Clear The Ice

The Breakaway Love Series #1

by L.C. Reagan

A slow-burn hockey romance with a social media twist
Book 1 in the Breakaway Love Series

Maddie Hart just landed her dream job—digital content manager for the Titans, a pro hockey team known for drama, fan devotion, and one very grumpy captain.

Liam Callahan is everything she didn’t expect.
A man of few words. All scowl and no interest in the spotlight.
And definitely not interested in being filmed by the new girl.

But when a behind-the-scenes media project throws them into close proximity, Maddie starts to see the cracks in Liam’s armor—and the soft center beneath the scowl. The more they’re forced to work together, the more the tension starts to heat up… until a single kiss changes everything.

Now, Maddie’s caught between professionalism, pressure, and a man who keeps pulling her closer.
And Liam? He’s never been good at playing it safe.

She’s behind the camera. He hates the spotlight.
Too bad chemistry doesn’t follow the script.

Genres: Romance

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2025

About the author

L.C. Reagan writes contemporary romances about powerful women, irresistible men, and the kind of forbidden tension that keeps you up all night.

A former book publisher turned storyteller, she’s obsessed with slow burns, scandalous chemistry, and happily ever afters that are worth the fight. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her binging true crime documentaries, wandering a bookstore, or planning her next fictional escape.

L.C. lives for broken rules, high stakes, and the delicious chaos of falling in love when you’re supposed to know better.

Be sure to follow L.C. on BookBub so you can be alerted of her newest releases! https://bit.ly/46WH0vz

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Start ? . . .

Maddie Hart stared at the Thunder Bay Titans arena where she would start her new job as digital content manager, i.e. handling social media and PR for the pro hockey team. When she built up her nerve, she walked inside and headed for the locker room. A smiling woman with a clipboard welcomed her. Her name was Sarah and she told Maddie she was team operations, “kind of like air traffic control, babysitter, and cruise director all in one.” And she labeled Maddie as their “PR wizard”, then led her to meet the guys, warning her in advance that Captain Callahan can be… intense. She recognized Liam Callahan immediately, team captain, former Olympic player, and dislikes the media. He wears a storm-cloud expression at all times and refused to gather for Maddie’s informal group picture. She let it go this time, but she loved a challenge and he seems to be exactly what she needs. The man was definitely captivating! His team immediately responded to his instructions. He wasn’t just leading; he was teaching by example and made it all look effortless. And on the way out of the ring, he told her to leave him out of her publicity stunts… it never ends well. But she had no intention of giving up on him.

At the first official Titans fan event for the community to meet the players, Maddie got some wonderful pictures of the team members interacting with their fans. The team gladly gave their fans their time and attention, their radiant smiles making all the difference. She even saw Liam speaking softly with an older fan whose face lit up as Liam gave him his full attention. And the fans genuinely loved the team members as if each was their hero. The following day was game day and the excitement was palpable. As she and Sarah talked, someone called to her across the ice, Jordan, the alternate captain. As he teased with her, she saw Liam watching. They won the game and afterward Liam told her she could use one of the shots of him if she wanted to. Then he told her that the older man from yesterday, Ed, texted him to say the photo meant a lot to him and he sent it to his daughter. She almost got a smile out of Liam! And later Sarah texted that her post-game reel had over 40K views! She was making a difference to people and they liked what she shared with them. She accompanied the team on a long bus trip to Chicago for a weekend media tour series. She and Liam actually had a drink together at the hotel bar and their hands lightly brushing each other felt different. Was she getting through to Liam? Was he opening up a little? But when another photographer captures a picture of Maddie laughing at something Jordan said and Jordan moves in closer, touching her arm, it made it look like they were a couple as the picture went viral. She was mortified that a harmless moment that truly wasn’t “real” was spreading innuendo and ruining her reputation! She had simply laughed and nothing more but everyone made up their own story! She could lose her job over this! And even worse, she could lose all the progress she had started to make with Liam. Or could Liam actually be the one person who might truly understand the situation? Or is he shutting her out too?

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Maddie Hart has just started her new job with the Thunder Bay Titans, and is ready to do whatever is needed. Social media posts, photographs, videos, you name it. The team welcome her with open arms, except from captain Liam Callahan. Liam is broody and aloof, and seems to want nothing to do with both Maddie and her camera, but there’s something brewing beneath the surface that neither of them can deny. However, a candid shot of Maddie talking and laughing with the alternate captain, Jordan, soon takes Maddie from behind the lens, and into the story herself.

Well, this was an extremely quick book, which I read in about an hour. Maddie and Liam were decent characters, and there was definitely a tension and chemistry between them that showed that the relationship would work. I wasn’t that keen on the way the storylines kept jumping about, or that fact that Maddie was being blamed for things out of her control. The pacing of the book felt off, and there were times when it almost repeated itself, and others where it seemed like scenes were missing. The final chapter felt more like an epilogue than regular chapter, and though it did say “months later” at the beginning, the audience missed so much which could’ve been great content for the storyline.

[Faithe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear the ice by L.C. Reagan is the first book in the breakaway love series.
Maddie Hart landed her dream job as a content manager for the Titans hockey team. A team known for drama, devoted fans and a grumpy captain.
The forced proximity between Maddie and the captain Liam Callahan, makes the tension boil. When the tension is broken with a kiss, Maddie must decide between professionalism and love.

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

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Book Sirens and L.C. Reagan for the ARC – this is my honest review 💙🏒

Maddie is the new digital content manager for the Titans, a pro hockey team, while Liam is the grumpy, broody captain who wants nothing to do with media, publicity, or photos after being burned in the past. Naturally, when these two clash, sparks fly, and a forbidden enemies-to-lovers, grumpy x sunshine slow burn begins 🔥

What I especially appreciated was how the book highlighted the double standards between office staff and pro athletes. Maddie is chastised (and has her job threatened) simply for laughing in a photo with the assistant captain, Jordan, after gossip sites speculated there was more going on, even though they were purely friends. Meanwhile, Jordan faces zero consequences. It added an important layer to why both Maddie and Liam were so hesitant to give in to their growing feelings.

I enjoyed the story, the tension, and the character dynamics, and I’m definitely interested in continuing with this series. My only real downside was the ending. The book closed with what felt like an epilogue, but it was numbered as a regular chapter. The timeline suddenly jumped months into the future with huge changes in Maddie and Liam’s jobs and relationship that felt too fast and a bit like I had skipped chapters. It left me with a little bit of plot whiplash.

Still, it was an enjoyable read and a solid start to what I think will be a really interesting hockey romance series! 🏒✨

✨ Tropes you’ll find:
• Enemies to Lovers 💥❤️
• Grumpy x Sunshine 🌤️
• Slow Burn 🔥
• Forbidden Romance 🚫💘
• Workplace Romance 💼
• Sports Romance 🏒

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

I found the angle of a photographer to the team very interesting. While pretty in depth in the photography portion, it was interesting as I had no idea the amount of work that went into that kind of stuff. However, while I likedt that part it was almost too extensive. The book didn’t really focus on Liam’s journey to where he was at all. For his character it was really about being the broody Captain of the team. I mean, it was touched upon, very lightly, about his past and why he was so closed off but I think there could have been more to him and his storyline.

I also wish there was a little more romance to the book. Not graphic content or anything like that but more instances of them coming together to end up being a couple. I also felt the ending didn’t really do the rest of the story justice. They are in the Playoffs and then……..it’s the next year. She’s got a different job but Liam had gotten hurt and they were heading to the Championship Game and there was no mention of it! Just several references to the photo she took of Liam at the end of the Playoff game. Are we to surmise they didn’t win the Championship? Or that they did win it? Also, them as a couple….the ending just fell kinda flat to me. It almost made it feel like they were roommates instead of a couple given how preoccupied she was on her phone and then the weird discussion of them not letting outside things/gossip bother them as a couple. Idk. I just didn’t feel the ending.

3 stars (but really wanted it to be higher)

[VeroniCanRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockey, Photography, and Yearning!

While I’ve read others by this author and loved them, this one wasn’t AS compelling, but was still a good one.

I loved that it had more hockey elements and details than most hockey romances, and she truly seemed to understand the media role, going into detail about adjusting the camera, tagging the metadata, reviewing social media captions, etc.

This one was a bit too slow of a slow burn for me though! The FMC, Maddie, is definitely a workaholic, so some parts felt a little repetitive, but it was the slow burn romance that got me. Even though it’s a short book, when they finally got together, I said, “finally!” out loud! Lol

While slow burn romances aren’t usually my thing, the attention to detail and workplace dynamics of this book were enough to keep this book at a 4/5 rating.

Will I be reading the second book? Yes!

For fans of:
- obsessed
- instant connection
- slow burn
- yearning
- workplace romance
- hockey romance
- hardworking woman
- workaholic finding love.

Thank you to BookSprout for proving me with a free copy of this book via BookSprout. As always, I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Clear the Ice by L.C. Reagan kicks off the Breakaway Love Series. The story follows Maddie Hart as she starts her new job in media for the Thunder Bay Titans. It’s her first big professional role, and she’s eager to prove herself. But Liam Callahan, the team’s serious captain, has had bad experiences with the media and isn’t very welcoming. Maddie’s job is to show Liam in a positive, natural way for the fans. The question is, can she get past the barriers he’s put up?

I enjoyed the idea behind this book and the overall feel, but I was left wanting more because it was so short. Important moments and character growth seemed rushed or missing. The romance between Maddie and Liam didn’t feel believable, mostly because there weren’t enough meaningful scenes between them. Oddly, Maddie’s connection with Jordan, one of the other captains, came across as more genuine. The main issue is that the love story doesn’t really play out on the page. If you want a quick read and don’t mind some big gaps, the story has potential, but I wish the relationship had more time to develop.

3.5 stars rounded up

[Kathrine Bak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The story mainly revolves around Maddie, the new digital content manager for a professional hockey team, and Liam, the captain of said hockey team.

Both Liam and Maddie are likeable characters, and the storyline has potential. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the execution doesn't live up to the potential. The story is written in the third person, past tense, which may be partly why the flow is off. The story is also chaotic to me, because many scenes seem either half finished or repetitive, and the jump between chapters seems off. Many scenes are mainly description of action, but lack character depth. The few spicy scenes are also not very memorable.

I wanted to like this book, because the blurb really spoke to me, and hockey romance is one of my favorites. But I can't give this book more than 1.5 stars.

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patience was the name of the game in this book. The FMC is responsible and good at her job. The MMC is quiet and brooding and talented. This is a single POV and I don’t usually care for those types, but this one held up well for me. It moved along nicely and I couldn’t wait to turn the page for new developments. Communication was good between the two main characters. It was definitely a slow burn. This story is a testament as to how women are still treated. Unfortunate, but true. I loved that the two main characters were so well developed. I was rooting for them. I really liked the secondary characters, as well. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I would definitely recommend this novella.

[Trenda Davidson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clear The Ice by L.C. Reagan is the first book in the Breakaway Love Series. The story follows Maddie Hart, a digital content manager for the Titans hockey team, where she meets Liam Callahan—a bit of a loner with broody charm.

I loved the idea of the story and thought it had so much potential ✨ but something just felt a little missing. The intimacy scenes were short and pretty dry, and with the way the book was set up, I expected it to be a lot spicier 🌶️… but it read more like a closed-door romance.

There were also parts that felt a bit repetitive and surface-level. I really wanted to love this one (sports romance is usually my jam 🏒😍), but unfortunately it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

[Christie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slow-burn hockey romance between Maddie and Liam was a quick, cute read that capture some depth into the challenges faced by those staff in the background of an athletic team, and in this case women specifically.

There were some key gaps in the timeline, and some repetitive moments that made it difficult to follow along and truly see the connection between Maddie and Liam. The chemistry between Maddie and Jordan felt more real.

I really enjoyed the photography and social media aspect of this book. Maddie’s character development really thrived in this space and it was enjoyable to see. Maddie truly is a ray of sunshine, most of the time.

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

[Bree McNamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 Stars (rounded to 4)

Clear the Ice is a sweet, slow burn hockey romance that follows Maddie, a hardworking media manager, and Liam, a quiet and guarded team captain. The hockey and behind-the-scenes media details were great and added depth. The romance was a little too slow for my taste, and some parts felt a bit repetitive or rushed. Still, the characters were likable and I was rooting for them. It’s a short read with a good emotional payoff. If you enjoy workplace tension, grumpy and sunshine pairings, and slow burn romance, this is worth checking out.

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

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much L.C. Reagan for the ARC.

I ate this hockey romance up! Read it in one sitting.

It focused on Maddie, a media manager for the Titans hockey team and a closed off hockey player named Liam. Who wants nothing to do with the media or interviews as he was traumatized from the past. She has to slowly try and break his guarded walls, he puts up.

I really enjoyed how the author represented the double standards of females in the workplace vs. pro athletes.

The only thing is I wish this book was longer, but I can't wait to continue in this series!!

Tropes involved :
Sunshine / grumpy
slow burn
workplace romance
sports romance

[Melinda Hennies · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story.. Maddie is new to the Titans media crew. She has a way of making pictures talk, her eye sharp. Maddie meets captain Liam who is very stoic. Liam prefers to observe from afar.
Maddie sees Liam through the lens and sees a man alone, but she sees so much more.
Maddie finds Liam is worth exploring but knows there is so much at risk.
When Maddie is warned by the power within the organization, she backs away, until Liam captures her heart.
Maddie shows the world what a great team she is proud to represent thru her pictures and that the captain and her are the match needed for one another.

[A Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a good read. This is Liam and Maddie's story. Maddie was just starting out her first real important job int he media for the Thunder Bay Titains. She is a ray of sunshine and a total workaholic. While Liam is a quiet, talented, brooding hockey player, which everyone takes grumpy, but really he is just a big teddy bear. It is however, a slow burn romance, which for me took longer that I usually like, but in then end they find each other and are happy.

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

[Cait's Reading Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

L.C. Reagan’s Clear the Ice starts The Breakaway Love Series and tells Liam and Maddie’s story. Maddie does social media and digital content for the hockey team of which Liam is the Captain. The slow burn keeps the reader hooked throughout the book. You could feel the emotions that Liam and Maddie face about being able to move forward with their relationship without impacting their careers.

I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy slow burn and forced proximity romances.

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

[Hannah Colburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the FMC, Maddie was very relatable for me. I am a photographer as well on the side so this hit. I have been on a hockey romance kick and this just further fulled it. Also loved the slow burn, and the fact that the slow burn wasn't just 5 pages as some 'slow burns' can be. I do think it could have been longer, there was more that I was left wanting but by no means did ruin the book. I think this was an enjoyable read.

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

[Nathalie DeSousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a slow burn hockey story about Maddie and Liam. She is a obsesses with photography ( and there are so many well developed actions about photography) while Liam is a hockey player (and once again great details when it comes to the game) who are attracted to each other, but take their time to act on their feelings, but once they do...!!! It is a short book, but well developed and actually a fun read. Cannot wait to read the next books in this series.

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

[Kristen Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear the Ice was such a great book to read. Maddie was such a relatable character who you got to experience life's ups and downs with. The author had you feeling the same joy and heartbreak that Maddie felt. This book had me laughing out loud more times than I could count with the quick little banter from Maddie. Totally recommend!.

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

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have to read this book. It is probably as close to how things really are between players and staff. Maddie is hired as a media specialist and meets Liam a closed off player. Their HEA is well-written, covers everything from lingering looks to moments of nearly giving up, then finding their way. Do not miss reading this book.

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

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this hockey romance. More details than usual in this story which I really liked, learned more about social media posting and the game of hockey, was informative as well as entertaining. Great characters that are well developed with an engaging story line. Slow burn romance was really that, but was well done.

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

[DAC · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. This book is written in third person, and the author spends more time on descriptions, then developing the plot.

I really wanted to like this book. I was ready for a slow burn and spicy hockey romance. This book had some good things going for it. The writer obviously tries very hard to paint the picture. But they are just too much of it. And I have a very hard time already reading third person point of view. So I wanted to like it, but gave up after a few chapters.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good sweet and a little spicy Hockey Romance! The characters are likable and the story is an entertaining one to follow. He is a hockey player, she does social media for the team. When they start catching feelings for eachother of course it causes issues because she works for the team that he plays for. It is a good sweet romance that has unique elements to it in the hockey romance space.

[Amanda Frye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short quick read with a slow burn romance. I always love a story that involves a hockey romance. This hockey romance revolved around the team, captain, and the one in charge of the media. With this being in a short book, we are left wanting more out of their story.

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

[Myriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice short but cute slow burn. They each had distinct and different personalities that brought all the characters to life. It was nice seeing the bonds and the emotions build. Along with having the world against them being a big pressure, but they rise above it.

[Cynthia Woodham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant slow heart pumping burn read. Liam and Maddie can't help not see each other, but it's not suppose to happen. I may have got a little bit hot with the way these two look ed at each other.

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

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story

Liam and Maddie started out slow with a few problems but eventually found their love. The only thing wrong with this hockey romance is, its to short! Loved all the team members too they made the team funny.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written with nicely developed characters, this hockey romance is a fun read for fans of the sport. Even if you’re not into hockey, the characters and their story are easy to relate to and enjoy.

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

[Cathy Moir-Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the author's style and the slow build-up of emotion - shed more than a few tears in certain parts, but - and it's a big one, I also felt slightly cheated. There should have been another chapter right before the epilogue that is glaringly absent. Such a shame.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Painfully slow burn.