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Better Lait Than Never: A February in Sleighbell Springs
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…in February.
Candy Cane Café owner Noelle Adams knows 3 one, hot chocolate is better with peppermint. Two, she will never leave the cozy Christmas town of Sleighbell Springs. And three, she is hopelessly in love with her best friend.
Cole Martin has it amazing career as the NHL’s golden boy, a house far away from crazy fans and city noise alike, and more money than he could ever spend. But there’s one thing missing, something that money could never his best friend’s heart.
For Noelle, love only ever ends in a shattering heartbreak, and with Cole’s inevitable return to Vancouver any chance of them is doomed from the start. But when the storm of the century traps Noelle and Cole at his remote mountain cabin, he knows he has one shot at the girl of his dreams. In the glow of twinkling fairy lights, Cole sets out to prove that his love is far from temporary–and that some people are worth sticking around for.
Better Lait Than Never is a spicy romance novella with a HEA guaranteed, perfect to curl up with when the snow starts to fall!
Friends to LoversForced ProximityOnly one BedGrumpy for anyone but her
Candy Cane Café owner Noelle Adams knows 3 one, hot chocolate is better with peppermint. Two, she will never leave the cozy Christmas town of Sleighbell Springs. And three, she is hopelessly in love with her best friend.
Cole Martin has it amazing career as the NHL’s golden boy, a house far away from crazy fans and city noise alike, and more money than he could ever spend. But there’s one thing missing, something that money could never his best friend’s heart.
For Noelle, love only ever ends in a shattering heartbreak, and with Cole’s inevitable return to Vancouver any chance of them is doomed from the start. But when the storm of the century traps Noelle and Cole at his remote mountain cabin, he knows he has one shot at the girl of his dreams. In the glow of twinkling fairy lights, Cole sets out to prove that his love is far from temporary–and that some people are worth sticking around for.
Better Lait Than Never is a spicy romance novella with a HEA guaranteed, perfect to curl up with when the snow starts to fall!
Friends to LoversForced ProximityOnly one BedGrumpy for anyone but her
- GenresRomanceFriends To Lovers
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2026
11 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Blackbourne
6 books49 followersEllie is a Dutch self-labeled “swoony escapism” author, writing New Adult romances from her home in Amsterdam.
When she’s not busy writing ridiculously down-bad men or pages of banter, you can usually find her in her garden or playing with her dogs.
Follow her on various social platforms @ellieblackbourne
When she’s not busy writing ridiculously down-bad men or pages of banter, you can usually find her in her garden or playing with her dogs.
Follow her on various social platforms @ellieblackbourne
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.85/5, this was a cute read.
February 10, 2026
I was given this book by the author for an honest review and I can honestly say I absolutely loved it! This author had me hooked from the first page! This book has everything, small town feel, friends to lovers, angst and longing, forced proximity and some perfectly spicy spice!! This is also the first time I’ve read a book where the characters are not described, which allows readers to imagine what the characters look like or imagine themselves as the main characters. So happy to be able to have read this book and can’t wait to read other amazing stories by this author!!
February 10, 2026
Sweet, spicy and snowed in. The perfect combination for a pre Valentine’s Day read. I loved the relationship between Cole and Noelle, but honestly the group texts of Cole’s team made this book for me!
February 10, 2026
This was an ARC read
This is book two in the Sleighbell Springs series. It is not necessary to read book one as each is a standalone in the same universe.
This is a contemporary MF romance that is hockey adjacent
Sleighbell Springs is a Christmas town and the series follows the town after the holidays. Now we are in February and we are at the Candy Cane Cafe.
Noelle is the FMC and she is also the owner of the cafe. She is in love with her best friend, who happens to be a hot hockey player). She also has a very traumatic past, but it’s only passively spoken about in the context of explaining her hang-ups
Cole, is the hot hockey player who has come back to Sleighbell Springs to be closer to the love of his life, Noelle.
Of course, there’s a Nor’easter storm coming for them and of course Cole saves Noelle by inviting her to stay with him through the storm. Being trapped in a fancy house that was literally made for her. Things start to heat up and the walls they built to friendzoned each other start to crack.
Cole is a damn sweet-heart. That man makes anyone’s panties drop. The shit he says is so damn hot and romantic *drool* I wish I were Noelle
It’s a HEA story with small angst.
This is book two in the Sleighbell Springs series. It is not necessary to read book one as each is a standalone in the same universe.
This is a contemporary MF romance that is hockey adjacent
Sleighbell Springs is a Christmas town and the series follows the town after the holidays. Now we are in February and we are at the Candy Cane Cafe.
Noelle is the FMC and she is also the owner of the cafe. She is in love with her best friend, who happens to be a hot hockey player). She also has a very traumatic past, but it’s only passively spoken about in the context of explaining her hang-ups
Cole, is the hot hockey player who has come back to Sleighbell Springs to be closer to the love of his life, Noelle.
Of course, there’s a Nor’easter storm coming for them and of course Cole saves Noelle by inviting her to stay with him through the storm. Being trapped in a fancy house that was literally made for her. Things start to heat up and the walls they built to friendzoned each other start to crack.
Cole is a damn sweet-heart. That man makes anyone’s panties drop. The shit he says is so damn hot and romantic *drool* I wish I were Noelle
It’s a HEA story with small angst.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2026
Well this was downright delightful! This is the first book I’ve read by Ellie and I enjoyed it so much. Friends to lovers can be so hit or miss for me and this one absolutely hit. Cole and Noelle are the definition of soulmates and I loved them finding their home in one another. I love the snowed in together trope and Ellie knocked it out of the park. It is sweet and oh so steamy while still having some really lovely emotional moments. Cole is just adorable and his inner monologue had me cracking up. This is the perfect quick read that will leave you with a big smile on your face!
Thank you so much to Ellie for this ARC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
Thank you so much to Ellie for this ARC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
February 23, 2026
While I loved the story (plot and relationship elements) of this novella, I found myself constantly saying “just tell each other how you feel already!!” That trope is just one that bugs me as a reader.
The ending felt a little rushed and I would’ve liked to have more context from the last chapter to the epilogue. There was a lot that was just skipped.
The ending felt a little rushed and I would’ve liked to have more context from the last chapter to the epilogue. There was a lot that was just skipped.
February 16, 2026
Thank you Ellie Blackbourne for the ARC!
Overall a very cute novella, and I enjoyed reading it. I think it worked well as a novella, especially with the author’s writing style. The characters were a little strange at points, going back on things they had just pointed out, but it was a cute read.
Overall a very cute novella, and I enjoyed reading it. I think it worked well as a novella, especially with the author’s writing style. The characters were a little strange at points, going back on things they had just pointed out, but it was a cute read.
February 19, 2026
What a cute, quick read! Cole is down bad for Noelle and has been for years, but they are the best of friends. We get to watch them go from best friends since childhood to the most amazing couple. And the way that Cole loves Noelle? Absolutely swoon worthy
February 9, 2026
ARC Review: So so good! I needed this quick, happy romance. I love a good friends to lovers trope and Ellie Blackbourne did it well! Can’t wait for more in this series.
February 24, 2026
This was a fun, quick read
Review of advance copy received from Author
4 ⭐️/ 3 🌶️
This novella is the perfect palate cleanser between hefty books. It’s perfectly short and sweet and feels like Hallmark met Valentine’s Day in the best way possible.
Tropes:
•Small town vibes
•Hockey romance
•Friends to Lovers
•Forced Proximity
•Only one bed 👀
•Grumpy MMC for anyone but her
It’s a February winter, love is in the air and the weather is intense, and you have two lifelong best friends who are hopelessly in love with each other and neither is brave enough to change the status quo — what could go wrong? Or better yet, what could go right? 😏
Ellie Blackbourne delivers a romance that’s just as sweet as it is spicy, and just as satisfying as it is frustratingly tense — seriously, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife (but that’s the best part!). Ellie paints a picture that allows you to feel immersed, as if you were the characters themselves. With everything as they know it on the line, you feel that push and pull, love and frustration, over and over, until it eventually boils over to moments that will have you squealing and giggling in your bed at 1 in the morning. (Full disclosure — the MMC had me giggling and kicking my feet from chapter one.)
“Better Lait Than Never” was a delightful 1.5-2 hour read that fans of Ellie Blackbourne, Hallmark, or quick romance reads would enjoy adding to their shelf.
Favorite Quotes:
•“Would she take my coat, if I offered it? Would she take my last name?”
•“So I stay silent, content to be warmed by the flame of presence, even if it means I’ll never know the fire of her love.”
•““You’re not allowed to die on me.”
“I’m not allowed?”
“Definitely not allowed, so don’t get any ideas. We’re a package deal, Noelle. If you go, I’ll have no choice but to follow. And I still have some things to check off my bucket list.”
“Like what?”
…
Dating you. Tasting you. Feeling you around me. Loving you forever. Having your babies. Marrying you.”
•”I look up to find Noelle carefully making her way down the steps, looking every bit as beautiful as the moon on still water.”
•”“I know you’re scared we won’t work out, because that’s all you’ve ever known. But I’m telling you, we won’t be like them. We will have the happily ever after you read about in your books.”
•”The ice might be my battlefield, but the world is her domain. I’m just living in it.”
A big thank you to Ellie Blackbourne for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This novella is the perfect palate cleanser between hefty books. It’s perfectly short and sweet and feels like Hallmark met Valentine’s Day in the best way possible.
Tropes:
•Small town vibes
•Hockey romance
•Friends to Lovers
•Forced Proximity
•Only one bed 👀
•Grumpy MMC for anyone but her
It’s a February winter, love is in the air and the weather is intense, and you have two lifelong best friends who are hopelessly in love with each other and neither is brave enough to change the status quo — what could go wrong? Or better yet, what could go right? 😏
Ellie Blackbourne delivers a romance that’s just as sweet as it is spicy, and just as satisfying as it is frustratingly tense — seriously, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife (but that’s the best part!). Ellie paints a picture that allows you to feel immersed, as if you were the characters themselves. With everything as they know it on the line, you feel that push and pull, love and frustration, over and over, until it eventually boils over to moments that will have you squealing and giggling in your bed at 1 in the morning. (Full disclosure — the MMC had me giggling and kicking my feet from chapter one.)
“Better Lait Than Never” was a delightful 1.5-2 hour read that fans of Ellie Blackbourne, Hallmark, or quick romance reads would enjoy adding to their shelf.
Favorite Quotes:
•“Would she take my coat, if I offered it? Would she take my last name?”
•“So I stay silent, content to be warmed by the flame of presence, even if it means I’ll never know the fire of her love.”
•““You’re not allowed to die on me.”
“I’m not allowed?”
“Definitely not allowed, so don’t get any ideas. We’re a package deal, Noelle. If you go, I’ll have no choice but to follow. And I still have some things to check off my bucket list.”
“Like what?”
…
Dating you. Tasting you. Feeling you around me. Loving you forever. Having your babies. Marrying you.”
•”I look up to find Noelle carefully making her way down the steps, looking every bit as beautiful as the moon on still water.”
•”“I know you’re scared we won’t work out, because that’s all you’ve ever known. But I’m telling you, we won’t be like them. We will have the happily ever after you read about in your books.”
•”The ice might be my battlefield, but the world is her domain. I’m just living in it.”
A big thank you to Ellie Blackbourne for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given a chance to read this early by the author and I'm glad that I did. I'm not usually a fan of the best friends to lovers trope because there's always 1 of the friends that's always been attracted to the other but was friend zoned. This book was like that but instead of just 1 friend being attracted to the other, it was actually both, and they kinda friend zoned themselves. 🤦🏻♀️
Cole & Noelle have been besties for 15 years, each silently pining for the other. Noelle's childhood wasn't the best, so she was understandably hesitant to actually fall in love. Cole was very much aware of this so he thought he could only be her friend if he wanted to keep her in his life. When an injury from his job (hockey!) he's sent home to recuperate, he takes that time to be as close to Noelle as he can be.
When a winter storm barrels into town, Cole goes to save Noelle when her roof starts to collapse on her. He thankfully gets her out in time and they get back to his house safely. Except the little bubble they find themselves in, isn't exactly best friend territory. What follows is a bunch of should I or should I not, will she or will she not, oh heck, we fell in bed together, but I shouldnt so I'm gonna self sabatoge but nope he won't let me that leads to a happily ever after. Didja get all that?? 😂
There's a bit of spice, a bit of plot and a whole lot of dude, come on and do it already! in this book, so be prepared for a 😏good time. It is a novella, so the whole story arc seems to happen but very fast but too slow all at the same time. Thanks for letting me ARC read early, I very much enjoyed it!
Cole & Noelle have been besties for 15 years, each silently pining for the other. Noelle's childhood wasn't the best, so she was understandably hesitant to actually fall in love. Cole was very much aware of this so he thought he could only be her friend if he wanted to keep her in his life. When an injury from his job (hockey!) he's sent home to recuperate, he takes that time to be as close to Noelle as he can be.
When a winter storm barrels into town, Cole goes to save Noelle when her roof starts to collapse on her. He thankfully gets her out in time and they get back to his house safely. Except the little bubble they find themselves in, isn't exactly best friend territory. What follows is a bunch of should I or should I not, will she or will she not, oh heck, we fell in bed together, but I shouldnt so I'm gonna self sabatoge but nope he won't let me that leads to a happily ever after. Didja get all that?? 😂
There's a bit of spice, a bit of plot and a whole lot of dude, come on and do it already! in this book, so be prepared for a 😏good time. It is a novella, so the whole story arc seems to happen but very fast but too slow all at the same time. Thanks for letting me ARC read early, I very much enjoyed it!
February 20, 2026
ARC review - thanks so much for the review copy!
4.5/5 stars
🌶️🌶️ (but my spice threshold is pretty high. It’s open door and descriptive with some mild dirty talk)
This was such an enjoyable read set in the Sleighbell Springs world (a series of novellas written by different authors centered around the same magical Christmas-obsessed small town).
In this entry, we have Noelle, fiercely independent bisexual woman and owner of the Candy Cane Cafe. She’s deeply in love with her best friend, Cole, a hockey player home while he recovers from an injury and unsure if he wants to return to the ice. The one thing he IS sure of? He’s completely and utterly in love with Noelle and has been his whole life. He would give up everything for her. They’re forced to confront their feelings thanks to the sweetest forced proximity caused by an insane blizzard when he rescues her from her (literally) falling down apartment.
This is a quick read, moderately paced, packed with so much emotion and humor. I loved the text exchanges between Cole and his teammates and long for spinoffs with them as featured characters. And the author hints at that in the afterword! Cole’s acts of devotion are breathtaking and when Noelle finally sees them for what they are?!?! Chef’s kiss. The man stocked his library with a shelf of her favorite books! THIS is my love language.
I really enjoyed Noelle. Although I never suffered the parental abuse that she did, her character and struggles really resonated with me. I love past trauma.
I’ll definitely be continuing with the series and reading this author again!
4.5/5 stars
🌶️🌶️ (but my spice threshold is pretty high. It’s open door and descriptive with some mild dirty talk)
This was such an enjoyable read set in the Sleighbell Springs world (a series of novellas written by different authors centered around the same magical Christmas-obsessed small town).
In this entry, we have Noelle, fiercely independent bisexual woman and owner of the Candy Cane Cafe. She’s deeply in love with her best friend, Cole, a hockey player home while he recovers from an injury and unsure if he wants to return to the ice. The one thing he IS sure of? He’s completely and utterly in love with Noelle and has been his whole life. He would give up everything for her. They’re forced to confront their feelings thanks to the sweetest forced proximity caused by an insane blizzard when he rescues her from her (literally) falling down apartment.
This is a quick read, moderately paced, packed with so much emotion and humor. I loved the text exchanges between Cole and his teammates and long for spinoffs with them as featured characters. And the author hints at that in the afterword! Cole’s acts of devotion are breathtaking and when Noelle finally sees them for what they are?!?! Chef’s kiss. The man stocked his library with a shelf of her favorite books! THIS is my love language.
I really enjoyed Noelle. Although I never suffered the parental abuse that she did, her character and struggles really resonated with me. I love past trauma.
I’ll definitely be continuing with the series and reading this author again!
February 25, 2026
🩷"My home is yours, Noelle. Always has. Always will be. Without you... it's just a house, a big, quiet, empty house that only reminds me you're not here with me."🩷
This is a short, sweet, and wonderfully cozy romantic story about the perfect book boyfriend who has been hopelessly in love with his best friend for years. She’s a fiercely independent woman who struggles to let anyone in because she has always believed she has to handle everything on her own. 🤍
But being forced to stay together makes her realize that being with someone doesn’t mean losing control or giving up your strength. It means sharing the weight of the hard days and the joy of the beautiful ones. It means choosing each other, again and again. ✨
This friends to lovers story is soft, tender, and full of longing. About two people afraid to take that final step, scared of changing what they already have, even though their hearts have known the truth all along. 💫
I adored how protective Cole is of Noelle, how steady and unwavering his love feels. The chemistry between them is undeniable, their intimate moments are full of warmth and tension, and Cole’s endless support makes the whole story feel safe and comforting. 🥹
If you love friends to lovers, snowed in, forced proximity, only one bed, small town vibes, and hockey romance — this book is perfect for you. 🏒❄️💕
📖 Better Lait Than Never by Ellie Blackbourne (ARC) 💖
This is a short, sweet, and wonderfully cozy romantic story about the perfect book boyfriend who has been hopelessly in love with his best friend for years. She’s a fiercely independent woman who struggles to let anyone in because she has always believed she has to handle everything on her own. 🤍
But being forced to stay together makes her realize that being with someone doesn’t mean losing control or giving up your strength. It means sharing the weight of the hard days and the joy of the beautiful ones. It means choosing each other, again and again. ✨
This friends to lovers story is soft, tender, and full of longing. About two people afraid to take that final step, scared of changing what they already have, even though their hearts have known the truth all along. 💫
I adored how protective Cole is of Noelle, how steady and unwavering his love feels. The chemistry between them is undeniable, their intimate moments are full of warmth and tension, and Cole’s endless support makes the whole story feel safe and comforting. 🥹
If you love friends to lovers, snowed in, forced proximity, only one bed, small town vibes, and hockey romance — this book is perfect for you. 🏒❄️💕
📖 Better Lait Than Never by Ellie Blackbourne (ARC) 💖
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating
5/5
spice
1.5/5
This was just a cute short read that I didn't know I needed. If you are looking for a friend to lovers this is the book for you. Better Lait than never is a standalone short novella by Ellie Blackbourne. Firstly I would also like to thank Ellie Blackbourne for an ARC.
Noelle is a type of person, very much independent and does not want to rely on people, only asking when she is in dire need. Cole is an NHL superstar who has everything you could ever want but does he really have everything he wants. These characters pinning after each other was amazing, you could see from the start how much they wanted to be together. The snow storm was the perfect way for them to finally get together and once they got together it was amazing . There were so many times where I was so happy and the build up was amazing. Overall these characters are amazing and there is such good character development.
This story was written amazingly, it did not feel like I was coming into the book midway through a certain event or was missing pieces of information. It kept me hooked and I could not put the book down. It did not feel like such a short read at all, there was so much plot and romance in such a short book. Overall I truly loved this book and hope you all pick this up and read this on release day.
5/5
spice
1.5/5
This was just a cute short read that I didn't know I needed. If you are looking for a friend to lovers this is the book for you. Better Lait than never is a standalone short novella by Ellie Blackbourne. Firstly I would also like to thank Ellie Blackbourne for an ARC.
Noelle is a type of person, very much independent and does not want to rely on people, only asking when she is in dire need. Cole is an NHL superstar who has everything you could ever want but does he really have everything he wants. These characters pinning after each other was amazing, you could see from the start how much they wanted to be together. The snow storm was the perfect way for them to finally get together and once they got together it was amazing . There were so many times where I was so happy and the build up was amazing. Overall these characters are amazing and there is such good character development.
This story was written amazingly, it did not feel like I was coming into the book midway through a certain event or was missing pieces of information. It kept me hooked and I could not put the book down. It did not feel like such a short read at all, there was so much plot and romance in such a short book. Overall I truly loved this book and hope you all pick this up and read this on release day.
February 13, 2026
Úspešný hokejista Cole Martin sa po zranení vracia do rodného mestečka za svojou najlepšou kamarátkou, baristkou Noelle Adams, do ktorej je dlhé roky beznádejne zamilovaný. Keď sa Noelle ocitne v nebezpečí kvôli snehovej búrke, neváha a vydá sa za ňou. Presvedčí ju, aby sa na nejaký čas presťahovala k nemu. Čo si však neuvedomuje je fakt, že Noelle je doňho tiež zamilovaná až po uši. Keďže však ani jeden nevie o tom, že ho ten druhý ľúbi, ich priateľstvo balancuje na tenkom ľade.
Nepamätám si, kedy som sa o tento ARC hlásila, ale som rada, že som si ho mohla prečítať. Better Lait Than Never je kratučká oddychovka (prečítaná za pár hodín), dokonalá pre každého fanúšika friends-to-lovers a snowed-in trópu. A down-bad hot hokejistu. 🫠Obsahuje aj spicy open-door scény, takže aj napriek ňuňu obálke je kniha určená 18+! ❗️
Kniha bola zo začiatku trošku kostrbatá, ale keď Cole dal Noelle svoje oblečenie, vedela som, že všetko bude naporiadku. 😌Osobne som však chémiu medzi hlavnými hrdinami necítila. Potenciál tu ale je a myslím si, že keby autorka chcela, mohol z tohto byť dokonalý slowburn. Kniha je časťou série Sleighbell Springs, no pokojne môže byť aj novelou/prequelom ku ✨Coming soon✨ sérii. 🤭
Nepamätám si, kedy som sa o tento ARC hlásila, ale som rada, že som si ho mohla prečítať. Better Lait Than Never je kratučká oddychovka (prečítaná za pár hodín), dokonalá pre každého fanúšika friends-to-lovers a snowed-in trópu. A down-bad hot hokejistu. 🫠Obsahuje aj spicy open-door scény, takže aj napriek ňuňu obálke je kniha určená 18+! ❗️
Kniha bola zo začiatku trošku kostrbatá, ale keď Cole dal Noelle svoje oblečenie, vedela som, že všetko bude naporiadku. 😌Osobne som však chémiu medzi hlavnými hrdinami necítila. Potenciál tu ale je a myslím si, že keby autorka chcela, mohol z tohto byť dokonalý slowburn. Kniha je časťou série Sleighbell Springs, no pokojne môže byť aj novelou/prequelom ku ✨Coming soon✨ sérii. 🤭
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars
Better Lait Than Never by Ellie Blackbourne completely stole my heart.
I am such a sucker for longtime friends who are secretly terrified to risk what they already have, and this one delivered. The FMC and MMC have that slow-burn, “what if we ruin everything?” tension that makes every glance and every touch feel loaded. Their internal struggles felt real and layered — you could feel how much history sat between them, and why taking that step forward was so scary.
The chemistry? So good. It gave me *The People We Meet on Vacation* vibes in terms of emotional connection, but with the sharp, playful wit that reminds me of Megan Quinn. And the hockey text thread? Absolutely hilarious. Those moments added so much personality and levity without taking away from the emotional depth.
The spice was hot but not over the top — it made sense for the plot and for where they were emotionally. Nothing felt forced. It all built naturally from the foundation of their friendship, which made it even better.
I adored this book and genuinely didn’t want it to end. I cannot wait to read more from Ellie Blackbourne.
Thank you to Ellie Blackbourne for allowing me to be part of the ARC team — this was a spectacular read.
Better Lait Than Never by Ellie Blackbourne completely stole my heart.
I am such a sucker for longtime friends who are secretly terrified to risk what they already have, and this one delivered. The FMC and MMC have that slow-burn, “what if we ruin everything?” tension that makes every glance and every touch feel loaded. Their internal struggles felt real and layered — you could feel how much history sat between them, and why taking that step forward was so scary.
The chemistry? So good. It gave me *The People We Meet on Vacation* vibes in terms of emotional connection, but with the sharp, playful wit that reminds me of Megan Quinn. And the hockey text thread? Absolutely hilarious. Those moments added so much personality and levity without taking away from the emotional depth.
The spice was hot but not over the top — it made sense for the plot and for where they were emotionally. Nothing felt forced. It all built naturally from the foundation of their friendship, which made it even better.
I adored this book and genuinely didn’t want it to end. I cannot wait to read more from Ellie Blackbourne.
Thank you to Ellie Blackbourne for allowing me to be part of the ARC team — this was a spectacular read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely adored this sweet novella! What a super cute, quick, but so good book. This was my first time reading a book by Ellie Blackbourne, but it won’t be the last!
I was hooked by the first line, seriously! She starts it out with a bang, and it doesn’t let up. Even after the last sentence, I was still looking for more. This book has some good tropes (friends to lovers, mutual pining, one bed, snowed in/forced proximity) and some spicy scenes! It even had some funny text thread and banter. I definitely plan to check out the other books to read into the other characters.
Cole and Noelle fighting their pull to each other, especially being stuck in a house together, left me reading ahead to see what happened next! Cole is so dang swoony and he literally had my heart in his hands. And Noelle had the strong FMC personality that made her perfect for Cole. Their mutral pining is perfection. It’s just enough that you don’t get annoyed that they won’t just hurry up and get with each other.
My one complaint? I needed more!! I wish it was a full book, but I loved the plot. I loved Cole and Noelle. And I really enjoyed this book!
This was an ARC read for me, and this is my honest opinion.
I was hooked by the first line, seriously! She starts it out with a bang, and it doesn’t let up. Even after the last sentence, I was still looking for more. This book has some good tropes (friends to lovers, mutual pining, one bed, snowed in/forced proximity) and some spicy scenes! It even had some funny text thread and banter. I definitely plan to check out the other books to read into the other characters.
Cole and Noelle fighting their pull to each other, especially being stuck in a house together, left me reading ahead to see what happened next! Cole is so dang swoony and he literally had my heart in his hands. And Noelle had the strong FMC personality that made her perfect for Cole. Their mutral pining is perfection. It’s just enough that you don’t get annoyed that they won’t just hurry up and get with each other.
My one complaint? I needed more!! I wish it was a full book, but I loved the plot. I loved Cole and Noelle. And I really enjoyed this book!
This was an ARC read for me, and this is my honest opinion.
February 24, 2026
⋆｡°✩ Spoiler Free Reviews ⋆｡°✩
I was kindly provided with this book (censorship is BS and I hate it but here we are!)
**There are minor spoilers when we get to the FMC portion so I’ll put that as the final paragraph in this review**
3.5 stars.
This book could have been amazing if the FMC wasn’t such an idiot but I’ll get to that.
Tropes for this one; small town, best friends to lovers, hockey player MMC, forced proximity, only one bed, snowed in.
Smut was 3/5 on the spice scale and its a HEA.
The MMC was Cole and he was lowkey a saint because whilst he’s completely unobservant like a man is, he kept the FMC alive and looked after her with very little in return. The man was obsessed with his best friend and I’m here for it!!
**minor spoilers here**
Now onto the FMC.. that would be Noelle. Also known as Miss Independent but also Miss Unable To Get Her Shit Together. The woman tries dying from hypothermia and frostbite, then upsets herself snooping, and uses her mother as an excuse for everything. I get it, life was a little hard as a kid (we get very little context on that btw) but fuck me.. if you can’t be self sufficient, you can’t be independent. Thems the rules and she ain’t following ‘em.
I was kindly provided with this book (censorship is BS and I hate it but here we are!)
**There are minor spoilers when we get to the FMC portion so I’ll put that as the final paragraph in this review**
3.5 stars.
This book could have been amazing if the FMC wasn’t such an idiot but I’ll get to that.
Tropes for this one; small town, best friends to lovers, hockey player MMC, forced proximity, only one bed, snowed in.
Smut was 3/5 on the spice scale and its a HEA.
The MMC was Cole and he was lowkey a saint because whilst he’s completely unobservant like a man is, he kept the FMC alive and looked after her with very little in return. The man was obsessed with his best friend and I’m here for it!!
**minor spoilers here**
Now onto the FMC.. that would be Noelle. Also known as Miss Independent but also Miss Unable To Get Her Shit Together. The woman tries dying from hypothermia and frostbite, then upsets herself snooping, and uses her mother as an excuse for everything. I get it, life was a little hard as a kid (we get very little context on that btw) but fuck me.. if you can’t be self sufficient, you can’t be independent. Thems the rules and she ain’t following ‘em.
Review of advance copy
Thank you for choosing me to review this ARC!
3.5/5 ⭐️ 2.5/5 🌶️
As Taylor Swift said,
“My advice is always ruin the friendship, better that than regret it for all time.” ✨
I absolutely loved Cole. The man has all these feelings for Noelle but won’t express them because he doesn’t want things to change between them as best friends even though he’s waiting YEARS for her. I highly respect that about him. I love how he calls her honey like swooninggg. Everything he did for her was the absolute sweetest.
Noelle is a sweetheart but boy is she so insecure and she was kinda annoying. She couldn’t believe even with all the evidence how much Cole loved her. Kinda irritating. Like you’ve known him for fifteen years and thought everything he said was a joke? Cmon girl use your brain. Plus the whole not wanting to be like her mom depending on a man, I get it but it’s your best friend helping you out who doesn’t want anything in return except your love.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I look forward to the rest of the series!
3.5/5 ⭐️ 2.5/5 🌶️
As Taylor Swift said,
“My advice is always ruin the friendship, better that than regret it for all time.” ✨
I absolutely loved Cole. The man has all these feelings for Noelle but won’t express them because he doesn’t want things to change between them as best friends even though he’s waiting YEARS for her. I highly respect that about him. I love how he calls her honey like swooninggg. Everything he did for her was the absolute sweetest.
Noelle is a sweetheart but boy is she so insecure and she was kinda annoying. She couldn’t believe even with all the evidence how much Cole loved her. Kinda irritating. Like you’ve known him for fifteen years and thought everything he said was a joke? Cmon girl use your brain. Plus the whole not wanting to be like her mom depending on a man, I get it but it’s your best friend helping you out who doesn’t want anything in return except your love.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I look forward to the rest of the series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review for Better Lait than Never (4 ⭐)
This novella was pure light and spicy chaos in the best way. Noelle and Cole were such cute characters, and I loved reading how their insecurities about their feelings for one another played out. Their chemistry was on point, and the way they continued to push each other closer to the edge was entertaining to experience.
The spice kicks in about halfway through and I'd rate it around a 3 - 3.5 / 5🌶️ - super enjoyable and perfect for a short read! I also really loved the added banter between Cole and his teammates through their group texts, it gave a fun peek further into his thoughts and personality.
The only thing that didn’t fully land for me was that I wanted more! I know it’s a novella, so there isn’t really room to complain, but their story easily could’ve stretched another 50 pages. At the same time, that’s a testament to how invested I was, I wasn’t ready for it to end.
Overall, this book absolutely delivered on its promises, and I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future. Thank you to Ellie Blackbourne for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. I’m grateful to have been able to read early and share my experience.
This novella was pure light and spicy chaos in the best way. Noelle and Cole were such cute characters, and I loved reading how their insecurities about their feelings for one another played out. Their chemistry was on point, and the way they continued to push each other closer to the edge was entertaining to experience.
The spice kicks in about halfway through and I'd rate it around a 3 - 3.5 / 5🌶️ - super enjoyable and perfect for a short read! I also really loved the added banter between Cole and his teammates through their group texts, it gave a fun peek further into his thoughts and personality.
The only thing that didn’t fully land for me was that I wanted more! I know it’s a novella, so there isn’t really room to complain, but their story easily could’ve stretched another 50 pages. At the same time, that’s a testament to how invested I was, I wasn’t ready for it to end.
Overall, this book absolutely delivered on its promises, and I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future. Thank you to Ellie Blackbourne for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. I’m grateful to have been able to read early and share my experience.
February 20, 2026
***ARC Review***
Thank you Ellie for sending me your book to read and review. This was my first book by Ellie and won’t be my last.
Better Lait Than Never!, is by Ellie Blackbourne. This romance book is a quick and easy read, full of funny banter between the two main characters and has a side of spice. Noelle is the independent cafe owner who is secretly in love with her childhood best friend hockey player Cole. Cole is also secretly in love with Noelle, but of course neither of them wants to share their feelings and risk losing their friendship.
When a snowstorm comes into town, Noelle has a hole in her roof and wants to brave out the storm alone. She doesn’t want to reply on Cole to take care of her, like her mom does with man. But there comes a point where she needs to ask for help and of course the sexy hockey player comes to her rescue.
I won’t spoil any more of the book but 100% recommend this cute little spicy romance book. This friends to lovers book is definitely a must read. It comes out February 24th, so make sure you grab it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars. 🌶️🌶️
Thank you Ellie for sending me your book to read and review. This was my first book by Ellie and won’t be my last.
Better Lait Than Never!, is by Ellie Blackbourne. This romance book is a quick and easy read, full of funny banter between the two main characters and has a side of spice. Noelle is the independent cafe owner who is secretly in love with her childhood best friend hockey player Cole. Cole is also secretly in love with Noelle, but of course neither of them wants to share their feelings and risk losing their friendship.
When a snowstorm comes into town, Noelle has a hole in her roof and wants to brave out the storm alone. She doesn’t want to reply on Cole to take care of her, like her mom does with man. But there comes a point where she needs to ask for help and of course the sexy hockey player comes to her rescue.
I won’t spoil any more of the book but 100% recommend this cute little spicy romance book. This friends to lovers book is definitely a must read. It comes out February 24th, so make sure you grab it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars. 🌶️🌶️
February 25, 2026
Cole and Noelle have been best friends for fifteen years and they’ve both been quietly in love with each other for just as long. The only problem? Each of them is convinced the other doesn’t feel the same… and they’re both terrified of ruining the friendship they treasure most.
Cole is an NHL player sidelined by injury, and Noelle owns a café while carrying deep emotional scars from her past. Watching these two navigate unspoken feelings, vulnerability, and years of tension was everything I love about friends-to-lovers romance.
This novella was so sweet and perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day. Cole is truly one of a kind, thoughtful, emotionally open, and so intentional with his words. (I might be a little biased because he shares a name with my husband 🥰.) The chemistry and banter between him and Noelle felt effortless and natural, and you could feel the history between them on every page.
My only complaint? I need a full-length novel about them. I’m not ready to let them go, and I want to see what their future looks like.
Cole is an NHL player sidelined by injury, and Noelle owns a café while carrying deep emotional scars from her past. Watching these two navigate unspoken feelings, vulnerability, and years of tension was everything I love about friends-to-lovers romance.
This novella was so sweet and perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day. Cole is truly one of a kind, thoughtful, emotionally open, and so intentional with his words. (I might be a little biased because he shares a name with my husband 🥰.) The chemistry and banter between him and Noelle felt effortless and natural, and you could feel the history between them on every page.
My only complaint? I need a full-length novel about them. I’m not ready to let them go, and I want to see what their future looks like.
February 23, 2026
I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
This is such a quick read. And there are some grammatical errors (for example, it says “him” when it should say “her” in some places), but over all, it is really well written.
The storyline is friends-to-lovers with secret pining on both sides. A snowstorm rolls in, forcing them together, snowed in, over a weekend. What’s there to do when the power goes out? Well, truth or dare of course. One thing leads to another and their friendship takes that leap across any friendly boundary when clothes come off.
The story is adorable and both characters are golden retrievers. It is definitely hot and steamy too. The only drawback is the lack of communication trope. I hate when characters don’t just say how they feel. So much wasted time could have been made into better use if they would have just communicated. Looking forward to more by this author.
This is such a quick read. And there are some grammatical errors (for example, it says “him” when it should say “her” in some places), but over all, it is really well written.
The storyline is friends-to-lovers with secret pining on both sides. A snowstorm rolls in, forcing them together, snowed in, over a weekend. What’s there to do when the power goes out? Well, truth or dare of course. One thing leads to another and their friendship takes that leap across any friendly boundary when clothes come off.
The story is adorable and both characters are golden retrievers. It is definitely hot and steamy too. The only drawback is the lack of communication trope. I hate when characters don’t just say how they feel. So much wasted time could have been made into better use if they would have just communicated. Looking forward to more by this author.
February 9, 2026
If you're looking for a quick, cozy romance for Valentine's Day then this is the perfect read. Better Lait Than Never is a friends to lovers, one bed novella with some fun micro tropes. I enjoyed the yearning & was swooning over Cole early on. How can you not swoon when he says things like, "I'd go to the ends of the earth for you, I'd hoped you knew that by now". Add in all the little things and Cole is nearly perfect. Noelle is this fierce, independent woman who deserves someone willing to take care of her & share her burdens. They have amazing banter & I will always love a story where the woman doesn't lose any of her power or agency. Bonus points for the MMC who stands beside her & helps. There's definitely some fun steamy scenes too...who doesn't love a good striptease? Highly recommend & I'll be adding Ellie Blackbourne to my must read authors list.
February 14, 2026
Received this as an advanced copy and am leaving an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book. I need a short, cute, spicey romance in between fantasy reads and this hit the spot. I love the best friends to lovers trope so much, and this didn’t disappointz
Cole is definitely the perfect book boyfriend - I love that he calls her Honey. Sometimes that gives me the ick - but it was so cute in this book. One of my favorite things to read is a man who yearns with the love language of acts of service.
Noelle was a fiercely independent woman, but also incredibly insecure- which made sense. However, at times I wanted to shout GIRL HE LOVES YOU - GET IT TOGETHER.
There were so many great tropes: forced proximity, best friends to lovers, snowed in, it’s always been you, and yearning. Sometimes when a book has so many tropes it goes off the rails and feels forced - in this novella they all worked.
I wish this was a full length book for sure. Highly recommend!
I absolutely loved this book. I need a short, cute, spicey romance in between fantasy reads and this hit the spot. I love the best friends to lovers trope so much, and this didn’t disappointz
Cole is definitely the perfect book boyfriend - I love that he calls her Honey. Sometimes that gives me the ick - but it was so cute in this book. One of my favorite things to read is a man who yearns with the love language of acts of service.
Noelle was a fiercely independent woman, but also incredibly insecure- which made sense. However, at times I wanted to shout GIRL HE LOVES YOU - GET IT TOGETHER.
There were so many great tropes: forced proximity, best friends to lovers, snowed in, it’s always been you, and yearning. Sometimes when a book has so many tropes it goes off the rails and feels forced - in this novella they all worked.
I wish this was a full length book for sure. Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy
Reviewed by Rose on behalf of the Plot Thickens Book Club
Title: Better Lait Than Never
Author: Ellie Blackbourne
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Noelle owns a coffee shop.
Cole an NHL hockey player currently injured. Friends since childhood.
A really bad Snow storm that leads to Cole driving through a blizzard to get Noelle and take her to his home because her apartment has a hole in the roof. Forced proximity makes it hard for their feelings for each other to stay hidden and following a game of truth or dare they end up sleeping together. When Noelle finds letters cole has written to her for years but never sending stating his love and her apartment being destroyed during the storm they both realise what their life together can be. With a happy ever after that has been a long time coming this is a a lovely easy read that I actually struggled to put down wanting to know what happened next.
Title: Better Lait Than Never
Author: Ellie Blackbourne
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Noelle owns a coffee shop.
Cole an NHL hockey player currently injured. Friends since childhood.
A really bad Snow storm that leads to Cole driving through a blizzard to get Noelle and take her to his home because her apartment has a hole in the roof. Forced proximity makes it hard for their feelings for each other to stay hidden and following a game of truth or dare they end up sleeping together. When Noelle finds letters cole has written to her for years but never sending stating his love and her apartment being destroyed during the storm they both realise what their life together can be. With a happy ever after that has been a long time coming this is a a lovely easy read that I actually struggled to put down wanting to know what happened next.
February 24, 2026
I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for Better Lait Than Never! Thank you, Ellie! This was such a cute read between two best friends, Noelle and Cole, who are hopelessly in love with the other but they just don’t know it! There was not any actual hockey playing in here but we did get to meet Cole’s teammates over text exchanges.
Even when they both do things beyond that of just best friends, it’s hard for them to make the final leap to be fully together romantically. This is what I think makes them feel most human. The innate instinct that maybe, just maybe, they can still be friends after their one incredible night together, the fear that takes over for both of them, and lastly, having one person find something that was never meant for them to discover.
This book is a quick read that elicits joy, sadness, and lots of longing.
Even when they both do things beyond that of just best friends, it’s hard for them to make the final leap to be fully together romantically. This is what I think makes them feel most human. The innate instinct that maybe, just maybe, they can still be friends after their one incredible night together, the fear that takes over for both of them, and lastly, having one person find something that was never meant for them to discover.
This book is a quick read that elicits joy, sadness, and lots of longing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Best friends denying their feelings for each other because they’re too stubborn to communicate?! YUP. I AM HERE FOR IT. We love a best friends–to–lovers trope.
This was a fun, quick, snowed-in novella. I absolutely loved that it was dual POV. Cole was the sweetest, and I loved that his priority was always Noelle especially how he made sure she felt more than at home in his house.
I understood why Noelle didn’t want to be like her mother, but she was a little blind to his love. (Did I say, “Open your eyes! See his love!” out loud while reading? Yes. Yes, I did.)
Overall, it was cute, and I’m so happy they got their HEA. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for an easy, sweet, and slightly spicy read.
This was a fun, quick, snowed-in novella. I absolutely loved that it was dual POV. Cole was the sweetest, and I loved that his priority was always Noelle especially how he made sure she felt more than at home in his house.
I understood why Noelle didn’t want to be like her mother, but she was a little blind to his love. (Did I say, “Open your eyes! See his love!” out loud while reading? Yes. Yes, I did.)
Overall, it was cute, and I’m so happy they got their HEA. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for an easy, sweet, and slightly spicy read.
February 24, 2026
* Advanced Readers Copy Review *
If you love small town romances with friends-to-lovers tension and genuinely good banter, this is definitely worth picking up.
This was such a cozy, quick read and exactly what I was in the mood for especially on Valentine’s Day. I gave Better Lait Than Never by Ellie Blackbourne 4 ⭐️ and overall I loved it.
This is a small town, friends-to-lovers romance, which is one of my favorite tropes. There’s already history between the characters, and you can really feel that comfort and familiarity from the start. Watching their relationship shift into something more was so satisfying.
The writing style was probably my favorite part. The banter with Cole and Noelle was so good. It felt natural, funny, and effortless, and made their relationship feel really believable. I found myself giggling at a lot of their conversations.
This was also just a really easy, addictive read. Definitely one of those “just one more chapter” books that I just ended up finishing in one sitting.
The only reason it wasn’t a full 5 stars for me is because the emotional connection between them was so strong from the start that it almost felt obvious they should have been together all along. Their connection felt so natural and inevitable that it made the story extra cozy, though I personally would’ve loved just a touch more tension along the way.
That said, I genuinely really enjoyed this and would absolutely recommend it if you love small town, friends-to-lovers romances.
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