Hearts on Ice: A Sapphic Hockey Romance

by Kathleen Sanders

A heartfelt YA romance about love, hockey, and finding the courage to be yourself.

When Emily’s life is upended by her father’s job loss, she’s forced to leave behind the private school she’s known her whole life and start over at a public high school. Determined to keep her head down and avoid the pain of her past, Emily quickly realizes that staying invisible is easier said than done—especially after a chance encounter with Sophia, the gorgeous and talented hockey player who seems to have it all.

Sophia is everything Emily isn’ confident, outgoing, and a star on the Lakeside Lumberjills hockey team. But as Emily is drawn deeper into Sophia’s orbit, she discovers the girl beneath the helmet has her own struggles. Together, they forge an unexpected connection on and off the ice, even as Emily tries to protect her heart from the fallout of falling for someone again.

With themes of resilience, friendship, and first love, Hearts on Ice is a touching and empowering story about discovering who you are—and finding the courage to embrace it.

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Lesbian

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read!
A nice YA story.
Recommended book!

[johanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an incredible saga of love, loss, and most importantly, high school hockey. this book dazzled with hardships overcome, lessons learned, steadfast friendships, and young dyke love. a slapshot to the heart!

[e 🐇 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You just won the first hockey game you ever played and didn’t give up a single goal! The pent is over! You can do anything! Including kiss the damn girl! So I did. And that was my first kiss.”

eu amei esse livro estava mesmo querendo ler um livro sáfico com hockey 😣

[Doug Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hearts on Ice: A Sapphic Hockey Romance is an enjoyable YA sports tale. Emily is a junior transferring in for her last two years. Sophia is her chemistry partner and a member of the perpetually understaffed hockey team. Partnered up in class they quickly become friends and Emily is easily welcomed into Sophia’s close circle. The main characters are surrounded by a full supporting cast, including the amusing couple Mel and Bel. The story arc is generally low angst, however there are moments of drama. Their developing relationship hits a snag that ultimately requires intervention by Mel and Bel. This is a good read ending with an action-packed hockey game and a great kiss.

[Dulaine Roode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed.

Emily was bullied for being queer and eventually had to change schools, all because the girl that kissed her told lies and made things worse for her. At her new school, the first girl she laid eyes on she fell for. But she was scared to feel it all because of how it went at her old school. Sophia actually started feeling the same about Emily but she didn't know how to voice it. Way to go Mel and Bel for sorting them out.

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute read

absolutely adorable read—even with the heavy topics. loved the characters, loved the redemption arc, loved every word! highly recommended read

[Gilber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, if a little short.

Cute story, a little bit short, though. Sport themed romances are always fun, and the characters in this ine are enjoyable.

[Ashlee (ashleereads692) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but a little cringe and predictable

[l i z [save the sharks‼️] · Rating 4 out of 5]

hockey but gay

[Kathleen Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and Sweet

Cute read. Could have been a little longer making it a true slow burn but not needed. Some angst sprinkled in but mostly a feel good wlw read.