Stand Your Ground

Kings of the Ice

De: Kandi Steiner

Narrado por: Audrey Obeyn, Aaron Donahue

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

The Sneakiest, Addictive Game of Teacher/Student

I’ve been counting down the days for Carter Fabri’s happily ever after since the very first time he appeared on the page. From that moment, I knew his story would be one worth waiting for—and wow, it did not disappoint.

I expected Livia and Carter’s relationship to be a whirlwind of tension, laughter, and sizzling chemistry. It was all that and so much more. When Carter proposes an arrangement that Livia can’t quite believe is real, their dynamic takes off in the most deliciously unexpected ways. The result? A story that’s funny, heartfelt, and extra spicy in all the best ways.

I’ll admit, it took me a bit to warm up to Livi. Her independence and confidence are admirable, but her emotional walls made it harder for me to connect at first. Still, once she finally lets Carter in, it’s incredibly rewarding to see her layers peel back—and it made their connection that much sweeter.

Carter “Rookie” Fabri completely stole my heart. He’s still the charming, mischievous guy we’ve grown to love, but his growth in this book is what truly makes him shine. He’s equal parts awkward, endearing, and swoon-worthy—honestly, I’d give Kandi all the stars just for him. His ability to turn embarrassing moments into adorable ones, all while fully embracing Livi, made him absolute perfection.

One of my favorite parts of this series has always been the found family. Each character brings something special, and by now, they feel like old friends I can’t wait to revisit. And don’t even get me started on that bonus epilogue—I’m already counting down the days until Coach and “the one who got away” get their turn. May cannot come soon enough!

holy spice!!

*Ahem* Kandi (middle name) Steiner the spice was turned up to a thousand in this and I was here for it!!

Seeing Carter grow up throughout the entire series has made the anticipation for his book out of this world. Knowing he's always been like a dog begging for Livia's attention, and then finally getting it is so full circle.

Up until now, we've only heard about Livia's passions in short comments here and there. Now, we get the full on boss babe who is into a bit of BDSM. Carter goes to her with a proposition - teach him how to be good with women/sex in return for 2 million dollars. Liv draws up a contract and away they go...

As usual, Carter is all too willing to learn and his golden retriever personality really comes out when he's being bossed around 😉 I loved hearing about his backstory, learning why he is the way he is really helped to understand his character and what he's been going through in the rest of the series. Liv has also gone through some stuff, which is a big plot point in the story and why she doesn't have a relationship with her parents.

Watching Carter and Liv's relationship progress was like slowly peeling back an onion. So many layers to them both, but they get down to the very core and come out better because of it. As always, the girl gang is in full effect and I loved having Mia in the mix this time!

This book is hot as hell, while also being emotional and romantic- because we couldn't have a Fabio book without romance, like are you kidding? My guy has always been gone for Liv, but this turned his obsession up several notches.

And THE AUDIO? DUET NARRATION?! The narrators bring Carter and Liv to life in the best way! (Just wait till you hear Carter moan)😉

Holy freaking moly that’s a good book!

Spicy lessons
Friends to lovers
Hockey romance
Grumpy x sunshine
Reverse age gap
He falls first
Virgin MMC
Dom/sub
Pegging 🥵

Duet narration - Audrey Obeyn & Aaron Donahue
OMG phenomenal narration! Aaron is absolutely incredible, Audrey was new for me and she is fantastic!

Book #5 Kings of the Ice series
*can be read as a standalone

Content warning - discussion of past rape

This book is absolutely amazing. Super spicy, funny, and emotional.

Carter is the rookie on the hockey team and a virgin. He has insecurities that he developed after a past coach putting him down every chance he got. He is also desperately lusting after Liv who is the hockey teams dentist and part of his friend group.

Liv is the team dentist and co owns a dental spa catering to the high end clientele. She has past trauma from being raped by a family friend and her family cutting her off when they did not believe her. She needs control on all things.

The plot is creative and addictive, the characters are loveable and so fun to read, the spice be spicing in this one. Absolutely one of the best pegging scenes I have ever read. Especially in audio. Aaron and Audrey are amazing narrators.

Liv & Carter 🔥

I was here for the spice and left with emotional damage 🥲 This was really all about finding your strength and owning! Both Liv and Carter went through something traumatic when they were younger. That led Carter to having no confidence and Liv to seek control over everything. Initially we have Carter ask Liv for spicy lessons. But as those lessons progressed they started to share parts of themselves that no one knew. And when they both found that missing piece to finally stand their ground I was tearing up. They had so many vulnerable moments through intimacy and it made their connection so much stronger. Liv deserved the world and Carter was happy to give to her. Plus that twist in the end!! But the amount of times I wanted to go through the pages and just tell Liv’s mom off- ugh I hated her 😑 Trust me you will too. Then the conversation with her sister 😭 It was one of the most heartbreaking and heartfelt moments in the book for me. So even though this was the spiciest book in the series it was also one that made me feel all the emotions. Now I can’t wait for the last book in the series!