Strictly On Ice by Helen Buckley
Abuse, Blog Tour, Book Review, Bullying, Choc Lit, Contemporary, Ice skating, Rachel's Random Resources, Romance
When falling in love comes with the risk of falling flat on your face …
Former Olympic skating champion Katie Saunders is well known for her 'ice queen' persona in the press. On the face of it, perhaps Katie should have forgiven her former skating partner and ex-boyfriend, Alex Michaelson, for the accident that shattered both her ankle and their Olympic dreams – but she just can't seem to let it go.
When Katie reluctantly agrees to take part in a new TV skating show, it's only because she's desperate for cash. What she didn't count on is the drama – not only is she partnered up with infamous love rat rugby player Jamie Welsh, but one of the judges is none other than Alex Michaelson himself.
As the show progresses, will Katie be shown the hard way, once again, that romance on the ice should remain strictly off-limits?
What do you get when you pair an angry Ice Queen figure skater with a washed-up Love Rat rugby player? Lots of angst, insecurities, and a buttload of surprising hidden truths.
Katie is so lonely and trapped in a life she doesn't deserve. Her career as a figure skater was cut short when she broke her ankle in a fall and her skating partner left her. With no friends or family, she is barely scraping by when she gets an opportunity to skate again with an out-of-shape rugby player. It's not ideal, but the money is good and she is skating again with a titanium ankle. Unfortunately, her ex-partner and beloved media star Alex is a judge and wants her back.
With the support of his wonderful family, Jamie accepts the offer to skate on the new reality show to get out of the rut his life is in. However, his skating partner has been dubbed the ice queen by the media and it's not going to be easy. But he knows from personal experience that not everything is what it seems.
At first, Katie seems like a cold and disagreeable bitch, but when her story is slowly revealed my heart broke for her and her devastating secret as she goes home alone and just survives from day to day. Watching Katie's courageous admission to the public is inspiring and well done as it motivates her to become the star she is meant to be. Jamie is a good man who made some bad choices that led to losing his career and losing his wife due to his fame and the media. With their shared bond of past disappointments, sacrifices, and distrust of the media, Katie and Jamie's attraction slowly builds resulting in a rewarding ending.
The story effectively juxtaposes the present and past as we see the successes and hardships the two protagonists go through in their lives. I was also drawn to the competition to find out who wins from week to week.
I recommend this compelling and poignant book for those who believe in truth and love. It will shock you, anger you, and give you a happy ending.
Thank you to Ms. Buckley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Helen Buckley lives in Bedfordshire with her husband and two sons. After working in the charity sector in the UK and abroad, she turned her hand to writing and her first novel, Star in the Shadows, was published in 2019.
She writes any moment that she can, enthralled by stories of fame, romance, and happy ever afters. Apart from being addicted to writing and enjoying soft play with her sons, she's an avid reader, action-movie fan, and chocolate addict.
Follow Helen on social media to find out more about her work or to get in touch on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and newsletter.
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