Rowan Andrews is looking to make it big at the Snow and Ice Games and listening to her favorite boy band in her downtime is how she unwinds.

Zane Rivera needs a break from the boys in License to Game and decides to check out the Snow and Ice Games after seeing Rowan's picture in a magazine. He knows she's a fangirl and so does everyone else when he kisses her. When a fake relationship is set up to everyone's satisfaction to capitalize on the publicity, it's a no-brainer that they are going to fall for each other.

The relationship develops nicely for the main characters as they play out fake relationship. I liked Zane's interest in Rowan's athletic prowess, and Rowan has some surprises of her own to share with Zane -- namely why they need all those condoms at the Games!

This was a really sweet story of a happy-for-now with a nice bit of the sport too! I love it when a sports romance does a nice job of including the sport in the story and Love on the Tracks delivers.

Overall, I loved the story and characters and mostly the timeliness of this story! With the Winter Olympics in a few months, Love on the Tracks is just the right romance warm up for the occasion. Looking forward to more in this series!

An ARC was provided for review.

I'm a huge fan of obscure winter sports, and it is a winter Olympic year, so when I saw that the heroine of this book was a top-rated luger, I knew I had to give it a try. As if that wasn't enough, add in the fact that the hero was a rock-star and this book was all kinds of catnip for me. I'm happy to report that the book lived up to all of my expectations. I wasn't sure what to expect but this turned out to be a wonderful, sex-positive romance between two really nice characters who are both at the pinnacle of their respective professions. Rowan is a 20 YO who has been training on the luge for years, hoping to medal at the world championships. She's totally devoted to her sport with adult level maturity and razor focus, while at the same time, she's still barely out of her teens and shows it in her fangirl devotion to a popular boy band. Zane, one of the band members, on the other hand, totally admires all of the athletes competing in the winter games, so when he reads a profile of Rowan that mentions how much she loves his band, he decides to surprise her on a talk show she's doing. When their appearance together starts trending, they both agree to a "fake" romance for the sake of publicity. Since they are both attracted to each other, the fake romance turns real pretty quickly.

What I loved about this book was the respect that Rowan and Zane showed toward each other and to their respective professional responsibilities. Rowan got a bit fangirly sometimes, but overall, their relationship was depicted as one of equals and of mutual admiration. I also loved that Rowan was a strong, solid, athletic woman and that Zane found her to be wildly attractive and didn't mind at all when she was assertive in bed. I would characterize this as more of an NA romance rather than adult contemporary. The angst level was pretty low and there wasn't a lot of conflict, although what there was of it at the end did seem to be a bit contrived. Overall, I came away from the book with a happy sigh and a big smile. I've never read anything else by this author, but I will definitely be picking up some of the other books in this series.

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Love on the Tracks by Tamsen Parker (contemporary, Swerve, December 2017)
Love on the Tracks by Tamsen Parker is a contemporary romance, the first in the Snow and Ice Games series featuring a rock star hero and an athlete heroine (in luge) who fake a relationship for the media. But the feelings that these two have for each other are not in any way fake and what starts out as a stunt turns into the real deal. This is a fun, feel-good romance with a sexually-strong heroine who isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. One thing that stands out in this book is how Parker deals with the issue of sexual consent. These two actually talk before they get intimate and are explicit about their intentions to have sex together. Zane is very clear about needing permission - and Parker is able to make this point without it being pedantic or taking the reader out of the story.


In line with this, Love on the Tracks is a very sex positive book. While the heroine Rowan isn’t overly experienced, she isn’t shy about her desires and needs - and the fact that she wants Zane to help her fulfill them. While there is no kink in this story, Rowan is the sexual aggressor for many of their encounters. I found this to be wonderful as I quite adore sexually confident female characters in romance. There is also a great deal of information about sports in the story, particularly luge (which I found fascinating). Rowan also has to deal with her father and his expectations for her; Zane has to deal with his career, his fame and his agents expectations for him; but the best parts of this story are where Zane and Rowan interact and fall in love. This story is a fantastic start to a new, sexy series about athletes at the Snow and Ice Games. I am quite looking forward to the rest of the books.

At only 20 years old, Rowan Andrews is competing in her second Snow and Ice Games (SIGs). She has dedicated her whole life to training for the sport she loves: luge. Entering the games as a medal contender for the United States, nothing can throw Rowan off her game. That is until she meets her celebrity crush, singer Zane Rivera.

Zane Rivera, lead singer for an insanely popular boy band, needs a break from his bandmates and the craziness of his life, so when the opportunity arises to surprise his fan, and SIG superstar, Rowan, he takes an impromptu trip to Denver. Once America gets a taste of Rowan and Zane together, they want more, and the pair fake a few dates, hoping to increase their social media coverage. However, the fake dates are starting to feel like the real deal.

Overall, I enjoyed Love on the Tracks, and found it to be a solid, entertaining start to this new series. I enjoyed the descriptions and feel of the games and what it means to be a professional/serious athlete. The author does a fabulous job putting me inside the heart and mind of Rowan, learning the ups and downs of such an intense lifestyle.

With that said, Rowan was difficult for me to connect with. I like that her sport comes first and that she goes after what she wants without (much) hesitation. She’s strong and unusually mature beyond her 20 years. Yet, I did struggle a bit with her age and maturity level at the start of the book. I suppose because it’s been way too long since I’ve been that age, it was difficult for me to relate to her. But she stays true to her heart and dreams, which I really liked.

Zane is a sweet and caring guy; not the typical Justin Bieber asshole popstar. He’s also pretty young, but at 26, and after a decade of touring, he feels like an old soul. He’s perfect for Rowan because he cares and won’t let his agent dictate all of his moves. He’s loyal to his bandmates, friends, and family, so it’s no surprise that he treats Rowan with utter respect. At first it was hard for me to get into their relationship - they felt so young, especially her, but after I got into the story, that all went away. And I really like how he doesn’t mope when things appear not to be going right… he takes matters into his own hands.

The story itself is short and straightforward. When issues come about, problem-solving is streamlined and everything wraps up nicely. I would have preferred no “I love you’s,” but it’s the way it goes. The story still has an HFN vibe, which is right for the romance and characters.

After reading Love on the Tracks, I am excited to find out more about some of the other athletes and discover what else happens at the Snow and Ice Games. With the lighter romance and shorter length, the book was a breeze to read, and it’s got me excited for the Winter Olympics coming this February in South Korea.

My Rating: B/B- Liked It, but I had a few small issues

Quand j'ai lu le résumé , j'ai pensé que j'allais découvrir une nouvelle romance sportive dans le milieu des sports de glaces mais ce que j'ai adoré c'est l'originalité de cette romance pour deux raisons : tout d'abord, le sport est un sport peu lu dans les romances sportives car il s'agit de la luge et que ce sport est vu avec une compétitrice féminine. D'autre part, j'ai adoré le fait que deux univers se mélangent et se rencontrent pour nous proposer une romance des plus originales .

Rowan Andrews est une jeune femme qui toute sa vie s'est préparée pour cette échéance de la plus haute importance. Elle a mis de côté sa vie personnelle pour se consacrer à la luge , un sport qu'elle pratique depuis très longtemps et qui a une importance professionnelle mais aussi émotionnelle. Son père est son coach et à eux deux ils ont vécu ensemble cette montée en puissance. Nous sommes donc aux Jeux Olympiques et l'objectif est clairement de décrocher une médaille et grimper sur le podium. Elle aime son art , son sport et trouve en lui une sorte d'exutoire. Elle est aussi talentueuse et s'entend bien avec ses collègues. Mais si sur la glace elle brille, dans sa vie personnelle, il n'y a pas de places pour la passion ou la folie. Sa vie est réglée comme du papier à musique et rien ne pourra la faire décrocher. Faire de la luge est aussi vital que la musique qu'elle écoute pour se vider la tête. C'est pourquoi quand elle verra son rêve devenir réalité, elle ne pourra qu'être bouche bée.

Dans un premier temps, nous aurons une Rowan en mode fangirling qui va se plier aux projets loufoques et calculés des équipes respectives des deux stars. Il faut dire que la luge n'est pas un sport Olympique qui attire le feux des projecteurs et donc jouer au couple modèle pour attirer les paparazzis et les sponsors ne peut être que positif. Ce que j'ai apprécié chez elle est le fait qu'elle se remette en question mais qu'elle exprime aussi ses opinions face à son idole. Face à face , ils parleront de choses qui leur tiennent à coeur et dont ils parlent peu avec leur proche. Les sentiments seront aussi là mais au jeu des paparazades, il faudra savoir discerner le vrai du faux.

Zane Riviera fait partie des License to Game , un boys band très populaire qui l'a hissé au sommet de la gloire avec Benji, Christian , Teague et Nicky. Ces derniers sont clairement heureux de la popularité qu'ils récoltent et y trouvent leur compte. Ce n'est pas le cas de Zane qui aimerait qu'on s'intéresse à lui pour sa musique et non ses frasques dans les médias. Il aimerait se poser et réfléchir à une carrière qui lui sied parfaitement mais le problème est que son contrat le tient pieds et poings liés et il ne peut pas faire grand chose. J'ai aimé ce personnage car il n'a pas ce côté diva ou égocentrique que l'on peut trouver chez certaines stars et c'est très appréciable. Au fond , Zane et Rowan partagent des tas de points communs. Ils sont passionnés mais leur passion leur bouffe souvent la vie. Il acceptera donc de jouer le jeu organisé par Stanley mais passer des moments sincères avec une femme qu'il admire pourrait brouiller les pistes.

Bref, si vous souhaitez lire en VO une romance qui change des romances traditionnelles avec des personnages qui vont tenter de se libérer de la cage dorée dans laquelle ils sont enfermés. Si vous voulez découvrir une histoire où deux univers vont entrer en collision pour faire des étincelles, je ne peux que vous recommander Love on the tracks et j'ai hâte de lire les tomes suivants car Tamsen Parker a su m'emmener dans cette romance particulièrement intéressante.

5 HOT STARS!! Looking to be warmed up on a cold night, this story is for you. I loved seeing a beautiful woman in snow sports and a hot lead singer to warm things up. Rowan and Zane are perfect and this is one story you will want to read. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from publisher via NetGalley.

***ARC Provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley***

I really enjoy fake relationship stories, as I love the additional element of the couple being aware of one another, and knowing that it should be fake, but pursuing the relationship in public like it is real.

Zane felt real, although there were timeline issues with this as he talks about how he formed his band in his early teens, 10 years ago...but is 26. Since he seemed older than early 20s, I was able to mostly ignore this for what it was and enjoy his part of the story.

Rowan however, I thought the age didn't quite line up with the past she talks about, that she either needed to be older to fit in with the past or to have less of the "sexual experience during events" that seems to come up in the story more than once.

I also had an issue with the actions of one of the secondary characters and how quickly the situation was resolved.

I enjoyed the parts of the story that were Rowan and Zane centered, and I believed their interactions, which allowed the book to work for me overall. I liked this and I am interested in reading the next in the series.

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — Well this was a whole bowl full of awesome! It was kind of tailor made for me. I mean, I’m not sure how many people know this about me, but I am an Olympic FIEND. It’s my favourite sport (and I realize it’s not a sport, just like rainbow isn’t a colour, but I do what I want). So a sports book that meshes a fictional Olympic type competition (the Snow & Ice Games) with a celebrity romance, this time in the form of a famous pop star from a boy band? SIGN ME UP!!! And it was even cool that the athlete in this case was the heroine, AND she was a luger of all things! Have you watched luge? Those people are certifiable!!

I actually loved both characters. They occasionally felt a bit young, but that can make for a more realistic NA in my opinion. I know I still feel young and immature at 38. 😛 And given their professions as it were, it made sense that they would feel young in certain aspects.

I LOVED Rowan. She was nothing like I am. NOTHING. But I appreciated how unique she was, and how the author really showcased the dedication and hard work and sacrifices that is synonymous with amateur athletes. I LOVED how she was so blunt and forthright in what she wanted with sex…it was very sex positive in that way. I also appreciated that she didn’t go from fangirl to cool immediately, b/c it felt more realistic then. Sometimes I wanted her to more obviously see him as more than just a pop star…or rather, more quickly. But it was subtle, and it didn’t make the fangirl stuff immediately go away. It frustrated me, but again, felt more realistic.

And more than what I loved about her, I LOVED how Zane saw her, and how he appreciated the things about her that she’s often been told are lacking. Like her athletic body was seen as less feminine by some (stupid) men, her strength was intimidating to others, not to mention her dedication to her sport.

Which brings us to Zane. Zane was almost too good to be true. I’m not kidding. He’s this pop star, but he was so very down to earth, and just so freaking kind and thoughtful. He was like ultimate book boyfriend material for me. There was no bad boy to him. He felt very practical. I enjoyed seeing him struggle with being tired of the boy band, but still loyal to his boys. I liked reading about his exit strategy, and how he was thinking ahead to the future. And how he seemed truly torn up about wanting to move on. And I appreciated that he knew the importance of his fans and saw how they were truly responsible for all his success, so he wanted to appreciate them (even if it got exhausting). Occasionally the commentary about boy bands felt a bit…snarky, and was surprising. It almost felt as though the author looked down on boy bands and it bled through…but at other times it just felt normal. It was odd…and could all be in my head.

And as I said above, I LOVED how he appreciated Rowan. He was so turned on by her aggression. Made me feel very tummy tingly. So needless to say I LOVED the chemistry between them. It was so freaking hot. Like the steamy parts were awesome, and different. And I felt the romance too…I felt the development of their relationship into more. I felt their caring for each other.

I will admit the climax and conflict felt a bit tropey, but I appreciated that it didn’t last long and it wasn’t drawn out.

And if you couldn’t tell from the beginning of the review, I LOVED all the “SIG” (*cough* Olympics *cough*) descriptions, and seeing different sports showcased, and learning so much about luge (which has always scared the crap out of me). And I ADORED that they talked a bit about curling, though as a Canadian, I was a bit bummed that they didn’t mention us at all in relation to curling…it’s kind of our adopted sport. Like, we may not have invented it, but it’s basically ours…it’s more Canadian than even hockey in some ways. Woah, blew your mind right?

So yeah. This took two of my favourite tropes (sports romance and celebrity romance) and blended them seamlessly and made this reader one very happy girl. Obscure sports for the win!!

I really wanted to enjoy this book but I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters for some reason. The Snow & Ice Games focus was interesting, especially when blending an athlete with a rock star and whilst on paper, this story should have been a hit with me, it just wasn't for some reason and I found myself skipping over large parts of the story, sadly.

As a fan of the winter Olympics, the idea of the Snow and Ice Games series is one that definitely appeals to me and I'm happy to say that this first in the series, Love on the Tracks, is a definite winner!

Rowan Andrews is a twenty year old luger, with her heart set on getting a medal at this year's Snow and Ice Games (the SIGs). Her training inspiration is the music of Licence to Game, and she's the first to admit she has a crush on lead singer Zane Rivera. When she gets to meet him face to face, she is thrilled, and since it happens on morning TV, the positive publicity leads Zane's agent and Rowan's dad to come up with a plan to benefit them both – a 'dating' relationship to raise Zane's band's profile on social media and give Rowan some new sponsorship possibilities. Fake dating soon leads to real intimacy. But will the distraction cost Rowan a chance a medal?

I really enjoyed this story! I loved the emphasis on the sport of luge (which I actually watch on TV) and the technical details that were interesting but not overwhelming. It's a very sex positive story, with consent coming from both sides and Rowan, while somewhat shy in public, definitely not being shy in private. She's always used the competitions as a chance to hookup and let off a little steam, but with Zane, the steam gets pretty intense!

Zane is a very likable man, kind and generous. His goal is to eventually go solo, but for now he's got a good relationship with his band even as he spends time writing songs for himself. There are some lovely scenes where Rowan becomes instrumental to his music and it soon becomes clear to them both that their fake relationship could turn into a real one. Along with the romance we get some action packed competition scenes as Rowan goes for the gold. I won't give away the ending, except to say that Rowan and Zane do eventually get their happy ending (but not without some ups and downs) and I am excited to read the next in the series!

This review will be posted on sale sites during release week. It has been posted at Goodreads.

Rowan Andrews is a professional athlete. She's a Luger. She's dedicated her whole life to this, ever since her mother died and she found comfort in channeling her energy into this sport.

Zane Rivera is a rock star, the most popular hunk in License to Game, a successful boy band, is Rowan's ultimate fantasy. Zane also has a deep appreciation to athletes, and now that the band is right before a renewal of contract he's in need of some down time. That's when he finds out from an article, that he's the rock idol of a certain SIG athlete, and decides Colorado is just the place he can relax and unwind.

From the very minute they meet as a surprise to Rowan on an interview talkshow, where she fangirl squees like there's no tomorrow, it's evident there's something there, and that something is exploited in favor of them both.

I adored how secretive their real relationship hidden by fake outings in favor of some PR and sponsorships, evolves. I loved how they each discovered more about the other, and how it was all layered.

Both Zane and Rowan are vulnerable in ways athletes and rock stars never seem to be, or never thought to be. And that is a great addition to the emotional arc of the story.

I adored this romance and basically swallowed it whole in one sitting (interrupted by a necessary night's sleep), and I genuinely can't wait for the next release.

Love on the Tracks is a perfect sports meets music romance. Parker managed to incorporate this world into a we-only-wish-it-were-real love story, filled with romantic moments, sweet gestures, hot sex, one really not shy athlete and one heck of a surprised yet willing rock star. It's fun, got some drama and a lot of hopeful sweetness and I couldn't recommend it more.

3.75☆ I thought this was an enjoyable read. It just didn't really grab me. But I liked the idea of it, and as a fan of sports romance. It's not often you get to read a story based around winter sports. So this made a nice change. And I did like the actual story. Which was easy to read, sweet and lighthearted, and there was minimal angst too. Plus the characters were likable. They just didn't really stand out or share much of a connection. But I did think it was good, and if you're looking for a sports romance thats different and on the sweeter side. Then I would definitely suggest giving Love on the Tracks a go.

Love on the Tracks is the first book of this new series by Tamsen Parker about the Winter Olympics! And each book has a different sport I believe. This one is all about luge, which I'm so excited about because we don't really get a lot of different sports in romanceland. We always get the main three aka football, hockey and baseball. But Tamsen is releasing books with winter-y sports in the actual Olympics and it's marvelous.

Love on the Tracks is about a girl who does luge and this time around everyone is watching her because she could really get a medal in the games. And also we have our adorable hero who is a musician in a boy band but wants to go on solo. Rowan, our heroine, is such a big fan of Zane's band and Zane himself. Actually they meet because Zane sees an article about how she has such a big crush on him. It all develops super great and their relationship is amazing and really fun to follow through.

You have fake dating because Zane's agent and Rowan's dad think it's a pretty good idea to use the fame and social media impact they made when they met to bring sponsors for Rowan and bring Zane more buzz for their next release. You all know how it all starts and how this trope ends and I find it one of my favorites because of how they all think it's business but ends up doing stuff without the press around and it's becoming real! Tamsen wrote such a beautiful and fun story that I couldn't stop reading, I couldn't really! I spent all day in bed laughing and crying and just enjoying myself with a nice book.

Also a pretty cool detail: Rowan and Zane have this cool semi D/s dynamic and even though Rowan is very shy and she blushes quite a lot around Zane, she is the one in charge in bed. It's so fun to read and Rowan is my queen and Rowan is Zane's queen (he even says it sob!!!) I loved this book so much. Highly recommend it.

Just didn't work for me. She acted like a total fan girl which threw off the balance for me. And while I know they were 20/26, it felt a lot younger. Not my cup of tea!

Light, first love romance.

Tamsen Parker had a good idea of having a boy band pop star as a hero, there are so many woman out there who can identify with that fantasy. That being said I think the book needs to be marketed as a New Adult book rather than just a regular romance. Rowan is a likable character and I think the fact that she's mature in some ways and naive in others actually makes sense. Young people who devote their lives to adult pursuits be it sports or entertainment do seem to often be split between two worlds. Zane seems almost too good to be true, but again that is what we want our fantasy boyfriends to be. I think for me why this book was a good rather than great book was there was just too much that was predictable and sometimes hard to believe.
I received an Advance reader copy from NetGalley.

I had high expectations going into this, especially since I'm a huge Winter Games junkie. While I give huge kudos to the author for creating a hardcore luger heroine, I was ultimately disappointed by the juvenile and lackluster romance between luge competitor Rowan and boy bander Zane.

Rowan is competing for Team USA at the Snow and Ice Games and her fangirling over Zane's boy band License to Game is legendary, to the point that it comes the attention of Zane himself. His manager suggests a fake romance to create more buzz for the band in exchange for more sponsorship opportunities for Rowan. I love a good fake romance, but Rowan's constant wide-eyed fangirling over Zane made their relationship that of a star and groupie, rather than equals.

I was thrown by the NA-ish quality of these kids pretending to be faux lovers (Rowan is 20 and Zane is 26), but that's on me: one of my favorite Tamsen Parker works is Craving Flight which is the love story of two Orthodox Jews in their late 30s, and I expected some of that same elegance and maturity. But the fact is that I found no spark between Rowan and Zane other than her awe of his boybandiness and his awe of her dedication to her sport; their outings felt like two junior high kids on dates supervised by their parents.

Then Rowan and Zane tumble into bed together and it becomes a different story. Shy, giggly Rowan is actually super confident in bed and for once, the guy has to keep up with the heroine. This was more fitting with Rowan's need for control and discipline in training, and I wish there was more exploration of Rowan's world than Zane's.

My real problem was that Rowan and Zane fell into bed almost as soon as they started their fake romance so there was really no time for real romance or feelings to grow. Yet, suddenly out of the blue, a weird subplot pops up involving a side character that turns Rowan and Zane into some kind of Romeo and Juliet-lite. The whiplash fast trip from fake romance to awkward plot separation to rapid fire declarations of ILYs was too much for me to take or believe.

The brief foray into Rowan's competitive world was fascinating and I wish there was more time and care spent on her life as a luger. Hopefully the next books in this series will feature more of the Games.

I am a fan of Tamsen Parker and enjoyed this book. She never disappoints.

Contemporary sports romance that is an odd mix of immaturity and strength - Rowan is a world class luger who is starstruck over Zane, a dude in a boy band. At first her feelings are straight teenage fangirling, even though she is a strong, disciplined, successful athlete. Zane is a big fan of winter sports (really), and thinks Rowan is very attractive. Amidst all the crazy media surrounding the world class competition, the idea for a fake romance seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement.

The romance is told from both characters' points of view, alternating, and labeled with the name of the character when the pov switches. That is helpful because for all their differences, the writing does not really change from hero to heroine. Also, there are decidedly spicy bits, <spoiler>during which Rowan is refreshingly confident and straightforward</spoiler> which seems out of balance with the overall YA feeling of the book.

Rowan's father is a bit of a controlling jerk, focusing mainly on her athletic success. Zane is thinking about life after the boy band, and planning his exit. Rowan finds that she enjoys exploring playing music, and Zane agrees to teach her how to play the guitar. They are both really likable, and I really enjoyed how supportive and respectful Zane is towards Rowan. When they realize that they both have feelings, it is discussed honestly and without misunderstanding.

The description of the luge run is so descriptive, I found it a little terrifying. <spoiler>I am really glad her crash was described from his pov</spoiler>

Overall, a bit sappy, but great characters, a great premise, and good writing.

This is such a fun, satisfying read!

Zane Rivera is a 26 year old pop sensation as one of the members of the greatest living boy band. But after 10 years with the band, Zane longs to strike out on his own as a solo artist. But he loves his bandmates and friends, and he's willing to sacrifice what he needs for the continued success of the band. Rowan Andrew is a 20 year old athlete heading into the Snow and Ice Games as a hopeful medalist in the luge. After becoming social media darlings after they meet, Zane and Rowan agree to a fake relationship. She's hoping to net more lucrative sponsorships, while he's hoping to drum up support for his band's upcoming album.

There's a lot this book does well: Zane and Rowan are both well-devloped and likable characters. They are each fiercely committed to doing their best. Their fake dating turns into real sex, and it's steamy and satisfying. As a reader, I loved that Rowan is a strong, kick-ass athlete. She is proud of herself and her body, and she is a competitor. Zane is wildly attracted to her, not just because she's a fangirl and a pretty blonde, but because she's so strong and capable.

However, as their romance heats up, she becomes concerned he'll distract her from her competition. He can't help but wondering if she's only using him to gain fame and fortune. The fake-dating trope works really well here, because it plays into both of their fears for how others perceive them.

Also, I LOVED how Tamsen Parker doesn't just use the Snow and Ice games as a cute setting. The fact that Rowan is an athlete is so central to the story. This is her moment, and the descriptions of her as she slides down the track in her first race are awesome. In fact, it might be one of the most convincing "in the mind of the athlete" moments I've read in a novel. This isn't just a plot device---this is central to Rowan's character. At the top of the chute, she thinks, "The beat of my heart is as loud in my ears as the cheers of the crowd, but it's okay. War drums. A steady thump that will keep me grounded." Later on that same run, she describes the feeling of sliding down the hill on her sled, "I'm picking up speed and everything goes silent. Not silent as other people understand it, because there's the grainy rumble of rough ice passing incredibly quickly under my lovingly sharpened steels, but it's what passes for silence in my world. It's me, my sled, and the track. Nothing else matters."

Because the book is dual first person narration, there were moments that I wished the other character was narrating, especially at the moment of crisis when Rowan asks for some space before her next competition. The POV sticks with Zane, and I really wanted to know what Rowan was thinking. Rowan's Dad felt a little too cartoonishly Dad-like, careening from meek and caring to overprotective and unreasonable. The way he disrupts their romance felt a little off, and kind of yucky. These are minor quibbles. This is fun read, but also a satisfying one.