Love on the Tracks by Tamsen Parker

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Title: Love on the Tracks
Author: Tamsen Parker
Series: Snow & Ice Games #1
Published by: Swerve
Release Date: December 5th 2017
Format: eARC
Pages: 164
Genres: Contemporary
Source: NetGalley
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks
My rating:

Blurb:

Welcome to the Snow and Ice Games where the competition is fierce and the romance is HOT.

Rowan Andrews is the unexpected darling of the Denver Snow and Ice Games. Luge has never captured the American public’s imagination as much as figure skating or even hockey, but her outsized personality and dare-devil ways have got everyone’s eyes glued to the track. Including a certain chart-topping heartthrob.

Zane Rivera is the lead singer of License to Game, the hottest band in the country. When Zane finds out Rowan Andrews has had some complimentary things to say about him, he arranges to meet her while he’s in Denver enjoying the games. And when a photo of him kissing Rowan on the cheek goes viral, they both see the advantages of faking a relationship for the publicity.

After Rowan’s injured in her final race, their relationship starts to feel all too real to Zane. But is this rock star ready to fall in love?

My Review:

I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — Well this was a whole bowl full of awesome!  It was kind of tailor made for me.  I mean, I’m not sure how many people know this about me, but I am an Olympic FIEND.  It’s my favourite sport (and I realize it’s not a sport, just like rainbow isn’t a colour, but I do what I want).  So a sports book that meshes a fictional Olympic type competition (the Snow & Ice Games) with a celebrity romance, this time in the form of a famous pop star from a boy band?  SIGN ME UP!!!  And it was even cool that the athlete in this case was the heroine, AND she was a luger of all things!  Have you watched luge?  Those people are certifiable!!

I actually loved both characters.  They occasionally felt a bit young, but that can make for a more realistic NA in my opinion.  I know I still feel young and immature at 38.  😛  And given their professions as it were, it made sense that they would feel young in certain aspects.

I LOVED Rowan.  She was nothing like I am.  NOTHING.  But I appreciated how unique she was, and how the author really showcased the dedication and hard work and sacrifices that is synonymous with amateur athletes.  I LOVED how she was so blunt and forthright in what she wanted with sex…it was very sex positive in that way.  I also appreciated that she didn’t go from fangirl to cool immediately, b/c it felt more realistic then.  Sometimes I wanted her to more obviously see him as more than just a pop star…or rather, more quickly.  But it was subtle, and it didn’t make the fangirl stuff immediately go away.  It frustrated me, but again, felt more realistic.

And more than what I loved about her, I LOVED how Zane saw her, and how he appreciated the things about her that she’s often been told are lacking.  Like her athletic body was seen as less feminine by some (stupid) men, her strength was intimidating to others, not to mention her dedication to her sport.

Which brings us to Zane.  Zane was almost too good to be true.  I’m not kidding.  He’s this pop star, but he was so very down to earth, and just so freaking kind and thoughtful.  He was like ultimate book boyfriend material for me.  There was no bad boy to him.  He felt very practical.  I enjoyed seeing him struggle with being tired of the boy band, but still loyal to his boys.  I liked reading about his exit strategy, and how he was thinking ahead to the future.  And how he seemed truly torn up about wanting to move on.  And I appreciated that he knew the importance of his fans and saw how they were truly responsible for all his success, so he wanted to appreciate them (even if it got exhausting).  Occasionally the commentary about boy bands felt a bit…snarky, and was surprising.  It almost felt as though the author looked down on boy bands and it bled through…but at other times it just felt normal.  It was odd…and could all be in my head.

And as I said above, I LOVED how he appreciated Rowan.  He was so turned on by her aggression.  Made me feel very tummy tingly.  So needless to say I LOVED the chemistry between them.  It was so freaking hot.  Like the steamy parts were awesome, and different.  And I felt the romance too…I felt the development of their relationship into more.  I felt their caring for each other.

I will admit the climax and conflict felt a bit tropey, but I appreciated that it didn’t last long and it wasn’t drawn out.

And if you couldn’t tell from the beginning of the review, I LOVED all the “SIG” (*cough* Olympics *cough*) descriptions, and seeing different sports showcased, and learning so much about luge (which has always scared the crap out of me).  And I ADORED that they talked a bit about curling, though as a Canadian, I was a bit bummed that they didn’t mention us at all in relation to curling…it’s kind of our adopted sport.  Like, we may not have invented it, but it’s basically ours…it’s more Canadian than even hockey in some ways.  Woah, blew your mind right?

So yeah.  This took two of my favourite tropes (sports romance and celebrity romance) and blended them seamlessly and made this reader one very happy girl.  Obscure sports for the win!!