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Rating: 3.5–4 stars (but very dependent on your taste)
This was one of those books that felt impossible to ignore. It was everywhere—especially around the Winter Olympics, when anything related to figure skating naturally picks up attention. Add in the audiobook hype (multiple narrators, immersive storytelling), and I went in expecting something really engaging.
And in some ways, it absolutely was.
What I Expected vs. What I Experienced
I expected something intense but easy to root for—a dramatic, emotional story with characters I’d be invested in.
What I got instead was a much more complicated experience.
The story itself is compelling. The structure, especially with the documentary-style interviews layered in, keeps things moving and gives you multiple perspectives on the same events. The audiobook really enhances this—it’s one of those where having different voices for different characters makes a noticeable difference. It feels more like you’re listening to a story unfold than being told one.
But the biggest disconnect for me came from the characters.
How It Felt to Read
This book is very high drama. Not subtle, not quiet—more like watching a long, emotionally charged series where relationships are messy, motivations are questionable, and people don’t always make decisions you understand.
I kept reading. I was invested in what was happening.
But I didn’t actually like being inside the main character’s perspective.
There were multiple moments where I found her frustrating, even insufferable at times. And for me, that matters. I can handle flawed characters, but I still need some level of connection—and I never fully got there.
That said, the pacing works. The tension keeps you engaged, and the structure (especially the retrospective storytelling) makes you want to keep going, even when you’re not emotionally aligned with the characters.
Who This Book Is For (and Who It’s Not)
This book is for you if:
- You like relationship-driven drama with intensity and conflict
- You enjoy messy, complicated characters who don’t always make likable choices
- You like storytelling that unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines
- You enjoy audiobooks with full-cast narration
This might not be for you if:
- You need to genuinely like or root for the main character
- You prefer more grounded or emotionally stable relationships
- You get frustrated when characters make questionable decisions repeatedly
Final Thoughts
I’m glad I read this.
It didn’t fully live up to the hype for me, but I can completely see why it works for other readers. The story is engaging, the structure is strong, and the audiobook is genuinely well done.
Honestly, this feels like a story that might translate even better on screen. I could easily see this as a TV series where the drama and shifting perspectives really shine.
If you go in expecting character-driven drama rather than a clean, satisfying emotional arc, you’ll probably have a much better experience than I did.
