Review: Finding Her Edge

Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sweet (is slightly stressful) coming-of-age romance featuring competitive ice dancers, a love triangle (love quadrangle?) where you love every one of them, and a second-chance romance to make you swoon. I love pretty much anything to do with sports, and really enjoy watching ice skating, especially the ice dance category. I definitely understand what Adriana was talking about when she said her dad didn’t see ice dancing as being as serious or prestigious as singles or pairs, and I think that’s often because it doesn’t have the flashy jumps. What it does have, though, is intricate footwork, incredible lifts, and so much emotion and chemistry, I’m pretty sure every successful ice dancing pair has either dated or dealt with dating rumors. It’s only in the past few Olympic cycles that I’ve come to appreciate ice dancing more, and it’s now my favorite to watch.

I could see why Adriana was struggling figuring out her feelings for her partner Brayden and her former partner Freddie. When you spend so much time together, trust one another, and genuinely like each other, those feelings are absolutely real, even if you aren’t in love. Adriana’s feelings for Freddie were also complicated by the intense guilt she felt at switching partners and breaking his heart when they were 14, and regardless of where their romantic relationship ended up, those two needed to talk through everything that happened back then, and how they feel about skating with other partners now. I also understand Brayden’s frustration and fear at the situation, especially once it becomes clear that he has real feelings involved, too.

One of the things I loved the most about this book was how supportive everyone was of one another, even though some of them were competitors. As much as they each wanted to win, and worked hard to do their best, they also wanted their friends to do well. I’m not sure I have the maturity for that, haha. The only thing about the competition that I would change is we didn’t need to know who won in the epilogue. I would have much preferred a sudden stop before the results were revealed.

I also love that Adriana (and her little sister Maria) had l caring and supportive adults around them like her coach Camille and their agent Charles, especially with how distant and financially predatory her dad is. I can’t say I loved her older sister much, but I can see how her attitude and actions were greatly influenced by being under their father’s influence and the pressure of having to “carry on the family legacy” for so long.

All in all, a fast-paced, emotional read full of the joy of young love, and the angst of unrequited love. Also, no wonder I loved this, I just read it was inspired by Persuasion! And I totally see it! ❤️

View all my reviews