I thought this was interesting. I was able to read it an get the ALC. i thought that putting voices to the story may make it better, no it did Listen i am in my Hockey era. I love to read all things hockey but i just was not sure about this one. I still give it 4 stars for its quality work and great story line. I’m just not sure it worked for me .

This is a paused book rather than a DNF.

I am currently 16% through and even though I am enjoying it, it’s not got me gripped. Trying to get my head around third person as well as I’m used to first person POV.

Apart from Nicky not being around much but now has an injury, I’m still waiting to see how hockey comes into the story line.
Samantha turning 30 and her eggs are “talking” to her has never made me feel more old. OK, I have two kids already but at times I do feel broody. But I know I still have plenty of time to have more if I want to (I’m nearly 34). So with Samantha seemingly going through some sort of midlife risks has made me feel weird and old. Because she is not old. And the emphasis on her being “curvy” all the time is rather off putting. I’m not a skinny girl, nor a bigger girl. But I feel like her weight is pushed on us quite a bit and even in Nicks slight POV it’s mentioned quite a bit. I just find it unnecessary to talk about a woman’s body this much when I’m not even 1/4 of the way into the book.

I hate having a book sitting there waiting to be reviewed as I cannot find the want to pick it up and read. So, I’ll review it here now and update my goodreads review once I finish it.

It is still a good story so far, which is why I put 3 stars.

A cute friends to lovers story set in a bookshop. I loved the slow build between the characters but wished she talked less about her biological clock and eggs as she grappled with getting older.

Sadly, getting through this one was a struggle for me. Generally, I love Boldwood Books' catalog, and love trying their new or new to me authors, but this was a miss. Reading the description, I was so excited- hockey and a bookstore - woohoo! But then the biological clock started ticking. The constant reference to Sam's eggs just got to be too much - it distracted me from what otherwise would have been a great spicy romance. I'll give the author another shot at some point but can only give this particular book 2.25 🌟, rounded to 2.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

In her latest spicy sports romance novel, Amy Andrews introduces readers to NHL star Nick Hawke, currently recuperating from a potentially career-ending injury, and Samantha Evans, a former corporate superstar who traded in her stressful career for shifts at her favorite local romance bookshop (run by Nick’s grandmother no less) and a ticking biological clock. As Nick and Sam have to balance their intensity in the workplace and their vastly different tastes in books, they both have to resist the temptation to break out of their self-enforced friend zone and maintain some semblance of professionalism even though the biological clock and slow burn are driving them (and the readers) crazy. With two very intense yet likeable characters whose romantic and sexual tension is off the charts, fans of sport romance novels will love Amy Andrews’ new release. With tropes galore and a fun yet spicy plot, readers of the genre will love the obstacles and adventures in Sam and Nick’s way as they negotiate their professional and personal relationships. Nick and Sam and their relationship are the stars of this novel, so readers looking for character-driven novels and romances will definitely find this kind of development and dynamic in this new and fun sporty romance novel.

This one did not work for me at all, unfortunately. The characters and plot felt very two dimensional with certain actions only happening to move the plot along with no rhyme or reason. I was excited for a sports romance and unfortunately the hockey player is on a break due to an injury so there isn't any sports.

Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews is a charming and humorous romance that beautifully blends the worlds of sports and literature. The story follows Nick Hawke, a professional NHL player recovering from an injury, and Samantha Evans, a woman seeking a slower pace after leaving her high-stress corporate job. Their unexpected connection develops in the cozy setting of a bookshop, where they navigate their growing attraction while trying to maintain a professional relationship.

From the outset, I was captivated by the chemistry between Nick and Sam. Andrews does an excellent job of crafting their slow-burn romance, filled with witty banter and palpable tension. The dynamic between them is both entertaining and relatable, as they grapple with their feelings while trying to resist the undeniable pull toward each other. Nick's supportive nature and body-positive outlook stand out, making him a refreshing hero who encourages Sam to embrace her true self.

The bookshop setting adds a unique twist to the typical sports romance genre, providing a delightful backdrop for their interactions. I appreciated how Andrews infused humor into the narrative, particularly through Sam's awkward dating experiences, which provided laugh-out-loud moments that lightened the mood. However, some of the recurring themes around Sam's insecurities felt slightly overdone at times, which could detract from her character's overall development.

While the pacing is generally well-executed, I found the ending to be somewhat abrupt. An epilogue would have provided a more satisfying conclusion to their journey and allowed readers to fully savor their growth as individuals and as a couple.

Overall, Breaking the Ice is an enjoyable read that combines romance with humor in a heartwarming way. With its engaging characters and charming storyline, I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. This book is perfect for fans of contemporary romance looking for a lighthearted escape filled with love and laughter. Amy Andrews has crafted a delightful tale that will leave readers smiling long after they turn the last page!

When Nick takes four months of to recover from a potential career ending injury, he ends up taking over his grandmothers beloved second hand bookshop and getting help from career driven Samantha who needs a break from her frantic corporate career.

When Sam’s biological clock begins to tick, not only does she need to take a step back from her career world, where women having babies is not celebrated, but she ends up working for Nick. Which makes hers eggs sing even more loudly every time she’s with him.

I started off really enjoying this one, and although it was a fun romance read, there just didn’t seem to be anything that really excited me about it. It’s definitely worth a read if you fancy a friends to lovers romance, however it’s not one I’ll probably read again.

Thank you Amy Andrew’s, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Breaking The Ice features hockey player Nick who is recovering from an injury running his late grandmother's romance book shop with career driven Samantha who is on a required break from her job as her boss thinks she has kids on the brain too much. They friend zone each other but keep coming back together.

This book was hard to finish. I didn't really care for the characters. Sam was a little odd with her clock suddenly ticking and Nick comes off a little sexist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

I don't know. This one was not for me.


I did not feel believable that the characters were in their 30s. Honestly, they felt super immature.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

The book follows Nick who is helping his grandmothers belobed second hand romance bookshop while he recovers from his injury. Throw in the efficient Samantha who drives him crazy. While Samantha appears unaffected she cannot stop thinking of Nick as her baby daddy . Romance sparks fly between the two and don't it get steamy .It's perfect for fans of sports romance and romance that feature a bookstore.

A really fun, enjoyable contemporary romance. I love the premise of an (injured) hockey player running a second-hand romance bookstore. I also liked the connection between the two MCs (although content warning for the FMCs need to have a baby, in case that's a thing for you). There were plenty of funny moments, heartwarming moments and everything in between.

I liked the setup and really enjoyed the male lead in particular but this didn't connect with me as much as I hoped it would

Breaking the Ice by Amy Andrews was a fun read. I wouldn't call it a sports romance or hockey romance because while the MMC is a hockey player he is injured and there is no hockey in the book because he is recovering. It is a workplace romance in my opinion because he is helping his grandma at her bookstore while recovering and meets an employee there and becomes her friend and tries to help her with her self confidence. There are some really uncomfortable moments in this book, with the MFC and her randomly deciding to have a baby and discussing her eggs but quitting her corporate job. I did enjoy the discussions between the characters and finished the book with an over all positive feeling.

This is exactly what I expected: two hot people in a hot setting (a cozy bookstore) doing hot things with each other. Not much depth or anything extra. Hot hot hot and I loved it!

⭐️ 2/5 🌶 1/5

This was a slightly tough slog to get through - I refused to DNF an ice hockey themed book during the month of 'NHL November' on my socials. So alas, I persevered.

The romance felt comfy to read, and kept feeling like it was heading somewhere but wasn't really hitting the romantic parts.
There was a lot of circling back from the characters, in particular the FMC.
The MMC had some questionable traits.....

I wasn't vibing much woth this one, then the ending kind of had me, like "oh, ok then, sure."

Thanks to NetGalley & Amy Andrews for the ARC. Sorry, it wasn't for me.

Uncomfortably bad. Reads like a romance written by someone without romance experience. The spice was non existent but the tries were uncomfortable and icky. Nick said some disgusting things aloud nevermind his internal monologue ugh. Sam was whiny and a doormat type. This book gave me the ick.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author Amy Andrews for letting me read & review this advanced copy. This was a four star great cute hockey romance novel that releases November 7th 2024. I love a good book trope of hockey and book reader romantic novel. Nick Hawke plays professional hockey for the NHL. He has to take 4 months off to rest along with recover from a potential career injury. He helps his grandma with her bookshop on his down time to fill the time. Sam is job oriented and is taking a break from her stressful coorporate job. She decides to take a job at her local book store she adores. Their love story is beautiful and heartwarming.

This was just...not it. It was a weird and oddly written book with a collection of mismatched tropes and no real plotline to follow. The FMC talking about her egg quality was just plain weird, and the MMC was entirely inappropriate and just rude - you can't speak up about body positivity and then make comments on breast size! This is supposedly a sports romance - yet there is no hockey, he has an injury, so why even call it a sports romance? Just really not a fan of this one and I did DNF at 50%.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.