Erin Hardee's Reviews > Ice Cold Player

Rating 4.25⭐️
Spice 3.5🌶

This is a new author for me, and I enjoyed this book. It did take me a bit to get into it. I even skipped over a few pages towards the beginning, just until I got really into this book. I felt, personally, that it took a bit for me to enjoy this book. But around 25% into it, I really started to enjoy it. It's nothing towards the author or her writing. This book was written really well, I just had a hard time getting into the characters at first.

Eva is a very rich but bratty and bi+chy character. She is very determined and smart but likes to argue and bit back. Especially towards Gavin. Her life really is a mess, and she had so much on her plate. She is part of the cheer squad at TU and taking on a degree and career that would have made her brother proud. She does everything to make others happy, but nobody gets by her boss attitude. She finds herself homeless, with her rich father taking her she must go on dates he picks out or he isn't paying for her senior year in college. There is 1 person at that college she can't stand, and it's Gavin.

Gavin is captain of the hockey team and is already going to play for the NHL in Dallas. He can't mess up like he did in his past. Dallas and his agent had their eyes on him to make sure things don't happen like they did 3 years ago. He has a twin brother, Danny, who even looks just like Gavin, even down to the same tattoos. Danny uses Gavin to switch places with him for tests and work. Gavin wants to be a good brother and help, even though he thinks Danny is screwing up. He helps everyone out and has to be the best at hockey he can be. He can't afford to mess up.

Gavin sees Eva crying one day in the courtyard of the coffee place he works at. Even though they don't get along, he wants to help her. He let's Eva and her duck Henry, whose a girl, lol, move in with him and his 3 roommates. They have this attraction and chemistry that is crazy hot. His rule is that no one in the house can touch or date her... except him, of course. When they get together, it's hot and beautiful. Eva learns to trust him, even though she had a reason for hating him. She tells him things that she doesn't share with anyone.

Gavin can't stand her going on these dates her father sets up. He can't stand her being around any other guy. Even though Eva has no plans to actually date these guys, she did it to appease her father. Gavin can't help but step in and protect her. Even though Eva fights it at first, he finally wears down her walls she had put up. Gavin wants Eva. Not just for sex, but wants it all. He wants the relationship. Eva agrees to date him, but only in secret. Her father doesn't think she can choose a man suitable for herself. Gavin hates hiding their relationship but will do anything as long as he has her. He plays better with her around and is his best self with her. But Eva thinks it will never last. He can't be long term. Will it be enough for Gavin, though? Will things finally go wrong and mess up their whole roommate arrangement? Will Eva finally do what she wants for once?

Gavin's hockey roommates. Cole, Reese, and Mase are great, and I find myself wanting their books. They are funny and take care of Eva's duck like their in a committed relationship with that dang thing. It comical to read how they take care of Henry. Mase is the grouchy goaly that lives in the basement. He had some secrets and hidden past that I'm ready to read. I love a good hockey goalie book. I hope his comes soon and not last like most hockey series I read.

I read this book as an ARC through Wordsmith Publicity and this is my honest opinion.

Tropes:
- Hockey Romance
- Enemies to Lovers
- Roommates to Lovers
- Close Proximity
- Found Family
- Shared Trauma

Trigger Warnings:
- Death of Sibling
- Death of Parents
- Shared Trauma