I had previously read a cute short story by this author, but this was my first full-length novel by her, and it completely won me over. I absolutely adored this Hallmark-style winter romance between a former NHL hockey player turned billionaire and a single mother who owns the local diner. I also really appreciated that this is a clean, closed-door romance with no spice and no language.

While the writing style occasionally felt a bit bumpy, with some overexplaining and extra description, I loved how honest and emotionally open the characters were with each other. It was honestly refreshing. The dialogue could be a little awkward at times, but the playful banter still worked for me, and I enjoyed how truthful Bill and Ruth were with each other right from the start. I am not a fan of poorly written miscommunication, so I was happy that this story leaned in the opposite direction. The characters actually talk things through, express how they feel, and do not rely on frustrating misunderstandings to create conflict. Since Bill and Ruth are both in their forties, their relationship felt grounded and mature in a way that you do not often see in romance. They treat each other with respect, communicate clearly, and do not play games with each other’s emotions.

It was also refreshing to read a winter romance that was not centered around Christmas. You don’t find many romances set during this season, so I really enjoyed the wintry atmosphere and the fun, snowy dates Bill and Ruth go on together. The setting felt cozy and cold in the best way, and as a seasonal reader, I ate up all the winter vibes.

This romance was incredibly swoony and sweet. I loved all the dates and activities they went on together, and there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments mixed in with heartfelt, tender scenes. One of my favorite moments was when Bill flew Ruth to Quebec on his private jet for a weekend away, which is when their relationship really started to deepen. I also appreciated how Bill respected Ruth’s desire to take things slow. The slow-burn gave the reader time to fall in love with both characters and made all the small, quiet moments between them feel extra meaningful. Their chemistry was adorable, and their flirty dynamic had me smiling the whole time.

This is a semi-sports romance. Bill is no longer playing hockey, but he now owns a hockey team and is holding tryouts. Ruth’s teenage son, Noah, tries out for the team, and I loved the scenes between Bill and Noah. Bill gives him a chance and offers some genuinely kind and encouraging advice, even though Noah is not the strongest player. I would have loved a few more moments of them bonding, but I enjoyed what we got. There are a handful of hockey scenes, but the story does not revolve entirely around the sport, which worked well for me.

If you enjoy tropes like billionaire romance, single-parent romance, slow-burn, sports romance, winter settings, and cute date scenes, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I am excited to read more from this author and plan to check out the companion book that follows a character introduced here. I definitely recommend this cozy winter romcom.