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Dream's Edge #1
An Unlikely Pair
After a family tragedy, aspiring ballerina Amaliya Marcell is adrift. When she is forced to leave behind everything she knows, the lost young woman struggles to build a new life in an unfamiliar city. But when she meets a handsome world-class figure skater, she finds a glimmer of hope.
After his sister’s unexpected retirement from figure skating, Tyler Linden is devastated to give up his shot at the U.S. national championships. His only hope is to find a new partner, a task that proves nearly impossible—until he observes a beautiful young woman at the local ice rink.
Struck by her grace and poise, Tyler takes an unthinkable risk and asks Amaliya to become his new partner. To both of their surprise, she agrees. The path to the championship won’t be easy, but Amaliya and Tyler quickly establish a solid partnership and a profound connection—both on and off the ice. But competition at the championships is fierce, and when the time comes, they will be forced to put everything on the line if they hope to achieve their dreams.
After his sister’s unexpected retirement from figure skating, Tyler Linden is devastated to give up his shot at the U.S. national championships. His only hope is to find a new partner, a task that proves nearly impossible—until he observes a beautiful young woman at the local ice rink.
Struck by her grace and poise, Tyler takes an unthinkable risk and asks Amaliya to become his new partner. To both of their surprise, she agrees. The path to the championship won’t be easy, but Amaliya and Tyler quickly establish a solid partnership and a profound connection—both on and off the ice. But competition at the championships is fierce, and when the time comes, they will be forced to put everything on the line if they hope to achieve their dreams.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2021
40 people are currently reading
903 people want to read
About the author
Traci Hunter Abramson
66 books1,942 followersTraci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a eight-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than forty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
November 8, 2025
ooohhhh
i js love figure skating sm. i wish i could learn it too, but, unfortunately, i have 2 left feet😞.
while the premise was interesting, and i liked this book (to some extent), but, i struggled to finish this book, even tho it's really short.
so you're telling me that amaliya started training for pair skating olympics right after skating with tyler for the first time- that seems too far fetched lol. no one's that good a prodigy (not that i've ever heard of, i mean😭)
and the dialogue was very stilted. that was completely off-putting.
but there were some elements that i did enjoy and i think that i will read the other books in this series too. just not now. maybe next year? or the year after that?🤷🏻♀️
i js love figure skating sm. i wish i could learn it too, but, unfortunately, i have 2 left feet😞.
while the premise was interesting, and i liked this book (to some extent), but, i struggled to finish this book, even tho it's really short.
so you're telling me that amaliya started training for pair skating olympics right after skating with tyler for the first time- that seems too far fetched lol. no one's that good a prodigy (not that i've ever heard of, i mean😭)
and the dialogue was very stilted. that was completely off-putting.
but there were some elements that i did enjoy and i think that i will read the other books in this series too. just not now. maybe next year? or the year after that?🤷🏻♀️
June 22, 2021
This book makes me wish I could watch the winter Olympic games RIGHT NOW, specifically figure skating. It's one of my favorite things to watch. I'm always so fascinated by how graceful and how fast these skaters are. The few times I tried to ice skate were laughable because I just couldn't get the hang of it. Not Tyler and Amaliya though. They are the epitome of elegance, grace and strength. I just love figure skating!!
Amaliya begins this book as a dancer- a premiere ballet dancer, just like her mother but with a love for the ice like her hockey playing and coaching father. When Amaliya gets the chance to skate her natural skills and hard work propel her forward, right into Tyler's arms. I love that they had a slow burn start to their romance but built a solid base of friendship first. This story is so gentle and so easy to read. There is nothing heart pounding or fast paced about it- just a good, solid story about two people working hard and finding love along the way. I really enjoyed it.
It was also fun to see Amaliya's parents in this book and even get their perspective every now and then to help me remember that connection I had with them in their novella (Dancing to Freedom).
If you are a fan of figure skating, don't miss this one! It's so sweet.
Amaliya begins this book as a dancer- a premiere ballet dancer, just like her mother but with a love for the ice like her hockey playing and coaching father. When Amaliya gets the chance to skate her natural skills and hard work propel her forward, right into Tyler's arms. I love that they had a slow burn start to their romance but built a solid base of friendship first. This story is so gentle and so easy to read. There is nothing heart pounding or fast paced about it- just a good, solid story about two people working hard and finding love along the way. I really enjoyed it.
It was also fun to see Amaliya's parents in this book and even get their perspective every now and then to help me remember that connection I had with them in their novella (Dancing to Freedom).
If you are a fan of figure skating, don't miss this one! It's so sweet.
July 5, 2021
Ok, I'm a bit on the fence with this one.
I love books about iceskating and I was excited for this one. Unfortunately, it didnt's exactly deliver.
The book overall was cute and Amaliya's reltionship with her parents was lovely, but other things made it hard for me to completly enjoy it.
1. At the begining Amaliya's parents, and Amaliya herself, are worried about their financial situation due to the accident and hospital stay. And yet, later, we see that the're super loaded, living in a literal mansion with a live-in help. There's no talk about how expensive rink time is, hiring a new coach isn't a problem wither. Like, ok, I suppose?
2.Amaliya is a ballet dancer, who knows how to skate. But apparently she's a skating prodigy who is capable to prepare for the Olympics like 5 minutes after skating in pair for the first time in her life. Suuuureeeee.
3. This dialogue made me take a whole one star out of the rating:
"I'm Sarah by the way"
"Amaliya"
"That's an usual name" Sarah's face lit with amusement. "Don't tell me it's French".
"EUROPEAN" Amaliya said. NOT FRENCH
Like, wfaf.
Also Amaliya's and Tylor's relationship was a bit lukewarm and I didn't really feel like there were any true emotions involved.
It was interesting to read about all the technical aspects of competitive iceskating, even though it all felt a bit rushed.
It's a fast read though.
I received this book from the Publisher in an exhange for an honest review
I love books about iceskating and I was excited for this one. Unfortunately, it didnt's exactly deliver.
The book overall was cute and Amaliya's reltionship with her parents was lovely, but other things made it hard for me to completly enjoy it.
1. At the begining Amaliya's parents, and Amaliya herself, are worried about their financial situation due to the accident and hospital stay. And yet, later, we see that the're super loaded, living in a literal mansion with a live-in help. There's no talk about how expensive rink time is, hiring a new coach isn't a problem wither. Like, ok, I suppose?
2.Amaliya is a ballet dancer, who knows how to skate. But apparently she's a skating prodigy who is capable to prepare for the Olympics like 5 minutes after skating in pair for the first time in her life. Suuuureeeee.
3. This dialogue made me take a whole one star out of the rating:
"I'm Sarah by the way"
"Amaliya"
"That's an usual name" Sarah's face lit with amusement. "Don't tell me it's French".
"EUROPEAN" Amaliya said. NOT FRENCH
Like, wfaf.
Also Amaliya's and Tylor's relationship was a bit lukewarm and I didn't really feel like there were any true emotions involved.
It was interesting to read about all the technical aspects of competitive iceskating, even though it all felt a bit rushed.
It's a fast read though.
I received this book from the Publisher in an exhange for an honest review
June 22, 2021
***4.5 stars***
Thank heavens this is the first book in a series! That means that will be more to come.
It took me about two seconds to figure out that An Unlikely Pair is about the daughter of the characters in the novella Dancing to Freedom. It made this book bitter-sweet for me.
Amaliya's life has been turned upside down after her parent's accident. She leaves her life behind; her friends, home, and aspirations to continue with ballet. Fortunately, her parents have fantastic support for her in their best friends who are willing the help them by taking care of Amaliya.
The point that I loved the most was that Amaliya was able to take elements from both parents and incorporate them into a new passion for herself. The pairing of Tyler and Amaliya was quite frankly, beautiful. The way they could work together on the ice and build a relationship was enjoyable to read about.
The book is one about triumph in the face of adversity and learning to adapt in new situations. This book is so positive and inspiring. Traci Hunter Abramson is one of my favorite authors. She has proven to be versatile in her writing. She writes amazing action books and is very good at creating a story of romance.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Thank heavens this is the first book in a series! That means that will be more to come.
It took me about two seconds to figure out that An Unlikely Pair is about the daughter of the characters in the novella Dancing to Freedom. It made this book bitter-sweet for me.
Amaliya's life has been turned upside down after her parent's accident. She leaves her life behind; her friends, home, and aspirations to continue with ballet. Fortunately, her parents have fantastic support for her in their best friends who are willing the help them by taking care of Amaliya.
The point that I loved the most was that Amaliya was able to take elements from both parents and incorporate them into a new passion for herself. The pairing of Tyler and Amaliya was quite frankly, beautiful. The way they could work together on the ice and build a relationship was enjoyable to read about.
The book is one about triumph in the face of adversity and learning to adapt in new situations. This book is so positive and inspiring. Traci Hunter Abramson is one of my favorite authors. She has proven to be versatile in her writing. She writes amazing action books and is very good at creating a story of romance.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
June 15, 2021
Like Traci's well-timed mysteries, this book was hard to put down. I absolutely love how Traci writes her mysteries, because they're always paced so well. I felt this book, although a slow-burn romance, read the same way. There was one aspect of the story that slowed it down for a just a bit, but when that was gone, the story picked right up and stayed strong. I loved the ice-skating. Even though that was never in my cards, I did dance, once upon a time, so it was fun to see both sides of the ballet and ice-skating. I really liked Tyler and Amaliya. They had a fantastic chemistry that makes you cheer for them. Not just for their relationship, but in their ice-skating too.
April 3, 2021
Truly magnificent. This beautiful book is artfully written, a contemporary romance that gives you insight into the worlds of ballet and figure skating. One of the things I enjoyed most were the characters, their depth and high values. They demonstrated the choice to take the high road often and it served them well. I can't recommend this enough. 5 stars!
June 29, 2021
I picked this book up thinking I would just read a few chapters but I literally could not put it down! I finished several hours later and all I wanted to do was pick it back up to re-read it. This is a sleep stealer, for sure!
I was captivated by the story of Amaliya, the daughter of a former pro-hockey star and a world renown ballerina, and Tyler, a figure ice skater whose dream is the Olympics but needs a new partner.
I was captivated by ice skating aspect - the long hours, the training, the grit and determination - why are there not more sports romances where both main characters are athletes? I was glued to the book and loved the slow burn romance, the tender family relationships, and the drama both on and off the ice.
I am glad I read Dancing to Freedom first as it gives that background on Amaliya's parents. I am completely hooked on the Dream's Edge series and will be anxiously awaiting the next book!!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
I was captivated by the story of Amaliya, the daughter of a former pro-hockey star and a world renown ballerina, and Tyler, a figure ice skater whose dream is the Olympics but needs a new partner.
I was captivated by ice skating aspect - the long hours, the training, the grit and determination - why are there not more sports romances where both main characters are athletes? I was glued to the book and loved the slow burn romance, the tender family relationships, and the drama both on and off the ice.
I am glad I read Dancing to Freedom first as it gives that background on Amaliya's parents. I am completely hooked on the Dream's Edge series and will be anxiously awaiting the next book!!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
July 8, 2021
Wow! What an amazing novel! I felt like I was living this story along with the main characters, Amaliya and Tyler. This book really had heart. I connected with these characters right away and was so invested in their journey.
The way Tyler and Amaliya first met was so fun. But the real beauty of this book was watching as Tyler and Amaliya grew together, both in their skills as a pairs team and also as they grew to have feelings for each other.
I loved this book from start to finish! The story was a beautiful combination of heartache, romance, and the art and dedication needed to become world class ice skaters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
The way Tyler and Amaliya first met was so fun. But the real beauty of this book was watching as Tyler and Amaliya grew together, both in their skills as a pairs team and also as they grew to have feelings for each other.
I loved this book from start to finish! The story was a beautiful combination of heartache, romance, and the art and dedication needed to become world class ice skaters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
July 15, 2021
I was first drawn to this novel by its beautiful cover, it sets the tone of the story. The author is a remarkable, insightful storyteller who quickly draws readers in and keeps them hooked with a heartfelt story, a unique situation, and full-bodied characters. I felt for Amaliya Marcell being an only child dealing with her parents’ accident. I also felt for Tyler’s situation with his sister. Both of these young people are driven to make their dreams come true. I bought the fact that Amaliya was a quick learner and could achieve very difficult maneuvers on the ice in a short period of time. It could happen for this high achiever, given her father’s skating training and her mother’s ballet influence and background. I felt it was believable. I liked seeing how Amaliya’s mother and father’s friends went to bat for Amaliya and Tyler so that they would have a chance at qualifying for professional level competitions. There is a real sense of community as everyone tries to help this skating couple become a team to have a chance to be in the finals.
The author does a brilliant job of taking the reader onto the ice with Tyler and Amailya. I felt like I was skating with them and at times watching them, feeling their highs and lows of their performances as they learned how to be partners, and friends. Tyler was learning how to teach Amailya their routines at the same time, not put too many demands on her skills just yet. The story takes place in the 1980s, and has a nice, nostalgic feel to it. I loved the details of their skating lives. I liked many aspects of an athlete’s journey to the Olympics. It is hard work, and the author shows that side along with the fierce competition and gives readers a peek at some things that can derail competitors.
The author left readers wanting to know what happens next. I was thrilled to know there will be more books in this series. I looked forward to seeing how this partnership grows as skating competitors and what happens with the sweet budding, wholesome romance between them. This book is about succeeding in the face of hardship, learning how to adapt to challenging situations when live does not go according to plan.
It is a positive and inspiring novel you won’t want to miss. This is the second book I have read by this author. The last novel I read was a suspenseful, drama. Loved it and this book too. I highly recommend this for a fun, great escape, looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org
The author does a brilliant job of taking the reader onto the ice with Tyler and Amailya. I felt like I was skating with them and at times watching them, feeling their highs and lows of their performances as they learned how to be partners, and friends. Tyler was learning how to teach Amailya their routines at the same time, not put too many demands on her skills just yet. The story takes place in the 1980s, and has a nice, nostalgic feel to it. I loved the details of their skating lives. I liked many aspects of an athlete’s journey to the Olympics. It is hard work, and the author shows that side along with the fierce competition and gives readers a peek at some things that can derail competitors.
The author left readers wanting to know what happens next. I was thrilled to know there will be more books in this series. I looked forward to seeing how this partnership grows as skating competitors and what happens with the sweet budding, wholesome romance between them. This book is about succeeding in the face of hardship, learning how to adapt to challenging situations when live does not go according to plan.
It is a positive and inspiring novel you won’t want to miss. This is the second book I have read by this author. The last novel I read was a suspenseful, drama. Loved it and this book too. I highly recommend this for a fun, great escape, looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org
June 24, 2021
I was so excited when I heard about this new series from Traci Hunter Abramson. I love her writing and wondered how a story about a ballerina and an ice skater would compare to her other stories. I'm here to say that An Unlikely Pair was fantastic! I first read the novella called Dancing to Freedom which is about the main character, Amaliya's parents. Something happens to them that changes the direction of the whole story. Amaliya's life is upturned when she leaves her home and stays with family friends. Entering the story now is figure skater Tyler who's looking for a new partner after his sister's retirement. One day his luck changes when he spots Amaliya on the ice. You can probably see where the story goes from here.
I liked the friendship between Amaliya and Tyler. These two characters have huge challenges in their personal and athletic lives. To see them come together and build something so wonderful is such a fun adventure. Abramson perfectly describes their skating routines as they slide gracefully over the ice or jump high in the air performing a triple lutz. The power and beauty of this sport are felt as if you're actually gliding across the ice feeling the wind on your face.
The tension is huge in the final part of the book and readers are left with a huge cliffhanger. I immediately emailed the author asking when the next book was coming out and the answer was February 2022. I don't know if I can wait that long! I hope that we'll be seeing Amaliya and Tyler at the Olympics in the next book.
An Unlikely Pair will be loved by any 16 and up reader who loves a good, clean romance showcasing working hard and never giving up; eventually bringing happiness and success to your life. Traci Hunter Abramson's words bring to life the art of dancing on ice, in a story that will make you forget about anything else except what is happening on the pages of this book.
I liked the friendship between Amaliya and Tyler. These two characters have huge challenges in their personal and athletic lives. To see them come together and build something so wonderful is such a fun adventure. Abramson perfectly describes their skating routines as they slide gracefully over the ice or jump high in the air performing a triple lutz. The power and beauty of this sport are felt as if you're actually gliding across the ice feeling the wind on your face.
The tension is huge in the final part of the book and readers are left with a huge cliffhanger. I immediately emailed the author asking when the next book was coming out and the answer was February 2022. I don't know if I can wait that long! I hope that we'll be seeing Amaliya and Tyler at the Olympics in the next book.
An Unlikely Pair will be loved by any 16 and up reader who loves a good, clean romance showcasing working hard and never giving up; eventually bringing happiness and success to your life. Traci Hunter Abramson's words bring to life the art of dancing on ice, in a story that will make you forget about anything else except what is happening on the pages of this book.
June 26, 2021
I absolutely devoured this book. I downloaded it in the evening and found myself looking forward to the book hangover I knew was coming. The minute I picked it up I was hooked. While this was a little different from the author's usual fare, it was just as enjoyable and well written.
Traci Hunter Abramson has a way with words that puts me in the middle of the story. I truly feel like a fly on the wall. Her characters are rich and robust to the point I feel like they could truly be people in my life and find myself missing them. This is a magnificent novel written by a master story teller. It took me away and gave me a lovely escape.
I found the descriptions to be amazing. I could just picture the setting and found myself wishing I was there. The characters had great chemistry and really had each other's backs. There were a couple stories happening that just made it all richer.
When I finished the book at about 1:30 in the morning, I felt myself longing for more. In fact, I can't wait until the next books in this series follow, at least I hope it is a series. I am not quite done with these characters and I would love to spend more time in this world of competitive figure skating.
Pro tip- don't start this in the evening.
I received an e-book through NetGalley and this is my honest review.
Traci Hunter Abramson has a way with words that puts me in the middle of the story. I truly feel like a fly on the wall. Her characters are rich and robust to the point I feel like they could truly be people in my life and find myself missing them. This is a magnificent novel written by a master story teller. It took me away and gave me a lovely escape.
I found the descriptions to be amazing. I could just picture the setting and found myself wishing I was there. The characters had great chemistry and really had each other's backs. There were a couple stories happening that just made it all richer.
When I finished the book at about 1:30 in the morning, I felt myself longing for more. In fact, I can't wait until the next books in this series follow, at least I hope it is a series. I am not quite done with these characters and I would love to spend more time in this world of competitive figure skating.
Pro tip- don't start this in the evening.
I received an e-book through NetGalley and this is my honest review.
June 7, 2021
One of my favorite events to watch at the Olympics is the couples skating routines. When I heard Tracy was writing an ice skating romance I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it!
As a dancer in my former life...I just thought this was lovely, even if a part of it was initiated in tragedy.
Amaliya comes from greatness....a father as a renown hockey player and a world class ballerina for a mother. When you put them together there was no way she would be anything but an excellent skater. When Tyler takes a chance on her as his new partner they begin to connect on and off the ice.
I think my favorite aspect of this book was the skating itself. It was fascinating and it made me wonder why there aren’t more romances patterned in this way. The training, the competing, the long hours, all seemed so authentic to a couple that would need to push their limits in order to get to where they needed to be.
The romance is sweet, and I loved seeing the connection build in their partnership. The level of trust and connection only deepens by sharing that bond as a competitive couple.
I’m glad I read the short novella before this to get some background on Amaliyas parents story, it helped me to connect to them better in this book. Overall a wonderful read and I can’t wait to see where book 2 will take this couple in the future.
As a dancer in my former life...I just thought this was lovely, even if a part of it was initiated in tragedy.
Amaliya comes from greatness....a father as a renown hockey player and a world class ballerina for a mother. When you put them together there was no way she would be anything but an excellent skater. When Tyler takes a chance on her as his new partner they begin to connect on and off the ice.
I think my favorite aspect of this book was the skating itself. It was fascinating and it made me wonder why there aren’t more romances patterned in this way. The training, the competing, the long hours, all seemed so authentic to a couple that would need to push their limits in order to get to where they needed to be.
The romance is sweet, and I loved seeing the connection build in their partnership. The level of trust and connection only deepens by sharing that bond as a competitive couple.
I’m glad I read the short novella before this to get some background on Amaliyas parents story, it helped me to connect to them better in this book. Overall a wonderful read and I can’t wait to see where book 2 will take this couple in the future.
June 22, 2021
4.5*
As a child I could not get enough of figure skating. It was so amazing and magical for me! I still love watching it. Growing up we'd go skating at a local ice rink and my friends and I always tried to do some cool moves and pretend we were going somewhere with our skills. Hahaha! No, we didn't make it farther than just skating in circles around the rink and attempting some very small jumps and skating backwards. But hey, we had fun, and still loved to watch professionals and dream.
When I saw the cover for this book I was beyond excited! Flashback to all those times skating at the rink. This author is a go to author for me. She writes amazing suspense novels and I kept wondering if this one would have some sort of suspense or intrigue within the pages. There's a little bit of suspense, but more in the sense of reading quickly to see how the routine would turn out and how their scores would rank against the other skaters. Lol! With it being a little different than her other novels and series, it was still a great read! I was amazed at the detail within and the knowledge she displayed through all the skating jargon and figure skating world. This just goes to show how meticulous the research for books can be. And all that research paid off and showed in the beauty of this book.
I loved Amaliya and Tyler. They were a fun couple to read about. They had struggles occurring in their lives. I liked the added dimension that brought to the story as well as the way that they and the other characters in the book handled the ups and downs that were thrown at them. The opening of the book had me holding my breath wondering what the outcome was going to be. These characters are strong and resilient. There are moments of sadness and sorrow but I was so impressed with how they moved forward.
If you're a fan of Traci Hunter Abramson's writing, you're going to enjoy this one. A little different than the genre she usually writes in but it still pulls you in and has you invested in the characters, their story, their struggles and the hope for a good outcome.
Content: Clean. Some moments of peril and mild suspense but nothing graphic.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
As a child I could not get enough of figure skating. It was so amazing and magical for me! I still love watching it. Growing up we'd go skating at a local ice rink and my friends and I always tried to do some cool moves and pretend we were going somewhere with our skills. Hahaha! No, we didn't make it farther than just skating in circles around the rink and attempting some very small jumps and skating backwards. But hey, we had fun, and still loved to watch professionals and dream.
When I saw the cover for this book I was beyond excited! Flashback to all those times skating at the rink. This author is a go to author for me. She writes amazing suspense novels and I kept wondering if this one would have some sort of suspense or intrigue within the pages. There's a little bit of suspense, but more in the sense of reading quickly to see how the routine would turn out and how their scores would rank against the other skaters. Lol! With it being a little different than her other novels and series, it was still a great read! I was amazed at the detail within and the knowledge she displayed through all the skating jargon and figure skating world. This just goes to show how meticulous the research for books can be. And all that research paid off and showed in the beauty of this book.
I loved Amaliya and Tyler. They were a fun couple to read about. They had struggles occurring in their lives. I liked the added dimension that brought to the story as well as the way that they and the other characters in the book handled the ups and downs that were thrown at them. The opening of the book had me holding my breath wondering what the outcome was going to be. These characters are strong and resilient. There are moments of sadness and sorrow but I was so impressed with how they moved forward.
If you're a fan of Traci Hunter Abramson's writing, you're going to enjoy this one. A little different than the genre she usually writes in but it still pulls you in and has you invested in the characters, their story, their struggles and the hope for a good outcome.
Content: Clean. Some moments of peril and mild suspense but nothing graphic.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
June 25, 2021
This was a great first book in what promises to be a great series. The book focuses fairly equally on the skating and Tyler and Amaliya’s personal lives, and I enjoyed both aspects. I was rooting for both of them to succeed in their individual struggles, and together as partners. The story takes place in the 80’s, and has a nice, nostalgic feel to it. I loved the details of their skating lives- so many aspects of an athlete’s journey to the olympics that were fascinating to me and added to the story. I wasn’t ready to be done with Tyler and Amaliya, so I’m thrilled that there are more stories coming. Thanks to the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2021
Gold medal winner!
I don't watch a lot of ice skating outside of the Olympics, but I have always loved the sport. I also feel like a ballerina trapped in a clumsy body. My soul is that of a dancer, so you'd better believe I connected with this book in intricate ways.
This story takes place in the 1980s, which was interesting to me, because that's about the time I would've started watching the sport in the Olympics and tying a rope around my Barbie's waist to twirl her around and pretend she was skating. Amaliya and Tyler come together in a wondrous way and I was completely captivated following along on their journey. I couldn't get enough of the beauty of it and the technicalities were fascinating to me. I could visualize every stroke of the blade in my head and it was perfection. I loved the growth and attachment, especially as the story progressed.
And just as a side note, I'm crossing every finger and toe, hoping there will be more to Amaliya's and Tyler's story, because it just wasn't enough--I wasn't ready for it to end.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
I don't watch a lot of ice skating outside of the Olympics, but I have always loved the sport. I also feel like a ballerina trapped in a clumsy body. My soul is that of a dancer, so you'd better believe I connected with this book in intricate ways.
This story takes place in the 1980s, which was interesting to me, because that's about the time I would've started watching the sport in the Olympics and tying a rope around my Barbie's waist to twirl her around and pretend she was skating. Amaliya and Tyler come together in a wondrous way and I was completely captivated following along on their journey. I couldn't get enough of the beauty of it and the technicalities were fascinating to me. I could visualize every stroke of the blade in my head and it was perfection. I loved the growth and attachment, especially as the story progressed.
And just as a side note, I'm crossing every finger and toe, hoping there will be more to Amaliya's and Tyler's story, because it just wasn't enough--I wasn't ready for it to end.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
June 11, 2021
4.5
This book is so sweet! I love Tyler and Amaliya, their dynamic and instant chemistry would be enough to keep turning the page, even if the storyline was junk. But good news, the storyline is great! Amaliya has dreamt of being a professional ballerina and as soon as she turns 18, she's going to live her dream. One night, while they're out of town, her ballerina mom and pro hockey playing dad are in a terrible car accident. She relocates to be nearer to the hospital they are in and meets Tyler. He encourages her to try figure skating and well, read it if you want to know more!
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I loved the love triangle- it's small and not stressful so I was here for it. I enjoyed how kind they were to each other but I think what I liked the very most is Traci Hunter Abramson's style. Her writing flows so well and it sucks you in so much that you almost forget you're reading a book. I haven't read much by her because I'm more into rom-coms and contemporary romances, and she writes a lot of suspense but I have every intention of giving her books of all the genres a read!
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Oh yes. Also. Find the novella that comes before this one. Dancing to Freedom. 👌
This book is so sweet! I love Tyler and Amaliya, their dynamic and instant chemistry would be enough to keep turning the page, even if the storyline was junk. But good news, the storyline is great! Amaliya has dreamt of being a professional ballerina and as soon as she turns 18, she's going to live her dream. One night, while they're out of town, her ballerina mom and pro hockey playing dad are in a terrible car accident. She relocates to be nearer to the hospital they are in and meets Tyler. He encourages her to try figure skating and well, read it if you want to know more!
.
I loved the love triangle- it's small and not stressful so I was here for it. I enjoyed how kind they were to each other but I think what I liked the very most is Traci Hunter Abramson's style. Her writing flows so well and it sucks you in so much that you almost forget you're reading a book. I haven't read much by her because I'm more into rom-coms and contemporary romances, and she writes a lot of suspense but I have every intention of giving her books of all the genres a read!
.
Oh yes. Also. Find the novella that comes before this one. Dancing to Freedom. 👌
June 17, 2021
Book Review:
I don't know how Traci Abramson writes such amazing, athlete-centered stories, but I'm sure glad she does! An Unlikely Pair brings the world of figure skating to life through two wonderful characters: Amaliya Marcell and Tyler Linden. I love the strength and poise both characters possess as they chase their Olympic dreams. My one complaint about this book was that I wasn't prepared for it to end. I loved the story, the characters, and getting to learn more about figure skating. I just wasn't emotionally ready for it to be over. I'm excited for the sequel to see what happens next for Amaliya and Tyler.
*Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I don't know how Traci Abramson writes such amazing, athlete-centered stories, but I'm sure glad she does! An Unlikely Pair brings the world of figure skating to life through two wonderful characters: Amaliya Marcell and Tyler Linden. I love the strength and poise both characters possess as they chase their Olympic dreams. My one complaint about this book was that I wasn't prepared for it to end. I loved the story, the characters, and getting to learn more about figure skating. I just wasn't emotionally ready for it to be over. I'm excited for the sequel to see what happens next for Amaliya and Tyler.
*Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 21, 2021
I LOVED this book so much. I was able to read it so quickly and I didn’t want to put it down. This one is fun, because if you’ve read Dancing to Freedom by Traci Hunter Abramson, this book continues that story.
I loved Amaliya. She’s such a strong character. She knows what she wants, to dance. But things change when her parents, Katerina and Robert are in an accident. I loved how she was able to get through this hard time. And even reach out to help someone else in a similar situation. It was so fun to see her learn a new skill as she started figure skating.
I loved seeing how Amaliya and Tyler’s relationship grows. They start as nothing more than people in the same skating rink and end up figure skating together. It was great to see Tyler teaching Amaliya the skills she needed, not only for skating, but for coping with life. Their relationship was one of the best things about this book.
This book is so well written. I loved everything about it. The setting, the love story, the characters. It was simply amazing. You won’t want to miss it!
I was sent a copy of An Unlikely Pair as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I loved Amaliya. She’s such a strong character. She knows what she wants, to dance. But things change when her parents, Katerina and Robert are in an accident. I loved how she was able to get through this hard time. And even reach out to help someone else in a similar situation. It was so fun to see her learn a new skill as she started figure skating.
I loved seeing how Amaliya and Tyler’s relationship grows. They start as nothing more than people in the same skating rink and end up figure skating together. It was great to see Tyler teaching Amaliya the skills she needed, not only for skating, but for coping with life. Their relationship was one of the best things about this book.
This book is so well written. I loved everything about it. The setting, the love story, the characters. It was simply amazing. You won’t want to miss it!
I was sent a copy of An Unlikely Pair as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
June 5, 2023
I was prepared going in that this didn't really end and that it wasn't the best series but I needed something simple and non-regency to listen to while I worked on stuff. I overall liked it. It's amazing what true dedicated people do to excel at a sport. That is not a talent I have. The romance was a little sappy but not unexpected. I'm debating on continuing the series. I will see...
June 25, 2021
This is Abramson's final revision of the first book she ever wrote, as she notes in the introduction. It didn't get published at that time, but she has since had many great bestsellers. This book was well done in most respects, but there are two things that undermined it for me: (1) The protagonists get caught up in the usual romance-novel obstacle of failing to talk to each other instead of guessing what the other person might be thinking and assuming the worst. This is the thing I like least about romance novels, most of them, and it drives me crazy because it usually drags on and on till you want to throw the book across the room. (I've stopped reading them for this reason, although I make an exception for this author.) Abramson handles this better than most authors do, but there's still too much of it--even if the protagonists are young etc. etc. There are enough real obstacles to their relationship and everything else they aspire to--more than about two pages of this is more than I can abide, and it went on for a while and then resurfaced. Though I kept reading, because I love this author's books. (2) It seems incredible that Amaliyah could become an elite pairs figure skater so quickly, even after a lifetime of ballet and already knowing how to skate. Maybe I just don't know how quickly a very talented skater could pick up throw triple salchows, and she does have trouble with a couple of the jumps. But even with her artistic abilities, she seems to progress in the technical elements too quickly. Abramson is great at taking incredible situations and making them credible, but it just seemed to easy to me this time. Nevertheless, I look forward to the next book in the series, Olympic Dreams, which comes out in February 2022. I still prefer the author's romance/suspense novels more than her strictly romance novels, so I hope she keeps writing the former even as she explores the latter.
Want to read
June 7, 2021Eligible for a 2021 Swoony Award, to nominate/vote click here: https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
June 3, 2021
This is my first Traci Abramson book and it won’t be my last!
⛸
I love watching ice skating in the Olympics and as a kid I LoVED the movie “Cutting Edge” but that’s about all I knew was this book had ice skating.
⛸
This book sucked me in from the beginning and I felt like I was watching it all play out. I didn’t know the ice skating terms of some things and I feel like this book is better classified as a sports fiction or contemporary fiction because it focuses on ice skating. Count in the cheering section for Tyler and Amaliya!
⛸
Amaliya has had her dreams come true with an acceptance to join a ballet company! Only she isn’t 18 yet and needs her parents permission which they deny, encouraging her to finish high school. An unfortunate accident throws off her future plans and she moves from DC to Connecticut. She did ballet with her mom, a former prima ballerina, but she can’t stomach to do it while her mom is in the hospital. But she finds herself at an ice rink, she grew up in one as her dad was a professional hockey player turned coach.
⛸
Tyler has had his dreams to get to the Olympics but his sister’s injury and her move across country throws a huge wrench into his plans. But a beautiful young woman enters the ice rink and he has a feeling about her. She has the grace but she doesn’t have the technique, even his coach is against the unlikely pair.
⛸
I really loved this book but it ended abruptly with no epilogue so I hope there is another book in the series. I can’t wait to read more of Traci’s other works and to read the prequel to this series, Dancing To Freedom, which is the story about Amaliya’s mom and dad. Thank you to the publisher for the ebook arc copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
⛸
I love watching ice skating in the Olympics and as a kid I LoVED the movie “Cutting Edge” but that’s about all I knew was this book had ice skating.
⛸
This book sucked me in from the beginning and I felt like I was watching it all play out. I didn’t know the ice skating terms of some things and I feel like this book is better classified as a sports fiction or contemporary fiction because it focuses on ice skating. Count in the cheering section for Tyler and Amaliya!
⛸
Amaliya has had her dreams come true with an acceptance to join a ballet company! Only she isn’t 18 yet and needs her parents permission which they deny, encouraging her to finish high school. An unfortunate accident throws off her future plans and she moves from DC to Connecticut. She did ballet with her mom, a former prima ballerina, but she can’t stomach to do it while her mom is in the hospital. But she finds herself at an ice rink, she grew up in one as her dad was a professional hockey player turned coach.
⛸
Tyler has had his dreams to get to the Olympics but his sister’s injury and her move across country throws a huge wrench into his plans. But a beautiful young woman enters the ice rink and he has a feeling about her. She has the grace but she doesn’t have the technique, even his coach is against the unlikely pair.
⛸
I really loved this book but it ended abruptly with no epilogue so I hope there is another book in the series. I can’t wait to read more of Traci’s other works and to read the prequel to this series, Dancing To Freedom, which is the story about Amaliya’s mom and dad. Thank you to the publisher for the ebook arc copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
May 23, 2021
I could not put it down, I just couldn’t! Abramson has written a magnificent and poignant story! She weaves her book writing magic that connects the reader to the characters and their world. Amaliya’s story, her life, her journey, I felt a part of it all. From ballet to skating, I could see it all unfold. I enjoyed reading multiple perspectives , it made the story feel full and complete. As a reader, I loved knowing what the other characters were thinking. Honestly I could have read another 100 or 200 pages. I wanted more and I crave more! Ice skating, love, pain, healing, and perseverance; they all come together in one story you do not want to miss!
Side note: This is set in the 80s and I loved reading the Walkman reference and writing down phone numbers on pieces of paper!
Side note: This is set in the 80s and I loved reading the Walkman reference and writing down phone numbers on pieces of paper!
May 2, 2021
3 1/2 elevated to 4.
Having read the prequel about Amaliya's parents Robert and Katerina, a Canadian hockey player and a Russian ballerina, made this story more interesting and easier to connect to. Their story was set in the 60s and this one is set in 1982.
Both Robert and Amaliya are at a stressful point in their lives with changes they can't control—her parents are in a bad accident and she has to move from CT to NY; his sister decides to retire from figure skating and he needs a new partner.
When Robert and Amaliya meet and start skating together, it becomes obvious they work well as a pair. Spending so much time together, they become friends and eventually fall in love.
I think book 2, the next one, will probably be them qualifying and going to the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, and all the problems and triumphs associated with that.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Having read the prequel about Amaliya's parents Robert and Katerina, a Canadian hockey player and a Russian ballerina, made this story more interesting and easier to connect to. Their story was set in the 60s and this one is set in 1982.
Both Robert and Amaliya are at a stressful point in their lives with changes they can't control—her parents are in a bad accident and she has to move from CT to NY; his sister decides to retire from figure skating and he needs a new partner.
When Robert and Amaliya meet and start skating together, it becomes obvious they work well as a pair. Spending so much time together, they become friends and eventually fall in love.
I think book 2, the next one, will probably be them qualifying and going to the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, and all the problems and triumphs associated with that.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
June 3, 2021
I will read a Traci Hunter Abramson book any day of the week! Her writing is always consistent, fluid, and engaging from start to finish! There are so many elements of this book that I loved. I loved the theme of overcoming hardship. Both Amaliya and Tyler have challenges they must overcome and the growth these characters go through is realistic and relatable. I really enjoyed the skating aspect. There were so many little details mentioned that I felt knowledgeable in a sport I don’t actually know any specifics of. The romance was perfectly balanced with the rest of the story. This series has me at the edge of my seat and I can’t wait to see it develop!
Another winning read from this author. Thank you @netgalley and Covenant Communications for an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Another winning read from this author. Thank you @netgalley and Covenant Communications for an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 30, 2021
I've loved ballet for 50 years and I love to watch ice skating, especially ice dancing--the dancers and skaters are so graceful and make it look effortless, which I know it isn't--and I love Traci Abramson's writing, so I didn't even have to think about buying, requesting or reading this book--it was a no brainer.
Amaliya Marcell is the daughter of a famous Russian ballerina and a Canadian pro-hockey player, so she grew up in a dance studio and on an ice rink. She's headed to follow in her mother's pointe shoed steps when her parents are both seriously injured in an automobile accident. Amaliya moves in with close family friends in another state while her parents are in the hospital. It's there that she meets Tyler Linden, an pairs ice skater who's training for the Olympics. Tyler's going through his own trial, as his sister has retired from skating and he's looking for a new pairs partner.
I loved Amaliya and Tyler's story. Seeing their journey both on and off the ice, and watching their friendship develop into love. I loved the other characters in book too--the couple Amaliya stayed with, Amaliya's parents Katerina and Robert, Tyler's parents and how loving and supportive all the relationships were. Those training for the Olympics need a lot of support and Tyler and Amaliya had that in spades except from their "coach", but she got hers in the end so I'm fine with how that all worked out.
I was so engrossed in this story I could almost see it play out in my mind. All the figure skating terms were familiar from years of watching it on TV and I anxiously read to see what Amalyia and Tyler's scores would be. I could feel Amalyia's frustration as she tried to learn new skills, and was so happy Tyler was patient with her.
Traci Abramson is an autoread for me. I don't think she's written a book I didn't love, and I can't wait to read the upcoming books in this new Dream's Edge series. You don't have to read the prequel Dancing to Freedom before reading this book, but I highly recommend that you do. It tells the story of how Amalyia's parents, Katerina and Robert meet and fall in love.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications and NetGalley, but I bought a paperback for my personal library. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
Amaliya Marcell is the daughter of a famous Russian ballerina and a Canadian pro-hockey player, so she grew up in a dance studio and on an ice rink. She's headed to follow in her mother's pointe shoed steps when her parents are both seriously injured in an automobile accident. Amaliya moves in with close family friends in another state while her parents are in the hospital. It's there that she meets Tyler Linden, an pairs ice skater who's training for the Olympics. Tyler's going through his own trial, as his sister has retired from skating and he's looking for a new pairs partner.
I loved Amaliya and Tyler's story. Seeing their journey both on and off the ice, and watching their friendship develop into love. I loved the other characters in book too--the couple Amaliya stayed with, Amaliya's parents Katerina and Robert, Tyler's parents and how loving and supportive all the relationships were. Those training for the Olympics need a lot of support and Tyler and Amaliya had that in spades except from their "coach", but she got hers in the end so I'm fine with how that all worked out.
I was so engrossed in this story I could almost see it play out in my mind. All the figure skating terms were familiar from years of watching it on TV and I anxiously read to see what Amalyia and Tyler's scores would be. I could feel Amalyia's frustration as she tried to learn new skills, and was so happy Tyler was patient with her.
Traci Abramson is an autoread for me. I don't think she's written a book I didn't love, and I can't wait to read the upcoming books in this new Dream's Edge series. You don't have to read the prequel Dancing to Freedom before reading this book, but I highly recommend that you do. It tells the story of how Amalyia's parents, Katerina and Robert meet and fall in love.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Covenant Communications and NetGalley, but I bought a paperback for my personal library. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
August 15, 2025
My rating 3.0
I thought I was in the mood for a simple book, which this was. It was so simple and predictable that I didn't enjoy reading it. The skating world in 1986 and the times were certainly different than today and this book just didn't do it for me. Sorry. This series doesn't compare with Traci Abramson's series on covert ops. I was surprised the ratings were so high on Goodreads.
Summary:
After a family tragedy, aspiring ballerina Amaliya Marcell is adrift. When she is forced to leave behind everything she knows, the lost young woman struggles to build a new life in an unfamiliar city. But when she meets a handsome world-class figure skater, she finds a glimmer of hope.
After his sister’s unexpected retirement from figure skating, Tyler Linden is devastated to give up his shot at the US national championships. His only hope is to find a new partner, a task that proves nearly impossible—until he observes a beautiful young woman at the local ice rink. Struck by her grace and poise, Tyler takes an unthinkable risk and asks Amaliya to become his new partner. To both of their surprise, she agrees. The path to the championship won’t be easy, but Amaliya and Tyler quickly establish a solid partnership and a profound connection—both on and off the ice. However, competition at the championships is fierce, and when the time comes, they will be forced to put everything on the line if they hope to achieve their dreams.
I thought I was in the mood for a simple book, which this was. It was so simple and predictable that I didn't enjoy reading it. The skating world in 1986 and the times were certainly different than today and this book just didn't do it for me. Sorry. This series doesn't compare with Traci Abramson's series on covert ops. I was surprised the ratings were so high on Goodreads.
Summary:
After a family tragedy, aspiring ballerina Amaliya Marcell is adrift. When she is forced to leave behind everything she knows, the lost young woman struggles to build a new life in an unfamiliar city. But when she meets a handsome world-class figure skater, she finds a glimmer of hope.
After his sister’s unexpected retirement from figure skating, Tyler Linden is devastated to give up his shot at the US national championships. His only hope is to find a new partner, a task that proves nearly impossible—until he observes a beautiful young woman at the local ice rink. Struck by her grace and poise, Tyler takes an unthinkable risk and asks Amaliya to become his new partner. To both of their surprise, she agrees. The path to the championship won’t be easy, but Amaliya and Tyler quickly establish a solid partnership and a profound connection—both on and off the ice. However, competition at the championships is fierce, and when the time comes, they will be forced to put everything on the line if they hope to achieve their dreams.
March 26, 2024
Amaliyas parents were dancer and a hockey player. Amaliya always wanted to be a ballerina.
Tyler and his sister were figure skaters. But his sister ended up retiring cause she was moving.
I really liked in this book how each of the characters has their own trials that they were given. They never gave up on what they were going through. Each of the characters had their own personality. And I may have cried, laughed and smiled this whole book. I loved when Tyler realized how he truly felt about Amaliya. You could tell they were meant to be figure skaters together!(; and more.
I’m excited to read the other books to the series to find out more of what happens!(:
I would highly recommend if you love romance(; and I give this a 5/5. I will definitely be adding this author to my favorites.
Tyler and his sister were figure skaters. But his sister ended up retiring cause she was moving.
I really liked in this book how each of the characters has their own trials that they were given. They never gave up on what they were going through. Each of the characters had their own personality. And I may have cried, laughed and smiled this whole book. I loved when Tyler realized how he truly felt about Amaliya. You could tell they were meant to be figure skaters together!(; and more.
I’m excited to read the other books to the series to find out more of what happens!(:
I would highly recommend if you love romance(; and I give this a 5/5. I will definitely be adding this author to my favorites.
June 21, 2021
I really enjoyed this book by Traci Hunter Abramson. I liked seeing the relationship develop between Tyler and Amaliya on and off the ice. I liked how we saw how both of them handle the different stresses and life changes that were happing at the time. I also loved how this continued to let us know what happened after A Dance to Freedom. It was great to see characters from that book show up in this book. I loved the ballet and ice skating description because I could visualize it in my head. I look forward to reading more in the series and seeing where the characters go from here.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
July 25, 2021
This was a great read! I was sucked in quickly, and the action and adventure continued to keep me engaged. I was on the edge of my seat, reading as fast as I could to find out how they would jump over the next hurdle. This is my first book by Tracie, and I will definitely come back for more.
Her characters, while on the young side, were very real and had to deal with a lot of tragedy. I appreciated how realistically they responded to events in their lives. Amaliya and Tyler were adorably sweet, and from all their practicing they were very determined. They set high dreams and achieved them.
If you are looking for a sweet romance that reminds you of the Olympics, this is the one! Figure skating is one of my favorite events to watch, and this story is kind of like the “backstory” of all skaters prior to becoming Olympians.
Her characters, while on the young side, were very real and had to deal with a lot of tragedy. I appreciated how realistically they responded to events in their lives. Amaliya and Tyler were adorably sweet, and from all their practicing they were very determined. They set high dreams and achieved them.
If you are looking for a sweet romance that reminds you of the Olympics, this is the one! Figure skating is one of my favorite events to watch, and this story is kind of like the “backstory” of all skaters prior to becoming Olympians.
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