After the Gold

McRae and Maltese (A Queen from the North) falter slightly with the tale of figure skaters Katie Nowacki and Brendan Reid, who win Olympic gold and then try to figure out what comes next in their lives. After a failed attempt at a romance years earlier, the skaters try to limit their sexual chemistry to the ice. Brendan’s game for another relationship try during a post-Olympic tour, but Katie isn’t so sure. When the authors attempt to show Katie’s vulnerability and flaws, she comes off as a neurotic, mercurial jerk who drives her steady, reliable partner crazy with her blame games. After Katie’s knee is hurt and she opts to flee New York and a series of business meetings rather than disclose the injury, readers will question why Brendan is even trying to forge a relationship with her. But Katie redeems herself somewhat while working with Brendan on her family farm—and realizes that he is a steady partner in more ways than one. The figure skating details feel authentic, but the plot skims the surface of emotion. This ice needs a bit more fire. (BookLife)