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Breaking The Ice
Preorder a SPICY sports romance from USA Today Bestseller Amy Andrews A bookshop face off!
NHL hot shot, Nick Hawkeye Hawke has 4 months to recuperate from a potentially career ending injury. All he has to do is take it easy and keep things low key. So, looking after his grandmother's beloved second hand romance bookshop and working very closely with the ruthlessly efficient Samantha Evans is just what he needs right? Wrong!
Career driven Sam has impulsively decided to swap her highly stressful corporate job for a slower pace in her favourite bookshop at the exact time her biological clock has started to tick. And she wants absolutely none of that. But when your boss is a hot hockey superstar and you can’t stop daydreaming of him being your baby daddy, forced proximity takes on a whole new meaning.
With temptation around every book shelf, Nick and Sam find themselves skating on thin ice until they put themselves firmly in the friend zone. But the more they try to resist their slow burn, the more they want each other. How long can they stay in the zone until one of them breaks the ice?
Previously published as Risky Business
NHL hot shot, Nick Hawkeye Hawke has 4 months to recuperate from a potentially career ending injury. All he has to do is take it easy and keep things low key. So, looking after his grandmother's beloved second hand romance bookshop and working very closely with the ruthlessly efficient Samantha Evans is just what he needs right? Wrong!
Career driven Sam has impulsively decided to swap her highly stressful corporate job for a slower pace in her favourite bookshop at the exact time her biological clock has started to tick. And she wants absolutely none of that. But when your boss is a hot hockey superstar and you can’t stop daydreaming of him being your baby daddy, forced proximity takes on a whole new meaning.
With temptation around every book shelf, Nick and Sam find themselves skating on thin ice until they put themselves firmly in the friend zone. But the more they try to resist their slow burn, the more they want each other. How long can they stay in the zone until one of them breaks the ice?
Previously published as Risky Business
234 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2024
86 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Amy Andrews
427 books1,420 followersAmy is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written eighty-five contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets.
Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.
She loves good books and great booze although she'll take mediocre booze if there's nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered nurse which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them!
She recently took a sea change and lives by the ocean with her husband of 33 years.
Sign up for Amy's newsletter here - http://www.amyandrews.com.au/newslett...
Follow Amy -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyAndrewsAu...
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Her books bring all the feels from sass, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty-melting heat.
She loves good books and great booze although she'll take mediocre booze if there's nothing else. For many, many years she was a registered nurse which means she knows things. Anatomical things. And she’s not afraid to use them!
She recently took a sea change and lives by the ocean with her husband of 33 years.
Sign up for Amy's newsletter here - http://www.amyandrews.com.au/newslett...
Follow Amy -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyAndrewsAu...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyandrewsb...
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amy-a...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
February 9, 2025
1.5
i am tired of hearing about eggs. i'm tired of reading about couples who have no chemistry whatsoever.
other reviewers have said it in a much more eloquent manner, but this book feels like a collection of tropes all mashed together in hopes of securing a hit. it's something that feels like it wants to go viral, which ended up working against it. there's no depth to it, no distinguishing factor.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
i am tired of hearing about eggs. i'm tired of reading about couples who have no chemistry whatsoever.
other reviewers have said it in a much more eloquent manner, but this book feels like a collection of tropes all mashed together in hopes of securing a hit. it's something that feels like it wants to go viral, which ended up working against it. there's no depth to it, no distinguishing factor.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
March 9, 2025
[1.5] this feels like the author saw popular tropes that were trending and tried to make them fit her writing style, and unfortunately, it didn't work at all for me. our fmc was just weird (only wanting to date people so she could have children, her 'eggs' telling her this?) and i thought the mmc was really unlikeable and inappropriate at times (not wanting to date a girl because her boobs were too small (despite the book preaching body positivity) and offering to be a sperm donor for a potential lesbian couple, but only if he could watch??). i found they would often act without any reason and as a result, it really made them feel very 2-dimensional, and as though they were only having certain thoughts to move the plot along. also, not something that contributed to my rating, but the book is marketed as a sports romance and there is no hockey in it, as the mmc is out on an injury - he steps foot on the ice once and decides he's had enough 🤷🏼♀️.
thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2024
This is exactly what I expected: two hot people in a hot setting (a cozy bookstore) doing hot things with each other. Not much depth or anything extra. Hot hot hot and I loved it!
November 15, 2024
This book was such a cute read !!
The tropes in this book blended so well together.
I enjoy reading stories where the main character own/ work in a book store/library.
Also this is a slow burn 🔥
If you like hockey romances and bookstores then this is a book for you
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Spice: 🌶️.5
The tropes in this book blended so well together.
I enjoy reading stories where the main character own/ work in a book store/library.
Also this is a slow burn 🔥
If you like hockey romances and bookstores then this is a book for you
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Spice: 🌶️.5
October 1, 2024
Arc review 📖
Sam has been pushed out her job by a greasy slime bag, all of a sudden been slapped round the head with her awareness of her biological clock and her fave book shops owner ‘Birdie’ has died. Can things get much worse.
Nick is a very well known NHL player who’s just had an injury and is at the age where retirement is imminent oh and his grandmother has just died and left him the book shop.
Nick and Sam know of eachother but do not know eachother well enough but with Sam out of a job and needing to pass the time until she knows her boss will beg for back she accepts nicks offer of a job at the book shop.
After getting to know eachother Sam confides in Nick about her ‘chirping eggs’lack of the correct demographic men to help potentially hatch those eggs. Nick helps Sam with some blind dates and some tuff love on her expectations in men.
As the lines blur they get close and what they both thought they wanted changes and sometimes it takes a birthday, vodka and a whole pack of Oreo’s to admit what they really want.
This was a cute read I called it my school pick up read.
I read this everyday while waiting for my kiddies to come out of school. I did find myself leaving that little bit earlier to get extra pages in towards the end.
The chemistry was there and the character was great although I had some little bits that was just slightly off. The keep chirping eggs (slightly annoying) the repeated demographics of what she wants (also annoying, after repeating 20 times WE KNOW).
I was slightly disappointed with the ending I felt like it was building and building and then just ended, it could of been….. well more.
It’s states as a spicy book, now I know a spicy book and this was not it. On a spice level I’d give it a 1🌶️. Not that it ruined the story because it really didn’t at all. But nope I’d say not spicy it was more of a fade to black jobby.
I would read more of her books but I just needed a little bit more.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you netgalley, boldwood books and Amy Andrews for the arc 😊
Sam has been pushed out her job by a greasy slime bag, all of a sudden been slapped round the head with her awareness of her biological clock and her fave book shops owner ‘Birdie’ has died. Can things get much worse.
Nick is a very well known NHL player who’s just had an injury and is at the age where retirement is imminent oh and his grandmother has just died and left him the book shop.
Nick and Sam know of eachother but do not know eachother well enough but with Sam out of a job and needing to pass the time until she knows her boss will beg for back she accepts nicks offer of a job at the book shop.
After getting to know eachother Sam confides in Nick about her ‘chirping eggs’lack of the correct demographic men to help potentially hatch those eggs. Nick helps Sam with some blind dates and some tuff love on her expectations in men.
As the lines blur they get close and what they both thought they wanted changes and sometimes it takes a birthday, vodka and a whole pack of Oreo’s to admit what they really want.
This was a cute read I called it my school pick up read.
I read this everyday while waiting for my kiddies to come out of school. I did find myself leaving that little bit earlier to get extra pages in towards the end.
The chemistry was there and the character was great although I had some little bits that was just slightly off. The keep chirping eggs (slightly annoying) the repeated demographics of what she wants (also annoying, after repeating 20 times WE KNOW).
I was slightly disappointed with the ending I felt like it was building and building and then just ended, it could of been….. well more.
It’s states as a spicy book, now I know a spicy book and this was not it. On a spice level I’d give it a 1🌶️. Not that it ruined the story because it really didn’t at all. But nope I’d say not spicy it was more of a fade to black jobby.
I would read more of her books but I just needed a little bit more.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you netgalley, boldwood books and Amy Andrews for the arc 😊
October 24, 2024
So…This is the story of Samantha,a girl with a hot career in finance, and Nick, a hockey player on a break. They spend some time together when she is “forced” to leave her job. It’s a slow burn romance.
By 10% I wanted to give up. She mentioned her eggs talking to her more times than should be allowed in the whole book, if at all. Every other page was about what her eggs dictated- it was bad, so bad.
But somehow, and by skipping through some pages, I made it till the end. I should have given up when I first intended to. The story was ok and it could have potential but Sam was intolerable.
Apart from the eggs thing, her decisions made no sense to me. She suddenly, out of nowhere, decided she wanted to have a kid because…. Then she quit her job, that she claimed she loved, without much thought. Then she realises she doesn’t love it that much. And the whole issue with her not feeling ok with her body got tiring as well. I don’t like heroines that lack confidence. Nick was cute but nothing memorable.
The writing style isn’t bad though.
-3rd person POV
-Spice: 🌶️.5
Overall: 2.5/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an arc of this book and I’m giving my honest opinion.
By 10% I wanted to give up. She mentioned her eggs talking to her more times than should be allowed in the whole book, if at all. Every other page was about what her eggs dictated- it was bad, so bad.
But somehow, and by skipping through some pages, I made it till the end. I should have given up when I first intended to. The story was ok and it could have potential but Sam was intolerable.
Apart from the eggs thing, her decisions made no sense to me. She suddenly, out of nowhere, decided she wanted to have a kid because…. Then she quit her job, that she claimed she loved, without much thought. Then she realises she doesn’t love it that much. And the whole issue with her not feeling ok with her body got tiring as well. I don’t like heroines that lack confidence. Nick was cute but nothing memorable.
The writing style isn’t bad though.
-3rd person POV
-Spice: 🌶️.5
Overall: 2.5/5 ⭐️ for me.
I received an arc of this book and I’m giving my honest opinion.
November 10, 2024
Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
NHL hot shot, Nick Hawkeye Hawke has 4 months to recuperate from a potentially career ending injury. All he has to do is take it easy and keep things low key. So, looking after his grandmother's beloved second hand romance bookshop and working very closely with the ruthlessly efficient Samantha Evans is just what he needs right? Wrong!
Career driven Sam has impulsively decided to swap her highly stressful corporate job for a slower pace in her favourite bookshop at the exact time her biological clock has started to tick. And she wants absolutely none of that. But when your boss is a hot hockey superstar and you can’t stop daydreaming of him being your baby daddy, forced proximity takes on a whole new meaning.
With temptation around every book shelf, Nick and Sam find themselves skating on thin ice until they put themselves firmly in the friend zone. But the more they try to resist their slow burn, the more they want each other. How long can they stay in the zone until one of them breaks the ice?
Previously published as Risky Business
My Opinion
Nick is running the family bookshop whilst he recovers from an injury that has threatened his NHL career. Samantha is taking a break from her corporate job. The chemistry is obvious from the beginning. My only issue with this book was that I would have liked an epilogue, but overall this was an enjoyable book. At less than 300 pages this was a relatively quick book to read.
This was my second book by Amy Andrews and both have been entertaining reads.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
NHL hot shot, Nick Hawkeye Hawke has 4 months to recuperate from a potentially career ending injury. All he has to do is take it easy and keep things low key. So, looking after his grandmother's beloved second hand romance bookshop and working very closely with the ruthlessly efficient Samantha Evans is just what he needs right? Wrong!
Career driven Sam has impulsively decided to swap her highly stressful corporate job for a slower pace in her favourite bookshop at the exact time her biological clock has started to tick. And she wants absolutely none of that. But when your boss is a hot hockey superstar and you can’t stop daydreaming of him being your baby daddy, forced proximity takes on a whole new meaning.
With temptation around every book shelf, Nick and Sam find themselves skating on thin ice until they put themselves firmly in the friend zone. But the more they try to resist their slow burn, the more they want each other. How long can they stay in the zone until one of them breaks the ice?
Previously published as Risky Business
My Opinion
Nick is running the family bookshop whilst he recovers from an injury that has threatened his NHL career. Samantha is taking a break from her corporate job. The chemistry is obvious from the beginning. My only issue with this book was that I would have liked an epilogue, but overall this was an enjoyable book. At less than 300 pages this was a relatively quick book to read.
This was my second book by Amy Andrews and both have been entertaining reads.
Rating 4/5
November 26, 2024
A good, quick read if you are looking for something a little bit quirky and an emphasis on the female ticking clock. Toss in a sexy, book reading hockey player who brings fun, flirty banter to a smolder in a nanosecond and you've got yourself a fun read! Our independent, intelligent, full-bodied female lead is at a crossroads in her life. Her job that has been her main focus was ripped from her and her eggs are screaming at her to get a man and make babies which is definitely the opposite of her life focus up to this point. The book is focused on her pursuit of a man to make babies with, but the side stories of her life also get woven in to make the story even more fun. The spice was nice, but the banter and antics are the true meat of the book. I'll definitely look for more books from this author as her others have been good to great reads as well and they make for a fun departure from everyday life!
November 12, 2024
This book will most definitely give you all the feels despite the noisy eggs. That did make me laugh a lot. I can safely say my eggs have never been noisy, but if you are Samantha, well then you are in trouble.
This was a nice slow burn, despite both liking each other, nothing happened for a while and everything was just built upon. Both have to leave behind their passions, and start again, and start life again, and they are just there for each other.
Some of the dates that Samantha went on were funny. And it was funny to watch Nick squirm knowing how he felt. Life would be so much easier if everyone was honest about their feelings, but then we wouldn't have a story!! I wasn't happy when they both went their separate ways but in a way that was good for them - made you see what you were missing out.
It was a tale that made me smile and I was wholeheartedly behind these two and looking forward to my HEA.
This was a nice slow burn, despite both liking each other, nothing happened for a while and everything was just built upon. Both have to leave behind their passions, and start again, and start life again, and they are just there for each other.
Some of the dates that Samantha went on were funny. And it was funny to watch Nick squirm knowing how he felt. Life would be so much easier if everyone was honest about their feelings, but then we wouldn't have a story!! I wasn't happy when they both went their separate ways but in a way that was good for them - made you see what you were missing out.
It was a tale that made me smile and I was wholeheartedly behind these two and looking forward to my HEA.
January 20, 2025
Her eggs “talked” to her one too many times. 🤨 also leaving her job that she loved for an unclear reason felt very immature for someone who wanted to be a mother so bad.
October 1, 2024
In Breaking the Ice, NHL star Nick "Hawkeye" Hawke is recovering from a career-threatening injury by managing his grandmother’s cozy romance bookshop. Things take a turn when he starts working closely with Samantha Evans, a driven woman who’s just left her high-stress corporate job for a slower pace. Despite their efforts to stay in the friend zone, their undeniable chemistry and slow-burn attraction become impossible to ignore.
This was my first Amy Andrews book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although marketed as a sports romance, hockey plays a minimal role, with the focus shifting to the charming bookshop setting—a twist I found refreshing and delightful.
The chemistry between Nick and Sam crackles from the start. While they acknowledge their attraction early on, Andrews expertly crafts a slow-burn romance, making the journey to their inevitable connection even more satisfying.
Nick is a sweet, supportive MMC, and his body-positive outlook really stood out. I loved how he helped Sam work through her insecurities with kindness and encouragement. Sam’s journey, though charming, sometimes felt a bit over the top, and the frequent "egg" talk was a bit awkward and cringey. But once you get past that, you’re left with a fun, steamy, and heartwarming romance.
The one drawback for me was the abrupt ending—an epilogue would have provided a more satisfying conclusion. Still, Breaking the Ice was an enjoyable and memorable read overall.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC
Follow me on Instagram for more bookish reviews and content:
https://www.instagram.com/bookish_kat...
This was my first Amy Andrews book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although marketed as a sports romance, hockey plays a minimal role, with the focus shifting to the charming bookshop setting—a twist I found refreshing and delightful.
The chemistry between Nick and Sam crackles from the start. While they acknowledge their attraction early on, Andrews expertly crafts a slow-burn romance, making the journey to their inevitable connection even more satisfying.
Nick is a sweet, supportive MMC, and his body-positive outlook really stood out. I loved how he helped Sam work through her insecurities with kindness and encouragement. Sam’s journey, though charming, sometimes felt a bit over the top, and the frequent "egg" talk was a bit awkward and cringey. But once you get past that, you’re left with a fun, steamy, and heartwarming romance.
The one drawback for me was the abrupt ending—an epilogue would have provided a more satisfying conclusion. Still, Breaking the Ice was an enjoyable and memorable read overall.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC
Follow me on Instagram for more bookish reviews and content:
https://www.instagram.com/bookish_kat...
October 11, 2024
1/5, dnfed at 46%.
This was a failure.
I hated it so much. The female main character was so naive and STUPID and DESPERATE I hated it. Oh my god. Her EGGS CHIRPED?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? And that's the internal monologue of a 30 year old woman? It read like she was 15! Jesus CHrist, that was so cringe and horrible.
SHe was so DESPERATE to have a baby and I get it but she did not ONCE think of a sperm donor? To just go to the clinic? NOTHING? Seriously?
And THEN she acted like she was a naive virgin who doesn't know ANYTHING about sex. Seriously, she's supposed to be 30-year-old woman who already slept with men before and the author had her buy 200 condoms for a date because she couldn't choose? Are you serious? In what way is this funny or smart of well-written? It's not. And then she was so overwhelmed by vibrators as if she couldn't just order one online? No, Nick had to follow her into the store and make fun of her! Jesus, he too acts like he's 16 immature asshole when he's supposed to be 38. What the fuck.
And the fact that Sam asks her sister about EVERYTHING like she couldn't think for herself? Hell no! I hated it.
The book is written horribly, the characters are flat and immature despite being supposed to be in their 30s, the plot is just boring. I was disappointed.
This is the second book from the author I read this year and it's gonna be the last. It's not for me.
This was a failure.
I hated it so much. The female main character was so naive and STUPID and DESPERATE I hated it. Oh my god. Her EGGS CHIRPED?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? And that's the internal monologue of a 30 year old woman? It read like she was 15! Jesus CHrist, that was so cringe and horrible.
SHe was so DESPERATE to have a baby and I get it but she did not ONCE think of a sperm donor? To just go to the clinic? NOTHING? Seriously?
And THEN she acted like she was a naive virgin who doesn't know ANYTHING about sex. Seriously, she's supposed to be 30-year-old woman who already slept with men before and the author had her buy 200 condoms for a date because she couldn't choose? Are you serious? In what way is this funny or smart of well-written? It's not. And then she was so overwhelmed by vibrators as if she couldn't just order one online? No, Nick had to follow her into the store and make fun of her! Jesus, he too acts like he's 16 immature asshole when he's supposed to be 38. What the fuck.
And the fact that Sam asks her sister about EVERYTHING like she couldn't think for herself? Hell no! I hated it.
The book is written horribly, the characters are flat and immature despite being supposed to be in their 30s, the plot is just boring. I was disappointed.
This is the second book from the author I read this year and it's gonna be the last. It's not for me.
November 13, 2024
°book review°
Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews is a blend of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments.
Nick Hawkeye Hawke, an NHL player recovering from a potentially career-ending injury, takes it easy and works at his grandmother's bookshop. However, Samantha Evans decides to switch jobs from her stressful corporate life to working at the bookshop, which forces Nick and Sam to work together. As they navigate their newfound friendship, they find themselves in the "friend zone" as they try to resist their desire for each other.
Their arrangement starts off as purely business, but as they spend more time together, sparks fly, and they find themselves battling unexpected emotions.
This book had laugh-out-loud moments, but those were at the expense of Samantha's dates. The way she spoke about the date to Nick was entertaining. Their chemistry is electric; however, Nick and Sam are determined in things that they want (do they really want what they want?) which is causing them to turn a blind eye to the blessing that is in their front.
I liked Bec and her meddling ways. This was a slow burn. Amy Andrews created engaging dialogue that keeps the story lively and entertaining but at times cringey. The book explores themes of trust, self-discovery, and the importance of family and love.
I wanted more of sports and spice. I was not a fan of Sam and was irritated with her talking only about eggs and almost throughout the story. Also her lack of confidence in her ody and self was disappointing. Nick was all towards curvy people and body positivity but the way he spoke about the one date who had less curves was irritating, why can't body positivity be for all shapes.
I was not happy with any decisions that either of them took. Both of them were immature for someone in their 30s. Overall I was not a fan of this book.
Thank you for the arc in exchange for honest review.
Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews is a blend of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments.
Nick Hawkeye Hawke, an NHL player recovering from a potentially career-ending injury, takes it easy and works at his grandmother's bookshop. However, Samantha Evans decides to switch jobs from her stressful corporate life to working at the bookshop, which forces Nick and Sam to work together. As they navigate their newfound friendship, they find themselves in the "friend zone" as they try to resist their desire for each other.
Their arrangement starts off as purely business, but as they spend more time together, sparks fly, and they find themselves battling unexpected emotions.
This book had laugh-out-loud moments, but those were at the expense of Samantha's dates. The way she spoke about the date to Nick was entertaining. Their chemistry is electric; however, Nick and Sam are determined in things that they want (do they really want what they want?) which is causing them to turn a blind eye to the blessing that is in their front.
I liked Bec and her meddling ways. This was a slow burn. Amy Andrews created engaging dialogue that keeps the story lively and entertaining but at times cringey. The book explores themes of trust, self-discovery, and the importance of family and love.
I wanted more of sports and spice. I was not a fan of Sam and was irritated with her talking only about eggs and almost throughout the story. Also her lack of confidence in her ody and self was disappointing. Nick was all towards curvy people and body positivity but the way he spoke about the one date who had less curves was irritating, why can't body positivity be for all shapes.
I was not happy with any decisions that either of them took. Both of them were immature for someone in their 30s. Overall I was not a fan of this book.
Thank you for the arc in exchange for honest review.
November 2, 2024
Rating:⭐️1,5/5
Spice:🌶️4/5
Read in October 2024: 👻38/20
Goodreads Challenge:📚253
🇺🇸Breaking the Ice had the potential to be a delightful read, especially with the inclusion of a curvy female main character and the genuine friendship between the two main characters. However, the execution left much to be desired. While I appreciated the representation of the curvy FMC, the overall writing felt rushed and lacked depth, which made it hard for me to connect with the story.
Some moments were so cringe-worthy that they took me out of the narrative completely. I found myself rolling my eyes at certain dialogues and scenarios that felt forced rather than authentic. It’s a shame because the foundation was there for a charming and relatable story, but it just didn’t deliver the way I hoped it would.
Ultimately, I walked away feeling disappointed, as I was looking for a fun, lighthearted romance but ended up with an experience that didn’t quite hit the mark.
🇫🇷Breaking the Ice avait le potentiel d'être une lecture agréable, surtout avec l'inclusion d'une héroïne +size et la véritable amitié entre les deux personnages principaux. Cependant, l'exécution laissait vraiment à désirer. Bien que j'aie apprécié la représentation de la FMC +size, l'écriture dans son ensemble semblait précipitée et manquait de profondeur, ce qui m'a empêché de me connecter à l'histoire.
Certains moments étaient tellement gênants qu'ils m'ont complètement sorti de la narration. Je me suis surprise à lever les yeux au ciel à certains dialogues et scénarios qui semblaient forcés plutôt qu'authentiques. C'est dommage car la base était là pour une histoire charmante et relatable, mais elle n'a tout simplement pas délivré comme je l'espérais.
En fin de compte, je suis repartie déçue, car je cherchais une romance légère et amusante, mais j'ai eu une expérience qui n'a pas vraiment atteint son objectif.
Spice:🌶️4/5
Read in October 2024: 👻38/20
Goodreads Challenge:📚253
🇺🇸Breaking the Ice had the potential to be a delightful read, especially with the inclusion of a curvy female main character and the genuine friendship between the two main characters. However, the execution left much to be desired. While I appreciated the representation of the curvy FMC, the overall writing felt rushed and lacked depth, which made it hard for me to connect with the story.
Some moments were so cringe-worthy that they took me out of the narrative completely. I found myself rolling my eyes at certain dialogues and scenarios that felt forced rather than authentic. It’s a shame because the foundation was there for a charming and relatable story, but it just didn’t deliver the way I hoped it would.
Ultimately, I walked away feeling disappointed, as I was looking for a fun, lighthearted romance but ended up with an experience that didn’t quite hit the mark.
🇫🇷Breaking the Ice avait le potentiel d'être une lecture agréable, surtout avec l'inclusion d'une héroïne +size et la véritable amitié entre les deux personnages principaux. Cependant, l'exécution laissait vraiment à désirer. Bien que j'aie apprécié la représentation de la FMC +size, l'écriture dans son ensemble semblait précipitée et manquait de profondeur, ce qui m'a empêché de me connecter à l'histoire.
Certains moments étaient tellement gênants qu'ils m'ont complètement sorti de la narration. Je me suis surprise à lever les yeux au ciel à certains dialogues et scénarios qui semblaient forcés plutôt qu'authentiques. C'est dommage car la base était là pour une histoire charmante et relatable, mais elle n'a tout simplement pas délivré comme je l'espérais.
En fin de compte, je suis repartie déçue, car je cherchais une romance légère et amusante, mais j'ai eu une expérience qui n'a pas vraiment atteint son objectif.
October 16, 2024
This was a little too much trope and too little plot and development. While the book wasn’t unenjoyable, I have to admit that it felt like pandering. There was no real reason why Nick was a hockey player, other than that hockey sells right now. There was no reason or value to the couple working in a bookstore, other than people who read romance like romances set in bookstores. The MMC felt like a knock-off of one of Elle Kennedy’s hockey boys, but the issue is that this man isn’t in college and so the behavior and jokes just weren’t appealing. The FMC was fine, albeit a bit annoying. Overall, the book was fine. I didn’t hate my time reading it, but I don’t think I would recommend it to a friend either.
November 7, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed Breaking the Ice even though I was a bit disappointed that there was no sports content as I'd anticipated there would.
Despite that, the relationship between Samantha and Nick is gorgeous and their story is really sweet.
For the reader, the writing is on the wall as they head in to their 'bargain' but the realisation between the characters takes longer.
In the interim, we are treated to some humorous scenes as well as some intriguing characters.
All in all Breaking the Ice is a lovely way to spend a few hours on an autumn afternoon.
Despite that, the relationship between Samantha and Nick is gorgeous and their story is really sweet.
For the reader, the writing is on the wall as they head in to their 'bargain' but the realisation between the characters takes longer.
In the interim, we are treated to some humorous scenes as well as some intriguing characters.
All in all Breaking the Ice is a lovely way to spend a few hours on an autumn afternoon.
September 29, 2024
Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews 📚
A sports romance that takes place in a bookshop!? Sign me UP!
I loved this book. Y’all know that I adore a MMC that helps an FMC with body image issues and omg did Nick deliver. He was sweet and caring but a straight shooter about Sam.
Women writing books about men who want curvy women and want to help them with their body image stuff is so healing and I want more of it.
This was my first book by Amy and I’d definitely read more by her!
A sports romance that takes place in a bookshop!? Sign me UP!
I loved this book. Y’all know that I adore a MMC that helps an FMC with body image issues and omg did Nick deliver. He was sweet and caring but a straight shooter about Sam.
Women writing books about men who want curvy women and want to help them with their body image stuff is so healing and I want more of it.
This was my first book by Amy and I’d definitely read more by her!
October 2, 2024
I have mixed emotions about this one. I think the bones of the story is great, but I’m not sold on the delivery. There were many things I adored, but also many things that I didn’t like. I felt like it was all so rushed. I think the puzzle pieces are there, but it’s not fitting quite right. A cute, light story nonetheless
May 31, 2025
Mängden ordet "eggs" som har använts i den här boken(minst(minst)1000).
Hon har gjort allt "rätt" i livet karriär mässigt men när hennes ägg börjar att prata med henne och hennes favorit bookshop behöver en ny kollega väns allt upp och ned.
Han är en hockey spelade som skadat knät och efter att hans farmor plötsligt går bort, behöver han ta över butiken. Men när han väl kommer tillbaka till isen kan han inte göra annat än att ställa dem åt sidan för istället låta kärlen vinna.
2,7
🌺🌺
Hon har gjort allt "rätt" i livet karriär mässigt men när hennes ägg börjar att prata med henne och hennes favorit bookshop behöver en ny kollega väns allt upp och ned.
Han är en hockey spelade som skadat knät och efter att hans farmor plötsligt går bort, behöver han ta över butiken. Men när han väl kommer tillbaka till isen kan han inte göra annat än att ställa dem åt sidan för istället låta kärlen vinna.
2,7
🌺🌺
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2024
This book was an easy and enjoyable read. The whole egg thing was a bit odd but at times funny but all round it was a good book that I was able to finish in a day.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me this ARC copy
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me this ARC copy
January 15, 2025
Quick read. Good story. It just felt very slow in the first half and then as soon as it picked up it was over and I wanted more 😩 I really did like these characters though and I related to Sam a lot.
December 10, 2025
Nick & Sam have a cute chemistry which made for a fun read
November 18, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This was enjoyable, but the cover fmc doesn’t match the curvy description of the fmc.
This was enjoyable, but the cover fmc doesn’t match the curvy description of the fmc.
November 8, 2024
Reviewed for Dear Author.
https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
September 22, 2024
This book was such a mess for me. I was so disappointed because I really like the author’s previous two books, but this felt like a big departure. Neither main character was likable and Samantha, the female main character was just one big, huge walking red flag. The thing that really put me off of this book was the constant mention of her “cheeping eggs” The story felt like she was just looking for someone to impregnate her and that’s it and yes, she happened to fall in love with Nick, but the constant mention of the eggs was such a turn off and made me dislike the characters. This whole story just felt super cringe. I’m really disappointed in this book.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 7, 2024
I was so excited for this book. It sounded right up my street. Small town, bookstore, ice-hockey star. Literally had everything I love. However, when it came to the actual writing and story, I just couldn’t get into it and actually DNF’d.
I just felt the dialogue was somewhat irksome. The FMC’s constantly referring to her eggs just felt a bit silly and honestly was something I couldn’t get past.
Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldbooks for the ARC. Very appreciative of it and hopefully this book finds it way to right people.
I just felt the dialogue was somewhat irksome. The FMC’s constantly referring to her eggs just felt a bit silly and honestly was something I couldn’t get past.
Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldbooks for the ARC. Very appreciative of it and hopefully this book finds it way to right people.
February 11, 2025
If you like to read hockey romance with some touch of books and bookstore then you should try this ~
This book was an okay read for me. The characters are likable, but sometimes I became very frustrated with their actions, feeling that they needed to make better decisions. Ig my expectations were higher for this book which affected my ratings.
This is an ARC read which is exchanged with an honest review.
This book was an okay read for me. The characters are likable, but sometimes I became very frustrated with their actions, feeling that they needed to make better decisions. Ig my expectations were higher for this book which affected my ratings.
This is an ARC read which is exchanged with an honest review.
October 8, 2024
🦇 Breaking the Ice Book Review 🦇
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
❓ #QOTD What's your favorite sports romance? ❓
🦇 NHL hot shot, Nick Hawkeye Hawke has 4 months to recuperate from a potentially career-ending injury. All he has to do is take it easy and keep things low-key. So, looking after his grandmother's beloved second-hand romance bookshop and working very closely with the ruthlessly efficient Samantha Evans is just what he needs right? Wrong! Career-driven Sam has impulsively decided to swap her highly stressful corporate job for a slower pace in her favorite bookshop at the exact time her biological clock has started to tick. And she wants absolutely none of that. But when your boss is a hot hockey superstar and you can’t stop daydreaming of him being your baby daddy, forced proximity takes on a whole new meaning. With temptation around every bookshelf, Nick and Sam find themselves skating on thin ice until they put themselves firmly in the friend zone. But the more they try to resist their slow burn, the more they want each other. How long can they stay in the zone until one of them breaks the ice?
💜 If you're looking for a sweet, excruciatingly slow-burn romance, this is for you. Let's break it down:
✨ Characters: Though I love a curvy FMC who knows what she wants in life and is ready to get it, Sam fell flat for me. She's sweet and flawed, but we're not given much outside of her baby craze, accounting acumen, and love for romance novels. The problem repeats with Nick; he plays hockey, has numerous older brothers, and loves cowboy romances. Nick's celebrity is used more as a plot piece than anything else. Beyond that, there's not much depth to these characters. They never even grieve over Birdie, the reason they're brought together in the first place. Every other man in this story is a cliche, irksome and misogynistic without real reason. The strongest character, Sam's sister, only appears in phone calls and one short visit, but even she's limited to an advice-giving older sister (with the kids Sam so desperately wants) who pushes Sam forward. However, I did love the parallel between Sam's first scene while getting ready in the morning to a scene later, when she's not over-analyzing or criticizing her appearance. Great show of character development (but what was Nick's, besides his sudden, unexpected desire to have a baby with Sam?).
✨ Plot and Pacing: Sam's focus is split: find a potential baby daddy and bide time until her old boss begs her to take her job back. Nick's focus should have been to recuperate, but that's abandoned quickly in exchange for helping Sam (be with another man) in any way he can. The fact that their priorities both shift so quickly should have told both characters their paths have changed. Instead, they both get a eureka moment after their split apart; a rom-com cliche. The pacing drags during the story's first half, then rushes forward in a dizzying blur, neglecting to allow readers to linger in the relationship.
✨ Romance: The story starts with the potential for enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, but the "enemies" part of that equation is quickly abandoned. I'm not sure what the point of starting with animosity was at all. Nick immediately falls for Sam, but his focus seems to be more on her curves than anything else. The slow burn drags, adding tension, but once the romance finally picks up, it's rushed, failing to provide any real heat. While their relationship is SWEET (trading beloved authors, Nick taking care of Sam), it starts focusing more on the physical than mental or emotional. For all their witty banter, they never really talk.
✨ Tone/Prose: There are moments when the dialogue is awkward, pulling readers out of the story while adding a layer of immaturity to the characters. The dialogue between Sam and the men at her office is especially cringe-worthy. Also, why were the phone calls between Sam and her sister in italics? Why? Those scenes gave us insight into Sam's mental state while giving the story small time jumps, but the formatting was weird and unnecessary.
💙 I never want to hear the phrase "cheeping eggs" ever again. Though I understand Sam's focus on a her ticking biological clock as a plot device to force her out of her comfort zone and into a journey of self-discovery, it's overdone and exhausting. Though it adds to the rom-com's comedy element, it makes Sam nearly one-dimensional. While I'm sure that's bound to be a turn-off for a great number of readers, I'm more irked by the story's queer element. Sam is given the chance to explore her sexuality, but Nick quickly laughs off the possibility that she's bisexual and makes a joke of it. If the story was really about self-discovery, that scene wouldn't have been so quickly discounted for laughs or used to push the characters into a romantic moment.
🦇 Recommended for fans of Hannah Grace and Elle Kennedy, though the "sports" portion of this sports romance really takes the backburner.
✨ The Vibes ✨
🐣 Forced Proximity
🏒 He Falls First
🐣 Body Positivity
🏒 Friends to Lovers
🐣 Self-Acceptance
🏒 Contemporary Sports Romance
🐣 Slow Burn
🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #BreakingtheIce
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
❓ #QOTD What's your favorite sports romance? ❓
🦇 NHL hot shot, Nick Hawkeye Hawke has 4 months to recuperate from a potentially career-ending injury. All he has to do is take it easy and keep things low-key. So, looking after his grandmother's beloved second-hand romance bookshop and working very closely with the ruthlessly efficient Samantha Evans is just what he needs right? Wrong! Career-driven Sam has impulsively decided to swap her highly stressful corporate job for a slower pace in her favorite bookshop at the exact time her biological clock has started to tick. And she wants absolutely none of that. But when your boss is a hot hockey superstar and you can’t stop daydreaming of him being your baby daddy, forced proximity takes on a whole new meaning. With temptation around every bookshelf, Nick and Sam find themselves skating on thin ice until they put themselves firmly in the friend zone. But the more they try to resist their slow burn, the more they want each other. How long can they stay in the zone until one of them breaks the ice?
💜 If you're looking for a sweet, excruciatingly slow-burn romance, this is for you. Let's break it down:
✨ Characters: Though I love a curvy FMC who knows what she wants in life and is ready to get it, Sam fell flat for me. She's sweet and flawed, but we're not given much outside of her baby craze, accounting acumen, and love for romance novels. The problem repeats with Nick; he plays hockey, has numerous older brothers, and loves cowboy romances. Nick's celebrity is used more as a plot piece than anything else. Beyond that, there's not much depth to these characters. They never even grieve over Birdie, the reason they're brought together in the first place. Every other man in this story is a cliche, irksome and misogynistic without real reason. The strongest character, Sam's sister, only appears in phone calls and one short visit, but even she's limited to an advice-giving older sister (with the kids Sam so desperately wants) who pushes Sam forward. However, I did love the parallel between Sam's first scene while getting ready in the morning to a scene later, when she's not over-analyzing or criticizing her appearance. Great show of character development (but what was Nick's, besides his sudden, unexpected desire to have a baby with Sam?).
✨ Plot and Pacing: Sam's focus is split: find a potential baby daddy and bide time until her old boss begs her to take her job back. Nick's focus should have been to recuperate, but that's abandoned quickly in exchange for helping Sam (be with another man) in any way he can. The fact that their priorities both shift so quickly should have told both characters their paths have changed. Instead, they both get a eureka moment after their split apart; a rom-com cliche. The pacing drags during the story's first half, then rushes forward in a dizzying blur, neglecting to allow readers to linger in the relationship.
✨ Romance: The story starts with the potential for enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, but the "enemies" part of that equation is quickly abandoned. I'm not sure what the point of starting with animosity was at all. Nick immediately falls for Sam, but his focus seems to be more on her curves than anything else. The slow burn drags, adding tension, but once the romance finally picks up, it's rushed, failing to provide any real heat. While their relationship is SWEET (trading beloved authors, Nick taking care of Sam), it starts focusing more on the physical than mental or emotional. For all their witty banter, they never really talk.
✨ Tone/Prose: There are moments when the dialogue is awkward, pulling readers out of the story while adding a layer of immaturity to the characters. The dialogue between Sam and the men at her office is especially cringe-worthy. Also, why were the phone calls between Sam and her sister in italics? Why? Those scenes gave us insight into Sam's mental state while giving the story small time jumps, but the formatting was weird and unnecessary.
💙 I never want to hear the phrase "cheeping eggs" ever again. Though I understand Sam's focus on a her ticking biological clock as a plot device to force her out of her comfort zone and into a journey of self-discovery, it's overdone and exhausting. Though it adds to the rom-com's comedy element, it makes Sam nearly one-dimensional. While I'm sure that's bound to be a turn-off for a great number of readers, I'm more irked by the story's queer element. Sam is given the chance to explore her sexuality, but Nick quickly laughs off the possibility that she's bisexual and makes a joke of it. If the story was really about self-discovery, that scene wouldn't have been so quickly discounted for laughs or used to push the characters into a romantic moment.
🦇 Recommended for fans of Hannah Grace and Elle Kennedy, though the "sports" portion of this sports romance really takes the backburner.
✨ The Vibes ✨
🐣 Forced Proximity
🏒 He Falls First
🐣 Body Positivity
🏒 Friends to Lovers
🐣 Self-Acceptance
🏒 Contemporary Sports Romance
🐣 Slow Burn
🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #BreakingtheIce
November 2, 2024
2 stars
I actually thought based on an athlete and a career woman working in a romance bookshop together, ok this is for me! But unfortunately that wasn’t the case.
Right off the bat I had a couple of issues
1. This company seems to be huge so where is the HR department? Samantha’s boss is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Also, she talks about how they can’t legally discriminate based on her age when she was hired at 25 but age discrimination laws are for over 40. The fact that’s she openly told her boss she didn’t want kids to be hired and then he asks her to take a leave the instant she mentions future possible children IS THE ILLEGAL PART! And the blatant nepotism and sexual harassment is just insane to me. Why would she ever even consider returning?? They don’t deserve you!
2. One of the first actual conversations between Sam and Nick is about her body which does NOTHING for the “a woman’s worth is how she looks” society this book seems to want to dismantle since Sam is bigger/curvy (though that cover illustration does not convey her being any where near that). And making that your first talking point with a woman is a huge red flag. “Oh let me hire you so men can come look” is not the compliment he seems to think it is.
3. Constantly referring to her eggs and the sudden desire to have kids isn’t something I can relate to as a 35 year old woman who actively chose not to have children. Not saying that doesn’t happen though, it’s just not my experience whatsoever.
4. I saw some reviews complain about an FMC not being confident but that’s a bit true to life so I had no issues there. I’m fairly confident myself but I still have days where I get down on myself/my body solely because I grew up in the days of ultra low rise jeans and severe diets where girls in my dance classes were drinking slimfast in middle school. This was probably the most realistic part of the FMC.
5. This felt like an uninformed man writing a woman. Like all that matters when she hits 30 is having a baby and being controlled by her motherly desires. I have never once heard any woman talking about their eggs cheeping(?!?) and sighing and every other emotion they had in this book. I wish I counted the references to her eggs because…dear god it was too many.
6. Her sister has multiple children but it felt like Samantha never asked about Bec’s life at all.
7. Sometimes the overuse of the thesaurus made me want to scream.
I didn’t particularly love either character. He was a bit of a skeeze, she was judgmental. As a childfree woman in her 30s, I wasn’t worried about connecting to a FMC wanting children as I have people in my life with children or wanting them, but if anyone talked that much about wanting a baby, I’d have to limit my interactions. And both of them to suddenly want kids out of nowhere ei ther due to age or falling in love just didn’t feel realistic to me. It’s a lot of work to just decide to want on a whim!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
I actually thought based on an athlete and a career woman working in a romance bookshop together, ok this is for me! But unfortunately that wasn’t the case.
Right off the bat I had a couple of issues
1. This company seems to be huge so where is the HR department? Samantha’s boss is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Also, she talks about how they can’t legally discriminate based on her age when she was hired at 25 but age discrimination laws are for over 40. The fact that’s she openly told her boss she didn’t want kids to be hired and then he asks her to take a leave the instant she mentions future possible children IS THE ILLEGAL PART! And the blatant nepotism and sexual harassment is just insane to me. Why would she ever even consider returning?? They don’t deserve you!
2. One of the first actual conversations between Sam and Nick is about her body which does NOTHING for the “a woman’s worth is how she looks” society this book seems to want to dismantle since Sam is bigger/curvy (though that cover illustration does not convey her being any where near that). And making that your first talking point with a woman is a huge red flag. “Oh let me hire you so men can come look” is not the compliment he seems to think it is.
3. Constantly referring to her eggs and the sudden desire to have kids isn’t something I can relate to as a 35 year old woman who actively chose not to have children. Not saying that doesn’t happen though, it’s just not my experience whatsoever.
4. I saw some reviews complain about an FMC not being confident but that’s a bit true to life so I had no issues there. I’m fairly confident myself but I still have days where I get down on myself/my body solely because I grew up in the days of ultra low rise jeans and severe diets where girls in my dance classes were drinking slimfast in middle school. This was probably the most realistic part of the FMC.
5. This felt like an uninformed man writing a woman. Like all that matters when she hits 30 is having a baby and being controlled by her motherly desires. I have never once heard any woman talking about their eggs cheeping(?!?) and sighing and every other emotion they had in this book. I wish I counted the references to her eggs because…dear god it was too many.
6. Her sister has multiple children but it felt like Samantha never asked about Bec’s life at all.
7. Sometimes the overuse of the thesaurus made me want to scream.
I didn’t particularly love either character. He was a bit of a skeeze, she was judgmental. As a childfree woman in her 30s, I wasn’t worried about connecting to a FMC wanting children as I have people in my life with children or wanting them, but if anyone talked that much about wanting a baby, I’d have to limit my interactions. And both of them to suddenly want kids out of nowhere ei ther due to age or falling in love just didn’t feel realistic to me. It’s a lot of work to just decide to want on a whim!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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