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False Start : The Winter Hills Blaze
Falling for my brother's best friend and teammate was never supposed to happen ….. But with one look, one touch, I had no choice but to chase my heart even knowing that it wasn’t meant to last.
My life has never been the picture of perfection. But when I was wrapped up in his arms, it almost felt like it could be. Jake Spencer is everything I dreamed of - smart, funny, handsome, kind, and of course a 6’2” hockey player.
How a guy like him could love someone like me, I'm not sure. I’ve been ridiculed, beaten down and bullied my entire life for being the “fat” girl. With a larger stomach, hips that are curvier than most girls and thighs so thick they practically touch, I’m the farthest thing from anyone’s type… or at least that’s what I’ve been told. So when one too many people got in my head about how incompatible we truly were, and one misheard comment left me spiraling, I ran from the only safe space I truly felt like I had.
Now, almost ten years later, I’m back in Winter Hills, working as an athletic trainer for the Winter Hills Blaze. And guess on who happens to be on the team? None other than my ex-boyfriend who hasn’t escaped my thoughts and still owns my heart. And to make matters even more complicated, both of my brothers also play for the same team.
I left him hanging in the dark, letting my insecurities drown me until I was a shell of myself. Coming back home, seeing him after all of this time, I’ll do anything it takes to make it right.
But what if everything I thought I knew was just a lie?
Will he still hate me for leaving once he finds out the truth, or does our false start deserve a second chance at finding our happily ever after?
My life has never been the picture of perfection. But when I was wrapped up in his arms, it almost felt like it could be. Jake Spencer is everything I dreamed of - smart, funny, handsome, kind, and of course a 6’2” hockey player.
How a guy like him could love someone like me, I'm not sure. I’ve been ridiculed, beaten down and bullied my entire life for being the “fat” girl. With a larger stomach, hips that are curvier than most girls and thighs so thick they practically touch, I’m the farthest thing from anyone’s type… or at least that’s what I’ve been told. So when one too many people got in my head about how incompatible we truly were, and one misheard comment left me spiraling, I ran from the only safe space I truly felt like I had.
Now, almost ten years later, I’m back in Winter Hills, working as an athletic trainer for the Winter Hills Blaze. And guess on who happens to be on the team? None other than my ex-boyfriend who hasn’t escaped my thoughts and still owns my heart. And to make matters even more complicated, both of my brothers also play for the same team.
I left him hanging in the dark, letting my insecurities drown me until I was a shell of myself. Coming back home, seeing him after all of this time, I’ll do anything it takes to make it right.
But what if everything I thought I knew was just a lie?
Will he still hate me for leaving once he finds out the truth, or does our false start deserve a second chance at finding our happily ever after?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 9, 2026
This is Nicole’s debut book and I could cry at how proud I am of her talent! From the hockey play details to those amazing spice scenes…my girl can write a spicy scene!! You also get to vibe with future characters and I adore the FMC’s brothers along with her sweet sister and best friend. I cannot contain my excitement for what this series will bring!
I also enjoyed learning more about PCOS (renamed PMOS) and the struggles the main female character deals with daily. I didn’t know about a lot of the issues and I love that Nicole has this represented in her story.
Another aspect that I enjoyed is, you typically read a romance where the obstacles or struggles are found within the romantic relationship to push the plot of the story, but ‘False Start’ focused on the external forces that the main female character deals with regularly. Specifically, her anxiety, body insecurities, and a villain in the workplace. **Yall better get ready for Eric! He puts the ick in d!ckhead!
Then we have Jake, the main male character who never stopped loving Kailyn! He deals with anxiety as well and there’s an endearing moment when Kailyn comforts Jake. He has such a sensitive heart, but watch out because that man has a dirty mouth in the bedroom!
False Start releases MONDAY, JULY 13!!!! Be on the lookout and add it to your TBR right meow!!
I also enjoyed learning more about PCOS (renamed PMOS) and the struggles the main female character deals with daily. I didn’t know about a lot of the issues and I love that Nicole has this represented in her story.
Another aspect that I enjoyed is, you typically read a romance where the obstacles or struggles are found within the romantic relationship to push the plot of the story, but ‘False Start’ focused on the external forces that the main female character deals with regularly. Specifically, her anxiety, body insecurities, and a villain in the workplace. **Yall better get ready for Eric! He puts the ick in d!ckhead!
Then we have Jake, the main male character who never stopped loving Kailyn! He deals with anxiety as well and there’s an endearing moment when Kailyn comforts Jake. He has such a sensitive heart, but watch out because that man has a dirty mouth in the bedroom!
False Start releases MONDAY, JULY 13!!!! Be on the lookout and add it to your TBR right meow!!
August 30, 2026
“𝓘𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓪 𝓰𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓫𝓸𝔂, 𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓻𝓮𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓯𝓽𝓮𝓻𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓼.”
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ 3/5
DEBUT NOVEL?!
Okay, Nicole.
👀
Coming out of the gate with:
🏒 Hockey romance
💕 Second chance
🏒 Brother’s best friend
🔥 Forced proximity
💕 Plus-size FMC
🖤 PCOS representation
🥹 Caretaking
💕 Found family
🔥 Spice
🖤 Years of unresolved heartbreak
YOU CAME PREPARED.
😂
And for a debut?
I thought this was a really strong start to what could become such a fun hockey series.
Because obviously…
HOCKEY.
We’re home again.
At this point I should probably have season tickets.
😂
But False Start has considerably more emotional weight than I initially expected.
Kailyn and Jake fell in love when they were younger.
And Jake?
Basically teenage-romance catnip.
Smart.
Funny.
Kind.
Handsome.
6’2” hockey player.
Girl.
I understand.
No additional testimony required.
😂
Except Kailyn has spent most of her life being told that someone like Jake couldn’t possibly want someone who looked like her.
She’s plus-size.
Curvy.
And after years of bullying and cruel comments about her body, those voices became her own.
So when people start getting into her head about their relationship—and then she overhears something she misunderstands—it confirms every insecurity she already has.
She runs.
And Jake?
HAS NO FUCKING IDEA WHY.
😭
Then almost TEN YEARS pass.
Ten.
Years.
Kailyn eventually returns to Winter Hills as an athletic trainer for the Winter Hills Blaze.
Which would be perfectly uncomplicated if the roster didn’t include:
Her brothers.
And…
JAKE FUCKING SPENCER.
😂
Surprise!
Welcome to your new workplace.
Here’s your ex-boyfriend who has occupied valuable emotional real estate in your brain for a decade.
HR wishes you the best.
🏒😭
I love a second-chance romance when the separation actually leaves scars.
I don’t want:
We dated for three weeks in college and then lost each other’s numbers.
No.
If we’re calling this second chance, make me understand why the first chance still matters.
Kailyn and Jake?
THE FIRST CHANCE FUCKING MATTERED.
Their breakup changed both of them.
Jake was left without answers.
Kailyn spent years carrying shame, insecurity and regret.
So when they see each other again, the feelings don’t magically erase all that damage.
There’s hurt.
Confusion.
Anger.
Attraction.
History.
And the terrifying realization that neither of them ever completely moved on.
🥹
THAT’S MY SHIT.
And Jake?
Oh, this poor man.
😭
He’s carrying grief of his own, but what really got me was how emotionally intuitive he could be with Kailyn.
He doesn’t simply decide:
We loved each other once, therefore you owe me another chance.
He lets her set the pace.
He shows up.
He’s patient.
He’s attentive.
And during moments when Kailyn is physically struggling?
The caretaking.
🥹
Sir.
Why are hockey men suddenly becoming emotionally competent?
This department used to have a reputation.
😂
But I LOVED that softness from him.
Especially because Kailyn’s PCOS isn’t simply tossed into the book as a representation checkbox.
It affects her.
The pain.
Her relationship with her body.
Her experiences trying to get medical professionals to actually listen to her.
The emotional exhaustion of knowing something is wrong and feeling unheard.
There’s a lot wrapped into that storyline.
And Kailyn has to learn how to advocate for herself while also unlearning years of believing her body somehow makes her less deserving.
👏🏻
That was probably one of my favorite parts of the book.
Because Jake can tell Kailyn she’s beautiful.
He can love her exactly as she is.
He can worship every curve.
But he cannot heal her relationship with herself for her.
That work belongs to Kailyn.
And I appreciated that we see her building a support system and working through those insecurities instead of having:
Hot man thinks I’m attractive = lifelong body-image issues cured.
No.
That’s not how that works.
And it made her growth feel much more satisfying.
💕
Because the romance isn’t about Jake convincing Kailyn she’s worthy of love.
It’s about Kailyn slowly realizing she always was.
OUCH.
Why are we having emotional breakthroughs in my hockey book?!
😭😂
And I really enjoyed the world Nicole built around them.
The Winter Hills Blaze already feels like a TEAM rather than a bunch of random men waiting around for their individual books.
We’ve got personalities.
Friendships.
Protective brothers.
Tattooed goalies.
Cocky defensemen.
A quietly observant captain.
Group-chat chaos.
👀
Basically…
I HAVE BEGUN SCOUTING FUTURE BOOK BOYFRIENDS.
As one does.
😂
That’s exactly what I want from the first book in a sports-romance series.
Make me care about the couple I’m reading NOW while casually planting enough interesting men in the background that I’m already going:
Okay, but who’s next?
The found-family element really worked because Kailyn needs that support too.
She spent so much of her younger life feeling judged and torn down.
Now she has people around her who genuinely show up.
Her siblings.
Her friends.
The team.
Jake.
That contrast between the girl she was and the woman she’s becoming gave the story heart.
And obviously…
Jake and Kailyn have CHEMISTRY.
🔥
Because ten years might have passed, but apparently their bodies did not receive the breakup memo.
😂
The tension is there.
The history makes it stronger.
And once they start getting closer again, you can feel how badly they both want this while simultaneously being terrified of repeating the past.
Second chance romance really thrives on:
I know exactly how good loving you feels because I also know exactly how badly losing you hurts.
And that’s where these two worked for me.
🥹
Now, was everything perfect?
No.
There were places where you could feel that this was a debut, and some elements could have used a little more refinement or depth.
But overall?
This was a GOOD debut.
The emotional foundation was there.
The characters were likable.
The heavier topics were balanced with humor, friendship, team dynamics and romance.
And most importantly for the beginning of a series?
I WANT TO COME BACK.
👏🏻
Because Nicole…
You casually populated this hockey team with tattooed goalies, cocky defensemen, protective twins and an observant captain.
👁️👄👁️
You knew what you were doing.
I’M WATCHING ALL OF THEM.
😂
WHAT TO EXPECT:
🏒 Hockey romance
💕 Second chance
🏒 Brother’s best friend
💕 Plus-size FMC
🖤 PCOS representation
🔥 Forced proximity
💕 Athletic-trainer FMC
🏒 Hockey-player MMC
🖤 Body-image struggles
💕 Found family
🥹 Comfort & caretaking
🖤 Childhood bullying
💕 Supportive friendships
🏒 Team-family dynamics
🔥 Strong chemistry
💕 He never really stopped loving her
🖤 Grief & healing
💕 Therapy/personal growth
😂 Team group-chat chaos
🔥 Spicy romance
FOUR “TEN YEARS LATER AND YOUR EX IS NOW YOUR COWORKER—WELCOME TO THE WINTER HILLS BLAZE HR NIGHTMARE” STARS.
😂🏒
For a debut novel?
Nicole Ambrosio came to PLAY.
This had hockey.
Heartbreak.
Second chances.
Body image representation.
PCOS.
Found family.
Caretaking.
Friendships.
Team chaos.
And a 6’2” hockey player who has spent approximately a decade emotionally haunted by the same woman.
🥹
Excellent.
Because Kailyn and Jake didn’t need a brand-new love story.
They needed the chance to finish the one they never really stopped living.
And despite the heavier themes, this still managed to feel like a fun introduction to a hockey world I’m absolutely interested in returning to.
So yes.
Four stars.
Strong debut.
And Nicole?
About those other hockey players you casually introduced…
I’m going to need their files.
Especially the tattooed goalie.
For research.
Obviously
👀🏒
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ 3/5
DEBUT NOVEL?!
Okay, Nicole.
👀
Coming out of the gate with:
🏒 Hockey romance
💕 Second chance
🏒 Brother’s best friend
🔥 Forced proximity
💕 Plus-size FMC
🖤 PCOS representation
🥹 Caretaking
💕 Found family
🔥 Spice
🖤 Years of unresolved heartbreak
YOU CAME PREPARED.
😂
And for a debut?
I thought this was a really strong start to what could become such a fun hockey series.
Because obviously…
HOCKEY.
We’re home again.
At this point I should probably have season tickets.
😂
But False Start has considerably more emotional weight than I initially expected.
Kailyn and Jake fell in love when they were younger.
And Jake?
Basically teenage-romance catnip.
Smart.
Funny.
Kind.
Handsome.
6’2” hockey player.
Girl.
I understand.
No additional testimony required.
😂
Except Kailyn has spent most of her life being told that someone like Jake couldn’t possibly want someone who looked like her.
She’s plus-size.
Curvy.
And after years of bullying and cruel comments about her body, those voices became her own.
So when people start getting into her head about their relationship—and then she overhears something she misunderstands—it confirms every insecurity she already has.
She runs.
And Jake?
HAS NO FUCKING IDEA WHY.
😭
Then almost TEN YEARS pass.
Ten.
Years.
Kailyn eventually returns to Winter Hills as an athletic trainer for the Winter Hills Blaze.
Which would be perfectly uncomplicated if the roster didn’t include:
Her brothers.
And…
JAKE FUCKING SPENCER.
😂
Surprise!
Welcome to your new workplace.
Here’s your ex-boyfriend who has occupied valuable emotional real estate in your brain for a decade.
HR wishes you the best.
🏒😭
I love a second-chance romance when the separation actually leaves scars.
I don’t want:
We dated for three weeks in college and then lost each other’s numbers.
No.
If we’re calling this second chance, make me understand why the first chance still matters.
Kailyn and Jake?
THE FIRST CHANCE FUCKING MATTERED.
Their breakup changed both of them.
Jake was left without answers.
Kailyn spent years carrying shame, insecurity and regret.
So when they see each other again, the feelings don’t magically erase all that damage.
There’s hurt.
Confusion.
Anger.
Attraction.
History.
And the terrifying realization that neither of them ever completely moved on.
🥹
THAT’S MY SHIT.
And Jake?
Oh, this poor man.
😭
He’s carrying grief of his own, but what really got me was how emotionally intuitive he could be with Kailyn.
He doesn’t simply decide:
We loved each other once, therefore you owe me another chance.
He lets her set the pace.
He shows up.
He’s patient.
He’s attentive.
And during moments when Kailyn is physically struggling?
The caretaking.
🥹
Sir.
Why are hockey men suddenly becoming emotionally competent?
This department used to have a reputation.
😂
But I LOVED that softness from him.
Especially because Kailyn’s PCOS isn’t simply tossed into the book as a representation checkbox.
It affects her.
The pain.
Her relationship with her body.
Her experiences trying to get medical professionals to actually listen to her.
The emotional exhaustion of knowing something is wrong and feeling unheard.
There’s a lot wrapped into that storyline.
And Kailyn has to learn how to advocate for herself while also unlearning years of believing her body somehow makes her less deserving.
👏🏻
That was probably one of my favorite parts of the book.
Because Jake can tell Kailyn she’s beautiful.
He can love her exactly as she is.
He can worship every curve.
But he cannot heal her relationship with herself for her.
That work belongs to Kailyn.
And I appreciated that we see her building a support system and working through those insecurities instead of having:
Hot man thinks I’m attractive = lifelong body-image issues cured.
No.
That’s not how that works.
And it made her growth feel much more satisfying.
💕
Because the romance isn’t about Jake convincing Kailyn she’s worthy of love.
It’s about Kailyn slowly realizing she always was.
OUCH.
Why are we having emotional breakthroughs in my hockey book?!
😭😂
And I really enjoyed the world Nicole built around them.
The Winter Hills Blaze already feels like a TEAM rather than a bunch of random men waiting around for their individual books.
We’ve got personalities.
Friendships.
Protective brothers.
Tattooed goalies.
Cocky defensemen.
A quietly observant captain.
Group-chat chaos.
👀
Basically…
I HAVE BEGUN SCOUTING FUTURE BOOK BOYFRIENDS.
As one does.
😂
That’s exactly what I want from the first book in a sports-romance series.
Make me care about the couple I’m reading NOW while casually planting enough interesting men in the background that I’m already going:
Okay, but who’s next?
The found-family element really worked because Kailyn needs that support too.
She spent so much of her younger life feeling judged and torn down.
Now she has people around her who genuinely show up.
Her siblings.
Her friends.
The team.
Jake.
That contrast between the girl she was and the woman she’s becoming gave the story heart.
And obviously…
Jake and Kailyn have CHEMISTRY.
🔥
Because ten years might have passed, but apparently their bodies did not receive the breakup memo.
😂
The tension is there.
The history makes it stronger.
And once they start getting closer again, you can feel how badly they both want this while simultaneously being terrified of repeating the past.
Second chance romance really thrives on:
I know exactly how good loving you feels because I also know exactly how badly losing you hurts.
And that’s where these two worked for me.
🥹
Now, was everything perfect?
No.
There were places where you could feel that this was a debut, and some elements could have used a little more refinement or depth.
But overall?
This was a GOOD debut.
The emotional foundation was there.
The characters were likable.
The heavier topics were balanced with humor, friendship, team dynamics and romance.
And most importantly for the beginning of a series?
I WANT TO COME BACK.
👏🏻
Because Nicole…
You casually populated this hockey team with tattooed goalies, cocky defensemen, protective twins and an observant captain.
👁️👄👁️
You knew what you were doing.
I’M WATCHING ALL OF THEM.
😂
WHAT TO EXPECT:
🏒 Hockey romance
💕 Second chance
🏒 Brother’s best friend
💕 Plus-size FMC
🖤 PCOS representation
🔥 Forced proximity
💕 Athletic-trainer FMC
🏒 Hockey-player MMC
🖤 Body-image struggles
💕 Found family
🥹 Comfort & caretaking
🖤 Childhood bullying
💕 Supportive friendships
🏒 Team-family dynamics
🔥 Strong chemistry
💕 He never really stopped loving her
🖤 Grief & healing
💕 Therapy/personal growth
😂 Team group-chat chaos
🔥 Spicy romance
FOUR “TEN YEARS LATER AND YOUR EX IS NOW YOUR COWORKER—WELCOME TO THE WINTER HILLS BLAZE HR NIGHTMARE” STARS.
😂🏒
For a debut novel?
Nicole Ambrosio came to PLAY.
This had hockey.
Heartbreak.
Second chances.
Body image representation.
PCOS.
Found family.
Caretaking.
Friendships.
Team chaos.
And a 6’2” hockey player who has spent approximately a decade emotionally haunted by the same woman.
🥹
Excellent.
Because Kailyn and Jake didn’t need a brand-new love story.
They needed the chance to finish the one they never really stopped living.
And despite the heavier themes, this still managed to feel like a fun introduction to a hockey world I’m absolutely interested in returning to.
So yes.
Four stars.
Strong debut.
And Nicole?
About those other hockey players you casually introduced…
I’m going to need their files.
Especially the tattooed goalie.
For research.
Obviously
👀🏒
Review of advance copy received from Author
❤︎ “If you’re a good boy, I’ll reward you afterwards.” ❤︎
False Start : The Winter Hills Blaze
by Nicole Ambrosio
𝗲𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
▬▬▬▬▬▬❤︎
𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.
𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀. I think it’s a great introduction to the characters and a nice kick off to this new series. It’s a light read, despite heavy topics and themes being weaved into this novel. Both main characters were likable.
▬▬▬❤︎
FORCED PROXIMITY
SPICE
PLUS SIZE FMC
SECOND CHANCE
𝖦𝖮𝖮𝖣 𝖡𝖨𝖸/𝖦𝖮𝖮𝖣 𝖦𝖨𝖱𝖫
𝖧𝖤 💦 𝖨𝖭 𝖧𝖨𝖲 𝖯𝖠𝖭𝖳𝖲
𝖯𝖤𝖱𝖨𝖮𝖣 𝖱𝖤𝖯
🍑 𝖤𝖠𝖳/𝖲𝖯𝖠𝖭𝖪
BROTHERS’ BFF
FOUND FAMILY
𝖲𝖴𝖯𝖯𝖮𝖱𝖳 𝖲𝖸𝖲𝖳𝖤𝖬- & 𝖥𝖤𝖬𝖠𝖫𝖤 𝖥𝖱𝖨𝖤𝖭𝖣𝖲𝖧𝖨𝖯𝖲
SH•TTY CO-WORKER
PCOS REP
𝖥𝖠𝖢𝖤 𝖲𝖨𝖳𝖳𝖨𝖭𝖦
𝖢𝖮𝖬𝖥𝖮𝖱𝖳/𝖢𝖠𝖱𝖤𝖳𝖠𝖪𝖨𝖭𝖦
▬▬▬▬▬❤︎
Pace 4
Plot 4
Main characters 4
Secondary characters 5
Enjoyability 4
Ease of reading 5
Miscellaneous 3
Engagement 3
Setting 3
Ending 4
Other 3
v Epilogue YES
v Cliffhanger NO
★★★★☆ 𝖥𝖮𝖴𝖱 𝖲𝖳𝖠𝖱𝖲 𝖳𝖮𝖳𝖠𝖫
▬▬▬❤︎
𝖭𝖨𝖢𝖤 𝖣𝖤𝖡𝖴𝖳. I think it suffered in a few areas- but not drastically so by no means. The initial resolution was too quick to hold any validation to the prior & current feelings. It made the connection jump to erasure of so much and nullified what we were meant to feel.
The dialogue was good. We got a smidge repetitive with statements like “coming home” / “feels like home”… but really it was noticeable. (Not “bad” - just noticeable)
Overall, liked where we went in this journey. Nice structure. Nice flow. Eager to see what’s up next & to go along on this ride with the author.
Enjoyable.
———-❤︎“Fuck, baby girl. I think you’ve ruined me.” He chuckles lightly, and I pull back looking into his eyes as I laugh with him.
“I’ve been ruined for everyone since the day
met you,” I confess.◀︎◀︎❤︎
▬▬▬
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨
False Start : The Winter Hills Blaze
by Nicole Ambrosio
𝗲𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
▬▬▬▬▬▬❤︎
𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.
𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀. I think it’s a great introduction to the characters and a nice kick off to this new series. It’s a light read, despite heavy topics and themes being weaved into this novel. Both main characters were likable.
▬▬▬❤︎
FORCED PROXIMITY
SPICE
PLUS SIZE FMC
SECOND CHANCE
𝖦𝖮𝖮𝖣 𝖡𝖨𝖸/𝖦𝖮𝖮𝖣 𝖦𝖨𝖱𝖫
𝖧𝖤 💦 𝖨𝖭 𝖧𝖨𝖲 𝖯𝖠𝖭𝖳𝖲
𝖯𝖤𝖱𝖨𝖮𝖣 𝖱𝖤𝖯
🍑 𝖤𝖠𝖳/𝖲𝖯𝖠𝖭𝖪
BROTHERS’ BFF
FOUND FAMILY
𝖲𝖴𝖯𝖯𝖮𝖱𝖳 𝖲𝖸𝖲𝖳𝖤𝖬- & 𝖥𝖤𝖬𝖠𝖫𝖤 𝖥𝖱𝖨𝖤𝖭𝖣𝖲𝖧𝖨𝖯𝖲
SH•TTY CO-WORKER
PCOS REP
𝖥𝖠𝖢𝖤 𝖲𝖨𝖳𝖳𝖨𝖭𝖦
𝖢𝖮𝖬𝖥𝖮𝖱𝖳/𝖢𝖠𝖱𝖤𝖳𝖠𝖪𝖨𝖭𝖦
▬▬▬▬▬❤︎
Pace 4
Plot 4
Main characters 4
Secondary characters 5
Enjoyability 4
Ease of reading 5
Miscellaneous 3
Engagement 3
Setting 3
Ending 4
Other 3
v Epilogue YES
v Cliffhanger NO
★★★★☆ 𝖥𝖮𝖴𝖱 𝖲𝖳𝖠𝖱𝖲 𝖳𝖮𝖳𝖠𝖫
▬▬▬❤︎
𝖭𝖨𝖢𝖤 𝖣𝖤𝖡𝖴𝖳. I think it suffered in a few areas- but not drastically so by no means. The initial resolution was too quick to hold any validation to the prior & current feelings. It made the connection jump to erasure of so much and nullified what we were meant to feel.
The dialogue was good. We got a smidge repetitive with statements like “coming home” / “feels like home”… but really it was noticeable. (Not “bad” - just noticeable)
Overall, liked where we went in this journey. Nice structure. Nice flow. Eager to see what’s up next & to go along on this ride with the author.
Enjoyable.
———-❤︎“Fuck, baby girl. I think you’ve ruined me.” He chuckles lightly, and I pull back looking into his eyes as I laugh with him.
“I’ve been ruined for everyone since the day
met you,” I confess.◀︎◀︎❤︎
▬▬▬
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book completely pulled me in from the start and did not let go!
We’re thrown into a hockey world that feels fully alive, with a solid cast of teammates (tattooed goalies, cocky defensemen, protective twins, and a quietly observant captain). The found-family vibes on this team were top-tier, and I loved how each character had a clear role and personality.
Kailyn and Jake’s second-chance romance absolutely broke my heart. Their high school breakup was rooted in misunderstanding, insecurity, and cruel bullying, and seeing how deeply it affected both of them years later was devastating. Kailyn’s struggles with PCOS, body image, and feeling unheard by the medical system were handled with so much care and honesty. Her growth, especially through therapy and building her own support system, felt real and empowering.
Jake? This poor man. Raised by a single dad, carrying so much grief, and still so emotionally intuitive. Watching him try to protect his heart while clearly still loving Kailyn was painful in the best way. He never pressured her, took things slow, and consistently showed up, especially during her flare-ups (the consent, the patience, the softness).
The tension between them was delicious, the misunderstandings hurt, and the eventual healing moments were incredibly rewarding. Add in supportive siblings, hilarious team group chats, Thanksgiving chaos, and just enough spice to keep things fun, and I was fully sold.
The author did an amazing job building this world and setting up future stories, I’m already dying to know what’s next. Emotional, romantic, funny, and heartfelt, this was a beautiful second-chance love story about trust, healing, and choosing each other again!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
We’re thrown into a hockey world that feels fully alive, with a solid cast of teammates (tattooed goalies, cocky defensemen, protective twins, and a quietly observant captain). The found-family vibes on this team were top-tier, and I loved how each character had a clear role and personality.
Kailyn and Jake’s second-chance romance absolutely broke my heart. Their high school breakup was rooted in misunderstanding, insecurity, and cruel bullying, and seeing how deeply it affected both of them years later was devastating. Kailyn’s struggles with PCOS, body image, and feeling unheard by the medical system were handled with so much care and honesty. Her growth, especially through therapy and building her own support system, felt real and empowering.
Jake? This poor man. Raised by a single dad, carrying so much grief, and still so emotionally intuitive. Watching him try to protect his heart while clearly still loving Kailyn was painful in the best way. He never pressured her, took things slow, and consistently showed up, especially during her flare-ups (the consent, the patience, the softness).
The tension between them was delicious, the misunderstandings hurt, and the eventual healing moments were incredibly rewarding. Add in supportive siblings, hilarious team group chats, Thanksgiving chaos, and just enough spice to keep things fun, and I was fully sold.
The author did an amazing job building this world and setting up future stories, I’m already dying to know what’s next. Emotional, romantic, funny, and heartfelt, this was a beautiful second-chance love story about trust, healing, and choosing each other again!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
July 13, 2026
This is the first book in this new hockey romance series.
This is a sweet second chance romance that see Jake and Kailyn reconnect after breaking up in high school.
This book focuses on Kailyn's insecurities, and how she works to have better control over them, and her struggles with PCOS (PMOS). It also has a lovely storyline of friendship, support and communication. It was lovely to read about the friendships Kailyn makes in her new job.
I liked the set up of the characters on the hockey team and wider friends so you start to guess whose story is next and what it could be.
A nice start to a new series.
Thank you to the author for this review copy.
This is a sweet second chance romance that see Jake and Kailyn reconnect after breaking up in high school.
This book focuses on Kailyn's insecurities, and how she works to have better control over them, and her struggles with PCOS (PMOS). It also has a lovely storyline of friendship, support and communication. It was lovely to read about the friendships Kailyn makes in her new job.
I liked the set up of the characters on the hockey team and wider friends so you start to guess whose story is next and what it could be.
A nice start to a new series.
Thank you to the author for this review copy.
July 17, 2026
Such a great debut novel! I love hockey romances and this did not disappoint!
I loved the girl power and PMOS representation and of course the body positive representation. Kailyn’s confidence struggles were so relatable and I was cheering for her.
The hockey scenes were very well done and realistic.
My only criticism is that I felt the conflict between Jake and Kailyn was resolved too easily and quickly. But I still love me a fluffy and sexy book of a happy couple without too many bumps in the road.
I loved the girl power and PMOS representation and of course the body positive representation. Kailyn’s confidence struggles were so relatable and I was cheering for her.
The hockey scenes were very well done and realistic.
My only criticism is that I felt the conflict between Jake and Kailyn was resolved too easily and quickly. But I still love me a fluffy and sexy book of a happy couple without too many bumps in the road.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This a debut novel for this author and it was good. A hockey/ sports trainer romance. Kailyn and Jake have a romantic history greyhound we’re secretly dating in high school but ended up breaking up due to miscommunication. Kailyn is a plus size girl which a lot of emotional insecurities while Jake has loved her for years. My only issue was that they forgave each other too quickly and jumped into a relationship in the first half of the story. Would I read her future books sure.
July 16, 2026
My first hockey romance experience outside of Off Campus and Heated Rivalry and I can tell you that Nicole knows her stuff! She brings in the character development, the first PCOS representation I’ve seen in an FMC and the best second chance romance I’ve read! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the series! Get this book in your hands asap!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book. Jake and Kailyn were amazing. The journey these two go on is honestly just so beautiful. This book had everything from those heartfelt moments, to the banter, to the spice, and I ate it all up. If you’re looking for your next sport romance obsession look no further!!
August 28, 2026
I really enjoyed False Start! The second-chance romance + brother’s best friend combo was so good. I loved Jake and watching these two find their way back to each other after all those years. There was definitely some drama and miscommunication, but overall this was such a fun hockey romance and an easy read!
July 17, 2026
Review to come
July 24, 2026
This is 10% sweet 90% huge paragraphs rehashing insecurities.
Read
July 25, 2026Entretenido
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