So, I figured this would be a bit intense given the subject matter, but I was still somehow surprised to be crying literally immediately upon starting and then also multiple times throughout.

The way both Nick and Alyssa are throwing themselves desperately forward while trying to pretend (to others and to themselves) that they’re unfazed is heartbreaking and devastating to watch. They find kindred spirits in each other almost immediately and it’s exactly what both of them need.

But then they REFUSE to communicate like adults and they just keep spiraling aggressively. There were multiple points where even THEY were admitting there was no actual point to their miscommunication, which is … a lot.

They make each other laugh, and unfurl, and feel safe. And I cried.

Knowing this a debut, I tried to be more open minded. I think this is a decent story and stab at a hockey romance. Nick’s story was the best developed part of the story. It was great to see him finally talk about his trauma and enjoy his life finally. Seeing him be there for his teammates and his team for him was a nice part of the book.

Alyssa’s story was not the strongest. The scene with her mom at thanksgiving did nothing to help resolve her trauma. They barely communicated and Alyssa decideds that good enough for her. I also hated how she was introduced. She was made to look like an idiot and I don’t think anyone is that naive to believe the story about a chicken or the whole potato thing.

Personally, I’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope and there was way too much of it in this book. Like just freaking talk instead of walking away from each other.

There were other minor things, like formatting and missed quotation marks that I hope are fixed in the final copy.

This was a very cute romance book. I love a good hockey romance and this one was very sweet. I liked how the characters supported each other in their growth and processing their various traumas. This was a fun quick read, but it felt like it was just missing a little something. Maybe it’s because the ending felt a bit rushed. I thought the writing was very good and the characters were well developed.

I thought this was a little short and wished that certain scenes were longer or that there were more moments of their relationship growing.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute Hallmark style romance book, that's really feel good and ends in such a cute way that had me kicking my legs and grinning like a fool. I loved watching our main characters fall in love with one another while they were working on their own issues and really growing as people throughout the book. It was sweet, fun, and just really adorable to read.

It's a bit of a shorter read, feels more like a novella over a full length novel which was nice because it wasn't too slow on building their romance, but still felt like it get the romance enough to bloom into something really sweet.

It was a lot of fun and a great read for the kind of day where you're curled up under a cozy blanket and warm drink!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

honestly a really cute story, just not my cup of tea. it's well written, the characters are fully fleshed and easy to love and i was deeply emotionally invested towards the end of it. i think my only complaint is that sometimes descriptions tended to go on a little longer than i deem necessary and that made the book seem to go by a little slower that i would've liked it to. but a delightful read!

An amazing story . It made me smile and cry . Nick is the only survivor of a plane crash that killed his best friend and teammates few months ago and left him with a broken leg and emotionally closed off . When he changes teams at his new place the only things he has are a chair and a matress . When his coach learns that he asks him to decorate his place so he ask the help of his teammate Devlin who introduce him Alyssa an interior designer . At first he is very negative but she is cracking his shell . Alyssa is working very hard so one day can open her own business but her boss is a very cruel woman . While they work together they share secrets to each other and they develope feelings . Will they be able to achieve their dreams and be happy together ?
I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

I absolutely loved this story!! I am a sucker for hockey books and this one certainly did not disappoint. I loved the protagonists, their banter and stories were moving. My heart broke for Nick as we learned about the plane crash and struggle with losing his friends. I loved watching him grow as a character and learn to open up his heart and how he is worthy. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I can’t wait to purchase this book when it gets released so I can reread it again. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the advanced copy.

This book packed a PUNCH!
It was so emotional, and I sobbed entirely too much!
Seeing Nick grief his best friend’s and learn to move one was too real and it was raw and painful BUT it was beautiful.
I loved seeing him open up little by little to Alyssa!
I absolutely adored Alyssa, she was the best heroine!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ / ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/4 stars)

Hearts on Thin Ice invites readers into a world of cutesy romance, an aesthetic perfect for winter. The story unfolds with Alyssa, our endearing female lead, whose humor and relatability add a comical charm to the narrative. I'm not sure I can mention specific moments, but the 10:07 moment cracked me up. We've all been there. When we pair her with Nick, an irresistibly fine male lead, their interactions create a wholesome and adorable atmosphere that makes this book a delightful read. And watch out, everyone - Nick Sorensen is coming in to be your new hockey book boyfriend.

Their relationship was sweet and quite charming - seeing how it evolved throughout their mistakes was wholesome for sure. In particular, the exploration of art as a shared interest between Alyssa and Nick adds depth to their connection, creating moments of genuine warmth and charm. Michelangelo, Monet - I definitely learnt a few things from this book too, which was definitely appreciated. I love how both were educated and were able to converse with each other easily.

The ending, while sweet, feels a tad abrupt, leaving the reader yearning for a more extended resolution. Additionally, the narrative leans into some miscommunication tropes, a common feature in romance, which might be a point of contention for readers seeking a smoother resolution. I'm not a big fan of this trope myself, which is why I'm a little uncertain on how to review it.

That being said, as someone who typically steers clear of light romance unless it serves as a subplot, Hearts on Thin Ice pleasantly surprised me. The book's adorable nature and the chemistry between Alyssa and Nick kept me engaged, making it a worthwhile venture into a genre I don't often explore. Thank you for the ARC!

Who doesn't love a good hockey romance?!?!? This novel had my heart. I need this to be turned into a film asap. I was swooning from the first page.

This one had a lot of potential but I thought the execution didn’t work well for me. The grieving and the healing could’ve been treated more delicately and more realistic. And I also thought it was quite boring 🫢 it lacked plot and layers. But thank you author and publisher and netgalley for giving me the arc to read and review. I’ll always be honest with my reviews…

This book is quite emotional but definitely nice to read. I couldn't fully connect with Alyssa but I enjoyed Nick's POV.
Hockey isn't the biggest focus since Nick had a very traumatic accident but in general it's a nice book to read and easy to read in one sitting.
It wasn't 100% for me but I would recommend it anyway. I'm sure there are quite a few people who would love this book

I've been on a hockey romance kick since the summer and this one was a great read to add to my "read" pile! Alyssa and Nick were a little all over the place, emotionally and developmentally, but I guess that's life for the most part! I liked the different romance tropes but wish more of the sport was actually involved with the storyline other than just the mention of Nick being a hockey player. This had the perfect amount of spice without being too over the top and had a feel-good ending. Thanks for the ARC!

This was such a sweet (and spicy!) love story about two fiercely independent people, each with their own past baggage, colliding into each other at a time when they needed someone most - although neither wants to admit it! It was full of laughs and heartfelt, endearing moments that sucked me into their romance while they faced their fears and challenges.

I know nothing about hockey, but that isn’t required to enjoy the book. I loved the team’s brotherhood and how it added to the couple’s budding relationship. Hearts on Thin Ice lives up to its title, I was on thin ice rooting for the characters while they fell in love!

*Please note, this review does not include any spoilers*

Synopsis
Nick is a hockey player and the sole survivor of a plane crash where five of his teammates and friends were aboard. His new coach gives Nick two options following the crash, 1) therapy or 2) decorate your apartment. After meeting Alyssa, an interior designer, at a teammates party, he decides to hire her to fix up his apartment to appease his coach.

Alyssa is excited for the opportunity to separate herself from her peers and prove to her boss that she is capable of the job.

Nick and Alyssa find that they need to lean on each other for support, finding the best in a partner and teammate.

Tropes include:
Grumpy/sunshine
Hockey romance

Mentions of:
PTSD

My Opinion
Hearts On Thin Ice had me in tears within the first chapter. Nick is a multi-faceted character; He is sensitive, competitive, easy-going, fun. I really fell in love with Nick and at times felt a lot of empathy for his experience.

I wish there was more hockey action. The only mention of hockey is being that Nick is a hockey player.

Overall, this was a great book and I will recommend to friends and followers.

Rating
4.5 stars; Very good book, shelf-worthy and will be recommending to friends/followers.
2.5 spicy pepper emojis; 1-3 sex scenes.

Thank you
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a heartfelt book. The characters of Nick and Alyssa are both broken because of their pasts. And being together teaches them to not only try and move forward but to reach out to others for help. The banter is top notch. And the emotional journeys are well laid out. My issues real came from personal preferences. Alyssa gets in trouble with her boss for “ethical violations” for having a personal relationship with Nick. But I am not sure I buy the ethical restrictions of interior decorators. Also why can she have a close personal friendship with one client but not a sexual relationship with another. It just felt contrived. There is also a bit where the design company is trying to force Nick to use his apartment in an advertisement. Which he doesn’t want and again just seems ridiculous. I guess my issue is the lady boss villain trope takes away from the emotional nuance of the two main characters. Overall if you like oooey gooey big feelings romance and are ok with some two dimensional side characters that are only there to use as a plot device, then honestly you will love it. It is not quite my cup a tea. (I was given an ARC)

Loved this book. My first book from this author. Made me a total fan with this book. would read this again and again

Missed the net for me. Nick was all over the place grieving one minute then flirting the next. Feeling guilty over it, then starting the process all over. I know very little about art so those references confused me. Alyssa was a hot mess. Between her past, her boss and her family there was no way she could win. The description of this book reeled me in but just missed the mark. Thank you to Netgally for this free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily

Hearts on Thin Ice had a great start. Nick is a professional hockey player & the sole survivor of a plane crash that took five members of his team. Dumped by his team during rehab and looking for a fresh start, he joins the Detroit hockey team and is introduced to interior designer Alyssa. As the two work together to furnish his depressing apartment, sparks and misunderstandings fly.

We all know that a typical romance trope is to have some conflict come the third act. This book had like seven conflicts that varied from a reasonable misunderstanding to absolutely stupid occurrences. Cut out some of the blunders in the last fifth of the book and I would be a much happier reader.

Thank you so much to Net Galley. I am so glad I got the opportunity to read and review Hearts on Thin Ice. This book was such a quick read, which I haven’t had in a while!
For sports romance fans, know that this book doesn’t dive too much into the sport of hockey, and isn’t a romance between two athletes. This didn’t bother me. I really enjoyed the plot and characters. There were a few cringey moments, but that’s expected in most romance books. Although the background of Nick’s amazing recovery may be extremely unrealistic, if you look past this, it’s a great, quick read for romance fans.