Stand Your Ground

Kings of the Ice

I wrote up the contract myself.
Legally binding. Crystal clear. No strings. No feelings.
Just sex—and two million dollars in exchange for my time and expertise.

Carter Fabri may be Tampa Bay’s newest rising star, but off the ice, he’s all Bambi eyes and inexperience. He's a virgin in desperate need of lessons in dominance, seduction, and everything in between.

And I happen to be just the woman to teach him.

I don’t need his money.
But I do need what it can give me.

I’m 32, cut off from my family, and one bill away from drowning in student debt. The fantasy I’ve built around my lifestyle is getting harder to maintain. This pay day would secure the lifestyle I’ve worked too hard to let slip through my fingers and finally give me the chance to save for something I’ve always wanted—something I’ve never told anyone about.

So, I take Carter on as my student. I lay out every rule, every boundary, every carefully controlled term of our arrangement.

What I don’t plan for is how quickly he'd catch on—or how much I’d enjoy letting him take the reins.

This was supposed to be a lesson in power.
But somewhere along the way, I stopped being the one in charge.

I thought I could keep my heart out of it.
I thought I’d accounted for every risk.
But some consequences you can’t predict—no matter how carefully you draft the terms.

©2025 Kandi Steiner (P)2025 Kandi Steiner

wow!!!!

wow wow wow. this had everything you could possibly look and ask for. the characters were top tier. the trauma and recovery. the obsessions. the love. the genuine understanding of boundaries and giving each other space to be themselves. i knew i would love this because kandi steiner wrote it but i was absolutely
blown away.

-Hockey Romance
-Spicy Lessons
-Doctor/Patient
-Obsessed Hero
-Opposites Attract
-Black Cat FMC/
-Golden Retriever MMC
-Forced Proximity

Good

I enjoyed this audible. If I had to pick one thing I’d improve it was the female narrator. The way she read the character is not the way any woman I’ve ever met talks. Very manufactured. The male narrator was fantastic! And really brought his character to life. I appreciate that the author did research clearly when it came to a black woman in regard to hair. When she mentioned edges I was like, ok… good on you!!! lol Unfortunately I do think this is the only book of hers I’ll read as she does admit that this book is a departure for her in the spice category. I’m a 4-5 spice kind of girl. She did a good job with the spice. I’d give this a solid 3 peppers. I feel like she could’ve pushed it even more for the subject matter but what she did give was well done. Personally, I think she might be missing her calling but to each their own!

3.5 on the story
🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ for the spice

These Narrators Delivered!!!

I really, really loved this book. Carter is such a sweetheart, and I just absolutely adored him! Carter and Livia's chemistry was off the charts. Their banter was so, so good, and I didn't want to put this book down. Also, bonus points for the audio, I LOVED it! They stepped into their characters so perfectly and I loved the duet style!

This is one of the spicier books I've read in a while, and I appreciated it. I also learned a thing or two (iykyk).

It did take me a while to connect with Livia and really enjoy her character, but toward the last half of the book, I was absolutely on board. Livia and I are very much opposites, so I think that's where the disconnect stemmed from. BUT, Kandi Steiner is just an absolute genius and able to make you fall in love with all her characters.

I highly recommend this series and cannot wait for the last one!

So hot! Absolutely love this series!

This audio doesn’t disappoint! Kandi’s spiciest yet but also so many tender moments and empowerment in this one!!

Intriguingly, Interesting and romantic & beautifully written,

I loved the plot: inexperienced Carter rising hockey star ask a good friend (and dominate Livia) to teach him to get and keep a girl. I really loved the voice of Carter - made me swoon. Livia had great range as well. It was well paced and once contract was signed it was game. Lots of emotional context, hot hot hot spice and ultimately a happy happy ending. I need to go back and read the first books in this Kings of The Ice series.