Cold as Ice

Portland Evergreens, Book 2

De: Beth Bolden

Narrado por: Darcy Stark

Malcom has got a plan, and slowly but surely, year after year of college, he’s executing it.

He’s made it to the first line on his hockey team, the Portland Evergreens. He’s made the Dean’s List the last four semesters. He’s right in line to graduate on time, and head to the pros. All steps on the ultimate goal of becoming the best front office guy in the NHL.

Elliott is the only fly in his ointment.

The younger, wilder forward parties every night, sleeping with everything with a pulse and barely attending classes or practices.

It’s annoying, but Mal’s dealing with it, until their new coach insists Mal tutor him to help him pass a class.

Until Elliott discovers that Mal’s a virgin. That he’s been too busy checking off points on his life plan to get laid.

They’re fire and ice. Bad boy and virgin. They shouldn’t work at all. But the more time they spend together, on and off the ice, the more irresistible their chemistry becomes.

The more desperate Mal becomes to beg Elliott to tutor him in bed.

To melt some—or all—of the ice he’s wrapped himself in.

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Elliott & Malcolm
A wonderfully crazy and fun 'enemies-to-lovers' story! I loved the energy of this book. I've loved everything I've ever read from Beth Bolden and this book is absolutely no exception. I think it was interesting how much of the timeline overlapped with book 1, Melting the Ice, but this book was really readable as its own standalone as well.

Elliott was hilarious and unrelenting in his attacks and advances with Malcolm, even though they were definitely never really attacks. I really enjoyed the slow reveal of the growing love between Elliott & Malcolm, and it was like holding their hands as they discovered and uncovered their feelings.

Malcolm has a very straight-laced serious attitude, but it seemed to work well for him. Ultimately, his personality never changed from that, but loving Elliott gave him the opportunity to soften the intensity and show some more of his personal, fun-loving side on top of the seriousness. He was able to grow into more of his own person than always following in his father's shadows.

I was on edge with some of the drama that Elliott has to go through, but I loved how quickly and easily Malcolm stepped up to help/support, and never wavered. The outcome of the drama was great, but I was NOT expecting how it all originated.

Cold as Ice is an incredible addition to the Portland Evergreens series. It can definitely be read as a standalone, although you will enjoy some of the subtle overlap from book 1 if you read it first. I really look forward to how Beth moves this series next with Finn and then the coaches (so far).

I received an advance copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review. (January 2025)

Audiobook Update (March 2025):
Narrated by Darcy Stark
I loved having the opportunity to experience Malcolm & Elliott's story via such a talented narrator. He brings the characters to life in such a sweet, yet hilarious way. I remember so many of the written passages from the story, and hearing them performed made me laugh out loud so much more! I still don't like that there wasn't as much real retribution against the teacher targeting Elliott, but I did appreciate that the important parts of the scene(s) were given a serious emotional edge through their narration.
I absolutely love listening to the audiobooks in this series so far. They're so much fun, and so incredibly easy to listen to. Darcy Stark is a fantastic narrator and definitely does these stories from Beth Bolden justice.

I received an authorized copy of this story/audiobook and am volunteering my honest review.

Fun and exciting!

What a fun and exciting story! Loved the chemistry between the two! The plot and suspense was exciting. Great performance.

fun, romantic hockey romance

This is book 2 in the Evergreens series but it stands fine on its own. As in the other series each book is about one couple but set in the college hockey world of the Evergreens.
This book is about Elliott where in the beginning he meets Malcom but strikes out with him then it skips a year and half Mal is a Senior and Elliott I believe Sophomore. Any ways he's 19 and Mal 22. They are as opposite as you can get.
I loved both characters but really related more to Mal. There are lots of secondary characters that I cannot wait to get their stories.
As usual we have an intriguing world with interesting stories.
If you like opposites attract, sports romance, a virgin, hockey romance, new adult and just an overall spicy romance you are in for a treat.
Updated for audio.
I really liked the narration. It brought the characters to life.
It's a fun, interesting listen. Makes doing chores more enjoyable