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Ice Lords #1

Break Your Pucking Heart

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Break Your Pucking Heart is the first book in the all-new Ice Lords Series—An Enemies to Lovers, Why-Choose, Hockey, College Romance by USA Today and International Bestselling Author Rachel Leigh.

I’ve been captured by the Ice Lords, and I fear they’ll never let me go.

What was supposed to be a fun night out at a hockey game is derailed when I accidentally find myself in the rival team’s locker room.
Not only do I get an eye full of chiseled bodies, but I also overhear a secret that could destroy the reputation, and future, of every player on the team.
Before I can decide whether I should run or hide, the choice is quickly made for me when a pair of piercing green eyes meet mine.
Callan Cromwell—the brooding center of the Lords hockey team. Not only did I steal his virginity in high school, I shattered his heart when I insisted we never tell a soul.
To make matters worse, he’s my best friend’s brother.
As soon as the leader of Callan’s pack discovers I’m onto their sinister plan, he makes a vow to ensure my silence. At my expense.
Now I’m caught in a web of secrets and my only chance of surviving is to do exactly what they say. What he says.
As I’m swept deeper into their savage world of power plays and fierce loyalty, I begin to realize that in this dangerous game—at the mercy of these men—I just might be the biggest casualty of them all.

286 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2025

598 people are currently reading
7503 people want to read

About the author

Rachel Leigh

40 books4,562 followers
Rachel Leigh is a USA Today and international bestselling author of new adult, dark romances. She’s drawn to writing flawed, irresistible heroes and strong, resilient heroines. Her stories blend dark elements, a touch of suspense, and plenty of steam—perfect for readers who crave passion with an edge.
Her goal is to sweep readers away on an unforgettable adventure while reminding them that even in the darkest moments, love conquers all.

Rachel resides in Michigan with her husband, three kids, and a couple of spoiled fur babies. When she isn’t lost in a book, you’ll find her in cozy leggings with a coffee in hand, binge-watching her favorite reality TV shows.


Rachel Leigh is represented by Beck Literary: Josi@beckliterary.com


Join Rachel's Readers Group: http://bit.ly/rl_ramblers
Facebook: rachelleighauthor
Instagram: rachelleighauthor
www.rachelleighauthor.com

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 547 reviews
Profile Image for Kursed Reads.
802 reviews9,343 followers
July 16, 2025
Wrong place, wrong time for Avery Castle. Hearing secrets that she was never meant to know, the Ice Lords intend to ensure her silence by any means necessary.

Council advisor, Callan Cromwell, has more than the secrets to hold over Avery. He was once in love with his sister’s best friend and keeping her close will afford him the opportunity to get revenge for his broken heart while ensuring she remains quiet.

This new series has a little bit of everything in the favorite tropes department. We’ve got hockey, secret society, forbidden, why choose, second chance… There’s a lot going on. All in all, it works. A lot of questions surround the secret society component and I’m hoping that comes together more completely as the series progresses.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🤫😬🤬🥵😱
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, Sports, Suspense

✨ Tropes: Blackmail, Enemies-to-Lovers, Forbidden, Second Chance, Secret Society, Why Choose
 
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, College, Jealous/Possessive

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Body Betrayal, Bondage/Restraints, Finger Licking Good,

⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.

🚩 Safety Squad: DubCon, Vìolençė (Off-Page, Past), and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Break Your Pucking Heart is the first book in the Ice Lords series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Profile Image for Kealyn.
568 reviews138 followers
April 11, 2025
Break Your Pucking Heart (Ice Lords #1) by Rachel Leigh

4-ish out of 5 stars

I am so utterly confused. I don't know if I really enjoyed this book, or if it was a fun one that missed a bit of depth, chemistry and neediness. A part of me says no it's definitely a 3 star romance. While another part says, you are currently not enjoying why choose romances, so it's probably four and not up your alley in your current mindset. So I'll give this one 4 stars. And come back to it in the future and adjust it if needed. I am not gonna give an amazing book a low rating because of my mindset.

The book is labelled as a why choose romance, and while that is definitely the case, with several intimate scenes between multiple guys, it primarily focuses on Avery and Callan. It focuses heavily on their lost chance in their teens and rekindling and fighting those feelings in the present.

It's about a group of men in a secret society that don't shy away from violence, depravity and doing absolutely anything to reach their goal. It's about guys who use and abuse others and have their eyes set on a girl who overhears something she shouldn't have. 

I really liked the dynamics between the characters. Though at the start Callan seems hardened and almost cruel, but quickly we find out he has a big heart and isn't as cruel as first portrayed. Don't get me wrong, he still loves violence, but he loves to love as well. 

The intimate scenes are exciting and there is definitely passion. But I did miss a bit of all-consuming fire in the intimate scenes. 

And that ending! Even if I eventually rate it as a three star book. I am dying to know what happens next after that huge cliffhanger. 

Like I said in the beginning I am a bit out of touch with why choose romances lately. They overflow the market heavily and I need a little break. When I read the blurb, and I only read the blurb not the tropes, I thought it was a MF romance. So I was a little surprised that it turned out differently. But I am not letting that affect my rating whatsoever. I hate it when reviewers say, I hate this genre, and keep on reading that genre and give it lots and lots of one star reviews. That's so unfair towards the authors who put their hearts and souls into their books. So I'll settle on 4 stars and come back to this book in the future when I am in a better mind set to read this beauty. 

So 4 stars overall from me for now. 
Profile Image for Kendra Renae.
170 reviews40 followers
April 17, 2025
⭐️4 🌶️3.5


”You want to be someone important, Little Devil? Well, now you are. We’re your lords and now you’re our queen. Stuck with us forever.”


When I tell you I was not prepared for what I was going into , but I ate this up so bad and so fast😩. This is very much a dark hockey secret society best friends brother why choose with hints of mystery and it’s soo good even tho that’s a lot going on lol !

Did I mention a sassy fierce fmc ? 👏🏾 ngl she did piss me off ALOT of times doing the most just to piss the mmcs off , butttttt she clocked their tea numerous times and I was here for it !

”Well, if it’s a chase they want it’s a chase they’ll get. This cat likes to test her nine lives.”

Even tho it’s a why choose the main focus is Avery and Callan that have a complex history and Avery being at the wrong place wrong time got a lot more than she bargained for once Sebastian and Aidric come into play . Their dynamic was whewwww 🙃

That damn ending tho OMFG my shaylaaaaa😭 . I have two guesses of who but ima keep the theories to myself 🤭

This is my first book of Rachel’s and I’m def locked in miss girl you DEVOURED👏🏾🫶🏾 I’m so excited for the rest of this series . No rush , but I need the next one quickly lmaoooo .
Profile Image for Koisty.
453 reviews1,128 followers
July 28, 2025
5 Little Lamb Stars ⭐️
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️/5
But I plan to do everything in my power to keep her safe. Avery isn’t just some girl to me—never was. I may have shelved the love I had for her in the past, but not anymore. I can now say with certainty, Avery’s future is with the Ice Lords. With me.
I am absolutely fucking feral about Break Your Fucking Heart. My god. I have literally climbed into the DMs of about six different people to force them to read this book because it is just so, so, so, so good. It basically took every single book I have loved in the hockey bully romance genre, stole the best parts, and mashed them into one perfect, sinful masterpiece. I am obsessed. I am in love. I am now a fully reformed Rachel Leigh fangirl because of this series and this book.

This book gave me EVERYTHING!
It was literally ticking off every bullet point on my happy-tingle-place checklist in terms of tropes. I wasn’t just making me salivate! IT WAS MAKING ME GIDDY LIKE A SCHOOLGIRL WHO HAD HER CRUSH SMILE AT HER!

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
One night, Avery Castle and Callan Cromwell, Avery's Best Friend's stepbrother, lose their virginity. But something happens, so she says to him it was a mistake and runs out. This absolutely shatters him, so in return, he does what any scorned, prideful hockey boy does... he becomes a world-class asshole to her. A few years later in College, Avery attends a hockey game with her friend (who is there to watch her boyfriend play against her stepbrother, who is on the rival team). After the game, her bestie insists on saying hi to her Stepbrother before leaving, but takes FOREVER... so Avery goes to try to find her. She ends up stumbling into the Rival team's locker room and overhears something she definitely shouldn't have. Now she's on the radar of Aidric, Sebastian and Callan...and they have found a new toy to play with.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
First of all, I LOVE me a secret society. Give me the gritty secrets, the men with power, and a band of brothers who would literally die for one another. That found family element that goes beyond blood? I seriously just want it INJECTED INTO MY VEINS. AND LITERALLY these boys are THIS TO A T. Their loyalty is unbreakable, their secrets are lethal, and they’ll sacrifice everything to protect what they’re hiding.

Then there is Avery. This girl is everything I want in a dark romance heroine. Normally, FMCs in this genre tend to be submissive, naive, quiet, and easily broken down by the pressure. Not this one. She is a brat. She’s feisty, she pushes back, she bites, she has claws, she has teeth, and she knows how to use them. She doesn’t let these boys walk all over her. Every time they throw something at her, she throws it right back. I was living for it. Yes, she does make stupid decisions at times, but I was just vibing on the ride!

As for the boys, the chemistry, the sexual tension, the obsession...it’s all there!!! The boys are deliciously dangerous. The dynamic between the four is explosive and toxic in the best way. The entire vibe of this book is just a mix of dark, sexy, and addictive.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Hockey Bully Romance
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Second Chance Romance (One Night Stand)
▶ Reverse Harem
▶ Secret Society
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Found Family
▶ Dark Romance

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Finger Linking Good
▷ "You Taste Like"
▷ "Not God... Me"
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Brands Her
▷ "Look at Me"
▷ Potato Sack Over Shoulder
▷ Spicy/Steamy Water Scene

Overall, Break Your Pucking Heart is exactly what the title promises... it breaks you, it "fucks" you up, and it makes you love every second of it. I’m obsessed. I need more!!! LIKE NOW!
Profile Image for Brittany (happy.ending.always).
1,251 reviews48 followers
April 12, 2025
Edge. of. My. Seat!!!

Wow! I ate this book up!!! Couldn’t put it down. My heart is still in my throat!!! Absolutely amazing. I was on the edge of my seat the entire story!!

I love a great book that hooks you from the prologue and this book’s prologue was intense!

Avery has me so intrigued! I wasn’t sure what mysteries she was hiding. But girl is Fire! I feel like we barely got to know her and yet I love her sass!

Callan, this man owns my heart and soul. He can do no wrong in my book! Dark, broody hockey player, yes please! That’s my kryptonite! And Callan has me wanting, craving and needing soooo much more of him!!

We just skimmed the surfice with Aidric and Sebastian. I’m looking forward to sooooo much more to come with them. And I absolutely need more Callan and Avery together, because their chemistry flew off the pages! But what I look forward to most is all four of them together, that will legit be like fireworks!!

🖤Dark Hockey Romance
🤍Secret Society
🖤Why Choose
🤍Enemies to Lovers
🖤Bullyish
🤍Archery FMC

Soooo excited for more to come! This was a goodie, but left me on the edge of my seat! That cliffy gut punched me! Soooo ready for more!
Profile Image for Michellelovesreading.
1,485 reviews177 followers
April 11, 2025
I will always read a hockey book, but when it’s why choose. I have to read it. I loved this book, I finished it in a couple days.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Ashly.
441 reviews28 followers
April 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
📚 Book #1 in the "Ice Lords" Series
🗓️ Release Date: 4.11.25
🖤 Why Choose
😈 Enemies-to-Lovers
⺁ Cliffhanger
🏒 Hockey Series
🏫 Dark Academia
😱 Heroine in Danger
🤫 Secret Society

Ok, so I was NOT ready for this [In a good way]. I saw Hockey, Dark Academia/Secret Society and was allllll in. I was not disappointed and I am hooked, and need book 2 like now. Avery is FIESTY and I am here for it! She is not letting these men walk all over her without a fight. Her strategizing behind the scenes to keep her head above water and not lose herself is admirable. I love that she is an archer too, it gives her another level of badass imo.

I also really love that while we got a glance of how Seb and Aidric will come into play in following books, we get to really see how things play out between Avery and Callan first. Also, what was the ending [IYKYK]. Looking forward to the next book with baited breathe to see how Liam, Evan, Julian and the Detective all intertwine in the story.
Profile Image for Livy dow.
239 reviews4 followers
April 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Secret society, enemies lovers, best friends brother, reverse harem.
I honestly liked this book more than I thought I would. I will definitely read the second one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Steph.
156 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2025
Yesss! I devoured this book, couldn’t put it down and it is refusing to leave my mind even after I have finished it 🤯. This is a hockey bully-romance with elements of secret society and suspense. The main character, Avery, finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time (to say the least 😅) and that kicks off this rollercoaster of suspenseful events that involve The Ice Lords- Callan, Sebastian, and Aidric. Callan and Avery have history, a complicated relationship that makes this book hard to put down, will they/wont they ever find a common ground with one another is a constant throughout the story. These men have a lot of secrets and as Avery unfolds each one of them little by little she finds herself in more and more trouble with what to do with the information. This book pushes the boundaries of enemies-to-lovers and why-choose so much that you can feel the intense and complex emotions of everyone! It is hot and twisted in a way that I didn’t anticipate! I can’t wait for book two 👀 …we NEED it!
Profile Image for Joanne- Bookish.zebra.
222 reviews6 followers
April 12, 2025
⭐⭐⭐.5

Arc Review

While I can see why others might love this book, it just wasn’t bang on for me. The chemistry between the characters just wasn't there and i understand it's book 1 in a series but it just missed the mark for me. Although I can definitely see the potential in the story.

For a book, that's labeled as a Dark Hockey why choose, I wanted more Hockey and more Group activities (😏), not necessary in that order 🤣. Although it did have plenty of dark moments.

That said, every reader has different tastes, and I’m sure this book will resonate more with others.
I will probably read the second book as the cliff hanger was something else 😵
Profile Image for Vanessa.
423 reviews32 followers
April 23, 2025
i — 🫨

so much happened in such little time, i was hooked from the beginning and it didn’t disappoint 👀

if there’s one thing i love it’s a sassy FMC who doesn’t let people just run over her, and that’s our girl avery 🙂‍↕️ i love how she owns who she is and isn’t apologetic about it, and seeing how she connects to her emotions also brought extra depth to her character that i appreciated.

now, callan had me from the START 🤣 i went into this saying i needed something slightly unhinged and that man delivered 🤭 i love the bully/ enemies trope so i was eating it UPPPPP and i loved the progress made throughout the book.

i’m interested in a couple other characters because i will say they shocked me in the best way. i definitely pictured the personalities being different so i was pleasantly surprised to find out i was wrong 🤣

THAT ENDING? EXCUSEEEE MEEEEE???? now i have to wait until JUNE!!! 👁️👄👁️ how will i survive (going back and reading more of her finished series, that’s how)

but i have my suspicions on certain side characters and what will play out with them 👀 i can’t wait hehe

thank you to rachel and her team for the ARC of this book! all thoughts and opinions are my own 🫶🏽
Profile Image for The_Book_Brat.
947 reviews162 followers
April 8, 2025
*Why Choose
*Contemporary
*Dual-1st-PoV
*College Setting
*Hockey Elements
*Secret Society
*Triggers - Dubcon
*Blackmail
*Slower Burn
*Established Harem (3)
*Book 1/3
Punchy read!
I liked this book, I blitzed through it quickly as I found myself wanting to know what happened but it didn’t blow me away like some other reads.
I love RH/Why Choose however this one felt more like an MF read with one group scene (dub con) and that these two characters (who I suspect will be in the harem) were really side characters to the main story between Avery and Callan. I also found those characters to have no redeeming features at this stage so will be interesting to see how that develops in the next books 😣
There are definitely dark elements - blackmail, forced proximity, unaliving threats etc - to the storyline but the very worst of it is the treatment is between these guys and Avery. Although there’s some nice character development for Callan in realising how he truly feels and what he will do for this girl 😍and Avery herself is a very strong willed and fiesty character which makes for an interesting n read as she consistently denies this depraved society. 💪Would pick up the next book to see what happens.
Profile Image for Erinn.
569 reviews8 followers
April 10, 2025
OMG!!!!

Yes Queeen this was so freaking good!! I literally finished this in one day!! And I want to read it again and again.

That cliffhanger though ughhhhhh!!!

Avery, Callan, Aidric and Sebastian


This is a dark secret society///dark academia why choose hockey romance!!

I am obsessed with Callan and the other boys are working there way into heart but right now they are still on the outside they need to do a bit more to get my full vote still but dang they are all amazing in their own ways!!

Avery she is kinda sweet but vicious I would say. She is learning to stand her ground but is brought into something she wants nothing to do with, that is until she has no choice not to anymore.

I honestly can’t wait to see where this all goes I am officially hooked and can’t wait for the rest of this series!!!
Profile Image for Jennifer Brown.
160 reviews4 followers
April 9, 2025
WHAT THE PUCKING HECK! THAT ENDING💔💔💔 SOOO DANG GOOD! i absolutely loved the banter, the twists the unexpected happenings that happened in this book! absolutely recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Danielle's.
Author 1 book169 followers
June 1, 2025
Break your pucking heart is a dark hockey romance. The men in this series are not good men and there are morally grey scenes throughout.

Avery slept with Callan and then left him brooding. Years later when she accidentally overheard him talking about his morally grey activities with his fellow hockey players she’s left with no options but to deal with the consequences.

This is a bit f***ed up and has mafia vibes. There’s a fine line between love and hate and these two have great chemistry.

This is book one in a continuous series. It’s RH and the other lords are potential partners too. Callan is the guy we get the strongest connection with in this book. His wounds are deep from the way Avery treated him in the past only this time his obsession is stalker level.

This is a dark romance with all the badness.
Profile Image for Mira Gencheva.
204 reviews22 followers
July 26, 2025
A dark college sports romance featuring a secret society and it’s RH? COUNT ME IN! In other words – there was no way Break Your Pucking Heart by Rachel Leigh wouldn’t grab my attention.

Based on the blurb and the tropes, the book sounded incredibly promising, and I thought it would be my next obsession. But… nope!

Let me start with the positives – the plot and somewhat the writing style. I found the storyline interesting, the idea genuinely good, and the pacing kept the plot moving and engaging. I say the writing style is only somewhat good because while it develops the story and provides decent descriptions to help visualize the setting, when it comes to the characters and tropes, it felt very shallow. And that’s about all the good I can say.

There are elements introduced at the start that the author seems to forget later on, like Avery’s supposed desire to avoid a relationship and the reason she broke Callan’s heart. Halfway through, the story changes its tune completely, which makes no sense. The same goes for their relationship – one minute they’re at each other’s throats, and the next they’re together like nothing happened.

The secret society trope is notoriously difficult to incorporate well, and Break Your Pucking Heart proves that again. It’s unclear why certain things happen within the Lords’ society, what exactly it is, or what its rules are – it’s just there. The boys play hockey and sometimes kill a person or two, apparently.

Which brings me to my next complaint. This is marketed as a dark romance, yet I saw nothing dark about it. I wouldn’t mind that, if the three male leads – who are supposedly tormenting Avery to make it “dark” – weren’t just getting her to attend their games or parties (where she herself causes problems) or making her carry some random rock. It was absurd. Instead of intimidating villains, they felt like bored teenage boys giving her silly errands to keep the plot moving. That doesn’t work.

I don’t have much to say about the characters. I couldn’t fully get to know even Avery or Callan, despite having chapters from both their POVs. Some bits of their past are revealed, but too vaguely to build a real picture of who they are or justify their actions. Still, I have to mention Avery – what an annoying main character. The author tried to make her strong, sassy, and bold, but she came off as whiny, nosey, and ridiculous. She was part of the reason I lowered my rating.

As for Sebastian and Aidric – I couldn't tell much about them, except that one is supposedly scarier than the other. I do hope the next book delves deeper into their personalities, because Aidric definitely caught my interest.

The book ends with a cliffhanger that did pique my curiosity just enough for me to continue with the series.

As I said – the story is interesting, it just didn’t hook me the way I’d hoped. I chalk it up to the combination of all the issues I mentioned. Despite that, I’m willing to keep reading to see if things improve and whether the author deepens the characters moving forward.

Rating: 3/5 ⭐

~~~✨This book was provided to me by Valentine PR for my honest opinion.✨~~~
Profile Image for Marisela M. Chavez.
1,397 reviews8 followers
May 31, 2025
Break your pucking Heart kicks off a brand new series. Let’s just say Rachel will have you hook on the first page. If you love enemies to lovers, secret society, why choose romance this is the one for you.

Avery is as tough as they come, and she doesn’t let Callan, Sebastian and Aidric get the best of her. When she stumbles into the Lord lockers room she is in for a rude awakening. She learns off things she never should know about. Now she has to play the game to keep herself and the ones she loves protected.

Avery and Callan have a past that no one really knows about. When it just the two of them, they push each other buttons. But you can see it’s much more of hate. And it’s great to see how everything unravels. Especially when it seems Avery is in danger they grow a lot more closer trying to find out who is behind the latest threat.

I can’t wait to see how everything will turn out with the others Sebastian and Aidric. You know they both want more than just to torture her. And that ending literally kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to continue with this incredible series. 🏹🏒

Arc was provided for honest review.
Profile Image for Jennifer Brown.
160 reviews4 followers
April 9, 2025
WHAT THE PUCKING HECK! THAT ENDING💔💔💔 SOOO DANG GOOD! i absolutely loved the banter, the twists the unexpected happenings that happened in this book! absolutely recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mandyloves2read.
1,773 reviews175 followers
July 8, 2025
This was a fantastic start for this new series! I love that it’s a spinoff of the Misfits series! This one has a ton of my favorite tropes and I’m so here for it! Can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Dani.
296 reviews12 followers
April 5, 2025
I love Rachel's books and when I saw she was writing a dark hockey why choose romance with a secret society, I knew I had to read Break Your Pucking Heart ASAP. You can definitely tell this is the first book in the series in the way Rachel builds the story throughout and gives us bits and pieces of the main characters. It is safe to say I am invested.

I really like Avery. She is feisty, kinky and loves to speak her mind. You will find no weak FMC when it comes to her! Callan really grabbed my attention and I have a lot of love for him. I was really pleased with his actions and you can tell he is fiercely protective of Avery even though he is wrapped up in a lot darkness being an Ice Lord. I love Avery and Callan's relationship. It feels very natural and they have good chemistry. I am hoping we will get a lot more of Seb and Aidric in the next books. From what I know of them so far, they have peaked my interest. Just know these men are unhinged and possessive AF.

I'm interested to see where the plot goes from here/over the course of the next two books. There is a lot of potential and I can't wait to see what is going to happen now that Avery is in their clutches and they have no plans of letting her escape... That cliffhanger was rough and I'm just going to have to block that out until I get my hands on the next book lol. But it was a good read especially the second half and right before that cliffhanger. Super easy to read and follow.

Oh I also have to mention I would love more of Brogan and maybe even Hayes? I enjoyed how there was a mystery type vibe as well that just escalated towards the end. And how does Liam, Evan and Julian play a role into all of this? I have so many questions and can't wait for more.
Profile Image for Tamarra Lynch.
895 reviews36 followers
April 19, 2025
I don’t read lot of sports romances but after reading this one, it’s definitely changed my opinion entirely.

Avery found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, overhearing something that she wasn’t meant to hear. The Ice Lords have a strict code and they will do anything to ensure her silence by whatever means necessary.

Callan and Avery have history. Once upon a time he was in love with his sisters best friend, but the secrets he holds over her, allows him to keep her close, controlling the narrative, giving him the opportunity to make Avery pay for breaking his heart.

But his fellow brothers Aidric and Sebastian have also set their sights on Avery, purposely singling out Callan, playing a dangerous game of there own, and Avery has no regrets with the way they made her body sing, because for them, there craving only makes them want her more.

Yet Avery continues to dig herself deeper into the Ice Lords domain, having branded her as one of them, both her future and life now tied inextricably together in a way she and they never saw coming.

As Avery and Callan rekindle there relationship, giving into feelings they no longer choose to fight, there is someone out there that is determined to keep them apart, when threats are made, and Callan’s life in danger, if that cliffhanger was anything to go by, what we got in book one, we’re going to get a lot more in book two which can’t come quick enough!

Because the dynamic that is Avery, Callan, Aidric and Sebastian was anything to go by in this book was only the beginning, because we ain’t seen nothing yet.

Those smexy scenes were on point - hot, steamy, spicy, sinfully wicked and deliciously depraved and I can’t wait for more from these characters.

Highly recommend both the author and the book.

I received an ARC. Therefore, I am submitting a voluntary review.

Profile Image for BettyLovesBooks.
383 reviews19 followers
April 21, 2025
I was suckered in by that cliffhanger ending, such that I will be reading book two when it comes out. But the book itself was a little messy. It was like working through a checklist of romance book tropes: bully, dark academia, sports, secret society, best friend’s brother, second chance, enemies to lovers and even a touch of found family, plus a bit of suspense and mystery for good measure! There’s even a slight hint of a why choose element, though the focus is definitely on Callan. Perhaps if the author had honed in on just a few of these tropes, more deeply, it would have been better than trying to touch on so many, in a piecemeal way. As for the FMC, Avery, I liked that she was strong and determined in some ways, and owned her choices, but in others, she was annoying. And she was portrayed at first as committed to excelling in her chosen sport of archery, but then ends up blowing off practices and seeming a bit blasé towards it. MH issues with a side character were also stigmatised, and could have been better addressed or handled with greater care.
So, overall, not bad, and yes, I’ll look for the next, but not great. It was also surprisingly short! I’m really hoping the other two MMCs will get some character development in the next book, as currently they’re a bit caricature-ish.
Profile Image for Chiara.
547 reviews25 followers
April 14, 2025
Incredible start for this series, it definitely left me wanting more, after that epilogue.

Avery and Callan have known each other since high school. They spent one night together and their behaviour towards one another changed completely after that. Now they hate each other. Now they’re both in college and Avery discovers something connected to Callan, that she was not supposed to find out. Callan, alongside his two friends and hockey teammates – Sebastian and Aidric – all belong to a secret society.

But the need to discover more about it brings Avery closer to danger.

I quite liked these books and the dynamics among the characters are really interesting. Still, there were some weird dialogues, and I still don’t understand why hockey is involved in all this. There’s a lot of potential though and I can’t wait to find out more.

Thank you Rachel Leigh and Valentines PR for the arc opportunity. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for shanelle maree.
908 reviews58 followers
May 1, 2025
Well call me hooketh and shooketh, because what in the hot as sin hockey playing dark secret society did I just devour?!

Rachel, you are SO back with this one!! Back to your darker roots, back to your why choose writing and I. Am. Here. For. It!!!!

Loved all of the build up, and how everything started coming out as the story progressed.. this book was truly just so good. The suspense and the mystery grabbed my attention, basically leading me to obsessively keep turning the pages because everything that was happening was just so good and I had to know more!

The guys intrigued me, and I honestly cannot wait for more. I’m easily obsessed with Callan. The chemistry between him and Avery was off the charts!! I also found it so sweet that Avery was his first 🥹 ugh love that microtrope!! Sebastian and Aidric.. yeah those guys have got some work to do in my eyes (especially Aidric.. after what he did)… but I’m definitely really intrigued by them both.

THE CLIFFY AT THE END. I need the next book RIGHT NOWWWWW!!!! It can’t end like that!! 😭😭😭
1,571 reviews27 followers
April 11, 2025
An excellent start to a new series! Avery and Callan have history and it has left sour notes between them so when Avery hears something she shouldn't, he's not going to let her get away with it!

Callan is an Ice Lord which is more than just a hockey player, it's a secret brotherhood that have no issue with physical torture if it means keeping their secrets safe and it's one of those secrets that Avery has uncovered.

Unfortunately for them, she's not going to bow down and let them take what they want without a fight!

But soon it's not only the Lords who has an issue with her....

Really enjoyed it - please note it does end on a cliffhanger that will probably have you shouting at your screen! But it is so worth it.
4/4.5
Profile Image for it.sgottabethebooks.
1,869 reviews88 followers
April 8, 2025
Um, excuse me, Ms. L. What did I just read? Let me pick up my jaw from the floor. I am shook yet not surprised this author delivered a set my panties on fire… oh snap type of read. I am loving this why choose, dark hockey romance. The twists and turns, the explosive chemistry… I can’t wait to see where she takes us in book 2.
Profile Image for Angie Goodson.
38 reviews22 followers
April 21, 2025
Why choose? Secret society? Count me in! I loved every second of this book, I was hooked from the very beginning. Callan, Sebastian and Aidric are so damn unhinged but I absolutely adore all 3 of them. Avery all I have to say is you are one lucky girl, I mean the way they all obsess over you🥵 what the hell was that ending tho Rachel I need the 2nd book ASAP PLSS
Profile Image for Meagan.
162 reviews7 followers
April 7, 2025
Rachel Leigh gets another 5 star read from me. Her books are one of my favorites when it comes to, dark bully romances. Add in hockey? Yes, please! I just couldn’t put this book down once I started reading, it grabbed me from the first chapter and didn’t release me until that horrendous cliffhanger. If I’m honest, I’m still reeling from it. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 3/5
Profile Image for momaddictedtobooks.
674 reviews53 followers
April 7, 2025
4.5⭐️

A great start to a new series! I devoured this book! I enjoyed every minute of it. The men are possessive and totally unhinged and I am so here for it! I can’t wait to see how the story continues! The cliffhanger was rough and I need the next book immediately!
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