Just in time for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Jennifer Comeaux has completed her romantic ice skating series. It was fun reading this series with the real skating happening on the TV at the same time. Take a look at each individual book, as well as my thoughts on each one.
"Jennifer Comeaux puts you in the action, makes you smell the ice and hear the roar of the crowd during the nail-biting competitions, and she's a master at creating first love jitters in your stomach from the steamy scenes that are so hot without being explicit." - Christina Jean Michaels, author of Epiphany
“Both touching and suspenseful, Fighting for the Edge is a game changer that will have fans of the series giving both the characters and the author a standing ovation once they've turned the very last page. If I could pass out medals, Jennifer would earn gold for writing my favorite romance of all time.” – Jenna at Jenna Does Books
Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream–to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history. Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the 2002 Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily’s dreams of gold.
**My thoughts**
I loved this book. I have always enjoyed watching figure skating, partially because I grew up not far from Scott Hamilton. He was always the hometown hero, so we constantly watched him. Even after he retired, I still enjoyed watching programs with my mom. The detail of the skating competitions and practices in this book helped me relive those days. I actually thought that Jennifer must have been a skater, herself, because of the descriptions.
She captured the thoughts and feelings that are surely going through the heads of the skaters as they compete. Drama ensues both on and off the ice in this sport. An added bonus to the story was the flourishing romance between Emily and Sergei. Absolutely it would be inappropriate for a coach and his skater to get involved. But sometimes the heart wants what it wants. As long as both sides can remain professional and no one is being pressured, it really isn't so bad. Emily and Sergei compliment each other and definitely have a spark. Great read for lovers of romance and of the sport.
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Blurb:
**My thoughts**
Revelations about Sergei's past in the first book definitely foreshadow the events unfolding in this book. It was a total given. I am honestly surprised that she didn't pop up sooner in Sergei's life! This book, while it does have some scenes of competition in it, definitely focuses more on the romantic relationship between Emily and Sergei. I did miss the competitive part in this one, but it is also the slower season for the skaters, without the Olympics. Plus, another book that focused so heavily on the competition probably wouldn't go over as well when there is such a hot romance in trouble!
Elena is everything that you love to hate in a woman. Nothing that she says or does really surprises me. In fact, every time Emily makes a faux pas, I can see what Elena's reaction is going to be, well before it even hits. Emily was already in uncharted territory, building her relationship with Sergei, when she hasn't really ever had a relationship before. I have the advantage of age and experience over her. She may not always handle a situation with the most grace, but she definitely learns from all of them. Her mom continues to make me crazy by being so negative all of the time. I get wanting to protect your kid from harm, but you have to let her experience some life and make some of her own mistakes! I did also enjoy meeting Sergei's parents and would love to get to know his father better.
Fun sequel to the first book.
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Blurb:
Emily has waited over two years to give herself to Sergei. She couldn't have asked for a more patient man. Now they've finally reached their wedding night, and after all Sergei's patience and understanding, Emily wants to be everything for him. How will their first night together compare to their dreams?
This is a 3500-word short story that contains mature content not suitable for younger readers. Reaching the Edge is part of the EDGE series, but this story can be enjoyed as a standalone read.
**My thoughts**
I got this as a free download on Amazon US. (I believe most places it is free.) I needed to read it, because I have this thing about reading every single story involved with a series. Plus, Sergei and Emily had been waiting for a really long time. That was another one of her admirable qualities - saving herself for marriage. I have no idea how they stayed together so long and waited, but kudos to them!
The story is okay. I don't know that everyone can have as magical a first time as Emily did. Then again, who would want to read anything less in a steamy love story?
Definitely not for the younger crowd. Definitely not necessary for the continuity of the series, but a fun, quick read for those who are seeking the spice.
Fighting for the Edge (Edge #3)
by Jennifer Comeaux
Release Date: 11/05/13
Summary from Goodreads:
Emily has waited over two years to give herself to Sergei. She couldn't have asked for a more patient man. Now they've finally reached their wedding night, and after all Sergei's patience and understanding, Emily wants to be everything for him. How will their first night together compare to their dreams?
This is a 3500-word short story that contains mature content not suitable for younger readers. Reaching the Edge is part of the EDGE series, but this story can be enjoyed as a standalone read.
**My thoughts**
I got this as a free download on Amazon US. (I believe most places it is free.) I needed to read it, because I have this thing about reading every single story involved with a series. Plus, Sergei and Emily had been waiting for a really long time. That was another one of her admirable qualities - saving herself for marriage. I have no idea how they stayed together so long and waited, but kudos to them!
The story is okay. I don't know that everyone can have as magical a first time as Emily did. Then again, who would want to read anything less in a steamy love story?
Definitely not for the younger crowd. Definitely not necessary for the continuity of the series, but a fun, quick read for those who are seeking the spice.
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by Jennifer Comeaux
Release Date: 11/05/13
Summary from Goodreads:
Two friends. Two dreams. One night that changes everything…
Ice dancer Aubrey London scoffs at romance. She’s focused on winning a medal at the upcoming Olympics and uses that as her excuse to avoid serious relationships. But when she and longtime friend Chris Grayden are thrown together by unforeseen circumstances, Aubrey finds herself questioning everything she's ever known about love, complicating her life both on and off the ice.
Pairs skater Emily Petrov embraces romance. She and her husband Sergei still act like honeymooners two years after their wedding. As Emily’s coach, Sergei provides constant support while she prepares to challenge for gold at the Olympics. But Sergei’s support might not be enough to help Emily overcome the one challenge she never saw coming.
With the Games only weeks away, Emily and Aubrey are on the verge of realizing their dreams. But one snowy, stormy night sets in motion a series of events that will test them in ways they never imagined, giving them more to fight for than Olympic medals.
**My thoughts**
I loved getting to know Aubrey and Chris better in this book. Their budding romance is somewhat unexpected, as in the first two books he is happily involved with Marley. But, things can change over the course of a couple of years. When they get thrown together, it is inevitable that sparks are going to fly.
Emily and Sergei have had their shares of ups and downs along their Olympic journey. Just one more goal is within their reach. But, as is always their luck, a twist in their circumstances threatens to squash those dreams. Their strength and determination should be able to help them through it all, though.
Aubrey and Chris's story was told through Aubrey's third-person POV, while Emily's continued to be told through her first-person POV. While this can sometimes work, I had a hard time with the POV changing within the same chapter. I would have preferred it happening in different chapters. It was also strange to have it alternate between first and third within the same book. While their stories were intertwined, they were still pretty separate. I could have seen either a spinoff title, or perhaps two companion novellas that tell their stories, alluding to the other stories, but from each of their POVs. This trend of telling stories of multiple characters within a book is still being tested out in different fashions. This was how Jennifer chose to handle her book. For others, it is going to feel absolutely fine. I think it is a reader/writer preference in the delivery.
Once I got used to the changeover, I was still able to enjoy the story. I have been rooting for Emily and Sergei from the very beginning. Aubrey has always been a good friend to Emily. I was happy to see her get some happiness and love in her life, as well. All of the characters have been growing up and maturing. Perhaps there is still room for a spinoff series with some of the other characters?
And even though the POV change-up felt odd, you still will want to read this book, just to find out how their story concludes. There may even be a twist or two that you didn't see coming.
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**Overall series feelings**
I really did like this series. It was convenient that it was touring in time for the Winter Olympics. It just made me more in the spirit for Team USA. I liked reminiscing about Olympics past, with that added bonus of warm and fuzzies from the romances.
This series definitely falls more into the New Adult age group, but isn't so steamy that YA readers can't enjoy it. I look forward to more of Jennifer Comeaux's books.
Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is travelling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers! Visit jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com for contact information and to learn more about her books.
Author Links:
http://jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5368434.Jennifer_Comeaux
http://www.twitter.com/LadyWave4
http://www.facebook.com/jennifercomeauxauthor
http://pinterest.com/jennifercomeaux/
Author Links:
http://jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5368434.Jennifer_Comeaux
http://www.twitter.com/LadyWave4
http://www.facebook.com/jennifercomeauxauthor
http://pinterest.com/jennifercomeaux/
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Thank you so much for the great reviews and for being part of the tour! I'm working on a spinoff novel now that will tell Courtney's story :)
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