Fans of Rachael Lippincott, Elise Bryant, and Dahlia Adler will love this joyful debut novel, 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.
“Clever and intricate, with sizzling chemistry both on and off the ice. Charlie is a brash, endearing heroine who finds the perfect foil in ice queen Alexa.” —Kelly Quindlen, bestselling author of She Drives Me Crazy
“With characters who are easy to root for, nail-biting competitions, and a gorgeous slow-burn romance, Carli J. Corson has written a book deserving of a gold medal. Grab your skates and swish on over to the bookstore to get It's a Love/Skate Relationship!” —Jason June, New York Times bestselling author
“Fiercely competitive and fantastically fun, It's a Love/Skate Relationship has enough sparks in its enemies-to-lovers romance to melt an entire ice rink. A definite winner of a sports romance, with high marks for great banter and a delightful cast!” —Dahlia Adler, award-winning author of Home Field Advantage
“This is the sapphic skating story I’ve been waiting for! Corson beautifully tackles the raw emotions and chaos of teen life with humor, compassion, and charm. It's a Love/Skate Relationship shows the power of teaming up to win gold and the magic of winning each other’s hearts along the way.” —Jenna Miller, author of We Got the Beat
“An utterly charming rom-com bursting at the seams with heart and humor. You’ll be rooting for Charlie and Alexa—on and off the ice—from the very first page.” —Alex Crespo, author of Saint Juniper's Folly and Queerceañera
“An absolute standout young adult Sapphic sports romance. The author skillfully invites readers into the world of competitive sports and all the sacrifices young athletes must make to follow their dreams.”—School Library Journal (starred review, audiobook edition)
- Enemies to Lovers: A hotheaded hockey player and a pristine figure skater who can’t stand each other… until a high-stakes deal forces them together on the ice.
- Forced Proximity: Charlie needs to get in front of college scouts. Alexa needs a new pairs partner, fast. The deal is simple: skate together, win together, and walk away. If they can.
- Opposites Attract: She’s a powerful force on the rink; she’s an elegant ice princess. As Charlie and Alexa trade hockey moves for figure skating routines, they discover their differences might be exactly what they need.
- A Heartwarming Queer YA Romance: Perfect for fans of heartfelt LGBTQ+ stories, nail-biting sports competitions, and witty banter that promises to melt the iciest of hearts.