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Iced Out

Iced Out

by C.E. Ricci 2022 358 pages
4.13
33k+ ratings
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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:

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.

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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.

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