
Member Reviews

I'm rounding up from 3.5. Samantha is career driven and frustrated with her life. She is battling with a sleaze at work gunning for her job and quits on a whim when her chauvanist boss recommends that she take leave when she hints that she may want a family. Her difficult times continue when her friend and owner of her favorite book shop passes away, which also brings her charming NHL grandson to town. I'm honestly a little tired of the hockey player man whore trait, especially since he's 38, not 24. They become friends, even though they are attracted to each other. She has no self confidence and a crazy obsession with suddenly having kids. She makes crazy rules to meet someone and is pretty judgemental for someone who is not body confident herself, but I digress. It's a slow burn and it takes a meddling sister to jump start things. Twice. Just an ok read for me.

Arc review 📖
Sam has been pushed out her job by a greasy slime bag, all of a sudden been slapped round the head with her awareness of her biological clock and her fave book shops owner ‘Birdie’ has died. Can things get much worse.
Nick is a very well known NHL player who’s just had an injury and is at the age where retirement is imminent oh and his grandmother has just died and left him the book shop.
Nick and Sam know of eachother but do not know eachother well enough but with Sam out of a job and needing to pass the time until she knows her boss will beg for back she accepts nicks offer of a job at the book shop.
After getting to know eachother Sam confides in Nick about her ‘chirping eggs’lack of the correct demographic men to help potentially hatch those eggs. Nick helps Sam with some blind dates and some tuff love on her expectations in men.
As the lines blur they get close and what they both thought they wanted changes and sometimes it takes a birthday, vodka and a whole pack of Oreo’s to admit what they really want.
This was a cute read I called it my school pick up read.
I read this everyday while waiting for my kiddies to come out of school. I did find myself leaving that little bit earlier to get extra pages in towards the end.
The chemistry was there and the character was great although I had some little bits that was just slightly off. The keep chirping eggs (slightly annoying) the repeated demographics of what she wants (also annoying, after repeating 20 times WE KNOW).
I was slightly disappointed with the ending I felt like it was building and building and then just ended, it could of been….. well more.
It’s states as a spicy book, now I know a spicy book and this was not it. On a spice level I’d give it a 1🌶️. Not that it ruined the story because it really didn’t at all. But nope I’d say not spicy it was more of a fade to black jobby.
I would read more of her books but I just needed a little bit more.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you netgalley, boldwood books and Amy Andrews for the arc 😊

This was my first Amy Andrews book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although marketed as a sports romance, hockey plays a minimal role, with the focus shifting to the charming bookshop setting—a twist I found refreshing and delightful.
The chemistry between Nick and Sam crackles from the start. While they acknowledge their attraction early on, Andrews expertly crafts a slow-burn romance, making the journey to their inevitable connection even more satisfying.
Nick is a sweet, supportive MMC, and his body-positive outlook really stood out. I loved how he helped Sam work through her insecurities with kindness and encouragement. Sam’s journey, though charming, sometimes felt a bit over the top, and the frequent "egg" talk was a bit awkward and cringey. But once you get past that, you’re left with a fun, steamy, and heartwarming romance.
The one drawback for me was the abrupt ending—an epilogue would have provided a more satisfying conclusion. Still, Breaking the Ice was an enjoyable and memorable read overall.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC

3.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up.
This book was quick and easy to read, I really quite enjoyed the banter between the characters and the romance was also very enjoyable.
I read a lot of hockey romances and I would not categorize this as a hockey romance since Nick was injured and hockey was really just a secondary plot point.
The whole eggs things was kinda weird but it reminded me of a 2000s romcom which I’m not mad at but it did get a bit repetitive.
Over all I did enjoy this and would recommend as a palate cleanser.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this EARC.

Thank you to netgalley and boldwood books publishing for the opportunity to read this E-ARC. All thoughts and options are my own.
Immediately was sucked in and my eyes devoured this book in a day. I loved the fun flirty banter, the characters had depth, the main setting was a book store. Seriously nothing not to love! Nick was so caring especially in comparison to the play boy front the media shows. Rubbing her back and holding her hair when Samantha needed it was too perfect. I liked that he wasn't obsessed with fitness and working out like some other sports romance I've read. He also loves sweets, I had to look up what a friand was and honestly disappointed I've never had one the look and sound delicious. I did find myself frustrated with Sam's constant dogging on herself and her weight, I'd hoped she would figure out how perfect she is sooner. I found her growth through the story to be done well, I wish she had told Nick her feelings sooner. You're 30 and old enough to be straight with people and not be embarrassed about it. However her telling Bob she wanted double the pay, the corner office, AND a luxury car made me so proud. I felt even better when she quit! Thankfully the book ended with them both telling their feelings and living happily ever after.
I give this book 5 stars but please think about having an epilogue in future books, I'm nosey and need more information on the happily ever after!

Thank you the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
Unfortunately, this book didn't really work for me.
Samantha is a successful career-oriented woman who finds out her ex is engaged and his fiance is expecting and then talks about her eggs and having kids at work and gets put on leave before quitting.
Nick is a hockey player who was injured and is taking over his recently departed grandmother's bookshop until he heals from his injury.
For quite a bit of the book they work together at the bookshop and he sets her up on blind dates that don't work out. I did like the romance bookshop aspect and how both main characters read romance novels.
But Samantha is all of a sudden obsessed with her eggs and getting pregnant and having kids. Because she's 30?
Neither of the main characters made any relationship progress without the help of Samantha's sister. It made the romance a bit unbelievable. At every fight or disagreement are they going to need her sister to get them back together? And while I usually think dual POV is the best POV in books, the dual POV in this book didn't really help make the romance more believable for me.

Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews 📚
A sports romance that takes place in a bookshop!? Sign me UP!
I loved this book. Y’all know that I adore a MMC that helps an FMC with body image issues and omg did Nick deliver. He was sweet and caring but a straight shooter about Sam.
Women writing books about men who want curvy women and want to help them with their body image stuff is so healing and I want more of it.
This was my first book by Amy and I’d definitely read more by her!

I received this e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review. This review is my own.
Friends to lovers, check.
Funny banter, check.
A happy ever after, check.
These are some basic tropes, but this book is much much more than that.
When I started the story between Nick and Samantha I knew I was in for a wild ride. The chemistry between the 2 leads is evident from the get go, but to see their relationship grow into a heartwarming romance was the icing on the cake. The banter is both sweet and comical with the right amount of spice thrown in.
The story is beautifully written and offers both character POV’s throughout the book which helps with the flow of the plot line. But my favourite aspect of the whole novel is the fmc is curvy and beautiful. Reading a book with a character I can relate to made it hard to put it down.
Breaking the ice has everything I’m looking for in a rom-com and did not disappoint. It’s well worth the read!

A brilliant bookloving ode to modern romance
Amy Andrew's weaves a perfect chick flick, with a curvy girl protagonist and a slow build up of spice. Add in a second hand romance bookshop, leads with varied goals but undeniable attraction simmering and a swarm of supporting characters, you got yourself the perfect accompaniment to candle lit bubble bath read!! The initial hook with the funeral of beloved Hawke, and her role in MFCs life and what it meant will ring in with the lonely city gals..
This is a definite must read for fans of Emily Henry, offering a slice if life with a coming to midlife crisis undercurrent. The dialogs are crisp, especially the sibling interactions and we learn to love the MFC, despite her misgivings and her fear of straying too far (really resonated with me!). I am off to try the vodka and oreos to see what happens...
Thank you Boldwood Book Club and NetGalley for this wonderful opportunity!! Waiting to devour more scrumptious scribes from Amy Andrews!!
I am off to find something by Rita Sommers next...

[1.5] this feels like the author saw popular tropes that were trending and tried to make them fit her writing style, and unfortunately, it didn't work at all for me. our fmc was just weird (only wanting to date people so she could have children, her 'eggs' telling her this?) and i thought the mmc was really unlikeable and inappropriate at times (not wanting to date a girl because her boobs were too small (despite the book preaching body positivity) and offering to be a sperm donor for a potential lesbian couple, but only if he could watch??). i found they would often act without any reason and as a result, it really made them feel very 2-dimensional, and as though they were only having certain thoughts to move the plot along. also, not something that contributed to my rating, but the book is marketed as a sports romance and there is no hockey in it, as the mmc is out on an injury - he steps foot on the ice once and decides he's had enough 🤷🏼♀️.
thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Easy to read and follow, I truly enjoyed this one! I loved the egg rep and this was just written very well. I laughed a ton and the chemistry was off the charts

I have read several books by this author. I found this one to be a cute, somewhat spicy sports rom-com. The topic of her "eggs", very weird. The relationship between Samantha and Nick was friends to lovers, was an obvious one. Thank you Boldwood books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars. A quick, fun read.
Samantha wants children and decides to start looking for a suitable man. Sam takes a sabbatical from her job for a while, and ends up working in a second-hand bookstore. Nick is a hockey player who, due to an injury, is temporarily running his late grandmother's bookstore. They become interested in each other, but their plans don't match - Sam's biggest wish is to have children, while Nick doesn't want children.
The chemistry between these two was great! Sam goes on dates a lot, and it's ridiculous - the dates don't really work out. And at the same time, Sam is most interested in Nick. I liked the characters, but Sam's obsession with her eggs was a bit over the top. It was kind of funny when the eggs were described, but in the end it got a little too repetitive.
The book was a quick read, it was entertaining and a bit steamy. I liked that the sex was depicted quite realistically - it doesn't always go like in Hollywood. The book got better towards the end and I liked how Sam and Nick realized what they really wanted. However, I would have liked an epilogue, the book ended too suddenly. I would have liked a little more description of what happens to Sam and Nick in the future.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
* Book about books
* Forced proximity
* Friends to lovers
* Hea
* Workplace romance
* Open doors
* Opposites attract
* Physically very different
* Point of view: dual 3rd person
* Slowburn
* Small town
* Sports romance: hockey (very little actual hockey as the MMC is injured)
* Steamy
* Third act: break up (it was not dramatic, more due to circumstances)

I really enjoyed this book!
I thought that the book has a great storyline and it was a pretty addictive read - well written and a really nice natural flow to the story.
The two main characters are very different people with jobs that are miles apart - it will never work, or that is what they believe but will love find a way... I loved following their story and how the circumstances for them change - I was cheering them on
It is a romantic and sexy story - it is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

3.5 stars.
An enjoyable story about friends discovering an unimaginable attraction and chemistry between them, “Breaking the Ice”, by Amy Andrews, features realistic, relatable characters that often defy expectations.
Samantha and Nick, both driven and successful in their fields, are also incredibly down-to-earth, authentic characters.
I loved the interaction and conversation as friendship turns into attraction and something deeper.
Samantha’s quest and the inner dialogue with the eggs are fun and there some moments that just made me laugh, even if it turned a bit too much later.
The way the hot, steady hero balances the frazzled heroine in a sabbatical and a special personal mission is sweet to watch.
I loved that the heroine’s body image and sex life aren’t perfect and that intimacy with the hero has a very rocky (and realistic) start. What an interesting perspective, just like real life!
Nick is such a great person and I really liked how he encouraged Samantha and saw the worth and attractiveness in her.
Samantha's forays into the dating scene seemed a bit far-fetched sometimes.

First of all thank you for approving my request!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.
I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

This book was such a mess for me. I was so disappointed because I really like the author’s previous two books, but this felt like a big departure. Neither main character was likable and Samantha, the female main character was just one big, huge walking red flag. The thing that really put me off of this book was the constant mention of her “cheeping eggs” The story felt like she was just looking for someone to impregnate her and that’s it and yes, she happened to fall in love with Nick, but the constant mention of the eggs was such a turn off and made me dislike the characters. This whole story just felt super cringe. I’m really disappointed in this book.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a five-star read to suspend your reality and just enjoy. This was just a great story, there are parts that are a little off, but do you know what I didn’t care, its not real life, and we don’t always want the stories we read to be real, sometimes its nice to just enjoy the romance and the details like how to work the ancient coffee machine. The Egg chirping did get a little much, but then I know someone who would explain that as exactly how she felt until hers were finally cooked and served safely, she actually described it as a madness that took over and left her thinking craziness. Some people will get hung up on Sam being curvy, as she is only described as that, as I do not like that descriptive manner, but sometimes you do need to just relax and leave your imagination run, so I don’t know, I’m not a writer so I don’t get to describe the characters.

Another Amy Andrews sports romance story with a whole lot of passion & a little romantic swoon. Breaking The Ice by Amy Andrews is a fun story with a great message. Body shapes come in all sizes & you need to embrace your size with confidence. Samantha (the female lead) has struggled to love her curves for most of your life. Nick, the male lead, has the body & career of a professional hockey player, so when chemistry between him & Samantha starts to thicken, he has to help her love her body as much as he does.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book on #NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own, but please add this story & pretty much any other of Amy Andrews' novels to your TBR list, especially if you enjoy reading romances with a little heat .

Breaking the Ice is a fun quick read. It's not so much a sports romance which was a fun twist, he's a hockey player but hockey isn't the focus of the book. The working at a romance bookstore aspect made this so much fun.
I loved that Nick and Sam already knew eachother and had the connection of Birdie before the book starts. As much as I loved them I felt like there was more building in their friendship then there was in their relationship.
A few aspects of this book just seemed over done for me unfortunately. It feels like Sam's insecurities would have felt more meaningful if the topic of her being "curvy" hadn't been so overused. A key plot to this story is that Sam's biological clock started ticking but the amount of time the word eggs was used was a bit weird.
I loved that the majority of the story takes place in Birdie's (Who doesn't want to work in a romance bookstore?) The conversations with Bec were such a fun addition and you get to know her character even though she's not physically present for most of the book.