lassarina's review
2.0
I wanted to like this more than I did, but it was very hard to get through because Katie's massive anxiety hit too close to home for me. I know some other reviews have commented on the lack of communication as the characters being "too old" for this, but it makes sense in the crucible of Olympic competition that they would be very good at skating and very bad at a lot of other things. I did feel like Brendan got really dragged about and should have stood up for himself more. I think in the end my feelings are just very complicated about this; I wanted to like it, and yet I cringed every time Katie did something intensely anxiety-ridden because I know how that feels, but also I wanted to shake her.
kimu's review
3.0
I’d give this 3.5 stars if I could. There were parts that I really enjoyed and then there were parts that made me want to shout at the lead characters, both of them.
annaswan's review
2.0
Quite a page turner. Kate was so frustrating, though! Like one of the other reviewers said, anxiety isn’t an excuse to keep treating people badly.
cgbart's review
3.0
Maybe 2.5?
We all know I read this for Ice Skating Reasons (TM), okay, so let's not even try to pretend there were other motivations. That being said, I did get pretty invested in Brendan and Katie's story, but I... wanted more for them? A lot of the conflict felt both unnecessary and unbelievable to me, and the resolution even more... I want to say sudden, but it wasn't just that?
I suppose the easiest thing to say is that, despite thinking it an alright read, I definitely have some unresolved issues with the pacing and plotting of this book.
We all know I read this for Ice Skating Reasons (TM), okay, so let's not even try to pretend there were other motivations. That being said, I did get pretty invested in Brendan and Katie's story, but I... wanted more for them? A lot of the conflict felt both unnecessary and unbelievable to me, and the resolution even more... I want to say sudden, but it wasn't just that?
I suppose the easiest thing to say is that, despite thinking it an alright read, I definitely have some unresolved issues with the pacing and plotting of this book.
ines911's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annechambers's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ejimenez's review against another edition
4.0
This was pretty good, particularly in its approach to communication. This isn't one of those books where all of the problems stem from a couple failing to talk to each other - sometimes just talking isn't sufficient.
However, I don't love the way Katie seems to be The Problem in the relationship - her anxiety, her superstition tearing them apart, her uncertainty, even her injury. Brendan gets to be the solid, patient rock. Even his one big Drama moment generally paints him in a good light.
However, I don't love the way Katie seems to be The Problem in the relationship - her anxiety, her superstition tearing them apart, her uncertainty, even her injury. Brendan gets to be the solid, patient rock. Even his one big Drama moment generally paints him in a good light.
christythelibrarian's review against another edition
Got maybe 25% the way through and it’s basically the main female character being mad all the time at her partner. Drudgery to read, so I stopped.