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Breaking Barriers
Quite the Pair
Not yet published
Expected 26 Feb 26She’s the feisty figure skater he can’t resist. He’s the rugged former hockey player who gets under her skin. Together, they’re quite the pair.
Isla Covington is ready for a comeback. Losing both her pairs skating partner and her marriage last year crushed her, but she’s never surrendered to a challenge. She’s determined to prove everyone wrong about her reputation as a difficult ice queen and climb her way back to the top of the podium.
Wes Davidson is a notorious grump, but he’ll sacrifice anything for the people he loves. After the devastation of his divorce five years ago, Wes prefers his single life, running his business, playing hockey with his friends, and holding his family together.
Until Isla enters his life and partners with his figure skater brother.
Now, she’s sitting across from Wes at family dinners, skating in his rink, and invading his simple life. He hates that he can’t get enough of her. Isla won’t allow her intense attraction to the unfairly hot man to distract from her goal, but Wes’s smoldering glares and quiet strength test her discipline.
It isn’t long before their bickering turns to flirty banter, affection, and an irresistible heat that burns every time they’re together. When cracks begin to form in the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, Wes and Isla face the hardest decision of their lives: to open their hearts to love or continue to run from it.
QUITE THE PAIR is a spicy figure skating romance from the Breaking Barrier series, featuring grumpy x grumpy, forced proximity, dislike to love, and he falls first and harder tropes.
Isla Covington is ready for a comeback. Losing both her pairs skating partner and her marriage last year crushed her, but she’s never surrendered to a challenge. She’s determined to prove everyone wrong about her reputation as a difficult ice queen and climb her way back to the top of the podium.
Wes Davidson is a notorious grump, but he’ll sacrifice anything for the people he loves. After the devastation of his divorce five years ago, Wes prefers his single life, running his business, playing hockey with his friends, and holding his family together.
Until Isla enters his life and partners with his figure skater brother.
Now, she’s sitting across from Wes at family dinners, skating in his rink, and invading his simple life. He hates that he can’t get enough of her. Isla won’t allow her intense attraction to the unfairly hot man to distract from her goal, but Wes’s smoldering glares and quiet strength test her discipline.
It isn’t long before their bickering turns to flirty banter, affection, and an irresistible heat that burns every time they’re together. When cracks begin to form in the walls they’ve built to protect themselves, Wes and Isla face the hardest decision of their lives: to open their hearts to love or continue to run from it.
QUITE THE PAIR is a spicy figure skating romance from the Breaking Barrier series, featuring grumpy x grumpy, forced proximity, dislike to love, and he falls first and harder tropes.
- GenresRomanceFigure Skating
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 26, 2026
122 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Kincaid
4 books60 followersKathryn Kincaid writes contemporary romance with banter, heat, and love so sweet. Her stories feature sports, mental health representation, and characters finding the love they deserve.
Kathryn lives in North Carolina. When she's not daydreaming about her next story, you can find her obsessing over book boyfriends, devouring love stories, and cheering on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Keep up on the latest on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (@authorkathrynkincaid).
Kathryn lives in North Carolina. When she's not daydreaming about her next story, you can find her obsessing over book boyfriends, devouring love stories, and cheering on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Keep up on the latest on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (@authorkathrynkincaid).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was given an ARC of Quite the Pair by Kathryn Kincaid, I really enjoyed this story.
Isla has moved back to her home town after her personal and professional lives both imploded, she's found herself a new skating partner but trouble brews when the guy who accidentally hit her brothers car door turns out to be the owner of the ice rink they use to train at and he is her new partners brother.
The characters were really well written, the story moved along very well and I finished this over a three night reading session. I also appreciated the trigger warnings at the front of the book.
Isla has moved back to her home town after her personal and professional lives both imploded, she's found herself a new skating partner but trouble brews when the guy who accidentally hit her brothers car door turns out to be the owner of the ice rink they use to train at and he is her new partners brother.
The characters were really well written, the story moved along very well and I finished this over a three night reading session. I also appreciated the trigger warnings at the front of the book.
January 11, 2026
This was adorable. The banter was quality, the characters real and relatable. A good sprinkle of spice- no third act break up. Really enjoyed this read. Definitely recommend
January 4, 2026
Thank you to the author for this ARC 🫶🏻
Isla is recently divorced and as a professional ice skater, she’s got a new partner. Wes is a retired hockey player and Isla is his brother’s new partner. They had a moment as teens and never reconnected.
They start off on the wrong foot but have to be cordial at the rink. Isla’s parents are awful and Wes offers to be her fake date. They quickly learn their feelings aren’t fake.
Both of them are divorced and know that relationships can be hard to maintain. Isla is always going to put skating first but Wes is so proud of her! They support and love each other through the tough times!
These two had pretty good communication and I enjoyed their story!
Isla is recently divorced and as a professional ice skater, she’s got a new partner. Wes is a retired hockey player and Isla is his brother’s new partner. They had a moment as teens and never reconnected.
They start off on the wrong foot but have to be cordial at the rink. Isla’s parents are awful and Wes offers to be her fake date. They quickly learn their feelings aren’t fake.
Both of them are divorced and know that relationships can be hard to maintain. Isla is always going to put skating first but Wes is so proud of her! They support and love each other through the tough times!
These two had pretty good communication and I enjoyed their story!
January 6, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC! This one was truly magical on and off the ice ✨❄️
We follow Isla as she returns to figure skating, moves in with her brother, and pairs with a new skating partner who just so happens to be the brother of Wes, the boy she shared her first kiss with at sixteen and then lost contact with. Cue fourteen years of unresolved history and lots of tension! You’re fully immersed in both perspectives with dual POV, which makes the slow burn hit even harder.
Strong-willed MCs, a grumpy x grumpy dynamic, and just the right amount of spice made this such a fun read that I couldn’t put down. If you love skating romances with heart, heat, and dual POV storytelling, this one is a must-read.
We follow Isla as she returns to figure skating, moves in with her brother, and pairs with a new skating partner who just so happens to be the brother of Wes, the boy she shared her first kiss with at sixteen and then lost contact with. Cue fourteen years of unresolved history and lots of tension! You’re fully immersed in both perspectives with dual POV, which makes the slow burn hit even harder.
Strong-willed MCs, a grumpy x grumpy dynamic, and just the right amount of spice made this such a fun read that I couldn’t put down. If you love skating romances with heart, heat, and dual POV storytelling, this one is a must-read.
January 1, 2026
✨Isla is determined to keep her paired skating career intact and is willing to do whatever it takes even if she is paired with Spencer the brother of her first kiss.
✨Wess owns a local ice rink in town and is taking care of his niece. He’s the grumpiest but is willing to get along for his brother.
The more their bickering banter continues the more the lines blur and I just love it.
✨both of them are jaded and are afraid to repeat their romantic history which I understand but I love when they become brave and communicate how they feel 🥰
⛸️Figure skater x former hockey player
⛸️Workplace
⛸️Forced proximity
⛸️Interconnected past
⛸️Grumpy x sunshine
⛸️spice
✨Wess owns a local ice rink in town and is taking care of his niece. He’s the grumpiest but is willing to get along for his brother.
The more their bickering banter continues the more the lines blur and I just love it.
✨both of them are jaded and are afraid to repeat their romantic history which I understand but I love when they become brave and communicate how they feel 🥰
⛸️Figure skater x former hockey player
⛸️Workplace
⛸️Forced proximity
⛸️Interconnected past
⛸️Grumpy x sunshine
⛸️spice
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC read from netgalley
This book was a very fun read. I read it in a few hours and smiled through most of it. Wes & Isla are both easy characters to love and easy to love together. Their chemistry with each other is fairly realistic & their dynamic with their family members was easy to relate to. The storyline moved along fairly quickly, but that was part of the appeal for me, it added to the overall feel good vibe I think the author was going for. The writing of the book was strong, the plot was fun, & the spice was flirty. I'll definitely be looking into more books by Kathryn Kincaid.
This book was a very fun read. I read it in a few hours and smiled through most of it. Wes & Isla are both easy characters to love and easy to love together. Their chemistry with each other is fairly realistic & their dynamic with their family members was easy to relate to. The storyline moved along fairly quickly, but that was part of the appeal for me, it added to the overall feel good vibe I think the author was going for. The writing of the book was strong, the plot was fun, & the spice was flirty. I'll definitely be looking into more books by Kathryn Kincaid.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a free copy of this publication for the purpose of review.
Isabella 'Isla' Covington's career seems to have hit a dead end after her divorce and subsequent split from her pairs figure skating partner. She's worried she'll never skate professionally again until she gets an offer from a very unlikely source, Spencer Davidson, whose own career was in question after his previous pairs partner retired. But when Isla moves to start practice with Spencer she realizes that Spencer's brother, Wesley, was her first kiss over a decade ago, and the scrawny boy she remembers is not who she meets in the parking lot getting coffee. Has their chemistry survived the intervening years and heartbreak, or will this be one more roadblock?
"But if I had to boil it down, I'd say it's because my soul knows peace when you're near me."
This was such, such a great read and I basically devoured it within 24 hours. Both Isla and Wes were immediately relatable. They're both older, they've both lived years and seen life, so they have a lot of experiences that drew me in. Wes has been a primary caretaker for his father with dementia alongside providing a sense of stability for their family. Isla has had to fight for her independence and ability to pursue her career and passion. I could really feel the years they've lived, which I love to see in a book.
The side characters are great here, especially Wes' family. Spencer is a constant ball of sunshine and he brings some much needed levity to both Isla and Wes. I especially enjoy that Spencer shows his genuine affection for Isla. He hugs her, they play around and goof off sometimes during practice. It feels like a healthy and authentic relationship with a good friend. I would have liked to see more of Wes' niece, Thea, as her character and role are great and I loved Isla's growing relationship with her.
The spice was really great for me, and definitely carried by Isla. I am all in on her knowing what she wants and asking for it whenever she wants it. I want to see more of that in books and it was so incredibly refreshing to see her take charge in her and Wes' encounters. That's not to say Wes doesn't have his charms, he certainly does. But God does Isla push his buttons and it's so fun to read.
I'm so glad I got a chance to read an advanced copy of this. I finished and immediately pre-ordered a signed copy because I want to have this on my shelf, and I can't wait to read more from Kathryn!
Isabella 'Isla' Covington's career seems to have hit a dead end after her divorce and subsequent split from her pairs figure skating partner. She's worried she'll never skate professionally again until she gets an offer from a very unlikely source, Spencer Davidson, whose own career was in question after his previous pairs partner retired. But when Isla moves to start practice with Spencer she realizes that Spencer's brother, Wesley, was her first kiss over a decade ago, and the scrawny boy she remembers is not who she meets in the parking lot getting coffee. Has their chemistry survived the intervening years and heartbreak, or will this be one more roadblock?
"But if I had to boil it down, I'd say it's because my soul knows peace when you're near me."
This was such, such a great read and I basically devoured it within 24 hours. Both Isla and Wes were immediately relatable. They're both older, they've both lived years and seen life, so they have a lot of experiences that drew me in. Wes has been a primary caretaker for his father with dementia alongside providing a sense of stability for their family. Isla has had to fight for her independence and ability to pursue her career and passion. I could really feel the years they've lived, which I love to see in a book.
The side characters are great here, especially Wes' family. Spencer is a constant ball of sunshine and he brings some much needed levity to both Isla and Wes. I especially enjoy that Spencer shows his genuine affection for Isla. He hugs her, they play around and goof off sometimes during practice. It feels like a healthy and authentic relationship with a good friend. I would have liked to see more of Wes' niece, Thea, as her character and role are great and I loved Isla's growing relationship with her.
The spice was really great for me, and definitely carried by Isla. I am all in on her knowing what she wants and asking for it whenever she wants it. I want to see more of that in books and it was so incredibly refreshing to see her take charge in her and Wes' encounters. That's not to say Wes doesn't have his charms, he certainly does. But God does Isla push his buttons and it's so fun to read.
I'm so glad I got a chance to read an advanced copy of this. I finished and immediately pre-ordered a signed copy because I want to have this on my shelf, and I can't wait to read more from Kathryn!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Quite the Pair by Kathryn Kincaid
This book is the definition of grown up romance done right. Emotional, swoony, grounded, and quietly addictive in the best way.
Isla and Wes are both coming into this story bruised by life in ways that feel real. Isla is rebuilding after losing both her skating partner and her marriage, fighting not just for her career but for her sense of self. Wes is a grumpy former hockey player who has learned how to survive by keeping his world small and controlled. Neither of them is looking for love. Both of them desperately need it.
Their dynamic is immaculate. Grumpy meets grumpy. Forced proximity. Thinly veiled irritation that turns into banter, then warmth, then an ache you feel every time they share a look. The chemistry builds slowly and naturally, and when it hits, it hits hard. Wes absolutely falls first and harder, and watching him soften for Isla while still being solid and protective was everything.
What I loved most is how adult this romance feels. These are characters with real baggage, real communication struggles, and real growth. No manufactured drama. No needless miscommunication. Just two people learning how to trust again while standing on very thin ice emotionally and literally.
The skating backdrop adds so much texture. The rink, the training, the pressure of competition all mirror Isla’s internal fight to prove she is more than the reputation people pinned on her. The side characters shine, especially the family dynamics, and the pacing makes this impossible to put down.
If you love sports romance with depth, sharp banter, emotional healing, and a hero who worships the ground the heroine skates on, you need this book on your radar.
#QuiteThePair #KathrynKincaid #SportsRomance #FigureSkatingRomance #RomanceReads
This book is the definition of grown up romance done right. Emotional, swoony, grounded, and quietly addictive in the best way.
Isla and Wes are both coming into this story bruised by life in ways that feel real. Isla is rebuilding after losing both her skating partner and her marriage, fighting not just for her career but for her sense of self. Wes is a grumpy former hockey player who has learned how to survive by keeping his world small and controlled. Neither of them is looking for love. Both of them desperately need it.
Their dynamic is immaculate. Grumpy meets grumpy. Forced proximity. Thinly veiled irritation that turns into banter, then warmth, then an ache you feel every time they share a look. The chemistry builds slowly and naturally, and when it hits, it hits hard. Wes absolutely falls first and harder, and watching him soften for Isla while still being solid and protective was everything.
What I loved most is how adult this romance feels. These are characters with real baggage, real communication struggles, and real growth. No manufactured drama. No needless miscommunication. Just two people learning how to trust again while standing on very thin ice emotionally and literally.
The skating backdrop adds so much texture. The rink, the training, the pressure of competition all mirror Isla’s internal fight to prove she is more than the reputation people pinned on her. The side characters shine, especially the family dynamics, and the pacing makes this impossible to put down.
If you love sports romance with depth, sharp banter, emotional healing, and a hero who worships the ground the heroine skates on, you need this book on your radar.
#QuiteThePair #KathrynKincaid #SportsRomance #FigureSkatingRomance #RomanceReads
January 11, 2026
Thanks NetGalley for the Arc!
The characters: amazing characters. I adore books that give me 30+ plus characters . I really enjoyed everyone in this book from our two leads Wes & Isla to all of the secondary characters. I really enjoyed all of the interweaving relationships, and how that balanced out the romance. Every single person was really really likable and really relatable. I especially loved Spencer. The way his sunshine personality balanced out the grumpiness was greated. His relationship with Isla was wonderfulZ And I just adore the little found family that was created with those three & Thea/Brooks
The romance: I really enjoyed Wes & Isla‘s relationship. The banter was everything. It did feel a little insta lovely to me. I liked the addition of them, knowing each other as kids, but I feel like we leaned too much on that in the present time. It had been years since they seen each other so I wish the build up had been a little slower. However I loved the way these two loved each other. Wes standing up for her & supporting her career….I love a big cuddley supportive man
The writing: I did enjoy the writing very much. The character work in this book was so well done, but I do feel like there were some places where we could’ve lingered and built more tension which would’ve made this a five star for me. But overall it was so good
Favorite Quote: “I didn’t need someone else to believe in me to know that I’m talented, that I can do anything that I commit to, but it feels fucking incredible to have it.”
The characters: amazing characters. I adore books that give me 30+ plus characters . I really enjoyed everyone in this book from our two leads Wes & Isla to all of the secondary characters. I really enjoyed all of the interweaving relationships, and how that balanced out the romance. Every single person was really really likable and really relatable. I especially loved Spencer. The way his sunshine personality balanced out the grumpiness was greated. His relationship with Isla was wonderfulZ And I just adore the little found family that was created with those three & Thea/Brooks
The romance: I really enjoyed Wes & Isla‘s relationship. The banter was everything. It did feel a little insta lovely to me. I liked the addition of them, knowing each other as kids, but I feel like we leaned too much on that in the present time. It had been years since they seen each other so I wish the build up had been a little slower. However I loved the way these two loved each other. Wes standing up for her & supporting her career….I love a big cuddley supportive man
The writing: I did enjoy the writing very much. The character work in this book was so well done, but I do feel like there were some places where we could’ve lingered and built more tension which would’ve made this a five star for me. But overall it was so good
Favorite Quote: “I didn’t need someone else to believe in me to know that I’m talented, that I can do anything that I commit to, but it feels fucking incredible to have it.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first book by this author, and I absolutely adored it! Isla, a renowned figure skater, has just uprooted her life to move in with her brother after her recent pairs partner abandoned her and her divorce is finalized. With a fortunate twist of fate, she partners with another figure skater in town, Spencer, whose brother, Wes, owns the ice-skating rink where they practice. Both are stubborn and grumpy at heart, leading to frequent encounters. Despite the undeniable attraction and tension, neither is willing to give in to their feelings due to trust issues and past relationships.
This delightful read is a perfect blend of ice skating sports romance , forced proximity, and an exquisite slow burn romance. The author skillfully builds the tension and slow burn, focusing on the story and Isla’s journey of healing and recovery. The pacing is spot-on, and I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing Isla find true friends and family who genuinely care about her well-being. She finally has the people who support and prioritize her happiness.
Isla is a fierce, stubborn, and feisty figure skater, and I love that about her. She doesn’t conform to the stereotype of a “soft figure skater.” Wes, on the other hand, is strong, caring, and devoted to his family. Spencer, his brother, is a happy and carefree soul, and I found the contrast between them incredibly entertaining. Spencer provides comic relief and adds a touch of levity to the story.
Overall, this book was awesome that helped me break out of my reading slump.
This delightful read is a perfect blend of ice skating sports romance , forced proximity, and an exquisite slow burn romance. The author skillfully builds the tension and slow burn, focusing on the story and Isla’s journey of healing and recovery. The pacing is spot-on, and I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing Isla find true friends and family who genuinely care about her well-being. She finally has the people who support and prioritize her happiness.
Isla is a fierce, stubborn, and feisty figure skater, and I love that about her. She doesn’t conform to the stereotype of a “soft figure skater.” Wes, on the other hand, is strong, caring, and devoted to his family. Spencer, his brother, is a happy and carefree soul, and I found the contrast between them incredibly entertaining. Spencer provides comic relief and adds a touch of levity to the story.
Overall, this book was awesome that helped me break out of my reading slump.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing this ARC!
This book had me giggling and kicking my feet. It was the perfect combination of romance and witty banter. The pacing was flawless. This is my first Kathryn Kincaid book and I will be reading her whole backlist and any future releases.
I love that this book starts with showing Isla and Brooks' dynamic. I think with romance books we can often sail past the family/sibling bonding moments to "get to the romance" but I loved seeing beautiful family foundations set up. It's clear these two have been through a lot together, but also separately while still supporting one another through their individual troubles. I loved their relationship throughout the whole book and I was so happy that they had each other while growing up in a less than ideal family situation.
Isla and Wes were so funny and their banter had me laughing out loud. The fact that Wes imagines his cat having the "voice of a British aristocrat" had me seriously thinking about what voices all the furry friends in my life would have! I truly feel like their relationship progressed so naturally and beautifully. They have been through real life problems and I believe that helped them feel so much more relatable.
The third act conflict was such a natural fit and easily resolved which I really appreciated.
I most definitely want to pick up the other books in this interconnected series by different authors and dive back into this world.
This book had me giggling and kicking my feet. It was the perfect combination of romance and witty banter. The pacing was flawless. This is my first Kathryn Kincaid book and I will be reading her whole backlist and any future releases.
I love that this book starts with showing Isla and Brooks' dynamic. I think with romance books we can often sail past the family/sibling bonding moments to "get to the romance" but I loved seeing beautiful family foundations set up. It's clear these two have been through a lot together, but also separately while still supporting one another through their individual troubles. I loved their relationship throughout the whole book and I was so happy that they had each other while growing up in a less than ideal family situation.
Isla and Wes were so funny and their banter had me laughing out loud. The fact that Wes imagines his cat having the "voice of a British aristocrat" had me seriously thinking about what voices all the furry friends in my life would have! I truly feel like their relationship progressed so naturally and beautifully. They have been through real life problems and I believe that helped them feel so much more relatable.
The third act conflict was such a natural fit and easily resolved which I really appreciated.
I most definitely want to pick up the other books in this interconnected series by different authors and dive back into this world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review
Antecdotal thoughts while reading (I do not reread the author's blurb giving me book snippets. I like a completely neutral start to reading books.)
There is a content warning.
Open door
Isla - FMC, not happy about returning to NC, divorced, structured, pairs ice skater, teaches classes on the side
Brooks - older brother of Isla, timeliness isn't his strong suit, former NBA, recovering addict, goes to therapy 👍
Spencer - new pairs partner for Isla, LGBTQIA+
Wesley (Wes) - Spencer's brother, former D1 hockey player, currently recreational hockey player, niece Thea will be staying with him for the summer, divorced, owns the rink
Wes and Isla have some sort of past from their teenage years.
Welp, that's one way to reconnect, verbal castration and a door ding.
Oh the tension between those two!!
Ok Wesley, what's the escape plan for the ex and father sighting?
You're right Isla, don't let them take your voice.
🎶 she came in like a wrecking ball 🎶
Bold move at the bar
🎇 at the family dinner...Wowza!
Brooks, why can't you accept your growth?? "I have better tools at my disposal, that's all. But I'll always have the same brain. I can't change that." While that is all true Brooks, you have self awareness.
New York - you've got this Isla and Spencer! ⛸️
Wes, the support and priorities ❤️
Oh 💩
Stairwell, go!!
Main takeaway from story...know, understand, and take nothing less than your true worth because YOU ARE WORTHY of love and support!!
Antecdotal thoughts while reading (I do not reread the author's blurb giving me book snippets. I like a completely neutral start to reading books.)
There is a content warning.
Open door
Isla - FMC, not happy about returning to NC, divorced, structured, pairs ice skater, teaches classes on the side
Brooks - older brother of Isla, timeliness isn't his strong suit, former NBA, recovering addict, goes to therapy 👍
Spencer - new pairs partner for Isla, LGBTQIA+
Wesley (Wes) - Spencer's brother, former D1 hockey player, currently recreational hockey player, niece Thea will be staying with him for the summer, divorced, owns the rink
Wes and Isla have some sort of past from their teenage years.
Welp, that's one way to reconnect, verbal castration and a door ding.
Oh the tension between those two!!
Ok Wesley, what's the escape plan for the ex and father sighting?
You're right Isla, don't let them take your voice.
🎶 she came in like a wrecking ball 🎶
Bold move at the bar
🎇 at the family dinner...Wowza!
Brooks, why can't you accept your growth?? "I have better tools at my disposal, that's all. But I'll always have the same brain. I can't change that." While that is all true Brooks, you have self awareness.
New York - you've got this Isla and Spencer! ⛸️
Wes, the support and priorities ❤️
Oh 💩
Stairwell, go!!
Main takeaway from story...know, understand, and take nothing less than your true worth because YOU ARE WORTHY of love and support!!
January 15, 2026
i enjoyed this!! isla was a likeable character and i enjoyed her and wes’ romance and story!
i do wish there had been a bit more figure skating going on but there was still a decent amount!! was very fun that i was reading this while watching the european figure skating championships, specifically the pairs! very on brand and fitting
i also wish this was longer - at under 200 pages it felt more like a novella, and as such it just made it feel like something was missing or that as a reader we’re missing key parts about how isla and wes’ relationship progressed, they seemed to be talking about weeks passing and i felt like we’d missed what had happened in that time, and it just made it feel like everything had moved so quickly! made for a very quick and easy read but would’ve preferred a bit more and for it to be at least 300 pages long! would’ve seen more of their relationship blossoming as well as more of spencer and their figure skating journey!
loved the side characters and thought they were well developed but also they could’ve been a bit more! again if this book was longer i think they would’ve been!
overall though this was a good, quick and easy read and a sweet romance with a good amount of figure skating too, just left me wishing for more!
thank you to netgalley for this arc!!
i do wish there had been a bit more figure skating going on but there was still a decent amount!! was very fun that i was reading this while watching the european figure skating championships, specifically the pairs! very on brand and fitting
i also wish this was longer - at under 200 pages it felt more like a novella, and as such it just made it feel like something was missing or that as a reader we’re missing key parts about how isla and wes’ relationship progressed, they seemed to be talking about weeks passing and i felt like we’d missed what had happened in that time, and it just made it feel like everything had moved so quickly! made for a very quick and easy read but would’ve preferred a bit more and for it to be at least 300 pages long! would’ve seen more of their relationship blossoming as well as more of spencer and their figure skating journey!
loved the side characters and thought they were well developed but also they could’ve been a bit more! again if this book was longer i think they would’ve been!
overall though this was a good, quick and easy read and a sweet romance with a good amount of figure skating too, just left me wishing for more!
thank you to netgalley for this arc!!
January 8, 2026
4 ⭐️ and 2 🌶️
I was given a digital ARC of this book by NetGalley but the review is all my own opinion.
This is a sports romance but the fun thing about it is that she is the professional athlete and he has a ‘normal’ job. Isla is a professional figure skater who has a new partner after a horrible divorce and a tabloid filled split from her previous pairs partner. She has moved back to her hometown to be paired with Wes (MMCs) brother. Wes owns the rink they will be practicing in. Isla and Wes had a moment as teenagers that I would describe as a missed connection.
This is a forced proximity, single dad, dislike to love, he falls first, grumpy/grumpy romance.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing was well done and the story flowed really well. I do think that some of the relationships could have been fleshed out a little more. This was a pretty short book (200 pages on NetGalley reader) so I don’t think it would have made it too long for a romance. I loved the snark from both of the MCs and the sunshine from the brother. I enjoyed the evil ex-husband side troupe and I wish there had been more of him seeing her happy and seething (I don’t know why I love this I just do!).
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more of Kathryn’s books!
Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!
I was given a digital ARC of this book by NetGalley but the review is all my own opinion.
This is a sports romance but the fun thing about it is that she is the professional athlete and he has a ‘normal’ job. Isla is a professional figure skater who has a new partner after a horrible divorce and a tabloid filled split from her previous pairs partner. She has moved back to her hometown to be paired with Wes (MMCs) brother. Wes owns the rink they will be practicing in. Isla and Wes had a moment as teenagers that I would describe as a missed connection.
This is a forced proximity, single dad, dislike to love, he falls first, grumpy/grumpy romance.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing was well done and the story flowed really well. I do think that some of the relationships could have been fleshed out a little more. This was a pretty short book (200 pages on NetGalley reader) so I don’t think it would have made it too long for a romance. I loved the snark from both of the MCs and the sunshine from the brother. I enjoyed the evil ex-husband side troupe and I wish there had been more of him seeing her happy and seething (I don’t know why I love this I just do!).
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more of Kathryn’s books!
Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!
January 13, 2026
Boy am I a suckerrrr for a good sports romance! This book by Kathryn Kincaid was such a quick/fun read! I was lucky enough to get an arc of this ebook and it was the perfectttt book to read while I was traveling. I loved that this book took on a little bit of a twist on a typical sports romance book in which the mmc was not the skating partner of the fmc but was actually the brother of her new skating partner andddd someone who happened to play an important part in her past.
Throughout the book we get to see Isla’s skating journey with Spencer and along the way see her connect with her new grumpy boss and his brother, Wes, who happens to be a big softy… cue the yearning! I loved the fact that they were both divorced and how this was explored during the story. I also loved that they were both cat parents because I’m a sucker for anything animals 😹
I loved Isla and Wes so much as main characters, but a big selling point for me were the other characters and storylines in the book. Spencer, Brooks, and Thea were the best and I loved how they were integral into helping Isla heal from her past and showing her what she really deserved, especially from the men in her life.
I highly enjoyed this book and ate it up in one day of traveling!
Throughout the book we get to see Isla’s skating journey with Spencer and along the way see her connect with her new grumpy boss and his brother, Wes, who happens to be a big softy… cue the yearning! I loved the fact that they were both divorced and how this was explored during the story. I also loved that they were both cat parents because I’m a sucker for anything animals 😹
I loved Isla and Wes so much as main characters, but a big selling point for me were the other characters and storylines in the book. Spencer, Brooks, and Thea were the best and I loved how they were integral into helping Isla heal from her past and showing her what she really deserved, especially from the men in her life.
I highly enjoyed this book and ate it up in one day of traveling!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really wanted to love this book, and honestly, it's not bad, it just wasn't for me. Personally, it's somewhere around a 3.5/5 for me. There's a lot here that works. The characters were solid, the writing was good, the backstory was there, and the setup was genuinely promising.
My biggest issue was that everything felt rushed. The plot had so much potential, and I just wish it had been explored a bit more. It's framed as an enemies-to-lovers situation, but with a shared history that makes it a bit more complicated - which is honestly the ideal setup. Unfortunately, it felt like some important moments were skipped, especially in the transition between those dynamics.
This may just come down to personal taste, but the relationship vibes were very happy-go-lucky, like everything was always going to work out. I wanted more tension, more fights, more drama. The book did attempt to introduce some angst, but it felt like a very optimistic person's idea of angst. I personally just wanted them to be meaner.
That said, I can absolutely see why other people would love this. It just didn't hit for me, and that's okay.
My biggest issue was that everything felt rushed. The plot had so much potential, and I just wish it had been explored a bit more. It's framed as an enemies-to-lovers situation, but with a shared history that makes it a bit more complicated - which is honestly the ideal setup. Unfortunately, it felt like some important moments were skipped, especially in the transition between those dynamics.
This may just come down to personal taste, but the relationship vibes were very happy-go-lucky, like everything was always going to work out. I wanted more tension, more fights, more drama. The book did attempt to introduce some angst, but it felt like a very optimistic person's idea of angst. I personally just wanted them to be meaner.
That said, I can absolutely see why other people would love this. It just didn't hit for me, and that's okay.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC!
This definitely hit my Sports romance with spice craving I had and will definitely be continuing with the series and going back to read previous books.
The FMC is Isla, who is a recently divorced figure skater. She is moving back home to start competing again with a new partner. Her first day heading to meet her new partner, someone hits her brothers car door when getting out . They end up getting off on the wrong foot. She comes to find out he is her new skating partners brother and her first kiss from when she was a kid.
The MMC is Wes, a retired hockey player. he owns the rink that Isla & Spencer practice in.
He knew it was her from the moment the met at the coffee shop parking lot. His first kiss from childhood. The girl that got away.
You get to watch the characters have a slowburn, enemies to lovers romance. While staying professional because of her skating partner being his brother.
Troupes include:
-Enemies to lovers
-Work place romance
-Slowburn
-Sports Romance
This definitely hit my Sports romance with spice craving I had and will definitely be continuing with the series and going back to read previous books.
The FMC is Isla, who is a recently divorced figure skater. She is moving back home to start competing again with a new partner. Her first day heading to meet her new partner, someone hits her brothers car door when getting out . They end up getting off on the wrong foot. She comes to find out he is her new skating partners brother and her first kiss from when she was a kid.
The MMC is Wes, a retired hockey player. he owns the rink that Isla & Spencer practice in.
He knew it was her from the moment the met at the coffee shop parking lot. His first kiss from childhood. The girl that got away.
You get to watch the characters have a slowburn, enemies to lovers romance. While staying professional because of her skating partner being his brother.
Troupes include:
-Enemies to lovers
-Work place romance
-Slowburn
-Sports Romance
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2026
After a falling out with her partner, Isla moves to pair up with a new figure skating partner, Spencer. What she does not anticipate is learning that Spencer’s brother is the sweet boy she met years ago, who has since grown to be the grumpy man that now owns the skating rink where she will be practicing. After a rough start involving a parking lot and a dent, Isla and Wes must learn to get along for Spencer’s sake.
My thoughts:
This was adorable, I love Isla and Wes! If you’ve ever wanted an Icebreaker or Off Campus book with some more grown-up characters with their own relationship baggage and faults, this is it! The pacing was great, the banter was adorable, and the side characters really stood out! Thanks to author Kathryn Kincaid for the opportunity to read this early, I cannot wait to check out the other books in the series 🥰
My thoughts:
This was adorable, I love Isla and Wes! If you’ve ever wanted an Icebreaker or Off Campus book with some more grown-up characters with their own relationship baggage and faults, this is it! The pacing was great, the banter was adorable, and the side characters really stood out! Thanks to author Kathryn Kincaid for the opportunity to read this early, I cannot wait to check out the other books in the series 🥰
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have always been a huge fan of Kathryn's writing. There is something that is so comforting about it, and this one was no different. I loved how both Isla and Wes were both grumps, in their 30s, and divorced. I thought that was super unique. I thought it was done so well too. They had fun banter and the cutest flirty moments. I loved all the side characters too, Spencer, Thea, and Brooks. I liked how most of them had sunshine personalities which balanced out Wes and Isla. Overall, I loved this book. Isla was so fierce and Wes was a cinnamon roll who was there for everyone. Also, having read the All In series I loved the little cameos from some of my favorites from that series!
Thanks so much to Kathryn Kincaid for the eARC.
Thanks so much to Kathryn Kincaid for the eARC.
January 10, 2026
Thank you to Victory Editing, Kathryn Kincaid, and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion on this book.
Isla Covington is ready for a comeback, after losing her figure skating partner and going through a divorce, she is ready to come back with a new partner and show everyone who called her an ice queen wrong!
I really enjoyed this story! When I read the full description, it gave me a little bit of a throwback to the movie The Cutting Edge- one of my favorites! I loved seeing Isla’s journey of healing and making a new team for herself. There are a few characters and situations I wish would have had some more detail, but that didn’t really stop me from enjoying this book wholeheartedly!
Isla Covington is ready for a comeback, after losing her figure skating partner and going through a divorce, she is ready to come back with a new partner and show everyone who called her an ice queen wrong!
I really enjoyed this story! When I read the full description, it gave me a little bit of a throwback to the movie The Cutting Edge- one of my favorites! I loved seeing Isla’s journey of healing and making a new team for herself. There are a few characters and situations I wish would have had some more detail, but that didn’t really stop me from enjoying this book wholeheartedly!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a very interesting story. Both characters being the sharp edged, grumpy, you don't want to mess with them person of their family. who met coincidentally many years before. meet again under different circumstances, and find love in eachother. both characters were complex, and were more than what the other originally thought. they each grew and learned to trust the other, and formed a family with the people they surrounded themselves with. they chose to be more than what their family name is, or who they were thought to be.
spice 3/5
characters 4/5
dialogue 3/5 (cringy at points)
story 5/5
spice 3/5
characters 4/5
dialogue 3/5 (cringy at points)
story 5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a copy of this for my honest review
Our FMCs life has basically blown up. She is finally divorced and now her skating partner ends their partnership after he was rejected by her. The solution - move in with her brother and try and partner the Ice Queen as she is dubbed with one of skatings golden boys. Our MMC is her new partners brother. But he is also her first kiss and neither one is sure the other remembers that day. He also owns the rink that she and his brother will practice in. Throw in that his sister has shipped her daughter off to him for the summer, and you could say his world is upsidedown.
Our FMCs life has basically blown up. She is finally divorced and now her skating partner ends their partnership after he was rejected by her. The solution - move in with her brother and try and partner the Ice Queen as she is dubbed with one of skatings golden boys. Our MMC is her new partners brother. But he is also her first kiss and neither one is sure the other remembers that day. He also owns the rink that she and his brother will practice in. Throw in that his sister has shipped her daughter off to him for the summer, and you could say his world is upsidedown.
Read
January 7, 2026Thank you to Kathryn Kincaid and her team for allowing me to ARC read "Quite the pair" release 26th February.
The story follows Isla Covington, a paired figure skater, moving back home (to her brother Brooks place) to become a new skating pair with Spencer Davidson. The romance comes when Isla and Spencers older brother Wes meet... Again.
'use me'
Grumpy X grumpy
Forced proximity
Dislike to love
He falls first and harder
I really enjoyed reading this book and it was a quick and easy read. Something i didn't want to put down.
I loved the relationship between all characters and their own little found family situation. Definitely worth the read.
The story follows Isla Covington, a paired figure skater, moving back home (to her brother Brooks place) to become a new skating pair with Spencer Davidson. The romance comes when Isla and Spencers older brother Wes meet... Again.
'use me'
Grumpy X grumpy
Forced proximity
Dislike to love
He falls first and harder
I really enjoyed reading this book and it was a quick and easy read. Something i didn't want to put down.
I loved the relationship between all characters and their own little found family situation. Definitely worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book!
This follows Isla, a figure skater who recently split from her husband and skating partner. She ends up moving home to skate with a new partner, who happens to be the brother of the boy she had her first kiss with as a teenager. I loved Isla and Wes's meet-cute in this book. Wes dings Isla's brother's car door when she arrives for her first meeting with her skating partner. Their love story was so beautiful that I read this book in one sitting. One thing I appreciated was that trigger warnings were included at the start of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
This follows Isla, a figure skater who recently split from her husband and skating partner. She ends up moving home to skate with a new partner, who happens to be the brother of the boy she had her first kiss with as a teenager. I loved Isla and Wes's meet-cute in this book. Wes dings Isla's brother's car door when she arrives for her first meeting with her skating partner. Their love story was so beautiful that I read this book in one sitting. One thing I appreciated was that trigger warnings were included at the start of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating 4.5
I really enjoyed this book about Isla, a figure skater and her new partner’s brother. She doesn’t even realize he’s the first guy she kissed years ago. Wes is a grump, but written in a way that makes him lovable. Isla wants to succeed in her sport, and prove her former partner and family wrong. Wes has never forgotten about Isla, but tries to control his desires to protect himself. This book is loosely connected to the Breaking Barriers series, but can be read as a standalone. Kathryn Kincaid’s writing is made me love these characters and I’m looking forward to reading more from her.
I really enjoyed this book about Isla, a figure skater and her new partner’s brother. She doesn’t even realize he’s the first guy she kissed years ago. Wes is a grump, but written in a way that makes him lovable. Isla wants to succeed in her sport, and prove her former partner and family wrong. Wes has never forgotten about Isla, but tries to control his desires to protect himself. This book is loosely connected to the Breaking Barriers series, but can be read as a standalone. Kathryn Kincaid’s writing is made me love these characters and I’m looking forward to reading more from her.
January 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this story! It was sweet, it was spicy, and full of heart. Not only does this story have a great love story, but it also has a beautiful found family. This books showcases the importance of family and how sometimes family is not only blood. Family can just be the people who love you and will always be there for you even at your worst.
Now, back to the love story! I absolutely love Wes and Isla! They are both grumpy people who have been through tough relationships in the past. They want to protect their hearts, but they find comfort in each other. And what starts out as casual may turn into something more.
Now, back to the love story! I absolutely love Wes and Isla! They are both grumpy people who have been through tough relationships in the past. They want to protect their hearts, but they find comfort in each other. And what starts out as casual may turn into something more.
January 5, 2026
I received an eARC of this book, and I knew right from the first mention of the John Nicks Pairs Challenge that unlike many other figure skating romance novels, this would be a book that got things right. What also set this one apart is that the romance is not with the FMC’s skating partner, but with his brother, which adds another interesting dynamic, one I greatly enjoyed. The relationship between Isla and Wes develops naturally, and the spicy scenes didn’t give me the ick at all. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read that ends up on the podium for me, and a book I’ll certainly read again when I get the physical copy.
(Also, bonus points to Kincaid for seamlessly working in the pronunciation of Isla’s name, because for the first two chapters, I was calling her Iss-la in my head, not Eye-la.)
(Also, bonus points to Kincaid for seamlessly working in the pronunciation of Isla’s name, because for the first two chapters, I was calling her Iss-la in my head, not Eye-la.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you so much to Kathryn Kincaid for sending me an ARC copy of this book. Inwas very excited for it and it didn't disappoint!
I always enjoy sports romances and its always refreshing to have a female centered one. I loved the grumpy x grumpy trope. It never fails to disappoint. You also cant go wrong with two people finding each other again and being meant for one another. At certain points I will say I felt the book was a little fast with the plot and I wished we got some more details with characters, but I overall enjoyed it!
Thank you so much to Kathryn Kincaid for sending me an ARC copy of this book. Inwas very excited for it and it didn't disappoint!
I always enjoy sports romances and its always refreshing to have a female centered one. I loved the grumpy x grumpy trope. It never fails to disappoint. You also cant go wrong with two people finding each other again and being meant for one another. At certain points I will say I felt the book was a little fast with the plot and I wished we got some more details with characters, but I overall enjoyed it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Short, sweet, fun! Quite the pair is a really nice ice skating romance with low stakes, no miscommunication and a really cute, grumpy couple. I really enjoyed reading this, even if it was not the most innovative of stories it’s a perfect book to just devour in one sitting and get over a reading slump.
Summary: Isla and Wes, a determined skater and a grump ex-hockey player, navigate attraction, challenges, and potential love.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.
Summary: Isla and Wes, a determined skater and a grump ex-hockey player, navigate attraction, challenges, and potential love.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.
January 10, 2026
The characters in this book are relatable and easy to fall for. The grumpy/grumpy trope is fun because the banter is on point. Neither of them gives an inch and they both feed off it and love it. Plus you get a ton of sunshine from the surrounding characters.
There was a point near the middle of the book where one of the characters had a realization and my heart dropped into my stomach in the best possible way. There was a lot of emotion between the MCs and it was easy to connect with what they were feeling. The found family and supporting cast was also strong.
I’m excited to read the rest of the series. I was trying to figure out what other characters get their own books ha.
The spice is immaculately written with lots of details and perspectives. They certainly have to get creative and be okay with a bit of exhibition hahahaha.
There was a point near the middle of the book where one of the characters had a realization and my heart dropped into my stomach in the best possible way. There was a lot of emotion between the MCs and it was easy to connect with what they were feeling. The found family and supporting cast was also strong.
I’m excited to read the rest of the series. I was trying to figure out what other characters get their own books ha.
The spice is immaculately written with lots of details and perspectives. They certainly have to get creative and be okay with a bit of exhibition hahahaha.
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