Melanie Ting

Okay, so if I have to pick one sentence to describe this book it would be: double finger guns of awesomeness!

My Hallowe'en Heartbreak is a fabulous romance novel packed with Canadian culture and kooky comedy!

Sophia goes to a Halloween costume party with her boyfriend Elliott, and of course he turns out to be jerk bag #1. He gets it on with some chick in a bathroom, and thus the relationship is over. Nothing sucks more than breaking up with your boyfriend dressed up as Pikachu. Well, there show more probably is worse things but that sounds kinda brutal, eh?

But, don't worry! Sophia runs into her old high school crush Henry MacDonald, a super hot musician who ends up offering her a ride. They get kinda cozy, and things begin to blossom. Of course, along the way Sophia's lawyer job has some bumps on the road, Henry's superstar ex makes a play and Elliott is well... Elliott. Not a good dude. But it's all good, because this romantic comedy will leave your heart swimming and head singing!

I really liked this book! Romantic comedies are totally my thing and having a Halloween themed one made it every better (it's my fave holiday, what can I say?). Diving into this book was a nice way to escape and have a few giggles, plus... SO MUCH CANADA! Canadian indie band touring the maritimes? CHECK! Shout out to Justin Trudeau (and making fun of him, because us Canadians like to make fun of ourselves), CHECK! It just keeps piling up and makes me feel like this book is totally what I expect, and can respect, as a little Canadian book reviewer.

Add in the whole 'seeing your crush again and having a second chance at love' trope, and I'm totally game. It's adorable, what can I say?

So, if you want a single line to pimp out this book, it'd be this:
This book has snarky comedy that gives romantic comedy movies a run for their money!

Five out of five stars!

Extra bonus points: Each chapter is the title of a Canadian indie song! Holy moly I'm so proud and impressed and this book deserves all the love! My goodness. Go Melanie!

I received this book for free from the author, Melanie Ting, in exchange of an honest review. show less

Ooooohhhh boy!

I was seeking holiday books this year, and this one did not disappoint! Like normal, Melanie Ting has crafted a perfectly swell book that will make your heart flutter.

My Christmas Charade (the third book in the Holiday Hat Trick series) is about a sweet, Government financial analyst named Emily who fake dates the snarky, sarcastic and crude former hockey player Ian. She brings him home for Christmas after her boyfriend of ten years breaks up with her (his name is Lucas, FYI), show more to show her family how her new flings are totally acceptable. Because, obviously, a brutally honest, rude jerk with a mullet like Ian could not possibly be liked by her parents. Until, you know, everyone loves him - including her!

This book is packed full of Canadiana and I LOVE IT. Seriously, I love a good book that represents my home country in a variety of ways. Hockey players from Timmins? Yup. I've heard those jokes before! The ridiculous expensive of an NHL ticket (especially the Toronto Maple Leafs), yuuuuuuuup! Honestly, this book packing so many little Easter eggs for Canadians was just incredible. I loved it!

Throw in these other awesome notes:
1. Em's real name is Emerald - that's ridiculously awesome.
2. Em owns a hedgehog. YES A HEDGEHOG LIKE OMG CUTENESS.
3. The relationship not being like BAM! instalove is totally appreciated.
4. The comments about protection and being healthy in the sexual department - respect!
5. Melanie Ting writing this book so well that the chemistry between Ian and Em felt real - awesome!
6. Enemies to lovers, kind of? I wouldn't say they are necessarily enemies but they don't get along. This is a trope I haven't read much of, so it was nice to slip into it.
7. So many great one liners or just snarky comments. I love some sarcasm and wit in my books! Loooove it!
8. Lots of hot sex. Melanie Ting is great at writing sex scenes. Seriously. Woooo. It was hot.
9. Can we make the whole foul mouth hockey player a trope yet? It totally is a trope in real life up here in the good ol' North.

Overall, this book is magical and fun! It's a great romance that should be hitting the rounds and getting more readers. It's a hidden gem that I highly recommend.

Five out of five stars!

I received a free copy of this book from the author, Melanie Ting, in exchange of an honest review. show less

Canadian author - CHECK.
Hockey - CHECK.
Romance - CHECK.
Will they, won't they couple - CHECK.

Is Melanie Ting just writing for me, or like... is she just that good? Secret, it's the second... but we can all pretend she'd just writing for Briar if you really want to.

I Hate Nate is a rom-com that packs a punch (get it? Hockey pun?). Nate Jones is a semi-famous hockey player playing for the Vancouver Vice. He loves Asian chicks (he has a type, and sure it's kind of racist), and he has screwed show more them over one too many times.... Because a K-Pop song comes out bashing him and a women filled mob comes to his games to try to ruin his career. In comes Camille Salang, a girl Nate has been trying to woo for AGES... And he gets his chance, but it's going to be while she investigates who is leading the Lynch mob. And like any good "will they, won't they?" romance... These two HAVE SO MUCH CHEMISTRY.

I loved this book so much I read it twice (both in binge sessions). I highly recommend this for the fun, fast paced nature and hot romance. Melanie Ting knows how to write a good sports romance. This is a top read for me in this grand ole year of 2022. Pick it up! Support Canadian! WOO!

Five out of five stars.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. show less

Melanie Ting hits it in the net with SNOWBALLED (Moo U #9). Noah Goodwin transfers to Burlington University to play his last year of hockey. This angers his father who cuts him off. He ends up working on the Meyer’s Farm in exchange for room and board. There he meets Zoe Meyers, who plays on the women’s team. The more he gets to know her the more he wants to impress her.

Noah is an interesting hero. He comes from hockey royalty. His father was an NHL star. His mother was an Olympic show more figure skating champion. His younger brother was just drafted. Noah, on the other hand, was overlooked in the draft due to his smaller size. I respect his decision to transfer and gain a new perspective. I like that they appreciated him for what her could do for the team, making him feel valued. I enjoyed Noah’s transition from California city boy to Vermont farm hand. To say he experienced a different lifestyle is putting it mildly. I appreciated how he grew throughout the novel. Zoe is a sweet heroine. She loves the farm. It reminds her of her deceased father. She has issues that she needs to work out. Noah and Zoe are an unlikely couple that works.

Melanie Ting does an exceptional job with her character development and plot. The characters grew tremendously throughout the story. The novel was thought-provoking and entertaining. I am a big fan of Melanie Ting’s work. I was thrilled that she wrote a book in the Moo U series. SNOWBALLED is the perfect addition to Sarina Bowen’s world of True North. I recommend this story to people who enjoy hockey romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. show less