Michael Dean (FKN Michael Pauley) is one of my favorite audiobook performers. His performance of Out on the Ice really added to my enjoyment of the book. He has done an outstanding job with all of the books in this series.

Below is my original review from when I first read the story.

I have loved every book in this series and Out on the Ice is no exception. Each book stands alone, and can be read in any order, but characters from other books make appearances. This story is about Sky and Colby, told from Colby’s POV. Sky was not so nice in a couple of the others books and I love it when a hated character gets redeemed in his own book.

Colby is a hockey player with a lot of stuff from his past that causes him pain and anger. He’s pretty much learned to control the anger but every now and then he slips. When he catches Sky cheating off his paper during a test, he kind of loses it and ends up being the one accused of cheating by the TA (teaching assistant).

Sky tries to tell Colby that he wasn’t cheating but he doesn’t want to hear it. Colby is really confused by his reaction/attraction to Sky because he’s straight and has never reacted this way to a guy before. Tempers flare and the next thing Colby knows he’s kissing Sky and he’s never kissed a guy before.

At first Colby thinks he’s just bi-curious but that doesn’t last long and he admits that he has feelings for Sky. But he’s scared to come out to his parents and his hockey team and Sky isn’t out either.

I loved this story so much. We learn all of the reasons why Sky was such a jerk in the earlier books he appeared in and I really felt bad for him. Colby runs a little hot and cold. One minute he hates Sky and the next he’s kissing him. His feelings about his attraction to Sky really have him confused.

I could feel the connection between these guys so much. There were so many feels in this story and by the time I got to the end I was bawling my eyes out. They were mostly happy tears but there were a few sad ones, too.

I was so happy to learn that there will be more stories in this series and I can’t wait to read them.

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“What position do you play?” Sky asked, pealing the label off his water bottle.

“Right wing. Forward. Think of soccer where the front line moves the ball down the field. We do the same with the puck.”

“I know how it works. I’ve watched a lot of hockey.”

“Have you ever played?” I asked.

“No. Baseball was always number one for me. Besides, hockey is kind of…rough. There’s always a fight. And the game moves so fast, it’s hard to see the puck sometimes.”

“Not if you pay attention.” I raised my beer bottle in a mock toast and grinned. “And I like it rough.”

Sky pursed his lips and stared at me…or maybe he was staring at my throat. I couldn’t tell. “Me too. But not on the field. It distracts from the game.”

“In hockey, it’s part of the game. If you can’t defend yourself, your teammates, and the ice, you have no right to be out there. Might as well take up ice dancing or something,” I snarked, only half kidding. “And no offense, but ice dancing is a hell of a lot more entertaining than baseball. Trust me, I know. I played Little League for a couple of years. I used to beg the coach not to put me in the outfield. Geez, you could take a fuckin’ nap out there some days, you know?”

Sky laughed. “Fuck you. You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. Baseball is a game of strategy.”

“Strategy my ass,” I huffed, smiling to take the sting from my words…even though I kinda meant it. “It’s one of those weird sports where everyone gets pumped when nothing happens. ‘Oh, it’s a no-hitter. That’s amazing!’ Sure…but nothing fuckin’ happened! No one hit the ball, no one rounded the bases, no one slid to home plate. No one had to even wash their damn uniforms! And you know why?”

“Why?”

“’Cause nothin’ fuckin’ happened,” I replied, taking a long sip of my beer as I let the sweet sound of Sky’s laughter wash over me.

God, he had a great laugh. It made me like him a little more. And yeah, as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I liked Sky. He was smart, talented, easy on the eyes, and he had a sense of humor.

“That just proves baseball players are smarter than hockey players,” he taunted.

“Said no one anywhere ever.” I held my hands up in surrender when he flipped me off. “Hey, I’m kidding. I like baseball fine. I told you I follow the Tigers. I still have the jersey my dad bought me when I was ten. Dude, I’d wear it if I still fit in it. What’s your position?”

“Shortstop. I’ve played almost every position at one time or another but I like it the best. You gotta be quick, have a strong arm, and good instincts. I also have a long wingspan. That helps.”

“Makes sense. I don’t know about wingspan, but you gotta be quick in lightning fast hockey too with quick reflexes. Big ol’ quads help.” I smacked my thighs and chuckled. “Mine are kinda huge.”

Sky gave me a lopsided smile. “I noticed. It’s hot.”

“You think muscular legs are hot?”

“I do. Believe it or not, it wasn’t your sweet personality that made me look twice. It was your thighs.”

I snickered. “That’s weird.”

“Maybe, but it’s true. You always wore shorts to summer school. I used to come in a little late so I’d get a good look at you before I sat down. I purposely didn’t sit next to you because I knew I’d get caught staring. And the one day I did, you were the one who got caught.”

“Are you telling me that all this started because of my thighs?” I asked, narrowing my gaze suspiciously.

Sky nodded. “Basically…yes.”

We held eye contact for a moment then busted up.

And when our laughter faded, the mood changed all over again. I felt that same crackle of heat and sexual energy I always did when I was around him, but this time I knew what it was. And though I might have been unsure, I wasn’t afraid.

I leaned forward on my barstool and motioned for Sky to close the distance. He brushed his nose against mine. I held my breath and waited for him to make a move. Any move at all. When he blinked, I licked the corner of his mouth then pressed my lips to his and closed my eyes.

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