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Books M M Romance Iced Out

Leighton U #1

Iced Out
by C.E. Ricci 2022 358 pages

4.13 33k+ ratings

M M Romance Sports Romance Romance

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Key Takeaways
1. A High School Rivalry Ignites with Accusations
and Violence

“You’re my fucking problem.”

Hockey passion vs. legacy. Oakley Reed, a talented high school

hockey player, finds peace and purpose on the ice, separate from
the shadow of his famous hockey family (father Travis Reed, uncle
Trevor Reed). After winning the city championship, he offers a
compliment to rival Quinton de Haas, who reacts with explosive
anger.
Accusations of nepotism. Quinton, seething from the loss, slams
Oakley against a wall, accusing him of winning only because his
wealthy father paid off the refs. This hits a nerve for Oakley, who
struggles to make his own name outside his family's legacy.
Violence erupts. Quinton's relentless taunts about Oakley's
privilege and family name push Oakley past his limit. Despite his
usual calm demeanor, Oakley throws the first punch, cementing
their animosity.

2. Collegiate Collision: Rivalry Undermines Team

Performance
 We don’t mesh on the ice.

Unexpected teammates. Four years later, Oakley and Quinton

find themselves on the same collegiate team at Leighton University.
Their intense high school rivalry continues, creating friction both on
and off the ice.
Impact on team play. Their inability to work together affects the
team's performance, particularly when they are on the same line.
Quinton's tendency to be a "puck hog" and ignore Oakley when
he's open frustrates Oakley and costs the team scoring
opportunities.
Coach's frustration. Coach (Oakley's uncle) notices their conflict
and tries to force them to find common ground, but their animosity
persists, fueled by constant barbs and digs at each other.

3. A Framed Drug Test Leads to Suspicion and a

Captaincy Shift

“You tested positive.”

Mandatory drug testing. The NCAA mandates drug testing at

Leighton after players at other schools test positive for
performance-enhancing drugs. The team undergoes testing.
Quinton's positive result. Quinton is shocked to learn he tested
positive for hydrocodone (Vicodin), a drug he insists he has never
used. He believes there must be a mistake, perhaps a swapped
sample.
Oakley becomes captain. Due to the positive test, Coach
suspends Quinton and names Oakley the temporary captain.
Quinton is furious, seeing this as another instance of Oakley
benefiting from nepotism. Oakley overhears his roommate,
Braxton, implying he played a part in getting Quinton suspended,
sparking Oakley's suspicion that Braxton framed him.

4. Reckless Hookup Sparks a Winning Superstition

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Reputation tarnished. Despite his retest coming back negative,

Quinton's reputation is damaged, and he feels "iced out" by the
team. His father's continued disapproval of his hockey career adds
to his misery.
Frat party encounter. Oakley sees Quinton at a party and
overhears his father's harsh words. He tries to talk to Quinton, who
pushes him away. Their verbal sparring escalates, leading Quinton
to pull Oakley into a bathroom.
A spontaneous act. Challenged by Oakley's skepticism about his
abilities, Quinton performs oral sex on Oakley. The intense
encounter leaves both men reeling and questioning their
assumptions about each other and themselves.
Superstition forms. Quinton, noting the timing of their hookup
before their first win, develops a theory that their sexual
encounters are linked to the team's success.

5. Enemies with Benefits: Winning Streak and

Unexpected Intimacy

We need to start hooking up more.

The proposal. Quinton proposes a deal to Oakley: they should

hook up before games as a superstition to keep the winning streak
going. Oakley initially dismisses it as delusional but is swayed by
the team's recent success and his own desire to win.
Rules and boundaries. They agree to a "no one knows" rule,
limiting hookups to the nights before games and avoiding anal sex.
Despite the rules and their lingering animosity, their sexual
encounters are intense and addictive.
Intimacy grows. As they continue hooking up, they become more
comfortable and vulnerable with each other, sharing personal
details and spending time together outside of sex, blurring the lines
of their "enemies with benefits" arrangement.
6. Beyond the Ice: Vulnerability, Family, and
Deepening Connection

I think I’m addicted to the taste of your cum.

Addiction to each other. Their physical connection deepens,

becoming more intimate and experimental (oral sex, mutual
masturbation, anal play). They realize they are becoming addicted
to each other, not just the sex or the winning.
Sharing vulnerabilities. They open up about their families:
Quinton's neglectful parents who prioritize business over his
happiness, and Oakley's supportive but legacy-focused family.
Quinton reveals his lucky puck superstition and the meaning behind
his tattoos.
Blurring lines. Their time together extends beyond hookups to
include studying and spending time together during break. They
share a tender kiss in public, signaling a shift in their relationship
beyond just a physical arrangement.

7. Betrayal Uncovered: Fallout, Silence, and

Heartbreak
 You might not have held the gun, but you still helped pull the
trigger.

The discovery. After having sex at his parents' penthouse,

Quinton finds Oakley's Vicodin bottle. He confronts Oakley, realizing
Oakley knew about Braxton's involvement in tampering with the
drug test.
Confrontation and heartbreak. Quinton is devastated by
Oakley's betrayal, accusing him of prioritizing his friendship with
Braxton and the captaincy over Quinton's career and trust. He feels
used and heartbroken.
Public exposure. Their heated argument is overheard by Oakley's
roommates, who learn about their secret relationship. Quinton
leaves, feeling completely shattered.
Consequences for Braxton. Braxton admits to swapping the
sample lids to frame Quinton, believing he was helping Oakley. He
is removed from the team and the university.

8. Seeking Forgiveness Amidst Despair

I didn’t know that I would care about what Braxton did or

didn’t do because I didn’t know I would fall in love with you.
Silence and suffering. Three weeks pass with no contact
between Oakley and Quinton outside of hockey. Oakley is
miserable, tormented by the silence and the knowledge of the pain
he caused.
Attempted reconciliation. Oakley goes to Quinton's apartment,
desperate to talk. Hayes initially tries to turn him away, but Quinton
appears, cold and distant.
Confession and plea. Oakley apologizes profusely, explaining he
didn't know the full extent of Braxton's actions but admits he
suspected something and didn't act. He confesses that seeing the
real Quinton changed him and that he fell in love with him.
Quinton's pain. Quinton acknowledges Oakley's change but is
deeply hurt by the betrayal. He lists the qualities he wanted in a
partner, culminating in the need for someone who wouldn't betray
him, leaving Oakley with little hope.

9. Frozen Four Bound: NHL Future and a

Surprising Revelation

My name’s Louis Spaulding.

Team success continues. Despite the personal turmoil, the team

continues winning, securing a spot in the Frozen Four tournament.
Quinton is back as captain, playing exceptionally well.
NHL interest. After the game that clinches their Frozen Four spot,
Coach calls Quinton aside to introduce him to Louis Spaulding, a
prominent NHL agent interested in representing him. This is a major
step towards Quinton's dream career.
A surprising recommendation. Louis Spaulding reveals that
Oakley Reed recommended Quinton and spoke highly of his talent.
He also casually refers to Oakley as Quinton's "boyfriend."
Stunned realization. Quinton is left speechless, processing the
agent's interest, Oakley's unexpected recommendation, and the
casual use of the term "boyfriend," which suggests Oakley has
been open about their relationship despite their agreement.

Last updated: May 17, 2025

Review Summary

4.13 out of 5
Average of 33k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Iced Out is a popular M/M hockey romance featuring

enemies-to-lovers Quinn and Oakley. Readers praise the
chemistry, banter, and spicy scenes, though some felt the
pacing was rushed. The book balances angst, humor, and
steamy moments, with many readers connecting emotionally
to the characters. Some criticize the plot as predictable or
unrealistic, but most found it an enjoyable, quick read. The
audiobook narration received positive feedback. While not
universally loved, it's highly rated by fans of the genre and
leaves readers eager for the next installment in the series.
About the Author

C.E. Ricci is a USA Today and international bestselling author

known for her romance novels. She finds inspiration in
nature, photography, and travel, often incorporating these
elements into her writing. Ricci's work focuses on epic love
stories and has garnered a dedicated fan base. She engages
with readers through her Facebook group and is represented
by Two Daisy Media for publishing matters. Ricci's writing
style is praised for its ability to create realistic and relatable
love stories with strong main characters. Her interests include
hiking, dogs, and music, which often influence her
storytelling. Ricci's success in the romance genre has
established her as a prominent figure in contemporary fiction.