Icing on the Cake

Description: 

Rule #1: Never fall for a hockey player. So why does my dating coach—who also happens to play hockey—make me want to break every rule I’ve set? Neesha
It starts with one conversation with a stranger…and suddenly, everything changes.
He won’t tell me what he does for a living, and maybe that should be a red flag. But after the hardest year of my life, my new neighbor feels like a lifeline—calm, capable, and always there when I need him.

When he offers to be my dating coach, I tell myself it’s harmless. That he just wants to help.
But behind that cinnamon roll smile, he’s hiding something—and I’m starting to fall for him anyway.
I told myself we were just friends.
So why am I dreaming about kissing the one man I swore I’d never fall for?

Lucian
Keeping my hockey identity secret was supposed to be temporary—just long enough to figure out my next move with the girl next door.
There’s just one she’s sworn off hockey players for good.
She asked me to help her fall for someone else and be her dating coach.
But I’m the one falling.
And when she finds out who I really am, I might lose the only woman who’s ever made me want something more than the game.
I stopped pretending it was a practice date a long time ago.
But falling for her?
That’s the icing on the cake.

***

The Icing on the Cake is part of the Love in Maple Falls sweet hockey romcom multi-author series. It's a slow-burn, secret-identity hockey romance featuring a cinnamon roll hero who falls hard for the sweet cupcake baker next door.

Review: 

Neesha  and Lucian become neighbors when he moves into Maple Falls after he joins the Ice Breakers hockey team. Neesha has had a difficult time accepting the idea that good things can happen after her mother dies and her controlling boyfriend breaks her heart. It takes Lucian’s patience and love and the town to come together to support her cupcake business to show her otherwise. Lucien is the super star in being there and showing Neesha unconditional love as she heals from her past experiences.

Things to love:

small town

baking therapy

townspeople

Mimi

dating practice

Maple Fest

nicknames

bachelor auction

friends 

the romance of Maple Falls

I highlighted quite a few things throughout the book, Here is one of my favorite quotes: “You can’t judge a cupcake by its frosting. Some look like perfect on the outside but taste like cardboard. Others might be a little rough around the edges, but they’re exactly what you need.”

I loved this story of Neesha finding out what love truly is like. It was so rewarding seeing her realize that she has a talent that she didn’t feel was special but discovering that her baking made people’s lives richer. It has Hallmark vibes, but better!

This is the last book in the series, and what a gratifying conclusion. In order to enjoy this story to its fullest, you will want to read the other books in order. 

I received a gifted copy of the book from Booked with the Emilys and the author with no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.