What do you think?
Rate this book
Breaking Barriers
Quite the Pair
She’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.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2026
About the author
Kathryn Kincaid
4 books70 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).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
March 11, 2026
Probably more like a 3.5 rounded down
So there are some stellar scenes in this story and I loved the pairing of two seemingly grumpy people burrowing beneath each other’s guards to find happiness and belonging. There are also fantastic themes of moving past toxicity, finding your people and safe space, and showing up for others. Some aspects did fall flat. I felt that the characters sometimes read immaturely while they were being grumpy and still in their dislike phase. There’s some spinning of wheels happening where the mains are caught in a mental rut, which also leads to some repetition. Ultimately this was entertaining, but not fantastic for me personally.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, light om drama where the h’s ex is douche on page. Both are experienced and both have been celibate for a while.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Grumpy/grumpy
☆ Figure skater x ice skating rink owner/brother of her new partner
☆ Both divorced
☆ They had a sweet, missed opportunity as teens
☆ MMC who gives everything for his people
☆ FMC who’s been held back by the toxicity of others
☆ Found family
☆ Lovely side characters
☆ Some cute animal sidekicks
☆ Small town
☆ Slow burn
Isla (h) went through a divorce and the loss of her skating partner because of each trying to impose their wants on her. She’s feisty and fighting to stay connected to the sport she loves. Isla does have some negative motivation happening and her general headspace seems to mean that she defaults to snark and poor expectations of others. She needed some on page therapy. Wes (H) also went through a divorce and now focuses on his business and immediate family. I found him to be less grumpy, but very reactionary to Isla, usually with a poor outcome in how they felt about each other. I felt empathy for how he was supporting his dad, his brother, and his teenage niece, triggering some challenging emotions.
Most of Isla and Wes’s interactions center around the rink and skating. It takes a bit for them to (re)connect (their shared moment as teens takes some time to address too). I didn’t love that when they started to move away from the dislike, it was more centered on their attraction to each other. The steaminess is good and there are multiple scenes, it’s just even though they could be vulnerable with each other in scenes, they had the relationship talk later than I prefer. At least their internal thoughts told a more complex story than just lust.
What doesn’t happen late is the adoration I had for both their brothers. Isla and Wes were blessed with scene-stealing brothers lol. Wes’s niece was also a great side character. I wish I could say that Isla’s parents were too, but they’re better left in the cold. This felt like a smaller cast and there aren’t too many scenes of the mains with others outside of the core group. The setting is a small town, without the small town supporting characters just FYI.
The climax covers the emotional fears, what they mean to each other, and the pairs skating. I can’t pinpoint where this didn’t hit the notes I wish it had, but it didn’t. The epilogue is sweet and they’re moving forward into their HEA, with Isla literally being asked to move in. It’s clear they’ll eventually get married. I think maybe Isla’s brother may have a book in this shared world (other authors wrote connected, but standalone themes with some character overlap I think), so perhaps Wes and Isla get some more on page time.
So there are some stellar scenes in this story and I loved the pairing of two seemingly grumpy people burrowing beneath each other’s guards to find happiness and belonging. There are also fantastic themes of moving past toxicity, finding your people and safe space, and showing up for others. Some aspects did fall flat. I felt that the characters sometimes read immaturely while they were being grumpy and still in their dislike phase. There’s some spinning of wheels happening where the mains are caught in a mental rut, which also leads to some repetition. Ultimately this was entertaining, but not fantastic for me personally.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, light om drama where the h’s ex is douche on page. Both are experienced and both have been celibate for a while.
Some tropes/themes:
☆ Grumpy/grumpy
☆ Figure skater x ice skating rink owner/brother of her new partner
☆ Both divorced
☆ They had a sweet, missed opportunity as teens
☆ MMC who gives everything for his people
☆ FMC who’s been held back by the toxicity of others
☆ Found family
☆ Lovely side characters
☆ Some cute animal sidekicks
☆ Small town
☆ Slow burn
Isla (h) went through a divorce and the loss of her skating partner because of each trying to impose their wants on her. She’s feisty and fighting to stay connected to the sport she loves. Isla does have some negative motivation happening and her general headspace seems to mean that she defaults to snark and poor expectations of others. She needed some on page therapy. Wes (H) also went through a divorce and now focuses on his business and immediate family. I found him to be less grumpy, but very reactionary to Isla, usually with a poor outcome in how they felt about each other. I felt empathy for how he was supporting his dad, his brother, and his teenage niece, triggering some challenging emotions.
Most of Isla and Wes’s interactions center around the rink and skating. It takes a bit for them to (re)connect (their shared moment as teens takes some time to address too). I didn’t love that when they started to move away from the dislike, it was more centered on their attraction to each other. The steaminess is good and there are multiple scenes, it’s just even though they could be vulnerable with each other in scenes, they had the relationship talk later than I prefer. At least their internal thoughts told a more complex story than just lust.
What doesn’t happen late is the adoration I had for both their brothers. Isla and Wes were blessed with scene-stealing brothers lol. Wes’s niece was also a great side character. I wish I could say that Isla’s parents were too, but they’re better left in the cold. This felt like a smaller cast and there aren’t too many scenes of the mains with others outside of the core group. The setting is a small town, without the small town supporting characters just FYI.
The climax covers the emotional fears, what they mean to each other, and the pairs skating. I can’t pinpoint where this didn’t hit the notes I wish it had, but it didn’t. The epilogue is sweet and they’re moving forward into their HEA, with Isla literally being asked to move in. It’s clear they’ll eventually get married. I think maybe Isla’s brother may have a book in this shared world (other authors wrote connected, but standalone themes with some character overlap I think), so perhaps Wes and Isla get some more on page time.
March 2, 2026
This was cute! My fav of the series so far!
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I got this book from netgalley but this review is entirely my own opinion.
40% book progress
I am in love with these two and the side characters. Not much has happened in the relationship side of the story so far but it feels more natural and not rushed which I like in books. The books starting to show more connection between isla and wes now that they know what happened after their first meeting when they were teenagers and can move past it. Also the part when he says she was his first kiss as well, I honestly squealed!
60% book progress
My heart is breaking for brooks, I want to learn more about him and his past.
Brooks and isla's family are truly awful and dont deserve brook and isla. Especially since they ambushed her with the ex and the ex mother in law. I loved she stood her ground in what she wants in life and that is to focus on her career.
Finished
I liked the book, it was easy to follow along with. I did expect some more interactions from the ex and the parents but there wasn't any after the dinner chapter. At the skating competition, I was so sad for isla as she worked her ass off for months with Spencer, I thought they might have been some sabotage from the old skating partner to cause the fall.
Over all I think this book was cute and a good read and I am interested in see the authors other work. I really want to see a Spencer and brooks book!
40% book progress
I am in love with these two and the side characters. Not much has happened in the relationship side of the story so far but it feels more natural and not rushed which I like in books. The books starting to show more connection between isla and wes now that they know what happened after their first meeting when they were teenagers and can move past it. Also the part when he says she was his first kiss as well, I honestly squealed!
60% book progress
My heart is breaking for brooks, I want to learn more about him and his past.
Brooks and isla's family are truly awful and dont deserve brook and isla. Especially since they ambushed her with the ex and the ex mother in law. I loved she stood her ground in what she wants in life and that is to focus on her career.
Finished
I liked the book, it was easy to follow along with. I did expect some more interactions from the ex and the parents but there wasn't any after the dinner chapter. At the skating competition, I was so sad for isla as she worked her ass off for months with Spencer, I thought they might have been some sabotage from the old skating partner to cause the fall.
Over all I think this book was cute and a good read and I am interested in see the authors other work. I really want to see a Spencer and brooks book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2026
I would like to say a big thank you to Kathryn Kincaid and Victory editing for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC and leave my honest review.
I love hockey and figure skating romances, so when I came across this book on Netgalley I was instantly interested. Thank you so much to netgalley for providing me with this opportunity.
This book was so heartwarming and I really liked that the main characters were older and the story didn’t only focus on the figure skating and hockey storyline. I really appreciated how Kathryn wrote about other aspects of their life too. Such as caring for a parent with Dementia, becoming the primary caretaker for an extended member of the family and the impact of going through a divorce. I felt these matters were written incredibly well and very relatable.
Every time Isla and Wes interacted with each other.. I loved it!! The chemistry and the slow burn tension from the start was amazing!!🥰 I really enjoyed the pace of how their relationship progressed throughout the book and I particularly loved when they were fake dating in front of Isla ex-husband!! That scene was everything!!😍
Isla has definitely become one of my top FMC in a sports romance. She is such an icon with her comebacks and I loved her banter with Wes! I also really liked her relationship with Wes niece Thea, it felt very special to read and I loved how much warmth and understanding they gave one another.
Another great development was watching Isla gain a healthy partnership with her skating partner Spencer. I loved how he always had patience, kindness and understanding for Isla. Spencer really was a lovely and funny side character!
The ending felt a little rushed for me but the love and acceptance at the end was very sweet for all characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I would highly recommend this book to all sports romance readers!
Official rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
🌶️🌶️
I love hockey and figure skating romances, so when I came across this book on Netgalley I was instantly interested. Thank you so much to netgalley for providing me with this opportunity.
This book was so heartwarming and I really liked that the main characters were older and the story didn’t only focus on the figure skating and hockey storyline. I really appreciated how Kathryn wrote about other aspects of their life too. Such as caring for a parent with Dementia, becoming the primary caretaker for an extended member of the family and the impact of going through a divorce. I felt these matters were written incredibly well and very relatable.
Every time Isla and Wes interacted with each other.. I loved it!! The chemistry and the slow burn tension from the start was amazing!!🥰 I really enjoyed the pace of how their relationship progressed throughout the book and I particularly loved when they were fake dating in front of Isla ex-husband!! That scene was everything!!😍
Isla has definitely become one of my top FMC in a sports romance. She is such an icon with her comebacks and I loved her banter with Wes! I also really liked her relationship with Wes niece Thea, it felt very special to read and I loved how much warmth and understanding they gave one another.
Another great development was watching Isla gain a healthy partnership with her skating partner Spencer. I loved how he always had patience, kindness and understanding for Isla. Spencer really was a lovely and funny side character!
The ending felt a little rushed for me but the love and acceptance at the end was very sweet for all characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I would highly recommend this book to all sports romance readers!
Official rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
🌶️🌶️
February 26, 2026
This book was so goood!! It was exactly what I needed to read and I was in love instantly! I love the meet cute they had when they were young and the fact that they still think about it 14 years later is adorable, I love the chance that brings them back into each other lives and the dynamic that they have! The grumpy vs sassy is everything and I was so happy to read this book
February 19, 2026
After Isla split up with her iceskating partner because he couldn’t accept she didn’t reciprocate his feelings and Wes’s partner had to retire due to an injury, they decide to team up thanks to their mutual friends Maggie and Rowan (from Beyond the Court by Stef C.R.).
Isla’s first day is off to a rocky start after someone scratched the car she borrowed from her brother and that someone turns out to be the brother of her new partner and the owner of the rink where they’ll practice. But soon she finds out there’s a whole other layer to his grumpiness.
What I truly enjoyed in this story: the maturity of both MC who each went through a divorce, have to deal with family issues (taking care of a parent with dementia and setting boundaries with parents who don’t respect your choices), the found family, the respectful and open communication, the friendship, support and team work next to the romance.
Spencer (the ice skating partner) is such a bright ray of sunshine and I hope his story will follow!
Thank you @victoryeditingngc for providing this book for review consideration via @netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Isla’s first day is off to a rocky start after someone scratched the car she borrowed from her brother and that someone turns out to be the brother of her new partner and the owner of the rink where they’ll practice. But soon she finds out there’s a whole other layer to his grumpiness.
What I truly enjoyed in this story: the maturity of both MC who each went through a divorce, have to deal with family issues (taking care of a parent with dementia and setting boundaries with parents who don’t respect your choices), the found family, the respectful and open communication, the friendship, support and team work next to the romance.
Spencer (the ice skating partner) is such a bright ray of sunshine and I hope his story will follow!
Thank you @victoryeditingngc for providing this book for review consideration via @netgalley. All opinions are my own.
February 26, 2026
What To Expect:
- figure skater x former hockey player
- dislike to lovers
- grumpy x grumpy
- he falls first and harder
- divorced mc in 30s
- forced proximity
- found family
- dual pov
- open door
i ate this book up! and omg the banter? yes please! i will never say no to some good banter
i loved the characters so much! both isla and wes went through divorces and were both so mature which isnt something i have seen in a lot of books. one is usually a little less mature and needs to grow in that sense so i liked that this was different. these two were so supportive of one another and it really tugged on my heartstrings
all in all this was such a great read and i can't wait for everyone to be able to enjoy it now that it is out in the world!
thank you so much kathryn kincaid for giving me this amazing opportunity to read and review this book! 🫶🏼
- figure skater x former hockey player
- dislike to lovers
- grumpy x grumpy
- he falls first and harder
- divorced mc in 30s
- forced proximity
- found family
- dual pov
- open door
i ate this book up! and omg the banter? yes please! i will never say no to some good banter
i loved the characters so much! both isla and wes went through divorces and were both so mature which isnt something i have seen in a lot of books. one is usually a little less mature and needs to grow in that sense so i liked that this was different. these two were so supportive of one another and it really tugged on my heartstrings
all in all this was such a great read and i can't wait for everyone to be able to enjoy it now that it is out in the world!
thank you so much kathryn kincaid for giving me this amazing opportunity to read and review this book! 🫶🏼
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.
March 17, 2026
Quite the Pair was a unique ice skating romance where the FMC, Isla, was an ice skater and the MMC, Wes, used to play hockey but now owns a rink. They met when Isla become ice skating pairs with Wes’ brother, Spencer.
I loved the chemistry between Isla and Wes and how they had past history years before where they both met and fell in love. Also, the found family aspect will always get me. I loved how supportive and loving they were for each other especially when they would band together to be there for Thea, Wes & Spencer’s niece.
Thank you to @netgalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
I loved the chemistry between Isla and Wes and how they had past history years before where they both met and fell in love. Also, the found family aspect will always get me. I loved how supportive and loving they were for each other especially when they would band together to be there for Thea, Wes & Spencer’s niece.
Thank you to @netgalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
February 1, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review!!
I came into this read without any prior knowledge to previous books nor to the author. Overall, I liked the book and I think the story was good! At times things were rushed and I do feel that more detail could have been added if we had more time. Especially since we are training for a skating competition, more time would have made sense. I did like the characters though. Wes and Spencer are polar opposites as brothers and it worked so well.
Generally if you are looking for a light, quick, cute romance, this is a good one for you! Bonus points if you like ice sports!!
I came into this read without any prior knowledge to previous books nor to the author. Overall, I liked the book and I think the story was good! At times things were rushed and I do feel that more detail could have been added if we had more time. Especially since we are training for a skating competition, more time would have made sense. I did like the characters though. Wes and Spencer are polar opposites as brothers and it worked so well.
Generally if you are looking for a light, quick, cute romance, this is a good one for you! Bonus points if you like ice sports!!
March 3, 2026
My love for this series grows with each book! Wes and Isla are so stinking cute in their grumpy/grumpy ways I can’t even with them! I think the thing I love most about this series is how each author has done an amazing job of showing that you should never make yourself smaller to fit the mold or ideal that is forced upon you by family spouse society etc! They write in a way that’s so empowering it’s a wonderful thing to read! Do yourself a favor, get to know these ladies and their stories you won’t be disappointed!
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.
February 2, 2026
I finished this in one sitting and had such a great time with it. This short story follows Isla, a year into her divorce, as she moves back in with her brother for a new skating opportunity to only discover her new partner’s brother is Wes, her very first kiss.
Their reunion is anything but smooth, but once they reconnect, all those “what if” feelings come rushing back. Even with its shorter length, the character growth and backstory really delivered.
I also loved the spice!
Their reunion is anything but smooth, but once they reconnect, all those “what if” feelings come rushing back. Even with its shorter length, the character growth and backstory really delivered.
I also loved the spice!
February 26, 2026
4.5⭐️
I’m obsessed with Isla and Wes! This one has the best mix of forced proximity, fake dating, second chance, and found family. The characters were both grumpy at first, and I was eating up the dislike to like – the banter was top tier, and the tension was so good! I loved their dynamic and all the teasing from their brothers and his niece – the coffee shop scene – iykyk! This was perfect to read around the Olympics with the figure skating and hockey! There was also a lot of heart in the story with her Olympic dreams, their family drama, and their past relationship trauma. Overall, I loved this fast and enjoyable read, and I’m hoping Brooks book might be next!!
Thank you Kathryn Kincaid for this ARC!
I’m obsessed with Isla and Wes! This one has the best mix of forced proximity, fake dating, second chance, and found family. The characters were both grumpy at first, and I was eating up the dislike to like – the banter was top tier, and the tension was so good! I loved their dynamic and all the teasing from their brothers and his niece – the coffee shop scene – iykyk! This was perfect to read around the Olympics with the figure skating and hockey! There was also a lot of heart in the story with her Olympic dreams, their family drama, and their past relationship trauma. Overall, I loved this fast and enjoyable read, and I’m hoping Brooks book might be next!!
Thank you Kathryn Kincaid for this ARC!
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 Netgalley
I was really excited to read this ice skating rom com, and I absolutely loved it. Isla is a figure skater, recently divorced from a turd of a man. She becomes partners with Spencer, a carefree and fun man. His brither, however, is so grumpy, but i loved him. The chemistry between them was so good. Loved this.
February 26, 2026
The way I loved this one!!! Oh my goodness. It was so good. I loved Wes & Isla!! From their first interaction, they had me cackling over their banter. I loved grumpy Wes, I loved Isla’s determination, I loved learning about the connections these two had, I loved the way Wes showed up for Isla even when they “hated” each other. Spencer brought lots of laughs and I loved the way he built Isla up as they worked together, and I loved seeing the dynamic between him and Wes! I also loved Thea, Wes and Spencer's niece who’s staying with Wes. This hit all the vibes, and I don’t know how to explain it other than I just loved it!!
[ARC review]
[ARC review]
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4 Stars
🌶 - Spice Level
Isla just got divorced recently and was dropped from her original partner pairing figure skating. She gets an opportunity to skate with another male for pairing, only to run into his grumpy brother Wes who dings her door in a parking lot before the first meeting for her new pairing. From that first meeting to even further in the book, the two of them spare with each other with all the banter and sarcasm.
Wes may be a grumpy retired hockey player, but he's a good one. He even comes as a date to her parents house for dinner only to end up ready to throw hands on her ex husband's face. When an MMC defends, but supports your dreams.. he's one of the good ones! Also, her new pairing she can finally trust has her back, full stop.
I enjoyed this story. Thank your author for the ARC!
🌶 - Spice Level
Isla just got divorced recently and was dropped from her original partner pairing figure skating. She gets an opportunity to skate with another male for pairing, only to run into his grumpy brother Wes who dings her door in a parking lot before the first meeting for her new pairing. From that first meeting to even further in the book, the two of them spare with each other with all the banter and sarcasm.
Wes may be a grumpy retired hockey player, but he's a good one. He even comes as a date to her parents house for dinner only to end up ready to throw hands on her ex husband's face. When an MMC defends, but supports your dreams.. he's one of the good ones! Also, her new pairing she can finally trust has her back, full stop.
I enjoyed this story. Thank your author for the ARC!
March 4, 2026
dislike to lovers is always a fav & I just really loved these two here. the banter was written so well and I just couldn't help falling in love with Wes and Isla. Definitely enjoyed!
March 21, 2026
A very good read. I definitely recommend.
March 4, 2026
Easy to read, good banter and spice.
March 17, 2026
Isla’s the feisty figure skater Wes can’t resist. Wes is the rugged former hockey player who gets under Isla’s 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.
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that may not be suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Tropes: Figure Skating Romance, Grumpy x Grumpy, Forced Proximity, Dislike-to-Love, He Falls First and Harder, Figure Skater x Former Hockey Player, Divorced MCs in 30s, Found Family, Dual POV, Open Door, Workplace Romance, Interconnected Past, Grumpy x Sunshine, Spicy, Second Chance Romance, Love after Divorce.
Quite the Pair is the 3rd book in the Breaking Barriers series by Kathryn Kincaid. Breaking Barriers is a multi-author interconnected series.
I have become a fan of hockey romances, but this is the also the first book that is also about figure skaters. Now, I do enjoy watching figure skating fictional shows on streaming services like Netflix, so this book really intrigued me when I came across it.
I found this book to be really very heartwarming and I can honestly say that I really did like that the main characters were on the older and more mature side. Kathryn gave us a story that was balanced between focusing on both the figure skating and hockey storyline along with the romance storyline.
Isla: She’s not happy about having to return to NC. She has been known as the “Ice Queen” in structured, pairs ice skating. But now she’s returning to her home town not only divorced but she also finds herself down a partner. Now she’s teaching skating classes on the side.
Isla’s last partner split up with her because her just couldn’t accept that she didn’t feel the same way about him as he did about her.
Upon her return to NC and her home-town, Isla moves in with her brother. She finds a new skating partner. Isla is driven and guarded and she’s bound and determined to rebuild both her career and her reputation after the disaster that was her divorce and the ending of her last skating partnership. But she refuses to give up on the only sport she loves – especially when she’s found a new partnership that’s offered her a fresh start and a new beginning.
Her first day gets off to a bit of a bumpy start after Wes, who Isla remembers as he was her teenage crush and they shared a steamy kiss when Isla was sixteen, bumps her car with his car door leaving a scratch on the car that she had borrowed from her brother. It doesn’t help that Wes it not only the brother of her new partner Spencer but he’s also the owner of the rink where Isla and Spencer are going to be practicing.
Isla is this strong, resilient, and determined figure skater. She has this maturity about the divorce she went though and she has a lot to deal with in terms of the family issues she has to deal with. Isla has this real-world experience under her belt and you can understand why she does what she does and you can understand that she’s just trying to do everything in her power to get back to the level she wants to be at.
Spencer: He is Isla’s new skating partner and he’s also Wes’s brother. He’s a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Spencer is this blinding ray of sunshine and I truly hope that his story is told and that Kathryn writes his story next.
Wes: He is Spencer’s brother and he was a previous D1 hockey player. Now he plays on a recreational hockey team. Since his divorce, he’s been rather grumpy and the only sunshine in his life has been his niece, Thea. And he’s looking forward to having Thea spend the summer with him. He’s also the owner of the rink where Isla and Spencer will be practicing.
It appears that Wes gave up his professional hockey dreams to return home to take care of his father who suffers from dementia. Wes is fiercely devoted to his family and after his divorce he’s been bruised by his past marriage and he remains guarded and yet he’s still clearly craving something steady and real.
He tried to be mature about how he handled his divorce but he still has to deal with his own family issues. He prefers to keep his life carefully controlled just as it is and wants to keep it that way.
I honestly enjoyed and appreciated how Kathryn managed to balance all the different aspects of the plot, sub-plot within the storyline and this included giving us details and certain aspects about Isla and Wes’s life. I really appreciated how delicately Kathryn handled writing about Wes taking care of his father who suffered from dementia.
This is a very delicate subject and it’s not an easy one. Anyone who cares for a loved one with dementia knows that it’s not easy and it can be very difficult to watch someone you love forget who you are and everyone who loves you. I watched my own mom care for her mom who had dementia, and I saw the toll that it took on her. So, I really appreciated the care that Kathryn took in writing about this delicate subject.
I also appreciated the kindness Kathryn had in writing about becoming the primary caretaker for an extended member of your family. Then there was the way that she kindly wrote about going through a divorce and the consequences that come with it. And having gone through a divorce myself, I could easily relate to this and found that the way that Kathryn wrote these scenes were truly relatable and believable.
I found that every time Isla and Wes interacted with each other the chemistry continued to grow. The slow-burn tension was present from the moment that Isla and Wes met and it was just out of this world. Kathryn kept the pacing on par and I loved the way their relationship progressed through the book. My honest-to-God favorite part though was when Isla and were fake dating in front of Isla’s ex-husband. That one scene made the whole book in my opinion.
Isla honestly has become such a fantastic icon with her comeback. And her banter with Wes was just out of this world. And the relationship that she developed with Wes’s niece Thea, it honestly felt so very special to read. And I felt like there was so much warmth and understanding in their relationship and between the two of them, it honestly was something very special.
One of the other great developments was in being able to watch Isla gain this healthy partnership with Spencer, who happens to be Wes’s brother. The patience, kindness and understanding that he had for and with Isla was just stunning. And on top of that Spencer was really a lovely and funny secondary character.
My biggest complaint, and honestly this is minor for me, is that the ending did feel a little bit rushed in my opinion. But the ending was full of love and acceptance and really the ending was packed with all the sweetness for all the characters.
I completely enjoyed this book and I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys sports romances.
Some of my favorite quotes from this book are:
“Your existence challenges me to be a better man, one who deserves you. Everything I thought I knew about myself and my life has been turned on its head by you. It scares the shit out of me, but I've never felt more alive.”
"But if I had to boil it down, I'd say it's because my soul knows peace when you're near me."
“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.”
“When I think of my future, that's what I see. You and me, Red.”
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.
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!! Please read and pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. There is some content and scenes in this book that may not be suitable for all readers and could be triggering for others. Always remember that your mental health comes first at all times.
Tropes: Figure Skating Romance, Grumpy x Grumpy, Forced Proximity, Dislike-to-Love, He Falls First and Harder, Figure Skater x Former Hockey Player, Divorced MCs in 30s, Found Family, Dual POV, Open Door, Workplace Romance, Interconnected Past, Grumpy x Sunshine, Spicy, Second Chance Romance, Love after Divorce.
Quite the Pair is the 3rd book in the Breaking Barriers series by Kathryn Kincaid. Breaking Barriers is a multi-author interconnected series.
I have become a fan of hockey romances, but this is the also the first book that is also about figure skaters. Now, I do enjoy watching figure skating fictional shows on streaming services like Netflix, so this book really intrigued me when I came across it.
I found this book to be really very heartwarming and I can honestly say that I really did like that the main characters were on the older and more mature side. Kathryn gave us a story that was balanced between focusing on both the figure skating and hockey storyline along with the romance storyline.
Isla: She’s not happy about having to return to NC. She has been known as the “Ice Queen” in structured, pairs ice skating. But now she’s returning to her home town not only divorced but she also finds herself down a partner. Now she’s teaching skating classes on the side.
Isla’s last partner split up with her because her just couldn’t accept that she didn’t feel the same way about him as he did about her.
Upon her return to NC and her home-town, Isla moves in with her brother. She finds a new skating partner. Isla is driven and guarded and she’s bound and determined to rebuild both her career and her reputation after the disaster that was her divorce and the ending of her last skating partnership. But she refuses to give up on the only sport she loves – especially when she’s found a new partnership that’s offered her a fresh start and a new beginning.
Her first day gets off to a bit of a bumpy start after Wes, who Isla remembers as he was her teenage crush and they shared a steamy kiss when Isla was sixteen, bumps her car with his car door leaving a scratch on the car that she had borrowed from her brother. It doesn’t help that Wes it not only the brother of her new partner Spencer but he’s also the owner of the rink where Isla and Spencer are going to be practicing.
Isla is this strong, resilient, and determined figure skater. She has this maturity about the divorce she went though and she has a lot to deal with in terms of the family issues she has to deal with. Isla has this real-world experience under her belt and you can understand why she does what she does and you can understand that she’s just trying to do everything in her power to get back to the level she wants to be at.
Spencer: He is Isla’s new skating partner and he’s also Wes’s brother. He’s a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Spencer is this blinding ray of sunshine and I truly hope that his story is told and that Kathryn writes his story next.
Wes: He is Spencer’s brother and he was a previous D1 hockey player. Now he plays on a recreational hockey team. Since his divorce, he’s been rather grumpy and the only sunshine in his life has been his niece, Thea. And he’s looking forward to having Thea spend the summer with him. He’s also the owner of the rink where Isla and Spencer will be practicing.
It appears that Wes gave up his professional hockey dreams to return home to take care of his father who suffers from dementia. Wes is fiercely devoted to his family and after his divorce he’s been bruised by his past marriage and he remains guarded and yet he’s still clearly craving something steady and real.
He tried to be mature about how he handled his divorce but he still has to deal with his own family issues. He prefers to keep his life carefully controlled just as it is and wants to keep it that way.
I honestly enjoyed and appreciated how Kathryn managed to balance all the different aspects of the plot, sub-plot within the storyline and this included giving us details and certain aspects about Isla and Wes’s life. I really appreciated how delicately Kathryn handled writing about Wes taking care of his father who suffered from dementia.
This is a very delicate subject and it’s not an easy one. Anyone who cares for a loved one with dementia knows that it’s not easy and it can be very difficult to watch someone you love forget who you are and everyone who loves you. I watched my own mom care for her mom who had dementia, and I saw the toll that it took on her. So, I really appreciated the care that Kathryn took in writing about this delicate subject.
I also appreciated the kindness Kathryn had in writing about becoming the primary caretaker for an extended member of your family. Then there was the way that she kindly wrote about going through a divorce and the consequences that come with it. And having gone through a divorce myself, I could easily relate to this and found that the way that Kathryn wrote these scenes were truly relatable and believable.
I found that every time Isla and Wes interacted with each other the chemistry continued to grow. The slow-burn tension was present from the moment that Isla and Wes met and it was just out of this world. Kathryn kept the pacing on par and I loved the way their relationship progressed through the book. My honest-to-God favorite part though was when Isla and were fake dating in front of Isla’s ex-husband. That one scene made the whole book in my opinion.
Isla honestly has become such a fantastic icon with her comeback. And her banter with Wes was just out of this world. And the relationship that she developed with Wes’s niece Thea, it honestly felt so very special to read. And I felt like there was so much warmth and understanding in their relationship and between the two of them, it honestly was something very special.
One of the other great developments was in being able to watch Isla gain this healthy partnership with Spencer, who happens to be Wes’s brother. The patience, kindness and understanding that he had for and with Isla was just stunning. And on top of that Spencer was really a lovely and funny secondary character.
My biggest complaint, and honestly this is minor for me, is that the ending did feel a little bit rushed in my opinion. But the ending was full of love and acceptance and really the ending was packed with all the sweetness for all the characters.
I completely enjoyed this book and I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys sports romances.
Some of my favorite quotes from this book are:
“Your existence challenges me to be a better man, one who deserves you. Everything I thought I knew about myself and my life has been turned on its head by you. It scares the shit out of me, but I've never felt more alive.”
"But if I had to boil it down, I'd say it's because my soul knows peace when you're near me."
“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.”
“When I think of my future, that's what I see. You and me, Red.”
February 11, 2026
“I swallow hard when he leans in closer to whisper in my ear, “You were my first kiss, too, Red.”
Thank you so much Kathryn Kincaid for the ARC of Quite the Pair! I’m absolutely obsessed with Wes and Isla.
Grumpy x grumpier pairing, each others first kiss and find each other again many years later, and praise everything no third act break up.
Wes might be my new favorite book boyfriend as even when he’s acting grumpy he still shows so much love to his family, and I just want my own hockey player boyfriend.
Isla was so strong and I understood her wanting to keep others away. Sometimes I read stories and characters reasoning behind not wanting to bring people closer into their lives feels silly, but with Isla things made sense. And she communicated things to Wes, which just love!!
This story really was meant for me, and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, and to reading all the other stories by Kathryn Kincaid.
Thank you so much Kathryn Kincaid for the ARC of Quite the Pair! I’m absolutely obsessed with Wes and Isla.
Grumpy x grumpier pairing, each others first kiss and find each other again many years later, and praise everything no third act break up.
Wes might be my new favorite book boyfriend as even when he’s acting grumpy he still shows so much love to his family, and I just want my own hockey player boyfriend.
Isla was so strong and I understood her wanting to keep others away. Sometimes I read stories and characters reasoning behind not wanting to bring people closer into their lives feels silly, but with Isla things made sense. And she communicated things to Wes, which just love!!
This story really was meant for me, and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series, and to reading all the other stories by Kathryn Kincaid.
February 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
I received a copy of this for my honest review.
Quite the Pair by Kathryn Kincaid is a light, spicy figure skating romance that leans hard into cozy vibes, found family, and second chances.
Isla Covington is a driven, guarded figure skater determined to rebuild her career and reputation after losing both her marriage and her skating partner. Labeled an “ice queen,” she refuses to give up on the sport she loves—especially when a new partnership offers her a fresh start.
That fresh start comes with complications in the form of Wes Davidson: a grumpy former hockey player, rink owner, and fiercely devoted family man who also happens to be her new partner’s brother—and her first teenage kiss. Wes prefers his carefully controlled life just the way it is… until Isla begins skating in his rink, joining his family for dinners, and turning his world upside down.
Isla and Wes are well-matched grumps—both bruised by past marriages, both guarded, and both clearly craving something steady and real. The thought of "what could've been" and the attraction they realized as teens is still lingering and impossible to ignore and a SPARK ensues. Their dynamic shines in the bickering-turned-flirty banter, and Wes’s quiet devotion (especially his he falls first and harder energy) is undeniably charming. The forced proximity through family dinners, the rink setting, and shared emotional baggage creates an easy, natural progression from dislike to affection.
The chemistry between Isla and Wes is undeniable. Their relationship starts with friction and sharp banter, slowly melting into flirtation, affection, and a simmering heat. One of the book’s strengths is how well their personalities match and compliment each other. They also understand each other’s walls because they’re both carrying the weight of past marriages that failed, and that shared history makes their connection feel natural and earned. I also loved Wes’s support for Isla and for defending her to her extremely insensitive family members and ex husband. Wes is just an all around green flag and I absolutely adored his character! The romance itself is sweet, spicy, and emotionally safe, making this a comforting read rather than a high-angst one.
The found family aspect is another highlight. Wes’s relationship with his niece Thea, and his figure-skater brother, Spencer, adds warmth and grounding to the story. Isla’s integration into this family—particularly through shared meals and everyday moments—reinforces the theme of healing through connection.
Now while the romance itself is sweet and engaging, I did find myself wanting more depth and character development. While we get glimpses of Isla’s and Wes’s pasts, much of that important backstory is introduced half way in the story and in small fragments. I especially wished for more detail about their first meeting, which is referenced multiple times, but the details remain vague in some ways. Considering how important that moment is to their dynamic, a clearer, more fleshed-out depiction would have strengthened the emotional payoff. I also wished to know more about Wes’s previous marriage, and his father’s dementia, his time playing hockey and why he didn’t end up accomplishing his dream of playing professionally. All of these are important to understand Wes as a character and his past and while they were very briefly touched upon, they unfortunately remain largely unexplored. Perhaps more personal memories or emotional reflection from Wes, and even Isla, could have added depth and resonance to their characters; whether it’s through more inner monologues about their personal pasts or flashback chapters. It would have made it easier to connect with the characters earlier.
In my opinion, the ending also felt somewhat rushed. The emotional resolution between Isla and Wes unfolds very quickly, with major feelings acknowledged and resolved in just a page or two. Given the slow, careful buildup throughout the book, a more fully fleshed-out conclusion would have provided a stronger sense of closure for both the characters and reader.
Overall, Quite the Pair is a sweet, figure skating romance that was a fun and easy read. It may not dive as deeply into character depth as some readers might hope, but it offers a comforting, heartfelt love story about two people reuniting and finding each other after heartbreak. If you enjoy grumpy leads, found family, and gentle second-chance romances, this book is an enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing & Kathryn Kincaid for this ARC! This book comes out February 26th 2026!
I received a copy of this for my honest review.
Quite the Pair by Kathryn Kincaid is a light, spicy figure skating romance that leans hard into cozy vibes, found family, and second chances.
Isla Covington is a driven, guarded figure skater determined to rebuild her career and reputation after losing both her marriage and her skating partner. Labeled an “ice queen,” she refuses to give up on the sport she loves—especially when a new partnership offers her a fresh start.
That fresh start comes with complications in the form of Wes Davidson: a grumpy former hockey player, rink owner, and fiercely devoted family man who also happens to be her new partner’s brother—and her first teenage kiss. Wes prefers his carefully controlled life just the way it is… until Isla begins skating in his rink, joining his family for dinners, and turning his world upside down.
Isla and Wes are well-matched grumps—both bruised by past marriages, both guarded, and both clearly craving something steady and real. The thought of "what could've been" and the attraction they realized as teens is still lingering and impossible to ignore and a SPARK ensues. Their dynamic shines in the bickering-turned-flirty banter, and Wes’s quiet devotion (especially his he falls first and harder energy) is undeniably charming. The forced proximity through family dinners, the rink setting, and shared emotional baggage creates an easy, natural progression from dislike to affection.
The chemistry between Isla and Wes is undeniable. Their relationship starts with friction and sharp banter, slowly melting into flirtation, affection, and a simmering heat. One of the book’s strengths is how well their personalities match and compliment each other. They also understand each other’s walls because they’re both carrying the weight of past marriages that failed, and that shared history makes their connection feel natural and earned. I also loved Wes’s support for Isla and for defending her to her extremely insensitive family members and ex husband. Wes is just an all around green flag and I absolutely adored his character! The romance itself is sweet, spicy, and emotionally safe, making this a comforting read rather than a high-angst one.
The found family aspect is another highlight. Wes’s relationship with his niece Thea, and his figure-skater brother, Spencer, adds warmth and grounding to the story. Isla’s integration into this family—particularly through shared meals and everyday moments—reinforces the theme of healing through connection.
Now while the romance itself is sweet and engaging, I did find myself wanting more depth and character development. While we get glimpses of Isla’s and Wes’s pasts, much of that important backstory is introduced half way in the story and in small fragments. I especially wished for more detail about their first meeting, which is referenced multiple times, but the details remain vague in some ways. Considering how important that moment is to their dynamic, a clearer, more fleshed-out depiction would have strengthened the emotional payoff. I also wished to know more about Wes’s previous marriage, and his father’s dementia, his time playing hockey and why he didn’t end up accomplishing his dream of playing professionally. All of these are important to understand Wes as a character and his past and while they were very briefly touched upon, they unfortunately remain largely unexplored. Perhaps more personal memories or emotional reflection from Wes, and even Isla, could have added depth and resonance to their characters; whether it’s through more inner monologues about their personal pasts or flashback chapters. It would have made it easier to connect with the characters earlier.
In my opinion, the ending also felt somewhat rushed. The emotional resolution between Isla and Wes unfolds very quickly, with major feelings acknowledged and resolved in just a page or two. Given the slow, careful buildup throughout the book, a more fully fleshed-out conclusion would have provided a stronger sense of closure for both the characters and reader.
Overall, Quite the Pair is a sweet, figure skating romance that was a fun and easy read. It may not dive as deeply into character depth as some readers might hope, but it offers a comforting, heartfelt love story about two people reuniting and finding each other after heartbreak. If you enjoy grumpy leads, found family, and gentle second-chance romances, this book is an enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing & Kathryn Kincaid for this ARC! This book comes out February 26th 2026!
February 5, 2026
•°. ❝ When I think of my future, that's what I see. You and me, Red. ❞ *࿐
✎ᝰ. ★★★★★ stars
✎ᝰ. 3/5 spice level
✎ᝰ. tropes:
𝜗𝜚 dislike to love
𝜗𝜚 grumpy x grumpy
𝜗𝜚 forced proximity
𝜗𝜚 figure skater x former hockey player
𝜗𝜚 dual POV
𝜗𝜚 he falls first and harder
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ✉︎ ꒱ ˎˊ˗
First of all, I would like to thank Victory Editing and NetGalley for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Quite the Pair comes out on February 26, 2026!
I’m going to start by saying I wish this book were a thousand pages longer, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters just yet. Quite the Pair is the sweetest, most beautiful, and heartwarming sports romance, with one of the most innovative takes on ice skating I have ever read. Usually in this genre, especially in pair sports like ice skating, the main couple are the partners. Kathryn Kincaid makes a brilliant and refreshing choice by making the MMC the male partner’s brother, giving us a glimpse into the reality of the sport: sometimes your true love is not your skating partner.
I devoured Isla and Wes’s romance from the start. Their chemistry is off the charts, and I found myself rooting for them from the moment they met. I love good, healthy banter, and they have it in abundance. Their personalities complement each other so well, and it is adorable watching them grow and heal together.
My favorite part of the novel was how well developed the side characters are, along with the warmth of their found family. Watching Spencer, Thea, and Brooks team up to play matchmaker and tease the main characters was incredible, and I truly hope this becomes a series so we can see more of them.
Out of everyone, Spencer was definitely my favorite. His golden retriever, cinnamon roll personality had me hooked from the start, and I loved seeing his friendship with Isla develop throughout the book. I’m absolutely in love with him, especially the scenes where he taunts Isla and Wes about their feelings. He truly has my heart, and I need a whole book about him.
If you are a fan of ice skating romance, stories about healing from past trauma and opening yourself up to love again, and the “he falls first and harder” trope, then you need to add Quite the Pair to your TBR. It’s a magical novel and, dare I say, perfect for anyone looking to get out of a reading slump, since it’s lighthearted and easy to read.
•°. ❝ Your existence challenges me to be a better man, one who deserves you. Everything I thought I knew about myself and my life has been turned on its head by you. It scares the shit out of me, but I've never felt more alive. ❞ *࿐
✎ᝰ. trigger warnings (possible spoilers): divorce, drug addiction (recovering), mental illness (dementia), challenging family circumstances, explicit content
February 28, 2026
Reading this book was a pleasure – I loved the tension between the characters, their banter, and the fact that they didn't pretend to each other to be someone they weren't.
Wes and Isla have experienced a lot of bad things in their lives. Isla's family sucks – her parents, ex-husband, and ex-mother-in-law are hopeless people who profit from other people's misfortunes and missteps, and the only things they care about are money, a good reputation, and pretending to be the perfect family. Isla's ex-ice-hockey partner was also a total jerk.
I felt so sorry for Brooksy and Isla – they didn't deserve such terrible parents, but they grew up to be wonderful people, had each other, and really got along – they would do anything for one another. My heart broke when I found out what happened in Brooksy's in the past, but he didn't give up and fought for himself. I would love to read his story too.
Isla is a woman with a sharp tongue, determined to get her way, she loves skating But behind her confident facade, behind her sharp remarks, was a woman who was insecure because the people who should have supported her were undermining her and failed her in supporting and giving her love.
After returning to the ice with Spencer, Wes's brother, who chose her as his partner, Isla regains her radiance and works hard to make it all work out. I love that she finally found her family, because Spencer, Thea, the boys' niece, and Wes simply took her in, into their circle, just like that one day, without any demands for reciprocity. "We are family Isla." And Wes... this guy is a grumpy green flag – he would do anything for his loved ones. He remembered the details, he cared about them. He remembered what tea his niece drank every night before bed and prepared it for her - I'm a fucki g puddle on the floor. He was there for her, supporting her, taking care of because her mother had just decided to go on a reality show and drop her off with her brothers. And they both were there for her. He also supported his brother wholeheartedly and wanted Isla and Spencer's on-ice partnership to work out.
And with Isla, this guy opened up, remembered every little detail they talked about with her when they were teenagers. He was charmed by her. Their paths diverged in the past, only to reconnect in a rather unpleasant situation one day. Because they were meant to be together. This guy was enchanted by her skating and the effort she put into it all and he supported her with
And I have to mention this book was steamy. There were a few spicy scenes, but they were written really well and sensitively.
I give this book a 4 star⭐️
Wes and Isla have experienced a lot of bad things in their lives. Isla's family sucks – her parents, ex-husband, and ex-mother-in-law are hopeless people who profit from other people's misfortunes and missteps, and the only things they care about are money, a good reputation, and pretending to be the perfect family. Isla's ex-ice-hockey partner was also a total jerk.
I felt so sorry for Brooksy and Isla – they didn't deserve such terrible parents, but they grew up to be wonderful people, had each other, and really got along – they would do anything for one another. My heart broke when I found out what happened in Brooksy's in the past, but he didn't give up and fought for himself. I would love to read his story too.
Isla is a woman with a sharp tongue, determined to get her way, she loves skating But behind her confident facade, behind her sharp remarks, was a woman who was insecure because the people who should have supported her were undermining her and failed her in supporting and giving her love.
After returning to the ice with Spencer, Wes's brother, who chose her as his partner, Isla regains her radiance and works hard to make it all work out. I love that she finally found her family, because Spencer, Thea, the boys' niece, and Wes simply took her in, into their circle, just like that one day, without any demands for reciprocity. "We are family Isla." And Wes... this guy is a grumpy green flag – he would do anything for his loved ones. He remembered the details, he cared about them. He remembered what tea his niece drank every night before bed and prepared it for her - I'm a fucki g puddle on the floor. He was there for her, supporting her, taking care of because her mother had just decided to go on a reality show and drop her off with her brothers. And they both were there for her. He also supported his brother wholeheartedly and wanted Isla and Spencer's on-ice partnership to work out.
And with Isla, this guy opened up, remembered every little detail they talked about with her when they were teenagers. He was charmed by her. Their paths diverged in the past, only to reconnect in a rather unpleasant situation one day. Because they were meant to be together. This guy was enchanted by her skating and the effort she put into it all and he supported her with
And I have to mention this book was steamy. There were a few spicy scenes, but they were written really well and sensitively.
I give this book a 4 star⭐️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews