The Skating Dare

The Academy #1

by Katherina B.

The only thing she hates more than not winning is losing against him. 

"Ice Princess goes Spinning Out."

It all started with a dare...
sort of.

Each year, there are a limited number of spots at The Dupont Academy of Ice.

An invitation is a dream until it's not, and things are never easy for the disruptor. Ana Petrov has been the wildcard for years, but this year could bring a halt to her legacy when she's left without a figure skating pair right before Olympic training season's about to start. Watching her skating nemesis, Troy Larsson, also lose his pair was supposed to bring her joy, until she learns that their previous partners have joined forces as their new competition.

Ana won the gold two Olympics ago. Troy won it last.
This time, the only way to win might be to join the same team.
Will they rip each other apart before they see any medal?

Passion and heat are aplenty come the Games, but watching your back is a must because one rarely plays nice at the Larsson Ice Rink. All's fair in The Academy.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Figure Skating, Contemporary, Sports Romance

773 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Katherina B. writes new adult romance fiction that finds the perfect balance between steamy and heartfelt, feels nostalgic, and most of all surprises you in some way.

Instagram and TikTok: @authorkatherinab

Reviews

[Montana Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off let me say I’m so honored to be the first person to read this book!!! The Skating Dare completely stole my heart from start to finish!

This ice skating romance delivered everything I love in a great book—tension, drama, banter, and an immersive feeling that made it hard to put down.

Ana is a standout and imperfect heroine. While she makes mistakes throughout the book (there will be times you’re mad at her) it’s because of how heavily she carries the pressures of winning, proving people wrong, and learning how to let her guard down and trust people. I feel like readers really need to remember she is a complex character and not a one dimensional happy-go-lucky sweet girly who always does and says the right thing. Please be kind to her.

Troy brings warmth and confidence and “it’s always been you vibes”. While tough on the exterior, the scenes where we see parts of his past and what has shaped him, namely the plot line about his mom, really shows how soft and kindhearted of a character he is. I loved how he would literally do anything for Ana, even when she wasn’t the nicest to him. He was always there for her and opened his heart to her even after having it broken from his mom’s death and the scars that that left.

Every character in this book was written so intentionally, crafted thoughtfully by intertwining their lives with the other characters. The history between Ana and Violet, the rift between Ana and Naomi’s mom, Troy’s tumultuous relationship with his dad and bond with his brothers, even the short moments of connection of Ana with Alice, a talented younger skater navigating the brutal world of skating. It was all important and it was all impactful.

Also this wouldn’t be a fully honest review without mentioning my favorite character, Kyle. He carried 99% of the lol moments that were so unexpected amidst the heaviness of most plot points and I’m already petitioning for him to get his own book.

At the heart of this story is a romance, but it’s not just a romance. It not only gets descriptive and technical with the skating scenes (which I loved), but also explores the whole world of competitive ice skating, including the physical, emotional, and mental pressure of competition, how difficult it is to keep your friends close while so many of them are your competitors, and the roller coaster of a journey it is to the Olympics.

The Skating Dare is a must-read for fans of slow burn sports romance and rivals-to-lovers energy. As soon as I finished the book I wished I was back in the world of The Academy, reading it again for the first time.

The last thing I will say is yes, it is long. And yes, it is worth it.

“Figure skating wasn’t love at first sight for me. Then at some point, Ana made me fall in love with the sport. And I bet the girl doesn’t even have a clue.”

Tropes:
⛸️Rivals to lovers
⛸️Slow burn
⛸️Childhood frenemies
⛸️He falls first
⛸️Tension and banter
⛸️Competitve ice skating

[ste · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Slight spoilers*
Lately with the Olympics I’ve been in the mood for a figure skating book and this was right up my alley.
I have to say that I struggled finishing this, it felt entirely too long. On my kindle it was 1555 pages and in my opinion it could have been some couple hundred pages shorter. The plot was very interesting, I get the inspiration from the show Spinning Out, but it felt at times repetitive, mostly in the first half. I have to say, I liked more the non protagonist characters than the MCs. The espionage of the “I’ve loved you for my entire life but you didn’t know it and for some reason you felt like we hated each other” can be used so many times until it becomes a cheap way to make everything right and put the main characters together.
I would have liked it more if there were a real build up of the relationship, where they REALLY didn’t like each other at first and start from there. Ana really disappointed me, again I see the inspiration from spinning out, but honestly she was left off the hook too easily, she literally used Troy and all her friends, and her mental health wasn’t discussed enough for me. I really liked Troy at first and then he started acting like Ana’s carpet and it all started crumbling after that.
I really pushed myself to finish this book just because I wanted to see the final intrigue and it kinda disappointed me. For such a build up I expected to be wowed but it was, again, a reused storyline.
On the contrary I really liked Violet’s growth, I would love a spin off based on her (or on Troy’s brothers, they were cuties). I have to say I really enjoyed the platonic relationships in this book (mostly the ones on Troy’s part, Ana’s well…), I love a multi sport friend group.
All in all it was an entertaining book, if not too long

[Laura Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skating Dare ⛸️❤️

The Skating Dare was absolutely amazing. The tension was so good you could cut it with a butter knife this book had me in a complete chokehold the entire time. I couldn’t stop reading.

The author created such strong, compelling characters, and the way everything was described made it feel like you were right there in the rink with them. It honestly felt immersive, like you weren’t just reading the story but living it.

I also loved how real this book felt. It did such a good job showing the darker side of something that looks so beautiful and graceful on the surface, like ice skating. That contrast was powerful and eye-opening.

The growth and development of the characters had me cheering them on, especially Ana and Troy. I was fully rooting for them, and during the darker moments, this book made me feel everything hope, heartbreak, tension, and relief. The author writes with so much care and emotion that it truly reaches the reader.

I can’t wait to learn more about the academy and dive deeper into the stories behind the characters. This book stayed with me long after I finished it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[keahi⋆.𐙚 ̊ ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goshhhhhh THIS WAS SO GOOD. Let me just start with the TENSION! I always love the tropes where they “hate” each other, but the boy has truly just been head over heels for the girl and didn’t know how to express it, and the girl doesn’t let her guard down so they just play the game. The push and pull between Troy and Ana was SO well done. You can tell that they both are gunning to be number 1, and they would rather die than admit defeat toward the other. I just loved how developed the plot was, nothing felt rushed, and there was the perfect mix of spice, plot twists, side plots, character development, etc for the entire book.

Now, Ana: an absolutely well-rounded out character. I just feel for her. Training to maintain such a coveted position in the cutthroat world of figure skating, maintaining friendships, juggling grad school. She was ruthless, stubborn, slightly selfish, but yet so determined and passionate. Seeing her work through mental health and all of her struggles was real and RAW.

And TROY: holy crap, he had layers that I was just anxiously awaiting to be peeled back. Just like Ana, he was ruthless, but out of the two of them, he was the softer one. He just wanted people to be proud of him, all while juggling so many hidden struggles that no one ever saw.

Overall, this book had a lot more than just a slowburn figure skating romance. It really dove into the darker side of competitive sports, especially figure skating, where girls are pitted against each other for their skills, their bodies, their allure, etc. Anyways this was 5/5 stars for me, PLEASE read if you are looking for a good skating, rival, academy competition- esque book!

[brenda v · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a strong start to a series and a completely new genre for me — and honestly, I’m obsessed. I didn’t expect to get this emotionally invested, but this book had layers on layers.

I loved how it wasn’t just a romance. The slow burn was everything — the tension, the banter, and the constant push and pull had me hooked — but what really stood out was the raw look at competitive figure skating. The pressure, the rivalries, and the expectations from coaches, parents, and the academy all felt intense and real.

Both lead characters were incredibly well developed. I loved them individually and together. Watching them work through personal struggles, mental and physical health, and complicated pasts made their connection feel earned and authentic. Even when they were at odds, the chemistry was undeniable.

The world-building, side characters, and emotional depth made this story feel immersive from start to finish. It’s heavy at times, but in a way that adds meaning and heart to the story.

This book surprised me in the best way, stuck with me long after I finished, and now I’m so excited to see where this series goes next !

[Susanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Skating Dare wasn’t a bad read, but I honestly expected more. 😬 I struggled to connect with the main heroine—she came across as extremely stubborn and quick-tempered, and I often disliked the way she treated Troy. I do understand why she was the way she was: she had been bullied and was clearly dealing with unresolved trauma and emotions she didn’t know how to handle. Still, given that the book is over 700 pages long, I expected more character growth and emotional development.

What disappointed me the most was the lack of real communication between Troy and Ana. 🥲 For most of the book, they were unable to have a normal, honest conversation, and that only truly happened near the very end. Overall, the story had potential and some good moments, but it felt stretched out without delivering enough depth or payoff to justify its length.

[Rosariosbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book exceeded my expectations! You follow Ana and Troy who are skating rivals that must now learn to work together as a team.

The banter was top tier and you could feel the tension through the book! This made for the perfect slow burn. The push and pull was chefs kiss 💋

The skating parts of the book were very interesting and the side characters were some of my favorite!

I loved Ana and Troy separately and as a couple. They weren’t perfect characters but I think their growth and the way they addressed their mental and physical problems was amazing.

Overall this is a story filled with complicated characters, friendship, love, and competition. I would highly recommend it! Thank you to the author for an arc copy!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead.

Okay so my epub version had 1200 pages.
It was a d r a g.
First 500 we had lots and lots of information (don’t remember much tbh) and a few very childish bickering between mains (who are 23 and 25 year old soooo i think they could do better). We do know that Ana gets bullied and I am sorry to say that but it just didn’t feel right? It was the same comments on the loop, zero originality from again… 20+ year olds. Not that I wished she was bullied more but if it was so repetitive maybe some pages could be compressed. 100 pages of actual tension (zero professionalism between the skating partners but i will ignore that) and it was a good tension. They clearly both wanted each other. And then another 200 pages of just smut. Zero plot. Non stop smut. What was the point?? Again, a drag. Then Ana suddenly flipped??? Why??? All we knew was that she was bullied and had some anxiety. This kinda felt like the author tried to take heavy inspiration from Spinning Out when Kat crashed out. (Also this generally felt like a rip off version of spinning out). She was a massive bitch and pushed everyone away. She had a victim mentality all of this book even tho she was incredibly lucky. If you can afford a coach and everything connected to olympic figure skating you are not poor. And it doesn’t make sense that a family would barely have anything to put on the plate just to let a kid skate. And with how many pages we had the amount of backstory of Ana’s family was criminal. And the sudden drop of the father wanting to help all along?? The mother was clearly not mentally well but we barely got any insight into that.
Character growth? Nonexistent. Ana was flipping for 200 pages and then suddenly she decided to go to therapy which was a joke. Any therapist that would talk that way should have their licence removed.
And then suddenly few sessions in she is a sweetheart? And everyone just forgives her even tho she was a selfish asshole honestly all the time?? I get what it means to struggle mentally but that wasn’t a good representation in my opinion. She was an asshole who struggled. Not an actual good friend (or girlfriend) who struggled. Maybe if she was the latter I could sympathise with her more.
So we got 100 pages where she goes around saying sorries and all that.
And then Troy being the absolute best (he was always awesome tbh) and I did love the box of memories but as someone else mentioned. How many more times are we gonna go through “enemies” to lovers but he loved her all her life and didn’t know how to be close to her any other way than being “mean”???
And also, we get barely any plot for 1000 pages but then we suddenly have the father wanting to be there all along, violet stealing routine, and the dance coach being shady??? Where did all of these “plot twists” came from???
Also I am so mad that she actually slept with Carter of all people.
It was so underwhelming that people who actually both won olympic gold had to cheat to beat it. In my opinion unnecessary but I get that it had to be done for the next book.
To be fair I still read it and I don’t have a problem with DNFing. Just for the reason that it was readable its 3 stars instead of 2.
I think the author has a lot of potential. And I will probaly read next books.

[_newromantics_reborn_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ★
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Ana has always dreamed of becoming a figure skater. The new season begins with her skating partner abandoning her for her rival, Violet, so she has to find a new one to be able to skate at the Olympics. Who better than Violet’s ex-partner, Troy, Ana’s childhood rival, to take his place? Reluctantly, Ana and Troy have to learn how to be around each other so they can compete. Between the low blows, the rivalry, the pressure of the Academy and trying to prove people wrong, will Ana survive the high expectations… and an unexpected attraction to Troy?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This first book in the Academy series is filled with layered characters, complicated relationships, drama and love.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It was a really slow burn, but I could feel the tension growing between the two main characters. Ana is a complex character, but a brave one. Troy has a tough exterior, but is truly a sweetheart. He is by far my favorite character. I liked them separately and as a couple, their chemistry was incredible.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I liked that this story brought up serious questions about the sport, mental health, family and identity. It’s not only about the romance. It’s about how tough it is to be a figure skater, how competition can change you and your relationships, and yes, how it can also bring you closer to someone.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s the first book in the series, so it has a lot of world-building, introduction to characters and dynamics, but I think it was wonderfully woven and really inspiring.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Thank you @katherinab for the ARC! ✨

[Chantal Woodworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re in the mood for something icy, competitive, and emotionally charged, especially with the Olympics fresh in your mind, The Skating Dare is a solid pick.

From the start, this book gave me Icebreaker vibes with intense rivals, forced proximity, and a whole lot of tension. It is a long read and definitely a slow burn, so you need to be in the right mindset to let the story (and the relationship) build gradually.

One of the highlights for me was the pranks. Watching them sabotage each other in hilarious ways just to try and force the other to quit or mess up added such a fun, chaotic layer to their rivalry. The constant back-and-forth made the story engaging, especially paired with those tense moments of quiet yearning simmering underneath. Funny how some things work.

What really stood out was how, both technically and emotionally, they became better as they grew closer stronger together than alone as one would say. Their partnership evolves alongside their relationship, creating a satisfying enemies-to-lovers dynamic full of sparks, clashes, and undeniable chemistry.

If this is your kind of sports romance, it’s a must-add to your TBR especially if you love slow burns, rivals-to-lovers, and ice-cold tension.

[isabella lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

why was this SOOOOOO LONGGGGG there was genuinely no need for how long it was like omfg i feel like it could’ve been cut down soooo much and not lost any of the story

i did enjoy the basis of the story for the most part, i think there was definitely a good balance between the figure skating and the romance which i liked, and i liked the concept but it just draggeddddd and there was so much unnecessary content in my opinion

can tell the author definitely did a lot of research into figure skating and specifically pairs skating which i think is really important!! so cannot fault her on that at all

i liked ana and troy for the most part, but they were also both a little annoying. i also just think i hate nicknames in books especially in enemies/rivals to lovers it’s just cringe every time for me

the writing was .. not good. so many sentences that just didn’t make sense???? realistically i think this book needs a good edit both in terms of grammar etc and to CUT IT DOWN

this was definitely not a bad book at all, i just think i would’ve enjoyed it more if it had a bit of fine tuning.

[Farah · Rating 5 out of 5]

10⭐️ The Skating Dare was a phenomenal book. I'm actually speechless right now 🤩 I felt like I was watching a movie while reading this novel, from the cast of characters to the skating competitions and back and forth between the "hero" and "villain" of the book, it was such an interesting read. It wouldn't be right to leave a review without pointing out a big plot point in this story: bullying. There were certain scenes that made me so angry, then others so sad that I nearly burst into tears hearing the comments that these athletes were faced with. Cyberbullying especially is something I rarely see featured in contemporary romance so it was beautiful and dare I say refreshing to witness in this one. Social media (and yes, I'm also looking at you Goodreads...) has made it so easy to bring down other people and share negativity when it's so simple to just be kind. I really can't recommend this book enough and I still can't believe for a book that was this long how the story went by so fast 🥲

[Lauren Appleby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐️

Overall a fun read and I get that this is going to be a series so they’re introducing the characters early but I just felt like there were way too many characters to keep track of.

I was feeling all the feels towards the end reading from Troy’s point of view but ana got so insufferable in the last quarter of the book idk how he kept putting up with her I’d have binned her off soooo fast.

Also there were so many plot points that were like foreshadowed and set up for but like when they were revealed they just didn’t feel necessary at all. Like when Ana was looking at the middle school year books and it sort of set up for us to later find out she had a boyfriend for 4 years who proposed to her and she turned him down but like that was literally it? Like we found out towards the end and it just didn’t add anything to the story at all so what was the point? And then Ana and Violet being friends when they were kids and we only find out about it that in the last couple of chapters and it changed nothing about their dynamic so it just didn’t feel necessary

[Hana Gallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a great start to a series. It follows Ana and her childhood rival Troy. They are both figure skaters at the academy and are forced to pair up for the current figure skating season. However, this book has so many layers to it and explores the hardships about the sport. The story had so much depth and emotion. We get so much insight into both characters past and why they act the way they do.

I loved the relationship between the characters. Even when they are fighting you can feel the tension and chemistry between them. This is definitely a slow burn and we get to see the characters open up to each other and realize their true feelings slowly.

This story was able to bring up such important topics about mental health, figure skating, and family. There is so much world building and we get to see a lot of different characters and dynamics. Overall it was well written and I’m excited to see how the series progresses from here!!

[A C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book follow Ana and Troy — pair skaters. As someone who is big into figure skating I’m always a little worried when I read one and usually they seem unrealistic and don’t match up with actual figure skating but this was done soooo nicely in that regard, I was very very very impressed!!

This is a verryyyy slow, slow burn. Which I LOVEEEE. I will never get enough of a slow burn. Like to the point i was like oh shit is this not gonna happen?? Amazing tension.

Only thing is that the start was slow for me to get into but overall great read and can’t wait to see what else this author comes out with.

Troy I love you, you deserve the world. Genuinely obsessed with his character and is now one of my new fav book boyfriend.

Happy reading y’all

[Thao · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEVER leave reviews you guys but I just finished this book and it was too good to not share. 5⭐️ Literally in tears rn at that ending 🥲 The writing was so good and the pacing was one of the best I've seen in a romance. I can't stand when the main couple of a book are already kissing a 1/3 into the book 🙂 There was a ton of spice but somehow it didn't feel like too much, like the flow of the book was that good. Like some other reviewers said the side characters were some of the best, especially Violet. Honestly yeah she was pretty mean but idk I felt bad for her too like that's how wild this book was that even the bad characters had redeeming qualities so can't wait for book two. Still, Troy Larsson was my fave like he's one of the best book boyfriends of all time I think. The figure skating scenes were so cool too since I've never read a book with such vivid details about skating. Also I didn't even notice the page length until I read some of these reviews and (just my opinion) but the book did not drag at all, not one bit. I was entertained the whole time and wish we got more 😩

[Marla Lardiere · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: This is Katherina at her best! These characters are captivating, vulnerable and honestly themselves. It is so refreshing to see characters that work towards bettering themselves and who don’t achieve that at their first sign of adversity. Because that’s not real life. You work to better yourself and these characters are so perfectly complex and lovable and relatable even though they’re Olympians!! Katherine’s writing is so detailed it allows you to perfectly envision this world and the attention to details in every scene she writes really allows this world and Troy and Ana to SHINE! ✨ I never say no to a Katherina B. Novel and neither should you! A MUST. READ! Especially during Olympic season!!

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sometimes when things fall apart we have no choice but to try and make something better out of it”

I feel like this quote sums up what this (very long) book was about! Forced to get a new skating partner after their pairs leave them, Troy and Ana make the best of the situation that they found themselves in. I was admittedly surprised at how much I ended up liking Troy (and disliking Ana) by the end!

If you enjoy enemies to lovers, ice skating, and girl drama then this is the book for you! It built the foundation for a series to come.

[Ivette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Skating Dare is way more than just a sports romance. It's a book that explores how much pressure Olympic athletes are under, particularly figure skaters. I loved this book from start to finish and honestly, I don't agree with people saying this was too long. If anything, I would have liked even more chapters when we finally got to the Olympics but maybe that's just me. I highly recommend if you like books with lots of drama, high stakes, and tension.

[Luci Hipper-Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book and really enjoyed a figure skating trope and seeing both their struggles as the overcome them together!! There was so much smut at times it seemed a bit much if I’m being honestly and also the ending just wasn’t satisfying enough like I wanted more like yes Violet got what was coming to her but I still thinking they should’ve won and seen more come out of their relationship kinda made me feel like I wanted more from it but I still enjoyed the book!

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything booktok told me "The Favorites" would be. I loved both books but when I'm picking up a romance book that's marketed to be a romance and there's barely any romance in it, yeah, I feel like I'm being tricked. This was filled with yearning, lots of spice, and plenty of romance, and I think it's now tied for my favorite sports romance next to "From Lukov with Love." ⛸✨

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story

It was a cute story but the pacing was a little off for me. I enjoyed the brotherhood with Troy, Karl and Dmitri and the friendships between the girls.

Overall I liked the book and would say if you are looking for a complex figure skating story The Skating Dare might just hit the spot

[Leticia · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 22%

I really really tried to get into this book, but I just couldn’t ☹️. The FMC just doesn’t connect with me and I feel like there are way to many subplots.

Was really looking forward to it, to get into the figure skating spirit. What i can say that the figure skating aspects are completely accurate!

[Mabry Kullander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows a figure skater, Ana, and her childhood enemy/rival/boy she doesn’t like, as they are forced to pair up for the figure skating season. But it tells a bigger story than just that. This book shows the darker side of the figure skating world, the bullying from opponents, social media, the pressure from parents, coaches and clubs, and the dark effects these things can have on these athletes.
The tension and slow burn of the romance was beautifully done, with slow reveals of the feelings and emotions these characters have for each other building the anticipation. Their chemistry felt authentic, and the story made sense as it built.
I really appreciated the mental and physical health storyline that we follow with Ana. Reading her struggle with others opinions and her own pressures and then reading her make the difficult choices to try and pull herself from the darker depths of what she thought of herself was inspiring!
This is the first book in the series so a lot of it was setting up future characters and dynamics within this world. Though I do think it is important information, this was a large book and there were moments I felt could be cut down.
Overall, if you love slow burn, and a rich and complex world, you will love this book! I can only see these getting better as the series goes on!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The banter, the tension, the yearning.
Troy Larson is definitely joining the list of best book boyfriends!