Ice Hard

Great first time read by author Tracy Goodwin. I loved the book, my only complaint is that it said in the blurb that you could read as a stand-alone.......not really. I did it again, starting a series on the 2nd book. I kind of felt left out in the beginning because the talk was on Chris & Serena & their upcoming wedding & implying about the funny incident that brought them together, as well as some of the quirky teammates that were at the bachelor party & the jerk who got traded. After I got past that I totally enjoyed the book. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much as I did at the antics in this book in a while. Both Nick & Cami were strong, sensitive characters. I loved how they were both knocked for a loop when meeting for the first time & how Cami tried not to like nick but couldn’t. Happiness isn’t high on Cami’s list because she doesn’t think she deserves it, but Nick is determined to prove to her that the past isn’t important & the future can be whatever they want it to be & he’s not the cheating hockey player her ex is. Nick was such a romantic that he had me swooning at times. This book was not only funny & very sexy, but sad as well with the knowledge of what Cami experienced & her family’s betrayal. The story grabbed hold of me & didn’t let go. I’m sad that it’s done. I’ll definitely be looking for more in this series. I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review.

ICE HARD is the second instalment in Tracy Goodwin’s contemporary, adult NEW YORK NIGHTHAWKS erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the professional hockey team the New York Nighthawks. This is professional hockey player Nick ‘the Dominator’ George, and bartender/bookkeeper Camille ‘Cami’ Benetti’s story line. ICE HARD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cami and Nick) ICE HARD follows the building relationship between professional hockey player Nick George, and bartender/bookkeeper Camille ‘Cami’ Benetti. Cami Benetti doesn’t do relationships, especially relationship involving professional hockey players but meeting Nick George at his best friend’s bachelor party gave Cami thoughts about second chances. Having learned her lesson in the past, Cami struggled with the potential for infidelity on the road but Nick George was nothing like Cami expected. Nick George is the perfect man for our story line heroine although Cami battles between head and heart believing heart break is waiting for the opportune time. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Cami and Nick, and the potential fall-out as Cami struggles with family betrayal, and heart break from the past.

Cami Benetti has one goal in mind-owning and operating the family run Italian restaurant but having spent her entire life proving herself worthy, Cami knows it is only a matter of time before she finds herself on the outside looking in. Past betrayal has left Cami broken and hardened to the idea of never finding love, but finding Nick George means the possibility of second chances. Nick George wants what his best friend and fellow hockey player has-his own happily ever after, and Nick believes he has found it in our heroine Cami Benetti but convincing Cami she is worthy will take more than simple wooing and love.

The relationship between Cami and Nick is one of immediate attraction but Cami refuses to give into Nick’s attempts to flirt and seduce. Only promising one night together, with no strings, Cami will soon discover Nick is the real deal. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Nick’s fellow teammates: Christian Chase and his fiancé Serena (Ice Hot #1) ; teammates Theo ‘Thor’ Ture, Damon ‘the Demon’ DeLaurentis, Ryan ‘Lucky’ McGee, and Alexi ‘The Vamp’ Vladislav; Cami’s best friend and cousin Sally Benetti, and Cami’s siblings including Mike (and Kayla), Matty, Beth (and Scott), and Ben, as well as their father Tony Benetti.

ICE HARD is a story of family, friendship, past betrayals, and moving forward. The fast paced premise is engaging and captivating; the characters are numerous, energetic and flirty although the Benetti clan leaves something to be desired; the romance is seductive and intense. ICE HARD is a welcome and wonderful addition to the author’s New York Nighthawks hockey romance series.

Nick plays hockey on the same team as Christian from Ice Hot (the first book in the series) and he meets Cami at Christian's bachelor party. Nick is immediately smitten. Cami wants no part of dating a hockey player ... been there, done that! Can Nick persuade Cami to give him a chance?

This is a good smutty hockey story ... I just found it very predictable. But I did fall in love with Nick ... who wouldn't? He just seemed so sweet and honorable ... you know, too good to be true! And if I were Cami, I would have kicked my family to the curb.

I received an early copy courtesy of Random House-Loveswept through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.