Oh you gotta love a hockey rom-com story! This one will make you dream of an interior designer coming to your house to remodel a room or two! HGTV meets hockey.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a heartwarming book! Throughout this story, Nick struggles with his mental health and feeling worthy after losing his closest friends in a plane crash. Alyssa is a struggling interior designer who is trying to get her name out there. Although this is a hokey romance, the actual hockey aspect of it was more in the background, with the mental health aspect taking more of a leading role. I loved the growth of both Alyssa and Nick, but since this is a sports romance, I would have liked more sports content. This was, overall, a fun audiobook, and I can't wait to read more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review

This is not the light read that the title and cover suggest. It starts off with a serious life-altering accident, which I was thankful to learn was temporary - the story more dealt with the psychological weight of the incident, and how to move on. The depth of the storyline was a welcome surprise.

But the female audiobook narrator ruined a lot of this book for me. She emoted too much; there were endless emphases in her cadence that grated on me, and really did ruin the steamy scenes.

There were also a few inconsistencies in the writing and general plot arc that indicated novice writing. I had a hard time, for example, buying that she randomly called him to help her get out of the church job. It seemed forced. The steamy scenes were too rushed and repeated gestures (ex: so much collarbone).

Hearts On Thin Ice
Katie Kennedy
A plane crash took the lives of several fine men. There was only one survivor. Nick Sorensen. He came too in complete darkness, calling the names of his best friends and fellow teammates. No one answered. He had to lay there until the rescue team found them. Nick was a well-known professional ice hockey player. He was fast and he was good. Physically he has healed but emotionally and mentally he is broken. Nick’s apartment has only one chair, a mattress on the floor and a cheap coffee pot. His coach is worried about him, but Nick keeps insisting he is ready to return to the ice. The coach requires Nick to decorate his apartment to prove he is ok.
Alyssa Compton is a new but good interior designer. Nick hires her to decorate his apartment. She is eager to do the job. Her boss, Stacy, is a real witch and steals customers from her employees. Nick insists he will only work with Alyssa. The job isn’t easy. Nick cares about nothing. He believes he doesn’t deserve to have anything or even to be alive. Home is important to Alyssa; she didn’t have a home when she was growing up; she, her brother and mother lived in a car. Nick and Alyssa are both damaged, two damaged souls that need each other.
This book was meant to be a romantic comedy, but it is really much more. Both Nick and Alyssa are broken. He seriously needs therapy; he has survivor’s guilt. He talked to his deceased roommate. He felt guilty about everything. He could not move on. Alyssa and Nick were good for each other. Alyssa had integrity, her boss didn’t. I liked this book but would have liked to see the ending go a bit farther. The relationship between Nick and Alyssa should have been taken farther.

Hearts on Thin Ice was a really cute romcom with some grief mixed in. I really felt the sorrow that Nick was going through. He had been through so much. I loved the interior decorating aspect of it. There were times that I felt they jumped from just talking to going all the way without much chemistry beforehand. There was some steam but sometimes I felt they jumped right in without much tension beforehand. I really enjoyed listening to the audio book and the dual POV was really good. I would say this is a 3 1/2 star rounded up to 4.

Dnf at 54%. I just couldn't do it anymore. It did got a little better, but the chemistry just wasn't there. From the beginning the female main character annoyed me, but as she learned more, she got better. But everything felt a bit forced and just a bunch of misunderstanding.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. Nick & Alyssa have great chemistry and a fun time together. Neither character had amazing character development over the novel but it was a fun read if you are in the mood for a romance

Narrators Scarlett Everdeen and Nick Mondelli charm listeners in this heartfelt hockey romance. Nick Sorensen once was the fastest guy in hockey until a heartbreaking plane crash took the lives of his best friends, leaving him as the only survivor. Finally being physically ready to hit the ice again, his coach is concerned about his mental health and his empty apartment. Nick hires Alyssa Compton to spruce up his space, and sparks ignite. Everdeen’s expressive and steady nuance in her performance added a certain grace and vulnerability to Alyssa’s persona. Mondelli’s narrative voice sometimes felt a bit monotone and lacked capturing Nick’s emotionally wounded past. Listeners will long for Alyssa and Nick to heal, comfort each other, and find happiness together.

This book has all of the foundation but failed to deliver for me.
The narrators really carried the weight here.
Nick Sorensen physically recovers from a Grey's Anatomy level traumatic plane crash in which he is the only survivor, but mentally he is stuck.
His new coach and teammates (and teammate's partners) are concerned that his apartment is a reflection of his mental health and commitment to the team.
Enter our FMC from stage left. Alyssa Compton is a bright up and coming interior designer who carries her shame about her childhood like an army pack thru life.
Foundations that could have gone somewhere but fell flat for me:
She falls first, he falls harder. I felt such little attraction between them. I still don't believe he is actually attracted to her beyond her legs and tits.
Sports romance. While I don't need a full sports report, this felt like hockey was an after thought.
The spice literally comes out of nowhere to me. I felt no tension between them and suddenly they are ripping each other's clothes off. I found myself cringing and making the most uncomfortable faces while listening!

Dual pov, hockey romance, Claude Monet, one night stand, insta connection, grief, trauma, third act breakup, miscommunication

A hockey player that’s an art lover, say less! As soon as Monet was referenced I knew I would love this audiobook.

Though I will say I was crying laughing over the artists argument 80% into the book.

This book had me laughing, blushing, and procrastinating my to-do list because I kept getting distracted listening to what was going on. Getting to see Nicks growth in his recovery and how Alyssa unintentionally helps him was so beautiful. Alyssa opening up about her past and knowing how she struggles still as an adult was refreshing to see. As an adult who is also struggling with their purpose in life, seeing it in a character is always reassuring.

I will say that the spicy scenes seem to come out of no where, like there was no build up. There was tension between the characters, but I feel like it was just them having a conversation then all of a sudden they’re having sex. Also, I felt like parts of the book were dragged out a bit more than necessary. I do know that some parts of books don’t translate well to an audio format, so on paper it might work better.

Katie Kennedy’s Hearts on Thin Ice is a delightful and emotionally resonant debut that expertly combines the thrills of a sports romance with the charm of a workplace rom-com. With themes of mental health, belonging, and finding one’s place in the world, this novel offers a well-rounded and satisfying read.

The story centers around Nick Sorensen, a once-celebrated hockey player struggling to reclaim his life after surviving a devastating plane crash that took the lives of his best friends. Nick’s journey back to the ice is not just physical but deeply psychological. His empty apartment, stark save for a single chair and a mattress, symbolizes his internal void and unresolved trauma. Kennedy does an excellent job portraying Nick’s resilience and vulnerability, making him a character readers will empathize with and root for.

Enter Alyssa Compton, an up-and-coming interior designer eager to prove her worth to her demanding boss. Alyssa’s professional and personal aspirations make her a relatable and engaging protagonist. Her initial excitement about decorating Nick’s apartment quickly turns to frustration as she encounters his stubbornness and resistance. However, Alyssa’s determination and compassion shine through, showcasing her as a dynamic and compelling character.

The chemistry between Nick and Alyssa is palpable from their first meeting. Kennedy skillfully navigates their evolving relationship, balancing moments of tension and tenderness. As Alyssa works to transform Nick’s barren apartment into a home, she inadvertently begins to thaw the ice around his heart. Their interactions are filled with witty banter, emotional depth, and a gradual build-up of mutual respect and affection.

One of the standout elements of Hearts on Thin Ice is its sensitive and nuanced exploration of mental health. Nick’s struggles with PTSD and survivor’s guilt are portrayed with authenticity and empathy. Kennedy does not shy away from the difficulties of Nick’s journey, but she also infuses the narrative with hope and the possibility of healing. Alyssa’s support and understanding play a crucial role in Nick’s recovery, highlighting the importance of love and companionship in overcoming personal demons.

The secondary characters add depth and richness to the story. Nick’s coach and teammates provide a realistic backdrop of the sports world, while Alyssa’s interactions with her boss and colleagues add layers to her character’s professional challenges. These supporting characters enhance the primary narrative without overshadowing the main couple’s journey.

Kennedy’s writing is both engaging and evocative, capturing the emotional highs and lows of the protagonists’ experiences. The novel’s pacing is well-balanced, allowing for a natural progression of the romance while addressing the characters’ individual growth and struggles.

Hearts on Thin Ice is more than just a romance; it is a story about resilience, healing, and the transformative power of love. Kennedy’s debut is a heartfelt and compelling read that will resonate with fans of sports romance and contemporary love stories alike. With its well-drawn characters, emotional depth, and satisfying conclusion, this four-star novel is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best things in life come from taking a leap of faith on thin ice.

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a cute book, but it wasn't my favorite. Both Nick and Alyssa didn't seem fully fleshed out as characters. Nick had way more backstory than Alyssa, and it was nice to see some PTSD representation, though I am not 100% sure how accurate it is represented. However for a debut, I think this is a decent start and I look forward to seeing what Katie Kennedy does in the future.

This was a good first effort book, but far from perfect. For instance, I seriously hope that “Red Wheels” as a team name is a place holder for something more…just more. Detroit Mechanics or Motors? Electronica? (did you know Detroit is the birth place of techno?). Fizz? (birthplace of Faygo soda pop). Anything more original than…Red Wheels.

The characters dealt with some real issues in here, Nick in particular. His issues after the plane crash were actually beginning to feel resolved though maybe a bit too quickly (but you only have so many pages). Over all though, this is just a big miscommunication trope book. And I hate miscommunication trope. Which is probably a big reason this lost a star. I *liked* the book, but I didn’t love it. I didn’t love the horrible boss, the pirate bachelor party, the spicy scenes were…meh. And I really didn’t love Nick getting turned down every time he said “let’s go on a real date” because Alyssa was stuck in her own dang head and wouldn’t just *talk to him like an adult*.

I couldn't get into this at all unfortunately.

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

This review is for the audio version of this book. 3.75 stars rounded up!

I loved this. I'm not a big sports romance girl but it's very sports lite - though there were definitely some terms used that I had no idea what any of that meant. LOL It doesn't seem necessary to be a hockey fan to enjoy this though! It basically means the MMC has a lot of muscles and hot friends.

Our narrators Scarlett Everdeen and Nick Mondelli do a really fabulous job with this! I love a dual narration, and dual POV, and it worked really well in this story.

Our MMC Nick is a pro hockey player with a really sad past. He's getting back into the sport after being the sole survivor of a plane crash that took his best friends/teammates lives. Heavy beginning that meant I knew we were going to get some emotional moments from him.

Our FMC Alyssa is an interior designer with the worst boss on the planet. (honestly she was so bad she almost had a caricature quality to her) She's trying to get her life to be one that will make her mother proud, because her mom is the kind of mom that even when life is terrible she's going to pretend it's not.

Nick is struggling and his coach makes him fix up his apartment and go to therapy. He hires Alyssa to fix it up and they start spending more time together.

This book is spicy and it's not really a slow burn but it's the emotional aspect that is slow. It takes a while for Nick to open up about his feelings and it takes Alyssa a while to open up about her past.

I enjoyed their banter and their talk of art and how they related to each other.

Things I thought could be better: The spice is just ok. And that's fine. What I mean is it's pretty generic and not overly explicit spice, but it's definitely not closed door. I also could have gone without all the Rip Van Winkle references. The conflict towards the end could have been avoided with some communication and the manipulation felt weird. I also wish there had been a little more with Alyssa and her mom and working through past trauma with each other.

I really did enjoy the audio and it was easy to listen to and overall an enjoyable book with heart and emotion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for this review!

3.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for this audiobook in exchange of an honest review.

I did really enjoy this book! I found that I was able to easily connect to the characters and they made me feel emotions and care about them when I was less than 20% into the audiobook. However, I do think this may be miscategorized as a romantic comedy. There wee many heavy hitting, serious themes in this book. Characters were overcoming trauma, PTSD and grief to name a few. There were some funny parts in the book but not enough to warrant it to be marketed as a rom com in my opinion.

However, I loved the fact that he was a hockey player and she was an interior designer. I thought they had good chemistry and it didn’t feel forced. Miscommunication became an issue later on into the book but it is handled well once it finally is handled.

I believe that the narrators definitely brought heart to this story and helped bring it alive. I would listen to these narrators again.

I found myself caring about Nick Sorensen and Alyssa as I learned about their pasts and how they would continue on now.

Closed Door Modifications: Ch18,20,38

I have to admit that I have a soft spot for the whole ice hockey romance trope, and that made it easy to like this book.

The characters have emotional depth, a rare sighting in the romance genre these days. The storyline is cute, not too far-fetched, and their connection has a realism to it.

Nothing is forced. It's a nice, comfortable read.

I’m not going to lie it took me a bit to actually get into this story. But once I found my groove I could not stop reading it. There was such a strong foundation for found family. Amazing portrayal of survivors guilt. I like how they pushed for each other to be their best version of themselves. I just wish that as a hockey romance, it’d have hockey content. There was lots of talk about players and stats and what not, but not really any ice time. Also HUGE miscommunication if you’re into that.
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape media for this ALC.
(All thoughts are my own)

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!

This sweet romance audiobook delves into the heavy topic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the guilt associated with being a lone survivor. The protagonist, hockey player Nick Sorensen, struggles with emotional numbness and tunnel vision. His coach assigns him a task to start redecorating his empty apartment as a way to address his trauma.

Enter Alyssa Compton, an up-and-coming interior designer with her own personal trauma. Initially, they clash, but as they are forced to work together, they develop a deeper understanding of each other. The dual-point-of-view narration by both Scarlett Everdeen and Nick Mondelli were brilliantly effective as they convey the emotions of both Nick and Alyssa, creating a compelling and emotionally resonant story.

The excellent narration enhances the emotional depth of the story. While this is a romance story, it does contain potentially triggering topics such as mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and homelessness.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing an advanced audio copy.