I really wanted to love Out on the Ice by Kelly Farmer, but unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. While the premise had so much potential—hockey, a summer camp setting, and a sapphic romance—I just didn’t feel the chemistry between Caro and Amy. Their connection felt more surface-level than deeply emotional, which made it hard for me to get invested in their romance.

I also found the pacing a bit slow, and there weren’t enough compelling moments to keep me hooked. While Amy’s vibrant personality was a nice contrast to Caro’s reserved demeanor, their dynamic didn’t quite spark in the way I’d hoped.

That said, I did enjoy the themes of mentorship and women’s hockey, which added a nice layer to the story. I can see this working for readers who enjoy lighter romances with a sports backdrop, but for me, it was a bit underwhelming.

This book lingered on my TBR for years until the publisher granted me access to an ARC of the audiobook. I’m glad that was what finally made me pick it up. Out on the Ice isn’t your traditional romance—it dives into some real issues, like the psychological repercussions of being outed and the trauma of growing up queer with a very religious upbringing. The story also highlights how beneficial therapy can be in helping to heal from that trauma, as well as the hidden wounds some of us still carry.

Beyond the romance, this book is about finding the right partner—someone who supports you during the highs and lows, roots for you, and inspires you to be the best version of yourself. It also touches on the importance of having safe spaces where people can be themselves. While it may not be what everyone expects in a romance, I think it works for what it sets out to do.

Out on the Ice may not be a book that lingers in my memory for long, but I did enjoy reading it. I’m giving it three enthusiastic stars.

I didn’t like this. The characters fell flat for me and there didn’t seem to be chemistry in my opinion

I could not keep my attention on this book. My brain kept going off on different things. I just couldn't get into this one unfortunately

Let me start by saying this book has great representation of a lot of complex issues, specifically around mental health and sexuality/coming out. However, the romance didn't work for me at all. Besides it starting off with a bit of hero worship from Amy, I felt like Caro and Amy were genuinely not a good fit, especially after that toxic (temporary) break up near the end of the book. I understand that Caro was in therapy and am glad that was included in the book, but I didn't enjoy the inclusion of all of her therapy sessions in the book. It felt very much like all of her thinking was done in a nutshell at therapy. The slow pace and lack of chemistry made it very difficult for me to enjoy this one. However, I still do recommend it in terms of it's representation and tackling of tough issues. 2.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the audiobook ARC!

I have been wanting to read a sapphic ice hockey romance for SO LONG (please send me your suggestions of any more!!) so I was thrilled when I saw this come up on NetGalley. While there wasn’t all that much actual ice hockey, there was plenty of hockey-adjacent content, and a lovely romance too.

Caro and Amy have instant chemistry, and they balance each other out really well. Amy lives life out loud, while Caro is more introverted and likes to keep more low-profile. Both of them, though, are passionate about coaching the next generation of female hockey players. It’s this shared drive that brings them together, and while their differences made them stronger in the end, it wasn’t necessarily a smooth road to get there.

I thought the book also handled some difficult topics very sensitively. Caro struggles with her mental health, as well as having a lot of unresolved issues around being out. I really liked how this was explored, and I felt like we got to understand her really well. Amy has also faced a lot of biphobia from within the lesbian community, and it was really great to see her face this head on and call it out as soon as she sees it.

The narration was also really good, bringing the characters to life in a really animated way. It book leant itself to the audio format really well, and I enjoyed the whole listening experience.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I read this book when it came out in 2020 and as is usual for me, the story didn’t stick much in my brain, but I remembered very clearly that how much I’d liked it. As I reread the review I wrote then, I realised that I got into it a lot more quickly this time. I don’t know if it’s the narration (Chelsea Stephens is at her best when the MCs are together), or because I have a better understanding of ADHD—diagnosed or undiagnosed—than I did four years ago. Maybe it’s both. Whatever it is, I loved Amy a lot more, and could relate to both her and Caro.

Kelly Farmer writes neurodivergence and depression with an accuracy and a gentleness that makes the characters decidedly relatable. Amy and Caro are opposites, one an out and proud bisexual with a loving and supportive family, the other a very private—albeit not closeted—lesbian from a homophobic family. Speaking of family, there’s a profoundly moving scene between Caro and Amy’s mom that brought tears to my eyes.

Another aspect of this story that didn’t register with me the first time is how often we talk about miscommunication as a trope and I’ll be the first to say I dislike it when a five-minute conversation would have solved every issue and there are no good reasons for the MCs not to have that talk. Here however, the miscommunication is real, it’s not a lack of communication, and it highlights the fact that sometimes, talking when you’re in the wrong headspace isn’t helping and can actually make things worse. Then it’s love, trust, patience, and the willingness to get through hard times together that make all the difference.

Beyond the romance arc, two themes prevail, both tied to the author’s own experience: coming out (and the many forms it can take) and bi-erasure. If you want to know more about Kelly Farmer’s journey, I recommend the post she wrote for LGBTQ Reads.

Sapphic Hockey Romance with a focus on mental health and healthy communication? What's not to love?! This one was adorable and really well-written. I loved Caro and Amy. They were such fun characters, and I appreciated the lack of angst in their relationship.

Also, Doug is a fantastic chocolate lab addition to this book. Doug is the best!

I received an e-audiobook from Netgalley for this one, and thought the narrator did a great job. I finished it in a couple of days which is super fast for me, and I was always happy to read more. (It is a fade to black romance, so if you are looking for more this one won't be for you)

Thanks to NetGalley, Kelly Farmer, and Spotify Audiobooks for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own.

A sweet sapphic, hockey romance! Out on the Ice is a great romance full of love, family (found and otherwise), and self-acceptance.

Our story follows two female hockey players—retired former Olympian Caro, who now owns her own girls hockey school, and Amy, a current professional women’s hockey player with a big social media following but coming off a rough season. Amy has always idolized Caro—both as a hockey player and as her ideal woman—so when she’s invited to coach at her training center for the summer, Amy jumps at the chance. As Caro gets to know Amy, she finds she can’t stop thinking about her, but there’s no way she can get involved with a younger coach, right? The summer brings Caro and Amy closer, but being together means they might both need to put who they think they are on the line.

❤️ What I loved: This is a super sweet, very real feeling sapphic love story. I also love that the usually very straight hockey romance subgenre is reframed in a wonderfully queer way. What I was impressed by the most was the ability of this relatively lighthearted book to deal with some complicated topics around mental health, homophobia, and the pressures of social media and public image. This book was also well-suited to be an audiobook, and the narration was great!
💔 What I didn’t love: There was more “telling” than “showing” at times throughout the book, which pulled me out of the story a bit. The front half of the story was also a bit slow for me.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of queer and sapphic romance, especially those who like sports romance! I hope the other books in the series will get audiobook versions soon.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (3.5-4.0)
Acknowledgments & Disclaimers ✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Kelly Farmer, and Spotify Audiobooks, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book. ✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. ✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. I love sapphic romances, and add in my favourite sport? Yes I loveeeeee! I also enjoyed the portrayal of mental health. Mental health is still so stigmatized, and this book did a great job at addressing mental health rep.

Out on the Ice by Kelly Farmer is a slow-burn, emotionally rich romance that tackles important topics like mental health, identity, and the complexities of love. Narrated by Chelsea Stephens, the audiobook adds an extra layer of depth to this already engaging story, making it an enjoyable listen for fans of sapphic romance and sports fiction.

Caro Cassidy, a former women’s hockey legend, is now dedicated to running an all-girls hockey camp and keeping her personal life private. In contrast, Amy Schwarzbach is all bright energy and charm, using her high-profile position in women’s hockey to advocate for causes she believes in. When Amy joins Caro’s camp for the summer, their initial chemistry turns into something much deeper, but both women have reasons to be cautious about letting love in.

I really appreciated the strong representation in this book. Having a half-Jewish, bi main character was fantastic, and the bi-representation felt authentic without being heavy-handed. The way the book handled discussions around mental health—covering anxiety, depression, and personal insecurities—added a realness that made the characters feel relatable and three-dimensional. Neither Caro nor Amy is perfect, and I liked that they both had flaws that made them more human and easier to connect with.

The slow-burn romance was filled with so much tension that I found myself wishing for a bit more on-page romance. The fade-to-black scenes, while well-written, left me wanting a little more in terms of intimacy, especially given how much build-up there was. That’s just a personal preference, but it’s a testament to how well Farmer created that chemistry between the two leads.

The pacing of the story is definitely on the slower side, so if you're someone who enjoys taking your time to get to know the characters, you’ll find a lot to love here. The hockey setting and the strong focus on the sport added an extra layer of excitement, especially if you're a fan of sports romances.

Chelsea Stephens did a good job with the narration, capturing the distinct voices of Caro and Amy and bringing the characters to life in a way that added even more depth to the story. I also loved the audiobook cover—it’s so cute and perfectly captures the spirit of the story!

This is a heartfelt and well-developed romance with characters you’ll root for, and I enjoyed seeing the emotional growth of both Caro and Amy throughout the book. Kelly Farmer has shown great promise with this one, and I’m excited to see what she has in store next!

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this audiobook!

This was a beautiful and heartfelt dual POV, Sapphic sports romance between Caro and Amy, two high-achieving professional women's hockey players who spend ten weeks together helping teach at an all-girls' training camp. I loved the mental health rep in this book (Caro has depression, sees a therapist, and has suicidal ideations in the past relating to her family's abandonment), the toxic family relationships and homophobia/biphobia in the book was hard to read but relatable and it was foiled nicely by Amy's very supportive and welcoming family. There was also neurodivergence and chronic migraine rep. To balance the heavy there was some great spice, a goofy sidekick dog and humor. Good on audio and highly recommended for fans of authors like Alison Cochrun, Sarina Bowen or Rachel Reid. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early newly released audio copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the advance copy! Out on the Ice is a fun, sweet sapphic romance. I found Amy and her "squirrels" very relatable and thought the characters had a lot of depth. This was a really good sports romance. I love the women's hockey players and the dynamics between Amy and Caro with Amy's longtime crush. I also enjoyed reading about the players on different levels/teams and at the school. I love that this is a series and I will definitely read more!

Out on the Ice by Kelly Farmer is a solid debut with a lot of great elements. I loved the sports and hockey aspect, though I wish it had been highlighted a bit more. The representation in the book is fantastic, with a half-Jewish main character and strong bi-representation. The discussions around mental health, anxiety, and depression added a lot of depth and made the characters feel more real and relatable.

The scenes dealing with homophobia, particularly Caro’s interactions with her family, were tough to read but incredibly well done. They were realistic, and I appreciated the care taken to address the impact of these moments on the characters.

However, the slow pacing made it difficult to stay engaged, and I often felt like I had to push through to finish it. The sexual tension built up nicely, but the fade-to-black scenes were a bit disappointing after all the buildup. The chemistry between the main characters was good, but at times, they felt too different to be truly suited for one another.

Despite these issues, the audiobook narration was great, adding an enjoyable layer to the story. Out on the Ice will appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn romances and character-driven stories, and I look forward to seeing what Kelly Farmer writes next.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for a copy of this audiobook. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I have nothing bad to say about this book, but nothing good either. The romance felt very insta lovey and both characters had very little chemistry. Both their POVs blended into each other at times, which wasn’t helped by the fact that this was narrated by the same person. There is some homophobia in this book but it was honestly very laughable in a ‘religious intolerance caricature’ kinda way, the family’s attacks just sounded so goofy I laughed out loud at their « this is a mortal sin you’re committing, we do not want to support your twisted lifestyle ». I know some people do say sh!t like that but that was very hilarious to here right after waking up. I also found the narrator annoying, the American accent was really getting on my nerves, go figure. 2.5 stars

This book is low angst, opposite attracts and I enjoyed it, I was not familiar with hockey but enjoyed learning it either way. This is the first time listening to this narrator and its a nice surprise.

Format: Audiobook ALC thanks to NetGalley & the publisher!

I love hockey romance but this was my first WLW hockey romance and I absolutely need more!

This is perfect for people who want a low stakes plot and heavy on the character relationships. I was worried the character’s opposite personalities would clash too much to make their relationship believable but it worked and they are so cute together.

As someone who struggled with my own bi-ness as a teenager, I really related to how Farmer is able to write her characters’ feelings and their own struggles with how open they are comfortable being.

The narrator did a wonderful job bringing each character their own feel and voice. I was never lost with whose POV it was and the flow of the narration felt good paced as well.

The story did feel a little long at some points but for the most part this was a well written story and I’d definitely recommend if you are looking for a sapphic sports romance!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to receive an ARC audio book in exchange for an honest review!

As you may know I am a sports sapphic romance goosey girlie, so when I got the opportunity to listen to a sapphic hockey romance, I was so excited!

I enjoyed getting to know Caro and Amy- Caro as she navigated running her skating facility and programs- Girls and Goals, while also confronting her identity as it relates personally and professionally to the life she wants to live. And Amy, who’s still in her pro hockey career and also working as a nutritionist- having fully embraced her sexual identity and dove into being an advocate and activist for queer athletes.

While Amy has embraced having personal relationships throughout her career, Caro has not, well, she’s had one, but it wasn’t a positive experience and paired with Caro’s family's homophobia Caro really holds a firm boundary between her work and personal life.

Amy has had a crush on Caro since the beginning- admiring her from afar throughout her hockey career. So when Amy has an opportunity to work at Caro’s training facility for the summer and work and learn alongside Caro it was more or less a dream! With no intention of acting on any romantic interest Amy was purely excited to be there!

But! The romance blossoms- I’ll refrain from spoilers except to say I haven’t read a closed door romance in a while and I kept expecting… wanting? More…. There was so much hype and build up in the beginning stages of their relationship so when we ended up not really seeing what happened it felt a bit like a drop off. Not to say that there weren’t other parts of the romance we weren’t a part of– but I think there could have been a bit more spice!

Caro’s family and homophobia was a tough read. Not because the content, though that is always a gut punch albeit the reality we face, but more so because it felt a bit like the early 2000’s and I can’t really put my finger on it.

In terms of Amy- her scatterbrain, people pleasing, doing everything all at once and trying not to let anything go, is relatable and I appreciated what I interpreted as neurodivergence rep- I also think she got more criticism than I saw fit though that could just be my own defensiveness in Amy’s behalf, lol.

Overall, I enjoyed Caro’s and Amy’s relationship and the ending felt like it tied much of the story together!
3.5 gooses
1 spicey honkin' pepper

This book follows former professional hockey player, Carolyn (Caro) Cassidy, who is now running an all-girls hockey camp, hires Amy Schwarzbach, a current pro hockey player, has a coach for her hockey camp. During the summer, Amy, who has had a long time crush one Caro and several fangirl moments meeting her role model, helps introvert Caro create her own found family. In the process, they become friends and then something more.

This was a cute and sweet sports romance with, SPOILER ALERT, no third act breakup, which made me so very happy. Amy and Caro had excellent communication and actually acted liked adults, which was very refreshing. There was tension and some conflict, but they didn't just break up and call it quits.

This is audiobook was narrated by Chelsea Stephens, and the first one that I have listened to by her. I enjoyed her narration. I am fairly new to audiobooks, but I have greatly enjoyed the freedom to listen to books while I am driving or doing chores around the house. I didn't have any trouble keeping track of which voice was for each character.

All in all, I enjoyed the story and the narration. Would recommend for fans of sport romances.

Thank you to NetGalley for an copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 ⭐
-
***Trigger Warnings***
- brief mention to suicidal ideation
- instances of homophobia

An LGBTQIA+ Sports plus Workplace Romance? Give me 14 more of them right now!

Caro Cassidy, an Ice Hockey Legend, who keeps her business and personal life ( her sexuality) meets Amy Schwartzback, who is bright, colorful and completely out there — what could go wrong?

* I Listened to the Audiobook *

I had so much fun listening to this book. The storyline, plot, family drama (I could punch her mother and brother, to be honest) made those 10+ hours feel so short.
Amy is the definition of sunshine, while Caro was insufferable at first, but thank goodness for character development and standing up for yourself! Will definitely be continuing this series. *adds Kelly Farmer to my fav authors*

** Also, Chelsea Stephens has a stunning voice for narration, and she voiced/portrayed the different characters so well.

Thank you Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.