A fun and entertaining read.

I enjoyed the dual pov so we really feel like we know Nick and Sam. It’s a slow-burn romance where they each compliment each other perfectly. However, Sam is looking to have children and Nick doesn’t think he’s ready for that.

Nick helps Sam find suitable dates. Much comedy ensues and the author’s writing delights on the page. Their friendship blossoms and it was adorable to see the changing dynamic.

A feel-good read that any sports romance fans will enjoy, and the message of finding your happiness is universal.

I usually find trope-heavy books quite tedious to get through, but this really surprised me and I found myself really enjoying this! I have a soft spot for any book where one of the characters works with books, and so this fits that box perfectly.

I also absolutely love a hockey romance, and so this combined with books made it a match made in heaven for me.

I loved Nick so much as well - I’d definitely read more from this author!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

This book was such a cute read !! The tropes in this book blended so well together. I enjoy reading stories where the main character own/ work in a book store/library. Also this is a slow burn. As a hockey loving book worm, match made in heaven.

DNF at 67%

I’m not even sure what this was supposed to be exactly.. There was so many tropes shoved into this that I was confused for majority of what I did read.

The main female character is supposed to be 30 but she sounded like a teenager, I was also trying to ignore the amount of times she said eggs and that her eggs chirped?… and then she goes and buys 200 condoms because she doesn’t know which ones are the right ones. I’m actually laughing as I write this because it really is as ridiculous as it sounds.
Nick was just immature and making fun of her the entire time, I really have nothing to say about him as he was just flat like majority of the characters.
At this point I’m 67% of the way through the book and when I think they’re finally going to give us something she gets up and leaves… at the point I had enough and DNF’d.
Now I love a slow burn but this was not it… there no was angst, there was no chemistry and it was just not for me.

I would like to mention that I’m pretty open minded when it comes to books/reading and I understand what the author was trying to do but it was not executed well.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the premise for this one but I was quickly turned off by how the FMC talked the unrealistic way she acted. I didn't buy that a woman who had previously been completely career focused suddenly woke up and wanted kids so much that she mentioned it to her boss who she knew didn't want women who wanted kids working for them. I also was so tired of hearing about her eggs after only a few chapters. I checked and the word eggs is used 108 times in the book and I believe all of them are anthropomorphizing the FMCs anatomy not referring to the food. This one just wasn't for me.

This is a first time read for me by this author and is a delightful blend of charm, chemistry, and irresistible tension. Nick, a star hockey player forced to take a break due to a career-threatening injury, finds himself in the most unexpected place—a second-hand romance bookstore that once belonged to his grandmother. And he's working closely with Samantha who's swapped her high-powered corporate job for a quieter life in her favorite bookshop.

Nick is trying to stay low-key while Sam is trying to keep her life in order. Their forced situation turns into a slow-burn romance that's pure magic. The dynamic between Nick and Sam is a rollercoaster of witty banter, self-discovery, and undeniable chemistry. I loved how their connection builds gradually, turning from a professional relationship to something far more personal and passionate.

Their journey of resisting temptation while navigating the close quarters of the bookstore is filled with sweet, laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of swoon-worthy ones. The tension and the eventual "breaking of the ice" is well worth the wait, and by the time they finally give in, you're cheering for them every step of the way.

A perfect feel-good story for fans of enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance with a dash of hockey flair!

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and am voluntarily leaving my review.

i am tired of hearing about eggs. i'm tired of reading about couples who have no chemistry whatsoever.

other reviewers have said it in a much more eloquent manner, but this book feels like a collection of tropes all mashed together in hopes of securing a hit. it's something that feels like it wants to go viral, which ended up working against it. there's no depth to it, no distinguishing factor.

Amy Andrews delivers a delightful and steamy romantic comedy in Breaking the Ice. The book introduces readers to the dynamic between two strong-willed characters who find themselves in a heated rivalry that turns into sizzling chemistry. Andrews excels at creating a balance between humor and heart, making the book a fun and engaging read from start to finish.

The plot centers around the unlikely pairing of a hockey player and a woman determined to prove herself in a male-dominated world. The chemistry between the two is palpable, and their witty banter makes their interactions feel fresh and exciting. The development of their relationship feels authentic, and while there’s plenty of romantic tension, the author also takes the time to explore the individual growth of both characters.

One of the book's strengths is its strong, relatable protagonists. While they both come with their own set of flaws, the way they challenge and support each other through personal and professional hurdles makes for a heartwarming narrative. Readers will find themselves rooting for them to not only find love but also to achieve their individual goals.

The pacing is just right, keeping the plot moving without feeling rushed, and the romance develops in a way that keeps readers hooked. The backdrop of the hockey world adds a fun layer of competitiveness, but it doesn’t overshadow the romance at its core.

Breaking The Ice was a fun romcom style book. Between Sam's 'eggs' telling her to find a baby daddy and Nick's desire to maintain his grandma's shop after she passes, this book had steamy moments and bits that had me laughing out loud. Sam is a bit of a quirky character Nd I had fun reading this book.

I really enjoyed this quick read to break up my reading slum. I was invested in the two main characters making me want to pick it up more and I loved the setting of the bookshop. Would definitely recommend.

Book Review: Risky Business by Amy Andrews

Amy Andrews brings the heat with Risky Business, a spicy sports romance that’s sure to make readers laugh, swoon, and root for its two compelling leads. With a career-threatening injury sidelining NHL star Nick "Hawkeye" Hawke, he's forced into a quieter existence to heal—starting with overseeing his grandmother’s second-hand romance bookstore. But things take an unexpected turn when Samantha Evans, a driven corporate woman seeking a slower pace in life, steps into the bookstore at the same time. The chemistry between them is instant, but both are determined to resist the pull.

The premise of the story is pure fun: a bookshop face-off between a hotshot hockey player and an ambitious woman who can’t stop daydreaming about him—and not just in the "professional" sense. Their forced proximity creates plenty of tension as they try to keep things "professional," but the slow burn between Nick and Sam is almost impossible to ignore. Amy Andrews masterfully builds up the anticipation, crafting a story that’s both laugh-out-loud funny and sizzling with sexual tension.

Nick is the perfect combination of cocky and vulnerable, which makes his character so endearing. Despite his fame and success, he's a man recovering from an injury, realizing that his life may need to be redefined. Sam, on the other hand, is a woman at a crossroads in her career and personal life. Watching her let her guard down and navigate her attraction to Nick while juggling her internal struggles is both entertaining and relatable. The banter between the two of them is witty, full of sparks, and keeps the pages turning.

As with any forced proximity romance, the setting itself—Nick’s grandmother’s quaint, beloved bookstore—adds charm and coziness, making it the perfect backdrop for the unfolding romance. The slow burn builds with delightful tension, and once these two finally get together, it’s all fireworks. But Amy Andrews doesn’t just rely on chemistry; there’s real depth to their relationship, especially as they both face personal challenges and growth.

Fans of spicy, slow-burn romance will adore Risky Business. The book is full of humor, heart, and just the right amount of steam, all while exploring themes of personal growth, love, and taking risks. If you’re a fan of books by Elle Kennedy, Emily Rath, or Hannah Grace, then Risky Business will quickly find a spot on your must-read list.

Rating: 4.5/5
A delightful mix of spicy romance, funny banter, and character development that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Amy Andrews delivers a winning combination of heart and heat that readers won't want to miss.

I really, really enjoyed this book! The plot is fun and interesting and I found the book extremely relatable as I’m struggling with same things as Sam.
I really loved the way Sam and Nick’s relationship grew during the book and I’m extremely happy how things turn out for both of them.
All in all, this book is easy to read, interesting and super relatable for a girl in her 30s. I loved everything about it!

Sam’s life is in shambles—she’s lost her job to a slimeball, her biological clock is ticking, and her favorite bookshop owner, Birdie, has passed away. Meanwhile, NHL player Nick has his own struggles with an injury, looming retirement, and inheriting Birdie’s bookshop.

The two barely know each other, but when Nick offers Sam a job at the shop, they start spending more time together. Sam confides in Nick about her dating woes and “chirping eggs,” leading Nick to play matchmaker with blind dates and some blunt advice. But as their connection deepens, both realize what they truly want might be closer than they thought.

This was such a cute and fun read! I found myself sneaking in pages every chance I got. The characters had great chemistry, and the story kept me hooked, though some elements—like the repeated mentions of Sam’s “chirping eggs” and the quick ending—felt a bit off. Also, while advertised as spicy, this was more fade-to-black (1 🌶️).

Overall, I enjoyed it and would happily read more from Amy Andrews!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Amy Andrews for the ARC!

I was truly very disappointed by this. I feel like it could have worked so much more if it was less abrasive with its vocabulary when it comes to commentary about others and more of a trope checklist rather than taking the time to have a few and then flush them out. In addition, I will give content warnings for grief, for a ton of baby discussion when it comes to a woman's biological time clock and IVF, for difficulties with the act of sex and the negativity associated with it. I was going to not finish this book due to these aspects but ultimately I skimmed to see what happened and it just was worse and worse.  Because of these points, I have to give this a 2 out of 5 stars.

Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews is a lighthearted, steamy romance with plenty of humor and a small-town charm. The setup is fun, with two polar-opposite characters navigating their undeniable chemistry in a hockey-obsessed town. The witty banter and sizzling tension between the leads are definite highlights, making for some entertaining moments.

However, the story felt predictable at times, and the emotional depth between the characters was lacking. While the romance was fun, it didn’t leave a lasting impact. Some side plots felt underdeveloped, and the pacing dragged in parts.

Overall, it’s a decent, enjoyable read, but it didn’t quite hit all the marks for me.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

My Thoughts: a curvy female main character, a male main character who reads and the main setting being a second hand book store?! yes please!

This was such an easy read, it was fun and flirty, the banter between the characters was perfect and you’d have been hard pressed to wipe the smile off my face throughout!

Sam and Nick were like the perfect couple and the only 2 people that couldn’t see what was staring them both in the face was them!

Some of the scenes in this book had me laughing so much, but then made me a little sad because you could feel Sam’s insecurities coming through the pages!

I really enjoy Amy’s writing, the characters feel so real and genuine, they know how to communicate and the spice was chefs kiss 👌🏼

I am eagerly awaiting her next release!!

Let me start by saying I love the bright colours on the front of this book.

I was looking forwards to reading this described as a SPICY sports romance. Nick Hawkeye Hawke is a big name in the hockey work but has taken a break after an injury. After his grandmother dies he takes over the running of her bookshop whilst he recuperates. He needs help and gives the job to Sam, who is currently on a break from her career. They know each other but not well.

The book is definitely a slow burn romance but does have plenty of spice once we get there which was well written but the whole personality of Sam really put me off and especially the talk about her eggs and suddenly deciding she will leave a great career and needs to have a baby. My eyes were rolling and not in a good way.

Ok for a short read but nothing remarkable about it, not will I remember it in a few weeks.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you like to read hockey romance with some touch of books and bookstore then you should try this ~

This book was an okay read for me. The characters are likable, but sometimes I became very frustrated with their actions, feeling that they needed to make better decisions. Ig my expectations were higher for this book which affected my ratings.

This is an ARC read which is exchanged with an honest review.

Cute romance book with a slow burn! I really liked the fact that is was set in a bookstore, I love to read about books and readers!
Definitely recommend this book!