Arc Review: Icing by Kelly Jamieson

Description

 Duncan Armstrong may be an NHL star, but he's a country boy at heart. His ultimate fantasy is going home with the Stanley Cup, not a gold-digging airhead who aspires to be a trophy wife and nothing more. Newly single and hoping to enjoy a night out with his teammates, he ends up hitting it off with a down-to-earth waitress who's a complete breath of fresh air—until Duncan learns that she's a part-time model. He tries to forget about her, but their sizzling chemistry has him coming back for more.
 
Amber is working hard to put herself through school, and has zero interest in dating a professional athlete. She's seen firsthand how fame and fortune can mess with their heads—her father's brilliant football career ended in a firestorm of addiction and infidelity. So Duncan's attentions immediately have her on the defensive. Still, there's something different about him. And once she stops trying to freeze him out, irresistible temptation turns into all-consuming passion.

Review:

Jamieson is quickly becoming one of my favorite sports romance writers and it not because of her super hot heroes but because of her smart and sassy heroines. 

A little background on the story before I go on... Duncan was dating a model who used him for what he could buy her. When he refused to buy her something he decides to break up with her and go get a drink with his teammates. When he arrives his friends aren't there but he meets Amber who happens to be a new hire. As soon as they meet they both are interested in one another until they find out what they both do for a living and then they start side stepping one another but the attraction between them is too much. For more of course you have to read the story :-) 

Duncan doesn't come off as a typical hockey player well from what I know of hockey but I love how he was written. He comes off a little less sure because of the women he dated. From when he was introduced in the first book I knew his book was just going to be great! He can be a total alpha male but yet he has these sweet traits that totally knocked me off my feet. 

I really liked Amber and really thought she was a great match for Duncan. Because of her past she works hard by being a waitress and a model to pay for school. She was definitely Independant. Because of her being independent she had a hard time accepting gifts from Duncan which tended to get a little annoying at first but I love how she grew to know that he did it because he wanted to and not because she asked or was expecting it. 

Not only did Jamieson give this couple some hot steamy scenes but she also had them deal with some real powerful emotional issues. I don't want to spoil anything but all I can hope is one of the characters that was mentioned will get a HEA in future. Duncan really showed his true colors in this part of the book and I loved how Amber was there to help along the way. They really did make an excellent team. 

I really can't wait for the next book and to see who it will be about. Although this is only the second book I can see a great future for this series with plenty more to come. 

If you are looking for hot hockey players on and off the ice I would definitely read Duncan and Amber's story. They have a HEA that I was truly satisfied with.