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Love on Ice
Win a free print copy of this book!
13 days and 17:36:06
10 copies available
U.S. only
What's a girl to do when the star of the hockey team crash lands in her backyard after a prank gone wrong? Help him cover up the evidence...in exchange for him posing as the perfect prom date, of course. Get ready to swoon with this hilarious YA rom-com debut from the USA Today bestselling author Sara Ney!
Harper Conrad figures when opportunity knocks, smart girls listen. Which is why when she catches high school hockey star Easton Westermann in her backyard after stealing their rival school’s mascot, she knows exactly what to do.
The deal is In exchange for Harper’s silence, Easton will be her date to their upcoming prom. It’s the perfect bargain . . . but what happens when what starts as a business transaction begins to feel all too real?
You know how the saying If you like someone, set them free. If they come back to you, they were meant to be your prom date. Or something like that.
Harper Conrad figures when opportunity knocks, smart girls listen. Which is why when she catches high school hockey star Easton Westermann in her backyard after stealing their rival school’s mascot, she knows exactly what to do.
The deal is In exchange for Harper’s silence, Easton will be her date to their upcoming prom. It’s the perfect bargain . . . but what happens when what starts as a business transaction begins to feel all too real?
You know how the saying If you like someone, set them free. If they come back to you, they were meant to be your prom date. Or something like that.
Audible Audio
Published February 17, 2026
22 people are currently reading
7101 people want to read
About the author
Sara Ney
76 books6,675 followersSara Ney is an Amazon and USA Today bestselling author of new adult college and adult romance. Sexy and laugh-out-loud funny, her work includes the How to Date a Douchebag and Campus Legends series. Ney’s books have been translated into several languages for markets such as Germany, Italy, Brazil, French, and Portuguese.
Sara lives with her partner, Jeff, in a blended household overrun by four independent teenagers. At their weekly “Cute Date Night,” they discuss TV shows they’re bingeing and plot novels together, something Jeff is freakishly good at. Sara loves traveling, because it’s the only time she has the bathroom to herself.
Sara lives with her partner, Jeff, in a blended household overrun by four independent teenagers. At their weekly “Cute Date Night,” they discuss TV shows they’re bingeing and plot novels together, something Jeff is freakishly good at. Sara loves traveling, because it’s the only time she has the bathroom to herself.
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January 7, 2026
── .✦ 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 ❄️༉‧₊˚.
🩷˚₊· ࣪⸝⸝ ˖ 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. . ݁₊ ⊹ 🐻❄️. ݁˖ . ݁
꒰ ⋆ . 🧊‧₊˚. 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐧 𝐈𝐜𝐞 ‧₊˚.🤍. ⋆ ꒱
🌨️ ‧₊˚ ◟𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚: 13+ (𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨, 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙤, 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙨, 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙩.), 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜: 13+ (𝙛*𝙘𝙠, 𝙖*𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚, 𝙨𝙝*𝙩, 𝙚𝙩𝙘 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨.) ‧₊˚ ⋅ ⛸️˚˖
﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒
.˚ ‧💗₊ ੭ now playing: 𝙎𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙊𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 💧 ‧₊°◞
⋆.˚˖ ⤷ 💕 𝙏𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙛𝙩. 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝘿𝙚𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙮
⌞ 1:05 ——◦———— 4:16 ⌝
↠ⁿᵉˣᵗ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ↺ ʳᵉᵖᵉᵃᵗ ⊜ ᵖᵃᵘˢᵉ 🥶 ˖⁺.꒷꒦
──────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────
꒰
꒱ "𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝" ˖🫧⁺◟˚
˚.☃️ⵢ₊˚ When I first got this ARC I was like "Oh! Another cute little romance to start my winter!" LITTLE DID I KNOW THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I WANTED TO SCREAM WHILE READING THIS PIECE OF FICTION. Seriously, it had potential to be an adorable little small town hockey romance. AND I DON'T CARE IF IT ENDED UP BEING CLICHE BECAUSE SOMETIMES IM IN THE MOOD FOR CLICHE. But guess what? If you combine cliche with terrible babes that ain't gonna end well. AND THATS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS BOOK. You know I would have had some mercy if our MMC was at least a baddie and a new book boyfriend to fawn over, BUT LET ME JUST STOP YOU RIGHT THERE. BECAUSE THE MAN IN THIS BOOK?? HE WAS THE PROBLEM. And let's just jump into the review before I rant about him right here and now.
꒰꒱ "𝙒𝙚𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣' 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡" ˖🫧⁺◟˚
˚.☃️ⵢ₊˚ I think the only reason I was able to finish this book was because I read it while I was traveling and stuck in an airport. I LITERALLY HAD NO OTHER CHOICE THAN TO ENDURE THIS TORTURE. And that brings me to my first topic ladies and gentlemen, THE CHEMISTRY. Because let us all take a moment to acknowledge this. When we think of chemistry we either think of coke and mentos OR we think of a nice pacing where our two main characters fall in love WITH A BACKSTORY. But when I say the entire chemistry between our FMC and MMC was messier than my thoughts at 3am, BABES I FREAKING AM NOT EXAGGERATING. We couldn't even focus on the slow burn "enemies to lovers" theme WHEN HALF OF THE TIME OUR GUY WAS CHASING AFTER SOME OTHER FREAKING GIRL. Oh and if you think that's bad, SHE WAS THE STREOTYPICAL INSTAGRAM BITCH TOO. I swear on god I wanted to cry every time our man came on page because even while we are ALMOST done with the book he's still chasing after her, AND EVEN WHILE HE IS KISSING OUR FMC HE'S THINKING ABOUT HER??? What in the LUST is this. I just couldn't get over the amount of times we had to read in the his POV and I had to endure his lustful thoughts about his little imaginary love triangle. IT WAS JUST THE MOST ANNOYING THING EVER. And as a girl who says never lower your standards I swear our FMC could have done SO much better. LIKE WHO WANTS A MAN WHO CHASES AFTER BLONDE KIM KARDASHIAN OF THE SCHOOL GTFO PLEAASEEE 😭😫
꒰꒱ "𝙁𝙡𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢, 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙛𝙪𝙡" ˖🫧⁺◟˚
˚.☃️ ⵢ₊˚ THIS BRINGS ME TO MY SECOND ISSUE. The. Writing. Because WHAT IN THE TELEPORTATION WAS THAT??? I swear I found it hilarious how this is the most simple of SIMPLEST books to write and yet the writing was EVERYWHERE. I swear I could not go at least 10 pages without us teleporting somewhere. She's getting ready in her bedroom? HAHA SIKE SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN NOW! Well guess what else she's going to be in? THE FREAKING DUMPST- ahem anyways. When I read a book I would like to at least understand where our characters our going at all times with a little bit of context. BECAUSE I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR US DROPPING INTO A SCENE LIKE A THIRD WHEELER AND HAVING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ARE 😭😭
꒰꒱ "𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚" ˖🫧⁺◟˚
˚.☃️ⵢ₊˚ And what makes me even more depressed is the fact that this started out SO CUTE. Like I saw the potential but it just spiraled into a downfall like all my dreams. AND ON THE TOPIC OF WRITING I NEED TO MAKE A HONORARY MENTION OF HE CHEESY LINES THAT CAME UP. Because holy innuendo what in the world?? I SWEAR FOR A MOMENT I FORGOT THIS WAS YA WHEN OUR MMC WAS AND I QUOTE "feeling something in his jeans at the sight of her" WRAP IT UP GANG 😭🙌 I feel like that was NOT even needed and that just brings me back to my first point of HIM being the problem and the amount of LUST we got from this kid. LIKE SERIOUSLY? DID YOUR MOTHER NOT TEACH YOU HOW TO TREAT WOMEN 😭😭 I feel like he would be the type to unironically say 67 24/7 aswell 💀
⸝⸝ ༚ 💘˚₊· 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 ݁₊. 🩵◞⋆˚
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫: I honestly don't know WHAT to think of her. On one hand she gives "I'm not like the other girls 😏" AND ON ANOTHER HAND SHE GIVES "I literally love being a girl 🤗" SO WHO AM I TO EVEN PICK IF I HATE HER OR NOT?? I think she mostly just irked me at the amount of times she got into stupid problems 😭 LIKE COME ON, HAVING OUR MMC EASTEN GET HIS HAND GLUED TO YOUR BOOB IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL WHEN YOUR TRYING TO SET UP FOR PROM?? What the fuck in the Wattpad is this. I also felt like she was VERY naive and stupid at times too and could have done SOOOOO much better than Mr. TikTok boy California hockey star.
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧: Lord where do I even begin when HALF of this review was about him. I SWEAR HE IS THE BIGGEST RED FLAG COVERED UP TO BE A CUTE LITTLE GOLDEN RETRIVER BOY AND IT PISSED ME OFF. I kid you not the amount of stereotypes I could create for him would be more than the money I have in my bank account because hear me out. CALL OF DUTY RAGEBOY, TIKTOK F BOY, WANNABE GANGSTER, PROBABLY LISTENS TO DRAKE, LOWK DUMB, THE LIST GOES ON. I really hated him so much and I swear if anyone owns a Easton hate club out there, SIGN ME UP PLEASE AND THANK YOU. 😍😍
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐲: Honestly she was the girl who CARRIED this entire book. I DON'T EVEN CARE IF SHE GIVES CLICHE BEST FRIEND. She was the least toxic one and was always there for Harper. SURE SHE MAY HAVE SOME ISSUES THINKING EASTON IS A GREEN FLAG BUT HEY WE ALL CAN'T BE PERFECT AT THE END OF THE DAY!
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬: At this point anyone is better than Easton, INCLUDING his best friend. 😭Honestly he was a vibe and him and Macy were cute together. We didn't get to see much of him though so I'm afraid I can't rant about him much.
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞: THE IMFAMOUS INSTAGRAM BITCH WOO WOO! To be honest I didn't really care for her or the random ass "sad backstory as to why I'm a bitch" scene because I was honestly so fed up with her and Easton ruining this entire book that was FILLED with potential. 😒😒
꒰꒱ "𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣' 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙" ˖🫧⁺◟˚
˚.☃️ⵢ₊˚ 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
This book literally was a PAIN to push through and I literally fell into my first slump ever because of it. (Hence why this review is so delayed, but HEY happy 2026 folks.) So if you want to read about red flag men chasing two girls because of their daddy issues and lust (And want to get into a slump.) THEN BABESSS LOOK NO FURTHER CUZ THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU 😍😍😍
꒰꒱ "𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝" ˖🫧⁺◟˚
──────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────
💕❄️ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: GOT THE ARC FOR THIS BADDIE SO MIGHT ASWELL READ IT WHILE ITS FREEZING OUTSIDE 😋😋☃️
🩷˚₊· ࣪⸝⸝ ˖ 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. . ݁₊ ⊹ 🐻❄️. ݁˖ . ݁
꒰ ⋆ . 🧊‧₊˚. 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐧 𝐈𝐜𝐞 ‧₊˚.🤍. ⋆ ꒱
🌨️ ‧₊˚ ◟𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚: 13+ (𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨, 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙤, 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙨, 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙩.), 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜: 13+ (𝙛*𝙘𝙠, 𝙖*𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚, 𝙨𝙝*𝙩, 𝙚𝙩𝙘 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨.) ‧₊˚ ⋅ ⛸️˚˖
﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒⭒﹒
.˚ ‧💗₊ ੭ now playing: 𝙎𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙊𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 💧 ‧₊°◞
⋆.˚˖ ⤷ 💕 𝙏𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙛𝙩. 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝘿𝙚𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙮
⌞ 1:05 ——◦———— 4:16 ⌝
↠ⁿᵉˣᵗ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ↺ ʳᵉᵖᵉᵃᵗ ⊜ ᵖᵃᵘˢᵉ 🥶 ˖⁺.꒷꒦
──────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────
꒰
꒱ "𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝" ˖🫧⁺◟˚˚.☃️ⵢ₊˚ When I first got this ARC I was like "Oh! Another cute little romance to start my winter!" LITTLE DID I KNOW THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I WANTED TO SCREAM WHILE READING THIS PIECE OF FICTION. Seriously, it had potential to be an adorable little small town hockey romance. AND I DON'T CARE IF IT ENDED UP BEING CLICHE BECAUSE SOMETIMES IM IN THE MOOD FOR CLICHE. But guess what? If you combine cliche with terrible babes that ain't gonna end well. AND THATS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS BOOK. You know I would have had some mercy if our MMC was at least a baddie and a new book boyfriend to fawn over, BUT LET ME JUST STOP YOU RIGHT THERE. BECAUSE THE MAN IN THIS BOOK?? HE WAS THE PROBLEM. And let's just jump into the review before I rant about him right here and now.
꒰
꒱ "𝙒𝙚𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣' 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡" ˖🫧⁺◟˚˚.☃️ⵢ₊˚ I think the only reason I was able to finish this book was because I read it while I was traveling and stuck in an airport. I LITERALLY HAD NO OTHER CHOICE THAN TO ENDURE THIS TORTURE. And that brings me to my first topic ladies and gentlemen, THE CHEMISTRY. Because let us all take a moment to acknowledge this. When we think of chemistry we either think of coke and mentos OR we think of a nice pacing where our two main characters fall in love WITH A BACKSTORY. But when I say the entire chemistry between our FMC and MMC was messier than my thoughts at 3am, BABES I FREAKING AM NOT EXAGGERATING. We couldn't even focus on the slow burn "enemies to lovers" theme WHEN HALF OF THE TIME OUR GUY WAS CHASING AFTER SOME OTHER FREAKING GIRL. Oh and if you think that's bad, SHE WAS THE STREOTYPICAL INSTAGRAM BITCH TOO. I swear on god I wanted to cry every time our man came on page because even while we are ALMOST done with the book he's still chasing after her, AND EVEN WHILE HE IS KISSING OUR FMC HE'S THINKING ABOUT HER??? What in the LUST is this. I just couldn't get over the amount of times we had to read in the his POV and I had to endure his lustful thoughts about his little imaginary love triangle. IT WAS JUST THE MOST ANNOYING THING EVER. And as a girl who says never lower your standards I swear our FMC could have done SO much better. LIKE WHO WANTS A MAN WHO CHASES AFTER BLONDE KIM KARDASHIAN OF THE SCHOOL GTFO PLEAASEEE 😭😫
꒰
꒱ "𝙁𝙡𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢, 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙛𝙪𝙡" ˖🫧⁺◟˚˚.☃️ ⵢ₊˚ THIS BRINGS ME TO MY SECOND ISSUE. The. Writing. Because WHAT IN THE TELEPORTATION WAS THAT??? I swear I found it hilarious how this is the most simple of SIMPLEST books to write and yet the writing was EVERYWHERE. I swear I could not go at least 10 pages without us teleporting somewhere. She's getting ready in her bedroom? HAHA SIKE SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN NOW! Well guess what else she's going to be in? THE FREAKING DUMPST- ahem anyways. When I read a book I would like to at least understand where our characters our going at all times with a little bit of context. BECAUSE I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR US DROPPING INTO A SCENE LIKE A THIRD WHEELER AND HAVING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ARE 😭😭
꒰
꒱ "𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚" ˖🫧⁺◟˚˚.☃️ⵢ₊˚ And what makes me even more depressed is the fact that this started out SO CUTE. Like I saw the potential but it just spiraled into a downfall like all my dreams. AND ON THE TOPIC OF WRITING I NEED TO MAKE A HONORARY MENTION OF HE CHEESY LINES THAT CAME UP. Because holy innuendo what in the world?? I SWEAR FOR A MOMENT I FORGOT THIS WAS YA WHEN OUR MMC WAS AND I QUOTE "feeling something in his jeans at the sight of her" WRAP IT UP GANG 😭🙌 I feel like that was NOT even needed and that just brings me back to my first point of HIM being the problem and the amount of LUST we got from this kid. LIKE SERIOUSLY? DID YOUR MOTHER NOT TEACH YOU HOW TO TREAT WOMEN 😭😭 I feel like he would be the type to unironically say 67 24/7 aswell 💀
⸝⸝ ༚ 💘˚₊· 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 ݁₊. 🩵◞⋆˚
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫: I honestly don't know WHAT to think of her. On one hand she gives "I'm not like the other girls 😏" AND ON ANOTHER HAND SHE GIVES "I literally love being a girl 🤗" SO WHO AM I TO EVEN PICK IF I HATE HER OR NOT?? I think she mostly just irked me at the amount of times she got into stupid problems 😭 LIKE COME ON, HAVING OUR MMC EASTEN GET HIS HAND GLUED TO YOUR BOOB IN FRONT OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL WHEN YOUR TRYING TO SET UP FOR PROM?? What the fuck in the Wattpad is this. I also felt like she was VERY naive and stupid at times too and could have done SOOOOO much better than Mr. TikTok boy California hockey star.
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧: Lord where do I even begin when HALF of this review was about him. I SWEAR HE IS THE BIGGEST RED FLAG COVERED UP TO BE A CUTE LITTLE GOLDEN RETRIVER BOY AND IT PISSED ME OFF. I kid you not the amount of stereotypes I could create for him would be more than the money I have in my bank account because hear me out. CALL OF DUTY RAGEBOY, TIKTOK F BOY, WANNABE GANGSTER, PROBABLY LISTENS TO DRAKE, LOWK DUMB, THE LIST GOES ON. I really hated him so much and I swear if anyone owns a Easton hate club out there, SIGN ME UP PLEASE AND THANK YOU. 😍😍
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐲: Honestly she was the girl who CARRIED this entire book. I DON'T EVEN CARE IF SHE GIVES CLICHE BEST FRIEND. She was the least toxic one and was always there for Harper. SURE SHE MAY HAVE SOME ISSUES THINKING EASTON IS A GREEN FLAG BUT HEY WE ALL CAN'T BE PERFECT AT THE END OF THE DAY!
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬: At this point anyone is better than Easton, INCLUDING his best friend. 😭Honestly he was a vibe and him and Macy were cute together. We didn't get to see much of him though so I'm afraid I can't rant about him much.
☁️₊ˑ𓂃 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞: THE IMFAMOUS INSTAGRAM BITCH WOO WOO! To be honest I didn't really care for her or the random ass "sad backstory as to why I'm a bitch" scene because I was honestly so fed up with her and Easton ruining this entire book that was FILLED with potential. 😒😒
꒰
꒱ "𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣' 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙" ˖🫧⁺◟˚˚.☃️ⵢ₊˚ 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
This book literally was a PAIN to push through and I literally fell into my first slump ever because of it. (Hence why this review is so delayed, but HEY happy 2026 folks.) So if you want to read about red flag men chasing two girls because of their daddy issues and lust (And want to get into a slump.) THEN BABESSS LOOK NO FURTHER CUZ THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU 😍😍😍
꒰
꒱ "𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙨𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝" ˖🫧⁺◟˚──────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────
💕❄️ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: GOT THE ARC FOR THIS BADDIE SO MIGHT ASWELL READ IT WHILE ITS FREEZING OUTSIDE 😋😋☃️
August 28, 2025
What an absolute delight this book turned out to be! Love on Ice perfectly captures the whirlwind chaos of teenage life, from awkward first crushes to laugh-out-loud pranks gone way too far. Sara Ney has given us a rom-com that sparkles with humor and warmth, while still holding on to that honest, slightly messy charm that makes YA so irresistible.
Harper stole my heart from page one — smart, witty, and just a little mischievous in the best way. The moment she finds Easton, the hockey team’s golden boy, sneaking through her backyard with a stolen mascot in tow, I knew this was going to be fun. Their deal to fake-date for prom is the kind of setup that makes you grin even before the sparks start flying, and watching their “arrangement” tumble into something much more real was pure swoony joy.
What I loved most is how authentically teen this book feels. Harper and Easton bicker, banter, stumble, and surprise each other in ways that felt so true to first love. The story doesn’t rush their chemistry — it lets it build in sweet, awkward, and hilarious moments that had me smiling nonstop. Add in Harper’s ride-or-die friendship with Macy, and you’ve got a story that balances romance with the kind of friendships that shape who you are in high school.
If you’re craving a rom-com that’s both funny and heart-fluttery, this one will absolutely hit the spot. It’s playful, it’s heartfelt, and it reminds you of just how big prom, first dates, and those life-changing teenage decisions can feel.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Romance for sharing this lovely romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I had so much fun with Harper and Easton, and I can’t wait to see what Sara Ney does next!
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Harper stole my heart from page one — smart, witty, and just a little mischievous in the best way. The moment she finds Easton, the hockey team’s golden boy, sneaking through her backyard with a stolen mascot in tow, I knew this was going to be fun. Their deal to fake-date for prom is the kind of setup that makes you grin even before the sparks start flying, and watching their “arrangement” tumble into something much more real was pure swoony joy.
What I loved most is how authentically teen this book feels. Harper and Easton bicker, banter, stumble, and surprise each other in ways that felt so true to first love. The story doesn’t rush their chemistry — it lets it build in sweet, awkward, and hilarious moments that had me smiling nonstop. Add in Harper’s ride-or-die friendship with Macy, and you’ve got a story that balances romance with the kind of friendships that shape who you are in high school.
If you’re craving a rom-com that’s both funny and heart-fluttery, this one will absolutely hit the spot. It’s playful, it’s heartfelt, and it reminds you of just how big prom, first dates, and those life-changing teenage decisions can feel.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Romance for sharing this lovely romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. I had so much fun with Harper and Easton, and I can’t wait to see what Sara Ney does next!
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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August 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Harper has a beautiful dress for prom, but she doesn’t have a date. When she catches the high school hockey star stealing their rival school’s mascot, she decides to blackmail him—she’ll keep quiet if he agrees to take her to prom.
I’ve read many of Sara Ney’s books, so I was really excited to check out her YA debut. I think it’s a solid teen romance—the characters are sweet, there’s plenty of humor, the plot fits the target audience well, and there are no sexual scenes.
I liked Harper right away—she’s kind, responsible, and fun—but my feelings about Easton were mixed. Most of the time he literally acted like an idiot—how can you not understand such obvious things? I get that high school boys probably aren’t as experienced in romantic matters as girls (though I feel like modern teens are more aware in that regard), but I wanted to see more initiative from him. And honestly, how can you not realize until the very end who you want to take to prom?
Overall, I had a great time reading this one and would definitely recommend it to the appropriate age group.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books (Delacorte Romance) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Harper has a beautiful dress for prom, but she doesn’t have a date. When she catches the high school hockey star stealing their rival school’s mascot, she decides to blackmail him—she’ll keep quiet if he agrees to take her to prom.
I’ve read many of Sara Ney’s books, so I was really excited to check out her YA debut. I think it’s a solid teen romance—the characters are sweet, there’s plenty of humor, the plot fits the target audience well, and there are no sexual scenes.
I liked Harper right away—she’s kind, responsible, and fun—but my feelings about Easton were mixed. Most of the time he literally acted like an idiot—how can you not understand such obvious things? I get that high school boys probably aren’t as experienced in romantic matters as girls (though I feel like modern teens are more aware in that regard), but I wanted to see more initiative from him. And honestly, how can you not realize until the very end who you want to take to prom?
Overall, I had a great time reading this one and would definitely recommend it to the appropriate age group.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books (Delacorte Romance) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
જ⁀➴ 1 star
Thank you to Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Romance, Sara Ney, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Love on Ice will be officially published on February 17th, 2026!
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋
Yeah...this wasn't it. This book reminded me of all the YA contemporary books that came out when I was in high school, where the biggest issues were best friends fighting over something stupid or the MCs wondering if their crush would like them back. This was a light, fluffy, cute read if you're looking for a palate cleanser, don't get me wrong, but there was so much I didn't like about it that outweighed the good. The inconsistencies, the character development, all of it....ugh, it made me wonder if the characters were truly 18 and about to graduate high school and headed off to college because all of them felt so immature for their age.
✎𓂃Full review to come soon!
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋
⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ Happy Valentine's week everyone!💐🩷 To celebrate, I think I'm going to try to read books that only have pink and/or red covers or just pink/red SOMEWHERE on the cover. This'll be my first book this week! I know I usually don't read a lot of YA romances anymore, but they're pretty quick palette cleansers, and this seems pretty cute, so why not? I also recently got into the Underlined Influencer program, which is Random House's YA influencer program, so what better way to celebrate than to ARC read one of their books now?
Thank you to Random House Children's Books | Delacorte Romance, Sara Ney, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Love on Ice will be officially published on February 17th, 2026!
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋
Yeah...this wasn't it. This book reminded me of all the YA contemporary books that came out when I was in high school, where the biggest issues were best friends fighting over something stupid or the MCs wondering if their crush would like them back. This was a light, fluffy, cute read if you're looking for a palate cleanser, don't get me wrong, but there was so much I didn't like about it that outweighed the good. The inconsistencies, the character development, all of it....ugh, it made me wonder if the characters were truly 18 and about to graduate high school and headed off to college because all of them felt so immature for their age.
✎𓂃Full review to come soon!
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚.🎀༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋
⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ Happy Valentine's week everyone!💐🩷 To celebrate, I think I'm going to try to read books that only have pink and/or red covers or just pink/red SOMEWHERE on the cover. This'll be my first book this week! I know I usually don't read a lot of YA romances anymore, but they're pretty quick palette cleansers, and this seems pretty cute, so why not? I also recently got into the Underlined Influencer program, which is Random House's YA influencer program, so what better way to celebrate than to ARC read one of their books now?
February 17, 2026
: huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
happy release day !!!
──────────── » [i wish i knew how to quit you (sombr)] «
0:00 ─〇───── 0:00
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅*̩̩͙‧͙ review for { love on ice } by jo, buckle up babes it's time ‧͙*̩̩͙❆ ͙͛ ˚₊⋆
before i get into this review. i'd like to give a disclaimer that i wrote love in rice about three times in the draft of this review and almost left it because love in rice sounds so much more slay than on ice but i took it out. thought you should know !
a cutie cozy ya read for the upcoming cozy winter seaon. i reccomend this book if you need an escape or something to read while sipping a latte or fun drink. its sugary sweet like those rice krispie treats and sugar cookies around the holidays. and its cute like a hallmark you throw on when you need an escape.
while its not the most groundbreaking or jawdropping writing ive read (bc its not) it has a few elements that i really like. in fact if you like fake skating by lynn painter you'll probably like this book because they are very similar.
nerd girl x jock (hockey) boy ✅
fake dating ✅
high school friend group ✅
similiar character setup ✅
yeah it's got all those! but i love fake dating so i'll eat it up every single time. plus a very high school and character feeling always gets me when the characters feel like teenagers.
// plot //
⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅*̩̩͙ harper is super excited for prom (i mean pop off queen) and she lives for it. shes a planner girlie (twinning fr) and has her dress (me fr) all ready but doesnt have a prom date (again wow twins). babes would so be me in a story like ouch singleness. but apparently she's never heard of living life to its fullest and going alone and just slaying the day ?
so when she catches easton (our hockey star jock dude who swears...just like alec does in fake skating ??? wow cousins!?) in the middle of a senior prank, harper knows exactly what to do. she might have had a crush on this guy for a bit--whattttttt?
and harper gaslight gatekeep girlbosses him into blackmail. she really said imma just pop off here real quick. and convinces him (aka hey broski give me a promposal and i wont spill ur big secret and get u in trouble) to ask her to prom. fake dating wise.
and easton agrees and they start fake liking/dating each other. woww groundbreaking.
EXCEPT THE FACT THAT HE NEVER ACTUALLY ASKS HER OFFICIALLY TO PROM BEFORE THEY HAVE THEIR IDICOTIC THIRD ACT BREAKUP!?!? LIKE HE JUST SAYS OH YEAH GOTTA ASK THE "GF" TO PROM BUT IT NEVER HAPPENS UNTIL THEIR BREAKUP!?!?!? like we could have set this up really cutely and instead we didn't.
all in all, main plot is basic but cute. characters are basic but cute (not super developed nor relatable. i don't have hot jocks popping up in my yard. what a shame tbh.
so read if you need a cute cozy read!
happy reading bestiesss!!!
xxjo
happy release day !!!
──────────── » [i wish i knew how to quit you (sombr)] «
0:00 ─〇───── 0:00
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅*̩̩͙‧͙ review for { love on ice } by jo, buckle up babes it's time ‧͙*̩̩͙❆ ͙͛ ˚₊⋆
before i get into this review. i'd like to give a disclaimer that i wrote love in rice about three times in the draft of this review and almost left it because love in rice sounds so much more slay than on ice but i took it out. thought you should know !
a cutie cozy ya read for the upcoming cozy winter seaon. i reccomend this book if you need an escape or something to read while sipping a latte or fun drink. its sugary sweet like those rice krispie treats and sugar cookies around the holidays. and its cute like a hallmark you throw on when you need an escape.
while its not the most groundbreaking or jawdropping writing ive read (bc its not) it has a few elements that i really like. in fact if you like fake skating by lynn painter you'll probably like this book because they are very similar.
nerd girl x jock (hockey) boy ✅
fake dating ✅
high school friend group ✅
similiar character setup ✅
yeah it's got all those! but i love fake dating so i'll eat it up every single time. plus a very high school and character feeling always gets me when the characters feel like teenagers.
// plot //
⋆꙳•̩̩͙❅*̩̩͙ harper is super excited for prom (i mean pop off queen) and she lives for it. shes a planner girlie (twinning fr) and has her dress (me fr) all ready but doesnt have a prom date (again wow twins). babes would so be me in a story like ouch singleness. but apparently she's never heard of living life to its fullest and going alone and just slaying the day ?
so when she catches easton (our hockey star jock dude who swears...just like alec does in fake skating ??? wow cousins!?) in the middle of a senior prank, harper knows exactly what to do. she might have had a crush on this guy for a bit--whattttttt?
and harper gaslight gatekeep girlbosses him into blackmail. she really said imma just pop off here real quick. and convinces him (aka hey broski give me a promposal and i wont spill ur big secret and get u in trouble) to ask her to prom. fake dating wise.
and easton agrees and they start fake liking/dating each other. woww groundbreaking.
EXCEPT THE FACT THAT HE NEVER ACTUALLY ASKS HER OFFICIALLY TO PROM BEFORE THEY HAVE THEIR IDICOTIC THIRD ACT BREAKUP!?!? LIKE HE JUST SAYS OH YEAH GOTTA ASK THE "GF" TO PROM BUT IT NEVER HAPPENS UNTIL THEIR BREAKUP!?!?!? like we could have set this up really cutely and instead we didn't.
all in all, main plot is basic but cute. characters are basic but cute (not super developed nor relatable. i don't have hot jocks popping up in my yard. what a shame tbh.
so read if you need a cute cozy read!
happy reading bestiesss!!!
xxjo
February 2, 2026
Thank you much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
-------------------------☽---------------------------
⭐️⭐️⭐️
-------------------------✩---------------------------
︎🍿- I thought this book was so cute and fun! The story was super entertaining and I loved reading about Easton and Harper! I would definitely recommend this!
🎬- The Plot of this book was good! It wasn’t super different from other things I’ve read, but it was definitely good and worth the read. It was quick paced and easy to get into. I did think there were a few loose ends, with Easton’s parents, and about the prank, that I just thought should’ve been wrapped up a little bit better.
🧍♀️- The characters were pretty good! I loved Harper, she was super fun. Easton, however, I had mixed feelings about… he was super sweet one moment but then a total jerk to Harper, and he just acted like that a bit too much in my opinion. He was also a total idiot whenever it came to Maddie. And don’t get me started on Maddie, I hated her with my whole heart, and still do :)
🥰- The romance was super cute and perfect for young adults! Harper and Easton were super cute together! There was a bit of a problem, I felt, with the communication though… in what way is someone kissing you a sign that they aren’t interested? And again, Easton was often a little inconsiderate to Harper, but sadly I guess that is common with most teenage boys in real life anyways.. overall super cute though!!!
📖- Overall, the writing was done very well for a young adult book. At times, it did feel a little closer to middle grade, especially with how immature some of the characters acted at time, but for the most part, I felt like it was a great time!
-------------------------︎☽---------------------------
I would definitely recommend this book overall <3
-------------------------☽---------------------------
⭐️⭐️⭐️
-------------------------✩---------------------------
︎🍿- I thought this book was so cute and fun! The story was super entertaining and I loved reading about Easton and Harper! I would definitely recommend this!
🎬- The Plot of this book was good! It wasn’t super different from other things I’ve read, but it was definitely good and worth the read. It was quick paced and easy to get into. I did think there were a few loose ends, with Easton’s parents, and about the prank, that I just thought should’ve been wrapped up a little bit better.
🧍♀️- The characters were pretty good! I loved Harper, she was super fun. Easton, however, I had mixed feelings about… he was super sweet one moment but then a total jerk to Harper, and he just acted like that a bit too much in my opinion. He was also a total idiot whenever it came to Maddie. And don’t get me started on Maddie, I hated her with my whole heart, and still do :)
🥰- The romance was super cute and perfect for young adults! Harper and Easton were super cute together! There was a bit of a problem, I felt, with the communication though… in what way is someone kissing you a sign that they aren’t interested? And again, Easton was often a little inconsiderate to Harper, but sadly I guess that is common with most teenage boys in real life anyways.. overall super cute though!!!
📖- Overall, the writing was done very well for a young adult book. At times, it did feel a little closer to middle grade, especially with how immature some of the characters acted at time, but for the most part, I felt like it was a great time!
-------------------------︎☽---------------------------
I would definitely recommend this book overall <3
February 4, 2026
3.5⭐️
rtc sometime this week!
rtc sometime this week!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2☆ | This was something for sure..not necessarily in a good way. I had to stop reading so many times just because it was so unbearable and the characters were immature.
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
This is this author's ya debut, anddd I can definitely tell..like at times it's like there's innuendos or something but then it seems like the author remembers "Oh right, this is supposed to be ya."
But also, it read more like a middle grade book than ya, like just take out the language and innuendos and you literally have a middle grade book...
The characters were also 𝘴𝘰 immature at times, especially Easton. Like you're how old, eighteen, and acting like a literal child??
▪ "Mom!" I hiss. "Ma! Mom. 𝘔𝘰𝘮."
She groans.
"Mom. Mom. Mom. Are you awake?"
(Why is he waking her up like a 10 year old on Christmas day wanting to open presents?? Literally all he wanted was to ask if he could borrow her car)
▪ 'By the time I make it to the lunchroom, I'm starving, exhausted, and in a mood so bad I'm surprised people don't part the hallway to avoid me.'
(Boyyy the whole world doesn't revolve around you. Like be so fr🤦♀️)
▪ "If you don't, Harper's gonna think you don't care. And then at prom, she's going to dance with someone else, someone 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘳."
"No one is cooler than me,"
(Yeah sorry but I can name 𝘴𝘰 many book characters that are "cooler" & just better than him in general..)
I think this will speak for itself as to how Easton is.
▪ 'I mean, let's be real: Can't a guy like two people at once? Is that a crime? Why do I have to stop kissing one girl because I asked another girl on a date? What's the big deal?'
...Uhm. Maybe because it's what a decent person does?? I see what the big deal is. But I suppose it's fine because it's a teenage boy?
Also when we were like 60% done with the book, he was still basically crazy for Maddie when he's kissed Harper multiple times..like??
It was also just plain cringey at times too.
▪ "I think you're pretty amazing, too," I tell him softly, and instantly regret being such a cheese ball.
Also this is labeled as a sports (hockey) romance, but there's like....no hockey?? Just because there's a main character that plays hockey doesn't mean it's a hockey book if we don't actually get to see the sport.
𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: Also I believe there was a typo at chapter 33. When Easton is in his moms shed. It says "then lean my head back against her pink velvet soda."
Which I'm sure it's meant to say sofa.
Though I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday (the 14th) and saw multiple copies of this book out on the shelves when it isn't published until the 17th. So unless that's already been fixed, there's that.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
This was something for sure. As I said, I think it could be more middle grade than ya, the writing felt especially childish from the beginning. I think someone in the 11-13 year range could read and enjoy this, unfortunately it wasn't for me personally.
The book had soo much potential, and the cover is gorgeous, but I feel like it fell flat.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to have a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Ebook - 0🌶 - 2☆
𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
This is this author's ya debut, anddd I can definitely tell..like at times it's like there's innuendos or something but then it seems like the author remembers "Oh right, this is supposed to be ya."
But also, it read more like a middle grade book than ya, like just take out the language and innuendos and you literally have a middle grade book...
The characters were also 𝘴𝘰 immature at times, especially Easton. Like you're how old, eighteen, and acting like a literal child??
▪ "Mom!" I hiss. "Ma! Mom. 𝘔𝘰𝘮."
She groans.
"Mom. Mom. Mom. Are you awake?"
(Why is he waking her up like a 10 year old on Christmas day wanting to open presents?? Literally all he wanted was to ask if he could borrow her car)
▪ 'By the time I make it to the lunchroom, I'm starving, exhausted, and in a mood so bad I'm surprised people don't part the hallway to avoid me.'
(Boyyy the whole world doesn't revolve around you. Like be so fr🤦♀️)
▪ "If you don't, Harper's gonna think you don't care. And then at prom, she's going to dance with someone else, someone 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘳."
"No one is cooler than me,"
(Yeah sorry but I can name 𝘴𝘰 many book characters that are "cooler" & just better than him in general..)
I think this will speak for itself as to how Easton is.
▪ 'I mean, let's be real: Can't a guy like two people at once? Is that a crime? Why do I have to stop kissing one girl because I asked another girl on a date? What's the big deal?'
...Uhm. Maybe because it's what a decent person does?? I see what the big deal is. But I suppose it's fine because it's a teenage boy?
Also when we were like 60% done with the book, he was still basically crazy for Maddie when he's kissed Harper multiple times..like??
It was also just plain cringey at times too.
▪ "I think you're pretty amazing, too," I tell him softly, and instantly regret being such a cheese ball.
Also this is labeled as a sports (hockey) romance, but there's like....no hockey?? Just because there's a main character that plays hockey doesn't mean it's a hockey book if we don't actually get to see the sport.
𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: Also I believe there was a typo at chapter 33. When Easton is in his moms shed. It says "then lean my head back against her pink velvet soda."
Which I'm sure it's meant to say sofa.
Though I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday (the 14th) and saw multiple copies of this book out on the shelves when it isn't published until the 17th. So unless that's already been fixed, there's that.
𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍:
This was something for sure. As I said, I think it could be more middle grade than ya, the writing felt especially childish from the beginning. I think someone in the 11-13 year range could read and enjoy this, unfortunately it wasn't for me personally.
The book had soo much potential, and the cover is gorgeous, but I feel like it fell flat.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to have a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Ebook - 0🌶 - 2☆
October 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for this earc
This was cute but felt very much unfinished.
Why you ask? Well it says that Easton is a hockey player but there are exactly zero hockey seasons because the hockey season is over? I always like an idea of jock who can’t talk to girls but even for High School setting Easton’s “crush” on Maddie felt very immature.
And than situation with Harper. He liked her at some point but then Maddie was prettier? Again very surface level writing.
Story did make a lot more sense from Harper’s POV. She liked Easton, didn’t know what to do about it so she blackmailed him lol. Here’s my issue. The whole story happened because of the prank. But then nothing happened with that and there were no consequences.
Harper’s parents. She keeps mentioning how unhappy they are but again no follow up on that.
Easton keeps talking about how much pressure his father puts on him. Again. No follow up.
You see the pattern.
One aspect of this book I did enjoy was awkward first kisses and messy feelings. Everything else just felt unfinished.
This was cute but felt very much unfinished.
Why you ask? Well it says that Easton is a hockey player but there are exactly zero hockey seasons because the hockey season is over? I always like an idea of jock who can’t talk to girls but even for High School setting Easton’s “crush” on Maddie felt very immature.
And than situation with Harper. He liked her at some point but then Maddie was prettier? Again very surface level writing.
Story did make a lot more sense from Harper’s POV. She liked Easton, didn’t know what to do about it so she blackmailed him lol. Here’s my issue. The whole story happened because of the prank. But then nothing happened with that and there were no consequences.
Harper’s parents. She keeps mentioning how unhappy they are but again no follow up on that.
Easton keeps talking about how much pressure his father puts on him. Again. No follow up.
You see the pattern.
One aspect of this book I did enjoy was awkward first kisses and messy feelings. Everything else just felt unfinished.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2026
3.5⭐️ A cute YA read!
November 6, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the arc
I can recognize that this book has potential—the YA vibe is there, but it was giving more middle grade; the writing was very juvenile but also the excessive use of words like "friggin" or "darn" instead of curse words, but then also some actual curse words? Idk, threw me off a lot. (Also the usage of "bruh"...)
Easton has two siblings yet his brother was only brifely mentioned once, I don't even know why he was included.
Supposedly a hockey book, but hockey was barely mentioned
Most importantly—the characters were INSUFFERABLE. I wanted to slap them through the pages. Easton was literally acting so dumb the whole time—kissing Harper but then being like ah no I like Maddie, and saying Harper needs to chill out when she was annoyed about Maddie? And Harper being like yup we're totally just friends, but I like you, but we can't kiss again. GAHHHHHH. Like I honestly didn't understand them, because once they kissed I thought great they'll get together now, but suddenly they're asking each other if they like someone? WHAT DO YOU THINK??
Maddie's random redemption arc at the end was just weird like pop off queen idk
I skimmed the second half of the book because I just couldn't take their idiocy anymore.
I can recognize that this book has potential—the YA vibe is there, but it was giving more middle grade; the writing was very juvenile but also the excessive use of words like "friggin" or "darn" instead of curse words, but then also some actual curse words? Idk, threw me off a lot. (Also the usage of "bruh"...)
Easton has two siblings yet his brother was only brifely mentioned once, I don't even know why he was included.
Supposedly a hockey book, but hockey was barely mentioned
Most importantly—the characters were INSUFFERABLE. I wanted to slap them through the pages. Easton was literally acting so dumb the whole time—kissing Harper but then being like ah no I like Maddie, and saying Harper needs to chill out when she was annoyed about Maddie? And Harper being like yup we're totally just friends, but I like you, but we can't kiss again. GAHHHHHH. Like I honestly didn't understand them, because once they kissed I thought great they'll get together now, but suddenly they're asking each other if they like someone? WHAT DO YOU THINK??
Maddie's random redemption arc at the end was just weird like pop off queen idk
I skimmed the second half of the book because I just couldn't take their idiocy anymore.
February 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Ms. Ney for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
Sara Ney is hit or miss with me and this was, well, it was a big fat miss. Sorry not sorry. The tone right from the get-go was SO juvenile and I really struggled with it. Some writers can believably cross back and forth between adult and YA but this was not a successful attempt IMHO. Easton’s inner voice was peak cringe and his infatuation with hot blonde queen bee Maddie was peak annoying. The fact that said crush lingered (and lingered, and lingered) was infuriating. Sir, you do not deserve Harper. I also feel that the decision to use modern middle/high school speak so extensively was a… choice… that will probably date this book very significantly very fast.
Pros, this is fluffy, and light, and very very young. I have no problem with YA but this seemed like my 6th-grade son wedged into a 12th-grade body, if my 6th-grade son was an idiot. Sadly I think my son is more mature than Easton. But if you can get past a dumb bunny MMC with a pernicious crush on the MOST basic of all the mean girls in school, then this might be a fun lite book to give you a break between two more serious options.
⭐⭐
Sara Ney is hit or miss with me and this was, well, it was a big fat miss. Sorry not sorry. The tone right from the get-go was SO juvenile and I really struggled with it. Some writers can believably cross back and forth between adult and YA but this was not a successful attempt IMHO. Easton’s inner voice was peak cringe and his infatuation with hot blonde queen bee Maddie was peak annoying. The fact that said crush lingered (and lingered, and lingered) was infuriating. Sir, you do not deserve Harper. I also feel that the decision to use modern middle/high school speak so extensively was a… choice… that will probably date this book very significantly very fast.
Pros, this is fluffy, and light, and very very young. I have no problem with YA but this seemed like my 6th-grade son wedged into a 12th-grade body, if my 6th-grade son was an idiot. Sadly I think my son is more mature than Easton. But if you can get past a dumb bunny MMC with a pernicious crush on the MOST basic of all the mean girls in school, then this might be a fun lite book to give you a break between two more serious options.
⭐⭐
October 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
This was a cute YA story. Definitley brings you back to High School drama and crushes with the plot. Gave a nostalgic vibe and ended up giving a lot of life lessons that would be good for the high school age range.
With that being said I did not realize this was YA so I would not typically lean towards reading this.
For fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty or Better Than the Movies, this is a cute YA romance revolving around prom!
This was a cute YA story. Definitley brings you back to High School drama and crushes with the plot. Gave a nostalgic vibe and ended up giving a lot of life lessons that would be good for the high school age range.
With that being said I did not realize this was YA so I would not typically lean towards reading this.
For fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty or Better Than the Movies, this is a cute YA romance revolving around prom!
November 29, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books and Sara Net for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest review.
Love On Ice is such a fast-paced adorable read. Easton and Harper are super cute and I couldn't get enough of them. The world building is phenomenal, a fabulous High School romance depiction. I was laughing at loud, kicking my feet and swooning. I truly couldn't put this book down. I was hooked from start to finish. The character development and Easton and Harper's back-and-forth banter is chef's kiss. I fell in love with everything about this book.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all y'all.
Love On Ice is such a fast-paced adorable read. Easton and Harper are super cute and I couldn't get enough of them. The world building is phenomenal, a fabulous High School romance depiction. I was laughing at loud, kicking my feet and swooning. I truly couldn't put this book down. I was hooked from start to finish. The character development and Easton and Harper's back-and-forth banter is chef's kiss. I fell in love with everything about this book.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all y'all.
September 26, 2025
This book was such a good time!! I don’t have a lot of thoughts on it bc it was just a cutesy little palette cleanser book but I really enjoyed it!!
I really loved the plot and how it played out, all the supporting characters were amazing I loved the relationships in it!
The romance was sooo cute and honestly so relatable and I found myself laughing and giggling more than a few times 🤭
This is such an easy read (literally finished in less than 24 hrs) and genuinely I would so recommend it if you want something cute and funny hehehe.
I really loved the plot and how it played out, all the supporting characters were amazing I loved the relationships in it!
The romance was sooo cute and honestly so relatable and I found myself laughing and giggling more than a few times 🤭
This is such an easy read (literally finished in less than 24 hrs) and genuinely I would so recommend it if you want something cute and funny hehehe.
February 17, 2026
Love on Ice was a cute YA story. It has fun moments, heartwarming moments and will remind you of times in high school.
Harper is smart, on the prom decorating committee, but doesn’t have a date and really wants one. Easton is a hockey player set to go to college on a scholarship. He gets forced to steal their rivals mascot and accidentally lands in Harper’s backyard. Let the blackmail begin. Harper offers to help Easton but he needs to be her prom date.
The two dance around each other, have a few kisses but become friends and neither can admit that they are crushing on each other. Easton thought he wanted the popular, not so nice girl and struggles with what to do.
This is a feel good, easy read about that first crush, with fun banter, witty comebacks and a fun storyline.
Harper is smart, on the prom decorating committee, but doesn’t have a date and really wants one. Easton is a hockey player set to go to college on a scholarship. He gets forced to steal their rivals mascot and accidentally lands in Harper’s backyard. Let the blackmail begin. Harper offers to help Easton but he needs to be her prom date.
The two dance around each other, have a few kisses but become friends and neither can admit that they are crushing on each other. Easton thought he wanted the popular, not so nice girl and struggles with what to do.
This is a feel good, easy read about that first crush, with fun banter, witty comebacks and a fun storyline.
February 17, 2026
Love on Ice was a cute, hilarious and heartwarming YA romance!
I love the hilarity between their “run in” and how their friendship progressed. This was such a fun story to read and I loved Harper’s tenacity. Easton had a lot to learn lol but he put in the work and the ending…so cute!
This is young adult so no big steam but for the characters it was perfect. I don’t read YA much anymore but this book was such a good read I’m happy I picked it up!
I love the hilarity between their “run in” and how their friendship progressed. This was such a fun story to read and I loved Harper’s tenacity. Easton had a lot to learn lol but he put in the work and the ending…so cute!
This is young adult so no big steam but for the characters it was perfect. I don’t read YA much anymore but this book was such a good read I’m happy I picked it up!
September 9, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the ARC!
I am a sucker for hockey romance and was excited to experience this YA story as the book cover drew me in to the story. Harper and Easton were cute. It was nothin memorable but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. Easton at times acted his age, a little like an idiot. However, it is a young adult book so it is a given!
I am a sucker for hockey romance and was excited to experience this YA story as the book cover drew me in to the story. Harper and Easton were cute. It was nothin memorable but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. Easton at times acted his age, a little like an idiot. However, it is a young adult book so it is a given!
Read
February 11, 2026DNF
I love a YA book as a palate cleanser. I actively enjoy them. I am not a YA hater, I am not above YA, I am not too good for YA. When YA is done well, I will scream about it from the rooftops. This was not that. I barely made it two chapters in before I had to DNF because the writing was so aggressively juvenile that I genuinely thought I might be the wrong age demographic. And no, not in a “this is for teenagers” way—this felt like it was written for middle schoolers who just discovered crushes and the word ‘bruh’.
These characters are supposed to be 18-year-old high school seniors. Seniors. On the verge of adulthood. About to graduate. About to enter the real world. And yet the way they talk and think is giving “seventh graders whispering in the hallway while a teacher is nearby.” I kept having to remind myself of their ages because nothing—dialogue, inner thoughts, emotional reactions—reflected that. I love a good YA book, but this was not YA. This was middle grade pretending to be YA and doing it very poorly.
And I cannot emphasize enough how much it pisses me off when authors refuse to let their characters swear like actual humans. Nothing pulls me out of a story faster. The excessive use of “friggin,” “darn,” and other fake swears felt painfully forced and infantilizing. Like… why are we doing this? These are 18-year-olds, not children on a Disney Channel sitcom. And what made it worse is that the book also occasionally uses real curse words?? So what is the logic here? Are we censoring or not? Are we committing to the bit or half-assing it? The inconsistency was so jarring it completely broke immersion every single time. Pick a tone and stand by it.
And then there’s the dialogue. The casual use of “bruh.” I physically cringed. My soul left my body for a moment. If I wanted to read TikTok comments, I would simply open TikTok. The dialogue didn’t feel natural, funny, or authentic—it felt like an adult guessing how teenagers talk based on the internet and vibes alone. Painful. Truly painful.
The writing itself was just… bad. Flat sentence structure, no depth, no texture. The characters’ thoughts are shallow and repetitive, like the author was allergic to introspection. Everything is surface-level—emotions are stated, not felt; thoughts are told, not explored. Harper and Easton are technically 18, but their internal monologues had me cringing so hard I had to put the book down more than once. Two chapters in and I was already exhausted.
Which is honestly tragic because this book had potential. A small-town hockey romance should have been adorable. That’s my kryptonite. I wanted cozy vibes, awkward tension, something sweet and swoony. Instead, I was met with an MMC whose entire personality appears to be “in love with the mean girl of the school because she’s the prettiest.” And I’m sorry, but if that’s your dream girl? Sir. That tells me everything I need to know about you, and none of it is good. Who wants a man whose type is “blonde Kim Kardashian of the school”? Absolutely not. Jail. Immediate jail. God help us all.
And the fact that this is presented without any self-awareness or depth makes it worse. There’s no indication that this is being questioned or deconstructed. It’s just… accepted. At that point, I had zero hope that this MMC would have any growth, complexity, or redeeming personality traits. Two chapters was enough for me to know I did not care what happened next.
Also, I need to publicly acknowledge that I have once again been deceived by a gorgeous Leni cover. This is the second book in a row where the cover art was elite and the content was… not. At this point, that’s on me. The cover promised cute, charming, small-town hockey romance. What I got felt like a book that couldn’t decide if it wanted to be middle grade or YA and failed spectacularly at both.
And here’s the kicker: there are middle grade books out there with more emotional depth, better dialogue, and more realistic character work than this. Yes, I will name names. Rick Riordan has written twelve-year-olds with more maturity, emotional intelligence, and authentic voices than whatever this book was trying to do. That’s not shade—that’s just the truth.
In the end, the writing was juvenile, the characters were shallow, the dialogue was cringe-inducing, and the vibes were deeply off. I wanted adorable small-town hockey romance. I got secondhand embarrassment and a two-chapter DNF. Massive disappointment. Huge waste of potential. If this book were a hockey puck, it didn’t just miss the goal—it flew straight into the parking lot and shattered a windshield.
I love a YA book as a palate cleanser. I actively enjoy them. I am not a YA hater, I am not above YA, I am not too good for YA. When YA is done well, I will scream about it from the rooftops. This was not that. I barely made it two chapters in before I had to DNF because the writing was so aggressively juvenile that I genuinely thought I might be the wrong age demographic. And no, not in a “this is for teenagers” way—this felt like it was written for middle schoolers who just discovered crushes and the word ‘bruh’.
These characters are supposed to be 18-year-old high school seniors. Seniors. On the verge of adulthood. About to graduate. About to enter the real world. And yet the way they talk and think is giving “seventh graders whispering in the hallway while a teacher is nearby.” I kept having to remind myself of their ages because nothing—dialogue, inner thoughts, emotional reactions—reflected that. I love a good YA book, but this was not YA. This was middle grade pretending to be YA and doing it very poorly.
And I cannot emphasize enough how much it pisses me off when authors refuse to let their characters swear like actual humans. Nothing pulls me out of a story faster. The excessive use of “friggin,” “darn,” and other fake swears felt painfully forced and infantilizing. Like… why are we doing this? These are 18-year-olds, not children on a Disney Channel sitcom. And what made it worse is that the book also occasionally uses real curse words?? So what is the logic here? Are we censoring or not? Are we committing to the bit or half-assing it? The inconsistency was so jarring it completely broke immersion every single time. Pick a tone and stand by it.
And then there’s the dialogue. The casual use of “bruh.” I physically cringed. My soul left my body for a moment. If I wanted to read TikTok comments, I would simply open TikTok. The dialogue didn’t feel natural, funny, or authentic—it felt like an adult guessing how teenagers talk based on the internet and vibes alone. Painful. Truly painful.
The writing itself was just… bad. Flat sentence structure, no depth, no texture. The characters’ thoughts are shallow and repetitive, like the author was allergic to introspection. Everything is surface-level—emotions are stated, not felt; thoughts are told, not explored. Harper and Easton are technically 18, but their internal monologues had me cringing so hard I had to put the book down more than once. Two chapters in and I was already exhausted.
Which is honestly tragic because this book had potential. A small-town hockey romance should have been adorable. That’s my kryptonite. I wanted cozy vibes, awkward tension, something sweet and swoony. Instead, I was met with an MMC whose entire personality appears to be “in love with the mean girl of the school because she’s the prettiest.” And I’m sorry, but if that’s your dream girl? Sir. That tells me everything I need to know about you, and none of it is good. Who wants a man whose type is “blonde Kim Kardashian of the school”? Absolutely not. Jail. Immediate jail. God help us all.
And the fact that this is presented without any self-awareness or depth makes it worse. There’s no indication that this is being questioned or deconstructed. It’s just… accepted. At that point, I had zero hope that this MMC would have any growth, complexity, or redeeming personality traits. Two chapters was enough for me to know I did not care what happened next.
Also, I need to publicly acknowledge that I have once again been deceived by a gorgeous Leni cover. This is the second book in a row where the cover art was elite and the content was… not. At this point, that’s on me. The cover promised cute, charming, small-town hockey romance. What I got felt like a book that couldn’t decide if it wanted to be middle grade or YA and failed spectacularly at both.
And here’s the kicker: there are middle grade books out there with more emotional depth, better dialogue, and more realistic character work than this. Yes, I will name names. Rick Riordan has written twelve-year-olds with more maturity, emotional intelligence, and authentic voices than whatever this book was trying to do. That’s not shade—that’s just the truth.
In the end, the writing was juvenile, the characters were shallow, the dialogue was cringe-inducing, and the vibes were deeply off. I wanted adorable small-town hockey romance. I got secondhand embarrassment and a two-chapter DNF. Massive disappointment. Huge waste of potential. If this book were a hockey puck, it didn’t just miss the goal—it flew straight into the parking lot and shattered a windshield.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
🎧📖𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖🎧
𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝐼𝒸𝑒 ʙʏ sᴀʀᴀ ɴᴇʏ
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ-ʙᴏʏ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴀɪɴ ᴛʀᴇsᴘᴀssɪɴɢ ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴀ sᴇɴɪᴏʀ ᴘʀᴀɴᴋ, ᴏɴᴇ ᴄʟᴇᴠᴇʀ ɢɪʀʟ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋᴍᴀɪʟs ʜɪᴍ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ᴘʀᴏᴍ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ—ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴀᴛ sᴛᴀʀᴛs ᴀs ᴀ ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴀʀʀᴀɴɢᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ sʟᴏᴡʟʏ ᴍᴇʟᴛs ɪɴᴛᴏ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ʀᴇᴀʟ.
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀʜᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʟᴄ!
𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒶 𝒽𝑜𝒸𝓀𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇 𝒸𝓇𝒶𝓈𝒽-𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓎𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝓂𝒾𝒹-𝓅𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓀, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓅𝓈—𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓃𝑒𝑔𝑜𝓉𝒾𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓂.
ғʀᴏᴍ sᴀʀᴀ ɴᴇʏ, ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ғᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢɪᴀᴛᴇ sᴘᴏʀᴛs ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇs ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴜᴅʏɪɴɢ ʜᴏᴜʀs, ᴄᴏᴍᴇs 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝐼𝒸𝑒 ᴀ sᴡᴏᴏɴʏ ʏᴀ ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ’s ᴇǫᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴀʀᴛs sᴡᴇᴇᴛ, ᴀᴡᴋᴡᴀʀᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛғᴇʟᴛ.
ʜᴀʀᴘᴇʀ ᴄᴏɴʀᴀᴅ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇғɪɴɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴀ ʙᴏssʏ, ᴡɪᴛᴛʏ ɴᴇʀᴅ ғᴍᴄ. sʜᴇ’s sᴍᴀʀᴛ, ᴏʙsᴇʀᴠᴀɴᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇᴀsɪʟʏ ᴅᴀᴢᴢʟᴇᴅ—ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴡʜᴇɴ ғᴀᴄᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇᴀsᴛᴏɴ ʙᴜʀʙᴀɴᴋ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ sᴛᴀʀ ᴡʜᴏ ʟɪᴛᴇʀᴀʟʟʏ ғᴀʟʟs ɪɴᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ ʟɪғᴇ (ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴀʀᴅ). ᴡʜᴇɴ sʜᴇ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜᴇs ʜɪᴍ ᴍɪᴅ-ᴍᴀsᴄᴏᴛ-ᴛʜᴇғᴛ, sʜᴇ sᴇᴇs ᴀɴ ᴏᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴀɴᴅ sᴇɪᴢᴇs ɪᴛ: ᴘʀᴏᴍ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ғᴏʀ sɪʟᴇɴᴄᴇ.
ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋᴍᴀɪʟ-ᴛᴏ-ғᴀᴋᴇ-ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ sᴇᴛᴜᴘ ɪs ᴄʟᴀssɪᴄ ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ ғᴜɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ɪᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴏɴᴇ. ɪᴛ’s ʟɪɢʜᴛ, sᴇʟғ-ᴀᴡᴀʀᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ғᴜʟʟ ᴏғ ʜɪɢʜ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴄʜᴀᴏs ᴇɴᴇʀɢʏ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’s sᴇɴɪᴏʀ ᴘʀᴀɴᴋ ᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ, ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ ᴍᴇᴅᴅʟɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴅᴇᴘᴛʜ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪᴊɪɴᴋs.
ᴇᴀsᴛᴏɴ ɪs ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ʙᴏʏ ᴊᴏᴄᴋ—ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴇ’s ɴᴏᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀ sᴛᴇʀᴇᴏᴛʏᴘᴇ. ᴜɴᴅᴇʀɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ sᴡᴀɢɢᴇʀ ɪs ᴀ ɢᴇɴᴜɪɴᴇʟʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛғᴜʟ ɢᴜʏ ᴡʜᴏ sʟᴏᴡʟʏ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟs ʟᴀʏᴇʀs. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪғ ʜᴇ's ᴀ ʙᴜᴛᴛʜᴇᴀᴅ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇs ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʜɪs ʜᴇᴀᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ʜɪs ʙᴜᴛᴛ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʜɪs ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢs ғᴏʀ ʜᴀʀᴘᴇʀ.
ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴄᴜᴛᴇ & ʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴡᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀɴɢsᴛʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴʀᴇǫᴜɪᴛᴇᴅ-ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀᴛᴏɴᴇs ᴀᴅᴅ sᴡᴇᴇᴛɴᴇss ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʀᴏᴘᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴅʏɴᴀᴍɪᴄ sʜɪғᴛ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʀᴀɴsᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ɪs ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ sʜɪɴᴇs. ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀᴋᴇs ғᴇᴇʟ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴘʀɪᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ʜɪɢʜ ғᴏʀ ʜɪɢʜ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ—sᴄʜᴏʟᴀʀsʜɪᴘs, ᴘʀᴏᴍ, ʀᴇᴘᴜᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ—ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴄᴏʀᴇ sᴛᴀʏs ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅᴇᴅ ɪɴ ғɪʀsᴛ-ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ.
🎙️𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃:
ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ғᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇs ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴏᴠ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴜᴇᴛ-sᴛʏʟᴇ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴡᴏʀᴋs ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪғᴜʟʟʏ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs sᴛᴏʀʏ. ʜᴀʀᴘᴇʀ’s ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴜʀᴇs ʜᴇʀ ǫᴜɪᴄᴋ ᴡɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴛʜɪɴᴋɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ғᴇᴇʟ sʜʀɪʟʟ. ᴇᴀsᴛᴏɴ’s ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ ʙʀɪɴɢs ᴡᴀʀᴍᴛʜ ᴀɴᴅ sᴜʙᴛʟᴇ sᴏғᴛɴᴇss ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ-ʙᴏʏ ᴇxᴛᴇʀɪᴏʀ. ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋ-ᴀɴᴅ-ғᴏʀᴛʜ ᴅɪᴀʟᴏɢᴜᴇ ғᴇᴇʟs ᴅʏɴᴀᴍɪᴄ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴀʟ, ᴇsᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʙᴀɴᴛᴇʀ-ʜᴇᴀᴠʏ sᴄᴇɴᴇs. ᴅᴜᴇᴛ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴀᴛᴇs ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅs-ᴛᴏ-ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇs ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴇᴛ ʙᴏᴛʜ ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ᴘᴇʀsᴘᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇs ɪɴ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴛɪᴍᴇ. ɪᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ sʜɪғᴛs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛғᴜʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴇᴍɪsᴛʀʏ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴀʙʟᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ɪs sᴍᴏᴏᴛʜ ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴠᴇʟʏ, ᴋᴇᴇᴘɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ ᴛɪᴍɪɴɢ sʜᴀʀᴘ—ᴇsᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴀɴᴋ ғᴀʟʟᴏᴜᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʀᴏᴍ ʙᴜɪʟᴅᴜᴘ.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:
🏒 sᴘᴏʀᴛs (ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ) ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ
✨ ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ x ᴘʀᴏᴍ ᴀɢʀᴇᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ
🏒 ʙʟᴀᴄᴋᴍᴀɪʟ sᴇᴛᴜᴘ
✨ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅs-ᴛᴏ-ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs
🏒 ᴜɴʀᴇǫᴜɪᴛᴇᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇ
✨ ʙᴏssʏ ɴᴇʀᴅ ғᴍᴄ x ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ʙᴏʏ ᴊᴏᴄᴋ ᴍᴍᴄ
🏒 ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴏᴠ
✨ ʜɪɢʜ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ ᴄʜᴀᴏs
🏒 sᴇɴɪᴏʀ ᴘʀᴀɴᴋ sʜᴇɴᴀɴɪɢᴀɴs
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝐼𝒸𝑒 ɪs ᴀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ʏᴀ ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs sᴡᴏᴏɴʏ ғᴀᴋᴇ-ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ ғᴜɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴀᴍᴏᴜɴᴛ ᴏғ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ. ɪᴛ’s ʟɪɢʜᴛ, ɴᴏsᴛᴀʟɢɪᴄ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ᴄʀᴀᴠɪɴɢ ғɪʀsᴛ-ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀғʟɪᴇs ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʜᴇᴀᴠʏ ᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ. ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ-ʙᴏʏ ᴊᴏᴄᴋs sᴏғᴛᴇɴɪɴɢ ғᴏʀ ᴡɪᴛᴛʏ ʜᴇʀᴏɪɴᴇs, ᴘʀᴏᴍ-ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ ʙᴏʏs ᴡʜᴏ ғᴀʟʟ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀs ʜᴀʀᴅ—ᴛʜɪs ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ᴇᴀsʏ, ғᴇᴇʟ-ɢᴏᴏᴅ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴ.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝐼𝒸𝑒 ʙʏ sᴀʀᴀ ɴᴇʏ
𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs
✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨
ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ-ʙᴏʏ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴀɪɴ ᴛʀᴇsᴘᴀssɪɴɢ ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴀ sᴇɴɪᴏʀ ᴘʀᴀɴᴋ, ᴏɴᴇ ᴄʟᴇᴠᴇʀ ɢɪʀʟ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋᴍᴀɪʟs ʜɪᴍ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ᴘʀᴏᴍ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ—ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴀᴛ sᴛᴀʀᴛs ᴀs ᴀ ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴀʀʀᴀɴɢᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ sʟᴏᴡʟʏ ᴍᴇʟᴛs ɪɴᴛᴏ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ʀᴇᴀʟ.
𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:
ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀʜᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʟᴄ!
𝒲𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝒶 𝒽𝑜𝒸𝓀𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇 𝒸𝓇𝒶𝓈𝒽-𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓎𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝓂𝒾𝒹-𝓅𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓀, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓅𝓈—𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓃𝑒𝑔𝑜𝓉𝒾𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓂.
ғʀᴏᴍ sᴀʀᴀ ɴᴇʏ, ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ғᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢɪᴀᴛᴇ sᴘᴏʀᴛs ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇs ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴜᴅʏɪɴɢ ʜᴏᴜʀs, ᴄᴏᴍᴇs 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝐼𝒸𝑒 ᴀ sᴡᴏᴏɴʏ ʏᴀ ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ’s ᴇǫᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴀʀᴛs sᴡᴇᴇᴛ, ᴀᴡᴋᴡᴀʀᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛғᴇʟᴛ.
ʜᴀʀᴘᴇʀ ᴄᴏɴʀᴀᴅ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇғɪɴɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴀ ʙᴏssʏ, ᴡɪᴛᴛʏ ɴᴇʀᴅ ғᴍᴄ. sʜᴇ’s sᴍᴀʀᴛ, ᴏʙsᴇʀᴠᴀɴᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇᴀsɪʟʏ ᴅᴀᴢᴢʟᴇᴅ—ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴡʜᴇɴ ғᴀᴄᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴇᴀsᴛᴏɴ ʙᴜʀʙᴀɴᴋ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ sᴛᴀʀ ᴡʜᴏ ʟɪᴛᴇʀᴀʟʟʏ ғᴀʟʟs ɪɴᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ ʟɪғᴇ (ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴀʀᴅ). ᴡʜᴇɴ sʜᴇ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜᴇs ʜɪᴍ ᴍɪᴅ-ᴍᴀsᴄᴏᴛ-ᴛʜᴇғᴛ, sʜᴇ sᴇᴇs ᴀɴ ᴏᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴀɴᴅ sᴇɪᴢᴇs ɪᴛ: ᴘʀᴏᴍ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ ɪɴ ᴇxᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇ ғᴏʀ sɪʟᴇɴᴄᴇ.
ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋᴍᴀɪʟ-ᴛᴏ-ғᴀᴋᴇ-ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ sᴇᴛᴜᴘ ɪs ᴄʟᴀssɪᴄ ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ ғᴜɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ɪᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴏɴᴇ. ɪᴛ’s ʟɪɢʜᴛ, sᴇʟғ-ᴀᴡᴀʀᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ғᴜʟʟ ᴏғ ʜɪɢʜ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴄʜᴀᴏs ᴇɴᴇʀɢʏ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ’s sᴇɴɪᴏʀ ᴘʀᴀɴᴋ ᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ, ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ ᴍᴇᴅᴅʟɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴅᴇᴘᴛʜ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪᴊɪɴᴋs.
ᴇᴀsᴛᴏɴ ɪs ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ʙᴏʏ ᴊᴏᴄᴋ—ʙᴜᴛ ʜᴇ’s ɴᴏᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀ sᴛᴇʀᴇᴏᴛʏᴘᴇ. ᴜɴᴅᴇʀɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ sᴡᴀɢɢᴇʀ ɪs ᴀ ɢᴇɴᴜɪɴᴇʟʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛғᴜʟ ɢᴜʏ ᴡʜᴏ sʟᴏᴡʟʏ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟs ʟᴀʏᴇʀs. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪғ ʜᴇ's ᴀ ʙᴜᴛᴛʜᴇᴀᴅ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛᴀᴋᴇs ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʜɪs ʜᴇᴀᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ʜɪs ʙᴜᴛᴛ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʜɪs ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢs ғᴏʀ ʜᴀʀᴘᴇʀ.
ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴄᴜᴛᴇ & ʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴡᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ʀᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀɴɢsᴛʏ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴʀᴇǫᴜɪᴛᴇᴅ-ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀᴛᴏɴᴇs ᴀᴅᴅ sᴡᴇᴇᴛɴᴇss ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʀᴏᴘᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴅʏɴᴀᴍɪᴄ sʜɪғᴛ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʀᴀɴsᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇɴᴅᴇʀ ɪs ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ sʜɪɴᴇs. ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀᴋᴇs ғᴇᴇʟ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴏᴘʀɪᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ʜɪɢʜ ғᴏʀ ʜɪɢʜ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ—sᴄʜᴏʟᴀʀsʜɪᴘs, ᴘʀᴏᴍ, ʀᴇᴘᴜᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ—ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴄᴏʀᴇ sᴛᴀʏs ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅᴇᴅ ɪɴ ғɪʀsᴛ-ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙɪʟɪᴛʏ.
🎙️𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃:
ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ғᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇs ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴏᴠ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴅᴜᴇᴛ-sᴛʏʟᴇ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴡᴏʀᴋs ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪғᴜʟʟʏ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs sᴛᴏʀʏ. ʜᴀʀᴘᴇʀ’s ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴜʀᴇs ʜᴇʀ ǫᴜɪᴄᴋ ᴡɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴛʜɪɴᴋɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ғᴇᴇʟ sʜʀɪʟʟ. ᴇᴀsᴛᴏɴ’s ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ ʙʀɪɴɢs ᴡᴀʀᴍᴛʜ ᴀɴᴅ sᴜʙᴛʟᴇ sᴏғᴛɴᴇss ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ-ʙᴏʏ ᴇxᴛᴇʀɪᴏʀ. ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋ-ᴀɴᴅ-ғᴏʀᴛʜ ᴅɪᴀʟᴏɢᴜᴇ ғᴇᴇʟs ᴅʏɴᴀᴍɪᴄ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴀʟ, ᴇsᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʙᴀɴᴛᴇʀ-ʜᴇᴀᴠʏ sᴄᴇɴᴇs. ᴅᴜᴇᴛ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴀᴛᴇs ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅs-ᴛᴏ-ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇs ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴇᴛ ʙᴏᴛʜ ɪɴᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ᴘᴇʀsᴘᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇs ɪɴ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴛɪᴍᴇ. ɪᴛ ᴍᴀᴋᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ sʜɪғᴛs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛғᴜʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴇᴍɪsᴛʀʏ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴀʙʟᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀᴄɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ɪs sᴍᴏᴏᴛʜ ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪᴠᴇʟʏ, ᴋᴇᴇᴘɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ ᴛɪᴍɪɴɢ sʜᴀʀᴘ—ᴇsᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴀɴᴋ ғᴀʟʟᴏᴜᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʀᴏᴍ ʙᴜɪʟᴅᴜᴘ.
𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:
🏒 sᴘᴏʀᴛs (ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ) ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ
✨ ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ x ᴘʀᴏᴍ ᴀɢʀᴇᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ
🏒 ʙʟᴀᴄᴋᴍᴀɪʟ sᴇᴛᴜᴘ
✨ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅs-ᴛᴏ-ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs
🏒 ᴜɴʀᴇǫᴜɪᴛᴇᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇ
✨ ʙᴏssʏ ɴᴇʀᴅ ғᴍᴄ x ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ ʙᴏʏ ᴊᴏᴄᴋ ᴍᴍᴄ
🏒 ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴏᴠ
✨ ʜɪɢʜ sᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ ɢʀᴏᴜᴘ ᴄʜᴀᴏs
🏒 sᴇɴɪᴏʀ ᴘʀᴀɴᴋ sʜᴇɴᴀɴɪɢᴀɴs
𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝐼𝒸𝑒 ɪs ᴀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ ʏᴀ ʀᴏᴍ-ᴄᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs sᴡᴏᴏɴʏ ғᴀᴋᴇ-ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ ғᴜɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ᴀᴍᴏᴜɴᴛ ᴏғ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ. ɪᴛ’s ʟɪɢʜᴛ, ɴᴏsᴛᴀʟɢɪᴄ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛ ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ’ʀᴇ ᴄʀᴀᴠɪɴɢ ғɪʀsᴛ-ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀғʟɪᴇs ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʜᴇᴀᴠʏ ᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ. ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ ɢᴏʟᴅᴇɴ-ʙᴏʏ ᴊᴏᴄᴋs sᴏғᴛᴇɴɪɴɢ ғᴏʀ ᴡɪᴛᴛʏ ʜᴇʀᴏɪɴᴇs, ᴘʀᴏᴍ-ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴛᴇɴsɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ ʙᴏʏs ᴡʜᴏ ғᴀʟʟ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀs ʜᴀʀᴅ—ᴛʜɪs ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ᴇᴀsʏ, ғᴇᴇʟ-ɢᴏᴏᴅ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴ.
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I hoped Love on Ice would be an adorable YA entry— thanks to Sara Ney’s quippy writing style (which, in light of the Gen Z characters, felt more timeless than cringey for this millennial reader)— it was just that.
The premise of the novel, acquaintances turned blackmailed conspirators, was not new, but it felt fresh, given the nuanced manner in which both Harper and Easton grappled with their decisions, feeling remorse at every mistake and misgiving. Harper seemed a bit stereotypical at the beginning of the story, and while she didn’t have as much growth as I would have liked, her character quickly turned into one that was likeable and definitely one for which to root. Easton was more layered than expected, though I didn’t quite believe his internal monologue and inner conflict when he first went to Harper’s house to apologize. This was because the pace at which he began to have real feelings for Harper was a bit off, as the change seemed to occur in a whiplash-like manner. Easton only briefly mentioned he had had a crush on Harper two years prior. In my opinion, that detail did not make much sense, as Easton was thoroughly annoyed with Harper until suddenly, he wasn’t, and never brought up the crush after mentioning it in his inner monologue. The crush Easton continued to harbor for Maddie throughout the novel and subsequent confusion, however, were incredibly realistic. That said, the transition between her rejecting Easton and her intermittent presence could have benefited from a scene in which she and Harper interacted.
Separate of the minute issues that Love on Ice had (such as why wasn’t Easton’s brother, Cobie, introduced at some point?), another concern I had was that the title itself seemed to indicate the ice would play a larger part in Harper and Easton’s interactions. Indeed, as the plot progressed, Easton’s position as a hockey player was merely a sticking point re: his ability to freely pursue Harper, despite the two(!) scenes at the rink. Indeed, given the hockey season was over at the point (though basketball wasn’t?), the title didn’t really fit the narrative.
On a more positive note, Harper and Easton’s chemistry was palpable and the development of their (non) relationship flowed easily. Thus, it took less time than I expected to finish the novel and I was charmed at every point.
Thank you very much to Random House Children’s Books, Delacorte Romance, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this ARC!
The premise of the novel, acquaintances turned blackmailed conspirators, was not new, but it felt fresh, given the nuanced manner in which both Harper and Easton grappled with their decisions, feeling remorse at every mistake and misgiving. Harper seemed a bit stereotypical at the beginning of the story, and while she didn’t have as much growth as I would have liked, her character quickly turned into one that was likeable and definitely one for which to root. Easton was more layered than expected, though I didn’t quite believe his internal monologue and inner conflict when he first went to Harper’s house to apologize. This was because the pace at which he began to have real feelings for Harper was a bit off, as the change seemed to occur in a whiplash-like manner. Easton only briefly mentioned he had had a crush on Harper two years prior. In my opinion, that detail did not make much sense, as Easton was thoroughly annoyed with Harper until suddenly, he wasn’t, and never brought up the crush after mentioning it in his inner monologue. The crush Easton continued to harbor for Maddie throughout the novel and subsequent confusion, however, were incredibly realistic. That said, the transition between her rejecting Easton and her intermittent presence could have benefited from a scene in which she and Harper interacted.
Separate of the minute issues that Love on Ice had (such as why wasn’t Easton’s brother, Cobie, introduced at some point?), another concern I had was that the title itself seemed to indicate the ice would play a larger part in Harper and Easton’s interactions. Indeed, as the plot progressed, Easton’s position as a hockey player was merely a sticking point re: his ability to freely pursue Harper, despite the two(!) scenes at the rink. Indeed, given the hockey season was over at the point (though basketball wasn’t?), the title didn’t really fit the narrative.
On a more positive note, Harper and Easton’s chemistry was palpable and the development of their (non) relationship flowed easily. Thus, it took less time than I expected to finish the novel and I was charmed at every point.
Thank you very much to Random House Children’s Books, Delacorte Romance, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ʙᴀꜱɪᴄᴀʟʟʏ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ ʀᴇɴᴛ-ꜰʀᴇᴇ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʙʀᴀɪɴ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ᴍ ʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ ᴄʜᴀʀɢɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴜᴛɪʟɪᴛɪᴇꜱ"
Let’s start with the fact that this book was absolutely adorable. It perfectly captures the drama and chaos of teenage life, complete with awkward moments, cringe-worthy situations, and plenty of immaturity.
The story follows Harper, who’s on the prom decorating committee. She already has the perfect prom dress, but... she doesn’t have a date. Then there’s Easton, a hockey player who, after pulling a prank, ends up in Harper’s backyard. She quickly uses the situation to her advantage and blackmails the poor guy into helping her out. 🤣
There was a scene that made me cringe so bad and it was when Easton was begging his mom for the car. For crying out loud, he’s 18 and such a drama queen 🤣 It was both embarrassing and hilarious.
I also loved how perfect Easton and Harper are for each other. Their relationship felt natural and genuine, I never once felt like the storyline was forced. Everything unfolded smoothly, which made their connection even more enjoyable to read.
If you’re in the mood for a YA rom-com that will make you laugh and includes a touch of sports, this is the one. Give it a chance, I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Release date: February 17th.
Empecemos con que este libro es super cute. Captura a la perfección el drama y el caos de la vida adolescente, con momentos incómodos, situaciones que dan muchísima vergüenza e inmadurez al 100.
La historia sigue a Harper, quien forma parte del comité de decoración del baile de graduación. Ella ya tiene el vestido perfecto para el baile, pero… no tiene cita. Y luego está Easton, un jugador de hockey que, después de hacer la senior prank, termina en el patio de Harper. Ella rápidamente aprovecha la situación y chantajea al pobre para que la ayude. 🤣
Hubo una escena que me dio muchísimo cringe, y fue cuando Easton le estaba rogando a su mamá que le prestara el auto. Dios mio, tiene 18 años y es todo un dramático! 🤣
También me encantó lo perfectos que son Easton y Harper el uno para el otro. Su relación se sintió natural y genuina; en ningún momento sentí que la historia fuera forzada. Todo fluyó de manera natural, lo que hizo que su conexión fuera aún más genuina en la lectura.
Si estás con ganas de una comedia romántica juvenil que te haga reír y que además tenga un toque de deporte, esta es la indicada. Dale una oportunidad, creo que realmente lo vas a disfrutar.
Let’s start with the fact that this book was absolutely adorable. It perfectly captures the drama and chaos of teenage life, complete with awkward moments, cringe-worthy situations, and plenty of immaturity.
The story follows Harper, who’s on the prom decorating committee. She already has the perfect prom dress, but... she doesn’t have a date. Then there’s Easton, a hockey player who, after pulling a prank, ends up in Harper’s backyard. She quickly uses the situation to her advantage and blackmails the poor guy into helping her out. 🤣
There was a scene that made me cringe so bad and it was when Easton was begging his mom for the car. For crying out loud, he’s 18 and such a drama queen 🤣 It was both embarrassing and hilarious.
I also loved how perfect Easton and Harper are for each other. Their relationship felt natural and genuine, I never once felt like the storyline was forced. Everything unfolded smoothly, which made their connection even more enjoyable to read.
If you’re in the mood for a YA rom-com that will make you laugh and includes a touch of sports, this is the one. Give it a chance, I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Release date: February 17th.
Empecemos con que este libro es super cute. Captura a la perfección el drama y el caos de la vida adolescente, con momentos incómodos, situaciones que dan muchísima vergüenza e inmadurez al 100.
La historia sigue a Harper, quien forma parte del comité de decoración del baile de graduación. Ella ya tiene el vestido perfecto para el baile, pero… no tiene cita. Y luego está Easton, un jugador de hockey que, después de hacer la senior prank, termina en el patio de Harper. Ella rápidamente aprovecha la situación y chantajea al pobre para que la ayude. 🤣
Hubo una escena que me dio muchísimo cringe, y fue cuando Easton le estaba rogando a su mamá que le prestara el auto. Dios mio, tiene 18 años y es todo un dramático! 🤣
También me encantó lo perfectos que son Easton y Harper el uno para el otro. Su relación se sintió natural y genuina; en ningún momento sentí que la historia fuera forzada. Todo fluyó de manera natural, lo que hizo que su conexión fuera aún más genuina en la lectura.
Si estás con ganas de una comedia romántica juvenil que te haga reír y que además tenga un toque de deporte, esta es la indicada. Dale una oportunidad, creo que realmente lo vas a disfrutar.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Love on Ice is a standalone young adult (YA) romance dealing with high school seniors and the every day, and not so every day, happenings.
Easton is a hockey player for his high school. He has been accepted to college on a hockey scholarship. He is an introvert that socializes with his teammates/friends, but does not attend dances or other social gatherings. He is focused on hockey and does not want to do anything to screw up his future hockey endeavors.
Harper is a typical high school girl. She has her best friend, Macy, who is now dating one of the hockey players. She is focused on good grades and being a good girl. Her parents barely speak to each other, so she is always on her best behavior so she does not upset the precarious balance they have.
Easton and Harper have spent four years as locker neighbors. They have barely spoken to each other during that time. But things change one night when Harper's dream lands in her lap.
Easton has never done anything against the rules. He has never been interested in girls. His father has constantly reminded him to keep his grades up, keep his nose clean and focus on hockey. But a senior prank forces him to make a choice where neither of his two options are good choices.
When Easton is forced to spend time with Harper as restitution for his bad choice, he finds himself starting to enjoy this time. Part of their agreement is she will teach him how to talk to girls, especially his longtime crush. But in the process, she also learns how to flirt.
She does not understand why Easton is so infatuated with Maddie. She is completely uninterested in him. That is until she thinks there is competition from Harper.
When Maddie steals the one thing from Harper she wants most, how will she and Easton react? How will their friends react? Will this cause Harper to miss the one most important night of her life so far?
This book took me back to high school. Mean girls. Waiting on someone to ask you to prom. Wanting to be popular. Needing to be the best at something. Not necessarily all happy memories, but real life.
I really appreciated when Easton confronted Maddie about why she did what she did. Her answer did not make me like her more, but at least she was honest. I will give her credit for that. But what he does next is a girls dream come true.
And let us not forget about Easton's little sister, Phoebe. She is a spitfire. But she is also the one person he can talk to that will tell him straight what he has done wrong and will help him fix it. I really hope we get to see her book in the future because she is going to be a force to be reckoned with in high school and beyond.
Easton is a hockey player for his high school. He has been accepted to college on a hockey scholarship. He is an introvert that socializes with his teammates/friends, but does not attend dances or other social gatherings. He is focused on hockey and does not want to do anything to screw up his future hockey endeavors.
Harper is a typical high school girl. She has her best friend, Macy, who is now dating one of the hockey players. She is focused on good grades and being a good girl. Her parents barely speak to each other, so she is always on her best behavior so she does not upset the precarious balance they have.
Easton and Harper have spent four years as locker neighbors. They have barely spoken to each other during that time. But things change one night when Harper's dream lands in her lap.
Easton has never done anything against the rules. He has never been interested in girls. His father has constantly reminded him to keep his grades up, keep his nose clean and focus on hockey. But a senior prank forces him to make a choice where neither of his two options are good choices.
When Easton is forced to spend time with Harper as restitution for his bad choice, he finds himself starting to enjoy this time. Part of their agreement is she will teach him how to talk to girls, especially his longtime crush. But in the process, she also learns how to flirt.
She does not understand why Easton is so infatuated with Maddie. She is completely uninterested in him. That is until she thinks there is competition from Harper.
When Maddie steals the one thing from Harper she wants most, how will she and Easton react? How will their friends react? Will this cause Harper to miss the one most important night of her life so far?
This book took me back to high school. Mean girls. Waiting on someone to ask you to prom. Wanting to be popular. Needing to be the best at something. Not necessarily all happy memories, but real life.
I really appreciated when Easton confronted Maddie about why she did what she did. Her answer did not make me like her more, but at least she was honest. I will give her credit for that. But what he does next is a girls dream come true.
And let us not forget about Easton's little sister, Phoebe. She is a spitfire. But she is also the one person he can talk to that will tell him straight what he has done wrong and will help him fix it. I really hope we get to see her book in the future because she is going to be a force to be reckoned with in high school and beyond.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4/6
Cute YA rom-com that starts with blackmail and ends with love (spoilers lol). I read this straight through in one day, the premise was straightforward enough. Boy gets dared to do senior prank, girl catches him, girl blackmails him to take her to prom, one things leads to another, and they fall for eachother. That’s not to say it was all smooth sailing. No! There’s some basic high school drama, nothing too serious, but I thought that the problems the characters were facing were pretty realistic (except for the premise of prank and blackmail lol). But liking someone, not knowing if they like you back, being too scared to confess to them, boys being dumb lol All seemed very realistic to me.
I liked both Harper and Easton’s POVs. I’m not a boy so I can’t guarantee anything, but his seemed realistic to a teenage boy (ball jokes included…). And I kind of liked Harper’s stream of conscious POV, she was very high energy from her perspective, and secondguessing everything (seemed accurate to me lol)! And I appreciated how honest she was about almost everything. Macy was a great best friend and cheerleader (mostly) and she just so happens to be dating Easton’s best friend Marcus, so they tried to be matchmakers which had mixed results lol.
Only thing I didn’t really like was Easton’s full name… Easton Westerman… East West Man… I burst into laughter once that registered. IDK if it was supposed to be a joke, or a placeholder name, but… idk lol
And maybe her name was Harper because she Harped on a lot of things, but she wasn’t too bad. TBH she reminded me (and I envisioned her) as fanfic Hermione (if you know you know). Smart, bookish, brain working a mile a second… All I could picture was Hermione’s bushy head of hair lol Oh! Another thing I didn’t care for, It’s called “Love on Ice” there was very little ice, or hockey happening. In fact, this was prom season! Spring! No ice outside!
Anyways, TLDR: Cute Rom-com, Def YA, making out was as far as they got and that happened twice, but hands stayed above clothes and didn’t really wander. The word “fucking” was used, but as an expletive, not a description of the act. There was also mention of a “hard-on” and “wet dream” in Easton’s section. I would get this book for a teen daughter or niece.
Cute YA rom-com that starts with blackmail and ends with love (spoilers lol). I read this straight through in one day, the premise was straightforward enough. Boy gets dared to do senior prank, girl catches him, girl blackmails him to take her to prom, one things leads to another, and they fall for eachother. That’s not to say it was all smooth sailing. No! There’s some basic high school drama, nothing too serious, but I thought that the problems the characters were facing were pretty realistic (except for the premise of prank and blackmail lol). But liking someone, not knowing if they like you back, being too scared to confess to them, boys being dumb lol All seemed very realistic to me.
I liked both Harper and Easton’s POVs. I’m not a boy so I can’t guarantee anything, but his seemed realistic to a teenage boy (ball jokes included…). And I kind of liked Harper’s stream of conscious POV, she was very high energy from her perspective, and secondguessing everything (seemed accurate to me lol)! And I appreciated how honest she was about almost everything. Macy was a great best friend and cheerleader (mostly) and she just so happens to be dating Easton’s best friend Marcus, so they tried to be matchmakers which had mixed results lol.
Only thing I didn’t really like was Easton’s full name… Easton Westerman… East West Man… I burst into laughter once that registered. IDK if it was supposed to be a joke, or a placeholder name, but… idk lol
And maybe her name was Harper because she Harped on a lot of things, but she wasn’t too bad. TBH she reminded me (and I envisioned her) as fanfic Hermione (if you know you know). Smart, bookish, brain working a mile a second… All I could picture was Hermione’s bushy head of hair lol Oh! Another thing I didn’t care for, It’s called “Love on Ice” there was very little ice, or hockey happening. In fact, this was prom season! Spring! No ice outside!
Anyways, TLDR: Cute Rom-com, Def YA, making out was as far as they got and that happened twice, but hands stayed above clothes and didn’t really wander. The word “fucking” was used, but as an expletive, not a description of the act. There was also mention of a “hard-on” and “wet dream” in Easton’s section. I would get this book for a teen daughter or niece.
February 18, 2026
There’s something undeniably magical about first love—the kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, disguised as a deal, a dare, or a desperate attempt to keep a secret. Love on Ice captures that exact lightning-in-a-bottle feeling, blending humor, vulnerability, and heart-melting chemistry into a story that feels as tender as it is electric.
Harper Conrad is sharp, observant, and far more self-aware than most people give her credit for. She knows opportunities when she sees them, and catching rival hockey star Easton Westermann red-handed in her backyard gives her the perfect one. Their bargain—her silence in exchange for him being her prom date—is supposed to be simple. Transactional. Temporary. But what unfolds between them is anything but.
Easton is more than the confident athlete everyone sees at school. Beneath his cocky exterior is a boy carrying pressure, expectations, and a surprising softness that he doesn’t show easily. Watching him slowly let his guard down around Harper is one of the most rewarding parts of the story. Their relationship builds in layers—awkward, hesitant, charged with meaning in every glance and every moment they linger just a little too long.
Sara Ney excels at capturing the emotional intensity of being young and on the cusp of everything—adulthood, heartbreak, independence, and love. Harper and Easton’s connection feels authentic because it grows out of shared moments rather than grand gestures. It’s in the quiet conversations, the stolen looks, and the realization that what started as pretend has become the most real thing either of them has ever experienced.
What makes this story especially compelling is how it balances sweetness with emotional depth. It isn’t just about falling in love—it’s about learning to trust someone with your truth, even when it’s terrifying. It’s about realizing that sometimes the person who enters your life unexpectedly is exactly who you needed all along.
Love on Ice is soft, nostalgic, and quietly powerful—a love story that reminds you how transformative first love can be, and how the bravest thing you can do is let yourself feel it fully.
I had the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication, and these are my honest thoughts.
Harper Conrad is sharp, observant, and far more self-aware than most people give her credit for. She knows opportunities when she sees them, and catching rival hockey star Easton Westermann red-handed in her backyard gives her the perfect one. Their bargain—her silence in exchange for him being her prom date—is supposed to be simple. Transactional. Temporary. But what unfolds between them is anything but.
Easton is more than the confident athlete everyone sees at school. Beneath his cocky exterior is a boy carrying pressure, expectations, and a surprising softness that he doesn’t show easily. Watching him slowly let his guard down around Harper is one of the most rewarding parts of the story. Their relationship builds in layers—awkward, hesitant, charged with meaning in every glance and every moment they linger just a little too long.
Sara Ney excels at capturing the emotional intensity of being young and on the cusp of everything—adulthood, heartbreak, independence, and love. Harper and Easton’s connection feels authentic because it grows out of shared moments rather than grand gestures. It’s in the quiet conversations, the stolen looks, and the realization that what started as pretend has become the most real thing either of them has ever experienced.
What makes this story especially compelling is how it balances sweetness with emotional depth. It isn’t just about falling in love—it’s about learning to trust someone with your truth, even when it’s terrifying. It’s about realizing that sometimes the person who enters your life unexpectedly is exactly who you needed all along.
Love on Ice is soft, nostalgic, and quietly powerful—a love story that reminds you how transformative first love can be, and how the bravest thing you can do is let yourself feel it fully.
I had the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication, and these are my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, I have to get this out of the way: There was not nearly enough ice or hockey for me in this book. The ice and hockey parts are more set dressing than essential to the book. It’s not so much a complaint but wanting people to be aware that if you’re hoping for something like descriptions of games or lots of ice time, you’re not going to find it here.
This is a light, fluffy book for the most part with some teen angst, funny school pranks, and light friend dynamics. It’s cute overall and doesn’t offer a lot of substance, which is perfectly fine if that’s not what you’re looking for. I’d probably enjoy this more if I was a part of the target audience, back wondering if the boy I had a crush on liked me back and worrying about high school issues. It’s fun. It has a cute ending. You could end the review there.
My biggest complaint about the book is that Easton is frustrating. Even when he’s kissing Harper or spending time with Harper, he’s thinking about another girl. Bruh. It’s not even clear WHY he’s into the other girl other than… she’s hot and has a lot of followers. I get that teenage boys like pretty girls, but he’s so obviously slow to even try to get over his obsession with this girl he knows almost nothing about while he’s actively kissing someone else. Similarly, I got occasionally annoyed with Harper because why is she so annoyed at Maddie all the time? It felt more like insecurity than anything real, so it felt heated and undeveloped for no reason at times.
I was a little put off by the fact that there isn’t really a resolution to the school prank situation. They’re so worried about it for the whole book, and then it’s just… let go. I wanted more of a conclusion to this.
The characters can sound and act a little young, but there are a decent number of f words and mentions of things like his physical reaction to seeing a girl.
Overall, it’s a pretty basic but cute book with a few frustrating elements for me personally. I think it’s a fun option for YA romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is a light, fluffy book for the most part with some teen angst, funny school pranks, and light friend dynamics. It’s cute overall and doesn’t offer a lot of substance, which is perfectly fine if that’s not what you’re looking for. I’d probably enjoy this more if I was a part of the target audience, back wondering if the boy I had a crush on liked me back and worrying about high school issues. It’s fun. It has a cute ending. You could end the review there.
My biggest complaint about the book is that Easton is frustrating. Even when he’s kissing Harper or spending time with Harper, he’s thinking about another girl. Bruh. It’s not even clear WHY he’s into the other girl other than… she’s hot and has a lot of followers. I get that teenage boys like pretty girls, but he’s so obviously slow to even try to get over his obsession with this girl he knows almost nothing about while he’s actively kissing someone else. Similarly, I got occasionally annoyed with Harper because why is she so annoyed at Maddie all the time? It felt more like insecurity than anything real, so it felt heated and undeveloped for no reason at times.
I was a little put off by the fact that there isn’t really a resolution to the school prank situation. They’re so worried about it for the whole book, and then it’s just… let go. I wanted more of a conclusion to this.
The characters can sound and act a little young, but there are a decent number of f words and mentions of things like his physical reaction to seeing a girl.
Overall, it’s a pretty basic but cute book with a few frustrating elements for me personally. I think it’s a fun option for YA romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 3, 2025
When I requested the arc for Love on Ice - I solely requested based on the cover (yes I am someone who judges a book by it's cover). Much to my surprise, this book was about high school seniors... I am far past that age now so I was worried I would not enjoy this story. I am SO glad that I requested based off of the cover because I adored this book.
Easton and Harper are the cutest couple. I enjoyed their dynamic a lot - it was sweet, endearing, respectful, and funny. I like that Sara really showed how to 'tease' your partner but in a respectful and cute way. No where in this book did I think the teasing went too far. I think Sara also portrayed their 'relationship' problems well, I think we all have faced these problems within our relationships. It was super nice to be able to relate to. The way they BOTH owned up to their mistakes and apologized was so healthy. It's so refreshing to read cute little stories like this... makes your heart warm.
Easton - a boy who is 'in love' with the high school 'it' girl and finds out she really is not all that great. He truly grew throughout the book and it was nice to see. His little nerves and funny moments was precious. I also enjoyed his meltdown on the way to prom (iykyk), I think it needed to be said and the way he said it was super respectful.
Harper - a girl with a beautiful prom dress but no date... girl she could've gone by herself and still had a blast. I think she was too worried about what others thought (we have all been there). I'm glad that she eventually didn't care, but I also love how outspoken she was in the beginning and throughout the book.
SPOILER BELOW:
I think the date that Easton planned on Prom Night was SOOOO CUTE!!!!!!! I think it definitely made up for his actions especially with this grand gesture. I do wish they spent more time at Prom though. I hope Sara writes a sequel to this one and has it be their college experience... it would be so wholesome.
Thanks Netgalley and Sara Ney for this arc!!
Easton and Harper are the cutest couple. I enjoyed their dynamic a lot - it was sweet, endearing, respectful, and funny. I like that Sara really showed how to 'tease' your partner but in a respectful and cute way. No where in this book did I think the teasing went too far. I think Sara also portrayed their 'relationship' problems well, I think we all have faced these problems within our relationships. It was super nice to be able to relate to. The way they BOTH owned up to their mistakes and apologized was so healthy. It's so refreshing to read cute little stories like this... makes your heart warm.
Easton - a boy who is 'in love' with the high school 'it' girl and finds out she really is not all that great. He truly grew throughout the book and it was nice to see. His little nerves and funny moments was precious. I also enjoyed his meltdown on the way to prom (iykyk), I think it needed to be said and the way he said it was super respectful.
Harper - a girl with a beautiful prom dress but no date... girl she could've gone by herself and still had a blast. I think she was too worried about what others thought (we have all been there). I'm glad that she eventually didn't care, but I also love how outspoken she was in the beginning and throughout the book.
SPOILER BELOW:
I think the date that Easton planned on Prom Night was SOOOO CUTE!!!!!!! I think it definitely made up for his actions especially with this grand gesture. I do wish they spent more time at Prom though. I hope Sara writes a sequel to this one and has it be their college experience... it would be so wholesome.
Thanks Netgalley and Sara Ney for this arc!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If I read this with the mindset of a middle schooler, I think it'd be an enjoyable book. The way Harper talks reminds me of the girls in The Clique, a series I enjoyed as a kid.
Harper talks so juvinille-y. It's frustrating. She'll say 'effing' but also 'shit'. Is that not a swear? She won't let things go. She continues to talk talk talk. She's so annoying. No wonder she needed to blackmail Easton to be her prom date and do a promposal.
"I am such an asshole forcing him to go to this dance with me because I didnt want to go dateless." Yes, yes you are. I'm all for a forced proximity trope, but this is blackmail and I'm not fond of that.
That, and the random first kiss / make out session. Easton went from his brain fritzing out at his crush talking to him to kissing another girl in a span of days? Totally makes sense. This happens again the next time they run into Maddie. I don't know man, but it sounds like the author was purposefully trying to create doubt and unnatural tension between the MMC and the two girls.
The super glue scene? Who uses those tiny tubes of super glue for large projects? It wasn't believable, regardless of my age. He mentioned that his finger was stuck to her neck, but every other time they mention her chest. Consistency.
When Easton invites Harper to watch him scrimmage, she brings Macy. Macy who is going to prom with a hockey teammate and was totally fine in an earlier hockey scene. Suddenly she's freezing cold in a 55° F rink to the point where she's constantly asking to leave until she storms out alone? Sure. That's totally believable. The effort to manufacture these moments between the two MCs is a bit painful.
They aren't in a relationship and Easton wanted to be FWB until Harper said they should just be friends. Yet somehow him giving Maddie a ride to school was treated like he cheated on her. ???
I'm glad that at the end of the day, she finally showed remorse for blackmailing Easton. The ending was nice. The grand gesture was very cute and thoughtful.
Harper talks so juvinille-y. It's frustrating. She'll say 'effing' but also 'shit'. Is that not a swear? She won't let things go. She continues to talk talk talk. She's so annoying. No wonder she needed to blackmail Easton to be her prom date and do a promposal.
"I am such an asshole forcing him to go to this dance with me because I didnt want to go dateless." Yes, yes you are. I'm all for a forced proximity trope, but this is blackmail and I'm not fond of that.
That, and the random first kiss / make out session. Easton went from his brain fritzing out at his crush talking to him to kissing another girl in a span of days? Totally makes sense. This happens again the next time they run into Maddie. I don't know man, but it sounds like the author was purposefully trying to create doubt and unnatural tension between the MMC and the two girls.
The super glue scene? Who uses those tiny tubes of super glue for large projects? It wasn't believable, regardless of my age. He mentioned that his finger was stuck to her neck, but every other time they mention her chest. Consistency.
When Easton invites Harper to watch him scrimmage, she brings Macy. Macy who is going to prom with a hockey teammate and was totally fine in an earlier hockey scene. Suddenly she's freezing cold in a 55° F rink to the point where she's constantly asking to leave until she storms out alone? Sure. That's totally believable. The effort to manufacture these moments between the two MCs is a bit painful.
They aren't in a relationship and Easton wanted to be FWB until Harper said they should just be friends. Yet somehow him giving Maddie a ride to school was treated like he cheated on her. ???
I'm glad that at the end of the day, she finally showed remorse for blackmailing Easton. The ending was nice. The grand gesture was very cute and thoughtful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2025
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
Thank you to NetGallery and the Delacorte Romance publishers for the advanced copy of this book for an honest review!
On her last year of high school, Harper Conrad wants nothing more than to have a handsome date to senior prom. Her wish is granted as Easton Burbank stumbles into her yard to pull off his senior prank as a consequence. Harper ends up blackmailing Easton to be her prom date as she’ll assist him in pulling off the crime of stealing their school’s rival mascot. Easy plan, right? Except Harper is hiding a secret that Easton doesn’t know about all along.
As my first ARC review, I’m excited! But to be honest, I lost interest in the book within the first few pages but had hope of it getting better over time. The writing isn’t the best, despite it being categorized for young adult, it felt middle school. The structure of the sentences on the pages felt like it lacked depth in character’s thoughts. It felt shallow and surfaced level along with the characters themselves. I understand Harper and Easton are teenagers but I found myself cringing at their thoughts sometimes.. especially one particular like in the book where Easton said that he had a “hard-on for Maddie since middle school”. Another thing is, it’s advertised as a hockey romance but there barely any mentioning of hockey. Despite all the things I didn’t enjoy about the book, there is a few good things. I love that the author added vulnerabilities in the characters especially with Maddie, dealing with an insecurity of being her true self. I enjoyed the banter between Harper and Easton, it was light hearted and it reflected how teenagers behave and speak with each other like. One of my favorite line was from Harper’s bestfriend when she said “you look chopped”, I wouldn’t ever expect to see that in a book and it made me giggle. Overall, I’m open to reading other works from the author.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
Thank you to NetGallery and the Delacorte Romance publishers for the advanced copy of this book for an honest review!
On her last year of high school, Harper Conrad wants nothing more than to have a handsome date to senior prom. Her wish is granted as Easton Burbank stumbles into her yard to pull off his senior prank as a consequence. Harper ends up blackmailing Easton to be her prom date as she’ll assist him in pulling off the crime of stealing their school’s rival mascot. Easy plan, right? Except Harper is hiding a secret that Easton doesn’t know about all along.
As my first ARC review, I’m excited! But to be honest, I lost interest in the book within the first few pages but had hope of it getting better over time. The writing isn’t the best, despite it being categorized for young adult, it felt middle school. The structure of the sentences on the pages felt like it lacked depth in character’s thoughts. It felt shallow and surfaced level along with the characters themselves. I understand Harper and Easton are teenagers but I found myself cringing at their thoughts sometimes.. especially one particular like in the book where Easton said that he had a “hard-on for Maddie since middle school”. Another thing is, it’s advertised as a hockey romance but there barely any mentioning of hockey. Despite all the things I didn’t enjoy about the book, there is a few good things. I love that the author added vulnerabilities in the characters especially with Maddie, dealing with an insecurity of being her true self. I enjoyed the banter between Harper and Easton, it was light hearted and it reflected how teenagers behave and speak with each other like. One of my favorite line was from Harper’s bestfriend when she said “you look chopped”, I wouldn’t ever expect to see that in a book and it made me giggle. Overall, I’m open to reading other works from the author.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
August 31, 2025
In this book we follow Harper, who one day catches Easton trespassing in her own backyard after stealing their rival school's mascot. To assure her silence, Easton agrees to go to their senior prom with Harper as her date.
The main tropes are friends to lovers and a prom agreement.
For the characters, overall I liked Harper's creativity, even though at times she would behave as if Easton could read her mind, and I thought please just tell him what you think.
Now, for Easton, he was at times a bit clumsy with his decision-making some of them were really questionable, but at the end of the day he's a man, so a lot of his actions will be arguable. I don't want to spoil anything, but there were some moments in the story where the choices he made were the worst he could have done, which made me roll my eyes multiple times.
For their relationship, the build-up was made on ups and downs. They were cute together but I liked more the parts before the actual Relationship, they had good Chemistry even though some of their interactions seemed a bit childish sometimes.
My biggest problem with this book is that the characters did not behave like seventeen-year-olds for the majority of the story, I felt like some of them were childish. If I didn't know what age they were, I could have assumed that they were fourteen or fifteen years old. It might be an issue in young adult books, trying not to age the characters too much or not too young, but having these kinds of behaviors and interactions at seventeen was a bit unrealistic to me.
Finally, I liked the Pitch Perfect reference, it was a cute and fast young adult read.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The main tropes are friends to lovers and a prom agreement.
For the characters, overall I liked Harper's creativity, even though at times she would behave as if Easton could read her mind, and I thought please just tell him what you think.
Now, for Easton, he was at times a bit clumsy with his decision-making some of them were really questionable, but at the end of the day he's a man, so a lot of his actions will be arguable. I don't want to spoil anything, but there were some moments in the story where the choices he made were the worst he could have done, which made me roll my eyes multiple times.
For their relationship, the build-up was made on ups and downs. They were cute together but I liked more the parts before the actual Relationship, they had good Chemistry even though some of their interactions seemed a bit childish sometimes.
My biggest problem with this book is that the characters did not behave like seventeen-year-olds for the majority of the story, I felt like some of them were childish. If I didn't know what age they were, I could have assumed that they were fourteen or fifteen years old. It might be an issue in young adult books, trying not to age the characters too much or not too young, but having these kinds of behaviors and interactions at seventeen was a bit unrealistic to me.
Finally, I liked the Pitch Perfect reference, it was a cute and fast young adult read.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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