This was...pretty bad. Lots of showing us and not telling us why the main characters (can't remember their names) are so good together, but isn't the whole point of a romance novel for us to follow the journey the couple goes on together? I didn't feel anything about them. I am glad that there wasn't a magical miracle pregnancy in the epilogue, but that's about all I have to say.

Nick: As one of the New York Nighthawks, I’ve got it all: fame, success, wealth, plus I’m handsome as hell.
As for my relationships? They could be better.
I know how to do one-night stands, but I’m starting to crave something more.
Then I meet Camille Benetti.
She’s sexy, smart, sarcastic—totally my kind of girl.
The only problem? Cami doesn’t date hockey players.
But she’s never met me. . . .
Cami: Nick George is impossible to resist. Not only is he scorching hot, he’s kind, he’s funny, and he wants me bad.
But I learned my lesson the hard way: no jocks.
So why do I agree to be Nick’s date to the wedding of the year?
One night . . . that’s our deal.
He is the best man, after all.
But Nick is crystal clear about his intentions. He wants a relationship.
And he’s tempting me to break all my rules. . . .
I wasn’t really sure how I was going to feel about this boo. This theme can go either way on the scale of good read vs. bad read, but I love the books with athletes (no idea why) so I try them when I see them. I really enjoyed this story. Nick is pretty much past the sleep around characters I hate and is ready for the long-term, a thing that made me really like him right from the start. I really liked Cami as well. I look forward to reading more from this author. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I have been absolutely addicted to sports romance lately. The start of the book tended to be absurdly repetitive on some stuff but gradually it got better. I love the couple, they are great together. Oh my goodness and her family reminds me of mine. Her issue was really not something that would or should have kept her out of a relationship. Otherwise I wouldn't be in one, honestly it sort of pained me to read on how unrealistic that was. She did grow and learn but still, there are MUCH better ways to write this topic. One moment she's acting like it's not a date the next moment she's jumping down his throat. Same with them falling in love. Even though I literally could not put this book down. I will definitely not read this book again, it could have been written so much better. It honestly had some great details even a re-write could make it better. I loved SO SO many parts of it like the characters and their growth, why she didn't want to date a hockey player, how their relationship went, how STRONG the female lead was. But it definitely needed another run with the edit, I did read a ARC so maybe it was fixed.

Genre: Contemporary Hockey Romance
Steamy?: Maybe
Cliffhanger?: No idea
Can be read as Standalone?: It’s possible
Rating: No rating

DNF @ 42%

I tried… twice. And I just couldn’t. And I completely think it’s me. The writing wasn’t horrible… I just couldn’t connect - connect with the story... the characters... the humor... I just couldn’t! I did find the story to be a little heavier on the Rom-Com than I like so maybe there lies the issue. I may try again in the future when I’m maybe in the headspace for a book like this but for now... It’s on the “I tried but couldn’t” list...

This is a story that will have you eating up the pages. It is a book that you are not going to want to put down guaranteed. The chemistry between the two is undeniable but Cami is going to put in a good fight to do just that. Once burned and twice shy and all that. Nick I determined though and is about to make her fight hard.

This was a fun sports romance. Goodwin masterfully portrays the world of hockey. This was a good read for an afternoon on the beach.
Many thanks to Loveswept and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my first book by this author. I greatly enjoyed it. 2019 has become the year of Hockey Romance for me. This one is very good, although the Hockey is not a large part of the story. I will look for more books to read by this author

Nick is a hockey player and he has it all. He has fame, charm and good looks but he can't get past one night stands and he would like a relationship. He meets Camille and all that changes for him. He can't get Camille to take him seriously since she has a no date rule for sports players. Can Nick get a chance with Camille? Will Camille break her rule for the right guy? A great sports romance.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and am leaving a review.

I would give this 3.5 out of 5 stars. It has a good story line and likeable characters. Enjoyable read.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Infertility

Nick is loving his life. But now that he has friends that have started to find their forever person, Nick knows that he wants that too. He's down to earth, charming, a beast on the ice, and a fierce friend. When Nick runs into Camille at a bar where his friend is having his bachelor party, he knows that he wants to get to know her better. She intrigues him.

Cami is a fierce woman who always puts her family first. With her sister having marital issues, he dad still grieving the loss of his wife, and her brother needing someone to lean on at times, Cami has to be a jack of all trades for everyone but herself.

Nick's attempts at wooing Cami were fantastic. I loved their playful banter and how supportive they were of each other. It was sometimes inferred that their relationship had progressed, because you didn't really see it in the story. However, it worked for this story.

Cami's family was hard to take at times. I wanted to yell at them on more than one occasion. It frustrated me that Cami was so strong for them, but when they hurt her, she didn't really stand up for herself.

Overall, this was a great second book in the series. I really enjoy all of the characters and can't wait to read more.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
Nick is part of the Nighthawks hockey team and best friend to Chris, who is about to marry the girl of his dreams. As Nick watches his friend fall deeper in love, Nick is wondering if he will find his happily ever after. So he decides to take matters into his own hands by joining a dating site without telling his buddy.

The night of Chris' bachelor party, Nick meets Cami and he begins to see and feel that there might be something more between them. The attraction between them is off the charts. He tries to ask her out, but she shuts him down.

Cami doesn't date hockey players. Been there, done that, got divorced. She is attracted to Nick but there can only be one night with him. But she knows that Nick can be bad for her heart. She feels the way she reacts to his touch and the heat between them is so hot.

Will Nick be able to talk Cami into a date? Can Cami let her guard down and spend time with Nick? Will they have a chance at a future together?

I really like this series so far and can't wait to see which team member will be next. And you have to read this series because some of the pranks a few members play are so funny and "Lucky" will have you laughing out loud. I recommend this one and you have to read the first to follow along, but it is not necessary if you don't want to.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and I would recommend that you read them in order, as Chris and Serena's story is great, and as we get to see them marry and feature a lot in this book, it would give you a background to the team too.

In many ways this book deserves 4 stars, but for me it just missed the mark by setting up the drama so completely that I knew it was coming, and didn't really then ring quite true. I really liked both Nick and Camille, and how they were together, so forcing them apart seemed to be a mistake. I also found Nick and her father's bonding to seem a bit strangely timed. These disconnects did not stop me reading as I was keen to know that all worked out, but they did pull me out of the flow of the story.

If you enjoy hockey romances, then this will definitely appeal, and it is great to see Chris and Serena as well as the rest of the crazy team again – Thor and Lucky have to get lucky sometime soon!


Veronica – ☆☆☆
Nick meets Cami at his best friend's bachelor party and they hit it off. But Cami does not date hockey players. Nick does well to get around Cami's defences, but Cami's issues put some big hurdles in their path and the whole time they are flirting and dating, you feel like it is only a matter of time before she bolts.

Nick and Cami were a fun couple with good chemistry, but I found after their initial date that my interest started to wane a bit. Too much time is spent inside the characters' heads contemplating how they felt and quickly became repetitive. I briefly contemplated giving up reading, but I liked the characters and I wanted to see their story play out. Two thirds of the way in, the story really picked up and I loved the last third. It was engaging and full of drama and I zoomed through it. I think my favorite thing about this story is the message of the importance of family and that family about more than blood.

As a sport fan, I enjoyed Ice Hard because it was about more than sports. Hockey players that lives outside of sport and it was great to see Nick enjoying his life off the ice as well as on. This gets a sold three stars from me.

Good romance - some manufactured conflict when there doesn't seem to be a need for any but a happily ever after.

Nick is a hockey player, finally maturing a bit to want more than the frequent one night stands he has.
Cami has a motto. No jocks. No jocks like Nick.
But, she agrees to be his date to a wedding.
Will she cave?

A fun, fast-moving hockey romance that hits all the points. The characters are well-written, interesting, and fun to follow. They have a great banter that’s good snark, and a nice band-and-forth, that gives as good as it gets. The hero, Nick, is an alpha male, who is discovering his interest in a woman that’s more than sex. Cami, our heroine, has history with hockey players, and wants no part of Nick. The chemistry is great, and the romance builds well. It’s a really good read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. This is my freely given, honest review.

Cami doesn’t date hockey players. She NOT a puck bunny. But then she meets Nick. He’s steaming hot, but kind and funny. They agree to one night only, at his best friend’s wedding where Nick is the Best Man. Nick realizes then he wants more. Can and will Cami give that to him?

Hot and steamy is an understatement for the chemistry Cami and Nick share in this sexy hockey romance. The story stuck with me and was so enjoyable I bought the first book in the series as my next read and to find out how Chris and his wife met and fell in love.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Just like the first novel in this series, I loved this book. The characters are people that I came to care about and hoped that their romance would work out despite obstacles in their path. Tracy Goodwin creates strong male characters that are admirable.

This review is going to center on the book Ice Hard by Tracy Goodwin. I received an ARC through NetGalley. This was published on October 8th, and is the second book in the New York Nighthawks series. The first book in the series is Ice Hot.

The main characters in this book are Nicholas Alexander George (yep, three first names make up his name), a right winger and NHL league enforcer, and Camille Bennetti, a loyal daughter currently running the family’s Italian restaurant.

Nick meets Cami while she’s helping out working a bar shift during Nick’s best friend’s bachelor party. Nick can’t take his eyes off her and the two share some quick banter. The major problem, as he finds out, is that she doesn’t date hockey players. Cami’s tortured past slowly comes to light throughout the story. Nick plans to prove himself worthy of Camille any way he can.

Will Camille be able to stick to the one night deal, or will she end up wanting more, much more?

I enjoyed reading this book and read it during this past weekend’s 24 hour Dewey Readathon. I think Goodwin did a good job of making her characters imperfect. They were believable in their personalities. It was clear that the characters understood that relationships are hard and take work to maintain instead of the many romance novels that are a bit easier in getting to the Happily Ever After. Persistence was a big aspect of this book. I hope those of you that pick it up enjoy it!

Happy reading 🙂

4 stars

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, and heartbreak.

The below are part of this series if you want to read those books(s) first
Ice Hot (New York Nighthawks, #1)

This is Cami and Nick’s story. Nick has it all but a really great relationship. He’s great at the one-night stands but what happens when he wants more. He likes Cami and thinks he could have something with her, but she does not under any circumstances date hockey players. But when she agrees to one night, she believes that is all it will be. What she never understood was Nick is playing for keeps and is determined that she be his no matter what. Can he convince her that he is the one she wants forever? Or will she hold true to one night only?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

First time read of this author, but it will not be my last. Nick a hockey player and Cami does not date hockey players because her ex-husband is one and cheated on her, but you'll find out there's more to the story than that. Nick seemed almost too good to be real, but I loved him. I did have a hard time understanding Cami sometimes, her relationship with her father and her assuming her issues were not something anyone would be able to deal with, but overall I found this a good read and I will definitely read more by this author.

Hot men, hockey and romance...what’s not to love about this story. I fell in love with Nick instantly and was rooting hard for him to win Cami over. The chemistry is there along with a great story. This is one series I love and I cannot wait for the next story.

I didn't think I would like Ice Hard based on the synopsis. Honestly, I thought it was going to be all sex with a minimal plot. Yeah, I was more than surprised when I started to read the book. The plotline was amazing. As was Cami and Nick's relationship. I will say that I thought that Beth, Cami's sister, deserved a huge smack upside her head for the stunts she pulled in the book. I didn't like her. The sex was graphic but didn't overwhelm the book. The end gave me the warm fuzzies!!