Melting Point

by Cici Williams

'From the first chapter, I was hooked' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reader review There’s a Winter Olympic medal on the line. But their toughest challenge is resisting each other…

February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Sam Harrington’s mind is winning her first medal for snowboarding.

Enter Finn Bradley. They've had a 'friends forever' pact for, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings aside and tries to focus on training.

But when a major team sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they're told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam and Finn agree to fake a relationship. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won't be a slippery slope…

There's only one problem. Finn's secretly been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he's decided that as well as a medal, he wants to win Sam over.

Chalet Girl meets Stephanie Archer in this spicy, fake dating, friends-to-lovers sports romance you need this Winter!

Tropes:

👫 🥰 Friends-to-Lovers❤️😉Fake dating🌶️ 🔥Spice Readers can't get enough of this spicy winter 'Perfect for a winter read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This steamy winter romance has it all' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A raunchy, feel-good story' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Spicy and heartwarming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers

Audible Audio

Published January 15, 2026

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this friends to lovers, fake dating, forbidden dual pov contemporary sports romance debut between a pro skateboarder and a ski jumper who are both competing in the 2026 Olympics. The women in sport rep was amazing!! The pressure of competing, the female friendships, the drive for sponsors and to win, added to all that was having her dad as her coach and her brother who was dealing with a life-changing injury that ended his skateboarding career. This was also good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Sarina Bowen's Gravity series. 10/10 recommend to help get you in the mood for the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympics.

[bowiesbooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

A friends to lovers romance between Sam and Finn that takes place at the Winter Olympics.

This sports romance starts off quick that’s for sure! Within 14% the main characters are saying sod it and sleeping together, despite a seven year pact that they would remain strictly friends. For me, there wasn’t enough to change between them for this to happen. It was like I started reading the story already half way through; he’s pining for her, she thinks he’s smoking and they realise they’ve always been everything to each other… at 15% through the book.

My biggest peeve of the book was being told things rather than shown them. Our fmc, Sam, says things like “Argh! I’m so frustrated and angry”. I hate being spoon fed emotions!

10% into the book, we get from the mmc Finn, ‘“I do.” Finn's stomach flipped as he spoke. I do ... wedding vow words ...’
These are only two examples of the types of little things that stood out to me as perfect examples of telling rather than showing. We are being told how the characters feel, rather than deducing it from their actions and inner feelings. We are told 10% in that Finn is completely in love with Sam, leaving absolutely no room for mystery, build-up, yearning or rooting for the couple.

My final reason I didn’t enjoy this book was that I found it to be overall cringe. Sentences such as ‘He loved silly Sam as much as serious Sam; in fact, there wasn't a thing about her he'd change, not even when she was sassy Sam’ honestly made this a tough read. The dialogue seemed so fake and it ended up making this novel read like a caricature of a sports romance, which I think is a real shame for the whole genre.

This is probably my harshest review to date and I’m aware that this is a debut, and I would never want to knock anyone down. However, as a reviewer I have to to honestly say that this was not a great read and there are many other better sports romances out there to be discovered!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

There’s a Winter Olympic medal on the line. But their toughest challenge is resisting each other…February 2026: the Italian Winter Olympics. The only thing on Sam Harrington’s mind is winning her first medal for snowboarding. Enter Finn Bradley. They've had a 'friends forever' pact for, well, forever, so Sam pushes her growing feelings aside and tries to focus on training. But when a major team sponsorship falls through, Sam needs to find funding, and fast. When they're told that pretending to be a couple will give them a better chance at finding sponsors, Sam and Finn agree to fake a relationship. They spend all their time together already, surely pretending to be a couple won't be a slippery slope… There's only one problem. Finn's secretly been in love with her for years, and this Olympic season, he's decided that as well as a medal, he wants to win Sam over.

Sam and Finn felt very similar throughout the book. Same interests, similar way of thinking. I would have liked more of a separation between their thought processes because other than small details, it was rather identical. When characters are unique, I can’t help but fall in love and with Sam and Finn, I liked them but that’s where it ends. I wasn’t rooting for them on the edge of my seat. A couple of times, I did roll my eyes at them, I have to admit. More separation and individuality for me would have certainly made my reading experience more enjoyable.

If you know me, you know I really enjoy a fake dating story. Mix it with being a sports romance and I am SOLD! The plot here isn’t too bad but I feel like the writing is just a little weak. I managed to read this at a steady pace but it felt like descriptions were lacking at times and certain scenes could have been stronger for more of an impact. The same goes for the characters, I feel. They are great and fun to read about, but there wasn’t much depth to them. When you’re discussing something that’s meant to be more intimate, or hard hitting, I was to really understand why it’s happening. Not glaze over important history and not truly discuss the impact. That said, I did like the romance here. Initially, it felt a little bit high school but when we moved past those first few chapters, it started to settle and became more enjoyable. I do feel that the spicy moments helped elevate the romance too. Without it, I fear it could have been a bit one note. There are mixed emotions about the ending. I liked how the issues resolved but the two chapters after felt a little unnecessary for me.

Overall, Melting Point is a sweet sports romance that’s great for this cold weather.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn Bradley has now been added to the list of book boyfriends™️. And he’s high on it.

🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵 MELTING POINT 🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷

Oh my lord. This book!

It just came out today and I’ve already finished it and have so many thoughts! The perfect balance of drama, friendship, love and a bit of lovely spice thrown in (which is written SO well, you know how fussy I am with the way spice is written) — it’s true and genuine love, not a cringe lustfest which made me so happy. 🥰

Let’s talk about the book. What a beautiful front cover. The cover was what instantly drew me in back in November. I knew I had to give it a go. Sam looking all stylish and Finn looking like a total 90s boyband god? Yes please. Sign me up 🏂
The plot itself was a blend of sports drama, romantic tension and of course, a happy ending. I know we’re due Maya’s story next but I am DESPERATE for another book of Sam and Finn. I am begging. This was like a teasing taste of them. I need more. 😩💝💕💗💕💓💕💖

Firstly, Finn. FINN. Totally gorgeous and swoony. This is how you write a truly amazing MMC! His yearning for Sam is everything. He is supportive, kind and willing to do what it takes for Sam’s dream of winning gold come true. Very reminiscent of Naveen and Flynn Rider. Finn is so careful with Sam— never making her uncomfortable or overstepping the line without her consent. I felt for him when others would bring up his track record with girls and assume things about him when he really wasn’t like that at all! :( Loved the tiny tidbit mentions we got of his mom, was sad to find out about his dad. The fact Finn used to do ballet? We need a whole other book of him being a dancer. Nothing is more attractive than a man who can dance! Pleaseeeee!

Sam. A fun and bubbly FMC who has a dream and wants it so badly. I could feel it radiating off the pages how much getting a gold medal meant to her. Sam’s internal thoughts about Finn were also relatable. I was shouting at her and Finn to just admit their feelings already. The shower scene took me by surprise and in the best way! Their chemistry was amazing. Best friends. Lovers. The best trope there is. Another thing that must be mentioned… Sam’s friendship with Maya was great. Usually in books it’s the FMC’s best friend who gets on my nerves a bit but Maya was cool.
Sam’s dad was pushing it. We do not like Jake Harrington, sorry! Sam deserved pep talks from him and support. I felt for her when she was having issues with him. Finn puts him in his place though, and I’m sure he changes for the better.

This book has earned itself a top spot on my bookshelves amongst some of my favourites. It really was such a fantastic read and since I read it in one sitting, I may do a reread to soak up all the swoony goodness. 😋

Cici, Amy— thank you for being so sweet and for listening to my waffling about how excited I was to read your book! Thank you for blessing me with Finn especially. 🥹🩵

[Book Addict Mands · Rating 2 out of 5]

Melting Point by Cici Williams
⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon for the ARC of this book.

Melting Point is a winter–sports romance that follows Sam, a 23-year-old snowboarder, and Finn, a 24-year-old skier, on the road to Gold at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

This book caught my eye as it had fake dating and secret pining with some friends to lovers mixed in, all which are tropes that I love. There was a lot of use of the miscommunication trope within the book also which did put me off as it isn’t my favourite trope. For such good friends it felt unbelievable at times that the main characters couldn’t or wouldn’t talk to each other about their feelings.

This book was heading for a 3 star for me until phrases like ‘swollen member’, ‘swollen staff’ and ‘steel sheath’ were all used within a couple of pages to describe Finns 🍆 . It completely ruined the spice for me. I powered through the remaining 20% of the book but it wasn’t the same.

Melting point was a cute (in parts) wintery read but unfortunately wasn’t for me.

#bookstagram

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Mia fawnsandfairytales · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll start my review by noting that I fell quite naturally into the story and it flowed well at the very start, but the first scene continued for a long time and it felt like it never really ended in a sense. There wasn’t much of interest happening throughout the book, and even the competitions themselves were over in just a page. The pacing of the entire book just felt off.

The story is told over I think 5 or 6 days, and it just wasn’t enough. Everything was squeezed in, and yet there wasn’t much of anything at the same time.

This book fell very flat for me and I’d hoped for so much more.

Sports theme -

In terms of the sports theme itself, we barely got any of it. We didn’t see our main characters training or practising for the olympics at all (other than one gym session, but I mean actively practising their sport)

I was looking forward to all the time we’d spend with the characters on the slopes, but other than for a couple of seconds during the 2 or 3 competitions they did, we didn’t get a moment of it.

After we got one flashback scene of the main characters Sam and Finn as teens, I thought we may get to see more, especially of them discovering their love for skiing and snowboarding. But sadly not.

I didn’t feel immersed in the sport one bit. The winter olympics purely served as a backdrop. The snowy mountains and cosy lodges were a beautiful setting at least.

Competitions -

The competition was completely lacklustre. There was no build-up whatsoever. I didn’t feel like the intensity of the thrill and anticipation they would have experienced was captured. When I said that the competitions were covered in a page, I’m not exaggerating one bit. A series of maneuvers were listed that the characters performed, and then they’d win a medal and hug. The scenes were extremely short. We didn’t get any description of how it felt going down the slope, their plan for what moves they’d do, the panic or excitement they’d feel etc etc

Povs -

We follow the povs of both love interests, and yet we miss Finn winning a gold medal during the finals. I was shocked as this felt like such a pivotal moment. It completely glosses over the scene and mentions it in passing afterwards. I don’t even believe we’re explicitly told whether or not Sam attended his competition. The writing just felt lazy.

I really think this book would have been much better with only the one pov. It just didn’t work and was too much. We knew every inner conflict the other character was battling and it left no room for any sort of ‘mystery’. At every stage, Finn and Sam were each questioning the others’ intentions, but the reader already knew in detail what the other felt.

The miscommunication was so repetitive, and due to having both their povs, it just felt dragged out and exhausting.

I also just couldn’t differentiate between their personalities. They felt like the same person. Their thought processes were the same, and they were both insecure and timid.

They kept giving hints or confessing how they felt to each other and then second-guessing and doubting others’ feelings. This happened over and over.

The mixed signals were so confusing and stressful for both them and the reader.

And to top it off, I believe there were times when this book switched from third-person pov to first, which was very disorientating.

Telling and not showing -

This book suffered a lot from telling the reader what was happening and not showing.

My least favourite examples of this being character dialogue that the author will tell us occurred but then doesn’t write the scene:

“She took his phone and cajoled the group into laughing and smiling.”

“He was laughing at something Davide was saying about Valentina flirting with Finn.”

It’s so frustrating as the reader to be told “she said something funny” “we talked about this” but we don’t get to experience it. It really ruins the immersion and, again, just feels like lazy writing.

Writing -

There were also a lot of repetitive sentences and actions repeating information to the reader that had already been explained, often in the previous sentence.

I also noticed a lot of poor word choices and placement of these words. It took me out of the story as I feel like the repetitive use of words over five times in one paragraph should have been more carefully arranged or adapted.

Then there were the contradictory statements, which just baffled me at times. I remember there being such a confusing one that was so funny but I forgot to note it down. I started noticing them more and more afterwards though, especially ‘firmly yet gently’, which is a minor one I feel, but they liked to say it a lot.

The contradictions were mostly used when describing the characters’ emotions, such as:

“it was both electrifying, thrilling and making him worry.”

This use of descriptive words in threes was used a lot too:

“his solid body offered her warmth, strength and love.”

It made the writing feel very simplified, as well as the thoughts and emotions of the characters being over explained.

Characterisation -

In terms of emotions, the characters somehow also felt emotionless despite their emotions being laid out in threes over and over. The characters were easily swayed and didn’t hold on to their feelings or opinions for long. They moved on fast and reacted quite blandly to a lot of scenarios.

Their character arcs as a whole felt underdeveloped and sudden, and like many things in this book, surface level.

Romance -

I’d have really loved to see the development of their friendship that led them to this point. We were thrown right into them being at the winter olympics and were immediately told by both povs that they’d loved each other forever.

I enjoyed the flashback scene of them at prom and think the book could have benefitted from more of these spread throughout to build a bigger, more fulfilling picture; an understanding of why they were best friends and what they had been through together to add some depth to their relationship.

There was a lot of push and pull between them, so much so that it was just irritating. They would quite clearly express their feelings for one another and then the next moment or scene act like they’d never even heard the other say it, and they must have just imagined it.

There was even what felt like it must have been three times where Finn revealed to Maya (Sam’s best friend) his true feelings for Sam, and each time Maya seemed to be suprised by this information, and behaved as if it was the first time he was telling her.

The first spicy scene between Finn and Sam occurred only 30% into the book and ruined any sort of exciting build-up for me. It felt very sudden and in a best friend’s to lovers romance where they’d loved each other since they were kids, I expected a lot more from it.

Fake dating -

In terms of the fake dating plot line, it just didn’t make sense.

Finn has kept his feelings for Sam locked tight away for two reasons: they made a pact to not let any feelings get in the way of their sporting careers, and Sam’s dad told Finn to keep his distance from Sam.

Finn needed the money he got from working under Sam’s dad (who is a coach) so he could provide for his family and give them a better life. He was too scared of disobeying his coach.

And yet when the fake dating idea is brought up because it would look good for PR, Finn agrees, even knowing it will be mean convining the entire sports world that he and Sam are dating.

The thought process they had was that Sam’s dad would never find out, as he doesn’t use social media. But surely if he’s at the winter olympics, anyone who follows Finn and Sam’s socials would see them dating and could mention it to the dad.

But even when Sam’s dad sees them cosying up and behaving like more than friends on multiple occasions, he just glares at Finn. There is a moment the dad confronts Finn, and then he immediately backs down.

There really was just no excitement or tension to this book at all.

The Dad -

It was also so random for the dad to suddenly switch from being called dad in Sam’s narrative to being referred to as ‘Jake’. The first time it happened (because it’s never explained why she calls him that. I can only presume its due to their strained relationship) I thought it was a completely different character who had entered the scene. We had only known him as ‘Dad’ prior to the change for multiple chapters.

I also didn’t understand why, if the dad was so horrible a person (due to abandoning their mother and Sam’s brother after they were disabled in a car crash and generally treating Sam heartlessly and dismissively) they even kept working with him?

I understand he was pivotal to their training when they were young. But I’m surprised that they stuck by him. I’m sure there must have been other options/routes they could have taken to stand their ground and not contribute to lining his pockets and furthering his coaching career when he’s so undeserving of profiting off their fame.

Her dad had also been neglecting her in favour of a new girl he was training. When Sam wins gold, her dad is nowhere to be found. In one of the final scenes, Sam feels affectionate for her dad and forgives him, and the dad is all of a sudden nice. It was completely unlike his character, and I truly don’t understand his motives as to why he was so harsh. There is no closure or explanation.

Lack of conflict/climax or resolution -

Finally, this book had no arc, no major conflict, and no resolution. The characters acted like they were changed people and that something pivotal had happened, but nothing happened.

There is a moment where Sam finds a snowboarding outfit that she is too scared to wear, even though it feels more her than the branded gear she has to wear. After ranking 4th place in one of her competitions, she is very unhappy. Very quickly that melts away though. She puts on the outfit, sees who she really is, does the next competition, and wins gold. It happened so fast and didn’t have any emotional impact.

What I liked -

I think the only part of this book I liked was the side character Maya, but even she was very overexaggerated in terms of her bubbliness and joking. It was such a loud contrast to Sam and Finn’s passiveness.

End -

Overall, there were just too many issues that continuously brought me out of the story. I think this book needed better structure and plot and some more finessing to make it flow better.

p.s Oh and I forgot to mention – and I guess the author did too – Finn’s aunt. She was introduced purely to be convienent for a small scene. When Sam comes round to Finn’s hotel room, Finn invites her into his balcony hot tub. Since Sam doesn’t have a costume, Finn says something along the lines of:

‘Don’t worry, my aunt just arrived to watch the olympics and she dropped her bags off here and in this bag there’s plenty of spare swimming costumes as she always brings extra in different sizes in case anybody forgets one.’

I don’t think I need to say anything more about this. The aunt was never seen again btw...

~

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I read this book as an arc via netgalley in return for an honest review on the netgalley platform. This review on goodreads is my voluntary review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melting Point delivers exactly what winter sports romance should: adrenaline, longing, and that razor-thin line between friendship and something much more dangerous. Cici Williams takes the familiar “friends-to-lovers” arc and tightens it with Olympic-level stakes, a fake-dating twist, and a delicious slow-burn that feels both inevitable and heart-clenchingly risky.

Sam Harrington is the kind of heroine you root for immediately—fiercely competitive, wildly dedicated, and so tunnel-visioned on earning her first Winter Olympic medal that she’s willing to freeze out any inconvenient feelings. She’s a snowboarder with grit, a touch of emotional avoidance, and a stubborn belief that love is a distraction she can’t afford.

Finn Bradley, meanwhile, is the quietly devoted best friend whose feelings have grown far beyond friendship while Sam’s back was turned. He’s thoughtful where Sam is intense, steady where she is stormy. Williams nails his internal struggle—the tension between wanting more and refusing to jeopardize the one person he cares about most.

Their dynamic is magnetic: playful banter layered with unsaid longing, years of shared history, and the kind of chemistry that feels like standing on the edge of a half-pipe, heart pounding. When a sponsorship crisis forces them into a fake relationship, the emotional stakes sharpen beautifully. Suddenly every playful touch has weight. Every photo op feels like a dare. Every night in that cozy Italian chalet becomes a test neither of them is sure they can pass.

What makes this book shine is the emotional control behind the spice. The heat is fun, flirty, and snowy-chalet-steamy, but the real impact comes from watching two athletes navigate ambition, vulnerability, fear of change, and the terrifying possibility of losing each other. Williams doesn’t rush their transformation; she lets it thaw slowly, allowing friendship to melt into something deeper one heated moment at a time.

By the final chapters, you feel every ounce of the risk—and every bit of the reward. Melting Point is warm, spicy, competitive, and unexpectedly tender. A perfect read for anyone who loves winter sports, irresistible tension, and a best-friends-to-lovers arc that sticks the landing.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashley Thorsfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! never read one by this author, and i wasn’t dissapointed!

friends —> lovers
Minimal spice
Great plot
Great banter
Cozy ❄️
Perfect for the winter & cold season bundling up with this book!

Don’t take yourself too seriously when reading this book, and you’ll love it. It really was a fun, cozy read!
bonus, since it’s fall, it was raining outside so i got to experience it sort of! i am in Minnesota! it’s cold here!

Also, will probably have to give this another reread it really was that fun when the snow starts hitting! ❄️🥰

Thank you to Avon Publishing & Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are my own & honest!

[Laura Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melting Point by Cici Williams

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Melting Point by Cici Williams is the perfect book to curl up with this winter — think frosty slopes, friends-to-lovers heat, and a healthy dose of Olympic pressure. Set against the backdrop of the Italian Winter Olympics, the story follows Sam Harrington, a determined snowboarder with her eyes on her first Olympic medal, and her lifelong best friend Finn Bradley, a skier whose feelings have run deeper than friendship for far too long.

With their sponsorship in jeopardy, Sam and Finn strike a deal to fake a relationship – a classic setup that sparkles here with charm and tension. They already spend a lot of time together, so how much harder could pretending really be? However, Finn has been harbouring real feelings for years, and the closer they get to Olympic glory, the less “fake” their connection feels.

Beneath all the snowy action, the heart of the story is wonderfully warm. The way these two athletes show up for each other — on and off the slopes — makes their slow shift toward something more feel completely natural. The Olympic atmosphere adds a playful edge, with all the training demands and media frenzy creating tension that enhances the romance rather than competes with it.

Tropes for Melting Point:

❄️ Friends to Lovers
❄️ Fake Dating
❄️ Winter Olympics
❄️ Snowboarder x Skier
❄️ Sports Romance

A fun, flirty, and heartfelt romance that blends Olympic ambition with the age-old question: Is it worth risking friendship for love? If you adore friends-to-lovers tropes with fake dating and winter sports flair, Melting Point is a sweet, spicy treat you’ll want to devour under a cozy blanket.

[Sarah Pirtle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been in a book slump for months, I just couldn’t get into anything. When I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I grew up skiing, so I really enjoyed the winter sports aspect of it.
Sam was sweet, fun, and unproblematic. I really appreciated how she knew she could accomplish things, but she let all the pressure get to her head. I felt like I really related to her.
Finn is goofy, kind, and considerate. I really enjoyed him as our MMC.
Maya was a fun character for me, but she had some cringey dialogue.
I wish we got a bit more of Harper and Becky as I like the competition aspects of sports romance.
The conflict with Sam’s dad fell short for me. There wasn’t much resolution or growth for him. There wasn’t an honest conversation between himself and Sam, which I was expecting in the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. The pacing was a little wacky to me, but that’s my only real complaint.

[AudiobooksMostly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon Books UK for the advance reader copy of Melting Point by Cici Williams.

I really enjoyed this friends to lovers romance. These two friends and athletes had made a pact to remain friends as they focus on achieving their Olympic dreams. When their chemistry is noted and it's suggested they pretend to be together to help with securing sponsorship, the two are soon thrown into the world of fake dating. This complicates their longtime pact and the feelings they’ve tried to set aside are soon very difficult to resist.

The Olympic setting is really fun for this romance. Sam and Finn are adorable and really do have such great chemistry. I really adored their development from friends to lovers. It has a truly HEA ending for our MCs.

[☆Laura☆]

Sam Harrington siempre soñó con ganar una medalla olímpica. Después de años de entrenamientos, sacrificios y la constante presión de un padre que nunca parece verla brillar, finalmente tiene su oportunidad en los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno en Livigno, Italia.

A su lado está Finn Bradley, su mejor amigo desde la adolescencia y confidente en cada caída y triunfo. Juntos hicieron un pacto: nada de romances que interfieran con sus metas. Pero la cercanía, la complicidad y un inesperado acuerdo para fingir ser pareja frente a la prensa empiezan a poner ese pacto en riesgo.

Mientras los focos se encienden y las rivalidades en la nieve se vuelven cada vez más intensas, Sam y Finn descubrirán que lo más difícil no es alcanzar la gloria olímpica, sino decidir si están dispuestos a apostar por un amor que puede cambiarlo todo.


___



Según Finn, siempre estuvo enamorado de Sam, pero como habían hecho un pacto de no enamorarse hasta conseguir una medalla de oro, ella respetó ese acuerdo. El problema es que, en lugar de demostrarle que valía la pena romperlo, él se la pasa acostándose con cuanta mujer se le cruza en el camino y todo esto frente a Sam. A ella él también le gustaba, pero justamente al ver ese comportamiento no cree que sus sentimientos sean reales, porque lo único que ve es a Finn coqueteando con todas.

Tampoco se trató bien el tema de Jake, Leo y Becky. El papá (de Sam) que era su entrenador, ignoraba constantemente a Sam y la hacía perder en competencias. Leo, su hermano, como estaba comprometido con Becky (la otra alumna de su padre), apoyaba todo lo que este decía y hacía, sin importar si lastimaba a Sam. Al final, cuando Sam decidió dejar de escucharlos, ganó el oro. Sin embargo, nunca hubo una verdadera conversación sobre cómo la afectaron esos malos tratos, y fue ella quien terminó perdonando y fingiendo que nada había pasado.

Además, se revela que el padre también tuvo parte de culpa en que Finn nunca le confesara nada a Sam, ya que lo había amenazado con perjudicar su carrera aprovechando sus contactos si no se mantenía alejado de ella. Y aunque se entiende el tema del perdón como forma de no cargar con lo que no le correspondía, resulta poco creíble que Sam simplemente olvide todo y continúe teniendo relación con ese señor cuando este no le importaba arruinarle la vida.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melting Point by Cici Williams was a heartwarming friends to lovers romance set in the exciting Winter Olympics! Finn and Sam are so beautiful together. They fit each other's broken sides perfectly. I dont come across a lot winter sports in my sports romance reads and it was definitely something unique.

Sam and Finn made a pact on the night of her prom that they will stay just friends till they win an Olympic medal. Her father is a legendary coach and Finn was training under him too. Years have passed and they both had moments when they wanted to break the rules. Finn fell harder and faster. But this Olympics is her last chance to prove herself to her father and to the world. Things get complicated when their friendly photos go viral. Fake dating is a slippery slope, specially when they were both hiding their feelings


I feel so sad for Sam Her father abandoned their family after a massive accident left her mother paralytic and her brother injured enough to stop competing. He gives preferential treatment to her competitor in the team. She is missing sponsorship. She is angry and desperate and hurt and she is losing focus, spining out of control, letting others ness up with her head. She can be really immature a lot of times. Finn is the more solid and stable part of their relationship. Always supportive and caring and protective. He is a great book boyfriend. The sports gave an adrenaline filled boost to the slow burn.


The book has new adult romance vibes through the characters are in mid 20s. I felt like being stuck in a loop a lot of times. It was two steps forward and one step back with Sam. Everything was tied in a neat bow at the end even Sam's dysfunctional relationship with her father and brother. The secondary characters can be distraction. It definitely wasnt very spicy. It might be due to my high expectations. We had a lot of monologue those could be avoided.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

[lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This confirmed for me that I need to read more sports romances! I haven’t read a winter sports romance before, and this is set in 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy between a skier and snowboarder who made a pact as teens to always put their disciplines above a relationship. This involves fake dating, in order for Sam and Finn to secure funding, and a friends-to-lovers dynamic 🏂

The setting of this one was lovely - wintry Italy, cosy bars, fairy lights, lots of snow ❄️ My favouriteee character was the team’s social media content creator, Maya, who was truly the perfect friend! There were also some interesting dynamics explored between Sam and her father and brother. This was a dual POV romance, which is typically my favourite choice of writing, but this was written in third-person and unfortunately the two POVs felt identical - similar thought processes, personalities, events/locations etc so it would’ve worked best as one.

Sam and Finn were very lovely, this was fluffy and sweet! A great palate cleanser with great chemistry. Melting Point has some spice, but not gratuitously and I think it does add to the story. A lot of miscommunication as they are golden retrievers afraid to lose their best friend! Would’ve loved to see more of their competitions, training regimes, and experience of being elite athletes because snow sports are so cool! Further exploration of their family dynamics would’ve also provided richer emotional depth. But will definitely tune into Maya’s book because she’s so fun!

This was a great one to read curled up under my fluffy blankets in my fluffy socks and dressing gown - cosy, atmospheric, and good fun! ✨

Thank you to @avonbooksuk & @netgalley for my copy! (ad/pr)

- Lara <3

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed reading this book, overall it is a solidly mid-pack contemporary. While advertised on NetGalley as Adult Romance and Erotica, it really reads as a mild spice, new adult novel. While those genres are great, and I enjoy them as much as the next reader, getting over this book not feeling at all like I expected made getting into the narrative a bit difficult.

I liked:
* Great setting-romance in the Olympic Village is fun and the wintery atmosphere made for a cozy read.
* Good tropes-friends to lovers, he falls first, first loves reunited and fake relationships all make an appearance-we love the tropey romance for a reason and this did not disappoint.
* An HEA that makes some sense-there is some tension and conflict, but no one has to act wildly out of characters or do an unpredicted personality inversion to make it all work in the end.

I didn't enjoy:
*Slightly too tropey supporting characters. The tragic brother, the unavailable father, the conflicted sports stars...eh, this could have gone better
*Immature behavior-this may be on me since I am running out of steam for how 20-somethings behave at the crone-esque age of 43, but some of this felt less like banter and competition, and more like tantrums and impulse control issues.

All together, the plot was OK, the spice was less spicy than promised and the setting was a delight. I would still say to cozy up with this fun winter read, but it is not 100% what's on the tin.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay listen… I picked up Melting Point thinking “cute winter romance,” and instead I got Olympic level pining, fake dating chaos, and two best friends who are so in love it should win its own gold medal.

Sam Harrington is laser focused on winning a Winter Olympics snowboarding medal until life says “lol no” and throws Finn Bradley, her best friend of forever, directly into her emotional path. Their long standing “friends forever pact”? Yeah, that thing is melting faster than the snow under their boards.

Then comes the fake dating. Because of course the solution to a sponsorship crisis is to pretend to be madly in love while actually being madly in love but refusing to admit it.

I screamed, I kicked my feet, I yelled at Sam to PLEASE just look at Finn properly.

Finn? Oh he’s gone. Boy is radiating “I’ve been in love with you for years but I’ll suffer silently” energy. Soft King. I love him.

This book is the perfect winter romance:
❄️ Friends to lovers done RIGHT
❄️ Fake dating with actual yearning
❄️ Olympics drama
❄️ Snow, spice, and so much tension you could carve turns on it

Absolutely devoured it. Someone put Finn Bradley on the podium immediately.

[Charese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3 star read for me. This book is a contemporary romance, now this book is advertised of being an Adult Romance and Erotica... I would say its mild spice and a new age novel (just above a YA book but not quite Adult Romance). Please keep this in mind as I was thinking it was going to read difference as it was advertised as an Adult Erotic Romance but wasn't quite there (in my opinion).

What I enjoyed about this book was the wintery atmosphere. It was cozy and cute. This friends to lovers romance was just cute and the tension and conflict was well done. I felt that the they were a little immature which may be cause of the age gap from me(35) to the characters (early 20s). Some of the time the banter and competition felt less like that and more of tantrums and impulse control issues.

All in all, the plot was okay and I enjoyed my time reading it, even if the spice was less than promised. If you want a new adult cozy romance read I'd pick this one up.

Thank you Netgalley for this Advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Lynsay McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melting Point proved to be the ideal holiday read as I found myself immersed in its pages while sitting in the snow in Austria. This charming best-friends-to-lovers romance follows Sam and Finn, whose journey is infused with all the simmering tension and emotional depth fans of the trope will appreciate. Set against the dynamic backdrop of the Winter Olympics, the novel strikes a satisfying balance between spice and heartfelt cosiness, making it an engaging and atmospheric escape.

The central characters are well-crafted and compelling, but it was Maya who truly stood out. Her sharp wit and vibrant presence added an extra spark to the narrative, and she feels more than deserving of a story of her own in future instalments.

Melting Point is a delightful blend of warmth, chemistry, and wintery charm—an excellent choice for readers seeking a romance that delivers both heart and heat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Portia Citlali · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like Melting Point based on the description; it seemed to be something I would really enjoy.. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to get into. The writing style was hard to follow, lacking fluidity, and at times the narration seemed inconsistent. I was confused by the shifts between first and third person, which made it harder to stay engaged.

The characters, while promising, lacked depth. Some scenes dragged on unnecessarily, while others, especially the more pivotal moments felt abruptly cut short. There was clearly a long standing history and unspoken desire between the main characters, but there was little buildup or emotional development to make their eventual connection feel earned. As a result, those moments felt rushed and unconvincing.

Overall, the story had strong potential, but it needed more refinement and continuity in both writing style and character development to truly resonate with me.

[Samantha Bolton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melting Point captured my attention from the outset with its engaging Olympic backdrop, charming fake dating premise, and the natural chemistry of a best-friends-to-lovers arc. Sam and Finn make an endearing pair, their witty banter and the slow-burn romance kept the narrative lively and enjoyable.

However, while the story was entertaining, it relied heavily on miscommunication to propel the conflict, which at times felt repetitive. The tone occasionally wavered, shifting between a young adult sensibility and unexpectedly spicy moments, which disrupted the overall cohesion. I also found myself wishing for more emotional depth; the family subplots had potential but remained underdeveloped.

Overall, this is a cozy, trope-driven sports romance ideal for readers seeking a light, fast-paced read with familiar romantic beats. While it was pleasant, it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

[Chaptersofmuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Set against the snowy peaks of the Italian Alps, Melting Point is a cosy friends-to-lovers romance brimming with mountain charm. The dual POV adds a nice layer of depth, letting you feel the unspoken tension between the two leads. I loved the winter sports angle; it gave the story a fun, lively twist. Sam and Finn are an adorable pair, and their flirty banter and slow-burn chemistry made the whole thing so easy to enjoy.

The plot is sweet and straightforward, though it does lean a bit too much on miscommunication, which made some parts feel repetitive. It follows familiar tropes, and I found myself wishing for a touch more emotional depth. Still, it’s a warm, comforting read, perfect for a cosy afternoon.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC of Melting Point!

[Allanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melting Point had a really great setup with its winter sports backdrop and friends to lovers storyline, which is usually a trope that I enjoy. Sam and Finn had some lovely moments, and I liked the mix of competition and the quiet tension between them. The snowy setting gave the story a nice cozy feel and there were a few moments that made me smile.

That said, although this book has a blurb that appealed to me greatly, I just couldn’t fully click with the writing style. It felt a bit surface level at times and I struggled to stay connected to the characters. The premise was strong and the bones of the story were there, but it didn’t quite deliver the emotional depth I was hoping for.

Still, it’s a quick and enjoyable read with plenty of winter romance vibes. It might not have blown me away, but it’s got enough charm to make it worth a shot if you like the trope.

[Gail Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute sports romance set during the Winter Olympics in a romantic mountain village in Italy.

Sam and Finn are more than just teammates and best friends. They made a pact back in high school that they wouldn’t fall in love until after they both won a gold medal but as time passes that pact is harder to honor.
I loved the meddling friend and watching Finn and Sam’s relationship blossom under the high pressure of being at the Olympics.

This was a slower burn but I thought it helped build the relationship up with all the characters. There are a few side stories that peaked my interest and hopefully we dive more into them with book two!

I would recommend this book for those looking for a cute, cozy read this winter. If you are a fan of Hannah Grace I think you will really enjoy this book!

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While browsing the catalog, my eyes were immediately drawn to this cover. The pink and blue complemented each other so well, I couldn't help but be intrigued. Melting Point is the contemporary romance between Olympian friends turned lovers. They wanted to focus more on their medals than their matchmaking, but their chemistry speaks for itself. I wanted to like this story but I was too distracted. My review copy featured weird coding every other page with strange formatting that broke up the writing. It was difficult to concentrate while I matched up the appropriate letters. Typography aside, this book was a little messy and I wasn't as invested as I could have been. These two seemed rather juvenile, but sweet. The steamier scenes fared no better as they became complicated and sequences seemed out of order. I'm grateful for this pretty cover, but that's where my interest stopped. I've never been one to watch the Olympics when they're occurring and it seems like I don't care to read about them either. It didn't win the gold medal from me, but nothing wrong with taking home third place.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Olympics are a favorite in my house. So a book about the Olympics combined with a fake-dating, friends-to-lovers romance? Yes please. This book has a great combination of legit sports (seeing the snowboarding runs), disappointment, highs and lows of the events, and romance. I loved the connection between Finn and Sam, although admittedly I really wanted them to talk about their feelings many times. Their friend/social media manager, Maya, is the most entertaining as well, with perfect quips for every situation. Can't wait to see her book! A great option if you like snowboarding, fake dating, friends to lovers, an Italian winter setting. Overall 3.5 stars. Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Katie.the.reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

For someone who hates sports I sure do be reading a lot of sports romances!

Sam and Finn have been in love with each other since they were practically kids. But they make a pact to never act on it because they are both too focussed on going for gold. Well, they’re all grown up now and at the Winter Olympics - where they start a fake relationship to boost their social media. But they’re are never eeeeeeever gonna break their pact 😉

This book is just a delight. It’s a hot cocoa on a snowy day 🥰 Finn is adorable, he is a sweetie pie, golden retriever, Dr of yearnalism who dreams of nothing more in this life than being Sam’s boyfie. Sam is pretty cool, sometimes a leeeeeeeettle annoying, but she’s fighting the good feminist fight in the sports world so we’ll forgive her.

Cute!

[Ryann Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall 3 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books UK, and Cici Williams for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute friends to lovers winter sports romance that was a fun read. The dynamic between Finn and Sam was a fun will they or won't they and it felt like they had good chemistry. Unfortunately, where the rating dropped was with the miscommunication between them and the pacing of the book. I think for a fun palette cleanser this was a good book to read but if you are hoping for an epic olympics sports romance with tension and sports action, this book isn't that. Overall, I would recommend it to a few of my friends who love stories like this one.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I love a winter sports romance—but this one fell flat on delivering those things. There was very little actual snowboarding, and just the dialogue had me really cringing to much to fall in love with the characters. If you are really into the friends to lovers trope, maybe give this one a try; but to me it didn’t make sense that they would have such a miscommunication if they were friends. Some of the family interactions was interesting, but the finally nail in the coffin for me was the word choice during the intimate scenes. No thank you.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.

[Pà · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a nice idea behind it, but I just didn’t fully click with it. The setting was interesting and I liked the winter and Olympic vibes, still something about the writing style made it hard for me to stay focused. The pacing felt uneven. The characters didn’t really grab me either. Maybe it just wasn’t the right time or mood for me to read it. Thank you so much to the author, Avon Book and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review