Arctic Titans of Northwood U Book 4: Icebound Rivals by Hayden Hall

 

Arctic Titans of Northwood U Book 4

Grayson Reed is into me.

We are each other’s fiercest opponents in the rink. But now, Grayson’s eyes are stripping me down whenever we cross each other’s paths.

I don’t mind being the object of another guy’s desire, but I also refuse to jump into a stranger’s bed so quickly. It’s just that I’m not really dating material.

And of all the guys on Earth, Grayson Reed is the last person I would give a chance. But if there is one thing everyone knows about Gray, it’s that he is not a quitter.

The more I push him away, the more he tries to get closer. And as he struggles to win me over, I stumble into the very thing I swore I would avoid.

Love.

Our struggles on the ice are nothing compared to the conquest of each other. And when I find out about the dare that had brought us together, my trust is shattered. It will take a lot more courage to fix this mess than it took to win a date with me. And I just don’t know if this playboy is brave enough for a relationship or if his story ends with the conquest.

Icebound Rivals is the fourth novel in the Arctic Titans of Northwood U series. It features one demisexual winger, his playboy opponent, ice-melting heat, and heart-rendering sweetness. You can expect all the usual Arctic Titans shenanigans, a leap from youth to adulthood, and a rollercoaster of emotions. Icebound Rivals can be read on its own, but it's best enjoyed when read in order.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204207870-icebound-rivals

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

The start of hockey season has been going great for Grayson and his team. He is confident that this is their year. So confident that his friends make a bet with him. If they lose against their rivals, the Titans, then Grayson has to ask one of the Titans out on a date. And when eyes are set on Avery, Grayson realizes he finally has an excuse to be near his long-standing crush. But anything that starts with a bet, never truly ends well. In the meantime, Grayson will give this his all because he truly does want a chance with Avery. And he’ll put everything he has in it to prove it. Avery isn’t the best when it comes to social cues. He rarely gets humor and sarcasm from his teammates and he isn’t really one to smile. When Grayson first approaches him, he is beyond wary and sure he doesn’t want anything to do with him. But he finds himself giving Grayson his number and little by little Grayson breaks down Avery’s walls. And for the first time in a very long time, Avery is finding that he is happy. That Grayson makes him smile and doesn’t think he is weird and is patient as they slowly build this relationship. It’s a foreign feeling to be pursued and happy. And Avery finds he isn’t opposed to it. But like I said, nothing that starts with a bet ends all that well. At least for a little while. I really enjoyed Avery and Grayson’s story! They are opposites in a lot of ways. While Grayson feels like this bubbly sunshine personified, and Avery is this stoic and serious person, they actually balance one another out really well. But also, they both are wearing masks too to protect themselves. And only with one another, do they really let their guard down and feel safe to be who they are, knowing the other will never judge them for it. Great story overall! And I’m looking forward to the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.