Review: Melting the Ice by Jaci Burton

Melting the Ice (Play by Play #7) by Jaci Burton

Publication Date: February 4th 2014 by Berkley Publishing Group

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

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…

My Thoughts:

Drew and Carolina had a one night stand in college and it’s something they both look on with regret. Drew because he acted like an ass to Carolina and Carolina because she allowed herself to fall for Drew who didn’t return the same intense feelings she had.

Fast forward to present, eight years later, Carolina is about to launch her own fashion line and needs male models. Her brother Gray agrees and being a race car driver he’s sure to attract attention, but he suggests Drew his best friend and unknown to him, Carolina’s one-night stand gone bad.  But Drew has the potential to bring a lot of attention to her line, because he’s a famous hockey player so Carolina decides to put aside her feelings and bring him on.  Carolina resolves to keep things professional and forget hurt she has, but Drew would love a chance to show her he’s not a jerk.  He’s never forgotten Carolina or their intense night, even if they got together when he was too immature to appreciate her.

At first Carolina is hesitant about letting Drew back into her life, but soon the intense desire she once had for him comes back with a vengeance and Drew is definitely persistent. Yet, they’re both at a time in their lives where their careers take priority and a huge chunk of their time so something serious doesn’t enter their minds. I like the fact that they each understood the high demands of their jobs, and didn’t fault the other for being so busy, they both got it.  But because their attachment grows they carve more and more time out for each other, and their feelings are definitely moving into the serious category.

I love a second chance romance, but I do feel this story was lacking the intense longing feelings that I get when reading about a love opportunity missed or one gone wrong. I think if I would’ve got a little more of their history I might have felt differently.  Their history was touched on a little in the One Sweet Ride so maybe this is where I missed out by not reading the previous story. Apparently it centered on Gray, Carolina’s brother, and the fact that Drew and Carolina had an awkward meet up in that book was talked about here.

Still, their romance was satisfying and oh, boy was it ever HOT! Wow, I’ve read a couple of Jaci Burton’s books (the Hope series) and this was the hottest one yet! Drew had no problem whatsoever vocalizing what he wanted in the bedroom and what he was going to do, and I thought my panties would melt right off a few times!

Carolina and Drew manage to get over a few bumps and this story leaves them in a good place together.  I have a feeling they’ll show up in the next book and we’ll get to see more of a HEA for them as secondary characters.  I didn’t read One Sweet Ride, Gray and Evelyn’s story, but they are featured quite a lot here and there were a couple of momentous events for them that brought a smile to my face even if I didn't read their story.

Jaci Burton wrote a romance that will warm your heart and curl your toes! I plan on reading the next in the series: Trevor and Haven’s story in Straddling the Line which is set to come out in July.

3.5 Suns

 

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