Summer Thaw

by Rebecca Jenshak, Avery Caris (Narrator), Tim Paige (Narrator)

In USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Jenshak’s short story about a clash of captains, team leaders for a men’s and women’s hockey team are forced together, while keeping their players in line—and their feelings in check.

Hattie Cannon’s sure Colin Jettson hates her. Colin is happy to let her believe it. It’s easier that way. That is until a summer hockey camp puts them in the same hotel. Keeping their college teams focused is one thing; keeping things civil is another. Good sportsmanship is a start, but what Hattie and Colin really need is to throw out the rulebook and play their own game.

Rebecca Jenshak’s Summer Thaw is part of Summer Lovin’, a sweet and sultry collection of short summer romances that turn up the heat—and the heart. Read or listen to each short story in one easy, breezy sitting.

Genres: Hockey, Romance, Summer, Novella, Short Stories, Sports, Contemporary

2 pages, Audible Audio

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

Rebecca Jenshak is a new adult romance author.
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Reviews

[Larareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 ⭐️

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Thaw was soo cute! This is part of the Summer Lovin’ Amazon Originals collection and it’s definitely short (50 pages) but so sweet and fun. Did I definitely want more with this couple? Yes! But did I have fun anyways? Also yes.

Hattie and Colin are both team leaders/captains of men’s and women’s hockey teams, she was formerly dating his teammate but they recently broke up. Colin has always been icy towards Hattie and she never could figure out why, until they’re forced together staying at the same hotel for summer hockey camp! He’s been into her for 2 years since the first night he met her, which happened to be the night she met her former boyfriend as well…but she definitely should have picked Colin. He’s all in and it’s super cute and easy! On KU with read and listen.

[LollyDolly · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️This novella series has the audio bundled with each story on KU, so it’s not bad if you just want something light in your ears. Each one being under two hours and the books around the 50 page mark. This particular story was a little too high school cringe for my taste though.

[casey ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 🌟

tropes
☀️ grumpy x sunshine
🏒 hockey
⛸️ summer camp
💜 missed opportunity
🫧 he falls first

honestly this was meh. the miscommunication annoyed me.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misunderstandings abound in this forced proximity, dual POV summer hockey camp that has two team captains slowly falling for one another after realizing they’ve been mutually pining. Sweet and just a bit spicy, this was one of my fav stories in the collection but it had the least actual “summer” vibes of the bunch. Still think it’s worth a read/listen though.

[Sarah]

Short story. Super low angst and steam. Super cute college hockey, special chance-ish.

[Zoë Ann Book Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really need to read a full length Rebecca Jenshak

[María · Rating 3 out of 5]

No es un libro para nada memorable pero cumple con su función, es corto y entretenido.

[all.the.smut.things · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🌶️

✨ Hockey Novella
✨ Rival Hockey Captains
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ He Yearns

[Anne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the story. I wish it was a proper novel as I got hooked on the characters quite quickly.

[da͟r͟i͟a͟ · Rating 1 out of 5]

i understand that this is a 40-page novella, but damn, there has to be at least some point to it, right?

[Autumn Telles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would've loved a whole book not just a novella on this story, and these characters - going more in depth! I enjoyed listening to this one!

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed too unrealistic for me.

One open door.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ I only read this because it was 40 pages. Cute but didn’t give much.

[katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this and getting little valley u and wildcat mentions. I just wish it was longer so we could get more

[Bianca Swart · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75

Meh. Was okay

[Megan O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars and my favorite of the collection!

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

I’m trying not to rate this novella unfairly…

I didn’t like how he acted like a complete DOUCHE at the beginning. Like even if he believed she was still dating one of his friends like why you have to ignore her when she addresses you? that’s a no.

I did like it after that though but it was very short and they pretty much are together so quickly because it’s like 45 pages.

My main thing is… what happened to Denny (think that was his name), like he’s now dating his friend’s ex girlfriend and there’s just NO talk of that.

Sometimes I question if I do like novellas or not 😅. Purely for the fact that such vital moments can be missed out and the connection built in the quiet moments of a full length novel.

[Katie Morad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer Thaw by Rebecca Jenshak was such a fun and easy sports romance read. The chemistry between the characters was there right from the beginning, and I loved the mix of flirty banter, emotional moments, and summer vibes throughout the story. Rebecca Jenshak always does a great job creating lovable characters you quickly get invested in, and this one was no different.

It’s the perfect quick romance if you want something light, entertaining, and full of tension without being overly heavy. A great summer read for fans of college romance and hockey players with soft sides.

[Aneesah · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's such a fine line to tread for short form romance. You want to tell a story that packs the same sweet/ sexy/swoony/banter-filled punch as a full length novel all while portraying believable chemistry between the main characters. That is the challenge of this series and some authors achieved it while others...not so much. The chemistry of the couple in this book was believable but the overall story felt very rushed. I would love if the author re-wrote this someday as a full-length novel--enemies to lovers where the guy falls first are my favorite!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

This was a really good little one-shot story, but I can't possible give this more stars. And hey, I'm rounding up because I'm a nice girl, but come onnnn. My problem is that it was under 50 pages and like.. why?

I appreciate what Amazon is trying to do with these little mixed author series novellas, but can we not commit to 100 pages at least? I just don't think it's doing what they think it's doing. But who am I to say!

[Chelsey Konkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

so cute!!

I love it!!! It’s short and sweet but will leave you in a good mood!! Rebecca Jenshak never lets me down!! Definitely one of my favorites!!! Perfect book for the summer loving or anytime!!

[Leslie Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

I mean, it was something that was written. The characters came off more high school than college, but whatever. I’ve been on a hockey romance kick and if this didn’t get my interest it must have been doing something wrong.

[Cesilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Summer Lovin’ Collection #6 of 6

This was so good!! I loved the brooding pining MMC!

The chemistry between Colin and Hattie was 🔥. I really enjoyed this novella and wish that it was longer!!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella I like Hattie and Colin I also like that they are both hockey captains for their team. I loved that Hattie thought Colin hated her meanwhile he is has been in love with her

[Eileen Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet .

Great beach , day trip or rainy day read as always.
Totally enjoyable , I could see plenty of spots to draw it out into so much more. As always good characters and the feeling like Rebecca Jenshak spent or spends a lot of time hanging out with rink rats.

[Pageturner]

Audiobook review brilliant narration I love these little series they keep dropping they are really cute little stories.

Colin is in love with Hattie and he missed his shot so he stays away however she has split with her boyfriend so now she is single again he shoots his shot.

[Samm Sciarratta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick little read that takes us back to Valley U. I loved that Hattie was also a hockey player. I'd love to return to Valley with the women as the athletes & being the central part of the book, just based off of this book alone.

[Courtney Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

Short, sweet hockey romance novella! I feel like if the two MMCs communicated earlier about their feelings, this all could’ve been resolved quicker, but then we wouldn’t have a book, would we?

The ending/epilogue felt rushed, but overall, a short and sweet palate cleansing novella!

[Jade Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hattie and Colin are captains of their respective hockey teams and have known each other for years. Hattie thinks that Colin doesn’t like her, but the reality is he’s stayed away because she has a boyfriend. All that changes when he finds out she’s now single.