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St. Pete Slashers #2
Cold Feet
A fake fiancé hockey rom-com with steam, sass, and serious heart
Cam “The Hitman” Murphy is the NHL’s biggest bruiser, a championship-winning enforcer for the St. Pete Slashers, and hockey’s reigning bad boy heartthrob. At least, that’s what the billboards say. In real life? He’s more cinnamon roll than scandal—soft-hearted, vintage-band-tee-wearing, and quietly collecting the world’s weirdest sock drawer. The only thing he’s ever been reckless about is her.
Lana Decker is the Slashers’ sharp-tongued team publicist, hockey royalty, and the woman who turned Cam into the league’s sexiest playboy… strictly for marketing purposes, of course. There’s just one tiny that carefully crafted image might cost Cam a once-in-a-lifetime sneaker deal—and maybe his last shot at proving he’s more than a hot body in skates.
The solution? A fake engagement.
The catch? His fiancée has to be Lana.
One steamy college night. A million lingering what-ifs. And a decade-old pact never to speak of it again—especially since her older brother is Cam’s teammate and best friend.
It was supposed to be one awards show, a few staged smiles, and zero real feelings.
Then her family shows up.
Then there’s the beach house in Siesta Key.
Then there’s the shared bedroom.
Then… oops.
Now they’re faking a relationship that feels a little too real, dodging the media, team drama, and one extremely suspicious big brother—all while trying (and failing) to ignore the fact that the guy the whole world wants might just be hopelessly in love with the one woman he was never supposed to have.
Cold Feet is a slow-burn, laugh-out-loud, melt-your-kindle hockey romance full of longing, banter, fake dating, forbidden feels, and second chance romance. Perfect for fans of sports romance comedy books like Icebreaker , Pucked , and The Deal .
You’ll
Hockey romance (swoon!) 😍Witty character banter (spicy!)Fake fiancé fun 🤳🏼Enemies to lovers 💐Workplace romance 🥅Second chance at love 💕Only one bed 🛌Found family 💙
Click BUY NOW to snag this swoony, steamy, second-chance romance.
Cam “The Hitman” Murphy is the NHL’s biggest bruiser, a championship-winning enforcer for the St. Pete Slashers, and hockey’s reigning bad boy heartthrob. At least, that’s what the billboards say. In real life? He’s more cinnamon roll than scandal—soft-hearted, vintage-band-tee-wearing, and quietly collecting the world’s weirdest sock drawer. The only thing he’s ever been reckless about is her.
Lana Decker is the Slashers’ sharp-tongued team publicist, hockey royalty, and the woman who turned Cam into the league’s sexiest playboy… strictly for marketing purposes, of course. There’s just one tiny that carefully crafted image might cost Cam a once-in-a-lifetime sneaker deal—and maybe his last shot at proving he’s more than a hot body in skates.
The solution? A fake engagement.
The catch? His fiancée has to be Lana.
One steamy college night. A million lingering what-ifs. And a decade-old pact never to speak of it again—especially since her older brother is Cam’s teammate and best friend.
It was supposed to be one awards show, a few staged smiles, and zero real feelings.
Then her family shows up.
Then there’s the beach house in Siesta Key.
Then there’s the shared bedroom.
Then… oops.
Now they’re faking a relationship that feels a little too real, dodging the media, team drama, and one extremely suspicious big brother—all while trying (and failing) to ignore the fact that the guy the whole world wants might just be hopelessly in love with the one woman he was never supposed to have.
Cold Feet is a slow-burn, laugh-out-loud, melt-your-kindle hockey romance full of longing, banter, fake dating, forbidden feels, and second chance romance. Perfect for fans of sports romance comedy books like Icebreaker , Pucked , and The Deal .
You’ll
Hockey romance (swoon!) 😍Witty character banter (spicy!)Fake fiancé fun 🤳🏼Enemies to lovers 💐Workplace romance 🥅Second chance at love 💕Only one bed 🛌Found family 💙
Click BUY NOW to snag this swoony, steamy, second-chance romance.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
7 people are currently reading
1844 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Daily
26 books609 followersI've been writing for a long time, since third grade actually, when I wrote a romance serial starring everybody's favorite hunky science teacher, Mr. G. Every day the girls would gather under the slide to hear the latest installment of Mr. G's feats of romance and bravery, which involved things like giving only the third grade girls cupcakes, or riding up on the playground on a white horse to save one of us from a boy with cooties.
The girls in my class were hooked, and so was I.
More than a few years later, I wrote a dating advice book called STOP GETTING DUMPED which miraculously hit the best seller list (thanks for that, everybody.)
A few years after that, I figured it might be even more fun to create a whole guy from scratch, and I wrote my first romantic comedy, a novel called FIFTEEN MINUTES OF SHAME, a fictional (I swear!) account of a popular dating expert (not me!) who finds out on national television that her husband is cheating on her.
If you want to connect or learn more about why I can't pick a genre or just get some free writing advice, feel free to check me out on http://www.LisaDailyBooks.com
***
Lisa Daily is a USA Today bestselling author and one of the top book coaches for nonfiction and self-help authors.
The girls in my class were hooked, and so was I.
More than a few years later, I wrote a dating advice book called STOP GETTING DUMPED which miraculously hit the best seller list (thanks for that, everybody.)
A few years after that, I figured it might be even more fun to create a whole guy from scratch, and I wrote my first romantic comedy, a novel called FIFTEEN MINUTES OF SHAME, a fictional (I swear!) account of a popular dating expert (not me!) who finds out on national television that her husband is cheating on her.
If you want to connect or learn more about why I can't pick a genre or just get some free writing advice, feel free to check me out on http://www.LisaDailyBooks.com
***
Lisa Daily is a USA Today bestselling author and one of the top book coaches for nonfiction and self-help authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 19, 2025
Book 2 in the St. Pete Slashers series was the first book I started within the series and though it’s not first, I don’t feel like I started out too behind I couldn’t catch up. This is a second chance, fake fiancé, hockey trope and my first by Daily, but definitely not my last. I do plan on checking out book 1 in the future, and before I proceed with anymore as they are released in the future. Both main characters were very likable, Cam being a sweet German shepherd of a guy, while Lana was driven and dedicated to her family and the St Pete Slashers, who she works for. Cam and Lana have a history which we find more about in a flashback, and Lana’s hockey family have a lot to do with it. This would have been a 4 star read for me if not for all the redundancies throughout that slowed the pacing way down. They had major chemistry and the tension was off the charts, as well as some funny situations and lines. Just wished the rest was tighter, though it’s still a definite recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC, my review is as always my own opinions.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC, my review is as always my own opinions.
September 30, 2025
This was a huge improvement over the first book in the series. It’s a fun, frothy, fake relationship harboring real feelings, and Cam is a marshmallow of a guy, without giving too much away he’s been all in with Lana from way back.
I docked it one star because I felt it could’ve been trimmed down by about 100 pages, so it felt quite draggy at a number of points. Overall, it’s a decent hockey romance that’s more about the characters than the game.
I was furnished an advance reader copy from the author and NetGalley, and I’m sharing my honest review.
I docked it one star because I felt it could’ve been trimmed down by about 100 pages, so it felt quite draggy at a number of points. Overall, it’s a decent hockey romance that’s more about the characters than the game.
I was furnished an advance reader copy from the author and NetGalley, and I’m sharing my honest review.
September 27, 2025
Sweet and sassy:
I enjoyed this sports romance that had all the feels. There was a sweet, slow burn romance that transitioned smoothly from fake to real. I also enjoyed the wit and banter between Cam and Lana, plus all the crazy situations that they found themselves in.
This was actually the second book in the series and whilst it could technically be read as a standalone, I think I missed out on some of the context having not read the prior book. I also found it to be rather long and felt that the story dragged at times.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
I enjoyed this sports romance that had all the feels. There was a sweet, slow burn romance that transitioned smoothly from fake to real. I also enjoyed the wit and banter between Cam and Lana, plus all the crazy situations that they found themselves in.
This was actually the second book in the series and whilst it could technically be read as a standalone, I think I missed out on some of the context having not read the prior book. I also found it to be rather long and felt that the story dragged at times.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
October 14, 2025
Thanks to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I had to DNF at about 20%.
The book being rife with tropes wasn't the issue as I quite like most of them.
My main issue was the writing style and character inconsistency.
The two main characters supposedly have a romantic past but the way the story is written, it often feels like this aspect is overlooked or irrelevant. FMC just seems to fall all over the guy who ditched her after a one night stand, and MMC is also magically charming and flirty again with no explanation or consideration for his former disinterest. It just didn't really make sense and I'd have expected FMC to be a bit more wary and less lovey dovey with a guy who went from zero to love bombing her.
The other reason I found this unreadable was the repetition of the writing. I don't know how many times the FMC mentioned how she didn't want to think too much about the meaning of certain actions and feelings. And then weird descriptors such as a character smelling like testosterone, would take me right out of the story.
On the upside I did find the premise interesting, of a PR manager having to fake a relationship with a player to help his image, an image she herself had intentionally tarnished for notoriety.
If someone is looking for a quick fix hockey romance, they may find this enjoyable. Unfortunately, this just wasn't for me.
The book being rife with tropes wasn't the issue as I quite like most of them.
My main issue was the writing style and character inconsistency.
The two main characters supposedly have a romantic past but the way the story is written, it often feels like this aspect is overlooked or irrelevant. FMC just seems to fall all over the guy who ditched her after a one night stand, and MMC is also magically charming and flirty again with no explanation or consideration for his former disinterest. It just didn't really make sense and I'd have expected FMC to be a bit more wary and less lovey dovey with a guy who went from zero to love bombing her.
The other reason I found this unreadable was the repetition of the writing. I don't know how many times the FMC mentioned how she didn't want to think too much about the meaning of certain actions and feelings. And then weird descriptors such as a character smelling like testosterone, would take me right out of the story.
On the upside I did find the premise interesting, of a PR manager having to fake a relationship with a player to help his image, an image she herself had intentionally tarnished for notoriety.
If someone is looking for a quick fix hockey romance, they may find this enjoyable. Unfortunately, this just wasn't for me.
October 4, 2025
I had to DNF this book at 47%. I just couldn't do it anymore. When I realized I wasn't even half way through, I just had to give it up.
This book had the potential to be a really cute second chance, fake fiance romance. But in actuality? It fell SO FLAT. There was so much repetition- when a chapter ended the next chapter would reiterate how the previous chapter ended. Like, what?? It caused so many pacing problems. It was painful.
I think I would have really liked Lana and Cam as our MCs...but there was no character development and the author just repeated the same 3 things about each of them.
I'm bummed I had to DNF this one bc I think it had potential. But there's only so many times I could read the same damn thing before the book was even half way 🙄🙃🫠
My thanks to Netgalley and publishers for my ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book had the potential to be a really cute second chance, fake fiance romance. But in actuality? It fell SO FLAT. There was so much repetition- when a chapter ended the next chapter would reiterate how the previous chapter ended. Like, what?? It caused so many pacing problems. It was painful.
I think I would have really liked Lana and Cam as our MCs...but there was no character development and the author just repeated the same 3 things about each of them.
I'm bummed I had to DNF this one bc I think it had potential. But there's only so many times I could read the same damn thing before the book was even half way 🙄🙃🫠
My thanks to Netgalley and publishers for my ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 25, 2025
I wanna start off by saying the writing was easily digestible. The beginning was a tiny bit slow. It did come around towards the end of the book. There was the HEA of course.
I didn't quite love the ultimatum/not ultimatum she gave him about the only thing he has ever felt truly part of. I do have to say that I LOVED the side characters. HER brother was SOO funny. SO protective. Her parents were absolutely amazing. I loved that the side characters were big parts of the main characters lives. I'm glad she had a good family/background. It was refreshing. These two have been in each others lives for so long that they've already been forming family bonds. His family of course had the problems. we don't get to know them much which is fine by me. I truly loved the found family aspect. Her parents were so supportive of anything and everything.
There was of course a "third act break up" (I put that in " " because I didn't technically count because it was "fake". I will say this whole part of the book was really engaging. I found myself finishing the last 30% really quickly.
AND LASTLY CAM! Cam is just too cute! Bakes cakes has a crazy sock collection, had a horrible up brining, expert sand castle builder, high skill level origami maker, and lastly his loyalty too his team/hockey. Amazing MMC.
I didn't quite love the ultimatum/not ultimatum she gave him about the only thing he has ever felt truly part of. I do have to say that I LOVED the side characters. HER brother was SOO funny. SO protective. Her parents were absolutely amazing. I loved that the side characters were big parts of the main characters lives. I'm glad she had a good family/background. It was refreshing. These two have been in each others lives for so long that they've already been forming family bonds. His family of course had the problems. we don't get to know them much which is fine by me. I truly loved the found family aspect. Her parents were so supportive of anything and everything.
There was of course a "third act break up" (I put that in " " because I didn't technically count because it was "fake". I will say this whole part of the book was really engaging. I found myself finishing the last 30% really quickly.
AND LASTLY CAM! Cam is just too cute! Bakes cakes has a crazy sock collection, had a horrible up brining, expert sand castle builder, high skill level origami maker, and lastly his loyalty too his team/hockey. Amazing MMC.
October 2, 2025
Spicy and sassy is how you could describe this one, I guess. The main characters have a past and find themselves in a situation where they're forced to fake a relationship. As we all know, that doesn't usually stay fake for a long time, and this one is no exception. That said, Lisa Daily doesn't go for an easy conclusion, there is some internal pain processing for both characters, a lot of growing up and trying to figure out their own worth and self-confidence.
I adore strong female characters and I loved how Lana was written, including her vulnerabilities - the worst thing nowadays is when authors forget that being strong doesn't mean you don't feel pain or have your weak moments. Both Lana and Cam complement each other well, grow separately and together (although I admit towards the end I wanted to punch Lana during a few pages).
Hockey makes for a nice background but doesn't feel overwhelming if that's not your jam.
I have to say this is the first one I read in this series, and even though it's book 2, it doesn't take anything away from the experience and in my opinion can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
I adore strong female characters and I loved how Lana was written, including her vulnerabilities - the worst thing nowadays is when authors forget that being strong doesn't mean you don't feel pain or have your weak moments. Both Lana and Cam complement each other well, grow separately and together (although I admit towards the end I wanted to punch Lana during a few pages).
Hockey makes for a nice background but doesn't feel overwhelming if that's not your jam.
I have to say this is the first one I read in this series, and even though it's book 2, it doesn't take anything away from the experience and in my opinion can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
October 19, 2025
thank you lisa daily & netgalley for the arc of the cold feet, book 2 of the st pete slashers! i didn’t even know i was reading book 2 but nevertheless, it can be read as a standalone but after reading this i’m pretty interested in reading the first book.
i enjoyed this book, a solid solid solid 3.5 stars! it doesn’t really hit that 4 star mark yet but i think overall it was a pretty enjoyable read.
it was a super fun, fake relationship & second chance romance (somewhat) prose that i enjoy. the relationship between the FMC & MMC was good, the banter was great, i think the spice scenes were pretty well written as well. the transition of their relationship was pretty smooth, didn’t seem rushed at all.
honestly, i think lana was a pretty good FMC, quite well written. cam was also a really good MMC, i would say i could deem him as one of the better book boyfriends out there, he reminds me a lil bit of labrador LOL he is such a cinnamon roll
nevertheless, i would say this is a pretty well written book and i’m not usually one for sports romances but it hit all the right marks for me
i enjoyed this book, a solid solid solid 3.5 stars! it doesn’t really hit that 4 star mark yet but i think overall it was a pretty enjoyable read.
it was a super fun, fake relationship & second chance romance (somewhat) prose that i enjoy. the relationship between the FMC & MMC was good, the banter was great, i think the spice scenes were pretty well written as well. the transition of their relationship was pretty smooth, didn’t seem rushed at all.
honestly, i think lana was a pretty good FMC, quite well written. cam was also a really good MMC, i would say i could deem him as one of the better book boyfriends out there, he reminds me a lil bit of labrador LOL he is such a cinnamon roll
nevertheless, i would say this is a pretty well written book and i’m not usually one for sports romances but it hit all the right marks for me
December 19, 2025
Are you ready for all the yumminess that is Cam Murphy? He's a golden retriever off the ice, and a beast on the ice ready to throw down for his team. Lana is a PR guru hockey mastermind that has been in love with her brother's bestie for years....but has been scared to admit it. A fake engagement seems to be the answer to so many problems, especially if you are thinking of a long game.
The banter in this book is 🤌🏽. So many scenes that will make you chuckle, sigh, scream, and kick your feet giddily. You get a SLOW BURN with so much tension and chemistry. Le sigh, you will melt. My favorite part about this entire story was the fact that Cam paid attention, for years. He was a man that noticed things and remembered them. 🥰
Tropes:
Found Family
Slow Burn
Second Chance Romance
Best Friend's Baby Sister
Fake Engagement
Banter
The banter in this book is 🤌🏽. So many scenes that will make you chuckle, sigh, scream, and kick your feet giddily. You get a SLOW BURN with so much tension and chemistry. Le sigh, you will melt. My favorite part about this entire story was the fact that Cam paid attention, for years. He was a man that noticed things and remembered them. 🥰
Tropes:
Found Family
Slow Burn
Second Chance Romance
Best Friend's Baby Sister
Fake Engagement
Banter
October 7, 2025
I thought this one was okay. It kept me fully entertain throughout the whole story. I loved all of the tropes that were presented in this.
October 5, 2025
Who doesn’t love a “hooked up with my brother’s best friend in college and kept it a secret ever since” romance? Especially this one, where it’s clear Cam and Lana have been quietly pining for each other for the ten years since that night.
Unfortunately for Cam, he plays hockey on the same team as his best friend—whose sister, Lana, works in the front office handling PR. They met in college, had one unforgettable night, and then Cam ghosted her after realizing who her brother was—and that her father was a hockey legend. That night became their biggest secret.
What the author does best is show how Cam’s loyalty and emotional restraint are constantly at odds with what he wants. He’s not just the brooding athlete—he’s someone who’s built his entire adult life around stability, and Lana threatens that in the best way.
Lana, meanwhile, is written with sharp edges and quiet vulnerability. She’s competent, confident, and used to navigating a sport where most of the power still sits with men. But when it comes to Cam, she’s still carrying the weight of being left behind. The author gives her space to be angry, guarded, and still hopeful.
Cam and Lana are constantly circling each other—he’s trying to stay loyal to her brother; she’s trying to stay professional—but the pull between them never really fades. Hockey adds pressure on both sides: Cam’s career depends on keeping things clean, and Lana’s job means she’s always managing the fallout. Her family name and the media attention only make things harder. You get why they’ve stayed quiet, but you also see how close they are to letting it all slip.
Unfortunately for Cam, he plays hockey on the same team as his best friend—whose sister, Lana, works in the front office handling PR. They met in college, had one unforgettable night, and then Cam ghosted her after realizing who her brother was—and that her father was a hockey legend. That night became their biggest secret.
What the author does best is show how Cam’s loyalty and emotional restraint are constantly at odds with what he wants. He’s not just the brooding athlete—he’s someone who’s built his entire adult life around stability, and Lana threatens that in the best way.
Lana, meanwhile, is written with sharp edges and quiet vulnerability. She’s competent, confident, and used to navigating a sport where most of the power still sits with men. But when it comes to Cam, she’s still carrying the weight of being left behind. The author gives her space to be angry, guarded, and still hopeful.
Cam and Lana are constantly circling each other—he’s trying to stay loyal to her brother; she’s trying to stay professional—but the pull between them never really fades. Hockey adds pressure on both sides: Cam’s career depends on keeping things clean, and Lana’s job means she’s always managing the fallout. Her family name and the media attention only make things harder. You get why they’ve stayed quiet, but you also see how close they are to letting it all slip.
October 14, 2025
What is it about hockey romances that are just so lovable? In this book, the MMC (big giant cinnamon roll, possibly one of my favorite MMCs) and FMC are well thought out and easily like-able. There were laugh out loud scenes and moments where I couldn’t stop smiling at the joy of the banter between these two. The romance was sweet, not over the top.
There is found family, second chances, big brother protectiveness, and finding out what really matters themes all squeezed in this title.
Thank you for the voluntary arc, it was a memorable read.
There is found family, second chances, big brother protectiveness, and finding out what really matters themes all squeezed in this title.
Thank you for the voluntary arc, it was a memorable read.
October 23, 2025
I really wanted to love this book because I liked the characters and their chemistry was great. However, the pacing was problematic and there were too many inconsistencies. I DNF’d at 60%. There was two weeks leading up to the awards which would have been perfect to develop the relationship but we only saw one date before it skipped to the awards. Then the weekend away lasted multiple chapters. There were also multiple scenes that repeated and so much repetition with the characters describing things that happened. There was also inconsistencies in scenes. One whole scene happened and then was repeated word for word a few pages after it and in one scene they arrived home and got out of the car but then a couple paragraphs later they were still in the car arriving home again. This book had potential but definitely needed more editing as the problems with it were too distracting to get past.
November 29, 2025
📚Cold Feet: A Hockey Romance
✍🏻Lisa Daily
Blurb:
A fake fiancé hockey rom-com with steam, sass, and serious heart
Cam “The Hitman” Murphy is the NHL’s biggest bruiser, a championship-winning enforcer for the St. Pete Slashers, and hockey’s reigning bad boy heartthrob. At least, that’s what the billboards say. In real life? He’s more cinnamon roll than scandal—soft-hearted, vintage-band-tee-wearing, and quietly collecting the world’s weirdest sock drawer. The only thing he’s ever been reckless about is her.
Lana Decker is the Slashers’ sharp-tongued team publicist, hockey royalty, and the woman who turned Cam into the league’s sexiest playboy… strictly for marketing purposes, of course. There’s just one tiny that carefully crafted image might cost Cam a once-in-a-lifetime sneaker deal—and maybe his last shot at proving he’s more than a hot body in skates.
The solution? A fake engagement.
The catch? His fiancée has to be Lana.
One steamy college night. A million lingering what-ifs. And a decade-old pact never to speak of it again—especially since her older brother is Cam’s teammate and best friend.
It was supposed to be one awards show, a few staged smiles, and zero real feelings.
Then her family shows up.
Then there’s the beach house in Siesta Key.
Then there’s the shared bedroom.
Then… oops.
Now they’re faking a relationship that feels a little too real, dodging the media, team drama, and one extremely suspicious big brother—all while trying (and failing) to ignore the fact that the guy the whole world wants might just be hopelessly in love with the one woman he was never supposed to have.
Cold Feet is a slow-burn, laugh-out-loud, melt-your-kindle hockey romance full of longing, banter, fake dating, forbidden feels, and second chance romance. Perfect for fans of sports romance comedy books like Icebreaker , Pucked , and The Deal .
You’ll
Hockey romance (swoon!) 😍Witty character banter (spicy!)Fake fiancé fun 🤳🏼Enemies to lovers 💐Workplace romance 🥅Second chance at love 💕Only one bed 🛌Found family 💙
My Thoughts:
This book delivers exactly what you’d hope for in a hockey romance. A charming, cinnamon-roll hockey player, a PR pro with deep family ties to the sport, and a fake engagement that slowly starts to feel a little too real. Cam and Lana have great chemistry, and their banter brought me some genuine smile worthy moments. There’s also some beach vibes and big family moments that were nice to read.
The pacing drags a bit at times, and Lana’s inner monologue can get repetitive. She could’ve used just a little more character development compared to Cam, who I really liked as a character. Still, the sweetness of the romance and Cam’s steady, lovable presence make it an easy book to enjoy..
This is a second chance, fake fiancé, hockey trope and my first by Daily, but definitely not my last. I do plan on checking out book 1 in the future, and before I proceed with anymore as they are released in the future. Both main characters were very likable, Cam being a sweet German shepherd of a guy, while Lana was driven and dedicated to her family and the St Pete Slashers, who she works for. Cam and Lana have a history which we find more about in a flashback, and Lana’s hockey family have a lot to do with it. This would have been a 4 star read for me if not for all the redundancies throughout that slowed the pacing way down. They had major chemistry and the tension was off the charts, as well as some funny situations and lines. Just wished the rest was tighter, though it’s still a definite recommend.
Thanks NetGalley, Siesta Key Publisher and Author Lisa Daily for the advanced copy of "Cold Feet: A Hockey Romance" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SiestaKeyPublisher
#LisaDaily
#ColdFeet:AHockeyRomance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🏒🥅⛸️💖
✍🏻Lisa Daily
Blurb:
A fake fiancé hockey rom-com with steam, sass, and serious heart
Cam “The Hitman” Murphy is the NHL’s biggest bruiser, a championship-winning enforcer for the St. Pete Slashers, and hockey’s reigning bad boy heartthrob. At least, that’s what the billboards say. In real life? He’s more cinnamon roll than scandal—soft-hearted, vintage-band-tee-wearing, and quietly collecting the world’s weirdest sock drawer. The only thing he’s ever been reckless about is her.
Lana Decker is the Slashers’ sharp-tongued team publicist, hockey royalty, and the woman who turned Cam into the league’s sexiest playboy… strictly for marketing purposes, of course. There’s just one tiny that carefully crafted image might cost Cam a once-in-a-lifetime sneaker deal—and maybe his last shot at proving he’s more than a hot body in skates.
The solution? A fake engagement.
The catch? His fiancée has to be Lana.
One steamy college night. A million lingering what-ifs. And a decade-old pact never to speak of it again—especially since her older brother is Cam’s teammate and best friend.
It was supposed to be one awards show, a few staged smiles, and zero real feelings.
Then her family shows up.
Then there’s the beach house in Siesta Key.
Then there’s the shared bedroom.
Then… oops.
Now they’re faking a relationship that feels a little too real, dodging the media, team drama, and one extremely suspicious big brother—all while trying (and failing) to ignore the fact that the guy the whole world wants might just be hopelessly in love with the one woman he was never supposed to have.
Cold Feet is a slow-burn, laugh-out-loud, melt-your-kindle hockey romance full of longing, banter, fake dating, forbidden feels, and second chance romance. Perfect for fans of sports romance comedy books like Icebreaker , Pucked , and The Deal .
You’ll
Hockey romance (swoon!) 😍Witty character banter (spicy!)Fake fiancé fun 🤳🏼Enemies to lovers 💐Workplace romance 🥅Second chance at love 💕Only one bed 🛌Found family 💙
My Thoughts:
This book delivers exactly what you’d hope for in a hockey romance. A charming, cinnamon-roll hockey player, a PR pro with deep family ties to the sport, and a fake engagement that slowly starts to feel a little too real. Cam and Lana have great chemistry, and their banter brought me some genuine smile worthy moments. There’s also some beach vibes and big family moments that were nice to read.
The pacing drags a bit at times, and Lana’s inner monologue can get repetitive. She could’ve used just a little more character development compared to Cam, who I really liked as a character. Still, the sweetness of the romance and Cam’s steady, lovable presence make it an easy book to enjoy..
This is a second chance, fake fiancé, hockey trope and my first by Daily, but definitely not my last. I do plan on checking out book 1 in the future, and before I proceed with anymore as they are released in the future. Both main characters were very likable, Cam being a sweet German shepherd of a guy, while Lana was driven and dedicated to her family and the St Pete Slashers, who she works for. Cam and Lana have a history which we find more about in a flashback, and Lana’s hockey family have a lot to do with it. This would have been a 4 star read for me if not for all the redundancies throughout that slowed the pacing way down. They had major chemistry and the tension was off the charts, as well as some funny situations and lines. Just wished the rest was tighter, though it’s still a definite recommend.
Thanks NetGalley, Siesta Key Publisher and Author Lisa Daily for the advanced copy of "Cold Feet: A Hockey Romance" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#SiestaKeyPublisher
#LisaDaily
#ColdFeet:AHockeyRomance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🏒🥅⛸️💖
November 28, 2025
Cold Feet - 4 /5 stars
*This was sent to me by Lisa Daily and BooksGoSocial via Netgalley for an honest review; thank you so much for the opportunity*
Trigger/ Content Warnings
Mention of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Mildly graphic sex scenes
Discussions of misogyny
Review
Fake engagement, slow burn, work romance, sport romance, one night stand to lovers, miscommunication and more. This book is full of tropes but I'm not mad at it. It's pretty clear what you are getting into with this book and I finished it in one sitting as I didn't want to put it down. I think this is the perfect book for when you're hormonal and just needed a cute love story to distract you.
The main character Lana was very 'girl boss feminist' but not too obnoxious about it. I'm all for reading strong women in positions of power as long as they don't get too cringey and Lana's character managed to not be that which I appreciated. I was very invested in her job in PR for the hockey team as it was clear she was great at crisis management and it was nice to peak behind the curtain of media to see who creates it. It was clear her job was just as important as hockey players because without PR, there wouldn't be sports how they are today in terms of sponsorships for players, selling tickets to events and of course damage control!
I do think some of the repetition could have been cut out; there's only so many times you can read Lana misreading the one night stand situation without it getting irritating. She brought this up so many times that the miscommunication bordered on annoying eventually which is a shame as that is one of my favourite tropes but in this it just felt over done.
However, the love interest Cam was funny and charming as well as obviously a star hockey player. He was a good foil to Lana and his motivations for the fake engagement were clear and believable. Also, I appreciated his whimsical sock collection as someone who also has a large fun sock collection.
This is not the typical book I read as I don't typically read straight romances but I wanted to try a sports romance given how popular they are online and I will say I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book and it's characters. When I requested this, I had no idea it was a sequel so I am debating reading the first book as Coco was definitely my favourite side character so exploring her story more would be interesting.
Overall
Overall, if you're looking for a slushy, tropey romance book then maybe give this book a chance!
My Links!
Instagram | TikTok | Blog
"Because if you're going to lie, Lana Banana, you might as well make it a good one."
*This was sent to me by Lisa Daily and BooksGoSocial via Netgalley for an honest review; thank you so much for the opportunity*
Trigger/ Content Warnings
Mention of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Mildly graphic sex scenes
Discussions of misogyny
Review
Fake engagement, slow burn, work romance, sport romance, one night stand to lovers, miscommunication and more. This book is full of tropes but I'm not mad at it. It's pretty clear what you are getting into with this book and I finished it in one sitting as I didn't want to put it down. I think this is the perfect book for when you're hormonal and just needed a cute love story to distract you.
The main character Lana was very 'girl boss feminist' but not too obnoxious about it. I'm all for reading strong women in positions of power as long as they don't get too cringey and Lana's character managed to not be that which I appreciated. I was very invested in her job in PR for the hockey team as it was clear she was great at crisis management and it was nice to peak behind the curtain of media to see who creates it. It was clear her job was just as important as hockey players because without PR, there wouldn't be sports how they are today in terms of sponsorships for players, selling tickets to events and of course damage control!
I do think some of the repetition could have been cut out; there's only so many times you can read Lana misreading the one night stand situation without it getting irritating. She brought this up so many times that the miscommunication bordered on annoying eventually which is a shame as that is one of my favourite tropes but in this it just felt over done.
However, the love interest Cam was funny and charming as well as obviously a star hockey player. He was a good foil to Lana and his motivations for the fake engagement were clear and believable. Also, I appreciated his whimsical sock collection as someone who also has a large fun sock collection.
This is not the typical book I read as I don't typically read straight romances but I wanted to try a sports romance given how popular they are online and I will say I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book and it's characters. When I requested this, I had no idea it was a sequel so I am debating reading the first book as Coco was definitely my favourite side character so exploring her story more would be interesting.
Overall
Overall, if you're looking for a slushy, tropey romance book then maybe give this book a chance!
My Links!
Instagram | TikTok | Blog
February 6, 2026
2.5 stars
This was...fine... I don't know, it just didn't do it for me...
This book had a lot of potential, and one of my favorite tropes, but I just didn't vibe with it...
It is book 2 in the series, and while I didn't yet read book 1, it didn't take away from the story, so I do believe you can read this book as a standalone.
While I really like the idea and the tropes introduced, it took me until the last 1/3 of the book to actually enjoy it. The beginning was very draggy, quite boring, and I just didn't feel the chemistry... Also, and this is fully a me thing, I just see how one night can make someone yearn and pine for 10 years, haha. I did enjoy the characters, and their dynamics, and there was that spark at the end, it just took a while for it to get there. I think the big issue is that a lot of things that were quite serious were just touched upon, and never fully developed. I do have to say, while I hate 3rd arc breakups, here it was actually done really well!, so that is a big plus from me.
I don't think I am a fan of the writing style. While it is easy to read, it is very repetitive and over-explanatory... It isn't bad, just not my style. I think I personally missed some depth, something to make me feel feelings, haha.
I really did like the characters though, both main and side ones!
Lana is an amazing, strong, loyal, driven, girl boss type of character, and I love her! I really liked it when she started opening up more and accepting being vulnerable. But my favorite part was how she was shown switching from professional and emotional, how hard it can be, but also that sometimes it has to be done... and that sometimes it's okay to blur the lines. I just really like her.
No surprises here, I love Cam! I mean, how can you not?! He is perfect!
I am so sad that I just didn't believe their relationship... The author tried to create yearning, tension, and development, but I just couldn't feel any of it. I started buying it only at the very end, and that is such a shame.
I really liked reading about Lana's family, and I might be obsessed with Zayne! If he gets his own book, and I believe he will, I am 100% reading it!
CONCLUSION
This is a fun book, just not the one for me. It's not bad, just ...meh... Do give it a chance and decide for yourself though!
I will still be reading the other book/s in this series because I am too curious for my own good, hahaha.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was...fine... I don't know, it just didn't do it for me...
This book had a lot of potential, and one of my favorite tropes, but I just didn't vibe with it...
It is book 2 in the series, and while I didn't yet read book 1, it didn't take away from the story, so I do believe you can read this book as a standalone.
While I really like the idea and the tropes introduced, it took me until the last 1/3 of the book to actually enjoy it. The beginning was very draggy, quite boring, and I just didn't feel the chemistry... Also, and this is fully a me thing, I just see how one night can make someone yearn and pine for 10 years, haha. I did enjoy the characters, and their dynamics, and there was that spark at the end, it just took a while for it to get there. I think the big issue is that a lot of things that were quite serious were just touched upon, and never fully developed. I do have to say, while I hate 3rd arc breakups, here it was actually done really well!, so that is a big plus from me.
I don't think I am a fan of the writing style. While it is easy to read, it is very repetitive and over-explanatory... It isn't bad, just not my style. I think I personally missed some depth, something to make me feel feelings, haha.
I really did like the characters though, both main and side ones!
Lana is an amazing, strong, loyal, driven, girl boss type of character, and I love her! I really liked it when she started opening up more and accepting being vulnerable. But my favorite part was how she was shown switching from professional and emotional, how hard it can be, but also that sometimes it has to be done... and that sometimes it's okay to blur the lines. I just really like her.
No surprises here, I love Cam! I mean, how can you not?! He is perfect!
I am so sad that I just didn't believe their relationship... The author tried to create yearning, tension, and development, but I just couldn't feel any of it. I started buying it only at the very end, and that is such a shame.
I really liked reading about Lana's family, and I might be obsessed with Zayne! If he gets his own book, and I believe he will, I am 100% reading it!
CONCLUSION
This is a fun book, just not the one for me. It's not bad, just ...meh... Do give it a chance and decide for yourself though!
I will still be reading the other book/s in this series because I am too curious for my own good, hahaha.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 Stars — A cute, spicy hockey romance with great potential but uneven execution
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — all opinions are entirely my own.
Cold Feet by Lisa Daily was a mixed bag for me, but one I’m still genuinely glad I picked up.
This is my first book by Daily, and although it’s book two in the St. Pete Slashers series, I didn’t feel lost starting here. The “second chance + fake fiancé + hockey” combo is so fun, tropey, and full of chaotic romantic tension. The premise itself is fantastic: a PR manager forced to fake-date the same player whose image she helped drag through the mud. I was hooked immediately.
Where I struggled was the writing style — the repetition, over-explaining, and occasionally sluggish pacing made the book feel much longer than it needed to be. Some of the character consistency also felt off, especially regarding Cam and Lana’s shared history. Their emotional whiplash at times made the romance feel a little abrupt.
But with all that said… I really, really LOVED this book. ❤️
The charm, the characters, and the emotional beats won me over anyway.
✨ Cam is everything.
A total sweetheart — gentle, devoted, and absolutely infatuated with Lana. I mean, who doesn’t love a MMC who is down bad for the FMC? The man bakes cakes, makes origami, builds sandcastles, and loves with his whole heart. He’s impossible not to adore.
✨ Lana is strong, loyal, and driven, with just enough vulnerability to feel real. I loved how dedicated she was to her family and the Slashers.
✨ Their chemistry crackles, and the banter, tension, and soft moments were so satisfying. I also devoured the last 30% — it finally hit all the emotional notes I’d been waiting for.
✨ The side characters shine.
Her brother cracked me up. Her parents were wholesome perfection. The found-family element added so much warmth.
The breakup? Extremely frustrating — not because it was bad, but because I was so invested. I wanted to shake them both… in a good, emotionally distressed reader way.
Overall, Cold Feet has lovable characters, fun tropes, real emotion, and a sweet, spicy slow-burn at its core. If the pacing had been tighter, this easily could have been a 4-star read for me. But even with its flaws, I absolutely loved the heart of this story and definitely plan to read book one next.
If you’re into hockey romances, fake dating, and hero-worship-level MMC energy, this series is one to watch.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — all opinions are entirely my own.
Cold Feet by Lisa Daily was a mixed bag for me, but one I’m still genuinely glad I picked up.
This is my first book by Daily, and although it’s book two in the St. Pete Slashers series, I didn’t feel lost starting here. The “second chance + fake fiancé + hockey” combo is so fun, tropey, and full of chaotic romantic tension. The premise itself is fantastic: a PR manager forced to fake-date the same player whose image she helped drag through the mud. I was hooked immediately.
Where I struggled was the writing style — the repetition, over-explaining, and occasionally sluggish pacing made the book feel much longer than it needed to be. Some of the character consistency also felt off, especially regarding Cam and Lana’s shared history. Their emotional whiplash at times made the romance feel a little abrupt.
But with all that said… I really, really LOVED this book. ❤️
The charm, the characters, and the emotional beats won me over anyway.
✨ Cam is everything.
A total sweetheart — gentle, devoted, and absolutely infatuated with Lana. I mean, who doesn’t love a MMC who is down bad for the FMC? The man bakes cakes, makes origami, builds sandcastles, and loves with his whole heart. He’s impossible not to adore.
✨ Lana is strong, loyal, and driven, with just enough vulnerability to feel real. I loved how dedicated she was to her family and the Slashers.
✨ Their chemistry crackles, and the banter, tension, and soft moments were so satisfying. I also devoured the last 30% — it finally hit all the emotional notes I’d been waiting for.
✨ The side characters shine.
Her brother cracked me up. Her parents were wholesome perfection. The found-family element added so much warmth.
The breakup? Extremely frustrating — not because it was bad, but because I was so invested. I wanted to shake them both… in a good, emotionally distressed reader way.
Overall, Cold Feet has lovable characters, fun tropes, real emotion, and a sweet, spicy slow-burn at its core. If the pacing had been tighter, this easily could have been a 4-star read for me. But even with its flaws, I absolutely loved the heart of this story and definitely plan to read book one next.
If you’re into hockey romances, fake dating, and hero-worship-level MMC energy, this series is one to watch.
October 27, 2025
Lana and Cam had a one-night stand in collage, and his silence afterwards led her to believe that he’s a player. Years later when she becomes the publicist for his hockey team, she cultivates that image for him. This backfires when a huge endorsement comes knocking but the brand is worried about his reputation as a ladies’ man, so clearly the only thing that makes sense is for Lana and Cam to pretend to be engaged, a ruse which quickly dredges up old feelings and many complications.
Lana is the only daughter in a hockey dynasty, with doting parents and a fiercely protective brother who happens to also be a friend and teammate of Cam. She is a complicated individual, her unshakable beliefs about the past clash strongly with her desires for the present and future. Lana is motivated by her love of her family and love of her job, both of which make her a likable, relatable character. Lana’s character development was wonderful, harrowing, and occasionally straight up annoying, but she’s better for it in the end.
Cam is a cinnamon roll MMC who just wants to be loved. His desire to belong is so strong you can feel it, and his crazy sock collection was adorable. He’s a loyal friend and a doting partner, plus he bakes. Cam’s upbringing left a lot to be desired and in that sense he has a lot to reckon with. Like Lana he undergoes a noticeable character development arc throughout the story.
We dive straight into the story with very little set up or preamble (please note that though this book can be read as a standalone, it’s the second book in Lisa Daily’s St Pete Slashers’ series), but don’t expect this pace to last. This book edged me, the last half moved a lot quicker than the first, but the first half felt very long. The classic almost-kissed-but-were-interrupted scenario happened multiple times, too many actually, I nearly DNF’d the book because of how frustrating it was. Having said that, the chemistry between Lana and Cam was off the charts and they shared some witty banter.
Tropes: brother’s best friend, second chance, fake fiancé, hockey romance, found family
Thank you to Lisa Daily and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Lana is the only daughter in a hockey dynasty, with doting parents and a fiercely protective brother who happens to also be a friend and teammate of Cam. She is a complicated individual, her unshakable beliefs about the past clash strongly with her desires for the present and future. Lana is motivated by her love of her family and love of her job, both of which make her a likable, relatable character. Lana’s character development was wonderful, harrowing, and occasionally straight up annoying, but she’s better for it in the end.
Cam is a cinnamon roll MMC who just wants to be loved. His desire to belong is so strong you can feel it, and his crazy sock collection was adorable. He’s a loyal friend and a doting partner, plus he bakes. Cam’s upbringing left a lot to be desired and in that sense he has a lot to reckon with. Like Lana he undergoes a noticeable character development arc throughout the story.
We dive straight into the story with very little set up or preamble (please note that though this book can be read as a standalone, it’s the second book in Lisa Daily’s St Pete Slashers’ series), but don’t expect this pace to last. This book edged me, the last half moved a lot quicker than the first, but the first half felt very long. The classic almost-kissed-but-were-interrupted scenario happened multiple times, too many actually, I nearly DNF’d the book because of how frustrating it was. Having said that, the chemistry between Lana and Cam was off the charts and they shared some witty banter.
Tropes: brother’s best friend, second chance, fake fiancé, hockey romance, found family
Thank you to Lisa Daily and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 28, 2025
This book delivers hard on beloved romance tropes, and honestly, that’s half the fun. We’ve got brother’s best friend/teammate, hockey romance, fake relationship, workplace proximity, only one bed, the one that got away, and a slow burn that actually slow burns. Toss in a strong found family vibe, and it’s pretty much romance catnip.
Cam is the definition of cool, calm, and collected... at least that’s the version he lets the world see. There’s clearly a lot of hidden depth under that polished exterior, and the mutual pining is elite. I loved watching the tension build in all those small, quiet moments. Lana was also such a win for me—she’s strong, independent, and holds her own with a whole roster of hockey bros without losing any of her softness or confidence.
The side characters really added to the fun. Lana’s family was genuinely funny, and I loved seeing women supporting women throughout the story. It gave everything a warm, cozy feel. Bonus points for using hockey references as a love language—it was clever, charming, and made the romance feel extra tailored to the setting.
That said, this wasn’t a perfect game. I did have to knock off a star because some of the transitions felt choppy, with scenes jumping ahead a bit too abruptly. There was also some repetition, especially around Cam's childhood. A few lines and even near-identical paragraphs popped up very close together, which pulled me out of the story more than once.
I usually prefer dual POV romances because I love being inside the MMC’s head, but surprisingly, I didn’t miss it as much here. Discovering who the real Cam is right alongside Lana—getting little glimpses of who he truly is versus who she thought he was—made falling for him feel organic and kind of special.
This was my first book by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. I’m really looking forward to reading more from them and eventually revisiting the rest of this series. Overall, this was a fun, trope-heavy hockey romance with heart, humor, and plenty of slow-burn tension. A few editing hiccups aside, it’s a solid win for anyone who loves sports romances, fake dating chaos, and pining that hurts just enough.
Cam is the definition of cool, calm, and collected... at least that’s the version he lets the world see. There’s clearly a lot of hidden depth under that polished exterior, and the mutual pining is elite. I loved watching the tension build in all those small, quiet moments. Lana was also such a win for me—she’s strong, independent, and holds her own with a whole roster of hockey bros without losing any of her softness or confidence.
The side characters really added to the fun. Lana’s family was genuinely funny, and I loved seeing women supporting women throughout the story. It gave everything a warm, cozy feel. Bonus points for using hockey references as a love language—it was clever, charming, and made the romance feel extra tailored to the setting.
That said, this wasn’t a perfect game. I did have to knock off a star because some of the transitions felt choppy, with scenes jumping ahead a bit too abruptly. There was also some repetition, especially around Cam's childhood. A few lines and even near-identical paragraphs popped up very close together, which pulled me out of the story more than once.
I usually prefer dual POV romances because I love being inside the MMC’s head, but surprisingly, I didn’t miss it as much here. Discovering who the real Cam is right alongside Lana—getting little glimpses of who he truly is versus who she thought he was—made falling for him feel organic and kind of special.
This was my first book by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. I’m really looking forward to reading more from them and eventually revisiting the rest of this series. Overall, this was a fun, trope-heavy hockey romance with heart, humor, and plenty of slow-burn tension. A few editing hiccups aside, it’s a solid win for anyone who loves sports romances, fake dating chaos, and pining that hurts just enough.
October 27, 2025
Cold Feet is the second book in the St. Pete Slashers Series by Lisa Daily and the first one I read by this author. The beginning was a bit slow and I had a hard time really finding the groove, that got better after around 30% of the book. The characters were well written, however there were a few points in their behavior that bothered me and made them inconsistent for me personally. It is a rather long book, sometimes it felt as though it was dragged out while other times I wanted to read more about specific scenes. The open door scenes were written realistically. With the characters being in their 30s I had hoped for no miscommunication, that does happen however, so be prepared for that. Overall it was a book I liked and would give four out of five stars. It was lovely to read more about the behind the scenes of a hockey team with Lana being the team’s PR director. I also really liked the realistic depiction of women in sports. Cam was a golden retriever who really loved her, however I felt like the plot and issues could have been resolved with just one honest conversation, something people in their thirties should be able to do, emphasis on should because I cannot do that either. The found family feeling was very strong, Lana and Cam had a support system which was nice to read. Also Lana’s family were really lovable! I really hope the next book will be about her brother as we already got a bit of a taste of it in the final two chapters of Cold Feet. Overall a nice book that’s worth reading. I will absolutely be reading the third one as well (if there is one), however I would probably not get a physical copy for my shelf. If you get a chance to read it and love hockey romances and the tropes and aesthetic I say go for it 🙂
November 20, 2025
I read this book without knowing it's the second book in a series, but in my opinion, you can definitely read it as a standalone.
The setup of this book had all the ingredients of a light and fun comfort read with fake-dating and sports combined. However, the execution didn't fully land for me. I felt that the pacing was very slow, and several chapters felt repetitive. Conversations reappear in slightly altered settings, often without moving the story or characters forward.
From the start, the feelings of the main characters are very obvious (this is also acknowledged by the FMC, though she keeps second guessing herself). This makes the romance lack the tension and build up that fake-dating usually has. I think that the story could have benefited from a tighter round of editing, both to streamline the plot and improve the writing.
The character development in this book felt limited. Lana's parents are by far my favourite characters from the book, but many other characters come across as flat or defined by a single trait (like Zayne being so overprotective it overshadows basically everything else about him). I think adding Cam's POV would have benefitted this book, as it would create an opportunity to add depth and balance.
There were some structural issues as well. The passage of time was hard to keep track of, and certain details seem to contradict each other (character locations, background facts, etc.). These inconsistencies pulled me out of the story a few times.
I was really looking forward to this book as the concept is absolutely up my alley, but the execution didn't match the promise.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.
The setup of this book had all the ingredients of a light and fun comfort read with fake-dating and sports combined. However, the execution didn't fully land for me. I felt that the pacing was very slow, and several chapters felt repetitive. Conversations reappear in slightly altered settings, often without moving the story or characters forward.
From the start, the feelings of the main characters are very obvious (this is also acknowledged by the FMC, though she keeps second guessing herself). This makes the romance lack the tension and build up that fake-dating usually has. I think that the story could have benefited from a tighter round of editing, both to streamline the plot and improve the writing.
The character development in this book felt limited. Lana's parents are by far my favourite characters from the book, but many other characters come across as flat or defined by a single trait (like Zayne being so overprotective it overshadows basically everything else about him). I think adding Cam's POV would have benefitted this book, as it would create an opportunity to add depth and balance.
There were some structural issues as well. The passage of time was hard to keep track of, and certain details seem to contradict each other (character locations, background facts, etc.). These inconsistencies pulled me out of the story a few times.
I was really looking forward to this book as the concept is absolutely up my alley, but the execution didn't match the promise.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.
November 28, 2025
Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC of Cold Feet in exchange for an honest review.
For those of you out there who love a passion filled slow burn, Cold Feet is certainly one hockey romance you will want to dive into. When I say slow burn, I mean SLOW. There were approximately 547 moments in the first half of the book where I found myself wanting to grab Lana and Cam by their shoulders and shake the absolute crap out of them to finally get the show on the road. That in conjunction with the fact that the chapters are decently long left me completely frustrated (in the best way possible) while I waited for our two main characters to remove their heads from the clouds (or their ass - whichever way you want to dice it). I know the repetitive tension did lose some readers just based on the comments, but believe me, it’s worth the wait. I think because Cam and Lana have real history here, their story is all that much more passionate and believable. I do also want to make brief mention that Cold Feet is the second book of this series, of which I did not read the first, but I was able to easily assimilate into the storyline without prior knowledge of book one.
Honestly, Cam’s character is just adorable and all around the perfect catch. I couldn’t help but root for his and Lana’s relationship the entire time for the sole purpose of just wanting Cam to experience all the love that family and companionship has to offer. Lana’s character was a good match for Cam, but her continued ability to overthink and assign reason or logic to a situation quickly became a bit obnoxious because she was so stunted emotionally because of it. Overall, I enjoyed Cold Feet immensely and I can’t wait to see if book three features Lana’s brother!
For those of you out there who love a passion filled slow burn, Cold Feet is certainly one hockey romance you will want to dive into. When I say slow burn, I mean SLOW. There were approximately 547 moments in the first half of the book where I found myself wanting to grab Lana and Cam by their shoulders and shake the absolute crap out of them to finally get the show on the road. That in conjunction with the fact that the chapters are decently long left me completely frustrated (in the best way possible) while I waited for our two main characters to remove their heads from the clouds (or their ass - whichever way you want to dice it). I know the repetitive tension did lose some readers just based on the comments, but believe me, it’s worth the wait. I think because Cam and Lana have real history here, their story is all that much more passionate and believable. I do also want to make brief mention that Cold Feet is the second book of this series, of which I did not read the first, but I was able to easily assimilate into the storyline without prior knowledge of book one.
Honestly, Cam’s character is just adorable and all around the perfect catch. I couldn’t help but root for his and Lana’s relationship the entire time for the sole purpose of just wanting Cam to experience all the love that family and companionship has to offer. Lana’s character was a good match for Cam, but her continued ability to overthink and assign reason or logic to a situation quickly became a bit obnoxious because she was so stunted emotionally because of it. Overall, I enjoyed Cold Feet immensely and I can’t wait to see if book three features Lana’s brother!
December 1, 2025
Lana Decker is the publicist for a hockey team. She has built up the reputation of Cam Murphy, a star player, as a playboy to put him in the spotlight and build ticket sales. When he is offered an endorsement contract worth millions there is only one problem - a morals clause. The team’s management believes that the only way to get the contract for Cam is to provide a fiancee and prove that he is in a steady relationship. Enter Lana. She built up the bad boy story so now she can step in as Cam’s love interest. Ten years earlier Lana had met Cam when they were in college. They immediately clicked, but after one night together Cam disappeared from her life. She spent the next ten years second guessing her relationships, never knowing that Cam had been serious about her all that time. Lana draws up a contract with a long list of conditions to fake an engagement. At a sport banquet, her mother spots the ring on Lana’s finger and draws Cam into the family. Their weekend together with her extended family is filled with humor. Mom is in wedding plan mode. Her Nana reads Cam’s palm and sees a long life together for the happy couple. Lana’s protective brother Zayne plays on the team with Cam and is aware of the fake engagement. He is not happy about it and there are constant dirty looks when he sees them together. Sharing a bed for the weekend and surrounded by family, Lana questions her feelings, but each time they get close she reminds him of the contract. Cam is perfect in almost every way. The banter between Cam and Lana flows easily and they are well matched. It is only a matter of time before they realize that the fake engagement may have finally brought them together. It is a delightful journey toward a second chance.
October 11, 2025
We’ve all been there, right? You create a bad boy, heartbreaker persona for one of the hockey players on your dad’s team, get him really popular and the “hottest guy in sports”, only to need to change his image in order to get him the brand deal of his dreams. Everyone goes through that challenge at least once in their lives.
… Oh. You haven’t had that issue before? To be honest, neither have I. I guess this is just a problem Lana Decker is going through…
I’m quite surprised to find that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. Seeing Lana and Cam’s relationship build over time as they create this “fake fiance” story, only to end up falling for each other along the way, was very cute to see. The way that the little moments, like getting lavender cupcakes or walking the beach together, slowly built into something real made their relationship feel realistic and well put together.
I also really enjoyed Cam himself and how completely opposite of his bad boy persona he was. It was so interesting to see how Lana had completely mischaracterized him to spin her story for the press and how, underneath that exterior, we had a cinnamon roll with a penchant for silly socks and an inability to cook breakfast food.
That being said, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style in this book. It felt simultaneously too slow and too fast. Some scenes felt more like a summary than they did an actual story, with no details in between the plot points to segue from one to the other. But some other scenes felt like they dragged on, like the one where it took about four pages for the characters to open a door and I kept forgetting that the door hadn’t been opened yet because surely it doesn’t take this long to walk up to a door and open it!
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of how the book presented Zayne, Lana’s overprotective older brother who doesn’t want any of his hockey teammates to even so much as touch his precious younger sister. It seemed as though the book was building up to this big, dramatic moment where Zayne was going to find out about this “fake” relationship between his sister and his best friend, only for him to quite literally walk in on them and… just walk away.
I mean, we are talking Cam is terrified of Zayne finding out. And then Zayne is pretty cool with it, actually.
I really enjoyed the bones of this story and the relationship between Cam and Lana, but I feel like this book needed another look through and a developmental edit before it was ready for publishing.
… Oh. You haven’t had that issue before? To be honest, neither have I. I guess this is just a problem Lana Decker is going through…
I’m quite surprised to find that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. Seeing Lana and Cam’s relationship build over time as they create this “fake fiance” story, only to end up falling for each other along the way, was very cute to see. The way that the little moments, like getting lavender cupcakes or walking the beach together, slowly built into something real made their relationship feel realistic and well put together.
I also really enjoyed Cam himself and how completely opposite of his bad boy persona he was. It was so interesting to see how Lana had completely mischaracterized him to spin her story for the press and how, underneath that exterior, we had a cinnamon roll with a penchant for silly socks and an inability to cook breakfast food.
That being said, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style in this book. It felt simultaneously too slow and too fast. Some scenes felt more like a summary than they did an actual story, with no details in between the plot points to segue from one to the other. But some other scenes felt like they dragged on, like the one where it took about four pages for the characters to open a door and I kept forgetting that the door hadn’t been opened yet because surely it doesn’t take this long to walk up to a door and open it!
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of how the book presented Zayne, Lana’s overprotective older brother who doesn’t want any of his hockey teammates to even so much as touch his precious younger sister. It seemed as though the book was building up to this big, dramatic moment where Zayne was going to find out about this “fake” relationship between his sister and his best friend, only for him to quite literally walk in on them and… just walk away.
I mean, we are talking Cam is terrified of Zayne finding out. And then Zayne is pretty cool with it, actually.
I really enjoyed the bones of this story and the relationship between Cam and Lana, but I feel like this book needed another look through and a developmental edit before it was ready for publishing.
October 7, 2025
A super cute, fun, and easy to read hockey romance with a few of our favourite tropes (fake engagement, brother's best friend, slow burn, he falls harder, one bed, second chance romance, workplace romance).
Cam is a professional hockey player who has been hiding his feelings for Lana for the last ten years. Lana is the publicist for Cam's hockey team, and has created a playboy reputation for Cam in the media that has the potential to ruin a big brand deal opportunity for him. So, in order to make him look more appealing to the brand, they create an agreement - she will be his fake fiancee. However, the lines quickly become blurred when they start spending more time together.
Cam is quirky, soft-hearted, and loyal to the bone, and he is determined to prove to Lana that he has been devoted to her since the first day they met. Lana is a hardworking, independent, and witty woman who throws herself all in to any situation she is found. I loved their banter and the chemistry between the two of them, but I also would have liked to explore more of their pasts. A little more emotional depth to each of them would have added another element to their respective characters, and made them more relatable.
I also found that the plot was slightly repetitive at times. It seemed like a few phrases were used multiple times, and each chapter appeared to end the same way, with the same ominous warning about what could happen. I actually had to reread a few parts and go back a few chapters several times because I was sure that I had just read something that had happened earlier.
Other than that, this was a fun read. A quick palate cleanser that was still enjoyable. I had a hard time putting the book down because of the fast-paced plot and blooming romance between the characters. I cannot help but love a good love confession, and I was not disappointed with this.
Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher for an eARC of Cold Feet, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Cam is a professional hockey player who has been hiding his feelings for Lana for the last ten years. Lana is the publicist for Cam's hockey team, and has created a playboy reputation for Cam in the media that has the potential to ruin a big brand deal opportunity for him. So, in order to make him look more appealing to the brand, they create an agreement - she will be his fake fiancee. However, the lines quickly become blurred when they start spending more time together.
Cam is quirky, soft-hearted, and loyal to the bone, and he is determined to prove to Lana that he has been devoted to her since the first day they met. Lana is a hardworking, independent, and witty woman who throws herself all in to any situation she is found. I loved their banter and the chemistry between the two of them, but I also would have liked to explore more of their pasts. A little more emotional depth to each of them would have added another element to their respective characters, and made them more relatable.
I also found that the plot was slightly repetitive at times. It seemed like a few phrases were used multiple times, and each chapter appeared to end the same way, with the same ominous warning about what could happen. I actually had to reread a few parts and go back a few chapters several times because I was sure that I had just read something that had happened earlier.
Other than that, this was a fun read. A quick palate cleanser that was still enjoyable. I had a hard time putting the book down because of the fast-paced plot and blooming romance between the characters. I cannot help but love a good love confession, and I was not disappointed with this.
Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher for an eARC of Cold Feet, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
October 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Daily & BooksGoSocial for the eARC.
I really wanted to like this book as someone having read numerous hockey romances, but I just couldn't.
First, there were portions of the writing where the author mentioned repeatedly, using the same buzzwords, about how Cam has masks' and Lana reacts like it's the first time she's heard it every single time. In the span of about 100 pages, there were 3 mentions of almost the same exact wording. It's repetitive and unnecessary.
The second is Lana's character development - the fact that her character doesn't ever seem to learn or grow is frustrating and takes away from the story. She has at least 5 people in the book tell her the exact same thing, and yet she ignores every single one of them and tells herself that they are wrong.
I'm also not a big fan of how the majority of the book seems to take place at Lana's family's house. But also how petty Lana is made to be in the book makes me wish that I did not finish it.
What the author did get correct was the emotional turmoil from Cam during the latter half of the book. It was well written and made it feel as if you felt his heartbreak too.
Overall, it wasn't the greatest read for me, but the author does show potential, especially regarding their MMCs.
I really wanted to like this book as someone having read numerous hockey romances, but I just couldn't.
First, there were portions of the writing where the author mentioned repeatedly, using the same buzzwords, about how Cam has masks' and Lana reacts like it's the first time she's heard it every single time. In the span of about 100 pages, there were 3 mentions of almost the same exact wording. It's repetitive and unnecessary.
The second is Lana's character development - the fact that her character doesn't ever seem to learn or grow is frustrating and takes away from the story. She has at least 5 people in the book tell her the exact same thing, and yet she ignores every single one of them and tells herself that they are wrong.
I'm also not a big fan of how the majority of the book seems to take place at Lana's family's house. But also how petty Lana is made to be in the book makes me wish that I did not finish it.
What the author did get correct was the emotional turmoil from Cam during the latter half of the book. It was well written and made it feel as if you felt his heartbreak too.
Overall, it wasn't the greatest read for me, but the author does show potential, especially regarding their MMCs.
October 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!
(Everything mentioned below is my personal opinion, this might not apply to everyone)
Okay listen up, the IDEA is really good. Fake relationship between hockey player and PR manager? Catchy. But, the execution wasn't as amazing. I felt like the writing wasn't for me, at times it felt 'fake' and even made me cringe. It feels like the author is directly telling us what the character feels all the time instead of showing it through actions. I usually prefer books with writing that's raw and real, and I feel like this didn't hit the spot. And apparently he left her one night when they were in college, which could have an emotional impact on the FMC, but I didn't really see that.
Also how does a character smell like testosterone???
"He smelled fainty of testosterone and something woodsy..."
The banter was mid, not too amazing, but was still pretty okay.
As for the characters, I like them. Lana really is a girlboss at heart, and I quite liked her personality, even if it wasn't executed that good. As for Cam, I have mixed feelings on that. He had a pretty good base personality, but I also feel like he was a foil character at times.
What I liked: Idea, character personalities
What can be improved: Execution, writing
Thanks!
(Everything mentioned below is my personal opinion, this might not apply to everyone)
Okay listen up, the IDEA is really good. Fake relationship between hockey player and PR manager? Catchy. But, the execution wasn't as amazing. I felt like the writing wasn't for me, at times it felt 'fake' and even made me cringe. It feels like the author is directly telling us what the character feels all the time instead of showing it through actions. I usually prefer books with writing that's raw and real, and I feel like this didn't hit the spot. And apparently he left her one night when they were in college, which could have an emotional impact on the FMC, but I didn't really see that.
Also how does a character smell like testosterone???
"He smelled fainty of testosterone and something woodsy..."
The banter was mid, not too amazing, but was still pretty okay.
As for the characters, I like them. Lana really is a girlboss at heart, and I quite liked her personality, even if it wasn't executed that good. As for Cam, I have mixed feelings on that. He had a pretty good base personality, but I also feel like he was a foil character at times.
What I liked: Idea, character personalities
What can be improved: Execution, writing
Thanks!
October 4, 2025
This hockey romance was a light-hearted, fun read. The MMC, Cam, is a professional hockey player, and the FMC, Lana, works on the team's PR (and is descended from hockey royalty via her dad and brothers). Ten years ago, the two of them had a ONS in college, and never really spoke about it again despite working together for years on the same team. When it's suggested that they fake an engagement together to boost Cam's reputation, old feelings resurface.
I love a fake relationship trope, so I enjoyed this one. Cam is a a likeable, cinnamon roll kinda guy who had a rough upbringing. Lana is an alright character--she's somewhat dense, as it is obvious from the beginning that Cam still has a crush on her, and she seemingly has no clue, even though we as readers can see it and it's from Lana's POV (single perspective). I enjoyed the time spent with Lana's big family on the beach, and the tension between them kept me reading (though FIVE interrupted almost-kisses?? Come on....). The ending dragged a little bit, but it was wrapped up nicely at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I love a fake relationship trope, so I enjoyed this one. Cam is a a likeable, cinnamon roll kinda guy who had a rough upbringing. Lana is an alright character--she's somewhat dense, as it is obvious from the beginning that Cam still has a crush on her, and she seemingly has no clue, even though we as readers can see it and it's from Lana's POV (single perspective). I enjoyed the time spent with Lana's big family on the beach, and the tension between them kept me reading (though FIVE interrupted almost-kisses?? Come on....). The ending dragged a little bit, but it was wrapped up nicely at the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 5, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial publishing for allowing me to read and review this book. I have to start off by saying I had to put this book down a little while because I just wasn’t in it in the beginning BUT I made sure I went back and finished it because I hate to DNF any book without giving it even of a chance and honestly I am SO GLAD, I gave this book another chance because I ended up loving this book. Cam is not the bad-boy rough right wing but instead a man that has been in love with a woman for 10 years but so afraid of losing her that he didn’t go after her and tried to let her move on and move on from her. He’s also a man that loves to bake and read. While Lana is a loving, generous, smart-willed and professional woman that has also been in love with the same man for 10 years but he broke her heart and she’s afraid of that happening again. This is a great fake engagement, brothers best friend, second chance romance. I truly enjoyed this book and hope to read more books in this series!! Definitely a 3.5/5 stars and I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves hockey romances!
October 23, 2025
Cold Feet is a truly engaging read that captivated me despite a slightly slow start. The writing is exceptionally well-done, pulling the reader into the story and the lives of the characters.
While the pacing might feel a little sluggish in the initial chapters, the book immediately introduces a character you can't help but adore: Cam. From the moment he appears, he's instantly lovable, and his character really shines throughout the narrative.
My main point of critique, and perhaps my biggest wish for the book, is that I desperately wanted to read Cam's (POV). Having access to his perspective would have added so much depth and insight, enriching the story significantly. Additionally, I sometimes found the main female character, Lana, a little frustrating due to her stubbornness and unwillingness to see the completely obvious things happening around her.
Overall, I loved this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. It's a wonderful story that will stick with you. If I had gotten Cam's POV and if Lana hadn't been quite so resistant to the obvious developments, this would have been a five-star read.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
While the pacing might feel a little sluggish in the initial chapters, the book immediately introduces a character you can't help but adore: Cam. From the moment he appears, he's instantly lovable, and his character really shines throughout the narrative.
My main point of critique, and perhaps my biggest wish for the book, is that I desperately wanted to read Cam's (POV). Having access to his perspective would have added so much depth and insight, enriching the story significantly. Additionally, I sometimes found the main female character, Lana, a little frustrating due to her stubbornness and unwillingness to see the completely obvious things happening around her.
Overall, I loved this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. It's a wonderful story that will stick with you. If I had gotten Cam's POV and if Lana hadn't been quite so resistant to the obvious developments, this would have been a five-star read.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
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