I loved this title. The dynamics of the team, the spice, the romance, the "realness" of the characters made it hard for me to put down. It was everything I had wanted it to be and more!

Thank you Netgalley and dreamscape media for the free ALC.my opinions are being left voluntarily. I really enjoyed this book I don't think I've read anything else bh the author before. I loved the forbidden romance aspect employee and client. I loved the mental health aspect. The sports part, and the team each of them easily could have their own books.. maybe more to come on that. Definitely recommend for the readers / fans of sports romance.

4.5/5☆

This was a cute hockey romance. Some aspects of the story fell flat for me, and I felt it read a little young for an adult romance, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

Okay, so I just finished "Hearts on Thin Ice" and seriously, it was way more emotional than I expected, but in the best way. Nick, our main hockey guy, is dealing with some super heavy stuff after surviving a plane crash that took his teammates. Then there's Alyssa, the sunshiney interior designer who comes in to spruce up his space. It's not just about decorating; it’s more like she starts to brighten his world in more ways than one.

It's got that perfect mix of sweet and serious. You'll totally fall for how they support each other through their past traumas. They're just so cute together! Plus, the writing has this easy flow that keeps you hooked, and the dual POV makes you really get into their heads. Definitely give this one a shot if you're into romances that pack a bit of an emotional punch while still leaving you all fuzzy.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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!

Nick, an NHL hockey player, is just coming back from a plane crash that killed his teammates and best friends. Physically, he's finally doing well enough to start playing again. But mentally? His coach is pushing him to either get therapy or decorate his more than spartian home. So he hires Alyssa, an up-and-coming interior designer, who is more than happy to help this important client, hoping her boss will be impressed. But the task won't be easy...
This grumpy sunshine, slow burn romance is told in dual POV. It was a cute read, but I would've liked more depth. The characters were kind of one-note and flat, the chemistry was virtually inexistant, and the story was a little bland. The good parts and the connection between the MMCs was what kept it interesting, but these moments were few and far between. I would've liked to see Nick take his mental health more seriously. He is super intuitive and enlightened regarding what brings on doubt and hesitations in Alyssa, yet persists to say that he doesn't have any emotions when he so clearly does. The third act break up was based on miscommunication, which I hate, and was dealt with by both MCs like they were 8 year-olds, which I wasn't a fan of either. The spicy scenes felt clumsy. The narrators did a great job in the audio book.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I thought this story was a lot more emotional than I was expecting at times, but it was a really sweet romance. I read a lot of hockey romance and this was right in line with the others with the fun team mate banter and found family. I thought the premise sounded great, with a broody hero and a sunshine girl, and that is exactly what I got.
Coming back from a devastating injury and loss, Nick is a with a new team and he must try to rebuild his life. He needs to start by making his apartment look like more than a white box. Enter Alyssa. She is an interior designer that wants to create a home for him. Nick has so much trauma (which I am unsure why/how he avoided therapy until months later) and he isn't ready to move on with his life. He is at a standstill and doesn't know how to keep going.
Alyssa has a lot of childhood trauma too and she just wants everyone to have a safe space to land. She brings Nick back to life and shows him that he is alive and he needs to keep going.
They have their ups and downs and there were a few things I was like.. oh boy, again? But all in all, I enjoyed this read. 3.5 stars
The audio was done well.
Thanks to Dreamscape, Netgalley and Katie Kennedy for an early copy.

This cute hockey romance features our hockey player falling for the interior designer who makes over his place. It was a sweet story with the underlying importance of seeking therapy. I was able to listen to the audiobook while I read along and found the writing to be well structured and easy flowing. The audiobook narration was great too and perfectly clear. This debut book shows a lot of promise. I can't wait to read what Katie Kennedy writes next.

Quick Summary: Finding love after a tragedy

My Review: Hearts on Thin Ice by Katie Kennedy is a standalone gen-fic, sports romance.

About the Book: Nick Sorensen and Alyssa Compton met in a most unexpected way. Neither knew how much they would come to mean to each other. Small steps, shared activities, heartfelt conversations, and sweet connections of the most intimate kind helped to heal hearts that had been broken by challenges.

About the Characters:

Nick - > As a pro hockey player, Nick was in a new position in his life and he was sorely in need of change. Although he was trying to live beyond the horrible tragedy he had endured, he sadly and desperately clung to a past that he was finding hard to let go. That's where Alyssa came in. New digs meant a new direction. Would he be brave enough to venture forth?

Alyssa - > An interior designer with big dreams and little hope in her present job situation finds herself with an unexpected opportunity. She has the chance work with a pro hockey player. So what if she is attracted to him. She can keep it professional, right? Even though she feels like her boss and her mom are riding her, as usual, and her sibling is bringing all of his drama into her life, she can keep things moving. Does she have the courage to do the hard things that will put her one step closer to her dreams being realized?

My Favorite Scenes (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

- Oops! (the first point of contact)

- The Arch (the first kiss)

- Art Apparent: The Michelangelo

- Not Again (finding peace and being stronger than you thought)

- Reflections of Yesterday and Today (friends)

- Playing to Win (the living situation)

- The Painting * (my heart died and was revived)

About the Narration: Scarlett Everdeen and Nick Mondelli did a marvelous job. They effectively captured the raw emotions of the characters. It was easy to understand the plight of those they portrayed. I was entranced the whole time.

My Final Say: This novel is a beautiful testament to how it is very much possible to love beyond loss. It dealt with some heavy hitting issues in a meaningful way, and I was totally here for it. Survivor's guilt, shame, self-worth, and more were spot on. The spotlight on mental health and on having a supportive, nurturing community were appreciated. Both characters had a story to tell. I loved their growth and how they thrived once they faced themselves and their ghosts.

Other: There is certainly enough in this story to turn it into a fantastic series. The new found family of players was solid and endearing. I would not hesitate to read more. With that said, this story ended in a good place. The taste at the end seemed to hint at something more to come. I'm all for it.

* Readers who desire to read a novel that has emotional depth and heart will enjoy this story. Look below the surface level and you will see all that needs to be seen.

** Well done, Ms. Kennedy. I see what you did. Salute!

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ❤️‍🩹💛❤️
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Cover: +

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to an audio ALC in exchange for an honest review. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own. It was a pleasure to read this incredible story.

I was not expecting this book so have so many heavy emotions tied to it, but that is what made me love it. i found Nick and Amanda to be enjoyable characters that were both working through some real trauma. Amanda is trying to get to know him so she can accurately design his home for him, but in the process finds herself falling for him. Nick also has a similar experience, as he is finding that he is starting to feel comfortable with someone when he hasn't for some time now. These two share bits and pieces with each other and help each other work through their trauma in a respectful and paced way. I really enjoyed reading them getting to know each other and get closer, but loved their individual stories just as much if not even more. I will say that i was more invested in Nick's story. i found his grief to be, not difficult to read, but very much relatable in the sense of the thoughts and feelings you have. I really was his biggest cheerleader while reading!! This overall was a very reflective, emotional, and sweet story. Also stacy sucks.

Tropes:
NHL playing MMC/interior designer FMC
She’s decorating his house
Overcoming trauma/grief
Friends to ❤️
Found family
Slow burn
Romcom

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC/ALC!

This book was definitely different from other hockey romances, but I loved the story line and how both main characters are trying to understand and work through their own trauma and grief. They are both so sweet to each other and the way they support each other from the start is so precious.

The narration was well done and easy to follow. Loved the dual narration/POV in this book too!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It is set to release on June 18th.

Hearts on Thin Ice isn't your typical hockey romance - there isn't a lot of on ice action or sports. The MMC is simply a hockey player and something tragic happened that effected his ability to play and this is his struggle to get back to his job, which we rarely see in this trope.

Our MMC, Nick was the sole survivor of a plane crash (not a spoiler) and he lost his best friend and other teammates, and while he is struggling to recovery physically, his mental health needs a chance to heal also. He meets Alyssa, an interior designer, at a new teammate's house and their relationship begins there.

While Alyssa helps Nick with his PTSD, he helps her after she experiences a traumatic event (no spoiler here) and we watch their relationship bloom.

I enjoyed this book tremendously. It was a different take on a hockey romance; it covered serious subjects, but the author didn't forget to make it fun too.

The narrators did a great job of capturing the personalities of the characters and it was an easy to listen to audiobook. I had previously read the book and loved being ablet o put voices to the characters, the narrators really got them correctly and solidified the picture I had of everyone in my mind. It was easy to listen to and time seemed to fly by.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this audiobook. I recommend it to hockey story lover.s everywhere.

🎧🎧 Book Review 🎧🎧 When Nick Sorenso ‘s successful hockey career is ended by injuries sustained in a plane crash, his hope for the promising future he envisioned is gone. As the sole survivor, he has a lot to deal with. Also on the list of changes in his life that he has to conquer, an empty apartment. Interior designer, Alyssa Compton might or be able to help with survivor’s guilt and the trauma, but she can give his apartment a makeover. Sometimes a change of our physical space can cause a ripple effect on our lives. This is a beautiful, heartfelt novel about healing and recalibrating to a new normal. The narrator is smooth and wonderful to listen, bringing this wonderful book to life.

4.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is posted on Goodreads and the final review will be on instagram ahead of the publication date.

This book ripped me to pieces and then put me right back together again.

Nick has just suffered a terrible loss. He is in a plane crash with 5 of his teammates including his best friend and roommate. He comes home from the hospital to find his house empty of his best friends' things and a trade to a new hockey team.

Alyssa is a struggling interior designer trying to make a name for herself. She jumps at the chance to decorate Nick's new apartment. What she doesn't expect is for him to not actually want her help and he is being forced to either decorate or go to counseling.

Both of the main characters have trauma that they overcome together. I really liked both Nick and Alyssa. They were equally stubborn and hardheaded at times. I went into this story blind, so I was expecting something completely different, but I was not disappointed. I cried, laughed, and genuinely liked the story.

The narrators did a great job. Scarlett Everdeen narrated Alyssa's chapters, and Nick Mondelli narrated Nick's chapters. Both of their voices fit the characters. I thought Nick did a great job with the accents of the foreign teammates. I was able to easily tell when a new character was speaking. I thought the pacing was good and there were appropriate pauses to indicate a new chapter. I liked the way the text messages were handled. It was clear that you were being read a text message.

If you enjoy a tearjerker, with some romance, and a mean boss mixed in you will love this book.

Thank you, Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for this audiobook in exchange for my very honest review.

3.5 stars.

"Hearts on Thin Ice" by Katie Kennedy has some very high points and some not-so-high points. While I liked the main characters, Nick and Alyssa, their attraction and love feel too convenient and too quick. I didn't really buy into their connection. They didn't have a lot in common, and then when they found one commonality, BOOM!, s3xy time. It just felt way too fast and surface-level without a lot of chemistry! While they are fine characters, they could have used some more character development. It felt a little lacking at times, apart from the traumas that eventually bind them. Also, the spicy scenes aren't the best written. I did like all of the goofy banter between them, even when they were doin' the deed, which a lot of people will cringe at, but it made me giggle. The best part of this book is about Nick's journey toward healing after a tragic accident left several of his friends/teammates dead. Nick was the only survivor, and his physical recovery, guilt, and grief are immense. His tremendous survivor's guilt is explored in a compelling way that made me care about his mental health and physical health journey. Alyssa also has some trauma in her life that is slightly less well-explored but is still engaging and interesting to read about. These raw, real topics give this book a human edge that felt much needed with a lot of silly dialogue, inside jokes, and goofy side characters. On the other hand, some of the chapters feel superfluous and unnecessary. In fact, this book isn't that long, but it could have been shorter. There were moments when I forgot this was a hockey romance. It feels much more like a workplace romance as it focuses more on Alyssa's burgeoning interior design career. Also, there is sooooo much miscommunication in this book. Yikes! Like, right up until the end. That could have been handled better. Still, I did really like Scarlett Everdeen and Nick Mondelli's dual narration. They added some much-needed emotion and inflection into what may have been a bland/monotonous reading otherwise. There is more good than bad here, though. I will definitely check out Kennedy's work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Katie Kennedy, and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

In this captivating narrative, the interplay of tragedy, resilience, and human connection takes center stage. The storyline, adorned with the intricate threads of emotional upheaval and eventual triumph, draws the audience into a realm where adversity meets the unwavering spirit of survival.

At the heart of the narrative lies a poignant portrayal of individuals navigating through the labyrinth of life's challenges. The protagonist's journey, fraught with sorrow and setbacks, serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience inherent within the human spirit. Through the expertly crafted dialogue, the characters engage in soul-stirring conversations, unraveling layers of their innermost thoughts and emotions.

What sets this narrative apart is its seamless integration of interior design elements, adding depth and richness to the storytelling canvas. The carefully curated spaces not only serve as a backdrop but also as symbolic representations of the characters' inner worlds. Each detail, from the choice of furnishings to the play of light and shadow, contributes to the overall ambiance, inviting the audience to immerse themselves fully in the narrative tapestry.

Furthermore, the inclusion of a hockey player as a central figure adds a unique dimension to the narrative. Beyond the realm of sports, the character's journey serves as a metaphor for resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence against all odds. His presence on the stage of life injects a sense of dynamism and vitality, mirroring the ebbs and flows of the human experience.

In essence, this narrative is a masterful blend of tragedy, inspiration, and aesthetic allure. It resonates deeply with audiences, offering not only a glimpse into the darker corridors of the human psyche but also a beacon of hope amidst the shadows.

The audio fenomenal , love it. The story line was fun and cute, a but fast sometimes but i really enjoyed it, now the miscommunication trope, first time I have laughed so much at this trope, like this two cannot have a normal miscommunication it has to be funny. That it doesn’t even feel like it when you are reading, even that totally is. Anyway, if you want a fun book with a sexy hockey player this is your book .