Danielle Paschka

Icebound by Meredith Trapp (Boundless Players Book 1)

Tropes- Age Gap, Hockey Romance, Fake Dating, Open Door Spice

Blurb–

Rhode Tremblay is Nashville’s Naughtiest Hockey Player—at least, that’s what everyone believes after the Tenerife Incident. 

With a thigh tattoo that’s catnip for women and a wicked smirk that needs a warning label, everyone flocks to the NHL’s resident bad boy. Sure, Rhode accidentally set a yacht on fire while bringing a woman to the brink of ecstasy, but that happened over a decade ago. Now, at thirty-three, Rhode’s searching for something real. He’s ready to get down on one knee for the right person, but he has one rule—no dating anyone under thirty. 

Philomena “Nina” Alstyne has sworn off men who look like fallen angels on skates. 
The feisty art student is done molding herself to fit someone else’s life after her relationship fiasco. At twenty-two, Nina’s last semester of college is about her pottery dreams. Except, when one fateful accident forces Nina into a faux situationship with Nashville’s (Supposed) Naughtiest, all her curated plans crumble like a fragile sculpture. 

Rhode falls first, and he falls hard. 

There’s only one problem… Rhode thinks he’s fake dating a thirty-year-old doctor. As secrets get revealed, his biggest temptation quickly becomes off-limits, but Nina soon realizes the cross-stitching cat daddy is what the chaos in her soul craves—and Nina’s fiery passion might burn hot enough to melt Rhode’s icy boundaries.

I was lucky enough to read this ARC & I honestly can’t say enough good thing! I gave it 4.75 stars. It kept me interested, laughing, swooning & so much more. The one thing that I think that drove me a little nuts during it was them both going back and forth (more so Rhode) about the whole age thing. I get it a few times but it kept happening & it was driving me a little crazy especially being in an “age gap” relationship with my husband.

Nina (FMC) suffers from anxiety & I felt so much of this as I do as well & how debilitating it can be. Meredith did so well with this topic & I love that it was represented.

I loved the other hockey guys in Rhode’s inner circle & I cant wait for their books (or I’m hoping they have books)! They were so funny & made the book so great. Friend groups can make or break the book I think.

I love a hockey romance especially one with so much depth & I can’t wait for more from Meredith Trapp! This book is available for order & amazon!

Favorite quotes-

”Goodnight beautiful. Don’t have good dreams, have wild ones.”

“If love is made of little moments, we’ve got enough to build a castle.”

“Goodbye Rhode. In another life, I think you’ve been my forever”

Xo, Dani