I thought the first book of the series was okay and enjoyable, but because I didn't love it I struggled getting into the second one and then realized I was forcing it which I shouldn't do. In the end I just wasn't invested and that's on me. It wasn't the series for me.

Super cute quick read. Follow all the usual tropes but a quick, fun read over all if you are not expecting too much.

After reading the first book Off The Ice, I was excited to know that there was more to come and to continue this series. If you follow me on social media you will know that I am a hockey mom to a 14 year old son (Bantam) and a hockey manager for a midget team that my son is a call up for. We have been in the minor hockey world for 6 years now. So getting to read books that are around hockey has been fun to read.

Breaking The Ice takes place in a little town called Juniper Falls in Minnesota where life is centered around hockey. Everyone in Juniper Falls is obsessed with hockey. I think this is a town I need to go to.

Since this is a second book I won’t get too much into. Both books are stand alones in the series but you will get a brief introduction to characters.

Our main characters are Haley and Fletcher. Haley is the Queen Bee of the school. She is captain of the cheerleaders and reigning princess. She is the popular girl at school and her only interest is cheerleading more then she does about school and as luck would have it she is forced to do summer school. Something she isn’t keen on doing. She needs to pass or else. Failing is not an option for her. Its not in her vocabulary.

Now Fletcher is a hockey player who likes to keep his head down. He keeps to himself. When Fletcher’s cousin finds out that Fletcher is going to summer school for extra credit and that he will be with Haley he begs his cousin to put in a good word for him because he has been crushing on Haley. Pretty soon he finds himself seated behind her and being her assignment partner. Thinking this couldn’t work out any better for Cole he agrees. I loved Cole he was too cute.

As Haley and Fletcher begin to work together she realizes that there is more to this tall dark handsome boy then he lets on and that there is a something mysterious about him. I think she knew he would be the perfect partnery to work with but she soon realizes that if she wants to pass she has to work for it and I think I loved this about Fletcher he didn’t give her the easy way out.

I really enjoyed reading this and its definitely different from the first book. This was a quick read and the perfect one to read during Christmas.

Looking forward to seeing where this series goes.

I really love Julie Cross and enjoyed this one a lot. I have attached the link to my good reads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34921587

I love a good hockey romance and this one was a cute, YA sort of take on it that I found myself really enjoying. The characters had layers, and it wasn't just a cookie cutter read. I would recommend.

I thought this was a pretty average book, there wasn't a lot that made me interested in any of the characters.

I love Julie Cross. I think that the books she writes are amazing but there was just something about this book that didn't work for me. I wasn't able to connect to the characters or the plot.

"She leans into my personal space, her eyelids fluttering, all innocent looking. "Are you scared of me, Fletch"" (chapter 13)?

While it was fun to come back to the secret filled, hockey obsessed small town of Juniper Falls, I almost feel like I enjoyed this installment more than the last.

Fletcher and Haley both have to take Civics in summer school for different reasons: Fletcher to get ahead and get out of this gossip-filled town, Haley to make a better grade since hers have been suffering. There personalities are even wildly different. Fletcher keeps low under the radar, he is focused and driven, aiming to stay invisible except on the ice. Haley is the queen bee of the school, head cheerleader, easily distracted, but equally driven through her obsessive lists. Who knew they would need each other to get through this class?

The stakes in Breaking the Ice feel high, and are so interesting. The struggle to understand their relationship, their feelings, and the person underneath their labels is super believable and I was completely hooked. As Fletcher and Haley get to know each other, they find so much depth beyond their labels, which was fascinating to discover along with them. The tension between the two of them as they try to work as friends, even friends with benefits, but are so obviously crazy about each other, was just delightful.

Cross sends the reader through so many twists and turns throughout this book, it is almost impossible to know what will happen next. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was rooting for the two the whole time, through each of the twists. Cross's characters have such depth and are incredibly enjoyable, especially the banter between them. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Anyone else begging for a Jamie story?

Thank you for the chance to review this book. This is the first for me to not enjoy a Julie Cross book. I gave it a two star review, but since I wanted to promote the title, I didn't feel it was right to review it on my blogs if I didn't like it.

So after finishing book one in this series, I jumped on this one almost immediately since they were sent at the same time.

And gosh, I wasn't sure anyone could outdo Claire and Tate. And I honestly don't thing they did *shrugs*
But with that said, I think they tied with them. The couples are just so different and have such different personalities and stories. And while I did really love Claire and Tate, I found myself loving Haley and Fletch just as much.

I really wasn't expecting the story we get from them. And I mean that in a good way. Especially involving Haley. I was so unsure if I would like her, or if she was just going to be another one of these typical not so bad cheerleaders that you think will be self conceded and blah blah blah. But they turn out not to be blah blah blah (Too much? haha)

But she surprisingly wasn't like that much. yeah she had her moments, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much personality she had, and her story.

And then you throw Fletch into that mix. And you can't help but just adore him. And the easy chemistry the two have.

they make such an interesting couple, and have such an interesting romance in general. .And I loved getting deeper and deeper into their story.

Plus all the little things like how well the plot progressed, and how well the book was written played such a big part for me too. Those are what sucked me in, and had me finishing both books in the series in the matter of one weekend I think haha.

I give BREAKING THE ICE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2.75/5 I didnt really care for this book. I mean it wasn't horrible, but I have honestly read better sports romance. I mean the main character kept saying she was a nerd and I didn't see her as one. But I did like that Julie Cross made both characters really passionate about their sports and Haley and Fletcher both loved the play their sports. It was fun reading that about them both. It's usually the guy playing sports so I appreciated that Julie changed that up. I had issues with Haley. She had good points about her, and how she wasn't the jealous and bitter ex when her ex-boyfriend got a few girlfriend. But she was stuck up, and overreacted about a lot of stuff, and I felt like her dialogue felt like it wasn't something someone her age would say. It was very formal and I was like that doesn't seem believable. Also with the romance, there were parts that annoyed me. There were sweet moments between Haley and Fletcher. But they had trouble communicating with each other, and that was super annoying as a reader. But also they were like "I don't want to date" and then Haley would chase Fletcher, and their reasons for not wanting to be together were not strong. I didn't understand them and I was like meh that's not good enough. I'm torn on if I'll want to read Julie's other books, but I think I will if I feel like it in the future. I don't want to hold this book against her since I didn't really care for it but yes, check it out if you're interested in sports romances.

I was skeptical when I first started reading this book. It had a slow sort of beginning, that tends to lose my interest. However, I stuck it out and glad I did. I love how the characters evolved and how the story played out. Now I want to go back and read the first one.

This is my third YA hockey book, though the content of this one feels more like a NA book. I don’t even like hockey, but all of these fabulous hockey themed books make me wish I did!

This is very much a hate to love romance. Fletcher just wants to be left alone and Haley just wants to pass her summer school class. Haley wants to use Fletcher for his smarts, while Fletcher resigns himself to trying to help his cousin, who’s got a huge crush on Haley, get some face time with her. Somehow this unlikely couple falls in love.

Haley is a pretty straight forward character. You love her or you hate her. Fletcher is frustrating because he’s very secretive and harbors animosity toward his town due to rumors about both his parents and grandparents. He has a top secret job, which will keep you guessing the entire time until the job is revealed.

Overall this was an incredibly fun, sweet, and sexy book which I devoured. I will absolutely be looking for more books from Julie Cross in the future.

Due to some of the sexual content in this book I would recommend this one for upper-teen and adult readers.

I really loved this book. The characters were fun to get to know and I love how both the MC's are athletes. Its fun to read sports romances. Both characters developed big time in this book. I do wish we were able to see more of Hayley's parents in the books. But I really recommend this book.

4.5 - Undoubtedly Swoony, Funny and Adorable!

Breaking the Ice by Julie Cross is hilarious, entertaining and absolutely adorable! I enjoyed every minute and honestly cannot wait to read more from this series and author.

This book had my heart melting from the start. It’s super cute, fun, and filled with sweet moments that made me smile. I thought the writing was fantastic. It had a nice flow and was easy to read. The plot wasn’t as predictable as some other YA contemporaries and I found myself pleasantly surprised with how everything played out. Once I really got into the story, I could not stop reading. I don’t want to give too much away, but there were some insanely steamy scenes that had me glued to the pages. I actually reread some of them a few times just so I can enjoy the FEELS because I wanted MORE! Not that there weren't enough, but who doesn't love going through some AMAZING GOOD FEELS!?!? I sure do and loveeeee to experience it over and over again.

I definitely shipped Haley and Fletcher and thought they were perfect for each other! She’s popular, sweet, a bit stubborn, and totally lovable. He’s quiet, smart, talented, mysterious, and undeniably charming. Together, they have this exhilarating chemistry that will make you swoon like cray cray! I loved all their interactions and the push and pull between them was just so darn adorable. Really loved them together! Their relationship was incredibly cute and endearing!

This was a fluffy, funny, and exciting book. I loved the writing, the characters, the friendships, the romance and the ridiculously delightful push and pull between Haley and Fletcher. I adored this book with all my heart and can’t recommend it enough.

If you’re looking for something fun to read with a little steam, some laughs, and a lot of swoon, then add this book on your TBR!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the Publisher, Entangled Teen via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved the second book! This time its all about Haley and Fletcher.



Haley is the princess, top cheerleader, she seems to have it all and she would if she didn't have to be in summer school. Yep, her grades aren't as stellar as she is. But she sure can get Fletcher's attention by just the tap of her pen. Perhaps that would teach Fletcher not to attend class hungover.



It was never Fletcher's plan to get close to Haley. He was going to put in a good word for his cousin. Next thing you know, Fletcher wants more than just being her partner in class. As they learn more about each other, their flame starts to grow and its undeniable what they have.



As I've read these two books, the characters only get better. I love how realistic they are so that many people can relate and fall in love with the characters and story even more.



I cannot wait until the next one!

There was something so fun about reading this novel. It was lighthearted and exciting and full of summer drama.

My favorite part of this novel was all the feminist energy coming from the male side of the story. The way Fletcher is brought up and taught by his family to inspire a feeling of confidence in a woman through dance is such a refreshing and fun storyline. Through all the studying and sport practice both Haley and Fletcher go through over summer the best part was them coming together through dance and in the most unconventional of always and I loved it!

Fletcher and Haley have such a wonderful chemistry and I enjoyed reading about them from their spark filled beginning to their arguments and how they came together at the end. Haley and Fletcher are both such different characters and their strengths and weaknesses work together so well and their passion was fun to see develop.

Every once in a while I need this sort of romantically fun novel to cleanse the spirt and this one was a winner all around.

Haley and Fletcher both took a class over the summer to move forward I’m ther education. I’m their small northern town she was considered their royalty as she struggled with trying to keep up academically. She wants to be more like Fletcher with his ability to maintain his focus and drive and how they find love with each other. Great story!

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley*
Breaking the ice picks up where the previous book left off. But this time with "the queen bee" as the main character. We get to see a softer side to her, and we also get to know Fletcher, who has incredible chemistry with her.
While the first book was more centered about hockey, this one seems to leave it to the side. I'm not sure if that was a good thing or not. What I did like was that the boy could do both! Not going to make any spoilers :)
Seeing as Julie Cross made one of my favourite books ever, it's safe to say that I was a bit disappointed by its litghness. But maybe that's just my new predilection for NA talking.

I adored every minute of this book.
Once I was hooked I could not put it down.
I though Fletcher and Haley’s story was both sweet and swoon-worthy.
Even with their complicated relation ship.