ICE-COLD Truth

by L.J. Grey

The brooding hockey captain is hot enough to melt ice—and he’s my new roommate…
I'm supposed to be focusing on my law internship, not the sculpted athlete I’m sharing my brother's apartment with for a few months. But one look at Jack's steely eyes and I'm skating on thin ice.
He says he needs a fake girlfriend to boost his image.
I say bring on the pretend PDA.
Only, our kisses feel all too real. And when Jack confides about his injury, I want nothing more than to take care of my grumpy captain.
But digging into team secrets could destroy everything we've built. Jack pushes me away, leaving me out in the cold.
Now I have evidence that could change his life forever, and I have a choice—give him the truth and risk losing him or keep quiet and watch the man I’m falling for suffer.
This single-minded law student is ready to play dirty to win her man. If only I can convince Jack to let me into his heart—for real.

ICE-COLD Truth is a spicy, fake relationship with my brother's best friend sports romance.

Genres: Sports

257 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2024

Reviews

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Jack and Elyse were required, for most of the story, to fight back against the bullies in both their lives and careers.

Jack's hockey coach is a sadistic bully who threatens and intimidates his NHL players, and THEIR FAMILIES, to ignore their injuries to the point of no return. He made them play through the pain.

In addition, Jack's psychotic ex-girlfriend would threaten both Jack and Elyse emotionally and physically. Karina was also a clear and present danger. An Order of Protection was really, really needed!!!!!

[Tiffany Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a big fan of the fake dating relationship romance. But I'm a big fan of hockey romance.

Elyse is staying with her big brother while she is doing her internship at a big law firm. One of the senior partners asked her to go undercover to get information on the head coach. When they find out her brother on the hockey team.

Jack is stressed and determined to help his team win their 2nd championship. Jack is being builled by the head coach and is playing this whole season with a serious career ending injury.

The whole fake dating did not last very long. It was very clear from their first meeting that they both really liked each other and wanted to go out. I very much enjoyed the story and was able to read it in one go.

I received a free copy of this book via Bookfunnel, and I am leaving an honest review of this book.

[Jd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting way of introducing the stress of play injured along with romance.
Jack was a hockey player not just determined to help his team win a second championship, but he was also being bullied by the coach.
Elyse was the younger sister of Jack's roommate and teammate, moving in while doing a law internship. Once her boss finds out who her brother is, he asks her to spy on the team to get information to help the lawsuit against the team and coach.
The relationship between Jack and Elyse is a bit confusing, at first. She was supposed to have a long term crush on him, yet she never met him despite his friendship with her brother. When they first meet she is so bashful she can barely speak and a few minutes later, she is coming on to him.
They quickly go from fake relationship to real relationship and her brother is totally fine with it.
Elyse is both selfish and concerned about the spying. One minute she is doing to help her career and then she shows concern for Jack and the past player affected by the bullying.
This could have been a better read with more clarity how old was Elyse, why was Jack so quick to come on to his best friend's younger sister and why was his ex so determined to sabotage his relationships.

I received a free copy of this book, by the author, for my honest review.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

ICE-COLD Truth is an amazing fake relationship, Brother's Best Friend, and Hockey romance story. ICE-COLD Truth is the story of Elyse and Jack. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ICE-COLD Truth, I thought it to be beautifully written, well-balanced, and perfectly executed by Author L.J. Grey. ICE-COLD Truth is the first book that I have read by this author, and she did NOT disappoint in anyway whatsoever with this amazing book. Elyse is completing her law internship while she stays at her brother's apartment. Jack is also living in that same apartment. The chemistry between these two characters is quite electrifying and smoldering hot. The sparks between Elyse and Jack becomes too much for them to ignore it any longer. What will Elyse's brother think of their relationship? ICE-COLD Truth is both suspenseful and a definite page-turner. ICE-COLD Truth is certainly a book that I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great hockey based story with wonderful characters, especially Jack, Elyse and Sam. There is hockey drama and team dynamics, familial drama, romance, and a bit of mystery/suspension to boot. The plot of the book is origional and keeps your attention, as Jack is forced to play despite a shoulder injury everyone is aware of. He's the captain and face of the Firebirds franchise, but still... Elyse, being Sam's sister (who's also a member of the Firebirds) and staying with the boys, is tasked to investigate the management for a court case by her employer. That sets up the basics of the plot, with steam coming from the chemistry between Jack and Elyse. I couldn't get enough of the interactions between these three. Throw in a psycho stalker and they really have their hands full. Please check out this book. If you're a hockey or romance fan, you won't be disappointed.

I voluntarily reviewed a gift copy of this book and highly recommend it to others. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Bailey Laine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack is the captain of the hockey team. Elyse is his best friend and fellow player’s sister. The sparks are immediate and the tension is tight.

The lead bounces between the two of them in this spicy, yet full of action, read. Elyse and Jack have tons of chemistry and the tension is palpable throughout. However, there are moments Jack frustrates me with wavering about how he feels and confronting those feelings. Overall though, this is a great story that combines action and romance in a very popular trope of best friend’s sister for a quickly paced read. If you enjoy sports romance, particularly hockey, this is a great choice!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling fake dating romance for Hockey romance lovers. Elyse is temporarily roommate for 2 hockey players - her brother and his best friend. Whom to she had crush for years. Their first meeting leaves no doubts on their attraction. Their fake dating idea serves well for both parties. As Elyse is involved in undercover investigation during her internship at the Law office.
Loved the story-line and intensity of the story - both romance and investigation.
Well written story, read it in one go. Loved characters and intensity.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH WOW this was the best hockey story. It was a steamy page turner and the suspense was intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. Jack was the captain of the hockey team. Elyse was his best friend’s sister. The chemistry between them sizzling hot and the physical attraction between them was spicy and tension of passion. Could this be love for them or one night stand for Jack since he was a hockey player because his reputation was on the line.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones

[Aspen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ice-Cold Truth is intense, dramatic, heartfelt, and addresses hardcore issues with professional sports. I LOVE that Elyse’s brother is supportive of her and Jack’s relationship no matter its status—it’s refreshing! The dynamics between Jack and his team are powerful, the stresses and pressures intense, as is the stalker situation. I adore Elyse—she is brave, bold, brilliant, and beautiful—a strong and independent woman owning her power while also showing her vulnerability in the right moments. This is a fantastic read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE, HOT, and VERY IRRESISTIBLE are just a few words to describe this book. OH, MY GOODNESS this cover alone is so SMOKING HOT that it will melt ice and then you start to read about Jack and Elyse and your body will quiver due to the excitement and heat that radiates from their romance. What starts out as a fake relationship between Elyse and Jack who is her brother Sam's best friend ends up with them in a whirlwind of a situation. Man, oh man this is one hockey romance read I was hooked on from chapter 1.

[Ruth R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elyse was accepted to practice in law internship in a law company and she went to live with her brother and his best friend.
They were both Hockey players, Jack was the captain he was injured his shoulder but the coach didn’t mind for him it’s best if the team wins .
When Elyse one day was talking with her friend at work ,the manager proposed something to her but if she accepted she will cause trouble to her brother and his friend.
Will she accept?

This is a lovely story that I enjoyed reading
I recommend to those who love reading Hockey romance 💝

[Mindy Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an off limits romance, with a dash of suspense and intrigue, between Elyse and her brother's best friend, Jack. These two flawed but likeable souls and the unique plot make for an enjoyable read. What starts out as a fake relationship turns into something more. It is a sweet love story with drama and steam, sexual tension and chemistry, humor and charm, and twists and turns, plus appealing secondary characters to keep the reader interested. Entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy romance novel that follows the story of Jack, the brooding hockey captain, and the protagonist, who becomes his fake girlfriend to boost his image.

The protagonist is supposed to be focusing on her law internship but finds herself distracted by Jack's steely eyes and sculpted physique.

As they pretend to date, their kisses feel all too real, and the protagonist finds herself wanting to take care of Jack when he confides about his injury.

Good read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reads lotsa stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do? A story that is told in a 2 POV format. It involves a pair of professional hockey players & the younger sister of one of the players. Initially there isn’t much going on but an overheard conversation changes all that. It all revolves around a lawsuit and the investigation into the case with huge implications for the players and the team. There is some predictability to the course of the story but it is well written and fun to read.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Matters

When Elyse comes to stay with her brother while attending her internship, sparks are ignited with his roommate Jack. However, the secrets between them, their careers and an ex, cause havoc on their budding relationship. This fake relationship story was real from the get-go which was a quick transition to actual feelings. It was entertaining and charged with emotion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is a law intern, he is her brother’s best friend and teammate. He needs to improve his image so they agree to fake date but her boss asks her to gather information about his coach’s unethical conduct. Then his stalker ex also is thrown in the mix.
This was so good. I found the story intriguing and the character dynamic excellent. Loved it.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[D Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read. I wish it would have been just a little bit longer. The storyline/conflict was interesting but I wish more time would have been spent developing the love story, it was rushed. The romance scenes were 3/5 for 🌶️.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelli m · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read

Their relationship starts out as a way to evade some tough questions from the press and ends up with their hearts on the line. Add some drama from his ex and his hockey team and you end up with the Ice-Cold Truth

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like two and a half stars.

Was not a fan of this at all. Jack and Elyse have insta love and sleep together one time and he’s demanding things regarding her internship and having anger issues. Really hated it.

[Hilary Beeler · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know why everyone is giving this 4 or 5 stars. It was so poorly and lazily written. The characters were boring and had no depth.

I also can't imagine a coach can say no to the team doctor recommending treatment. Just ludicrous.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elyse moves in with her brother Sam and his roommate and hockey teammate Jack. A steamy read with fake dating and other dramas.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely couldn't put it down. I was hooked right from the start. I loved the characters, and the storyline was very entertaining. Y'all are gonna love it. Enjoy.

[Kerri Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack and Elyse have so much sparks that it can melt the ice. This was a great book to read. Kept you entertained with love, drama, craziness that you have to hurry to read it to find out more! lol

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Jack and Elyse's story. The characters had sizzling chemistry. It was an engaging read. And voluntarily leaving this review.