Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Snapping the Ice
SERIES: The Games We Play -Season 2 Multi-Author series
AUTHOR: Christie Gordon
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 322 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 5, 2025
BLURB:
I came for the contract. I stayed for a man who makes me disregard every rule I’ve ever known.
Lucas Hopkins
I’ve given everything to hockey — skipped college, left friends behind, all for a shot at the pros and a spot next to my brother. The contract is within reach. No distractions.
Then the PR team announces a shirtless calendar shoot to drum up buzz.
I expect awkward poses and fake smiles.
Instead, I find him.
Ezra Turner, all broody eyes and soft lips, moves behind the camera like poetry. His rare smile hits me harder than any check on the ice.
I’ve never been attracted to guys. That’s my brother’s story, not mine.
But maybe this isn’t about labels.
Maybe it’s about him. About us.
Ezra Turner
I’ve learned to keep my heart locked tight.
A crumbling relationship and years of scars have taught me that lesson well.
Then Lucas Hopkins barrels into my life — all cocky charm and surprising tenderness. He wants to protect me, but it’s his own heart on the line. I see it every time he looks at me.
He’s fighting something raw and real.
And I don’t know if I’m brave enough to fall for someone who’s still questioning.
But maybe this kind of love is worth the shot.
Snapping the Ice is a book in the multi-author, Games We Play hockey series (season two) and has ties to the Desert Ice Hockey series. It features a bi-sexual awakening, found hockey family, some forced proximity and a broken man clawing his way to happiness.
Grab your copy today for a romance packed with hard hits, soft hearts, and a love that goes overtime.
REVIEW:
I have really enjoyed all of author Christie Gordon’s books in these interconnected series. From the Knot Me band’s Rock U series, that were featured in the photo shoot with Ezra. To the Desert Ice Hockey series, where we got to know all the Squad, the all queer ASU hockey players that lived together, and got to know Mason and Jett and the others. Plus the Desert Football guys too!
Lucas Hopkins has a goal in sight. Play hard with the PHL Firebirds so he can be moved up to the NAPH Cardinals. Then the Hopkins brothers can play together at the top level of hockey. He has placed everything on hold in his short life to score the big win in his life. And he knows that he not only has his big brother Mason in his court but Jett, Mason’s husband. And all of Mason’s Squad bros too. But his life is rocked to the core when the photographer for the Firebird’s calendar shoot perks his interest. Lucas has never once thought about hooking up with a man. That’s Mason’s deal. But Ezra Turner has literally jumbled up his thoughts and he can’t get him out of his head. Especially after that douchecanoe of a boyfriend, Tate, seems extremely controlling and borderline abusive. He has no problem with Mason’s sexuality however he isn’t gay like his brother…or is he???
I had wondered about Mason’s little brother. I thought he would have got his own book in the Desert Ice Hockey series. But, when that series ended, I thought that was done. As soon as I read the blurb for this book in this Multi-Author series I just knew I had to have it. There are some minor changes on how professional hockey is set up due to this series constricts. But it doesn’t affect the book. It was just learning the new terms.
One character that stood out was Lucas’s roomie and teammate Evan. I loved that Evan would chirp on Lucas but it was obvious that the two men had become friends and had each others backs. And that Evan wasn’t phased when Lucas started learning that sexuality is fluid and he discovered he was bisexual. Evan was a great friend and support to both Lucas and Ezra.
And speaking of friends, I really love how everyone not only accepted Ezra, but folded him into their group. He went from being very isolated and controlled to being included and happy for the first time in quite awhile. Tate’s isolating behavior is not uncommon in abusive and over-the-top controlling relationships. They don’t want their mate to focus on anyone but them. And they don’t want their mate’s friends to start questioning behaviors seen that aren’t healthy. Tate was stereotypical abuse boyfriend and control freak behavior. I loved that Lucas and Evan recognized it immediately and made room in their home and lives to protect him. And I especially loved how Ezra learned to smile again.
I also enjoyed the addition of Stella, the spunky and protective neighbor of Ezra’s. She became such an important support and guide for Ezra. And, boy oh boy, did that woman have a backbone!
This book is filled with love but also major drama in the form of a boyfriend that couldn’t accept defeat and the words “no, I’m done”. Thankfully Ezra had Lucas to show him what real love and true caring are.
RATING: 
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