ABOUT THE BOOK
Marie Bellerose and Dmitry Blinov were America’s Sweethearts －the youngest Olympic gold medalists in the country’s pairs figure skating history. Then they broke up. No warning. No explanation. The dream team disappeared.
Ten years later, Dmitry is drifting and Marie’s skating solo toward scandal. When their old coaches pull strings for one last favor, neither can say no.
But going for gold together again means forced proximity, brutal practices, media attention, and reopening old wounds －and sparking new desire neither can ignore.
Their comeback could win gold…if they don’t kill each other first.
MY REVIEW
If you are a fan of the movie, The Cutting Edge, you will enjoy this book. There’s nothing like an enemies-to-lovers romance on ice.
Marie Bellerose and Dmitry Blinor, or B & B as their fans affectionately call them, are America’s figure skating sweethearts. However, nothing is what it seems behind the scenes. Marie’s unrequited crush on Dmitry at 14 is sweet and immature, as 18-year-old Dmitry marries his girlfriend and drives Marie to walk away and work solo.
Ten years later, they are forced together again to save the rink owned by Dmitry’s parents and figure skating coaches. Marie has burned her bridges and is now an alcoholic, party girl, with her media crew mooching off her, and Dmitry is divorced and trying to find his way after dumping yet another skating partner.
Marie is very unlikeable with her fake hair, fake eyelashes, and self-centered attitude. Not to mention she is a hot mess coaxed by her bloodsucking entourage who insist on partying every night. Her loneliness is so glaring as she puts on a snarky persona for the cameras one minute and drowns herself in a bottle the next. It’s when she finally reaches rock bottom from a frightening drunken night that opens her eyes and refocuses on her life and career. She owes everything to Dmitry’s parents, and she is determined to go for the gold despite her dislike for her partner and the disapproval of the press.
Dmitry is a brooding skater with a temper. He’s past his prime as a skater and doesn’t even enjoy the sport anymore, but he needs to throw himself on the sword to help his parents. His love for his siblings is genuine, but his instant attraction to Marie is unconvincing. It’s when they start to respect and trust each other as partners and friends that the story picks up.
What I enjoyed most was Ms. Van Winkle’s knowledge of figure skating. The costumes, the programs, and the fans give this captivating story depth. I was mesmerized by the brilliant battle-scene program, imagining all their pent-up anger and tension displayed on the ice and beyond.
I recommend this book to all romance lovers, especially fans of sports romance. It’s a journey loaded with laughter, tears, and lots of sweet moments.
Thank you to Ms. Van Winkle for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Van Winkle is the author of self-published Finding Wonderland. Writer, reader, and reviewer aspiring to tell fun stories. She is half-Cambodian, All-American. Cat-loving, retro-hearted Ravenclaw. She has been writing forever but writing seriously since she was 19 and elbow-deep at the salad bar of her first job.
