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Open Ice
A fake romance.
A real cause.
And feelings no one planned for.
Ryan Cole is a professional hockey star with a reputation to protect—and a charity campaign to run. As the public face of the Open Ice Initiative, he agrees to a clean, headline-friendly solution: a fake relationship with a beautiful model to boost visibility and donations.
Too bad the only woman he actually connects with is her sister.
Nora Hart is the brains behind the Open Ice Initiative—organized, passionate, and determined to keep things professional. But as she and Ryan work closely behind the scenes, sparks fly in the quiet moments no cameras catch.
Ryan may be pretending to fall for someone else in public.
But in private, it’s Nora who’s stealing his heart.
Open Ice is a prequel novella to the Vancouver Northstars series, featuring fake dating, slow-burn tension, and the moment everything begins.
A real cause.
And feelings no one planned for.
Ryan Cole is a professional hockey star with a reputation to protect—and a charity campaign to run. As the public face of the Open Ice Initiative, he agrees to a clean, headline-friendly solution: a fake relationship with a beautiful model to boost visibility and donations.
Too bad the only woman he actually connects with is her sister.
Nora Hart is the brains behind the Open Ice Initiative—organized, passionate, and determined to keep things professional. But as she and Ryan work closely behind the scenes, sparks fly in the quiet moments no cameras catch.
Ryan may be pretending to fall for someone else in public.
But in private, it’s Nora who’s stealing his heart.
Open Ice is a prequel novella to the Vancouver Northstars series, featuring fake dating, slow-burn tension, and the moment everything begins.
- GenresSportsHockey Romance
ebook
Published March 12, 2026
About the author
Evie Cross
4 books3 followersEvie Cross writes contemporary romance for readers who love passion, heart, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.
A former journalist who was raised in the middle of Canada, she grew up playing hockey and cheering for the underdog.
She’s a wife, mom, coffee devotee, Peloton enthusiast, dog person, plant lover (with mixed results), hockey fan, and believes the best love stories start with chemistry and end with forever.
Evie loves corresponding with readers, so visit her website, email her, sign up for her newsletter, or join her Facebook group for exclusive content, giveaways, and sneak peeks at upcoming books.
Evie writes historical romance as Ellie St. Clair.
A former journalist who was raised in the middle of Canada, she grew up playing hockey and cheering for the underdog.
She’s a wife, mom, coffee devotee, Peloton enthusiast, dog person, plant lover (with mixed results), hockey fan, and believes the best love stories start with chemistry and end with forever.
Evie loves corresponding with readers, so visit her website, email her, sign up for her newsletter, or join her Facebook group for exclusive content, giveaways, and sneak peeks at upcoming books.
Evie writes historical romance as Ellie St. Clair.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 21, 2026
This delightful hockey romance prequel is the beginning of what I think will be a fabulous series involving the Vancouver Northstars hockey team. Here we have Ryan Cross who is very involved with Northstars’ Open Ice Initiative. The initiative offers financial support for youth who want to play hockey and Ryan has reluctantly agreed to pretend to be dating renowned model Isla Hart in order to generate interest in and donations for the Initiative. But it’s Isla’s less known sister Nora Hart that Ryan literally runs into first and he can’t help but notice Nora as she hides behind the scenes while she handles her roles as the campaign coordinator for the Initiative and assistant to Isla efficiently, impressively and with the utmost care for everyone involved. Fake dating Isla doesn’t feel right but being around Nora is easy and definitely feeling right. Now he has to convince Nora.
A perfect blend of romance within the hockey world with a youth camp, players and models volunteering, a glamorous gala and a kiss cam that catches Ryan kissing the “wrong” sister. I loved how the author portrayed all the characters especially allowing Nora and Isla to have a close sisterly bond and not one of discord. I can’t wait to read the series.
I received this book for free by signing up for the author’s newsletter and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A perfect blend of romance within the hockey world with a youth camp, players and models volunteering, a glamorous gala and a kiss cam that catches Ryan kissing the “wrong” sister. I loved how the author portrayed all the characters especially allowing Nora and Isla to have a close sisterly bond and not one of discord. I can’t wait to read the series.
I received this book for free by signing up for the author’s newsletter and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 1, 2026
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫
From the very first chapter, I knew this book was going to have my whole heart. The chemistry wasn't loud—it was soft, intentional, and built through every meaningful conversation and lingering glance. I couldn't stop smiling while reading.
Ryan completely stole my heart. He's the kind of hero who is gentle, patient, and quietly protective. Watching him care so deeply for the kids, while slowly falling for Nora without even realizing it, made me melt.
Nora was just as incredible. She's hardworking, kind, and always putting everyone else first. I loved seeing someone finally notice her and not because of who she was connected to, but simply because of who she is.
The slow burn was EVERYTHING. Every interaction felt natural, every moment had purpose, and the emotional tension had me kicking my feet the entire time.
This story reminded me that sometimes love isn't found in grand gestures, it's found in the small moments. In making room for someone. In paying attention. In choosing them over and over again.
♡ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭
If you love romances filled with tenderness, emotional depth, and a hero who falls first while making the heroine feel truly seen, Open Ice deserves a spot on your TBR. I already can't wait to continue this series.
From the very first chapter, I knew this book was going to have my whole heart. The chemistry wasn't loud—it was soft, intentional, and built through every meaningful conversation and lingering glance. I couldn't stop smiling while reading.
Ryan completely stole my heart. He's the kind of hero who is gentle, patient, and quietly protective. Watching him care so deeply for the kids, while slowly falling for Nora without even realizing it, made me melt.
Nora was just as incredible. She's hardworking, kind, and always putting everyone else first. I loved seeing someone finally notice her and not because of who she was connected to, but simply because of who she is.
The slow burn was EVERYTHING. Every interaction felt natural, every moment had purpose, and the emotional tension had me kicking my feet the entire time.
This story reminded me that sometimes love isn't found in grand gestures, it's found in the small moments. In making room for someone. In paying attention. In choosing them over and over again.
♡ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭
If you love romances filled with tenderness, emotional depth, and a hero who falls first while making the heroine feel truly seen, Open Ice deserves a spot on your TBR. I already can't wait to continue this series.
May 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this fake dating novella.
Nora and Ryan are a great couple, and I liked the way Evie wrote the story.
I highly recommend! :)
Nora and Ryan are a great couple, and I liked the way Evie wrote the story.
I highly recommend! :)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews