I could not stop reading this book! An Unlikely Pair is such a heartwarming and sweet sports romance book that catches you from the very beginning and does not let you go. I adore the progression of the relationship between Amaliya and Tyler. They make such a great pair on and off the ice and I did not want the story to end. I am hoping there is going to be a sequel because I feel like there is so much more for their story.

The book does switch between three POV; Amaliya's, Tyler's and Amaliya's mom, Katerina. I do feel like Katerina's POV was a bit out of place and seemed odd at times. The transitions between the POV's were a bit awkward for me at times and jumped too quickly. I think more time spent on each of the character's would have made more sense.

This is very clearly a happily ever after story so if you are looking for a bit more of an inspirational sports romance then this book is for you.

3 1/2 elevated to 4.

Having read the prequel about Amaliya's parents Robert and Katerina, a Canadian hockey player and a Russian ballerina, made this story more interesting and easier to connect to. Their story was set in the 60s and this one is set in 1982.

Both Robert and Amaliya are at a stressful point in their lives with changes they can't control—her parents are in a bad accident and she has to move from CT to NY; his sister decides to retire from figure skating and he needs a new partner.

When Robert and Amaliya meet and start skating together, it becomes obvious they work well as a pair. Spending so much time together, they become friends and eventually fall in love.

I think book 2, the next one, will probably be them qualifying and going to the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, and all the problems and triumphs associated with that.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Stunning. That is the first thing that comes to mind as I contemplate this incredible story. I love Traci's books and was thrilled when she announced a new series. I did not know what to expect when I learned that this story was not going to be like her past stories. This story is amazing though! I was captivated after just a few lines. Amaliya is relatable and such an intriguing character. She has the heart of an Olympian which is evident from the very beginning and it is amazing to watch her grow and learn throughout this story. Often times growth is hard to right convincingly, but Traci does an amazing job with Amaliya. Tyler is also such a wonderful character. I love his positivity and constant encouragement. It is refreshing to see such happiness and acceptance in a character.
This story is so amazing because you can see the story clearly playing out as you read. (Granted that may be because I have some figure skating background, but still I felt like I was watching a movie more than reading a book.) This is not true of every or even most books. The images Traci creates are stunning and simply mind-blowing. This story was truly a delight to read an I am on pins and needles waiting for the next part of this series.

I was so excited to see a new book from Traci Hunter Abramson! I love how she weaves a story with the romance, so her books aren't only reliant upon the romance to move it along. I was glad I read the forward and learned that this was one of the first books Ms. Abramson wrote and it is now being published.
I enjoyed the storyline and learning more about figure skating. I found myself YouTubing moves she referenced in the book so I would have a better idea of what they were doing.
One note, I was expecting mystery and intrigue, as that is what Traci Hunter Abramson usually writes. About halfway through I realized there wasn't going to be any. So just be aware if that is what you are looking for. However, I would still suggest reading it, because it is still a good story!

Meet Amaliya Marcell, daughter of Robert and Katerina.

Robert was a professional hockey player, now a coach. Besides French, he has taught his daughter how to have power on the ice.

Katerina is a ballerina who defected years ago. Besides Russian, she has taught her daughter to have poise and grace.

Amailya needs to figure out life - high school, boys, ballet, and skating. Will she be able to handle everything that's thrown at her with power and poise?

I really enjoyed this book! There is fun witty banter. The characters are lovable.

The ending seemed abrupt. I'm really glad to know this is going to be a series, because I need to know more of the story!

I had so much fun reading this book. It was a great change of pace to be in the 80's, before the popularity of cell phones and everything else that's taken over our lives. Amaliya is the daughter of Russian ballerina Katerina Petrova and Canadian hockey player turned coach Robert Marcell. When her parents are in a car accident that leaves Katerina's future of walking, let alone dancing, in question, Amaliya hangs up her pointe shoes and finds solace in figure skating. At the rink she meets Tyler Linden, an Olympic hopeful who's sister and skating partner just retired, leaving him in search of a pairs skating partner. While her parents future hangs in the balance can Amaliya and Tyler learn to work together to achieve Tyler's, and now Amaliya's, dream of the Olympics? And will Amaliya's parents ever be able to walk again?
I enjoyed the drama with the other skaters and coach as well as the details surrounding Katerina & Robert's stay in the hospital. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dancing, whether on stage or on the ice. I can not wait for more to come in this series.

This book is a must read! It is on my list of favorites. I read the prequel novella “Dancing to Freedom “ a couple of years ago and feel in love with the characters Robert and Katerina. I was excited to get to read a continuation of their story and be introduced to their daughter Amaliya.

It was fun to read about how Amaliya used both of her parents influences in the world of hockey and ballet to become a figure skater. The love story between Amaliya and her skating partner Tyler was perfect.! I couldn’t put the book down and wasn’t ready to have it end.

I highly recommend this book. I gave it 4 stars but would have given it 5 if I could have! I can’t wait for the next book I’m this series.

What a beautiful story of overcoming heart ache and change. I have always loved Traci Hunter Abramson’s books, including this one. The characters were perfect. I could physically feel the struggle Amaliya had as she had to change everything she found comfort and joy in. I also enjoyed watching the building friendship and trust between her and Tyler. Highly recommend!!

This was a sweet book. I liked how the main characters really find their way together through learning how to skate together. Super cute! #netgalley #anunlikelypair

I could not put it down, I just couldn’t! Abramson has written a magnificent and poignant story! She weaves her book writing magic that connects the reader to the characters and their world. Amaliya’s story, her life, her journey, I felt a part of it all. From ballet to skating, I could see it all unfold. I enjoyed reading multiple perspectives , it made the story feel full and complete. As a reader, I loved knowing what the other character’s were thinking. Honestly I could have read another 100 or 200 pages. I wanted more and I crave more! Ice skating, love, pain, healing, and perseverance; they all come together in one story you do not want to miss!
Side note: This is set in the 80s and I loved reading the Walkman reference and writing down phone numbers!

Prepare yourself for a book hangover because you will definitely have one after reading Traci Abramson’s An Unlikely Pair. You will fall in love with the worlds of iceskating, ballet and hockey as you read.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was very sweet with fairly low angst between our young couple. The writing is well paced and Traci Hunter Abramson does a lovely job of creating a world around ice skating (in the 1980s) which make me feel like I was watching a favorite ice skating movie. I felt like Traci had a lovely grasp on how to describe the ice skating that I was able to picture it with in my head.

This novel was equally character driven as well as plot/situation driven. Because of this balance we were able to watch the hero and heroine react and grow from the situations or obstacles put in their paths. In a way it was very slice of life and look behind the curtain of two well adjusted people who have a strong connection that only grows deeper.

This is a young adult perhaps bordering on new adult romance. Our heroine is almost 18 for most of the novel and our hero is 20/1 so there is a three year age gap between them. But the hero is always respectful about this and they do not start dating/become a couple until after she graduates high school and turns 18.

This novel focus on the start and development of our hero and heroine's ice skating partnership. When Tyler's partner retires he is looking for a new one, he and Amaliya (who is at a cross roads with her life an future ballet career after her parents are in an awful accident) immediately hit it off and have fantastic chemistry on the ice.

I really enjoyed that this novel was sweet and calm in many aspects, yes there are a few hiccups and some jealousy, but nothing is blow into ridiculous proportions and that made for a really nice and comforting read. This is a very slow burn romance, it is super light on the steam (just some kissing). This romance was really about connection, and trust, and understanding, and unconditional love and respect for each other and that is what made me really enjoy reading this story.

This story is definitely a beginning to this relationship and partnership. I am unsure if Traci is planning on other novels in this series to revolve around this couple. It reads well as a stand alone but I also would not mind ready more about them as they grow and come into their ice skating career.

I would definitely recommend this novel if you love ice skating and are charmed by the skill, artistry and support that couple skaters must have in order to succeed.

I originally couldn't connect well with the book and put it down. But I picked it back up again and found that I really started to enjoy it. The characters were interesting and had good chemistry. It was a great book about chasing your dreams and not giving up. Plus the ice skating in a book gave it a unique twist.

You won’t want to put the book down
Traci Abramson has done it again. You will not be disappointed as the story that grabs you as soon as you start and makes you want to keep reading. Amaliya is a high school senior and daughter of a pro hockey star/coach and a lead ballerina. She has grown up on the ice playing hockey with her father and learning ballet from her mother. With her acceptance into the San Francisco Ballet Company to begin immediately, a disagreement begins with her parents over rather she should accept before graduating. Little did any of them realize the next time they met their lives would be turned upside down. After moving to another state, Amaliya seeks comfort in the familiarity of an ice rink where she meets Tyler. Tyler is an aspiring Olympic pairs ice skater who is losing is his sister and partner as she moves across the country with her husband. As he fruitlessly auditions other partners, he sees Amaliya her grace and athleticism on the ice. Could she be the one he’s searching for? But what of her parents still healing in the hospital? What about her dreams for ballet? Another great book that is well worth the read. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

This book was just what I needed, I was in a bit of a reading slump, but it pulled me right out of it. An Unlikely Pair is the first book that I have read written by Traci Hunter Abramson, but I was really excited to read it! I had heard so many good things about Abramson books, and I have to say this one lived up to the hype. An Unlikely Pair is the first book in Traci Hunter Abramson’s new series, Dream’s Edge.
Amailya's whole life had been turned upside down after her parent’s accident. She was such a strong character. I liked her from the beginning. She did feel a bit mature for her age, but I loved that about her. She is someone that I would have wanted as a friend and a person I would have tried to befriend. I liked reading about her growing more comfortable and learning to live again after her parent’s accident.
Tyler was a sweet guy. I liked how he was nice to Amailya from the beginning. He was struggling because he wanted to go to the Olympics, but it looked like his dreams were slipping through his fingertips. He befriended Amailya never knowing how much she would change his life. I liked reading about him interacting with his sister too, I thought they were cute together. Tyler had to learn what it meant to chase after his dreams and what it meant to love Amailya.
Okay, so this was just an amazing book! I loved the skating party and the relationships between all of the characters. I loved some of them and loved to hate others. Tyler and Amailya were super cute together and I liked the progression of their relationship, and that they were friends first. I also liked how well they seemed to get along, although they did have some disagreements. I loved Mike and Linda, Amailya's aunt and uncle, and I really enjoyed reading about them! It was lovely to read about Tyler and Amailya chasing after their dreams of making the Olympics, and it was super fun to read about them practicing, and cheering them on as they worked towards qualifying.
I loved An Unlikely Pair! I would totally recommend it! I think that teens 13 and up would enjoy it. It was super cool to me that it was set in 1982, I liked the little easter eggs like the Walkmans. An Unlikely Pair is a clean book!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

I have to say I am a huge ice skating/ sports romance fan, and finding ice skating ones (not hockey) is rare.

This was my first book from this author and was a cute read. I have no problems with it being set in 1982, that actually made it more enjoyable for me. The trials that Amaliya goes through in the book and how Tyler is there for her was very sweet. I was thrown with the almost second story line of Katerina and Robert, again I don't know if they are from a different series or just this book.

If you are looking for a sweet ice skating story this book might be for you.


I was given a copy to review for my honest opinion via: NetGalley

First let me say I’m a huge fan of Traci Hunter Abramson. I have read over twenty of her books including Undercurrents, Saint Squad and Royal series. This is the beginning of a new series called Dream’s Edge. Amaliya Marcell is the daughter of a famous ice hockey player turned coach and a Russian ballerina. After a serious accident she finds herself living away from home and finishing her senior year of high school. Tyler Linden is 21 and is part of a famous pairs figure skating team. His partner and sister missed their shot at the US national championships when his sister twists an ankle. She then announces her retirement. After unsuccessfully searching for a new partner Tyler sees Amaliya skating. He sees in her the potential for a new partner with her ballet and ice skating skills.

The story is set in 1982. If you miss that line you’ll wonder why they are speaking on landlines and listening to Walkmans. This is a sweet and wholesome book with some kissing and sharing of feelings. I liked both main characters and the background given to Amaliya’s parents.. The focus is them working together getting a coach, choreographer and practicing. I enjoyed the story but I was expecting something more. More angst, drama something to make me care more about Amaliya, Tyler and their skating career. I’m not sure if the series will continue to focus on these two or others but I will look for future book in the series. Abramson is an LDS author but religion is not a focus in this book. (3.5 stars rounding up)

I recommend this for young adults and up. Thank you NetGalley and Covenant Communications for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

AN UNLIKELY PAIR by TRACI HUNTER ABRAMSON is a beautifully told story about two young people, Tyler Linden and Amaliya Marcell, who, in spite of their difference in skating experience, put all they have into becoming pairs partners. With Amaliya's parents recovering in hospital, her move to Connecticul towards the end of her final school year, Tyler's sister;s retiring from professional skating, the coach Tyler has had for eight years losing interest when Amaliya becomes his partner, and the unkindness of other skaters, especially Marie, who is jealous, the two of them have a lot to overcome, both personally and on the ice.
It is such a lovely book that I really did not want it to finish and I cannot recommend it highly enough!
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot about ice skating and ballet and how they influenced the young couple of the story. Through sadness and difficulty they became a wonderful team for each other.

This was like only ever reading Shakespearean tragedies in high school, then getting to college and reading more only to find that he wrote comedies too. At first you're not sure he can pull it off... but he does. And it's amazing.
That's what reading this book reminded me of. If you've read Traci Hunter Abramson's works before, you know of her talent for writing mystery/ adventure novels. She knows her stuff and she's excellent at it. But just pure human nature/romance? It turns out she's great at writing that too!
The only disappointing part of this novel was how quickly it ended. I would have liked everything wrapped up neatly and to know the rest of Amaliya and Tyler's story.