Top reviews from the United States

• 

  Amber

  5 out of 5 stars

  Cole might honestly be climbing my list of favorite dirty talking hockey players 😜

  Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2026

  Format: Paperback

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  When I read the trope list for Breaking New Ice, I knew it was going to be a home run. Grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, hockey romance. If that doesn’t scream me, I don’t know what does. Then we find out Cole was Cassie’s celebrity crush as a teenager, and I was at work on a Friday night kicking my feet and giggling.

  I loved how fully developed both Cole and Cassie were. As a reader, I felt like I really understood them. Cole’s backstory with his sister and his struggle between his life in the hockey league and being there for his family back in Maine will hit home for a lot of people. On top of that, the guilt he carries about what happened to his sister and how it holds him back added so much depth to his character. Cassie’s drive to make a name for herself in the sports world and establish herself in a male dominated field was so admirable. She truly felt like a ray of sunshine in a space that needs change and a breath of fresh air. I was rooting for her the entire time.

  The dynamic between Cole and Cassie was so good. From the moment they meet, with Cole throwing that giant Dunkin iced coffee that lands them in this unexpected babysitting situation, I was hooked.

  The banter and tension between them were done so well. There were so many moments where I was holding my breath just waiting for one of them to finally make a move. I loved that underneath Cole’s grumpy exterior, he is basically a giant teddy bear who would do anything for the people he loves, especially Cassie. And yes, the spice absolutely delivered. It balanced everything else perfectly and their chemistry was intense in the best way. Cole might honestly be climbing my list of favorite dirty talking hockey players.

  Overall, I really loved Breaking New Ice and I am so excited to see what Evie writes next. I would love to get stories for some of the side characters we met along the way.

  Thank you so much to Evie Keaton for the review copy Breaking New Ice!

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  Amber

  5 out of 5 stars

  Cole might honestly be climbing my list of favorite dirty talking hockey players 😜

  Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2026

  Format: Paperback

  When I read the trope list for Breaking New Ice, I knew it was going to be a home run. Grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, hockey romance. If that doesn’t scream me, I don’t know what does. Then we find out Cole was Cassie’s celebrity crush as a teenager, and I was at work on a Friday night kicking my feet and giggling.

  I loved how fully developed both Cole and Cassie were. As a reader, I felt like I really understood them. Cole’s backstory with his sister and his struggle between his life in the hockey league and being there for his family back in Maine will hit home for a lot of people. On top of that, the guilt he carries about what happened to his sister and how it holds him back added so much depth to his character. Cassie’s drive to make a name for herself in the sports world and establish herself in a male dominated field was so admirable. She truly felt like a ray of sunshine in a space that needs change and a breath of fresh air. I was rooting for her the entire time.

  The dynamic between Cole and Cassie was so good. From the moment they meet, with Cole throwing that giant Dunkin iced coffee that lands them in this unexpected babysitting situation, I was hooked.

  The banter and tension between them were done so well. There were so many moments where I was holding my breath just waiting for one of them to finally make a move. I loved that underneath Cole’s grumpy exterior, he is basically a giant teddy bear who would do anything for the people he loves, especially Cassie. And yes, the spice absolutely delivered. It balanced everything else perfectly and their chemistry was intense in the best way. Cole might honestly be climbing my list of favorite dirty talking hockey players.

  Overall, I really loved Breaking New Ice and I am so excited to see what Evie writes next. I would love to get stories for some of the side characters we met along the way.

  Thank you so much to Evie Keaton for the review copy Breaking New Ice!

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• 

  Tara

  4 out of 5 stars

  Ready for more Nor’easters hockey!!

  Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2026

  Format: Kindle

  Verified Purchase

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  I absolutely enjoyed this book and halfway through I checked to see if the author had other books I could read. I liked both main characters and the banter and chemistry was spot on. I hope the other Nor’easters get their own stories. A great fun read!!

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• 

  Kelsea Abston

  5 out of 5 stars

  my new fave hockey romance!

  Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2026

  Format: Paperback

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  Thank you to Evie Keaton for the opportunity to receive Breaking New Ice as an advanced copy!

  --

  What can I say...I'm going to need to get a physical copy of Breaking New Ice to add to my shelf ASAP!! This is definitely one of my new favorite hockey romances; highly recommend! Cassie and Cole are perfection--no notes to be given. The tension, the banter, the loving looks I can see so clearly in my mind...it's all so. well. done.

  ☆ women in sports

  ☆ grumpy x sunshine

  ☆ dislike to lovers

  ☆ mental health awareness

  ☆ she fell first, he fell harder

  ☆ found family

  I absolutely love the portrayal of Cassie as a total badass, but also a human ray of sunshine. So often, I feel like women are expected to be cold in order to be successful in male dominated fields. Cassie, however, proves that you can still be a good person and prioritize kindness while achieving your dreams. I also really loved that Cole supported her in that dream and fully cheered her on in any way that he could. Under that grumpy exterior, he truly is the biggest golden retriever boyfriend out there!

  On that note, Cole and Cassie were both fully fleshed out characters, which I really appreciated. They were allowed to be humans with complicated backstories, and I felt like that added an extra level of depth to both the overall story and to their relationship as a whole. Additionally, they're both strong people before they meet; they aren't portrayed as needing the other in order to face their obstacles. No spoilers, but Cassie is perfectly capable of handling things without Cole, and I love that.

  Finally, I really appreciated that the book wasn't just smut smut smut smut smut. Yes, there were some fantastic spicy scenes (kudos to you, Evie), but they weren't the whole storyline. There was depth, growth, and a whole storyline outside of those moments. Chef's kiss.

  Evie Keaton, consider me a fan! If this is only your first book, I can't wait to see where you go next! Personally, I'm very excited for Landon's story lol.

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• 

  Heather McCauley

  5 out of 5 stars

  would happily babysit cole taylor

  Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026

  Format: Kindle

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  Where 👏 to 👏 start 👏?! The man that you are Cole Taylor!!!

  First and foremost, thank you so so so much to Evie and team for sending me the ARC. It was so special to get to read Cassie and Cole’s story ahead of the pub date.

  Cassie Wells is a junior agent looking to land her next promotion. Her next assignment: babysit Cole Taylor, grumpy goalie extraordinaire who cannot seem to keep his name out of the press. If she’s able to turn his image around and avoid a trade at the end of the season for her boss’s client, the job is as good as hers. Should be easy, right?

  I could not put this one down and candidly have reread it about three times already. I love these characters so much and could not get enough. Their maturity, ability to communicate with each other and navigate their feelings, and support for one other through their careers (without compromise) was so refreshing.

  Cassie’s determination to not be overshadowed by her past, persistence to pave her way through a male dominated field (one cupcake at a time), and compassion for those around her make her one of my favorite female characters I’ve read in a while. Cole’s protectiveness over his sister and her healing, his mentorship to Noah through his hockey journey and anxiety, and undeniable love for his family (blood related and found) show that his hard, grumpy exterior simply acts as a shield against the giant softie he’s hiding inside. Page by page, Cassie’s sunshine defrosts Cole’s frozen heart. The two of them together is magnetic and the slow burn as they try to fight the chemistry between them is chef’s kiss 🤌.

  Will be revisiting this one without a doubt and am anxiously awaiting news about the next book in the series! 💕🏒

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  Heather McCauley

  5 out of 5 stars

  would happily babysit cole taylor

  Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026

  Format: Kindle

  Where 👏 to 👏 start 👏?! The man that you are Cole Taylor!!!

  First and foremost, thank you so so so much to Evie and team for sending me the ARC. It was so special to get to read Cassie and Cole’s story ahead of the pub date.

  Cassie Wells is a junior agent looking to land her next promotion. Her next assignment: babysit Cole Taylor, grumpy goalie extraordinaire who cannot seem to keep his name out of the press. If she’s able to turn his image around and avoid a trade at the end of the season for her boss’s client, the job is as good as hers. Should be easy, right?

  I could not put this one down and candidly have reread it about three times already. I love these characters so much and could not get enough. Their maturity, ability to communicate with each other and navigate their feelings, and support for one other through their careers (without compromise) was so refreshing.

  Cassie’s determination to not be overshadowed by her past, persistence to pave her way through a male dominated field (one cupcake at a time), and compassion for those around her make her one of my favorite female characters I’ve read in a while. Cole’s protectiveness over his sister and her healing, his mentorship to Noah through his hockey journey and anxiety, and undeniable love for his family (blood related and found) show that his hard, grumpy exterior simply acts as a shield against the giant softie he’s hiding inside. Page by page, Cassie’s sunshine defrosts Cole’s frozen heart. The two of them together is magnetic and the slow burn as they try to fight the chemistry between them is chef’s kiss 🤌.

  Will be revisiting this one without a doubt and am anxiously awaiting news about the next book in the series! 💕🏒

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• 

  theretpackramblings

  4 out of 5 stars

  Ridiculously easy to binge.

  Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026

  Format: Kindle

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  “𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣, 𝙜𝙤𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙚. 𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙩.”

  Breaking New Ice by Evie Keaton

  4☆

  Yes, this is a hockey romance. But, it was so much more. It was soft, emotional, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 full of every day life (the ups & downs) and honestly… I ate it up.

  Cassie is an absolute powerhouse. She’s ambitious, capable, and trying to make a name for herself in a male-dominated industry without losing the warmth and kindness that makes her who she is. And I 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 her because she is me. I am she. She’s proof that you don’t have to become cold to be successful. You can be sunshine 𝘈𝘕𝘋 unstoppable.

  “𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙮𝙥𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮. 𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙮𝙥𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡. 𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙄 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧.”

  Cole is our grumpy hockey star, who’s carrying grief and guilt like a shield. But, underneath the icy exterior and layers of bloodiness, is a secret golden retriever of a man, devoted and trustworthy to a fault.

  “𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚? 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤.”

  Cassie gets stuck managing Cole’s PR nightmare while chasing the promotion of her dreams, and what starts as “babysitting the hot mess athlete” slowly turns into trust, friendship, and a relationship built on genuine support. Teamwork LITERALLY makes the dream work. And while their chemistry is immediate, the slow burn is absolutely delicious.

  “𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚,” 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚. “𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.”

  What I LOVED was that neither of them “needed” the other to save them. They’re already strong on their own, but together they became this powerhouse A-team with freaking “let’s take on the world” energy.

  The story balances romance, family dynamics, found family, mental health, and personal growth so well. It’s not just spice for the sake of spice, though the spicy scenes absolutely deliver 👀, it’s a full story with emotional depth and character development that actually matters.

  ✨ Sunshine FMC x grumpy hockey player

  ✨ Career-driven heroine + supportive MMC

  ✨ Slow burn with emotional payoff

  ✨ Found family, healing, and no unnecessary drama

  Funny, heartfelt, and ridiculously easy to binge. Basically: Cole may have needed PR help, but their relationship completely stole the spotlight.

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• 

  Kristina

  5 out of 5 stars

  Sweet and spicy

  Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2026

  Format: Kindle

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  I was thrilled to receive this book as an ARC from the author.

  To sum it up in three words, sweet and spicy.

  Tropes:

  Grumpy/Sunshine

  Hockey romance

  Women in sports

  Dislike (her) to lovers

  Found family

  Drug abuse awareness (side character)

  Mental health awareness (side character)

  Slow burn

  Cassie is upbeat, optimistic, a total ball of sunshine yet a complete badass. She’s an up and coming junior agent with a live for hockey while trying to hide the fact that her dad is a former big shot player. Cassie’s been tasked with helping Cole turn around the bad public image that’s been circling his career over the past year while trying to fight the crush she had on him since his rookie year.

  Cole is the epitome of Grumpy Goalie. He has had a great run until he missed the phone calls letting him know his sister OD’d and was in the hospital. Now he’s wondering if hockey is worth missing so much and he’s missing practices and other team events because he doesn’t want to be away from his family.

  The characters are well written. They have unique personalities and you learn what makes them tick. There’s no fading into the background or monotony with them.

  Both MCs show character growth and personal development. Cole in how he finds balance between his personal life and hockey and Cassie in her self confidence and knowing her worth.

  The story itself is a typical hockey romance, but a very well written one! The MCs meet and there’s instant chemistry. The slow burn leading up to the spicy scenes… *chef’s kiss (that one’s for you Britt!). While they run into some tension and trouble, I love that there’s an HEA with no third act breakup.

  Congrats on your release Evie! I can’t wait for what comes next for this amazing hockey family!

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• 

  Nadia Soriano

  5 out of 5 stars

  Amazing Hockey Romance!

  Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026

  Format: Kindle

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  ARC Review: I haven't giggled this much while reading in such a long time. This was the perfect mix of heart warming and humorous, and honestly one of the best reads I've reviewed this year! Cassie is trying to create a name for herself in the industry, when she has to become babysitter extraordinaire to her celebrity crush. She has to save his dumpster fire reputation while working towards getting the promotion of her dreams. It sounds difficult at first, but they start to develop this earnest trust and respect that leads them to make profound self-discoveries.

  There was something so endearing about the "being a team" aspect of all of the relationships throughout the book. From the parent/sibling/child relationships, to the teammate/found family bonds, there was something so sweet about every aspect of their connections. I loved the themes of trust, reconciliation, found family, and growth! Everything was tied together wonderfully by the ending, I had to read this in one sitting because I was so captivated.

  Cassie and Cole's relationship was crafted so beautifully and their connection was my favorite thing about the book. They were each other's safe space, finding healing and strength through their own personal struggles. I loved how Cassie had a strong character and genuinely cared for those around her. Cole was a grump, but secretly had this amazing heart that was willing to sacrifice everything for those he held close. I really resonated with how misunderstood he was, and how he was revealed to have been an amazing mentor, friend, and supportive family member. I also appreciated how the author approached mental health and how thoughtful the writing was.

  I am immensely grateful to the author for allowing me to preview this amazing book! I am so excited to see where she takes it from here!

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• 

  blackcatbooks9

  4 out of 5 stars

  Grumpy/Sunshine Hockey Romance that has all of the others beat!

  Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026

  Format: Kindle

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  This might be one of my all time favorite hockey romance books to date. Who doesn’t love a grumpy goalie who breaks out of his miserable shell for an independent, career focused woman he calls sunshine? On top of that add real life issues that could easily break down any relationship, but instead unite them? Yes please in all formats.

  Cole is the grumpy goalie for the Nor’easters that needs an attitude adjustment before it costs him his contract. Cassie is a junior sports agent who is up for a promotion and just needs something that will boost her over her competition. When Cassie goes with her boss to a meeting with Cole, they determine that she’s going to “babysit” him until trade deadlines to make sure he doesn’t lose his cool in a way that will lose him to the team. Forced proximity leads them to realizing maybe what the rest of the world sees isn’t truly who they are. As friendship blossoms into a whole lot more, they have to keep their relationship under wraps so they don’t damage either of their careers. When it all blows up in their faces, will they choose their careers, or each other?

  This is definitely a hockey romance I will be buying in physical format because I just know I’m going to want to read it again. I love the hints through the second half of the book that lead me to think maybe Landon will have the next book in the series? Please, Evie, a hockey captain with southern charm? Give the girlies what they want!

  TROPES:

  Grumpy/Sunshine

  Hockey

  Found Family

  Enemies to Lovers

  She Falls First/He Falls Harder

  TRIGGER WARNINGS:

  Mental Health Issues (Anxiety/Panic Attacks)

  Addiction and Recovery

  Guilt

  I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Evie Keaton and Booksirens for the opportunity to read this eARC!

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