I enjoyed this story. I read it awhile ago and forgot to send the review. Tonight I am getting caught up on my reviews. Hockey Romance stories are always a fun and easy read. I will read more by this author in the future.

Hearts on Thin Ice has a great blend of romance and drama. You could FEEEEl the chemistry between the characters!

First of all, thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I love romances, and sport romances with hockey are one of my favourite things ever so, when I saw this cover and read the synopsis, I was really excited to begin the book.

Unfortunately it wasn't that good for me. I didn´t hate it, but I couldn't find me addicted while reading either. Sometimes I had to force myself to read, because I thought that it had great potencial.

Well, I love the fact that it is written in dual pov, and the couple it's cute, so I could find me enjoying some parts. The author also talks about some important topics that could turn the reading a little more heavy but, for others, it could turn it more enjoyable.

Overall, it´s a good book, and a good option if you don´t know what to read and like sport romances like me.

While I had a fun time and the book dealt with some great topics, the dialogue at times was cringey. Also I don’t fully understand how the title fits into the story

Nick was the sole survivor of a plane crash that killed his best friends (and teammates). His team wrote him off after the accident and he moved to Detroit to play for the Red Wheels. While physically, Nick heals from his injuries, mentally he is struggling. When his teammate finds out Nick is living in an apartment with essentially no furniture (other than a mattress on the floor and a chair in the living room), his coach orders him to either furnish his apartment or go to therapy.

Alyssa is an interior designer and loves what she does. Unfortunately her boss is an absolute witch, but Alyssa puts up with her to build up her reputation. She plans to open her own business one day. When Nick’s teammate recommends Alyssa, Nick hires her to design his apartment. As the two spend time together, sparks begin to fly.

I really enjoyed this read! It's a first time read for me by this author and her writing style easily kept me in the story. I loved the characters and the overall vibe of the story.

Unfortunately, this book felt like it still needed a lot of work.
First, the MML's backstory was very traumatic and specific, almost to the point of being unbelievable, unrelatable, and hard to navigate. It felt like he makes very little progress throughout the book and has no emotional maturity.
Alyssa was slightly more likeable and had more drive behind her, but again, lacked depth and growth.
Their chemistry was barely there and their communication was bad.
All in all, there was very little that made me care about what happened to these characters. It also felt like making him a professional hockey player had zero impact on the actual story and that the author just did it to try and fit a currently popular niche.

Hearts on Thin Ice is not a light hearted hockey romance despite the cover. It is a story of trauma and recovery and was heartbreaking during a lot of it. Despite the trauma, it had a lot going for it and a lot of potential - healing journey, finding love after loss, and a side of home decorating. But wow these two characters needed to talk, there was so much miscommunication throughout the whole thing that it was distracting and infuriating. I did like the book actually until the last 1/3rd when I think it went off the rails. Huge declarations of love, making decisions for the other person without talking, etc. I really dont think this couple will last past the book.

i think i’m half half on this book

there’s certain parts of this that i feel like is super cringey and frustrating to read, to the point where i feel like skimming

but the last 30% is so good? especially when they decided to flesh out the backgrounds of the characters (plus petty nick is the BEST)

i’m not sure what i feel about the relationship - the constant miscommunication is so annoying, plus i don’t know if i feel the chemistry much

but all the mental health talk & scenes were so good and i’m so glad those had a full story arc!

I appreciate what they author was *trying* to do - a fun romance with some deep themes. Unfortunately it just wasn't executed that well. I needed a lore more chemistry from the two mcs. There was also a few too many over the top scenes (ahem - looking at you pirate party) for my liking.

Over all - not bad, not great.

Hockey romances are my kryptonite. This wasn't my favorite but I did still have a good time with it!

This is meant to be a romcom between Nick and Alyssa, a hockey player and an interior designer.

I was anticipating a sports romance similar to Tessa Bailey of Hannah grace but this one was a bit different. This one focuses more on the trauma of the two characters instead of the sports side which was a bit much at times. I expected more build up, more comedy, and overall more chemistry between the characters. It felt a bit forced to me and the chemistry just wasn't there.

I would have liked some more developed characters and overall just better romance, the pirate sex scene was a bit forced and weird. Honestly I think these characters should have stayed friends because it was just a bit off for me the entire book (I skipped the sex scenes because it wasn't it for me)

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Katie Kennedy for this ARC

It's a quick and easy read. The story is really cute but I found it a bit too much at times. I love a hockey romance and I do recommend the book to those who love these types of books!

3.5/5 ⭐️

Nick Sorensen, a hockey star, sees his life forever changed after a tragic plane crash takes his best friends and leaves him as the sole survivor. To prove he’s fine and move past his trauma, he decides to redecorate his apartment. For this, he hires Alyssa Compton, a talented interior designer with much to prove in her career.

Alyssa sees this opportunity as her big chance to establish herself professionally but quickly discovers that working with Nick won’t be easy. Together, they embark on an emotional journey of healing and rediscovery, showing that sometimes, all you need is someone who believes in you.

This novel captures the reader's attention from the start with its premise: a hockey player battling his inner demons and an interior designer trying to forge her own path. It explores themes such as mental health, the sense of belonging, and the search for purpose in life.

The character development is one of the book's strengths. Nick, despite his tough and stubborn exterior, is a deeply wounded character trying to rebuild his life after an unimaginable tragedy. His evolution throughout the novel is sincere and realistic, making the reader empathize with his pain and struggle to overcome it. Alyssa, on the other hand, is a strong and determined protagonist whose passion for interior design and desire for personal and professional stability are palpable.

However, the novel has some points that could have been improved. At times, the story's pace becomes a bit slow, which may cause some readers to momentarily lose interest. Additionally, while the character development is deep, I would have liked to see a bit more romance between Nick and Alyssa. Their chemistry is evident, but their romantic interactions sometimes feel restrained and could have been explored more thoroughly to satisfy readers looking for a more intense connection between the protagonists.

The ending of the novel is very satisfying. The resolution of the plot and the unity of Nick’s hockey team provide an emotional closure. The references to art throughout the book are a great addition, providing an extra layer of depth and appreciation that enriches the story.

Moreover, I’m a fan of the cover and the illustration on it. It reflects the essence of the book very well and adds a visual appeal that I loved.

In summary, is a novel that blends romance, personal growth, and art in a moving way. Although it could benefit from a more consistent pace and a greater focus on the romantic relationship, it remains a recommended read for those who enjoy emotional and well-constructed stories. Nick’s struggle to overcome his trauma and Alyssa’s determination to find her place in the world make this story an inspiring and touching read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Honestly this book was a bit cheesey in my opinion. It can be so hit or miss with the hockey romance. It was a cute and easy story to follow and you felt like you really got to know the characters. This is the first book I’ve read from this author.

This was a cute hockey romance! I liked the plot centered around Alyssa, an interior designer, helping the hockey star Nick decorate his depressing apartment and heal from his survivor guilt. I also liked the complex, quirky characters that added interest to the story. Nick's interest in art is a surprising twist to his personality and adds charm when he helps Alyssa's brother with the school mural. It also gives Alyssa and Nick a common interest. I thought the nurses' Halloween party was funny with Nick dressed up like the sexy pirate. I found this book a little too spicy for me with several open-door romance scenes I had to skip over. I finished the book quickly because of it! The happy ending was worth all the skipping.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

It’s a good story for hockey romance lovers. The main characters were likeable and there was good chemistry between them. I liked the part when they went to the museum. It is a story of new beginnings.
My only note is that there were a few inconsistencies in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.

I honestly could not finish this book… I just don’t think the writing style was for me, but others may love it!

Cute romance. I’m not a huge fan of sports, but I still liked this sports romance. I think it could have been a bit spicer though.

*3.5

I really liked the two of them together, I just wanted more. I think it would have been better if it was in first person. I also wanted an epilogue where we actually saw them together.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Thank you to the author, Alcove Press and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I read this a while ago, but am well behind with my reviews and trying to catch up!

This is marketed as a rom-com with an edge - death, grief and survivor's guilt are heavy topics that are introduced gently here. However, the true extent of the brokenness of the male protagonist never quite comes across - it's handled more as "yeah, he went through a hard time, but he'll get over it". I am not an extreme sports fan, but the relationships within the team come across as authentic, and the healing journey of the male protagonist is well done. What does not work for me is the rom-com angle - apart from the complete lack of chemistry, the interactions seemed very immature and I would have liked to see more build-up before they paired up. Overall, an uneven read - the premise was good, but it didn't deliver.