There's much more to On Thin Ice than the blurb reveals. It's not just about a cute romance. This book highlights the culture of hazing and how people can be pressured into participating and covering up the effects of hazing out of fear. Cross demonstrates how easily you can get sucked into a certain culture and not realize what you are doing is wrong because of the excuses you--and others--tell yourself.

I liked the main characters Brooke and Jake. They're both dealing with a lot and it's sweet to see them confide in each other. I loved watching them support each other. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the past books pop up!

Overall, I liked this book. I do wish the ending wasn't quite so abrupt, but it was still a solid read. I encourage fans of the series to give this book a chance.

Tugs at your heart and leaves you completely satisfied with the perfect HEA. I was very happy reading this and even though it wasn't one of my top romances, I still felt justified with the storyline.

I've really loved the other books in this series, so I was really excited to read this one. And it didn't disappoint. Cute, romantic, and of course I can't resist the hockey-players.

I really loved the main characters. They were both interesting and relatable, and I really started rooting for them. I couldn't put it down because I had to know how things worked out for them.

The best part for me was that hockey was actually a big part of the story. Usually, it doesn't take much space in the actual story, but it did in this one. And I loved it. I'm a huge hockey fan, so I'm always first in line for hockey romances, but this book was even better than expected.

I loved the previous books in this series. Hockey is probably my all-time favorite sport to read with romance. I could not put this book down. So pleased with it.

The final book in a series--you don't have to have read the whole series, but it would probably help! Some issues are further explored here, and there are some familiar characters. It's not quite a fluffy read. There is some angst and serious topics that will have your heart in your throat.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book which I received
through Netgalley. This was a great read! I really liked it. Bought the book so I have a good reason to read it again.

I thought this was pretty average and nothing stuck out to me about the plot or characters. I didn't really think there was much that made me want to keep reading.

I remember reading the previous book in this series and thinking it was cute read with a bit of emotional depth so I was curious to pick up another book in this series. Here we have Brooke who is new in town after her father went to jail and her and her mother had to move in with her grandma. Her mother is having some mental health issues and Brooke is also dealing with some of that herself. Being the new girl in town is not easy in the middle of all that. Trying out for the new girls hockey team is her way of challenging herself and maybe fitting in a bit.

Jake is the star of the hockey team and future captain this new season. High school hockey is the biggest thing in town and that comes with a lot of pressure and years-long tradition. Including a hazing ritual that he has to be a part of and goes terribly wrong.

There are things about this author’s writing that I enjoy but there are also other things that I just can’t connect with. I do like that the characters in this series usually have to deal with some issues that make them have to grow and mature. That’s where our characters find themselves in this book, especially Jake. He’s in a really tough spot and some of the decisions he has to make have the chance of impacting his plans for the future.

At the same time, ON THIN ICE was very slow moving. I’m not sure if it’s because there are some scenes that go on and on about things I didn’t find all that interesting or relevant to the plot. That could just be me. The plot, however, was something I enjoyed. I liked seeing these two characters help each other through some tough situations. But I can’t say we dug deep enough for my liking into what made these two tick. Or even deep enough into some of the more serious subjects this book tackles. I wanted more character development. Yes, there are actions that show the characters are maturing and thinking for themselves but I think we could’ve had some better development in the internal struggle of how they got there.

This is still a cute read and if you’re like me and don’t usually read young adult contemporary, this author may be a good fit.

On Thin Ice takes readers back to the small town of Juniper Falls. It’s a young adult romance told in a dual point of view about standing up for what’s right even if it’s not the popular thing to do. If you love a sports romance, this one is quite enjoyable and features both female and male hockey players.

Jake lives and breathes hockey, much like most of the inhabitants of Juniper Falls. When a hazing incident goes awry, he ends up assisting the newly formed girls hockey team.

Brooke’s life took an unexpected turn and she’s living with her grandmother. She’s quite introverted and reserved as she contemplates the changes that have occurred to her life.

The connection and chemistry this pair shares is undeniable, and I enjoyed seeing their bond develop as they not only find solace in each other’s arms but friendship, support, happiness and understanding. With each other they find a confidant they can be completely honest with. The character growth and development of this pair over the course of the book, draws you further into their story.

I have previously read Off The Ice, the first title in this series, which honestly I didn’t enjoy anywhere near as much as this title. You can easily read this title as a standalone, and it’s well worth a read if you’re a fan of young adult sports romance.

I loved this as a book as how it was written I enjoyed the ice skating part the romance all of it made this book so well the writing style the theme and story line loved it all

I forget in between books in this series just how intense they are. The blurbs make them sound much fluffier than the reality--these are some meaty stories, in absolutely the best way. Jake and Brooke are both dealing with some pretty major issues in their personal lives, and on top of that share a completely awful experience early on that binds them together--and at first, neither is at all convinced that this is a good thing. The romance here is slow moving but delicious, and other than worrying at times that Jake wouldn't eventually make the difficult but right choice in the end, I absolutely loved this book.

On Thin Ice is the third book in the series, and though you'll care more about the secondary characters here in the book's most dramatic scene if you've read their stories too, you don't have to have read the other books to get its impact. Though this seems like a good place to end the series, my fingers are crossed that there's more to come!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is a pretty common coming of age contemporary romance. It involves some heavy topics that arent normally discussed, for example how toxic sports towns can be. Brooke and Jake work so well together and really helped each other grow.

The blurb definitely brought me into this story and overall I can say it was a pleasant read. Please note that this series does fall into the Teen/Young Adult category, so if you're not into that genres then obviously this isn't for you (or me for that matter). “On Thin Ice” by the author Julie Cross touch based on realistic issues and it became easy to relate to at least one character and the premise of the story was intriguing enough to keep me holding on for a bit. Unfortunately this series falls into a genre I'm not particularly a fan of which cause me to dropped this series with the potential of picking this back up in the future.

This is definitely a book that teens will enjoy and connect to - especially if they enjoy sports. Hockey is a part of this series but it is second to the romantic relationship in the story. This is a stand alone novel, but I felt I was missing some background with the other characters. Starting at the beginning would be good. I would recommend for 8th grade and up.

The publisher, Entangled: Teen, kindly offered me an advanced reader copy (ARC) of On Thin Ice by Julie Cross via NetGalley. Yet, this is an honest review of the book expressing my humble opinion.

On Thin Ice was an authentic YA contemporary that had me turn pages constantly in need to see what happens next. I loved the setting--a small town with deep ice-hockey roots. An ice-hockey fan myself, I really enjoyed all ice-hockey information, and the author fused them well with the story.

The story is told in dual POV--Brooke's and Jake's. I loved both characters, and the voice was pretty distinct. You knew whose perspective you were reading without a doubt. I found both characters real, relatable, and authentic. They were deep characters, mature yet made teen choices. Nothing felt forced. Instead, it was a beautiful story with two wonderful characters you can't help cheer for in a lovely setting. My one comment is that there were sub-plots that didn't lead anywhere at the end. Scenes that raised the tension in the range of that scene, or maybe a couple of chapters, but didn't serve any purpose in the overall story. I thought that maybe it would culminate at the end in one big climax, but it didn't. The sub-plots closed with a bow within a couple of chapters, and I was confused as to what purpose they served. For example, for me, it should be more about the rise of the girl team, instead of the issues the boys team faced. In one scene, the two main characters acknowledged how white their town is, which on the one hand, it was good that it was said, on the other hand, why not make it diverse instead? We need more diversity in books, especially in YA and MG.

Overall, On Thin Ice was a nice book. I loved the two main characters, the setting, and the ice-hockey theme. I just didn't connect to the plot as much as I had hoped.

3.5 stars - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Author: Julie Cross
Publisher: Entangled: Teen

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I was completely obsessed with this book from page one. I read book one in this series and felt that the middle dragged out a bit, that was 100% not the case with this book. I couldn’t put it down – I’m already excited to read the next book in the series.

Brooke has had her life completely flipped upside down – her father is arrested, her and her mother, who is a drug zombie most days, have had to move from their Texas home to live with her grandmother in Michigan, also meaning that she has had to start over at a new high school. Oh, and her entire life has revolved around dancing and her new school doesn’t have that either. All-in-all, Brooke is a super quiet girl who is just trying to get through life.

Jake Hammond is literally the town prince, star hockey player, and all-around popular dude. Until a hazing ritual that he didn’t even want to participate in goes terribly wrong and Jake ends up not only taking the blame but also with a broken collarbone. Now Jake is unable to play hockey, the town has taken his prince title, and his father is mad at him for not blaming the other players of his team for the hazing. Brooke quite literally saved Jake’s life and that combined with Jake coaching the girl’s hockey team Brooke joined means the two wind up spending a ton of time together and forming an unbreakable bond.

I really love that though the situations that happen to the kids in this book suck, they’re realistic and the author does a fantastic job bringing this story to life. This has definitely been my favorite book in the series so far. I’m really looking forward to seeing who the next book will be about!


Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
On Thin Ice is the third installment of the Juniper Falls series. This is a standalone series, meaning the books can be read out of series order with no confusion felt by the reader.

I'm a big fan of Julie Cross's writing style and the way she creates young adults who are believable and lifelike, their quirkiness a breath of fresh air rather than over-done or over-the-top. At the same time, Cross always manages to have me clicking the pages at a rapid rate, needing to know what happens next.

Brooke's numbness resonated with me. Her father is in prison and her mother has checked out, leaving Brooke to move in with her grandmother. But she doesn't adjust well, closing herself off instead of experiencing the chaotic emotions that would tear her apart.

Brooke doesn't believe she needs anyone, but she received unlikely support and attention from the most popular boy in school, Jake. Their connection is strong and realistic. Believable. She opens up and learns to trust again.

After a hazing gone wrong, Jake is thrust into Brooke's path. This is obviously a hockey romance, but it isn't pushed to the wayside like many novels do. Hockey is a supportive character in the novel, having its own voice. I actually didn't know anything about the sport, and I learned a bunch without it coming off as textbook or too much information. The delivery was perfect, an entertaining way to teach.

I highly recommend this novel, the series, and the author to fans of young adult, as Julie Cross is on my must-read list.

Young Adult age-range: 14+ disclaimer on hazing rituals gone wrong.

I love the writing style of Julie Cross! Some of her male characters have become my book boyfriends! I have reread them time and time again. In this new story Brooke and Jake find each other in a time of their lives when they needed someone to connect. As I read this book I found myself not being able to put it down, imloved watching these two character find each other, grow together, and understand their problems!

I received a copy of from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity.

5 Stars and here’s why:

Holy hotness! Total book hangover. Read it in one night. Couldn’t put it down. Ms. Cross and her Juniper Falls Series’ ON THIN ICE is engaging and well written, but more importantly, she captures what it’s like to be a teen. It’s not easy to navigate the adulting trenches, and everyone has struggles – both teens and their parents. The author explores issues such as a hazing incident that goes awry and how the school, coaches, teammates, and parents deal with the prospect of assigning blame and what that means for the players’ futures. One decision can impact so many lives and in so many ways. Brooke is dealing with her own demons trying to start anew in a place she’d like to lay low. Best of all, Jake and Brooke have chemistry in spades and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

If you like hella-hot guys and savvy girls plus well-written stories that tackle real issues in an engaging and thought-provoking way, then this book is for you. Highly recommend.

I love Julie Cross and all of her books but for some reason, this book seemed to be a little lacking. I felt as though there was a good plot but at the same time, there wasn't. Overall, the story made sense and flowed but it felt kind of rushed and like it missed some little details that can make a book amazing. Even though this book was good, it was defiantly not my favorite in the series.

So, a quick summary...Brooke a new girl in town witnesses an incident between Jake Hammond, the captain of the ice hockey team and the team itself. Jake needs to decide if he wants to stick to tradition or stand up for what he believes is right. Throughout the story, Brooke helps Jake make a decision and the pair grow closer.

I would defiantly read this book if you read the rest of the series. However, I don't know that I would make it my top priority to catch up on the series because you are interested in this book.

I really enjoyed this book. There were some issues that I has with it, but overall I really enjoyed it. There are mention of self harm, suicide, and sexual assault so be wary of that.

Theres also use of a disability in a negative way, in my opinion. A character is harmed because they are deaf and it was used to push the story forward. So just know that before going in.