Synopsis:
It’s a Love/Skate Relationship is a sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance between a hotheaded hockey player and the ice princess at the figure skating rink next door.
Charlie Porter is a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the hockey rink. When she accidentally starts a brawl after a game, she’s suspended from school, meaning no hockey this season—and no chance to play in front of college scouts.
Alexa Goldstein’s pairs skating partner was hurt in the fight, and with only four months until their next competition, pickings for a replacement are slim. So she strikes a deal with Charlie—skate with her at the competition well enough to place, and her Olympian mother will use her formidable connections to get Charlie in front of scouts at D-1 schools, even without her team.
It seems impossible, and not just because Charlie has never figure skated before. Where Charlie is powerful, Alexa is elegant; where Charlie is quick to blow up, Alexa is cold as ice. But as the frostiness between them starts to thaw, they begin to wonder if they’ve found a partner for more than just skating.
Review:
I finished reading It’s a Love/Skate Relationship two weeks ago now and I’ve been putting off writing this review as I’m not entirely sure what I thought of it. I know I enjoyed it, otherwise I wouldn’t have finished it, but I’m struggling to give it a rating. I’m not sure if four stars is too generous or if I did actually enjoy it that much.
The part of It’s a Love/Skate Relationship I enjoyed the most was the figure skating. As someone with a past with skating, it’s so fun actually know all of the moves and techniques they’re talking about. I felt like I was watching their routines in my head and that made this book so much more enjoyable for me.
Charlie was genuinely funny (most of the time). My absolute favourite thought she has is “Alexa may be a bitch, but she’s a hot bitch.” This was back when they didn’t really know each other so it made it so much funnier than it should be. I loved that they weren’t attracted to each other straight away and that their connection grew over time.
One of my favourite things in romance books is watching a friendship slowly turn into romance and It’s a Love/Skate Relationship did this well. You truly believe that Charlie and Alexa would have this passionate fiery relationship as they’ve spent six months in close quarters practically glued to each in training sessions. Don’t even get me started on the Elphaba and Glinda routine, we all feel the tension between them and it was the perfect choice to hint at what is happening between Charlie and Alexa.
Their connection, and trust in each other at the end is honestly a beautiful thing to witness. I won’t give any spoilers about what happens but something pretty terrible happens between Charlie and Alexa and it’s honestly, a little scary. However, who doesn’t love a declaration of love and support to try and earn back that trust? “Even when we fall—even when we screw up—we stick together and we run it again. You make me a better person in every way and I’ve never experienced this kind of support outside my family, and I promise—no matter where this college thing takes me—I’ll always be here to catch you. No matter what.”
Slightly random to be throwing this quote in here, especially after I’ve just talked about a very emotionally raw moment, but again, Charlie was pretty hilarious throughout and this was another standout moment from her “This morning, she brought me one of her protein-packed green drinks as an alternative to my morning hot chocolate. It tasted like someone’s lawn—specifically, the patch of grass where the dog shits.” We’ve all tried a green drink that tastes like this at some point – it’s a universal experience.
This is an absolute throwaway thought in my (very sparse) review notes but it made me laugh when reading through them to write this review. The biggest giveaway that Charlie is queer: not using capital letters in texts. We’ve all been there, am I right? Of course I am. This wouldn’t have been as funny or obvious if her friends didn’t use correct punctuation all the time.
I don’t comment on the covers of books very often in their reviews but It’s a Love/Skate Relationship is genuinely one of my favourite covers ever. I adore the character designs and the colour palette is stunning. It would be a crime to review this book and not mention just how incredible I think the cover is.
Based on how complimentary this review of It’s a Love/Skate Relationship has been, it’s safe to assume giving this a solid four star rating is the right thing to do.
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