Cold Day in the Sun by Sara Biren

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Holland Delviss wants to be known for her talent as a hockey player, not a hockey player who happens to be a girl. But when her school team is selected to be featured and televised as part of HockeyFest, her status as the only girl on the boys’ team makes her the lead story. Not everyone is thrilled with Holland’s new fame, but there’s one person who fiercely supports her, and it’s the last person she expects (and definitely the last person she should be falling for): her bossy team captain, Wes.

"Let's be honest. At the moment, I've got bigger things to worry about than a straw stuck up a sea turtle's nose."

I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

Cold Day in the Sun takes place during the winter, but it really warmed my heart! It was impossible not to smile while reading this book, and I really loved Holland's story. She was a fierce female character who wasn't afraid to speak her mind. When someone told her she had balls, she was quick to tell them that a person doesn't need balls to do something brave. I loved her personality, and that she was willing to fight for what she wanted.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Holland had an awesome family, I enjoyed all of their interactions. Hunter wasn't around as much, but his comments on her blog, and his brief appearance, really spoke volumes about their relationship. Carter was a typical big brother, and didn't want anyone to mess with his sister, but he also knew she could fight her own battles. Jesse was hilarious. I'm pretty sure he's referred to as a "diva" at one point. Her mom and dad, even her grandparents, are around and supportive. It was amazing and lovely!

Then there's Wes. Sweet, beautiful, infuriating Wes. He doesn't treat Holland any differently on the ice, and he pushes and challenges her like he would any of the other players. I was a little annoyed when Holland didn't see this (she thought he was picking on her for being a girl), so her reactions were a little extreme. She wanted to be treated like everyone else, but got upset when she was. Off the ice, Wes was attentive and intuitive. He's understanding and thoughtful, a wonderful big brother, and he wasn't afraid to tell people how he felt. I really loved his relationship with Holland and how it progressed over time.

There was so much to love about this book, and I think it's the little things that I enjoyed the most. Wes encourages Holland to try eating spicy foods, and tells her it's just like training for a new sport. You have to practice, which she does, and those were some of my favorite moments. The way Wes reacts when Holland bites her lip, and the way he talks about her to other people -- always kind and proud of her accomplishments. Holland's blog and her obsession with music (that Wes happily shares), and their shared text messages that are more music videos than words. Also, Holland loves to eat, and I love that she loves food.

All of the secondary characters were fun and meaningful, and I wouldn't mind another book with this setting! I want to know more about everyone. As I got to the last page, I read it and immediately wanted more. It was a perfect ending for this story, and I'm still smiling as I write this, but I definitely could have enjoyed a few more chapters! Thank you, Sara Biren. You've kept a smile on my face for days. It was ducking adorable. 😉