection or buildup, which made the intimacy feel disconnected.
The characters lacked dimension. Neither Ellis nor Liam felt like fully realized people. Her motivations shifted without much explanation, and his character, while supportive, was far from a believable partner. Their connection never truly felt earned, and the imbalance in emotional labor made the relationship feel lopsided.
The writing style leaned on telling instead of showing. There was a heavy reliance on exposition and a tendency to “dump” information rather than weave it naturally through dialogue. Ellis had a nearly insufferable amount of inner monologue. This made scenes feel more like summaries than lived-in moments.
Spicy Chapters: 1, 20, 26, 39
Cheating: No
Third-act Breakup: No
HEA: Yes
OWD: No
Spice: 🌶🌶
Quotes:
“I will hold on to the hope that when the time is right, when we need each other the most, we will find our way back.’”
Short version:
This book had all the ingredients for a compelling romance—an NHL player, a chronically ill heroine, and an accidental pregnancy twist. But unfortunately, the execution didn’t rise to the occasion. While the setup promised emotion and tension, the story unfolded in a way that felt rushed, emotionally shallow, and lacking in authentic character development. The dialogue was often awkward, the pacing erratic, and the conflicts too easily resolved. It’s a story that wants to be heartfelt, but doesn’t quite earn it.
Recommended for:
- Low drama, low angst romance
- Stories about women advocating for themselves
- Second chances
Full review below:
Tropes:
- Second Chance Romance
- Hockey Romance
- Single Mom
- Accidental Pregnancy
- Chronic Illness Representation
Plot Summary:
When Ellis Ainsley unexpectedly runs into her ex-boyfriend Liam Ruinsky—now a professional ice hockey player—their decade-old chemistry sparks immediately. One impulsive night together turns into something far more permanent when Ellis discovers she’s pregnant. Already a single mom and navigating the daily challenges of living with fibromyalgia, Ellis must now figure out how to co-parent with a man she hasn’t seen in ten years.
As Liam reenters her life with good intentions and lingering affection, the two attempt to find common ground. But between lifestyle differences, emotional baggage, and a lack of real communication, their reunion is less about romance and more about logistics. As they try to navigate a future tied together by circumstance, they’ll need to decide if there's anything deeper than just shared history.
The Good:
The portrayal of Ellis’ chronic illness was thoughtful and grounded. Chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia are rarely represented in romance, and this book handled it with care. The author captured the unpredictability and emotional toll of chronic pain without making it Ellis’ sole defining trait. Her struggles felt real and nuanced, and that authenticity gave the story a brief glimmer of emotional weight.
Ellis’ son, Jack, was a bright spot. Oddly enough, the most believable dialogue came from a five-year-old. Jack added warmth and realism to a story that otherwise felt emotionally flat.
The In-Between:
The pacing was jarring and underdeveloped. Scenes often jumped without clear transitions, leaving the story feeling disjointed. While a sense of urgency can work in certain romances, here it mostly undercut the emotional build-up and made the relationship development feel unearned.
The banter missed the mark. Attempts at charm—particularly the ongoing bit about American vs. British dialect—fell flat and sometimes bordered on irritating. Dialogue meant to be flirty often just felt forced or unnatural.
The Bad:
The emotional depth wasn’t there. The story hinges on major life changes—reconnecting with an ex, navigating an unexpected pregnancy, dealing with chronic illness— and yet, there was a surprising lack of emotional resonance. Conflicts were glossed over rather than explored. When Ellis tells Liam she’s pregnant, the conversation is so clipped and shallow that it barely registers. And their rekindled romance jumps straight into bed with little reflection or buildup, which made the intimacy feel disconnected.
The characters lacked dimension. Neither Ellis nor Liam felt like fully realized people. Her motivations shifted without much explanation, and his character, while supportive, was far from a believable partner. Their connection never truly felt earned, and the imbalance in emotional labor made the relationship feel lopsided.
The writing style leaned on telling instead of showing. There was a heavy reliance on exposition and a tendency to “dump” information rather than weave it naturally through dialogue. Ellis had a nearly insufferable amount of inner monologue. This made scenes feel more like summaries than lived-in moments.
Spicy Chapters: 1, 20, 26, 39
Cheating: No
Third-act Breakup: No
HEA: Yes
OWD: No
May 10, 2025
🥹 Heart? Shattered. Healed. Then melted completely.
Imagine Life As We Know It meets The Deal meets a Pinterest board titled “hot hockey dads with emotional depth.” Now throw in a ton of pining, quiet healing, and a man who has never stopped loving her---and you’ve got Melting for You. Teagan Phillips came for my soul with this debut. It’s warm and angsty and tender in a way that sneaks up on you, and suddenly you’re 300 pages deep whispering “just kiss already” while also sobbing over a found family breakfast scene. It’s that kind of book--a second chance romance that feels like coming home after a long, messy storm.
Ellis Ainsley is a survivor. Living with chronic illness, raising a son, and managing a high-pressure job, she’s built walls that feel necessary. Watching her wrestle with vulnerability and slowly let someone back in? It’s frustrating sometimes, yes---but it’s also honest and deeply moving. And Liam Ruinsky… I don’t even know where to begin. NHL legend, total softie, the ultimate “he fell first and never fell out” hero. He’s not here just because there’s a baby--he’s here because he’s always loved Ellis. Patient, loyal, and so endlessly kind, he is the moment. Someone give this man a medal. Or my number. Honestly, either.
The surprise pregnancy didn’t feel like a plot twist-it was an emotional anchor that gave the story weight and heart. Liam with Ellis and their son Jack? Utter perfection. Their little found family had me in pieces. The chronic illness rep was handled with so much care and nuance. It added depth to Ellis’s journey without ever turning her pain into a plot device, and I really appreciated that. And I need to shout this from the rooftops: NO third-act breakup. 🙌 Just two people slowly, messily, tenderly choosing love again and again. The whole story unfolds over a year, and it makes their healing feel earned.
Also, the side characters? I’m obsessed. The team dynamics, the friendships, the sense of community--it felt like stepping into a whole world. Lyndsey and Edge better be getting their own books because I’m already too invested.
That said, Ellis girl... please. Let the man LOVE YOU. The emotional push-pull was a little much at times. And there were quite a few moments where I was begging for just one good heart-to-heart to clear the air. But when they finally opened up? It hit so hard.
And then there was this quote-
“Being around Ellis Ainsley is like waiting for the sun to rise, like watching the first hints of light flow over the hills and brighten everything it touches. She bursts through the darkness of the night. That’s why I call her Sunshine.”
😭😭😭 Liam, my emotional stability depends on you now.
Melting for You is everything I want in a second chance sports romance: emotional, character-driven, messy in the best way, and ultimately full of hope. Teagan Phillips didn’t just write a love story-she wrote a homecoming. If you’re in your “soft hockey heroes who would do anything for their girls” era, this book needs to be on your radar. It’s not just swoony--it’s soul-deep. 🩵
Imagine Life As We Know It meets The Deal meets a Pinterest board titled “hot hockey dads with emotional depth.” Now throw in a ton of pining, quiet healing, and a man who has never stopped loving her---and you’ve got Melting for You. Teagan Phillips came for my soul with this debut. It’s warm and angsty and tender in a way that sneaks up on you, and suddenly you’re 300 pages deep whispering “just kiss already” while also sobbing over a found family breakfast scene. It’s that kind of book--a second chance romance that feels like coming home after a long, messy storm.
Ellis Ainsley is a survivor. Living with chronic illness, raising a son, and managing a high-pressure job, she’s built walls that feel necessary. Watching her wrestle with vulnerability and slowly let someone back in? It’s frustrating sometimes, yes---but it’s also honest and deeply moving. And Liam Ruinsky… I don’t even know where to begin. NHL legend, total softie, the ultimate “he fell first and never fell out” hero. He’s not here just because there’s a baby--he’s here because he’s always loved Ellis. Patient, loyal, and so endlessly kind, he is the moment. Someone give this man a medal. Or my number. Honestly, either.
The surprise pregnancy didn’t feel like a plot twist-it was an emotional anchor that gave the story weight and heart. Liam with Ellis and their son Jack? Utter perfection. Their little found family had me in pieces. The chronic illness rep was handled with so much care and nuance. It added depth to Ellis’s journey without ever turning her pain into a plot device, and I really appreciated that. And I need to shout this from the rooftops: NO third-act breakup. 🙌 Just two people slowly, messily, tenderly choosing love again and again. The whole story unfolds over a year, and it makes their healing feel earned.
Also, the side characters? I’m obsessed. The team dynamics, the friendships, the sense of community--it felt like stepping into a whole world. Lyndsey and Edge better be getting their own books because I’m already too invested.
That said, Ellis girl... please. Let the man LOVE YOU. The emotional push-pull was a little much at times. And there were quite a few moments where I was begging for just one good heart-to-heart to clear the air. But when they finally opened up? It hit so hard.
And then there was this quote-
“Being around Ellis Ainsley is like waiting for the sun to rise, like watching the first hints of light flow over the hills and brighten everything it touches. She bursts through the darkness of the night. That’s why I call her Sunshine.”
😭😭😭 Liam, my emotional stability depends on you now.
Melting for You is everything I want in a second chance sports romance: emotional, character-driven, messy in the best way, and ultimately full of hope. Teagan Phillips didn’t just write a love story-she wrote a homecoming. If you’re in your “soft hockey heroes who would do anything for their girls” era, this book needs to be on your radar. It’s not just swoony--it’s soul-deep. 🩵
November 3, 2025
I was really looking forward to this book, but unfortunately it really missed the mark in so many ways. There seems to be a real skill issue with the author's writing, it felt completely mis-marketed as a hockey romance, and the character's actions and overall plot were weak.
Writing issues
- A lot of chapters open in a new scene and immediately go into the character's thoughts of other scenes that have happened off-page, recapping the actions or decisions made. Most of these scenes should have been shown to us as they were all important to the plot.
- Some chapters open with several of these flashbacks or recounting of off-page scenes in a row, and this was really confusing. I got to the point where I genuinely didn't know where the characters were and what scene we were actually in.
- Similarly, we also get a huge amount of exposition that is often repeated several times with slightly different wording and doesn't really add anything to the story. It feels clunky and boring, and should have been cut.
Plot and character issues
- Because we spend so much time in character's heads, we miss so many crucial moments to the plot. This makes the story feel hollow and unfinished. For example - finding out the sex of their baby was hyped up as really important but it was skipped entirely in the ultrasound scene and just told to us in a character's thoughts afterwards.
- There is a distinct lack of hockey for an ice hockey book. We don't really see the MMC at practice or games; we do meet some of his teammates but they feel very one dimensional; and the organisation and support staff feel off (why is the team's PR person managing their relationship and offering lawyers for the FMC to file restraining orders against her ex?)
- The couple never discuss how they want to co-parent their new baby or the FMC's 5 year old child, and we never see the MMC bonding with the child. This leaves a lot of the story quite hollow - especially when the kid asks the MMC to be his dad as we haven't seen any relationship form between the two of them.
- There are weird inconsistencies with the FMC being put on bed rest in her 3rd trimester. The MMC was really strict with her resting for a few weeks, and then after they had (fairly intense) sex after a lot of pleading from the FMC, he's suddenly fine with her going out for day trips.
- The MMC suddenly becomes ragey and violent in a hockey game with no reason or believable build up. Despite spending so much time in his head he never thought about being upset/angry/any of his emotions, so there is nothing to back up this dramatic change. It's also never talked about afterwards so it adds nothing to the plot.
- There are no conversations between the FMC and MMC at really any point in the book. They don't spend any time together, never talk about or plan their future, never discuss their emotions and feelings for each other. Instead we get a cycle of them not really speaking, wanting sex but not having sex because they want to be in a real relationship first, giving in and having sex saying that they are now fully committed, ignoring each other until they get a physical urge again, and then the cycle continues. The biggest example of this is after the birth, they finally both speak openly about being all-in on their relationship and agreeing that they will get married some day, but few weeks later the FMC starts making plans to move back into her old flat with the kids because the new hockey season is starting and 'surely the MMC will want his space back'. This change is not addressed in any of the FMC's thoughts (despite spending so much time there) and is just so frustrating to read!
Writing issues
- A lot of chapters open in a new scene and immediately go into the character's thoughts of other scenes that have happened off-page, recapping the actions or decisions made. Most of these scenes should have been shown to us as they were all important to the plot.
- Some chapters open with several of these flashbacks or recounting of off-page scenes in a row, and this was really confusing. I got to the point where I genuinely didn't know where the characters were and what scene we were actually in.
- Similarly, we also get a huge amount of exposition that is often repeated several times with slightly different wording and doesn't really add anything to the story. It feels clunky and boring, and should have been cut.
Plot and character issues
- Because we spend so much time in character's heads, we miss so many crucial moments to the plot. This makes the story feel hollow and unfinished. For example - finding out the sex of their baby was hyped up as really important but it was skipped entirely in the ultrasound scene and just told to us in a character's thoughts afterwards.
- There is a distinct lack of hockey for an ice hockey book. We don't really see the MMC at practice or games; we do meet some of his teammates but they feel very one dimensional; and the organisation and support staff feel off (why is the team's PR person managing their relationship and offering lawyers for the FMC to file restraining orders against her ex?)
- The couple never discuss how they want to co-parent their new baby or the FMC's 5 year old child, and we never see the MMC bonding with the child. This leaves a lot of the story quite hollow - especially when the kid asks the MMC to be his dad as we haven't seen any relationship form between the two of them.
- There are weird inconsistencies with the FMC being put on bed rest in her 3rd trimester. The MMC was really strict with her resting for a few weeks, and then after they had (fairly intense) sex after a lot of pleading from the FMC, he's suddenly fine with her going out for day trips.
- The MMC suddenly becomes ragey and violent in a hockey game with no reason or believable build up. Despite spending so much time in his head he never thought about being upset/angry/any of his emotions, so there is nothing to back up this dramatic change. It's also never talked about afterwards so it adds nothing to the plot.
- There are no conversations between the FMC and MMC at really any point in the book. They don't spend any time together, never talk about or plan their future, never discuss their emotions and feelings for each other. Instead we get a cycle of them not really speaking, wanting sex but not having sex because they want to be in a real relationship first, giving in and having sex saying that they are now fully committed, ignoring each other until they get a physical urge again, and then the cycle continues. The biggest example of this is after the birth, they finally both speak openly about being all-in on their relationship and agreeing that they will get married some day, but few weeks later the FMC starts making plans to move back into her old flat with the kids because the new hockey season is starting and 'surely the MMC will want his space back'. This change is not addressed in any of the FMC's thoughts (despite spending so much time there) and is just so frustrating to read!
April 19, 2025
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!
Honestly, I almost DNF'd this book multiple times while reading it, and I'm not sure I made the right decision to finish it. I usually love hockey romances and accidental pregnancies can even be fun when done right!
Let's get down to it...
The story follows Ellis and Liam, college sweethearts who broke up as he was entering the NHL draft. Why did they break up? Because she... has fibromyalgia? As a chronic illness girl myself, I get that you can feel like an inconvenience, not worth it, etc., but I'd never let those fears impact someone else the way she did when she left Liam. And that isn't to say that everyone doesn't deal with their own stuff in their own way, but it does make her a bit selfish since she's making that decision for someone else. In the beginning, I excused it due to her being so young, but it continued when the book jumped 10 years into the future and it felt like she hadn't really grown at all in the time they spent apart. And look, I get that pregnancy hormones don't always allow you to be the most logical version of yourself, but Ellis was almost insufferable in her thoughts. Why is Liam not allowed to tell his team (his closest friends) that he's going to be a dad? But she can tell her friend? And then to be upset they found out and use that as a reason she shouldn't trust him? He's constantly giving her grace on her flaws but she doesn't really return the favor at all until the end. She sort of just treats him as a stereotype of a guy/athlete and is incredibly unfair in doing so.
Oddly enough, the thing that bothered me most might have been the use of British English in Liam's section, when he's from the US? It makes sense for Ellis but the different spellings, etc. continued into Liam's sections and it actually made it incredibly hard to follow (I'd see a British spelling and get confused thinking I must be in Ellis's section). It was also a 10 year time jump that ended with them being 30, which makes them 20 at the break up. I know it is common for hockey players to leave college early for the draft but I also got the impression she was done with college at that time (finishing school wasn't mentioned as a reason for her not joining him). I do believe British students usually finish between 20-21 (I could be wrong), but it is typically 22 in the US so that wouldn't entirely make sense here.
The story itself wasn't even bad and Ellis was definitely redeemable in the beginning, but I just didn't see the growth that you'd usually want to see in a character with a 10 year time jump. Liam was very sweet and I loved her son, though he was oddly mature for his age.
Honestly, I almost DNF'd this book multiple times while reading it, and I'm not sure I made the right decision to finish it. I usually love hockey romances and accidental pregnancies can even be fun when done right!
Let's get down to it...
The story follows Ellis and Liam, college sweethearts who broke up as he was entering the NHL draft. Why did they break up? Because she... has fibromyalgia? As a chronic illness girl myself, I get that you can feel like an inconvenience, not worth it, etc., but I'd never let those fears impact someone else the way she did when she left Liam. And that isn't to say that everyone doesn't deal with their own stuff in their own way, but it does make her a bit selfish since she's making that decision for someone else. In the beginning, I excused it due to her being so young, but it continued when the book jumped 10 years into the future and it felt like she hadn't really grown at all in the time they spent apart. And look, I get that pregnancy hormones don't always allow you to be the most logical version of yourself, but Ellis was almost insufferable in her thoughts. Why is Liam not allowed to tell his team (his closest friends) that he's going to be a dad? But she can tell her friend? And then to be upset they found out and use that as a reason she shouldn't trust him? He's constantly giving her grace on her flaws but she doesn't really return the favor at all until the end. She sort of just treats him as a stereotype of a guy/athlete and is incredibly unfair in doing so.
Oddly enough, the thing that bothered me most might have been the use of British English in Liam's section, when he's from the US? It makes sense for Ellis but the different spellings, etc. continued into Liam's sections and it actually made it incredibly hard to follow (I'd see a British spelling and get confused thinking I must be in Ellis's section). It was also a 10 year time jump that ended with them being 30, which makes them 20 at the break up. I know it is common for hockey players to leave college early for the draft but I also got the impression she was done with college at that time (finishing school wasn't mentioned as a reason for her not joining him). I do believe British students usually finish between 20-21 (I could be wrong), but it is typically 22 in the US so that wouldn't entirely make sense here.
The story itself wasn't even bad and Ellis was definitely redeemable in the beginning, but I just didn't see the growth that you'd usually want to see in a character with a 10 year time jump. Liam was very sweet and I loved her son, though he was oddly mature for his age.
May 1, 2025
Thank you to Tegan Phillips, Hera Books and NetGallery for this ARC.
The book follows Ellis and Liam.
Ellis is a business owner and single mum with fibromyalgia. She's not used to having a village and deals with life as it comes.
Liam is a big NHL star and has returned home to his hometown team.
Liam notices Ellis talking to his team mate and can barely believe his luck. It's been 10 years since their split (one that Ellis initiate due to her own insecurities and not wanting to hold Liam back) and she's been on his mind since. He takes the opportunity and they spend the night together, after which Ellis ghosts him out of self preservation. Until something happens that turns her world upside down. Insert surprise pregnancy trope and Liam is the dad.
I liked how the author wrote the fibromyalgia into her book. It felt like an insight into those who have the condition and the struggles they endure, not only during pregnancy but on a day to day basis.
Ellis got on my nerves a bit. I found it hard to connect with her on a personality level. She constantly pushed back against Liam, not believing his intentions and loyalty towards her and her son. I'm not sure it could even be attributed to pregnancy hormones, it was more down to her self worth and confidence and I don't feel like she had a lot of growth within the timeframe of the book and in the 10 years previous. There was also a few inconsistencies in her behaviour, like Liam wasn't allowed to tell his closest friends and teammates he was going to be a dad but she could confide in her friend. However she comes across as such a strong willed character. Raising her son solo for 6 years all while battling a chronic condition which results in debilitating pain. It feels very authentic and not over done at all.
Liam however, what a sweetheart. You can tell from his POV he was always hung up on Ellis, the one that got away. The way he showed his love toward not only Ellis but her son Jack too, basically becoming a father figure very early on. I loved how he not only supported Ellis when she was being difficult, but brought in a whole village to support his new family.
I love some of the side characters and felt like they helped carry the story. I liked her son Jack but having a 6 year old myself, I feel like he was maybe written a bit maturely. Could be down to being with a single parent with a health condition. I'm normally not one for an accidental pregnancy trope but this was the main aspect of the story and I enjoyed reading about the pregnancy journey between Ellis and Liam.
Overall a decent enough read and helped with my current hockey romance obsession.
The book follows Ellis and Liam.
Ellis is a business owner and single mum with fibromyalgia. She's not used to having a village and deals with life as it comes.
Liam is a big NHL star and has returned home to his hometown team.
Liam notices Ellis talking to his team mate and can barely believe his luck. It's been 10 years since their split (one that Ellis initiate due to her own insecurities and not wanting to hold Liam back) and she's been on his mind since. He takes the opportunity and they spend the night together, after which Ellis ghosts him out of self preservation. Until something happens that turns her world upside down. Insert surprise pregnancy trope and Liam is the dad.
I liked how the author wrote the fibromyalgia into her book. It felt like an insight into those who have the condition and the struggles they endure, not only during pregnancy but on a day to day basis.
Ellis got on my nerves a bit. I found it hard to connect with her on a personality level. She constantly pushed back against Liam, not believing his intentions and loyalty towards her and her son. I'm not sure it could even be attributed to pregnancy hormones, it was more down to her self worth and confidence and I don't feel like she had a lot of growth within the timeframe of the book and in the 10 years previous. There was also a few inconsistencies in her behaviour, like Liam wasn't allowed to tell his closest friends and teammates he was going to be a dad but she could confide in her friend. However she comes across as such a strong willed character. Raising her son solo for 6 years all while battling a chronic condition which results in debilitating pain. It feels very authentic and not over done at all.
Liam however, what a sweetheart. You can tell from his POV he was always hung up on Ellis, the one that got away. The way he showed his love toward not only Ellis but her son Jack too, basically becoming a father figure very early on. I loved how he not only supported Ellis when she was being difficult, but brought in a whole village to support his new family.
I love some of the side characters and felt like they helped carry the story. I liked her son Jack but having a 6 year old myself, I feel like he was maybe written a bit maturely. Could be down to being with a single parent with a health condition. I'm normally not one for an accidental pregnancy trope but this was the main aspect of the story and I enjoyed reading about the pregnancy journey between Ellis and Liam.
Overall a decent enough read and helped with my current hockey romance obsession.
May 11, 2025
Melting for You follows the second chance relationship of Ellis and Liam. They dated in college and broke up before Liam was drafted to the NHL. 10 years later, they see each other at a bar and go home together. Ellis swears it’s “just one night”, but Liam has never given up his love for her.
The book follows the struggles Ellis faces as a single mom with fibromyalgia and when Ellis sees those two pink lines after her one night with Liam, everything changes. Ellis is an overthinker (though rightfully so on many fronts) and we see her struggle to let Liam, our cinnamon roll-golden retriever, back into her heart and family. This book is full of deep thoughts and emotions so be ready to bring out a tissue!
Tropes:
🩵 Second chance
🩵 Surprise pregnancy
🩵 Single parent
🩵 Found family
🩵 Chronic illness rep
🩵 He falls first (and hard)
🌶️🌶️ The spice was spicing! Not too much, not too little.
What I loved:
-The plot & the characters. Liam is such a golden retriever, cinnamon roll MMC and Ellis is our chronic illness rep, single parent FMC. Jack is her 5 year old, a sweet and gentle soul. He reminds me of my kiddo.
-I related to alot of Ellis’ inner thoughts. The overthinking, the worry/stress.
-Seeing Liam love Jack like his own. From the beginning, Liam was willing to help and do what he could to make life better and easier for Ellis and Jack.
-Reading the realistic struggles of a parent. Mom guilt, feeling alone, and second guessing everything. It was so relatable as a toddler mom myself.
-The found family aspect. Seeing Ellis go from feeling so utterly alone to having her family was heartwarming.
-There were quite a few times I laughed out loud.
-“F#ck it”
What I didn’t love:
-The inner thoughts and monologues felt lengthy at times. There were a few scenes I wished we had gotten dialogue for, such as when Liam & Ellis discuss how he told his teammates about the pregnancy, and when they found out about the baby’s gender. There was a strong build-up for both of these events but when the actual events happened, they were written as thoughts. (I see this as Liam and Ellis are two people who are very much in their heads often and while I relate, I just wanted a bit more dialogue).
-Sometimes I just wanted to scream at Ellis “Girl just let him love you!” 😩🤣
-I wanted to get to know Lindsey, Ellis’ best friend & employee, more! It seemed like they have a great relationship and it was nice knowing Ellis had her to lean on.
Thank you so much Netgalley and Hera for letting me read this ARC!
The book follows the struggles Ellis faces as a single mom with fibromyalgia and when Ellis sees those two pink lines after her one night with Liam, everything changes. Ellis is an overthinker (though rightfully so on many fronts) and we see her struggle to let Liam, our cinnamon roll-golden retriever, back into her heart and family. This book is full of deep thoughts and emotions so be ready to bring out a tissue!
Tropes:
🩵 Second chance
🩵 Surprise pregnancy
🩵 Single parent
🩵 Found family
🩵 Chronic illness rep
🩵 He falls first (and hard)
🌶️🌶️ The spice was spicing! Not too much, not too little.
What I loved:
-The plot & the characters. Liam is such a golden retriever, cinnamon roll MMC and Ellis is our chronic illness rep, single parent FMC. Jack is her 5 year old, a sweet and gentle soul. He reminds me of my kiddo.
-I related to alot of Ellis’ inner thoughts. The overthinking, the worry/stress.
-Seeing Liam love Jack like his own. From the beginning, Liam was willing to help and do what he could to make life better and easier for Ellis and Jack.
-Reading the realistic struggles of a parent. Mom guilt, feeling alone, and second guessing everything. It was so relatable as a toddler mom myself.
-The found family aspect. Seeing Ellis go from feeling so utterly alone to having her family was heartwarming.
-There were quite a few times I laughed out loud.
-“F#ck it”
What I didn’t love:
-The inner thoughts and monologues felt lengthy at times. There were a few scenes I wished we had gotten dialogue for, such as when Liam & Ellis discuss how he told his teammates about the pregnancy, and when they found out about the baby’s gender. There was a strong build-up for both of these events but when the actual events happened, they were written as thoughts. (I see this as Liam and Ellis are two people who are very much in their heads often and while I relate, I just wanted a bit more dialogue).
-Sometimes I just wanted to scream at Ellis “Girl just let him love you!” 😩🤣
-I wanted to get to know Lindsey, Ellis’ best friend & employee, more! It seemed like they have a great relationship and it was nice knowing Ellis had her to lean on.
Thank you so much Netgalley and Hera for letting me read this ARC!
May 15, 2025
I have found some of the romance books that I have had the best time with through browsing on Netgalley and Melting for You was no exception for me. I had a fantastic time with this book, I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading the full book in 24 hours, which is always a great experience.
Melting for You follows Ellis Ainsley who runs into her ex-boyfriend and is quickly reminded of why she fell for him and what was only meant to be only one night turns into something more when she sees the positive pregnancy test.
There were so many parts of this book that I loved including the chronic illness representation, the characters and the exploration of the relationships between the characters.
From the very beginning of this book the characters had me interested and intrigued to keep reading. Ellis was a character who I loved reading about and a romance heroine that is definitely now on my list of favourites. She was a character with depth and well included representation that helped explain her actions but wasn’t all of what she was. I would definitely read more books following her. Ellis wasn’t the only character I loved, I also found Liam and Jack to be characters that I wanted to read about. Liam was a really good book boyfriend that I quickly fell for and the way that he supported Ellis was really heartwarming to see. In addition to this seeing him be there for and develop a relationship with Jack, Ellis’s son, was really special. I also loved reading about Liam’s hockey team and am looking forward to seeing more of them if this is the series I think it is.
One of my favourite parts of this book was definitely watching the relationships and romance evolve. It was really nice to see how much Liam was there for Elle and Jack along with seeing Ellis begin to open up again to Liam after what she had been through. Along with this the friendships between Liam and his teammates and Ellis and her best friend definitely have me wishing that this will be a series.
I am now really glad that I requested this one on Netgalley because otherwise I wouldn’t have been likely to pick it up and Tegan Phillips is definitely an author I will be coming back to and recommending. I am looking forward to seeing what she releases next as this felt like a really strong debut.
Melting for You follows Ellis Ainsley who runs into her ex-boyfriend and is quickly reminded of why she fell for him and what was only meant to be only one night turns into something more when she sees the positive pregnancy test.
There were so many parts of this book that I loved including the chronic illness representation, the characters and the exploration of the relationships between the characters.
From the very beginning of this book the characters had me interested and intrigued to keep reading. Ellis was a character who I loved reading about and a romance heroine that is definitely now on my list of favourites. She was a character with depth and well included representation that helped explain her actions but wasn’t all of what she was. I would definitely read more books following her. Ellis wasn’t the only character I loved, I also found Liam and Jack to be characters that I wanted to read about. Liam was a really good book boyfriend that I quickly fell for and the way that he supported Ellis was really heartwarming to see. In addition to this seeing him be there for and develop a relationship with Jack, Ellis’s son, was really special. I also loved reading about Liam’s hockey team and am looking forward to seeing more of them if this is the series I think it is.
One of my favourite parts of this book was definitely watching the relationships and romance evolve. It was really nice to see how much Liam was there for Elle and Jack along with seeing Ellis begin to open up again to Liam after what she had been through. Along with this the friendships between Liam and his teammates and Ellis and her best friend definitely have me wishing that this will be a series.
I am now really glad that I requested this one on Netgalley because otherwise I wouldn’t have been likely to pick it up and Tegan Phillips is definitely an author I will be coming back to and recommending. I am looking forward to seeing what she releases next as this felt like a really strong debut.
May 15, 2025
@TrishSparklerReads Bookstagram:
“Melting for You” by Tegan Phillips
Series: The Spears Players Series, Book 1
Genre: Sports Romance
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 3 🌶️
Darkness: 2🩶
POV: Dual
Highlights:
💙Single Mom With a Chronic Illness
💙NHL Sports Star
💙Second Chances
💙One Night Stand
💙Accidental Pregnancy
Thoughts:
I loved how the author portrayed Ellis as a regular girl with chronic illness. It is so nice to see representation of a disabled character that is just as deserving of being the lead in a romantic story. The author describes her challenges accurately, with compassion and I could really relate with the challenges she faced. Liam is such a sweet book boyfriend- he was charming and fun and down to earth despite being a professional athlete. He was so supportive of Ellis especially with the high stress he found as a professional hockey player. I love how he embraced the ready made family of a five year old boy that Ellis was raising alone.
I really liked that despite being past lovers, their relationship grew really slowly once she found out when was pregnant. Liam was all ready to start being a couple again, even after their one night stand. It was Ellis who tries to keep a distance and she seemed quite wary as she was so devastated after they broke up at the end of college.
Despite being pregnant already, we got to see the slow redevelopment of their love for each other and them growing slowly into being a family. The author really goes deep into the feelings and motivations of each character. I love that despite each having some flaws, they were such wholesome lovable people. I felt a whole range of strong emotions reading this story. Some sections so sweet I was crying, while others were super spicy bedroom scenes. I hope you love this classic hockey-player-woos-single-mom story as much as I did.
🛑Please read all the author warnings as themes and events in this book could be triggering. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“Melting for You” by Tegan Phillips
Series: The Spears Players Series, Book 1
Genre: Sports Romance
Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spice: 3 🌶️
Darkness: 2🩶
POV: Dual
Highlights:
💙Single Mom With a Chronic Illness
💙NHL Sports Star
💙Second Chances
💙One Night Stand
💙Accidental Pregnancy
Thoughts:
I loved how the author portrayed Ellis as a regular girl with chronic illness. It is so nice to see representation of a disabled character that is just as deserving of being the lead in a romantic story. The author describes her challenges accurately, with compassion and I could really relate with the challenges she faced. Liam is such a sweet book boyfriend- he was charming and fun and down to earth despite being a professional athlete. He was so supportive of Ellis especially with the high stress he found as a professional hockey player. I love how he embraced the ready made family of a five year old boy that Ellis was raising alone.
I really liked that despite being past lovers, their relationship grew really slowly once she found out when was pregnant. Liam was all ready to start being a couple again, even after their one night stand. It was Ellis who tries to keep a distance and she seemed quite wary as she was so devastated after they broke up at the end of college.
Despite being pregnant already, we got to see the slow redevelopment of their love for each other and them growing slowly into being a family. The author really goes deep into the feelings and motivations of each character. I love that despite each having some flaws, they were such wholesome lovable people. I felt a whole range of strong emotions reading this story. Some sections so sweet I was crying, while others were super spicy bedroom scenes. I hope you love this classic hockey-player-woos-single-mom story as much as I did.
🛑Please read all the author warnings as themes and events in this book could be triggering. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 27, 2025
Elias Ainsley and Liam Ruinsky were once the perfect match, but life had other plans.
A decade after their painful breakup, they unexpectedly cross paths again. Much has changed—Elias is now a dedicated single mom to a spirited five-year-old and successfully runs her own flower shop, while Liam has risen to fame as a star NHL hockey player. Yet, despite the years apart, the undeniable chemistry between them still simmers beneath the surface.
What started as a fleeting one-night stand quickly spirals into a life-altering situation when Elias discovers she's pregnant. Suddenly, both Liam and Elias are thrust into a whirlwind of emotions as they grapple with their unexpected reality. With a baby on the way, they must confront their feelings for each other and reassess their futures. One thing is clear for Liam—he’s determined to be fully present and involved in this new chapter of their lives. Will they find a way to build a family together, or will they decide love just isn't part of their game plan?
As a mother of two and someone living with and navigating the challenges of fibromyalgia, I found it incredibly refreshing to see this condition portrayed authentically in a main character. It’s not often that we get such a genuine depiction of the complexities of balancing chronic pain with the beautiful yet demanding role of being a mom. I loved seeing these challenges represented with such sensitivity and realism!
Elias’s journey is not just about love rekindled; it’s about resilience, community, accepting oneself and finding peace amidst the chaos.
Dive into this book if you’re a fan of:
🏒 Hockey romance
💘 Second chance love
🧑🧒 single mom stories
🤰 Accidental pregnancy tropes
🩺 Authentic representation of chronic illness/fibromyalgia
💕 A beautifully large found family
❤️ he falls first and harder
💯 An all-in, devoted MMC
🌶️ Spice
TW- explicit sexual content, Single parent, deadbeat dad (not main couple), chronic illness, accidental pregnancy
A decade after their painful breakup, they unexpectedly cross paths again. Much has changed—Elias is now a dedicated single mom to a spirited five-year-old and successfully runs her own flower shop, while Liam has risen to fame as a star NHL hockey player. Yet, despite the years apart, the undeniable chemistry between them still simmers beneath the surface.
What started as a fleeting one-night stand quickly spirals into a life-altering situation when Elias discovers she's pregnant. Suddenly, both Liam and Elias are thrust into a whirlwind of emotions as they grapple with their unexpected reality. With a baby on the way, they must confront their feelings for each other and reassess their futures. One thing is clear for Liam—he’s determined to be fully present and involved in this new chapter of their lives. Will they find a way to build a family together, or will they decide love just isn't part of their game plan?
As a mother of two and someone living with and navigating the challenges of fibromyalgia, I found it incredibly refreshing to see this condition portrayed authentically in a main character. It’s not often that we get such a genuine depiction of the complexities of balancing chronic pain with the beautiful yet demanding role of being a mom. I loved seeing these challenges represented with such sensitivity and realism!
Elias’s journey is not just about love rekindled; it’s about resilience, community, accepting oneself and finding peace amidst the chaos.
Dive into this book if you’re a fan of:
🏒 Hockey romance
💘 Second chance love
🧑🧒 single mom stories
🤰 Accidental pregnancy tropes
🩺 Authentic representation of chronic illness/fibromyalgia
💕 A beautifully large found family
❤️ he falls first and harder
💯 An all-in, devoted MMC
🌶️ Spice
TW- explicit sexual content, Single parent, deadbeat dad (not main couple), chronic illness, accidental pregnancy
June 8, 2025
Overall there were some elements of this book I really loved, but a lot missed the mark.
What I loved:
I loved the chronic disease representation! I didn't know a lot about fibromyalgia, and I really appreciated the insight of what life is truly like for someone with this disease.
The found family was great, I really enjoyed reading about the side characters and the hockey team boys.
Liam was so sweet and kind, I loved how he would do anything for Ellis, and his nickname sunshine was the sweetest.
The relationship between Liam and Jack was also really sweet to read. I loved that Liam just dove right in to fatherhood.
What I didn't love:
There was literally no reason why Ellis and Liam couldn't have a conversation about what type of relationship they wanted. Instead it dragged out for way too long, and the inner dialogues and miscommunication drove me insane. It was too much.
I felt like the open door scenes were unnecessary... I don't mind them when they lend to the story or give more context into intimacy, but I felt that was lacking here.
It was way too early to hear the heartbeat and have an external sonogram when Ellis did. I don't mean to be picky, but if you're going to write about pregnancy I feel it needs to be properly researched.
Speaking of... this five year old was not written as a typical five year old at all. No way they would've asked someone to "have a talk by the water" and discuss marriage and babies...
The bed rest made no sense. One minute she couldn't walk around and go down steps and then the next minute they were on a date walking around and eating.
I found there were a lot of contradictions overall. She was starving but then passed out because she had no appetite, she loved him but didn't know if she did, she wanted Liam to be with her but then she didn't...
Overall, I think she had some great ideas and some very sweet moments, and this had a lot of potential, but this could've really used some editing.
What I loved:
I loved the chronic disease representation! I didn't know a lot about fibromyalgia, and I really appreciated the insight of what life is truly like for someone with this disease.
The found family was great, I really enjoyed reading about the side characters and the hockey team boys.
Liam was so sweet and kind, I loved how he would do anything for Ellis, and his nickname sunshine was the sweetest.
The relationship between Liam and Jack was also really sweet to read. I loved that Liam just dove right in to fatherhood.
What I didn't love:
There was literally no reason why Ellis and Liam couldn't have a conversation about what type of relationship they wanted. Instead it dragged out for way too long, and the inner dialogues and miscommunication drove me insane. It was too much.
I felt like the open door scenes were unnecessary... I don't mind them when they lend to the story or give more context into intimacy, but I felt that was lacking here.
It was way too early to hear the heartbeat and have an external sonogram when Ellis did. I don't mean to be picky, but if you're going to write about pregnancy I feel it needs to be properly researched.
Speaking of... this five year old was not written as a typical five year old at all. No way they would've asked someone to "have a talk by the water" and discuss marriage and babies...
The bed rest made no sense. One minute she couldn't walk around and go down steps and then the next minute they were on a date walking around and eating.
I found there were a lot of contradictions overall. She was starving but then passed out because she had no appetite, she loved him but didn't know if she did, she wanted Liam to be with her but then she didn't...
Overall, I think she had some great ideas and some very sweet moments, and this had a lot of potential, but this could've really used some editing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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