Off the Ice (Juniper Falls, #1)

Love love loved this! Julie has done it again!

Claire and Tate are great friends. Claire even helps him out when Tate breaks him arm and they promised each other to not change. But then Tate stayed behind, while Claire got the hell outta Juniper Falls. But things came up which lead Claire to put one semester off to come home. She is only staying
long enough to help her dad get better and to help run the bar.

Then you have Tate just sitting on the side line of the Hockey game, and then he's thrown into the game and needs to get his act together if they plan to win this game. They end up winning the game and Tate goes out with some of the guys. They all end up going to the bar for some food and then Tate notices Claire.

Soon they can't resist each other. Even though Claire swore off hockey players, there's just no denying it. Despite Tate looking look a total hottie, the old him is still in there and Claire can't help but want him. Tate also notices the differences with Claire and he also can't deny whats there. It may take a little time, but at the end it was all worth it.

I can't wait for the next book in the series!!

you guys, this book gave me so many feels. welcome to juniper falls, mn, where you live and breathe hockey given that there are few opportunities to enjoy anything else. off the ice, is more than a sports romance though. it's an emotional coming-of-age story set in a small town with many secrets. the story opens at claire o'connors goodbye party. she's leaving juniper falls to pursue her dream of singing on the stage, starting at an advance studies musical theater program at northwestern. she's had a crush on luke pratt since forever and for the first time ever he's paying attention to her and she wants this to go somewhere.

except it doesn't go anywhere good. in the meantime, tate tanley, claire's best friend's little brother sees what's happening while dealing with problems of his own. his father is a hockey hero, revered in the town, but behind closed doors his behavior is less than honorable. he's a mean drunk, and while tate is trying to keep the keys away from his dad so he doesn't drive things get heated. claire tries to intervene, but the situation escalates so quickly and tate ends up with an arm broken in two places. when they go to the emergency room, they come up with a cover story and swear to never talk about the events of that night again.

but a year later claire is back in town. her father is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor, and claire is trying to help keep the family afloat by working at her parents' bar and restaurant and staying on top of the bills. college seems like an expense that should be cut away, not splurged on. her initial intention is to take a semester off, but as things get even more dire with her family and their finances a year seems like a more realistic option. and that's if she can even continue at northwestern. there are cheaper schools out there.

when tate sees that claire is back, he finds himself drawn to her. she was always more that just his big sister's friend. but he never expected her to see him in a different light. but that night in the back alley changed them both. for the first time, they really saw each other. and tate, for one, is so relieved to know that there is someone else who sees him--flaws and all. he's not just the hockey hero's son following in daddy's footsteps. he's someone who has the ability to fix and repair things. he's someone you can count on when you need him. he's honorable. he's holding the weight of the world on his shoulders and claire knows it.

other people suspect it, like tate's stepfather and his best friends. but claire is the only one he trusts with all of his truths. and as both tate's and claire's worlds are rocked with tragedy and misunderstandings, the connection they forge and how they help each other rise above the madness is both emotionally draining and utterly satisfying. things come to a head, as they do, and it's totally chaotic and tense and terrifying, but even as things implode around claire and tate you don't doubt the depth of their feelings for each other. they walk through fire for one another, even when they aren't speaking, it's clear that there is so much love there. it wouldn't hurt so bad if they didn't care so deeply.

i just loved everything about this novel. the characters, the setting, the romance, the stakes--it all worked for me. and i honestly am so excited to know that there will be more stories set in juniper falls, it seems to me like it's a town worth knowing.

Julie Cross gives us a wonderful romance that will draw readers in from the very first page. This is not your typical YA book, full of fluff and hearts and stars. There are some controversial subjects brought up in the book, including: teen pregnancy; underage drinking; physical and emotional abuse; cancer; sexuality; and sex. They are brought up in such a way that they blend seamlessly into the story. There is no "shock and awe" intended. There is no conscious effort to "gotcha" the reader. The book manages to still be an enjoyable read despite the sometimes heavy subject matter. Readers will be drawn into the story and become invested in the character's lives. Definitely recommend!

I truly enjoyed this book. I was drawn in by the authenticity of the characters. As someone who spent most of my adult life working with teenagers, it is refreshing to read about teens with problems deeper than, "Oh, she's thinking about a boy and it might make her fail algebra! Whatever will she do?"

My second praise for this book is that both of these characters take action instead of wallowing in their problems. They pick themselves up and push through just like teens do every day.

It is heart-wrenching to read if you've faced similar problems. At one point, I just wanted to scoop Claire in a hug and let her know everything would eventually be alright.

Cross does a great job of capturing the sweet, raw emotions of young love and coming-of-age through natural dialogue and real-to-life character reactions.

The secondary characters keep this story moving as well. I'm excited for the next book in this series. .

I really enjoyed this book though its not my typical type of book. I usually go for more adult books and this is a book about very young adults. I don't really want to say too much because I might spoil some of the big things about this story.

However I will say that Tate and Claire are friends. This is a story about friends turning into more and how they are really there for each other when the other needs someone. The story starts a year before and you see how their relationship is formed and the secrets that Claire helps hide for Tate.

A year later Tate has really changed. He now is more manly but he also is becoming a hockey star. While a year before Claire had a wonderful future, now life is getting in the way of Claire's future.

I really enjoyed this story though its a departure from the normal books I review and read.