Breaking the ice is a romance between a hockey player and a career-driven woman who work together in the book store. This one had potential, but unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. I did appreciate that the FMC was curvier and was open about her body image issues. However, all the talk of how her eggs would react always brought me out of the moment.

Book Review: "Breaking the Ice" by Amy Andrews

Breaking the Ice is an irresistibly spicy ice hockey romance that seamlessly blends sports, slow-burn passion, and bookshop charm. Written by USA Today bestselling author Amy Andrews, this novel takes readers on a delightful journey of love, humor, and emotional depth, with a heavy dose of heat.

The story centers around NHL star Nick "Hawkeye" Hawke, who finds himself sidelined by a serious injury. Tasked with recuperating while managing his grandmother's beloved second-hand romance bookshop, Nick is more than a little out of his element. Enter Samantha Evans—his bookshop-savvy, fiercely organized, and career-driven counterpart. Having just left behind the high-stakes world of corporate life, Sam is looking for a simpler, quieter pace. But, with her biological clock ticking loudly and an undeniable chemistry simmering between her and Nick, Sam’s new role becomes anything but simple.

What follows is a classic forced-proximity romance, full of banter, tension, and temptation that threatens to boil over at any moment. Andrews expertly creates a slow-burn relationship between Nick and Sam, with the pair attempting to friend-zone themselves in the midst of overwhelming attraction. Their witty exchanges and charged interactions set the tone for a deeply entertaining love story, filled with humor, heart, and plenty of steam.

The setting of the cozy second-hand bookshop adds a delightful charm to the novel, making it feel warm and inviting while also being the perfect backdrop for Nick and Sam's increasingly sizzling connection. The juxtaposition of Nick’s tough, athletic persona with the softer world of romance novels offers a fresh dynamic, while Sam’s internal conflict between her desire for stability and the wild attraction she feels toward Nick gives the story depth and emotional stakes.

Andrews' writing shines with playful humor, spicy romance, and endearing characters. Fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace will find much to love here, especially those who enjoy a strong, independent heroine and a rugged, yet vulnerable, hero.

The novel tackles familiar romance tropes like forced proximity and opposites attract, but it does so with a fresh voice, a lively pace, and just the right amount of tension before the inevitable—and highly satisfying—"breaking the ice." Readers who enjoy sports romances with emotional nuance, humor, and a good dose of heat will devour this book.

Overall, Breaking the Ice is a fun, fiery, and heartwarming read perfect for anyone looking to escape into a world where hockey players and bookshops collide, and love finds a way through the unlikeliest of circumstances. A must-read for fans of spicy romance!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely loved *Breaking the Ice*! Nick’s character was everything—sweet, caring, and genuinely invested in helping Sam with her body image issues. It’s so refreshing to read a book where the male lead supports a curvy woman in such a loving, empowering way. Women writing stories about men who adore curvy women is so healing, and I want more of it. The whole ticking biological clock aspect was a bit weird, especially when Sam’s “eggs” started talking, but overall, I really related to that feeling. The slow-burn romance was just the right mix of tension and sweetness!

Engaging hocky romance, likeable and flawed characters, some very curious blind dates, and finding out that what you need and what you thought you wanted may not be the same thing. A good weekend or vacation read.

There’s something charming about the idea of this book, a 30-something female decides that after building her career she’d like to discover whether she wants children, after being body conscious for years she starts to find herself during this discovery of who she wants to be.

But.

I found it really hard to connect with Sam, she just seemed singularly focused on meet man=baby. There was no exploration of other options, no consideration for the type of man she wanted to meet except that they were of a similar age and “in her league”

Nick had potential, but he just sat on the fence for the first 45% of the book and when he finally kissed Sam, there were no sparks for me.

If you’re looking for a straightforward woman seeks man to start a family, closed door romance, this may be your thing :)

In Breaking the Ice, Amy Andrews delivers a heartwarming romance that revolves around self-acceptance, friendship, and the complexities of body image. The story follows a spirited protagonist who navigates her journey of self-discovery while falling for a charming love interest. Andrews excels in creating an engaging narrative filled with humor, relatable moments, and chemistry that keeps readers invested.

One of the book's strongest themes is body positivity, emphasizing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. While the intention behind this message is commendable, at times it feels a bit heavy-handed. The emphasis on body image can overshadow other elements of the plot, making the narrative feel slightly repetitive. Although the portrayal of a plus-sized heroine striving for confidence is important, the frequent reiteration of how "fat girls can be pretty too" may detract from the overall nuance of the story.

Despite this, Andrews crafts vibrant characters and witty dialogue, and the romance itself is both sweet and realistic. The growth of the main character as she learns to embrace herself is inspiring, and many readers will find moments that resonate with their own experiences.

Overall, Breaking the Ice is an enjoyable read that champions self-love and acceptance, even if it occasionally leans too heavily on its central theme. Fans of contemporary romance will appreciate the warmth and charm, but some may wish for a more subtle exploration of body image. If you’re looking for a light-hearted story with a meaningful message, this book is certainly worth picking up.

I have mixed emotions about this one. I think the bones of the story is great, but I’m not sold on the delivery. There were many things I adored, but also many things that I didn’t like. I felt like it was all so rushed. Like Sam quits all of the sudden, despite it being out of character; Birdie is introduced and immediately dies; Nick and Sam run into each other every so often and now they’re seeing each other again after a bit and all of the sudden there’s this strong attraction? I think the puzzle pieces are there, but it’s not fitting quite right.
An example would be Sam’s character. She’s described as hard working, determined, and committed, but that has led her to put her life on hold. Yet, she just quits all the sudden? It seemed to me that she only did this to prove to everyone that Ray will fail and they will come crawling back. It seemed petty and immature. But then in the end, she realizes all she has sacrificed and how much value she brings to the table. As she should. I was thinking maybe the point was that Nick helped her find her confidence? But if that’s the case, it wasn’t really portrayed that way. Like there wasn’t small changes throughout that showed she was gaining confidence that would lead up to this big demand in her job.

I'm rounding up from 3.5. Samantha is career driven and frustrated with her life. She is battling with a sleaze at work gunning for her job and quits on a whim when her chauvanist boss recommends that she take leave when she hints that she may want a family. Her difficult times continue when her friend and owner of her favorite book shop passes away, which also brings her charming NHL grandson to town. I'm honestly a little tired of the hockey player man whore trait, especially since he's 38, not 24. They become friends, even though they are attracted to each other. She has no self confidence and a crazy obsession with suddenly having kids. She makes crazy rules to meet someone and is pretty judgemental for someone who is not body confident herself, but I digress. It's a slow burn and it takes a meddling sister to jump start things. Twice. Just an ok read for me.

Arc review 📖

Sam has been pushed out her job by a greasy slime bag, all of a sudden been slapped round the head with her awareness of her biological clock and her fave book shops owner ‘Birdie’ has died. Can things get much worse.

Nick is a very well known NHL player who’s just had an injury and is at the age where retirement is imminent oh and his grandmother has just died and left him the book shop.

Nick and Sam know of eachother but do not know eachother well enough but with Sam out of a job and needing to pass the time until she knows her boss will beg for back she accepts nicks offer of a job at the book shop.

After getting to know eachother Sam confides in Nick about her ‘chirping eggs’lack of the correct demographic men to help potentially hatch those eggs. Nick helps Sam with some blind dates and some tuff love on her expectations in men.
As the lines blur they get close and what they both thought they wanted changes and sometimes it takes a birthday, vodka and a whole pack of Oreo’s to admit what they really want.

This was a cute read I called it my school pick up read.
I read this everyday while waiting for my kiddies to come out of school. I did find myself leaving that little bit earlier to get extra pages in towards the end.
The chemistry was there and the character was great although I had some little bits that was just slightly off. The keep chirping eggs (slightly annoying) the repeated demographics of what she wants (also annoying, after repeating 20 times WE KNOW).
I was slightly disappointed with the ending I felt like it was building and building and then just ended, it could of been….. well more.
It’s states as a spicy book, now I know a spicy book and this was not it. On a spice level I’d give it a 1🌶️. Not that it ruined the story because it really didn’t at all. But nope I’d say not spicy it was more of a fade to black jobby.

I would read more of her books but I just needed a little bit more.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you netgalley, boldwood books and Amy Andrews for the arc 😊

This was my first Amy Andrews book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although marketed as a sports romance, hockey plays a minimal role, with the focus shifting to the charming bookshop setting—a twist I found refreshing and delightful.

The chemistry between Nick and Sam crackles from the start. While they acknowledge their attraction early on, Andrews expertly crafts a slow-burn romance, making the journey to their inevitable connection even more satisfying.

Nick is a sweet, supportive MMC, and his body-positive outlook really stood out. I loved how he helped Sam work through her insecurities with kindness and encouragement. Sam’s journey, though charming, sometimes felt a bit over the top, and the frequent "egg" talk was a bit awkward and cringey. But once you get past that, you’re left with a fun, steamy, and heartwarming romance.

The one drawback for me was the abrupt ending—an epilogue would have provided a more satisfying conclusion. Still, Breaking the Ice was an enjoyable and memorable read overall.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC

3.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up.

This book was quick and easy to read, I really quite enjoyed the banter between the characters and the romance was also very enjoyable.

I read a lot of hockey romances and I would not categorize this as a hockey romance since Nick was injured and hockey was really just a secondary plot point.

The whole eggs things was kinda weird but it reminded me of a 2000s romcom which I’m not mad at but it did get a bit repetitive.

Over all I did enjoy this and would recommend as a palate cleanser.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this EARC.

Thank you to netgalley and boldwood books publishing for the opportunity to read this E-ARC. All thoughts and options are my own.

Immediately was sucked in and my eyes devoured this book in a day. I loved the fun flirty banter, the characters had depth, the main setting was a book store. Seriously nothing not to love! Nick was so caring especially in comparison to the play boy front the media shows. Rubbing her back and holding her hair when Samantha needed it was too perfect. I liked that he wasn't obsessed with fitness and working out like some other sports romance I've read. He also loves sweets, I had to look up what a friand was and honestly disappointed I've never had one the look and sound delicious. I did find myself frustrated with Sam's constant dogging on herself and her weight, I'd hoped she would figure out how perfect she is sooner. I found her growth through the story to be done well, I wish she had told Nick her feelings sooner. You're 30 and old enough to be straight with people and not be embarrassed about it. However her telling Bob she wanted double the pay, the corner office, AND a luxury car made me so proud. I felt even better when she quit! Thankfully the book ended with them both telling their feelings and living happily ever after.

I give this book 5 stars but please think about having an epilogue in future books, I'm nosey and need more information on the happily ever after!

Thank you the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Unfortunately, this book didn't really work for me.

Samantha is a successful career-oriented woman who finds out her ex is engaged and his fiance is expecting and then talks about her eggs and having kids at work and gets put on leave before quitting.

Nick is a hockey player who was injured and is taking over his recently departed grandmother's bookshop until he heals from his injury.

For quite a bit of the book they work together at the bookshop and he sets her up on blind dates that don't work out. I did like the romance bookshop aspect and how both main characters read romance novels.

But Samantha is all of a sudden obsessed with her eggs and getting pregnant and having kids. Because she's 30?

Neither of the main characters made any relationship progress without the help of Samantha's sister. It made the romance a bit unbelievable. At every fight or disagreement are they going to need her sister to get them back together? And while I usually think dual POV is the best POV in books, the dual POV in this book didn't really help make the romance more believable for me.

Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews 📚

A sports romance that takes place in a bookshop!? Sign me UP!

I loved this book. Y’all know that I adore a MMC that helps an FMC with body image issues and omg did Nick deliver. He was sweet and caring but a straight shooter about Sam.

Women writing books about men who want curvy women and want to help them with their body image stuff is so healing and I want more of it.

This was my first book by Amy and I’d definitely read more by her!

I received this e-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review. This review is my own.
Friends to lovers, check.
Funny banter, check.
A happy ever after, check.
These are some basic tropes, but this book is much much more than that.
When I started the story between Nick and Samantha I knew I was in for a wild ride. The chemistry between the 2 leads is evident from the get go, but to see their relationship grow into a heartwarming romance was the icing on the cake. The banter is both sweet and comical with the right amount of spice thrown in.
The story is beautifully written and offers both character POV’s throughout the book which helps with the flow of the plot line. But my favourite aspect of the whole novel is the fmc is curvy and beautiful. Reading a book with a character I can relate to made it hard to put it down.
Breaking the ice has everything I’m looking for in a rom-com and did not disappoint. It’s well worth the read!

A brilliant bookloving ode to modern romance

Amy Andrew's weaves a perfect chick flick, with a curvy girl protagonist and a slow build up of spice. Add in a second hand romance bookshop, leads with varied goals but undeniable attraction simmering and a swarm of supporting characters, you got yourself the perfect accompaniment to candle lit bubble bath read!! The initial hook with the funeral of beloved Hawke, and her role in MFCs life and what it meant will ring in with the lonely city gals..

This is a definite must read for fans of Emily Henry, offering a slice if life with a coming to midlife crisis undercurrent. The dialogs are crisp, especially the sibling interactions and we learn to love the MFC, despite her misgivings and her fear of straying too far (really resonated with me!). I am off to try the vodka and oreos to see what happens...

Thank you Boldwood Book Club and NetGalley for this wonderful opportunity!! Waiting to devour more scrumptious scribes from Amy Andrews!!

I am off to find something by Rita Sommers next...

[1.5] this feels like the author saw popular tropes that were trending and tried to make them fit her writing style, and unfortunately, it didn't work at all for me. our fmc was just weird (only wanting to date people so she could have children, her 'eggs' telling her this?) and i thought the mmc was really unlikeable and inappropriate at times (not wanting to date a girl because her boobs were too small (despite the book preaching body positivity) and offering to be a sperm donor for a potential lesbian couple, but only if he could watch??). i found they would often act without any reason and as a result, it really made them feel very 2-dimensional, and as though they were only having certain thoughts to move the plot along. also, not something that contributed to my rating, but the book is marketed as a sports romance and there is no hockey in it, as the mmc is out on an injury - he steps foot on the ice once and decides he's had enough 🤷🏼‍♀️.

thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Easy to read and follow, I truly enjoyed this one! I loved the egg rep and this was just written very well. I laughed a ton and the chemistry was off the charts

I have read several books by this author. I found this one to be a cute, somewhat spicy sports rom-com. The topic of her "eggs", very weird. The relationship between Samantha and Nick was friends to lovers, was an obvious one. Thank you Boldwood books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars. A quick, fun read.

Samantha wants children and decides to start looking for a suitable man. Sam takes a sabbatical from her job for a while, and ends up working in a second-hand bookstore. Nick is a hockey player who, due to an injury, is temporarily running his late grandmother's bookstore. They become interested in each other, but their plans don't match - Sam's biggest wish is to have children, while Nick doesn't want children.

The chemistry between these two was great! Sam goes on dates a lot, and it's ridiculous - the dates don't really work out. And at the same time, Sam is most interested in Nick. I liked the characters, but Sam's obsession with her eggs was a bit over the top. It was kind of funny when the eggs were described, but in the end it got a little too repetitive.

The book was a quick read, it was entertaining and a bit steamy. I liked that the sex was depicted quite realistically - it doesn't always go like in Hollywood. The book got better towards the end and I liked how Sam and Nick realized what they really wanted. However, I would have liked an epilogue, the book ended too suddenly. I would have liked a little more description of what happens to Sam and Nick in the future.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

* Book about books
* Forced proximity
* Friends to lovers
* Hea
* Workplace romance
* Open doors
* Opposites attract
* Physically very different
* Point of view: dual 3rd person
* Slowburn
* Small town
* Sports romance: hockey (very little actual hockey as the MMC is injured)
* Steamy
* Third act: break up (it was not dramatic, more due to circumstances)