'Finding Her Edge' Review: Netflix's New Skating Romance Series Is the Perfect 'Summer I Turned Pretty' Replacement

Since The Summer I Turned Pretty concluded, viewers have been craving a cozy, young adult romance replacement. Netflix's Finding Her Edge attempts to fill that void, with messy love triangles and fake dating playing out against the backdrop of ice dancing. Based on Jennifer Iacopelli's novel of the same name, the series focuses on two sisters trying to keep their family's skating legacy alive after their mother's death. With her father struggling to make ends meet, Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys) decides to partner with the talented yet cocky Brayden Elliot (Cale Ambrozic) in the hopes that their sizzling chemistry on ice will lead them to strike gold. To amp up the stakes, she and Brayden pretend to be in love — though, in reality, Adriana has unresolved feelings for her former skating partner, Freddie O'Connell (Olly Atkins). While Brayden and Adriana vow to keep it professional, the pair's fake dating arrangement hits a snag when the lines between what is and isn't real get blurry. The underlying question becomes whether Adriana and Brayden's competitive edge is enough to keep their eyes on the prize, or if their will-they-won't-they attraction will get in the way.

'Finding Her Edge' Goes Beyond the Book, and That's a Good Thing

Imperfect though it may be, Finding Her Edge does improve its source material in surprisingly effective ways. Instead of focusing on Elise Russo's (Alexandra Beaton) palpable crush on Brayden, pitting her against Adriana after she and Brayden initially hatch their fake romance scheme, the Netflix adaptation shifts the focus towards the main love triangle between Adriana, Brayden, and Freddie. The latter returns to Russo Rink a while after he and Adriana end their ice dance partnership, and there is noticeable tension in the air. Freddie is now paired up with Riley Monroe (Millie Davis), and they are giving it their all to get on the podium at the World Figure Skating Championships. When Adriana decides to partner with Brayden, the competition is on, but so is the intrigue over who Adriana's heart really belongs to.

Keys and Ambrozic's onscreen chemistry gives their characters' pretend romance authenticity, enough to both attract sponsors and save Russo Rink from bankruptcy. From their first steamy dance in Episode 2 onward, you can't help but see why people on the outside would think that these two are more than just a skating pair. Still, the series could've leaned into more of their dating façade, especially in the context of social media. In Iacopelli's novel, the characters do what they can to capitalize on their public image, making their arrangement even more complicated when Adriana begins to wonder if part of her is really interested in Brayden beyond their farce. Nonetheless, the Netflix adaptation does make room to depict Brayden and Freddie's dynamic outside the love triangle, which turns out to be a pleasant addition. The two characters both come from complicated households, and they do bond despite their shared feelings for the same girl.

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'Finding Her Edge' Is Elevated by Three Brilliant Performances

Despite its romantic focus, Finding Her Edge is at its best when spotlighting the Russo sisters' complex dynamic. From an early age, Elise was pressured to be a figure skating star and carry the family name to new heights. When an accidental fall prevents her from competing in the World Championships, it's like part of her identity has been lost. She no longer knows what to do aside from being on the ice, and as her spotlight dims, the more her resentment towards Adriana grows. After all, Adriana had never had to work as much as she did to get to the top, and now all eyes are on her and Brayden. Elise's development throughout the series is a highlight, with Alexandra Beaton's captivating portrayal allowing the character to transform from a mean girl to the ultimate team player.

Finding Her Edge also explores how all three Russo siblings are trying to cope with their family's financial burden, often having to sacrifice their own desires to follow in their parents' footsteps. Maria (Alice Malakhov), the youngest sister, wants a normal life where she gets to go out with school friends after hours or venture into the pages of a Jane Austen novel instead of practicing her spins. With each sister wrestling with who they are in a context where their futures are laid out for them, they do sometimes fight, but always end up being each other's support system. Their scene at the end of the series is an emotional one, considering all that they've done to uphold their family's crumbling empire.

'Finding Her Edge' Should've Spent More Time on the Ice

Image via Netflix

Love triangles and family drama aside, Finding Her Edge does falter when it comes to the ice dancing element. Most of the time, the characters are preparing for performances in a dance studio as opposed to the rink, which prevents viewers from seeing them evolve in the sport. With the narrative emphasizing that Freddie, Riley, Adriana, and Brayden are at the level of other talented, Olympic-caliber athletes, it's hard to stay immersed in the story when the ice sequences are predominantly brought to life by stunt doubles. It is a big ask to feature actors who are also professional skaters, but more back-and-forth editing between close-up shots of the actors and wide shots of the stunt doubles would've made those performances more exhilarating.

All things considered, if you're looking for a YA drama that is easy-to-watch, aimless fun, Finding Her Edge does fit the bill. It offers a love triangle that'll keep you entertained and provides character development beyond the book that inspired the series. It isn't up to par with Spinning Out when it comes to its ice dance sequences and the more emotional layers that Kaya Scodelario's short-lived series provided, but it's cozy enough to keep you invested from start to finish. With an unexpected twist in the finale, the hope is that Finding Her Edge does get picked up for Season 2 so that it can lean into even more skating rivalry and messy romances.

Release Date January 22, 2026

Network Netflix

Writers Jennifer Iacopelli

Cast

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  Madelyn Keys

  Adriana Russo

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  Alice Malakhov

  Maria Russo

Pros & Cons

• Madelyn Keys and Cale Ambrozic's chemistry makes the series' love triangle more compelling.
• The show goes beyond the book, growing the Russo sisters' complex dynamic.
• Adriana Beaton makes Elise's character development a series highlight.

• The series would've benefited from leaning more into the plot's fake dating arrangement.
• Viewers don't get to see the characters improve their performances on the ice.
• The ice dancing sequences are few and far between.