REVIEW: 'The Winning Edge' by Keira Andrews
Title: The Winning Edge
Series: Cold War #1 & 2
Author: Keira Andrews
Published: February 8, 2018 - 2nd Edition
Publisher: Self-Published/KA Books Cover Artist: Dar Albert/Wicked Smart Designs
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance
Length: 214 Pages
Tags: M/M; Gay; Coming Out; Enemies to Lovers; Olympics; Athlete/Sport: Figure Skating; HEA; Light Kink: Spanking
About The Winning Edge
Can figure skating enemies find love off the ice?
After an explosive locker room confrontation with his Russian rival ends in the most intense sex of his life, American pairs skater Dev Avira is distracted to say the least. He’s worked for years to have a chance at Olympic gold, and he can’t let himself—or his partner—down. Playing cat and mouse with the steely and smoldering Mikhail Reznikov is the last thing he needs as he prepares for the biggest competition of his life, but they can’t keep their hands off each other as the Games approach.
Dev soon learns that beneath Mikhail’s arrogant and aloof exterior is Misha, a passionate man who warms Dev’s heart and scorches his bed. They’re both determined to win, but for Misha his freedom could be at stake if he and his partner take anything less than gold. Who will stand atop the podium? And can secret lovers from different worlds make a life together once the competition ends?
Content previously published as novellas Cold War and Holding the Edge in 2014.
5 HEART READ
REVIEW:
The Winning Edge by Keira Andrews was first published as two novellas in 2014 as Cold War and Holding the Edge. I’m a very big fan of Ms. Andrews sports themed books and am really excited I got the chance to read this new edition.
In my eyes The Winning Edge has it all: enemies to lovers, amazing writing, electric chemistry, a little kink and lots of skating!
You can tell the author truly loves the sport because it translates so beautifully in her writing, I was really caught up in the story during the skating performances. And how timely it is this was released during the Winter Olypmics!
Dev Avira and Mikhail Reznikov have trained for years for a chance at an Olympic gold medal and their both determined not to let anything stand in their way. When a chance encounter in the locker room explodes into anger - then passion - Dev is thrown for a loop. And it’s not the skating kind!
But he can’t let their hot-as-hell hookup get in the way of his Olympic dreams. And Dev has a preconceived notion of who and what Mikhail is all about, but that impression couldn’t be more wrong.
Two months go by and suddenly they’re in France at the Olympics. Dev has tried to put the locker room incident out of his mind but as soon as he sees Mikhail he’s reminded of their passionate encounter. He has to focus on his skating so that’s what he tries - and fails - to do.
The two men continue their secret romance all the while competing for the gold medal.
One of the things I really like about this story are the characters and how well developed they are. Dev’s family is very involved in his life and I enjoyed the closeness they share. Dev is out to his family and his skating partner, Bailey, but not to the public. Dev and Bailey have been skating for so long they’re like an extension of each other. The amount of trust you put in your skating partner is everything and I could really feel how genuine they are with each other.
Mikhail and his skating partner, Kisa, are most known for their icy demeanor and cold personalities. But underneath that frigid exterior is a passionate man who at times loves to give up control. I love that about his character. Mikhail is also very close with his family who know he is gay. As the story progresses the reader learns so much about Mikhail and I relished seeing Dev realize that what’s on the outside is different from what’s on the inside.
I love how The Winning Edge is written in two parts. The first part is comprised of skating competitions that eventually lead to the Olympics and the initial encounter between the two skaters.
The second part of the book deals with Dev and Mikhail trying to navigate their relationship while keeping their romance a secret. They both agree not to come out but eventually that puts a strain on their relationship. The writing here is amazing because it’s very honest. Dev worries about losing out on skating opportunities and he also worries about telling his mother, even though she is supportive of him.
Mikhail on the other hand worries about the fallout for his family in Russia should he come out. While they are supportive of him he worries for their safety in a homophobic government.
Mikhail equates winning the gold medal with winning his freedom. He dreams of living openly with Dev and I could feel how much he wanted that.
Dev and Mikhail have explosive chemistry together and I was caught up in the passion of their scenes. Especially the scenes where Mikhail gives up control. Ms. Andrews writes in a way that is so erotic I couldn’t help but be swept away.
I have to say again how amazing the skating scenes are. As I mentioned before you can really tell the author is a fan of figure skating. All the technical details are there and I felt like I was watching a live skating performance. Kudos to Ms. Andrews!
I absolutely love everything about The Winning Edge. The issues the two men have to deal with are real and I found myself completely engrossed and rooting for them the whole time. I love how supportive their families and skating partners are. The chemistry between the two is amazing and watching Mikhail give up control is hot as hell. These two are not shy in going after what they want and watching Mikhail come apart is perfection!
Tracy purchased The Winning Edge for Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter so that we may offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.
Amazon/KU
Meet the Author
After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, fantasy, and paranormal fiction and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said:
“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”
For more titles from Keira be sure and visit her website!
