This book is quite emotional but definitely nice to read. I couldn't fully connect with Alyssa but I enjoyed Nick's POV.
Hockey isn't the biggest focus since Nick had a very traumatic accident but in general it's a nice book to read and easy to read in one sitting.
It wasn't 100% for me but I would recommend it anyway. I'm sure there are quite a few people who would love this book

I've been on a hockey romance kick since the summer and this one was a great read to add to my "read" pile! Alyssa and Nick were a little all over the place, emotionally and developmentally, but I guess that's life for the most part! I liked the different romance tropes but wish more of the sport was actually involved with the storyline other than just the mention of Nick being a hockey player. This had the perfect amount of spice without being too over the top and had a feel-good ending. Thanks for the ARC!

This was such a sweet (and spicy!) love story about two fiercely independent people, each with their own past baggage, colliding into each other at a time when they needed someone most - although neither wants to admit it! It was full of laughs and heartfelt, endearing moments that sucked me into their romance while they faced their fears and challenges.

I know nothing about hockey, but that isn’t required to enjoy the book. I loved the team’s brotherhood and how it added to the couple’s budding relationship. Hearts on Thin Ice lives up to its title, I was on thin ice rooting for the characters while they fell in love!

*Please note, this review does not include any spoilers*

Synopsis
Nick is a hockey player and the sole survivor of a plane crash where five of his teammates and friends were aboard. His new coach gives Nick two options following the crash, 1) therapy or 2) decorate your apartment. After meeting Alyssa, an interior designer, at a teammates party, he decides to hire her to fix up his apartment to appease his coach.

Alyssa is excited for the opportunity to separate herself from her peers and prove to her boss that she is capable of the job.

Nick and Alyssa find that they need to lean on each other for support, finding the best in a partner and teammate.

Tropes include:
Grumpy/sunshine
Hockey romance

Mentions of:
PTSD

My Opinion
Hearts On Thin Ice had me in tears within the first chapter. Nick is a multi-faceted character; He is sensitive, competitive, easy-going, fun. I really fell in love with Nick and at times felt a lot of empathy for his experience.

I wish there was more hockey action. The only mention of hockey is being that Nick is a hockey player.

Overall, this was a great book and I will recommend to friends and followers.

Rating
4.5 stars; Very good book, shelf-worthy and will be recommending to friends/followers.
2.5 spicy pepper emojis; 1-3 sex scenes.

Thank you
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a heartfelt book. The characters of Nick and Alyssa are both broken because of their pasts. And being together teaches them to not only try and move forward but to reach out to others for help. The banter is top notch. And the emotional journeys are well laid out. My issues real came from personal preferences. Alyssa gets in trouble with her boss for “ethical violations” for having a personal relationship with Nick. But I am not sure I buy the ethical restrictions of interior decorators. Also why can she have a close personal friendship with one client but not a sexual relationship with another. It just felt contrived. There is also a bit where the design company is trying to force Nick to use his apartment in an advertisement. Which he doesn’t want and again just seems ridiculous. I guess my issue is the lady boss villain trope takes away from the emotional nuance of the two main characters. Overall if you like oooey gooey big feelings romance and are ok with some two dimensional side characters that are only there to use as a plot device, then honestly you will love it. It is not quite my cup a tea. (I was given an ARC)

Loved this book. My first book from this author. Made me a total fan with this book. would read this again and again

Missed the net for me. Nick was all over the place grieving one minute then flirting the next. Feeling guilty over it, then starting the process all over. I know very little about art so those references confused me. Alyssa was a hot mess. Between her past, her boss and her family there was no way she could win. The description of this book reeled me in but just missed the mark. Thank you to Netgally for this free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily

Hearts on Thin Ice had a great start. Nick is a professional hockey player & the sole survivor of a plane crash that took five members of his team. Dumped by his team during rehab and looking for a fresh start, he joins the Detroit hockey team and is introduced to interior designer Alyssa. As the two work together to furnish his depressing apartment, sparks and misunderstandings fly.

We all know that a typical romance trope is to have some conflict come the third act. This book had like seven conflicts that varied from a reasonable misunderstanding to absolutely stupid occurrences. Cut out some of the blunders in the last fifth of the book and I would be a much happier reader.

Thank you so much to Net Galley. I am so glad I got the opportunity to read and review Hearts on Thin Ice. This book was such a quick read, which I haven’t had in a while!
For sports romance fans, know that this book doesn’t dive too much into the sport of hockey, and isn’t a romance between two athletes. This didn’t bother me. I really enjoyed the plot and characters. There were a few cringey moments, but that’s expected in most romance books. Although the background of Nick’s amazing recovery may be extremely unrealistic, if you look past this, it’s a great, quick read for romance fans.

"Hearts on Thin Ice" by Katie Kennedy is an emotionally gripping novel that explores the profound impact of tragedy on the human spirit. The story revolves around Nick Sorensen, a former hockey player who survived a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of his closest friends. Physically ready to return to the ice, Nick's mental state raises concerns among his coach, evident in his empty apartment that consists only of a chair and a mattress. In an attempt to prove his well-being, Nick enlists the services of Alyssa Compton, a talented up-and-coming interior designer. Alyssa sees this opportunity as a chance to shine in her career and establish a sense of stability. She yearns for a place to call home and to find solace within her own surroundings. However, working with Nick proves to be a challenging endeavor, as his stubbornness and difficult demeanor push her to the edge of quitting. Just as she contemplates giving up, Nick surprises her by extending a helping hand in an unexpected and meaningful way. As the paths of these two lost souls intertwine, they navigate a treacherous and icy journey where cracks threaten to shatter their fragile hearts. Yet, in matters of love, the most remarkable discoveries often arise from unexpected alliances. Nick and Alyssa learn that having someone on their team, supporting and understanding them, allows them to find warmth amidst the cold. Katie Kennedy skillfully portrays the complexities of human emotions in "Hearts on Thin Ice." Through her heartfelt storytelling, she explores themes of resilience, healing, and the transformative power of love. The characters are intricately developed, each struggling with their own demons and finding solace in one another. Kennedy's writing is poignant, evoking a range of emotions from the reader. The narrative is beautifully paced, building tension and anticipation as Nick and Alyssa's relationship evolves. The author's ability to capture the intricate dynamics of their connection, from frustration to compassion, creates an engaging and relatable reading experience. "Hearts on Thin Ice" is a captivating tale of love, hope, and the strength that can be found in unexpected partnerships. Kennedy's masterful storytelling and compelling characters make this novel a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and those seeking stories that delve into the depths of the human spirit.

Hockey romance has quickly climbed to the top of my genre faves and this book is no different. Alyssa and Nick are one of the sweetest couples that I hope everyone loves reading about as much as I did.

Didn't love or hate this one. I think it had a lot of potential, especially tackling the big issues like grief and past homelessness, but the book just didn't have the space to fully explore them. I wished the relationship between the characters developed with a little less miscommunication so that we could see them click more. I did like the art museum scene and how the main characters connected over art and aesthetics. Would still suggest to contemporary romance readers who like sports as a backdrop to the romance.

What a delight “Hearts in Thin Ice” was! The MMC, Nick, was a sweet lead who had some real trauma in his background but with the help of Alyssa, the FMC, he takes some big steps to overcome losing some of his best friends. The dynamics between Alyssa’s own childhood trauma and Nick’s more recent one, blended well with each of them learning and growing from each other some important lessons about trust, family, teamwork, and love. The story is sweet, spicy, and well paced.

This charming romance was a delightful and quick read. I loved the characters and their journey, even though the third act break-up and ending weren't quite what I had anticipated. The hero, burdened by grief, and the heroine, with her own past hurts, created a dynamic that kept me engaged throughout.

I am a sucker for a hockey romance so I absolutely had to read this one. This is a great story of two people with baggage who eventually find their way to each other. Nick is a hockey player and Alyssa an interior designer. They meet through another hockey player who is having his home decorated. One thing I look for in a good romance is a great cast of secondary characters, and this book delivers on that. Alyssa’s friends are great and the hockey players are more than flat stereotypes.
There is some sadness in this book so I recommend checking the trigger warnings before reading.

This started off with such promise. I enjoyed the set up, the characters backgrounds but towards the middle it just fell off, and moved too slowly.
I always expect some miscommunication in a romance story but these two never properly got together for the third act break up. If anything it was too much of a slow burn.
I did like the characters, and the dialogue between the hockey team.

2.75⭐️

we follow nick and Alyssa. Nick has just survived a plane crash and Alyssa is trying to open up her own interior design firm.

Nicks story had me tearing up at the beginning of the book. His moments with his family, his friend’s wife, and even all the guilt he had felt. But with his serious reluctance to go to therapy or even get help I started to not care for him. Why should I care for this guy if he can’t even care for himself? Even after him and Alyssa become an item he still doesn’t talk about his guilt and grief.

Alyssa only had one personality trait and that was interior design. we don't see any other hobbies from her. am i really supposed to believe 7 year old Alyssa was designing houses instead of playing with barbies?

Nick and Alyssa together had no chemistry. and then the sex scenes were so cringy. They would name their parts the most ridiculous names and then continue to refer to it as that name instead of the actual body part. the nicknames they had for each other were a bit weird too. There was also serious miscommunication.

I did really like their friends and family. Their support system was always there for them despite them always pushing them away.

This book was so very well written. It handled heavy topics with care and balanced them well with the excitement of new relationships.

It was a heart warming read.

While I absolutely loved the writing and it was easy to read, i found it came down to being to unrealistic to capture my interest. One minute the MMC is so grief stricken and guilty about surviving and the next he’s romping around in a pirate outfit. I just felt like some moments he was so grief stricken, refusing to do anything to move his life forward while the next pursuing the fmc.

I just felt like a lot of nothing happened in this book. The final act conflict didn’t feel that big or dramatic since they’d never actually dated leading up to that point.
I also find it hard to believe truthfully I’m expected that what happened to Nick, the second time, neither Alyssa’s brother or step-dad reached out to seee how nick was??

A cute sexy solid romance! Quick read and engaging story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!