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Fast Ice #2
Hard Lines & Goal Lines
The time has never been right.
As the backup goalie for the Philadelphia Colonials, Tim Stanton earned his nickname “Tank” by being an immovable force in net. Hockey has always come first in his life but, at thirty-one, he has an expiration date practically stamped on his ass. It’s time to make hard decisions about his future. Does he retire on his terms or play until his body gives out? And if he stays in net, will he miss his shot to pursue the woman he loves?
The odds are stacked against them.
As the daughter of an NHL Legend and the Colonials' GM, Gabby Mitchell has had to work twice as hard to prove herself as the team's public relations director. Dating a player could be career suicide, especially one on her own team. But none of her former boyfriends match up to the quiet, broody hunk of a goalie who’s her brother’s best friend. When Gabby dumps her most recent mistake, a chance encounter with Tim leads to a stolen, steamy kiss…and a full-blown secret affair.
Gabby and Tim have skated around their feelings for years. Now their passion is reaching a boiling point, but Tim’s uncertain future and a scandal involving Gabby’s brother threatens their relationship before it has the chance to score. Gabby and Tim have skated around their feelings for years. Now their passion is reaching a boiling point, but his uncertain future and a scandal involving her brother threatens their relationship before they have a chance to score.
As the backup goalie for the Philadelphia Colonials, Tim Stanton earned his nickname “Tank” by being an immovable force in net. Hockey has always come first in his life but, at thirty-one, he has an expiration date practically stamped on his ass. It’s time to make hard decisions about his future. Does he retire on his terms or play until his body gives out? And if he stays in net, will he miss his shot to pursue the woman he loves?
The odds are stacked against them.
As the daughter of an NHL Legend and the Colonials' GM, Gabby Mitchell has had to work twice as hard to prove herself as the team's public relations director. Dating a player could be career suicide, especially one on her own team. But none of her former boyfriends match up to the quiet, broody hunk of a goalie who’s her brother’s best friend. When Gabby dumps her most recent mistake, a chance encounter with Tim leads to a stolen, steamy kiss…and a full-blown secret affair.
Gabby and Tim have skated around their feelings for years. Now their passion is reaching a boiling point, but Tim’s uncertain future and a scandal involving Gabby’s brother threatens their relationship before it has the chance to score. Gabby and Tim have skated around their feelings for years. Now their passion is reaching a boiling point, but his uncertain future and a scandal involving her brother threatens their relationship before they have a chance to score.
Unknown Binding
Published May 11, 2020
163 people are currently reading
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About the author
Stephanie Julian
163 books1,058 followersStephanie Julian is a USA Today and New York Time best-selling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. She writes stories with sultry heat and sweet heart.
She is the author of the best-selling Salon Games and Indecent series. INVITE ME IN (previously published as BY PRIVATE INVITATION) was an RT Magazine Top Pick. AN INDECENT PROPOSITION was named by BookBub as one of the 20 Best Erotic Books.
Stephanie is happily married to a Springsteen fanatic and the mother of two hairy sons.
Find out why reviewers call Stephanie's stories "fascinating," "truly fantastic," "intoxicating," "highly imaginative" and "hot enough to peel paint."
She is the author of the best-selling Salon Games and Indecent series. INVITE ME IN (previously published as BY PRIVATE INVITATION) was an RT Magazine Top Pick. AN INDECENT PROPOSITION was named by BookBub as one of the 20 Best Erotic Books.
Stephanie is happily married to a Springsteen fanatic and the mother of two hairy sons.
Find out why reviewers call Stephanie's stories "fascinating," "truly fantastic," "intoxicating," "highly imaginative" and "hot enough to peel paint."
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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January 25, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (1/25/2023)! 🎁
May 16, 2020
I love Tank to distraction. I have always been a sucker for the "I've loved you for forever and I couldn't hold it in any longer" stories. And he cares for his momma. Sigh.
March 3, 2023
Tim Staton and RJ Mitchell have been friends forever and played hockey since way back. Tim had always been around RJ and his family and had had a crush on Gabby for more years than he would like to admit. But, now he is in a quandary as to how to deal with his feelings for her. Since they are several hurdles to get through to reach a satisfying finish. You see, Gabby is the daughter of an NHL Legend, and the Colonials' GM, working twice as hard, to prove herself as the team's public relations director.
Tim’s not naive he knows he would feel that dating a hockey player where she works and her father is GM, and her two brothers play on the team can mean suicide for her career. Plus, how will her family take the news? For Tim hockey has always come first in his life, but, at thirty-one, he has an expiration date. At least, that is the way he has been looking at it, over the last few months. However, he knows he is missing out, on something important in his life a companion, to live his life with.
The funny thing is both of Gabby’s brothers and one of their girlfriends knows she and Tim like each other a lot and are more than likely seeing each other. She wants to know how they know this. They say it because they have been circling each other since their teens. What pushes her forward is her ex threatening her. Can they make this work or will she make him her little secret too long and him retire and move on without her. Will he continue, to play for, the Philadelphia Colonials as the backup goalie, or retire? So many things, to consider.
I was totally invested in these characters. Good story.
Tim’s not naive he knows he would feel that dating a hockey player where she works and her father is GM, and her two brothers play on the team can mean suicide for her career. Plus, how will her family take the news? For Tim hockey has always come first in his life, but, at thirty-one, he has an expiration date. At least, that is the way he has been looking at it, over the last few months. However, he knows he is missing out, on something important in his life a companion, to live his life with.
The funny thing is both of Gabby’s brothers and one of their girlfriends knows she and Tim like each other a lot and are more than likely seeing each other. She wants to know how they know this. They say it because they have been circling each other since their teens. What pushes her forward is her ex threatening her. Can they make this work or will she make him her little secret too long and him retire and move on without her. Will he continue, to play for, the Philadelphia Colonials as the backup goalie, or retire? So many things, to consider.
I was totally invested in these characters. Good story.
January 13, 2025
It wasn't a bad story, but there were a few things wrong for me.
🔹️ Chemistry - At the beginning of the story, it is missing. They both had crushes on each other yet kept them hidden. They were not very discreet about it, though, since every character in the book knew.
🔹️ I also believe they should have spent a bit more time getting to know each other and build up the tension. There was some tension, but they acted on it way too quickly.
🔹️ Long Chapters and switching between point of views. I understand. Sometimes, this is necessary, but here it was frustrating. It happened multiple times in every chapter, it seemed like.
🔹️ The family drama was a bit confusing. I'm not sure why Tim hated his dad. It was probably explained somewhere. I know he yelled a lot and didn't get along with Tim. 🤷♀️
🔹️ Chemistry - At the beginning of the story, it is missing. They both had crushes on each other yet kept them hidden. They were not very discreet about it, though, since every character in the book knew.
🔹️ I also believe they should have spent a bit more time getting to know each other and build up the tension. There was some tension, but they acted on it way too quickly.
🔹️ Long Chapters and switching between point of views. I understand. Sometimes, this is necessary, but here it was frustrating. It happened multiple times in every chapter, it seemed like.
🔹️ The family drama was a bit confusing. I'm not sure why Tim hated his dad. It was probably explained somewhere. I know he yelled a lot and didn't get along with Tim. 🤷♀️
January 2, 2023
This was a very slow build for this type of book. The two MCs have been skating around each other (intentional pun) for nearly a decade, and now they finally decide to lay their feelings out there. At this point, they kiss. And it's halfway through the book, and still takes a while to escalate. I think it was the most sensible and conventional dating style I've read in a short romance book, even if they didn't tell anyone. It was sweet and a culmination of years of friendship, and I always love a great friends to lovers story.
There were some contradictions in the plot continuation; like the whole, “wow I didn’t know you had a cat!” playing out twice, and a few parts were quite repetitive because of it.
I was surprised by the lack of an epilogue (though I can't recall if the last book had one either), but hopefully we see more of them in the next book.
There were some contradictions in the plot continuation; like the whole, “wow I didn’t know you had a cat!” playing out twice, and a few parts were quite repetitive because of it.
I was surprised by the lack of an epilogue (though I can't recall if the last book had one either), but hopefully we see more of them in the next book.
May 13, 2023
This is a really well written story. It is a common trope of an aging sportstar (this time ice hockey goalie) and the teams PR Rep (this time daughter of owner and sister of fellow player). Added spice is his issues with his family (father); and her issues with a prior date along with her brother’s issues with false charges. The sex is well written and the story has a nice pace and feel to it. (I was travelling when I read it the first time and enjoyed a refresher read to be able to review after returning home).
May 5, 2023
RJ and Gabby are the adult children of a NHL legend and GM of the Colonials. Tim, the Colonials backup goalie and RJ's friend, has known the family since he started playing on youth teams. Tim's biggest issue is that he has had a huge crush on Gabby for over a decade. Since Gabby has a "no dating of players policy" as she works in the team public relations department.
Quick read and satifiying story that resolves Tim's and Gabby's love interests.
Quick read and satifiying story that resolves Tim's and Gabby's love interests.
July 11, 2025
Although very predictable, I like the story line. I wish there was a little more of a conclusion.
Could definitely use some proofreading, there were a few spots I had to read three times before realizing there was an extra word in there that should have been omitted.
Also for a book about hockey, the reference to the third “quarter” of the game killed me, seems like the author could have done a little basic research on how hockey works.
Could definitely use some proofreading, there were a few spots I had to read three times before realizing there was an extra word in there that should have been omitted.
Also for a book about hockey, the reference to the third “quarter” of the game killed me, seems like the author could have done a little basic research on how hockey works.
February 10, 2023
A sweet story with engaging characters. A quick read. I initially gave it five stars because I did enjoy it, but it's really more between 4 and 5 stars with for me. Just a quickness of it, I think if it had been more developed there would have been more for me to review. What was there was nice and enjoyable but the plot could have used a little bit more development for my preference.
January 31, 2023
good read
Enjoyed the book and characters but have to say the ending felt a bit abrupt. Both characters had obsessed about each other for a few years and then the planets came together. A bit of angst and melodrama but overall a good read.
Enjoyed the book and characters but have to say the ending felt a bit abrupt. Both characters had obsessed about each other for a few years and then the planets came together. A bit of angst and melodrama but overall a good read.
February 23, 2023
Hockey Tim is backup goalie and Gabby works for the team -her dad is the coach and her two brothers are on the team so that provides complications -the old don’t date your friend’s sister or for Gabby don’t date a player . He has wanted her for years though and we see if they cross the line .
March 4, 2023
Tank....Swoon!
This story is beautiful with wonderful characters and a swoon worthy Tank!!! Gabby is one lucky girl, and I am glad to see when she realized how lucky she was to have Tank in her corner and not give up. Love this emotional sports romance.
This story is beautiful with wonderful characters and a swoon worthy Tank!!! Gabby is one lucky girl, and I am glad to see when she realized how lucky she was to have Tank in her corner and not give up. Love this emotional sports romance.
March 15, 2023
Friends
Knowing each other forever. Since her brother is my best friend. Working in the organization causes a no no in her mind for a relationship. Their both fighting their feelings too. Fast moving. Witty, hockey romance I didn't want to put down.
Knowing each other forever. Since her brother is my best friend. Working in the organization causes a no no in her mind for a relationship. Their both fighting their feelings too. Fast moving. Witty, hockey romance I didn't want to put down.
April 11, 2022
Crossing the line between business and pleasure has never been so HOT!
February 22, 2023
what fun. found it thanks to Bookbub telling me it was free. yet to read any of the others in this series. will read more soon, i hope??! check it out.
February 24, 2023
Not much of a story. Primarily p0ure smut.
March 17, 2023
Good
The first Tre d is just a good job and it would work well with them and they would go for
The first Tre d is just a good job and it would work well with them and they would go for
March 19, 2023
Good read.
November 17, 2023
I loved this book and how Gabby and Tim were both able to progress throughout it. The sex scenes were really well written and had me all hot and bothered!
December 4, 2023
Just ok- some spice
February 22, 2025
Reasonable story, but lots of sex.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews