On Thin Ice

Portland Evergreens, Book 3

De: Beth Bolden

Narrado por: Darcy Stark

Finn has lived with the pressure of hockey’s expectations since he was old enough to understand his father was one of the greatest the sport had ever known.

He’s changed positions. Changed plans. Changed colleges. But he’s never managed to outrun the pressure.

When it starts ruining his performance on the ice, he knows he needs to find a way to conquer it once and for all.

Desperation sends him running to the one man he thinks can help him. Jacob Braun, a goalie who played against his father.

It doesn’t matter that they hated each other, Finn will use him—use everything—to figure out how to beat this mental block. Even seduce his father’s greatest enemy.

What Finn wasn’t expecting was that they don’t just burn hot in bed, but on the ice, too. And that, ultimately, it isn’t Jacob’s brain he wants to pick apart, it’s his heart he wants to own.

©2025 Earl Gray Publishing LLC (P)2025 Earl Gray Publishing LLC

what happens when you ask for Father's enemy for help?

I love how Darcy Stark is able to bring Finn and Jacob's complex characters to life! Finn Reynolds, goalie to the Portland Evergreens, decides he needs help on the ice. He is trying to play the game he loves without his Fathers shadow smothering his light out. So he decides to ask the best goalie he knows Jacob Braun. The problem with Finn getting help from Jacob is that he's hot, and Finns crush is anything but forgotten. Then, add in the fact that Jacob and Finns Dad hate each other.

Jacob is retired from the NHL with a hip injury. He played with Finns father, Morgan Reynolds . Jacob and Morgan hated each other the whole time they played against each other on the ice. Jacob is having trouble not seeing Finn as a kid but the man he truly is. If he helps Finn, there is only so much self-control in the world.
Jacob agrees to help Finn be the amazing goalie that he's meant to be. Lots of sweaty hockey men talking smack to each other all the while having each others backs. Is Jacob and Finn meant to find forever and just a fling while Finn prepares for the world of NHL hockey.

great story, well acted

I’ve waited for Finn’s story, and hoped he would not become some tragic figure with all the foreshadowing that Beth has done throughout the series to date. I’m relieved that while he has concerns, and they are very real, Finn is never helpless. In fact, he helps himself by tracking down Jacob and talking him into coaching him, and then helps himself to Jacob. Of course it’s not going to be smooth, Jacob is Finn’s father’s age (and they have been more enemy than friend in the past) and feels the weight of their power imbalance. Ultimately though, Beth navigates the pair carefully among the rocks and awards them a lovely HEA. There are even some tense and brilliantly funny moments involving Finn’s dad, Morgan.
Darcy is the perfect narrator for Bolden books, his delivery is crisp and matter-of-fact, but the asides and the humor shine through. As much as I loved reading the book, listening to it after was an entirely new experience.

Hot Hockey Romance

Darcy Stark did an excellent job as always bringing each of these characters to life, and engaging the listeners so much it was hard to press pause when all you wanted to do was hear Finn and Jacob find their way to their forever love! It is wonderful to hear the nuances and emotions of each person that are part of this world created by Beth Bolden.

Seggsy, Sweet Shenanigans

New Review! On Thin Ice (Portland Evergreens #3) by @bethboldenauthor as narrated by Darcy Stark

I’ve been in love with this whole dang series but Finn ruined my whole got dang life! he’s so precious and I was DYING to hear how Darcy would bring his story to life and for those in the know, how Morgan aka the world’s most annoying hockey dad EVER would be narrated and let me tell you I was NOT disappointed.

If you weren’t aware, this the GOALIE SEGGS BOOK! DOUBLE THE GOALIE SHENANIGANS, DOUBLE THE GOALIE LOVE! nnnnnnnnnngh Yes yes yes

In this corner we have Finn Reynolds! college standout! starting goalie for the Portland Evergreens, NHL draft pick and 2nd generation NHL self-loathing nepo baby with Dâddy issues who is looking for a personal coach!

And in the opposite corner we have Jacob Braun, 35yo recently retired closeted stud all-star goalie who happens to be the lifelong rival of Finn’s mega star Dâddy and currently looking for direction in his own life since leaving the NHL

It’s a match made in heaven as Finn sets his sights on Jacob as his new personal coach, and if he develops feelings for Brain and wants to do a friends with benefits situation well… no one needs to know 😈 a Reynolds never gives up on ANYTHING once they’ve made a decision to go after what they want, so too bad Jacob. 💁🏻‍♀️

This book is hot, seggsy, heartfelt and kinda goes off the rails in the best ways once Morgan (Finn’s dad) shows up cause then it’s Finn and Jacob and MORGAN just like ALL THE TIME lol 😆 talk about 🐓 blocking

Anyway there’s a reason Morgan is getting his own book.

Please listen to this audio. It’s so entertaining.

5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wonderful story!

I truly loved everything that happened in this story. Hockey is where the connection between Finn and Jacob started. Finn is a great goalie who is having some doubts about his hockey talents and Jacob an older player is helping him figure his game out. Morgan is Finn’s father and was a professional hockey player who played against Jacob and seems to hate everyone especially Jacob. Finn gets Jacob to train him and during this time they both seem to have fallen in love with each other so they have to tell Morgan and make sure he doesn’t kill either of them. I am really happy that I was able to listen to and review this story especially because I read it first and loved it and I think hearing it just makes it feel more real.

A goalie and his trainer

Finn & Jacob
When we were first introduced to the idea of Finn & Jacob, it seemed like they would have had a large age gap, but in fact Jacob just happened to be a younger hockey rival of Finn's father, so they had just over a decade between them, which really isn't that much in the scheme of things.

These guys had quite the quick and spicy story. They wasted no time once Jacob realized he couldn't put off Finn's advances; for goalie help and otherwise.

I loved the easy dynamic we got with Finn & Jacob. Though there was obvious tension between them both and Finn's father, Morgan, our MCs didn't let that stressor affect their relationship to the detriment.

On Thin Ice is another incredible Portland Evergreens story from Beth Bolden. You definitely need to read the previous 2 books before you dive into this one, but you won't regret any of the reads. ❤️

Audiobook Update:
Narrated by Darcy Clark
I love listening to Darcy's interpretation of Beth's characters. I've only heard him with regard to this series, but I love the subtle differences he brings to the MCs. When you can tell which character is talking because of the audible clue, even before the written confirmation, you know your narrator is doing a great job (Ramsey stands out the most🙃).
Finn & Jacob are brought to life in Darcy's narration and you really get to experience the highs and lows of their story right along with them. It's a great listen to a fantastic story.

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

Finn & Jacob

I absolutely loved this book! I think I say this with every Beth Bolden book I read, but they just get better and better.

Finn is stressed to the max and it’s affecting his game. He feels immense pressure being the starting goalie on the Evergreens and it doesn’t help that his dad is a retired hockey legend.

When Finn feels like he can’t take anymore, he does what anyone would do. Convince his dad’s long-time rival, Jacob, to coach him.

Jacob tries to hold out from the lure of Finn. He’s young, heading into an amazing NHL career. And what would happen if Finn’s dad were to find out they were fooling around…

What a fantastic listen! I loved Finn and Jacob. They were so great together. I even ended up really liking Finn’s dad, Morgan. I was super excited to see that he is getting his own book 🤩

Enjoyable

Another enjoyable reading from this series!

Finn and Jacob had fantastic chemistry. Their relationship flowed so naturally.

The age gap instead of making it awkward, made it more relatable. They just fit so well together.

An average light read

***THANK YOU TO the author FOR MY COMPLIMENTARY REVIEW COPY. ALL OPINIONS AND THOUGHTS ARE MY OWN***

This was a pretty average read. A slightly taboo, age-gap MM romance. The writing was well done, though it felt a little drawn out at times. The story was predictable but the characters and their journey to each other was likeable. This is a good read if you want something a little light.