Melting the Ice by Jaci Burton

Melting the Ice (Play-By-Play, #7)

by Jaci Burton

Romance gets too hot to handle in this Play-by-Play novel from New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton.

Everything’s coming together for budding fashion designer Carolina Preston. Only months away from having her own line, she could use some publicity. That’s when her brother suggests his best friend as a model—hockey player Drew Hogan.

Carolina and Drew already have a history—a hot one, back in college. Unforgettable for Carolina, but for Drew, just another slap shot. This time, though, it’s different. His perfect body would be for professional use only. This time, she could use him.

Drew is all for it. He’s looking forward to the exposure. Plus, it would give him a chance to prove to Carolina that he’s changed. If only he could thaw her emotions, convince her to let down her guard and let him in just one more time...

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

4 of 5 stars

Share
I am a sucker for this series, and I am also a sucker for a second chance romance. Therefore, I was delighted by Melting the Ice.

She shook her head. "You need a girlfriend." "I do, don't I? Care to apply for the job?"


This book centers around Carolina, Grey's sister, and Drew, Grey's best friend. The night of her college graduation, Carolina acted upon her feelings for Drew, and they had a one night stand. She resented him for all these years, as he harbored guilt for the way he treated Carolina. Carolina's burgeoning career as a designer brings them back together, and Drew sets his sights on proving to Carolina that he is not that same boy who broke her heart.

He couldn't say he regretting being her first. He'd only regretted turning tail and running after that


There are so many wonderful swoony moments, and tons of fun and schmexy moments as Drew tries to show he has changed.

Now that he'd run into her again, this was his chance to maybe do it all over - the right way this time


The Play by Play series is marked by the family element. The earlier books focused on the Riley family, and I loved the family dynamic and banter so much. Burton has done a good job building this "family" from former college dorm mates, now, great friends. They may not be blood related, but you know they love and care for each other. I really do love companion novels, because I get to see how characters from earlier books are doing, and it's almost like a bonus epilogue and catching up with an old friend.

This relationship turned physical really quick, but the actual "relationship" was a slow burn, as Drew and Carolina figured out what they meant to each other. Gosh darn it, when that point came, I smiled from ear to ear, because it was so sweet. For me, this series gets better and better.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 3 June, 2016: Finished reading
  • 3 June, 2016: Reviewed