The Offseason

“Freya Marske is one of my absolute favorite romance writers.” —Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue

Heated Rivalry meets Yuri On Ice in this rivals-to-lovers figure skating romance, from the USA Today bestselling author of Swordcrossed

This ice is heated.

Seven years ago, Australian rising star Cameron Lewis shocked the figure skating world by crashing and burning at Nationals and leaving the sport at only eighteen. His painful and public falling out with his ex-rival Julian Mercy is his last memory of being on the ice.

Now, he's figured out who he is. Cam has his own life, his own career, and his own friends. His skating-obsessed hometown and the burden of being the son of a skating legend are firmly in the past.

But when a family emergency forces his reluctant return home, Cam finds himself back on the ice, back in the public eye, and back on a collision course with the furiously ambitious and infuriatingly beautiful Julian, now an Olympic hopeful and the current national champion.

Julian doesn't want any distractions, or any reason for the media to make his personal life—and not his skating—the story.

Cam doesn't intend to stay, or to return to skating. He refuses to let anything break his heart again.

Love, and the ice, have other plans.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs