Overall there were some elements of this book I really loved, but a lot missed the mark.

What I loved:
I loved the chronic disease representation! I didn't know a lot about fibromyalgia, and I really appreciated the insight of what life is truly like for someone with this disease.

The found family was great, I really enjoyed reading about the side characters and the hockey team boys.

Liam was so sweet and kind, I loved how he would do anything for Ellis, and his nickname sunshine was the sweetest.

The relationship between Liam and Jack was also really sweet to read. I loved that Liam just dove right in to fatherhood.

What I didn't love:
There was literally no reason why Ellis and Liam couldn't have a conversation about what type of relationship they wanted. Instead it dragged out for way too long, and the inner dialogues and miscommunication drove me insane. It was too much.

I felt like the open door scenes were unnecessary... I don't mind them when they lend to the story or give more context into intimacy, but I felt that was lacking here.

It was way too early to hear the heartbeat and have an external sonogram when Ellis did. I don't mean to be picky, but if you're going to write about pregnancy I feel it needs to be properly researched.

Speaking of... this five year old was not written as a typical five year old at all. No way they would've asked someone to "have a talk by the water" and discuss marriage and babies...

The bed rest made no sense. One minute she couldn't walk around and go down steps and then the next minute they were on a date walking around and eating.

I found there were a lot of contradictions overall. She was starving but then passed out because she had no appetite, she loved him but didn't know if she did, she wanted Liam to be with her but then she didn't...

Overall, I think she had some great ideas and some very sweet moments, and this had a lot of potential, but this could've really used some editing.

Melting for You by Tegan Phillips

This book wasn’t what I was expecting and wasn’t your typical hockey romance.

10 years after breaking up, FMC Ellis and MMC Liam bump into each other and decide on one final fling.

What they didn’t plan on was the positive pregnancy test after their night together.

The story follows the pair navigating their parenting journey as co-parents and focuses on the balancing of careers and Ellis dealing with her chronic illness on top of it all.

This was a sweet romance with some complex emotions plaguing Ellis that were a little tough. Liam was genuinely a nice characters which tends to be rare in most romances. The story really shed a light on Fibromyalgia and the daily struggles that come from this illness.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy.

This was an enjoyable read but I did find it dragged on a bit at times and I found myself zoning out. I liked the main characters and got invested in the background ones too. Lots of details put into the book made it an good read.

The story was really cute, but it was too long. Had many parts that i would take it of. But over all, it was cool. Loved the fibromialgia representation!

I really don't love the un-planned pregnancy trope, but the main characters were easy to root for. I found the team cameraderie believable and I couldn't wait to see these two finally get the happy ending they deserved.

I had to dnf this book about 55% into it. I just couldn't vibe with the main female character. Just something about it botherd me. I tried to push through, I really like the writing.

This book was cute but predictable. I think the story itself was great for a sweet romcom and would make a cute movie that you could put on in the background and not need to pay attention too. Unfortunately reading it felt a little forced because it dragged on sometimes. Overall was nice for a break between other books but not in my top list at all.

3.5/5 (rounded up to 4 because I’m nice 😄)

This was a sweet and super cute read! Ellis and Liam’s story is a second-chance hockey romance with an unexpected pregnancy twist. Ellis, a florist living with chronic illness, reconnects with her college ex/now NHL star Liam, and one night together changes everything.

Tegan Phillips handles Ellis’s chronic illness with care. It’s part of her life, but not her whole identity, which I really appreciated. The chemistry between Ellis and Liam is strong, and their banter kept things fun even when the emotions ran deep. There’s also plenty of drama: pushy families, media pressure, and tough coaches all add layers to their journey.

The pacing dragged a bit in places, but overall, the character growth and emotional payoff made it worth the read. A cozy, heartfelt romance with just enough spice and a lot of heart.

Melting for You is the kind of steamy, emotional second-chance romance that grabs you from page one. Ellis and Liam’s one-night reunion sizzles—and when that night turns into a surprise pregnancy, things get even more complicated (and deliciously messy).

Ellis is a strong, relatable heroine balancing chronic illness and career goals, and Liam is the hot ex-NHL player trying to step up while the media and his past threaten to derail everything. The chemistry between them is still off the charts, but it’s the emotional stakes and slow rebuild of trust that really hit.

If you love surprise baby stories, fiery second chances, and romances that are both sexy and sincere, this one’s for you.

17% in - DNF

I believe it has potential? But I really cannot read more. I thought I could bare the second chance trope as a main trope, but no. It’s just not for me.

I didn’t like that in the first few chapters we already have: them having one night stand, she finds out she’s pregnant again and also how her ex was - like the whole story. It’s a bit too much for approximately 40 pages.

And too many thoughts. Most of the chapters we had what they were thinking and little to no action. Also, the FMC seemed a bit insufferable. I just couldn’t connect with her or the MMC.

Maybe I cannot talk that deep about this book and its execution because I just cannot finish it, for dear life, but I believe it might have some potential.
I thought I would like it due to the prologue where it seemed like an emotional book because of Ellie’s critical condition. It turned out not to be a book for me after all.

Others might like it, that’s why I give it like 2 stars because, the idea is there, but the execution..could have been improved (at least from how much I’ve read). Maybe the pregnancy trope with second chance is not for me and it’s improbable I would come back to it.

I love reading hockey romance books and so I couldn't wait to pick this book up. I flew through this book and loved the characters and their challenges.

I’m a sucker for any hockey love story and this one did not disappoint. I loved the two protagonists and found myself rooting for them throughout the whole story! I can’t wait to buy a copy for my shelf. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the advanced copy. I give this book 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Hera Publishing for this eARC of Melting for You by Teagan Phillips for my honest and fair review.

Ellis and Liam were head over heels in love when they were in college buddies. When Liam went into the NHL draft, they decided to end their year-long relationship before he left. Ellis had dreams and a plan of her own, and she didn’t want Liam to sacrifice his dream for her. So, they made the tough decision to call it quits, no matter how they felt towards each other. They left each other heartbroken.

Ten years later, they run into each other at a bar, and their chemistry and mutual attraction are still strong. They give in to one more night together. But their lives have changed: Ellis has a five-year-old son, and Liam is a famous hockey player. After their one-night stand, Ellis discovers she’s pregnant. Now, Liam and Ellis have to figure out how to move on together.

I enjoyed the book, but I could definitely tell it was the author’s debut novel. The story had a lot of potential, and there were things that I could relate to. But the writing was a bit clunky, and the pacing was all over the place. The author did a great job of showing Ellis’s fibromyalgia, as someone who recently got diagnosed with the same chronic pain illness, I felt Ellis’s struggles really deep in my bones. Her journey through the pain was so relatable and respectful. I’ve never seen fibromyalgia depicted so accurately, and it was refreshing to feel seen.

But it was a bit repetitive, and I ended up skimming some of her inner dialogue. But that won’t stop me from reading the next book of the series. I’m curious to see where the other relationships go, and I think with time, the author’s writing will improve and be more enjoyable for the reader.

this was a super cute read! i flew through this book in one day and it kept me interested the entire time! would definitely recommend for people wanting a quick romance! will be continuing this if more books are released!

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I’m afraid I DNFed this book, I just didn’t get on with the writing style and found it quite hard to get into.

This is the first book of this author that I have read and I couldnt not love it. I really enjoyed the second chance romance part of the book and it makes you all swoony for these characters.

Ellis and Liam reconnect 10 years after they break up in college. Liam has never stopped loving her, but Ellis, now a single mom suffering from fibromyalgia, doesn’t want to burden Liam and big him down. I really enjoyed this story, sure there were a few moments I wanted to smack Ellis for being so resistant, but her ever changing feelings kinda felt authentic to someone who has pregnancy hormones combined with past issues, AND wanting to do what’s right despite how she feels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for a chance to read this book it was a definitely tugging at your heart strings with mention of chronic illness. I felt so involved in this book and I can see how if anyway loves hockey and wants to have their heart strings pulled at then this book is for them. It is a wonderful heartfelt book for hockey romance readers. I want to read more from this author and definitely more hockey romances. I recommend this book.

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable read.
If you’re into sports romance, Melting For You by Tegan Phillips is definitely one to check out.
This was a wonderfully written romance story.
I absolutely loved these characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.
A sweet, fun and engaging read!

Melting for You by Tegan Phillips, is an enjoyable, sweet, heartwarming love story where an accidental pregnancy is the spark for finally finding true love, after reconnecting with each other again. There is a chronic illness representation which is displayed in an honest and open manner.

Ellis Ainsley and Liam Ruinsky were the perfect couple during their college days, but life had other plans, once they graduated. A decade after their painful breakup, they unexpectedly cross paths again. Much has changed: Ellis is now a dedicated single mom to a spirited five-year-old, Jack, and successfully runs her own flower shop, while Liam has risen to fame as a star NHL hockey player. Despite the years apart, the undeniable chemistry between them still simmers beneath the surface.

What started as a fleeting one-night stand quickly spirals into a life-altering situation when Ellis discovers she's pregnant. Suddenly, both Liam and Ellis are forced into a whirlwind of emotions as they struggle with their unexpected reality. With a baby on the way, they need to deal with their feelings for each other and reassess their futures. Liam is determined to be fully present and involved in this new chapter of their lives as they figure out how to build a family together and whether or not love can be part of their future.

Ellis’ journey is not just about love rekindled: it’s about resilience, community, accepting oneself and finding peace amidst the chaos. The way the topic of pregnancy is discussed throughout the book was great, realistic; showing that, especially with Ellis’ illness, making it not all sunshine’s and rainbows. I struggled with Ellis pushing Liam away; especially when her actions and her words didn’t line up. Liam just wanted to love and support her. These two needed a heart-to-heart talk sooner, as it might have helped Ellis earlier.
I loved Liam naturally assuming the father role to Jack without realizing what he was doing. Both as a partner and parent his protectiveness and lovesick puppy moments were delightful to read.

Ms. Phillips wrote a love story built on history, healing, and the slow rebuilding of trust. Ellis and Liam’s journey was not just about love rekindled; it’s about resilience, community, accepting oneself and finding peace amidst the chaos. There are some really likeable side characters in this story: Ellis’ son, Jack, Lyndsey, who worked for Ellis, and some of Liam’s Hockey teammates. I can hope there are more stories coming: especially after the ending - Lyndsey’s and Anders’ story, and Edge deserves a story too.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #HeraBooks #MeltingForYou