Iced Out: (Leighton U, #1) by C.E. Ricci Summary
Overview
In "Iced Out," hockey rivals Quinton and Oakley discover their hatred masks deeper feelings. With over 36,600 Goodreads ratings, this emotionally charged romance combines forbidden love with superstitious game-day hookups. What happens when winning depends on sleeping with your enemy?
- Iced Out by C.E. Ricci is a fiction romance novel.
- Iced Out is a college hockey romance featuring an enemies-to-lovers storyline between two rival teammates, Oakley and Quinton.
- It's the first book in a five-book standalone sports romance series with explicit content.
- Fiction romance novels like Iced Out offer character-driven narratives.
- Fiction romance novels like Iced Out offer romantic relationship development.
- Fiction romance novels like Iced Out offer entertainment and emotional engagement.
- Fiction romance novels like Iced Out offer plot progression and conflict resolution.
About the Author
C.E. Ricci is the USA Today and international bestselling author of Iced Out, a steamy sports romance set at Leighton University that launched her popular hockey romance series. Known for her "real, raw romance" writing style, Ricci crafts emotionally charged contemporary love stories that blend humor, heat, and heart.
She transitioned from dark romance to lighter sports romance, finding her signature voice in college hockey settings and enemies-to-lovers tropes.
Beyond the Leighton U series, Ricci has written the Reckless Games duology (Don't You Dare, Never Will I Ever) and the River of Rain series (Follow the River, After Rain Falls). Based in Colorado, she draws inspiration from nature, travel, and music while building interconnected book universes where characters frequently cross paths.
Her work has garnered over 127,000 ratings on Goodreads, establishing her as a go-to author for readers seeking emotional, character-driven sports romance with unforgettable chemistry.
FAQs About This Book
What is Iced Out by C.E. Ricci about?
Iced Out by C.E. Ricci is a college sports romance novel set at Leighton University in Chicago. It's the first book in the Leighton U series and follows a rivalry-fueled hate-to-love story between characters navigating intense emotions, athletic competition, and undeniable chemistry. The novel features themes of enemies-to-lovers tension, college life, and hockey romance with C.E. Ricci's signature raw and emotional writing style.
Who should read Iced Out by C.E. Ricci?
Iced Out is perfect for readers who love college romance, sports romance (particularly hockey), and enemies-to-lovers dynamics. Fans of authors like Penelope Douglas, KV Rose, and Liza James will appreciate C.E. Ricci's intense, emotional storytelling. This book appeals to new adult romance readers who enjoy high-stakes tension, banter-filled relationships, and emotionally raw narratives set in competitive sports environments.
Is Iced Out by C.E. Ricci worth reading?
Iced Out is worth reading for fans of spicy college sports romance with emotional depth. As a USA Today bestselling book, it has garnered strong reader reviews and launched C.E. Ricci's popular Leighton U series. The novel delivers on enemies-to-lovers tension, memorable characters, and the addictive storytelling C.E. Ricci is known for, making it a standout in the college romance genre.
What is the Leighton U series reading order by C.E. Ricci?
The Leighton U series reading order begins with Iced Out (Book 1, 2022), followed by Caught Stealing (Book 2, 2023), Fair Catch (Book 3, 2024), and Playing Dirty (Book 4, 2025). The series is described as standalone college sports romances featuring rivalry-fueled stepbrothers, competitive games, and intense sexual tension at Leighton University in Chicago.
What romance tropes are in Iced Out by C.E. Ricci?
Iced Out features the enemies-to-lovers trope as its central romance dynamic, evidenced by the iconic line "A little hard when I'm already in hate with you". The novel incorporates college romance, hockey romance, forced proximity, and intense rivalry elements. C.E. Ricci weaves emotional tension, banter, and slow-burn chemistry throughout, creating the trademark raw and real romance she's known for.
Does Iced Out have spicy scenes?
Yes, Iced Out contains spicy scenes and is considered a steamy new adult romance. C.E. Ricci is known for writing "real, raw romance" with high heat levels. The Leighton U series, which Iced Out launches, features significant sexual tension and explicit content, making it appropriate for mature readers who enjoy emotionally charged, adult romance with detailed intimate scenes.
Is Iced Out a standalone or part of a series?
Iced Out is both the first book in the Leighton U series and can be read as a standalone romance. While it launches a five-book series set at Leighton University, each book features different couples with complete story arcs. Characters may appear across books since C.E. Ricci creates connected universes with "easter eggs," but readers can enjoy Iced Out independently without reading subsequent books.
What is the setting of Iced Out by C.E. Ricci?
Iced Out is set at Leighton University, a fictional college in Chicago, Illinois. The story takes place within the competitive world of college hockey and campus life. C.E. Ricci chose this urban university setting to create a backdrop for rivalry, athletic competition, and intense romance, distinguishing it from her other series set at Foltyn College in Portland, Oregon.
What are the best quotes from Iced Out by C.E. Ricci?
One of the most memorable quotes from Iced Out captures the enemies-to-lovers tension: "Just make sure you don't go falling in love with me." I scoff. "A little hard when I'm already in hate with you." This quote exemplifies the banter and rivalry at the heart of the romance, showing how the characters' initial animosity masks deeper feelings and sets up their emotional journey.
How does Iced Out compare to Don't You Dare by C.E. Ricci?
While both novels showcase C.E. Ricci's signature emotional romance style, Iced Out is set at Leighton University in Chicago and focuses on hockey romance, while Don't You Dare takes place at Foltyn College in Portland. Both books exist in the same fictional universe with potential character crossovers. Iced Out launched the Leighton U series, while Don't You Dare is part of the Reckless Games series.
Who is C.E. Ricci and what else has she written?
C.E. Ricci is a USA Today and international bestselling romance author who has achieved bestseller status in five different countries. Beyond Iced Out, she has written multiple series including the Leighton U books, the Reckless Games series (Don't You Dare, Never Will I Ever), and the River of Rain duology (Follow the River, After Rain Falls). She's influenced by authors like Penelope Douglas and K Webster.
What makes C.E. Ricci's writing style unique in Iced Out?
C.E. Ricci's writing in Iced Out is characterized by raw emotional intensity, realistic dialogue, and deeply flawed characters. She specializes in "real, raw romance" that doesn't shy away from difficult emotions or complex relationship dynamics. Her style blends addictive pacing with heartstring-tugging moments, creating stories that readers describe as gripping and emotionally resonant, particularly in enemies-to-lovers narratives like Iced Out.
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Key Themes in Iced Out
Quotes from Iced Out
You're not a team player - you're just scared of being overshadowed.
At least I earned my spot instead of riding daddy's coattails.
This never fucking happened.
Sex for winning games-with no emotional attachment allowed.
Characters in Iced Out
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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