Review – Break the Ice by L.A. Cotton

Break the Ice; Lakeshore U #1
(#1 within a series)

Publication Date: March 28, 2023

Genre/Tropes: New Adult/Sports/Brother’s Best Friend Romance

Author: L.A. Cotton

Review Rating: 5 Gold Stars

Review/Synopsis:

Review:
This new adult, sports romance was way more emotional than I was anticipating. Aurora – or fondly known as Rory, begins college carrying deep emotional scars that pulled at my heartstrings through the entire book. Her journey is heart wrenching so grab some tissues before turning the pages and then snuggle in as Noah steals your heart.

Noah Holden is your average college sports player and all around just player. He’s sampled more of the female population than even he can tabulate as a business major, but when his best friend’s little sister moves in at the beginning of the year his player status doesn’t feel quite right anymore. Rory has him tied up in knots and everything he knew turns upside down. For someone who never dates, or ever intended to fall for a girl, Noah finds himself in uncharted waters with Rory and while it should feel all kinds of wrong, there is something about Rory that feels all kinds of right.

There is something connecting Noah and Rory at a deeper level, but even with that connection, Rory struggles to be herself. It’s heartbreaking to read her story, but probably because I connected with so much of what she went through. People who should unconditionally love you but don’t, is a tough pill to swallow, but I love that Lianne didn’t shy away from the tough topics and gives Rory this real life outlook that many young women face, along with the tools on how to get help.

These two were great and I loved so many of the secondary characters, although I did want to kick Aiden, Rory’s brother, a few times and not for the reasons you may think. I’m looking forward to more in this world as it continues to grow. Bring on the Lakers.

Synopsis:
From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author L A Cotton comes a brother’s best friend sports romance. Lakeshore U, where hockey is religion, and the players are gods. Are you ready to fall in love with a Laker?

When Aurora Hart moves in with her brother and his two teammates, it’s only supposed to be a temporary fix.

Enter Noah Holden.

Cocky. Heartbreaker. With enough game to have every girl on campus falling at his feet.

When Noah’s best friend asks him to look out for his sister, he doesn’t expect to find her so resistant to his charm.

Or find himself so interested in his new housemate.

He’s Lakeshore U’s biggest player.
She’s quirky, shy, and one hundred percent not his type.

Can Noah help Rory let go of the insecurities holding her back from embracing life?

Or will he be unable to break the ice around her heart?

*Break the Ice is a 100,000-word standalone novel set in the Lakeshore U series. It contains mature content for readers 18+

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