A review by squill23
Iced Out by Veronica Eden

5.0

You know that book that has been sitting in your TBR pile for a while, and then when you finally read it, you think to yourself, "Why in the world did I wait this long? to read this book?" Well, for me, that was this book.

Let's start with Maya, who I would consider a super driven but down-to-earth college senior who is working hard to graduate a year early. She has sworn off dating hockey players due to a bad past experience—that is, until she finds herself being thrown over the shoulder of her brother's hockey rival after a game. With a challenge to "catch her," Maya's life will never be the same

Easton- is a resident hockey player who is hoping to get noticed and drafted in his final year of college hockey. When he sets his sights on something, or in this case, someone, he is all in on Maya, the spitfire, bar top dancing, and sassy sister of his hockey rival.

As Easton and Maya take the time to truly get to know each other, it is clear there is something more than friendship between them. For two people who have sworn off relationships for their own reasons, they cannot seem to stay away. As Easton proves to Maya that he is nothing like her ex—both in and outside of the bedroom—her walls come crumbling, especially when she needs him the most. But it is not one sided in support; Maya has put aside her hockey game ban and shows up to support and encourage Easton as he plays his most important season.

And I am a sucker for a friend group, I love the support both characters get from their friends, and I love seeing them interact with each other, they weren't just theirs, but they were necessary for the story. I mean, who doesn't have friends that make other friends dance to "My Pony" because it's tradition? Or a Friend who cooks for the Hockey house? or the protective " don't mess with my people, friend" or the "go get you some" girlfriend. It is because of these friends that all the characters jumped off the page and into life.

If you didn't believe in true love before reading, you will once you have finished.

A spicy, slow-burn, just the way I like it!