My Review
I’m going to start off my review by saying that I’m not really one for sports romances or books that are centered around sports. I’ve never really cared for sports in general, so reading about them usually tends to leave me feeling bored. I put off reading Off the Ice for a long time because I wasn’t sure that I was going to like it, but when I saw that the author had another book coming out featuring some of the characters in this book, I decided to take the plunge and read it, even though I didn’t expect this book to really wow me or anything.
So imagine my surprise when I’m a quarter of the way through this book and I actually find myself really enjoying it – the story, the characters, the drama, the secrets – the whole book is just so much fun.
“‘Promise me something, Tate.'”
“‘What?”‘
“Don’t change, okay?'”
“‘Yeah, I know. You wrote that in my yearbook.'”
“‘But I mean it now. Promise me you won’t become another varsity hockey player.'”
Claire left her home of Juniper Falls and went to college, but when tragedy strikes her father, she needs to come back home and help out with her family and her family’s bar. Since it’s hockey season, the bar is always busy, but not busy enough to make ends meet all the time, and Claire is keeping secret about her family’s funds, trying to figure out how she can make it all work, spend time and care for her family, and go back to school after the new year. Not to mention things are a bit awkward for her now, since Tate looks and acts a lot different than he did last year, when he had a run in with his father that Claire had helped him through.
Meanwhile, Tate has just broken up with his girlfriend, Haley, and is focusing on his hockey game. He has just been told he is replacing a former player, who quit the team and is looking after his pregnant girlfriend – and in the process, has become a town outcast. Tate steps up, playing his best, while always being judged by his opinionated father who was a former hockey player in town, as well. And then he notices Claire – and the two of them begin to rekindle a friendship.
When Tate’s father starts doing some shady things that will cause some of Tate’s teammates (and maybe even Tate himself) to lose their scholarship eligibility and force them to play with a team Tate’s father has chosen, Tate is torn between telling anyone about it, and letting it ride out.
“Tate is real, and his life is messed up, and my life is more real and messed up than ever. But his heart is beating beneath my hand, and I didn’t ask for it, but he’s given it to me. And there are some gifts you just don’t turn down. There are some threads that you hold on to as tightly as possible.”
As Tate and Claire start spending more and more time together, their friendship turns into something more, and the two of them develop a romance that is complicated and exactly what they both need at the time.
The relationship between Tate and Claire isn’t just realistic feeling, it’s complicated and messy and the kind of relationship you find yourself really getting behind. I loved how that was the main theme of the book, but there was also so much other stuff going on at the same time, like the whole thing with Tate’s dad being pretty much a jerk, and Claire’s family struggling so much.
There was just so much love and family in this book that it really stood out from a lot of other books I’ve read lately. I loved how close Claire’s family was, especially with her father, and how they took care of him and each other. Tate’s father wasn’t really that great of a guy, but his mother and his step-father, as well as his sister, Jody, were all there for him and cared a lot about him. There was also a great deal of friendship going on in this book, which I liked, too.
I honestly don’t know much about hockey, since I’m not exactly a sports fan, but I did find myself enjoying this book nonetheless. This was a really great book to read during the winter, because it makes it feel even more realistic (it was snowing when I read the ending, which was pretty neat).
I find myself eager to read the next installment in the Juniper Falls series, as it will feature Haley, and I found myself really liking her in this book and can’t wait to see what’s in store for her next.
Wohoo!!! We’re going to turn you into a sports romance lover yet! 😉 I’ve heard so many amazing things about this book, so I’m happy you loved it. I want to read it.
Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse recently posted…Review: Team Player Anthology
I thought for sure this would have been something you’d read by now – I’m surprised! If I liked it that much I bet you’d love it!
I’m glad to hear this one turned out better than you thought it would. I’m not typically into sports-themed books either and was torn about whether or not to read this one. After reading your review though, I’m thinking it may be something I would enjoy after all.
I’m not really into sports books at all, but the story itself was really enjoyable and I really recommend it. It has a heavy focus on hockey, but there are other plots going on in the background that I think could really make it fun for anyone. Plus the romance was such a good one.
Oh that was a great review! I’m so happy you enjoyed this book, despite not really being into sports-books. I haven’t really read tons of books centered on sports like that, sports romance, as they call them, I think, so I can’t really say whether I’d like them or not…. but from your review, I feel like I could enjoy that one! I love that the relationship felt realistic, but that the story wasn’t entirely focused on that and there were issues and other things the characters had to deal with on the side. Hm… I think I might have to add it to the TBR 🙂
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks recently posted…Top 5 most anticipated books of 2018
Awesome – I’m glad to hear that you might find yourself adding this to your TBR list! It’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t, even if you aren’t into sports romance. While I can’t say I’m going to run off and read every single sports romance that I can get my hand on, it made me realize that I shouldn’t just automatically shut down any books that are in that category now, because a lot of them might be good after all! The fact that there are so many other things going on really make this one enjoyable even if sports isn’t your thing.
Is it weird I tend to steer clear of YA sports novels but adore Adult ones? lol I just realized I did that. I really like this author and I love reading about those messy type relationships so I’m definitely looking forward to this one now! Thanks for sharing!
Sara @ Forever 17 Books recently posted…Review: Santa’s Secret by Heidi McLaughlin
I don’t think that’s weird at all! I can’t say that I have read a sports romance in either adult or YA, so this is a first for me. What other books that she has written have you read and liked? I want to read more by her, so I would love some recommendations!
I’ve only read one book by this author and while I wasn’t really blow away or anything, I do remember enjoying it and wanting to read more from her. I think I’m going to give this one a try. Great review!
Stephanie’s Book Reviews recently posted…Review: Bargaining with the Boss (It Happened One Night #1) by Jennifer Shirk
Yay! I hope you enjoy this one more than you enjoyed the previous book by the same author!
This is such a lovely review. You really capture the essence of this book. I must say, after reading both Juniper Falls books, I am a solid fan. I loved the romance, but also the bromance.
Sam@WLABB recently posted…Review: Love, Life, and the List – Kasie West
I’m super happy to see that you read the second one and enjoyed it, as well! I’m on to that one this week, hopefully!
I have been eyeing this series for a little while now! I love it when relationships are portrayed realistically. So often in YA I shake my head at the plot. The sports aspect to this one is interesting and not one that I usually pick up either. I think that I will give this one a try! 🙂
I read lots of books but i think this is first one in which i can read sports and romance together. cover looks good and tell the story. disparate to read it out.
outstanding!
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