girlreading's review
4.0
With high stakes, family drama, fierce women in sport, completion and an adorable romance, this had everything I love in a sporty romance. It’s fast paced, easy to read and totally addictive and has truly solidified Jennifer Iacopelli as an auto buy, go-to author for me. Loved it.
fliplibrarian's review
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Spoiler
Second lead syndrome is all I have to say. Ugh!!!!bobbeym's review
informative
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I love a good ice skating book and this one is a sweet story that gave me Cutting Edge vibes.
Growing up in a skating family isn't easy for Adriana, especially when most of them consider her chosen discipline, ice dancing, as inferior to the sport. Struggling to deal with her family, the upcoming skating championships, and two different skating partners leaves her unable to focus on the ice. So what will happen when it all comes down to doing what she needs to do to win?
Growing up in a skating family isn't easy for Adriana, especially when most of them consider her chosen discipline, ice dancing, as inferior to the sport. Struggling to deal with her family, the upcoming skating championships, and two different skating partners leaves her unable to focus on the ice. So what will happen when it all comes down to doing what she needs to do to win?
msburkesbooks's review
4.0
Adriana Russo is part of a legendary figure skating family, with gold-medalist parents and a world-renowned skating rink. Her sister is headed to the Olympics and being followed by a camera crew for a reality TV show. Adriana herself is training with her ice dancing partner Brayden for their biggest competition yet, eyeing a run at the next Olympics. But with her father’s excessive spending he’s put the ice rink in danger of bankruptcy and only Adriana seems to be concerned about their family’s future.
With the Junior World team arriving to train at the Russo’s rink, Adriana is now faced with sharing the ice with her former partner (and crush), Freddie. Guilty over ending their partnership and harboring feelings for him still, Adriana’s life is further complicated once the reality show airs and social media explodes with speculation of an Adriana-Brayden romance. Fearing the fate of the rink and knowing how increased fame and success could help, Adriana agrees to fake a relationship with Brayden and grow their star power. As their feelings become more real, Adriana has to make some life altering decisions that will decide not only the fate of her love life but also of her family and their future.
Finding Her Edge is a YA romance that is not entirely realistic but enjoyable to read regardless. As a former figure skater (as a hobby, not competitive) the depictions of the figure skating world was a fun addition and I appreciated the descriptions on the ice. The financial concerns and complications from the reality show gave another layer to the romantic entanglements, giving more depth to the plot. Some of the side characters were one dimensional, especially Adriana’s older sister who seemed like a caricature of an ambitious, self-involved fame seeker. Despite these issues, readers who enjoy light-hearted romance will be engaged and root for Adriana.
Especially with the winter Olympics this year, Finding Her Edge is a fun romantic read that celebrates figure skating, love, and taking control of your own future.
With the Junior World team arriving to train at the Russo’s rink, Adriana is now faced with sharing the ice with her former partner (and crush), Freddie. Guilty over ending their partnership and harboring feelings for him still, Adriana’s life is further complicated once the reality show airs and social media explodes with speculation of an Adriana-Brayden romance. Fearing the fate of the rink and knowing how increased fame and success could help, Adriana agrees to fake a relationship with Brayden and grow their star power. As their feelings become more real, Adriana has to make some life altering decisions that will decide not only the fate of her love life but also of her family and their future.
Finding Her Edge is a YA romance that is not entirely realistic but enjoyable to read regardless. As a former figure skater (as a hobby, not competitive) the depictions of the figure skating world was a fun addition and I appreciated the descriptions on the ice. The financial concerns and complications from the reality show gave another layer to the romantic entanglements, giving more depth to the plot. Some of the side characters were one dimensional, especially Adriana’s older sister who seemed like a caricature of an ambitious, self-involved fame seeker. Despite these issues, readers who enjoy light-hearted romance will be engaged and root for Adriana.
Especially with the winter Olympics this year, Finding Her Edge is a fun romantic read that celebrates figure skating, love, and taking control of your own future.
lonelyeyesonly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
icarly's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
charmaineac's review
5.0
Jennifer Iacopelli writes the perfect, sweet sports romance. I'm a four-year fan of sports like figure skating and gymnastics, going deep enough to know the big contenders and major storylines. I've continued tracking figure skating a little more closely after this post-Olympic quad (has the field opened up post-Yuzu and Nathan?!), and that made this book even more of a treat.
This book hit all the right notes. I LOVED that there were multiple conflicts. There was a love triangle, yes, but I found the family issue even more compelling. I think there's something to be said about socioeconomic gatekeeping in figure skating: it's certainly an expensive sport, and I wish this book highlighted that side of the issue a bit more.
Aside from that, Brayden and Freddie were wonderful. The friendship with Riley felt loyal and true. The strained but different relationships with the sisters was realistic, as were the little spots of grace given to even the most unlikeable characters. I wish Adriana were a bit less Cinderella-esque, and I wish she proved to put herself first a bit more. But otherwise, this was a stellar fluff read in my books! Even the ending felt right. I was satisfied with it all.
This book hit all the right notes. I LOVED that there were multiple conflicts. There was a love triangle, yes, but I found the family issue even more compelling. I think there's something to be said about socioeconomic gatekeeping in figure skating: it's certainly an expensive sport, and I wish this book highlighted that side of the issue a bit more.
Aside from that, Brayden and Freddie were wonderful. The friendship with Riley felt loyal and true. The strained but different relationships with the sisters was realistic, as were the little spots of grace given to even the most unlikeable characters. I wish Adriana were a bit less Cinderella-esque, and I wish she proved to put herself first a bit more. But otherwise, this was a stellar fluff read in my books! Even the ending felt right. I was satisfied with it all.
erika92's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0