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Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
Ice Cold Rival was just as great as the previous books in this series. I had so much fun reading it! I enjoyed getting to know Reece's character and motivations better. The way he stepped up and wanted to change his ways to be a better influence on the team was commendable. Kenzie was a sweetheart. She hadn't had things easy recently, but meeting Reece started turning things around for her. Their fake relationship quickly turning into more was very entertaining. The way Reece's softer side and protective instincts came out with Kenzie was sweet. Kenzie simply being there for Reece made all the difference for him. I loved their newfound emotional connection. I also loved all of gang and the duckies hanging around again. I was sad when this book ended because I didn't want to leave this world, but I also can't wait for Mase's book.
Ice Cold Rival was just as great as the previous books in this series. I had so much fun reading it! I enjoyed getting to know Reece's character and motivations better. The way he stepped up and wanted to change his ways to be a better influence on the team was commendable. Kenzie was a sweetheart. She hadn't had things easy recently, but meeting Reece started turning things around for her. Their fake relationship quickly turning into more was very entertaining. The way Reece's softer side and protective instincts came out with Kenzie was sweet. Kenzie simply being there for Reece made all the difference for him. I loved their newfound emotional connection. I also loved all of gang and the duckies hanging around again. I was sad when this book ended because I didn't want to leave this world, but I also can't wait for Mase's book.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun, flirty and cute pets!
This book was such a fun read with lots of sweet, flirty and cute moments. And I canβt forget the debut of the precious Sunny and Boo, I wanted more of them!!!
I absolutely could not put this book down and finished it in one go. The characters were very loveable and were such a perfect match.
Reece and Kenzie were the epitome of adorable together. They meshed so well and their chemistry was delicious. I enjoyed how their relationship developed from fake dating into something real. Their sassy and hilarious banter was fantastic. Reece was such a sweetheart , he was so much more than the party boy everyone saw him to be. His support, thoughtfulness and protectiveness over Kenzie was very swoony. He definitely helped rebuild her shattered confidence and encouraged her to believe in herself.
I sympathized with Kenzie's heartbreak and totally wanted to smack her ex but I liked how sassy, and independent she was. She regained her self worth and stood up for herself when it mattered. She was also good for Reece, she grounded him and helped him be comfortable being his true self.
Reeces's friend group and roommates were all supportive and they stood up for both Reeces and Kenzie when necessary . I loved how they accepted Kenzie and went to battle for her when she needed it. The cameos by Eva ,the gang and of course the OG Henry was awesome!
I absolutely enjoyed Sunny and Boo, they were just adorable!
Nikki Hall has again written an easy, fun, heartwarming book filled with wonderful characters and animals, steamy moments and funny banter.
This book was such a fun read with lots of sweet, flirty and cute moments. And I canβt forget the debut of the precious Sunny and Boo, I wanted more of them!!!
I absolutely could not put this book down and finished it in one go. The characters were very loveable and were such a perfect match.
Reece and Kenzie were the epitome of adorable together. They meshed so well and their chemistry was delicious. I enjoyed how their relationship developed from fake dating into something real. Their sassy and hilarious banter was fantastic. Reece was such a sweetheart , he was so much more than the party boy everyone saw him to be. His support, thoughtfulness and protectiveness over Kenzie was very swoony. He definitely helped rebuild her shattered confidence and encouraged her to believe in herself.
I sympathized with Kenzie's heartbreak and totally wanted to smack her ex but I liked how sassy, and independent she was. She regained her self worth and stood up for herself when it mattered. She was also good for Reece, she grounded him and helped him be comfortable being his true self.
Reeces's friend group and roommates were all supportive and they stood up for both Reeces and Kenzie when necessary . I loved how they accepted Kenzie and went to battle for her when she needed it. The cameos by Eva ,the gang and of course the OG Henry was awesome!
I absolutely enjoyed Sunny and Boo, they were just adorable!
Nikki Hall has again written an easy, fun, heartwarming book filled with wonderful characters and animals, steamy moments and funny banter.
This series just keeps getting better! Loved that they were going through similar struggles with familial expectations and realized what they wanted for their future and what they were worth.
We got to see a totally different side of Reece (former party playboy) while he worked towards his goal of being captain of the hockey team. Even though the idea of fake dating with Kenzie was his idea, he was still very considerate, patient, and a pillar of support for her. Kenzie was the typical good girl next door who got burned by her ex, who constantly gaslit her and was trying to make her life at their new school a living hell. She was such a sweet and caring person (albeit a people pleaser), and I'm so glad she got brought into the group. I loved how Reece and Kenzie helped each other see their potential (which was always downplayed by their friends and family) and built each other up. Their growth as characters was really nice to read, and their personalities really brought out the best in each other.
As usual, there were more duck shenanigans (Henry does make a return!) and the addition of Boo, and there were some scenes with Gavin and Eva (who are now alumni). I can't wait for Mase's book as he's always been such a mystery throughout this series (adored his relationship with Sunny).
I wished it was longer so that we got to see more of a rivalry between Reece and Tobias (Kenzie's ex), a little more hockey action, and more family pressure and reconciliation.
We got to see a totally different side of Reece (former party playboy) while he worked towards his goal of being captain of the hockey team. Even though the idea of fake dating with Kenzie was his idea, he was still very considerate, patient, and a pillar of support for her. Kenzie was the typical good girl next door who got burned by her ex, who constantly gaslit her and was trying to make her life at their new school a living hell. She was such a sweet and caring person (albeit a people pleaser), and I'm so glad she got brought into the group. I loved how Reece and Kenzie helped each other see their potential (which was always downplayed by their friends and family) and built each other up. Their growth as characters was really nice to read, and their personalities really brought out the best in each other.
As usual, there were more duck shenanigans (Henry does make a return!) and the addition of Boo, and there were some scenes with Gavin and Eva (who are now alumni). I can't wait for Mase's book as he's always been such a mystery throughout this series (adored his relationship with Sunny).
I wished it was longer so that we got to see more of a rivalry between Reece and Tobias (Kenzie's ex), a little more hockey action, and more family pressure and reconciliation.
π πΈππ π²πππ ππππππ π
ππ’ @nikkhallbooks
π°π π² π π΄π πΈπ΄π
4.25/5 βοΈ
1/5 πΆοΈ
ββ
This book and honestly this whole series, is such a feel good read. Low angst, swoony worthy men, growth of the characters, the little duck shenanigans and so much more.
I loved Reece. Boy was his world flipped upside down when Kenzie came in to it. Shattered everything he thought he knew he wanted but gave him everything he didn't know he was missing. He was the absolute sweetest.
Kenzie was such a beautiful soul. I love how fierce she became and how she really found her happiness and her true self.
These two had such great growth, both individually and as a couple. I loved watching them go from fake to more and the realization that it was never fake for either of them.
I was glad when Kane finally got what was coming to him.
Also Mase book next!! I have been waiiiiiting for him for the longest and I'm so excited he is next.
ππ£π π‘ππ€ / ππππ₯ π₯π πΌπ©π‘πππ₯
π Fake Dating
π Reformed Playboy
π One Night Stand
π College Hockey Romance
π Rivalβs Ex
π Plenty of Heat
#RivalRomance #FakeDating #HockeyRomance #ReformedPlayboy #NikkiHall #FoundFamily #HockeyRomance #bookstagram #newrelease #booksbooksbooks #books #booklover #instagood #booknerd #bookworm #bookreview #romance #kindleunlimited
ππ’ @nikkhallbooks
π°π π² π π΄π πΈπ΄π
4.25/5 βοΈ
1/5 πΆοΈ
ββ
This book and honestly this whole series, is such a feel good read. Low angst, swoony worthy men, growth of the characters, the little duck shenanigans and so much more.
I loved Reece. Boy was his world flipped upside down when Kenzie came in to it. Shattered everything he thought he knew he wanted but gave him everything he didn't know he was missing. He was the absolute sweetest.
Kenzie was such a beautiful soul. I love how fierce she became and how she really found her happiness and her true self.
These two had such great growth, both individually and as a couple. I loved watching them go from fake to more and the realization that it was never fake for either of them.
I was glad when Kane finally got what was coming to him.
Also Mase book next!! I have been waiiiiiting for him for the longest and I'm so excited he is next.
ππ£π π‘ππ€ / ππππ₯ π₯π πΌπ©π‘πππ₯
π Fake Dating
π Reformed Playboy
π One Night Stand
π College Hockey Romance
π Rivalβs Ex
π Plenty of Heat
#RivalRomance #FakeDating #HockeyRomance #ReformedPlayboy #NikkiHall #FoundFamily #HockeyRomance #bookstagram #newrelease #booksbooksbooks #books #booklover #instagood #booknerd #bookworm #bookreview #romance #kindleunlimited
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Kenzie and Reece both want to change their reputations.
After transferring schools to be near her hockey player boyfriend, now ex, Kenzie is left without a support system when he spreads lies about her. Now that she is out of her long-term relationship, she is ready to shed her βgood girlβ image and people-pleasing ways.
Reece is seen as a carefree playboy at school and a puppet for his wealthy family, but he is determined to prove himself. Hoping to become team captain in his senior year, he and Kenzie agree to fake date, each hoping it will help them reshape how others see them.
Nikki Hall once again delivers an engaging college sports romance, filled with warm, charismatic, and quirky characters. The fictional Teagan University in Texas provides a rich backdrop for a variety of stories.
Reece, a familiar character from previous books, is given a deeper exploration of his background and motivations. His character growth stood out because he realizes early on that he is unhappy with his current path and makes intentional changes to reach his goals. Similarly, Kenzie embarks on her own journey to assert herself, refusing to be a doormat for her family and those around her. Their growing confidence throughout the book had me cheering them on.
The story unfolds over a short timeline with minimal focus on hockey as a game and instead emphasizes team dynamics and interpersonal relationships. This may be because only part of the season takes place within the book. I expect the final book in the series will wrap up the season. While I appreciate that the author avoids excessive technical details, I would have liked to see more gameplay on the page. At times, hockey feels like a background element that is mainly referenced when players are absent due to practice or games. Although I am not an avid hockey fan, I enjoy the structure it brings to a romance story.
I am excitedly awaiting the final book in this series and to learn more of Maseβs story.
I am grateful to have received this free ARC from Nikki Hall, which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily share my review.