Our of the previous four (and the second book that literally spoke of the release the athletes allow themselves in these events) On the Brink of Passion is the book that made me think the most about that issue – the stress the athletes face on a daily basis for years and years. This self-inflicted tension and discipline, the sacrifices and the need to finally take something for themselves.Jubilee has worked her entire life towards these games, towards being the best. Now, four years after her ice skating partner, best friend, lover and husband suddenly died and shattered her world, she has another chance. She’s been skating with Beckett for two years now, and miraculously they are both in sync and perfectly matched. She’s more focused than ever, and she’s very much protecting herself, so comes off as an ice princess.

Beckett obviously planned on getting his rocks on during the games, but since a room placement screw-up, he’s now “stuck” with his skating partner. I can’t say that I sensed he’s all too troubled about it. The guys is seriously laid back, easy going and truthfully? Adorable as hell. Totally cuddle-worthy.

After a little tantrum and a little accepting of the situation, they reached an argument about Beckett’s rights to let loose with the other female athletes, and naturally Jubilee flat out refused allowing him to entertain in their room. So Beckett, thinking he can best her, suggested that she be his lady for the next three weeks.

Guess what she said?

I have to say, this one started so weird, I was honestly confused about their situation. But then things progressed, and while both ignored it mostly, feelings and true emotion seeped in.

Beck and Juju’s story is adorable. Well, mostly Beckett is adorable. But the story is great, it’s light and fun, it’s got moments of seriousness and some heartache, there’s compassion there, and the sex is oddly (at first) fun to read. Not to mention the epilogue. I swooned. I did.

I feel like it’s a great closure to the series, and can’t wait for whatever’s next from Tamsen Parker.

3.25⭐
I was looking forward to reading On the Brink of Passion. As not only did the synopsis sound great, but I've also enjoyed the books I've read so far in this series.
However, this story, although engaging, easy to read, and good. Didn't grab me and I did find it hard to connect with. Especially with the way Jubilee and Becketts relationship begins, and I did struggle to warm too Jubilee. Even though I did feel sorry for her and everything she had gone through. But I liked Beckett and by the end, I thought he and Jubilee made a nice couple.
And I did like the way this author took a risk on how Jubilee and Becketts relationship began, and that this story featured another winter sport that I've not seen many other stories about.
And so I would recommend On the Brink of Passion to others, and particularly to anyone who is a fan of this author or the series itself.

I think this is my favourite of the three Snow and Ice Games books that I've read, and the actual skating detail was among the best that I've read of the Winter Sports themed romances I've read. i thought the set up was interesting, I liked the hero and although I didn't like the heroine as much, I understood why she was the way that she was. I thought the resolution was a bit rushed, and didn't quite answer all the questions that had been posed, but all in all it was a good read.

On the Brink of Passion, one of the sexiest titles I've come across. Coupled with one of the sexiest covers. I had no choice; I had to read this book. 

As much sexiness as this book had on the cover page I was disappointed with the lack of steam between the covers. The award for more conflicting sexy scene goes to On the Brink of Passion. I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to be uncomfortable or aroused. It didn't take long for uncomfortable to win.  There were graphic descriptions of sex where consent was verbalized but sometimes actions speak louder than words, and her actions didn't scream (or even whisper) consent. I lost a lot of respect for Beck when he continued with it. On one hand, I kind of understand what the author was trying to do, I'll even admit it was a unique, good in theory, idea. But, on the other hand it left me feeling icky. 

I skimmed over the next steamy part because it was more of the same. She verbalizes consent, but refuses to act in a way that suggests as much. Her thoughts tell the reader she's enjoying herself but for many reasons she refuses to act on it. I lost respect for her because she was playing such ridiculous games. Those two scenes seemed to go on forever in graphic detail. Maybe I'm old fashioned but as far as sex scenes go, fictional or not, enthusiastic consent is non-negotiable in my opinion. I found it a little annoying, but I could see people being quite put-off or even triggered by it. 

Ok, rant over. Once I got past the uncomfortable sex, the book wasn't so bad.

I enjoyed learning about Jubilee and Beck's relationship. To be honest, I had no idea how much trust it took to skate with someone like that, never thought about it. The author captured their trust and knowledge of each other beautifully. 

This book was written in alternating first person perspective. However, I my opinion neither character had a distinct voice. Were it not for the change in pronouns and the headings announcing a perspective change I would have never known. There were even times I found my self scanning the pages to figure out who's perspective I was reading from. 

Now we come to my biggest disappointment in this whole book. There's no transition from awkward, reluctant sex to lovers. They say the sex changed and things like that but we never get a steamy scene with enthusiastic consent. Tamsen Parker can write a good sex scene and I wish she would have written one where Jubilee was more into it. 

We never get to see them grow their relationship. The ending fast forwards a couple months, then a couple years to a happily ever after. I think the book could have been a lot longer. Perhaps if I saw the relationship grow, I would have been able to get over what happened at the beginning. But I couldn't.

With all that said, On the Brink of Passion was a quick, easy read if you're looking for a way to kill time some evening.

I love that Tamsen Parker never takes it safe with her writing. Sometimes her risks really work for me. Sometimes they do not. Sadly this book was a case of the latter. A lot of issues come from the lack of initial chemistry between the two main characters and the most awkward, uncomfortable, cringe-inducing sex scene I have ever read. It was so hard to get invested in their story after in their story after that and believe that they would find a basis for a real relationship. Their switch to romantic feeling felt way too fast and unsubstantiated to me. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

So good. Originally, I was trying to read another Olympic ice skating collection from NetGalley (I'm looking at you Medal Up) and it just didn't have the mature writing that made Tamsen Parker's has. I would totally love to have this story play out in real life.

I would've loved this book so much more if Jubilee hadn't been such a raving bitch. Like, all the time.

I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it until authors listen - a past trauma or tragedy does not give a person free reign to treat others around them like crap. They can certainly shape how characters respond to situations or how they approach relationships, but when people obviously care about them, and they choose to push them away in the most harsh ways, it makes me so angry. There's no cause for that behavior. And there's no reason for the other person to put up with it either.

Another superbly written Snow and Ice Games romance with lots of heat. Julibee's world has come crashing down but she hasn't given up her love of figure skating. Along comes Becket and sparks fly. Will they achieve gold along with love? HEA

I absolutely loved this book and it has the potential to be one of my top reads for the year. Why did I love it? First of all, it features a pairs figure skating team, and there are plenty of details about training and competing at a world class level and the drive and focus required to reach that pinnacle. These athletes are single-minded in their intensity and devotion to their sport and are unapologetic about it.

Second, I loved that the book was so honest. Jubilee was not a "nice" character. She was closed off, controlling, and assertive. In Beckett's mind, he labeled her the "ice princess" and it was not particularly complementary, although he admired her drive and the way she constantly challenged herself and everyone around her to give their absolute best, all the time. However, my heart ached for Jubilee throughout the book. Her husband and previous partner died suddenly at a practice leaving Jubilee injured and alone. She is utterly terrified at losing anyone else, so she chooses instead to completely close herself off from emotion. Viewed in this light, I found Jubilee to be a completely sympathetic character, no matter how cutting she was to Beckett, or how cold and closed off she was.

In the beginning of the book the sex is rather uncomfortable to read. When the book starts, Jubilee and Beckett have arrived at the winter games only to find that due to a scheduling mix up, they've been assigned to the same room. Beckett is normally pretty single mindedly focused on training, so he's been looking forward to sexually blowing off steam at the games with other athletes. However, since they are forced to share a room, Jubilee doesn't want him bringing other women around at all hours, so she makes a bargain with him that they will only sleep with each other. This leads to some awkward sexual encounters between them. As time goes on, though, both give in to an attraction that has probably always been there, but was completely buried under the layers of Jubilee's total freeze on personal relationships.

As I said earlier, my heart totally ached for Jubilee. She could see what a sweet, decent, nice guy Beckett was and she totally fell for him, but was holding on to her fear so tightly that she could not open up and let him in. As for Beckett, you've got to love a guy who will freely admit that he's not the brightest bulb, but who makes up for it with total dedication, persistence, charm, and utter devotion to whatever or whoever he chooses to spend his time on. He was the perfect man to melt Jubilee's frozen heart and soul. This book gripped me hard, made me feel all the feels, and put a big happy smile on my face at the end.

This book was really solid in all the aspects: romance, the descriptions of them figure skating, and the writing. It wasn't my favorite of the series, but it was a fun read.

This took some time to get over the seriously messed up way Beckett and Jubilee first "got busy". It was just a train wreck, let's be honest. But once we get past that there's some really good skating. Some definite improvement of times between the sheets. And the possibility of more. Beckett is as loyal as they come and he has his work cut off for him trying to thaw the Ice Princess.

This is the second book I have read from Tamsen Parker, and I'm sadly disappointed.
After Jubilee's husband died, her whole world stopped. The only thing she lives for is her training. Takes her mind off the memories. There she meets Beckett. A sweet man, that gets belittled every time Jubilee is in the room. She treated him like a piece of gum on her shoe.....

After a night of practice, she decides to sleep with Beckett so he wont bring any girls to their room...

But sooner rather than later she falls hard for the man.

It was a really typical storyline, I knew what was going to happen a mile a way.

On the Brink of Passion is a great story about an ice skating pairs team who are a perfect match on the ice, but off the ice, they couldn't be more opposite. At the SIG competition, a housing snafu puts them in the same room and things begin to heat up. Sure, they're both attractive people. Nothing could go wrong with a no strings attached deal during their stay at the SIG's. Right?

I loved the POV's going back and forth between Jubilee and Beckett. You get to see what each person is thinking during the scenes and you can really tell how they feel about each other, which makes you want to slap the characters and just say "sit down, and tell each other what you've been thinking and are too afraid to say" although, the book would be much shorter if that happened, and far less drama!

The steamy scenes, while definitely passionate and well written, are not erotic to the point of cringe worthiness. Tamsen Parker has done an excellent job toeing the line of erotic romance, without being too graphically explicit. Not once did I get transported out of the story because of the way that she was explaining the scenes. Those are not easy scenes to write, and I commend her on it!
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book.

I basically skimmed the last half of this one because I really couldn't stand the characters in this one. Jubilee is probably going to go on my list of "most disliked characters of all time". Like all the other books in this series, this was just bland and boring.

I couldn't get into this one just like I couldn't get into the last one of this series or any of them. Which makes me beyond sad because I love the subject!!

I requested all books in this series, and I am sad to report, I didn't really like any of them. There was something off for me, and I can not put my finger on it. The writing was not really my favorite. I couldn't get into any of the books at all.

Jubilee felt her life ended the day her husband died. All the joy was gone. She goes through each day and is extremely meticulous in her training. Never one to stray the straight and narrow path she questions Beckett’s suggestion. She has come to the Snow and Ice games to win and she will ensure she does. Absolutely amazing tale of getting lost in grief and finally opening up again.

The Snow and Ice games has been a pretty solid series for me, and I’m a little sad to see this come to an end with On the Brink of Passion, the final book. Even when I had quibbles with some of the plotting, I enjoyed all of these characters and relationships. Each book is linked together by this fictional Winter Olympics-type event, but each book is different. This isn’t a series where I feel like I’m seeing the same characters meet over and over again---each one feels unique! It’s not an exaggeration to say that there’s something for everyone in this series.

On the Brink of Passion stars two figure skating partners, Jubilee and Beckett. Due to a mix-up in housing in the SIG village, they are accidentally placed in the same room. I truly love a good forced proximity plot! Jubilee and Beckett have been partners for two years, and know each other’s bodies intimately in the context of the skating rink, but living in close quarters makes them see each other as individuals.

As a content warning, the primary internal conflict for Jubliee is about grief and loss. Four years earlier, her husband and partner died, and she is devastated at having lost everything. She’s reclaimed her career, but she’s determined never to mix a relationship and a partnership again. It was just too hard to move on and she wants to protect her fragile heart. Beckett on the other hand, is hard-working and serious about his skating, but is looking forward to the revelry of the SIGs. As soon as Jubilee learns they’re roommates, she’s willing to do just about anything to keep him from disrupting her peaceful oasis of a suite with a bunch of random hook-ups.

I’ll be honest, the whole pretext for them getting together as sexual partners is at best a dare, and at worst two people determined to out-stubborn each other. I’m not entirely sure it worked for me, but their relationship changes and it forces them to examine what they mean to each other. This is a book with some uncomfortably awkward sex scenes, where Jubilee and Beckett figuring out what they need, want, and are willing to accept from each other. I often talk about how well authors use sex scenes to show growth in emotional intimacy; and this relationship between Jubilee and Beckett is almost a perfect example of how this can be developed. Tamsen Parker’s work in this series--her ability to show the relationship between body and mind and heart and partner---it is simply extraordinary.

I was incredibly moved by Jubilee’s struggles to move past her grief and fear, and with Beckett’s determination to respect her boundaries while still proving his love and loyalty. A lovely, perfect end to a satisfying series.

I just couldn’t get into this. It starts off with one of the most uncomfortable sex scenes I’ve ever read about two people who are basically forcing themselves to have sex with each other without any affection, sexual attraction, or foreplay. The heroine, Jubilee, is really a cold witch who only gets warmed up in the last couple of chapters. She’s a figure skating pairs champion whose husband and former partner died of a brain aneurysm during a practice. Now she has a new partner, Beckett, who seems like a really nice guy even though Jubilee treats him like trash.
Through a mix-up they have to share a hotel room during a competition and she decides to have sex with him so he doesn’t disturb her by bringing other women back to the room. She doesn’t want to fall for him because she is still wounded from her husband/partner’s death. So she forces herself to try to not enjoy the sex. Which means that, as a reader, I couldn’t enjoy the sex scenes. And she is so obnoxious on a personal level that I kept feeling that Beckett deserved better. If she’s going to be portrayed as an Ice Queen, it would help to see more of her being sensitive to other people instead of hiding everything behind her public icy persona. I just could never get into it.
I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love these Olympic theme stories, Jubilee has had a lot of misery in the last few years and can’t be blamed for how guarded she is but Beckett is such a sweetheart and so patient it was beautiful seeing them get their HEA