Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Just Add Ice
SERIES: Games We Play
AUTHOR: L.C. Chase
PUBLISHER: Wild Roan Press
LENGTH: 160 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2024
BLURB:
Sparks fly when ice meets fire.
After eight years in the minors, Rayne “Rain the Pain” Hamilton has realized two things: One, his chances of getting called up to the Big Show are rapidly dwindling with each passing season; and two, he needs a plan for life after hockey. What he doesn’t bargain for is the gorgeous instructor at the fire training center he attends during the off season, who ignites his heart with burning desire.
Nick Seavers had a great life until his husband died suddenly, and his sun blinked out. His demanding career firefighting and teaching the next generation of firefighters are the only things keeping him sane. The last thing he wants is one of the new trainees, a larger-than-life hockey player with mischievous eyes, taking up space in his head and making him feel things he never thought he’d feel again.
As the heat rises between Rayne and Nick, Rayne receives an offer for a new contract and has to decide: Move to yet another city and start all over again or step off the ice and into the fire with Nick.
The Games We Play is a multi-author minor league hockey romance series! All titles run concurrently through the same hockey season and the books can be read in any order, so jump in anywhere!
REVIEW:
Nick Seavers is just existing. After the sudden death of his husband Geoff in an accident, the color has cone out of his life. His dog Roo and his job as a firefighter are the only things that keep him getting out of bed in the morning. He’s beginning a summer training program. One of his trainees is a very attractive – both physically and in personality – hockey player – Rayne Hamilton
Rayne has lived in Boulder for two years playing on the Boulder Blitz minor league team. It’s the longest he’s lived anywhere since he was 14 and moved into the hockey feeder system. He’s lived in many cities and he’s never put down roots. Hockey saved him from a neglectful childhood and he knows that. But now it’s time for him to find a home. He needs to think about life after hockey since he’s been in the minors for 8 years and its unlikely that he’ll get call to the big league at this point. He takes the firefighter entrance exam and he’s signed up for the summer training session. His first day he sort of flirts with one of the trainers 😉
Nick has guilty feeling about finally feeling something after his Geoff’s death. Geoff was his high school sweetheart and he never pictured himself with anyone else. But Rayne gets under his skin. Rayne asks Nick about why he doesn’t date and he does share his grief. Rayne doesn’t push and let’s Nick set the pace. Eventually Nick talks to his bestie who convinces him it’s not a betrayal of Geoff to find love again 🙂
Once Nick and Rayne get together, well it’s clear that they are great together. Rayne doesn’t want to move from Boulder and Nick doesn’t want to lose Rayne either. When push comes to shove, these guys are going to choose each other 🙂
This is a sweet romance with low angst, despite the loss of a spouse. Rayne has grown up without stability. Nick has never lived anywhere except Boulder – so totally opposite. But when Nick lets Rayne in, they can see a future together. There are some great supporting characters here – mostly in the firefighter community. In fact, there maybe is another couple of stories to be told here with side characters. Rayne is ready to trade his hockey career for true love for sure. Nick is ready to let new love into his life. Lovely story and recommended for hockey fans and HEA lovers.
RATING: 
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