The Rules of the Rink

The Skaters of Sequoia Valley #1

by Tomi Tabb

Some rules are meant to be broken.

Frankie has spent the last few years living the life she’s always dreamed of—traveling the world and skating in front of thousands as a professional figure skater. But when her father begins experiencing health problems, she knows she must make the difficult decision to retire and move home.

Once back in Grizzly Springs, Frankie takes a job at a local ice rink, where she meets Charlie, a former national champion in pairs, and the rink’s skating director.

Despite their relationship getting off to a rocky start, Frankie soon discovers that there is much more to Charlie than meets the eye.

As they come together to work toward the goals they both gave up long ago, will their icy relationship melt into something more?

This is a sweet romance about love and second chances. No cursing, kissing only.

Genres: Sports, Sports Romance, Romance

Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2024

About the author

Tomi is a self-proclaimed caffeine addict who is more than excited to be able to share the inner workings of her mind with you through her characters.

She writes romance with a focus on royalty and sports.

When she's not working, Tomi loves to hunt for pumpkin flavored foods and watch home renovation shows.

Connect with Tomi:
https://linktr.ee/tomitabbauthor

Website: https://tomitabb.com

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tomi-...

Reviews

[Omnya Ali (Free Palestine) · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the most Grumpy × Sunshine and Ice Skating bad and boring novel I've ever read

Veryyyyyy disappointed 😩💔

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in The Skaters of Sequoia Valley series and also the first book that I've read by this author.
I often like to go into books blind and was drawn to this one purely from the cute cover and premise of the skaters and small town vibes that it was giving.

I'm pretty new to sports romances and have only read a couple which featured ice hockey and formula 1 - but have been totally drawn into the hype and couldn't wait to dive into this book.

In this story, after years of travelling with the Dreams on Ice cast, Frankie returns home to look after her ailing father.
Missing the ice, she takes a job in the local rink - only to be confronted with grumpy skate director, Charlie.

Now it's pretty clear from the start where things are going to head with this story, but oh my, isn't that just the whole enjoyment of getting to that point! Watching as the pair battle wills and then slowly but surely fall for each other.
I honestly just love it!

As they are getting to know each other, both Frankie and Charlie reveal past issues in their lives and there are some sensitive topics explored within the storyline - these are well written and it was really nice to see that together they were able to help each other cope with their struggles and begin to dream of new dreams together.

The writing style was nice and easy to relax into but there were a few time jumps which just made this feel a little rushed in places - or that the relationship developed rather swiftly.
Not a major issue really, it just interrupted the flow slightly for me.

Overall, this was a really cute read and I'm looking forward to seeing what book 2 will hold for us all - I already love it just from the title - The Sloth Zone - can't wait!!

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute small town/sports romance.. I liked it very much. Sweet, emotional, and heartwarming..

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
.
I was intrigued by the figure skating premise, but the actual story was all over the place.
.
I never felt any chemistry between the characters. Not just in the romantic leads, but any of the characters.
.
There were too many "twists" and the twists were obvious and felt out of place.
.
Sadly, this book is a miss for me.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really sweet story. I enjoyed it a great deal. Frankie and Charlie had both experienced a lot of change in their lives and, at different stages, let go of dreams and goals that were important to them. They didn’t get off to the best start, but over time they came to understand each other better. There are some time jumps in the story, so it did feel a little like the romance progressed quickly, even though it was really over quite awhile. It was sweet seeing the relationship develop. Really, a lovely progression. The characters were excellent and engaging. There is a fun little thread connecting this book to a previous book by the author, but this book is a standalone, so no other read is necessary to enjoy it. The epilogue was sweet. Maybe a little too fairytale to me, but sweet, nonetheless. This story addresses several sensitive topics, such as adoption, caring for an elderly parent, traumatic injury, caring for an injured relative, mental health, and so on. I am only faintly familiar with the world of figure skating. (Like, watch figure skating during the Olympics level familiar.) I appreciated learning more about the sport and what the athletes experience. But it was also nicely balanced so that the story wasn’t weighed down by too much detail or technicality. It was still very accessible for a reader who is not well-versed in the sport. This is a closed door romance with mild innuendo and no harsh language.

[Camille Dayton Fostering.literacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sports romance! If you like the Dreams on Ice series by Traci Hunter Abrahmson, you will also like this book.

This is a single point of view book told from Frankie's point of view. The book starts right as she retires from professional ice staking in order to take care of her aging single father. When she moves back to her home town, she starts working at the local ice rink and her life is again flipped upside down when a retired pairs skater offeres to pair with her to skate again. They begin skating, and it leads to something more.

"Charlie, once we leave the friend zone, there's no going back.' He licked his lips. 'That's a risk I'm willing to take. The question is, are you?"

Some of my favorite moments in this book were:
- Charlie searching for Frankie
- Frankie's father going on the dating app
- Meeting her father's girlfriend
- Making pizza

Thank you to the author for the advance copy of this book. A positive review was not required.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie has alwaya dreamed of skating so when she lands a job with Dreams on ice she gets to travel and perform in front of thousands.
Then her father gets sick and it all comes to a stop for her to look after him.
Back in Grizzly springs she starts coaching at the local ice rink.
There she meets the grumpy Charlie Welch.
They clash big time but Frankie soon realises that Charlie has his own troubled past that led to him giving up his national champion status.
Can they overcome their differences and attain their shared dream of competing internationally?
This was such a sweet story I was so engrossed and invested in and cared about the characters.
Really enjoyed this and is the best book I've read in a while.

[Alicia Kullas · Rating 5 out of 5]

After an intensive winter of commitments, it was refreshing to relax with a clean romance that did not mimic a Hallmark movie! The message of accepting help reverberated with me as with many challenges in my life, I forget that this is an option. Although the sloth is not the central character in this novel, I enjoyed the introduction to slow, friendly and highly intelligent. Setting goals, grooming friendships and learning about herself gave me a great comfort level with travelling through this adventure with Frankie. All of the skating language was interesting although my real fascination was with what went on behind the scenes with the preparation and challenges of professional pairs dance skating.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Frankie and Charlie were just delightful. I loved the flawed MMC who was hesitant to jump back in, to love and skating. Frankie was so sweet taking her time getting to know him. It was a sweet story of redemption and finding love, despite having flaws and set backs.

Charlie was relatable and he was a character I could root for and be thrilled when he takes a chance. Frankie has her own set of struggles. Having to take care of her dad, she feels like she needs to focus solely on him. It isn’t until Charlie (and his delightful grandma) convince her to take a chance that she can let go a bit. I really enjoyed this honest and real love story!

[Jennifer Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent four months going through a scary mix of skin cancer biopsies and breast cancer biopsies at the end of this summer and I relied heavily on my Kindle to get me through... I found Tomi's 'Dancing With a Royal' book and that led me to 'The Rules of the Rink' and I absolutely loved it! Loved the characters and the layers to their story. And I really have started to appreciate authors who have a true knowledge of the content they're writing, or at least the worlds their characters are immersed in. I felt like I was living vicariously through these two. Definitely a cozy winter read! LOVE!

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rules of The Rink by Tomi Tabb is a light and cozy story. I liked the main character, Frankie. She was sweet, relatable, and loyal. It took me a little time to warm up to Charlie, but it all worked out in a great way.

I love how the prologue started with a Beauty and the Beast ice show- so fun! It moved into a great look behind the scenes of a skating rink.

The Rules of the Rink is a quick, cozy winter read.
Thank you author Tomi Tabb for the arc.

[Olyaa La · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh
It was not what I wanted or expected.
Not a bad book just not my interest. I did not like the characters all that much and it was almost too sweet for me. Too perfect of an ending that just didn’t seem realistic for me.
Also drama. I hate drama. There was too much of that for their ages.

I did like that it was clean, I wanted something more like “from Lukov, with love” but clean.

[Pamela Rice-Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly Recommend This Book

I loved all the skating excitement, the sense of family at the rink at at home. I loved the crossover to Clara & David’s royal story. Frankie and Charlie both had things from their past to recover from, the sibling twin relationship was a nice twist, the parent/grandparent older dating was a nice surprise!

[Wendy Droke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet love story told on ice

Charlie and Frankie demonstrate not giving up on life after setbacks and hard work paying off. I loved this ice skating tale so much as we walked with these two through overcoming their challenges and fears! A well told story. Grab your copy today!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of love and second chances. Frankie gives up her career to help her father, and takes a job teaching skating. When she meets Charlie, is it love or just friendship. Impossible to not fall in love with the characters.

[Brooke Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon! :)

[Allegra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this closed-door romance book. I never write reviews, and this one made me want to leave one. It has a few twists and turns which made the storyline unique. I highly recommend this book, it went on my favorites shelf.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.85 stars

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankie and Charlie have some interesting backgrounds that make them quite similar. I enjoyed reading their story of romance. They were so similar but so different. A great story.

[Julie Place · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Tomi Tabb for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I was in a death spiral from the very beginning. The Disney adult in me loved that it started with a Beauty and the Beast scene.

Major tropes include •grumpy/sunshine •found family •she falls first •sweet fluffy romance

This was the perfect book to start the cold winter season. The characters were all perfect and had some major depth. The epilogue was everything I needed had me in all my feelings I didn’t want it to end!

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ultimate feel-good book. At first glance, Frankie and Charlie may not appear to be the perfect pair. However, both have demons in their past that have shaped who they are today. The development of the characters is realistic, and the story is a sweet one. Although there are several references to specific ice skating standards and procedures, you do not have to have a thorough knowledge of the sport to enjoy the story. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I received an ARC copy of this book. My review is provided voluntarily.

[Dana McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rules of the Rink
By: Tomi Tabb
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

This was such a sweet closed door romance book. The main characters were Frankie and Charlie, their relationship felt so real! The way that they supported each other and all the ups and downs, we all have them and it felt so raw.
I was such a huge fan of ice-skating growing up, I remember watching the Olympics and just being in awe of all the skaters. This book made me feel those feelings again. It was simply beautiful. I really enjoyed this book, Tomi did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life and off the paper. Simply beautiful.

[Moni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is the first book of the author's that I've read and I wouldn't mind reading more from her. This is book 1 in The Skaters of Sequoia Valley Series and can be read as a standalone. The book's blurb gives you an idea of what to expect. The Rules of the Rink is told through Frankie's pov and is about following her following her dreams.

Working at a skating rink isn't what Frankie envisioned for herself but it allows her to be close enough to care for her elderly father while still being able to skate. As she begins working, she settles in and starts to enjoy coaching more than she thought she would. Part of that is because of getting to know Charlie, a fellow coach. Their first impressions of each other weren't good ones but, once they get over them, they're able to form a friendship and bond due to both feeling like they have unfinished business on the ice. That feeling drives them to work together and see each other as more than co-workers.

While they never hated each other, they did get off on the wrong foot and it took them a while to become friends. Charlie was someone who was changed and uneasy because of his past but Frankie made him feel comfortable. She was sympathetic towards him but didn't make him feel as if she pitied him. And he gave her the push that she needed to pursue the goals that she wanted to accomplish but didn't have the courage to. They were both driven so it was easy for them to connect quickly. Their romance was a clean slow burn. There was only kissing and no foul language was used. I do think one of the plot lines was introduced late and I would've liked it to be explored earlier but it was fine as is. I've never watched figure skating but I enjoyed reading about it and I think fans of the sport will be satisfied with this story. Overall, this book is worth a read.

[Kara Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember when I was younger I wanted to take ice skating lessons. I never did, but I still think it’s such a beautiful sport. I was so happy that this book was about ice skating and thought it was awesome that Frankie skated for “Dreams on Ice”. It had a lot of depth and the romance was so sweet! I even loved all the side characters.

⛸️Contemporary Romance
⛸️Kissing Only
⛸️No swearing
⛸️CW: PTSD, Death, Adoption,

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read and I loved all the ice skating aspects of the story. Unfortunately I felt like the relationship lacked a bit of chemistry, but overall a cute story.