I was a huge fan of Julie Cross’s “Off the Ice” which pair hockey with romance in just the most perfect way so I was beyond thrilled when I found the sequel “Breaking the Ice” on Netgalley.
Summary: In the small Minnesota town of Juniper Falls everyone knows everyone else’s business and everyone especially cares about the hockey teams’ business. New varsity player, Fletcher Scott, desperately wants to play hockey but he also wants to keep his family away from the small town gossip mill. Juniper Fall’s Princess, Hayley Stevenson, loves being the center of attention. She wants to know everyone and she wants everyone to consider her a friend. When the two are paired up on a summer school project sparks fly, attractions discovered and feeling developed that may make them both question how they fit into their small town.
Review: There is a common misbelief that romances books are easy to write; all you need is a boy and a girl some flirty words and a little kissing. Easy, right? This is very wrong. There is a special skill to create a well written and realistic romance and Julie Cross definitely has these skills. Fletcher and Haley are both complicated character with vunerabilities that feel so real they come off the page. They have emotional baggage and real issues that make them and their struggling relationship wonderfully genuine. Their story and their interaction are beautifully balanced with flirting and real life issues which made the book a delight to read. Adding to their sizzling interactions are an interesting cast of secondary characters (which will hopefully get their own books) and a surprisingly fascinating look at a high school hockey program all of which come together to make “Breaking the Ice” a must read for YA romance fans.
Final Rating: 4 out of 5
I received eARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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