What do you think?
Rate this book
It's a Love/Skate Relationship
Fans of Rachael Lippincott, Elise Bryant, and Dahlia Adler will love this joyful debut novel, a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance between a hotheaded hockey player and the ice princess at the figure skating rink next door.
Charlie Porter is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the hockey rink. When she accidentally starts a brawl after a game, she's suspended from school, meaning no hockey this season--and no chance to play in front of college scouts.
Alexa Goldstein's pairs skating partner was hurt in the fight, and with only four months until their next competition, pickings for a replacement are slim. So she strikes a deal with Charlie--skate with her at the competition well enough to place, and her Olympian mother will use her formidable connections to get Charlie in front of scouts at D-1 schools, even without her team.
It seems impossible, and not just because Charlie has never figure skated before. Where Charlie is powerful, Alexa is elegant; where Charlie is quick to blow up, Alexa is cold as ice. But as the frostiness between them starts to thaw, they begin to wonder if they've found a partner for more than just skating.
Charlie Porter is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the hockey rink. When she accidentally starts a brawl after a game, she's suspended from school, meaning no hockey this season--and no chance to play in front of college scouts.
Alexa Goldstein's pairs skating partner was hurt in the fight, and with only four months until their next competition, pickings for a replacement are slim. So she strikes a deal with Charlie--skate with her at the competition well enough to place, and her Olympian mother will use her formidable connections to get Charlie in front of scouts at D-1 schools, even without her team.
It seems impossible, and not just because Charlie has never figure skated before. Where Charlie is powerful, Alexa is elegant; where Charlie is quick to blow up, Alexa is cold as ice. But as the frostiness between them starts to thaw, they begin to wonder if they've found a partner for more than just skating.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2025
145 people are currently reading
11680 people want to read
About the author
Carli J. Corson
1 book86 followersCarli J. Corson writes about girls finding love and adventure in unexpected places. She earned her bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College and two master's degrees from The University of Pennsylvania. Carli resides in the Philadelphia area with her wife and their beloved fur children, Mango the orange cat and Fiona the doodle pup. In her spare time, she's hanging out with family and friends, wrestling with jigsaw puzzles, or yelling at the TV in support of her embattled Philly sports teams.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews
October 30, 2024
This was such a delight, I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting! Taking the “hockey player and figure skater have to work together” plot and making it a sapphic YA book? Genius. Charlie was such a great main character to follow. When she starts a fight that gets her kicked out of school and off her hockey team, she winds up having to be the new training partner for Alexa, a local pairs figure skater.
One thing I really appreciated about the book was how Charlie and Alexa really do start out disliking one another. They both don’t have any interest in working together and it takes them a long time to warm up to becoming teammates, then friends, then finally girlfriends. I can get annoyed when a story is pitched as rivals or enemies to lovers but then one of the pairing has always been harboring feelings for the other. Or they start liking each other way too quickly, I need the slow burn of things thawing before feelings develop.
I loved watching the ways that Charlie developed throughout the book. She starts out very impulsive and acts without fully thinking through different outcomes, which feels very realistic. The majority of the book is lighter and focused on the sports romance part of the plot. But the serious aspects that come about through her relationship with her mom and the consequences of her impulsive actions felt well incorporated into the story.
Definitely check this one out if you’re in the market for a sapphic YA sports romance. Charlie and Alexa make an excellent pair both on and off the ice.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
One thing I really appreciated about the book was how Charlie and Alexa really do start out disliking one another. They both don’t have any interest in working together and it takes them a long time to warm up to becoming teammates, then friends, then finally girlfriends. I can get annoyed when a story is pitched as rivals or enemies to lovers but then one of the pairing has always been harboring feelings for the other. Or they start liking each other way too quickly, I need the slow burn of things thawing before feelings develop.
I loved watching the ways that Charlie developed throughout the book. She starts out very impulsive and acts without fully thinking through different outcomes, which feels very realistic. The majority of the book is lighter and focused on the sports romance part of the plot. But the serious aspects that come about through her relationship with her mom and the consequences of her impulsive actions felt well incorporated into the story.
Definitely check this one out if you’re in the market for a sapphic YA sports romance. Charlie and Alexa make an excellent pair both on and off the ice.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 19, 2025
Yes, to all of it.
"Even when we fall—even when we screw up—we stick together and we run it again. You make me a better person in every way and I’ve never experienced this kind of support outside my family, and I promise—no matter where this college thing takes me—I’ll always be here to catch you. No matter what.”
"Even when we fall—even when we screw up—we stick together and we run it again. You make me a better person in every way and I’ve never experienced this kind of support outside my family, and I promise—no matter where this college thing takes me—I’ll always be here to catch you. No matter what.”
December 3, 2024
In my dreams, I go viral for sinking a sick trick shot or delivering a brilliant body check. Instead, I’m Hockey Rocky—but, like, the one where he blows the big match at the end.
rating: 4.25★
ok this was actually so cute omg.
charlie and alexa had great banter and chemistry from the start, and i felt like the way their relationship progressed felt really natural.
i agree there's some suspension of disbelief w the sports aspect, but do i care? no. lmao. there's enough info as well to really give you a feel for what's going on, but not so much it overwhelms you or the story.
there were a few things i wish got circled back to, but overall this was such a fun romance read, i was rooting hard for these two. shoutout to charlie having such a cool little friend group and the positive parental figures in here.
also, charlie is also such a hoot. not to be completely locked tomb brainrotted but there's definitely some gideon nav vibes going on there for me.
“Well, you know what they say about girls with big feet.”
“Big egos?”
“You’re too big to be a ballerina.”
My arms cross over my chest. “Yeah? Well you’re too small to ride the really fun roller coasters.”
“Are you ready to hora?”
I frown. “What did you just call me?”
an honest arc review ♡
_________________________
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪ preread 𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪
needing something light and fluffy with wintery vibes ❄️
rating: 4.25★
ok this was actually so cute omg.
charlie and alexa had great banter and chemistry from the start, and i felt like the way their relationship progressed felt really natural.
i agree there's some suspension of disbelief w the sports aspect, but do i care? no. lmao. there's enough info as well to really give you a feel for what's going on, but not so much it overwhelms you or the story.
there were a few things i wish got circled back to, but overall this was such a fun romance read, i was rooting hard for these two. shoutout to charlie having such a cool little friend group and the positive parental figures in here.
also, charlie is also such a hoot. not to be completely locked tomb brainrotted but there's definitely some gideon nav vibes going on there for me.
“Well, you know what they say about girls with big feet.”
“Big egos?”
“You’re too big to be a ballerina.”
My arms cross over my chest. “Yeah? Well you’re too small to ride the really fun roller coasters.”
“Are you ready to hora?”
I frown. “What did you just call me?”
an honest arc review ♡
_________________________
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪ preread 𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪
needing something light and fluffy with wintery vibes ❄️
February 1, 2025
*4.5
Been asking for a sapphic hockey/figure skater romance for agessss and I finally got it 😭😭😭
Been asking for a sapphic hockey/figure skater romance for agessss and I finally got it 😭😭😭
April 3, 2025
Very cute if a little corny. For once a YA book felt like a YA book.
I mean, it isn’t believable at all but I still enjoyed it.
Saw other reviews complaining about the ice skating. Luckily, I don’t have any skating knowledge so none of this bothered me in the least.
I mean, it isn’t believable at all but I still enjoyed it.
Saw other reviews complaining about the ice skating. Luckily, I don’t have any skating knowledge so none of this bothered me in the least.
December 9, 2024
thank you to netgalley for the arc! OKAY FIRST OF ALL: THE COVER. i love them.
THIS WAS SO GOOD. just to be clear: if you care about the actual hockey/figure skating learning curve too much you may not enjoy this to the same extent. luckily i am able to suspend my disbelief to accept that yes, this hockey player who has never figure skated in her life can get that good in six months. just pretend coach geri (alexa's mom) is a magical wish-granting fairy and is just capable of training anyone that way. honestly if that was in the book i would have accepted it.
third act breakup is approximately seven pages out of four hundred (APPRECIATED) and also this is more "we're kind of snarky to each other to lovers" than "enemies to lovers." but then they apologize to each other so its fine.
EDIT: someone said charlie gives gideon nav vibes with her narration and THEYRE RIGHT
mark this on your calendars guys i love sports and i love lesbians
THIS WAS SO GOOD. just to be clear: if you care about the actual hockey/figure skating learning curve too much you may not enjoy this to the same extent. luckily i am able to suspend my disbelief to accept that yes, this hockey player who has never figure skated in her life can get that good in six months. just pretend coach geri (alexa's mom) is a magical wish-granting fairy and is just capable of training anyone that way. honestly if that was in the book i would have accepted it.
third act breakup is approximately seven pages out of four hundred (APPRECIATED) and also this is more "we're kind of snarky to each other to lovers" than "enemies to lovers." but then they apologize to each other so its fine.
EDIT: someone said charlie gives gideon nav vibes with her narration and THEYRE RIGHT
mark this on your calendars guys i love sports and i love lesbians
February 14, 2025
Content warnings: d-slur & lesbophobia, misogyny, physical violence, threats of violence.
Rep: Charlie (MC) is lesbian, cis, and white. Lesbian is not used on page, but the d-slur is, and another lesbian (also not said on page) points to Charlie's lesbian flag pin on her backpack and says she has one too. Just fucking use the word ffs.
Side queer and POC characters.
I fricken loved this one.
This kept me sane while I was in the throes of agony yesterday, so that's good.
Rep: Charlie (MC) is lesbian, cis, and white. Lesbian is not used on page, but the d-slur is, and another lesbian (also not said on page) points to Charlie's lesbian flag pin on her backpack and says she has one too. Just fucking use the word ffs.
Side queer and POC characters.
I fricken loved this one.
This kept me sane while I was in the throes of agony yesterday, so that's good.
July 26, 2024
THIS IS THE HOCKEY PLAYER AND FIGURE SKATER SAPPHIC ROMANCE EVERYBODY WANTS. SERIOUSLY IT IS SO GAY AND SO GOOD.
It stars a butch lesbian hockey player who has to compete with a figure skater for a chance at a college scholarship. It's practically a love letter to athleticism, hockey, and figure skating. Plus, it has the perfect blend of humor, romantic tension, and the thrill of competition. I seriously, completely adored it.
It stars a butch lesbian hockey player who has to compete with a figure skater for a chance at a college scholarship. It's practically a love letter to athleticism, hockey, and figure skating. Plus, it has the perfect blend of humor, romantic tension, and the thrill of competition. I seriously, completely adored it.
March 3, 2025
axels don’t involve toe picks. neither do salchows. and a serpentine lift is a dance lift, not a pairs lift. somehow icebreaker was more knowledgeable about figure skating than this book, and icebreaker set that bar LOW. please just ask a figure skater to help you if you want to write a book about the sport. i’m begging.
September 2, 2024
It’s kind of like a Disney Channel Original Movie, but make it gay. And you know what? I’m gonna eat that up. It does mean that the conflict and everything require a suspension of disbelief because it’s all super played up and dramatic without ever getting deep but it’s fun! The premise is also totally DCOM material: butch hockey player gets in trouble after a huge, damage-causing off-ice fight with her school’s rival team and has to fill in as the ice princess’s figure skating partner to pay off her debt? I mean, you’re seated already, right?
The fact that it ends up being an uplifting sports story where they ~just might fall in love~ is just the cherry on top.
Also, the cover is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.
It’s probably closer to 3.5 for me but I’m going to round up because sapphic hockey player/figure skater romance <333 duh
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The fact that it ends up being an uplifting sports story where they ~just might fall in love~ is just the cherry on top.
Also, the cover is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.
It’s probably closer to 3.5 for me but I’m going to round up because sapphic hockey player/figure skater romance <333 duh
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2025
Many thanks to Harper360YA for the digital review copy!
For me, the strength of YA lies in complex, imperfect characters who go through a lot of growth, and this book does that phenomenally. Combine that with an absolutely adorable sapphic romance, well-fleshed out characters, and not one but two ice sports, and you have a really entertaining read with a lot of depth. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like our main character, but that turned out to be a strength in the end, because it was very much intentional and the MC goes on such a journey of growth and development. I love how this was shown rather than told, and it never changed her personality.
For me, the strength of YA lies in complex, imperfect characters who go through a lot of growth, and this book does that phenomenally. Combine that with an absolutely adorable sapphic romance, well-fleshed out characters, and not one but two ice sports, and you have a really entertaining read with a lot of depth. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like our main character, but that turned out to be a strength in the end, because it was very much intentional and the MC goes on such a journey of growth and development. I love how this was shown rather than told, and it never changed her personality.
May 22, 2025
she made her a taylor swift playlist 😭😭😭😭
September 8, 2025
I'm sitting here bawling my face off, because I don't think I have ever been this touched by a book before. I really didn't want this book to end.
This was a magical love story from beginning to end. The progression of Charlie's and Alexa's love for each other was so beautifully paced, every moment so intentional and integral to growth in themselves and in their relationship.
Their chemistry was electric. The banter, and hijinks between them are used in such a captivating way, my goodness, I could not put this book down. They are truly so perfect for each other I do not think I ever rooted for a fictional couple so hard! I literally almost blacked out during their competition scenes because the writing made me feel so immersed in the story I was quaking lol. Alexa and Charlie are such fantastically written characters on their own. Corson making sure to write them with complexity that is shown not just through words but their actions as well.
I genuinely need so much more about them I want to know if they win the Olympic medals they for sure earned, I want to know if they go to school together or get married and have a hoard of mini ice hockey playing figure skaters together. I just love them so much, because I could feel their genuine love for each other through the writing.
And the side characters! Side characters can truly make or break a story, but every single side character felt important and balanced the story so well. They all had their own lives and personalities that were allowed to shine and it was so heartwarming to see the dynamics between each and every character on page.
This was perfect in every single way. I will definitely be on the lookout for whatever new books Carli J. Corson publishes next. 5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟!!!
This was a magical love story from beginning to end. The progression of Charlie's and Alexa's love for each other was so beautifully paced, every moment so intentional and integral to growth in themselves and in their relationship.
Their chemistry was electric. The banter, and hijinks between them are used in such a captivating way, my goodness, I could not put this book down. They are truly so perfect for each other I do not think I ever rooted for a fictional couple so hard! I literally almost blacked out during their competition scenes because the writing made me feel so immersed in the story I was quaking lol. Alexa and Charlie are such fantastically written characters on their own. Corson making sure to write them with complexity that is shown not just through words but their actions as well.
I genuinely need so much more about them I want to know if they win the Olympic medals they for sure earned, I want to know if they go to school together or get married and have a hoard of mini ice hockey playing figure skaters together. I just love them so much, because I could feel their genuine love for each other through the writing.
And the side characters! Side characters can truly make or break a story, but every single side character felt important and balanced the story so well. They all had their own lives and personalities that were allowed to shine and it was so heartwarming to see the dynamics between each and every character on page.
This was perfect in every single way. I will definitely be on the lookout for whatever new books Carli J. Corson publishes next. 5 stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟!!!
June 16, 2025
i don’t read YA contemporary much anymore because i usually don’t feel interested in teenager problems, but this was a delight! very cute, great chemistry between the lead and her love interest and i loved reading about a masc lesbian protagonist. was expecting more hockey as i’m on a stanley cup finals fuelled binge, but as a yuri on ice fan i’m not complaining about the focus on figure skating.
January 30, 2025
This was a solid YA contemporary! I am always a sucker for a sport romance, especially when it is sapphic. I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers storyline (for once the reasons for being enemies didn't feel contrived) and I loved all of the scenes of hockey and figure skating. I loved Charlie's relationship with her dad and brother. She is a bit of a hothead at the start of the book, and I loved the journey she went on to grow and evolve.
I had some slight issues with this book, but nothing major. Mostly, things not making sense around the private vs. public school rivalry, such as: are these schools the same size to play in the same athletic conference? How does Charlie have a scholarship if she's not a great student? Why doesn't the daughter of an olympic skater who is currently training for the olympics herself attend private school? I think if the private vs. public schools were reversed, the story would have made a little more sense imo. However, I'm trying to not think too hard about that since that wasn't actually the focus of the book LOL.
Overall, a solid YA read that I definitely recommend to any young queer girls or anyone who is a fan of hockey lesbians.
I had some slight issues with this book, but nothing major. Mostly, things not making sense around the private vs. public school rivalry, such as: are these schools the same size to play in the same athletic conference? How does Charlie have a scholarship if she's not a great student? Why doesn't the daughter of an olympic skater who is currently training for the olympics herself attend private school? I think if the private vs. public schools were reversed, the story would have made a little more sense imo. However, I'm trying to not think too hard about that since that wasn't actually the focus of the book LOL.
Overall, a solid YA read that I definitely recommend to any young queer girls or anyone who is a fan of hockey lesbians.
January 30, 2025
2025 reads: 25/300
2025 tbr: 11/111
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
when she misses a winning shot for the winthrop cup and starts a brawl directly after that, charlie is kicked off the team and suspended from school. now, she has to attend the rival school, where nearly everyone sees her as an enemy. things can’t possibly get worse…until she meets alexa goldstein, a prickly figure skater. she gets roped into being alexa’s skating partner, and eventually starts falling for her.
i was so excited to read this book! the cover is adorable and the description sounded really interesting. i am not super familiar with either hockey or figure skating, but i always find them interesting to read about. it was especially interesting to see how charlie compared the two sports. even though she wasn’t very keen on figure skating in the beginning, she quickly warmed up to it!
i also enjoyed the character growth throughout this novel. charlie’s dealing with many of her own difficulties at the start of this book, including a rough relationship with her mom. these definitely affected her relationships with her friends and with alexa. it was great to see her grow through these difficulties throughout the book!
overall, this was a sweet YA romance. i’m looking forward to more from the author!
2025 tbr: 11/111
i received an advanced review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
when she misses a winning shot for the winthrop cup and starts a brawl directly after that, charlie is kicked off the team and suspended from school. now, she has to attend the rival school, where nearly everyone sees her as an enemy. things can’t possibly get worse…until she meets alexa goldstein, a prickly figure skater. she gets roped into being alexa’s skating partner, and eventually starts falling for her.
i was so excited to read this book! the cover is adorable and the description sounded really interesting. i am not super familiar with either hockey or figure skating, but i always find them interesting to read about. it was especially interesting to see how charlie compared the two sports. even though she wasn’t very keen on figure skating in the beginning, she quickly warmed up to it!
i also enjoyed the character growth throughout this novel. charlie’s dealing with many of her own difficulties at the start of this book, including a rough relationship with her mom. these definitely affected her relationships with her friends and with alexa. it was great to see her grow through these difficulties throughout the book!
overall, this was a sweet YA romance. i’m looking forward to more from the author!
July 19, 2025
Este libro es horrible, insípido, de mal gusto, terrible, cutre, repulsivo, tedioso, inane y soso....
Eso diría alguien estúpido y, por suerte, yo no soy estúpida; y si tú no quieres ser estúpido, este libro cursi es para vos porque ¡AAAAAH, qué tierno! Amo, amo, amo.
Estuvo a punto de ser cinco estrellas, pero después de cierta parte como que se me bajó un poquito; pero eso no cambia que disfruté de este libro como si fuera el último tereré en un día con 40 °C o la última milanesa arriba de la mesa.
¡Vivan las lesbianas!
Eso diría alguien estúpido y, por suerte, yo no soy estúpida; y si tú no quieres ser estúpido, este libro cursi es para vos porque ¡AAAAAH, qué tierno! Amo, amo, amo.
Estuvo a punto de ser cinco estrellas, pero después de cierta parte como que se me bajó un poquito; pero eso no cambia que disfruté de este libro como si fuera el último tereré en un día con 40 °C o la última milanesa arriba de la mesa.
¡Vivan las lesbianas!
December 20, 2025
I could not wish for more from a YA Christmas Sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance. Literally nothing! Full marks from this judge, gold skating medal; straight to the five-stars shelf.
July 31, 2024
This one asks for a bit of sports suspension of disbelief that I know not everyone will want to go along with.
It's a fun story and I'm a fan of the butch hockey player becoming a pair figure skaters although I found the book sometimes lacking when it came to adressing and handling the tricky situation of a masculine lesbian being forced to be more "graceful" (and relatively feminine).
It is a cute dislike to lovers story where Charlie slowly realises that Alexa isn't too bad as she opens up. Unfortunately Alexa isn't the most likeable character and the few attemps to soften her character don't fully make up for everything. There are two moments when her boyfriend bullies/makes fun of Charlie for her masculinity and we barely get an apology for the first and her reaction to the second is lacking especially considering how little she fights back against the homophobia directed at her best friend. For a girl with a bi mom, it seems to affect her very little.
It is a single POV story and I regret that we don't get Alexa's side because it would have improved her as a character likely. She's a closeted nerd with no female friends and that's her biggest conflict. She's not that affected by her mom's pressure and seems to have a good with her.
I'm not American so I'm not sure about the whole private vs public school thing.
I really did like the different "dates", they were a good way to build up their relationship and the wedding thing was cute. There was a habit of describing everything they were wearing always which did lessen the impact of the formal outfits imo.
I have very little ice skating knowledge so I can't say anything except believable and I liked having many training scenes, this was one of my favourite parts. There are a few things that weren't believable but I don't mind suspending my disbelief for a little while.
It's a fun story and I'm a fan of the butch hockey player becoming a pair figure skaters although I found the book sometimes lacking when it came to adressing and handling the tricky situation of a masculine lesbian being forced to be more "graceful" (and relatively feminine).
It is a cute dislike to lovers story where Charlie slowly realises that Alexa isn't too bad as she opens up. Unfortunately Alexa isn't the most likeable character and the few attemps to soften her character don't fully make up for everything. There are two moments when her boyfriend bullies/makes fun of Charlie for her masculinity and we barely get an apology for the first and her reaction to the second is lacking especially considering how little she fights back against the homophobia directed at her best friend. For a girl with a bi mom, it seems to affect her very little.
It is a single POV story and I regret that we don't get Alexa's side because it would have improved her as a character likely. She's a closeted nerd with no female friends and that's her biggest conflict. She's not that affected by her mom's pressure and seems to have a good with her.
I'm not American so I'm not sure about the whole private vs public school thing.
I really did like the different "dates", they were a good way to build up their relationship and the wedding thing was cute. There was a habit of describing everything they were wearing always which did lessen the impact of the formal outfits imo.
I have very little ice skating knowledge so I can't say anything except believable and I liked having many training scenes, this was one of my favourite parts. There are a few things that weren't believable but I don't mind suspending my disbelief for a little while.
February 10, 2025
i don't even want to get into how BADLY the skating aspect of this novel was handled, because if i start venting i'll be there for hours. let's just say that nothing in this story is just even the slightest bit realistic and it pissed me off SO MUCH. i really don't get it. if you want to write a figure skating romance, just do your research about how figure skating actually works. i get that this is not meant to be a documentary, it's a silly little book that is supposed to be fun but i have my limits.
regarding the romance, i was quite into it at first. i appreciated the slowburn and i loved the side characters who gave life to this story. i wasn't particularly sold on the chemistry between the two main characters, but the way their relationship progressed was still cute. however the whole "i'm not good enough for you, you deserve better" cliché third act had me fuming and ruined everything for me so the author completely lost me there.
i wouldn't recommend this book.
regarding the romance, i was quite into it at first. i appreciated the slowburn and i loved the side characters who gave life to this story. i wasn't particularly sold on the chemistry between the two main characters, but the way their relationship progressed was still cute. however the whole "i'm not good enough for you, you deserve better" cliché third act had me fuming and ruined everything for me so the author completely lost me there.
i wouldn't recommend this book.
December 26, 2025
DNF at 17%
July 9, 2025
this was heartbreaking.
(5/5)⭐️⛸
(5/5)⭐️⛸
March 18, 2025
Quite possibly the cringiest thing I've ever read in my life—which is disappointing because I'd been waiting months for this to come out. The language is unbearably juvenile, even for the genre, and none of the figure skating terms are correct.
If you're going to write a sports romance, I would expect you to at least put a little research into it, especially since it's likely that those interested in this book would be people also interested in those sports.
Did the author think that nobody would notice?
If you're going to write a sports romance, I would expect you to at least put a little research into it, especially since it's likely that those interested in this book would be people also interested in those sports.
Did the author think that nobody would notice?
January 30, 2025
(rounded up from 4.5)
This was a really fun story about two different kinds of athletes on ice (and with completely different temperaments) coming together to make the best of a bad situation. Really fun level of detail about how Charlie transitions from being an ice hockey player to a temporary pairs ice skating team member and how the enemies get to becoming friends and then girlfriends.
This was a really fun story about two different kinds of athletes on ice (and with completely different temperaments) coming together to make the best of a bad situation. Really fun level of detail about how Charlie transitions from being an ice hockey player to a temporary pairs ice skating team member and how the enemies get to becoming friends and then girlfriends.
February 14, 2025
some things cannot be forgiven and one of them is the unironic use of adorkable in a sentence
December 7, 2025
4.25 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ this was really not cute at first, but then I slowly started to feel more excited about the journey.
I had no expectations going into this- I just knew that it was a sapphic romance with a hockey player and a figure skater- we deserve our sports romance mess too! This reminded me a lot of She Drives Me Crazy, but I’m not complaining.
I mostly listened to the audiobook for this but read the ebook at different points as well. Either way, I had a blast! This gave me a lot of what I needed from this kind of story- an interesting romance, funny side characters, a good learning arc from the mc, and an actual resolution!
I liked Charlie- she frustrated me to hell and back, but her character arc was really good! I’m still mad ab her getting blamed for everything in the beginning, BUT she stood on business and I respect that. She was also really good about taking accountability when she was wrong, and it was refreshing how she immediately recognized whenever she messed up and worked to fix it. Her relationship with her family and her friendships were really sweet to read. I believe it was a smart choice to have made her support system so strong in this way- it also made sense bc everyone in her circle kinda let her get away with shit really easily. Like, each minor issue would be solved after one conversation- which I do appreciate.
Alexa… I despised her right up until the halfway point, but she REALLY grew on me after that! I understood her anger, but her priorities and inability to look at things just as they were was really irritating. Once she locked in that friendship with Charlie and we could see her actually being a friend rather than the extreme hostility, it was much easier to like and feel for her. I kind of wish we got some POV chapters of Alexa, especially considering how much I disliked her in the beginning. I’m my opinion, seeing her side of things and how her relationship with her mom is from her POV would’ve added a lot to the development of her and Charlie’s relationship and possibly Alexa’s own arc (since there really wasn’t much of one outside of just letting Charlie convince her to be a rebel every now and then, and that’s super played-out).
The plot is pretty standard if you’ve read any (sapphic) sports romances before. If you’re ever in the mood for petty gay teenage athlete mess, this is a fun one!
I had no expectations going into this- I just knew that it was a sapphic romance with a hockey player and a figure skater- we deserve our sports romance mess too! This reminded me a lot of She Drives Me Crazy, but I’m not complaining.
I mostly listened to the audiobook for this but read the ebook at different points as well. Either way, I had a blast! This gave me a lot of what I needed from this kind of story- an interesting romance, funny side characters, a good learning arc from the mc, and an actual resolution!
I liked Charlie- she frustrated me to hell and back, but her character arc was really good! I’m still mad ab her getting blamed for everything in the beginning, BUT she stood on business and I respect that. She was also really good about taking accountability when she was wrong, and it was refreshing how she immediately recognized whenever she messed up and worked to fix it. Her relationship with her family and her friendships were really sweet to read. I believe it was a smart choice to have made her support system so strong in this way- it also made sense bc everyone in her circle kinda let her get away with shit really easily. Like, each minor issue would be solved after one conversation- which I do appreciate.
Alexa… I despised her right up until the halfway point, but she REALLY grew on me after that! I understood her anger, but her priorities and inability to look at things just as they were was really irritating. Once she locked in that friendship with Charlie and we could see her actually being a friend rather than the extreme hostility, it was much easier to like and feel for her. I kind of wish we got some POV chapters of Alexa, especially considering how much I disliked her in the beginning. I’m my opinion, seeing her side of things and how her relationship with her mom is from her POV would’ve added a lot to the development of her and Charlie’s relationship and possibly Alexa’s own arc (since there really wasn’t much of one outside of just letting Charlie convince her to be a rebel every now and then, and that’s super played-out).
The plot is pretty standard if you’ve read any (sapphic) sports romances before. If you’re ever in the mood for petty gay teenage athlete mess, this is a fun one!
December 26, 2024
I received a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Children’s Books in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts about the book in any way.
4.75 ⭐️
I LOVE LESBIANS! Perfect for fans of How To Excavate a Heart, It’s A Love/Skate Relationship is a cozy, smalltown sapphic romcom between a figure skater and a hockey player sharing a rink after an incident that tied their lives together.
Alexa and Mac’s love story is a novel that you’d come back to on rainy, cold days for comfort. This book has the aesthetic of those early 2000s romcom movies, with readers eating up the sweet cliché of every single moment they have shared together. The vibes gave off She’s The Man x Icebreaker (make it gay). The supporting characters were also quirky and cute whose dynamic with the MCs complimented the beauty of the tasteful slowburn the author went for.
I am encouraging everyone to read more sapphic novels in 2025 because you are definitely missing out on women falling in love <3 wuhluhwuh is so fun to read about!
4.75 ⭐️
I LOVE LESBIANS! Perfect for fans of How To Excavate a Heart, It’s A Love/Skate Relationship is a cozy, smalltown sapphic romcom between a figure skater and a hockey player sharing a rink after an incident that tied their lives together.
Alexa and Mac’s love story is a novel that you’d come back to on rainy, cold days for comfort. This book has the aesthetic of those early 2000s romcom movies, with readers eating up the sweet cliché of every single moment they have shared together. The vibes gave off She’s The Man x Icebreaker (make it gay). The supporting characters were also quirky and cute whose dynamic with the MCs complimented the beauty of the tasteful slowburn the author went for.
I am encouraging everyone to read more sapphic novels in 2025 because you are definitely missing out on women falling in love <3 wuhluhwuh is so fun to read about!
January 17, 2025
I absolutely loved this debut YA Sapphic remix of The cutting edge movie that sees hockey star Charlie getting benched for a year and ending up paired with Alexa, a figure skating Olympic hopeful. This had great enemies to lovers tensions, amazing sports rep and was also good on audio. Highly recommended for fans of books like She drives me crazy or All's fair in love and field hockey. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
December 26, 2024
3.5 but rounded up because stealing your hockey rival’s girl is so based. That’s the power of a true butch.
This was a very cheesy lighthearted sports romance. It has all the markings of an underdog story. Starting a brawl after missing the game winning shot, Charlie is suspended from school and her hockey team. Missing her junior year is an incredible loss as the upcoming season would’ve been her chance at catching the eye of college scouts. In comes Alexa, a pairs skater who is in need of a partner after hers suffered an injury in the brawl. The problem? Alexa is the girlfriend of the team captain Charlie lost it all to, and she isn’t too fond of Charlie either. But when Alexa’s Olympic mother promises to put in a good word for Charlie with some scouts, she agrees to transform into a pairs ice skater. When the frostiness between Charlie and Alexa begins to melt, they start to wonder if their partnership might extend outside the rink.
There is a LOT of suspension of belief needed for the plot to work. In the span of a year Charlie essentially becomes an Olympic level ice skater. Despite being familiar on skates due to her years as a hockey player, the quickness which she learned hard jumps was so unrealistic. The ending was also absurd as Charlie jumps in a plane and arrives at the national championships with seconds to spare before immediately competing. No warm ups, no stretching, no preparations at all after getting off a flight. And then she goes on to compete a new skill she hasn’t even mastered yet.
If you can ignore the overly exaggerated plot, the story is very cute and fun. I really liked all our side characters, I felt like they could stand on their own. They each had their own talents and goals, and they were really great friends. Charlie was a great main character. Even though she often lets her anger get the best of her, she comes across as very earnest. She is just trying to do her best. I do wish Alexa was a little more fleshed out. She did have the best setup for character development, but I felt like there wasn’t enough attention given to that development. I would have liked to hear her POV.
There were some darker topics broached, such as homophobia, sexual assault, sports injuries, mental health, and absent parents. However, I would say that most were glossed over and don’t really change the tone of the overall story. I do wish there had been more serious conversations addressing these topics throughout the book.
Overall, this is a very cute lighthearted story that is simple and fun if you take it for what it is. You’ll fly right through it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This was a very cheesy lighthearted sports romance. It has all the markings of an underdog story. Starting a brawl after missing the game winning shot, Charlie is suspended from school and her hockey team. Missing her junior year is an incredible loss as the upcoming season would’ve been her chance at catching the eye of college scouts. In comes Alexa, a pairs skater who is in need of a partner after hers suffered an injury in the brawl. The problem? Alexa is the girlfriend of the team captain Charlie lost it all to, and she isn’t too fond of Charlie either. But when Alexa’s Olympic mother promises to put in a good word for Charlie with some scouts, she agrees to transform into a pairs ice skater. When the frostiness between Charlie and Alexa begins to melt, they start to wonder if their partnership might extend outside the rink.
There is a LOT of suspension of belief needed for the plot to work. In the span of a year Charlie essentially becomes an Olympic level ice skater. Despite being familiar on skates due to her years as a hockey player, the quickness which she learned hard jumps was so unrealistic. The ending was also absurd as Charlie jumps in a plane and arrives at the national championships with seconds to spare before immediately competing. No warm ups, no stretching, no preparations at all after getting off a flight. And then she goes on to compete a new skill she hasn’t even mastered yet.
If you can ignore the overly exaggerated plot, the story is very cute and fun. I really liked all our side characters, I felt like they could stand on their own. They each had their own talents and goals, and they were really great friends. Charlie was a great main character. Even though she often lets her anger get the best of her, she comes across as very earnest. She is just trying to do her best. I do wish Alexa was a little more fleshed out. She did have the best setup for character development, but I felt like there wasn’t enough attention given to that development. I would have liked to hear her POV.
There were some darker topics broached, such as homophobia, sexual assault, sports injuries, mental health, and absent parents. However, I would say that most were glossed over and don’t really change the tone of the overall story. I do wish there had been more serious conversations addressing these topics throughout the book.
Overall, this is a very cute lighthearted story that is simple and fun if you take it for what it is. You’ll fly right through it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
March 15, 2025
I don't read a lot of YA these days because I am an old grouch who doesn't have the patience for teenagers anymore, but I saw this at the bookstore and it being F/F and about a hockey player and a figure skater, I knew I had to pick this up anyway.
And I actually really enjoyed it! It was cute, good character work, the enemies to friends to lovers of it all actually started out with them as enemies and wasn't just five seconds of it. I really enjoyed the world that was created in this and the sports seemed realistic enough for a YA novel.
The one thing I rolled my eyes at is that they took Metro North from New Haven and got into Penn Station! If you can research how long it takes to get there, you can figure out that Metro North only goes to Grand Central! Not to New York transit complain, but c'mon!
But yeah, that being said, Charlie and Alexa charmed me. I thought they were endearing, and I felt like their conflict was real, especially for 17-year olds. But also, they were so, so cute!!!
Would recommend!
And I actually really enjoyed it! It was cute, good character work, the enemies to friends to lovers of it all actually started out with them as enemies and wasn't just five seconds of it. I really enjoyed the world that was created in this and the sports seemed realistic enough for a YA novel.
The one thing I rolled my eyes at is that they took Metro North from New Haven and got into Penn Station! If you can research how long it takes to get there, you can figure out that Metro North only goes to Grand Central! Not to New York transit complain, but c'mon!
But yeah, that being said, Charlie and Alexa charmed me. I thought they were endearing, and I felt like their conflict was real, especially for 17-year olds. But also, they were so, so cute!!!
Would recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews