All her life, Anastasia has been focused on one thing: making it to the Olympics. Shes disciplined, driven, and used to taking care of everyone else. But when a scheduling mishap forces the figure skating team to share their rink with the hockey players, her carefully structured world starts to shift especially when Nate Hawkins, the captain of the hockey team, enters the picture.
From the first page, I found it easy to get into the story thanks to the authors engaging and approachable writing style. Anastasia came across as a strong, relatable protagonist. I liked how she wasnt perfect but made mistakes just like everybody else. She pushes people away, and has her own insecurities, which made her feel all the more real. The same goes for Nate. Hes not just the hot hockey guy, but someone who genuinely cares about the people around him and has his own emotional layers. What really stood out to me were the character dynamics. Theres a lot of sexual tension, but also real communication and support between them. I also loved the side characters, because they added warmth to the story and created a sense of community. One of the things I enjoyed most was how the author wove in more serious themes alongside the romance such as being overly ambitious, mental health and the pressure to constantly perform. It never felt forced or overdramatic, but rather gave the story substance. Yes, the book has its fair share of spice, but to me it was balanced and fit the tone of the story.
Overall its an emotional love story with real depth and a healthy dose of spice. While the plot is a bit predictable at times, its still an entertaining read that I would rate 4 stars.
