Review: Perfect!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 2, 2014
Keira Andrews is not a new author to me, she sits in my kindle right now with a couple other titles. Therefore, reading Cold War, I felt certain, was going to be a good experience. She certainly did not disappoint. This is a story of two men, paired with women, in figure skating, finally making it to the Olympics. One is from the United States, the other from Russia. They are in competition with each other, both teams wanting to win the gold medal, this is what they have trained for, most of their entire life. You can imagine the friction, and tension this would, and did cause. However, even with all the turmoil swirling around them, this was, at its depth, a love story.Stepping onto the ice, from the United States, Dev Auira partnered with Bailey Robinson, his closest and best friend. They have skated so long with each other, they have no secrets, or they didn’t have until now. Dev is gay, he doesn’t hide that fact, but he doesn’t advertise either. Bailey knows and has no issue, so that’s all that matters to him. Their dreams are becoming a reality as they step out on the ice, ready to compete in the Olympics. They only have one thing standing in their way, and that is the team from Russia. A team, Dev and Bailey, have considered the enemy, for as long as they have known them.Waiting on the sidelines, from Russia, Mikhail Reznikov partnered with Kisa Kostina. They have won the gold at the World’s and now they are at the Olympics to do the same. They must take home the gold to their country. In Russia, it is considered a disgrace and failure if you do not win the gold medal. The pressure these two endure, scared of what they face back home, what might happen to their families, if they don’t win. It’s not something they are ready to face. They must win, no matter the cost.Since we just recently had the Olympics ourselves, and they were held in Russia, this story became so much more relevant. Mikhail, who also is gay, keeps a very tight lid on that information. In Russia, homosexuality is forbidden, he cannot let his country find out, the price to pay, too much. At the core of Mikhail is a generous and kind man, a man who finds himself attracted to his enemy. As he and Dev stand off against each other, in the locker room, what starts out as fighting soon turns into mad kissing and groping. The author had me on the edge of my seat, constantly in fear, they would be caught. As Dev and Misha, as he wants Dev to call him, spend more time together, their attraction is elevated by every look and touch. They cannot keep their hands off each other, and when they are hands on, it is magical and explosive. Their chemistry is off the charts. Insta love? Maybe, more than likely, but it doesn’t hinder the story. The concern at the forefront, are they going to get caught? What will their skating partners think of this new development? As I said, edge of your seat, waiting and wondering.Keira Andrews writes this story with such detail and description. I am in awe of the research that must have taken place. I honestly felt I was part of the skating world, waiting and anticipating, as I sat in the bleachers, watching. The story runs a little over 100 pages, but what she has written within, is incredible. This is a story of teamwork, dedication, commitment, strength, and last, but not least, Love. It will make you smile, have you biting your fingernails, back to smiling, and finally, taking that much needed breath, you didn’t realize you were holding, and release. I would recommend this story, no questions, and I have no doubt, I will pick up again for a re-read when I want a feel good story. It’s short, sweet, and Oh yes, to the point. Perfect.