Break the Ice by L.A. Cotton

Break the Ice is a brother’s best friend, college hockey team romance story. Out of all of the sports romances I’ve read, I always like the hockey stories a tad more. So, when I saw the announcement for this book, I signed up for an ARC immediately.

This book did not disappoint. In fact it exceeded my expectations in so many ways. The story is absolutely addicting and I ended up reading the book in one sitting.

*I was given a free, advanced copy of this book for reviewing purposes.*

Aurora and Noah

Aurora has struggled with body issues her entire life, partly because of the pressure her model mother puts on her to join her in the modeling world. And while Aurora hates it and has no interest in modeling, she keeps quiet and does what her mother says. All-while pushing her own happiness and well-being aside.

Noah is your typical playboy. He’s all about hockey, all the time. And the teams’ status on campus allows him to have a long list of girls just waiting for a chance to have one night with him. But he’s got his own set of issues. Noah is a classic book boyfriend. He’s got a reputation, but what girl wouldn’t want to have a hot guy suddenly only have eyes for her? Admit it ladies, you’ve thought it at least once or twice in your life.

Perhaps it’s because of my newfound (or reborn maybe?) love of hockey in real life that I loved the small details involving the NHL in the story. Connor, one of Noah’s roommates, has already signed on with the Flyers, and Noah himself was going to start playing for the Rangers right out of high school. It’s a tiny detail, but I loved it so much.

Final Thoughts on Break the Ice

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I absolutely loved this book. After finishing it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Aurora and Noah reminded me so much of Elise and Justin from Playing for Keeps, which I then ended up rereading.

Aurora is easily one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read, at least for me personally. At times some of the things she thought or said were things that have also come out of my own mouth. In a lot of ways it was like looking in a mirror.

He’d kissed me, and then he’d realized it was a mistake. Story of my life.

Aurora (chapter 13)

While Noah’s issues are explained, I really liked that his story was left wide open. There’s no moment of resolution with Noah and his father, unlike Aurora. She tells her mother off and draws a clear line. Noah had already set boundaries with his father, but the story leaves you wondering if he will try to make amends. I hope that in the next book we see Noah and his father on the sidelines of the story.

The romance between the two characters is electric. You can feel the tension through the pages (or in my case, my kindle screen). It’s impossible to not be on Team Rory and Noah. This is the first book I’ve read by L.A. Cotton, and it won’t be my last!

Do you enjoy hockey romance as much as I do? Will you be reading Break the Ice? Let me know your thoughts and other book recommendations in the comments!

Looking for other book recommendations? Check out this post!