Elias Mercer has worked hard building the perfect career. He’s captain of the Montreal Royals, and he’s just been named captain of Team Canada for the Olympics. At thirty-two, he’s spent years as the face of Canadian hockey while perfecting the art of keeping his personal life private and separate from his professional one.
Nolan Hart can’t believe he’s chosen to be the youngest player on Team Canada. At twenty and just in his second year in the NHL, he’s one of hockey’s brightest young stars. It feels like a dream come true to play on the Olympic team. He’s admired Elias for what feels like forever, but he’s not expecting to find he can’t stop thinking about his new captain.
What starts as stolen touches and flirty comments quickly turns to nights together and feelings that are getting too big to ignore. With the gold medal on the line, they fight to find a way to balance their careers and their relationship. But when the Olympics come to an end, they’ll return to opposite sides of the NHL, forcing them to confront whether what they found in Italy can survive real life.
Nolan dreams of a day where they don’t have to hide, but Elias knows all too well how the media can reduce a player to a headline. Winning Olympic gold might be the easy part. Figuring out what happens after could cost them everything.
Frozen Currents is book 1 of the Beyond the Ice series. Each book follows a different couple and can be read as a standalone.
Rachael Nicolas is a romance author with a love for complicated characters, big feelings, and stories about finding the person who feels like home. Her debut novel, Frozen Currents, is the first book in the Beyond the Ice series.
She lives in Texas with her husband and kids. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading romance, drawing, watching hockey, or developing extremely strong opinions about fictional people who do not exist.
An Olympic hockey romance with plenty of actual hockey, two weeks inside the Olympic village and a lovely relationship unfolding along the way!
I particularly appreciated how much detail went into the sport itself, making the hockey feel like a genuine part of the story rather than just a convenient backdrop. The writing flowed smoothly, too, and the Olympic setting made for such a fun reading experience.
Elias and Nolan had a sweet dynamic, with their contrasting personalities and age gap adding an interesting layer to their relationship. Elias's more reserved, responsible nature balanced Nolan's younger, carefree energy beautifully, and I enjoyed seeing their admiration turn into something more. Their chemistry was lovely, and I liked how naturally their sexuality and relationship were handled without unnecessary drama. I would have enjoyed a little more time with the build-up between them, but their connection was still a pleasure to follow.
I also liked that we got to see them navigate life beyond the Olympic bubble, including the challenges of distance and their hockey careers. The story had some genuinely sweet, funny and emotional moments, although I would have loved a little more depth and development in certain parts of their relationship.
This was an easy, entertaining read with a lovely wintery feel, and I had a nice time with these two.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Rachael Nicolas and Love Notes PR for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
Frozen Currents 🧊 Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR & Rachael Nicolas for trusting me with this ARC!❄️ That was a beautiful,puck filled romance,perfect for all the hockey obsessed girlies. What specifically stuck with me,is how much information of the sport is written on the novel and it wasn't just mentioned for the story.We play actual hockey & our main boys take us onto the Olympic village for the 2 busy weeks they were inside. My favorite aspect of the book was how flawlessly and smoothly the story turned out,without big time jumps or anything that would set out the mood. Elias & Nolan were to men who could not be more different yet they share some big similarities that helped their attraction grow.The way they play,they way they love & the image they have of how the hockey world would react to them as gay & later as a couple was a fundamental aspect in there romance.I adored how they found their way in life & back to each other and got to live their HEA,without making heir hearts too heavy at first. So,a shortie,winter read is perfect for those cold nights who want to read about two boys falling in love,and not regretting it a bit,because at the end of the day they deserve sunshine too. Out On Nov,4th🏒 3⭐
Hockey romance is one of my new favorite genres to read about.Bonus points if I learn about how the game works and feel the excitement that comes with playing it.
Age gap, forced proximity and a secret romance are terms that make me pick up a book, but this story didn’t work for me.
The romance felt oddly paced. There aren’t like a few throwbacks to make it clear to the reader how the crush started or maybe some previous interactions they might have had.(or the story didn’t stick with me if it was mentioned)
I like slow burn romance more than they looked at each other’s lips and smooched.
I did think it was good to have friction between the characters about how to deal with their relationship, and each having a conversation with a trusted person on how to see it from someone’s perspective.
Not sure if I will continue this series as it didn’t feel like the right fit for me.
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for this free arc in exchange for an honest review.
I wish the author a lot of fun and joy on continuing the series though.
One thing I was pleasantly surprised by was how well the age-gap dynamic was handled. Nolan having had a crush on Elias for years, essentially seeing him as his hero, could easily have ventured into uncomfortable territory for me. Sometimes that sort of history and power dynamic can give me the ick, but I actually thought it was handled really well here.
Now, if you’re looking for a slow burn, this probably isn’t the book for you! There was very little build-up, and the relationship was pretty much an insta-love situation. They were practically together from day one of the Olympics! Personally, I love a bit of tension, some pining and that delicious build-up before the characters finally get together, so I would have liked a little more of that.
Something I did really appreciate, though, was the way their relationship and sexuality were portrayed. There was no dramatic, forced outing or big public announcement where they had to come out to the world before they were ready. They were simply allowed to exist, be themselves and navigate their relationship on their own terms. I loved that!
Overall, this wasn’t a standout MM sports romance for me, especially when there are other books in the genre that I’ve connected with more, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it. It was an enjoyable, straightforward read with some lovely elements, even if it didn’t completely sweep me off my feet.
A huge thank you to Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read this eARC.
If you loved Heated Rivalry and are looking for the next MM hockey romance to pick up, this should be on your list. It had a similar feel to Heated Rivalry, but the plot is completely different and doesn’t hold the actual rivalry element since they’re teammates.
Nolan is 20yo which at first I thought was maybe too young for the relationship to work with 31/32yo Elias, but actually Nolan has a great emotional intelligence that really grounds Elias when it’s needed. Don’t get me wrong, there’s moments when Nolan’s younger mindset rears its head, though it doesn’t take over the flow of the story.
This focuses a lot on the actual hockey, so it’s very clear the author has an understanding of the game and isn’t just writing a hockey romance for popularity reasons. There aren’t any unrealistic plays, and there’s definitely that element of found family which is very common in sports romances.
There were some background storylines which never really played out, but they had the potential to really make an impact if they had. Such as Nolan’s relationship with his dad - I would’ve loved to have seen a confrontation where he finally takes back control.
Overall it was a really good book, and I actually found I preferred the writing of this to that of Heated Rivalry.
About the book: ▫️age gap (11/12yr) ▫️ice hockey ▫️forced proximity ▫️teammates ▫️open door (chapters 13, 19, 24, 30, epilogue)
Elias, hardworking and private guy, captain of Team Canada in the Olympics. Nolan, youngest player on Team Canada, has admired Elias his whole life.
Nolan is young and flirty, and gets more than he hoped for with Elias. They enjoy their Olympics-bubble, but the distance and how they view life makes it troublesome when they return home.
Their inner thoughts and how they present themselves shows their age-gap in a good way through the story
I don’t know If it was intentional or not but, I really liked how the author used their first, and surnames in different ways, firstname in more private and emotional settings and, the surname in more formal, and of course in the hockey-setting.
I read this in two sittings, and both cried and laughed.
An easy, fast read, not too deep, but enough emotions to get a connection with the characters.
This was the first book in the series “Beyond the Ice”.
❄️ MM Hockey Romance 💞 Forced Proximity 🕰️ Age Gap 👀 Captain x Rising Star 🇨🇦 Olympics 🥰 Teammates to Lovers
Okay, Elias and Nolan really got me with this one! 🥹💙 I went into this story and found myself enjoying their relationship more and more as I kept reading. I loved their chemistry, the banter, and all those little moments where they got to spend time together and just be around each other. Whether they were hanging out, meeting at the hotel, or sharing a meal, I loved getting to see their connection grow because it made me feel like I was right there with them.
Elias and Nolan have such an interesting dynamic, too. Elias is the hardworking, private guy who carries the responsibility of being Team Canada's captain at the Olympics, while Nolan is the youngest player on the team and has admired Elias for years. I really liked seeing how they viewed things differently and how their personalities came through in their inner thoughts. Their age gap added another layer to their dynamic, but what really got me was watching that admiration slowly turn into something more.
The slow burn had me paying attention to every little interaction because the attraction was there, and I wanted to see what they were going to do about it! 😂 I also appreciated that once they realized their feelings were mutual, they didn't spend forever avoiding what was right in front of them. Their chemistry felt natural to me, and I loved seeing them build trust while figuring out what they wanted from each other.
This story had me laughing, crying, and smiling at different moments, and that's always a good feeling when I'm reading a romance. I was especially drawn to the way Elias and Nolan connected, not just physically but emotionally, too. By the end, I was happy I got to spend time with these two, and honestly, I wouldn't mind revisiting their story again! 💙
If I have to define this book in one sentence it would be “finding home”
Let’s just say that if you mix hockey, the Olympics, a lot of emotions and hot men it’s the perfect recipe for a gooood book. I don’t even know where to start, these two just make so much sense.
We have our captain Elias, the guy carrying all the pressure for this Olympics trying to be a good example but at the same time developing feelings for one of the team Canada. On the other hand we have Nolan, the carefree soul, so talented that he’s the youngest on the team Canada and let’s just say that he always had a thing for Elias.
I love that both of them were clear of their feelings from the beginning and that just shows how emotionally mature they are. I’m not gonna lie, I’m not a big fan of the age gap trope however Elias and Nolan made me crave for it and let’s just say that it was so funny every time someone reminded this to Elias.
Thank you Love Notes PR and Rachael Nicolas for this incredible opportunity, you gave me a formidable age gap, hockey romance and found family. I’m really looking forward to your upcoming projects.
Thank you to the author and the team who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Some books just connect with you, and this one definitely did!
I’ve read quite a few hockey romances, including MM romances, but there was something about this one that made me feel young again. I can’t even pinpoint exactly what it was, but I really enjoyed the storyline and found myself thinking about the book even when I wasn’t reading it.
One thing I especially appreciated was how quickly the romance developed. I loved that we didn’t have to wait forever for the characters to realize they liked each other! Sometimes, I just want a romance that gets going without dragging out that initial realization for ages, and this delivered on that for me.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable read, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it. I might have forgotten another amazing debut somewhere along the way, but Frozen Currents has definitely set the bar high for me!
The way I cackled when Elias asked Nolan who his first crush was 🤣 The age gap between the two was well done and avoided that overly focused ick I get from other age gap romances. Elias is the captain of the Canadian Olympic team, Nolan is the new kid on the block who grew up idolizing Elias. When they end sharing a room thanks to an inconsiderate teammate sparks fly. No slow burn here, they jump right in and have to navigate what’s next when the sparks start to show. How will they navigate life after the Olympics on separate NHL teams?
If you’ve read a lot of hockey MM romance, this isn’t gonna be anything that shocks you or revolutionizes the genre. It’s an easy read, a good pallet cleanser that doesn’t require a lot of thinking this would be great for that. In many ways, the story was too laid out for me as the reader. It was like being told facts instead of getting to witness a story unfold. There wasn’t a lot going on besides smut and hockey so if you like that over a detailed story you’ll love this book.
How precious are these two??? The answer is… a lot!
If you love
🍁Age gap
🍁Mm hockey romance
🍁Teammates to lovers/opposing teams
🍁 Forxed proximity
🍁 Amazingly written character… then this book is for you!
Nolan stole completely my heart, I just want to put him in my pocket. But Elias as captain of Team Canada in the Olympics… smash!
I’m struggling a little with some things in my life and reading is probably one of the only three things that really help me let go some tension and anxiety and this book was absolutely perfect for me. I loved the pace, the character and their story-the way it developed through the pages of this book. The slow burn, the way they met in the team and how everything worked out in the end for them stole me completely, every free minute at work was spent with my Kindle glued to my hands.
Bonus point for the cover because it is beautiful!!! The author did an amazing job! 🩷
I am so grateful for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC and I’m so grateful because this was an amazing reading experience!
**REVIEW OF ADVANCED READER COPY RECEIVED FROM AUTHOR**
Oh I couldn’t love this more!
I adored how Rachael wrote the slow build up of their attraction, with little touches under the table, thighs grazing and flushed smiles.. it had that subtle chasteness to it that I love. So many moments had me giddy and kicking my feet, but also had me flushing from the tension between them.
What was surprising for a debut novel is that Rachael managed to write a Hockey romance that didn’t follow all the usual tropes and formulas (which, to be clear, I still enjoy reading), but instead she wrote something a little different, namely what happens after the MMCs get together. Instead of the usual story where the love interests get together at the end, we got to see Elias and Nolan having to navigate a long distance relationship and the difficulties that would bring. This was wonderfully refreshing and added an extra layer of depth that I appreciated.
I loved Elias and Nolan, I loved their love story and I am very much looking forward to the next book on the series.
Having a crush on your captain is one thing. Finding out he wants you too? Okay, Nolan! 😂🏒
Elias and Nolan have the attraction, but there’s more going on here than two hot hockey players getting together. Away from the ice, they get to talk, flirt, and see who they are without a whole team watching. Nolan brings the more outgoing energy, while Elias is used to keeping everything close to his chest. And Nolan has his own talent and personality, so he isn’t just following his captain around with heart eyes.
Of course, wanting each other doesn’t mean they have everything figured out. Elias has spent years keeping his private life PRIVATE, and suddenly having feelings isn’t going to undo all that. Nolan wants to be open about them, though, and neither man can just brush the other’s feelings aside. Throw in different teams and distance, and these two have some work to do.
If you like M/M hockey romance with an age gap, flirting, and a relationship that has to grow beyond that first attraction, put this one on your list!
Thank you ♡ to Rachael Nicolas and Love Notes PR for the ARC!
Review of advanced copy from Rachael Nicolas and LoveNotes PR
I went into this book not really knowing what I would make of it but then I met Elias and Nolan and they had me hooked! I adored following their story throughout this book and found it an enjoyable read from start to finish.
The pair have such an interesting dynamic. You have Elias who is a hardworking man who is reserved and who is carrying the responsibility of being the team captain for Canada’s Olympic team. And then Nolan who is the baby of the team and literally admired Elias since he joined. So cute. If you are a lover of slow burn this is for you, I loved it. Every second of it.
Their relationship really developed so beautifully and one of the stand-out things for me was that it was so natural. Nothing felt forced and even the small interactions left me reeling for more. If you love MM romances, sport romances then I highly recommend this to you!
Frozen Currents was such a joy to read! Our to MCs, Nolan and Elias shared an Olympic Village tryst that survived the Closing Ceremony.
Rachel made these boys so endearing and had me cheering them on both on and off the the ice. Their connection had chemistry and realness. Their banter had me giggling and their vulnerability made me want to wrap them up in a tight hug.
The story itself was a fantastic blend of hockey, yearning, romance, and spice. It moved at a good pace, nothing felt rush and it didn’t lag. The plot line felt real and progressed naturally. Frozen Currents is perfect for someone who is looking for an age gap, teammates to lovers story with plenty of hockey and witty banter.
The moment I knew this was a mlm hockey romance, I just had to get my hands on it. Thank you so much to the author for letting me review this book ❤️
Nolan and Elias and the cutest everrr. I mean the age gap was a bit like what?!! But I was really happy with the book. The yearning in this book was absolutely crazy. So nolan is the type to yearn out loud and let the other person know they are loved and I loved that Elias became that person for him. I like how Elias didn't want to hard launch but neither did he want to hide it. He wanted to be happy with Nolan without thinking of anything else ❤️❤️❤️
Frozen Currents was an enjoyable, quick hockey romance featuring an Olympic fling, an age-gap relationship, and a captain falling for the youngest player on his team. I liked Elias and Nolan’s chemistry, playful banter, and the contrast between their personalities. Their stolen moments in Italy were sweet and emotional, and I enjoyed watching their admiration turn into something deeper. However, while the story was entertaining and had some lovely moments, I felt it could have explored their struggles and relationship in greater depth. A pleasant start to the Beyond the Ice series, but not quite a standout for me.
I really enjoyed this one! The relationship between Elias and Nolan really pulled me into the story, and I especially loved the way that their relationship blossomed throughout the story but even when things felt bad there was still that connection.
I thought the author did a great job exploring relationships, especially family. Not just biological but also found family which is so important.
If you enjoy hockey romances, found family, and teammates to lovers trope, I would definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR
Cute cute cute!! I love a good teammates with an age gap love story. I love when the veteran is so confused by the rookie (and usually it’s their exuberance). I love when we get one character bouncing out of bed and the other grunting and groaning about their back in the morning. It just hits so good.
Elias and Nolan are just that - a perfect dichotomy of characters that make you smile and content with their love story. From teammates at the Olympics to navigating a LDR while playing different teams, they just fit. Is there drama? Sure, a little bit. But mostly what we get is two people figuring it the fuck out because they love each other.
The story line is great. The romance starts fast and grabs your attention. I had a hard time putting the book down. I probably would have finished it in a few days if my daily life would allow me to. I’m excited to read the other books that come out by her. I have never been a big hockey fan. But this book definitely makes me want to start watching it.
This was such a fun cozy hockey rom-com. Both golden Retriever vibes. Canadian hockey meets MM romance 🩷. I don't think you can technically call it enemies to lovers but they are on different teams. Age gap MM hockey rom-com would be more like it but it is most definitely NOT closed door. 🌶🌶🌶🌶 on the spice scale. More plot then smut but it was such a good balance.
No gay awakening. Both men knew from a young age they were gay. Hockey fans will love the reference to the game and the proper references at that. I loved how for the Spicy scenes, actual names were used for describing parts and activities. None of the froo froo names that a lot of writers use. So thank you to the author for that.
Very cozy and cute 🩷🩷 Again, thank you @rachaelnicolasauthor for the opportunity to be an ARC reader.
I enjoyed this book as I always like to read a sports romance. I did finish it pretty quickly and it was an easy read. The story had a good layout and the yearning between the MMCs was well done. The only reason for 3.5 was due to some of the skipping and it felt that some of the scenes went unfinished and could have more content. Will still read book 2 in this series though!
Thank you to Love Notes and the author for this advance copy of Frozen Currents.
Elias and Nolan meet as they compete to win Ice Hockey Gold for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This book shows their quickly developing relationship at the games, and then follows them after the Olympics is over and they have to handle becoming a couple who live and work so far apart, and who both have different ideas of how private they want their relationship to be.
Unfortunately this story just didn’t work for me, the writing style is very ‘this happened, then this happened’ over and over. The relationship begins so quickly and we barely get to know the characters, Elias especially was incredibly flat and one-note. Everything felt very formulaic, with the remembered coffee orders, the teammate who can see how smitten they are and the cute pets at home. I usually enjoy age-gap romances but here somehow it didn’t feel quite right, maybe it was that Nolan had always been half obsessed with Elias or that Nolan really did feel very young and like he had no power in the relationship. It just had no real spark, and the second half was a slow drag towards the end.
There were other odd choices that just threw the whole book off as well, like the placement of the story at the very real Milan games with the same matches that happened on the same dates - but with very different scoreboards. There are a lot of half-mentioned storylines (like the issues with Nolan’s Dad) that are never resolved or even fully developed into something which would have given the book more interest.
For a much better story of love at the Olympics I would recommend The Kennedy Rule by K.C Carmichael.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received an ARC to review for my honest opinion.
This didn't really work for me. It was okay, there was just so much telling, not showing and I never connected with the characters.
The stakes were low and there was no tension. I don't always mind low/no stakes, but this story needed something to keep me engaged. As it was, I didn't really care what happened one way or another to these guys.
One thing to note, there was a lot of hockey in this book. If you want your sports romance to actually include sports, this will make you very happy. Unfortunately, I wish some of that time were spent on more character development and interactions between our MCs.
With regards to the age gap, I was worried it was going to come off creepy and was surprised that it didn't. The MCs made pointed jokes and comments about it that acknowledged it was there and significant, but it never went into feeling icky. (It really could have since one MC crushed after the other since he was 11.) Well done author!
I'm chalking this book up as a 'not for me' read. It didn't hit the spot for me but I can see how others would enjoy it more.
I read so many MM books, and I started missing this beautiful Slow-burn magic. You know then from not having attraction to having and then getting in love. Not like, ohh yeah, I saw the boy, and I like him already because he is good-looking, etc. I feel like Im missing these parts or one chapter in between. Anyway, this wasn't about this book. it was just general observation, heheh Talking about this book: What to expect: ❄️ MM Hockey Romance 💞 Forced Proximity 🕰️ Age Gap 👀 Captain x Rising Star 🇨🇦 Olympics 🥰 Teammates to Lovers
was easy to read. If you are new to mm, it's perfect for you. There is not much drama or lots of shmex, just straight to loooove, heheh. MMC has great loving families and friends, which is great, in real life is hard to have that (and of course one of dads has to be dickish).
Thank you to Love Notes and the author for this advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily🩷
Rating: 2,5⭐️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️,5
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love an MM romance but this one just didn’t hit as much as I hoped it would be but it is what it is. I felt like their relationship began so quickly after their first meeting and the age gap being 12 years with Nolan only being 20 plus being obsessed with Elias since forever. I am usually more of a fan of age gaps and forced proximity as well but like I said this book just didn’t hit as much for me as I’d hope it would be but that’s the circle of life
I usually am not one to read romance books, especially sports romances. However, I am a big fan of well-written books, and this one did not disappoint. Elias and Nolan have the cutest story that makes you want ten more books about their lives together.
The perfect length for a romance book that hits all the marks of a good read. It makes me want to read more sports romance in the future!
I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this universe and these characters. Rachael Nicolas did a fantastic job bringing Elias and Nolan to life in a fun, but well-rounded way!
Thank you LoveNotesPR and Rachael Nicholas for giving me the chance to read this great ARC book!!! It was such a fun read!!! I adore an MM hockey romance, especially one where teammates fall for each other (I don’t see them around enough). Plus the relationship was so sweet, it kind of made my heart ache—although personally I would have liked a more in depth epilogue to make their love story feel more fulfilling and concluded. Overall, this is a fun, engaging read for those who want a short but emotional MM hockey romance to sink their teeth into to, and is perfect for fans of Heated Rivalry. 4.1⭐️
Tropes - ❄️ MM Hockey Romance - 💞 Forced Proximity - 🕰️ Age Gap - 👀 Captain x Rising Star - 🇨🇦 Olympics - 🥰 Teammates to Lovers - 🏳️🌈 Gay romance - 🤫 Secret relationship
Overall, the book was decent, but I just wasn't a huge fan of the writing style. I found it difficult to connect with the story because of it, and unfortunately, that took away from my overall enjoyment.
Frozen Currents is an adorable MM hockey romance that reminded me so much of Heated Rivalry. Elias and Nolan spending time together and growing their friendship into a relationship was beautiful to see. I really enjoyed the progression, the character development and overall story.
Overall a really good easy read!
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.