Unsteady

A Novel

By: Peyton Corinne

Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro Foster, Max Meyers

“Unputdownable and unforgettable. Peyton Corinne effortlessly weaves together raw, emotional moments with scenes that feel like a warm embrace through dynamic characters that will leave an indelible imprint long after you turn the final page” (Bal Khabra, author of Collide) in TikTok sensation Unsteady. Now featuring a previously unreleased bonus chapter.

Rhys is desperate to feel anything.

Sadie wants to stop feeling so much.

Rhys Koteskiy is back—at least, he’s supposed to be. During last year’s Frozen Four, the Waterfell University hockey captain and NHL legacy took a brutal hit that left him with a concussion and a new discomfort on the ice. Plagued by nightmares and panic attacks every time he attempts to skate, Rhys wonders if he’ll ever play again—or if he’ll ever want to.

Sadie Brown is staying focused this semester—no matter what. Currently drowning in debt, custody hearings for her younger brothers, and skating practices, she’s just trying to make it to the next day. A spitfire figure skater known for her bad attitude and frequent disappearing acts, Sadie has a reputation on campus. And it’s not a pretty one.

When she accidentally witnesses one of the golden boy hockey captain’s panic attacks and attempts to help him, a strange sort of understanding strikes up between them. No questions asked. Just comfort. But Rhys finds himself drawn to Sadie. Where he feels empty, a shell of the man and player he was before, Sadie is so full of everything, it bursts from her; every emotion she feels seems like it’s blasted at max volume. Rhys is desperate to feel anything. Sadie wants to stop feeling so much. But healing doesn’t mix with secrets, and they’re both skating on thin ice.

©2024 Peyton Corinne (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Loved the story, hated the female narrator

Story is amazing and the male narrator was great. I however hated the female narrator. To the point where I would listen to his chapters and read hers because I couldn’t get over her voice. It was like every word ended with a question or something it was so strange. No emotion.

This book HEALED ME

First off the narration of this book was absolutely amazing, I have loved every one of the audiobooks narrated by Kelsey, she always knocks it out of the park. Max’s narration literally made me CRY it was so good.
Second, you can not convince me otherwise but I’m convinced this book HEALED me, I don’t even have the words. Not sure if it was the emotions I felt or just the story and how ever though this isn’t a struggle I have personally gone through. It just tapped into how we all have intense struggles and the relationship was just healing. This series is my new top favorite and there isn’t anyway I can be convinced otherwise

A romance novel through the lens of PTSD and C-PTSD.

It’s important to note that Unsteady by Peyton Corinne is not a book for all readers. The intensity of its subject matter—PTSD, C-PTSD, and the intricate ways trauma shapes relationships—demands a certain emotional readiness from its audience. This isn’t a light, escapist romance to breeze through on a sunny afternoon. It’s a heavy, profound, and at times heart-wrenching read that asks readers to sit with discomfort and delve into the messy reality of love and healing. For some, this depth will feel cathartic and validating. As someone who has both lived with and supported others through trauma, I found the depiction of these struggles to be remarkably authentic. However, for readers who may be unprepared to face such raw emotional truths, the book could feel overwhelming or even triggering. Corinne doesn’t pull punches in her exploration of trauma’s impact—not just on the individual but on the dynamics of love, family, and generational patterns. This is not a story that ties everything up neatly in a bow, and it doesn’t offer a picture-perfect version of healing. Instead, it reflects the real, often nonlinear journey of recovery. It’s a story for those who can appreciate the beauty in the cracks and are willing to see love not as a cure-all but as a courageous act of choosing each other despite the scars. For readers who connect with this level of emotional depth, Unsteady will be transformative. But for others, it may feel too raw or too real. As a mental health professional, I would encourage readers to approach this book with care, particularly if they are actively working through their own trauma. That said, for those ready to engage with its themes, Unsteady is an unparalleled depiction of what it means to love and be loved through the weight of trauma. It’s a story that resonates deeply, but only if you’re prepared to walk through its fire.

the relationship growth

need more!!!! I absolutely loved it. the ending felt a little bit rushed. but the story was awesome

Emotional

Sadie has the weight of the world to carry: taking care of her younger brothers, college, and figure skating with an abusive coach. Rhys is the captain of the college hockey team and is bound to the NFL, but when a bad hit physically and mentally hurts him, he finds a little bright light when he was having a panic attack on the ice. Rhys falls first and Sadie is prickly as she needed to protect herself. They help each other heal and grow through a friendship that turns into friends with benefits and then into love. He helps her navigate through all the crap she has to deal with while bonding with her younger brothers. The emotions were raw. The anxiety and PTSD rep was very good. The pacing was on point, the romance was gorgeously written, and the character development was fantastic. Unsteady made me think and feel. It is more than a hockey romance.

I enjoyed it

Sweet story. I really appreciate how loving, affectionate, and communicative Rhys. Sadie was one tough nut to crack. Her younger brothers are adorable

Good book

It was a good read 4 1/2 just felt like the conflict went on a little too long but I did enjoy the book

Incredible first book!

This book was incredible! So well written and really tackles some important topics in such a delicate yet real way. I can’t wait to see what follows in this series from Peyton Corinne!

Amazing

The characters are built up so much over the entire book and they grow together and it’s a found family kind of book but it is deep with them both going through very very difficult things

He Falls First ❤️‍🔥

4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this book/audiobook! The narration was great and really brought the deep feelings and topics discussed, alive.

Sadie is such an unbelievably strong FMC. She stepped up for her siblings when she was still just a kid herself and it just shows how strong her heart is. I loved Rhys. He is obviously going through the wringer but Sadie starts to help him feel things again.

Rhys and his parents/found family are so freaking sweet and I am so happy that Sadie and her brothers have a future that is safe and secure.

Peyton did a great job of creating side characters that you can’t help be curious to know more about! Seriously. I love them all!

Audio lovers, this is definitely worth a credit! 🫶🏼