Losing The Ice by Jennifer Comeaux

After eagerly - and quickly - reading the first instalment of this series, I read Losing The Ice by Jennifer Comeaux with the same enthusiasm. I’ll be going through the pros and cons of this book, and much like the first, there aren’t many cons! Some spoilers ahead, you’ve been warned.

Pros of Losing The Ice by Jennifer Comeaux

The Drama

I’m such a sucker for drama, and this book had its fair share. I found myself holding my breath for the characters right from the beginning of the book when Josh and Courtney are met with an unmentionable situation. The anticipation followed me through the rest of the story, that’s for sure. Comeaux really captured the feeling of both parties' frustration and anxiety, but ultimately demonstrating their love for each other despite the circumstances.

A Darker Tone

As bright, light and airy as the first book in the series was, this book definitely took a darker turn. I feel like it was done perfectly without completely compromising the story or the characters, showing the darker side of figure skating and being in a relationship. Life’s not all rainbows and sunshine, and this book took the reader down the dark road that Josh and Courtney found themselves on in the most perfect way.

Josh and Courtney

Given the situation that gave the book a darker tone, it was hard to see Courtney kind of afraid of Josh after such a whirlwind romance they had in the first book. That being said, I loved that they were mature enough to face their problems head on (for the most part) and communicate (again, for the most part) what was bothering them. Courtney’s patience and Josh’s perseverance really went hand in hand.

Stephanie Tucker

Although she was a terror in the first book, she really showed character development in this sequel. She was more supportive of her brother, and surprisingly even civil with Courtney. She isn’t the anti-hero I love to hate anymore, she’s the underdog who realised the error in her ways and tries to come out the other end of the tunnel with more compassion; I love that for her.

Cons of Losing The Ice by Jennifer Comeaux

Josh’s Parents

Holy crap, these are the worst parents in the world. Comeaux did a great job at taking the hate off of Stephanie and putting onto the Tucker parents. They’re distant, unempathetic, rude, and downright the worst parents to Josh and Stephanie. Courtney is snubbed several times - especially the Christmas scene, OMG had my blood boiling - and contains herself for the most part, and I just know if that were me, I’d not be that calm. Josh and his parents are polar opposites (thank God) but what really makes you feel for him is how he knows how insignificant he is to them; no child should feel like that. It does make me feel better for Josh though, that he found a family in Em, Sergei and Courtney.

Again, there wasn’t much I didn’t like about this book and even then, it was more of a “this character/situation made me mad” vibe. It’s a quick yet intense read, and you’ll be glued to the pages for a couple hours. Compliments to Jennifer Comeaux who, yet again, made a book that's going on my Keeper Shelf. Also, thanks for a copy of the series Jennifer in exchange for an honest review!

Have you read this book or series? Do you want to? Let’s have a conversation about it!

A presto,

Melissa