Hockey’s resident bad boy is hell on skates. But when he falls in love, he falls hard. “Tracy Goodwin is an author to watch.”—Kelly Jamieson, USA Today bestselling author of the Aces Hockey series 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 … 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. . . .
Tracy Goodwin’s seductive New York Nighthawks novels can be read together or separately:
ICE HOT • ICE HARD
This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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“—he’s more than sex on a stick. He’s genuine, and unlike any man I’ve ever met, let alone dated. I don’t know how much longer I can resist his charms.”
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I’ve confirmed it’s not a fluke, she’s so very talented and her words are life. I devoured this story. I could not put it down.
Nick’s nickname is the Dominator. He dominates on the ice and knows how to get under the skin of his opponents. He does his research and learns what buttons to push to get results. He loves his job, hockey makes him happy, but it’s not everything. Now that he sees what his best friend has, he wants that too. As he plans to be the best man at the wedding, he wants to bring a real date, not a puck bunny or one-night-stand. He wants more…
What he wants is Cami. If only he can figure out a way to get past her ‘no hockey players’ rule. He doesn’t know why she has that rule, but it’s obvious that there’s a good reason for it. Someone has hurt her and he’s paying the price. Being the negotiator that he is, he convinces her to attend the wedding as his date. At least it’s a start, right? Surely he will be able to change her mind about hockey players, they aren’t all bad.
Cami is badass. She’s sarcastic and unapologetic about her choices. I loved her immediately and totally understood Nick’s infatuation. I was very intrigued by her, beyond curious about her past. What has caused her to give up on relationships? “—I’m broken and can’t be fixed.”
Though she fights it, hard, the chemistry between them is hot enough to melt the ice. Yes, she has legit reasons for being wary. She makes Nick work ‘hard’ to earn her trust. Hell, she just makes Nick HARD period. “I want her to reconsider her rule. I want her to see me, not what she perceives hockey stars to be.”
I’m addicted to the New York Nighthawks series and can’t wait to spend more time with the team. I’ve already got my eye on a few that need a strong woman to soften up some of their hardness, but only in the heart region. The line forms here…
I absolutely loved every single thing about this book. From beginning to the very end. Nick the “Dominator” George is the absolute PERFECT BOOK-BOYFRIEND.
Nick is one of the sweetest Hero’s I’ve read and he will have you swooning page after page. Even though he’s the Dominator on the ice, his heart is soft, he’s a smart jock and he’s so handsome.
Camille has been burned by one hockey player. So it’s a big NO on dating other ones. Until a chance meeting with Nick happens. He starts to change her thinking on things. He’s different than everybody else. She doesn’t want to give in to him. But she can’t stop herself. She can put the breaks on it but Nick just steamrolls her thoughts and actions.
I loved this book. It was addictive with characters who you fall in love with.
Highly recommended.
“I was given a free advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.*
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.
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.
Pretty good book by this author. It was the first for me by her and I really enjoyed it. I’m not much of a hockey fan but I do love reading romances about them. Great characters and great story.
Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
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!!
Another good sports romance. Camille is sarcastic and self reliant and she’s sworn off hockey players. Nick is protective and loyal and determined to prove to Cami that he is nothing like her ex. Their journey has some ups and downs but they find their HEA.
My name is Nick George and I’m a hockey player for the New York Nighthawks. Women tell me I’m a catch and I could have a different one in my bed every night, but I’ve gotten tired of the puck bunnies and the meaningless sex. When I meet Camille Benetti, she’s totally different than the girls I meet. First of all she’s not interested in dating hockey players and won’t give me the time of day. But I am tenacious and I will prove to her that I’m different.
One thing Camille can say about Nick, he is persistent. No matter what I say, he doesn’t give up on me. Then he asks me for a favor. His best friend and fellow hockey teammate is getting married and he wants me to go as his date. What Nick doesn’t know is that I was hurt by a hockey player that I was in love with years ago, which is the reason of my rule not to date them. Now that I’ve agreed to go as Nick’s date, I know it will be harder to say no to him. Can I trust another hockey player again?
I received a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Action packed, sexy, fun and highly entertaining romantic journey filled with exciting charters, fun witty banter, emotional turns and thrilling passion…… was a great read from beginning to end. Really loved this fun and exciting adventure. Great reading!
Nick is such a refreshing male leading character – a professional league hockey player who is smart, kind, honest, sincere, not a player…really a perfect guy!
Camille begins as the stereotypical “I don’t date (fill-in-the-blank sport) professional athletes because I’ve been hurt by one in a relationship before” type of character. But as the story progresses, we see that Cali has been effected by many more issues than that. There’s a lot of challenges for her: family issues, career decisions and a past she is still dealing with. (Avoiding spoilers here!).
And yet through it all, there’s Nick. Strong, dependable, and genuinely unwavering.
A great story – very touching!
Goodwin has me rethinking my stand on sports romance. Ice Hard takes the drama off the ice and into the real world. Cami and Nick have quite a bit to learn when it comes to matters of the heart. The player is about to get played and with a little help from fate, maybe find his perfect match. Ice Hard is a tidal wave of emotion. From the humorous dialogue to the heated tension and the battle weary drama, Ice Hard proves itself to be a triple threat. Author, characters and story score gold in the heart of this romantic.
Wow! This was my first time reading a book by this author, but it will not be my last!
I was drawn in and hooked on this story the moment I started reading. The characters, the story line and the chemistry made this one heck of an awesome book to read! I absolutely loved these characters. Nick is a cocky playboy who finally realizes that what he really wants in life is to settle down. When he sets his sights on Cami he definitely has his work cut out for him because she is dead set on her no relationship with hockey players rule. The problem is that the chemistry between the two is hotter than even she can deny and soon sparks are flying.
Trust me, you will not be disappointed! Grab this book ASAP!
By Alisa
Ice Hard definitely packs in the steaminess, mix in that the hero is a bit of an alpha, yet sweet and kind. Makes Nick, a rather unique and intriguing character.
I truly enjoyed this read, normally I’m used to the hero being the one with commitment issues, but it was the heroine this time. She’s holding quite a few insecurities that stem from a previous relationship, but there’s also another reason that’s much more heartbreaking.
I honestly couldn’t handle how adamant Camille was about not having a relationship with Nick, even when they’re absolutely perfect for one another. Nick gets all the points for how patient and persistent he was with Camille, plus this guy knows how to make you swoon for days.
There’s a lot different elements in Ice Hard, loved the playful banter between them, also that they could reach other like a book, it was like looking into each other’s soul. I loved that Tracy touched on an issue that so many women could relate to.
My one huge dislike was Camille’s family, after everything she’s repeatedly done for them. They show zero appreciation towards her, what they’ve done was nearly unforgivable.
This one is definitely my favorite in the series and I’m hoping to see more of Nick and Camille in books to come.
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM THE PUBLISHER. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**
Tracy Goodwin
I am really excited about this new series from Tracy Goodwin, sports romances, particularly hockey related ones are some of my favorite contemporary romance genres. This book came across my desk and honestly as you can tell I haven’t been overly active on the blog lately, but I could not pass up the chance to find a series to bring me out of my slump and I am glad that I said yes, instead of I don’t have time. I will say that I went back and read book one, Ice Hot, before diving into this one and while it isn’t necessary as they can be read as stand-alones, I do think it upped my enjoyment of this book because I had a full understanding of the relationship between Nick and Christian, team members of the Nighthawks and best friends.
Nick is not your typical bad boy hockey player, even if that’s what the media wants you to think, he’s less player and more heart than he lets on and that will make you love him all the more. His heart is as puny and silly as this sounds seriously the heart of this book. This big bad hockey enforcer has a heart of gold that just wants to be loved and love in return, be that in his platonic relationships and his romantic ones. I have to say one of my favorite things is watching his interactions with Christian and Serena, (Christian’s fiancé) the way he is unsure if he was still an important part of Christian’s life after his engagement, it’s so ‘real life’ and nice to see from a male’s (especially an ‘Alpha’) perspective.
Then there is the relationship between Nick and Cami. First thing I will say is that even in the first book, these relationships feel a bit ‘Insta-love’ which isn’t always a favorite of mine, but I appreciate the fact that Tracy acknowledges that these relationships are fast paced. She gives us that ‘boom’ moment then allows the relationship to play out in a way that while you know they fell hard and fast, they also have time to come to terms with each other and what their feelings mean. Nick falls harder and faster than Cami, and that’s quite refreshing to see. He’s the one that has to do the chasing instead of her, which I don’t feel like we typically get in contemporary, heck any, romances. Cami has a lot of baggage to get past and I loved how Nick was there every step of the way, standing beside her, especially when it comes to her family, not pushing but not letting her feel that she’s alone.
Their romance is both steamy and emotional and it all blends together seamlessly together that it gives you that emotional high you love from a romance novel, as well as that feel good emotion from watching someone over come a hurtful past and find not only love but their true self in the process. Of course with it being a sports romance you also get lots of time with the team and watching their interactions and some ice action too.
The New York Nighthawks is going to be your next favorite hockey romance series and luckily for us, it looks as though this could be a nice long series with some great characters and romantic possibilities.
I really enjoyed Nick and Cami’s romance. I loved the banter and snark from Cami and fell hard for Nick. I enjoyed see them grow together and Cami opening up and letting her guard down. Cami’s repeated internal struggles and her family were a bit to take at times, but overall, I really enjoyed this book. The epilogue was fantastic!
I love all the secondary characters. The team is a great bunch and I can’t wait for more of their stories!
This was a really great, fast weekend read. I felt that both main characters meshed well together. They were both independent and Cami was slightly stubborn, but she had good reason. I felt that the ‘names’ for the Nighthawk players were a little overdone. At first it was just confusing but then towards the end it got less confusing. Other than that, I’d recommend this book and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. I was offered an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Nighthawks are back and if you love to read hockey romance than this is a definite must click for you. I loved the family ties that is all over this newest release that doesn’t disappoint. Nick and Cami were great characters that had strong chemistry and sizzling attractions that made for some hot loving. You can feel the emotions of Cami’s character finding love again and dealing with family was a tear jerker. I couldn’t ask for a better men than Nick to make her see that their is the right person for her. I fell in love with their story and this series that gets better and better.
I really like Camille “Cami” Benetti. She is smart, funny, sexy and strong. She has a big heart and loves her family. Nick “The Dominator” George is a hockey player that underneath it all, is a nerd. He is all about his family and restoring old cards. In his quest to find the perfect date for his best friends wedding, he joins a dating app. Unfortunately, he meets Cami the old fashion way. Nick is all about making plans and achieving them. Cami doesn’t stand a chance. She has her reasons for not dating hockey players but she never stood the chance. I love how the author takes us through family dynamics and how everyone sees it differently. They are so perfect for each other.
I received this as an ARC from Net Galley and I really liked this book. The H is so supportive and loving with h, and she is just a delight! This was a lovely, loving read and I kept going to get to the end. Very readable and easy to get through. I would read again-very sweet story.