This book is well-written, but I wasn’t prepared for the level of trauma. The cute illustrated cover led me to expect a more light-hearted read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Always enjoy a good hockey romance! Love it when there’s a misunderstanding that keeps the lovers apart!!

Um excuse me why was this book so freaking good? I really enjoyed this sports romance and devoured it.

I enjoyed this book- especially the nods to the Detroit Red Wings (Red Wheels in this book) and the overall hockey aspect of the book. I gave this 3 stars only because I felt that the structure of the sentences at time didn't flow- and I found myself questioning the point of some sentences. I enjoyed this, and I would love if this series continued, because I would be a big fan. Not many people write about Michigan, so when I find a book that does- I want the series to continue on and on. I really like Nick, and I like how he felt vulnerable with Alyssa and opened up to her. I did feel at times their relationship was awkward- especially with the miscommunication. I'm glad that in the end they ended up together.

4.5 stars

This book is such a curveball. I go in blind when reading and was expecting some light romcom hockey romance (which it was), but there is SO MUCH MORE to this book. Mental health rep, survivor's guilt, figuring out where you belong, shame/guilt of the past, and a heartbreaking MMC who you just can't help but root for and want to hug all the broken pieces back together.

The spice wasn't all that spicy, but the plot and characters and banter more than made up for it. This book really, really took me by surprise with how heavy it was while still remaining light. I absolutely will keep reading Katie (and hope that this turns into a series because there's more guys on the team that I'm curious about, but not sure if it would work well as a series due to the heaviness of the topics in this one and I'd hate to see this book be turned into a cotton candy, light and fluffy series when it's so much more than that).

I was lucky enough to be able to go between the book and the audio. Scarlett Everdeen and Nick Mondelli did a wonderful job. Scarlett was perfect for Nick. I do have to admit that his voice was a little odd during the spicy scenes. It was almost flat, but during the rest of the book he was perfect. Scarlett as Alyssa was phenomenal. She got the quirkiness of Alyssa and the snark in her voice.

Thank you, NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Dreamscape Media for the ARC/ALC.

Hearts on thin ice is an adult romcom and is the authors debut adult novel.

I liked this book fine enough, but there was something shallow about the character development that left me feeling like I wanted more. From the beginning, I felt like everything was moving too quickly, being glossed over. Both Alyssa and Nick have traumas that come into play in their relationship and while the author does delve into them more, something about it still felt like it was very surface level.

- pro hockey player x interior designer
- workplace romance

Hearts on Thin Ice was a book I was SO looking forward to reading as I am currently in my "hockey" era. However; I couldn't get behind/feel the chemistry Katie Kennedy was writing and wasn't invested in the relationship. Some of the descriptions also felt a bit juvenile. Thus, I ended up "not finishing" this read at the 14% mark.

Hearts on Thin Ice by Katie Kennedy is a captivating hockey romance that will have you swooning. Filled with humor and unforgettable moments on the ice, this novel is sure to keep you entertained from start to finish. Kennedy's writing skillfully combines the excitement of hockey with the warmth of a budding romance, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Get ready to fall in love with the characters and cheer them on as they navigate the ups and downs of love and hockey.

I was able to review an ARC of this novel courtesy of Netgalley and Alcove Press. I actually really liked this novel, and continue in my hockey romance era!

Nick Sorensen is one of the fastest hockey players in the league however he suffers an injury in a plane crash that only he survives. Nick is now “healed” and feels that he is ready to be back on the ice, however his coach is concerned that he is not doing well mentally. The proof that the coach feels that he has is that Nick’s apartment is completely empty and undecorated.

In an attempt to prove that he is emotionally fine, and ready to get back to the game he hires an interior designer to help him with his apartment. Over time Nick becomes attached to Alyssa, and catches feelings. Alyssa finds Nick very difficult and stubborn. Over the course of the novel there are a lot of topics and subjects discussed including sports, mental health and grief.

I feel that this is a great debut novel from Katie, and I felt like the character development was good. Both Alyssa and Nick were great, their roles and dual POV were done well. I also really enjoyed their chemistry and the banter between them. Alyssa really seemed to meet Nick where he was and I liked her character’s ability to do that. I also liked Nick’s concern and compassion for Alyssa despite his own grief and trauma.

This book did take me some time to finish as I was not fully engaged immediately and it felt more like a slow burn for me, however that may have been the author’s intention. I did enjoy the novel and feel that fans of Icebreaker will enjoy this.

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

Hearts on Thin Ice is a heartwarming and engaging read that offers a refreshing take on the sports romance genre. Katie Kennedy skilfully weaves themes of mental health, healing, and belonging into a charming love story that resonates on multiple levels.

Nick Sorensen is a compelling character whose journey from trauma to recovery is portrayed with sensitivity and depth. His struggle to come to terms with his past and find a new normal is both realistic and touching. Alyssa Compton, on the other hand, is a determined and relatable heroine whose own quest for stability and home complements Nick's narrative beautifully.

The chemistry between Nick and Alyssa is palpable from the start, with their interactions ranging from frustrating to tender. Their relationship evolves naturally, with moments of tension and humor that keep the reader invested. Kennedy's portrayal of their growing bond is nuanced, avoiding clichés while still delivering the emotional payoffs that romance readers crave.

The secondary characters add richness to the story, providing support and additional layers to the main plot. The inclusion of mental health as a central theme is handled thoughtfully, highlighting the importance of seeking help and the impact of emotional well-being on one's life and relationships.

Hearts on Thin Ice is a strong debut for Katie Kennedy, offering a well-crafted romance that addresses deeper issues with grace and authenticity.

I couldn't get into this at all unfortunately.

Thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press
& Dreamscape Media for an advance copy

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After losing all of his friends in a plane crash that he miraculously survived, pro hockey player Nick Sorensen is struggling. Physically, he's ready to rejoin his team and play again, but mentally, he can't escape the nightmares. When his coach tells him that he needs to do something about his bare apartment, or else he's going to be benched, Nick hires an interior designer, and lets her do whatever she wants. The only issue, however, is that Alyssa Compton, is a woman on a mission, and if she proves herself with this job, she will be set for life. And she's not going to design someone else's home without their input. Clashing over everything from artwork, or paint colours, Nick and Alyssa's relationship soon turns from enemies to begrudging friends, to something more. But is Nick ready to open himself up again?

I really liked this book. Nick was such a heartbreaking character, and the way he struggled with his grief, but eventually managed to live for the future, and realise his friends would not want him to suffer like that, was breathtaking. He and Alyssa were truly made for each other, and though Alyssa could see that Nick was damaged, she never treated him as anything other than someone who could be loved, and who she loved. Everyone was there for Nick, and with Alyssa, he could achieve anything he wanted. This was such a great book.

Overall I had a fun time with the story, an enjoyable romcom that hit on some hard topics. The couple was enjoyable, though at times some scenes were a little too far fetched for my liking. This book took a little longer for me to finish, as when I put it down I had no want to pick it back up.

I’m not sure I would call this a hockey romance. There’s more about interior design than hockey which didn’t bother me but is something to bear in mind. However, this book wasn’t really for me. There wasn’t much chemistry between Nick and Alyssa and the miscommunication was beyond frustrating. Just one conversation would have solved everything. The fight they had using art instead of actual words was so stupid. I thought their pasts would add some depth to the characters but theres a lot of telling and not showing. We get told that they’re healing from their trauma but I wanted to see the actual character growth. The second plane issue was written so weirdly that I thought it was a dream at first. The sex scenes were so cringey, it felt like they were written by a teenager. The whole pirate and jolly roger thing nearly made me dnf and I kinda wish I had. It just needed some more fleshing out.

Nick Sorenson, a famous hockey player, was in a plane crash with his teammates and he was the only survivor. He was traded to another team and is struggling with his mental health. His coach is determined to help him but is requiring him to get his apartment space decorated rather than just having his mattress on the floor and one single chair. Alyssa Compton is the interior designer that he chooses but he does not make her job easy. In fact. he is determined to make it difficult and not agree with anything that she wants. Alyssa has her own struggles and her boss is beyond mean. She is hoping that this job will bring her job security, but Nick unintentionally gets her fired.

Thinking about what Nick went through really made me feel for him. I could not imagine. I liked how he did not get mad at Alyssa for things she suggested in his apartment that brought back memories of the plane crash, but just explained to her how they made him feel once he was better able to communicate. There was plenty of spice in this story and even though it was wrong to sleep with a client, Alyssa's boss opening the note on her flowers to find that out was also wrong. I loved the side characters she worked with at the party store and the hockey side characters were great too!

I was not prepared to love this dual POV, sports romance debut with GREAT emotional depth just as much as I did!! Nick Sorenson is the sole survivor of a tragic plane crash and grieving his lost hockey teammates when he is forced to hire an interior decorator to work on his apartment. Enter Alyssa who tries to make over his apartment in a way that Nick is comfortable with only to find herself falling for him. Steamy, swoony and perfect for fans of Hannah Grace and Elle Kennedy, this was great on audio and I can't wait for more! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

While reading the first 50% of this book, I was recommending it to everyone in my life who loves romances with emotional heft. The exploration of both Nick and Alyssa's backstories had me tearing up at times, giving me the feeling of an Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez book. That being said, the second half of this book felt surface level, with the miscommunication trope driving the plot and distracting from what could have been a really powerful love story. I felt that the characters had no chemistry despite being set up well, leaving me wanting so much more from this as a whole by the end.

I love a good hockey romance, and this one checked all the boxes for me! It was fun and entertaining, and the characters were so enjoyable with their unique personalities. I definitely had a good time by the end of the book!

very cute romance, easy to read and a book that i was unable to put down. loved the storyline and character development, truly a book that i will recommend for my bookstore to purchase.

This book focuses on both main characters coming from backgrounds that have their fair share of obstacles. We didn’t get to see either character overcome those obstacles, we rather were told the obstacles they overcame.

Nick experienced a recent tragedy and overcame physical injuries to make his way back to the NHL. It was obvious that he was still experiencing the psychological impacts of the plane crash he was in, but I didn’t think there was as much impactful emotion as there could have been in this story. We also know that Alyssa had a hard childhood, with a lot of poverty. There wasn’t a good exploration into how it continues to impact her in her life and work. My heart broke for these characters, but I feel like I could have felt more if we delved more into the story.

I liked Nick and Alyssa together, but both of them struggled with communication so much. If they talked to each other, rather than skirting the issues, a lot of the problems they experienced could have been prevented. I did enjoy the found family aspect of the hockey family in Detroit and liked the few scenes we got with them.

Overall, I think this book wasn’t for me. If I am reading a book with tragic backstories, I want that to tear me up inside and I just didn’t get that from this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.