What do you think?
Rate this book
Hard Ice: New Jersey Heat Series
He plays to protect.
She’s the one wound he can’t defend.
Star defenseman Mason “Mase” Blake has built his career on control—on ice, in the locker room, and in life. But when Ava Bennett—his forbidden past and the woman who shattered him—crashes back into his world, control isn’t enough to stop the flood of everything he’s never stopped feeling.
Ava’s spent a lifetime living under her father’s shadow—power, politics, manipulation. Walking away from Mase once broke her heart, but it was the only way to survive. Now, with her career on the line and her father threatening everything she’s built, she’s done running. This time, she’s fighting back.
And Mase? He’s done playing it safe.
When love and loyalty collide, the ice won’t be the only thing breaking. Because some battles aren’t fought with sticks and fists—they’re fought with hearts.
And Mason Blake is ready to go to war for his.
Hard Ice is a full-length, high-heat, emotional sports romance featuring a fiercely protective hockey player, a heroine finding her fire, and a love that refuses to lose.
This is a spicy, emotionally intense hockey romance intended for mature readers.
She’s the one wound he can’t defend.
Star defenseman Mason “Mase” Blake has built his career on control—on ice, in the locker room, and in life. But when Ava Bennett—his forbidden past and the woman who shattered him—crashes back into his world, control isn’t enough to stop the flood of everything he’s never stopped feeling.
Ava’s spent a lifetime living under her father’s shadow—power, politics, manipulation. Walking away from Mase once broke her heart, but it was the only way to survive. Now, with her career on the line and her father threatening everything she’s built, she’s done running. This time, she’s fighting back.
And Mase? He’s done playing it safe.
When love and loyalty collide, the ice won’t be the only thing breaking. Because some battles aren’t fought with sticks and fists—they’re fought with hearts.
And Mason Blake is ready to go to war for his.
Hard Ice is a full-length, high-heat, emotional sports romance featuring a fiercely protective hockey player, a heroine finding her fire, and a love that refuses to lose.
This is a spicy, emotionally intense hockey romance intended for mature readers.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2025
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 20, 2025
C. L. Wilder brings the spice and suspense once again in her third New Jersey Heat novel “Hard Ice”. Spice level 4-5.
Main characters PR specialist Ava Bennett and bad boy NHL pro Mase Blake have a past. Ava left without explanation, and Mase has spent the last year spiraling into a public relations nightmare. He’s smashing up opposing team players for running their mouths, missing easy shots and basically becoming a public menace.
Team owners decide to bring in a PR professional to help Mase clean up his act with a tour of public appearances. Guess who they bring in to do the job: Ava.
While fighting the still burning attraction between them, they have to make multiple appearances while traveling together in one vehicle.
Teammates Jax and Theo found their happily ever afters in the first two New Jersey Heat books, but can Ava and Mase find their ways past the hurt and her controlling father?
Main characters PR specialist Ava Bennett and bad boy NHL pro Mase Blake have a past. Ava left without explanation, and Mase has spent the last year spiraling into a public relations nightmare. He’s smashing up opposing team players for running their mouths, missing easy shots and basically becoming a public menace.
Team owners decide to bring in a PR professional to help Mase clean up his act with a tour of public appearances. Guess who they bring in to do the job: Ava.
While fighting the still burning attraction between them, they have to make multiple appearances while traveling together in one vehicle.
Teammates Jax and Theo found their happily ever afters in the first two New Jersey Heat books, but can Ava and Mase find their ways past the hurt and her controlling father?
January 4, 2026
Mason Blake is the bad boy of hockey lately. His image and behavior needs to change. Ava Bennett is the PR rep who is sent to turn things around. However, their past relationship may make Ava’s job harder than she hoped.
This is my first CL Wilder book, and I loved this story! To start off with how Ava’s absence has affected Mase was new for me. It seems like it’s always the fmc heartbroken and longing. It’s refreshing to see a book start with a look at Mase’s brokenheart.
The spice is HOT HOT HOT and very satisfying! And the side characters provide humor and heart.
Hard Ice by C. L. Wilder is the third book in her New Jersey Heat series. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of these hockey hotties. This story was 262 pages of sizzle on ice. 5 stars from me!
This is my first CL Wilder book, and I loved this story! To start off with how Ava’s absence has affected Mase was new for me. It seems like it’s always the fmc heartbroken and longing. It’s refreshing to see a book start with a look at Mase’s brokenheart.
The spice is HOT HOT HOT and very satisfying! And the side characters provide humor and heart.
Hard Ice by C. L. Wilder is the third book in her New Jersey Heat series. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of these hockey hotties. This story was 262 pages of sizzle on ice. 5 stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hard Ice was such a good book!
Ava works in PR. Mase is a professional hockey player. And together they could melt the entire ice rink. (It’s not the most explicit book I’ve read, but consider yourself warned about the spice level.)
And don’t get me started on their friend groups… they are a vibe unto themselves. The banter between them is laugh out loud funny!
(My one critique would be the length of the book. It felt as if I rode the storyline wave a bit too long.)
I received an advanced copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Ava works in PR. Mase is a professional hockey player. And together they could melt the entire ice rink. (It’s not the most explicit book I’ve read, but consider yourself warned about the spice level.)
And don’t get me started on their friend groups… they are a vibe unto themselves. The banter between them is laugh out loud funny!
(My one critique would be the length of the book. It felt as if I rode the storyline wave a bit too long.)
I received an advanced copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
December 23, 2025
I received the ARC. It's my first book from C. L. Wilder. This was a great read! The story follows Mase and Ava, a second chance romance. Great characters and I love the banter between the team. If you love hockey romance reads, I recommend Hard Ice.
December 21, 2025
good book, would recommend it
December 29, 2025
Hockey + Spice, yes, PLEASE! Two people who undeniably want each other and there is nothing they can do about it but that doesn't mean there isn't obstacles in thier way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2026
This book was insane from start to finish! I absolutely loved this one. The spice was incredible! I cannot wait to see where book four goes! I love this hockey team! Thank you so much for the arc!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews